Thirteen (Otherworld 13)

For now, it didn't matter who these guys were, only that they could be from a Cabal, meaning very well armed and very well organized.

To the van, then. First, though, to Will and Jake. We weren't getting far without those keys. We also weren't getting far with that big-ass sword glowing like a neon sign on Mom's back.

"I can do that," she said when I suggested a blur spell. "But it's still going to show in the dark. I should go back for the case . . ."

She squinted into the gloom of the warehouse.

"The glow doesn't penetrate far," I said. "Just use the blur."

She shook her head. "You go. I'll distract and slow them down."

"No--"

"Yes." Her tone changed to one I remembered well, the one that said I wasn't having cookies before dinner and if I kept bugging her I wasn't having cookies at all. "I'll be right behind you, baby. Remember, the worst thing they can do to me is send me back where I came from." She touched my cheek. "As much as I love being here with you . . ."

"You want to go back."

She blinked. "I didn't mean that. Only that--"

"Yes, Mom. You want to go back. Not this second, but eventually." I managed a wry smile. "I'm a big girl. I can handle that. Your life is there. He--Dad's there."

She paused. "I don't think I've ever heard you call him that."

I hadn't. But from the look on her face, I should have. Even if Kristof wasn't "Dad" to me, that is what he was to her--father of her child, love of her life. She loved me, too, but he was there and her life was there, and she knew I was fine without her. We were fine without each other.

"This is my fault," she said. "I should have made you leave with Jaime. I was being selfish. I wanted more time with you."

I hugged her.

"I'm sorry, baby," she whispered. "I shouldn't have let you stay when it wasn't safe."

"I wouldn't have gone." I pulled back and kissed her cheek. "Try not to get killed too quickly, okay? I could do with a little more Mom time." I paused to clear my clogged throat. "But I'll understand if I don't get it."

She squeezed me. "I'll always find a way to stay in touch, no matter what happens."

"Good."

Another moment, lingering there, hugging each other. Then she sent me on my way.

SEVENTEEN

We should have left a trail of bread crumbs. All I had to see by was a light ball the size of a spark. I didn't want to risk a bigger one.

As for how Mom would distract our attackers, I expected a whole lot of banging and shouting and maybe some shooting. I heard nothing. Not even the sound of footsteps, which meant they weren't coming after me. Whatever she was doing, it was working.

I found Jake and Will after checking only two refuse piles. I motioned for silence, then whispered our plan.

"You can stay here if you want," I said. "When that van leaves, they'll figure we're all in it."

"I need a doctor," Will said. "You're going to get me out of here, then you're going to take me to a clinic for half-demons over on--"

"You're not giving orders--"

"Did you forget about these?" He dangled the keys he must have taken from Jake.

I snatched them from his hand. "Thank you. Now come with us or stay behind. Your choice."

He came. So did Jake, who was still too lost in grief to question anything.