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"I did not say that" Matteo had paled and started tre "And don’t you say it, either We can’t afford for word to get out It’d start a panic"

"Oh, shit Should you even be here?" Bruno’s voice was a little breathy Evidently I wasn’t the only one who rehed "I’m supposed to be on medical leave I’ht as well be here"

I hadn’t seen any injuries, but if he was hurt enough that they weren’t letting hi this I opened my mouth to say just that, but a look from Bruno silenced me

Ah, male pride--orde his went according to plan, we should be able to take her doithout anyone getting hurt Of course, how often do things actually go according to plan?

I squashed that thought like a roach It was as good a plan as we could make We ell armed Matteo was the weaker of the two brothers when it ca of defenses It takes less power to recharge so new Bruno would have the harder job, but I didn’t doubt he was up to it I was just there to play trigger woman

If the authorities showed up they’d do the dirty work for me, but I didn’t think they’d be here I’d done et the kill sanctioned, but the police forces were stretched pretty da the World Series for at least two gaames All hands had to be on deck, particularly with the ain,now They ht be evil, but they weren’t stupid

Matty walked the ring using holy water I felt the huround at my feet It raised the hairs all over my body, and I wondered if it was too much If I could sense it, maybe she would, too If she did, she wouldn’t cross the line and get caught in our trap I opened ic eased back down before I could get a word out

Shakinghad changed since I’d checked thee of a knife and the s So sue me

An old beater of a Chevy pulled into the parking lot and the teenage clerk clio on shift He noticed ave

That was creepy Ibespelled But I did

The sun sank farther in the west and the auto with flat orange light that made the shadows seeht with little fanfare Cars drove by on the ht turned red,bass of hip-hop I was hunched down in the seat of Matty’s rental sedan, waiting out of sight, alternately hoping and worrying that I had been wrong, that she wouldn’t show up I didn’t knohere Matty and Bruno were hiding

Ti in protest at the unnatural position I was in The discoet out of the car and stretch Islowly into the shadowed parking lot a short distance away I heard the soft whu and the unh heels on rock-strewn asphalt

And then I felt her, like the faintest hint of a breeze across sweat-soaked skin: power, soft as a lover’s whisper, calling It was seductive, irresistible Right then and there I thanked God that she wasn’t calling one with a s headlong, gladly, to the arood

I heard the auto out in protest And still I waited Hurry up, guys We’re running out of tie of energy as strong walls of power snapped into place

Tiun and flipping off the safety as I did I wasn’tfast I didn’t want to take any chances

She heard s; the skin of her face was stretched taut over her skull in a way that bore no reseht, so that I could see et with utter clarity