She nodded. He ripped the tape from Annabel's mouth. She hissed, but otherwise managed to control the fury he perceived in her mind. "We're giving you both the chance to live."
Annabel snorted. "We do not want your charity. We do not want your help."
He leaned back, regarding her steadily. "So you're happy to continue doing Walter's bidding until you literally melt away? Which, from what we've seen, is only a matter of months away."
Annabel stared at him for several seconds, then licked her lips. "What do you mean, melt?
We are not melting."
"It happened to the chauffeur at the airport," Shirley said, watching Annabel through the rearview mirror rather than watching the road. "And it killed both the imp and his vampire host."
"No. It's not possible. He told us there would be no danger."
Shirley raised her eyebrows. "And you believe a man who has already killed eight of your number?"
