Driven by Night

by Aliyah Burke

  “Straight to the point.”

  “I find it works best that way.”

  “Can you come with to the ops room? I would like to ask you some questions about some symbols.”

  The hair that had escaped her bun wisped into her eye and she brushed it back. “You want me to answer some symbols questions? I don’t know much about them. Are you sure you don’t want someone else?”

  “No. I am confident you are the one.”

  “If you think I can help, of course.”

  He gave her a small smile.

  “Did you want to go now?”

  “If you are done out here.”

  Honestly, she could stay out forever. “I can come back.”

  She rose and waited for him. They walked silently together through the trees, the forest floor muffling their steps. Once out in the full sun, they moved a bit faster, but she still deferred to him about the speed.

  The cool interior met them and she slowed for a moment to allow her eyes to adjust. Lian still hadn’t said a word as he led the way down to the doors to the room he’d requested her presence in.

  They slid open and together, she and Lian entered the dark room. There was a second before the lights hummed and came on. She was amazed by the way it transformed. All the computers kicked to life and the screens glowed, awaiting whatever command they were to be given. It was almost surreal to see the area like this. Always before when she’d come in, the entire place had been lit up and the people in it had been busy, the conversation adding its own hum.

  With it being just her and Lian, it was a completely different feel. He laid his cane on the table and sat down at the console Edmond could typically be found behind.

  “Come. Sit.”

  She grabbed a chair near him and sat before rolling to his side at the impressive display of keyboards and monitors. As she did, she noticed her feet were not just bare but also dirty from where she’d been digging her toes into the ground earlier.

  Crap. Where’d I leave my shoes this time? Oh yeah, that’s right, they were with me when I ran into Tiarnán. Which meant they were still on the hillside overlooking the rows of grapes. After her mental note to go back and grab them later, she tried to focus on what Lian had pulled up on the screen.

  “Do you recognize this?”

  She stared at the design. A circle with a horizontal and vertical line intersecting in the center. “Looks familiar. A pie cut into quarters.”

  He stared at her. “Not food related. Have you seen it recently?”

  In the back of her mind, she could have sworn she saw something with that on it. Closing her eyes, she tried to dredge it up. Cool, like water. Fluid like mercury. Solid like wood. Damn! “Sorry.”

  “How about any of these?” He showed her numerous others. All circles to begin then different designs inside each of them.

  More of that niggling ticked the back of her mind but for the life of her she couldn’t drag it up. “Nope. I’m so sorry.” One other flashed and she leaned forward. “Wait.” Calida rose from her seat and paced in a small circle before retaking her seat. She bounced right back up and strode to the screen.

  “You know this one?” Lian asked.

  She didn’t face Lian, despite the odd quality to his voice. “I don’t know why but yes, I do.” Calida touched the image and traced her fingers along the circle of multihued stars with an image inside she couldn’t quite make out completely. She tipped her head and angled her body to try from a different angle when the entire thing vanished.

  Calida whirled around to see what had occurred and froze. Lian stared at the screen directly before him, not up where the image had been projected for her. As she stood there watching him, a lone tear trailed down his cheek as he gazed at something only he could see. She didn’t know what had happened to cause this but she believed it was personal. Facing the wall again, she worried her lower lip. What should I do?

  She headed for a corner and did her best to blend in to the shadows, wishing she had Tiarnán’s ability. Half of her wanted not to intrude on a private moment, yet she didn’t feel comfortable leaving him alone either. So she waited.

  Whatever trance Lian had been in faded after a full hour had ticked by. He gave a small shake of his head and rubbed his temples. She worked the kinks out of her neck and filled him a cup of water and added a tea bag, fixing it quick before retaking her seat beside him.

  “Here,” she said softly, sliding the paper cup to him.

  “Thank you.”

  His hand trembled as he took a drink. She didn’t comment but her worry for him increased. “Don’t mention it.”

  He checked his watch. “An hour. You stayed with me the entire time?”

  “I did. I am sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude, however, I didn’t feel right leaving you alone.”

  “Didn’t call the others?” He glanced around.

  “I was already intruding on your private moment. I don’t believe anyone else needed to. Besides, you didn’t call for them.”

  Lian finished his tea and got to his feet, cane in one hand and empty cup in the other. After a few deep breaths, he walked to the entrance. Calida accompanied him. The doors slid open and she deferred to him, waiting for him to lead. Instead of leaving, Lian turned back to her and grabbed her wrist. Calida paused, unsure of what he wanted.

  “Don’t ever give up, Calida. Ever. Remember, there is what we see or hear and that which we know.”

  He released her and took off down the hall. She stood stock-still and watched him. He’d said something similar to her once before. Scratching the inside of her right wrist, she couldn’t fend off the dread—deep, bone-penetrating dread—settling around her like an oversized light-blocking cloak.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Sometimes it’s easier to allow a stranger to witness your moment of weakness.” She paused. “If that’s what it was.”

  Calida lay upon his chest and together they occupied the platform in the middle of the lake. They’d swum out earlier and had been lying out there for close to an hour. He ran over Edmond’s words repeatedly in his head. And the news that she’d spent some time with Lian.

  He was concerned about his mentor. And Dracen. Tiarnán flexed the fingers on Calida’s back, relishing another opportunity to touch her skin. Touch her. He didn’t know how to broach her feelings about Dracen.

  “You sure he was fine?”

  “No, but I don’t know him like you. He appeared so.”

  “I should speak to him abo—”

  “No!” She rose up and glared at him. “You promised, Tiarnán, and that’s the only reason I told you.”

  “Fine.” There were other ways.

  “And no verbal, mental or other communication with the others about it.”

  Damn.

  “Your word, Tiarnán.”

  “You have it.” He guided her back to lie on his chest.

  The day was beautiful. It was the kind he preferred to be out in. Outside was always his option but especially on days like this one.

  “Who is Cheza?”

  His power rippled and he automatically checked the area. He had no idea what was planned and had zero intention of losing the woman in his arms. “Why?”

  “Can’t you just tell me? Why do you think I want to know? To give away secrets to someone? The New Order perhaps?”

  She climbed off him and paced the edge of the platform. Hands on her hips, she strode back and forth, her partially wet hair swinging in time with each agitated step she took. An agitation that grew as she moved. Calida was stunning anyway. Pissed as she was now—when her eyes flashed and her skin flushed a bit more, she was magnificent.

  He rose up on his elbows and stared up at her. Below the frustrating anger he sensed…pain? Betrayal?

  “Calida, I want to protect you.”

  She rolled her eyes and gave him her back. “Protect? More like lock me away.”

  While she’d mutt
ered it, he’d heard her with ease. She tapped her foot before whirling back around and stalking toward him.

  “What is answering my question going to do that affects my being protected? Ever heard knowledge is power?” She held up both hands, fingers partially curved in, and bared her teeth at him. “Argh!” Hands went flat. “You know what…fine…I get it. Message received.”

  She sat again, across from him, back to him and dangled her legs in the water. Tiarnán didn’t get what just happened. He hadn’t the slightest inkling. However, he did realize he’d fucked up again.

  For a moment he stared at her, willing her to turn around. She did neither that nor give any indication she would soon. He prowled to her side, his jeans still damp from the earlier swim to where they were. Lowering back to the wood planks, he angled his head and gazed at her. He reached out to move some hair from her face.

  “Calida?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Look at me.”

  She did with no hesitation yet he had difficulty reading her expression.

  “You really want to know about Cheza?”

  “No thank you.” Perfectly polite. She slipped into the water. “I have some things to do. Thanks for the swim.”

  After those words, she set off with a strong overhand stroke. He went after her. She didn’t speed up. When she reached the shore neither did she wait for him. She headed off, swiping her flip-flops from the ground and kept going.

  He paused by his boots, water rolling down his hair and bare chest. His shirt sat stuffed in a boot and he drew it out, running the cotton over his face before slinging the material over his shoulder.

  Back at the mansion, he went to his room and changed. Dry and redressed, he went to Calida’s room. The others shared a room with their mates, he and Calida had their own. He wanted her in his.

  Opening her door, he knew instantly she wasn’t there. Where is she? Her backpack wasn’t where it usually sat and he pulled out his phone. After dialing her number, he swore when it went to voicemail.

  “Everything okay, Tiarnán?”

  One of the foster kids stood behind him. “All good, Denard.”

  His smile wide and pure. “Ms. Calida went to town with Ms. Roz.” He gestured at the door. “You know… In case you were wondering.”

  “I was, thank you.”

  The boy scampered away.

  “Roz.”

  “Who told you?” Her tone was less than amused.

  “Denard. Where is she?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He growled at her.

  “I don’t. I dropped her off about ten minutes ago.”

  “Where?” Sprinting down the stairs, he headed for his truck.

  “Oh for God’s sake, Tiarnán. Let the woman have some space. She doesn’t need you hovering over her twenty-four-seven.”

  “She’s in danger. The New Order—”

  “Have gotten on the property as well. Let her spend an afternoon shopping.”

  “What does she need that’s not here?”

  “Men. Sometimes she… We just need to get away. She’s not left the vineyard since her arrival.”

  He didn’t care. “She’s out there unprotected. Tell me where she is.”

  “No.”

  “Roz.” The warning was there.

  “Let her be, Tiarnán. Right now, she doesn’t need you hovering.” Roz ended the connection.

  He swallowed back his roar of fury and opened his truck door when his name was hollered from behind him. Tiarnán peered over his shoulder and saw two of the kids running in his direction.

  “Do we need your truck to set up the swing?”

  It took him a minute before he made sense of what Linus spoke about. He’d completely spaced his promise to put up a new swing.

  “Absolutely. Hop in the back.”

  Linus and Scottie ran over as he lowered the tailgate. They scrambled in and he got behind the wheel. Damn it. I wanted to get to Calida. He started the engine and shifted into gear.

  He loved the kids, truly. Yet right now, all his thoughts were on Calida. It didn’t help that Altair and Dex were there as well. He was happy Roz and Aminta had found their mates but he was protective of the two he considered sisters.

  “Tiarnán.” Dex spoke as he got out of the truck.

  “Dex. Altair.”

  The Middle Eastern man watched him with black eyes. Nothing was readable on his expression. Billy and Cale told him Altair and he were so similar it was funny. He didn’t find it amusing.

  “Tiarnán.”

  The kids jumped down and joined those there.

  Dex stared between the two of them before snorting and pushing away from the tree. “Guys, swings to put up. Have your staring contest later.”

  Both turned away simultaneously. They were attaching four swings today onto some trees. Simple, yet not something they wanted the kids to do alone. Altair had fixed seats for two—a nice round smooth seat atop a large knot. The ropes were stretched out on the ground. The children were excited and talking amongst themselves, offering up challenges and dares.

  “How shall we do this?” Dex asked, rubbing his hands together.

  “Carry it up, tie it off, and test it before we allow kids on it.”

  “Sounds good.” Altair nodded.

  Tiarnán moved his truck closer to the first tree trunk. He didn’t need it but the other two might. And no matter how much he wanted to best Altair, they would always show a unified front to the foster kids. Were the kids not there…it would be a whole other story.

  Dex grabbed a rope and hopped up in his truck. Tiarnán took the next one and waited for the man to reach the branch he sought. Then Tiarnán went to one on the other side of the tree. As he sat on the branch and secured a knot, he stared out over the vineyard. He couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. But didn’t know Calida’s opinion on it, for he’d never broached the subject with her.

  “There a reason you don’t like me?” Dex asked, watching him.

  “Like you fine.” He finished the knot.

  “Really? Frost says you do but I don’t see it. I do something to offend you?”

  “Nope.”

  “So it’s just your charming personality then.”

  He met Dex’s gaze. “Yep.”

  The man chuckled, apparently unoffended. “That’s fine, man. I get it. Because of that, what I’m about to say probably won’t make a damn bit of difference, but I love her. I would die before I hurt her. Just food for thought.”

  Dex grabbed the rope and walked himself hand over hand to the ground. Tiarnán rolled his eyes at the antics before following suit. The second tree went pretty much the same, sans the heart to heart chat.

  They finished and hung out for a while, utilizing the new swings. Everyone piled into his truck for the ride back. First thing he noticed was Roz and Calida weren’t back.

  The longer she was gone, the more his concern grew and finally he jumped in his truck and headed for town. He could find her without Roz’s help. And since she refused, that’s exactly what he would do.

  * * * *

  Calida laughed as the pitch whizzed past her. “What is that, like strike sixteen?”

  “Thirty or so, but who’s truly counting?” Roz laughed as well.

  “Apparently you are.”

  “Oh, well, yes. I suppose I am. And you’re about to miss seventeen. Or thirty-one, if you’re counting accurately.”

  “Which of course you are,” she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. The ball soared by her and she swore.

  “Of course I am.” Roz sounded so smug.

  “So get in here and hit then.”

  “Another one is coming.” Roz sucked her fingers clean then pointed. “May want to pay attention.”

  Calida did and swung the bat. Crack! The vibrations reverberated up the bat and she grinned. Perfect. Rotating it around, she waited for the next one.

  “Whoo hoo!” She hit the following four.

  The slam
of a cage door grabbed her attention and she saw Roz adjusting her own batting helmet and stance.

  “Changed your mind?”

  “You’re having too much fun. I wanted to join in.”

  The women fell silent and the only sound was that of balls thwacking off bats. They’d played for an hour when Calida stopped because her arms screamed in agony at her.

  Leaving the cage, she took off her helmet and returned it. She leaned against a picnic table before eventually sitting to wait for Roz.

  “I told you we’d meet again.”

  Fear slithered up her spine. Baldy—no, correction, Gravett. He stood over her, arms crossed with a sneer on his face. She wasn’t about to let him know how afraid she was. Her Taser rested in the pack at her feet. Tiarnán had returned it to her—how and where he’d found it, she hadn’t asked. She was grateful however, and he’d said that Billy had done some improving to it. Not much help down there.

  She knew Roz would be here soon. “No winged companions today?” she asked, proud her voice didn’t shake.

  Evil would be her descriptor for his grin. “Would you like me to call some in?”

  “Around all these people? Wouldn’t that fuck up your plans by letting it out of the bag about them? I mean, aren’t they supposed to be a surprise?”

  “What do you know of our plans?”

  “Not much. Cheza only told me a few things.”

  His face drained of color. So he knows the name.

  “You spoke to Cheza?”

  “Yes. And she didn’t kill me. She talked to me. Now, what do you want?” She had some extra confidence, seeing his fear at the mention of Cheza’s name. “Oh, and she said we’d talk again as well.”

  He glanced around. “Where’s the boy?”

  She nearly snapped at him for the disrespect in his tone. She knew he spoke about Tiarnán. “No clue.” That was the truth. “What do you want?”

  “Yes, Gravett, what do you want?” Roz appeared from his left, looking every inch a capable warrior. Or Guardian.

  Calida sat there in amazement as Gravett’s eyes widened and the remaining color drained from his face. “Roz.”

  The Guardian positioned herself between them. “Been a long time. Not long enough, but a long time.”