Midnight Revelations: The Watchers, Book 3

by D McEntire

  He pushed the thought aside and focused only on her, the feel of her under him and the sound of her ecstasy.

  Rayne inside her, filling her and causing a wonderful friction, was like nothing Suma had ever felt or dreamed.

  Her hands gripped the hard muscles on his shoulders, anchoring to him as he moved over her. His golden eyes were dark and intense. What she saw in their depths thrilled her. She felt empowered, relishing the fact she was the cause of that hunger.

  The delicious ache between her legs turned into an urge. Feeling something build inside her, something she didn’t want to stop, Suma held on tighter.

  “Rayne, please don’t stop.”

  The tight band of urgency snapped with an explosion of relief and euphoric exaltation.

  Her entire soul burst with light. She could no longer feel her body, could not even breathe. There was only pleasure and an extreme sense of peace, even as the force of her climax ebbed.

  She felt Rayne make one final surge, then stiffen as he roared his own release, warmth filling her before he collapsed, breathing heavily against her chest.

  Afraid she would float away, Suma did not release her hold on Rayne’s shoulders. His flesh was warm. She could feel the rapid beating of his heart against her breast. Love filled her body and soul. Suma lifted her hand to his hair and let the silky mane sift through her fingers, then placed a kiss on his temple.

  As her heartbeat slowed, she realized she had fallen in deep somewhere along the way. In the two days they had spent together, her soul seemed to recognize him, and now her body was doing the same. It was no surprise he was going to have her heart as well.

  Reluctantly, Rayne rolled to Suma’s side, then grabbed the edge of the blanket and folded them inside. His body felt weak, but sated. He caressed her back, the weight of her head in the crook of his shoulder and her chin nuzzling his neck was comforting. It felt right.

  He realized he had never been this happy and at peace. Suma had filled him with warmth, and the emptiness he had felt for so long at the loss of his people was softened by her presence.

  How was going to let her go? How was he going to go back to the way things were—endless nights of killing Rogues, only to return to his Cell to rest before going out and doing it all over again the next evening?

  Thinking about all the years which had passed, and how meaningless his existence was in the world, made him squeeze his eyes shut. Tomorrow that life would return.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Rayne. Rayne, you must wake up.”

  Rayne felt a gentle shake on his shoulder, and he fought to open his eyes. Once the fog cleared, he turned his head to find an angel looking at him, though the concern he saw on her face brought him to attention.

  “Suma? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s nearly dawn. We fell asleep. You need to find cover quickly.”

  Rayne looked up to the sky and sucked in a breath. It was indeed growing brighter by the minute. Dressing quickly, every move made his chest tighter. He hated to end their time together, but she was right. If he didn’t find shelter from the day, and very soon, he was going to be in a world of hurt.

  “My truck is close, and the camper is dark. You will be fine there until the sun sets. We are not leaving until everyone has packed.”

  When they reached the truck, he felt sluggish, and it took all the strength he possessed to keep moving. Anger at having to rely on Suma’s help in getting inside the darkness of her camper ate at him, and as he lay on her makeshift bed, struggling to catch his breath, he thought about the differences in their lives.

  Suma was a part of the sun as well as a part of her people. She was not confined to the darkness. Even her wolf spirit had the ability to be out during the day, though he was sure it preferred the night.

  He was a prisoner of the night—forced to stay inside during the daylight hours, succumbing to the deep sleep which was sucking him under.

  Suma’s words sifted though his mind, and his heart screamed in denial. She was leaving.

  Rayne climbed out of Suma’s camper, his heart in this throat at the sight of the park. The area where the Pow-wow event had been held was nothing but grass. There were no tents, no booths and no fence. Suma and her people were gone.

  A noise caught his attention and he turned. Taped to the camper door was a piece of paper, flapping gently in the breeze.

  He was almost afraid to read the note, knowing it was from Suma. He didn’t want her to be gone, but she was. His body felt it, his heart felt it and his soul felt it.

  Rayne,

  My people needed to leave much earlier than I expected. The Mayor asked me to travel with him and his family. He said we had much to talk about, and he would have someone return my truck to the reservation later.

  It was high noon when we loaded up, so I didn’t want to wake you. I want you to know how much it meant to have met you. Thank you for all you have done, and for saving my life—oh yeah—the wolf thanks you too.

  Rayne, I wish things were different, but I am sure you understand my people need me, and I made a promise to my grandfather. Live well, and I pray to the Spirits our paths cross again. You will always be in my heart.

  Suma

  Rayne’s hands trembled as he balled the slip of paper in his hand. He told himself he did understand she had to leave, but the pain came nonetheless. What hurt even more was the fact there was no mention of her desire for him to follow

  Stuffing the paper in his pocket, he pushed the negative thoughts aside. He refused to believe those wishes were not included in the note because they did not exist. He and Suma had met for a reason and Rayne vowed to hold on tight to that thought, locking it away in his heart. Closing his eyes to the sight of the empty park, he sent a silent prayer to the Spirits that he would see her again someday.

  With a heavy sigh, Rayne shut the camper door, and made sure all doors and windows were locked before he turned and began walking to the Cell. Since he hadn’t checked in after the fireworks festival, there was going to be hell to pay, but he didn’t care. He had other things on his mind at the moment—things he would not soon forget.

  His steps were slow, but not because of the tongue lashing he was expecting from his CO. The expression “Dead Man Walking” came to mind as he made his way to his Cell, returning to his bare existence.

  Rayne strolled through the door. Tank, Trigg, Robyn and Vane were standing in the kitchen and turned in his direction.

  “What?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at the questioning gazes aimed at him, though he knew the reason for their scrutiny.

  “Glad you could join us.”

  His CO’s greeting was a scolding he knew was deserved, but his brain and heart were tired. He was not up to a confrontation.

  Rayne gave them a sheepish smile, trying to play down the tension in the room.

  “Sorry, my brothers. It wasn’t my intention to cause anyone worry. I cut the time too close and needed to seek shelter. Before I knew it, I was out.”

  Rayne turned, not waiting to see if his story was believed, and seated himself at the dining room table. One by one the others joined him, and he found he could not meet their gazes. His emotions were all over the place, and he wanted to keep his personal anguish to himself.

  Out of the corner of his eye he saw the television. The news was airing a segment on the Pow-wow since it was the first year the event had been added to the festivities.

  Tents, booths and dancing demonstrations filled the screen. Rayne watched people from the different nations who had participated in the event show their crafts and speak to the reporter about their heritage and where they were from.

  Seeing the coverage was hard enough on Rayne’s emotions, but to hear the reporter interview the chief of the Ute tribe, Suma’s tribe, was too much.

  Rayne bit back the growl waiting below the surface to erupt and grasped both sides of the chair, digging his nails into the wood under his seat.

  The story of the Pow-wow en
ded and was replaced by another. A reporter spoke of an upcoming story on the after party cleanup project at the waterfront and strange items left behind by party goers.

  Pushing aside his pain, Rayne forced himself into Watcher mode and listened as Tank and Trigg reported on last night’s events, the most shocking was the news that a Watcher was MIA. Kern, one of the Watchers from Corydon, Indiana, had not reported in after the event.

  During the next item of discussion, the discovery of a powdered vampire drug at Evan’s home, Rayne found his thoughts straying. He glanced at his watch and wondered where Suma was. What was she doing? Was she happy?

  The discussion around the table turned to Rosa and another threat to her safety. Evan’s right hand man, Rico, was still on the loose. The trouble on the city’s streets had not been eliminated last night.

  In and out of his own thoughts, Rayne caught bits and pieces of the discussion, and realization set in. While he was chasing wolves and falling for a beautiful Ute maiden, things at his Cell had gone to hell in a hand basket.

  He thought of Rosa’s kidnapping and the threat of a dangerous drug getting out on the streets, creating more rogue vampires in its wake. They already had their hands full. Wasn’t this why he was here? He had a job to do, and not doing that job put lives at stake again.

  Rayne glanced at Vane. As the conversation continued to center around Rosa and the new threat, Rico, the look on his Cell-mate’s face was as expected—anger, concern and the promise of retribution.

  At that moment, it occurred to Rayne he had not seen Rosa since arriving at the Cell. He glanced around the room, then up at Vane’s bedroom door.

  Vane met his gaze, and in the silent exchange, Rayne understood. Their relationship must have taken another wrong turn, he thought with a mental sigh. The pain on his Cell-mate’s face was clear.

  Rayne could sympathize with his brother, knowing what it felt like to lose someone you deeply cared for. Why does it have to be so damned complicated? Fate brings two people together who seem to have so much in common, hit it off and care about each other, then tosses in complications to make a relationship impossible. The thought had him clenching his fists under the table.

  Dinner seemed endless, and Rayne was thankful when it was over. As he headed for the stairs, and the sanctity of his room to brood over his situation, Tank spoke.

  “Rayne, you and Trigg need to head over to the mansion and question the butler on Evan’s plans for the drug he was manufacturing.”

  Rayne tried not to show his agitation. He wanted time to think, but it wouldn’t happen just yet.

  Suma sat in Louisville’s busy airport attempting to peruse an old magazine, but her thoughts kept slipping to Rayne. For two wonderful days she had felt alive. The weight of her responsibilities had lifted, if only for awhile. She had not felt alone.

  Before leaving with the mayor and his family, she had left Rayne a note, trying to explain her reasons for leaving. She didn’t know if she was attempting to convince him or herself of the reasons she had to go. But, there was one thing she did know. Rayne coming with her to Utah was not an option. He belonged here.

  She closed her eyes, holding back the tears threatening to fall. She wouldn’t break down, not here, not now. There would be time enough later for tears and regrets.

  “Suma, dear. I’m glad you are coming with us. It’s time our people embraced one another again, as it was before. We seemed to have drifted apart and forgotten our way.”

  Suma opened her eyes at the words spoken by the mayor’s wife. She knew the woman was trying to make conversation, and the least she could do was to be social.

  “Thank you for inviting me to fly back with you. Actually, I’m grateful not to have to make the long drive again.”

  “You made the trip all by yourself, didn’t you?” Suma took in the woman’s gentle scolding, feeling as though she were speaking to her mother. “That was very dangerous, although I do know why you did it. I can’t begin to thank you for all you have done over the past several years, Suma. If you hadn’t stepped in when those monsters took…”

  The woman’s fears of what could have been matched her own. Suma laid a reassuring hand on her arm to comfort them both.

  “It’s all right. Now our people know what is out there. They will realize the need to keep a watchful eye on the children, as well as each other.”

  As the woman nodded and wiped her eyes with a tissue, Suma looked around the terminal, watching people scurry about, trying to make their flights.

  She turned and saw a mother carrying a baby swaddled in her arms, she was searching the terminal intently. Suddenly, her face lit up with a bright smile as a man dressed in military fatigues came rushing toward her.

  The man dropped his large bag and immediately held out his hands for the baby, and reverently scooped the child from the woman’s arms.

  The sight touched her heart. She was watching a joyous homecoming—a reunion between a husband and wife, and the introduction of a father to his child.

  Will I ever find that joy?

  Her heart grew heavy at the thought of a similar chapter being written in her life. It will never be.

  “Now boarding Flight 302.”

  The call for boarding the plane brought Suma out of her thoughts. She reached and picked up her purse, then followed the mayor and his family.

  After she was seated on the plane, Suma turned and stared out of the window. She was headed home, and it seemed things were going to be different. Finally, all she hoped for and dreamed—to belong once again to her people—was coming true.

  I should be happy.

  She was far from happy.

  The time in flight opened her mind for a lot of thinking. She tried to clear it, and push everything aside, but she couldn’t. The hurt lingered, and it was deep.

  “Am I making a mistake, Grandfather?”

  This time he did not answer, and she longed to hear his words of encouragement once more.

  The plane touched down with a shudder and a skip, jerking Suma awake. She hadn’t realized she had fallen asleep, but even with the short nap, she still felt tired. Then she remembered she had stayed awake most of the previous night with Rayne. Rayne.

  The next several days went by in a blur, with Suma spending hours talking with the mayor and the Council. All agreed it was time to step up and take action against the evil they had foolishly tried to ignore.

  “The Council has voted. All are in agreement of the great need to revise an old plan of action pushed aside years ago by overconfident leaders who did not feel it necessary to continue the education and training of tribe volunteers for the protection of the reservation and its people. When a member of the Council advised me of the program, I checked the records and wasn’t surprised to find money had been a major factor in dismantling the project,” the mayor told Suma.

  “With your help, we will be able to revive some of the old practices.”

  Suma was relieved a plan of action was already underway. “I would be honored. Has the Council sent word to all of the members of the reservation calling for volunteers to step forward and serve their people?”

  “Already taken care of. In fact, there are a few recruits outside who would like to meet you.”

  Suma saw the gleam in the mayor’s eyes, and she knew what he was up to. He was trying to play matchmaker, but it wasn’t going to work. Her heart had been given to one man, and she had left it there with him in Louisville.

  A shadow moved across the window and the door to the mayor’s office opened. Two men stepped inside, their smiles bright in greeting. Suma almost groaned, but took a deep breath. She had no doubt they would be great fighters in the protection of her people, and they were handsome, but she felt nothing except loss.

  She pasted on a smile for the men, shook their hands and spoke the usual greetings and pleasantries. Seemingly getting the vibe of disinterest, the men left.

  Suma pulled herself away from thoughts of Rayne and back to
the protection of her people. Knowing plans were actually being put into action and volunteers had already joined the team was good news. The Council would ensure a small band of warriors would accompany all future excursions off the reservation. Each event attended would be highly secure from this day forward.

  Suma was heartened by the new outlook for her people. They were working together, and she didn’t feel as if the weight of the entire reservation’s protection was on her shoulders. Brave and honorable men, and even women, were stepping up to the plate to lift that burden, one piece at a time.

  Evening was setting in with the disappearance of the sun. Suma sat alone on a boulder, looking out at the mountains in the distance. She could feel the wolf stir, wanting to run, to feel the wind on its face, and the crunch of brush beneath its feet. She sighed heavily and tossed a rock into the air, not caring where it landed.

  “Suma,” a familiar voice called, and she turned to face the old woman who had been the first to recognize her the night of the fireworks’ show.

  “Kaku,” Suma replied as she stood. She had begun using the endearment of “Grandmother” as soon as she arrived at the reservation because the woman quickly took her in, adopting her as her grandchild.

  As the old woman slowly walked toward her, Suma held out her hand and grasped the woman’s arm lightly to help her over to the boulders and assisted her to sit.

  “I want to thank you for taking me into your home.”

  The old woman waved her off, then looked at her with concern in her eyes.

  “What’s wrong, child? You have been growing a little quieter every day. I can’t help feel you left something very important behind when you came with us.”

  Suma turned away from the woman, certain sorrow was written over her face. She had hoped each day it would get easier to push aside her feelings, and focus on her new life, but it hadn’t happened. In fact, with each passing day she felt a little more lost in her new world.