She had tried to sleep. Courtney would often go on only a few hours of sleep at night if she was lucky. But she hadn't had any tonight. She had paced the small motel room for most of the night, whirling and running to Serena's side every time she made a sound.

Serena never stirred, not once. She slept peacefully, curled inside the blankets, her chest a rhythmic rise and fall. All the while Courtney guarded her like a hawk.

She'd called the motel manager earlier and ...