Penumbra

by Keri Arthur

  “Could you work up a facial composite? That way, we could search military records and see if we find a match.”

  “Hopeworth is not likely to allow you to do a search of their personnel—past or present.”

  He raised a dark eyebrow. “You think he’s from Hopeworth?”

  “Yeah. Everything else seems to be tied back to that place. I can’t see why he wouldn’t be.”

  “If that’s the case, he might be a means of keeping an eye on you.”

  “And yet Hopeworth seemed to have no interest—no idea that I even existed—until I contacted them about the Generation 18 murders.”

  They reached a department store. As the front doors swished open, he ushered her through. The air in the store was so warm it felt like they’d stepped into a sauna. She resisted the urge to strip off her soaked sweater and dripped water all over their shiny floors as she made her way toward the women’s section.

  “That could be because all evidence of the Penumbra project was destroyed,” he said, watching as she sorted through the racks of clothing.

  “Or it could mean that I was never a part of that place and came from somewhere else.”

  He raised an eyebrow again. “Do you believe that?”

  “No.” They might not have gotten a whole lot of concrete information about the project or her part in it, but the little they did have was convincing enough. Plus, there was now the fact that—according to O’Hearn and all the tests done so far—she wasn’t human. And not only wasn’t she human, she wasn’t a creation of nature, either. Which invariably led to the conclusion that she had to be lab-created. And the fact was, there weren’t many labs around capable of supporting such a long-term commitment as developing a being—either timewise or moneywise.

  Only the military. And perhaps other covert government departments they didn’t know about.

  Her search through the racks eventually turned up suitable pants, a warm sweater, shoes and a hooded, waterproof jacket. Once she’d paid for them, she went into the dressing room, stripped off her soaked clothes and changed. After brushing her hair, she almost felt human again. Although that term was apparently relative.

  “The drowned rat has vanished,” Gabriel noted, his gaze sweeping her as she came back out. “Though I bet Wetherton would have preferred the wet—and therefore see-through—blouse to the bulky sweater.”

  “If that old lecher comes anywhere near me, I’m going to punch him.” Sam gave him the plastic bags of wet clothes to hold while she donned her jacket. Now that she was beginning to warm up, she didn’t want to step outside and get drowned again.

  “Like that would get the two of you off on the right foot.”

  “Well, at least he’d know the boundaries.”

  His smile faded. “Be careful with Wetherton. He might be a Hopeworth plant, or he might be one of Sethanon’s, but, either way, he’s going to be dangerous.”

  She zipped her coat, pulled up the hood and grabbed her bags back. “Is that why you’ve placed a twenty-four-hour watch on me?”

  He had the grace to look guilty—but only briefly. “How did you find out?”

  She snorted softly. “I’ve been a cop for more years than I care to remember. Why on earth would you think I wouldn’t notice a tail?”

  She pushed the door open and stepped back into the storm-held night. The wind seemed even stronger than before, buffeting her sideways until Gabriel touched her arm and steadied her. But unlike before, the power in the storm seemed muted. She could feel it, but it was distant, no more than an electric murmur in the background. Yet one that could sharpen instantly given the slightest provocation.

  “I had some very experienced people following you,” he said, as the doors swished shut behind them. “I just didn’t think you’d spot them so quickly.”

  “Those experienced people were your sister, her husband and you.” She squinted up at him. “Did you actually plan to sleep anytime?”

  His hazel eyes met hers, the green-flecked depths showing little in the way of emotion. The caring, sharing version of Gabriel Stern she’d enjoyed for the last few minutes had all but disappeared. This version she knew all too well.

  “I’m a changer. We can survive on very few hours of rest,” he said.

  “Not long-term.”

  “I was hoping it wasn’t going to be long-term.”

  “Ah.” She glanced ahead, noting with a little annoyance that Wetherton’s office building was less than half a block away. “And if it was?”

  “I would have dealt with the problem when it arose.”

  Which was not very practical. “What if your solution isn’t the best solution?”

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  She hesitated. “It’s just a thought that occurred to me when I was talking to Jessie. All roads are leading to Hopeworth, so would it not be better—”

  “No,” he cut in instantly.

  “But it may be our only chance to get any sort of answers. For all we know, Sethanon might be—”

  “No!” he cut in again, more forcefully this time. He took a steadying breath, then said, “It’s too damn dangerous. Heaven only knows what that place would do to you if they got hold of you. I can’t risk it, Sam. I won’t.”

  He couldn’t risk it. Not the SIU, not the Federation. Him. Surely that was a sign he cared far more than he was admitting? Or was it simply that he had no intention of losing her until he knew what she was capable of and how they might use her growing abilities for the benefit of the SIU and the Federation?

  And why did she even care? Hadn’t she just made a resolution to stop centering her life around her work and her partners?

  The trouble was, he’d touched her. Brushed the hair from her face and run his fingers down her cheek to her lips. And those two actions had her long-ignored hormones dancing.

  From the very beginning she’d been attracted to him, and while they might not have shared anything more intimate than a brief hug, that attraction still flared up at the slightest provocation. And no matter how angry she might be with him, it appeared that the attraction wasn’t going away. Ignoring it might work in the long run, but only if she wasn’t seeing him regularly. As long as he was still in her life, she was stuck with it.

  And since he obviously wasn’t going to pursue it, maybe she should just bite the bullet and do as Jessie suggested. Become the hunter.

  Could she do it?

  She didn’t know. She’d never actually pursued any man, whether it was for sexual or emotional pleasure. Which wasn’t to say she hadn’t indulged in either—she had, and had enjoyed herself immensely. But in the past, she’d always allowed men to do the pursuing, and she always knew going in that neither the man nor the relationship—however good or emotional it felt at the time—would last.

  Why she’d always been sure of that she couldn’t honestly say. Nor could she say why she was so sure that her attraction to Gabriel was more than just the natural attraction of a female to a sexy male.

  Maybe it had something to do with the walker gene and the bond that might be between them. Maybe it didn’t. Or maybe it was nothing more than wishful thinking on her part. Whatever the reason, perhaps wondering if she could pursue him wasn’t the right question. Maybe what she should be asking was what she actually wanted from him. What did she expect? Just another good time? Just another physically satisfying month or two in her life?

  No.

  Whatever this thing was between them, it definitely felt bigger. Which in turn meant she was expecting something more than a month or two of mutual pleasure. Something deeper than just caring.

  But given his stance against any emotional commitment in his life, wasn’t she just setting herself up for heartache? If he could keep his twin—his own flesh and blood—at arm’s length, what made her think his connection to her would be any different?

  So maybe that was the real question she needed to ask herself. Was she ready to face that heartache if it went belly-up? And cou
ld she live with it, face being around him day in and day out if he did in fact prove to be her base?

  Probably not.

  But maybe she had to try, anyway. Because surely it was better to attempt a relationship on her own terms, in her own time, than to be forced into it by genes and fate.

  At the very least, if she seriously tried to start something between them that went beyond friendship and duty, she’d know for sure whether Jessie was right about the attraction going both ways. Which was far better than realizing sometime down the road that he was with her only because he had no other choice.

  Freedom of choice was important, no matter what fate and the future planned for them both.

  “Earth to Sam. Are you still with me?”

  She blinked and looked up at him. “What?”

  “I’ve been talking to you for the last few minutes. Did you hear anything I’ve said?”

  “Ummm…no. Did you say anything important?”

  He rolled his eyes. Amusement touched his lips, yet his concern whipped around her, as chill as the wind, and his grip on her arm tightened a little. “Is the storm calling again?”

  “Not really.” She shrugged. “I was just thinking about Wetherton and how little I actually want this assignment.”

  “Then why accept it? You had the choice to refuse, you know.”

  She stopped and turned to face him. “How could I not accept it? At least it got me out of the broom closet and let me do some real police work. You’re not the only one who hates being confined indoors, Assistant Director.”

  He grimaced. “You know why I was doing that—”

  “Yeah, because you’re an ass who would rather force an unwanted situation to go away than be up-front and talk about it. Cowardice is not a trait I expected from you, but you’ve been consistently proving me wrong for three months.”

  Anger flicked through his eyes. “I had no choice in taking you on as a partner. And the only way the situation could have been altered was if you had requested a transfer.”

  “So why not come out and say that straight off the bat? Between the two of us, I’m sure we could have come up with a strategy that would have changed Stephan’s mind. But no, you found it easier just to stick me down in the dungeons and ignore me.”

  He thrust a hand through his wet hair. “Damn it, I was doing what I thought was right—”

  “No, you were doing what was easier for you,” she corrected. “You knew it wasn’t right, or you wouldn’t have apologized for being a bastard. Or didn’t you mean your apology?”

  “I did—”

  “Then prove it.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “How?”

  “Take me out to dinner. To a nice, expensive restaurant.”

  “And how, exactly, will that prove anything?”

  He looked a little confused, which was good, because she had a feeling confusion was a state she’d have to keep him in if she was going to get anywhere with this seduction.

  Not that she had a specific plan. Right now, she was just jumping at an opportunity that had presented itself.

  “Well, in the brief time I’ve known you, you haven’t exactly been free and easy when it comes to money. And word around the office is that you’re a first-class tight-ass—”

  “It is?” he asked, his surprise evident in his voice.

  “Yes. So, if you go to the trouble of buying me dinner at an expensive—and I do stress the word expensive—restaurant, then you’re putting your money where your mouth is. And that, in turn, means you really are sorry.” She couldn’t help the smile playing around her lips. “In which case, your apology will be graciously accepted.”

  “This sounds to me like a sneaky method of getting an expensive meal without having to pay for it.”

  “Are you saying I don’t deserve it? Even after the way you treated me?”

  “No, I’m just saying that this will be a one-time apology. Don’t be expecting future apologies.” He paused. “Or dates.”

  “I’m not after a date, Assistant Director—not now or in the future. I don’t date men I work with.” Which was true, up to a point. She’d certainly never dated Jack, her partner in the State Police, though she had dated cops in other divisions over the years. She raised an eyebrow, silently challenging him to answer honestly. “Why would you think I’m after a date? Especially after the way you’ve treated me for the last few months?”

  He didn’t take up the challenge. No surprise there. “I have no idea.” He motioned her to move on. As she did, he added, “So, dinner at an expensive restaurant. When?”

  She shrugged. “I’m on the night shift now, so it’ll have to be during the day.”

  He raised a cynical eyebrow. “Meaning lunch? How about tomorrow, then?”

  “Get the ordeal over with as quickly as possible, huh?”

  He smiled but didn’t deny it. Boy, was she ever going to have some fun attempting to shock this man’s starched sensibilities! She might end up in tears, but at least the journey would be interesting. And at least she’d see if Jessie’s assessment was correct.

  “Give me a call when you finish your shift tonight,” he said. “We can make arrangements then.”

  She glanced ahead and saw that Wetherton’s office was only two doors away. Damn. She looked back to Gabriel. “Who’s watching me tonight?”

  He hesitated, then said, “Alain.”

  “After which?”

  “Jessie takes over. Though since we now might be having lunch, I’ll probably step in and let her rest.”

  “You’re expecting a bit much of your sister and her husband, aren’t you? They have their own lives to live, too.”

  “No one in my family has their own life. Everything revolves around the Federation.”

  The edge of bitterness is his voice surprised her, but she didn’t question him about it. He wouldn’t tell her anything. When it came to family, he was tighter than a clam. “But I’m not involved in this Federation of yours.”

  Hell, even though she knew the historical facts about the Federation’s origins—that it was formed to protect the political and legal interests of nonhumans after the Race Wars—she had no idea what it truly did these days. The few things he had said about it, however, suggested that not only were they still very much involved in protecting the interests of nonhumans, but they were also some kind of undercover, independent spy agency.

  His gaze met hers briefly. “No, but who you are, and what you are, might very well affect the Federation and its operations in the future. So, in that respect, you warrant Federation involvement.”

  “So why hasn’t Stephan assigned other—” She paused, remembering what Jessie had told her. The urge to grin was almost overwhelming, but she somehow kept a straight face. Which didn’t mean she could resist the temptation to pull his chain a little. “He doesn’t know you’ve assigned me guards, does he?”

  “No.”

  “So, you’re having me guarded twenty-four hours a day against your brother’s direct orders, but you refuse to admit there might be anything more than professional interest motivating you?”

  He glanced at her. “That’s about it.”

  Anger rose so fast she could barely restrain it. He knew there was something between them, something that needed to be sorted out. Something that was more than just a fluke of DNA. Why couldn’t he give her at least that tiny crumb of admission, even if he never intended to pursue it?

  “You’re so full of shit, Assistant Director, that it’s almost scary.” Sam stopped as they reached the front of Wetherton’s office building. “And you know what? Call off your guards now, or I’ll let Stephan know what you’re up to.”

  Annoyance flashed through his eyes. “But Hopeworth—”

  “As I’ve already said, let them come. I want answers. I want this mess sorted out so I can finally get on with the rest of my life.”

  “There may not be a ‘rest of your life’ if Hopeworth grabs you!” His anger all but seared her
senses. But underneath it, there was also fear. “If they kidnap you, we may not be able to find you, let alone rescue you. The whole Wetherton operation last night went to hell, so it’s possible this will, too.”

  “Your brother isn’t a complete fool. I have trackers on me, so they can find me no matter where I’m taken.”

  “But the danger—”

  “Walking across the street during rush hour is dangerous, but I do that every damn day. Back off, Assistant Director. If you wanted to be involved in this operation—and my life—you shouldn’t have pushed me away.”

  “That is beside the point…”

  “No, it’s not. It is precisely the point. I have no desire—and no need—for a babysitter. Especially when that person isn’t courageous enough to get over the past and get on with his life.” And with that, she turned around and walked into the building.

  SEVEN

  GABRIEL SWORE TO HIMSELF AS Sam walked away. No one looking at her slender figure right now would guess at the steel and determination hidden within that slight frame.

  Or the depth of sheer, damn foolhardiness.

  There was a huge difference between acting as bait and walking into a situation seriously underprepared. No matter what she or Stephan thought, she couldn’t handle this sort of job alone. There were just too many angles they could neither guess at nor cover.

  As for her last jibe, where the hell did she get off accusing him of cruising through life when she was basically doing the same thing? God, at least he had a family…

  He stopped the thought. That was hardly fair. And she couldn’t exactly be blamed for her reluctance to have backup. She’d been abandoned as a teenager and, for all intents and purposes, had grown into adulthood alone. She’d spent half her life having few friends and depending on no one but herself. It wasn’t entirely surprising that she would reject his offer of help now.

  What was surprising was the fact that she still wanted to see him socially, even after all he’d done to her.

  He blew out a breath, then he spun on his heel and hitched the collar of his jacket up in an attempt to stop the rain from dripping down his neck as he walked across the street. He’d spotted Alain as he’d followed Sam from O’Hearn’s office earlier, and the big man had been their distant shadow ever since. He was glad Sam hadn’t spotted Alain. Undoubtedly, that would have made the situation worse.