Blood Sins

herself protected.

Because, at the extreme edge of her awareness, she could feel something probing. Seeking a way in. And the sensation was the creepiest thing she had ever felt in her life.

It was Samuel, she was certain of it. It was him because that probing touch was cold and dark and lifeless. Soulless.

But hungry.

She drew a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly, fighting not to slam that door shut and curl up in a ball deep inside her own mind so he would never be able to find her

Reese, interrupt his meditation now.

Tessa nearly jumped, that inner voice was so clear and strong. But it wasn't Ruby's voice; it was Bishop's. And it was virtual proof that the energy field here in the Compound was affecting all their abilities.

But it also left wide open the question of just howand how muchthey would be affected.

And how well they would be able to control those changes. Bishop, at least, appeared to be handling the change well, but as for the rest of them

Tessa stood where she was, near the altar, and waited several moments until that probing touch at the edge of her awareness abruptly vanished.

Okay, Rubywhere are you sweetie?

She heard no inner voice in response and felt a chill anxiety. Had she waited too long?

Look for her in the water, Tessa.

Bishop again, reminding her of the instruction that had come from a spirit.

Tessa realized she was staring at the baptistery behind the pulpit. Like many she had seen, the room had a clear glass window overlooking the church so that baptisms could be witnessed by the congregation.

It struck her even before she reached the glass that the tank should have been drained, and yet it was filled. She dreaded looking insideand was immeasurably relieved to find it filled only with water.

She slumped a little, but anxiety swiftly replaced relief. Look for her in the water? If not here, then where?

Tessa

Faintbut close. Very, very close.

Tessa stared at the baptistery for an instant and then began looking for the way back there.

Hurry, Tessa.

Not daring to think it, Tessa whispered, 'I'm hurrying.'

You don't understand. None of you really understands what he can do.

'Ruby'

Hurry. We need Cody. Cody can help us.

Tessa didn't have a clue who Cody was, but she hurriedand found, at last, the door she'd been seeking.

* * * *

'It's a legal warrant,' Sawyer told Fisk at the gate. 'Signed by a judge last night. After we obtained positive identification that the woman's body found in the river Wednesday morning is that of Sarah Warren. One of your members, and last seen here at the Compound.'

Fisk grimaced slightly as he returned the document to Sawyer, but the only thing he said was, 'Mr. DeMarco will be waiting for you at the Square, Chief.'

Sawyer drove through the open gates, keeping an eye to the rearview mirror until the Jeep driven by Robin had also cleared the gates. Good; Fisk hadn't recognized Galen. They'd been fairly sure he wouldn'tbut only fairly sure. Sawyer didn't relax even then and heard the tension in his own voice when he said, 'The gates aren't closing. I take that to mean the security system is down?'

'Should be, by now. Knowing Galen.'

'Admittedly I don't know much about this stuffbut aren't you taking a hell of a risk?'

From her position in the backseat on the passenger side, Hollis said, 'Yes. He is.'

'So are you,' Bishop pointed out, beside her.

'He doesn't want my ability,' she retorted.

'No. He just wants to kill you.'

'Then let's hope Quentin is right and I still have a life or two left to risk.'

Sawyer muttered, 'You two are really boosting my confidence here.'

'Sorry,' Bishop said, not sound it.

Hollis said, 'Don't worry, our makeshift shield is holding. More or less.'

'It's the less that's making me nervous,' Sawyer told her.

'We'll hope we can shore it up a bit as time passes.'

'There isn't all that much time left.' He heard the tension in his own voice.

Bishop said, 'We're working on it, Chief. It's a bit difficult for us.' There was a rare strain in his voice, 'We've never before been able to build on or share one another's abilities.'

'Now you're telling me this?'

'It was a chance we had to take.'

'That we could share,' Hollis explained. 'And damn if it isn't working. So far, anyway. The communication thing is amazingly clear; even I can hear it. Faintly. But I've gotta tell youeverybody's aura is beginning to look a bit metallic. There's a hell of a lot of energy here.'

Sawyer checked the clock on the dash and said, 'And more coming. I just want to make damn sure we get to the Square before Samuel decides to have one of his outdoor sermons as the storm approaches. I don't want him anywhere near that so-called natural church, not considering Quentin's vision.' Even at second hand, 'remembering' that vision was enough to make Sawyer's entire being flinch. Smoldering bodies, Tessa and the others crucified and worse. No. No, they were not going to allow that to happen.

He was sure they weren't.

They made it, the Jeeps pulling into the Square just as Samuel came out of the church, with DeMarco at his side.

'Hang back,' Sawyer advised Bishop quickly. 'I don't think either one of us wants to put your makeshift shield to the test until we absolutely have to.'

'Amen,' Hollis murmured.

Sawyer got out of the Jeep and walked quickly to meet Samuel and DeMarco, reminding himself over and over again as he looked at the reverend that he couldn't even begin thinking about the things this benign-looking man had done. He had to stick to the plan, no matter how much he wanted to pull out his gun and

'Reverend Samuel. DeMarco.'

Pleasantly, Samuel replied, 'I understand you have a federal warrant, Chief. Needless to say, we'll cooperate fully. I was most saddened and deeply disturbed to hear of Sarah's death. She was a wonderful young woman.'

Sawyer had to get a grip on himself before he could respond as calmly as he needed to. 'I appreciate your cooperation, Reverend.' He handed over the warrant, which Samuel no more than glanced at before passing it on to DeMarco.

DeMarco, Sawyer saw was more stony-faced than usual but otherwise seemed the same, the habitual faint smile meaningless.

'Just tell us what you need,' Samuel said smoothly.

Sawyer looked back over his shoulder, relieved to see that Robin was standing by the driver's door of her Jeep, as instructed, the bulk of the vehicle between her and whatever might happen here near the steps of the church. Her face was, finally, inscrutable.

And about damn time too.

Quentin was leaning negligently against the passenger door, looking quite unlike himself in the deputy's uniform, hat, and mirrored sunglasses that Sawyer had always disliked seeing on his officers. And, beyond him,