Violet eyes narrowed on me with laser-sharp focus. “You saw a stranger on this land, a day after we endured a massive attack that led to the deaths of three of our friends, and rather than shouting for help, you thought you’d follow her?”

Ugh. Put that way, I sounded like the world’s biggest idiot. I felt like the world’s biggest idiot. Still, I said, “That about sums it up, yes.”

His eyes narrowed further. “Where is she now?”

“Don’t know. She got away.”

He took my hand and dragged me back to the house. “We’ll watch camera footage and track her down. I’d like to chat with her.”

No one waited in the foyer, saving us from having to answer any questions about where we’d been or what we’d been doing. Cole shut us inside Mr. Ankh’s office and claimed the desk chair. Clearly, he knew all the computer codes, because his fingers danced over the keyboard without hesitation. I stood over his shoulder, suitably impressed.

The front porch appeared on screen, Mr. Ankh, Kat and Reeve there and waiting. The SUV Frosty had temporarily borrowed pulled up, and everything played out like I remembered. Bronx leading the way. Frosty carrying Mackenzie. My little conversation with Mr. Ankh. My hug session with Kat. My stopping and looking around.

When I leaped into motion, Cole pressed a few more keys, and the entire front lawn came into view.

Only, there was no sign of the mystery blonde.

“But...she was there,” I said, confused. “I saw her.”

Cole leaned back in the chair and ran two fingers along his jaw. “Ali-gator. You’re tired, stressed. Maybe you—”

“I did not hallucinate. How could I? She showed me the wires. Which I previously knew nothing about! Consciously or subconsciously.”

He thought for a moment. “I’ll tell Mr. Ankh about the wires, but for now, we’ll keep quiet about the woman.”

“But you believe me, right?”

“Of course,” he said, as if the answer had never been in doubt. “Weird stuff happens to you. It’s part of the package. I’ve accepted it.” He stood and gathered me in his arms, and I leaned my head against his shoulder, taking comfort in the racing beat of his heart.

“Thank you.”

“Save your thanks, because I’m about to start yelling.”

Uh-oh.

“Do not ever—ever—follow after a stranger like that. Do you hear me?” He wasn’t actually yelling, but it was pretty darn close. “She could have led you into an ambush.”

“Duh. I had the same thought.”

He stiffened, saying softly but menacingly, “You had the same thought, and yet you trailed her anyway?”

Had to learn when to zip my lips. “Don’t forget number seven. I’m such a good fighter, you could stand back and watch while I take care of business.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re invincible.” His sigh caused several strands of hair to dance over my forehead. “I’m going to regret number seven for the rest of my life, aren’t I?”

“And probably part of your afterlife, too.”

He snorted. “Come on. It’s my turn to show something to you.” He led me upstairs and into the first room on the left.

A lump on the mattress shifted, and I paused. Who—

“Jaclyn,” I said, nearly buckling with relief. Another slayer had been found.

Even in her sleep, she recognized me, turning her head toward the sound of my voice. Tangled hair surrounded a beat-up face. One of her eyes was black-and-blue, swollen, and her lip was split in the center. Skin usually a healthy olive was now pallid. She looked terrible, but she was alive. Alive meant she’d heal.

“Where’s Justin?” I asked. Her twin brother was never far behind.

“Still missing.”

From the highest high to the lowest low.

“Coley-poley!” a girl called.

I pivoted as Juliana threw herself into Cole’s open arms. His expression softened, becoming almost...tender.

I still wasn’t jealous. Maybe. He had girl friends, and I had boy friends, and there was nothing romantic about it. Nothing wrong with it. But there was something between these two. A definite bond.

A definite bond he’d kept secret from me. Why?

Once, Veronica had bragged about an “ace in the hole,” something guaranteed to break up my relationship with Cole. At the time, I hadn’t given it much thought. Ace? Please. Now I didn’t think I’d be pondering much else.

At least Juliana was too old to be Cole’s kid. (Yeah, I admit it. A secret baby had been my first guess.)

A whispered conversation ensued between the pair, and I hesitated to join. I didn’t want to interrupt, but I didn’t like standing on the outside, either.

Cole brushed his knuckles over Juliana’s scars. She grinned, not the least bit self-conscious with him. She knew she was loved and accepted, just the way she was.

I headed toward the bed, intending to sit beside Jaclyn. But Cole had been aware of me, even though he’d seemed utterly absorbed by Juliana, because he returned me to his side with a gentle tug. His arm wrapped around my waist, and I found myself tucked firmly against him. He gave off more heat than usual and it cast a net around me, ensnaring me. But then, I was a willing captive. I gladly breathed in the sweet scent of him—the fruit candies he ate when no one was looking—and cuddled against him, this boy who’d become my shield against the rest of the world, my shelter in any storm, but also my anchor. He kept me grounded.