I half expected Barton to post a twenty-four-hour orderly on my door, so I was both surprised and happy to see Mildred after nightfall.

"What time is it?" I asked when she walked into the room.

Mildred cocked her head to the side and looked behind me. "Just past 1:00 a.m."

If I didn't know for a fact that the wall behind me was empty, I would've sworn she'd just looked at a clock. Maybe in her mind, she had. I didn't know how she did it. She must have some kind of internal timepiece.

"Anyone around?"

She shook her head. "The place is empty. All the staff is, as usual, either asleep or otherwise entertained."

"Hank and Larry?" I asked, nervous about the two orderlies. Out of all the orderlies, they were the most vicious and the ones I wanted to steer clear of. I'd had my fill of ice baths, padded rooms, and restraints.

"Both sound asleep at their desks. I passed them just a few minutes ago. You could hear their snores all the way down the hall." She looked me up and down. "No hospital gown."

I looked down at my sweats and T-shirt. It felt good to be in real clothes again. "I'm still not sure if I should be happy about it or worried."

"You told them you're a death dealer."

The hospital rumor mill churned faster than I imagined. "You heard?"

"It's made its way through the place. That and talk of the dead girl out in the forest." Mildred walked over and looked out the window. "She came to you, then?"

"She did. I saw the face of her killer, but I don't think it's going to help us. According to the nurse, the girl went missing twenty years ago."

"That's a long time ago."

"It is. Look, I know you want to stop these killings, but I still think our best course of action is to get the heck out of here while we still can. I don't know what Barton has planned for me."

She turned back toward me. "Lightning therapy. I saw it myself on a pad in his office—you're scheduled to have the procedure again in two days."

It was clear Barton hadn't wanted to believe I was a death dealer, but the confirmation that he was going to go through with the therapy still came as a shock. They'd found a body in the woods. How could I be lying?

There was no way I was going through treatment again. "We've got to get out of here."

She gave me a wide smile. "So our escape is on?"

"Tomorrow night."

She rubbed her hands together. "I admit, child, I wouldn't mind getting out of this place. I've been in here a long time, and I'm tired of always turning around and seeing white coats and uniforms."

I couldn't agree with her more.

We headed down the halls. There was no one to stop us, and we made our way without any problems to Luke's room. Mildred left me at the door, promising to come back when the staff started to stir.

This time when I entered, Luke was sitting on the bed, leafing through a book. He got to his feet.

I wanted to rush into his arms and tell him how much I had missed him, but instead I found myself standing there, feeling awkward. For the first time, I was acutely aware that Dean was somewhere in there, listening.

We stood there looking at each other, and then Luke moved toward me. He reached out and pulled me into an embrace. "Mildred told me they had you in restraints again." His arms tightened around me.

It felt so good to be in his arms. "They let me out. That's all that matters."

His hand came up and caressed the back of my hair. I closed my eyes and listened to his heartbeat.

He moved back. I opened my eyes and found myself staring into his eyes. His head came down within inches of mine.

The eyes looking at me were gray, but I had stared into that face earlier today when Dean's blue eyes had stared back at me. It had all been so much easier when Dean had been nothing more than an empty shell. A means to an end. But now Dean was now a walking, talking person—a person currently somewhere deep inside of Luke.

He'd just captured my lips with his when I pushed him away.

"What's wrong?" Luke asked.

I knew that look. Those dark eyes stared at me, trying to puzzle out what I was thinking. Those dark eyes—not blue eyes. Luke remained in control at the moment.

Luke is who you're talking to now, not Dean.

I couldn't tell him what I was really thinking. It wasn't his fault this whole situation had gotten more complicated. "Nothing's wrong, I'm just tired. They found a girl in the woods."

I told him about my sudden urge to go into the woods, about finding Gloria's bones, and about the vision I had of her murder.

Luke looked concerned when I finally finished. "Twenty years?" His expression turned thoughtful. "The killer had a neck tattoo. That would be easy to spot. There is something about that tattoo that sounds familiar."

"Have you seen someone with it?" I asked excitedly.

"No, I don't think I've seen anyone in here with that tattoo, but I swear I've seen it or heard about it before."

"Andrew's vision was so similar to mine, but in his he saw a boy's murder. He thinks the boy's death happened a long time ago. I'm wondering if it happened around the same time Gloria was killed." It had to be the same man, someone who had some connection to this place. "How hard it would be to try and conceal such a big tattoo around your neck."

Luke walked over to the window and looked out. I moved next to him and followed his gaze, seeking the dark wood. The police cars were gone. They must have removed all the bones. Had being found given the girl's spirit any closure? I put my hand in Luke's. He turned and gave me a smile.

I spoke the one thought that had been pounding through my head all day. "Luke, we have to escape tomorrow night."

A look of concern replaced his smile. "I agree."

I blinked, surprised by his quick response. "You do?"

"Mildred told me you came clean about being a death dealer."

It was the one secret I had hoped to never reveal in this place. "I thought I had no choice. I actually believed that if Barton knew I wasn't unbalanced, he would stop the—" I couldn't say the words lightning therapy. Just thinking about the words made me want to run.

"She told me you're scheduled for another shock treatment. The doctor doesn't care about anyone's sanity. He's a twisted guy who's in love with the power he has in this place." He caressed my cheek. "We need to go tomorrow night."

"Do you think you're up to it?"

"I'll have to be."

I wanted to tell him the rest of it—about the killer eating Gloria's beating heart—but I couldn't. Luke already worried too much about my safety. It tortured him that he couldn't be with me during the day to protect me. I wanted all his concentration focused on our escape. It was our one chance. With any luck, we'd be out of here by tomorrow night. The murders, the sadistic staff would be behind us in twenty-four hours. We just had to keep our focus on getting out of here.

Luke let go of my hand and walked slowly across the room. He stopped midway and pointed to the side table. "Your new friend left something for you."

My new friend? I walked over to the table to see a pile of twenty-dollar bills lying on the tabletop. And next to the money was a folded piece of paper. I picked up the paper and started reading.

"The money is for you."

He's talking about Dean.

Even their handwriting was different. The writing on the note was slanted and wider than Luke's.

Colina,

I asked my mom for some money. I hope it's enough. Don't do anything foolish. Stay safe.

Dean

"I take it you guys are best buds now." Luke sounded jealous.

I put the note down and glanced at him. His arms were crossed. "We met in the common room and then a few times in the cafeteria. He tried to stop me when I lost it in the garden."

I couldn't read his expression when he asked, "What's he like?"

I wasn't sure how to answer that. Dean seemed like a sweet guy, but there was something about him I just didn't trust. He was being so helpful, but why? Why was he so concerned about coming with us during our escape? He could have gotten out of this place and been free of it all with his mother's help.

I shrugged. "Dean seems alright."

Luke's dark eyes narrowed. "I don't like you spending so much time with this guy."

"It's not like I have much of a choice."

Luke drew close and wrapped his arms around my waist.

I leaned into him, and he whispered in my ear, "I hate it that he can hear us even now. But when the two of you are together, I can't hear anything."

I spun around, "You're jealous."

I couldn't help but smile at his reaction. I knew he cared about me, and I didn't blame him for being jealous. If the tables were turned, I knew I would be upset about him spending so much time with another girl. But I wasn't sure what I could say to alleviate his concerns.

His expression turned serious. "We don't know anything about this guy." Luke brushed some loose tendrils of hair behind my ears. "I just wish I knew about his people. I've heard about his guild—the Garmr—but the Phoenix Guild has never socialized with them."

"Death dealers aren't big on barn dances and festivals?" I tried to lighten the conversation.

He laughed. "No, not like the healer clan festivals I've heard about."

The clan festivals. For the first time in a long time, happy images slid across my mind. "People from all over come together. Sometimes hundreds of people attend. Dozens of clans."

"I somehow don't think a gathering of dozens of death dealer guilds would run so smoothly."

"There are occasional brawls, but most of the time it's all in good fun. No one ever truly gets hurt. But then again, healer clans don't do war magic."

He gave me a half grin. "What, no banshees swirl around when everyone starts fighting?"

I smiled at the thought. "None of that. Mostly fistfights and a few headlocks."

"It sounds fun."

"It was." My thoughts went to my clan. To the family I had left.

Where would we go once, we left this place? My clan would never accept me, not the way I was now. They wouldn't understand what I'd become.

Will Luke's guild accept him now? I looked up at him standing there in front of me. If he left my side, he could go back to the life he had before.

Not true, I corrected myself. I had given him no choice when I brought his spirit from the in between and forced it back into a living body. If he went back to his guild, would they try to force his spirit out and convince him to cross over?

We were both adrift with no clear place to go, no people to look to for support. We were all each other had.

I don't care if Dean can hear us, I thought as I leaned in and pressed my lips against Luke's.

He responded with a kiss that was hard and demanding, but his hands were gentle as they slid across my cheeks and down my neck. And then, ever so slowly, his fingers glided down my body.

I felt lightheaded as his kisses deepened, and then breathless as he reached under my shirt and found naked skin.

When we finally parted, I wasn't the only one breathless.

Luke looked at me with eyes dark full of passion. For a moment, I thought he was going to pull me back into his arms, but instead he took a step back.

I smiled when I noticed his fingers were a bit unsteady as he brushed them through his hair. Whatever I felt when he kissed and touched me, he felt the same.

"You should get back before the orderlies start making rounds," he said.

"You shouldn't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, but you have to keep your guard up." He looked toward the door. "Someone in this place is killing people, and he may be roaming the halls right now, looking for another victim." Luke grabbed my hand and started for the door.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"To Barton's office. Mildred left it open for me earlier tonight. I've been searching through his books," he admitted.

"Looking for what?" When he didn't answer, I guessed. "Are you looking for a spell to try and overcome Dean?" If so, Luke was proclaiming open warfare with Dean. I panicked at the thought.

He opened the door. "I am. I'm still hopeful I can find something we can use."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "But we can't do it now that he's back. He's no longer an empty vessel."

Luke just looked at me without saying a word.

"To...to force him out..." I had a hard time getting the words out. "To take him over fully now that he is back... It would be like murder."

There was a determined look on his face. "If he forces me out, you know the risks. If I leave his body, I'm not coming back. But I'm here now. With you. I promised you I'd do everything in my power to stay here."

"Even if it means taking Dean's life?"

"Yes, if it's a matter of survival. If it comes down to him or me, I'm prepared to do whatever's necessary to stay with you, to protect you." He glanced at my horrified expression and sighed before grabbing my hand. "Look, Colina, I'm hoping it won't come to that. He never finished the trials or his training. He may not be able to force me out even if he wants to."

I had to convince Luke that Dean wasn't our enemy. Dean had lied more than once to save my skin, and he'd tried to protect me from the orderlies in the garden after I found Gloria's remains. "But he agreed to let you stay. He told me he was going to fake a slow recovery so he could keep living here. That he wanted to get strong and escape with me. With us."

"But why would he do that?"

"He... He just..." I honestly didn't know why Dean was so keen to help us. I had no clue why the guy would risk everything to stay in this place when he could just walk out the door with his mom. "I don't know. He mentioned not wanting to leave me alone in here with the killer. He said that if he was around, maybe he could stop the guy from killing again."

"Sounds like a noble guy." Luke's voice dripped with sarcasm.

I continued, ignoring him, "He thinks there might be a spell we could find that would allow you to transfer to someone else without going back into the ether sea first. He's willing to give us time to look for the spell."

Luke frowned. "I haven't come across anything like that in Barton's books. I've never seen a spell like that in my guild's books, either, and my family has an extensive library."

"Dean says he knows some places we can look when we get out of here." I grabbed Luke's arm. "It's a chance. We need to try and see if there's a way for you to find another—"

"Another body to steal.".

"Another home," I corrected, staring into his eyes. "We just need more time."

"It sounds like Dean's laid out a grand plan, and I'm all for it, but I'm going to keep looking for the spell that lets me fully possess him. I want it in case I need it."

There was no use fighting him about it. I could tell by his expression that he had made up his mind, and I wouldn't be changing it. I didn't want Dean to view Luke as his enemy. The only way this weird arrangement would work was if we all worked together.

A cold breeze blew by. Both Luke and I stopped arguing and looked over at the same corner at the same time.

"We're not alone," Luke said.

I nodded and watched as the light flickered overhead.

Luke spoke. "Who are you?"

A bang sounded close by. I jumped at the sound.

"What's your name?" Luke said again.

The breeze swirled around me. There was a tug at my arm, leading me toward the still-closed door to the hallway. Without hesitation, I looked at Luke, opened the door, and walked down the hall, drawn by the spirit.

When I reached Barton's office, ghostly fingers brushed against my arm again. I opened the door, and Luke followed inside. The place looked neat. Piles of paper sat on the desk and a side table. A row of books lined the bookshelf behind the desk.

There was another bang, this time centered over one of the filing cabinets.

Luke walked over and tried the cabinet. "It's locked."

I studied the desk. Only papers that I could see. I opened the top drawer and found a key ring. I tossed it at Luke, and he snatched them out of the air. He tried the first key and shook his head. When he used the second one and the lock turned, he opened the cabinet.

There were manila folders with patient names on them. I joined him, and we stared down at the files. I wondered where to start when one of the folders moved. Papers shuffled, and one of the tabs rose higher than the others.

Luke pulled out the file and opened it. He read through the written notes, charts, and papers, flipping through them until he came across some newspaper clippings.

HOSPITAL MURDERS ran in bold letters across the top of one clipping.

Luke read out loud, "Serial killer in the hospital. A previously non-violent patient in the hospital started killing patients. Authorities apprehended him, but not before he killed nine people. The method of killing was especially grisly, as the murderer often removed the victims' hearts from their bodies."

The girl in the forest, the sound of a beating heart, terrified screams, the killer eating Gloria's heart...

"Does it say anything about him eating hearts or about a blood ceremony?"

Luke gave me a strange look and shook his head. "No. But look, here's a picture of the guy."

"Oh, Goddess. That's him!" The guy I'd seen in my vision. The tattoo circling his neck was clearly visible.

"It says here the guy's name was Henry Weatherton, and he was killed when they were trying to arrest him."

"He's dead?" I'd been so sure he was alive, hidden in one of the solitary rooms.

Luke flipped to another clipping. "Weatherton died twenty years ago."

"Are you sure he's dead?"

"Policeman shot him to death, according to the article. See, it says here, 'Bullet holes riddled Weatherton's body.'"

Another dead end, I thought dejectedly. If he wasn't the murderer, who was? And why were his victims' spirits still seeking closure?

Luke suddenly handed me the folder and hurried over to Barton's desk. He lifted a pile of papers and pulled a notepad out from under them.

He shuffled through the top few pages, explaining as he did so, "I was snooping earlier. Remember how I said the tattoo you described seemed familiar? I couldn't remember why until just now." He stopped flipping through the pages and examined one with concern. Then he turned the pad so I could see.

On the yellow legal pad, someone had drawn a picture of a dragon eating its own tail—Weatherton's tattoo.

* * *

Once back in Luke's room, he turned toward me. "I think we have some time before the witching hour ends."

"Are you getting Mildred's gift of telling time?" I teased.

"I can check the time with my own form of magic." He walked over to the bed and put his hand under the mattress and pulled out a silver watch. "I swiped this from the lost and found."

"Magic, indeed. They have a lost and found?"

"Over in the office by the common room. One of the visitors must have lost it." He held up the watch. "The clasp is broken."

"You might have been caught." It was bad enough remembering when I'd been in restraints and had pills forced down my throat. I didn't want to think about that happening to him.

"I was careful." He tapped on the watch's surface. "We have exactly twenty minutes." He gave me a slow smile. "What can we do to pass the time?"

I recognized that look in his eyes and smiled. "I'm getting pretty good at checkers."

He slowly walked toward me. "Sorry, not a checker in sight."

He made a lunge for me, and I faked trying to get away.

He grabbed me and twirled me around before sliding me down against his body. Our faces were only inches apart. It amazed me how strong he'd gotten in such a short time.

For a brief moment, I hesitated. The face in front of me didn't belong to the guy I had fallen in love with.

But Luke is in there.

I can see the passion he feels for me shining within those gray eyes.

"Say my name." I closed my own eyes.

"Colina," he whispered. His lips were suddenly on mine, his kiss soft and sweet.

I melted against him. His tongue was like velvet against mine. I felt hot and feverish all over. Chills of pleasure raced across my body where his fingers brushed against the bare skin of my neck.

Then his hands moved down my body, and I no longer cared about Dean, about the hospital, about Weatherton.

All that mattered was that the two of us, in this moment, were together.

A part of me wanted to wrap my arms tight around Luke and confessed, I miss you during the day. I need you. Without you by my side I feel incomplete.

But I knew such words would bring with them guilt. On his part for not being able to completely take over Dean's body, on my part for going against the mage world, even nature itself, to keep him by my side.

I had done whatever it took to keep Luke with me and, though a part of me knew I was being incredibly selfish in doing so, I didn't care.

"Say my name again," I begged.

He lifted his lips from my neck, and his voice was husky with desire when he whispered into my ear, "Colina."

He said my name again as he gently pulled my shirt off. I shivered as the cold hit my body, but that wickedly delicious mouth started kissing and licking a trail across my naked skin. I shivered again, but this time not from the chilled air. The cold was forgotten as my body burned with desire.

He repeated my name, and with my eyes tightly shut, I let Luke's voice glide over me as his hands ran across my body.

My breath caught in my throat as those strong fingertips grazed my naked stomach and inched up slowly until they brushed against a nipple. Those clever fingers slid back and forth against the fabric of my bra. His fingers and then his lips teased and tortured my breasts beneath the thin material until my nipples ached. Each touch and kiss sent shivers of pleasure through me. And that pulse of pleasure built and built until it finally erupted into a pulsating throb between my legs.

He seemed to enjoy torturing me. Each caress made me arch and twist against him. He hungrily captured each moan of pleasure unconsciously uttered from my lips.

Suddenly, he ended the kiss, grabbed me, and lifted me up onto the windowsill. My naked back made contact with the cold glass, but I was anything but cold, consumed with the feel of Luke's body against mine.

I felt overheated, over-excited, like I might not be able to take another moment when a wave of desire shattered me, sending my body arching upward. My eyes remained closed when I felt myself lifted and then gently lowered onto the bed.

"Open your eyes," he murmured.

I shook my head.

"Colina, I want you to look at me."

I opened my eyes. His face was inches from mine, so close I could see my own reflection in that dark gaze.

He slid into me, and he at first moved slowly. Until I begged him to move faster and harder. I hissed at him to finish me, take me. To ride me, bring me over the edge and help me find that final all-encompassing sweet release as those waves of desire crashed over me again and again.

He rode me with desperation, his body commanding mine until every thought, emotion, and sensation was only of him.

I felt on the brink of release. My fingertips pressed hard against his back as I cried Luke's name and heard him say mine when our bodies came together in that final moment of ecstasy.

And then he lay against me, and I brushed my hands through his hair and prayed to the universe to let us stay together like this forever.

* * *

I opened my eyes, and for a moment I didn't know where I was. My mind was groggy with sleep.

My head rested against Luke's chest. His arms wrapped around me. I must have fallen asleep. I lay there listening to his heartbeat, enjoying the feel of his body against mine.

I wasn't sure of the time. I raised my head, but before I could say a word, his mouth captured mine.

A rush of heat raced through me as we kissed. The kiss deepened, and my body hummed in response. But there was something about it that didn't feel quite right. I pulled away and looked into blue eyes. Dean.

Shocked, I pushed myself upright and tried to get off the bed.

"Wait, Colina—" Dean made a grab for me.

I wasn't really thinking, just reacting. I slapped him hard across the face.

He sat up and rubbed his cheek then gave me a wide smile. "You can't blame a guy for trying."

"Why did you do that?" I yelled.

"Seemed like a good idea at the time."

"I'm with Luke!"

"Luke is dead."

I flinched as though he'd struck me. "You don't know what you're talking about." I turned away.

He left the bed and spun me around. "I know you loved him, but you have to let him go."

I jerked my arm away. "Never."

We stood there staring at each other before he touched his lips. "I know you felt something when I kissed you."

I didn't answer him. When he'd kissed me, I'd kissed him back because I'd felt something. Even as the thought surfaced, I pushed it away. I thought he was Luke, that's all.

I stared at him, not sure what to say.

He gave me a sheepish smile when he realized I wasn't going to answer. "I'm sorry about the kiss. It was an impulsive thing to do."

Dean was only supposed to come out in the daytime...

I spun around and looked at the window in horror. Sunlight streamed through the glass. "Why didn't Mildred come get me?" I tried not to give in to my rising panic.

"It's still early. Maybe you can sneak back to your room before anyone notices you're gone."

The watch Luke had found sat on the table next to the bed. I made a grab for it and grimaced once I read its face. "It's six o'clock. The nurse will be here any moment. One might have already come into my room."

Dean went to the door and opened it. He popped his head out, looked right and left and then looked back at me. "Coast is clear. Can you get back into your room?"

"Mildred doesn't lock the doors behind us, not until we make our way back," I thought quickly out loud. "They should still all be unlocked between here and there."

"Good. Stay here for a few minutes, then head out as fast as you can."

"What are you going to do?"

He gave me a smile. "I'm going to create a diversion."

I took a step forward into the hall. "If you get caught, they'll throw you into restraints, maybe even drug you."

"If you survived it, so can I. If they catch me, they'll go easy on me since it's my first offense."

"Why are you doing this?"

"I don't want to see you get hurt," he said with obvious sincerity. "Besides, how often does a guy get to play knight in shining armor?" He smiled shyly, his face transformed by boyish charm, which quickly faded into a look of determination. "Give me five minutes and then get back to your room. Got it?"

"Dean," I called after his retreating figure.

He returned to the doorway.

"Be careful."

He raised his hand tohis cheek, still red from where I'd hit him, and smirked. "If I didn't know youbetter, I might think you actually care." Then he turned and ran down thehallway, singing at the top of his lungs.

***