Part 111 (1/2)

You're leaving me? Somehow, Claire managed not to voice her initial reaction.

His expression grew serious. ”I have seen h.e.l.l and I do not be long there, or they would not have allow me to leave. There is not enough evil in me for them to hold.” The corners of his mouth twitched up. ”It helped that you held my heart.”

When he smiled, Claire had to smile with him. ”That wasn't your heart.”

”Non? Ah, well, close enough.” He took a step back and held out his hand. ”Will you help me?”

So much for her speech about change being constant. Claire ripped up her mental notes, stood, and laid her palm against Jacques', his fingers wrapping around hers like cool smoke. ”Of course. When?”

”Now. I have found the courage to face her. I have found the courage to descend into h.e.l.l for I'ame, the soul, of Dean, who I do not even entirely like. I think while I have found my courage, I should use him, it, to face what is on the other side.”

”Did you want to wait and say good-bye to Dean?”

”No. You tell him I say au revoir, adieu, bonne chance, and that if he does not use it, it will fall off.”

”Maybe you'd better stay a few more minutes and tell him yourself.”

Jacques shook his head, a strand of translucent hair falling into his eyes. ”No, cherie. Now. There has always been, will always be, an excuse to stay. Dean, he will understand. It is a guy thing.”

”A guy thing?”

He shrugged. ”I hear it on Morningside.” One hand still wrapped about hers, he laid the other against her cheek. ”Thank you for the night we shared. I think I saw heaven a little bit in your arms.”

”You think?”

”I am fairly certain.” He grinned. ”When you talk of me, could you perhaps exaggerate a little?” When she nodded, her cheek moving up and down through his hand, he squared his shoulders under the heavy sweater. ”D'accord. Then I am ready.”

Claire reached through the possibilities and opened the way. Squinting a little, she stepped back to give him room. ”Just follow the light.”

His features almost dissolving in the brilliance, he took a step away from the world, and then he paused.

”Au revoir, cherie.”

”Good-bye, Jacques.”

”Sij'etais en vie, je't'aurais aime.”

And then he was gone.

”If I were alive, I would have loved you?”

Blinking away the spots in front or her eyes, Claire tried to focus on the cat.

Austin carefully climbed onto the ha.s.sock and sat down. ”Not a bad exit line.”

”You're supposed to be resting?”

”I am resting, I'm sitting.”

”You should go to the vet.”