She’d take it home with her, but she didn’t know what to do once she got it there.
It needed to go with her—wantedto go with her.
The thrumming intensified.
I’ll take that as confirmation.
A giggle erupted from her dry, constricted throat when she realized how crazy she’d sound if she told Elleane and Rhiannon. They’d expect her to adopt every cat in the neighborhood, go around town at night wearing an aluminum foil hat with matching panties, and scribble incoherent ramblings into the pages ofThe Catcher in the Rye.
Did Carlenna purposely peddle magical baubles?
Of course, she did!
The woman practically dangled them in Haven’s face like a fat, squirming mouse in front of a snake.
Closing the lid on the box with the two remaining watches, Haven turned and walked back toward the alley entrance. Keeping a keen eye on the milling crowds, she glanced around for any trace of Rhiannon and Elleane, and headed toward the fairground’s entrance, compelled to move fast.
Within minutes, her hurried steps brought her within viewing distance of the gates and her waiting car in the parking lot, but she paused to take a deep breath and mull over her lack of planning.
Once she reached the turnstiles at the entrance, a bit of the desperate pressure dissipated. Though urgency decreased, the tension in her pulled her emotions taut—like the bowstrings on a violin left to rot.
With all the inexplicable panic running through her, she thought there’d be an angel with flaming sword standing guard to stop thieving sinners, but alas, no one stopped her.
She pushed through the turnstiles and quickly made her way across the short distance to her car. The Nissan, much like the carnival entrance, was sans fiery angel with flaming sword, and she rolled her eyes at her suspicious, superstitious stupidity. If this watch wasthatimportant, God would come get it Himself.
She stilled as she fought the urge to look heavenward.
Ugh. I am definitely losing it!
After disengaging the car alarm and unlocking the trunk, she grabbed the handle of her gym bag and unzipped it. She tossed her purse—stolen goods and all—inside.
As she bent to tuck the bag behind the spare tire, a tingling sensation thrilled through her. She had the funniest notion that the watch didn’t want to be tucked anywhere; it wanted to be with her. Wanted something from her.
Trembling, she reached for the bag, gripping it tightly. Compelled to hold it, she reached into the small compartment and picked up the watch. The eerie, almost human warmth infused her palm.
Wanting to take a closer look, she scoured the golden lid and found a small knob protruding from the top. Hands shaking, her chest aching from trapped breaths, she pushed the button, releasing the catch in the lid.
It popped open, revealing the face.
Her breath exploded from her body in awhoosh, then she gasped.
It was beautiful.
Made of a stunning, almost ethereal silver substance, the face pulsed in the light from the overhead lamppost. The watch hands were two golden laurel leaves, moving in time to its ticking heartbeat. The golden rim glowed, making the whole face resemble a large mechanical eye.
Face-to-face.
She shivered.
Slowly, and with great reverence, she ran her fingers over the watch face, and almost jumped from her skin when it shuddered, as if groaning from a caress.
Holy hell.
The watch hands stuttered…then slowed, and a renewed moment of panic hit.
It must need winding.
After wiping her damp hands on her skirt, she placed her fingers on either side of the knob, turning it counterclockwise. When the knob indicated it could no longer turn, she released it, and sure enough, the hands moved around the watch face again.
