CLAIRE TURNED HER ATTENTION TO THE WOMAN IN THE BED ....
In spite of the dust, the woman did bear a striking resemblance to Sleeping Beauty---or more accurately, given her age, to Sleeping Beauty's mother. It would be easier to work without the shield, but with a bystander to consider, Claire went through the perimeter without disturbing its structural integrity.
The emanations rising from the body were so dark she gagged. Teeth clenched, she forced herself to take a deeper look.
Kneeling beside the cat, Dean watched his new boss stagger back, trip on the edge of the braided rug, and begin to fall. He dove forward, felt an unpleasant, greasy sizzle along one arm, and caught her just before she hit the floor.
Before Dean could ask if she was all right, Austin leaped up onto her lap.
Her lower body still on the other side of the shield,
Claire reached out to stop the cat from crossing oven Too late.
"Evil!" Without actually touching down, Austin twisted in midair, hit the floor running, and raced back into the hall ....