Julia felt both shock and worry roll into one. She lurched and helped her up, demanding, “What’s wrong, Deirdre? Why were you hiding in the closet? And God, why are you shaking so much!?”

Deirdre’s lashes were quivering. She desperately sought her voice, and when it finally came out like a leaky whisper, she exhaled, “I’m… fine…”

“Miss me with that bullsh*t! You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”

Deirdre sputtered out a dry laugh. It was as if she had a brush with Death itself—and for now, she l