“It was inappropriate, and I apologize. The next time we come here we will do no such thing." She picked up a purse and slung it over her shoulder. "Here," she said, reaching inside and pulling out a card.

“My cell number is on here. The office number is out of date, I'm afraid, as I just left my previous job. But if you have any questions about Althea, please call." Her eyes caught her, strangely intent.

“If you want to talk about anything about Althea, you can call me. Anytime.

“Come on, kids," she said, and walked out, not looking back.

Well, your doctor seems to like you, Rachel observed silently, as they drove down the toll road towards Woodridge. Pretty, too, for all she tries to hide it. Too thin, but she's got a decent chest under those scrubs. And that face and her skin! She reminds me of Jasmine from

Aladdin. What nationality do you think she is? Israeli? Jordanian?

Althea made a disgusted noise. ~She's from Iran. At least, her family is. She was born here in the States. There were a lot of Iranian families that came over here after the Ayatollah took power back in the seventies. And only you would compare a woman like that to a Disney movie,~ she said. Her voice grew pensive. ~I hope there’s a happy ever after for her, though. She's been hurt. Badly. And she may be hurt worse by the time we're done.~

What do you mean?

~Did you see the way she looked at me?~

Not much different from the way we all looked at you, I thought. You're gorgeous, Althea. I knew that from the first night I met you. But to see you in the flesh...shit, you're overwhelming. No wonder you never had any problems finding partners. For you, the entire human race must have been like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

-~Well, that's true,~ Althea allowed modestly. ~But for poor Yasna back there, it goes deeper. And that's what worries me. Elf-shot, they used to call it, back in the old days, when there were still quite a few of us around. Certain humans would fixate on us, to the exclusion of everything else. And if we weren't very careful, they would pine away without us, forgetting to eat and drink and sleep, until they died.

~Humans made ballads about it. As if it were somehow glorious to die for love. How does that make any sense? Why would anyone want to leave this world? It is wonderful. I do not understand humans. Life and beauty and and the constant wonder of this good Earth, and they choose to leave it voluntarily.

~I will not have that. I will not have a beautiful, intelligent young woman die of neglect or by her own hand,~ Althea grumbled, sounding like a cranky old man, and Rachel smiled. She pulled off the tollway, taking the exit towards home. In the backseat, Maria and Alex were cuddled together, talking softly. It made Rachel's heart glow to see the love between the two of them. Every day it grew deeper, stronger, and richer.

~They are beautiful children, are they not?~

They are. Have you ever wondered, she asked, phrasing her question carefully. What it would be like to have children of your own?

~Only every day since I was seventeen, and the Messenger of God pronounced judgment on the succubi,~ Althea replied bleakly. ~I had taken Lovers before, and had never conceived. I do not know if even God knew what we would be Like, my brothers and sisters and myself. On that day the Messenger came down from Heaven and told me my fate.

Immortality and an eternal war against the Forsaken. And never a child.~

I'm sorry, she said softly. Look, she said, trying to distract her.

There's where we first met! The intersection where Pete Miller died flashed past.

~Damned fool,~ Althea said darkly. ~It would almost be worth going to

Hell. Just to kick his ass. Hey! Who the fuck is that, and what is he doing?~

Rachel drew an outraged breath as she pulled into the driveway. A large, beefy man was at her front door. From the angle it was difficult to see what he was doing, but it certainly Looked Like he was trying to pick the lock and gain entry. His shoulders were hunched under the jacket of his cheap suit, as if he were trying to hide his actions from prying eyes.

“Alex,” she snapped.

“Heads up. Someone's trying to break in. Get ready to call 911, but don't actually do it until I say so. Both of you, follow me, but stay back and keep quiet."

“Excuse me?" she said, climbing out of the car. Alex and Maria followed at a cautious distance. She kept her voice loud and cheerful, with only the slightest hint of concern. "Can I help you?"