And her heart shattered at the sound of the garage door opening and Kyrian's car starting. The man was so damned stubborn!
"He was wrong, Acheron. You're not the ass, he is."
Acheron laughed.
Amanda rubbed her hands over her eyes as she tried to think of what she should do. But in her heart she knew. Kyrian was going to die one way or another.
At least if she killed him, he stood a chance. "Give me the medallion."
Acheron handed her the box. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely not."
She tried to take the box, but he held on to it. "Whatever you do, don't change your mind after you take this into your hand. It would be the cruelest thing you could do to him. I would rather he die fighting Desiderius than die by the hand of the woman he loves. Again."
Her hand trembled under his. "I would never hurt him."
"No offense, but the last time I heard that, the woman dropped the medallion ten seconds after she picked it up. Don't make me wrong again."
"I won't."
He nodded grimly and released the medallion to her. "Remember, you have to take it into your hand the moment he's staked. Hold it until he's dead, then place the medallion over the bow mark."
"How will I know when it's done?"
"Trust me, you'll know."
Amanda placed the medallion in her backpack purse next to the box with the Barbie doll Liza had given her. She'd started carrying the doll the night Tabitha had been attacked. It was probably stupid, but knowing the doll was there just in case comforted her. Besides, it was better than carrying a gun, and even with the spikes in the legs, she was sure it was safer.
As she closed her purse, her cell phone started ringing. Digging it out of the side pouch, she answered it.
"Mandy, is that you?"
She wrinkled her nose when she heard Cliff's nasal voice. "I thought-"
"Listen," he said, interrupting her. "Something terrible has happened..."
He sounded as if he'd been crying. Even though they were over romantically, she couldn't help feeling concern for him. He might be a jerk, but up until a couple of weeks ago, she had intended to marry him. "What?"
"It's my mother," he said, choking on a sob. "Look, I know we're not on the best of terms, but I have no one else to call. Could you please come over here? I don't want to be alone."
She hesitated. A strange, sick feeling clenched her stomach. Attributing it to the fact she couldn't stand the thought of seeing Cliff again, she realized just how selfish denying him would be. He needed her. She would go for a few minutes, then return here to wait for Kyrian. "All right, I'm on my way."
"Thank you."
Acheron cocked a brow at her. "Something wrong?"
"A friend in need."
He nodded. "You go and I'll find your sister and watch over her." Acheron pulled on a black T-shirt. "By the way, be careful."
"Of?"
"It's nighttime and evil things are roaming out there."
Another ripple of fear went through her. "Should I be afraid?"
"Follow your gut, little girl. Do what you have to do."