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Outside of the windows, she heard a roar and whipped her head to the sound. Were there dragons on this side? She’d read about them, and although she trusted Phury that she was safe herein, she worried at the perils of what she could not see.

Mayhap that was merely the wind? She’d read about it before, but she could not be sure.

Reaching out, she picked up a satin pillow that had tassels at each of its four corners. Holding it to her chest, she stroked one of the silky tails, trying to calm herself with the feel of the strands sliding through her hand over and over again.

This was her punishment, she thought as she felt the room press in upon her and overwhelm her eyes. This was the result of her wanting to leave the Other Side and find her way independently.

She was now where she had prayed to be.

And all she wanted was to go home.

Chapter Forty-five

Jane sat in her kitchen nook with a cold mug in front of her. Across the street the sun was coming up, its rays twinkling through the branches of the trees. Vishous had left about twenty minutes ago, and before he took off he’d made her the cocoa she’d just finished.

She missed him with an ache that made no sense, considering how much time they’d spent together during the night. After V had spoken with Manny, he’d come back and reassured her that her boss was still alive with all his limbs attached. Then he’d wrapped his arms around her and held her…and made love to her. Twice.

It was just now he was gone, and the sun had to drop like a stone before she saw him again.

Sure, there were phones and e-mail and texting, and they would meet up tonight. It didn’t feel like enough, though. She wanted to sleep beside him, and not only for a few hours before he had to go fight or headed back to his house.

And speaking of logistics…what did she do about the opportunity at Columbia? It was farther away from him, but did that matter? He could travel anywhere at a moment’s notice. Still, it seemed like a bad idea to be too far away. After all, he’d already been shot once. What if he needed her? She couldn’t very well poof to his side.

Except then what was she going to do about running her own shop? The need to lead was part of her chemical makeup, and going down to Columbia remained her best bet, even though it could be five years or so before she was up for a chairmanship.

Assuming they still wanted to interview her. Assuming she got the job.

Jane looked at the cold mug with its chocolate-streaked insides.

The idea that came to her was nuts. Absolutely nuts. And she pushed it away as evidence that her head wasn’t quite back on track.

Getting up from the table, she put the mug in the dishwasher, and went to shower and change. A half hour later she pulled out of her garage, and as she headed off, a minivan was turning into the short driveway next door.

A family. Great.

Luckily, the trip downtown was smooth sailing. There was little traffic as she shot down Trade Street, and she hit every light on green until she got to the one opposite the Caldwell Courier Journal’s offices.

As she came to a stop her cell phone went off. No doubt her on-call service.

“Whitcomb.”

“Hello, Doctor. It’s your man.”

She smiled. A big, shit-eating grin. “Hi.”

“Hi.” There was a muffled shifting of sheets, like V was turning over in bed. “Where are you?”

“On the way to work. Where are you?”

“On my back.”

Oh, Jesus, she could just imagine how good he looked in his black sheets.

“So…Jane?”

“Yes?”

His voice dropped low. “What are you wearing?”

“Scrubs.”

“Mmmmm. That’s sexy.”

She laughed. “They’re one step up from wearing a sack.”

“Not on you they’re not.”

“What are you wearing?”

“Nothing…and guess where my hand is, Doctor.”

The light changed, and Jane had to remember how to drive. In a breathless voice she said, “Where?”

“Between my legs. Can you guess what it’s on?”

Oh…sweet…Jesus. As she hit the gas, she said, “What?”

He answered her and she nearly drove into a parked car. “Vishous…”

“Tell me what to do, Doctor. Tell me what