He stared past her, his voice a raw whisper. “Do what you will. I don’t have the strength to fight you. But I will ask one promise.” He met her eyes, the muddy green depths finally showing signs of life. It was anger, but she’d take it. “Once you realize you can’t save me, you will let me go.”
Horror clawed through her. “Marcus—”
“Promise me.”
“Damn it.” She straightened, ran both hands through her hair. “Fine. You got your promise.” She gripped his hand before he could retreat. “But here’s mine—I’m not giving up on you. So deal.”
Letting him go, she stalked out of the bedroom, and didn’t give in to the shakes until she was out of his sight.
Her knees buckled—and the hunk, Simon, caught her before she did a face plant with the hardwood. Leading her over to a hideous plaid sofa, he settled her and sat next to her, sandwiching her hand.
“Just breathe, now. That’s it, focus on each breath, you’re almost there.”
His deep, soothing voice calmed her. She wanted to trust him, believe him—which made her immediately suspicious.
Yanking her hand free, she inched backward, and froze when she saw the smile on his face.
“Sorry, he said. “Occupational hazard. I automatically try to comfort someone in pain. How is he?”
“Stubborn. But that’s normal.” She watched Claire stand up, cross the living room, shaking hands clenched together so tightly her knuckles were white. “Eric thinks it’s some kind of blood poisoning, and that if we hurry, we can treat it—”
With a wordless cry Claire spun and limped-ran into the bedroom. Eric hugged the doorframe to avoid collision.
Annie followed, and got there in time to hear Claire’s choked question.
“Has anyone ever survived this?” Both hands reached down, framed his face. “Answer me, Jinn. Has any of your kind ever survived this?”
He swallowed. “One,” he whispered. “But he was only grazed by a steel blade, had no sin attached to him—”
“Tell me how.”
“It will do no good, Claire. We don’t have what—”
“Tell me.”
Marcus closed his eyes. “He was healed with silver stones of the earth, by a man of the holy orders.”
Claire dropped her hands. “What do you mean by a man of—”
“He’s talking about a Catholic priest.” Simon stood in the doorway, his face pale. “I happen to know where you can find one.”
Claire moved, but Annie got to him first, dug her fingers into his arm. “Where?”
“You’re bruising him.”
Surprised, she let go. “You? But you’re—”
“Masquerading as a cop? I was a detective, in another life.” He ran one hand over his short brown hair. The cut just enhanced his sinfully gorgeous face. And finding out explained her desire to trust. “You want to know what I meant by my earlier statement, Claire? That witch swept through my town, took over a friend before I knew who she was, what she was, and killed people I loved. She escaped before I could stop her. Before I could avenge them. I’m here to correct that mistake.”
Claire stepped to him, touched his hand. “Have you—”
“Broken my vows? Not yet.” He let out a sigh, and Annie saw the grief he managed to hide from them flash in the depths of his green eyes. “Find me those stones, and I will do what I can.”
Lea appeared behind Simon, looking tiny next to his muscular build. “He may be talking about hematite. Blood cleansing is one of the healing properties. And it is a silvery grey stone.” She wrapped both arms around herself, looked at Claire. “There’s an ample supply—at my New Age shop. In town.”
“Which might as well be the moon.” Claire rubbed her face—and Annie spotted the bandage on her left wrist. She pushed aside her need for answers. Right now, Marcus was the focus. She could grill Claire once they took care of him. “We have to find a way. It’s dark, which will give us the best chance of getting there relatively unscathed—”
“You’re not going anywhere near town.” Annie blocked Claire in, knowing how impulsive she was about doing dangerous on her own. “I’ll—”
“You will stand out like a beacon,” Claire said, gesturing to her ring. It still danced with blue fire. Her own temper manifested for everyone to see. Great. “I won’t put any of you in danger. This is my choice, Annie; I’m the reason Marcus was injured. I’m going, and so is Simon.” He looked at her, surprise flashing across his face. “Once we retrieve the hematite, you can come straight back, help Marcus. I will be a distraction, if it becomes necessary.”