“Annie.” Instead of the exasperation she expected, Claire’s voice was quiet. Apologetic. “I love you for wanting to protect me, for wanting to take this off my shoulders. But I dragged all of you into this, and I will not stand by and watch you suffer for my mistake.”
“Is that what you think?” She turned, hands on her hips. “Damn it, Claire—I’d have walked into Hell if I knew I’d be walking back out with you. And I got a sneak peek, so you know I—”
She didn’t get the chance to finish; Claire wrapped both arms around her, shaking. Annie returned the embrace, the splintered edges of her life finally sliding back into place. With a sigh, Claire eased back.
“Forgive me. You have changed, these last months.” Reaching up, she brushed back the curls hiding Annie’s mangled ear. “And it has not only been physical. I’ve watched you, the way you take charge, hold your own, rein in that temper.” Annie smiled. “I never wanted you to know about me, and once you did, I never expected to face you again, to face the simple fact that I had lied to you our entire friendship.”
“What’s a little lie between friends?” Annie stopped her protest. “Okay, not so little. But I wasn’t ready to hear it, even when I finally did. But I’ve had time to get used to it. Bottom line—I love you. You’re a damn beautiful person, and your past is just that. I’m just so happy to have you home.”
“Annie.” Tears slid down Claire’s cheeks. “I—”
“Shut up and hug me.” Laughing, Claire did, and Annie lowered them to the bed when she started shaking again. “You need to rest—I swear, we won’t do anything without you.”
“I just may believe you this time.” Pulling away, Claire wiped her face, brushed back her hair. “I don’t know if I will ever get used to this length. I’ve always had long hair.”
“Give it some time. You look even more spectacular, damn you.” Her smile had Claire laughing again. “And easy maintenance is a huge bonus.”
“I’ll remember that.”
She laid down, this time letting Annie tuck her under the sheets and down comforter.
“I’m going to bring in some food, and a couple bottles of water. You’ll feel better once you get more than a bite of sandwich in—”
Panicked shouts brought her to her feet. She didn’t even bother telling Claire to stay put. They both ran into the main room—and almost over Theresa, who stood just inside the front door, her hair tangled and tears staining her dirt streaked face.
“She has my dad—please, Simon, you have to come—she’s going to—”
“Hush.” Simon had her in his arms before she could finish, rubbing her back as he whispered to her. Once she started to calm down, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head and put her at arm’s length. “Tell me where he is.”
“The police station. We went there to get more weapons, and she was waiting—”
“Did she possess him?”
“No.” Theresa wiped her face, pulled out of his arms. “She—hurt him. He yelled at me to run. I don’t know if she did anything to him after I left—after I deserted him—”
“You did no such thing, Theresa.” Simon gripped her shoulders, looked into her eyes. “He’d want you safe, and you did the right thing, coming here. We’ll get him out, I promise you. Mindy Kay, I want you to stay with her—”
“I’m coming with you.” Theresa twisted her fingers into the front of his shirt. “He’s my father, and I left him. I won’t let him down by hiding in a corner.”
“You go,” Annie said under her breath.
“Then you do exactly as I say, or your participation ends here and now.” She nodded, staring up at Simon. He let out his breath, then buttoned his shirt. “Claire—”
“I am coming with you. Annie,” she held out her hand. “I will need the crystal.”
“I can keep it until—”
“You’re staying.”
Annie stomped down her temper. “I thought we—”
“Worked things out? Absolutely. But I’m not letting her near you, not with your power dancing five feet in front of you.” She walked into the bedroom, returned with the now dirty tennis shoes and coat. Removing her amethyst, she tucked it in one pocket of the coat. “The crystal, Annie.”
She took it off, handed it over, rubbing at her left hand when her ring started to itch. And let out a cry when fire seared her hand.
Strong arms caught her when her knees buckled, Eric’s scent invading her suddenly heightened senses. She felt Claire, the soft gold light of her new soul brushing over Annie’s raw nerves.