“We’ve been trying to reach you,” Jennika says. “And then, when we got the news about the Rabbit Hole—I was determined to go down there—but Chay insisted I wait.”
I survey the room once again, seeing Paloma’s espadrilles left discarded before the closet, as her winter boots lie at the ready. The red wool cardigan Jennika gave her for Christmas abandoned on the back of her chair, as her heavy winter coat waits at the foot of the bed.
She was ill. Waiting for Chay. Yet determined to leave.
Something happened.
Something she was eager to tell me about.
Without a word, I bolt from the bed, pass through the den, and race up the ramp that leads to Paloma’s office.
At first glance, it’s as neat and orderly as always. Everything in its place and a place for everything. Except for the book she left lying open on the table, the blue tourmaline stone I gave to her to inspect, placed right on top as though marking the page.
I slide the stone to the side.
Skim the passage beneath.
My knees are the first to go.
Buckling right out from under me, forcing me to grasp the table’s edge to keep from falling.
My sanity is next on the list, but I fight like hell to hang on to its tenuous hold.
It’s only a few seconds later when Dace is beside me. Hauling my body against his, he reads the text from over my shoulder, and curses under his breath long before reaching the end.
Seems Xotichl was right.
As it turns out, the tourmaline does emit a troublesome energy.
According to the book, some gems are cursed.
Embedded with a sort of psychic hook that enables the giver to exert complete control over the receiver. Enabling them to manipulate the body, mind, and soul.
And, in many cases, to extinguish life itself.
My body goes rigid.
A single name swirls in my head.
Cade.
All along, it was him.
Showing the kind of patience I never would’ve expected, by slowly and systematically weakening Paloma’s defenses.
First by stealing her soul.
Then by making her think I was dead.
And finally by ensuring she ended up with the tourmaline—the recipient he intended it for all along.
Lita and Xotichl were merely pawns in his game.
He knew Lita wouldn’t want it.
Knew Xotichl would read its strange energy.
He also knew she’d easily convince me to give it to Paloma to study.