Spike's died a few times himself. Always managed to bounce back until now. Julia died, too. What's the point of trying anymore? Maybe that's why his guardian star went out. "Seedy clubs are seedy clubs no matter where they are, I guess."

A faint smile curves his mouth and he shrugs, nonchalant. "Notice more if you stay calm. Easier to react to things if you need to." His gaze becomes a little sharper as he looks for telltale signs around her pupils, the pulse point on her throat, the muscles of her jaw. "Looks like you're not sampling the harder stuff yet."