A sob broke free, so powerful I felt like my chest would crack. Then I was running toward the house.
“Annette, I’m sorry. I didn’t think how it would look—” Jenny shifted her balance and offered me the wrapped body on her left.
I scooped Morgan into my arms and didn’t move until I felt him breathing.
“I needed to get Morgan and Sage out.” She was babbling. “I had to wrap them up because they’re both slimy and gross, and I was afraid I’d drop them. Oh, god, I didn’t mean to make you think—”
“Shut up.” I was shaking my head and sniffling and blinking to try to see. Morgan was alive. He was safe. “Thank you for getting him out.”
Jenny used her free arm to pull me into a sideways hug. She kissed my head. “How’s Temple?”
I fought a sob. “Not great.”
We carried Morgan and Sage to the grass where Temple was resting. Only after I’d set Morgan down and peeled back the blanket to see his face—distorted and monstrous but still recognizable—did I stop to wonder how the hell Jenny had done it. “What happened to Alex?”
“Out of commission for the moment.” Jenny knelt beside Temple and touched his neck, then checked his eyes. “But the interdimensional IV drip he set up from the house to Ringo is still going.”
“How do we stop it?” I looked toward Ronnie’s rocket launcher.
“We’re not there yet.” Jenny stood and stepped back. “Artemis thinks my bond with the house is strong enough for me to heal the breach and keep Ringo from coming through.”
“You can’t.” Temple’s eyes were focused now. “We’re too far gone and too frightened. The panic is too strong. Even the mice have fled. If this place gets hold of you, it’ll drag you down like a drowning man.”
“I was a lifeguard at Camp Windling for two summers,” Jenny said with a forced grin. “I’m a strong swimmer.”
I moved to block Jenny’s way. “Not like this.”
“Get the kids as far away as you can. All the way out of Salem.” She pulled me close and hugged me. “Artemis believes I can do this. If she’s wrong, I’ll at least buy you enough time to get Ronnie and Morgan and Sage out of range. Ronnie, leave the rocket launcher with Temple. He’ll know if...He’ll know when it’s time.”
I reached for her. “What do you mean, ‘out of range’?”
“Hopefully nothing.” She retreated another step. “Your family needs you, Annette.”
“Dammit, that’s cheating.”
She smiled for real this time. “I love you. You’re the hot, slightly scary older sister I never had.”
And then she was walking back into the house and shutting the door behind her.
She hadn’t even said goodbye.
• • •
Ronnie helped me get Morgan and Sage into the back of his van. I called Blake as I buckled the kids into place, both of them still wrapped in blankets like wool burritos.
“Mom?” Blake’s calm was like an eggshell about to crack. “What’s going on? Is Morgan—”
“I’ve got him. He’s...Well, he’s not fine, but he’s alive and safe for the moment.” I slid the side door shut. “Listen to me. You need to take Ava and drive. Grab the cat, but don’t stop to pack anything else. We’ll meet you at the Northshore Mall.”
I heard him yell for Ava. When he spoke again, his words were quiet and tightly controlled. “How bad is it?”
“Jenny didn’t give me the details. For now, just go.”
“What about everyone else?” he asked. “Is the whole town...”
“I’ll see you soon.” I hung up.
“They’re lucky to have you,” Ronnie said softly. “If this all goes to hell—”
