Page 22 of In Dangerous Water

“That’s a good idea,” I said. “I could totally use an energetic reset.”Not to mention,I thought,finding a new place to live temporarily.

Arianna smiled. “I do have a few errands to run this morning. You’re welcome to join me, or to stay here and relax.”

“I’d like to see the village,” I admitted, “but I’m worried I’ll run into Tim.”

Arianna lifted her brow. “I doubt he’ll be where I’m going.”

“Where are you going?”

“To the Marquette Mansion for a meeting,” she said. “I’ve been helping Gabriella and Philippe work on their museum room in the public area of the hotel.” Before I could ask, she added, “I also have a minor in historic preservation.”

“Oh.” I smiled. “I’d like to see the mansion again—especially when it’s not crowded with people. I haven’t been up there since last year’s masquerade ball.”

“I was going to leave in a couple of hours,” Arianna said. “If you’d like to come along?”

“I think I would,” I said. “May I borrow your phone? I should call my family and let them know that I am okay.”

“Of course,” Arianna said. “There’s a landline in my office, off the garage. Rafe converted an old workshop for me to have as an office at home. You can make your call there in privacy. Let me show you.”

Arianna went inside, fetched a key ring, and took me across the backyard to the detached garage. It was a long building with several bays for cars, and there was also a separate office with a half bath. I was surprised at how comfortable it was.

The walls were old fashioned knotty pine paneling but were brightened by several framed pictures of the American Southwest and what I guessed was the Yucatan peninsula. A few newspaper articles about her recent archeological work were framed and hung on the wall too.

I helped myself to her desk chair, sat down, and wrung my hands nervously. I wasn’t sure which of my sisters to call first. So instead of calling home, I punched in a different number from memory.

“Not like this will be any easier,” I muttered. “But at least I’ll only have to make one call.”

The call was answered on the first ring.

“Cordelia Ariel Golden!” The voice was both regal and annoyed at the same time. “I was about to resort to dusting off my mother’s crystal ball and scrying for your exact location if I didn’t hear from you within the next hour.”

“You hate scrying with a crystal ball, Grandma.” I tried not to laugh. “Always told me you did better with the black mirror.”

“Are you safe?”

“Yes, I am.”

She huffed out a breath. “Your sisters are besides themselves, worrying about you after the incident at the aquatic center!”

I winced at that news. “It seems that I’ve been failing all of the people that I care about the most.”

“Nonsense.” She scoffed at that. “What you are is too vulnerable to the feelings and emotional demands of others.”

“The curse of the empath,” I murmured.

“I’m sorry my darling,” she said. “There are very few who understand the challenges of true psychic empathy.”

I made a sound in agreement.

“Now.” Her tone of voice was suddenly brisk. “I thought you’d like to know that Ryder Desroches will be released from the hospital later today. And, according to Kenna—who went up to visit him and Angela last night—he’s doing fine.”

“I’mveryrelieved to hear that,” I said.

“Cordelia. Sweetheart. You are in no way responsible for what happened to him.”

But I am,I thought.

“I heard that,” my grandmother said.

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