She realized she'd pulled away from her corner, interested and tense. Now she settled back in her seat. Ah. Ah. So he couldn't demonstrate this odd thing. So he couldn't demonstrate this odd thing. Very convenient Very convenient.

But why would he lie about something like this? She knew from her own experience that there were inexplicable things in life, and beyond. "It doesn't seem to bother you that much," she commented. "Losing that ability." She knew from her own experience that there were inexplicable things in life, and beyond. "It doesn't seem to bother you that much," she commented. "Losing that ability."

He smiled briefly and gave her foot a little squeeze. "It's not like losing an arm or a leg," he replied. "I mean, I'm still fully functional," he added with a brief sidewise smile. "And it wasn't something I used all the time, or even every day. It took a lot of effort and energy to bring that power forth and use it ... and afterward, I was always really weak. I couldn't hardly stand up. I'm thinking that maybe the charge that came from the crystal and jolted me back to life had the effect of blowing the circuits, so to speak. So the power is gone now ... but I'm still alive. I'm thinking it was an even exchange."

She didn't really understand everything he was talking about in regards to blowing circuits, so she just nodded.

"Nothing I can do about it. I can ask why all I want, but I never seem to get an answer," he said.

Selena stared at him, something flowering inside her. "I know the feeling."

"I don't know why that happened, or why you were able to bring me back to life. I wish I did. It seems like there must be some reason. But so far, I haven't figured out what it is."

Selena let his words wash over her like the gentle breeze, taking them for their worth. She liked him. She didn't want to disbelieve him, or wonder if he was weird. He was different, and she wasn't certain what he was up to, but she liked him. A lot. lot. And not just because of those broad, square shoulders. She felt comfortable with him. As if he understood things at a deeper level than most people. He was easy to talk to, and he listened. But she still wasn't ready to tell him everything. She'd And not just because of those broad, square shoulders. She felt comfortable with him. As if he understood things at a deeper level than most people. He was easy to talk to, and he listened. But she still wasn't ready to tell him everything. She'd loved loved Brandon; she'd had a child with him ... and Brandon; she'd had a child with him ... and he he hadn't been capable of fully understanding her. hadn't been capable of fully understanding her.

"I don't think we ever get the real answer to why why anything happens-good or bad," she said. "Easy or difficult. But we only seem to ask when we don't like it. When we need to know why someone died, or why this tragedy happened, or why something difficult is required of me." anything happens-good or bad," she said. "Easy or difficult. But we only seem to ask when we don't like it. When we need to know why someone died, or why this tragedy happened, or why something difficult is required of me."

Theo flashed another brief smile. "That's not completely true. Right now, I'm asking the universe why I got so lucky as to be sitting in a Ferris wheel with you."

He shifted in his little s.p.a.ce, and the next thing she knew, he was leaning toward her. Releasing her foot so that it was free to drop to the floor, he moved in closer, the beam from a red light touching his forehead. She looked at him, their eyes meeting as he filled her vision and then covered her lips with his.

Warmth and heat blossomed through her as their mouths touched. Just perfectly. Lips aligning as if molded that way, soft and full and tender. He didn't touch her, except on a spot near where his hand, planted on the seat beside her for leverage, was resting.

And then, just as smoothly, he pulled back after that one, simple kiss. The quiet sound of breaking suction punctuated the constant low groan of the wheel's mechanism. Theo settled back into his corner and looked at her. His hooded eyes were narrow and dark, gleaming where they picked up the light of the moon.

Selena's heart was pounding and she wanted to surge back toward him and pick up that kiss ... but something held her back. The light over him was dim and tinted green now, but she could see the way he held his body: reserved, restrained.

The wheel brought them down again, and as they rounded the bottom of the circle, it began to slow, the breeze gentling. The upswing, which she somehow understood was the last one, took its time ... cresting, the lights on the wheel's spokes casting their multicolored circular glows, then almost sighing as it seemed to waft to a halt at the bottom.

"This was really nice," she said. "I enjoyed it. I enjoyed talking to you. I don't have anyone else ... to talk to."

"It was my pleasure," he told her, reaching over to unlatch the door. His inked arm brushed hers, warm and solid, reminding her suddenly of the rest of his warm, solid body up against hers.

As Selena stood, she caught a different view of a patch of lights on the fairies' wheel and noticed that they were flickering wildly: red and green and yellow, with a couple blue ones. "Zombies don't like blinking lights like that," she said ... and then wondered why she'd been so foolish as to bring up that touchy subject.

Theo climbed out after her. "I didn't know that," he said mildly, and she wondered if she'd be able to escape without going down that conversational path: Why she went out, what she was doing ... "Are they afraid of it?"

Selena walked down the ramp, her knees a little wobbly. "It seems to confuse them. I'm going to go back now, Theo," she said to forestall any more questions. "Thank you."

"Selena," he said, halting her escape. She turned. "You aren't going to go out tonight, are you?"

She shook her head. She wasn't ready. Not yet. Not so soon. "No. I haven't been out since the other night."

"I know."

A little shiver tickled her. He'd been watching over her? She wasn't certain how she felt about that, but she wasn't really surprised. "You have my word," she said.

And then, instead of turning away and walking off as planned, she moved toward him. "Theo," she said.

He opened his arms, and she went into them, and their mouths found each other with ease. This kiss was hot and furious, nothing like the little tender buss from on the fairies' wheel. His fingers plastered all over her back, pulling her up against him like bark on a tree ... his hands sliding to cup her b.u.t.t.

He smelled good and fresh, tasted a little salty on his cheek and jaw. His hair was soft silk beneath her fingers-and when he drew her mouth back to his, their tongues thrust and slid strong and deep. She had her hands on his shoulders, sliding over the bulge of his biceps and the warmth of his skin beneath the sleeves of his shirt. Her foot found his leg and slid up along the muscled calf, ruffling the hair growing there. Yes. Yes.

The world had become a dark, hot one that spun just the right amount. She'd awakened-swelling and dampening; her b.r.e.a.s.t.s tight and ready, pressed against his shirt.

Theo dragged his mouth away, his hands settling at her hips, holding her in place as he stepped back. The lights from the wheel above mottled his face yellow, blue, and red and she could see his lips parted, his eyes dark, and even his chest rising and falling.

"I'd like to do a lot more than that," he said in a low voice, his eyes dark and heavy on her. "But I don't think it's a good idea. For a while, anyway-or until I can't stand it anymore," he added on the gust of a breath, releasing her and stepping away even farther. "Because I think you need to see me as more than a young stud whose body you get to play with."

Selena gasped-partly in indignation, and partly because she was out of breath, trying to catch up to this moment. "That's not-"

"Really?" He laughed unsteadily. "Not that I mind you playing with my body, or vice versa ... but you've got this whole complex about me and how old I am-or how old I look-and I think you see this as a temporary thing. Maybe it is, but I'm not sure how temporary temporary is. So I decided I'd make myself scarce, do some things around here, maybe get to know you and Sam and Vonnie better so that whatever's between us isn't just physical. Because, Selena, I told you the other day ... I can't stop thinking about you. And I don't just mean your body rolling around the sheets with mine. And those things you can do with it." His smile flashed in the multicolored world. "I have scratches on my back-and believe it or not, they aren't from the gangas gangas the other night." the other night."

Now Selena's face burst hot and she was glad it was too dark for him to see. "I'm sorry."

His laugh sounded strained. "No apologies necessary, believe me. I can't wait to see what you can do after I really get to know you ... and what you like."

Oh G.o.d. Her heart was slamming in her chest, and her whole body seemed to suddenly waken. Her heart was slamming in her chest, and her whole body seemed to suddenly waken. What you like. What you like.

"Okay," she replied. Dazed. Confused. And absolutely shimmery-kneed. "If that's what you want."

"What I want," he said, suddenly very serious and very strong, "is for you to trust me enough to talk to me like you did tonight. To let me understand you. And then we can have all sorts of fun."

Right. She wasn't sure that was possible ... but, she thought when she tripped as she turned away, she was getting closer to being willing to try. She wasn't sure that was possible ... but, she thought when she tripped as she turned away, she was getting closer to being willing to try.

Chapter 10.

The problem with a cold shower was that the numbing effects only lasted as long as the shower itself did.

Once a guy got out and his mind went back to the place it had been that caused him to get in the cold shower in the first place, he was screwed. Figuratively, of course.

Which was why Theo, his hair still dripping chilly water down his bare shoulders, found himself trudging back up the dark flight of stairs to the arcade only an hour after the Ferris wheel ride. At least he could focus on something productive instead of rolling around sleepless in his hospice ward bed.

Back at the computer, his fingers in their familiar, comforting position on the keyboard, amid the hums of monitors and the whirrs of hard drives, Theo checked his messages.

Nothing from Lou, but that didn't surprise him. They'd had a few mind connections during the day.

Then he watched Brad's video again. This time, he concentrated on the environment, the setting behind him. It definitely wasn't here at Blizek Beach. It looked like a simple office s.p.a.ce, or even a hotel room, with plain walls and no furniture.

He tried to listen for noises in the background, using a sound mixing software to isolate the hum of noise in the background. Although he wasn't completely sure what difference it would make if he figured out where Brad was. It wasn't here, and it had been fifty years ago.

And as he listened to the video one more time, he realized something else. Brad said, "I'm working with truth truth to collect data ..." to collect data ..."

Truth?

Was it possible he meant Remington Truth? One of the masterminds behind the Change?

If that was the case, then maybe Remington Truth had double-crossed the Cult and that was why they were looking for him. Or at least- "Ruuuu-uuuthhhhhh. Ruuu-uuuthh."

He glanced outside, looking into the expanse of darkness, and saw the remnants of destruction that still existed fifty years later. Cratered ground, heaved-up earth now covered with gra.s.s and trees, and, most telling of all, the shadows and silhouettes of annihilated buildings.

And then he saw a glint of orange in the distance.

Instinctively, he looked down at the grounds below, behind the protective gates. And he saw a shadow moving quickly and purposefully from the house. Toward the gates.

There was no mistaking Selena, nor her intent.

She'd lied lied.

Selena was just approaching the small, side door that led beyond the protective walls when she heard the scuffle of foot on stone behind her. A long shadow fell across the rippling gra.s.s, mingling with her own and framed by the moonlight above. She turned, hoping it was Frank but knowing it wasn't.

"You said you weren't going out tonight."

"Theo," Selena replied, scrambling to pull her thoughts together. "What are you doing here?" A stupid question, like bad dialogue from a DVD, but she couldn't think of anything else to say. Maybe that was why those lines were used in the first place.

When he shifted around nearer and the light caught more of his face, she bit her lip. He was not happy.

"You said you weren't going out tonight," he said again. His voice was low and hard.

She swallowed and began to allow her own anger to replace nervousness and apprehension. "I changed my mind. I'm an adult. I'm allowed to do that."

He'd moved closer, one arm coming out and blocking her from going any further as he rested his palm against the door. That p.i.s.sed her off even more, and she demanded, "What do you think you're doing?" She could have ducked under or gone around, but dammit, she wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.

"You can't go out there," he said. "Selena."

"I have to."

"You don't have have to do anything." Then his voice changed, sounding a little broken as he continued, "Especially by yourself." He stood upright, his arm falling away. "Remember what happened last time?" to do anything." Then his voice changed, sounding a little broken as he continued, "Especially by yourself." He stood upright, his arm falling away. "Remember what happened last time?"

She snorted. "How could I forget. It's part of the chance I take. And so far, I've only come away with a few cuts and scratches."

"I hardly call this" -he reached out and shifted the neckline of her shirt aside- "a few scratches."

His fingers brushed gently against her skin and she became aware of how close he'd moved. Close enough that she felt his warmth in the cool night air. And that his bare foot touched her shoe. And that he wasn't wearing a shirt. That his skin and hair smelled clean and a bit damp.

Selena swallowed. She looked up at him and found his gaze fastened on hers, strong and steady.

"Ruuuu-uuuthhh. Arrrleeyyyyyyy-aaaaaanee."

The horrible moaning sound wafted through the night, and she broke the stare, turning away and looking at the tall wall as if she could see through it.

She didn't want to go out there, but they drew her-called to her. The crystal around her neck felt heavy and hot. If she didn't save them, who would?

Give me a reason to stay.

"Not tonight," he murmured, reaching to brush away a strand of hair that had fallen from her ponytail.

Her heart pounded so violently, she thought it must reverberate through each of her limbs. Her belly churned with indecision, with need versus desire versus fear ... versus guilt. She thrust it all away, focusing on the words Wayren had said to her long ago: It is a gift, and a responsibility. It is a gift, and a responsibility. Then she reached with a heavy hand for the door's latch. Then she reached with a heavy hand for the door's latch.

"No," Theo said, taking her fingers and pulling her toward him. He wasn't rough or even fast; it was almost as if it was in slow motion ... and suddenly she was up against that bare, warm chest. "Not tonight. Stay with me me tonight." tonight."

Without waiting for her to respond, he bent to kiss her and she lifted her mouth to meet his.

Give me a reason.

This was the reason, she told herself, sinking into the kiss. There will be other nights, she told herself. I can't save them all. I can't save them all. And the cold shiver of duty turned to a swell of heat as his hands spread to cover her back, to hold her close. His fingers slid into her hair, loosening it from the tie, slipping along her shoulders and over the special, heavy shirt she wore for protection. And the cold shiver of duty turned to a swell of heat as his hands spread to cover her back, to hold her close. His fingers slid into her hair, loosening it from the tie, slipping along her shoulders and over the special, heavy shirt she wore for protection.

Beneath it, her taut nipples were rubbing against the heavy, soft plastic material, and the sensation was irritating and erotic at the same time.

"My place," he murmured, lifting her into his arms, "or yours?"

He curled her protectively against his bare chest and she closed out the sounds of the zombies beyond the walls, calling and moaning and searching, as she burrowed her face into his neck. "Whichever is closer," she murmured into warm skin.

He walked rapidly, the rhythm of his footsteps easy and soothing, and Selena rested against him-contented, awakened, and determined. "I thought," she said quietly against his ear as he slipped them into the house, "that you were going to stay away from me for a while." And she bit the edge of his earlobe.

His hold tightened around her as he walked quickly through the kitchen and, to her surprise, toward the back staircase that led to the arcade. "That was my intent," he said. "But you blew that all to h.e.l.l earlier tonight. Do you know how long I spent in a freezing shower after that?"

He took the steps with ease, the rhythmic jolting of the climb lodging her against him as they ascended. She started to say Are you going to hate me in the morning? Are you going to hate me in the morning? as a joke, but a pang of guilt slashed through her and she shoved the thought away. as a joke, but a pang of guilt slashed through her and she shoved the thought away.

She wanted this this.

She didn't want to be out there.

Theo had first accosted Selena filled with anger and fear, but it gradually subsided as he recognized the indecision in her expression and demeanor-and then the softness. He wanted to erase that worry, that hesitance from her face. She did too much.

Now, as he mounted the stairs to the arcade with her in his arms, those emotions gave way to the less virtuous ones of antic.i.p.ation and pleasure.

As they came through the mocked-up boarded door, he let Selena's feet slide gently to the ground, enjoying the feel of her body moving along his. He was secure that he had her now, that she wouldn't be slipping away to go beyond the gates. At least for tonight.

And then he put all thoughts of zombies and Brad Blizek aside as drew her close, began to unb.u.t.ton the heavy shirt she wore. It was stiff and slick, and he got the sense it was made from plastic or some other artificial material. Immediately, he found the long thin cord with the heavy crystal pendant still encased in its small pouch. Before she could be reminded of it, he slipped the cord over her head and flung it to the floor, then parted her shirt. Beneath, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were free and their nipples tight and inviting. He made a low sound in the back of his throat when he looked at them, framed by moonlight and the glow from random computer monitors.

"What was I thinking?" he said, sliding his hands beneath to gently lift and cup them. The size of generous apples, each a perfect teardrop shape, maybe a bit longer than they'd been when she was younger, but just right to him. Just right. Just right. Her nipples were hard and dark and when he stroked a thumb over one of them, she arched closer to his palms. Her nipples were hard and dark and when he stroked a thumb over one of them, she arched closer to his palms.

"About what?" Her voice was unsteady and low, sending a ripple of desire shooting through him.

Selena didn't waste time; her hands were already tugging down the loose shorts he'd pulled on after his shower. He kicked them away when they slid down to his ankles, his body b.u.mping against her jeans and naked, warm belly.

"Denying myself this," he replied, his hands smoothing up over the tops of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and back down to her torso. "I don't know what I was thinking."

Her shirt fell next, and then her jeans-he gave a mental nod of relief in the back of his mind that she at least had dressed properly for her nocturnal excursion-and then stopped thinking about anything but the curvy, golden body he had in his hands.

There were many sofas and large armchairs in the arcade, but Theo tugged her toward the wheeled desk chair and sat down, pulling her to stand between his legs. The moonlight silvered her skin and shone behind the fullness of her hair, and he held her wrists to each side, positioning her in front of him so he could just look for a minute. Eat her with his eyes, and trace the curve of her hips, the swell of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and the delicate lines of collarbone, throat, shoulders.