Page 75 of Shattering Dawn

“Good idea,” she said, going for something resembling professional enthusiasm.

He glanced at her. “You don’t have to go inside the lobby.”

“Yes,” she said. “I do. It won’t be so bad during the daytime.”

•••

It was bad.

Amelia stood at the entrance, trying to calm her rattled nerves, and watched Gideon move methodically around the lobby, searching the gloom-filled interior.

She did not need the bloodstains on the floor or her own memories to tell her where the three men had died. The residue of violent energy was strong enough to break through the suppressing effects of daylight.

Gideon shot her a concerned look. “Are you okay?”

She folded her arms very tightly around her middle. “Yep. Not my first death property.”

“Death property?”

“I’ve run into this sort of thing before on real estate shoots.”

“Go wait in the car.”

“No,” she said. “I have to learn to control this reaction. I’ve got an idea. I’ll be right back.”

She swung around and hurried outside to the SUV. Opening the rear door, she reached into her tote and took out the velvet pouch of crystals. She went back to the entrance and poured the three polished stones into her palm. They felt warm and calming.

Gideon paused in his search to watch her. “You think the crystals will help you deal with the energy in here?”

“Maybe,” she said.

She closed her fingers around the stones and silently chanted the mantra her aunt had given her.I am calm. I am serene. I am centered. I exhale the bad energy and inhale the good.

After a moment the shivery sensation eased. She was still intensely aware of the dark vibe in the lobby, but she could keep it at a distance. At least temporarily.Practice, she thought.I just need more practice.

“They’re working, Gideon,” she said.

“Good,” Gideon said. “That’s great.”

She knew he was trying to sound encouraging.

“Don’t say it,” she warned.

Gideon moved behind the blackened stone monument that had once been the front desk. “Say what?”

“That I’m experiencing the placebo effect.”

“Hey, whatever works,” he said.

“Exactly.”

Gideon did not reply, because he was bending down behind the desk. When he straightened he had a slip of paper in one hand.

“What is it?” Amelia asked.

“A receipt from a gas station,” Gideon said. “Not one here in Lucent Springs. The station is located in a community on the coast about twenty miles north of San Diego.”

“What’s the date? Maybe one of the shooters dropped it last night?”