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"I have to head to McDougal’s," Connor said,

"before Rachel calls"

"You can’t go You’ll never get past security"

"Watch e of the Ancients--I slept through those classes--but I can break into anywhere and kick the shit out of anyone"

Aidan appeared prepared to argue

"Trustyour job, you can play the victi like that You’ll be blameless"

"It’s a fucked-up plan," Aidanlow, Aidan nevertheless said, "Go I’ll work on figuring out why she wants this damn trinity so bad"

Stacey reached for the book and opened it, running her fingers over the text "What is this?"

Needing to have some connection to her, Connor set his hand on her shoulder and leaned over

"Prior to the creation of virtual databases, our people documented our history in texts, just as you do"

"You can’t read this?" she asked, her gaze locked on the turning pages

"No Our present-day language is based on it, just as your language is rooted in Latin, but only scholars and the overly curious--like Cross--know enough of its pure form to make sense of it"

"Jesus," she whispered "I feel like I’ht his eye and said, "We’ll take care of her"

Connor hated that he couldn’t be the one to comfort her, but he knew his place in Stacey’s life was tenuous at best She needed consolation and security, and he knew she wouldn’t turn to hiistics and dirty work of Justin’s retrieval

He nodded "Thanks I’s we need"

Stacey twisted in the chair to look up at hi after your son I’ll need certain equip with you"

"No way," he said firmly "It’s not safe You need--"

"Don’t tell ed to her feet "If Justin is there, I’m there Did you see the terror on his face? Did you see that freak sitting next to hi mask so I can’t identify him to the police?"

"A mask?" Lyssa frowned

"Yeah, Doc A mask With black eyes and fake vaine what h--"

Stacey’s voice choked into silence

Connor caught her close, unable to do otherwise, but she struggled and broke free She rounded the island, as if that barrier could keep him from her

His jaw tensed as her rejection cut deeply

"A h white lips

"Oh no!"

Connor could see that she understood the ihtardless, he doubted the leash was tight enough to ensure Justin’s safety for long

The clock was ticking

Shoving the cell phone in his pocket, Connor turned to leave "I’m out"

Aidan sank into the chair in front of the duffel

"I’llto pack," Stacey ritted his teeth and ran out the door, preparing hi to risk Stacey Best she get used to that idea now

He climbed into Lyssa’s Roadster and took off

Chapter 13

The drive froate to the front of the McDougaland it wended up the rather steep hill in a series of sharp turns Caress, a precaution the McDougal security tea seen Aidan’s memories, Connor knew the first tihtly inti welcoe, but the job was uniquely suited to their needs so he ed A bit of discomfort orth the money the job paid and the unlimited travel expenses