The Becoming

I turn to see Avery coming across the street. I'd forgotten he was going to join me here. Unfortunately, David sees him, too. I'm not quick enough to warn Avery off, he runs smack into him.

David puts out a hand and shoves Avery back. “Don't go near her,” he says. “I'm warning you. You've done enough damage."

I feel Avery tense, see the danger flash in his eyes.

Don't hurt him, Avery, I say. Please. Go on home, I'll catch up with you later.

Avery's eyes never leave David's face. He is standing so still, so utterly motionless, I fear he has shut me out. An almost primordial rage blazes out from him. While we were in the hospital, Avery put up with David. Here, he doesn't seem so inclined.

I try again. Avery. Please. He's my friend and he's worried about me. Let it go.

A long moment passes. Avery's eyes shift to meet mine. I feel his anger ease off, see the set of his shoulders relax. For you, he tells me. But your partner needs to learn respect.

He takes a step backward from David, and in that moment, I get to them. I put a hand on David's arm. “It's all right David. Let Dr.

Avery go. He just came to check up on me. He'll leave now."

The last was as much for Avery as for David. He bends his head in a single nod and steps away. Will you come to me later? he asks.

I will. I have to finish here first.

Avery says nothing to David, and simply turns on his heel and heads back in the direction he came. I know David has turned to me and is saying something but another voice, or rather, impression has interposed itself in my consciousness. It's there, nebulous and tentative, but as nerve jangling as a jolt of electricity.

I look around quickly to see where or who it's coming from, being careful to keep my own thoughts from projecting outward.

Someone is reaching out to probe my mind. Is it my anonymous friend from the other night?

I scan the crowd until I recognize a face. It appears for only a brief moment, and then it is swallowed up by the milling group of curiosity seekers gathered across the street.

It's only a glimpse, but I know. I feel it in my very bones.

Donaldson is here.

Chapter Eighteen

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 co

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.

"A

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 perso

"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.