Breathless, Jimena slowed her steps and joined the crowd walking from the public parking areas toward the Staples Center. The huge gathering was like a musical melting pot. Headbangers, hip-hoppers, and punk-rockers strolled together, some singing, their energy high and contagious, and seeming to vibrate into the air.

She passed guys selling T-shirts with the band's picture on the front. Other vendors held posters and glow sticks in their hands.

A horn honked in quick beats and then someone called her name."Jimena!"

She turned.

Collin waved from behind the wheel of his utility van and swung the vehicle to the curb. He looked angry and tired. She stepped to the van as the automatic window rolled down.

"I don't have time -"

"Get in the car." He leaned over and opened the door for her. He had dark circles under his eyes. "I'll give you a ride to the center."

Reluctantly, she climbed in and buckled her seat belt.

"I've been looking for you since last night." He eased into the slow-moving traffic. "You should have told someone where you were going. I was worried something had happened to you. Everyone was."

"Right," she snapped. "If you were so worried, then why did you break up with me?"

"You're the one who always acted like the relationship wasn't important, not me," he answered defensively.

His head whipped around. "What?"

"Even Friday night. You didn't seem happy to see me. All you wanted to do was talk to Serena."

"You had already found your girlie-girl to replace me!" Jimena's voice was tight with anger. "I saw you with her at Corrine's party."

"Melissa?"

"I don't know her name." Jimena folded her arms over her chest. "And I don't care."

"You're jealous of Melissa?"

"I'm not celosa of anybody."

"Melissa is Hunter's younger sister. She just started going out and she's shy. I was trying to give her some confidence. I'm not interested in her." Then the anger returned to his voice. "Not like your interest in Robert!"

"Robert? I don't like Robert," Jimena shot back.

Collin jerked the steering wheel. The car lunged to the side of the road and jarred to a stop. Horns honked in protest. He grabbed Jimena's hand and pulled her to him. She hadn't anticipated his touch and a shock of adrenaline rushed through her. His fingers curled under her chin and he made her look into his eyes.

She glanced up at him, trying not to give in. His breath caressed her face, his lips inches from hers now.

He looked down at her tenderly. "I couldn't have any romantic interest in her because I'm in love with you."

Her lower lip trembled and she tried to push back tears. "I was going to tell you how I felt at the sleep-over tonight, but you broke up with me."

"Tell me."

"I think I'm falling in love with you." The words were out and she felt totally exposed.

His hand brushed over her cheek and he kissed her lightly.

"I'm sorry, " she whispered.

"I never wanted to break up with you," he said. "But you always act so tough. I thought you didn't care. Then when we did break up, it seemed like it was what you wanted."

Abruptly, she pulled away from him and wiped the tears from her cheek. "It's too late now." She opened the car door.

He looked surprised. "Where are you going?"

She jumped out. "There's no time left," she yelled over her shoulder and started pushing wildly through the crowd. She had to get to the Staples Center. She didn't even know who the traitor was yet and she had to stop that Daughter from summoning the Atrox.