Taken at Dusk (Shadow Falls #3)(50)

Burnett frowned as if he didn't like being considered anything but bad. "I wouldn't bet on it," he said. "Just ask Holiday." He stood up. "Come on, I'll walk you to your cabin. I need to go deal with Clark before it gets any later."

"You don't need to walk me. I think I can manage."

"Nope. You're still under shadow guard."

As they walked out of the dining hall, Kylie welcomed the night air without the scent of smoke. The memory of her dance with Lucas tickled her mind, but she pushed it back, not wanting to think about that with present company. Especially when she half feared that Burnett might have been privy to their entire conversation.

They started down the path to her cabin. A few night creatures rustled the underbrush along their way. Burnett cut his gaze from one side to the other, always aware, always on guard.

"You haven't experienced any more threats, have you?" he asked.

"No."

"It always amazes me what just having a shadow with you can prevent."

Kylie looked up at him through the darkness. "Do you think that's the only reason it hasn't happened again? That someone, more than likely Mario or his grandson, is still waiting to get me alone?" She considered telling him about the dream but didn't see how it would help.

"I think we can't be too careful."

Kylie felt a familiar chill slide past her, slowly, and she knew they had company. She gazed around to see if the spirit had materialized yet, but she saw nothing.

But the sense of grief that seemed to seep into her pores told her it was Jane Doe. Kylie's mind shot back to the spirit and the loss of her child. A need to help the spirit tightened her chest. If Holiday were here, she'd talk to her about it. But she didn't think Burnett would be helpful where ghosts were concerned. Especially when it involved a pregnant ghost.

"Who's shadowing me in the morning?" she asked.

"I believe it's Della," Burnett said, and looked around almost as if he felt the ghostly presence.

"Would you mind if we go to the cemetery in Fallen tomorrow?"

Burnett stopped walking. "Why would you want to go there?"

Kylie rubbed her arms to try to chase away the chill. "It has to do with my latest ghost."

"Which is a good reason not to go," he said.

Kylie frowned at the thought that she and Holiday were the only ones who weren't antighost. "The spirit can't remember who she is, and because the first time she appeared to me was when my mom and I were driving past the cemetery, I think she might be buried there. I asked Holiday about going and she said it would be okay as long as I had someone with me and if you guys knew where I was."

His expression didn't change, but something about the way he held his shoulders told her he'd given in. "Let me check with Holiday. If she says it's okay, I'll ... I'll go with you."

"You shouldn't have to go. I'm sure Della and I would-"

"No." From his tone she knew he wouldn't budge. "Until we know the threat against you is over, you won't leave the camp without me." His stern gaze punctuated his words, and then he continued, "I'm serious about this, Kylie. I don't want to scare you, but if this is Mario or Red, they won't give up. They're waiting for a time that you are at your most vulnerable to attack again. And next time you may not be so lucky."

* * *

Kylie, with a cloud of the spirit's cold following her, walked into the cabin a few minutes later. Della and Miranda were sitting at the kitchen table, chatting.

Miranda popped up. "Did you see Perry? Was he not totally off-the-chart awesome? He even fought for me when he was in human form."

"Yeah, I saw that," Kylie said, hanging back a bit, not wanting to ruin the moment by having them sense the spirit. Kylie looked at Della, whose eyes still glowed with anger.

"Is Burnett sending Clark packing?" Della asked. "Because if he doesn't, I'm gonna have to teach that warlock a lesson he'll never forget."

Kylie recalled Della taking a hit with the fireball, and she knew that for a vamp that was probably embarrassing-especially when Kylie had somehow managed to catch one and toss it aside. "I know Burnett is going to see him now, but I don't know what he plans on doing about it."

"He burned Miranda's new skirt!" Della held up the skirt, which had been scorched.

Miranda waved a hand. "I told you it's not a big deal."

"It is a big deal," Della retorted. "If Kylie hadn't been there, he could have hurt you."

"What about you?" Kylie asked, looking at Della. "Did you get burned by the fireball?"

"A bit, but I've already healed." Della's gaze went to Kylie's hand. "You must heal fast, too."

"Yeah." Kylie decided not to tell them that she'd never been burned by Clark's fireball. Or at least she hadn't gotten the sensation that she'd been burned. She recalled Lucas's remark You really are a protector. And again, she wondered why he'd sounded almost unhappy about the possibility.

The spirit's cold drew closer, and Kylie ran her hand over her forearms where goose bumps chased goose bumps over her bare skin. She leaned back against the edge of the sofa.

"How pissed is Burnett at me for turning him into a kangaroo?" Miranda asked.