by V. E. Lemp
“Continue to make the right choices,” I heard Alice say inside my head. “For the right reasons.”
I woke with a start. Mark had just pulled the car into a driveway beside a small brick house. He informed me that we were outside of Denver and had reached our destination.
TWELVE
“So you had assistance in your escape?” Myron ushered Mark and Karen into a tiny wood-paneled bedroom. “Here it is. Basic but clean. Hope the bed isn’t too small. I know everyone’s accustomed to queen or king mattresses these days.”
Mark eyed the double bed. “I think we can manage. Unless Karen gets mad at me, of course.”
Karen jabbed him with her elbow. “If I do you’ll just have to sleep on the floor. But to answer your question, yes, we had help. A full-fledged UFO. I don’t know if Alice arranged it or not, but it was obviously sent by her contingent.”
“She does seem to take an unusual interest in your affairs,” Myron said.
Karen recalled her recent dream. “Not just Mark and me. All of us, actually. She has this idea we’re important to her cause. You and Ariel included.”
“Not exactly sure what we’re supposed to be doing for her, but I guess we’ll figure something out.” Mark set their suitcases in the closet, which was missing one of its sliding mirrored doors. “How’d you find this place again, Myron?”
“Another one of my followers. Think it belonged to his parents. They haven’t been able to sell it and are between renters, so he said I could use it as long as necessary.”
“Well, I doubt we’ll be here long. I need to get back East before my superiors send out the search dogs.” Mark sat on the bed and bounced the springs. “Not bad. I’ve slept on worse.”
Karen crossed the room and settled next to him. “I imagine, given some of your possible assignments, you’ve also slept on the ground many times.”
“I have,” he said with a smile. “So, Myron, have you heard from Mary and Will yet?”
Myron sighed and leaned against the doorframe. “Yes. They’re fine. Still staying with relatives near Durango. But they’ve received bad news out of Dulce, I’m afraid.”
Karen leaned into Mark, who draped his arm around her shoulders. “People have died?”
Myron’s gray eyes were damp. “I’m afraid so. I haven’t gotten precise information yet, but it sounds like hundreds.”
“Alice said something of that. In a dream,” Karen added, when Mark looked at her with a question in his eyes.
“Our ubiquitous Alice,” Mark said. “Asleep or awake, you can’t escape her.”
“Not sure I want to. We’d probably both be stuck in that containment camp right now.”
“Fortunately, the infection does seem to be contained at this point,” Myron said. “But all those casualties… I’m afraid I’m developing a distinct taste for revenge.”
“It’s easy to do,” Mark said. “But I think we’re better off pursuing your internet project. The best revenge would be to break their stranglehold on the truth.”
“True.” Myron straightened to his full height. “Head into the living room when you’re ready. The others went out for some groceries. They should be back soon. Well, Sam, Elena, and Ariel, that is. I believe Alex took a walk somewhere. He wasn’t up for the trip into town. I suppose he’s still getting used to crowds.”
“I can imagine.” Karen glanced about the small room. “The bathroom’s down the hall?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so. Not exactly deluxe accommodations.”
“No problem. It’s off the grid. That’s what counts,” Mark said.
Myron nodded. “I made sure to choose a place where we’d be unlikely to be noticed. I’ll see you in a moment, then.” He turned and strode off down the narrow hall.
Karen ran her fingers through her hair. “I’d like to grab a shower. Do you think there’s time?”
Mark patted her knee. “Of course. I’ll head into the living room and update the others when they arrive. Wander in whenever you like.”
Karen looked up into his face, noticing his drooping eyelids and the lines bracketing his mouth. “You must be so tired. You’ve been driving for hours and hours.”
“Oh, I can keep going for a while. It’s best if I don’t even try to catch a nap. If I fall asleep now I might not wake up until the day after tomorrow.” Mark kissed her lightly on the lips. “Get your shower. You’re sure to feel better afterwards.” He rose to his feet and headed out the door. “Just lock the door,” he said, as he walked into the hall. “Communal bathroom, you know.”
“Just like being back in the dorm.” The last time she’d lived in anything like a dorm was during the Morpheus Project. Karen took a deep breath, walked to the closet, and pulled out her suitcase. She flung it open on the bed and dug through her clothes until she found her robe. She held it up with a frown. Although her favorite—white silk, embossed with golden leaves—it wasn’t the best garment for a communal setting. Too short and rather thin. But it would have to do.
The shower was revitalizing even if the bathroom was oppressive, its pink tiles clashing with a pale-green toilet and sink. No wonder the house hadn’t sold. Karen wiped the steam from the mirror on the medicine cabinet with one hand. Her face stared back at her, pale and drawn. She towel-dried her hair and brushed it smooth, then leaned forward, examining the fine lines that rayed out from the corners of her eyes. This constant danger was aging her much too fast. She sighed and cinched her robe tightly before opening the bathroom door.
She walked into the hall—right into Alex. She stepped on his foot, swore, and stumbled backward.
“What? No apology?” He placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
“Thought you didn’t like them.” Karen yanked the lapels of her robe together with one hand. It was a blessing the light in the hall was so dim. Her cheeks burned as she ducked her head.
Alex slid his hands down the silky sleeves of her robe until his fingers came to rest on her wrists. “And you’ve learned some interesting new words over the years.”
Karen jerked up her head and stared into Alex’s face. Her defiant gaze faltered when she saw the look in his eyes.
“Oh, no, no.” She pressed her back against the wall.
He encircled one of her wrists with his fingers and lifted his other hand to smooth a damp tendril of hair off her forehead. He looked her up and down slowly, as if memorizing every inch of her body. “This certainly brings back memories.”
“Mark’s in the other room.” Karen cursed the quaver in her voice.
“Well then, I promise not to ravish you in the hallway, if that’s what you’re worried about. Not quite that desperate.” Alex traced the contour of her jawline with one finger. “Although it’s tempting, I must admit.” His slid his fingers up to her mouth and tapped gently against her lips. “Now, I’m going to step back. Don’t move or speak. There’s no need to make a scene. Just smile and nod and walk way. All very civilized.”
“Very well,” Karen said, as he released her wrist. “Sounds reasonable.”
“And very dull. I’d prefer something a little more satisfying. But it seems I’ve no say in the matter.”
“I’m afraid you don’t.” Karen turned to walk away. When she brushed past Alex in the narrow hall, he reached out and pulled her to him.
“This isn’t over,” he whispered in her ear.
“Yes, it is.” Karen was acutely aware only a thin layer of silk separated her body from Alex’s hands. His lips brushed her cheek. “It’s been over a long time.”
“Nonsense.” Alex slid his fingers under the edge of her robe and pulled it down, exposing her shoulder. “I still think you should take your necklace back. It suited you so well.” His fingers caressed her bare skin. “It always reminded me of a star nestled in a spot that was”—he leaned in to her—“perfect.” He kissed the hollow of her throat.
Damn it all to hell, she was trembling. “You need to stop this,” she said, as he lifted his head.
“You must see this isn’t right.”
“No, I don’t see that.” Alex’s aquamarine eyes were so close to her face she observed the rays of darker blue that streaked the irises. “It feels absolutely right to me.”
“Please move away before I knee you.” Karen pulled her robe up over her shoulder and clutched the front edges together at her neck.
Alex stepped back and contemplated her for a moment. “I am sorry,” he said at last, although Karen didn’t hear any contrition in his voice. “Afraid I lost my head there for a moment.”
“Apparently. Now walk away, and we can forget this whole incident.”
“That’s asking a bit too much.” Alex looked as if he wanted to say more, but he simply turned and strode off toward the living room.
Karen leaned against the wall for a few moments before fleeing to the bedroom to change into clothes. She chose a pair of worn jeans and a light flannel shirt she often used as a painting smock. Not a flattering outfit, which was for the best.
Suitably dressed, Karen paused in the archway that opened onto the living room. Myron had settled into a bulky wooden rocker, with Ariel perched on a hassock near his feet. Elena Charles and Sam were sitting on either end of a faded plaid sofa. Mark was pacing the floor as he described his plans to get everyone back east. She took a deep breath and allowed her gaze to focus on Alex, who was standing by the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard.
“Good to see you,” Sam said. “Mark’s detailed your narrow escape.”
Ariel jumped up to meet Karen in the middle of the room and give her a hug. “We were so worried. I was driving Dad crazy, asking if he’d had any messages from you, wasn’t I?”
“You were,” Myron said with an indulgent smile.
“But then I had this sense everything was okay. That was early last night. I guess when that UFO helped you escape.” Ariel followed Karen to the sofa.
“Not sure there’s room for both of us here,” Karen observed, as Elena slid closer to one arm of the sofa.
“I can move,” Elena offered.
“No, you stay with your friend. I’ll take your old spot.” Karen crossed back to the hassock and sat down. Alex’s gaze followed her as she moved about the room, but she refused to look directly at him.
Mark stopped pacing and stood beside a rickety bookcase stuffed full of brightly colored paperbacks. “As I said, I think it’s best if Karen and I fly back. I can’t be out of touch too long or my superiors will get antsy. If Sam’s willing to drive Alex cross-country, you and the girls can take the train, Myron.”
Karen kept her eyes focused on Mark, but couldn’t help noticing the titles of the paperbacks, which all indicated the type of romance novel where a naïve young woman was swept off her feet by some handsome but dangerous man. She shook her head. So much for borrowing a book to read on the plane. The last thing she wanted to read about was dangerous men.
“That sounds reasonable,” Myron said. “But aren’t you worried Vance or his colleagues will be able to track Alex and Sam? We certainly don’t want Exocorp’s hired guns to overtake them in some out-of-the-way spot.”
Mark glanced toward the back of the room. “I think Alex can keep tabs on Vance’s minions.”
Alex stepped forward. “Yes, I should be able to manage that.”
“What do you mean?” Sam straightened as much as the sunken cushions of the old sofa would allow. “Alex possesses some kind of internal radar?”
“Something like that,” Mark said. “Or so I’ve been led to believe.”
“What Mark means is I’ve acquired a few skills during my time with the Oneiroi,” Alex said. “I don’t think I’ll explain that, but I can assure you I’ll know if we’re being followed.”
Karen realized Alex was standing beside the hassock. From the corner of her eye she watched the fingers of his right hand rhythmically clenching and loosening as he spoke.
Sam frowned. “I suppose I’ll have to trust you on that one.”
“I also plan to provide reinforcements,” Mark said.
“Your agents?” Karen asked.
“Yes, they have to drive back as well. Might as well make use of their skills. So you won’t be alone. It’ll just look that way.”
Myron rose to his feet. “Well, I for one will be glad to get home. But how are we to arrange for tickets and so on? This place doesn’t have internet access and cell phones barely work.”
“My agents are working on that. We’ll have to run into town tomorrow to complete the arrangements, if you don’t mind.”
Myron crossed to where Mark was standing. “No, of course not. Now, I’m going to suggest you get some rest.” He placed his hand on Mark’s arm. “You’re about to collapse. Let us take care of dinner. I think the girls and I can come up with something, can’t we, girls?”
Elena and Ariel readily agreed. Karen offered her help, but Myron waved her off. “Go relax with your husband.”
“I’m quite capable as well. I’m actually something of an amateur chef, believe it or not,” Sam said.
“Well then, we’ll put you in charge. What about you, Alex?”
Alex and Karen spoke simultaneously. “Oh, no.”
“I’m no cook, as Karen can attest.” Alex laid one hand on Karen’s shoulder.
Mark’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses. Karen leapt to her feet and crossed to him. She took his hands in hers. “Myron’s right, you’re exhausted. I’m going to put you to bed. No arguing,” she added, as Mark opened his mouth to reply. “Follow me.” She pulled him toward the open archway.
A grin brightened Mark’s tired face. “Well, it appears my wife is taking charge. As usual. I dare not refuse.”
“I should think not,” Myron said with a smile. “Take care of him, Karen. We can’t do without him, you know.”
Karen led Mark into the hall. “I know. And neither can I.” As they left the room she noted the pained expression on Alex’s face.
She guided Mark into the bedroom and lay beside him on the bed. But when she was sure he was asleep, she sat up and stared across the room, her gaze tracing the grain in the wood paneling. Love him as he needs, Alice had said of Alex. But what did that mean? She was willing to offer friendship, but wasn’t sure that was what Alice meant. Karen sighed and slumped back against the pillows. Always so cryptic. She rolled over and wrapped her arms about Mark, pressing her body against his, taking comfort in the steady rise and fall of his breathing.
THIRTEEN
The following day Sam drove Mark and Myron into town while Alex headed out for another walk. After Mark left, Karen wandered into the living room and discovered Ariel and Elena engrossed in an old movie playing on one of the few available television stations.
“Come sit with us.” Ariel patted the lumpy cushions of the sofa.
“No, thanks. I’m going outside to do some work.” Karen held up her sketchbook. “I haven’t had time to draw lately. Need to keep up with it, or I get rusty.”
She pushed open the sliding doors and walked into the backyard. Not much of interest—the yard was a barren patch of grass and weeds backed by a stand of trees and a tangle of underbrush. She spied a narrow path into the wooded area and decided to see where it might lead.
Slender trunks of pine saplings flanked the path. As Karen peered deeper into the woods she noticed the trees became larger and taller, until she could see nothing in the distance but the striated columns of trunks interspersed with the gray-green tumble of undergrowth.
A few yards down the path she stepped into a clearing. Sunlight spilled onto the needle-blanketed ground, illuminating a fallen log that lay balanced against a large outcropping of stone. She walked to the log and sat down, then pulled her drawing pencil from her pocket and flipped open her sketchbook, focusing on a small section of the clearing where the open space met the surrounding trees. Light illuminated each leaf and branch, throwing the scene into high relief.
Karen drew a smooth line across the blank sheet of paper.
A shadow fell over her work, and she glanced up. A slender figure was standing in front of her, his pale hair backlit by the light filtering through the trees.
“Alex.” Karen pocketed her pencil. “I thought you went for a walk.”
“I did. But as I returned to the house I saw you take this path and decided to follow you.”
“Why?”
“To talk to you,” he said, moving closer. “After our encounter in the hall I thought we should discuss a few things.”
“I thought you’d keep your distance after that unfortunate incident.” Karen concentrated on balancing her sketchbook on the surface of the log beside her.
“I don’t think avoiding the issue really makes sense.”
“I see you conveniently waited until Mark was out of the way.” Karen struggled to keep her voice level. Damn, it was impossible to remain calm when Alex’s intense gaze was fixed upon her face.
“Does that bother you?” Alex walked over to the log and sat beside her.
“Well, make yourself at home,” she said, scooting away from him.
“If only I could.” He picked up her discarded sketchbook and flipped through the completed drawings. “I see you’ve changed your style.”
“I’ve done that quite a few times over the years. But you wouldn’t have any way of knowing, would you?”
He turned to face her. “Still angry with me, I see.”
“Not angry.” Karen lifted her chin to meet his intense gaze. “Just confused. I can’t understand why you won’t accept the reality of our situation.”
“What reality is that?”
Karen cleared her throat, unsure if she could trust her voice. “The past is gone, and there’s no way to recreate the relationship we once had. All your words don’t change that fact. Honestly, I feel talked out. I don’t know what else there is to discuss, other than our efforts to combat Vance and the Oneiroi.”
Alex raised his eyebrows. “Don’t you? You’ve been avoiding me quite successfully since my return. I’m a bit curious why.”