Page 71 of Dead Heat

“Gun, no. I can’t let you do that,” I said.

He shot me a dark look. “I’m not asking.”

“I accept,” Monica said. Looking at me, she nodded at the revenant. “Would you mind lending your hand when we come back?”

“Claude’s his own revenant. I don’t control him.” Unlike other dead things.

Cam’s lip curled in disgust. “What do you expect a gnarly hand to do?”

“You can’t create pitfalls without digging a few holes,” Monica said with a wink.

Claude scrambled across the floor and opened the front door. I couldn’t decide whether he was being polite or eager for them to leave.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” I said to the mages.

Cedric paused at the door. “Would you put in a good word with Kane for me?” he asked in a low voice. “I’d like a couple extra vacation days this year.”

“I’ll float the idea past him,” I promised.

“I can’t thank you enough for your help with them,” I said, once Monica and Cedric had vacated the premises.

Camryn bumped me with her hip. “It takes a village, right?” She froze. “Can I touch you like that or do I risk pulling you into a nightmare?”

“It’s okay. I have years of practice building up my defenses. Emotions have been my biggest challenge.” It felt vulnerable to admit that to them.

Cam cocked her head. “Like if you were crying and I hugged you, that would be riskier?”

Gun scoffed. “Who are you kidding? You wouldn’t comfort anyone. You’d head for the farthest hill.”

“I can be nurturing,” she objected.

“Yes,” I interrupted. “That would be riskier. It’s the reason I don’t play music that’s too personal to me. I avoid anything that might bring my powers to the surface and make them harder to control.”

“That’s rough,” Gun commiserated. “Music is the soundtrack of my life.”

“It’s mine, too,” I said. “That’s the trouble.”

“It helped you in the fighting ring, though,” Gun pointed out. “When Kane played that classical song, you were like Rocky making a comeback.”

I smiled at the memory. “It’s typically been more of a hindrance than a help.” And if it weren’t for my performance in Magnarella’s fighting ring, I wouldn’t be on The Corporation’s radar now.

“I heard you humming to yourself recently,” Gun pointed out. “That’s new.”

I nodded. “I’ve been less resistant lately. I even played the piano for Otto. I hadn’t touched an instrument in years.”

“Hmm, and what prompted that change, I wonder.” Gun tapped his cheek, feigning uncertainty. “Could it be love, sweet love?”

Cam tipped her head back and moaned. “No fair. I really need some sweet love. I haven’t been with anyone since Vaughn.”

Gun glanced upward. “Gods, hear her prayer.”

“It’s been a nice change,” I admitted. “I’ve been able to appreciate the positive associations I have to certain songs without feeling overwhelmed.”

Gun contemplated me. “Does this mean we can finally do our long-awaited group hug?”

I looked from cousin to cousin. “I didn’t realize that was on anybody’s wish list.”

He flung his arms wide. “Get in here, both of you, and warm the cockles of an assassin’s cold, dead heart.”

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