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Ryder knelt quickly by Armand’s side and took the older shapeshifter’s head in his hands,expertise

"It’sopinion that the walk-in has left this host," he announced

Banjo’s red-tinged eyes narrowed "He could be faking," the vaed "But the walk-in has had ample opportunity to overpower--" he hesitated so briefly that only Caitlin are that he had paused "--the Keeper, and he has not done so I believe the entity has departed, and St Pierre may be in need of medical assistance We should inform the Council"

Caitlin stepped in quickly, with a cold look at Ryder "It’s Banjo’s right to inform the Council" Her voice was disned deference "You were the one who over powered hi Banjo to leave by offering the potential of political gain

Banjo pulled his gaunt fraantly "I will inform the Council" He brushed past Ryder, his movements as dismissive as Caitlin’s tone had been

As soon as he was out the door, Caitlin was turning to Ryder, whispering, "Thank you"

Ryder looked down at her and also spoke quietly Va "You did it, Caitlin You handled hilanced anxiously toward St Pierre’s supine body

Ryder dropped back onto a knee beside hiht?" Caitlin knelt, too

"His systeers to lift Armand’s eyelids "Abnor And I noticed tre a thumbnail in to the flesh at the base of his palrimly "This looks like coma"

"Are you a doctor, too?" Caitlin asked, suddenly curious

Ryder shtly "Hardly But there’s not always a shifter doctor around when you need one I’ve picked up some skills Do you have one?"

He meant a shifter-doctor, Caitlin knew She felt herself bristling, indignant and proud "Of course we do"

"Then we should get hie, too Aruarded" He doubted the walk-in would return to this host, but it couldn’t be ruled out

"But Banjo--" Caitlin started, and then realized that if Banjo had actually gone straight to the Council, the rooer, Fiona and Shaunathe pack But the hall outside sounded empty as a tomb

Banjo must have stopped for a little pick-me-up

Caitlin instantly reached for her cell phone--not the easiest task, since she had put it, along with a few other essentials like lip gloss, in a garter pouch that Rosalyn had designed for costuh yards and yards of silky gown, Ryder raised an eyebrow provocatively

"While I would love to oblige, this hardly see She unstrapped the garter pouch and shook her skirts down, reer and Shauna, with a 911 code in front

Ryder stood and stepped up behind Caitlin, putting his hands on her hips as she texted, bending to put his lips close to her ear "I would have thought you could just send a psychic e by now"

When she felt his breath in her ear, Caitlin’s thumbs on the keypad slowed down as she tried to finish the text

"I can teach you," he added, his lips brushing her earlobe "If you’re interested…"

Caitlin sent the text and pulled away from him

"Thanks, but I like cell phones"

"Caitlin," Ryder said, and reached for her

She evaded him

"Stop it We need a doctor We have to…tend to Ar feverish and defensive

"I know, I--look, I’ll behave"

She wavered

He looked down for a moment at Armand’s body, and, ever ht or joking about hihly skilled shifter For him to have been possessed like that…not to have been able to fend off the walk-in--it uessed"

Caitlin felt her heart plunging at the gravity of his tone, his words

"And for this entity to have even attempted to possess a two-century-old Other…much less have been successful at it, and then successful inthe possession…" He trailed off bleakly "It speaks of a purpose and a focus and an ability that I don’t even want to think about It means all your Communities are in peril Everyone"