"Yeah, f**knuts, my attitude sucks, but I don't cry about having bad days. You can count on that."

"I can also count on Zoey being in danger from people who are too damn close to her for comfort."

"Might as well spill your guts. You know I'll always play devil's advocate."

"This damn Rephaim thing is gonna bite me in the ass."

"Tell me you're not moron enough to trust him."

"I'm nice, not stupid."

"Hey, sissy boy, have you thought about the fact that if you can't trust Rephaim, then you can't trust anyone who's close to him, either."

"Like Stevie Rae. I know. I expected to have to watch her close and be sure she wasn't getting Zoey into danger, but it looks like the opposite's happening. Stevie Rae keeps pushing Rephaim to stay away from Kalona, to be safe and smart and not give his messed up dad the time of day."

"What's the problem then?"

"Shaunee."

The Other laughed. "You mean one half of the Twin duo? So, they're both causing you stress. Hey, how 'bout this-instead of crying about it you dump Zoey and make yourself the middle of a Twin sandwich. Those two bitches are hot."

"You're such a piece of shit. I'm not dumping Z. I love her. And it's not the Twins who are the problem. It's just Shaunee. Seems she has some kinda daddy complex and she's giving Rephaim fuel for his Kalona-might-change fire."

"Sounds bad. You better be on guard, f**knuts, or shit's gonna hit the fan when ...

The scene began to fade as a beautiful white feather appeared over Stark's head.

"It's okay ... Don't have bad dreams."

In time with the whispered words the feather softly, gently, stroked over Stark's face, soothing his furrowed brow and, like a broom with sand, sweeping away the dissipating image of The Other.

In the darkest shadows of Stark's mind, Kalona smiled and, for then, severed their nightly connection.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Shaunee

"Really, Twin. Go with Kramisha and Aphrodikey. My stomach is still messed up from the Lunchables I had for breakfast. I need to stay here closer to the bathroom," Shaunee said.

"Eew, Twin, I tried to tell you Lunchables aren't a breakfast food," Erin said.

"Look, are you staying here and suckling Shauneedy, or are you coming with us? The bumpkin and the bird are upstairs heating up the car and waiting on us. We have like two-point-five minutes to get to the back door of Miss Jackson's and have Kramisha and Stevie Rae convince the security guy to let us in before he goes off shift and the damn store is locked up tight," Aphrodite said. "I have zero patience for Twin crap. The whole trip is already a pain in my shapely ass because I know Stevie Rae is gonna make me leave my credit card number."

"That is the right thing to do," Shaunee said.

"Whatever. Let's go, " Aphrodite said.

"Twin, are you-" Erin began and Kramisha cut her off. "You know I hate to agree with Hateful over there, but as my momma would say, shit or get off the pot."

"Gross," Shaunee said. "Especially with the way my stomach's feeling."

"Totally," Erin agreed.

"Are you comin' or not?" Kramisha said.

"Go," Shaunee insisted. "Grab me something that has cashmere and fur. In red, 'cause I'm so hot. And make Aphrodite pay for it." Erin grinned. "Done, Twin."

"Are you two gonna kiss good-bye now or what?" Aphrodite said.

Erin rolled her eyes. "Come on, Hateful. Let's shop."

"'Bout time..." Kramisha muttered as the three of them hurried from the kitchen.

Shaunee felt a little guilty when Erin gave her one last worried look and waved. She was frowning and staring down at the table when Zoey came in with a super rumpled looking Stark.

"Hey there, Shaunee," Z said. "You feeling better?"

"Where's Erin?" Stark asked.

"No, and shopping," Shaunee said. She didn't like the way Stark was looking at her, all disapproving and adult-like. "What's your problem?" she asked him.

"Nothin'." He shrugged nonchalantly and stuck his head in one of the fridges. "Just need some caffeine to wake up." But even though he sounded all whatever he still kept with the Look, and Shaunee didn't feel like dealing. "I'm gonna go get some fresh air, then lay down. And, like Damien would say, I got homework to do." She started walking toward the exit in the corner that led up to the abandoned depot and the quickest way out.