Chapter 21

“We wait,” I said, staring at the necklace that was my only hope in keeping my daughter with me.

* * * *

I must have fallen asleep because when I woke, the early morning sun was streaming through the curtains of Lily’s bedroom. I quickly scanned her bed and was startled to find she wasn’t there. I looked behind me and saw Ned sleeping in the rocker. I struggled to my feet. My body ached with the stiffness of one who has slept in a kid’s bed all night.

“Lily?” I whispered. The curtains moved in the cool air. A fresh, summery smell drifted in and out on the breeze. I was just about to call her again when I saw her crouched on the windowsill. When I moved closer, she made a horrible, low growling sound that made me stop.

“Lily,” I said slowly. “Come to Daddy.”