Claire instinctively prepared to recoil, but she halted herself in time. A dark blur hurtled toward her face, momentarily causing her to flinch before steadying herself. The blur struck her face with a stinging impact, and black beads cascaded down onto her shoulders. It was the jet rosary, thrown with skill and precision, now forming a neat circle around her neck, the crucifix swaying gently between her exposed breasts.