Passion - By Lauren Kate Page 0,26

It's very urgent.

Lucia shook her head. She couldn't stop staring at his neck.

How long have I been here? he asked.

You just arrived last night, she said. You don't remember?

Things are fuzzy, Daniel lied. I must have taken a knock to the head.

You were very badly wounded. She nodded. Nurse Fiero didn't think you were going to make it until morning when the doctors came--

No. He remembered. She didn't.

But then you did, and we were all so glad. I think Doria stayed with you all night. Do you remember that?

Why would she do that? Daniel said sharply, startling Lucia.

But of course Luce had stayed with him. Daniel would have done the same thing.

At his side, Lucia sniffed. He'd upset her, when it was really himself he had to be angry with. He put an arm around her shoulder, feeling almost dizzy. How easy it was to fall in love with every moment of her existence! He made himself lean back to focus.

Do you know where she is now?

She went away. Lucia chewed on her lip nervously. After you left, she was upset, and she took off somewhere. But I don't know where.

So she had run away again already. What a fool Daniel was, plodding through time while Luce was racing. He had to catch her, though; maybe he could help steer her toward that moment when she could make all the difference. Then he would never leave her side, never let any harm come to her, only be with her and love her always.

He leaped up from the bed. He was at the door when the young girl's hand tugged him back.

Where are you going?

I have to go.

After her?

Yes.

But you should stay a little longer. Her palm was damp inside his. The doctors, they all said you need some rest, she said softly. I don't know what's come over me. I just can't bear it if you go. Daniel felt horrible. He pressed her small hand to his heart. We'll meet again.

No. She shook her head. My father said that, and my brother, and then they went to the war and they died. I don't have anyone left. Please don't go.

He couldn't bear to. But if he ever wanted to find her again, leaving now was his only chance.

When the war is over, you and I will meet again. You'll go to Florence one summer, and when you're ready, you will find me at the Boboli Gardens--

I'll do what?

Right behind the Pitti Palace, at the end of Spider's Lane, where the hydrangeas bloom. Look for me.

You must be feverish. This is crazy!

He nodded. He knew it was. He loathed that there was no alternative to setting this beautiful, sweet girl on such an ugly course. She had to go to the gardens then, just as Daniel had to go after Lucinda now.

I will be there, waiting for you. Trust in that.

When he kissed her forehead, her shoulders began to shake with quiet sobs. Against every instinct, Daniel turned away, darting off to find an Announcer that could take him back.
Chapter Five
OFF THE STRAIGHT PATH

HELSTON, ENGLAND JUNE 18, 1854

Luce rocketed into the Announcer like a car speeding out of control.

She bounced and jostled against its shadowy sides, feeling as if she'd been thrown down a garbage chute. She didn't know where she was going or what she would find once she arrived, only that this Announcer seemed narrower and less pliable than the last one, and was filled by a wet, whipping wind that drove her ever deeper into the dark tunnel.

Her throat was dry and her body was weary from not having slept in the hospital. With every turn, she felt more lost and unsure.

What was she doing in this Announcer?

She closed her eyes and tried to fill her mind with thoughts of Daniel: the strong grasp of his hands, the burning intensity of his eyes, the way his whole face changed when she entered a room. The soft comfort of being wrapped in his wings, soaring high, the world and its worries far away.

How foolish she had been to run! That night in her backyard, stepping through the Announcer had seemed like the right thing to do--the only thing to do. But why? Why had she done it? What stupid idea had made that seem like a smart move? And now she was far away from Daniel, from everyone she cared about, from anyone at all. And it was all her fault. You're an idiot! she cried into the dark.

Hey,