Part 21<\/b><\/p>\n
Draining the last few drops of her therapeutic drink, Cordelia handed the empty cup to Angel, who placed it on a nearby table as she laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes. He began to stroke his fingers soothingly through her hair and she snuggled closer. There was something very calming about the light, rhythmical caress and it helped her find her way back to herself after the trauma of her shockingly violent vision.<\/p>\n
As awareness of her surroundings slowly returned to her senses, the seer started to feel embarrassed about her hysterical reaction to the horrible images, which had flashed through her mind\u2019s eye a short while earlier. Admittedly, this vision had been the worst yet, but she\u2019d completely lost it in front of everyone and she was mortified.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d Angel asked worriedly as she pulled out of his arms and got shakily to her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to clean up,\u201d she said, turning towards the door that led to the private quarters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait!\u201d Angel reached out and caught her hand. \u201cI\u2019ll come with you,\u201d he said, rising to his feet as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I\u2019m fine!\u201d Cordelia replied testily. \u201cStop fussing \u2013 I don\u2019t need a nursemaid, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
With that, she wrenched her hand out of his grasp and escaped upstairs to the sanctuary of their room. Pushing open the door of the adjoining bathroom, she flicked on the light and then immediately switched it off again as the fluorescent brightness exacerbated the painful throbbing in her head. A wave of nausea overcame her and she dropped to her knees and threw up in the toilet bowl, sobbing out her distress as she shuddered and wretched.<\/p>\n
The visions were getting worse; there was no denying that. Today\u2019s premonition had been far more painful than the one of a few days ago, and if how she was feeling right now was any indication, the aftermath was really going to take it out of her. Angel\u2019s inability to deal with how the visions affected her, both physically and emotionally, kept her silent on the matter though. He would only go into overprotective mode and she couldn\u2019t be doing with that right now. It made her feel incredibly claustrophobic when he insisted on wrapping her up in cotton wool.<\/p>\n
Worried that someone would come to check on her and find her falling apart under the stress and pain of her vision, Cordelia reluctantly dragged herself to her feet, desperately trying to ignore the aching heaviness in her limbs. The zigzags of white light flashing before her eyes made it difficult to focus on the mirror in front of her, but her sight eventually cleared enough for her to take in her reflection.<\/p>\n
She looked awful \u2013 her face was pale and drawn and there were dark circles under her eyes. It was hard to believe that just one vision could have such a drastic effect on her appearance. There had to be a reason for the increased level of pain. Maybe the Powers That Be were testing her in some way, it was the kind of lameass thing the higher-uppers would do, after all.<\/p>\n
They were all for someone proving their worth to the cause. Why they couldn\u2019t just accept that anyone who willingly chose to tread that path was probably crazy enough to sacrifice themselves for the greater good, Cordelia would never know. Anyone who couldn\u2019t hack it would simply walk away, right? There was just no need for some melodramatic display of commitment therefore. It was given in smaller, more meaningful ways every single day.<\/p>\n
Unaware of the figure hovering in the bathroom doorway, Cordelia splashed water on her face and washed away her tears, then opened the bathroom cabinet and took out a bottle of painkillers. She shook out double the recommended amount into her cupped palm, and then placed them on the countertop as she filled a glass with water from the faucet.<\/p>\n
Faith watched her friend in growing alarm. If she needed to pop that many pills to take away the pain, then things were worse than she was letting on. Sensing that his overbearing concern would probably make things worse, the slayer had stopped Angel from following his fleeing girlfriend and offered to go herself instead.<\/p>\n
She was only expecting to have to deal with the emotional fallout of the vision though; she had no idea that Cordelia\u2019s physical health wasn\u2019t what it should be. Knowing that her friend could be seriously stubborn when she put her mind to it, she decided to go for the blunt approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cWere you planning to tell anyone that they were getting worse? Or were you just going to wait until your head exploded or something?\u201d she asked, startling Cordelia into dropping the half-empty glass of water into the sink.<\/p>\n
The glass shattered as it hit the porcelain and Cordelia winced in pain as the sharp sound reverberated around her throbbing head. She immediately turned a sickly green colour and swayed dangerously on her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeez C, why didn\u2019t you say anything?\u201d Faith exclaimed, rushing forward to steady her woozy friend.<\/p>\n
Cordelia was too overwrought to deny the detrimental effect that the vision had had on her. \u201cIt\u2019s never been this bad before,\u201d she said tearfully as the concerned slayer steered her out of the bathroom and over towards the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they\u2019ve been getting worse, right?\u201d Faith asked as Cordelia curled up on top of the quilt.<\/p>\n
The seer just nodded, wearily closing her eyes as the slayer solicitously tucked a pillow under her head and gently covered her with the patterned throw from the sofa. \u201cAnd you haven\u2019t said anything to Angel about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,he\u2019d only worry unnecessarily and I can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t look like you\u2019re handling it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be okay in a little while,\u201d Cordelia replied. She opened her eyes and looking pleadingly at her friend. \u201cYou can\u2019t tell Angel, Faith. You know what he\u2019s like.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith did, but the situation was way too serious to keep from the vampire. \u201cC \u2013 I\u2019m sorry but you have to tell him. If the visions are affecting you this badly, then he needs to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it might just be a one-off,\u201d Cordelia protested half-heartedly. \u201cHe\u2019ll freak, you know he will. He\u2019ll probably try and force the PTB\u2019s to give the visions to someone else or something, and I need to do this, Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI need there to be more to my life than just being Angel\u2019s girlfriend. I can\u2019t explain it, but this \u2013 helping people in this way \u2013 it just feels so right inside. You can understand that, can\u2019t you? It\u2019s not like you would ever walk away from being a slayer, now is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith got the point, but that didn\u2019t mean she was comfortable with hiding things from Angel, so she tried a different tack. \u201cLook, I don\u2019t know all the ins and outs of what\u2019s been going on between you and the vamp-man lately. But I get the impression that many of your problems could have been avoided if you\u2019d just talked to each other. Do you really think keeping this from him is a good idea?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia flushed guiltily as that struck home. She and Angel had promised to be honest with each other from now on, and here she was slipping back into the same pattern of behaviour that had caused them such heartache in the first place. If things carried on like this, she wouldn\u2019t be able to hide the increasingly debilitating effects of the visions anyway. What was the point in prolonging the inevitable? She would have to tell him sooner or later.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right,\u201d she whispered. \u201cI\u2019ll tell him – just not right now, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cC\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has to save that girl and her baby first, Faith. He has to. I\u2019ll tell him as soon as they\u2019re safe, I promise.I just don\u2019t want anything to distract him from rescuing them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right,\u201d Faith reluctantly agreed, getting up from where she was perched on the edge of the mattress. Cordelia pushed the throw aside and sat up, obviously planning to get up as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cC, I think you should rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m okay \u2013 the painkillers are starting to kick in now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut no-one\u2019s going to think anything of it if you lie down for a while. They all saw how traumatic your vision was.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel will,\u201d Cordelia replied. \u201cHe\u2019ll think it strange that I don\u2019t want to help with the research. Besides, you think I\u2019m going to leave him unattended when Buffy is trying to sink her claws into him again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know you don\u2019t have anything to worry about on that score, C.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe but that doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m gonna let her get away with making moves on my<\/i> man.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOo \u2013 territorial, aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToo right! Angel is mine<\/i>, and once he\u2019s told her to take a running jump, I\u2019m going to make damn sure Little Miss Cuckoo-in-the-Nest knows it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith grinned wickedly. \u201cWhy wait?\u201d she asked. She figured a short, sharp kick up the ass would knock some well-needed sense into her fellow slayer.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I promised Angel,\u201d Cordelia replied with a grimace. \u201cPart of the peace negotiations after last night\u2019s debacle,\u201d she explained as she carefully re-applied her make-up, trying to make herself look marginally presentable.<\/p>\n
Under her expert hand, the dark smudges ringing her eyes vanished and her pale face took on a deceptively healthy glow. She still felt like death warmed up, but at least she no longer looked like it. She brushed her hair and smoothed down her denim skirt, then purposely squared her shoulders, getting ready to face the world again.<\/p>\n
Faith watched this little performance with a heavy heart. The huge amount of effort that her friend put into the illusion that everything was okay was extremely telling. A knotted ball of fear formed in the pit of the slayer\u2019s stomach \u2013 something told her that things were going to get a whole lot worse before they got better.<\/p>\n
Downstairs, both Willow and Wesley were hard at work, the witch hunched over her laptop and the ex-watcher leafing through the books on the table in front of him. Buffy and Riley were sitting at a table nearby, talking quietly to each other, while Angel sat at the bar counter, his handsome face clouded with worry and concern. When the two women re-entered the bar area, he quickly crossed the room to join them.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you okay?\u201d he asked, rubbing his hand up and down Cordelia\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d she reassured him, reaching up to touch his face. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I yelled at you. Seeing what that thing did to that girl and her baby\u2026 it just got to me, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel nodded and hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her close. He ducked his head and kissed her. \u201cWe\u2019ll save them, I promise,\u201d he vowed when they separated.<\/p>\n
Cordelia nodded and snuggled closer to him as they sat down together on the edge of the stage. She was so tired; it was difficult to keep her eyes open. Secure in her boyfriend\u2019s strong, loving embrace, she kept drifting off until eventually Angel insisted that she take a proper nap and carried her upstairs to their room. When she awoke a few hours later, she felt much better, despite her lingering headache and inexplicably aching limbs.<\/p>\n
For the others though, the day was spent in fruitless research, until, just as darkness approached, they finally had the all-important breakthrough.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I might have something,\u201d Willow announced.<\/p>\n
She showed Cordelia a web page for a company called \u2018Wrights and Sons Confectionary,\u2019 and pointed to the red, white and blue logo in the top right corner. \u201cIs that it?\u201d she asked. \u201cIt seems to fit everything you said.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia bent to take a closer look and then nodded. \u201cYeah, I think that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt says that they have premises down at the Docks, near Pier Seven,\u201d Willow told them and then looked over at Angel. \u201cYou know where that is?\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire nodded and strode over to where Wesley was sitting poring over his books. Faith followed him, while Cordelia sank wearily into the chair next to Willow.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything yet?\u201d the vampire asked his friend.<\/p>\n
The ex-watcher spread his hands and shrugged. \u201cNothing specific \u2013 unfortunately, foetal-snatchers appear to be rather prevalent in the demon world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is so disgusting,\u201d Faith commented with a shudder.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes but there is some, admittedly abhorrent, logic behind it. An unborn infant \u2013 especially a human child \u2013 is a symbol of pure innocence, you see. Along with virgins, they\u2019re prime candidates for ritual sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel looked over at Cordelia, weighing up their options. Despite her insistence that she was fine, he could tell she was still pretty shaken up by her vision ordeal. \u201cI don\u2019t think we can afford to wait any longer,\u201d he decided. \u201cWe need to go and check this place out, find that pregnant woman and get her to safety before anything untoward happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded in agreement. \u201cYou\u2019re probably safe enough with a standard \u2018slice and dice\u2019 battle plan for now anyway. I\u2019ll call you if I find out anything more. I\u2019d come with you but I\u2019m not exactly battle-ready at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWere you ever?\u201d Faith asked cheekily.<\/p>\n
Wesley deliberately ignored her and continued imparting his quiet instructions to Angel. \u201cGiven the level of violence of the attack, I think you should take Faith and Buffy along with you though.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith felt a sliver of apprehension at that. This would be the first real test of her willpower since she had been exorcised of the Orb\u2019s influence. Would she be able to control her instincts? This demon was legitimate prey, but she was worried that she wouldn\u2019t be able to stop at just the one kill.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Angel said, quickly sensing her misgiving. \u201cAll you have to do is trust in who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith nodded and deliberately squared her shoulders, shaking off her unease.\u201cOkay I\u2019m in,\u201d she said. A beat then, \u201cBut only if I get first pick of the weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a sudden burst of energy, she made a beeline for the huge oblong weapon’s box, which had been pushed away into one corner. Angel followed close on her heels, drawn into the competition despite himself. Noticing the activity, Buffy quickly moved over to join them, not wanting to be left out of any impending action.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe checking out the place Willow found?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYep,\u201d Angel replied as he pulled out his favourite broadsword before Faith could get her hands on it. \u201cTell army boy to stay behind though. He\u2019s a loose cannon and we can\u2019t afford any mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy looked back over her shoulder at Riley, who stood watching them with polite interest. \u201cHe\u2019s not gonna like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t have to like it. He just has to do as he\u2019s told and stay put.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMust be a male thing,\u201d Faith said sardonically.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rampant need to demonstrate superiority at every available opportunity,\u201d the slayer replied. \u201cPublicly smacking the guy down is all very well and good, Angel, but it\u2019ll only cause unnecessary trouble. Can I suggest a more subtle approach instead?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell him you need someone to stay behind to protect C.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProtect her from what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe demon bounty hunters that are after her. There\u2019s a huge reward for anyone who captures the vampire\u2019s seer alive, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat! Why haven\u2019t you told me this before now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think his Mom dropped him on his head as a baby?\u201d Faith said to Buffy with a roll of her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cRelax Angel \u2013 I made it all up. Riley doesn\u2019t have to know that though, does he? Just tell him that we\u2019re keeping it quiet because we don\u2019t want to scare her. In my experience, all would-be heroes are complete suckers for a damsel in distress. I doubt Uncle Sam’s whipping boy over there is any different.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy knew she probably should be objecting to this blatant manipulation of her boyfriend, but the truth was she\u2019d much rather Riley didn\u2019t come along either. She\u2019d made the decision to end their relationship, and yet here she was acting as if everything was fine just to avoid the inevitable scene breaking up with him would cause.<\/p>\n
Being around her soon-to-be ex was growing increasingly awkward as a result, and a little bit of breathing space would be gratefully received. Therefore, she kept quiet as Angel paused to consider Faith\u2019s suggestion. He eventually nodded his head, agreeing to the plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d he said. \u201cHave it your way – just don\u2019t expect me to ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith humphed in disgust at the vampire\u2019s pig-headed contrariness. \u201cGeez! Talk about male pride.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a toss of her head, she strode over to speak to Riley, pulling him into a conspiratorial huddle for dramatic effect. Buffy looked up at Angel with an eager expression on her features.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it crazy that I\u2019m actually looking forward to this?\u201d she asked. \u201cThere\u2019s something so liberating about not having to deal with the situation all by myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGiles, Willow and Xander help you, don\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell yeah \u2013 but they can\u2019t watch my back like you can.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure they manage just fine,\u201d Angel said curtly. \u201cAfter all, you\u2019re not dead yet, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy flushed, cut to the quick by his brusque censure. \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant,\u201d she started to explain but the vampire immediately interrupted her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what you meant, Buffy,\u201d he said sharply. \u201cAnd to be perfectly honest, it\u2019s starting to wear a bit thin. Excuse me \u2013 I need to speak to Cordy.\u201d Humiliated, Buffy looked down at the floor as Angel brushed past her and crossed the room towards his girlfriend.<\/p>\n
Hunkering down next to Cordelia\u2019s chair, he leaned in close to speak to her, resting one arm along the chair back as he murmured quietly in her ear. The seer nodded a couple of times in response to what her boyfriend was saying, and then tilted her face upwards to accept his kiss as he bridged the small gap between them, and pressed his lips to hers.<\/p>\n
Although relatively chaste, the kiss was lingering, their mouths coming together several times before they reluctantly drew apart. Angel straightened up and strode away to rejoin the two slayers on the other side of the room, while Cordelia watched him go, a wistful smile on her beautiful face. She was all too aware that, when he returned, she was going to have to approach the difficult subject of her declining health with him and she wasn\u2019t exactly looking forward to the conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cTold you he\u2019d buy it,\u201d Faith told Angel as Riley moved to take up guard duty over an oblivious Cordelia. \u201cAm I good or what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm,\u201d the vampire replied noncommittally.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow all we\u2019ve got to do is get C to flutter her eyelashes at him a few times, and he\u2019ll never know he\u2019s been had,\u201d Faith continued in a deliberately airy tone. \u201cShall I go and make sure she plays her part?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s necessary,\u201d Angel answered, quickly catching her upper arm in an iron grip.<\/p>\n
\u201cRiley\u2019s not the only one who\u2019s a complete sucker,\u201d Faith commented with a wide grin.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re so not funny,\u201d Angel said witheringly as he released her from his hold. Faith laughed as they turned and headed up the stairs – with Buffy trailing along behind them.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what\u2019s the plan?\u201d Faith asked, as the three of them emerged onto the dark street and made their way over to Angel\u2019s Plymouth.<\/p>\n
The vampire shrugged. \u201cWe\u2019ve not got much to go on, so I guess we just play it by ear. Let\u2019s concentrate on finding the girl and getting her and her baby to safety. We\u2019ll worry about eliminating the demon later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay boss.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Faith agilely vaulted over the car door and into the backseat, a strangely silent Buffy ensconced herself in the passenger seat alongside Angel. As the car gathered speed, it didn\u2019t take the brunette slayer long to notice the stretched-taut tension between her two companions in the front-seat, and she groaned inwardly.<\/p>\n
Uh-oh! Here we go,<\/i> she thought, closing her eyes in resignation.<\/p>\n
Buffy sat primly in her seat, a lethal-looking crossbow resting in her lap and a picture of wounded innocence painted across her pretty face. Angel, meanwhile, was pointedly ignoring her, keeping his eyes firmly on the road as he carefully manoeuvred the Plymouth through the early evening traffic.<\/p>\n
Faith could see the gathering storm rapidly approaching. Whether it would explode before, during, or after their mission of mercy though, was anyone\u2019s guess.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need any help with that?\u201d Laura Geddes asked her heavily pregnant work colleague.<\/p>\n
Simone Fairfax adjusted the plastic baby-bath under her right arm and scooped up her bag with her left hand. \u201cNo, I think I\u2019m right,\u201d she said with a smile. \u201cThanks for everything, Laura. You\u2019ve been great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laura reached out and lightly embraced her friend. \u201cYou take care of yourself and the little one, okay? I know you \u2013 you\u2019ll be rearranging the furniture tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simone laughed. \u201cAs if,\u201d she said, smoothing her hand over her extremely prominent bump. \u201cI\u2019ve not seen my feet for like months.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure you call me if you need anything, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Simone nodded, touched by the older woman\u2019s continuing kindness. Laura had been a tower of strength since she\u2019d found herself pregnant and alone; she didn\u2019t know what she\u2019d have done without her support. Although she knew that they would stay in touch, she was really going to miss having Laura to talk to every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay \u2013 time to go,\u201d she said, suddenly filled with apprehension.<\/p>\n
This was it \u2013 she was going on maternity leave, a few weeks and she\u2019d be a mother. She alone would be responsible for the tiny, helpless creature currently using her bladder as a trampoline. It was exciting but also as scary as hell. Luckily for her, her small circle of friends had been nothing but supportive since Micheal had abandoned her, and her sister \u2013 god love her \u2013 had uprooted her whole life and moved to LA to help out.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,I\u2019ve always wanted to live in LA,\u201d Carla had insisted with her typical optimism, when she\u2019d turned up unannounced on Simone\u2019s doorstep a couple of months ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cJesus girl! Check out those hormones,\u201d she added as Simone immediately dissolved into floods of grateful tears.<\/p>\n
She had to smile; Carla never let anything get her down. She was so laid-back, she was practically horizontal, and yet she had this quiet strength that made you feel like you could climb mountains. She was just what Simone needed at the moment. What\u2019s more, she knew that once she\u2019d adjusted to being a single mother, her sister would simply step back and let her get on with it.<\/p>\n
That was Carla all over – she had the ability to organise and support without completely taking over, which was probably why she made such an excellent youth counsellor. She had quickly found a job at a nearby shelter for street-kids, run by a kindred spirit named Anne, and had settled into her new life in LA with consummate ease.<\/p>\n
Suddenly bone-weary and desperate to put her feet up, Simone exited the building by the side entrance and walked \u2013 or rather waddled \u2013 in the direction of her car. As soon as she stepped away from the safety of her workplace though, she felt the now familiar chill run down her spine.<\/p>\n
For weeks now, she\u2019d been sure someone was watching her, but when she turned around no one was there. It was spooky and very unsettling. Out of habit, she checked behind her and sure enough, the parking lot was deserted. When she turned back around however, three strangers stood before her, seemingly having appeared out of nowhere. She nearly went into labour on the spot when she saw the wicked-looking weapons they were carrying.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, we\u2019re not going to hurt you,\u201d the only male of the trio quietly assured her. His companions were two young women, one brunette, the other blonde, but both radiating the same strange unearthly power.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah right,\u201d Simone replied, eyeing their weaponry apprehensively.<\/p>\n
The man attempted to conceal his massive sword behind his back then, and Simone almost laughed at the sheer ridiculousness of the gesture.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just want to help you, I swear,\u201d he said, his chocolate-brown eyes holding her captive.<\/p>\n
There was something in his earnest manner that made her believe him and she relaxed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re being watched, aren\u2019t you?\u201d he continued, and she nodded. How the hell did he know that?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cWe were sent here to protect you,\u201d he replied, partly answering her silent question.<\/p>\n
\u201cProtect me from what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cErr \u2013 I think that,\u201d the brunette woman suddenly said, pointing to something behind Simone as she swiftly raised her weapon.<\/p>\n
Her heart in her throat, Simone looked over her shoulder \u2013 and screamed in terror\u2026<\/p>\n
TBC…<\/b><\/p>\n