Carpathian 12 - Dark Melody

through his hair. "She's such a defenseless little thing, why wouldn't she tell me? She knew I thought she was in danger. She should have listened to me."
    "She listened to you, Cullen, she just didn't hear you. You'll find Lisa says things to appease you because she doesn't like arguments, but in the end she does exactly what she wants," Corinne said. She was pulling her clothes out of the suitcase and rushing for the bathroom.
    "She knew how dangerous it was," Cullen said, trying to convince himself. "Maybe she didn't really go; maybe she started to and changed her mind."
    Corinne yanked on her jeans, calling out to him through the bathroom door. "No, she didn't, Cullen. She pretended to believe us because it was what we all wanted to hear and Lisa doesn't believe in upsetting people. I'm telling you, Lisa doesn't argue. This is my fault. I should have known she would do this. Don't worry, I'll bring her back." She was buttoning the small pearl buttons of her blouse as fast as she was able, smoothing the material, her hand lingering for one small moment over her baby. She glanced at her watch. It was four thirty in the afternoon. How had she slept the day away again? Using cold water, Corinne splashed her face in an attempt to clear the fog from her brain. It was strange how tired she was.
    Was her heart giving out so soon? Abruptly she pulled her thoughts away from her mortality and concentrated on the problem at hand. Lisa was in danger, and nothing else mattered at that moment.
    Running barefoot back into the bedroom, Corinne swept up her hair haphazardly and fastened it into a semblance of a ponytail. "Where are my shoes?" Even as she asked the question aloud, she focused on the missing items and drew them to her. The shoes found their own way out from under the bed and presented themselves to her open palms. Cullen stared at her in amazement. Ignoring him, Corinne sat back on the bed and pulled on the sandals. "Stop staring at me, Cullen," she commanded. "I didn't know where the dam things were. Lisa must have taken a cab. We'll have to use your car; mine is still at the house. Where is it?"
    "Right outside on the street. Don't bring it in here," he responded dryly.
    Corinne's vivid green eyes flickered over him, then began to dance in spite of the gravity of the situation.
    "I wonder if I could. Where's Dayan?" He had been with her when she fell asleep. She remembered that Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    quite distinctly.
    Cullen cleared his throat. "It's a little early for him, but he'll know where we've gone when he wakes up.
    He always knows." He tried to sound reassuring.
    Corinne's hands stilled around the strap of her purse. "Why don't you wake him up?" There was something in Cullen's demeanor that made her suspicious, but of what, she didn't know.
    "He didn't stay here last night. After you went to sleep, he left. He likes his privacy," Cullen added a little lamely.
    "Isn't that strange, when he's so quick to invade mine," Corinne murmured. She snatched up her purse and headed determinedly for the door. "Come on if you're coming. I want to make sure Lisa is safe."
    "I'm coming, all right, and I'll have a few things to say to Lisa when I see her," Cullen added, holding open the door for Corinne.
    "It doesn't do any good to get mad at Lisa," Corinne counseled as she slipped into the passenger seat.
    "She doesn't view things like other people. Yelling doesn't work with her, it only distresses her. I don't want her hurt, Cullen."
    "Isn't that what we're trying to prevent?" he asked between his teeth.
    "That isn't what I'm talking about. She's very vulnerable. I'm sure she told you about her brother's death."
    "Which is exactly why she should be taking this seriously," he pointed out. "She's too trusting."
    "There's nothing wrong with that, Cullen," Corinne said gently. "That's what makes Lisa Lisa. She is trusting and genuinely sweet and good." She glanced at his set features. "I've never seen her with a man the way she is with you. She talks a great deal, but she doesn't really fall for anyone. Don't do anything to hurt her."
    Cullen laughed unexpectedly. "I believe she was planning to have this exact talk with Dayan about you."
    Corinne tossed her head, her hair swinging against the window with an independent little swish. "I am perfectly capable of looking out for myself. Lisa, on the other hand, is not." Her eyes flashed at him in warning.
    "I hear you,