While 5-year-old Martha was looking at one of the balloons

At home, presents were under the tree, waiting for their return.

He was realizing the impact the lie had on their relationship.

Why don't you put her on the bed in their room?

Two children, brother and sister, were on their way to school.

At this they both put their heads over the side of the buggy and looked down.

The birds flew to their nests.

The travellers now resumed their walk toward the cottage, which they presently reached.

He put the birds softly, one by one, into their warm little home.

Was it greedy to want one of their own as well?

Perhaps the soldiers had given up their plan.

I miss their annual calendar.

Their parents did not like seeing the twins so sad about not being in the same class.

Was the deceit worth it for their sake?

The shepherd led them gently back to the hut and gave them their usual supper of bread and milk.

Alex introduced Jonathan and their welcome to him was equally warm.

They quickly surrounded him and made him their prisoner.

Someone knocked on the door and when she answered it, a man brought in their luggage.

As the horse ambled along, drawing the buggy, the people of the glass city made way for them and formed a procession in their rear.

Inside the archway were several doors, leading to different rooms built into the mountain, and Zeb and the Wizard lifted these wooden doors from their hinges and tossed them all on the flames.

Everyone liked the idea, so they returned to their rooms and cleaned up.

Just above them, and almost on a level with their platform, were banks of rolling clouds which constantly shifted position and changed color.

The people of his country had made him their king; but as soon as he had made good laws for them he gave up his crown.

He persuaded other towns near Antium to send their soldiers to help him.

With lively curiosity everyone tried to get a glimpse of the projectiles as they flew over their heads.

A large crowd of militiamen and domestics were moving toward her, and in their midst several men were supporting by the armpits and dragging along a little old man in a uniform and decorations.

That made all their children her aunts and uncles, and their grandchildren her cousins.

A few minutes later they all marched in and took their places at the table.

Their welcome to Alex appeared to be genuine.

Felipa left them to their family outing and returned to the house.

Carmen headed for their room.

Whatever the case, they were getting closer to their goal.

Not if you judge by the car and their clothes.

Whatever their reasons, they treated us well.

Lots of the folks on the street had poor teeth and most of their clothes were practically rags.

I'm going over to their house.

With so many people at their house, it was fortunate that the weather was warm and dry so they could utilize the courtyard for the children.

There are lots of folks who would use their genie-wish to do just that.

Their repartee set the tone for the evening.

Their clothing was old fashioned and there was a kerosene lamp on a table.

They were mopping their brows.

They might just figure I'm a whack case or worse yet, want to round you up and stuff you in their back office.

Tell me what makes their calls different from other tips.

That got their attention.

The police are getting wise and keeping their mouths shut.

I can't imagine them missing her Aunt Rose Abbott's service or at least calling in with their status.

Their energies are stronger when they're alive.

The only bait he could find was a bright red blossom from a flower; but he knew fishes are easy to fool if anything bright attracts their attention, so he decided to try the blossom.

These preparations had not consumed a great deal of time, but the sleeping Gargoyles were beginning to wake up and move around, and soon some of them would be hunting for their missing wings.

The two young men got down their bows and arrows, and all were busy making plans for the next day.

They stood there for a moment, watching their image in the mirror.

Later, in their room, Alex explained.

If Howie drops into ten or twenty minutes of anyone's life, chance are all he sees is them picking their nose, reading a book or working.

Betsy and Martha hugged their goodbyes.

We're just beginning to understand their impact on nature and the universe.

This causes them to be drawn to those flowers in their search of pollen.

Objects attract if their charges are different or repel if they are the same.

Quinn's equipment was located in their full basement.

I was surprised to find their moods somber.

It described how Timothy's mother had left her son in their enclosed yard to answer a phone call.

By the time they reached their daughter she was dead, with no one in sight.

Proving their accuracy is up to the authorities.

Martha and Quinn were readying for our restaurant dinner in their room and Betsy was upstairs usurping the single bathroom.

If the police investigated in an orderly way and took their time the victim would most likely be harmed or killed.

I'll pluck their eyes from their head!

They refused to do so, citing their promise to tipsters of absolute confidentiality.

Other members of the defense bar would surely look closely if their clients were apprehended because of unverifiable tips and assail the source, if they could locate it.

They say fifty thousand people have hit their web site!

They understood giving any credibility to a hint of the existence of a psychic tipster adversely affected their ultimate chance for a conviction.

Nor would most authorities offer any help in a search to find the source of their tips when they were forced to admit to them.

Obtaining hard and fast evidence was their not-always simple chore.

It's been a part of me since the dogs of law released from their barred kennel.

When these guys want something, they work real hard to get it and they have lots of toys at their disposal.

I can see where the local law enforcement people wouldn't be thrilled with these folks looking over their shoulder and pushing them.

From the looks on the glum faces before me, he had neither told them anything nor was there success in their search for the killer.

She only provides tips and assumes the authorities will use our call to investigate the crime and reach their own conclusions with legally obtained evidence.

How could a person keep their sanity under those circumstances?

Even the trash-can liner newspaper that caused us to be hunted down by reward-sniffing hounds has backed off, terminating their contest.

If the Federal Government is continuing to dog us, they are doing so clandestinely, as we've heard nothing of their activities.

Much the case with Howie and Julie, I felt the personal lives of our group deserved their own space to address their own problems.

While the fools looked for my car nearby, I, in spite of excruciating pain, managed to escape their feeble efforts to find me.

She had not been reported missing because her mother lay dead in their small rural farm house over a hundred miles away.

Over their shoulder I saw Martha leave, with little Claire in her arms.

Best I pluck one from their pack and nicely convince that person to share their secret with Daddy!

While their servants aged, her father never did.

Their breathing synced, and she stilled.

His gaze went to their arms.

Inside the hedge they came upon row after row of large and handsome plants with broad leaves gracefully curving until their points nearly reached the ground.

Then the three held a counsel to decide what they should do next, but could think of no way to better their condition.

So the prisoners resolved to leave their prison at once.

Dorothy was a little anxious about the success of their trip, for the way Jim arched his long neck and spread out his bony legs as he fluttered and floundered through the air was enough to make anybody nervous.

It carried their baggage and was useful to ride in wherever there were good roads, and since it had accompanied them so far in their travels they felt it their duty to preserve it.

That was why the people were so glad to see you, and why they thought from your initials that you were their rightful ruler.

Hearing this apology the Tiger and the Lion stopped lashing their tails and retreated with dignified steps to the side of the Princess.

As for the jury, the members whispered to each other for a few minutes before they appointed their spokesperson.

Brave men left their homes and hurried toward Boston.

And so they set out on their journey to Exeter.

The musicians and dancers were in their places.

So he employed a wise man whose name was Al Farra to be their teacher.

This was one of their first lessons at home and at school.

The shah, or ruler of these people, went out to meet Alexander and welcome him to their country.

So they welcomed Coriolanus very kindly and made him the general of their army.

He taught that men ought to be kind even to their enemies.

That it would mean people would no longer know their neighbors?

Before technology and prosperity, virtually everyone spent long hard days scraping together enough calories for themselves and their family to survive.

A very, very few people, however, were freed from this sustenance lifestyle, either by their fortuitous birth or outstanding ability.

I was keenly surprised and disappointed years later to learn of their acts of persecution that make us tingle with shame, even while we glory in the courage and energy that gave us our "Country Beautiful."

The waves seemed to be playing a game with me, and tossed me from one to another in their wild frolic.

I cannot fathom or define their meaning any more than I can fathom or define love or religion or goodness.

The guests got up and took their leave, promising to return to dinner.

The countess in turn, without omitting her duties as hostess, threw significant glances from behind the pineapples at her husband whose face and bald head seemed by their redness to contrast more than usual with his gray hair.

When the kids were settled in their room, she turned on Alex.

Or maybe he was thinking about their conversation last night.

His warm fingers released her shoulders and traced their way up her neck, cupping her jaws in his hands.

Their differences couldn't be merely heritage.

Felipa considered the question a moment and then her brows resumed their normal position.

Was it possible that their accent was in large, contrived?

Most girls wanted to be a princess at some point in their youth, though she couldn't specifically remember that wish.

That was the extent of their conversation before Señor Medena cut in.

He was so tall there was a vast difference in their height.

That evening after Destiny and Jonathan were asleep, Carmen was picking up in their room.

When Morino rode far enough ahead so that he couldn't hear their conversation, Carmen finally spoke to Alex.

She climbed the stairs and entered their room.

Wouldn't it be wounded knowing he had been used to their advantage?

Their issues faded into the background as they began preparing the house for the new babies.

Since his current office was directly across from their bedroom, it seemed a better place for babies that Alex said could be born early.

Covers needed to be put on the electrical outlets and the windows still held their tags.

After their conversation, she leaned back in the chair to get some rest.

Their last name is Anderson.

Were victims ever suspicious of their attackers beforehand?

But the effects of the trip had taken their toll.

They were making no progress in their relationship.

Their kiss was warm and exciting - deeply gratifying.

Martha commutes weekends a hundred miles from their home.

Be it as it may, both seem happy as pigeons in a bird bath with their modest lives.

Their screams are genuine and tangible.

They plead for me, their master, to stop but I never will now that I know what I'm capable of accomplishing.

Martha and Betsy spent many a weekend searching out of the way shops and country auctions for their antiques.

I'll better his total before I die and they'll not know I ever existed... unless someone sees me in their crystal ball.

Three. He killed the mother and father so there was no one to report their daughter missing, for nearly a week.

So far, all their snooping is fact finding but if they want your talents, they don't take no for an answer.

Irv Goldman was in charge of their ill-conceived venture while it was running, so their switch board tells me.

I'm just wondering if we should tell them, for their own protection.

It wasn't the open road wanderers I envied but the home town golfers; they seemed so content in their pastoral surroundings.

It's like we try to do good and theses unintended side effects occur; the deputy sheriff in Alabama, that Youngblood jerk in California, plus the parents murdered just so the discovery of their child's abduction would be delayed.

First their location; gleaned from that accommodating Miss Washington and her memory of the area code.

Surely such sleuthing and cleverness deserves more reward than hiding in the bushes and watching the dogs of law ineptly do their duty.

The events of the last few days coupled with the dread of the unknown future were taking their toll.

When Jude Bryce hears how his brother died, presumably avenging their arrest, he's going to announce it was the psychic tipster who killed him!

I telephoned their office with the intention of informing them myself.

It killed me not to use the chance to rub their noses in the fact I beat them to the punch on this!

No, and neither Quinn nor Martha are picking up their phones.

I took my time to see what secrets I might glean from their abode.

Their house was lonely, and a little scary without them.

Prior to its construction, a school bus could only pass over it empty, necessitating the children to alight, walk, and rejoin their transportation of the far side.

Alas, woman and child have missed their opportunity to share our company.

And we'll start by taking out one of their leaders.

Her resolve lasted until her father left for dinner with their wealthy neighbors.

She took in his wounds again, unable to fathom why her father would chain him to the wall in their wine cellar.

The harder she concentrated, the louder Jule's heartbeat grew, as if their bodies were pressed together again.

His guards lay dead in the hallway before his door, and she leapt over their bodies, shoving the door to his apartments open.

He felt her turmoil through their bond and ached to ease her pain.

Deidre approached unbidden and stood before him, wishing she understood him and their bond better.

Bird Song was empty when the Deans returned after retrieving the Jeep and making their way to the inn by back streets.

The couple changed into shorts and boots, more satisfactory attire for their mountain drive with Jennifer Radisson.

So he placed Dorothy upon one side of him and the boy upon the other and set a lantern upon each of their heads.

The strangers took their seats at the table willingly enough, for they were all hungry and the platters were now heaped with good things to eat.

The horse had especially attracted their notice, because it was the biggest and strangest creature they had ever seen; so it became the center of their first attack.

Al Mansur loved poetry and was fond of hearing poets repeat their own verses.

These soldiers guarded the streets of the town; they would not let any one go out or come in without their leave.

If the people of Boston must fight for their liberty, we will help them.

When the king's soldiers heard about this powder, they made up their minds to go out and get it for themselves.

The cry awoke the farmers; they sprang from their beds and looked out.

Men and boys pulled with all their might; and Putnam and the wolf were drawn out together.

His officers and great men shook their heads.

But I am a prince, and it is foolish for princes to waste their time with such things.

On a mountain near their city, there was a narrow chasm or hole in the rocks.

All who reach old age must lose their strength and become like him, feeble and gray.

Their lives are spent in toiling for the rich.

All the men seemed amused when they saw the boy, and as they rode up, they greeted the king by taking off their hats.

People from all parts of the world sent to it, to tell it their troubles and get its advice.

They told him about their errand and showed him the beautiful prize.

Filmmakers such as James Cameron and George Lucas used to talk about putting off film projects to wait for the computer technology to catch up to their visions.

But once cars improved enough, for all intents and purposes we stopped increasing their top speed.

The open source movement and Creative Commons licensing are examples of people willing to share their intellectual labor to help others.

I thought they desired the freedom of their fellow men as well as their own.

Discouragement and weariness cast me down frequently; but the next moment the thought that I should soon be at home and show my loved ones what I had accomplished, spurred me on, and I eagerly looked forward to their pleasure in my achievement.

There are some who complain most energetically and inconsolably of any, because they are, as they say, doing their duty.

Most behave as if they believed that their prospects for life would be ruined if they should do it.

Pierre drank one glass after another, looking from under his brows at the tipsy guests who were again crowding round the window, and listening to their chatter.

A tall, stout, and proud-looking woman, with a round-faced smiling daughter, entered the drawing room, their dresses rustling.

Entering the drawing room, where the princesses spent most of their time, he greeted the ladies, two of whom were sitting at embroidery frames while a third read aloud.

Berg evidently enjoyed narrating all this, and did not seem to suspect that others, too, might have their own interests.

Others in that heat and crush racked their brains to find some thought and hastened to utter it.

While the horses were being harnessed Alpatych and Ferapontov over their tea talked of the price of corn, the crops, and the good weather for harvesting.

Believing their danger past, they sprang from their ambush and, chirruping something in their shrill little voices and holding up their skirts, their bare little sunburned feet scampered merrily and quickly across the meadow grass.

They would have had to retire of their own accord, for they had no water for men or horses.

Alondra and Felipa were watching her intently, and even Señor Medena seemed to be interested in what their life was like at home.

Now even their relationship was beginning to suffer.

They talked for a few minutes and then Carmen left to take Destiny to their room.

His fingers touched her chin and slid down her throat, exploring their way down to her bodice.

This was usually the point at which he carried her to their room.

She started to get up so she could lead him to their bedroom, but he tugged her back down to the window seat.

It was the first time they made love any place outside their bedroom, and it was way beyond exciting.

Their relationship was no longer swathed in innocence.

It was yet another example of the way their marriage continued to mature.

All that was true enough, but remaining bitter about it wasn't going to improve their relationship.

Now they could discuss things instead of avoiding sensitive subjects - build on their relationship instead of tearing it down with the same demolition ball.

Alex was sitting in their room the last night they were at the hacienda.

It's a little early, but twins tend to have their own schedule.

Both were healthy and breathing on their own.

Natalie and Matthew lay separated in their incubators, each sleeping.

Later they were taken to a room where they were introduced to their newest family members.

Sharing their problems was a step in the right direction.

Alex paused at the door to their bedroom, a tray of coffee in his hands.

At some point their marriage had morphed into a family.

Lathum walked beside him to their patrol car and picked up a tablet.

I thought you didn't judge people by their pocketbooks.

To her imaginative and inexperienced mind, it was obvious that he was doing their homework.

Two weeks before the arrest, she dissolved the remainder of their relationship.

Other than the fact that she and Howard had already disrupted their lives enough for her, it was comforting to have her there.

Their efforts relieved her of concern about the ceremony.

For a moment she hesitated, remembering their last discussion.

After a moment of thanks, they all began their meal.

It was strange how he could blush at praise, but watch with unabashed interest while she nursed their child.

Never the less he and Martha have four married years under their belts and are expecting their first child.

It's so nice not to listen to police sirens and taxies honking their horns but I'm afraid we might have woken Howie up earlier.

Martha would drive Howie to Boston's Logan Airport for his flight back to California while Quinn would remain to pack up his equipment before leaving later for a hundred mile drive to their home in nearby Peabody, Mass.

These Carolina country fools never lock their doors making it so easy it's scarcely a challenge.

Martha and Betsy chatted constantly over decorating ideas and their new hobby, scouring the area for antiques.

Their compassion demanded it be done but they anguished when no information was forthcoming.

Through Brennan's subtle urging, the authorities, ultimate recipients of our tips, were learning to deny them outright or down playing their importance.

Quinn and Martha perpetually had their hands full with their baby and Betsy stayed home, content to have extra time with our expanding garden.

Their actions showed moral ambiguity.

The clouds far above were starting to swirl with hypnotic slowness, the rain beginning to fall again, and the sea beneath their feet rippling and shifting beneath the rubbery surface.

What's worse is they want to use our backyard as their warzone.

She felt the truth in his words, perhaps because their souls had touched when they first met the day before.

He released their hands, panting.

As their king, Damian owed them nothing.

They have to finish their clean-up.

The children were all elementary age, their dismembered bodies nothing but carnage.

They talked about how to punish me and then sat me down and told me their decision.

By the time Dean finished listing the information, Fred was gone and Cynthia was off to read in their quarters.

When Dean entered their bedroom, Cynthia was no longer crying, but furious.

Who put bread on their family's table?

Once we have a sheriff's salary coming in, maybe we can add a little to their budget—until they get settled.

I just have to answer their questions—honestly—and not make any promises.

That's quite a coincidence, their being out here at the time we learn about the bones.

Dean had trouble remembering who was who but all were of like mind in their affection for the old man who turned up the charm meter a notch or two.

They stuck around, pretending to pick up glasses and snack plates while the Dawkins four quarreled, oblivious to their presence.

There were stern looks exchanged and then the group was gone, stomping and snapping their way up the stairs.

The Deans were up at the first pink of dawn, but they didn't beat Fred O'Connor, who had already perked coffee, cracked eggs, and burned toast for their morning breakfast.

While he was pleased that Bird Song was starting the day on a pleasant note, the knot in his stomach remained to remind him of their pending trip to the mine.

But their plans didn't work out.

Their offer was quickly accepted.

Returning to their vehicle, they cautiously left the roadway on the newly discovered track.

They parked behind rocks, away from the direction of their approach, and immediately saw a nearly invisible path upward.

They began the arduous climb, puffing in the high elevation for ten minutes until the trail leveled and opened to their left.

The darkness immediately engulfed them and they paused a dozen baby steps into the tunnel to allow their eyes to become accustomed to the blackness.

Following Martha's directions, they moved to their right.

It seemed to come from behind them but it could have been anything—a dislodged rock, an echo of their own movements.

But in spite of their pace, the return trip seemed to take much longer.

They retraced their steps until they reached another fork in the tunnel.

Someone had deliberately mis-marked their return route.

They brushed the mud from their clothes and sat for enough minutes to regain their composure.

As they moved down the trail to their parked Jeep, they heard the sound of a vehicle approaching.

Both jumped to their feet and started around the cluster of boulders where Joseph had parked only to see the tail of Joseph Dawkins' Jeep as it bumped across the blanketing wave of wild flowers.

It was an hour later before they saw their first vehicle, an old Scout, battered and muddy, coming out of a side trail below them.

The exhausted couple stopped at a service station to fill the tires to their proper level.

He placed the bone atop Cynthia's jewelry box on their bureau and climbed into bed.

The auction continued in full swing, the outdoor area crowded with bargain seekers, their acquired spoils piled high about them.

Their small car didn't have room to haul the container across the prairie.

To get away from the temptation and bring Cynthia up to date, he left the festive group of plunderers and joined his wife in their room.

The window was open to the summer evening and the bottle-opening revelers could be heard clearly as he sat on their bed.

It was the first real words the two had exchanged since their meeting at the mine.

The number fell to three when a dinnertime caller remembered someone opening their purchase in the parking lot.

They'd delayed in Ouray just long enough to attend the auction and planned to leave immediately afterward for their next stop, the Grand Canyon.

While Dean distrusted the Dawkins, given their mutual animosity toward one another, any collective effort on their part—on any project—seemed questionable, if not impossible.

So they told some young child about their find, assuming he'd report it and get them off the hook.

It's too easy for kids to get liquor and too little else for them to do with their time.

That, and Maria's presence, practically gave the Deans a holiday of their own.

Are you working on their behalf?

I see you've had in-depth conversations with my stepsons, Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dee—and their lovely wives!

Or maybe it's just because daddy didn't ask their permission first.

They spouted some cock-and-bull story that their mother always wanted them to have the property.

Maybe that's why I want it to stay out of their hands.

Both lost their wives to cancer and I think my father was a tad jealous but pleased our marriage made his friend and his daughter both so happy.

Ginger had—maybe is still having—an affair with her husband's brother, and if she isn't sleeping with their attorney it isn't because neither isn't trying.

The six ladies-in-waiting of the Dean for Sheriff brigade cupped their hands and booed the competition, to the delight of the crowd.

She pointed to the two young men, almost unrecognizable in their ponderous gear of boots, rubber coat, and visored helmet.

Getting knocked on their asses was exactly what happened— again and again.

But he just murmured an agreement as they returned to their room.

Cynthia felt first anger and then violation that a thief had entered their private quarters.

While the theft of the bone cast a pall on the upcoming activity, the anticipation of an outing in the mountains helped brighten their mood.

The Deans shared a subdued silence as they boarded the Jeep to pick up their guest at the Beaumont.

The Deans drove the short distance to the Beaumont to pick up their guest, who was standing outside at the curb waiting for them.

The road paralleled the river to their right and far below, which was most often hidden by the pine trees that blanketed the slope.

Dean explained to their guest the winter power of Mother Nature.

Their time was limited if they were to visit the disputed property.

The Deans just smiled, pleased at sharing part of their beautiful world.

They huffed their way, with Jennifer laughingly stopping to catch her breath every few steps.

While everyone heard the same noise, their reactions differed.

The Deans, while making no comment on the discovery, realized this was how someone could have entered the mine and altered their markings while they were inside.

After they were settled in the vehicle and on their way back to town, Jennifer Radisson brought up the more mundane subjects of the mine and her litigation.

I can't answer that for sure, but don't you think their sudden interest in the property and the discovery of the bones is quite a coincidence?

Fred O'Connor was in the living room, hosting three of the four Dawkins, with Ginger missing, when the Deans returned to their bed and breakfast.

He filled Fred in on meeting Jennifer Radisson, their afternoon trip to the mine, and the discovery of a back entrance.

The town was choked with visitors, some already staking out their spots with folding chairs to view the later festivities—the last hurrah of the holiday.

Above them, the headlights of the two vehicles grew more distant, finally hidden from view by their angle of descent.

As they stopped to catch their breath, Dean noticed his rope was down to a single coil.

One member of Mountain Rescue grabbed him under the arms while another unfastened his line, but he shook off their ministrations while he tried to focus on the activity going on around him.

A tow truck had already arrived and its flashing lights competed with a half dozen others while at least a dozen people moved about, with most of their activity directed downward.

Their joint realization that no one would ever speak with Billy Langstrom again was sobering.

While Dean had been at odds with the man since their first confrontation last January, it was Fitzgerald's venomous comments at the debate that led Dean to now believe him capable of almost anything.

Today's program was scheduled for a different track—meeting with the old timers, the curmudgeons, over their morning coffee meeting at Diversions Coffee House.

Time was when this area's families spent their lives here, from birth to death with the soil providing their sustenance and the earth the riches, at least for a few.

Dean knew from reading their newspaper comments and hearing of their exploits that age had in no way diminished their faculties.

Harold and Charlie shook their heads no.

The three men shook their heads no.

It was equally obvious that the group was uniform in their ability to poke fun at one another as well as an unsuspecting visitor.

Maria, ever smiling, joined them at the table, looking from one to the other as they spoke, understanding little but enjoying their company and thrilled with their praise.

The conversation turned back to the substitution of the skeleton and the theft of the small bone from their room.

And while he isn't sure exactly where it was staged, there's a possibility he might have been in the same theatrical company that played Ouray, went broke and left their gear in storage.

He didn't have to explain how accusing his opponent would be perceived, especially after their acrimonious debate.

Dean wondered if he and Cynthia would be camping in their pup tent in Bird Song's back yard.

Dean sensed Fred had finished his own web business before unhooking and was content to let the waiting line of users cool their respective heels.

He grumbled something about getting one of those "take a number" dispensers the big city post offices had, right below their self-serving signs applauding their high level of service.

While Cynthia didn't explain her decision to fit God and church into their busy Sunday morning schedule, once again she dressed for church and Dean dutifully followed suit.

Cynthia ushered the group down the hall to their office, out of earshot and out of sight.

They were too busy knocking on Fred's door before he'd even risen to book their reservations for Cyberville.

The worst thing was their terror of reaching the bottom of this great crack in the earth, and the natural fear that sudden death was about to overtake them at any moment.

Crash after crash echoed far above their heads, as the earth came together where it had split, and stones and chunks of clay rattled around them on every side.

They're cold and flabby, like cabbages, in spite of their prettiness.

The Mangaboos were much impressed because they had never before seen any light that did not come directly from their suns.

The wooden things wound their long arms around Zeb and the Wizard and held them fast.

Several stories of empty rooms rewarded their search, but nothing more; so after a time they came back to the platform again.

Our friends had a good start and were able to maintain it, for with their eight wings they could go just as fast as could the Gargoyles.

But their journey was almost over, for in a short time they reached a small cave from which there was no further outlet.

They are still proud of their former Wizard, and often speak of you kindly.

One day when they were with their mother, she showed them a wonderful book that some rich friend had given her.

In those days, people had not learned to be kind to their enemies.

But they had made up their minds to get rid of him.

And when he had blessed them, all began to sing; and the whole forest was filled with sweetness and joy because of their wonderful melodies.

And before the end of the journey Aesop had nothing to carry, while the other slaves were groaning under their heavy loads.

And they scampered away to their holes.

They were men who made the laws, and much depended upon their wisdom.

Then with his strong face aglow in their feeble light, he made a speech in favor of a law to help poor fishermen.

All the other men will take off their hats, but the king will keep his on.

And every day, their product gets better because it is being fed more data.

Once Jim extends the invitation, he memorizes all the individuals' names, where they are from, what they do for a living, information about their families, and so forth.

One brief spring, musical with the song of robin and mocking-bird, one summer rich in fruit and roses, one autumn of gold and crimson sped by and left their gifts at the feet of an eager, delighted child.

One day some gentlemen called on my mother, and I felt the shutting of the front door and other sounds that indicated their arrival.

Kings and queens who wear a suit but once, though made by some tailor or dressmaker to their majesties, cannot know the comfort of wearing a suit that fits.

He was lying on his back propped up high, and his small bony hands with their knotted purple veins were lying on the quilt; his left eye gazed straight before him, his right eye was awry, and his brows and lips motionless.

The old prince used to approve of them for their endurance at work when they came to Bald Hills to help with the harvest or to dig ponds, and ditches, but he disliked them for their boorishness.

The neighbors invited me over to watch the game on their new TV. I have to admit that I was jealous their TV's much bigger than mine!

As they would be drinking, James and Claudia left their car at home and took a taxi to the party.

The idea of spending her days with the reserved Sofi and cheerful Bianca was surprisingly appealing, though she couldn't help feeling intimidated by their happiness.

She pushed their energies away self-consciously at the sudden silence and sets of eyes gazing at her.

Yully opened herself to him, and he shivered as their souls, then their bodies, met once again.

If I have a doctor's note saying I'm under their care, isn't that good enough until they figure it out?

A man's face, a woman in the hospital on her death bed, their children surrounding them.

He looked down as two of his Guardians hopped up from their positions.

He'd begun to think their recruitment standards were slipping until Jake mentioned the operation.

A few Naturals were found every year, and he didn't bother to remember their names in an organization his size, leaving that level of detail to his most trusted men, the two regional commanders, and dozens of sector commanders worldwide.

He snatched her phone as he squatted beside her and tossed it in the sink above their heads, stretching to turn on the water.

Normally, Guardians were supposed to ease the transition of Naturals into their organization.

Just like their supreme leader, typed Dusty.

I'm getting reports from the recruitment team that a lot of their newly flagged Guardians are getting whacked as soon as they make the list, Damian said.

They moved in tandem without looking at each other, their movements controlled and efficient.

If the men around her were predators, the man who entered next was their alpha.

Most women were too intimidated to go near him, let alone get close enough to throw their arms around him.

He wouldn't let someone like her get stuck in the middle of their war.

When he turned to place their breakfast on the table near the patio, he thought he recognized her.

At their silence, another thought hit her.

This world … their world … was nothing like what she knew.

Damian issued few clean-up orders, for there was no way to maintain the discretion his Guardians needed to mask their shadow operations protecting humanity.

If you are asked, you can give them insight into their future, so long as you do not reveal everything.

No human's eyes glowed red, and their inhuman growls as she passed resembled those of animals.

They watched her like they intended to make her their dinner.

Jake shot off a burst of rounds as several vamps raced across the courtyard, their red eyes glowing and growls loud.

Her memories wiggled their way out of the mud of her mind, and she sat upright.

He tugged her forward until their bodies met.

She didn't look at him until his back was to her on their way toward the door.

He didn't understand the ins and outs of their blood bond, but he knew how much she rocked his world when she drank from him earlier.

Damian hadn't returned the night before after their last interaction.

Always want women with huge boobs and nothing between their ears.

She wasn't dressed in skin-tight workout clothes like Claire, who joined Damian as he trotted down the stairs for their daily sparring session.

Visitors held out their hands like this, Dusty said, indicating his outstretched hand.

Sofia sat in one of the plush chairs, legs pulled to her chest, and watched their brotherly exchange.

She didn't want to look, sensing she'd met a source of their issues already.

Beautiful women that rivaled Claire and men so handsome, even age couldn't diminish their muscular bodies or riveting looks.

I just signed their death warrants, and you think I'd stoop so low as to point the gun at someone because I'm jealous?

The Guardians knew that betrayal would be confronted by Dusty, and even those loyal to Damian feared him appearing unexpectedly at their door.

Everyone and their mothers are here tonight.

Their war, it's been going on for thousands of years.

What was it with these men and their moods?

Claire didn't look any worse for wear after a day in the offsite location Dusty had scouted as a temporary dungeon for their prisoners.

They ignored her, and she rested her head on the back of the chair, their low talk and the warmth of the fire lulling her into another trance.

Their gazes lingered before they returned to their conversations.

They were everywhere, like the mountain ranges surrounding their hideout.

She looked healthier and happier than during their last two encounters, and Linda had let it slip that she and Rainy were talking again.

He'd approved all their purchases and talked them out of a few bad ones during the morning.

Their faces lit up at the sight of Jule, and Sofia trailed him in, watching as the three clapped each other on the shoulders and hugged.

The energy around them was lively; they were brothers whose bond was formed during their years in the bowels of hell.

One of their safe houses was hit earlier.

They exchanged one of their silent communications.

She replayed their first kiss, his ring, the way his men spoke of him.

Alarms sounded a few moments before the doors exploded off their hinges.

The men on the small base drew their weapons at the sight of Darian.

Pierre gripped each of their arms and led them toward two black Tahoes.

She'd challenged Gabriel's new mate to win him over in one week, or one of them lost their souls.

She held her breath and stayed still, praying their interest was passing, and they'd move on.

All four growled, hunger in their eyes.

Deidre felt herself breathless and consumed before the end of their first kiss, yielding to the intensity of his kiss and the firmness of his touch.

Their bodies were slick with sweat, and she lingered in the afterglow, lost in the heat and silk of his skin.

He stopped close enough for their bodies to touch if she breathed in too deeply.

The sound surprised her after the intensity of their interactions.

What he was in their insulated world in the bedchamber was far removed from what he was outside.

She held no sway in what happened or played no larger part in their twisted doings.

Red tattoos flashed on their bodies, indicating they were Immortals.

Were they talking in their heads to one another?

Her distress was rising with their tension.

With their faces inches apart, they assessed each other.

Who'd stopped because she asked him and showed some sign of yielding to their bond, if not to her.

Darkyn didn't restrict her movement or who she saw, but the idea of seeing Gabriel again so soon after their meeting yesterday disturbed her.

I invite them in for tea then steal their souls while they talk about the weather.

Their first and only exchange hadn't been pleasant.

Deidre hugged herself, hearing the unasked question about their deal.

The histories and their relationship were destined to end this way.

He was relaxed, and it struck her how different he was with her in bed compared to outside their room.

They inched forward, one behind the other, hands at their sides lest they rub the slime of the rock walls that wept on either side.

But did they love her enough to really punish her like parents did—real parents, with kids of their own?

For a moment her heart leapt, fearful their light had died permanently, trapping them in this awful place.

Only some unwritten rule forbade men from expressing their feelings with a flood of tears.

The Dean's ages—both forty—and the financial limitations of their new business would make obtaining court approval difficult.

They both knew he spoke the truth—a steady salary would go a long way toward lessening their money problems.

The Deans had married a year ago and poured their life savings into Bird Song.

The Deans were on their way to their quarters in the rear of Bird Song when Fred O'Connor returned, fresh from an evening with Mrs. Worthington.

These elderly patrons paid their bills, didn't trash their rooms and, to a person, were breathlessly enthralled with the mountains, weather, scenery, and everything else about the beautiful mountain town of Ouray, Colorado.

The Dawkins brothers and their wives seemed to be continually in each other's faces and the Deans wondered why they bothered to travel together.

Bird Song's managerial pair tried to present a breakfast happy face over coffee cake and muffins, but their efforts continued to fall short as they waited for Martha to make an appearance.

Dean was replenishing the coffee and setting plates for late breakfast arrivals when Maria, their newly hired helper, arrived.

The mountains that ringed them remained capped in their winter snow.

She timidly entered their room before he'd finished buttoning.

Cynthia used Martha's smile to pursue the reason for their questioning.

Amid forced conversation, the group plodded their way through shrimp, chicken, and enchiladas to dessert—fried ice cream—but if the Deans thought this final outing would be a celebration, they were mistaken.

The other guests, bored by his technical answers to her questions, formed their own pockets of conversations.

No one wants to think about the result of their actions nowadays, and no one talks about how this ruins the poor girl's life.

God knows they need it if they're considering electing you for their sheriff.

At least Randy and Jen had years of history together, most of their education behind them, and what would ultimately prove to be supportive parents.

They're getting rid of stuff from people who didn't pay their bills.

All the peaks remained snow-capped, giving sharply defined contrast to the green of their slopes and the blue of the summer sky.

Joseph and Ginger sat, pretending everyone continued to love one another while no doubt plotting their own sneaky revenge.

Trust them to come to the right decisions—on their own.

The other guests, embarrassed to see their host so humiliated and wanting no part of a Dawkins brawl, murmured excuses and toddled off to bed.

The Dawkinses, back to being cautiously nice to each other, were dressed for business—another necktie and nylons day, according to Paulette—scheduled for a group visit to their attorney and a realtor.

A heavenly experience, if their destination had been different.

They sat for a moment while Dean opened his knapsack and checked their limited equipment.

Two more turns were negotiated and marked and in spite of their slow progress, according to the map they were nearing their goal.

Neither wanted to retrace their steps to investigate.

They moved more quickly, retracing their steps toward the entrance.

He knew in a situation like this fear and panic were their worse enemies.

When their breath returned to a more normal cadence and they were no longer perspiring, they rose to leave.

This isn't his first time here, Dean thought, but they took his exit as their cue to leave.

After receiving their thanks, he took off at a jog, anxious, he said, to catch a few more post-storm shots as the sun emerged.

He popped out of the Jeep, leaving the Deans to unstick themselves from their seats and follow.

They paused on the front porch, taking off their boots and shaking their clothes in the afternoon sun.

Dean explained, as succinctly as possible, their concern for this child who'd spent six months in their care.

They washed away their disappointment with cold beer and dove into the rest of their treasures.

The boys were both adults when I married their father.

While both Deans were on their knees cleaning up the mess, the phone rang again.

Dean retreated to their quarters to handle some overdue paper work and so spent the remainder of the morning.

Their conversation was interrupted by a tapping at the back door.

He hung up before the Deans could vent their frustration.

Supper was picked-at leftovers, and neither felt like socializing with Bird Song's guests, who came and went on their own, without their usual afternoon goodies and conversation.

Sure. He was like those guys in the musicals—loveable rogues who roll into town and catch the eye of the local star-struck gal and sweep them off their feet.

There was nothing they could say or do about Martha's situation except to keep their telephone nearby and pray for the best.

The subject gave their minds a rest from Martha's plight.

Calling Mrs. Langstrom would probably have been their best lead, but that was out of the question.

They spent the evening in their private quarters mulling over the possibilities and skirting the question that Lydia had actually killed her boss, which in spite of mounting concern, Dean continued to find unlikely.

This seemed to satisfy the official, who was obviously embarrassed over the entire debacle and infinitely relieved that at least half their problem was solved without any accusatory newspaper headlines.

Dean crossed his fingers that bureaucracy would take some time in unsnarling its spaghetti of red tape and Martha would remain in a back corner of their interest.

It was well past midnight when the Deans looked in on their sleeping guest before retiring themselves.

Dean knew he was only prolonging the chore of relating their failure.

The Deans rose at their usual early hour.

Most of the lodgers were about their daily activities, with Fred off to the post office, Maria doing her duties with her usual exuberance, and the Deans hovering close by.

Towels were in short supply, rooms needed quick cleaning, and Cynthia, Maria, and Dean had their hands full.

They continued to watch as the children began tossing small stones at their floating treasure, trying to halt its progress, when the sound of a horn startled them.

I've called for help from Denver and the autopsy crew is on their way.

Was this why humans were so ensnared by their world and their minds so limited?

They'd start their lives together and live happily ever after.

It was the second strongest memory in human-Deidre's mind, the day when both of their lives changed.

They were so human, their coloring peachy, the skin delicate.

If their roles were completely reversed.

Neither she nor human-Deidre thought to involve Gabriel in their plans.

After all their years together, he didn't trust that she would do what she had to in order for them to be together.