Gathering of Angels(44)
Heather let her go, then pushed Claire to her knees in front of the table.
She recognized the items, but she had never seen them assembled together before, and the angry power that emanated from them scraped across her skin. Instinct had her grasping the amethyst through her sweatshirt. It warmed her hand, but the rest of her shivered, constantly assaulted by the cold surrounding her captor.
While Heather paced behind her and muttered to herself, Claire searched for what could be the personal item, the one thing that would take Jane out of this world for good. She saw it—an antique wood comb, with strands of white blonde hair caught in the teeth—
Heather grabbed her by the hair before she could touch it and threw her to the floor.
“You would do her harm, when all she wants is to live the life she should have been given, the life she deserves?”
Claire raised herself up on one elbow, still lightheaded from Heather’s fist. “She killed innocent people—including your chief.” Color drained out of Heather’s face. “She didn’t tell you? Interesting—even though she holds you with her power, you don’t know anything about her actions.”
“You lie—” She raised her hand. Claire wanted to recoil; instead she kept eye contact.
“You know I don’t. And it would be too easy to verify. Simon and I were with Bertram when he died—”
“Shut up—”
“—and he gave up Jane’s grand plan. Her insane plan to steal someone else’s life, their body, and make it her own—”
“I said shut up!” She hauled Claire off the floor and threw her at the wall, then followed her, holding a knife to her throat. Icy fingers grabbed her hair, yanked her head back. “If she did not want you in one piece, I would cut you, and enjoy watching you die—”
“That would displease me, Heather.”
Jerking, Heather let her go and turned around. Claire clutched the wall, fought to bring the wavering figure into focus, and realized it wasn’t her eyesight. Jane looked even more insubstantial.
“Forgive me.” Heather bowed, so low her honey blonde hair brushed the floor. “I lost my temper, and acted rashly because of it.”
“My angel. Face me, and be forgiven.”
Not likely. Claire choked down the comment, knowing it would lead to pain, at the very least.
Slowly, Heather straightened. She swallowed, and Claire saw sweat trickle down her face. “I brought her for you.”
Floating forward, Jane crossed her arms as she studied Heather, fingers tapping one bicep. “And I am so grateful for your gift, my angel. But I am well aware she began this journey to me on her own.”
Claire saw the temper flare in those grey eyes. “Don’t you dare punish her because I decided to take you on. She had nothing to do with it.”
“You would defend one who planned to give you up to me? Had I not arrived, you may have been cut and bleeding on the floor.” Jane studied Claire as if she were a unique specimen. “I find that altruistic, and more than a little foolish. But it does not matter. Once I am inside you, all that you are will cease to be.”
The cold pouring off Jane chilled her right to the bone. “What do you hope to gain by possessing someone?”
Jane looked surprised. “I thought that would be obvious. Immortality, of course.”
“By taking over a human body?” Claire stretched the conversation, stalling any action, hoping to give Simon enough time to reach her. “The body will age and die. You can’t change basic physiology.”
The smile that crossed Jane’s face slid ice down her spine. “You will merely be the first. When I am done with you, I will simply move to another host.”
“Like a parasite.”
“Like a god!” She raised her hand—and coils of darkness slithered across the floor, wrapped around Claire’s arms and trapped her against the wall. They sucked the last bit of warmth from her. “Once I take you, I will be untouchable.”
Fighting panic, she took in a shaky breath. Her arms began to numb, the coils writhing, tightening their hold. “Immortality is overrated. Take the word of someone who—”
She let out a sharp cry as the coil found bare skin. Icy pain scorched her left wrist, reigniting her injury.
“When I first saw you, I thought you were the one. I thought I would want to be delicate, lovely, a Dresden doll.” Jane tilted her head, dead grey eyes lit with pleasure. “You would allow me to simply float through life, using a smile to get anything I desired.” She hovered in front of Claire, fingers brushing the air next to her cheek. Bitter cold slapped her skin. “You are so beautiful, and you have a core of strength I grudgingly admire. But I changed my mind.”