20

Karin returned to Ethan's and they clasped hands over the table. "I need their blood, Eth. Can you lure them here?"

"On what pretext? They're hardly my friends."

Her face hurt when she forced out a smile. "Tell them you found a crystal."

Ethan's cool blue eyes searched her face. "Are you kidding? I can't play those kind of games with them."

She dug into her satchel and drew out the topaz. "Use this."

He examined all its facets and shook his head. "I can't do that to you."

Karin folded his fingers around it. "Don't worry. I have others."

He leaned in. "How is that possible? That you even have one is mind boggling."

Now her laugh was genuine. "I don't need crystals to do my dirty work, and neither do you."

He straightened and speared her with those piercing blue orbs. "What are you saying, K?"

"That it's all smoke and mirrors."

"But they stripped us of our powers."

"Maybe so, but no one says you can't get them back."

"How am I supposed to do that?"

She stroked the top of his hand and an actual spark leapt between her fingers. "Like this."

Ethan stared at her. "I feel...energized."

"Good. There's more where that came from."

"Before or after you take their blood?"

Her only answer was a shrug. "You'll see."

Adam dropped Cassie off with assurances that they'd connect soon on how to help Jane. He knew Jane was working again, so he figured he'd stop by again later with takeout from the Boathouse. It gave him an excuse to see her again (like he needed one), and maybe they could take that next step he was dying for. Cassie also seemed pretty primed for action, but it was way too soon. She wouldn't see it that way, but he had to convince her that his feelings went way beyond lust. While she was sorting through all of Karin's revelations, he'd give her the time she needed.

And then there was Jake, whose return had to be imminent. Deep inside, Adam knew Jake really cared about Cassie, or he wouldn't have saved their hides like he had. But it didn't stop him from despising Jake with a bitter hatred that went way beyond reason. Yeah, he had screwed his Dad out of a month's livelihood, and sure, the jealousy monster was beating its ugly green heart inside him, but there was also something shady about the guy. Adam couldn't put his finger on it, but he was positive Jake had taken down other witches in cold blood. Nobody changed their stripes that quickly, even for the love of a woman. Chances were good that Jake would revert to his true nature, and then Cassie would finally see him for what he really was.

He pulled into the parking lot and watched as Karin and his Dad walked to her car. Before Karin got in, Ethan started kissing her passionately, which lasted for quite some time. When they finally came up for air, Karin ran her hand through Ethan's hair and kissed him on the cheek. Adam's face was uncomfortably hot as he sauntered across the parking lot, hoping to avoid both of them. He was only three steps from the door when he heard tires hitting a rock and her voice rang out. "Adam, I was hoping to see you."

Adam turned and cocked his head slightly. "Why?"

"To discuss Jane."

"Now?"

"Sure. Hop in."

He had a ready excuse. "Sorry, I've got an exam to study for."

She smiled at his lie. "You sure? Because I have the latest scoop on Jake."

Adam picked up a rock and threw it across the lot. "So what?"

Karin's lips widened. "Cassie knows."

His head came up. "What are you saying?"

"Jake's back in town, and headed straight to her house."

Adam met her eyes and knew she had his number. "Don't do this."

"What?"

"This reading my mind crap. My thoughts are private, and you need to stay out."

"It's not that simple."

"Sure it is. I've asked you to stop, and as a friend of my Dad, you should at least give me that courtesy."

Karin leaned her elbow on her car door. "There's no off switch, Adam."

"I don't believe you."

She hung her head slightly. "I wish you did. It would make life so much easier."

He folded his arms. "My Dad might be into you, but you're not telling him everything."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'd bet my life on it."

"You're right, but certain things need to stay hidden...for now."

Adam kicked at the tire of her car. "Like the fact that you're using him?"

Karin shook her lion's mane of golden hair. "I swear I'm not, Adam. I've always loved him."

"Since when, two days ago?"

Another shake of her head. "We met 15 years ago at the college. Your Dad was doing research, and we met in the library."

Finally, some truth. "And you're just reconnecting now? How convenient."

"You don't understand. I've been in New England for most of the last decade. I only moved back here recently when I heard about Cassie."

This was truth mixed with lies. "Along with a band of witch hunters. I find the timing a bit suspicious."

Karin started to reach out and thought better of it at the last second. "I'm not aligned with them."

He tossed out the same words she'd used on him earlier. "That remains to be seen."

With a sigh, she said, "I'll catch up with you later."

Adam watched her drive away, and as soon as she was out of sight, he jumped in his truck and headed for Cassie's house.