29

Karin was shocked by how awful she looked. She knew the Balcoin crystal was bad news, but she hadn't realized how toxic it really was until this last ritual. Her hair was a rat's nest, and she looked a decade older. Purple bruises ringed her eyes like raccoon kohl. Her beet red skin looked like she'd lost ten rounds with the sun. With a sigh, she mentally reviewed the events and knew they'd had no choice.

Rob had pieced together spells from numerous pagan religions to come up with a recipe to help Jane, for a simple reversal would not repair the damage. The worst part of the spell was the small bit she had chanted, and it still gave her a migraine to think about what those words really meant.

Her brother had been asleep for ten hours, and probably would not awaken for another twelve. He seemed to shrug off the darkness like it was all in a day's work. That talent did not extend to her. Sleep eluded her, and every last second of that ritual weighed on her.

Karin had spent hours praying, but no one seemed to be listening. With a muttered curse, she threw down her cross and headed for the coffee pot. Before she could pour another cup, the doorbell rang.

It was too early for company, so it must be someone she'd rather avoid. She cracked open the door to see Adam staring back at her. "Why are you here?" she asked.

His eyes widened when Karin opened the door further to let him in. "My Dad was worried."

"And he couldn't drive here himself?"

"He has a business to run, remember?"

"Right." She walked to the kitchen and motioned toward the coffee. "Help yourself."

Karin grabbed two mugs and set them down while Adam poured. "So tell me about this crystal."

She shook her head. "It's bad news. Try another topic."

"Cassie said you intend to give her the crystal."

It sounded like an accusation. "That was the plan."

"It's a bad idea. Look what it's done to you and Rob."

"You're right, but it's her legacy."

Adam scowled. "I don't give a damn about that. If you try to pass that crystal along, I will stop you."

The bluish green glow of his eyes was just like Ethan's when he got fired up. "I'm not sure you can."

"Really? Watch me."

Karin held up her hands with a sigh. "I don't want to fight, Adam. You're right about the crystal, but Cassie may decide she wants it."

"She doesn't."

"You talked to her after the ritual?"

The flush in his cheeks gave him away. "Umm, yeah, like you didn't know already."

Karin shook her head. "I had no idea."

Adam's brow furrowed. "How can that be? You know everything about us."

"It's all gone." She made a poof with her fingers before sucking down half her coffee.

"For how long?" Adam said.

She shrugged. "No idea."

"Does this always happen?" He sounded panicked, obviously thinking about the impact on Cassie and the circle.

"Sometimes." She'd never worked with the Balcoin crystal before, though Rob had intimate knowledge of its inner workings.

"Will it come back?" Adam looked like he almost cared, and it struck a chord deep down, making her think of a long ago boy who was obsessed with Amelia Blake.

"Probably."

"And if it doesn't?"

Karin offered a tight smile. "Then I'm free."

Adam touched her arm. "Take care of yourself, Karin. And maybe you could call my Dad so he'll stop fretting?"

Now her grin was a real one. "I can do that."

Karin watched him hightail it to his truck through the rain and suddenly knew what she had to do, even if it killed her.