He turned to her, an unspoken question written on his face.

“Don’t pretend to be clueless. You accepted. That beautiful woman asked you, and you accepted without hesitation.”

I was awestruck. “You saw her? I thought I dreamed it.”

“I think we all dreamed it,” Glitch said.

Brooklyn’s temper flared. She rose onto her toes to meet Cameron eye to eye, though she missed the mark by about a foot. “Don’t make me angry,” she said evenly. “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”

I almost grinned. Somehow channeling the Incredible Hulk worked for her.

To my surprise, Cameron calmed instantly. He seemed almost mesmerized by Brooklyn. His hard features softened as he wiped his forehead on a sleeve.

Then he smiled. “Whatever you say, just don’t bring out the water pistol again.”

“Water pistol?” Glitch’s jaw dropped. “That was a water pistol last night?” He seemed offended. “You protected us with a freaking water pistol?”

“Like I would carry a real gun.” She rolled her eyes as if he were inane.

“Just what were you planning to do if your little scheme didn’t work?” he asked, appalled. “Drown him?”

“Shut up, Blue-Spider,” she said as she walked around to the other side of the pickup. “Least I had a plan.”

Glitch walked to his car, mumbling to himself in disbelief.

I was still having trouble forming a coherent thought, having just had an out-of-body experience. I had visions all the time, but this was different somehow. More tangible.

“Lor,” Brooklyn said slowly, seemingly aware of my coherent-thought problem, “why don’t you and Jared go with Glitch. I’ll go with bipolar boy and we’ll meet up at your house.”

Jared scooped up the jacket and turned to us. But he didn’t look at me. He averted his eyes and said, “Lorelei may not want to ride with me right now.”

“Why not?” Her brows snapped together. “Lorelei?”

I found myself avoiding his gaze as well.

“Because she just found out what Jared really is.” Cameron opened his door and climbed in before turning back to Brooke. “Did you happen to see who those children were afraid of last night?” he asked, referencing the dream we’d apparently shared. “Because it wasn’t me.” He started the truck then leveled a hard stare on her. “I’d just like that noted.”

“Lor, what just happened?”

“Nothing. I’ll explain later.” I forced myself to look back at Jared. “Coming, Azrael?” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

He stepped reluctantly in my direction, then stopped. Just as Brooklyn was about to get into Cameron’s truck, he said, “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I had no idea you would be pulled in.”

“I know.”

“What?” Brooklyn asked.

“It’s what I do, Lorelei. But more importantly, it was her decision.”

And that was the truth of it. It was Cameron’s mother’s decision. Not Jared’s. Not Cameron’s. It was hers and hers alone. She sacrificed herself to save him, and Cameron would just have to deal with that fact. Then again, maybe that was the whole problem. Maybe he felt guilty that she gave her life for his and he couldn’t accept it.

“So, what happened?” Brooklyn asked. “Did I miss it again? God, I always miss the good stuff.” She turned and climbed into the truck.

Glitch honked impatiently, and I tossed him a silent warning. Then Jared said something that made my knees almost give beneath me.

“I saw you. Thirteen years ago. I saw you there in the forest, in the child Cameron’s eyes. I saw you exactly as you are now.”

I looked back at him. What did he mean? I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”

“I didn’t know who you were. Because you were seeing through Cameron’s eyes, I couldn’t read anything. You weren’t really there.”

“You saw me watching … just now?”

“Yes, only thirteen years ago. Then, when I was sent here to take you, I remembered you instantly. I remembered the fire burning so bright around you, I could hardly look. I stopped time to study your face.” He stepped closer and brushed his fingertips along my jaw. “You have an ancient soul, powerful and calm. The descendent of Arabeth. When I saw you again, I never wanted to take my eyes off you. I couldn’t let you die. I couldn’t let you leave, never to look upon you again.”

He dipped his head and I twisted my fingers into his shirt as he bent to kiss me, my pulse skyrocketing. I raised my face to his, waiting, wanting more than I’d ever wanted in my life.

So, naturally, a split second before his mouth touched mine, Einstein honked again.

“Glitch!” I screamed, floored by his timing. I turned to him. He sat in his car, joy obvious in his expression. He’d done it on purpose. “I am so going to stab you in the heart!”

Jared chuckled. “Maybe we should talk about this later.”

Disappointment flooded my entire being. “I guess,” I said, vowing to make Glitch pay if it were the last thing I did on earth.

A BLINDING LIGHT

The cool silence of night in the Manzano Mountains coaxed me into a tranquil bliss. Fireflies hummed to the love songs of crickets. Gentle breezes swayed the leaves that clung to life after a festive, fertile summer, creating a soft, rhythmic lullaby. So when a loud crash splintered the evening air like a sonic boom, I nearly jumped out of my skin.