For an instant, the fire, David, everything else fades from my consciousness. Only Donaldson's presence burns through. Avery said Donaldson and I had a connection. Is this what he meant? Does Avery pick up on it, too?
But in a flash, I no longer sense Donaldson. He's simply there one moment and gone the next. I don't know how this vampire radar works. Can I call out to Avery without Donaldson picking up on it? If I can get Avery to follow Donaldson, maybe together we can make him talk, find out if he's behind the fire and why.
When Donaldson doesn't "reappear" for several minutes, and I don't spot him in the crowd, I take the chance.
Avery, are you near?
There's no response.
Avery?
Still nothing.
And David is now actually shaking my arm, trying to get my attention.
"Anna. Anna, what's wrong?"
Reluctantly, I drag my thoughts back from the ether and concentrate on my friend. "I'm all right."
But David shakes his head. "You're not all right. God damn that Avery. I should-"
"David, enough. If you really want to know what's wrong I'll tell you. I can't take you ragging Avery's ass all the time. He's a good doctor and he's as concerned about me as you are. Just let it go."
I'm not sure if it's my tone or the fact that I'm sticking up for Avery, but it's obvious that I've gone too far. Hurt and disappointment darken David's eyes. He stiffens and pulls away. "Well, I'm sorry I offended your new friend. I'll try to be nicer next time."
He's angry with me. I just don't know what to do about it. Obviously, I can't tell him I won't be seeing Avery anymore-or maybe that's exactly what I should tell him. It's a lie, of course, but I have a feeling I'll be telling a lot of lies from now on. Might as well get this one over with.
I put my hand on his arm. "David, listen to me. There won't be a next time. This was Avery's last visit. He's gone now, and you can forget about him."
It takes a minute for that to penetrate. David looks down at me with a puzzled scowl, and then his frown lines begin to relax and jaw muscles to unclench. "Is that true? This is the last time you're going to see him?"
"That's what I said."
"Good. That's good."
Someone calls out to me from the cluster of fire and police personnel beginning their mop-up. It's a way to end this conversation, so I leave David to join them. They hand me forms and business cards and the patrolman who questioned me asks for a number where I can be reached. I give them my cell since I don't know for sure where I'll be. I suspect it will be Avery's, but I don't have his number. That piece of paper is just another ash among the sea of ashes that used to be my house.
"Give him my number." David's voice at my elbow makes me jump. "You can stay with me."
God, here we go again.
I flash back to the scene in the hospital, but this time, Gloria is not in the picture. I can't use her as an excuse to refuse. I'm not up to another argument with David so I just agree. "Sure. That's a good idea, David. Thanks."
The officer takes his number and address and wraps things up. The two firemen still working the debris remain, but everyone else climbs into various emergency vehicles and soon the street is open once again. David tugs gently on my elbow, and I follow him to his car. All the rancor he directed toward Avery and me seems to have dissipated like dust in the wind.
He opens the passenger door, but I decline with a shake of my head.
"It will be better if I follow you. I want to go to my folks' first. I can borrow some clothes to tide me over until I have time to shop.
I'll pack a bag and come over later, okay?"
For once, he doesn't argue. He just asks, "Do you want me to go with you?"
I give him a grateful little peck on the cheek. "No, but thanks. I think I need a few minutes alone after all this."
Of course, what I'm thinking is that I'll head straight for Avery's. But since David doesn't have a clue about that, he acquiesces gracefully. I watch as he pulls away, and then I head back down the block for my car. It's still sitting in the store parking lot, but there's a silver BMW parked alongside. I don't pay much attention until I realize there's someone sitting inside watching my approach.
Avery?
He leans across and opens the passenger side door so I can slip inside. How are you?
With that simple question, something breaks deep inside me. Tears I can't control run down my face. Then I'm in Avery's arms, and before I can stop, I'm sobbing against his chest. All the incredible, frightening, puzzling things that have happened to me in the last few days pale into insignificance at the realization that I've just lost what I held most dear. My grandmother's wonderful legacy, all her memories, were a part of that house.
They're gone now and it's my fault.
Avery is stroking my hair. Why do you say that? This was an accident. You can't blame yourself.
He doesn't know what the fireman told me. I let him pick through the recollection of our conversation. And Donaldson was there, too , I add after a moment.
Donaldson?
I saw him, and I tried to signal you, but you didn't answer.
Avery pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and holds it out to me. Too much interference out here, I guess. Those damned microwave towers for cell phones are everywhere. I'm sorry. Do you think he started the fire?
I'm sitting up straighter in the seat now, wiping my face with the handkerchief. I don't know. I can't figure out why he would.
Unless he thought I was inside and he was trying to kill me.
But even as I say this, David's words come back to me. "No," I amend with a shake of my head. "The fire chief said the fire started in the middle of the cottage. If he was inside, he knew I wasn't there."
I look into Avery's eyes. "I felt him, just like you said I would. He was there for an instant, and then he was gone."
Avery's brow creases and his mouth grows tight and grim. He is shielding his thoughts, but I sense his disquiet. Finally, he says,
"You must stay with me until we can sort this out."
I blow out an exasperated breath and let my thoughts answer.
I can't. David is extremely upset with you-and with me. I told him I wouldn't see you again. Of course, it was a lie. But I need to stay with him at least tonight. After that, I'll tell him I'm going to stay at my parent's home. He knows they're in Europe for two weeks. He'll accept that.
David is a mortal. Avery's tone is dismissive. You don't need to explain yourself to him or to anyone ever again. You are vampire, Anna, and you must learn to act like it.
His air of superiority makes me cringe. If that's true, I remind him gently, why do we hide our true identities?
He cocks an eyebrow at me. You are impudent, aren't you? Perhaps it's why I like you so much. You have a way of bringing me back to earth. All right, Anna, maybe it's best if you run along to your friend's. But I want to see you first thing tomorrow morning. I'll check around tonight and see if I can learn where Donaldson is hiding. Perhaps we can find out just what he's up to.
I start to get out of the car, letting his remark about "running along to my friend" pass without comment. I don't need his permission.
But I do need his help.
He reaches out, placing one hand on my arm, cupping my chin in his other hand.
"It will be all right, you know."
His eyes offer solace. For this moment, at least, I let myself accept it.