Page 26 of Pierce

I held my hands up. “We’re not here to hurt you, Alina.”

“How do you know my name?” Her voice was deep, warm, but breathy. Musical.

“Your sister sent us. She’s very sick and needs your help.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Really? What’s her name, then?”

“Jasmine. She looks just like you, but she has red hair. And until this morning, she drove a rusty, two-door car which was swept off the side of a mountain by a mudslide.”

Her already pale skin went white as a sheet of paper. “Is she…?”

“Alive. I got her out of the car before she went over, but she’s badly injured. Very sick. There’s poison in her blood.”

“Poison?” She looked at Smoke, needing clarification.

“It’s a long story, Alina. We need you to come with us as fast as possible. She’s rotting inside—her words, not mine. She said you would know what to use in a case like this.”

“Where is she?”

“Our home,” I explained. “Not terribly far from here, but far enough. We couldn’t risk bringing her because the drive is too rough, with the main road washed out as it is. You’ll have to get everything together and come with us. Now.”

It was mostly a lie, but I had to give her something she would believe long enough to come with us.

She didn’t hesitate. I had to give her credit for that—I liked a person who could act decisively, and there was never a better time for it than now.

Glass-doored cabinets stood against the walls, holding a number of vials and jars and tubes. Some of them even glowed in deep, jewel tones. I couldn’t imagine what use she would have for so many potions and elixirs. The scent of herbs hung heavy in the room, ready to be used for filling even more jars.

She pulled out a canvas apron and unrolled it until it was flat on an unused table. There were pockets sewn in which she filled with bottle after bottle, jar after jar. Along with them, she packed clean cloths and bandages.

All the while, she muttered under her breath.

“Told her and told her about going off on her own, but would she listen? No. And what happened? She got herself into exactly the sort of situation I’ve been warning her about for years. Driving that piece of shit car around on a mountain.”

Smoke snorted at that, then coughed as if he was trying to cover it up.

“Hurry, please. She was already close to…”

“Death?” Alina whirled around like she did when we first entered the room, a jar of what looked like mud in one hand.

“I didn’t want to use that word, but yes.”

“My stars.” She swallowed hard, but kept moving. “Why did you have to break in like this? Why couldn’t you ring the doorbell?”

“That’s a long story, too, and I’ll be happy to tell you anything you want to know when we’re on our way.”

Yes, I was sure Smoke would be happy as hell to talk to her for hours.

I couldn’t ignore the way his eyes followed her every movement.

“Who are you?” She wrapped up the apron and slid it into a bag which she slung across her back.

“It’s a—”

“Long story. Yes. I know. But I think you should clue me in before I leave my home with you.”

“And we can’t tell you until we leave.” I untied the bandana from around my wrist. “Also, you have to wear this.”

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding.”

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