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Startled, she looked up Lucian, i cape, stood over her, aue was e to her feet, sood Her face was sreed, embarrassed, and not at all sure why

"And you are still in pain," he said softly

"No," she lied

"Come with me"

"No"

But he led her to a pond, where she washed, and while she did so, she heard hi off the head of the beast she had chosen He ca her with his cloak "I nearly killed a drunkard tonight," she told him tonelessly

"But you did not Sowhen such a night coain, there are, of course,to you " His hand came around hers She felt the swirl of mist that had transported her once before She found herself in a foul place with a stench even worse than that of the slaughterhouse Filthy straw littered the floor Men and women, as dirty as the straw, lay listlessly about behind barred sections "The prison," Lucian said softly "And there, Jean LeBeau, the killer of thirteen wouillotine too, a Spaniard convicted of killing his young wife in a rage He is repentant, but too late, for she lies dead and buried He cries, you seethere are more, but there you have it, if you must be a moralistic demon, choose a worthy-- or unworthy-- victie theed Their death sentences have been given theuillotine is too good for hio so afraid He could be taken soher

"I will take Roderigo," she said after a entle," she said softly

"Your kiss will be far more tender than that of Madame Guillotine," he assured her

Lucian left her

And she heard Roderigo, sobbing, praying to the Virgin, be that he would not show his fear before the uillotine

And so she went to Roderigo, and she soothed hi him, and she promised him that there was more to life, that there was a God, and that she believed He forgave Then she drank

The week had been long

And painful

Maggie hadn’t realized that she’d been ie, commented on her quiet mood

"Hey! Is there life in there?" Cissy asked, playfully tapping her on the head as closing time rolled around on Friday

"Yeah"

"We haven’t talked about dinner," Angie said, taking a seat on the corner of Maggie’s desk

"Did you want to go soie infor her arie nodded

"Well, boss lady," Cissy drawled, "I’d love to accoet you out of your funk, but I have a date as well"

"Good for you Another cop?"

"Yep Adonis"

"If you both have dates for dinner, why are you bringing it up to ie chastised, "should have taken better care of the lieutenant"

"Really?" Maggie tapped her pencil on her desk, arching a brow imperiously She wished she could have taken better care of hi involved With a Canady, with a cop

But fear hadn’t helped the anguish that had plagued her all week God, it had been wonderful

Wonderful Lying alone and awake at night, she could alainst herself, telling herself that she couldn’t be such a fool regarding a physical relationship, except that it had been more than physical Even if it had been wildly, wickedly, incredibly physical, it had beenIt was the only right thing to do She didn’t want an involvement The minute his eyes touched hers, it was an involveie and I are double dating and you’re more than welcome to join us," Cissy told her

"Nobut thanks And hey, since you ladies do have plans this evening, go on, get out of here"

"Really, I was just teasing you before--you should coie, honest, I think I knohat I’ie said stubbornly

"Well, I’ll have to live withShe brushed past them and out into the hallhere a small spiral stairway led down to the shop below When she reached the ground floor, it was just five-thirty The store was eh Gema and Allie hadn’t yet locked the door, Allie was in the back at the register desk, working on the day’s receipts

"Hey, lady, how are you doing?" Maggie asked her

Allie flashed her a war just fine"

"You’re sure you feel well?"

"I feel great And I’lad to have worked the last two days I feelnorlad you’re back as well But, listen, it’s been a long day, why don’t you go ahead on home? I’ll finish up here"

"That would be nice, because I’ive me a ride--"

"That’s fine Geht, and I’htening out the folds of a ball gown on a ie?"