So, Zed, isn’t this a killer outfit?”“Certainly a killer, baby.”“Good, because I’ve bought another five just like it.”“You horrible, teasing fairy. If you really have more of those fashion disasters in your bags, I’m gonna hang you on top of the family Christmas tree in December.

Glancing in through the open door to Xav’s room, I saw Zed stretched out on the queen mattress, his arm hugging a pillow as if he felt Sky’s absence at his side.

Oh my gosh, don’t you both look pretty!” We looked like rejects from the auditions for The Sound of Music.“I will have to buy them – they are meant to be yours!” Karla waved her credit card around like a wand.“What a shame they didn’t have one in green for me. But then, it is a young girl’s style. I would’ve looked foolish.

Sky. Hope mixed with horror as I searched for Zed, quessing he would not have let his soulfinder walk into this situation alone. I finally identified him as the heavily bearded drummer in the flowery shirt and, yes, socks and sandals. I bit my tongue, repressing the absurd desire to laugh at his fashion sacrifice for our cause.

I revised my opinion that the girl was timid. She appeared to have her giant well under control and a disturbing ability to know what I was feeling.

So you got Phoenix back,” declared Karla, clapping her hands in delight. “That’s lovely.”“I’m more on loan,” I muttered.“Yeah, my little library book.

How am I going to help you?”“You are going to jump.”“Ha.”“You are.”“Have you done this before?”“Yeah, with fruit.” That was Xav.“And why am I not reassured?

I’m so pleased you’re such a quick judge of character. You’ve got him tagged.”“Yep, toe-tagged, in the freezer, then buried six feet under.

Xav tugged Yves off me and handed me the call button. “You’ll be needing this, Phee, when my irritating little squirt of a brother bothers you again. Just press and the nurses will come running. One of them looks like a pro-wrestler, so she’ll make short work of him.