Chapter 27
Death
Cut remained outside the cave and watched the sunlight play across the water in the lake. Every now and then she could hear faint laughter drift up to her even though the people were more than a mile away.
Forty-eight hours. Christine was right. The jewel was hanging onto a very thin, very fragile thread. If it was still alive by nightfall, she would be surprised.
"Well, might as well go back inside and face the music."
Steeling herself, she got to her feet and advanced toward the cave, keeping her eyes open and alert for any sign of the jewel in case it had already left its host and was lying it wait for her. She felt her body shift into lapie mode. Her teeth hardened, her body tingled, and every nerve ending went on full alert as she scanned the dirt and rock for th
