Magic Rising (38 page)

Niam was out of her head. So far she was coping with the thoughts he’d left behind. Those she doubted she’d ever be free from. It wasn’t so terrible. Although, finding unfamiliar thoughts when she was naked and vulnerable was too much.

Lora had something of a happy ending. Tamara decided to bring Lora and Gladys to Europe for her theatrical production based in England where she hoped to keep them safe from whatever people were still loyal to Colinster. They would travel together for the next six months. It would be good for all of them, especially Lora, who would probably get a kick out of seeing her grandmother and mother verbally spar a few times. That kid was tough and thankfully didn’t remember much about her abduction.

From the little research Tech gathered, Colinster wasn’t a serious threat. Most of his work happened through money and the last set up had drained him. Until he found more funds, he couldn’t do much. From what they could tell, he couldn’t even buy a plane ticket from his current home in Tokyo to the states much less have hired guns ready to track Tamara Haas.

A lot of things had changed since that night. Ryan Farmer was back on the job, and amazingly so was Noah Smythe. Farmer and Smythe stopped hanging out together and the victim from the shooting in her driveway was simply listed as an unidentified suspect.

Farmer explained to everyone about the cult and the members who’d tried to kill their beloved Deirdre Flye. Oh yes, he was her biggest fan and for that, she was also grateful.

As for Noah Smythe, he still asked her for dates when she went to the station and a few people mentioned some odd behavior. At least Noah/Niam wasn’t trying to lead any teenagers into starting new religions. He also hadn’t gone near her home or approached her on the street. His confrontations were flirty and thankfully, confined to the station.

“Deirdre?” Sabrine poked her head into the office. “You’ve been quiet lately and well, I need a break. Let’s go out. There’s this cheesy eighties club that just opened up. I thought we’d check it out.”

“I don’t…” Deirdre stopped. She’d almost said that she didn’t know how to dance, but now that was a lie. Niam had been a wonderful dancer and he left her with knowledge, even about the two-step. “Maybe it’s time I tried something new.”

Deirdre doubted that she would ever find peace with Niam, but perhaps she had learned a thing or two. She’d been void of emotion for so long, that maybe trying out a few of Niam’s would be a refreshing lesson in the aspects of life she’d missed out on for so long.

“Maybe I’ll even try one of those colorful drinks you’re always downing.”

“You mean it?” Sabrine’s face lit up. “You’re going to try alcohol.”

“Why not? We are the sum of our experiences and I’ve experienced very little.” In that one thing, Niam had her beat. He’d lived life to the fullest, even if it was for the wrong reasons. During all his ordeals and trials, he’d tried to bring pleasure into his world.

“Then let’s make tonight special. Let’s call up the whole crew.”