"Please?" I looked up at him. "Just check. Jaime's right here. She can watch me for ten seconds while you check."
He shook his head, but climbed out of bed and headed for the adjoining door. When he went through, he left it ajar behind him. I motioned Jaime over. She hesitated. I gestured urgently, my other hand pointing at the open door. She crossed to the side of the bed.
"Meet me outside," I said. "Under the terrace. Ten minutes."
She frowned and opened her mouth, but Nick's return cut her short.
"So you're coming back to Stonehaven with us?" I said to her.
She paused, then nodded.
"Good."
"I--" She looked over at Nick. "I guess I'll go pack then."
I nodded and waited for her to leave, then let Nick give me the non-update.
There were two ways to get past Nick. Prey on his trusting nature and trick him, or clock him over the head and run. I picked option two. Less cruel. I've tricked Nick before. More than once. Given the choice between betrayal and a potential concussion, he'd pick the latter.
So, when he wasn't looking, I grabbed my hairbrush. As he turned, I hit him. He hesitated, and for one terrible moment I thought it hadn't worked. Then he slumped to the bed.
I checked his breathing and his pupils, making sure the blow hadn't been too hard. Then I lifted him into the bed and stuffed the pillows under the covers beside him, making a human-sized figure. It wouldn't trick Antonio when he came to collect us, but it would probably pass muster if he just glanced in the door to check.
Next: shoes and cell phone. Then I was out the door.
Summoned
I WALKED OUT INTO THE NIGHT. JAIME WAS WAITING UNDER the hotel terrace, tucked between two half-dead spruce trees. When I approached, she didn't move, as if wondering whether she was well enough concealed just to stay there and avoid me.
"I need you to help me find Hull," I said.
She nodded, no surprise in her eyes.
"You said you can call a zombie if you have something of hers. Would a finger work?"
She only stood there, worrying her rings, trying to avoid my eyes.
"We can't do this, Elena," she said finally. "I can't. I know you want to, but you're not thinking clearly and--"
"Not thinking clearly?"
I strode up in front of her. Jaime stepped back, eyes widening in alarm. The second I saw that look, I stopped and stared at her. In her eyes I saw more than alarm. I saw fear.
"You're worried about what Jeremy will say," I said.
She shook her head. "No. Well, yes. But that's not my main concern. Not really a concern at all. It's pointless anyway."
She looked so sad then, so deflated, that a twinge of conscience pierced my determination. I shouldn't drag her into this. But I couldn't find Hull on my own. Or could I?
"Stay here." I started to walk away, hesitated, then said, "No, come with me. It's safer."
When she hesitated, I strode off. No time to cajole her. After a moment, I heard her footsteps jog up behind me.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.
"Scouting the perimeter."
"For Hull?"