Page 136 of Coerced

“Jesus, Joseph, and Mary! When I wanted to walk to the field to try out the bow, he must have been in agony!”

My heart clenched at the thought of causing pain to anyone, but that it was tohimdevastated me. Oh, I’d thanked him - and Kerry - several times, but it wasn’t nearly enough for what they’d done. Even making the armor, which he insisted was worth a small fortune, wasn’t enough.

I spotted the pharmacy and made a beeline for the door. Revising my list as I went, I snagged a basket and went straight for the first-aid aisle.

And is that the only reason you’re upset?my conscience asked.Because he rescued you and you feel in his debt?

I chewed on my bottom lip as I loaded the basket with supplies.

No, that’s not the only reason, I finally admitted. Then,It’s too soon to feel this way. I’ve only known him a few days. It’s one of those mental disorders like Stockholm Syndrome, but in reverse. Instead of holding me hostage, he freed me and I now think I like him. That’s what this is.

I double checked the basket to make sure I had everything I needed, then headed for the checkout counter.

Thankfully, the hotel we’d picked had large bathrooms. At least the tub would be large enough for evenhimto lie down in. It was more like a mini Jacuzzi than a bath, complete with bubble jets.

I knew. I’d luxuriated in the hot, foamy water for nearly two hours last night.

As I waited for my turn to checkout, I glanced at the nearby racks of books and magazines. I hadn’t been much of a reader these last two years, although I remembered enjoying it when I was younger. Especially a good zombie book. I scanned over the titles and one in particular caught my eye.

Oh! Rome likes reading about history.

I plucked the book from the rack and added it to my overflowing basket.

So, my conscience picked at me again,you’re buying him a book because you have reverse Stockholm Syndrome.

Yes, I answered fiercely.

Um-hmm. And do you feel the need to buy Kerry a gift?

Uh. Okay, maybe it’s a budding friendship thing. A friend can buy a friend a book.

Mira, my girl, instead of fighting so hard, why don’t you relax and see where things go? If it’s infatuation, it’ll fade. You don’t feel this way about Kerry and he had more to do with rescuing you than Rome did. And if it’s not infatuation…

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered. “The ‘if not’ part.”

I paid for my supplies, tuned out my nagging conscience, and hustled back to the hotel as fast as my legs could take me.

36. The Alchemists

Kerry

“You kept your stepfather out of your testimony at the trial, even though it coulda helped your case.” I raised one eyebrow. “He obviously has some hold over you. Does he hurt your mom to make you do what he wants? Or has he corrupted her into serving him? Did she choose him over you? Maybe he threatens you to make her toe the line? Or is it the other way around?”

Argaud fought, but, like Ms. Chapman predicted, he wasn’t strong enough to resist the wards built into the walls and floor and ceiling. Sweat rolled down his face and dripped onto his yellow jumpsuit.

Definitely getting somewhere.Let’s change tactics.

“You don’t have to answer those questions.” I lifted one shoulder. “Why does Hubler want the miracle worker? Is he trying to collect the bounty that a demon prince is offering for her?”

“Yeah. My stepfather has fame, money, and power, but he wants immortality.” Argaud looked relieved at the change of topic. “An indulgence could give him that. It seems like a fair trade.”

“Do you know why a prince of Hell would want the miracle worker?” Gigi asked.

“Of course he doesn’t.” I made a face. “No one tells a foot soldier like him any secrets, especially not big secrets.”

“Ha!” Argaud took the bait. “I’m not as low in the hierarchy as you might think. The miracle worker knows the location of something the prince desires.”

Gigi asked him what it was, but he didn’t know.

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