33

Karin and Dee were watching an old movie when Rob made his appearance. "There you are," he said, stretching his arms overhead as he strolled through the den like a male lion.

She said, "You were down for two days."

"And you?" Rob bit into an apple and perched on the edge of a chair.

"Near death."

A smirk ghosted across his face before Rob's usual dourness took over. "Where's the crystal, Karin?"

Wow, he wasn't playing around. She and Dee exchanged glances and she knew her friend believed her. "In a safe place."

"Take me there," he demanded.

"When the time is right." His features shifted before her eyes and she suppressed a shudder.

"Now is the time."

Karin walked over to him. "Don't worry. It will be soon."

"It better be." As he brushed past her, she nearly keeled over as the stench of evil permeated her senses.

She looked at Dee and said, "Tomorrow night. Will that be enough time?"

Dee nodded. "I'll alert the others. We'll meet you at 11:30. Don't be late."

Cassie hustled Adam out the door a moment before Jane returned from work. Thinking she had pulled it off, she moved toward the door and was stopped by Jane's soft but commanding voice. "Was that Adam I saw driving away from here?"

A bunch of excuses came to mind, but she stuck to the truth. "Yes, he stayed the night."

Jane folded her arms. "Really? So his Dad was OK with that?"

She tapped her toe nervously. "Maybe. Look, can we talk about this later? I'll be late if I don't head out."

Her grandmother's eyes twinkled slightly. "I expect you home at 3. Can you manage that?"

"Sure." Maybe she could squirrel herself away up at Briar Hill until dinner time.

Cassie was almost out the door when Jane said, "Don't even thinking about going up to that house."

Damn, she was busted six ways to Sunday. "I won't. Bye, Grandma."

She got behind the wheel and waved, not thrilled to be caught out but real happy her grandmother was back to her old self.

Adam rushed home to change and shower and managed to run out the door before his Dad caught up with him. He sensed things were about to go down, and lying low was his best option.

With muffin and coffee in hand, he jumped in his truck and started to back up before realizing Jake was blocking his way. With a scowl, he rolled down his window. "What the hell do you want?"

"Want to try that again, lover boy?" He opened his palm and Adam gaped at the crystal. "Considering what I went through to get this, you could show a little gratitude."

"Where did you get that?" he asked hoarsely.

"Does it matter?" Jake tossed the crystal from one hand to another. "It was stolen, and I want to return it to its rightful owner."

Adam cocked his head. "Is this Cassie's crystal?"

"Sure is, and considering that you've practically moved in, I thought you could give it to her."

He flushed slightly at the innuendo in Jake's voice. "Umm...sure."

Adam held out his hand but Jake shook his head. "Not so fast, Conant. You can't tell her where this came from."

That was fine with him. With a curt nod, he said, "Will you hand it over already? I have a test first period."

Jake snickered and muttered something about a tool. "Here. Try not to blow anything up."

Adam glared at him before pocketing the crystal and racing off.