Part 7 (2/2)

Dean turned.

”We don't know that we can't get through the closer one.”

”We don't want to risk setting off an alarm.”

”And the longer we spend wandering around the mall, the greater the chance we'll be discovered. Dean, turn here.”

Dean turned.

”Charging in on a direct line to the Emporium is a lot more likely to get us noticed. Dean, turn here.”

Dean stopped the truck.

Both sisters shot him essentially identical looks of disbelief as they rocked forward against their seat belts.

”You either walk from here,” he told them calmly, ”or you agree on an entrance.”

The cab filled with overlapping protests and no agreement.

Irresistible brown eyes met immovable brown eyes.

”Okay, that's it.” Austin flowed up over the back of the seat. ”Since two of us are out here sweltering in fur coats . . .”

”I'm okay,” Sam interrupted.

”Shut up, kid. . . . sweltering in fur coats,” he repeated, ”and there's air-conditioning behind whatever door we decide to go through, I'm making an executive decision.” He jumped down onto Claire's lap and put his front paws up onto the dash. ”What's wrong with those doors? They're closest.”

Claire shook her head. ”They lead to one of this reality's anchor stores. The way things are skewed, we might not be able to get out.”

”Fine. What about the next doors?”

”Same store.”

”And the doors after that?”

”That,” Diana told him, arms crossed and sitting as slumped as her seat belt and the crowded conditions allowed, ”is where I went in last night.”

”Then that's where we're going in today.”

”But it's my Summons. I should be in charge.”

Austin's head swiveled slowly around and caught Diana in an emerald glare.

”Okay,” she muttered, wondering whose bright idea it had been that Keepers hang out with cats. ”We'll go in there.”

”Excellent idea. Claire?”

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