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“Dorian,” you warn quietly as he moves toward the man, “don’t overdo it.”

You can’t hear exactly what he says, but you can read the look on the man’s chiseled face pretty easily—and the eyeroll that follows doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Dorian keeps the smile on his face, though, and the tone of his voice is light as he carries the conversation. Maybe you shouldn’t have suggested that he hold back; although he has clearly taken your advice, the subtle approach doesn’t seem to be working.

As far as you can tell, the man remains unmoved throughout several more of Dorian’s attempts before he appears to give up and retreat, walking backwards to rejoin you rather than turn his back on the man he’s been trying to engage.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I’m not used to being subtle about these things. Evidently, I’m not very good at the light touch.”

“Are… are you still trying to flirt?” you ask.

“Force of habit,” Dorian says. His eyes rake over the man again. “I could try something a little more direct…”

You don’t miss the shake of Ashur’s head or the alarm in his eyes.

• Turn to page 62.