Gathering of Angels(37)
Her face paled even more. “But—”
“Time to move.” Simon’s whisper jerked Theresa around, and before she could do something foolish, like run, he gripped her wrist, glancing at Claire. “Remember our deal. You stay—”
“In your sight, at arm’s length, in spitting distance. Do I have all of them?”
His smile flashed, lighting the clear green eyes. “Good enough. Let’s get this done.”
He led the way, keeping a grip on Theresa. Claire followed them, one hand clutching the amethyst through her sweatshirt. She wore a long black coat, borrowed from Mindy Kay. It brushed the ground, but it kept her warm, and helped her blend into the darkness. Something brushed her cheek—she slapped at it, and realized it was her hair. That would take time to get used to.
Simon found a break in the hedge, gestured for them to wait, and slipped through. He returned a moment later, holding his hand out for Theresa. Claire figured he would keep her close. They didn’t have a choice in bringing her, since no one else had heard of the museum, or knew its location. She was the unknown, emotional and volatile, and could get them killed.
Shotgun ready, he led them to what looked like the back entrance to the museum. They didn’t run into anyone; all the action seemed to be focused out front. He opened the door, and power slammed her.
“Claire.” Strong hands pulled her off the ground, his skin as cold as hers. “Talk to me.”
“She’s in there. I can’t—” Claire took in a shaky breath. “I can’t see for the darkness.”
“Stay here.”
She jerked out of his grip, pushed hair off her face. “Not a chance. She wants me. You, she’ll just kill for the entertainment.”
He loomed over her, trapping her against the wall. “Please—tell me how you really feel.”
Despite herself, she smiled. “Smartass.”
“Guilty.” He cupped her chin, all humor gone. “We get one thing straight, right now. I feel even a hint of danger and we run. No argument, no heroic sacrifice. Got it?”
“Crystal clear.”
Simon reached out and caught Theresa by the wrist. “The same goes for you, sweetheart. I want to help your dad as much as you, but I won’t pay a life to get him free of her.”
Swallowing, she nodded.
“All right.” Claire eased out of his grip. “Now that the threatening portion of the evening is over, let’s get this done.”
*
“Sit down, Annie. They’re in good hands—Simon will keep them safe.”
She made another pass, rubbing at her ring. It felt uncomfortable, like an itch she couldn’t reach. Tears blurred her eyes as she stared down at it. She didn’t even have the chance to tell Claire yet, to share the joy and the future this ring represented. Annie wanted her to be around for all of it—the planning, the thousands of decisions, the shower. She wanted Claire to stand with her, as her friend, the sister of her heart, when she married the man she wanted to grow old with—
Pressing her fingers against her eyes for a second, she managed to keep from bursting into tears. Mindy Kay walking in from the bedroom made it even easier.
She wanted to hate the lanky redhead, with those knockout gorgeous eyes and killer figure. But her obvious care for Marcus and Claire, and the pure, nurturing power that radiated from her had Annie liking her, trusting her.
“He’s sleeping.” Mindy Kay dropped into the nearest chair, scrubbed at her face. “Lea’s staying with him.” She glanced over at Eric. “She asked if you’d check in on him in a bit.”
Eric nodded. “Why don’t you crash in the other bedroom? It’s going to be a long night.”
She stood, yawning. “Wake me in a couple hours. You two will need some sleep by then.”
Annie stopped long enough to let her pass, then started pacing again.
“Okay.” Eric pushed out of the chair and stepped in her path. “Enough, blondie.”
“Out of my way.” He simply took her hands when she tried to move past him. “Damn it, Eric—let me go—”
“Talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to—God—” Burning pain flared up her arm. Eric caught her as her knees buckled, lowered her to the closest chair. She clutched her left wrist, stared at her ring. Black burned in the center of the sapphire—and for the first time, images flared through her mind. “It’s Claire—oh God, Eric—she’s in danger.”
*
Claire crept behind Simon through the narrow, dark hallways. She kept a tight grip on Theresa, feeling her tremble every time they rounded a corner. Claire understood perfectly; aside from the brutal cold, this warren left plenty of room for ambush.