Kelsey’s fear peaked. The edges of the blocking static began to fade. Still, she struggled against his chokehold, her movements getting more and more

sloppy. Details. I needed details.

The strange static broke in places. Bits and pieces appeared and disappeared.

I tried to catch as much as I could. “Clean shaven, sharp chin, short hair…” I could barely hear myself and had no idea if Kayden was getting any of it, but I

had to try. Details came together, merging with those from the night half a world

away.

Reeve Ellery.

“…or another…bring her…me…bitch.” Ellery leaned in close and loosened

his grip. His hand rose and fell once more. Our head snapped back under the blow, but the distance I gained diminished under the impact. The swirling mass

re-solidified, obscuring any other details.

I pulled back a little further, trying for more distance from Kelsey so I could

watch the scene. It was harder this time, as if I swam through syrup. When I was

able to refocus, I realized I lost part of the scene as I was now kneeling next to Kelsey. Terror had drained everything but the startling red marks of violence from her bloodless face.

The low buzz returned. Worried I’d pulled too far back from the memories, I

reached for Kelsey as the strident notes of Rob Zombie’s “American Witch” cut

through the buzz.

Kelsey’s chest stilled, her eyes flickering toward the kitchen counter. My assigned ringtone continued, capturing Ellery’s attention. He stiffened and

staying in his crouch turned to look toward the front door. He couldn’t tell where

the noise was coming from.

My only warning was a desperate spike in Kelsey’s emotions as she took

advantage of his momentary distraction. She pushed to her feet, one hand on her

throat, the other reaching for the edge of the wall. She stumbled forward a few

feet before a growl sounded and hard hand caught her.

“Naughty…not done…yet.”

My pulse stuttered. Kelsey’s struggles turned frantic as he dragged her

around the corner to the counter. Desperate to do something, anything, I

followed them.

“…calling?” He shoved her hard. The counter’s edge cut into her stomach,

and she shuddered. He used his body to keep her pinned next to the blinking answering machine, her face inches from her sunglasses and her ringing cell phone, where my name spilled across the screen, making it hard to miss.

“Look…already…er running.” A cruel hum of satisfaction colored his voice

as he picked up her phone, his finger wiped over the touch screen. The tune cut

short.

Kelsey’s cheeks were streaked with tears that mixed with the blood trickling

from her swollen mouth. “What do you want?” Her question was rough and

unsteady, but I caught every bit of it.

He put his face next to hers, the muscles in his arm flexing as he pressed down. Her eyes widened, terror blowing her pupils. “Nothing much…we’re

going…leave Cyn…message…”

He tossed her cell on the counter and yanked her back against his chest.

Kelsey’s fear crested, and my pulse stuttered under the looming wave. As his arm wrapped around her neck and began to lift her off her feet, she clawed and

gouged his skin. Somewhere in the background a phone rang dimly.

The scene paused. For a breathless moment the line between past and present

blurred. My heart shattered at the grim acceptance darkening Kelsey’s eyes. A sickening knowing rose, one I didn’t want to acknowledge.

Ellery jerked her up and back, and her desperate warning to run whispered across my soul. A sharp stinging sensation tore across my cheekbone and the scene began to fracture with an audible snap and slip away. Even as I rose to the

present with Kayden’s help, unbelievable pain ripped through my mind and

heart.

Screaming with fury and fear, I lunged forward to capture the images falling

away like a broken windowpane and fell into the yawning pit.

AWARENESS CAME BACK IN PIECES. First was the sound of my name blending in

with the bongo drums pounding in my skull. Then the dull ache radiating from