“I know.” Imogen took Charlotte’s hand. She inclined her head to regard Kate. “Sleep.”
Kate laughed. “I would love to, but I have several hours of work in the laboratory ahead of me. I’m cooking up a little amber. And there’s another series of your blood to finish tonight.” Kate continued to talk, but more to herself. “I’m beginning to understand the structural changes I’m seeing. I need a much better microscope. I’ll send for a new catalog from Germany.” She tapped her forehead as a reminder. “I’ll do that tomorrow. Oh no, not tomorrow; I have plans. The next day then.”
“Kate.” Imogen laid her long boneless fingers against her sister’s face. “Stop, please.”
“Stop what? What am I doing?”
Imogen leaned closer. Her rubbery skin was so white, it was almost blue. Her once-full lips were slits across her face. The delightful nose that once graced her beautiful features was nothing more than two holes. However, when she came this near, Kate could see the remnants of the old Imogen in her face. The line of the chin. The curve of the cheek. The slight tilt of her head. These were vestiges of the original woman that had not, and could not, be changed.
Imogen stared into Kate’s eyes with the one white human orb. “Stop trying to bring me back.”
Kate flushed with panic. It seemed they had come so far, but now Imogen was returning to her old morose futile self. Her sister had surrendered again to hopelessness after all the time Kate had labored to reassure her and to show her that she would never rest until Imogen was restored to normal. Kate clenched her fists. Her gaze flew over her sister’s face in despair.
“Imogen, please, you can’t give up,” Kate whispered in a ragged voice.
“I’m not giving up,” Imogen replied softly. “But you are killing yourself. Stop.”
“I can’t!” Kate closed her eyes and pressed Imogen’s hand against her face. She felt the inhuman touch of the tendril fingers. “I won’t.”
“Kate. Look at me.”
Kate opened her eyes and gazed on her sister.
“You don’t have to bring me back.” Imogen kissed Kate on the cheek. “I’m here.”
It had been years since Imogen had kissed her in more than a perfunctory or begrudging way. She felt a warmth and kindness that had been gone since they were little girls. Kate threw her arms around Imogen. She kissed her sister and embraced her tightly, feeling strength in Imogen that she had either not seen or denied since they had brought her back from Bedlam on that dreadful night last year. Kate felt her sister’s fingers wiping tears from her cheeks and she pressed her face into the touch.
Imogen gently pulled away from Kate and took Charlotte’s hand again. The two started for the door.
Kate covered her mouth to stifle her crying as she watched them through new eyes. After they left the room, Kate called out, “Charlotte! Take your wulfsyl before you go on the roof!”
“Aw!” came the distressed reply and the girls’ footfalls disappeared down the hall.
Chapter 21
It was a cloudless night of stars. Malcolm picked his way carefully across the rooftop, testing shingles and the exposed rafters before settling his weight on them. At the edge of the roof sat Imogen and Charlotte.
Charlotte waved enthusiastically like Malcolm had been away for months rather than just a few hours. It was that eagerness that made Charlotte such a sweet child. It’s what kept the monster in her at bay. He doubted that Kate’s wulfsyl alone would have been enough. The two girls rose to their feet. Imogen was a study of calm reserve, while Charlotte saluted him.
“Nothing to report!” she declared. “No sign of anyone except a few deer.” Her arm dropped, then she impulsively hugged him.
Malcolm allowed himself the luxury of returning the girl’s embrace. After a moment, she reluctantly released him and brought her head up from the warmth of his wool coat. She regarded the long rifle across his back, but the smile didn’t leave her face.
“When that crazy old man shows up here, we’ll be ready,” Charlotte assured him.
Malcolm wondered if she truly understood what was happening. Their world was on the brink of annihilation, and she behaved like it was a day at the beach. It was that sort of recklessness that made him worry for her safety. She could be strong and quick, but she didn’t understand the ruthless complexity of the world. One day she would.
That was a day he never wanted to face.
Charlotte regarded her friend behind her. “Mr. Simon’s ever so clever. He’ll make sure Gaios won’t hurt anyone.” She rocked back on her heels in obvious devotion.
Malcolm’s heart filled once more with dismay. “Gaios isn’t just some doddering warlock, Charlotte. He’s very dangerous.”