Ghost Town Page 0,40

ever do that again. Don't ever threaten the people I love."

The other vampires--even Myrnin--looked uncomfortable, shocked, or outright angry (Oliver). Not Amelie, though. Her eyebrows rose. "The people you love are constantly at risk, as are all people everywhere. Even mine. You should come to terms with that fact, Claire. I am only one thing that threatens their safety. As they occasionally threaten mine. It is the way of all life."

Claire balled up her fists, but she wasn't like Shane. She couldn't lash out. She just had to breathe through the surges of anger that made red flashes across her eyes until it stopped.

Amelie must have known she wasn't going to get thanked; she nodded to the others, turned, and left. She hadn't been alone, Claire realized. Her two usual bodyguards were with her, standing just off in the shadows, and they followed her up the steps and out of the lab.

That left Myrnin, Oliver, and the other vampire, who now bowed stiffly toward her. "Frederick von Hesse," the vampire said, in what had to be a German accent. "So nice to formally make your acquaintance. This is impressive work. Tell me, how did you come to understand so much of the hermetic arts?"

"I don't," Claire said flatly. "A lot of it doesn't make any sense at all."

Oliver laughed--actually laughed. "I like this new Claire," he said. "You should work her this hard all the time, Myrnin. She's interesting when she's forthright."

Claire, possessed by the spirit of Eve, shot him the finger. Which made him laugh again, shake his head, and walk up the steps.

Gone.

Leaving her with von Hesse and Myrnin. Von Hesse had a little in common with Oliver in that he, too, looked like an aging hippie, but it was mostly the fact that his hair was shoulder length, blond, and frizzy. He looked older than most vampires, with a lined face and droopy blue eyes, but he had a nice, if tentative, smile. "I apologize," he said. "I did not mean to offend you." Claire sighed. "You didn't." For some reason, it was hard for her to stay mad at von Hesse. Oliver, no problem, but this vampire seemed a little . . . nervous? Fragile, maybe. "I'm Claire."

"Yes, yes, of course you are. You've done an amazing thing, Claire. Truly amazing." He stood back from the table, admiring the glowing machine. "I never thought it would be possible without the interface of an organic--"

"Please don't start with the brains again," Claire said. "I'm tired. I'm going home, okay?"

Myrnin, who hadn't said much, suddenly reached out and wrapped his arms around her. She stiffened, shocked, and for a panicked second wondered whether he'd suddenly decided to snack on her neck . . . but it was just a hug. His body felt cold against hers, and way too close, but then he let go and stepped back. "You've done very well. I'm extremely proud of you," he said. There was a touch of color high in his pale cheeks. "Do go home now. And shower. You reek like the dead."

Which, coming from a vampire, was pretty rich.

"Can I take the portal?" Claire asked. Myrnin moved the concealing bookcase and unlocked the door in the wall, swung it open, and bowed so low he practically scraped the floor. He also dug her cell phone out of the pocket of his baggy shorts and handed it over. Claire stepped up and concentrated until the living room of the Glass House was in focus. Nobody was up yet, it seemed. It was still dark outside the windows.

Before she stepped through, she looked at Myrnin and said, "Thanks for taking care of me."

He smiled faintly, but in a pained sort of way. "I didn't," he said. "I put you at risk, all because I do what Amelie says. And I'm sorry for that. But she was right. It had to be done. And it had to be done quickly. I couldn't have done it alone, Claire."

"Good-bye," said von Hesse, waving. Claire awkwardly waved back, and stepped through the portal.

Home.

She took in a deep breath and looked behind her to see what seemed like a solid wall. She might have dreamed all of it, except that she was still shaky and felt oddly empty.

The house smelled so good. Chili--that was normal--and somebody must have done laundry down in the basement, because she could smell the fabric softener. Too much, as usual. That was Shane's trademark.

She wanted to go straight up to him,