The Rising (Darkness Rising 3)

I clutched the bowl and retched again.

"This isn't like Annabella," Antone said. "Maya's still woozy and confused from the drugs. You just showed her photos of her best friend being hit by a car. You suggested he's dead. Combine that with everything she's gone through and she overreacted. That's all."

"No, she's reverting. This isn't like Annabella because your daughter isn't like Annabella. Those scientists predicted that the effects of the reversion would depend on the base personality. According to Annabella's brother, she was a sweet, quiet girl. Your daughter is not."

Before Antone could answer, Nast started out the door. "You need to control her, Calvin. We have two other skin-walkers in custody and another nearby. We don't need four of them."

NINETEEN

ANTONE TRIED TO CALM me down after that, to convince me Nast's threat was empty. But that threat was the last thing on my mind. I was freaked out about what I'd just done--that rage-blind attack on Nast. Was it a sign that I was reverting? Of course Nast would say that--another reason for me to need his Cabal. I couldn't put too much stock in his diagnosis.

My real worry was the guys. For now, I had to trust Ash was long gone, out of danger. I had to trust Daniel could look after himself. I had to believe he was fine, just battered and bruised and holed up some

where with Corey. The alternative? I couldn't even think of the alternative.

When Antone finally left, I didn't really notice. The next thing I knew, I was being bowled over by a furry cannonball.

I looked up to see a German shepherd looming over me.

"Kenjii!"

I hugged her so tight she wriggled until I let go, then she bathed my face with her tongue, shoving me back on the bed every time I tried to get up. Finally I pushed her away, laughing.

"Now that's a sound I like to hear," said a voice. "I just hope I get the same reception as the dog."

I looked up to see a guy my age, with straight dark hair down to his collar, amber eyes dancing with a grin that turned an ordinary face gorgeous. Nast had said they had two other skin-walkers in custody, but I'd been too shocked over Daniel to process what that meant.

I launched myself at Rafe. He caught me and hugged me as tightly as I'd hugged Kenjii.

"You okay?" he whispered as he let me go.

I thought of Daniel and could only nod, gaze dropping. He lifted my chin and I knew he was going to kiss me but I backed off, still holding his hands, struggling to smile.

"Maya?"

Rafe stepped toward me. I retreated to the bed and collapsed there. Kenjii lay down with her head on my lap. Rafe reached to move the papers on the bed aside. Then he saw what they were. The photos. He leafed through them, once quickly, then slower, before he sucked in breath and swore.

"That's . . ."

I nodded.

"He was . . ."

I nodded again.

"When?"

"Yesterday."

"Is he . . . okay?"

"I don't know," I said. "They haven't found him."

Rafe sat on the edge of the bed with me.

Rafe set the photos aside, facedown. "They're lying. They doctored photos to spook you."

"I don't think so."