stood up, wiping his greasy hands on his jeans. Anachronism, Daniel decided.
You just missed her. Again. What took you so long? Cam held out a small tin platter brimming with food. Dumpling? They're pine.
Daniel knocked the plate to the ground. Why didn't you stop her? He had been to Tahiti, to Prussia, and now here to Tibet in less time that it would take a mortal to cross a street. Always he felt as if he were hot on Luce's trail. And always she was just beyond reach. How did she continue to outpace him?
You said you didn't need my help.
But you saw her? Daniel demanded.
Cam nodded.
Did she see you?
Cam shook his head.
Good. Daniel scanned the bare mountaintop, trying to imagine Luce there. He cast a quick eye around, looking for traces of her. But there was nothing. Gray dirt, black rock, the cut of the wind, no life up here at all--it all seemed to him the loneliest place on earth.
What happened? he said, grilling Cam. What did she do?
Cam walked a casual circle around Daniel. She, unlike the object of her affection, has an impeccable sense of timing. She arrived at just the right moment to see her own magnificent death--it is a good one, this time, looks quite grand against this stark landscape. Even you must be able to admit that. No?
Daniel jerked his gaze away.
Anyway, where was I? Hmm, her own magnificent death, already said that ... Ah yes! She stayed just long enough to watch you throw yourself over the edge of the cliff and forget to use your wings.
Daniel hung his head.
That didn't go over very well.
Daniel's hand snapped out and caught Cam by the throat. You expect me to believe you just watched? You didn't talk to her? Didn't find out where she was going next? Didn't try to stop her?
Cam grunted and twisted out of Daniel's grip. I was nowhere near her. By the time I reached this spot, she was gone. Again: You said you didn't need my help.
I don't. Stay out of this. I'll handle it myself.
Cam chuckled and dropped back onto the tapestry rug, crossing his legs in front of him. Thing is, Daniel, he said, drawing a handful of dried goji berries to his lips. Even if I trusted that you could handle it yourself--which, based on your existing record, I don't--he wagged a finger--you're not alone in this. Everyone's looking for her.
What do you mean, everyone?
When you took off after Luce the night we fought the Outcasts, do you think the rest of us just sat around and played canasta? Gabbe, Roland, Molly, Arriane, even those two idiot Nephilim kids--they're all somewhere out there trying to find her.
You let them do that?
I'm not anyone's keeper, brother.
Don't call me that, Daniel snapped. I can't believe this. How could they? This is my responsibility-- Free will. Cam shrugged. It's all the rage these days.
Daniel's wings burned against his back, useless. What could he do about half a dozen Anachronisms blundering about in the past? His fellow fallen angels would know how fragile the past was, would be careful. But Shelby and Miles? They were kids. They'd be reckless. They wouldn't know any better. They could destroy it all for Luce. They could destroy Luce herself.
No. Daniel wouldn't give any of them the chance to get to her before he did.
And yet--Cam had done it.
How can I trust that you didn't interfere? Daniel asked, trying not to show his desperation.
Cam rolled his eyes. Because you know I know how dangerous interference is. Our end goals may be different, but we both need her to make it out of this alive.
Listen to me, Cam. Everything is at stake here.
Don't demean me. I know what's at stake. You're not the only one who's already struggled for too long.
I'm--I'm afraid, Daniel admitted. If she too deeply alters the past--
It could change who she is when she returns to the present? Cam said. Yeah, I'm scared, too.
Daniel closed his eyes. It would mean that any chance she had of breaking free of this curse--
Would be squandered.
Daniel eyed Cam. The two of them hadn't spoken to each other like this--like brothers--in ages. She was alone? You're sure none of the others had gotten to her, either?
For a moment, Cam gazed past Daniel, at a space on the mountaintop beyond them. It looked as empty as Daniel felt. Cam's hesitation made the back of Daniel's neck itch.
None of the others had reached her, Cam said finally.
Are