"What if we help you?" Nathan edged forward. "If we don't oppose you, we may live. If we help you, will you offer us asylum?"

A laugh filled the air, but it didn't come from Bella. Her head drooped forward, her body slouching in midair. "You wish to help me?"

"It's better than dying." Nathan shrugged, as if he didn't care either way. "Better than trying to fight you."

"That path will surely lead to death," the Oracle warned, her now bodiless voice shaking the walls. "If you wish to gain my favor, abandon your pursuit of the pawn I need to ensure my rule."

"The Soul Eater?" Max whispered, as if she wouldn't hear us.

"He goes by many names. Abandon your pursuit of him and you may know my mercy." Another wall-rattling boom split the air. "Upset my plans and you will know my wrath!"

The wind came again, this time sucking into the dining room as the Oracle's presence left us. The doors slammed closed, shutting us out, just as Bella's body dropped to the floor. We heard the noise of her impact, and Max darted forward.

When he grabbed the door handles, he cursed. "It won't open!"

"She must have meant the Soul Eater." Nathan rushed forward to help him, but in true Nathan fashion his mind was on the bigger picture. "When you said his name, she didn't deny it."

Max didn't respond, pulling so hard at the door the wood splintered around the handle. "Come on!"

"Let's try through the kitchen," I urged, but no sooner did I say it than the doors let go easily. Nathan stumbled backward and landed on the marble floor with a curse. Max, who'd obviously braced himself in the certainty they'd get the door open, managed to stay on his feet. He ran into the dining room, shouting Bella's name.

I helped Nathan to his feet and hurried after Max. "Don't move her! She could have broken her neck in the fall."

It was too late. Max had already pulled Bella into his lap, and was slapping her ashen cheek lightly with his palm. "Bella, come on!" He looked up at me. "Carrie, she's not breathing!"

"Lay her down!" I caught her wrist as Max moved her to the floor. "No pulse!"

"Do something!" He pounded his fists on his thighs. "There has to be something you can do!"

"Do you know CPR?" I asked, tilting her head back.

Max shook his head. "Only from movies. Tell me what to do."

"Pinch her nose shut and breathe into her mouth when I tell you to. VU do chest compressions." I turned to Nathan. "Call an ambulance."

"No!" Max shook his head. "The full moon is tomorrow night. If she's in the hospital all doped up, she'll change."

"Nathan, get the phone." I met Max's worried gaze. "If we don't get her back in two tries, we're calling an ambulance."

Grim-faced, Max nodded.