of her mind whispered. Wheres Amelie, then? Wheres Sam? Sam saved your life. Which side of the line do you put him on?
She didnt know. And she didnt want to think about it anymore. Claire sat under the pounding hard rain of the hot water and let it all go for a while, until the water started to run cool and she remembered that Eve probably wanted to shower, too. Crap. She jumped up, turned off the taps, and dried off, realized she hadnt brought more clothes in with her, and wrapped in the towel for the fast trip to her room.
When she opened the bathroom door, Michael was standing right outside. He looked up, saw she wasnt dressed, and looked briefly conflicted.
He solved it by turning his back. Go get some clothes on, he said. Then I need to talk to you.
What time is it? she asked. He didnt answer, and she felt something sick take hold in her stomach. Michael? What time is it?
Just get dressed, he said. And come downstairs.
Chapter Twenty-eight
She raced to her room, dropped the towel, and grabbed her little travel clock.
It was four a. M. Dawn was just a couple of hours away. No, she whispered. No Shed been asleep for hours.
No time to waste, then. Claire put on underwear, jeans, and a T-shirt, grabbed her shoes and socks, and hurried to the stairs.
She stopped on the first step down when she heard Amelies voice. Amelie? In the house? Why? Sam, she kind of expectednot that Michael liked any vampires, but hey, he was family, right? And besides, Sam seemed okay. And sure enough, she caught sight of Sams copper-colored hair when she eased down another step; he was standing in the far corner, near the kitchen, with his arms folded.
Amelie and Michael were in the center of the room.
Hey! Eves voice, coming from behind her, made her jump. Claire turned and saw Eve standing there in a thick black bathrobe, clothes in her arms. Im taking my shower. Tell them Ill be there soon, okay?
Eve looked tired, her makeup sweated or smeared away. Claire felt guilty about using all the hot water. Okay, she said, and edged another step down toward the living room. Eves footsteps creaked behind her, and the bathroom door closed. The water went on.
Claire heard Amelie say, cant take it back. Do you understand? Once you make this choice, it is done. There can be no returning.
That didnt sound good. No, that didnt sound good at all. Claire still felt shaky and sick, as if shed drunk half a gallon of that red punch at the party, and she didnt feel in any shape to face Amelie again. Only so much scary she could deal with in one day. Maybe shed just wait for Eve.
I understand, Michael said. But there isnt a lot of choice anymore. I cant live like this, trapped in this house. I need to leave. I cant help Shane if Im stuck here.
You may not be able to help Shane at all, Amelie said coolly. I would not base such a choice on the love of one friend. It may turn out badly for you both.
Life is risk, right? So I have to risk it.
She shook her head. Samuel, please speak to him. Explain.
Sam stirred from where he stood in the corner, but he didnt come closer. Shes right, kid. You dont know what youre getting into. You think you do, butyou dont. Youve got a good thing hereyoure alive; youre safe; you have friends who care about you. Family. Stay where you are.
Michael let out a hollow laugh that sounded a little crazy. Stay where I am? Jesus Christ, what choice do I have? This house is twenty-five hundred square feet of tomb. Im not alive. Im buried alive.
Sam shook his head and bent his head, avoiding Michaels stare.
Amelie stepped closer to him. Michael. Please think what you are asking. It is not only difficult for you; it is difficult for me.
If I give you your freedom from this house, it comes at a terrible price. There will be great pain, and the loss of things that neither you nor I can fully name. What you are will change, and change forever. You would live and die at my command, do you understand? And you would never be even the half human you are now, never again. She shook her head slowly. I believe you will regret this, and regret