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get the cards for me? We can set up at the table in the back, where you will be more comfortable.”
    The panic returned. “How do you know there’s a table?”
    “There is always a table in these places. It’s almost like a requirement.”
    He sounded odd, angry and pleasant at the same time. Annie felt dizzy, trying to pull away even as he gathered her in closer. She had never been so vulnerable, and she did not like the feeling.
    With a grunt she jerked herself free, stumbling against the counter. “Hands off.”
    J.J. ignored her, kept reaching. “I only want to help you, Annie. To learn what you know.”
    Now that he no longer touched her, she felt her head clear.
    “I did not tell you my name.” Her fist shot out, caught him in the chin, snapping his head back. She took the seconds she had and ran for the door. His hand grabbed the back of her sweater.
    Protecting her baby with one arm, she spun, elbowing him in the face. He let out a furious shout. Annie followed up with a sharp jab to his nose. Instead of dropping or covering his face, he lunged for the counter. For the cards.
    Too late, sparks danced across her ring—a warning she didn’t need.
    She pulled the door open, taking in a breath to scream. And he touched her back.
    Pain and heat surged through her. She felt her power coil, and gathered it, ready to take him out.
    “Annie.” Every thought of retaliation slipped out of her. His hand slid up, closing over her shoulder, turning her around. “Your power is so pure. So beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it. And there is this—spark. A tiny, silver spark. Your child,” he whispered, spreading his hand over her stomach. “She has your power in her.” He closed his eyes, swaying, a low hum hypnotizing her.
    After taking in a shaky breath, he looked at her, his brown eyes glowing. “Gorgeous, just gorgeous.” He opened her hand, placed the deck in it. “Tell me my future, beautiful witch. Tell me our future.”
    She nodded, clutching the cards like a lifeline. Dark, edgy power flowed through her, and she drank it in, feeling invincible, worthy, alive. For the first time ever. Red sparks gathered over her ring.
    “I will give you whatever you want.” She felt tears sting her eyes. “Just don’t take this feeling away from me.”
    “It is yours, Annie. Your power. It’s always been inside of you, waiting to be released.” J.J. sandwiched her hand, the deck pressing against her palm. “Come, tell me my future. The cards will sing for you now. Your power will—ouch!” He snatched his hand away. “What the hell—”
    Her ring pulsed, the red sparks drowned by a brilliant silver. The darkness inside her retreated, leaving a sense of ugly she never wanted to feel again.
    “No—” J.J. reached for her. The silver lashed out, slicing into his hand. “Shit—why are you fighting it? We could have anything we want, be anything we want—”
    “Not in this lifetime, creep.” He screamed, a frustrated, furious scream that had her arm hairs standing on end. And pain ripping through her stomach. She doubled, clutching her stomach as she dropped to her knees. “No,” she whispered, as another pain threatened to tear her in half. “Please, no—”
    She felt her left shoulder hit the floor, and the tarot cards fell out of her hand as she curled around her stomach. She barely heard the cursing, scrambling man when he snatched up the cards. The door chime told her she was alone. Safe from him, but alone with her pain.
    “Claire,” she whispered, fingers digging in, trying to reach the pain. “Please hear me—God, please let her hear me . . .”
    Her vision faded as the pain turned agonizing. With no breath to scream, she focused what strength she had left on the one soul, the one person who might feel.
    Zach.
     
    *
     
    Z ach did more listening than talking as Mom and Marcus considered and discarded plans to lure James. He had some ideas of his own, but he was pretty sure Mom