Raven and the Dancing Tiger by Leah Cutter

the other boys still standing there, he just nodded and started down the hall, his arms wrapped over his chest.
    They couldn't fight, him and Cai, but he had to protect himself, somehow, from those boys. He didn't have to look behind to know they still stared at him, that they were still out to get him in trouble.
    Suddenly, warrior training didn't sound like as much fun.

Chapter Five
    "I'm glad you asked me to dance again," Sally said as Peter led her to the floor. More couples had joined in, but there was still room to dance in the corners. The air buzzed from all the people laughing and talking. Like most of the older Seattle buildings, there wasn't any AC. However, cool night air blew in from the wide windows, and black industrial fans were scattered around the room, trying to move the air around as well.
    Peter had tried not to approach Sally again, worried about Tamara, but found himself helplessly drawn to Sally, watching her from the corner, always knowing when she was on the floor, where she was, who she danced with.
    "What if I hadn't?" Peter asked, teasing.
    Sally shrugged. "I would have waited. Until you did."
    Peter shook his head and spun Sally out, keeping her at arm's length, turning her a few times, then turning himself. He didn't know if she felt the same way he did, couldn't ask. But he could hope. Peter knew he was a good dancer, considerate, and a firm lead—he knew all about showing off his partner, letting her shine as well. However, this was the first time he'd really felt it.
    The dance was all about Sally, bringing her close to dance side by side and "showing her the love" as his first dance teacher had called it, then spinning her out and watching her do her thing, the pair of them circling and shimmying, twisting their feet and legs, hopping with their own individual styles.
    He'd never felt so connected with a partner, catching her laughing eyes across loosely held hands, adding his own flair but really showcasing her.
    When the song finished, Peter brought Sally close to dip her, but also to take in more of her scent: her slightly salty sweat; the sweetness of her shampoo; the warm, womanly essence of her. He reluctantly let Sally go. "Would you like a drink?" he asked, unwilling to let her stray far.
    Cai cawed a caution—neither of them could afford to get drunk, not with Tamara there, perched in the corner and ready to strike.
    "Some juice would be good," Sally said. "I don't really drink when I dance."
    "Totally understand," Peter said, nodding as they started walking toward the bar. "I sweat a lot, too, when I dance." Horrified, he realized what he'd just said. " Uhmm . Not that I think you're sweaty. Or gross. Or anything."
    Sally giggled at him. "It's okay. I realize I'm beyond glistening at this point."
    "Huh?" Peter berated himself. Way to sound intelligent there.
    "It was something my grandma told me. Pigs sweat, while ladies merely glisten."
    "I'll keep that in mind," Peter said, grinning, as he helped Sally step closer to the bar. His palm stayed warm and tingling even after he removed it from the small of her back.
    "Hey, Peter, what'll it be?" Brin called out, wiping her hands on a bar towel. Her hair, shaved close to her skull, was purple and blond tonight. She had piercings on her eyebrow, nose, lip, and probably other places Peter couldn't imagine. She had only one small visible tattoo, a black-and-white portrait of a Saint Bernard on her left shoulder, with a scroll underneath that said Mom .
    " Brin , this is Sally," Peter said, using the introduction as another excuse to touch Sally.
    Brin's eyebrows shot to her hairline, but she merely said, "Nice to meetcha . Want me to make it a special, Peter?"
    "Two," Peter said. "But no alcohol in either."
    "You sure?" Brin asked. "I got some cherry-infused tequila tonight."
    "Positive," Peter said, confused. Brin had never questioned his order before.
    "All right then. A challenge," Brin said, moving off.
    "A special?" Sally