Cooper felt queasy. “When was that?”
Lorna shrugged. “A couple of weeks ago. We were in no real hurry when we returned. We never are. We like to take a few weeks and get accustomed to the changes in technology and society. Honestly, this jump was jarring for us. The strides you people have made in a hundred years ... .” She shook her head. “I lived Lorna’s life for several days before I even approached you for a job.”
“And Lorna?” Cooper was afraid to hear the answer but he had to know. “Is she still ... alive ... in there?” He swallowed hard. “Will you let the real her go when you’re done?”
She didn’t immediately answer, instead tilting her head to consider the statement ... and him. Finally, she let loose a long sigh. “This is hard for you, isn’t it? You want to be the hero, but you don’t know how when there’s no one to save. I hate to break it to you, but the whole reason we managed to take over the people that we did is because they were open to it.
“Lorna wanted to hurt her ex-boyfriend very badly, just like he’d hurt her, but she didn’t have the guts,” she continued. “When I approached, I told her what I could do, explained it would cost her soul, but she didn’t care. She wanted me to do the things she couldn’t, so I did. I took over her body and soul. She still lives, but only inasmuch as I have absorbed her and part of her — a very weak part — is still aware of what is happening. There’s no putting her back.”
“I see.” Cooper dragged a hand through his hair, sadness overwhelming him. “That doesn’t seem fair. She couldn’t possibly have realized what she was getting herself into.”
“Maybe,” Lorna conceded. “Honestly, though, even if I explained everything in excruciating detail I don’t think it would’ve mattered. She was so far gone over that man.”
“And did you hold up your end of the bargain? Did you take out her ex-boyfriend?”
“Of course.” She bobbed her head perfunctorily. “When I make a deal, I hold up my end. That’s the only reason you’re still alive, quite frankly. I agreed to a certain plan with the others, and that means keeping you semi-cognizant, although you really should’ve fallen under my spell by this point and become malleable. I’m confused why you still have your senses. Did your girlfriend do something to protect you?”
Cooper was taken aback by the question. “I ... don’t know. I don’t think so.”
“She’s not yet aware of her magic and how strong she really is,” Lorna mused, more for herself than anything. “She’s ... an interesting woman. Sure, she's a pain, but I’m almost sorry she’s going to have to die. There’s no other way around that now, though.”
Cooper’s heart gave a heavy jolt. “You stay away from her,” he growled, anger coursing through him. “Don’t you even think of touching one hair on her head.”
“Oh, honey, she’s not on my list of problems today. You’re on the top of it. The others are handling your girlfriend ... and the veterinarian ... and the sheriff. My only worry is you.”
Realization swamped Cooper and he clutched his hands into fists at his sides. “If you hurt Hannah ... .”
“I don’t have any control over that,” Lorna shot back. “Didn’t I just explain that to you? Besides, we can’t kill her. If we do, we can’t tap into the magic of this property, which is what we need to get home. You don’t have to worry about her ... at least not yet.”
“Then what do you want?” Cooper’s voice was ragged.
“We need her to turn over the property to us so we can claim the magic for our own,” Lorna replied simply. “To get her to do that, we’re going to need leverage. Unfortunately, my friend, you’re that leverage. It’s too bad, too. I really would’ve liked to play a few games with you ... but that’s not in the cards.”
“You want to use me to force Hannah’s hand,” Cooper surmised. “You want her to give up everything she loves to keep me safe ... and then you’re going to kill me anyway.”
“No.” Lorna was serene as she shook her head. “I already told you we keep the deals we make. We’ll allow you to live if Hannah holds up her end of the bargain. She’s another story, though.”
The answer was enough to infuriate Cooper. “Don’t even think about touching her!” he roared, his temper on full display.
“She’s already dead.” Lorna was matter-of-fact. “In fact, Nikki and Ray probably already have her in restraints. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is already over.”
Cooper was officially horrified when he realized exactly how deep the conspiracy ran. He was about to push Lorna’s resolve to the breaking point and force her to fight him when the door to the seamstress shop flew open and Hannah rushed inside.
“Or maybe not,” Lorna said dryly, rolling her eyes. “What are you doing running around? How did you escape?”
Rather than explain, Hannah extended her hands and walked directly to Lorna. She’d heard enough outside the door to know she didn’t want to risk the woman being able to join with the others and fight. “I’m sorry, Lorna,” she announced, unleashing the same bolt of energy into Lorna’s head as she had into Nikki’s. “If the real you is in there and can hear me, I’m truly sorry.”
Hannah sagged as she expended a terrific amount of energy. As with Nikki, Lorna reacted almost instantly. She was gone before she hit the floor, the empty husk that had been her body colliding with the wood and offering up a terrific thud before shattering into a pile of dust.
“Hannah?” Cooper stepped over what was left of Lorna and drew the weary blonde to him. He’d never been so happy
