MagicintheWind

CHRISTINEFEEHAN

Formysisters....Thankyouforthemagicandthelovethathasalwaysbeeninmylife.

Chapter1

"SARAH'SBACK.SARAH'Scomehome."Thewhisperwasoverlyloudandtingedwithsomething

closetofear.Orrespect.DamonWildercouldn'tdecidewhich.He'dbeenhearingthesamesmall-town
gossipforseveralhoursanditwasalwayssaidinthesamehushedtones.Hehatedtoadmittocuriosity
andhewasn'tabouttostooptoasking,notafterhehadmadesuchapointofinsistingonabsoluteprivacy
sincehearrivedlastmonth.

Ashewalkeddownthequaintnarrowsidewalkmadeofwood,thewindseemedtowhisper,"Sarah's

back."HehearditashepassedthegasstationandburlyJeffDockinswavedtohim.Hehearditashe
lingeredinthesmallbakery.Sarah.Thenameshouldn'tcarrymystery,butitdid.

HehadnoideawhoSarahwas,butshecommandedsuchinterestandawefromthetownspeoplehe

foundhimselftotallyintrigued.Heknewfromexperiencethepeopleinthesleepylittlecoastaltownwere
noteasilyimpressed.Noamountofmoney,fame,ortitleearnedonedeference.Everyonewastreatedthe
same,fromthepooresttotherichest,andthereseemedtobenoprejudiceagainstreligionoranyother
prefcrences.Itwaswhyhehadchosenthetown.Amancouldbeanybodyhereandnoonecared.

Alldayhehadheardthewhispers.He'dneveroncecaughtaglimpseofthemysteriousSarah.Buthe'd

heardshe'donceclimbedthesheercliffsabovetheseatorescueadog.Animpossibletask.He'dseen
those crumbling cliffs and no one could climb them. He found himself smiling at the idea of anyone
attemptingsuchanimpossiblefeat,andfewthingsamusedhimorintriguedhim.

The only grocery store was in the center of town and most of the gossip originated there and then

spreadlikewildfire.Damondecidedheneededafewthingsbeforehewenthome.Hehadn'tbeeninthe
store for more than two minutes when he heard it again. "Sarah's back." The same hushed whisper, the
sameaweandrespect.

InezNelson,ownerofthegrocerystore,heldcourt,spillingoutgossipasshenormallydid,insteadof

ringingupthegroceriesonthecashregister.Itusuallydrovehimcrazytohavetowait,butthistimehe
lingeredbythebreadrackinthehopeoflearningmoreofthemysteriousSarahwhohadfinallyreturned.

"Are you sure, Inez?" Trudy Garret asked, dragging her four-year-old closer to her and nearly

stranglingthechildwithherhug."Arehersistersback,too?"

"Oh, I'm certain, all right. She came right into the store as real as you please and bought a ton of

groceries.Shewasbackatthecliffhouse,shesaid.Shedidn'tsayanythingabouttheothers,butifone
showsuptheothersaren'tfarbehind."

TrudyGarretlookedaround,loweredhervoiceanotheroctave."Wasshestill...Sarah?"

Damonrolled his eyes.Everyone always annoyedthe hell out ofhim. He thoughtmoving to a small

town would allow him to find a way to get along to some extent but people were just plain idiots. Of
courseSarahwasstillSarah.Whothehellelsewouldshebe?Sarahwasprobablytheonlyonewitha
brainwithinafifty-mileradiussotheythoughtshewasdifferent.

"Whatcoulditmean?"Trudyasked."Sarahonlycomesbackwhensomethingisgoingtohappen."

"I asked her if everything was all right and she just smiled in that way she has and said yes. You

wouldn'twantmetopryintoSarah'sbusiness,nowwouldyou,dear,"Inezsaidpiously.

Damon let his breath out in a hissing rush of impatience. Inez made it her life's work to pry into

everyone'sbusiness.WhyshouldtheabsentSarahbeexcluded?

"LasttimeshewashereDockinsnearlydied,doyourememberthat?"Trudyasked."Hefellfromhis

roof and Sarah just happened to be walking by and..." She trailed off and glanced around the store and
loweredhervoicetoaconspirator'swhisper."OldMarsatthefruitstandsaidPennytoldhimSarah..."

"Trudy,dear,youknowMarsistotallyunreliableinthethingshesays.He'sadear,sweetman,buthe

sometimesmakesthingsup,"Inezpointedout.

OldmanMarswascrotchety,mean,andknowntothrowfruitatcarsifhewasinafoulenoughmood.

DamonwaitedforlightningtostrikeInezforherblatantlie,butnothinghappened.Theworstofitwas,
DamonwantedtoknowwhatoldMarshadsaidaboutSarah,evenifitwasablatantlie.Andthatreally
irritatedhim.

Trudyleanedevencloser,lookedmelodramaticallytotherightandleftwithoutevennoticinghewas

there.Damonsighedheavily,wantingtoshakethewoman."DoyourememberthetimelittlePaulBaily
fellintothatblowhole?"

"I remember that, now that you say. He was wedged in so tight and no one could get to him, he'd

slippeddownsofar.Thetidewascomingin."

"I was there, Inez, I saw her get him out." Trudy straightened up. "Penny said she'd heard from her

hairdresser that Sarah was working for a secret agency and she was sent to some foreign country
undercovertoassassinatetheleaderofaterroristgroup."

"Oh, I don't think so, Trudy. Sarah wouldn't kill anything." The store owner's hands fluttered to her

throatinprotest."Ijustcan'timagine."

Damonhadhadenoughofgossip.Iftheyweren'tgoingtosayanythingworthhearing,hewasgoingto

get the hell out of there before Inez turned her spotlight on him. He plunked his groceries down on the
counter and looked as bored as he could manage. "I'm in a hurry, Inez," he said, hoping to facilitate
mattersandavoidInez'susualattemptsatmatchmaking.

"Why, Damon Wilder, how lovely to sec you. Have you met Trudy Garret? Trudy is a wonderful

woman,anativeofourtown.SheworksoverattheSaltBarandGrill.Haveyoubeentheretoeatyet?
Thesalmonisverygood."

"SoI'veheard,"hemuttered,barelyglancingatTrudytoacknowledgetheintroduction.Itdidn'tmatter.

They'd all made up their minds about him, making up the history he refused to provide. He felt a little
sorryforthereturningSarah.Theyweremakingupthingsaboutheraswell."Youmighttellmeaboutthat
beautiful old house on the cliffs," he said, shocking himself. Shocking Inez. He never gave anyone an
openingforconversation.Hewantedtobeleftalone.DamnSarahforbeingsomysterious.

Inezlookedasifshemightfaintandforonceshewasspeechless.

"You must know the one I'm talking about," Damon persisted, in spite of himself. "Three stories,

balconies everywhere, a round turret. It's grown over quite wild around the house, but there's a path
leadingtotheoldlighthouse.Iwaswalkingupthereandwithallthewildgrowth,Iexpectedthehouseto
be in bad shape, dilapidated like most of the abandoned homes around here, but it was in beautiful
condition.I'dliketoknowwhatpreservativeswereused."

“That'sprivateproperty,Mr.Wilder,"Inezsaid.“Thehousehasbeeninthesamefamilyforwellover

ahundredyears.Idon'tknowwhattheyuseinthepaint,butitdoesweatherwell.Noonelurksaround

thathouse."Inezwasdefinitelyissuingareprimandtohim.

"Iwashardlylurking,Inez,"hesaid,exasperated."Asyouwellknow,theseasaltishardonthepaint

andwoodofthehouses.Thathouseisinremarkablecondition.Infact,itlooksnewlybuilt.I'mcuriousas
towhatwasused.I'dliketopreservemyhouseinthesameway."Hemadeanefforttosoundreasonable
insteadofannoyed."I'mabitofachemistandIcan'tfigureoutwhatwouldkeepahousesopristineover
theyears.There'snosignofdamagefromthesea,fromage,oreveninsects.Remarkable."

Inezpursedherlips,alwaysabadsign."Well,I'mcertainIhavenoidea."Hervoicewasstiff,asif

shewerehighlyoffended.Sheranguphisgroceriesinremarkabletimewithoutsayinganotherword.

Damon gathered the bags into one arm, his expression daring Inez to ask him if he needed help.

Leaningheavilyonhiscane,heturnedtoTrudy.“Thehairdresser'sdogwalkertoldthestreetcleanerthat
hesawSarahwalkonwater."

Trudy's eyes widened in shock, but there was belief on her face. Inez made some kind of noise he

couldn't identify. Disgusted, Damon turned on his heel and stalked out. Ever since the first whisper of
Sarah'snamehehadbeenunsettled.Disturbed.Agitated.Therewassomethingunfamiliargrowinginside
ofhim.Anticipation?Excitement?Thatwasridiculous.Hemutteredacurseunderhisbreathattheabsent
Sarah.

He wanted to be left alone, didn't he? He had no interest in the woman the townspeople gossiped

about.Sarahmightnotwalkonwaterbutherhousewasamystery.Hesawnoreasonwhyheshouldn't
pay her a neighborly visit and ask what preservatives were used in the wood to achieve the nearly
impossibleresults.

DamonWilderwasamandriventotheedgeofsanity.Movingtothistinytownonthecoastwashis

last effort to hang onto life. He had no idea how he was going to do it, or why he had chosen this
particulartownwithallitsresidenteccentrics,buthehadbeendrawnhere.Nothingelsewoulddo.He
hadsteppedontherichsoilandkneweitherthisplacewouldbehomeorhehadnone.Itwashelltrying
tofitin,buttheseasoothedhimandthelongwalksovermillion-year-oldrocksandcliffsoccupiedhis
mind.

Damontookhistimeputtinghisgroceriesaway.Theknowledgethatthistown,thisplace,washislast

standhadbeensostronghehadactuallypurchasedahouse.Hishomewasoneofthefewthingsthatgave
him pleasure. He loved working on it. He loved the wood. He could lose himself in the artistry of
reshapingaroomtosuithisexactneeds.Forhoursatatimetheworkoccupiedhimsuchthatnothingelse
couldinvadehisbrainandhewasatpeaceforatime.

He stared out his large bay window, the one that looked out over the sea. The one that had an

unobstructed view of the house on the cliff. Damon had spent more hours than he cared to think about
staring up at the dark silent windows and the balconies and battlements. It was a unique house from
another century, another time and place. There were lights on for the first time. The windows shone a
brightwelcome.

Hisleghurtlikehell.Heneededtositandrest,notgotraipsingaroundthecountryside.Damonstared

at the house, drawn to the warmth of it. It seemed almost alive, begging him to come closer. He went
outsideontohisdeck,intendingtositinthechairandenjoyhisviewofthesea.Insteadhefoundhimself
limpinghiswaysteadilyupthepathtowardthecliffs.Itwasnearlyacompulsion.Thepathwasnarrow
andsteepandrockyinplaces,almostnomorethanadeertrailandovergrownatmat.Hiscaneslippedon
thepebblesandtwicehenearlyfell.Hewasswearingbythetimehemadeittotheedgeoftheprivate
property.

Hestoodtherestaringinshock.Damonhadbeentherenottwodaysbefore,walkingaroundthehouse

and the grounds. It had been wildly overgrown, the bushes high and weeds everywhere. The shrubbery
andtreeshaddroopedwithwinterdarknessontheleaves.Anoticeableabsenceofsoundhadgiventhe
placeaneerie,creepyfeeling.Nowtherewereflowers,asifeverythinghadburstintoblossomovernight.
Ariotofcolormethiseyes,acarpetofgrasswasbeneathhisfeet.Hecouldheartheinsectsbuzzing,the
soundoffrogscallingmerrilybackandforthasifspringhadcomeinstantly.

The gate, which had been securely locked, stood open in welcome. Everything seemed to be

welcominghim.AsenseofpeacebegantostealintohisheartApartofhimwantedtositononeofthe
invitingbenchesandsoakintheatmosphere.

Rosesclimbedthetrellisandrhododendronswereeverywhere,greatforestsofthem.He'dneverseen

suchtoweringplants.Damonstartedupthepathway,notingeverysingleweedwasgone.Steppingstones
led the way to the house. Each round of stone held a meticulously carved symbol. Great care had been
taken to etch the symbol deep into the stone. Damon leaned down to feel the highly polished work. He
admired the craftsmanship and detail. The artisans in the small town all had that trait, one he greatly
respected.

Ashenearedthehouse,awindroseofftheseaandcarriedseasprayandaliltingmelody."Sarah's

back.Sarah'shome."Thewordssangacrossthelandjoyously.Itwasthenheheardthebirdsandlooked
around him. They were everywhere, all kinds of birds, flitting from tree to tree, a flutter of wings
overhead.Squirrelschatteredastheyrushedfrombranchtobranch.Thesunwassinkingovertheocean,
turningtheskyintobrightcolorsofpinkandorangeandred.Thefogwasonthefarhorizon,meetingthe
sea to give the impression of an island in the clouds. Damon had never seen anything so beautiful. He
simplystoodthere,leaningonhiscaneandstaringinwonderatthetransformationaroundhim.

Voicesdriftedfromthehouse.Onewassoftandmelodious.Hecouldn'tcatchthewordsbutthetone

workeditswaythroughhisskinintohisverybones.Intohisvitalorgans.Hemovedcloser,drawnbythe
sound,andimmediatelysawtwodogsonthefrontporch.Bothwerewatchinghimalertly,headsdown,
hairup,neithermakingasound.

Damon froze. The voices continued. One was weeping. He could hear the heartbreaking sound. A

woman'svoice.Themelodiousvoicesoothed.Damonshiftedhisweightandtookatwo-handedgripon
hiscane.Ifhehadtouseitasaweapon,thatwouldgivehimmoreleverage.Concernedthoughhewas
withthedogs,hewasmorecenteredonthevoice.Hestrainedtolisten.

"Please,Sarah,youhavetobeabletodosomething.Iknowyoucan.Pleasesayyou'llhelpme.Ican't

bearthis,"thecryingvoicesaid.

HersorrowwassodeepDamonachedforher.Hecouldn'trememberthelasttimehe'dfeltsomeone's

pain. He couldn't remember how to feel anything but bored or frustrated. The dogs both sniffed the air
and,asifrecognizinghim,waggedtheirtailsingreetingandsatdown,hairsettlingtomakethemappear
muchmorefriendly.Keepingoneeyeonthedogs,hestrainedtocatchthewordsspokeninthatsoftlilting
tone.

"Iknowit'sdifficult,Irene,butthisisn'tsomethinglikeputtingaBand-Aidonascrapedknee.Whatdo

thedoctorssay?"

There was more sobbing. It shook him, hurt him, tore up his insides so that his gut churned and a

terribleweightpressedonhischest.Damonforgotallaboutthedogsandpressedhishandoverhisheart.
IreneMadison.Nowherecognizedthevoice,knewfromInezatthegrocerystorethatherfifteen-year-old
son,Drew,wasterminallyill.

"There'snohope,Sarah.Theysaidtotakehimhomeandmakehimcomfortable.Youknowyoucan

findaway.Pleasedothisforus,forme."

Damon edged closer to the house, wondering what the hell she thought Sarah could do. Work a

miracle? There was a small silence. The window was open, the wind setting the white lacy curtains
dancing.Hewaited,holdinghisbreath.WaitedforSarah'sanswer.Waitedforthesoundofhervoice.

"Irene,youknowIdon'tdothatsortofthing.I'veonlyjustcomeback.Ihaven'tevenunpacked.You're

askingme..."

"Sarah,I'mbeggingyou.I'lldoanything,giveyouanything.I'mbeggingonmyknees..."Thesobswere

chokingDamon.Thepainwassorawinthewoman.

"Irene,getup!Whatareyoudoing?Stopit."

"Youhavetosayyou'llcometoseehim.Please,Sarah.Ourmotherswerebestfriends.Ifnotforme,

doitformymother."

"I'llcomeby,Irene.I'mnotpromisinganything,butI'llstopby."Therewasresignationinthatgentle

voice.Weariness."Mysisterswillbecominginadayorsoandassoonaswe'reallrestedwe'llstopby
andseewhatwecando."

"IknowyouthinkI'maskingforamiracle,butI'mnot,Ijustwantmoretimewithhim.Comewhen

you'rerested,whentheothershavecomeandcanhelp."ThereliefIrenefeltspilledovertoDamonand
hehadnocluewhy.Onlythattheweightpressingonhischestliftedandhisheartsoaredforamoment.

"I'llseewhatIcando."

Thevoicesweretravelingtowardhim.Damonwaited,hisheartpoundinginanticipation.Hehadno

ideawhattoexpectorevenwhathewanted,buteverythinginhimstilled.

The door opened and two women emerged to stand in the shadow of the wide, columned porch.

"Thank you, Sarah. Thank you so much," Irene said, clutching at Sarah's hands gratefully. "I knew you
wouldcome."Shehurrieddownthestairs,straightpastthedogs,whohadrushedtotheirmistress.Irene
managedaquicksmileforDamonasshepassedhim,hertearstainedfacebrightwithhope.

DamonleanedonhiscaneandstaredupatSarah.

Chapter2

SARAH STOOD ON the porch, her body in the shadows. Damon had no idea of her age. Her face

seemedtimeless.Hereyeswereoldeyes,filledwithintelligenceandpower.Herskinwassmoothand
flawless,givinghertheappearanceofextremeyouth,verymuchatoddswiththeknowledgeinherdirect
gaze.Shesimplystoodtherequietly,herincredibleeyesfixedonhim.

"Howdidyougetthroughthegate?"

Itwasn'twhatheexpected.Damonhalfturnedtolookbackatthewrought-ironmasterpieceofart.The

gate was six feet high and an intricate piece of craftsmanship. He had studied it on more than one
occasion, noting the symbols and depictions of various animals and stars and moons. A collage of
creatureswithrawpowermixedwithuniversalsignsoftheearth,water,fire,andwind.Alwaysbefore
whenhehadcometostareatthehouseandgroundsthegatehadbeenfirmlylocked.

"Itwasopen,"herepliedsimply.

Hereyebrowshotupandshelookedfromhimtothegateandbackagain.Therewasinterestinher

gaze."Andthedogs?"Herhanddroppedtoonemassiveheadassheabsentlyscratchedtheears.

"Theygavemetheonce-overanddecidedIwasfriendly,"heanswered.

A faint frown touched her face, was gone in an instant. “Did they? You must get along well with

animals."

"Idon'tgetalongwellwithanything,"heblurtedoutbeforehecouldstophimself.Hewassoshocked

and embarrassed at the admission he couldn't find a way to laugh it off, so it remained there between
them.

Sarahsimplystudiedhisfaceforalongwhile.Aneternity.Shehadadirectgazethatseemedtosee

pasthisphysicalbodyanddelvestraighttohissoul.ItmadeDamonuncomfortableandashamed."You'd
bettercomeinandsitdownforawhile,"shesaid.“There'sablacknessaroundyouraura.Icantellyou're
inpain,althoughIcan'tseewhyyou'vecomeyet."Sheturnedandwentintothehouse,clearlyexpecting
himtofollowher.Bothdogsdid,hurryingafterher,pacingatherheels.

Damon had been acting out of character ever since he heard that first whisper of gossip. He stood,

leaning on his cane, wondering what had gotten into him. He'd seen the mighty Sarah. She was just a
womanwithincredibleeyes.Thatwasall.Shecouldn'twalkonwaterormovemountains.Shecouldn't
scale impossible cliffs or assassinate heads of terrorist organizations. She was just a woman. And
probablyasloonyashell.Hisaurawasblack?Whatthehelldidthatmean?Sheprobablyhadvoodoo
dollsanddeadchickensinherhouse.

Hestaredattheopendoor.Shedidn'tcomebackorlooktoseeifhewasfollowing.Thehousehad

swallowedherup.MysteriousSarah.Damonliftedhiseyestothegatheringdarkness,tothefirststarsand
thefloatingwispsofclouds.Itirritatedhimbutheknewhewasgoingtofollowherintothathouse.Just
likeherdamndogs.

Damonconsoledhimselfwiththefactthathewasextremelyinterestedinthepreservationofwoodand

paint.Hehadbeeninterestedinherhouselongbeforeshearrivedbackintown.Hecouldn'tpassupa
genuineopportunitytostudyitupclose,evenifitmeanttryingtomakesmalltalkwithacrazystranger.
He raked his hand through his dark hair and glared at the empty doorway. Muttering curses beneath his
breath,hestalkedafterherasbesthecouldwithhiscaneandhisdamagedhipandleg.

The porch stairs were as solid as a rock. The verandah itself was wide and beautiful, wrapping

aroundthehouse,aninvitationtositintheshadeandenjoytheviewofthepoundingsea.Damonwanted
tolingerthereandcontinuetofeelthepeaceofSarah'shome,buthesteppedinside.Theairseemedcool
andscented,smellingofsomefragrancethatremindedhimoftheforestsandflowers.Theentrywaywas
wide,tiledwithamosaicdesign,anditopenedintoahugeroom.

Withasenseofawe,Damonstareddownattheartworkonthefloor.Therewasafeelingoffalling

intoanotherworldwhenhelookedatit.Thedeepblueoftheseawasreallytheoceaninthesky.Stars
burstandflaredintolife.Themoonwasashiningballofsilver.Hestoodtransfixed,wantingtogetonhis
knees and examine every inch of the floor. "I like this floor. It's a shame to walk on it," he announced
loudly.

"I'mgladyoulikeit.Ithinkit'sbeautiful,"shesaid.Hervoicewasvelvetsoft,butitcarriedthrough

thehousebacktohim."Mygrandmotherandhersistersmadethattogether.Ittookthemaverylongtimeto
getitjustright.Tellmewhatyouseewhenyoulookintothemidnightskythere."

Hehesitatedbutthepullofthefloorwastoomuchtoresist.Heexamineditcarefully."Therearedark

shadows in the clouds across the moon. And behind the clouds, a ring of red surrounds the moon. The

starsconnectandmakeabizarrepattern.Thebodyofamanisfloatingontheseaofcloudsandsomething
haspiercedhisheart."Helookedupather,achallengeonhisface.

Sarahmerelysmiled."Iwasabouttohavetea;wouldyoucareforacup?"Shewalkedawayfromhim

intotheopenkitchen.

Damoncould hear thesound of wateras she filled theteakettle. "Yes, thankyou, that sounds good."

Anditdid,whichwascrazy.Heneverdranktea.Notasinglecup.Hewaslosinghismind.

"Thepicturesofmygrandmotherandhersistersaretoyourleft,ifyou'dliketoseethem."

He had always considered looking at pictures of people he didn't know utterly ridiculous, but he

couldn'tresistlookingatthephotographsofthewomenwhohadmanagedtocreatesuchbeautyonafloor.
Hewanderedovertothewallofmemories.Thereweremanyphotographsofwomen,someblack-and-
white, others in color. Some of the pictures were obviously very old, but he could easily see the
resemblanceamongthewomen.Damonclearedhisthroat.Hefrownedwhenhenoticedastrangepattern
runningthrougheverygrouping."Whyaretheresevenwomenineachfamilypicture?"

"Thereseemstobeastrangephenomenoninourfamily,"Sarahansweredreadily."Everygeneration,

someoneproducessevendaughters."

Startled,Damonleanedonhiscaneandstudiedeachgroupoffaces."Oneoutofthesevengirlshas

alwaysgivenbirthtosevendaughters?Onpurpose?"

Sarah laughed and came around the comer to join him in front of the wall of photographs. "Every

generation."

He looked from her to the faces of her sisters in a picture near the center of the wall. "Which one

carriesthestrainofinsanity?"

"Goodquestion.Noone'severthoughttoaskitbefore.MysisterElleistheseventhdaughtersoshe

inheritsthemantleofresponsibility.Orinsanity,ifyouprefer."Sarahpointedtoagirlwithayoungface,
vividgreeneyes,andawealthofredhairpulledcarelesslyintoaponytail.

"AndwhereispoorEllerightnow?"Damonasked.

Sarahinhaled,thenletherbreathoutslowly,herlonglashesflutteringdown.Atonceherfacewasin

repose. She looked tranquil, radiant. Watching her did something funny to Damon's heart, a curious
meltingsensationthatwasutterlyterrifying.Hecouldn'ttakehisfascinatedgazeoffofher.Strangely,for
just one moment, he felt as if Sarah was no longer in the room with him. As if her physical body had
separatedfromherspirit,allowinghertotravelacrosstimeandspace.Damonshookhimself,tryingto
getridofthecrazyimpression.Hewasn'tanimaginativeperson,yethewascertainSarahhadsomehow
touchedhersisterElle.

"Elleisinacaveofgems,deepunderthegroundwhereshecanheartheheartbeatoftheearth."Sarah

openedhereyesandlookedathim."I'mSarahDrake."

"DamonWilder."Hegesturedtowardhishouse."Yournewneighbor."Hewasstaringather,drinking

herin.Itdidn'tmakesense.Hewascertainshewasn'tthemostbeautifulwomanintheworldbuthisheart
and lungs were insisting she was. Sarah was average height, with a woman's figure. She wore faded,
wornbluejeansandaplaidflannelshirt.Shecertainlywasnotatallglamorous,yethislungsburnedfor
airandhisheartaccelerated.Hisbodyhardenedpainfullywhenshewasn'teventryingtobeasexysiren,
simply standing there in her comfortable old clothes with her wealth of dark hair pulled back from her
paleface.Itwasthemostinfuriatingandhumiliatingthingitwashismisfortunetoendure.

"YouboughttheoldHanoverplace.Theviewisfantastic.Howdidyoucometofindourlittletown?"

Her cool blue gaze was direct and far too assessing. "You look like a man who would be far more
comfortableinabigcity."

Damon'sfisttightenedaroundhiscane.Sarahcouldseehisknuckleswerewhite."Isawitonamap

and just knew it was the place I wanted to live in when I retired." She studied his face, the lines of
sufferingetchedintohisface,thetoooldeyes.HewassurroundedwiththemarkofDeath,andheread
Deathinthemidnightsky,yetshewasstrangelydrawntohim.

Hereyebrowwentup,aperfectarch."You'realittleyoungtoretire,Iwouldhavethought.There'snot

alotofexcitementhere."

"I'll have to disagree with that. Have you hung out around the grocery store lately? Inez provides

amazingentertainment."Therewasawealthofsarcasmmixedwithcontemptinhisvoice.

Sarahturnedawayfromhim,hershouldersstiffeningvisibly."WhatdoyouactuallyknowaboutInez

tohavemanagedtoformanopinioninyourmonthoflivinghere?"Shesoundedsweetandinterestedbut
hehadthefeelinghehadjuststeppedhardonhertoes.

Damon limped after her like a puppy dog, trying not to mutter foul curses under his breath. It never

matteredtohimwhatotherpeoplethought.Everyonehadopinionsandfewactuallyhadeducatedones.
Why the hell did Sarah's opinion of him matter? And why did her hips have to sway with mesmerizing
invitation?

Thekitchenwastiledwiththesamemidnightbluethathadformedtheskyinthemosaic.Alongbank

of windows looked out over a garden of flowers and herbs. He could see a three-tiered fountain in the
middleofthecourtyard.Sarahwavedhimtowardthelongtablewhileshefixedthetea.Damoncouldn't
seeaspeckofdustordirtanywhereinthehouse."Whendidyouarrive?"

"Latelastnight.Itfeelswonderfultobehomeagain.It'sbeenacoupleofyearssincemylastvisit.My

parents are in Europe at the moment. They own several homes and love Italy. My grandmother is with
them,sothecliffhousehasbeenempty."

"Sothisisyourparents'home?"Whensheshookherheadwithherslight,mysterioussmileheasked,

"Doyouownthishouse?"

"Withmysisters.Itwasgiventousthroughourmother."Shebroughtasteamingmugofteaandplaced

itonthetablebesidehishand."Ithinkyou'lllikethis.It'ssoothingandwillhelptakeawaythepain."

"I didn't say I was in pain." Damon could have kicked himself. Even to his own ears he sounded

ridiculous, a defiant child denying the truth. “Thank you," he managed to mutter, trying to smell the tea
withoutoffendingher.

Sarahsatacrossfromhim,cradlingateacupbetweenherpalms."HowcanIhelpyou,Mr.Wilder?"

"CallmeDamon,"hesaid.

"Damonthen,"sheacknowledgedwithasmallsmile."I'mjustSarah."

Damon could feel her penetrating gaze. "I've been very interested in your house, Sarah. The paint

hasn't faded or peeled, not even in the salt air. I was hoping you would tell me what preservative you
used."

Sarahleanedbackinherchair,broughttheteacuptohermouth.Shehadabeautifulmouth.Wideand

fullandcurvedasifshelaughedallthetime.Orinvitedkisses.Thethoughtcameunbiddenashestaredat
hermouth.Sheertemptation.Damonfelttheweightofhergaze.Colorbegantocreepupthebackofhis
neck.

"I see. You came out late in the evening even though you were hurting because you were anxious to

knowwhatkindofpreservativeIuseonmyhouse.Thatcertainlymakesperfectsense."

Therewasnoamusementinhervoice,notevenahintofsarcasm,butthedullredcolorspreadtohis

face.Hereyessawtoomuch,sawintohimwherehedidn'twanttobeseen,wherehecouldn'taffordtobe
seen.Hewantedtolookawaybuthecouldn'tseemtopullhisgazefromhers.

“Tellmewhyyou'rereallyhere."Hervoicewassoft,invitingconfidence.

Herakedbothhandsthroughhishairinfrustration."Ihonestlydon'tknow.I'msorryforinvadingyour

privacy."Buthewasn't.Itwasalieandtheybothknewit.

Shetookanothersipofteaandgesturedtowardhismug."Drinkit.It'saspecialblendImakemyself.I

thinkyou'lllikeitandIknowitwillmakeyoufeelbetter."Shegrinnedathim."Icanpromiseyouthere
aren'tanytoadsoreyeofnewtinit."

Sarah's smile robbed him of breath immediately. It was a strange thing to feel a punch in the gut so

hard it drove the air out of one's lungs just with a simple smile. He waited several heartbeats until he
recoveredenoughtospeak."WhydoyouthinkIneedtofeelbetter?"heasked,strivingfornonchalance.

"Idon'thavetobeaseerforthat,Damon.You'relimping.Therearewhitelinesaroundyourmouthand

yourlegistrembling."

Damon raised the cup to his mouth, took a cautious sip of the brew. The taste was unique. "I was

attacked awhile back." The words emerged before he could stop them. Horrified, he stared into the tea
mug,afraidherbrewwasatruthserum.

Sarahputherteacupcarefullyonthetable."Apersonattackedyou?"

"Well,hewasn'tanalien."Heswallowedagulpoftea.Theheatwarmedhim,spreadingthroughhis

bodytoreachsore,painfulplaces.

"Whywouldonemanwanttokillanother?"Sarahmusedaloud."I'veneverunderstoodthat.Moneyis

suchasillyreasonreally."

"Mostpeopledon'tthinkso."Herubbedhisheadasifithurt,ormaybeinmemory."Peoplekillforall

sortsofreasons,Sarah."

"Howawfulforyou.Ihopehewascaught."

Beforehecouldstophimself,Damonshookhishead.Hervividgazesettledonhisface,lookedinside

ofhimagainuntilhewantedtocurse."Iwasabletogetaway,butmyassistant"—hestopped,corrected
himself—"myfriendwasn'tsolucky."

"Oh,Damon,I'msosorry."

"Idon'twanttothinkaboutit."Hecouldn't.Itwastooclose,tooraw.Stillinhisnightmares,stillin

his heart and soul. He could hear the echoes of screams. He could see the pleading in Dan Treadway's
eyes.Hewouldcarrythatsighttohisdeath,foreveretchedinhisbrain.Atoncethepainwasalmosttoo
muchtobear.Heweptinside,hischestburning,histhroatcloggingwithgrief.

Sarahreachedacrossthetabletoplaceherfingertipsonhishead.Thegestureseemednatural,casual

even,andhertouchwassolighthebarelyfeltit.Yethefelttheresultslikeshootingstarsburstingthrough
hisbrain.Tinyelectricalimpulsesthatblastedawaytheterriblethrobbinginhistemplesandthebackof
hisneck.

Hecaughtherwrists,pulledherhandsawayfromhim.Hewasshakingandshecouldfeelit."Don't.

Don'tdothat."Hereleasedherimmediately.

"I'msorry,Ishouldhaveaskedfirst,"Sarahsaid."Iwasonlytryingtohelpyou.Wouldyoulikemeto

takeyouhome?It'salreadydarkoutsideanditwouldn'tbesafeforyoutotrytogodownthehillwithout
adequatelight."

"SoItakeitthepaintpreservativeisadeepdarkfamilysecret,"Damonsaid,attemptingtolightenthe

situation.Hedrainedtheteamugandstoodup."Yes,thanks,Iwouldn'tmindaride."Itwashardonthe
egotohavetoacceptitbuthewasn'tacompletefool.Couldhehavebehavedanymorelikeanidiot?

Sarah'ssoftlaughterstartledhim."Iactuallydon'tknowwhetherthepreservativeisafamilysecretor

not.I'llhavetodoalittleresearchonthesubjectandgetbacktoyou."

Damon couldn't help smiling just because she was. There was something contagious about Sarah's

laughter,somethingaddictiveaboutherpersonality."Didyouknowthatwhenyoucamehome,thewind
actually whispered, ‘Sarah's back. Sarah's home.’ I heard it myself." The words slipped out, almost a
tribute.

Shedidn'tlaughathimasheexpected.Shelookedpleased."Whatabeautifulthingtosay.Thankyou,

Damon,"shesaidsincerely."Wasthegatereallyopen?Thefrontgatewithalltheartwork?Nottheside
gate?"

"Yes,itwasstandingwideopenwelcomingme.Atleastthat'showitfelt."

Herseablueeyesdriftedoverhisface,takingineverydetail,everyline.Heknewhewasn'tmuchto

lookat.Amaninhisforties,batteredandscarredbylife.Thescarsdidn'tshowphysicallybuttheywent
deep and she could clearly see the tormented man. "How very interesting. I think we're destined to be
friends,Damon."Hervoicewrappedhimupinsilkandheat.

Damoncouldseewhythetownspeoplesaidhernamewithawe.Withrespect.MysteriousSarah.She

seemedsoopen,yethereyesheldathousandsecrets.Therewasmusicinhervoiceandhealinginher
hands."I'mgladyou'vecomehome,Sarah,"hesaid,hopinghewasn'tmakingmoreofafoolofhimself.

"SoamI,"sheanswered.

Chapter3

"SARAH!"HANNAHDRAKEthrewherselfintohersister'sarms."It'ssogoodtoseeyou.Imissed

yousomuch."Shedrewback,stretchingherarmstofulllength,thebettertoexamineSarah."Why,Sarah,
you look like a cat burglar, ready to rob the local museum. I had no idea Frank Warner's paintings had
becomevaluable."Shelaughedmerrilyatherownjoke.

Sarah'ssoftlaughtermergedwithHannah's."Ishouldhaveknownyou'dcomecreepinginattwoa.m.

That'ssoyou,Hannah.Wherewereyouthistime?"

"Egypt.Whatanabsolutelybeautifulcountryitis."Hannahsatontheporchswingwearily."ButI'm

wipedout.I'vebeentravelingforevertogetbackhome."SheregardedSarah'ssleekblackoutfitwitha
slightfrown."Interestingsetoftoolsyou'resportingthere,sistermine.I'mnotgoingtohavetobailyou
outofjail,amI?I'mreallytiredandifthepolicehavetocall,Imightnotwakeup."

Sarah adjusted the belt of small tools slung low on her waist without a hint of embarrassment. "If I

can'tcharmapoliceofficeroutofbookingmeforalittlebreak-in,Idon'tdeservethenameDrake.Goon
in, Hannah, and go to bed. I'm worried about our neighbor and think I'll just go scout around and make
certainnothinghappenstohim."

Hannah'seyebrowshotup."Goodheavens,Sarah.Aman?There'sanhonest-to-Godmaninyourlife?

Whereishe?Iwanttogowithyou.”Sheclaspedherhandstogether,herfaceradiant."WaituntilItellthe
others.ThemightySarahhasfallen!"

"Ihavenotfallen—don'tstart,Hannah.IjusthaveoneofmyhunchesandI'mgoingtocheckitout.It

hasnothingtodowithDamonatall."

"Ooh,thisisreallygettinginteresting.Damon.Yourememberhisname.Howdidyoumeethim?Spill

it,Sarah,everylastdetail!"

"There'snothingtospill.Hejustwaltzedinaskingaboutpaintandwoodpreservatives."Sarah'stone

wascoolandaloof.

"Youwantmetobelievehewalkedinonhisownwithoutaninvitation?Youhadtohaveaskedhimto

thehouse."

"No,Ididn't,"Sarahdenied."Asamatteroffactthegatewasopenandthedogsallowedhimin."

"Thegatewasopenonitsown?"Hannahwasincredulous.Shejumpedtoherfeet."I'mgoingwithyou

forcertain!"

"No,you'renot,you'reexhausted,remember?"

"WaituntilItelltheothersthegateopenedforhim."Hannahraisedherarmstotheheavensandstars.

"The gate opens for the right man, doesn't it? Isn't that how it works? The gate will swing open in
welcomeforthemanwhoisdestinedtobecometheloveoftheeldestchild'slife."

"Idon'tbelieveinthatnonsenseandyouknowit."Sarahtriedtoglarebutfoundherselflaughing."I

can'tbelieveyou'deventhinkofthatoldprophecy."

"Likeyoudidn'tthinkofityourself,"Hannahteased."You'rejustgoingofftodotheneighborlythingin

themiddleofthenightandjustsortofscoutaroundhishouse.Ifyousayso,ofcourseI'llbelieveit.Isthat
telescopeuponthebattlementdirectedtowardhisbedroom?"

"Don'tyoudarelook,"Sarahordered.

Hannah studied her face. "You're laughing but your eyes aren't. What's wrong, Sarah?" She put her

handonhersister'sshoulder."Tellme."

Sarah frowned. "He carries Death on him. I've seen it. And he read it in the mosaic. I don't know

whosedeath,butI'mdrawntohim.Hisheartisbrokenandpiercedthrough,andtheweightofcarrying
Deathisslowlycrushinghim.Hesawaredringaroundthemoon."

"Violenceanddeathsurroundhim,"Hannahsaidsoftly,almosttoherself."Whyareyougoingalone?"

"Ihaveto.Ifeel..."Sarahsearchedfortherightword."Drawn.It'smorethanajob,Hannah.It'shim."

"Hecouldbedangerous."

"He'ssurroundedbydanger,butifhe'sdangeroustome,itisn'tinthewayyou'rethinking."

"Ohmygosh,youreallydolikethisguy.Youthinkhe'shot.I'mtellingtheothersandI'mgoingupto

the battlement to check him out!" Hannah turned and raced into the house, banging the screen door so
Sarahcouldn'tfollowher.

Sarahlaughedassheblewakisstohersisterandstarteddownthestairs.Hannahlookedwonderfulas

always.Tallandtannedandbeautifulevenaftertravelingacrossthesea.Ifherwavyhairwastousled,
shejustlookedinvogue.Otherwomenpaidfortunestotrytoachievehernaturalwind-blownstyle.Sarah
hadalwaysbeenuncommonlyproudofHannah'sgenuineelegance.Shehadabrightspiritthatshonelike
the stars overhead. Hannah had a free spirit that longed for wide-open spaces and the wonders of the

world.Shespokeseverallanguagesandtraveledextensively.Onemonthshemightbefoundinthepages
of a magazine with the jet-setters, the next she was on a dig in Cairo. Her tall slender carriage and
incrediblybeautifulfacemadehersoughtafterbyeverymagazineandfashiondesigner.Itwashergentle
personalitythatalwaysdrewpeopletoher.Sarahwashappyshewashome.

Sarahmadealittlesoundasshemadeherwaydownthesmalldeerpaththatcutthroughherproperty

toDamonWilder's.Shekneweveryinchofherproperty.Andshekneweveryinchofhis.Herhairwas
tightly braided to keep it from being snagged on low branches or brambles. Her soft-soled shoes were
light,allowinghertofeelherwayovertwigsanddriedleaves.Shewasn'tthinkingaboutDamon'sbroad
shoulders or his dark, tormented eyes. And she didn't believe in romance. Not for Sarah. That was for
elegantHannahorbeautifulJoley.Well,maybenotthebeautiful,wildJoley,butdefinitelyformostofher
othersisters.JustnotSarah.

Damon Wilder was in trouble in more ways than he knew. Sarah didn't like complications. Ancient

propheciesandbroadshouldersandblackaurasweredefinitecomplications.Moonlightspilledoverthe
seaasshemadeherwayalongthecliffs,followingthenarrowdeerpaththateventuallywounddownthe
backsideofDamon'sproperty.Thepowerfulwavesboomedastheyrushedandebbedandcollapsedina
froth of white. Sarah found the sound of the sea soothing, even when it raged in a storm. She belonged
there, had always belonged, as had her family before her. She didn't fear the sea or the wilds of the
countryside,yetherheartwaspoundinginsuddenalarm.Poundingwithabsoluteknowledge.

She was not alone in the night. Instinctively she lowered her body so she wouldn't be silhouetted

against the horizon. She used more care, blending into the shadows, using the foliage for cover. She
moved with stealth. She was used to secrecy, a highly trained professional. There was no sound as the
branchesslidawayfromhertightlyknitjumpsuitandhercrepe-soledshoeseasedovertheground.

Sarah made her way to the outskirts of the house. She knew all about Damon Wilder. One of the

smartestmenontheplanet.Agovernment'streasure.Theone-manthinktankthathadcomeupwithoneof
themostinnovativedefensesystemseverconceived.Hisideaswerepuregenius,faraheadoftheirtime.
Hewasasteady,focusedman.Aperfectionistwhoneveroverlookedthesmallestdetail.

Whenshereadabouthim,beforeacceptingherwatchdogassignment,Sarahhadbeenimpressedwith

thesheertenacityofhischaracter.Nowthatshehadmethim,sheachedfortheman,forthehorrorofwhat
hehadbeenthrough.Sheneverallowedherworktobepersonal,yetshecouldn'tstopthinkingabouthis
eyesandthetormentshecouldseeintheirdarkdepths.Andshecouldn'thelpbutwonderwhyDeathhad
attacheditselftohimandwasclingingwithgreedyclaws.

Sarah rarely accepted such an assignment, but she knew her cover couldn't have been more perfect.

Meanttobe.Thatgaveheraslightflutterofapprehension.Destiny,fate,whateveronewantedtocallit,
wasaforcetobereckonedwithinherfamilyandshehadmanagedtoavoiditcarefullyforyears.Damon
Wilder had chosen her hometown to settle in. What did that mean? Sarah didn't believe in such close
coincidence.

Shehadnotimetocirclethehouseorcheckthecoastalroad.Assheapproachedthesideofthehouse

facingherhome,sheheardamuffledcursecomingfromherleft.Sarahinchedthatway,droppedtoher
belly, lying flat out in the darker shadows of the trees. She lifted her head cautiously, only her eyes
movingrestlessly,continually,examiningthelandscape.Ittookafewmomentstolocateheradversaries.
Shecouldmakeouttwomennotmorethanfortyfeetfromher,onthedownhill,rightinthemiddleofthe
densestbrush.Sarahhadtheurgetosmile.Shehopedfortheirsakestheywerewearingtheirdogs'tick
collars.

Lyingintheshrubs,shebeganaslow,complicatedpatternwithherhands,aflowingdanceoffingers

whiletheleavesrustledandtwigsbegantomoveasifcomingalive.Tiny,silentcreaturesdroppedfrom
branches overhead, fell from leaves, and pushed up from the ground to migrate downhill toward the
thickestbrush.

SarahknewthattheonewindowlitupinDamon'shousewasabedroom.Ifthetelescopesetuponthe

battlementsofherhousehappenedtobepointedinthatdirection,itwasonlybecauseitwasthelastroom
she had investigated. It just so happened that it was Damon's bedroom, a complete coincidence. Sarah
glancedbackatherhouseoverlookingthepoundingwaves,suddenlyworriedthatHannahmighthaveher
eyegluedtothelens.

Shehissedsoftly,melodiously,analmostsilentnoteofcommandthewindcaughtandcarriedskyward

towardthesea,towardthehouseonthecliff.Thebrushofmaterialagainstwoodandleavesattractedher
immediateattention.ShewatchedoneofthemenscuttlelikeacrabdownthehilltowardDamon'shouse.
Hecrouchedjustbelowthelitwindow,thencautiouslyraisedhisheadtolookinside.

Thewindowwasraisedafewinchestoallowtheoceanairinside.Thebreezeblewthekettlecloth

drapesinwardsothattheyperformedastrangeghoulishdance.Withtheflutteringcurtainsitwasnearly
impossibletogetaclearglimpseoftheinterior.Themanhalfstood,flatteninghisbodyagainstthewall,
tiltinghisheadtopeerinside.

Sarahcouldmakeoutthesecondmanlyingprone,hisrifledirectedatthewindow.Sheinchedherway

acrossthelowgrasses,movingwiththewindasitblewovertheland.Themanwithhisrifletrainedon
thewindownevertookhisgazefromhistarget.Neverflinched,thegunrocksteady.Apro,then;shehad
expecteditbuthadhopedotherwise.Shecouldseethetinyinsectscrawlingintohisclothing.

Aboveherheadthecloudsweredriftingawayfromthemoon,threateningtoexposehercompletely.

Shewormedherwaythroughthegrassandbrambles,gainingafewmorefeet.Sarahpulledhergunfrom
hershoulderholster.

Hearingaslightnoisefrominsidetheroom,theassailantatthewindowputuphishandinwarning.He

peeredinthewindowinanattempttolocateDamon.AsolidthunksoundedloudasDamon'scanelanded
solidlyonhisjaw.Atoncethemanscreamed,thehigh-pitchedcryreverberatingthroughthenight.Hefell
backwardontotheground,holdinghisface,rollingandwrithinginpain.

Sarahkepthergazefixedonthepartnerwiththerifle.HewaswaitingforDamontoexposehimselfat

the window. Damon was too smart to do such an idiotic thing. The curtains continued their macabre
dancing but nothing else stirred in the night. The moans continued from beneath the window but the
assailantdidn'tgettohisfeet.

Theriflemancrawledforwardonhisbelly,slippinginthewetgrasssothatherolled,protectinghis

rifle.ItwastheslipSarahwaswaitingfor.Shewasonhimimmediately,pressinghergunintothebackof
hisneck.

"Isuggestyouremainverystill,"shesaidsoftly."You'retrespassingonprivatepropertyandwejust

don'tlikethatsortofthingaroundhere."Asshespoke,shekeptawaryeyeonthemanbythewindow.
Sheraisedhervoice."Damon,haveyoucalledthesheriff?You'vegotacoupleofnightvisitorsouthere
thatmayneedaplacetostayforafewdaysandIheardthejailwasemptytonight."

"Isthatyou,Sarah?"

"Iwastakingalittlestrollandsawahigh-poweredriflekindoflyingaroundinthedirt."Shekicked

therifleoutofthecapturedman'shands."It'strulyathingofbeauty;Ijustcouldn'tpassuptheopportunity
togetagoodlookatit."Therewasahintoflaughterinhervoice,butthemuzzleofhergunremainedvery

firmlypressedagainsthercaptive'sneck."Youshouldstayrightthere,Damon.There'stwoofthemout
hereandtheylookabitaggravated."Sheleanedclosetothemanontheground,butkepthereyesonhis
partner by the window. "You might want to check yourself the minute you're in jail. You're probably
crawlingwithticks.Nastylittlebugs,theyburrowin,drinkyourblood,andpassonallsonsofinteresting
things,fromstaphtoLymedisease.Thatbushyouwerehidinginislousywiththem."

Herheartwasstillpoundingoutarhythmofwarning.Thensheknew.Sarahflungherselftoherright,

rolling away, even as she heard the whine of bullets zinging past her and thudding into the ground. Of
coursetherehadtobeathirdman,adriverwaitinginthedarknessupontheroad.Shehadbeenunableto
scout out the land properly. It made perfect sense they would have a driver, a backup should there be
need.

Themannexttoherscrambledupanddoveontopofher,makingagrabforhergun.Sarahmanagedto

get one bent leg into his stomach to launch him over her head. She felt the sting of her earlobe as her
earring, tangled in his shirt, was jerked from her ear. He swore viciously as he picked himself up and
racedawayfromhertowardtheroad.Theoneclosesttothehousewasalreadyinmotion,staggeringup
thehill,stillholdinghisjawinhishands.Thedriverprovidedcover,pinningherdownwithasprayof
bullets.Thesilencerindicatedthemenhadnodesiretoannouncetheirpresencetothetownspeople.

"Sarah?Youallrightoutthere?"Damoncalledanxiously.Evenwiththesilencer,hecouldn'tfailto

hearthetelltalewhineofbullets.

"Yes." She was disgusted with herself. She could hear the motor of the car roar to life, the wheels

spinningindirtforamomentbeforetheycaughtandthevehicleracedawaydownthecoastalhighway.
"I'msorry,Damon,Iletthemgetaway."

"You'resorry!Youcouldhavebeenkilled,Sarah.Andno,Ididn'tcallthesheriff.Iwashopingthey

wereneighborhoodkidslookingtodoaprank."

"AndItookyouforsuchabrilliantman,too,"sheteased,sittingupandpullingtwigsoutofherhair.

Shetouchedherstingingear,cameawaywithbloodonherfingers.Itwasherfavoriteearring,too.

ThedrapesrustledandDamonpokedhisheadoutthewindow."Arewegoingtocallbackandforthor

areyougoingtocomeinhereandtalkwithme."Therewasmoredemandthanquestioninhisvoice.

Sarahlaughedsoftly."Doyouthinkthat'ssuchagoodidea?CanyouimaginewhatInezwouldsayif

sheknewIwasvisitingyouinthemiddleofthenight?"Shereachedfortherifle,takingcaretopickitup
usinga handkerchief. "She'dask you yourintentions. You'd have todeny you hadany. The word would
spreadthatyou'druinedmeandI'dbepitied.Icouldn'ttakethat.It'sbetterifIjustslinkhomequietly."

Damonleanedfartheroutthewindow."Damnit,Sarah,I'mnotamused.Youcouldhavebeenkilled.

Do you even understand that? These men were dangerous and you're out taking a little stroll in the
moonlightandplayingneighborhoodcop."Hisvoicewasharsherthanheintended,butshe'dscaredthe
helloutofhim.Herubbedahandoverhisface,feelingsickatthethoughtofherindanger.

"Iwasn'tinanydanger,Damon,"Sarahassuredhim."Thisrifle,incaseyou'reinterested,hastranqsin

it,notbullets.Atleasttheyweren'ttryingtokillyou,theywantedyoualive."

Hesighed.Shewasjustsittingthereonthegroundwiththesliverofmoonlightspillingoverher.The

rifle was lying across her knees and she was smiling at him. Sarah's smile was enough to stop a man's
heart. Damon took a good look at her clothes, at the gun still in her hand. He stiffened, swore softly.
"Damnyouanyway,Drake.Ishouldhaveknownyouweretoogoodtobetrue!"

"Wereyoubelievingallthestoriesaboutme,afterall,Damon?"sheasked.Butdreadwasbeginning

eventhoughitshouldn'tmatterwhathethoughtofher.Orwhatheknew.Shehadajob.Itshouldn'tmatter,
yetshefelttheweightinherchest,heavylikeastone.Shefeltasuddenfearcrawlinginherstomachof
losingsomethingspecialbeforeitevenstarted.

"Whosentyou,Sarah?Anddon'tlietome.Whomdoyouworkfor?"

"Didyoureallythinktheyweregoingtoletyouwalkawaywithoutanykindofprotectionafterwhat

happened,Damon?"Sarahkeptthesympathyfromhervoice,knowingitwouldonlyangerhimfurther.

Hesworebitterly."ItoldthemIwasn'tgoingtoberesponsibleforanotherdeath.Getthehelloffmy

property,

Sarah, and don't you come back." Something deep inside of him unexpectedly hurt like hell. He had

justmether.Thehopehadn'tevenfullydeveloped,onlyinhisheart,nothismind,buthestillfeltit.Itwas
a betrayal and his Sarah, mysterious Sarah with her beautiful smile and her lying eyes, had broken him
beforehe'devenmanagedtofindhimself.

"Icanassureyou,Mr.Wilder,despitethefactthatI'mawoman,I'mverycapableofdoingmyjob."

Deliberatelyshetriedtorefocustheargument,puttingstiffoutrageinhertone.

"Idon'tcarehowgoodyouareatyourdamnedjoboranythingelse.GetoffmypropertybeforeIcall

the sheriff and have you arrested for trespassing." Damon slammed the window closed with a terrible
finality.Thelightwentoffasifsomehowthatwouldcutallcommunicationbetweenthem.

Sarah sat on the ground and stared at the darkened window with a heavy heart. The sea rolled and

boomedwithasteadinessthatneverceased.Thewindtuggedatherhairandthecloudsdriftedaboveher
head.Shedrewupherkneesandcontemplatedthefactthatoldpropheciesshouldneverbepassedfrom
generationtogeneration.Thatway,onecouldneverbedisappointed.

Chapter4

SARAHDIDN'TBOTHERtoknockpolitelyonthelockeddoor.DamonWilderwashurtandangry

and she didn't really blame him. She was nearly as confused as he was. Curses on old prophecies that
insistedonmessinguplives.Ifthey'dbeentwopeoplemeetingcasuallyeverythingwouldhavebeenall
right.Butno,thegatehadtostandopeninwelcome.Itwasneitheroftheirfaults,buthowwasshegoing
to explain a two-hundred-year-old foretelling? How was she going to tell him her family came from a
longlineofpowerfulwomenwhodrewpowerfromtheuniversearoundthemandthatpropheciesseveral
hundredsofyearsoldalwayscametrue?

Sarahdidtheonlythinganyself-respectingwomanwoulddointhemiddleofthenight.Shepulledout

hersmallsetoftoolsandpickedthefrontdoorlock.Shemadeamentalnotetoinstalladecentsecurity
systeminhishouseandlecturehimaboutatleastbuyingadeadboltintheinterim.

Asachildshehadoftenplayedinthehouseandsheknewitslayoutalmostaswellassheknewher

own. Sarah moved swiftly through the living room. She saw very little furniture although Damon had
movedinwelloveramonthearlier.Nopictureswereonthewall,nothingtoindicateitwasahome,not
justatemporaryplacetodwell.

Damonlayonhisbedstaringupattheceiling.Hehadstartedoutseething,buttherewastoomuchfear

to sustain it. Sarah had nearly walked into an ambush. It didn't matter that she had been sent to be his
watchdog, she could have been killed. It didn't bear thinking about. Sarah. Shrouded in mystery. How
couldhefixateonawomansoquicklywhenherarelynoticedanyone?Ifheclosedhiseyeshecouldsee
her.Therewasasoftnessabouther,afemininitythatappealedtohimoneverylevel.Shewouldprobably
laughifsheknewhehadanunreasonableandtotallymaddesiretoprotecther.

Damonbitoutanotherquietoath,notcertainhecouldforcehimselftopickupandleaveagain.Where

couldhego?Thiswastheendoftheearthandyetsomehowtheyhadfoundhimafterallthesemonths.No
onewouldbesafearoundhim.

"Doyoualwayslieinthedarkonyourbedandswearattheceiling?"Sarahaskedquietly."Because

thatcouldbecomearealissuelateroninourrelationship."

Damonopenedhiseyestostareupather.Sarah.Real.Inhisbedroomdressedinaskintightblacksuit

that clung to every curve. His mouth watered and every cell in his body leapt to life in reaction. "It
happensatthosetimesI'vebeenbetrayed.Idon'tknow,really,aknee-jerkreactionIcan'tseemtostop."

Sarahlookedaroundforachair,couldn'tfindone,andshovedhislegsovertomakeroomonthebed.

"Betrayal can be painful. In all honesty I haven't had the experience. My sisters guard my back, so to
speak."Sheturnedthefullpowerofhugeblueeyesonhim."Doyoubelievethathavingfriendsinsiston
yourprotectionisabetrayal?"

Hecouldhearthesincerityinhervoice."Youdon'tunderstand."Howcouldshe?Howcouldanyone?

"Theyhadnorighttohireyou,Sarah.Iquitmyjob,retired,ifyouwantitneatandtidy.Ihavenointention
of ever going back again. I cut all ties with that job and every branch of the military and the private
sector."

"Youtriedtokeepeveryonearoundyousafebyleaving."Itwasastatementoffact.Hewouldthink

shewascrazyifshetoldhimhecarriedDeathwithhim."Whathappened,Damon?"

"Didn'ttheygiveyouathree-inch-thickfiletoreadonmebeforetheysentyouhere?"hedemanded,

tryingtosustainhisangerwithher.

Sarah simply waited, allowing the silence to lengthen and stretch between them. Sometimes silence

wasmoreeloquentthanwords.Damonwastense,hisbodyrigidnexttohers.Hisfingerswerecurledinto
atightfistaroundthecomforter.Sarahlaidherhandgentlyoverhis.

Hecouldhaveresistedmostanything,butnotthatsilentgestureofcamaraderie.Hetwistedhishand

arounduntilhisfingerslacedthroughhers."Theyhitusaboutfiveblocksfromwork.DanTreadwaywas
withme.Weplannedtohavedinnerandgobacktowork.Webothwantedtoseeifwecouldworkouta
glitch with a minor problem we were having with the project." He chose his words carefully. He no
longerworkedforthegovernmentbuthisworkhadbeenclassified.

"Theybeatusbothnearlyunconsciousbeforetheythrewusinthetrunk.Theydidn'tevenpretendto

wantourmoney.Theydrovetoawarehouse,anoldpaintfactory,anddemandedinformationonaproject
wejustcouldn'tsafelygivethem."

Sarahfelthishandtrembleinhers.Shehadreadthehospitalreport.Bothmenhadbeentortured.She

knewDamoncarriedthescarsfromnumerousburnsonhistorso."Icouldn'tgivethemwhattheywanted
andpoorDanhadnoideawhattheywereeventalkingabout."Hepressedhisfingertipstohiseyesasif
the pressure would stop the pain. Stop the memory that never left him. "He never even worked on the
projecttheywantedinformationabout."

SarahknewDanTreadwayhadbeenshotinthekneeandthenagaininthehead,killinghim.Damon

had refused to turn over classified information that could have resulted in the deaths of several field
agents.And he hadsteadfastly refused togive up the newestdefense system. Damonstarted a fire with
paintthinners,nearlyblowingupthebuilding.Inhisescapeattempthewascrushedbetweenthewallof
thewarehouseandthegrilleofacar,severelydamaginghishipandleg.

"Idon'twantfriends,Sarah.Noonecanaffordtobemyfriend."

Sarahknewhespokethetruth.Deathclungandsearchedforvictims.Shewouldn'ttellhim,butoften

Deathfeltcheated.Ifthatwerethecase,itwoulddemandasacrificebeforeitwouldbeappeased."Does
thecompanyknowwhothesepeopleare?"Sarahprompted.

His dark gaze was haunted. "You would know that better than I would. Enemies of our country.

Mercenaries. Hell, who cares? They wanted something my brain conceived, bad enough to kill an
innocentmanforit.Idon'twanttothinkupanythingworthkillingoveragain.SohereIam."

"Didyoutalktoanyone,adoctor?"

Helaughed."OfcourseIdid.ThecompanymadecertainItalkedtoone,especiallyafterIannounced

myretirement.Therewereafewlooseendsandtheydidn'twantmeleaving.Ididn'tmuchcarewhatthey
wanted."Heturnedhishead.Edgy.Brooding."Isitpartofyourjobtotrytogetmetogoback?"

Sarah shook her head. "I don't tell people what to do, Damon. I don't believe in that." Her mouth

curved."Well,"shehedged,"Iguessthat'snotaltogethertrue.Thereistheexceptionofmysisters.They
expectmetobossthemaround,though,becauseI'mtheoldestandI'mverygoodatbossing."

"Didyouwanttocomebackhere,Sarah?"Thesoundoftheseawassoothing.Itdidsoundlikehome.

"Morethananything.I'vefeltthepulloftheoceanforawhilenow.I'vealwaysknownI'dcomeback

homeandsettlehere.Ijustdon'tknowwhenI'mgoingtomanageit.Damon,yourhousehasnosecurity
whatsoever.Diditoccurtoyoutheycouldwaltzinhereandgrabyouagain?"

Damon tried not to read too much into that worried note in her voice. Tried not to think that it was

personal."It'sbeenmonths.Ithoughttheywouldleavemealone."

Sarah whistled softly. "You even lie with that straight face and those angelic eyes. I'm taking notes.

Thatoneisrightuptherewithswearingattheceiling.Youwantedthemtocomeafteryou,didn'tyou?"It
wasashrewdguess.Shehadn'tknownhimlongenoughtojudgehischaracteryet,butshe'dreadthefiles
thoroughlyandeverywordportrayedarelentless,tenaciousman,focusedonhisgoalsatalltimes.

"Wouldn'tyou?Theyforcedmetomakeachoicebetweeninformationthatisvitaltoournationandmy

friend'slife.Hewaslookingatmewhentheyshothim,Sarah.I'llneverforgetthewayhelookedatme."
Herubbedhisthrobbingtemple.Thevisionhauntedhisdreamsandbroughthimoutofasoundsleepso
thathesatup,heartpounding,screamingadenialtotheuncaringnight.

"Whatkindofaplandoyouhave?"

Damon felt his stomach knot up. Her tone was very interested. She expected a plan. He had the

reputation of being a brain. He should have a plan. His plan had been to draw his enemies to him and
dispose of them, first with his cane and then he'd call the sheriff. He doubted if Sarah would be
impressed.

Shesighed."Damon,tellmeyoudidhaveaplan."

"Justbecauseyouwalkonwaterdoesn'tmeaneveryoneelsedoes,"hemuttered.

"WhotoldyouIwalkedonwater?"Sarahdemanded,annoyed."Forheaven'ssake,Ionlydiditonce

anditwasjustshowingoff.Allmysisterscandothesamething."

Hegapedather,hiseyeswidewithshock.Shekeptastraightface,butthelaughterinhereyesgave

her away. Damon did the noble thing and shoved her off the bed. Sarah landed on the floor, her soft
laughterinvitinghimtojoinin.

"You so deserved that," she said. "You really did. Walk on water. That's a new one. Where did you

hearthat?Andyoubelievedit,too."

Damonturnedonhisside,proppedupononeelbowtolookdownather."Istartedtherumormyselfat

Inez'sstore.ForaminutethereIthoughtIwaspsychic."

"Oh, thank you so much; now all the kids will be asking me to show them. The next time you come

callingI'mgoingtosicthedogsonyou."

"WhatmakesyouthinkI'mgoingtocomecalling?"heaskedcuriously.

"Inevertoldyouaboutthepaintpreservative.You'reapersistentman."Sheleanedherheadagainst

thebed."Doyouhaveafamilyanywhere,Damon?"

"Iwasanonlychild.Myparentsdiedyearsago,firstmyfather,thensixmonthslatermymother.They

werewildabouteachother."

"How strange that would be, to grow up alone. I've had my sisters always and can't imagine life

withoutthem."

Hisfingerscreptoftheirownaccordtofindthethickmassofherhair.Shewaswearingitinatight

braid,buthemanagedtorubthesilkystrandsbetweenhisthumbandfinger.Howthehelldidshemanage
togetherhairsosoft?MysteriousSarah.HewasfastbeginningtothinkofherashisSarah."Doyoulike
themall?"

Sarahsmiledthereinthedarkness.Shelovedhersisters.Therewasnoquestionaboutthat,butnoone

hadeverthoughttoaskifshelikedthem."Verymuch,Damon.Youwould,too.Eachofthemisuniqueand
gifted in her own way. All of them have a great sense of humor. We laugh a lot at our house." He was
tuggingatherhair.Itdidn'thurt,infactitwasapleasantsensation,butitwascausinglittlebutterflywings
toflutterinthepitofherstomach."Whatareyoudoing?"

"IsnaggedmywatchinyourbraidandthoughtI'djusttakeitout,"heansweredcasually.Hewaslying

andhedidn'tevencarethatitwasalieandthatsheknewitwasalie.Anyexcusetoseeherhairtumbling
downinacloudaroundherface.

Sarahlaughed softly. "Mybraid? Or yourwatch?" He was definitelytugging her hairout of its tight

arrangement."Ittookmetwentyminutestogetmyhairlikethat.I'veneverbeengoodathairthings."

“Awastedtwentyminutes.Youhavebeautifulhair.There'snoneedtobegoodathairthings."

Sarahwasabsurdlypleasedthathe'dnoticed.Itwasheronecalltoglory."Thankyou."Shetappedher

fingers on her knee, trying to find a way to get him to agree with her on his protection. "Damon, it's
importanttoprotectyourhouse.Icouldsetupagoodsecuritysystemforyou.I'llletthesheriffknowwe
haveaproblemandthey'llhelpusout."

"Us? Sarah, you need to be as far away from me as possible." Even as he said it, his hands were

tunnelingintherichwealthofherhair,ahopelesscompulsionhecouldn'tprevent.Hewantedtofeelthat
silkysoftnessslidingoverhisskin.

"Ithoughtyouweresupposedtobebrilliant,Damon.Didn'tIreadinyourfilethatyouwereoneofthe

smartestmenonthefaceoftheearth?Alongwithyourswearingissuesandyourhairissues,pleasetell
meyoudon'thaveidiotmachotendencies,too.Ifthat'sthecase,I'mgoingtohavetoseriouslystudythis
gateprophecy.Icanlivewiththeotherthingsbutidiocymightbestretchingmypatience."

Hetuggedonherhairtomakecertainshewaspayingattention."Oneofthesmartestmen?Isthatwhat

that report said? I should read the file over for you and weed out the blatant lies. I'm certain I'm the
smartest,notoneofthesmartest.Youdon'thavetoinsultmebypretendingthereportsaidotherwise.And
whatisthegateprophecy?"

Shewavedawayhisinquiry."I'llhavetotellyouabouttheDrakehistorysometime,butrightnow,I

thinkyoumightclearuptheidiotmachoissueforme,"sheinsisted."Brainymentendtobearrogantbut
theyshouldn'tbestupid.I'masecurityexpert,Damon."

He sighed loudly. "So I'm supposed to tell all my friends that my lady friend is the muscle in our

relationship."

"Dowehavearelationship?"Shetiltedherheadtolookbackathim."Andsurelythesmartestmanon

earth would have a strong enough ego to be fine with his lady friend being the muscle. Relationship or
no."

"Oh,ifthere'snorelationship,Idoubtifanymancouldtakethatbigablowtohisego,Sarah.Weneed

tocallinanexpertonthissubject,consultacounselorbeforewemakeadecision.Anditneverhurtsto
getasecondopinionifwedon'tlikethefirstone."

Damoncouldn'thelpthegrinthatspreadacrosshisface.Itfeltgoodtosmile.Shehadthrownhislife

into complete confusion, but she made him smile. Made him want to laugh. Intrigued him. Turned him
inside out. Gave him a reason to live. And the heavy weight that seemed to be pressing down on his
shouldersandchestwasliftedforjustafewmoments.

"You won't have to worry on that score, Damon. We'll have six very loud and long-winded second

opinions.Mysisterswillhavemoretosaythanyou'lleverwanttohearonthesubject.Forthatmatter,on
everysubject.Youwon'tneedacounselorforanything;they'llallbehappytooblige,absolutelyfreeof
charge."

Sarahglancedtowardthecliffhouse.Throughthebedroomwindowthatshouldhavehadthedrapes

closed.Thecurtainswerepartedinthemiddle,pushedtoeithersidebyanunseenhand.

"Sarah."TherewasanacheinDamon'svoice.

Herheartdidafunnylittlejumpinherchestandsheturnedherheadtolookathim.Hergazecollided

withhis.Starkhungerwasinhiseyes.Rawneed.Desire.Hereachedforher,caughtthenapeofherneck,
andslowlyloweredhisheadtohers.Hismouthfastenedontohers.Theysimplymeltedtogether.Merged.

Fireworksmighthaveburstintheairaroundthem.Ormaybeitwasthestarsscatteringacrossthesky,

glitteringlikegems.Fireracedupherskin,heatspreadthroughherbody.Heclaimedher.Brandedher.
And he did a thorough job of it. They fed on one another. Were lost in smoky desire. His mouth was
perfect,hotandhungryanddemandingandpossessive.

Noonehadeverkissedherlikethat.Shehadneverthoughtitwouldbelikethat.Shewantedtojust

staythereallnightandkiss.

Damonshiftedhisweightonthebed,deepeningthekiss.Hetumbledovertheedge,sprawlingonthe

floor,pullingheroversothatshecollapsedontopofhim.Instantlyhisarmscircledherandheldherto
hischest.

Sarahcouldfeelthelaughterstartdeepinsidehim,whereitstartedinher.Theylayinatangleofarms

and legs, laughing happily. She lifted her head to look at him, to trace his wonderful mouth with her
fingertip."Sheermagic,Damon.That'swhatyouare.Doesthishappeneverytimeyoukissawoman?"

"Idon'tkisswomen,"headmitted,shakentohisverycore.Hisfingersweretunnelinginherwealthof

hair,herthicksilkyhairthathewantedtoburyhisfacein.

"Well,menthen.Doesithappenallthetime?Becausequitefranklyit'samazing.You'retrulyamazing."

Thelaughterwelledupalloveragain.Damonhelpedhertositup,herbackagainstthebed.Hesat

nexttoher.Bothofthemstaredoutthewindowtowardthecliffhouse.

"IcouldhaveswornIclosedthosedrapes,"hecommented.

"Youprobablydid,"Sarahadmittedwithasmallsigh."It'sthesisters.Mysisters.They'reprobably

watchingusrightthisminute.HannahcamehomerightbeforeIleftandKateandAbigailarrivedabout
thetimethedriverwasshootingatme.Youcouldwaveatthemifyoufeltuptoit."

"Howaretheywatchingus?"Damonasked,interested.

“Thetelescope.Iuseittowatchthesky."Sheusedhermostpiousvoice."Andsometimestheocean,

butmysistersarcnotoriouslyandpatheticallyinterestedinmybusiness.Ishallhavetoteachthemsome
manners.”Shewavedherhandcasually,murmuringsomethinghecouldn'tquitecatch,butitsoundedlight
andairyandmelodious.

Shadowsenteredtheroom.Moved.Thedrapesswayedgently,blockedthesliverofmoon,thefaint

light reflected by the pounding sea. Damon blinked; in that split second the curtains were drawn firmly
acrossthewindow.

Chapter5

"YOU WERE KISSING that man," Hannah accused gleefully. "Sarah Drake, you hussy. You were

kissingaperfectstranger."

Sarah looked as cool as possible under fire. "I don't know what you thought you saw with your eye

gluedtothetelescopelens,butcertainlynotthat!Yououghttobeashamedofyourselfspyingthatway.
Andusing..."Shetrailedofftomotionintheairwithherfingers,glaringatallthreeofhersistersasshe
didso."Toopenthecurtainsinaprivatebedroomisanabsoluteno-no,whichweallagreedonwhenwe
setdowntherules."

"Thereareexceptionstotherules,"Katepointedoutdemurely.Shewascurledupinastraight-backed

woodenchairatthetable,herkneesdrawnup,withawide,engaginggrinonherfaceasshepaintedher
toenails.

"Whatexceptions?"Sarahdemanded,herhandsonherhips.

Kateshruggedandblewonhertoenailsbeforeanswering."Whenoursisterishangingoutwithaman

with a black aura around him." She raised her head to look at Sarah, her gaze steady. “That's very
dangerousandyouknowit.Youcan'tplayaroundwithDeath.Notevenyou,Sarah."

SarahturnedtoglareatHannah.Shedidn'twanttotalkaboutit,orevennameDeath,afraidifshegave

itsubstanceshewouldincreaseitspower,sosheremainedsilent

Hannahshookherhead.“Itwasn'tmerattingyouout.Youleftthetealeavesinthecupanditwasthere

foreveryonetoread."

"Youstillhadnorighttogoagainsttheruleswithoutavote."Sarahwasfairlycertainshe'dlostthe

argument,butshewasn'tgoingdownwithoutafight.TheywererightaboutDeath.Justtheideaoffacing
itmadehershiverinside.Ifshewasn'tsodrawntoDamon,shewouldhavebackedawayandallowed

naturetotakeitscourse.Forsomeunexplainedreason,shecouldn'tbearthethoughtofDamonsuffering.

Katesmirked."Don'tworry,wemadecertaintoconveneahastymeetingandvoteonwhetherornot

thesituationcalledfortheuseofpower.Itwasfullyagreeduponthatitwaswhollywarranted."

"Youconvenedameeting?"Sarahglaredatthemallwithrighteousindignation."Withoutme?Without

the others? The three of you don't make up the majority. Oh, you are in so much trouble!" she said
triumphantly.

Hannah blew her a kiss, sweetly reasonable. "Of course we didn't do that, Sarah. We contacted

everyoneonthespot.Itwasperfectlylegit.Wetoldthemaboutthegateandhowitopenedonitsownfor
him.Andhowthedogsgreetedhim.Ellesenthugsandkissesandsaysshemissesyou.Joleywantedto
comehomerightawayandgetinonthefunbutshe'stiedup."Shefrowned."Ihopenotliterally,Ididn't
thinktoaskandyouneverknowwithJoley.AndLibbyisworkinginGuatemalaorsomeotherplaceshe's
discoveredwithnobathroomandprobablyleeches,healingthesickchildrenasusual."

"IthoughtshewasinAfricainvestigatingthatcrawliethingthatwaskillingeveryonewhentheytried

toharvesttheircrops,"Katesaid."Shewassendingmesomeresearchmaterialformynextbook."

"Wherever she is, Libby agreed totally we needed to make certain Sarah was safe." Hannah looked

innocent."That'sallweweredoing,Sarah.Everyoneagreedthatforyoursafetyweneededtoseeinto
thatbedroomimmediately."

KateandAbbeyburstintolaughteragain."Iwasabitworriedwhenhegotsoexuberanthefellonthe

floor,"Abbeysaid."Butclearlyyouweren'tinalife-threateningsituationsoweleftyoutoit."

"And boy, did you go to it," Kate added. "Really, Sarah, a little less enthusiasm on your part might

have gone a long way toward giving some credence to our chasing-men theory." The three sisters
exchangednodsasifresearchwereveryimportant.

Strugglingnottolaugh,Sarahtappedherfoot,handsonhips,lookingattheirunrepentantfaces."You

knewIwasn'tinanydanger,youpeepingThomasinas.Shameonthelotofyou!I'llhaveyouknowIwas
workinglastnight."

ThatbroughtanotherroundoflaughterthatnearlytippedKaterightoutofthechair."Aworkinggirl!"

"Isthatwhatyoucallit?Youwereworkingatsomething,Sarah,"Hannahagreed.

"She'safastworker,"Abbeyadded.

Sarah'smouthtwitchedwiththeefforttoremainstraight-faced."Idosecuritywork,youhorriblehags.

I'mhisbodyguard!"

Katedidfalloffthechairlaughing.Hannahslumpedoverthetable,herelegantbodygracefullyposed.

"Youwereguardinghisbodyallright,Sarah,"Abbeysaid,justmanagingtogetthewordsoutthroughthe
shrieksoflaughter.

"Closelyguardinghisbody,"Katecontributed.

"Lockedupthoselipsniceandsafe,"Hannahagreed."Ooh,Sarah,baby,youaregreatatthatjob."

Sarah'sonlyrecoursewastofallbackondignity.Theyweren'tlisteningtotheirbigsister'svoiceof

totalauthorityattheirantics.Shedrewherselfup,lookedashaughtyasshecouldwiththethreeofthem
rollingaroundtogether,laughinglikehyenas."Goaheadandhowl,butthethreeofyoujustmightwantto
readthatoldprophecy.Readtheentirething,notjustthefirstlineortwo."

ThesmilefadedfromHannah'sface."Sarah'slookingawfullysmug.Whereisthatoldbookanyway?"

Abbeysatupstraight."SarahDrake,youdidn'tdarecastonus,didyou?"

"Idon'tcast,"Sarahsaid,"that'sHannah'sdepartment.Damoniscomingover.Iwantedhimtomeet

you."Shelookedsuddenlyvulnerable."Ireallylikehim.Wetalkedallnightabouteverything.Youknow
those uncomfortable silences with strangers who can't possibly understand us? We didn't have one of
them.He'ssowornoutfromcarryingDeath.Ofcourse,hedoesn'tknowthat'swhathe'sdoingandifhe
did,hewouldhavesentmeawayimmediately."

"Oh,Sarah."Hannah'svoicewasfilledwithcompassion.

"Ihavetofindawaytohelphim.Hecouldn'tbearanotherdeathonhishands.Hisfriendwaskilled,

but he managed to save himself." She swept a hand through her hair and looked at her sisters with
desperation in her eyes. "I liked everything about him. There wasn't a subject we skipped. And we
laughedtogetherovereverything."Sheliftedhergazetohersisters."Ireally,reallylikedhim."

"Then we'll like him, too," Kate reassured her. "And we'll find a way to help him." She opened the

refrigeratorandpeeredin,pullingatdrawers."Didyougetfreshveggies?"

"Of course, and plenty of fruit. By the way, congratulations on your latest release. I read it cover to

coveranditwaswonderful.Asalways,Katie,yourstoriesarefantastic,"Sarahpraisedsincerely."And
thanks,Kate."

AbbeyhuggedKate."Myfavoritememoriesarewhenwewerelittleandweusedtolieonthebalcony

lookingupatthestars,withyoutellingusyourstories.Youdeserveallthosebestsellerlists."

Katekissedhersister."Andyouaren'tprejudicedatall."

"Evenifwewere,"Hannahsaid,"you'restillthebeststorytellereverbornanddeserveeveryaward

andlistyougeton."

Kateblushed,turningnearlyasredasthehighlightsinherchestnuthair.Shelookedpleased."Howdid

thespotlightgetturnedonme?Sarah'stheonewhospentthenightwithaperfectstranger."

"Ihadtospendthenightwithhim,"Sarahinsisted.“There'snosecurityathishouse.AndI'veasked

JonasHarringtontodropbythismorningtomeetDamon."

All three women groaned in unison. "How could you invite that Neanderthal to our home, Sarah?"

Hannahdemanded.

"He'sthelocalsheriff,"Sarahpointedout."Comeon,allthatwasalongtimeago—wewerekids."

"Hewasatotaljerktomeandhestillis,"Hannahsaid.

Themug,filledwithcoffee,onthetableinfrontofherbegantosteam.Hannahlookeddownandsaw

theliquidwasbeginningtoboil.Hastilysheblewonthesurface.

Therewasasmallsilence."Fine!"Hannahexploded."I'lladmithestillmakesmemadifIjustthink

abouthim.AndifhecallsmeBabyDollorBarbieDoll,I'mturninghimintoabigfattoad.Healreadyis
one,hemayaswelllooklikeit."

"Youcan'tturnthesheriffintoatoad,Hannah,It'sagainsttherules,"Abbeyremindedher."Givehima

doughnutgutoranervoustwitch."

"That's not good enough," Kate chimed in. "You need imagination to pay that man back. Something

muchmoresubtle—likeeverytimehegoestolietoawomantogetherinbed,heblurtsoutthetruthor
tellsthemwhatahounddogheis."

"I'lldoworsethanthat,"Hannahthreatened,"I'llmakeitsohe'slousyinbed!MisterMachoMan,the

badboywhocouldn'tdoanythingbutmakefunofmeinschool.Hethinkshe'ssuchalady'sman."

"Hannah." Sarah heard the pain in her sister's voice and spoke gently. "You were then, and still are

now,soincrediblybeautifulandbrainy.Noonecouldeverconceiveofyoubeingsopainfullyshy.You
hiditwell.Nooneknewyouthrewupbeforeschooleverydayorthatwehadtoworkcombinedspellsto
keepyoufunctioninginpublicsituations.Theywouldn'tknowyoustillhaveproblems.You'vefacedthose
fears by doing the things that terrify you and you're always successful. Outsiders see your beauty and
brainsandsuccess.Theydon'tseewhatyou'rehidinginprivate."

"Someone'scomingupthepath,"KatesaidwithoutlookingawayfromHannah.Sheheldoutherhand

tohersister."We'reallsoproudofyou,Hannah.WhocareswhatJonasHarringtonthinks?"

"It'snotHarrington,althoughhe'sclosebysomewhere,"Abbeysaid."Ithinkit'sSarah'sgatecrasher.

You know, the one she spent the night with. I still can't get over that, and Elle says she wants every
intimatedetailtheminuteyougetachance."

"Therearenointimatedetails,"Sarahobjected,exasperated."I'mgoingtoinstallasecuritysystemfor

him.Kate,don'tletthemreadyourbooksanymore,you'regivingthemwildimaginations."

"Itwasn'tourimaginationsthathewaskissingyou,"Hannahpointedoutgleefully."Wesawyou!"

"Andyouwerekissinghimback,"Abbeyadded.

"Well,thatpartwasn'taltogethermyfault!"Sarahdefended."He'sagreatkisser.WhatcouldIdobut

kissthemanback?"

Thesisterslookedatoneanothersolemnlyandburstoutlaughingsimultaneously.Thedogcurledupin

thecornerliftedhisheadandwhinedsoftlytogettheirattention.

"He'shere,Sarah,andthegatemusthaveopenedforhimasecondtime,"Katesaid,intrigued."Ireally

havetotakealonglookattheDrakehistorybook.Iwanttoseeexactlywhatthatprophecysays.How
strangethatsomethingwrittenhundredsofyearsagoappliestouseveninthismoderndayandage."

"Kate,sweetie,"Abbeysaid,"everyagethinksit'sprogressiveandmodernbutinrealitywe'regoing

tobeconsideredbackwardsomeday."

"He'sontheverandah,"Kateannouncedandhurriedtothefrontdoor.

Hersisterstrailedafterher.Sarah'sheartbegantorace.Damonwasnotthelandofmanshehadever

consideredshe'dbeattractedto,yetshecouldn'tstopthinkingabouthim.Shethoughtalotabouthissmile,
thewaytwosmalldentsappearednearthecornersofhismouth.Intriguing,temptinglittledents.Hehad
thekindofsmilethatinvitedlongdruggingkisses,hot,meltingtogether....

"Sarah!"Hannahhissedhername."Thetemperaturejustwentupahundreddegreesinhere.Youknow

you can't think like that around us. Sheesh! One day with this man and your entire moral code has
collapsed."

Sarah considered arguing, but she didn't have much of a defense. If Damon hadn't been such a

gentlemanandstoppedatjustkissing,shemighthavemadelovetohim.Allright,shewouldhavemade
lovetohim.Sheshouldhavemadelovetohim.Shelayawakeallnight,hotandbotheredandedgywith
need. Darn the man for having chivalrous manners anyway. She smiled and touched her mouth with a
feelingofawe.

Hehadkissedhermostofthenight.Delicious,wonderful,sinfullyrichkisses...

"Sarah!"Allthreeofhersistersreprimandedheratonce.

Sarahgrinnedatthemunrepentantly."Ican'thelpit,hejustaffectsmethatway.”

"Well,trynottothrowyourselfathim,"Abbeyurged."It'ssounbecominginaDrake.Dignityatall

timeswhenitcomestomen."

Hannah was looking out the window. She wrinkled her nose. "Kate, when you open the door for

Damon,doletthedogsoutfortheirmorningromp.They'vebeencoopedupallnight,thepoorthings."

KatenoddedandobedientlywavedthedogsthroughasshegreetedDamon."Hownicetoseeyou,Mr.

Wilder.Sarahhastoldussomuchaboutyou."

The dogs rushed past Damon. He leaned heavily on his cane, watching the large animals charge the

sheriff,whowasmakinghiswayupthepath.Justasthemanreachedthegate,itswungclosedwithaloud
bang.Thedogshitithard,growling,baringtheirteeth,anddiggingfranticallyinanefforttogetattheir
prey.

"Thisisn'tfunny,Hannah!"JonasHarringtonyelled."IwasinvitedbyyoursisterandIshowedupasa

favor.Stopbeingsochildishandcalloffyourhounds."

HannahsmiledsweetlyatDamonandheldoutherhand."Paynoattentiontothetoad,Mr.Wilder,he

comesaroundeverynowandthenplayingwithhislittlegun,thinkinghe'sgoingtoimpressthenatives."
Sheyawned,coveringhermouthdelicately."It'ssoboringandchildishbutwehavetohumorhim."

Sarahwhistledsharplyandthedogsinstantlyceasedgrowling,backingawayfromthefencetoreturn

to the house. When the animals were safely by her side, the gate swung open invitingly and the sheriff
stalkedthrough,hisfaceagrimmask,hisslashinggazefixedonHannah.

"Whathappensifyoudon'thumorhim?"Damonasked.

"Why,hethrowshispoweraroundharassinguswithticketsforspeeding,"Hannahsaid,holdingher

ground,herchinup.

"Youwerespeeding,Hannah.DidyouthinkIwasgoingtoletyouoffjustbecauseyou'rebeautiful?"

ThesheriffshookhandswithDamon."JonasHarrington,theonlysaneonewhenitcomestoBabyDoll's
truecharacter."

Hannah flashed him a brilliant smile. Her sisters moved closer to her, protectively, Damon thought.

"Whynot,Sheriff?Alltheothercopsalwaysletmeoff."Sheturnedonherheelandwalkedaway.

KateandAbbeyletoutacollectivesoftsigh.

"Yougavemysisteraticket?"Sarahasked,outraged."Jonas,youreallyareaself-centeredtoad.Why

can'tyoujustleaveheralone?It'ssohighschooltokeepupgrudges.Getoverit."

"Shewastheonespeedinglikeateenager,"Jonaspointedout."Asidefromfeedingmetoyourdogs,

didyouhavearealreasonforinvitingmeuphere?"

Tauntinglaughterfloatedbacktothem."Don'tflatteryourself,Harrington;nobodywantsyouhere."

AsJonasHarringtonsteppedintothehouse,theivyhangingfromtheceilingswayedprecariouslyand

athickropyvineslappedhiminthebackofhishead.Jonasspunaround,hishandsupasiftofight.He
shoved the plant away from him and stormed into the living room, muttering foul curses beneath his
breath.

Damon was behind him and stopped immediately, looking warily around the room, then back to the

ivy."Doyourplantseatyourvisitorsoften?"heaskedwithgravecuriosityashepushedthevineaway
fromhimwithhiscane.Gingerlyhewalkedaroundthemassesofgreenery.

"Onlytheoneswhoaremeantomysisters,"Sarahreplied.

Withoutwarning,startlingbothofthem,Damonsuddenlyreachedout,caughtSarahbythenapeofher

neck, and dragged her to him. His mouth fastened on hers hungrily. Sarah melted into him. Merged.
Becameliquidfire.Wentupinflames.Herarmscreptaroundhisneck.Thecanedroppedonthefloorand

theyweredevouringeachother.TheworldfellawayuntiltherewasonlyDamonandSarahandraging
need.

"Sarah!"Thenameshimmeredintheair,breakingthemapartsothattheyjuststood,clinging,staring

intoeachother'seyes,drowning.Shocked.

Sarahblinked,tryingtofocus,thenlookedaroundandblushedwhenshesawJonasHarringtongaping.

"Closeyourmouth,Jonas,"shecommanded,hertonedaringhimtomakeacomment.She'dknownJonas
allofherlife.Ofcoursehecouldn'tpassuptheopportunity.Shewaited,cringing.

"Holysmoke."JonasheldouthishandtoDamon."You'reagod.KissingaDrakewomanisdangerous,

kind of like taking a chance on kissing a viper. You just dove right in and went for it." He pumped
Damon'shandwithgreatenthusiasm.

"Haha."Sarahglaredatthesheriff."Don'tyoustart,anddon'tyouspreadanyrumorseither,Jonas.I'm

alreadyannoyedwithyouforgivingHannahaticket."

The smile faded from the sheriff's face. "I don't think because a woman is drop-dead gorgeous she

shouldbetreatedanydifferently.Shehaseverythingtooeasy,Sarah.Youalltreatherlikealittlebaby
doll."

"Youdon'tknowHannahatall,Jonas,andyoudon'tdeservetoknowher.Shewouldn'texpectyouto

letherslidebecauseofherlooks,youidiot."Sarahthrewherhandsintotheair."Forgetit,I'mfinished
tryingtoexplainanythingtoyou.Ifyoudon'tunderstandfriendshipbynowyouneverwill.Let'sgeton
withthis.DamonandIhaveabusyscheduletoday."Shegesturedtowardachair.

Harringtonwaslookingtowardthestairs.

"Sit!"Sarahdemanded."Thisisbusiness.Murder.Rightupyouralley,Jonas."

Chapter6

JONASHARRINGTONLISTENEDcalmlywhileSarahtoldhimtheeventsthathadtakenplacethe

night before. His dark features hardened perceptibly while she talked. He flicked a smoldering glare
toward Kate and Abbey. "Why wasn't I called last night? I might have been able to do something last
night.Damnit,Sarah,where'syourhead?Youcouldhavebeenkilled!"

"Well, I wasn't. I saved the rifle for you, hoping you might get prints off of it, but I doubt it." Sarah

smiledathim.

Jonasshookhishead."Don'tdothat;you'vebeengivingmethatsamesmilesincekindergartenandit

alwaysgetsyououtoftrouble."Hegesturedtowardherface."Takealonglookather,Damon,because
that's going to be her answer every time she does something you don't like." He leaned forward in his
chair, his eyes slashing at her. "What about your sisters? Did it even occur to you that you might bring
thesepeopledownonyourownhouse?"

Furious,herose,abigman,movinglikeajunglecat,pacingrestlesslythroughthelonglivingroom.

“Thesemenareprofessionals.Youbothknowthat.Whateveryoudidtobringthison…"

"Heworkedinahigh-securityjob,Jonas,nothingillegal.Itisn'tdrugrelatedsogetthatrightoutof

yourhead."

Damonleanedbackinhischair,tornbetweenworrythathe'dplacedtheDrakefamilyindangerand

feeling pleased that Sarah had turned protective. She immediately had become a fierce tigress ready to
springifthesheriffcontinuedtocastaspersionsonhischaracter.

"Iwanttoknowwhatwe'reupagainst.Anddon'tstartthrowingwordsaroundlikesecurityclearance

tome.Ifwehaveacoupleofmenwillingtobreakintoahousewithahigh-poweredrifle—"

"Theyhadatranqdartinit,"Sarahinterruptedhastily.

"I was kidnapped, along with my assistant, nearly a year ago. My assistant was killed and I barely

escapedwithmylife."AsDamonspoke,adarkshadowfellacrosstheroom.Outside,theoceanwaves
thunderedandsprayedintotheair."Theywantedinformationthatcouldhaveaffectedthesecurityofour
nationandIrefusedtogiveittothem."Damonpassedahandoverhisfaceasifwipingawayanightmare.
"I know that sounds melodramatic, but..." He slowly unbuttoned his shirt to expose his chest and the
whorlsandscarsleftbehind."Iwantyoutoknowwhatthesepeoplearelike."

The shadow lengthened and grew along the wall behind Damon. The shadow began to take shape,

gray,translucent,butthereallthesame,growinginformuntilafacelessghoulemergedwithoutstretched
armsandalongthinbody.Themouthyawnedopenwide,agestureofgreedandcravingfortheaddiction
Deathhaddeveloped.ThearmscouldhavebeenreachingforeitherJonasorDamon.

DamonhunchedawayfromJonas,painflickeringacrosshisface,hisshouldersstiffeningasifundera

greatload.

Alarmed, Hannah reached out and jerked Jonas halfway across the room out of harm's way. Jonas

swore under his breath and planted his feet firmly, thinking she was attempting to throw him out of the
house.

Sarahadjustedtheblindsatthewindow,filteringoutthelight,andreturnedtoDamon'sside,touching

himgently.Thatwasall.Thelightestoftouches.Shesimplylaidherhandoverhis,yetpeacestoleinto
himashebuttonedhisshirt.Theterribleweightthatalwaysseemedtobepressinghimintotheground
lightened.

Kate'seyesfilledwithtearsandshepressedherfingerstohermouth.

Abbeylefttheroomtoreturnwithacupoftea."Drinkthis,Damon,"shesaid."You'llenjoythetaste."

ThearomaaloneaddedtothesoothingtouchSarahhadprovided.Hedidn'tthinktoaskhowshehad

managedtomakehotteainamatterofseconds.

"Icoulduseacupoftea,"Jonassaid,"ifanyone'sasking.Andatouchofsanityinthehousewouldbe

nice,too.BabyDollwasgoingtohuckmerightoutthedoorandyoualljuststoodtherewatching."

"I'llmakeitforyou."Hannahleanedagainstthedoorframeandlookedupatthesheriff.Herfingers

twistedtogether,theonlysignofheragitation."Doyoulikeitsweet?I'mcertainIcancomeupwithan
appropriateconcoction."

"IthinkI'llpassaltogether.OneofthesedaysI'mgoingtoretaliate,Hannah."

Shemadeafaceathimashecrossedtothesliding-glassdoortostareoutsideatthepoundingwaves.

"Ihaveabadfeelingaboutthis,Sarah.Iknowyou'reusedtodoingthingsdifferentlyandpeoplehaveno
ideahowyoudoit.Maybeyoudon'tknoweither,Icertainlydon't,butIbelieveinyou.Isometimesjust
feelthings.It'soneofthethingsthatmakesmegoodatmyjob."Heturnedtolookather."Ihaveavery
badfeelingaboutthis.Frankly,I'mafraidforallofyou."

Therewasasmallsilence."Ibelieveyou,Jonas,"Sarahsaid."I'vealwaysknownyouhadagift."

Hisgazemovedaroundtheroom,restlesslytouchingoneachwoman."I'veknownthisfamilysinceI

wasaboy.Feuds"—hissmolderinggazewenttoHannah—"arepettywhenitcomestoyoursafety.I'mnot

losinganyofyouoverthis.Iwanttobecalledifoneofyoustubsyourtoe.Ifyouseeastrangeroryou
hearafunnynoise.I'mnotkiddingaroundwithyouoverthisissue.Iwantyourwordthatyou'llcallme.
Youhavemyprivatenumberaswellasthenumbertotheofficeand911."

"Jonas,don'tworry,we'llbefine.I'mverygoodatwhatIdo,"Sarahsaidwithcompleteconfidence.

Jonastookasteptowardher,veryreminiscentofastalkingpanther.Damonwasgratefulhewastoo

oldtobeintimidated."Iwantyourword.Everyoneofyou."

Damonnodded."IhavetoagreewithHarrington.Thesementorturedus.Theydon'tplayaround.I'll

admit when I'm around you, I feel magic in the air, but these men are evil and capable of torture and
murder.Ihavetoknowyou'reallsafeorI'llhavetoleavethistown."

"Damon!" Sarah looked stricken. “They'll just follow you." Worse, he would carry Death with him

whereverhechosetogo.

"Thencooperatewiththesheriff.Givehimwhateverheneedstostopthesemen."Asridiculousasit

seemedwhenhe'djustmether,Damoncouldn'tbearthethoughtofleavingSarah,buthewasn'taboutto
riskherlife.

"Idon'tmindcallingyou,Jonas,"Katesaidreadily.

Abbeyheldupherhand."I'min."

Sarahnodded."I'malwaysgratefulforhelpfromthelocallaw."

AlleyesturnedtoHannah.Sheshruggedindifferently."WhateverhelpsDamon,I'mwillingtodo."

Jonasignoredthegrudgeinhervoiceandnodded."Iwantallofyoutowatchyourstep.Beawareof

yoursurroundingsandanystrangers.Keepthosedogscloseandlockupthehouse!"

"We'realloverit,"Sarahagreed."Really,Jonas,wedon'twantanypartofmenwithguns.We'llcall

youevenifthecatmeows."

He looked a little mollified. "I'll want extra patrols around here as well as around Damon's house,

Sarah."

"Well,ofcourse,Jonas,"Sarahagreed.

"Itwillgivemeeveryopportunitytomakefriendswiththem,"Hannahsaid."Idon'tknowmanyofthe

newpeopleintown."

Jonasglaredather."Youandyourslinkybodycanjuststayawayfrommydeputies."

Hannahmadeafaceathim,raisedherhandtopushatthehairspillingacrossherface.Anicywind

rushedthroughtheroom,givinglifetothecurtains,sothattheydancedinamacabrefashion,fluttering,
reachingtowardJonasasiftobindhiminthethickfolds.

Sarah glimpsed a dark shadow moving within the drapes. Her hands went up in a casual, graceful

wave. Kate and Abbey followed the gentle movements with their own. The wind died abruptly and the
curtainsdroppedintoplace.

Damonclearedhisthroat."Doessomeonewanttotellmewhathappened?"

Jonasshookhishead."Neverbedumbenoughtoaskforanexplanationfromanyofthem,Damon.You

mightgetitandyourhairwillturngray."HisgazeswungtoHannah."Don'teventhinkaboutit.Ladies,I
canfindmyownwayout."

Damon didn't take his eyes from Sarah. She was looking at Hannah and there was accusation in her

gaze.Outofthecomerofhiseye,hecouldseeAbbeyandKatedoingthesamething.

Hannahthrewherhandsintotheair."Iwasn'tthinking,okay?I'msorry."

Thesilencelengthened,disapprovalthickintheroom.

Hannahsighed."Ireallyamsorry.IforgotforjustamomentaboutDea—"Shebrokeoffabruptly,her

gazeshiftingtoDamon."Abouttheotherthingwe'redealingwith.Itwon'thappenagain."

"Itbetternot,"Sarahsaid."Youcan'taffordtoforgetforonemoment.Thisistoodangerous,Hannah."

"Waitaminute,"Damoninterrupted."Ifyou'retalkingaboutmeandthosementheothernight,Idon't

wantyourfamilyinvolvedinanyway."

"Themen?"Kateraisedhereyebrow."Notintheleast,Damon,didn'tgivethemathought.Thereare

thingsfarmoredangerousthanhumanbeings."

Hewatchedthefourwomenexchangelongknowinglooksandwasexasperated.Theyknewsomething

hedidn't.Somethingregardinghim."IcanunderstandwhypoorHarringtongetssofrustratedwithyou."

Sarahroseandblewhimakiss."Helovesallsevenofus.Hejustlikestopuffouthischest."

"He was genuinely worried," Damon said. "And I am, too. The things he said make sense. It's bad

enoughtothinkofyouindanger,letaloneallyoursisters."Herakedahandthroughhishairinagitation.
"Ican'tberesponsibleforthat."

To his shock they all laughed. "Damon." Sarah's voice was a mixture of amusement and tenderness.

"Weacceptedresponsibilityforourowndecisionsaverylongtimeago.We'regrownwomen.Whenwe
choosetoinvolveourselvesinproblems,weaccepttheconsequences."Sheleanedtowardhim.

Abbeygroaneddramatically."She'sgoingtodoit.She'sgoingtokisshimrightinfrontofus.”

“Thatissonotfair,Sarah,"Hannahprotested.

"Goahead,"Kateencouraged."Ineedtowriteagoodlovescene."

When Sarah hesitated, her gaze lost in his, Damon took advantage and did the job thoroughly, not

wantingtoletKatedown.

Chapter7

"SO,SARAH,"DAMONsaid,puttingdownhisglassoficedteaastheysatonhisporch.Damonand

Sarah spent every minute they could find together. Taking walks on the beach. Working on a security
system for his house. Lazy days of laughter and whispered confidences. Damon enjoyed every moment
spentinherhome,gettingtoknowhersisters.HeneverranoutofthingstosaytoSarahandhelovedher
storiesandopenpersonality.TherewassunshineinhislifeanditsnamewasSarah.

Shetookahandfulofhischipsandsmiledathim.Overheadtheseagullscircled,lookingdownwith

hopefuleyes.Damonhadhadnomoreunwelcomenighttimevisitorsandappreciatedtheregularityofthe
sheriffdrivingbytochecktheneighborhood.

Damon shook his head, dazzled by her smile. She could take every thought out of his head with that

smile. "Sarah, are you afraid for me or for everyone else? It's occurred to me that there's always this
bufferbetweeneveryonewerunacrossandme.Ididn'treallynoticeatfirst,butlastnightIwasthinking
aboutit.I'mgettingtoknowyouandIthinkyoupreferthatyourfriendsdon'tseeyouwithme."

Sarah'sbreathcaughtinherthroatatthehintofpaininhisvoice.Themoretimeshespentwithhim,

themoreshewantedtobewithhim.Andthedarkshadowsurroundinghimgrippedhimalltheharder."I
don't mind anyone seeing us together. You're the one worried about gossip. I'm used to it and it doesn't
botherme."

"Thenwe'llgointotowntogether."Itwasachallenge.

Sarah let out her breath. The early morning fog had burned off, leaving the sky an amazing shade of

blue.Shecouldseecloudsgatheringfaroutoverthesea.ShelookedcarefullyatDamon,inspectingevery
inch of him. There was no dark shadow around him and his shoulders weren't hunched as if carrying a
greatweight."Soundsgreat,ifyou'rereallycertainyouwanttobraveit."

Hestoodupandheldouthishandtoher."Comeon."

"Right now?" She hadn't expected he would really want to go, but she obediently took his hand and

allowedhimtohelpherup.

"Yes,whileIhavemycourageup.Walkingwithyouthroughtownshouldsetamatchtothegossips.

Thestorywillspreadlikewildfire."

Sarah laughed softly, knowing it was true. Once they had walked the short distance to the town, she

startedinthedirectionofthegrocerystore,determinedtogetitoverwith.

"I feel a little sorry for Harrington," Damon said as he walked with Sarah along the main street of

town."Hedropsbythehousesometimesandhe'sverynice."Hereachedoutandtangledhisfingerswith
Sarah's.

"Are you certain you want to do this?" Sarah's voice was skeptical. "Holding my hand in public is

goingtobringthespotlightshiningverybrightlyonyou.Rumorsaregoingtoracethroughtownfasterthan
aseagullflies.Iknowhowmuchyourprivacymeanstoyou."

"ThatwasbeforeIretired.WhenIworkedfrommorninguntilnightandhadnolife."Damonlaughed

softly. He was happy. Looking at her made him happy. Walking with her, talking with her. It was
ridiculous how happy he was when he was in her company. It made no sense but he wasn't going to
questionagiftfromtheheavens."Wemayaswellgivethemsomethingrealtogossipabout."

Sarah's laugh floated on the breeze, a melodious sound that turned heads. "Not 'gossip’ Damon, it's

'news.'Noonegossipshere.Youhavetogetitstraight.”

Damonlistenedtothesoundoftheirshoesonthewoodenwalkway.Everythingwassodifferentwith

Sarah.Hefeltasifhe'dfinallycomehome.Helookedaroundhimtothepicturesquehomes,soquaintand
unique.Itnolongerfeltalienorhostiletohim;thepeoplewereeccentric,butendearing.HowhadSarah
donethat?MysteriousSarah.Eventhewindwelcomedherbackhome.Hisfingerstightenedaroundhers,
holdinghertohim.Hewasn'taltogethercertainSarahwashumanandhefearedshemightflyawayfrom
himwithoutwarning,joiningthebirdsoutoverthesea.

She waved to a young woman on a porch. "They're good people, Damon. You won't find more

acceptingpeopleinyourlifethantheoneslivinghere."

"EvenHarrington?"heteased.

"I feel a little sorry for him, too," Sarah answered seriously. "Most of the time, Jonas is a caring,

compassionate man and very good with everyone, but he just refuses to see the truth about Hannah. He
looksatherandonlyseeswhat'sontheoutside.She'salwaysbeenbeautiful.Hewasverypopularwith
thegirlsinschool,anincredibleathlete,tonsofscholarships,theresidentdreamboat.HethoughtHannah
wasstuckupbecausesheneverspoketohim.Hemadeherlifealivinghell,teasingherunmercifullyall
throughschool.She'sneverforgivenhimandhe'llneverunderstandwhy.He'sagoodmanandhewasn't

beingmaliciousinschool.Fromhisperspective,hewasjustteasing.HehasnoideaHannahispainfully
shyandheneverwill."

Damon made a dissenting noise in his throat. "She's a supermodel, Sarah—on the cover of every

magazinethereis.Shetravelsallovertheworld.And,Ihavetosay,sheappearsveryconfidentonevery
televisionandnewsinterviewandtalkshowI'veseenheron.Iwouldneverassociateherwiththeword
‘shy.'"

"Shehyperventilatesbeforespeakinginpublic;infact,shecarriesapaperbagwithher.Mostofthe

talk show hosts and interviewers are careful with her. Because she's painfully shy doesn't mean she
allowsittoaffectherlife."

"Whywouldn'tyoujustclueHarringtonin?"

"WhyshouldhejudgeHannahsoharshly,justbecauseshelooksthewayshedoes?MysisterJoleyis

striking as well, although not in exactly the same way. Jonas would never dare torment her. All of my
sistersaregood-lookingandhedoesn'tusethatsarcastictoneonthem.HeonlydoesittoHannahandin
frontofeveryone."

Damonheardthefierceprotectivenoteinhervoiceandsmiled.Hedrewhercloserbeneathhisbroad

shoulder.HisSarah.Withoutwarning,fearstruck,deep,haunting,sharplikeaknife.Hisbreathlefthis
lungs."Sarah?Arewethinkingthesamething?I'veneverwantedsomeoneinmylifebefore.Notonce.
I'veonlyjustmetyouandcan'timaginetherestofmylifewithoutyou."Herakedhisfingersthroughhis
hair,hiscanenearlyhittinghishead."DoyouknowwhatIsoundlike?Anobsessedstalker.I'mnotlike
thiswithwomen,Sarah."

Her eyes danced. "That leaves wide-open territory, Damon. You’re talking about a family with six

sistersandabillioncousins.Ihaveamillionauntsanduncles.Youcan'tleaveyourselfopenlikethator
they'regoingtoteaseyouunmercifully."

Theyhaltedinfrontofthegrocerystore.Damonfacedher,catchingherchininhishandtotiltherface

up to his. "I'm serious, Sarah. 1 know I want a future with you in it. I have to know we're on the same
page."

Sarahwentuponhertoestopressakisstohismouth."Here'salittlenewsflashforyou,Damon.I

don't compromise my jobs by getting involved with my clients. I don't, as a rule, kiss strange men and
spendthenightwishingthey'dmakethebigmove."

"Youwantmetomakeamoveonyou?"

Sarahlaughed,tuggedathishand,dragginghimintothestore."OfcourseIdo."

"Well,thisisahellofatimetotellme."

Inez was at the store window with three of her customers, staring at Sarah and Damon with their

mouthsopen.Damonscowledatthem."Isitfly-catchingseason?"

Sarah squeezed his hand tightly in warning. All the while she was smiling serenely. "Inez! We just

dropped in for a quick minute. Kate and Hannah and Abigail are in town for a few days and they can't
waittoseeyou!JoleyandElleandLibbysendtheirloveandtoldmetotellyoutheyhopetogetback
soon."Hervoicewasbrightandcheerful,dispellinganairofgloominthestore."YoudoknowDamon,
ofcourse."

Inez nodded, her hawklike gaze narrowing in shock on their linked hands. Her throat worked

convulsively."Yes,ofcourseIdo.Ididn'tknowyoutwowereintimatefriends."

Damonglaredather,daringthewomantoimplyanythingelse.Sarahsimplylaughed."Isnaggedhim

theminuteIsawhim,Inez.Youalwaystoldmetosettledownwithagoodmanand,well...hereheis."

"Ineverguessed,andMr.Wilderdidn'tsayasingleword,"Inezsaid.

DamonforcedasmileunderthesubtlepressureofSarah'sgrip.Hernailswerebitingintohishand.

"CallmeDamon,Inez.Inevermanagedtocatchyoualone."Itwasthebestexcusehecouldcomeupwith
and sound plausible. It must have worked because Inez beamed at him, bestowing on him a smile she
reserved for her closest friends. In spite of himself, Damon could feel a tiny glow of pleasure at the
acceptance.

"Howiseverythinglately?"SarahaskedbeforeDamoncouldwarnheritwasabadideatogetInez

started.

"Honestly, Sarah, Donna over at the gift shop is a lovely woman but she just doesn't understand the

importanceofrecycling.JustthismorningIsawherdumpherpapersrightinwithplastic.I'vesortedfor
hermanytimesandshowedhertheeasiestwaytogoaboutitbutshejustcan'tgetthehangofit.Beadear
anddosomethingaboutit,won'tyou?"

Damon'smouthnearlyfellopenattherequest.WhatdidInezwantSarahtodo?Separatethewoman's

garbageforher?

"Noproblem,Inez.I'llgoovertherenow.DamonandIarehopingsomeofourfriendswillhelpus

withasmallproblem.Therearesomestrangerswhohavebeenintown,probablyforaweekortwo—
three men. We'd like to know their whereabouts, their movements, that sort of thing. Unfortunately we
don'thaveacleardescriptionbutoneofthemhasafacialinjury,mostlikelyaroundhisjaw.I'mhoping
anothermighthavegottenbittenbyatick."Shepaused,awickedlittlegrinplayingaroundthecornersof
hermouth."Maybealotofticks."

"Whathavetheydone?"Inezasked,loweringhervoiceasifshe'djoinedaconspiracy.

"They tried to break into Damon's house. Jonas has all the information we could give him. He was

going to check the hospital and clinic." She'd turned over the tranquilizer gun to him, too. "If someone
spotsthem,ormentionsthemtoyou,wouldyoumindgivingmeacall?Andmaybeitwouldbegoodto
callJonas,too."

"Now,dear,youknowIdon'tbelieveinstickingmynoseintoanyone'sbusiness,butifyoureallyneed

metohelpyou,I'llbemorethanhappytooblige,"Inezsaid."Therearealwayssomanytouristsbutwe
shouldbeabletospotamanwithsomethingwrongwithhisjaw."

SarahleanedovertokissInezaffectionately."You'resuchagoodfriend,Inez.Idon'tknowwhatwe'd

alldowithoutyou."Sheturnedtolookatthethreecustomers."Irene,Ihopeyoudon'tmindmebringing
DamonwhenIcallonyouandDrewthisafternoon."ShewantedtoassessDrew'sconditionbeforeshe
broughthersistersoverandraisedIrene'shopesfurther."Wejustwanttovisitwithhimafewminutes,"
sheaddedhastily."Wewon'ttirehim."

Irene's expression brightened considerably. "Thank you, Sarah; of course you can bring anyone you

wantwithyou.ItoldDrewyoumightbedroppingbyandhewassoexcited.He'lllovethecompany.He
rarelyseesevenhisfriendsanymore."

"Good,Ican'twaittoseehimagain.Nowdon'tgotoanytrouble,Irene.LasttimeIcametovisit,you

hadanentireluncheonwaiting."SarahrubbedDamon'sarm."Ireneissuchawonderfulcook."

"Oh,sheis,"Inezagreedreadily."Herbakedgoodsarealwaysthefirsttogoateveryfundraiser."

Irenebrokeintoasmile,lookingpleased.

ThewarmthinDamon'sheartrushedtohisbelly,heatedhisblood.Sarahspreadsunshine.Thathadto

behersecret.Wherevershewent,shejustspreadgoodwilltoothersbecauseshegenuinelycaredabout
them.Itwasn'tthatshewasbeingmerelytolerant;shelikedherneighborswithalltheiridiosyncrasies.
Hecouldn'thelpthestrangefeelingofpridesweepingthroughhim.Howhadhegottensolucky?

Damon pushed his sunglasses onto his nose as they meandered across the street. He saw they were

headingtowardthecolorfulgiftshop."Areyoureallygoingtosortsomewoman'sgarbage,Sarah?"

"Ofcoursenot,I'mjustpoppingintosayhello.Maybeourintruderswillbuyamementooftheirstay

or possibly a gift for someone. You never know, we may as well cover all the bases," Sarah replied
blithely.

Damonlaughed."Sarah,honey,Ihardlythinkkidnappersaregoingtotakethetimetobuyamemento

oftheirstay.Icouldbewrong,butitseemsratherunlikely."

Sarahsimplygrinnedathim.Shetookhisbreathawaywithhersmile.Sheshouldhavealwaysbeenin

his life. By his side. All those years working, never thinking about anything else, and Sarah had been
somewhereintheworld.Ifhehadmetherearlier,hemighthaveretiredsoonerand...

"Doyouhaveanyideahowperfectlytemptingyourmouthis,Damon?"Sarahinterruptedhisthoughts,

hervoicematter-of-fact,intenselyinterested.

"Sarah! Sarah Drake! Yoo-hoo!" A tall woman of Amazonian proportions and extraordinary skin

wavedwildly,interceptingthem.Anolderman,obviouslyherfather,andateenageboyfollowedherata
muchmoresedatepace.

The clouds, gathering ominously over the sea, so far away only minutes earlier, moved inward at a

rapidrate.Thewindhowled,blowinginfromthesea,carryingsomethingdarkanddangerouswithit.Icy
fingers touched Sarah's face, almost a caress of delight... or challenge. She watched Damon's face, his
body, as he accepted the weight, a settling of his shoulders, small lines appearing near his mouth. He
didn'tappeartonotice,alreadyfartoofamiliarwithhisgrimcompanion.

ShemovedclosertoDamon,apurelyprotectivegestureasthetwomenapproachedtheminthewake

ofthewoman.ThewelcomingsmilefadedfromSarah'sface.Ashadowmovedonthewalkway,slithering
alongtheground,awidedarknetcastingforprey."Patsy,it'sbeenalongtime."Butshewaslookingat
the older man. "Mr. Granger. How nice to see you again. And Pete, I'm so glad we ran into you. I'm
visitingDrewsoon.I'llbeabletotellhimIsawyou.I'llbethe'llbehappytohearfromyou."

PeteGrangerscuffedthetoeofhisbootonthesidewalk."Ishouldgoseehim.It'sbeenawhile.Ididn't

knowwhattosay."

Sarahplacedherhandonhisshoulder.Damoncouldseeshewasworried."You'llfindtherightthing

tosaytohim.That'swhatfriendshipis,Pete,tobethereingoodandbadtimes.Thegoodiseasy,thebad,
well"—sheshrugged—"that'sabitmoredifficult.Butyou'vealwaysbeenincrediblytoughandDrew's
bestfriend.Iknowyou'llbethereforhim."

Petenoddedhishead."TellhimI'llbeoverthisevening."

Sarahsmiledherapproval."Ithinkthat'sagreatidea,Pete."ShetouchedtheelderGrangerwithgentle

fingers."Howdidyourvisittothecardiologistgo?"

"Why, Sarah," Patsy answered, "Dad doesn't have a cardiologist. There's nothing wrong with his

heart."

"Really? It never hurts to be safe, Mr. Granger. Checkups are always so annoying but ultimately

necessary.Patsy,doyourememberthatcardiologistmymotherwenttowhenwewereinourfirstyearof
college?InSanFrancisco?"

Patsyexchangedalonglookwithherfather."Idoremember,Sarah.Maybewecouldgethiminnext

monthwhenthingssettledownattheshop."

"These things are always better if you insist on taking care of them immediately," Sarah prompted.

“ThisisDamonWilder,afriendofmine.Haveyouthreemetyet?"

Damon was simply astonished. Pete was going to go visit his very ill friend and Mr. Granger was

goingtoseeacardiologist,allatSarah'ssuggestion.Helookedcloserattheolderman.Hecouldn'tsee
that Granger looked sick. What had Sarah seen that he hadn't? There was no doubt in his mind that the
cardiologistwasgoingtofindsomethingwrongwithMr.Granger'sheart.

Sarahaskedthethreeofthemtokeepaneyeoutforstrangerswithbruisesontheirfaceorjawandthe

trioagreedbeforehurryingaway.

"Howdoyoudothat?"Damonasked,intrigued.Shewasdoingsomething,knewthingssheshouldn't

know.

"Dowhat?"Sarahasked."Ihavenoideawhatyou'retalkingabout."

Damon studied her face there on the street with the sunlight shining down on them. He couldn't stop

lookingather,couldn'tstopwantingher.Couldn'tbelieveshewasreal."Youseesomethingbeyondthe
humaneye,Sarah,somethingsciencecan'texplain.Ibelieveinscience,yetIcan'tfindanexplanationfor
whatyoudo."

Damonwaslookingatherwithsomuchhunger,somuchstarkdesireinhisexpression,Sarah'sheart

meltedonthespotandherbodywentupinflames."It'saDrakelegacy.Agift.”Wherevershehadbeen
goingwasgoneoutofherhead.Shecouldn'tthinkofanythingbutDamonandtheneedonhisface,the
hungerinhiseyes.Herfingerstangledinthefrontofhisshirt,rightoutsidethegiftshopinplainsightof
theinterestedtownspeople.

"TheDrakegateprophecyforgottomentiontheintensityofthephysicalattraction,"shemurmured.

Amancoulddrowninhereyes,belostforever.Hishandstightenedpossessively,broughthercloser

to him, right up against his body. Every cell reacted instantly. Whips of lightning danced in his
bloodstreamwhiletonguesoffirelickedhisskin,atthesimpletouchofherfullyclothedbody.Whatwas
goingtohappenwhenshewasnaked,completelybarebeneathhim?"Imightnotsurvive,"hewhispered.

"Wouldwecare?"Sarahasked.Shecouldn'tlookawayfromhim,couldn'tstopstaringintohiseyes.

Shewantedhim.Achedforhim.Wantedtobealonewithhim.Itdidn'tmatterwhere,justthattheywere
alone.

"You can't look at me like that," Damon said. "I'm going up in flames and I'm too damned old to be

actinglikeateenager."

"No,you'renot,"Sarahdenied."Byallmeans,Idon'tmindatall."Shehalf-turnedtowardthestreet,

stillinhisarms."IthinkInezisfallingoutofherwindow.Poorthing,she'sboundtolosehereyesightif
shekeepsthisup.Ishouldhavesuggestedshegetanewpairofglasses.I'llletAbigailsuggestit.You
havetobecarefulwithInezbecauseshe'ssosensitive."

ItwasthewaySarahsaidit,soabsolutelysincere,thattuggedathisheartstrings."Inevercouldget

alongwithpeople.Ever.Notevenincollege.Everyonealwaysannoyedme.Ipreferredbooksandmylab
totalkingwithahumanbeing,"headmitted,wantinghertounderstandthedifferenceshe'dmade.Hewas
actuallybeginningtocareaboutInezandthatwasplaindamnedscary.Hewasfindingthetownspeople
interestingafterseeingthemthroughhereyes.

"Let'sgobacktomyhouse,"hesuggested."Didn'tyousaytherecouldbebugsinthatsecuritysystem

youinstalled?"

"I'm certain I need to check it over," Sarah agreed, "but I do have to make this one stop first. I

promisedInez."

Chapter8

THE SMALL GIFT shop was cheerful and bright. Celtic music played softly. New Age books and

crystals of all colors occupied one side of the store while fairies and dragons and mythical creatures
reigned supreme on the other. Damon had been prepared for clutter after the comments on the shop
owner'slackofrecyclingeducation,butthestorewasspotless.

"I think Donna knows her recycling stuff," Damon whispered against Sarah's ear. "She probably

brushedupaftershesawInezpeeringatherthroughthestorewindowwithherlipspursedandherhands
onherhips."Histeethnibbledforjustamoment,sendingatremorthroughher."Let'sgetoutofherewhile
wehavethechance."

Sarahshookherhead."IhaveanespeciallystrongfeelingweshouldtalkwithDonnatoday."Shewas

frowningslightly,apuzzledexpressiononherface.

Damonfeltsomethingtwistandsettlearoundhisheart.Knowledgeblossomed.Belief.Hewasaman

oflogicandbooks,yetheknewSarahwasdifferent.Heknewshewasmagic.MysteriousSarahwasback
homeandwithher,someundefinedpowerthatcouldn'tbeignored.Hefeltitnowforhimself,afterhaving
beeninherpresence.Itwasveryreal,somethinghecouldn'texplainbutknewwasthere,deepinsideof
her.

His knowledge made it much easier to accept the amazing intensity of the chemistry between them.

Morethanthat,ithelpedhimtobelieveinthepowerfulemotionsalreadysurfacingforher.Howdidone
fall in love at first sight? He'd always scoffed at the idea, yet Sarah was wrapped securely around his
heartandhehadknownherforonlyafewdays.

"IfyoufeelweshouldtalktoDonna,thenbyallmeans,let'sfindthewoman,"heagreedreadily.She

hadchangedhimforalltime.Hewasdifferentinsideandhepreferredthemanhewasbecomingtothe
manhehadbeen.Ifhespenttoomuchtimethinkingaboutit,hisfeelingsmadenosense,buthedidn'twant
tothinkaboutit.Hesimplyacceptedit,embracedtheopportunitydestinyhadgivenhim.

Sarahcalledout,movingthroughthestorewiththenaturalgraceDamonhadcometoassociatewith

her."Donna'sdaughterwenttoschoolwithJoley.Donnaisasweetheart,Damon—haveyoumether?"
Shepeekedaroundthebead-curtaineddoorwayleadingtothebackofthestore.

"I'veseenher,"Damonsaid,"inInez'sstore.SheandInezliketoexchangesarcasm."

"They'vebeenfriendsforyears.WhenInezwassickafewyearsago,DonnamovedintoInez'shouse

andcaredforher,ranherowngiftshopandthegrocerystore.Theyjustliketogrouseatoneanother,but
it'sallinfun.Thebackscreenisopen.That'sstrange.Donnahasaphobiaaboutinsects.Sheneverleaves
doorsopen."Therewasconcerninhervoice.

DamonfollowedSarahthroughthebeadedcurtain,notingtheneatlystackedpapertiedwithcordand

the barrel of plastic labeled with inch-high letters. "I'd have to say Donna knows more about recycling
thanmostpeople."

"Ofcourseshedoes."Sarah'stonewasvague,asifshewasn'tpayingmuchattention."Shejustlikesto

giveInezsomethingtosay."

"You mean she does it on purpose?" Damon wanted to laugh but Sarah's behavior was making him

uneasy.Theysteppedoutoftheshopontoabackporch.

The wind rushed them, coming at them from the sea. Coming from the direction of the cliff house.

Sarahraisedherfacetothewind,closedhereyesforamoment.Damonwatchedherface,watchedher
body. There was a complete stillness about her. She was there with him physically, but he had the
impressionherspiritwasridingonthewind.Thatmentallyshewaswithhersistersinthecliffhouse.

The wind chilled him, raised goose bumps on his arms, sent a shiver of alarm down his back.

Somethingwaswrong.Sarahknewsomethingwaswrongandheknewitnowaswell.

Sarahopenedhereyesandlookedathimwithapprehension."Donna."Shewhisperedthename.

The wind whipped leaves from the trees and whirled them in small eddies of chaos and confusion.

Sarah watched the whirling mass of leaves intently. Her fingers closed around his wrist. "I don't think
she'sfarbutwehavetohurry.Callthesheriff'soffice.Tellthemtosendanambulanceandtosendacar
over.IthinkoneofyourkidnappersdiddecidetoshopatDonna's."

Shestartedawayfromhim,towardthesmallhousethatsatbehindthegiftshop.Itwasovergrownwith

massesofflowersandbushes,avirtualrefugeinthemiddleoftown."Waitaminute!"Damonhesitated,
tornbetweenmakingthephonecallandfollowingSarah."Whatifsomeone'sstillthere,andwhatifthe
sheriffthinksI'manut?"

"SomeoneisstillthereandjustsayIsaidhurry."Sarahflungthewordsbackoverhershoulder.She

wasmovingfast,yetsilently,lithely,sogracefulsheremindedhimofastalkinganimal.

Damon swore under his breath and hurried back inside the store. Inez was standing just inside the

beadedcurtain.Herfacewasverypale."Whatisit?"shedemanded,herhandflutteringtoherheart.

"Sarahsaidtocallthesheriffandtellthemtohurry.Shealsosaidtocallanambulance.Wouldyoudo

thatsoIcanmakecertainnothinghappenstoSarah?"Damonspokegently,afraidtheolderwomanmight
collapse.

Inezliftedherchin."Yougo,I'llhaveadozencopshereimmediately."

DamonbreathedasighofreliefandhurriedafterSarah.Shewasalreadyoutofhissight,lostbehind

theriotingexplosionofflowers.Hesilentlycursedhisbumleg.Hecouldgoanywhereifhewentslowly
enoughbuthecouldn'trunandevenwalkingfastwasdangerous.Hislegwouldsimplygiveout.

His heart was pounding so hard in his chest he feared it would explode. Sarah in danger was

terrifying.Hehadthoughttherewasnothingleftforhim,yetshehadcomeintohislifeathisdarkesthour
and brought hope and light. Laughter and compassion. She was even teaching him to appreciate Inez.
Damonsworeagain,pressinghisluck,usinghiscanetoholdbackthebusheswhilehetriedtorushover
thecobblestonesDonnahadsopainstakinglyusedtobuildthepathwaybetweenherhouseandhershop.

AsofthisstohisleftgaveSarah'spositionaway.ShewasinchingherwaytowardthedoorofDonna's

house,usingseverallargerhododendronsascover.Herhandsignalwasclear:shewantedhimtocrouch
lowandstaywherehewas.Ahumiliatingthought.Sarahracingtotherescuewhilehehidinthebushes.
Theworstofitwas,hecouldseethatshewasaprofessional.Shemovedlikeone,andshehadproduced
agunfromsomewhere.Itfitintoherhandasifsheweresofamiliarwithit,thegunwasapartofher.

Damonrealized,foralltheirlongtalkstogether,hedidn'tknowSarahverywellatall.Hisheartand

mindandsoulwantedandneededher,buthedidn'tknowher.Enthralled,hewatchedasshegainedthe

porch.Eventhewindseemedtohavestilled,holdingitsbreath.

Sarahturnedbacktolookupatthesky,toliftherarmstowardtheclouds.Herfacewastowardthe

cliff house. Damon had a sudden vision of her sisters standing on the battlements in front of the rolling
sea, raising their arms in unison with Sarah. Calling on the wind, calling on the elements to bind their
willstogether.

Thewindmoanedsoftly,carryingthesoundofamelodioussong,sofainthecouldn'tcatchthewords

butheknewthevoiceswerefemale.Darkthreadsspunintothickcloudsoverheadandthewindrushedat
the house, rattling the windows and shaking the doors. The sky darkened ominously, fat drops of rain
splatteredtheroofandyard.Damontastedsaltintheair.Therainseemedtocomefromtheoceanitself,
as if the wind, in answer to some power, had driven the salt water from the sea and spread it over the
land.

Thewindpulledback,reminiscentofawave,thenrushedagain,thistimewitharoarofrage,aiming

at the entry. Under the assault, the door burst inward, allowing the chilling wind into the house. Sarah
rolledinbehindit,aspapersandmagazinesflewinalldirections,providingasmalldistraction.Shewas
alreadyupononekneeinasmoothmotion,trackingwithhergun.

"Idon'twanttohavetoshootyou,butIwill,"shesaid.ThewordscarriedclearlytoDamonalthough

hervoicewasverylow."Putthegundownandkickitawayfromyou."Damonhurrieduptheporchsteps.
HecouldseethatSarah'shandwasrocksteady."Donna,don'ttrytomove,anambulanceisontheway."
Hergazehadn'tshiftedfromthemanstandingoverDonna'sbody.

Damon could see the lump on Donna's head, the blood spilling onto the thick carpet. His fingers

tightenedaroundhiscaneuntilhisknucklesturnedwhite.Hetransferredhisholdtoatwo-handedgrip.
Furyshookhimatthesightofthewomanonthefloorandthemanherecognizedstandingoverher.

"Damon."Sarah'svoicewasgentlebutcommanding."Don't."

Hehadn'trealizedhehadtakenanaggressivestepforward.Sarahhadn'tturnedherhead,hadn'ttaken

heralertgazefromDonna'sattacker,butshesomehowknewhisintention.Heforcedhimselfbackunder
control.

"Whywouldyouattackahelplesswoman?"Damonasked.Hewasshakingwithanger,withtheneed

toretaliate.

"Don'tengagewithhim,"Sarahcounseled."Ihearasiren.Willyoupleaseseeifit'sthesheriff?"

DamonturnedandnearlyranoverInez.HecaughtherasshetriedtorushtoDonna'sside."Youcan't

getbetweenSarahandthemanwhoattackedDonna,"hesaid.Inezfeltlightandfragileinhishands.She
neverseemedold,yetnowhecouldseeagelinedherface.Shelookedsoanxioushewasafraidforher.
Verygentlyhedrewherawayfromtheentrance,pullinghertooneside.

The wind whipped through the room, sent loose papers once more into the air. Inez shivered and

reachedtoclosethedooronthechillingseabreeze.

"No!"Sarah'svoicewassharpthistime,unlikeher.

ItwasenoughtostimulateDamonintoaction.Heheldthedooropentotheelements.Itwasonlythen

that he felt the subtle flow of power entering with the wind. Faintly he could hear, or imagined that he
heard,thechantingcarriedfromthedirectionoftheocean...orthecliffhouse.

HestudiedDonna'sassailant,oneofthemenwhohadtorturedhim.Themanwhohadpressedagunto

Dan'sheadandpulledthetrigger.Whywashesimplystandingtheremotionless?Wasitreallythethreat
ofSarah'sgun?

Damonhadnodoubtthatshewouldshoot,butwouldthatbeenoughtointimidateamanlikethisone?

Hedoubtedit.Therewassomethingelseintheroom,somethingholdingthekiller.

Asenseoflightnessstoleintohisheart,carriedwithitasenseofpeace.Sarahwasawomanofsilk

andsteel.Shewasmagnificent.

"Jonasiscoming,"InezwhisperedtoDamon."Sarah'sgoingtohaveaproblem.She'llbeweakand

sickafterthis.Shewon'twantanyonetoseeherlikethat."

DamoncouldseetheacceptanceofhisrelationshipwithSarahinInez'sexpression.Itmadehimfeel

asifhetrulybelonged.Inez'sapprovalmeantmoretohimthanitshouldhave,madehimfeelapartofthe
close-knitcommunityinsteadoftheoutsiderhealwaysseemedtobewhereverhewent.

Henoddedhishead,pretendingtounderstand,determinedtobethereforSarahthewaysheseemedto

beforeveryoneelse.

JonasHarringtoncamethroughthedoorfirst,hiseyeshardandunflinching.HehadDonna'sassailant

inhandcuffsimmediately.Sarahsankbackonherhaunches,herheadbowed.Shewipedsweatfromher
browwiththebackofatremblinghand.Damonwenttoherimmediately,helpingherup,forcingherto
leanonhimwhenshedidn'twantto,whenshewasworriedabouthishipandleg.

Sarah went down the hall with Damon's help, found a chair in the kitchen where she could sit. She

lookedupathimandsmiledherappreciation.Thatwasall.Anditwaseverything.Hegotheraglassof
water,helpedhersteadyherhandsenoughtodrinkit.Sherecoveredfairlyquickly,butsheremainedpale.

"Areyoursistersfeelingthesameeffects?"heasked.

Sarahnodded."Itisn'tthesameascasting.Ittakesatremendousamountofourenergytoholdsomeone

againsthisorherwill.Itwasn'tinhisnaturetobepassive."Sheheldoutherhand."I'mdoingbetter.I
needtoeatsomethingandsleepforalittlewhile."Shesighed."IpromisedIreneI'dgovisitDrewtonight
butIdon'thaveanystrengthleftafterthis,notthekindI'dneedtohelpthem."Shepressedherfingertipsto
hertemples."Ican'treallydoanythingforDrewandIreneknowsthat.Extendinghislifemightnotbethe
bestthing.IfonlyLibbywerehere."

"Sarah."Hespokeinhismostgentletone."Leaveitalonefornow.Letmetakeyouhome;I'llfixyoua

goodmealandyoucansleep.I’lltalktoIrenemyself.She'llunderstand."

"Howdidyouknowmysisterswerehelpingme?"

"Ifeltthem,"hereplied."Areyousteadyenoughtotalkwiththesheriff?"

Shenodded."AndIwanttomakecertainDonna'sallright."

When they returned to the living room, Harrington already had Donna's assailant in the squad car.

Donnaburstintotears,clingingtoSarahandInez,makingDamonfeelhelplessanduselessbutfilledwith
adeepsenseofprideinSarahandhersisters.

"Whydidheattackyou,Donna?"Sarahasked.

"I noticed he had your earring, Sarah. The one Joley made for you. He was wearing it. It's one of a

kindandIthoughtyoumusthavelostit.SoIaskedhimaboutit.Hehitmehardanddraggedmeoutofthe
storebackintomyhouse.HekeptaskingmequestionsaboutyouandaboutMr.Wilder."

SarahpressedherhandagainstDonna'swound,justforamoment.Damonwatchedherfacecarefully,

watched her skin grow paler until she swayed slightly with weariness. Sarah leaned down and kissed
Donna'scheek."You'llbefine.Don'tworryaboutthestore,we'lllockupforyou."

"I'mgoingtothehospitalwithher,"Inezsaid,glaringattheparamedicsasifdaringthemtodenyher.

SheheldDonna'shandastheytookherout.

"Sarah?"JonasHarringtonstoodwaitingagainstthewall."Youhaveapermittocarrythatgun?"

"YouknowIdo,Jonas,"shereplied."You'veseenitmorethanonce.Yes,it'sup-to-date.AndIdidn't

shoottheman,althoughIwasinclinedtowithDonnalyingonthefloorbleeding.Andheiswearingmy
earring.Iwantitback."

"I'll get it back for you," Jonas was patient. "I know you're tired, but I need you to answer a few

questions."

"That'soneofthemenwhokidnappedme.He'stheonewhokilledmyassistant,"Damonexplained.

“The other two must be staying somewhere in town. It shouldn't be that hard to find them now that we
havehim."

"I'llfindthem."Jonas'svoicewasgrim."Sarah,willyoucomebytheofficelaterandgivemeafull

statement?I'vesenttheperpinthesquadcardowntotheoffice.There'salreadyanoutstandingwarrant
forhisarrestandthefedsaregoingtobeswarmingalloverthisplaceassoonaswenotifythem.They're
goingtowanttotalktothetwoofyou,soyou'dbettergorestwhileyoucan."

DamoncircledSarah'sshoulderswithhisarm."Canyougiveusaridetomyplace,Sheriff?"

"Sure.Let'slockupandgetoutofherebeforeSarahkeelsoverandhersistershaulusbothoverthe

coals.You'veneverseenthemenmasse,comingafteryou."Heshuddered."It'sascarysight,Wilder."

"You'retheonlyoneit'severhappenedtosofar,"Sarahpointedout.

Chapter9

DAMONSTAREDDOWNintoSarah'ssleepingface.Shewasbeautifullyingthereinthemiddleof

his bed. He had been standing there, leaning against the wall, for some time just watching over her.
Guardingher.Itseemedrathersillyandmelodramaticwhenshewastheonewiththegunandthetraining,
butitfeltasnecessarytohimasbreathing.

Wherehadsuchawealthoffeelingcomefromnearlyovernight?Couldamanfalldeeplyinlovewith

a woman so quickly? She was everything and more than he'd ever thought of or dreamed about. How
couldanyonenotloveSarahwithhercompassionandtoleranceandunderstanding?Shegenuinelycared
aboutthepeopleinhertown.Somehowthatdeepemotionwasrubbingoffonhim.

Shecouldhavebeenkilled.Thethoughthithimhard.Aphysicalblowinthepitofhisstomach.How

wasitpossibletofeelsomuchforonepersonwhenhe'djustmether?Hisentirelifehe'dbarelynoticed
people,letalonecaredabouttheirlives.Fromthemomenthe'dheardhernamewhisperedonthewind,he
knew,deepdownwhereitcounted,thatshewouldchangehislifeforalltime.

Theirwalkstogether,allthetimesonthebeach,whisperinginhishouse,orhers,evenspendingtime

withherfamilyhadonlystrengthenedhisfeelingsforher.

SarahopenedhereyesandthefirstthingshesawwasDamon'sface.Hewasleaningagainstthefar

wall,simplywatchingher.Shecouldseehisexpressionclearly,nakeddesire,mixedwithknowledgeof
their future. His emotions were stark and raw and so real it brought tears to her eyes. Damon hadn't
expectedtolikeher,letalonefeelanythingelseforher.

Sheheldoutherhandtohim."Don'tstandoverthereallalone.Youaren'taloneanymoreandneither

amI."

He heard the invitation in her voice and his body began to stir in anticipation. But he stood there

drinkingherin.Wantingherinsomanywaysthatweren'tjustphysical.

"Youweren't,youknow,Sarah.You'veneverbeenalone.Youdon'tneedmeinthesamewayIneed

you. You have a family and they wrap you up in love and warmth and support. I never considered the
valueoffamilyandlove.Sharingadaywithsomeoneyoucareaboutisworthallthegoldintheworld.I
didn'tknowthatbeforeImetyou."

Shesatup,studyinghimwithhercoolgaze.Assessing.Likingwhatshesaw.Damondidn'tknowwhy

buthecouldseeitonherface."I'mgladthen,Damon,ifIgaveyousuchagift.Myfamilyismytreasure."

Henodded.Whatwoulditbeliketowakeupeverymorningandhearhervoice?Therewasalwaysa

caressinhervoice,astrokingqualitythathefeltonhisskin.Deepinhisbody."Andyou'remytreasure,
Sarah.IhadnoideaIwasevencapableoffeelingthiswayaboutanyone."

Sarahsmiled.Thesmilesheseemedtoreserveforhim.Itlitupherfaceandmadehereyesshine,but

more,itlituphisinsidessothatheburnedwithsomethingindefinable."Youbroughtmelife,Sarah.You
handedmemylife.IexistedbeforeImetyou,butIwasn'tliving."

"Yes,youwere,Damon.You'reabrilliantman.Thethingsyoucreatedmadeourworldsafer.Iwatch

your face light up when you tell me about other ideas you have and what the possibilities are. That's
living."

"I had nothing else but my ideas." He straightened suddenly, coming away from the wall, walking

towardher,confidenceonhisface."ThatwashowIescaped,intomybrainandtheendlessideasIcould
findthere."Hetracedtheclassiclinesofherface,hercheekbones.Hergenerousmouth.“Takeoffyour
blouse,Sarah.Iwanttoseeyou."

Afaintblushstoleintohercheeksbutherhandswenttothetinypearlbuttonsonherblouseandslowly

began to slide the edges apart. His breath caught in his throat as he watched her. Sarah didn't try to be
sexy,therewasneveranythingaffectedabouther,yetitwasthesexiestthinghe'deverseen.Theedgesof
her blouse slowly gaped open, to reveal her lush creamy flesh beneath it. She had a woman's body,
shapedtopleaseamanwithsoftcurvesandlines.

Herbreastswerecoveredwithfinewhitelace.Sarahstoodup,herbodyveryclosetohis.Damonfelt

arushofheattakehim,awhipoflightningdancethroughhisbody.Hisbloodthickenedandpooled.His
bodyhardenedalmosttothepointofpain.Heembracedit,reveledintheintensityofhisneedforher.

"You'resobeautiful,Sarah.Insideandout.Istillcan'tbelieveIcouldgofromlivinginhellstraightto

paradise."

Shereachedforhim."I'mnotlikethatatall,Damon.I'mnottrulybeautiful,notbyanystretchofthe

imagination. I'm not even close. And living with me would not be paradise. I'm outspoken and like my
way."

With exquisite tenderness, he bent his head to find her mouth with his. For a moment they were lost

together,transportedoutoftimebythemagicflowingbetweenthem.WhenDamonliftedhisheadtolook
downather,hisgazewashungry.Needy.Possessive."You'rebeautifultome,Sarah.Iwillneverseeyou
any other way. And lucky for you, I'm stubborn and very outspoken myself. I think those are admirable
traits."

"Thatislucky,"shemurmured,allowinghereyelashestodriftdownandherheadtofallbackashe

pulledhercloser,hismouthbreathingwarm,moistairoverhernipplerightthroughthewhitelace.Her

armscradledhisheadasshearchedherbody,offeringtemptation,offeringheaven.

Hismouthwashotanddampasitclosedoverherbreast.Fireracedthroughher,throughhim.Sarah

gaveherselfuptosensualpleasureashistonguedancedandteasedandhismouthsuckledstronglyright
throughthelace.Hetookhistime,alazy,leisurelyexploration,hishandsshapingherbody,usingthepads
ofhisfingersasablindmanwouldtotraceeverycurveandhollow.Memorizingher.Worshippingher.

Sarahwaslostinsensation.Drowninginit.Shecouldn'trememberhimunsnappingherjeans,oreven

unzippingthem.Butherlacybrahadlongagofloatedtothefloorandsomehowhemanagedtopushdenim
fromherhips.Inahazeofneedandheatshesteppedoutofthelastofherclothes.

He was never hurried, even as his mouth fused once more with hers and she was trying to drag his

shirt from his broad shoulders so she could be skin to skin with him. He was patient and thorough,
determinedtoknowherbody,tofindeveryhiddentriggerpointthathadhergaspinginneed.Hishands
movedoverher,findingtheshadowsandhollows,tracingherribslovingly.HeallowedSarahtodraghis
clothesfromhisbody,notappearingtonoticeorcare,socompletelyensnaredbythewondersofgiving
herpleasure.Helovedthelittlegaspsandsoftcriesthatcamefromdeepinherthroat.

Sarah.Soresponsiveandgiving.Heshouldhaveknownshewouldbeagenerouslover,mergingwith

him so completely, giving of herself endlessly. Her selfless gift only made him want to be equally
generous.Forthefirsttimehisscarsweren'tshamefulandsomethinghehid.Whenherfingertipstraced
them, there was no reluctance, no shrinking away from the ugly memories of torture and murder. She
soothedhisbody,caressinghisskin,arousinghimfurther,eagertotouchhim,wantinghimwiththesame
urgencyhewantedher.

Heloweredherslowlytothesheets,followingherdown,settlinghisbodyoverhers.Herfacewas

beautifulasshestaredupathim.Hekissedhereyes,thetipofhernose,thecornersofhermouth.

Everywhere he touched her he left flames behind. Sarah was astonished at the sheer intensity of the

fire.Hewassounhurried,takinghistime,butshewasgoingupinflames,burninginsideandout,needing
hisbodyinhers.Sheheardherownvoice,asoftpleaformercyashislipsnippedoverhernavel,went
lower.Hishandsmovedwithassurance,findingtheinsidesofherthighs,thedampheatwaitingforhimat
thejunctionofherlegs.

"Damon." She could barely breathe his name. Her breath seemed to have permanently left her body.

Therewasn'tenoughairintheroom.

His finger pushed deep inside her, a stroke of sensuality that drove her out of her mind. Every sane

thoughtshe'deverhadwasgone.Therewasaroaringinherheadwhenhismouthfoundher,claimedher,
brandedherhis.Shecouldn'tkeepherhipsstill,writhinguntilhisarmspinnedherthere,whilehishot
mouth ravaged her and wave after wave of pleasure rippled through her body with the force of the
boomingocean.Herfingerstangledinhishair,heronlyanchortoholdhertoearthwhileshesoaredfree,
gaspingouthisname.

Damonmovedthen,blanketinghercompletely,hishipssettlingintothecradleofhers.Hewasthick

andhardandthrobbingwithhisownneed.Hepusheddeepinsideofher,hisvoicehoarseashecriedout
asthesweepingpleasureengulfedhim.Shewashotandslickandtight,avelvetfistclosingaroundhim,
grippingwithafirehe'dneverknown.Sarah.MagicalSarah.

He began to move. Never hurried. Why would he hurry his first time with Sarah? He wanted the

momenttolastforever.Tobeforeverforbothofthem.Helovedwatchingherfaceashemovedwithher.
Ashisbodysurgeddeepandherbodytookhimin,hersecretsanctuaryofheatandjoy.Herhipsroseto
joinhim,matchinghisrhythm,tiltingtotakehimdeeperanddeeperwitheverystroke,wantingeveryinch

ofhim.Wantinghispossessionasmuchashewantedher.

Thefirejustkeptbuilding.Hewasincompletecontrolonemoment,certainofit,revelinginit,and

thenthepleasurewasalmosttoomuchtobear,hittinghimwiththeforceofafreighttrain,startinginhis
toesandblowingoutthetopofhishead.Hisvoicewasliftedwithhers,mergedandinperfectunison.

Hecouldfeeltheaftershocksshakingher,tighteningaroundhim,drawingthemevercloser.Theylay

together, not daring to move, unable to move, their hearts wild and lungs starving for air, their arms
wrapped tightly around one another. The ocean breeze was gentle on the window, whispering soothing
soundswhiletheseasangtothemwithrollingwaves.

Damon found peace. She lay in his arms, occasionally rousing herself enough to kiss his chest, her

tonguetracingascar.Eachtimeshedidso,hisbodytightenedinanswerandhersrespondedwithanother
aftershock.Theyweremergedsocompletely,sotightlyboundtogetherhecouldn'ttellwherehestartedor
leftoff.

"Staywithmetherestoftheday,Sarah.Allnight.Wecandoanythingyoulike.Justbewithme."He

proppedhimselfuponhiselbowstotakemostofhisweightoffofher.Hewantedtobelockedtogether,
onebody,sharingthesameskin,absorbingher.

Shereacheduptotracethelinesofhisface."Ican'tthinkofanywhereI'dratherbeorwhoI'drather

bespendingtimewith."

"Do you wonder why you chose me? I stopped asking myself that question and just accept it. I'm

grateful,Sarah."

"IlookatyouandIjustknow.Whocansaywhyoneheartbelongstoanother?Idon'taskmyselfthat

questioneither,Damon.I'mjustgratefulthegateopenedforyou."Shelaughedwithsuddenamusement."It
hasoccurredtomeyoumightbeseducingmetotrytogetthesecretofpaintpreservation."

Hetangledhisfingerswithhers,stretchedherarmsaboveherhead."Itdidseemagoodidea.Maybe

oneofthesedaysI'llbeabletospeakwhenI'mmakinglovetoyouandI'llbeabletoprythesecretoutof
you."

"Good plan; it might work, too, if I could manage to speak when you're making love to me." She

gaspedasheloweredhisheadtoherbreast."Damon."Herbodywashypersensitive,butshearchedinto
theheatofhismouth.

"I'm sorry, you looked so tempting, I couldn't help myself. How do you feel about just lying here

withoutastitchonwhileIbuildafireandcooksomethingforyoutoeat?I'mnotcertainIcanbearfor
youtoputyourclothesbackon."Histeethscrapedbackandforthoverherbreast.Histonguelavedher
nipple.

Sarah'sentirebodytightened,everymusclegoingtaut."Youjustwantmetobelyingherewaitingfor

you?"

"Waitingeagerlyforme,"hecorrected."Needingmewouldbegood.Iwouldn'tmindifyoujustlay

hereonmybedthinkingofmybodyburiedinsideyou."

"Isee.IthoughtitmightbebetterifIjustfollowedyouaround,lookingatyou,touchingyouwhileyou

worked.Inspiringyou.Ihavemyways,youknow,ofinspiringyou."

Therewasawickednoteinhervoicethatmadehisentirebodyawareofhowreceptiveandpliantshe

was.Hewasallatonceashardasarock,thickwithneed.Damonwatchedhereyeswideninpleased
surprise.Desirespreadthroughbothofthem,sheerbliss."I'veneverfeltthiswaywithanyotherwoman,
Sarah.Iknowitisn'tpossible.Ithinkyoureallycouldwalkonwater."

"Foramanwhospentalotoftimeinalaboratory,youknowyourwayaroundwomen,"shepointed

out.Hewasmovingwiththatexquisiteslownessheusedtodriveherstraightupthewall.Thefrictionon
heralreadysensitivebodywasturningherinsideout.Itdidn'tmatterhowmanytimesshewentoverthe
edge,Damonmovedwithalmostperfectinsight,perfectknowledgeofwhatsheneeded.Whatshewanted.

"Icanreadyourfaceandyourbody,"hesaid."Ilovethat,Sarah.Youdon'tholdanythingbackfrom

me."

"Why should I?" Why would she want to when the rewards were so great? If Damon was the man

destiny insisted would be the love of her life, her best friend and partner, she was willing to accept
whateverhehadtogive.

Sarah loved the sound of his voice, the thoughtful intelligent way he approached every subject. And

shelovedhiscompletehonesty.Therewasthatsamerawhonestyinhislovemaking.Hegavehimselfto
her,evenashetookherforhisown.Shefelthispossessiondeepinhersoul,brandedintoherverybones.

There was that patient thoroughness and then, when he was fully aroused, his body was a driving

force, each stroke hard and fast and insistent, taking them both soaring out over the sea, free-falling
throughtimeandspaceuntilneithercouldmoveagain.

Damonheldherinhisarms,curlednexttoher,notwantingtoendtheclosenessbetweenthem.They

werecompletelysatedforthemoment,exhausted,breathingwitheffort,yettherewasthesamesenseof
absolutepeace."Sarah."Hewhisperedhername,atributemorethananythingelse.

"Allthosethingsyoufeelaboutme,"shesaid,snugglingclosertohim,"Ifeelaboutyou.Ididn'twant

anyoneinmylifeanymorethanyoudid.Isometimestireofgivingpiecesofmyselftootherpeople,yetI
can'thelpmyself.IfindplacesI'msafe,placeswhereI'maloneandcancrawlintoaholeanddisappear
forawhile."

"Now you have me. I'll be your sanctuary, Sarah. I don't mind running interference in the times you

need to regroup." His smile was against her temple. "I've never had a problem bossing people. I've
alwayshadadifficulttimecommunicatingwithpeople.TheyneverunderstoodwhatIwastalkingabout
anditdrovemecrazy.Sometimeswhenyouhaveanideaandit'ssoclearandyouknowit'sright,youjust
havetoshareitwithsomeone.Butnoonehaseverbeenthere."

Sarah kissed his fingertips. "You can tell me any idea that comes into your head, Damon. I admire

you." Her smile was in her voice. "And I'm very good at communicating so you'll never have to worry
aboutthat."

"I noticed," he said. "Speaking of communication, I made certain the curtains couldn't creep open. I

safety-pinned them together just in case any of your sisters decided to go up on the battlements to look
throughthetelescope."

Sarahlaughedjustasheknewshewould."TheyknowI'mwithyou.Theywouldn'tinvadeourprivacy

whenwe'rereallymakinglove.Theysimplylovetoteaseme.You'llhavealotofthatcomemorning."

Damon didn't mind at all. He tightened his arms around her and found he was looking forward to

anythinghersistersmightwanttodishout.

Chapter1O

"OKAY, HAVE ANY of you really read this prophecy?" Kate demanded as they walked along the

sidewalktowardIrene'shouse.Thefogwasthickandheavy,lyingovertheseaandmostofthetownlike
ablanket."BecauseIhaveanditisn'tgoodnewsfortherestofus."

"Idon'tlikethesoundofthat,"Hannahsaid."Maybeweshouldn'task.Canignorancekeepussafe?"

"Whatprophecy?"Damonaskedcuriously.Theyhadspentthemorningtogetheroverbreakfast,teasing

himunmercifully,makingSarahblushandhideherfaceagainsthischest.Hehadfeltjustasheanticipated
—partofafamily—andthefeelingwaspriceless.

Sarahlaughedinwickeddelight."Youallthoughtitwassofunnywhenitwashappeningtome,butI

hadreadtheentirething.Iknowwhat'sinstorefortherestofyou.Onebyoneyou'llfalllikedominoes."

AbbeymadeafaceatSarah."Notallofus,Sarah.Idon'tbelieveinfate."

The other girls roared with laughter. Sarah slipped her hand into Damon's. "The prophecy is this

horriblecurseputonthesevensisters.Well,wethoughtitwasacurse.I'mnotsocertainnowthatI've
metyou."

Hiseyebrowshotup."NowI'mreallycurious.I'minvolvedwiththisprophecyinsomeway?"

Thefourwomenlaughedagain.Thesoundturnedheadsupanddownthestreet."Youaretheprophecy,

Damon,"Katesaid."Thegateopenedforyou."

Sarahgaveashortsynopsisofthequote."Sevensistersintertwined,controllingelementsofland,sea,

and air, cannot control the fate they flee. One by, one, oldest to last, destiny will find them. When the
lockedgateswingsopeninwelcome,thefirstshallfindtruelove.There'salotmore,butbasicallyitgoes
ontosay,onebyonealltheothersistersshallbewed."

Sarah's three sisters muttered and grumbled and shook their heads. Damon burst out laughing. "You

havetomarryme,don'tyou?I'vebeenwonderinghowIwasgoingtomanagetokeepyou,butyoudon't
haveachoice.Ilikethatprophecy.Doesitsayanythingaboutwaitingonmehandandfoot?"

"Absolutelynot,"Sarahrepliedandglaredatherlaughingsisters."Keepitup—therestofyou,even

you,Abbey,aregoingtoseemelaughingatyou."ShetightenedherfingersaroundDamon'shand."Weall
made a pact when we were kids to keep the gate padlocked and never really date so we could be
independent and free. We've always liked our life together ... and poor Elle—the thought of seven
daughtersisratherdaunting."

“ThankheavensEllegetsallthekids,"Abbeysaid."Iamgoingtohaveone,andonlybecauseifIdon't

therestofyouwilldrivemecrazy."

"WhydoesEllehavetohavethesevendaughters?"Damonasked.

“The seventh daughter always has seven daughters," Kate explained. "It's been that way for

generations.I'vebeenreadingthehistoryoftheDrakefamilyandI'vefoundovertheyears,fromallthe
entriesmade,weatleasthavealegacyofhappymarriages."ShesmiledatDamon."SofarIhaven'tseen
anythingthatindicatedwaitingonthemanhandandfootbutI'llkeeplooking."

"Whileyou'reatit,willyoualsokeepaneyeoutforthetraditionalobey-the-husbandrule?"Damon

asked. "I've always thought that word was crucial in the marriage ceremony. Without it, a man doesn't
standachance."

"Dreamon,”Sarahsaid."Thatwillneverhappen.Theproblemwithbeinglockedupinastuffylaball

ofyourlifeisbecomingevident.Delusionsstartearly."

They were passing a small, neat home with a large front yard surrounded by the proverbial white

picket fence. An older couple was working on a fountain in the middle of a bed of flowers. Sarah

suddenlystopped,turnedbacktolookatthehouseandthecouple.Ashadowslitheredacrosstheroof.A
hintofsomethingseen,thenlostinthefog."I'lljustbeaminute."Shewavedtotheoldercoupleandboth
stoodupimmediatelyandcameovertothefence.

Sarah'ssisterslookedatoneanotheruneasily.DamonfollowedSarah."Itisn'tnecessarytospeakto

every citizen in town," he advised Sarah's back. She ignored his good judgment and struck up a
conversationwiththeoldercoupleanyway.Damonsighed.Hehadafeelinghewasgoingtobefollowing
Sarahandtalkingtoeveryonetheymetfortherestofhislife.

"Why,Sarah,I'dheardyouwereback.Iseverythingallright?Ihaven'tseenyouforwhatisitnow?

Twoyears?"Theolderwomanspokeasshewavedtothesisters.

"Mrs.Darden,Iwasadmiringyouryard.Didyouremodelyourhouserecently?"

TheDardenslookedatoneanotherthenbacktoSarah.Mr.Dardenclearedhisthroat."Yes,Sarah,the

living room and kitchen. We came into a little money and we always wanted to fix up the house. It's
exactlythewaywewantitnow."

"That's wonderful." She rubbed the back of her neck and looked up at the roof. "I see you've got

laddersout.Areyoure-roofing?"

"Itwasleakingthiswinter,Sarah,"Mr.Dardensaid."Welostatreesomemonthsagoandabranchhit

thehouse.We'vehadtroubleeversince."

"It looks as if you're doing the work yourself," Sarah observed and rubbed the back of her neck a

secondtime.

Damonreachedouttomassageherneckwithgentlefingers.Thetremendoustensionhefeltinherneck

andshoulderskepthimsilent.Wondering.

"IhearLancedoeswonderfulroofing,Mr.Darden.He'sfastandguaranteeshiswork.Ratherthanyou

climbing around on the roof, wasting your time when you could be gardening." She turned her head
slightlytolookatDamon."Mr.Dardenisrenownedforhisgardenandflowers.Hewinseveryyearatthe
fairforhishybrids."

Damoncouldseeshadowsinhereyes.Hesmiledather,leanedforwardtobrushagentlekissonthe

topofherheadwhensheturnedbacktotheDardens."Lanceprobablyneedstheworkandyou'dbedoing
himsuchafavor."

Mrs.Dardentuggedatherhusband'shand.“Thankyou,Sarah,it'sgoodadviceandwe'lldothat.I've

beenworryingaboutClydeupthereonthatroofbut..."Shetrailedoff.

"Ithinkyou'reright,Sarah,"Mr.Dardensuddenlyagreed."IthinkI'llcallLancestraightaway."

SarahshruggedwithstudiedcasualnessbutDamonfelthershoulderssaginrelief."Ican'twaitforthe

fairthisyeartoseeyourbeautifulentries.IreallywantedyoutomeetDamonWilder,afriendofmine.He
boughttheoldHanoverplace."ShesmiledsweetlyatDamontoincludehim."Iknowyou'reofteninthe
garden and working on your lovely yard—have you noticed any strangers around that were asking
questionsormakingyoufeeluncomfortable?"

TheDardenslookedatoneanother."No,Sarah,Ican'tsaythatwehave,"Mrs.Dardenanswered,"but

thenwestrictlymindourownbusiness.YouknowI'vealwaysbelievedinstayingoutofmyneighbors'
affairs."

"It'sjustthatwithyouworkingoutdoorssomuchIthoughtyoumightbeabletokeepaneyeoutforme

andgivemeacallifanythingshouldlooksuspicious,"Sarahsaid.

"You can count on us, Sarah," Mr. Darden said. "I just bought myself a new pair of binoculars and

sittingonmyfrontporchIhaveagoodviewoftheentirestreet!"

“Thankyou,Mr.Darden,"Sarahsaid.“Thatwouldbewonderful.We'rejustonourwaytovisitIrene

andDrew."

ThesmilefadedfromMrs.Darden'sface."Oh,that'ssosad,Sarah,Ihopeyoucanhelpthem.Whenis

Libbygoingtocomehome?Shewouldbesuchahelp.How'sshedoingthesedays?"

"Libby'soverseasrightnow,Mrs.Darden,"Sarahsaid."She'sdoingfine.Hopefullyshe'llbeableto

gethomesoon.I'lltellheryouwereinquiringabouther."

"I heard the awful news on Donna," Mrs. Darden continued. "Are these strangers involved in her

attack?Iheardyoushotoneofthem.Idon'tbelieveinviolenceasarule,Sarah,now,youknowthat,butI
hopeyoudidenoughdamagethathe'llthinktwicebeforeheattacksanotherwoman."

"Donna'sgoingtobefine,"Sarahassuredher,"andIdidn'tshoothim."

Mrs.DardenpattedSarah'sshoulder."It'sallrightdear,Iunderstand."

Sarahturnedawaywithacheerywave.Thesisterseruptedintowildlaughter.Damonshookhishead

incredulously."Shethinksyoushotthatman.Evennow,withyoudenyingit,shethinksyoushothim."

"True."Sarahpinnedhimwithasteelygaze."Shealsobelievessomeonesawmewalkonwater.Now

whocouldhavestartedthatrumor?"

Hannah tugged at Damon's sleeve in a teasing way, a gesture of affection for her. "That was a good

one,Damon,IwishI'dthoughtofit."

Katethrewbackherheadandlaughed,herwildmaneofhairblowingaroundherinthelightbreeze.

"That was priceless. And you should hear what they're saying about you. The whisper is, you're some
famouswizardSarah'sbeenstudyingunder."

"Now really," Sarah objected, "at least they could have said he's been studying under me. I swear

chauvinismisstillrearingitsuglyheadinthiscentury."

Damoncouldfeelaglowspreading.Hefeltapartoftheirfamily.Hebelongedwiththem,inthemidst

of their laughter and camaraderie. He didn't feel on the outside looking in, as he had most of his life.
Sarah'ssistersseemtoaccepthimreadilyintotheirlivesandeventheirhearts.Toleranceandacceptance
seemedabigpartofSarah'sfamily.Itsuddenlyoccurredtohim,evenwithathreathangingoverhishead,
that he'd spent less time thinking of past trauma and more about the present and future than he had in
months.

"IthinkIlikebeingthoughtofasawizard,"Damonmused.

"Sarahsaysyou'reabrain."KatewavedatJonasHarringtonashecruisedbytheminhispatrolcar.

"What are you doing?" Hannah hissed, smacking Kate's hand down. "Don't be nice to that idiot. We

shouldmakehimdriveintoaditchorsomething."

"Don'tyoudare,"Sarahtoldhersistersternly."Imeanit,Hannah,youcan'tuseourgiftsforrevenge.

Onlyforgood.Especiallynow."

"It would be for good," Hannah pointed out. "It would teach that horrible man some manners. Don't

lookathim.AndDamon,stopsmilingathim.Wedon'twanthimstoppingtotalk."Shemadeagrowling
noiseofdisgustinthebackofherthroatasthepatrolcarpulledtothesidewalkaheadofthem."Nowsee
what you've done?" She threw her hands into the air as Harrington got out of his car. A sudden rush of
windtookhishatfromhisheadandsentitskitteringalongthegutter.

"Very funny, Baby Doll," Harrington said. "You just have to show off, don't you? I guess that pretty

faceofyoursjustdoesn'tgetyouenoughattention."

KateandSarahbothputarestraininghandonHannah'sarm.Sarahsteppedslightlybetweenthesheriff

andhersister."Didyougetanythingoutofyourprisoner,Jonas?"Hervoicewascarefullypleasant.

JonascontinuedtopinHannahwithhisicecoldgaze."Notmuch,Sarah,andwestillhaven'tlocated

the other two men you say were at Wilder's house the other night. You might have called me instead of
charginginonyourown."

Hannahstirredasifshemightprotest.Damoncouldseethefinetremorthatranthroughherbodybut

hersistersedgedprotectivelyclosertoHannahandshestilled.

"Yes,nexttime,Jonas,I'lldothat:leavethethreemenwithgunstrainedonthewindow,sneakingup

onthehouse,whileIgofindaphoneandcallyou.Darn,thosecellphonesjustdon'tseemtoworkonthe
coastmostofthetime,dothey?"Sarahsmiledrightthroughhersarcasm."NexttimeI'lldriveouttothe
bluffandgiveyouacallbeforeIchargeinonmyown."

Jonas'sgazedidn'tleaveHannah'sface."Youdothat,Sarah."Heknottedhisfistsonhiships."Didany

ofyouconsiderSarahmighthavebeenkilled?OrhowImightfeelifIfoundherdeadbody?OrifIhadto
gouptoyourhouseandtellyoushewasdead?BecauseIthoughtalotaboutthatlastnight."

"Ithoughtaboutit,"Damonsaid."AtleastaboutSarahbeingkilledonmyaccount."Hereachedoutto

settlehisfingerspossessivelyaroundthenapeofherneck."Itscaredthehelloutofme."

KateandAbbeyexchangedlookswithHannah."Ididn'tthinkofthat,"Kateadmitted."Notonce."

"Thanksalot,Jonas,"Sarahsaid."Nowthey'reallgoingtobemakingmecrazy,wantingmetochange

myprofession.I'masecurityexpert."

"ItmaybeatbeingaBarbiedoll,butIthinkyouwentoverboard,Sarah,"Jonasreplied."Alibrarian

soundsnicetome."

Hannah clenched her teeth but remained silent. The wind rushed through the street, sweeping the

sheriff'shattowardastormdrain.Itlandedinadarkpuddleofwateranddisappearedfromsight.

Harringtonsworeunderhisbreathandstalkedbacktohiscar,hisshouldersstiffwithoutrage.

"Hannah,"Katescoldedgently,"thatwasn'tnice."

"I didn't do it," Hannah protested. "I would have had the oak tree come down and drive him

undergroundfeetfirst."

Abbey and Kate looked at Sarah. She merely raised her eyebrow. "I believe Irene and Drew are

waiting."

Damon burst out laughing. "I can see I'm going to have to watch you all the time." Why did it seem

perfectlynormalthattheDrakesisterscouldcommandthewind?EvenHarringtontreateditasanormal
phenomenon.

TheystoppedinfrontofIrene'shouse.Damoncouldseeallthewomensquaringtheirshouldersasif

goingintobattle."Sarah,whatdoyouthinkyoucandoforDrew?Surelyyoucan'tcurewhat'swrongwith
him."

Sadness crept into her eyes. "No, I wish I had that gift. Libby is the only one with a real gift for

healing. I've seen her work miracles. But it drains her and we don't like her doing it. There's always a
cost,Damon,whenyouuseagift."

"Soyouaren'tconjuringupspellswithtoadsanddragonlivers?"Hewashalf-serious.Hecouldeasily

picturethemonbroomsticks,flyingacrossthenightsky.

"Well..."Abbeydrewthewordout,lookingmischievouslyfromonesistertotheother."Wecananddo

ifthesituationcallsforit.Drakeshavebeenleavingeachotherrecipesandspellsforhundredsofyears.
Weprefertousethepowerwithinus,butconjuringiswithintherules."

"Youneverletme,"Hannahgroused.

"No,andwe'renotgoingtoeither,"Sarahsaidfirmly."Actually,Damon,toansweryourquestion,we

hopetoassessthesituationandmaybebuyDrewalittlemoretime.Ifthequalityofhislifeisreallybad,
weprefernottointerfere.Whatwouldbethepointofhislingeringinpain?Inthatcase,we'lleasehis
sufferingasbestwecanandleaveeverythingtonature."

"Does Irene think you can cure him?" Damon asked, suddenly worried. He realized what a terrible

responsibilitytheDrakeshad.Thetownspeoplewereusedtotheireccentricitiesandbelievedtheywere
miracleworkers.

"Shewantstobelieveit.IfLibbyandmyothersisterswerehere,allofustogethermightreallybeof

somehelp,butthemostwecandoisslowthingsdowntobuyhimtime.We'llfindoutfromDrewwhathe
wants. You'll have to distract Irene for us. Have her go into the kitchen and make us lemonade and her
famous cookies. She'll be anxious, Damon, so you'll really have to work at it. We'll need time with
Drew."

His gaze narrowed as he studied Sarah's serious face. "What about you and your sisters? Are you

goingtobeilllikeyouwerelasttime?"

"Onlyifweworkonhim,"Sarahsaid."ThenIdon'tknowhowyou'llgetusallhome.You'llhaveto

askIrenetodriveusback."

"We should have thought to bring the car," Kate agreed. "Do you think that's a bad omen? Maybe

there'snothingwecando."

"Don't go thinking that way, Kate," Abbey reprimanded. "We all love to walk and it's fun to be

together.Wecandothis.Ifwe'reluckywecanbuyDrewenoughtimetoallowLibbytocomehome."

"IsLibbycomingback?"Damonasked.

"Idon'tknow,Damon,"Hannahsaid,hereyebrowraising,"that'sratheruptoyou,now,isn'tit?"

"Whywoulditbeuptome?"

"I thought you said he was one of the smartest men on the planet," Kate teased. "Didn't you design

sometop-secretdefensesystem?"

Damonglaredatthewomen,atSarah."IfIdidanditwastopsecret,noonewouldknow,nowwould

they?"

Hannah laughed. "Don't be angry, Damon, Sarah didn't tell us. We share knowledge, sort of like a

collectivepool.Ican'ttellyouhowitworks,onlythatweallhaveit.Shewouldnevergiveoutthatkind
ofinformation,eventous.Itjusthappens.Noneofuswouldsayanything,well,"shehedged,"exceptto
teaseyou."

"So,whyisituptomewhetherornotLibbycomeshome?"

"She'llcomehomeifthere'sawedding,"Katepointedoutwithagrin.

Chapter11

DAMON LOOKED AROUND him at the four pale faces. Each of the Drake sisters was lying on a

couchordrapedoverachair,exhaustionwrittenintothelinesofherface.Foramomenthefelthelpless
inthemidstoftheirweariness,notknowingwhattodoforthem.TheyhadsatinIrene'scar,notspeaking,
withtheirwhitefacesandtremblingbodies.Hehadbarelymanagedtohelpthemintothecliffhouse.

Thephonerang,thesoundshrillinthecompletestillnessofthehouse.Thewomendidn'tmoveorturn

towardthesoundsoDamonpickedupthereceiver."Yes?"

Therewasalongpause."YoumustbeDamon."Thevoicewaslikeacaressofvelvet."What'swrong

withthem?Icanfeelthemallthewayhere."Thevoicedidn'tsaywhere"here"was.

"You'reasister?"

"Ofcourse."Impatiencenow."Elle.What'swrongwiththem?"

“TheywenttoIrene'stoseeDrew."Damoncouldhearthesheerreliefinthesmallsighontheother

end.

"Make them sweet tea. There's a canister in the cupboard right above the stove, marked magic."

Damoncarriedthephonewithhimintothekitchen."Dropacoupleofteaspoonsofthepowderintothe
teapotandlettheteasteep.Thatwillhelp.Isthehousewarm?Ifnot,getitwarm:buildafireandusethe
furnace,whateverittakes.When'sthewedding?"

"Howsooncanyouandyoursistersgetbackhome?"Damonasked.

"YouknowIshouldbeangrywithyou.Notthatburner,usethebackburner.That'stherightcanister."

"Idon'tseewhatdifferenceaburnermakes,butokayandwhyshouldyoubeupsetwithme?"Hedidn't

even wonder how she knew what he was doing or what burner he was using. He took it as a matter of
course.

"BecauseI'mconcentratingonit,theburnerImean.Asforbeingupset,Ithinkyoustartedsomething

wehavenocontrolover.Ihavenointentionoffindingamanforalongwhile.Ihavethingstodowithmy
lifeandamandoesn'tcomeintoit,thankyouverymuch.Theinfuserisintheverybottomdrawertothe
leftofthesink."Shespokeasifshecouldseehimgoingthroughthedrawerslookingforthelittleinfuser
toputtheteain.

Thehouseshuddered.Stilled.ArippleofalarmwentthroughDamon.

"Whatwasthat?"Ellesoundedanxiousagain.

"Anearthquakemaybe.Aminorone.I'vegotthekettleon,theteapotisreadywiththepowder,two

teaspoons of this stuff? Have you smelled it lately?" Damon was tempted to taste it. "It isn't a dragon's
liver,isit?"

Ellelaughed."WesavethoseforHarrington.Whenhedropsbyweputitinhiscoffee."

"Ireallyfeelsorryforthatman."Tohisastonishmenttheteakettleshrilledloudlyalmostimmediately.

Hepouredthewaterintothelittleteapotandtossedateatoweloveritforaddedwarmth."Areyoureally
goingtohavesevendaughters?"heaskedcuriously,amazedthatanyonewouldevenconsiderit.Amazed
thathewastalkingcomfortablytoavirtualstranger.

Thehouseshudderedasecondtime.Abranchscrapedalonganoutsidewallwithaneeriesound.The

windmoanedandrattledthewindows.

"So the prophecy says," Elle replied with a small sigh of resignation. "Damon, is something else

wrongthere?"

"No,they'rejustverytired."Damonpouredtheteaintofourcupsandsetthecupsonatray."Andthe

housekeepsshaking."

"Hangupandcallthesheriff'soffice,"Ellesaidurgently."Doitnow."

He caught the sudden alarm in her voice and a chill went down his spine. Damn them all for their

psychicnonsense.Therewasn'treallyanythingwrong,wasthere?

The dogs roared a vicious challenge. The animals were in the front yard, inside the fence, yet they

were hurling their bodies against the front door so hard the wood threatened to splinter. Damon did as
Ellecommandedandphonedthesheriff'sofficeforhelp.

No one screamed. Most women might have screamed under the circumstances but none of them did.

When he carried the tray into the living room, all four of the Drake sisters were sitting quietly in their
chairs.Heignoredthetwomenstandinginthemiddleoftheroomwithgunsdrawn.Wherebefore,when
confrontedwithgunsandviolence,hehadpanicked,thistimeheremainedquitecalm.

Heknewtheywerekillers.Heknewwhattoexpect.Andthistime,heknewhewouldn'tallowthemto

hurttheDrakesisters.Itwasverysimpletohim.Itdidn'tmattertohimifhedied,heneededthewomento
survive and live in the world. They were the ones who mattered, all that mattered. The women would
remainalive.

Damonsetthetrayonthecoffeetableandhandedeachofthesistersacupofteabeforeturningtoface

thetwomen.Herememberedtheminvividdetail.Themanwiththeswollenjawhadtakenpleasurein
torturinghim.Damonwasgladhehadswunghiscanehardenoughtofracturethejaw.

Damonstraightenedslowly.ThesemenhadmurderedfortheknowledgeDamoncarriedinhisbrain.

They had crippled him permanently and changed his entire life. Now they stood in Sarah's home, sheer
blasphemyontheirpart.Theyhadenteredthroughthesliding-glassdoorandhadleftitopenbehindthem.

Outside, the sea appeared calm, but he could see, in the distance, small frothy waves gathering and

rollingwithabuildingboomontheopenwater.Hefeltpowermovinghim,aconnectionwiththewomen
throughSarah.Beloved,mysteriousSarah.Hewaitedwhilethewomensippedtheirtea.Stallingfortime,
knowingexactlywhathewoulddo.

"You two seem to keep turning up," Damon finally greeted. He took two steps to his right, closer to

Sarah, turning slightly sideways so she could see the small gun he had taken from the hidden drawer
whereEllehadsaidhewouldfindit."Doyounothavehomesandfamiliestogoto?"

"Shutup,Wilder.Youknowwhatwewant.Thistimewehavesomeoneyoucareabout.WhenIputa

guntoherheadIthinkyou'regoingtotellmewhatIwanttoknow."

Damonlookedpastthemantotherollingsea.Thewindwasgusting,choppingthesurfaceintowhite

foam.Thewavescrestedhigher.Thedogscontinuedroaringwithfuryandshakingthefoundationsofthe
livingroomdoor.Damoncalmlyrakedhisfingersthroughhishair,hisgazeonadistantpointbeyondthe
men.Thesistersdrankthehotsweetrevitalizingtea.AndthepowermovedthroughDamonstrongerthan
ever. Around each man a strange shadow flitted back and forth. A black circle that seemed to surround
first one, then the other. At times the shadow appeared to have a human form. Most of the time it was
insubstantial.

"Wouldyoucareforacupoftea?"Sarahaskedpolitely."Wehaveplenty."

"Dositdown,"Kateinvited.Sheshiftedposition,asubtlemovementhardlynoticeable,butitputher

bodyslightlybetweenthegunsandHannah.

“Thisgunisreal,"themanwiththeswollenjawsnapped."Thisisn'taparty."Hegrinnedevillyathis

partner."Althoughwhenit'soverwemighttakeoneortwoofthewomenwithusfortheroad."

Sarahlookedbored."It'sveryobviousneitherofyouisthebrainsinthisventure.Ican'timaginethat

themaninjailis,either.Whointheworldwouldhiresuchcomedianstogolookingfornationalsecrets?
It'salmostludicrous.Areyouintroublewithyourbossandhe'slookingtogetridofyou?"

"Youhaveasmartmouth,lady;itwon'tbesohardtoshootyou."

"Dohavesometea,atleastwecanbecivil,"Abbeysaidsweetly.Therewasastrangecadencetoher

voice,asingsongqualitythatpulledatthelisteners,drewthemintohersuggestions."Ifyou'regoingtobe
withusforsometime,wemayaswellenjoyourselveswithafinecupofteafirstandgettoknowone
another."

Theairintheroomwasfresh,almostperfumed,yetsmelledofthesea,crispandcleanandsalty.The

two men looked confused, blinking rapidly, and exchanged a long bewildered frown. The man with the
swollenjawactuallyloweredhisgunandtookasteptowardthetraywiththelittleteapot.

Katestaredintentlyatthelocksonthefrontdoor,andtheknobitself.Sarahnevertookhereyesfrom

the two men. Waiting. Watching. The huntress. Damon thought of her that way. Listening, he thought he
heardmusic,faroutoverthesea.Musicinthewind.Asoftmelodioussongcallingtotheelements.All
thewhilethedarkshadowedgedaroundthetwointruders.

Hannahliftedherarmstothebackofthecouch,agraceful,elegantmotion.Thewindrosetoashriek,

burstintotheroomwiththeforceofafreighttrain.Themenstaggeredundertheassault,thewindripping
attheirclothing.Theboltonthedoorturnedandthedoorburstopenundertheheavyweightofthedogs.
Theanimalsleaptinside,teethbared.Damonblinkedasthecrouchingshadowleaptontothebackofone
ofthemenandremainedthere.

Sarahwasalreadyinmotion,divingatthetwomen,goinginlowtocatchthefirstmaninascissor

kick,rollingtobringhimdown.Hetoppledintohispartner,knockinghimdownsothathisheadslammed
againstthebaseofachair.SarahcaughtthegunDamonthrewtoher.

Themanwiththeswollenjawroseup,throwingthechairashedrewasecondgun.Damonattempted

akickwithhisonegoodleg.Sarahfiredoffthreerounds,thebulletsdrivingthemanbackwardandaway
fromDamon.Shecalmlypressedthehotbarrelagainstthetempleoftheintruderonthefloor."Isuggest
youdon'tmove."Butshewaslookingatthemansheshot,watchingHannahandAbbeytryingtorevive
him.Watchingthedarkshadowstealaway,draggingwithitsomethingheavy.Knowinghersisterscould
notundowhatshehaddone.Sarahwipedherforeheadwithherpalmandblinkedbacktears.

Kate collected the guns. Abbey held back the dogs by simply placing her hand in warning on their

heads.

"I'msorry,Sarah,"Damonsaid.

"Itwasnecessary."Shefeltsick.Itdidn'tmatterthathe'dintendedtokillthemall,orthatDeathhad

beensatisfied.Shehadtakenalife.

The wind moved through the room again, a soft breeze this time, bringing music with it. Touching

Sarah.Shelookedathersistersandsmiledtiredly."Hannah,thecavalryiscomingupthedrive.Dolet
theminanddon'tdoanythingyou'llregretlater."

Hannah rolled her eyes, stomped across the room, landing a frustrated kick to the shins on the man

Sarahwasholding."Thanksalot,Ihavetoseethatgiantskunktwotimesinoneday.That'smorethanany
ladyshouldhavetodealwith."

Abigail leaned down, her face level with Sarah's prisoner. ''You'd really like to tell me who you're

workingfor,wouldn'tyou?"Hertonewassweet,hypnotic,compelling.Shelookeddirectlyintohiseyes,
holdinghimcaptivethere.Waitingforthename.Waitingforthetruth.

Atthedoorway,HannahcalledoutagreetingtoJonasHarrington."Asusual,you'rejustabitonthe

lateside.Stillhaven'tquitegottenoverthatbadhabitofbeinglateyousetinschool.Youalwaysdidlike
tomakeyourentranceatleasttenminutesafterthebell."Shehadherhandonherhipandshetossedthe
silkymassofwavyhairtumblingaroundhershoulders."Itwasjuvenilethenandit'scriminalnow."

Deliberately he stepped in close to her, crowding her with his much larger body. "Someone should

haveturnedyouovertheirkneealongtimeago."Thewordsweretoolowforanyoneelsetohearandhe
wassweepingpasthertoentertheroom.Justforamomenthisglitteringeyesslashedather,burnedher.

Everywomanintheroomreacted,eyesglaringatJonas.Hannahheldupherhandinsilentadmission

she'dprovokedhim.Sheallowedtherestoftheofficersintotheroombeforeshetookthedogsintothe
bedroom.Damonnoticedshedidn'treturn.

Allthewomenwereexhausted.Damonwantedeveryoneelsegone.Itseemedmoreimportanttopush

moreteaintotheDrakesisters'hands,totuckblanketsaroundthem,toshieldthemfrompryingeyeswhen
theywereobviouslysovulnerable.HestayedclosetoSarahwhileshewasquestionedrepeatedly.The
medicalexaminerremovedthebodyandthecrimesceneteamwentovertheroom.

EachofthesistersgaveaseparatereportsoitseemedaneternityuntilDamonhadthehousebackin

hiscontrol."Thanks,Abbey,Idon'tknowhowyoumanagedtogetthatname,buthopefullythey'llbeable
tostopanyoneelsefromcomingafterme."

Abbeyclosedhereyesandlaidherheadagainstthebackrestofthechair."Itwasmypleasure.Will

youanswerthephone?TellEllewe'retootiredtotalkbuthavehertelltheotherswe'reallright."

"Thephoneisn'tringing."Buthewasalreadywalkingintothekitchentoanswerit.Ofcourseitwasn't

ringing. Yet. But it would. And it did. And he reassured Elle he wouldn't leave her sisters and all was
wellintheirworld.

It seemed hours before he was alone with Sarah. His Sarah. Before he could frame her face in his

handsandlowerhisheadtokissherwitheverybitoftendernesshehadinhim."TherewassomethingI
saw, a shadow, dark and grim. I felt it had been on me, with me, and now it's gone. That sounds
ridiculous, Sarah, but I feel lighter, as if a great burden is off of me. You know what I'm talking about,
don'tyou?"

"Yes."Shesaiditsimply.

Hisgazemovedpossessivelyoverherface."Youlooksotired.I'dcarryyoutobed,butwewouldn't

makeitifItried."

Shemanagedasmallsmile."Itwouldbeokayifyoudroppedmeonthefloor.I'djustgotosleep."

He helped her through the hall to the stairs. "Hannah has the turret leading to the battlement, doesn't

she?"

Sarahwaspleasedthatheknew."Theseadrawsher.Thewindandrain.Ithelpshertobethere,up

high,whereshecanseeitall.I'mgladyouunderstand."

Hewentupthestairsbehindher,readytobreakherfallshouldtherebeneed.Readytodowhateverit

tooktoprotecther."ItsurprisesmethatIfeelthepowerinthishouse,butIdo.I'mascientist.Noneof
thismakessense,whatyouandyoursistersare.Hell,Idon'tevenknowhowI'ddescribeyou,butIknow
it'sreal."

"Stay with me tonight, Damon," Sarah said. "I feel very weary, like I'm stretched thin. When you're

withme,I'mnotsolost."

"You'dhavetothrowmeout,Sarah,"herepliedtruthfully."IknowIloveyouandIwantyouformy

wife.Idon'teverwantustobeapart."

"Ifeelthesame,Damon."Sarahpushedopenthedoortoherbedroomandcollapsedonthelargefour-

posterbed.Shelookedbeautifultohim,lyingthere,waitingforhimtostretchoutbesideher.

Herwindowfacedthesea.Damoncouldseethewater,adeepblue,wavesswellinghigh,collapsing,

rushingtheshoresandrecedingasithadforsomanyyears.Peacewasinhisheartandmind.Softlaughter
camefromvariouspartsofthehouse.Itsweptthroughtheair,andtilledthehousewithjoy.Sarahwas
back.Sarahwashome.AndDamonhadcomehomewithher.

END