network of support from some of his survivors. We’ve been hunting him for a long time, and it led us here.”
“That sounds crazy,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong. I believe you, but things like that don’t happen here. What would you call him, a vampire witch?”
“Like I said before, I’m not into labels.” He shrugged. “But that one fits well enough.”
She waved a hand. “You get my point. Woo-woo stuff happens somewhere else. It’s astonishing that what started so long ago in another part of the world might be coming to a head here, of all places.”
“That may be precisely why it’s coming to a head here. Think of this big, beautiful city filled with humans crowded together like so many sheep. It’s not the seat of an Elder Races demesne, and it has no other major competing Power. Charleston is a bit close, but the Elven High Lord is well known for being disinterested in matters that lie beyond his Wood. And there’s a distaste for magic here that adds blinkers of denial to the public eye. You said it yourself—magical events happen elsewhere, not here in good old Atlanta. That kind of denial makes an excellent hunting ground for an old, rapacious wolf.”
She shuddered. She was beginning to feel shaky again, so she pushed to her feet. “I think I’d better do as you said and eat something.”
He unfolded from his chair. “As soon as you have, I’ll cast more healing spells, but right now I’m going to start acquiring your documents, money, and a new vehicle.”
“And a new phone,” she added quickly. “Or at least a new phone card. It’s only fair, since you destroyed my last one.”
He sighed. “And a new phone.”
She drew to a halt and looked up at him. “You’ve already done a lot, and you’re continuing to do so much more. I won’t forget this, Josiah.”
His expression turned inscrutable. “My help doesn’t come without strings. If it looks like a legal battle is the right way to go, I may call on you to testify. Will you agree to do that?”
She hesitated. “As long as you do everything in your power to make sure I’m safe while I’m testifying, then yes.”
Satisfaction gleamed in his hooded gaze. “It’s a deal.”
She followed him back down to the basement, which no longer seemed quite as creepy. When he walked into the monitor room, she rummaged in the fridge, but nothing appealed.
“Would it have hurt you to pick up a few chocolate bars for the woman in distress?” she muttered.
His sigh was audible from the other room. “I’ll try to remember to pick up chocolate tomorrow after work.”
She paused. “You’re going to work?”
“It’s more important than ever that I’m seen to keep a normal schedule.”
“That means I’ll be stuck here by myself all day, and you don’t even have cable.” She pulled a face. “I know it shouldn’t matter.”
He appeared in the doorway and rounded the corner. She thought she heard him mutter, “High-maintenance, high-dollar mammal.”
“I’m not ungrateful,” she said warily as she straightened.
He clamped both hands onto her shoulders and looked into her gaze. After a moment, he said with severe patience, “There’s a country store about two miles away. I’ll see if they carry any magazines or books.”
The heaviness she had been carrying ever since she woke up lightened just a little. “Would you be so kind? I’d appreciate that so much.”
“I’m not kind,” he said through his teeth.
She backpedaled quickly. “No, of course you’re not. In fact, you’re really quite horrible when you think about it.”
He made a sound she had never heard him make before.
“What?” she asked. “Too much?”
Then he pulled her against him gently and kissed her.
Gently.
Gentleness was not a good thing for her right now. Her mouth shook under his. He made the sound again and pulled her into his arms. She was too tired to withstand him and too heartsick to pull away from the comfort of his touch. A tear slipped out from one of her eyelids, and then another. Reaching up to wrap her good arm around his neck, she leaned against his strength.
He jerked his mouth away and told her in a strangled voice, “I’m going to the store now.”
The magnetic pull toward him had grown stronger than ever. It was hard to withdraw, but she made herself do it. Turning away, she wiped her eyes. “You do that.”
He took the stairs two at a time. Clearly he couldn’t get away fast enough from the situation.