* * *
Thane opened his eyes on cue. Basia appeared. He stared at the outline of her neck and jaw. He was aware of how close he was to her lips. They were moving. His head was cold. He didn't know what happened. Time to get up.
"I'm okay," he said as he raised himself upright. None of the others seemed to believe him. When he stood up they moved in closer around him, protecting him. He felt Basia's hand on his lower back. "What happened to me?"
"Listen to me Thane," Armaros said. "Take a minute. Take a breath. Are you sure that you're okay."
It took Thane longer than it should have to answer Armaros. He was momentarily flabbergasted by the onetime angel's immense size. This was the first time that Armaros had gotten out of the recliner since Thane awakened hours earlier. The big angel couldn't stand erect in a trailer that Thane knew had eight foot ceilings. The young deputy had played college football. He had seen big before, but not this kind of big.
"Yeah, I feel fine. Really."
"Something forced itself into your body Thane," Father Lucas said, "and used you to get a message to us."
"You mean like back at the hospital," Thane asked. He suddenly felt dirty and maybe a little nauseous. He hadn't made his mind up about the latter yet.
"Just like that," Mundy answered. "But you were too strong for him Thane. He couldn't stay in control of your body for any length of time."
Thane focused on Basia's hand rubbing his back. It felt good, even through the polyester of his uniform. He took a couple of breaths though his nose. That helped. He was doing his best not to be sick. "What was the message," he asked.
"That we're out of time," Armaros answered.