Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files #8) - Jim Butcher Page 0,81

her hand gingerly at herself. I wanted to clean up a little, but they wont let me use the bathroom in Nelsons room. I was hoping I could borrow yours. Just for a minute.

It would have been easier to dropkick a puppy than to turn the kid away. Sure, I said. Just keep it quiet. Okay?

I stepped back into the room, and Molly followed me, pausing to scratch Mouse behind the ears. She looked past me, to the open floor space and the things I had sat out.

What are you doing? she asked me.

Magic, I said. Whats it look like Im doing?

She smiled a little. Oh. Right.

I waved a hand at my materials. Im going to try to prevent another attack from hurting anyone.

Can you do that? she asked.

Maybe, I said. I hope so.

I cant believehellip; I mean, I knew there were things out there, but my friendshellip; Rosie. Her lower lip quivered and her eyes filled with tears that didnt quite fall.

I didnt have much I could say to comfort her. Im going to stop it from happening again, I said quietly. Im sorry I didnt move fast enough the first time.

She looked down again, and nodded without speaking. She swallowed several times.

Listen, I told her quietly. This is serious stuff. You need to talk about it. Not with me, I added, as she looked up at me. With your mom.

Molly shook her head. She isnt

Molly, I sighed. Life can be short. And cruel. You saw that last night. You got a look at the kind of thing your dad deals with all the time.

She didnt respond.

I said quietly, Even Knights can die, Molly. Shiro did. It could happen to Michael, too.

She lifted her head abruptly, staring at me as if in shock.

How does that make you feel? I asked.

She chewed on her lip. Scared.

It scares your mom, too. It scares her a lot. She deals with it by holding on hard to the people around her. Maybe too hard, sometimes. Thats why you feel like shes trying to keep you a little kid. She probably is. But it isnt because shes a control freak. Its because she loves you all so muchyou, your dad, your familyand shes frightened that something bad could happen. Shes desperate to do everything she can to keep you all safe.

Molly didnt look up or respond.

Life is short, I said. Too short to waste it on stupid arguments. Im not saying your mom is perfect, because God knows she isnt. But my God, Molly, youve got the kind of family people like me would kill for. You think theyll always be there laterbut they might not be. Life doesnt give you any guarantees.

I let that sink in for a minute, and then said, I promised your dad that Id ask you to talk to her. I told him Id do my best to get the two of you to work things out.

She looked up at me, crying now, silently. More dark makeup trailed down her cheeks.

Will you sit down with her, Molly? Talk?

She took a shaking breath and said, I dont know if it will do any good. Weve said so muchhellip;

I cant force you to do it. No one can do that but you.

She sniffled for a moment. It wont do any good.

I dont expect miracles. Just try to talk to her. Please.

She took a breath, and then nodded, once.

Thank you, I said.

She tried to smile once, and hovered outside the bathroom door for a moment more.

Molly? I asked. Are you okay?

She nodded, but she didnt move, either.

I frowned. Something you want to say?

She looked up at me for just a second. No, she said then, and shook her head. No, its nothing, really. Thank you. I wont be long. She stepped into the bathroom, shut the door, and locked it. The shower started a moment later.

Wow, Bob said from behind me, somehow inserting a leer into the word. I didnt realize you liked them quite thathellip; fresh, Harry.

I glared at him. What?

Did you see the body on her? Magnificent rack! Blond Nordic babe-age, but all pierced and dressed in black, which means shes probably into at least one kind of kink. And all tender and emotional and vulnerable to boot. Taking her clothes off right here in your room.

Kink? You dontlook, theres no way tohellip; I sputtered. No, Bob. Just no. For crying out loud. Shes seventeen.

Better move quick, then, Bob said. Before anything starts to droop. Taste of perfection while you