Page 33 of Phantom’s Mate

Britt stared at them, tears coming to her eyes. “You guys would do that?”

“Duh. The way you talk, you’d think we’re not Nick’s family or anything.”

“Thanks,” Nick said, trying to squash the mushy feelings welling up in him.

Remy waved a negligent hand. “You owe me a beer.”

“Good luck with that,” Titan rumbled. “We’ve been friends for almost a year, and Nick’s never bought me a beer yet.”

That was better. Friendly insults were more his style. Nick amiably flipped Titan the bird. “I don’t drink yours, either, so we’re even.”

Britt whispered, “I don’t think that’s even.” Nick winked at her.

She turned to Brandon. “I really appreciate this. Even though the idea of you finding out all my secrets is a little terrifying.”

“Don’t worry,” Remy said. “We’ll find some way for you to pay us to keep the most embarrassing ones quiet. I know some people you can invisibly prank for me, for instance.”

Kitty stretched across Brandon to kick Remy. “Pay no attention to that idiot. He’s really pretty almost okay once you get to know him.”

“On the other hand,” Brock added, “if we can save you from extortion by helping you remember on your own, that would probably be best.”

“Sez you,” Remy grumbled. “I have some killer pranks in mind.”

Brock rolled his eyes. “Britt, can you come over here and sit next to me? I have to stay by Titan, or I’ll lose contact with the spirit world.”

Nick gave Britt an encouraging glance, and she whispered, “Will you come with me? I think it will help.”

Nick was happy to go over there with her—he was hating the idea of letting her go through this alone, even if he was just across the room.

They settled themselves—Britt on the couch next to Brock, and Nick sitting basically in the middle of the couch arm. They really didn’t have to sit ‘on’ the real-world furniture—they just did it because it was freaky for everyone when you appeared halfway out of a solid object.

Brock put one hand on the back of Britt’s neck, and the other on her forehead. He closed his eyes.

Nick didn’t really know exactly how his mojo worked. He’d seen Brock do this same thing to Mari once, and she’d said later that it seemed like he literally walked into her mind, into her inner landscape.

She’d also said he had the kindest, gentlest, most healing energy she’d ever encountered, so he hoped that Britt felt the same thing.

Nick closed his eyes, holding onto Brittany’s hands, trying to take on some of her pain the way he had when they first made love.

She was strong, but he was more used to living with pain and ugliness. Maybe if he took some more of hers, she’d be able to handle what was left long enough to remember.

Brock was murmuring softly, taking her through the time just before the accident. With a whoosh of energy, Nick was there, inside her mind.

She was in a bedroom full of modern furniture, that didn’t look like her at all. She was wearing the Kraken costume, so this must be Halloween night.

She picked up her purse and looked inside. He heard her talking to Brock.

…to see if it’s still there.

Brock: If what’s still there?

The locket. Great-great-grandmother’s locket, that she brought over from Ireland. The only thing she had from her family. My grandmother gave it to me when I turned sixteen.

Brock: Why is it in your purse?

It’s inside the letter. The one I wrote a few days ago…

Brock: Who is the letter for?