Chapter 40: The Pulse of Desire

The beat blasting through the speakers vibrates through the air, and we're so close now that I swear I can feel it beneath my skin. All around us people are dancing, waving their arms, cheering and spinning and shouting along with the lead singer. I sway along with the rest of them, raising my arms and throwing my head back as if I might catch the song floating in the air. Alex is pushed forward by the crowd behind him, and he puts his arms around me from behind, gripping my waist as if he could protect me from everyone around us.

But I don't need protection. I need to feel this, to breathe in this energy, to give myself over to this strange spell. I want to take Alex's advice - to trust the truth of my feelings.

When the song ends, the crowd explodes into whistles and cheers. Alex keeps his arms around me as I shout right along with the rest of them.

"Next," says the lead singer into her mic, "I thought I'd do an old favorite."

The moment the first chord is played, everyone begins