Page 48 of Destined for Shadows
“Okay, well, we’ll just go. Sorry again to have disturbed you, and please tell your mother that I hope she gets better soon.” Cori started to turn away.
“Wait,” Diane said.
She turned back and gave the mystic an inquiring look.
“Give me your hand.” She reached out hers. “I feel there’s something I need to tell you, but I just can’t quite…” she trailed off.
A chill ran down Cori’s spine. Even though she’d been around supernaturals and magic for well over a year, some things still gave her the creeps. A woman with the power to “see” into a person’s future was one of those things. Diane was known for making dire predictions, which was why she rarely used her abilities and preferred to work a normal job instead.
After a moment more of hesitating, Cori gave the mystic her hand. They stood staring into each other’s gazes for more than a minute before breaking apart. Diane let out a long breath that she’d apparently been holding. “You’re in danger, though I suspect you know that. There are many difficult paths that lie ahead, and I can’t say which is the one you will take because that remains unclear, but none of them will be easy. Some will even lead to your death. The one thing you must know above all else is that you cannot survive the transition into becoming a vampire, so do not even attempt it.” The woman turned her gaze to Bartol. “If you protect her, she might stand a chance.”
Cori gulped. She hadn’t ever considered turning into a vampire—primarily because it was too dangerous. Only half of the people who tried it survived, and those that didn’t suffered horrific pain before succumbing to death. Except for those who didn’t care about the odds, most humans didn’t consider it unless they were already at death’s door. That would be the only reason Cori might make the choice, at least until now. It troubled her that Diane saw that decision might come soon, especially with all the measures they were already taking to stop Griff.
“Thank you for the warning,” Cori said.
Diane nodded. “You and Melena saved my family and me once. As I recall, you hit several DHS agents over the heads with shovels to stop them from taking us.” A hint of humor took over the sadness that had been in her eyes. “Not many people—particularly humans—would have stepped into that fight. I figure I owe you this much.”
Cori remembered that day very well. She had aslightauthority problem, so when she and Melena caught the DHS agents at Yvonne and Diane’s house trying to take them away, it had been the perfect excuse to take out her frustrations on the government. That was back when the Department of Homeland Security had just discovered supernaturals and were kidnapping them for study. She and Mel had worked together to stop them. It was ironic that the sensor went on to work for the agency, but the position allowed her to make sure they didn’t try something like that again.
“Are you kidding?” Cori grinned, relieved to discuss a lighter topic. “I should have paid you for the opportunity.”
Diane smiled and shook her head, then addressed Bartol. “Keep a very close eye on this one. If she’s left to her own devices, who knows what trouble she might get into.”
“Truer words have never been spoken,” the nephilim said.
“Hey.” Cori slapped him in the chest, and he jolted in surprise. “Life isn’t worth living if you always play it safe.”
He gave her a look that said he’d learned otherwise. “I forget how young you are.”
“No.” She lifted her chin. “You forget that my time is finite, so I have to make the most of it.”
Diane cleared her throat. “If you two don’t mind, I need to finish up here.”
“Oh, right.” Cori gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry.”
The mystic’s expression warmed. “It was nice to have my mind taken off of my own problems for a few minutes. I hope things work out for you two.”
“For us?” Bartol asked, lifting a brow.
“I think you know what I mean,” she said sagely.
While he stuttered, she shut the door.
Cori gave him a moment before asking, “So what do we do now, boss?”
“Good question.” He gave her a tired look. “But I’ll think of something.”
“I’ve got some ideas.” She ran a finger down his chest, testing him.
“I’m certain you do,” he said, and before she knew it, he’d grabbed hold of her and transported them back to her cabin. Cori barely had the chance to blink at her spinning surroundings before he disappeared.
“Damn him.” She pressed a hand to the nearest wall to keep from falling. “He’s not going to run from me forever.”
