Xander's POV

I stumbled down the street, feeling every bruise and cut on my body. I had fought Jamal, the guy who had been harassing my sister for months. I had tried to protect her, but I had failed. He had beaten me up, and worse, he had hurt her too. I felt a surge of anger and guilt, mixed with pain and fear. I needed a drink, something to numb the ache in my soul. I saw a bar nearby and decided to enter. Maybe I could forget, for a moment, what had happened. 

I walked into the dimly lit place, ignoring the stares of the other patrons. I...