Damon looked up. “Audrey, how are you doing?”
“I’ll be okay,” she said, arms locked around herself again. “How’s she?”
He grimaced. “She needs to go home. And she’s not in any shape to take herself there.” His gaze shifted to me. “I need to talk to you,” he said reluctantly. “Jewel, honey, sit with Audrey a minute. Just for a minute. I’ll be right back.” He managed to pull her fingers free of his jacket, and transferred her, tear-streaked and trembling, into Audrey’s arms. Then he took my arm and pulled me several steps away, to speak in a low voice.
“Audrey could shade her home, of course,” he said, “but as soon as the others hear the news, they’re going to need me there anyway. I didn’t intend to tell them, not until… later. But now that the cat’s out of the bag, I have to be there wi
