“Hey, Ruthie, come on in.”
Ruth Prizzi, departmental secretary and unofficial mother hen to all, popped into the room like the whirlwind that she was. No one knew Ruthie’s exact age, but there wasn’t a person in the lab who could keep up with her. She perched on the chair closest to Lacey’s desk.
“So, did you get to meet him?”
There was no use in playing coy. There were hard-bitten police detectives who could learn a thing or two from Ruthie about interrogation techniques.
“Yes, we were introduced.”
Ruthie frowned at her over the top of her half-glasses. “Details, my dear, I want to hear details.”
How much could Lacey tell her friend without giving away the turmoil that still churned in her stomach? But better to chance revealing too much than to let Ruthie get the idea she was trying to hide something.
“His name is Barak q’Young. He bowed when he left, although he didn’t act quite so respectful to Dr. Louis.”
“Smart man. We both know where the real brains of the department are.”
“Ruthie! Don’t say things like that. Dr. Louis is a well-known authority in his field.” That was true, but he only looked at what could be measured and quantified. Number crunching was an important part of any scientific endeavor, but she couldn’t remember the last time he’d worked out in the field. The Earth was a living entity, moving and changing all the time. To her way of thinking, if they ever hoped to find a way to predict earthquakes and volcanic activity, they needed to get their hands dirty once in a while.
“I don’t care how good he is. You and I both know that he isn’t up to handling problems of this magnitude. If he were, he wouldn’t be shuffling this…this Other off on to you.”
“I am the junior member of the team.”
Ruth wagged an arthritic finger at Lacey. “Well, we will argue about that more later. Right now, I want to know what this Barak looks like so I’ll recognize him when I see him. Wouldn’t want to embarrass the department by treating our newest member to an unscheduled body search by the guards.”
Lacey couldn’t help but laugh. “You are so bad, Ruthie.”
“I’m just trying to do my job, Dr. Sebastian.” The twinkle in her bright blue eyes belied the outrage in her voice.
“We certainly wouldn’t want to risk an incident,” Lacey agreed.
Lacey’s ruffled feathers soothed a bit, and Ruthie sat further back in her chair, all ready to listen. Lacey knew she’d put it off as long as she could. The longer she dodged Ruthie’s questions, the more likely she was to arouse the older woman’s suspicions.
“He’s tall, maybe six-two, muscular without being bulky. You know, more like Cullen Finley than Devlin Bane. His eyes are a striking silver with a black ring around the iris. His hair is long, although he wore it tied back. The color is unusual—black mixed with shades of silver. It looked strange on a man I would guess to be in his midthirties.”
“You’re giving me facts, Lacey, but not context. Is he good looking or not?”
“I didn’t notice.”
She’d noticed all right, but she still hadn’t figured out the strong reaction she’d felt when their hands had touched. The simple, businesslike handshake had haunted her for the hours since their brief meeting.
Luckily Ruthie’s cell phone chose that moment to ring. The older woman stood as she snapped her phone shut.
“His Majesty is calling. He’s probably mislaid a paper clip or something else equally important.” She gave Lacey a piercing look. “Don’t think this conversation is over.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Lacey said, executing a mock salute.
“Don’t be pert with me, not if you ever want to see your grant money again.”
After Ruthie disappeared, Lacey closed her eyes and listened to the fading sounds of squeaky shoes. When the doors were firmly closed again, she reached for the telephone. She was determined to operate from a position of power as much as she could. Waiting for Barak to give up and call her would be both weak and petty.
She punched in the phone number he’d left for her and crossed her fingers. With any luck she’d get his voice mail, meaning she could leave him a terse message and hang up. But after only two rings, he picked up.
“Barak q’Young speaking.”
His voice brushed lightly over her nerve endings, sending a shiver right through the heart of her. The unsettling feeling left her mouth cotton dry, resulting in a prolonged silence while she fumbled for her water bottle.
“Dr. Sebastian, are you all right?”
She forced a swallow of water past the lump in her throat. “How did you know it was me?”
“No one else would be calling.” The words were said with brutal honesty, but no self-pity.
“Ah, um, I see.” She didn’t want to feel any sympathy for him. “I would like to review your duties with you. When can you start?”
“I’m available now if that isn’t too soon, Dr. Sebastian. Otherwise, whenever you find convenient.”
“How about an hour from now? That would allow me enough time to finish up a few things.” Like figuring out what she could trust him to do. After all, no one really knew what his agenda had been in crossing the barrier.
“That would be fine. And Dr. Sebastian?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for not refusing the offer of my assistance.”
Better to start off with the truth. “I had no choice.”
His sigh came across loud and clear. “I feared as much. I will speak with Devlin Bane immediately.”
Was that a faint note of hurt in his voice? She surprised them both by saying, “No, don’t. I really can use the help.”
This time the silence came from his end of the line. “Are you certain? That you could use my help?”
“I don’t think I could swear to that, Mr. q’Young, but there is certainly more to do around here than one person can keep up with.”
“Then you may expect me in an hour. And please call me Barak. I have yet to grow used to my new surname.”
“I’ll meet you outside the alley entrance and escort you inside.” She disconnected the call before she gave in to the temptation to take it all back.
Barak paced the perimeter of the gym, wishing like crazy that the hands on the clock would move. If he didn’t know better, he would have sworn that they had been frozen in place for the past fifteen minutes. He could leave for the Center after another two laps. Maybe the hour would have passed more quickly if he’d reported back to Laurel’s lab and offered to stock supplies for her, but he didn’t want her to see him right now.
She was the only human who knew him well enough to sense his moods. If she suspected that his reasons for leaving her lab weren’t purely for his own selfish reasons, there would be hell to pay, to quote one of the Paladins’ more colorful expressions.
One more lap to go before he would start the brief walk down to the Center to meet Lacey Sebastian. As her image filled his mind, his feet sped up. He liked the way her hair carried the warmth of the sun in its color, and the way her bright blue eyes had widened in surprise when she’d first seen him. It was as if she’d reacted to him the way a woman reacted to a man she found attractive, not a man she saw only as the enemy. Maybe he was reading more into her reaction than he should, but he could hope. With effort, he resumed a slower pace. Finally, he turned the last corner and left the gym behind.
As usual, the guards pointedly ignored him as he walked out the front door of the building. He pulled on his sunglasses, still not adjusted to this sun-bright world. The warmth felt good on his skin, but he always took care to wear a sunblock since he had no idea what prolonged exposure to such intense light would do.
The walk would do him good, though. He spent so much time alone that it pleased him to lose himself in the throng of tourists and locals crowding the sidewalks.
How would they react if they discovered the truth of his existence? Panic? Hatred? It still amazed him to know
that the Regents and their warriors, the Paladins, had managed to keep his world and its people secret from their fellow citizens. Devlin had told him that it had been easier in more primitive times and had grown harder as technology continued to shrink their world. Even so, Devlin insisted most people wouldn’t believe what was right in front of them unless forced to do so.
That was fine with Barak. He had no desire to be used for experiments by some government agency. He only wanted to be allowed to live out his solitary life in peace—even if it was lonely.
He slowed as he turned the last corner before the Center. On this morning’s earlier visit with Devlin they had managed to avoid running into any Paladins, but this time it was unlikely that he’d be able to approach the Center unchallenged. Bracing himself for the worst, he entered the alley that sheltered the secret entrance of the underground labyrinth that housed the headquarters of his mortal enemies.
As he scanned the area for possible threats, he walked by one of the many homeless people who haunted the streets of Seattle. The unmistakable click of a handgun told him he’d just made a mistake, possibly a fatal one.
“Where do you think you’re going, you alien bastard?” The man reeked of filth and fury. “One wrong move and you’re dead—which you would have been weeks ago if Bane had been thinking with his brain instead of his prick.” The hatred was emphasized by the painful jab of a gun barrel into Barak’s back as a grimy hand grabbed his collar.
There had been a time when he would have welcomed death, even at the hands of a hated Paladin, but no longer. As Barak shifted into battle position, a familiar voice rang out.
“Penn! Let him go this minute.”
“Stay out of this, Lacey. I caught him sneaking around the Center. Even Devlin Bane can’t protect him now.”
Lacey came closer, her feminine scent filling Barak’s senses. If he attacked this Penn now, she might get hurt.
“Back off right now, Penn. And don’t tell me that you’ve forgotten that Barak was coming to work in the lab with me.”
“No one told me he was expected today.” Penn released Barak’s collar and shoved him forward.
Barak spun and shoved back. “I do not report to the likes of you, Paladin.”
Despite the layers of dirt, there was no mistaking the Paladin for other than a warrior. He came charging right back, murder in his eyes. Barak moved into an attack stance, ready to meet the bullets with his bare fists if necessary.
Lacey Sebastian shoved her way between them. Did the woman have no sense at all? Barak snagged Lacey’s arm to pull her behind him, only to realize his opponent was doing the same thing.
“Let go of her, Paladin. Or does your kind fight behind their women?” he sneered, his temper talking now.
“I don’t need her help to teach you some manners, scum.”
Penn managed to get past Lacey long enough to slam his fist into Barak’s jaw, snapping his head back. Retaliating, Barak landed a solid kick to the Paladin’s gut.
“Enough!” Lacey grabbed both of them by the front of their shirts and used their own momentum to fling both of them to the ground. She stood over them, glaring down at them.
“Darn it, Penn, do you want to end up getting hauled off to jail again? Devlin said that the next time it happened, he’d let you rot in there. And you!” she said, turning her anger in Barak’s direction. “Is this going to happen often? If so, you can just find yourself another job. I don’t need this crap.”
“Aw, Lacey…”
“Don’t start with me, Penn Sebastian. You know I can take care of myself—you’re the one who taught me!”
The other man’s name caught Barak’s attention. “Penn Sebastian?”
“Yeah, he’s my brother.” She shot Penn a dirty look. “Although right now I’m not too proud of the fact.”
“In that case, I offer you my sympathy, Dr. Sebastian.” Barak pushed himself back up to his feet and brushed off his jeans.
“Go to hell, Other.” Penn also stood up, ignoring the new layer of dirt on his clothing. “I don’t want the likes of you near my sister.”
Barak sneered. “You have no say in the matter. Why don’t you go back to playing with trash, where you belong?”
Lacey snapped, “Shut up, Other, or I’ll have you scrubbing the lab floor with a toothbrush for the next month.”
She stared at him for several seconds in angry silence before stepping back. “I hope you two are ready to quit acting like five-year-olds, because I don’t have time for this. And you both should know better.”
Barak took a step backward to show his willingness to end the confrontation. “My apologies, Dr. Sebastian. I spoke out of turn.”
Penn shot Barak one more defiant look before doing the same. “Next time, warn me when he’s supposed to be here, Lacey. If he shows up unexpectedly, he’s fair game, the Regents be damned.” He stalked away, shoving his gun back in his waistband.
“Penn—”
“Not now, Lacey. Take him with you and get the hell out of here.”
Lacey stared after her brother, a look of raw pain on her face. Barak turned his eyes in the opposite direction, knowing it would embarrass her that he’d witnessed such a private moment between the two siblings.
“Come on, Barak. We’re overdue in the lab.”
He fell into step beside her, wishing there was something he could do to make up for this inauspicious start. He cursed Devlin Bane for not warning him that Dr. Sebastian had a brother among the Paladins. No wonder she wasn’t thrilled to have him thrust upon her. They continued on in silence for another minute or two.
“I suppose I should apologize for that whole mess, Barak.”
Her comment startled him. “You were not the one who was acting, as you said, like a five-year-old.”
“No, but I did know that my brother was on duty today. He’s…well, his temper does a Paladin proud. If I had been on time, none of that would have happened.”
And if Lacey had been his sister and a Paladin had gotten near her, he would have reacted the same way Penn had—not that he liked having anything in common with the man. But why was a Paladin doing guard duty? All the other guards he’d encountered had been mortals.
He attempted to lighten the mood of their conversation. “So other than scrubbing the lab floor with my toothbrush, what duties have you assigned to me?”
Her smile was a bit forced, but it was still a smile. “I thought today I would show you the equipment we use to monitor the volcanoes in our region. You know, seismographs and the like.” Then she frowned. “Or maybe you don’t know. I keep forgetting how strange all of this must be for you. We know so little about your world.”
And he would keep it that way. Any knowledge the Paladins gained would only be used as a weapon against his kind.
“Despite the differences, Dr. Sebastian, there are many similarities. I’m sure that I will be able to make the necessary adjustments.” Just as he had made so many already in this bright and complex world.
She opened a door in a long hallway full of such doors. He made note that it was the third one down. At this point, he still had no idea if they would allow him entry to the Center on his own, or if he’d have to be met and escorted every day. That would grow tiresome, for both him and Dr. Sebastian.
“Welcome to my little bit of the world.” Lacey stood back to let him enter.
The room was crammed with a great deal of machinery, the purpose of which he could only guess at. He closed his eyes and let the constant hum of so much electricity shimmer along his nerves. Hopefully, she would allow him ample time to understand what all of the dials and graphs and chattering computers were measuring.
Lacey stopped to study a series of instruments that had needles tracing out patterns in ink on paper. To him, the markings looked much like the heartbeats printed out by the machines that monitored Laurel’s patients.
He risked a guess. “I would assume that these track land movements on the volcanoes? Mount St. Hele
ns and Mount Rainier, perhaps.”
Just as he spoke, one of the needles began swinging wildly, scratching out a jagged pattern on the paper. At first, he thought Lacey hadn’t heard him. She stood staring at another monitor on the far wall as its readings turned blood red. His stomach roiled as if the floor had lurched and swayed beneath his feet. With effort, he ignored the powerful urge to grab on to something for support. The tremors were too far away to affect the Seattle area, yet he felt them deep in his gut and in his bones. Luckily, Lacey didn’t question his startled reaction to the alarms sounding.
Lacey met his gaze with a grim smile. “You guessed right. That’s Mount St. Helens saying hi.” Then she pointed to the other screen. “And that’s the barrier going down.”
Which meant his people and hers were battling in the tunnels where the two worlds collided. The two of them could only watch the brightly lit dials and wonder how many would die.
* * *
Chapter 3
Barak drew a shuddering breath, his empty sword hand clenched at his side. Perhaps if the Paladins were successful in restoring the barrier quickly enough, no one would have to bleed. His kind had lost so many already, and he couldn’t wish death for those of his world who were driven to seek the light.
Even worse, now that the Paladins had names and faces that he knew, he found it impossible to wish them all dead in the never-ending battle between their two peoples. The confusion made his gut ache.
Lacey stood next to him, her eyes flickering between the machine marking the heartbeat of the restless volcano and the one tracking the barrier’s ups and downs. The emotions crossing her expressive face were riveting: grief, fear, and sheer determination.
When the readings from the mountain settled and held, she turned her full attention to the barrier readings. Finally, after what had been only two minutes by the clock, the readings regained stability, all solidly back in the green. Relief washed over her face.
“Now that that’s over, we can get back to business.” Her attempt to sound matter-of-fact and businesslike would have succeeded if not for the slight quiver in her voice.
In Darkness Reborn Page 3
