Tori felt a bubble of relief rising within her despite her fears. "I'm sure I will need God's blessing just to find a land glider in this City." She stuffed the portfolio and some clothes into the bag. "Go now. While I'm gone, watch the lab for me. I need some sleep. Dawn will be here too quickly then I have to leave."
"Good night, Tori." Nessa hurried to the door then paused. Suddenly Tori ran into Nessa's arms and they hugged for a brief moment. Tears stung the back of Tori's throat, yet she refused to let Nessa see. "Come Hamia."
"Be careful, Nessa. Don't trust anyone but Jonathan."
"I won't," Nessa said, slowly straightening. Then she sighed deeply, and it seemed she'd lost the strength she'd been holding deep within. She moved from the small room, pausing at the threshold for a second then left.
Victoria DeMontville fell back on a large chair and let the events of the last eight hours slowly drain out of her. Hope rested her chin on Tori's lap.
This would be dangerous. She had to proceed with the greatest caution. If she were caught outside the City without a pass...
She kicked her shoes off. If she were caught, what did she have to lose? No fate could be worse than marriage to a man like Quentin Morray. She remembered hearing of the tortures he performed on the lab animals in the name of scientific research and she shuddered.
No, she would go and she would take the greatest care. Because to her, Morray represented everything in the human race that was evil. Truly, death would be preferable than marriage to one such as him. She had to escape. There was simply no other choice. She loosened the buttons of the tunic, relaxing once more into the overstuffed chair.
That thought, in the end, was the one that allowed her to relax, to finally drift off to sleep. She did so with a half smile curved with just a touch of wistfulness on her lips.
She was on her own. It was no different than it had been five years ago. It would be banishment yet again. But it was different this time, she admitted, just before falling into a restless sleep. This time she was leaving with her eyes wide open and of her own choice. This time she was leaving in order to save herself and perhaps her soul.
She was on her own and she was used to the feeling. Never would she be a damsel in distress in need of rescuing. Never.
She would survive, she promised herself.
She would endure all of this simply because there was no other way.
Jonathan
Lost in his law books, Jonathan suddenly looked up, feeling the same current of unease that had so touched Tori before.
The wind outside began to whistle around the corner of his office as if a great monster was stirring up trouble in paradise. Ah, but this wasn't paradise. It blew in the open window churning up the papers strewn haphazardly in his working space. He closed his eyes and listened to the silent premonition of the future, the premonition all the people on this earth had endured in the last two hundred years.
He heard voices crying out in fright and pain, praying for salvation. Sometimes the wind and the night whispered fearful words.
This was an ominous night, a black night. A chill shot through him, ending in the pit of his stomach.
He could hear the call of the Outsiders, the howl of a lone wolf. The separation might be two centuries old here now, but there were still those who defied the mandates set down by the councils and lived by their own set of rules. Tori, he thought with a smile. She was the epitome of defiance. It was in her heart and soul; she lived for life itself, for the moment, yet she cared deeply about all the people regardless of race.
Tonight was a night to defy all the laws. Thunder boomed outside and he wondered if Nessa had anything to do with the turmoil in the skies and if she understood her power. How had this storm rise up so suddenly and so intense?
A shadowy figure moved quietly through the outer-rooms, not even attempting to hide. Jonathan smiled and waited. He had been right. He had stayed at the office on purpose, and he had waited, certain that he was right.
The papers lifted off his desk then settled back down almost as if guided by an unseen hand.
A black figure stepped through the door, standing straight and tall.
"You received my summons," Jonathan called delightedly.
The man stepped farther into the room and greeted Jonathan warmly, clasping the hand offered to him. The two men stood silently studying each other yet smiling nonetheless.
By birth one was an Outsider, a physician also, the other a lawyer, an advocate of human rights. In their hearts, they were very much the same.
Just as Tori's father had inadvertently created the heroic idea of The Phantom, The Phantom had aided Jonathan in his own quest. He had been disturbed at the young man's determination to bring both worlds back together at first.
But as time had passed, Cameron had known Jonathan would be fighting all his life.
He had best learn as much as he could.
So he had made sure Jonathan was given the finest education possible, had made sure Jonathan lived in both worlds so that he could understand and institute compromise. And Jonathan had become a versatile statesman, a man with the ability to persuade. He could convince the most obstinate statesman to his way of thinking.
"Damn! I'm glad you came," Jonathan said grinning. "What took you so long?"
"A somewhat long story, I'm afraid," the man said.
"I heard about your encounter this afternoon."
"Impossible. No one saw me."
"You forget the grapevine linking the City. Nothing gets by me."
"Then I didn't need to rescue some rather compromising and enlightening computer flash pins. Your men would have secured them."
"No, without your daring they would be in the wrong hands--Morray would have control over the center. At least this way they cannot assume authority without a great deal of paper work, and rest assured I will fight them every step."
"Be careful. You can't possibly anticipate every move."
"Perhaps I can keep them in check though."
"Maybe. Drake sent me here with that purpose in mind. But of course you know that."
"True. But I wasn't sure Drake would go along with the plan or even give you the letter. The speed with which he delivered the information I sent gives credence to my own fears." Then Jonathan smiled, looking to the mountains.
"Well, I hope you will still be with me when I tell you the rest," Cameron said, a frown furrowing his brow.
"The rest?"
"With the late Advisor DeMontville's blessings, and some very severe stipulations within his will, a codicil I've been told, I must immediately marry Victoria DeMontville and assume control of the center."
"Damn! You finally received the news," Jonathan breathed. "A joining of two minds.
Fantastic." Then he started to laugh softly. "Why, that's wonderful. Then Victoria knows about the codicil. She doesn't believe you'll come for her. Insists it was forged."
"You knew all along?"
"Wrote the codicil myself."
"Wonderful? Well, I don't believe Victoria DeMontville will agree with you."
Jonathan shrugged. "Admittedly, when she sees you, she'll remember some rather humiliating times. Your name has never left her speechless; instead, she's had many colorful things to say about you. Then she really doesn't know you very well. She might not be pleased, but--she'll have to like you better than Quentin Morray. You see, Sheridan has other plans for her."
"Morray," Cameron said softly.
"You don't care for him either? Tori despises him."
"She should be afraid of him."
There was a silence between them. They could both look back over the years. Indeed, the three of them shared a fierce hatred of Morray.
"She isn't," Jonathan said. "She should be though. I've spent endless nights worrying about her. She is so passionately involved in this new research. I had feared for her."
"Well, she may not accept me either. She has always had such a wild heart, an untamed restlessness abo
ut her," Cameron said, his tone almost admiring.
"It may not be easy," Jonathan warned. "But she might accept the Phantom. Perhaps you should approach her in that guise."
"I am sure I will find a way to manage," Cameron murmured flatly.
"Why, of course, you've dealt with rogues, all sorts of wild knaves. But you've yet to spend more than a few passing minutes in her company." Jonathan smiled, but then his smile faded. "Be easy on her, for I love her dearly." He hesitated. "And you do not. I am well aware you can barely tolerate her."
"I would never hurt her, Jonathan. Yet, in all honesty I tell you--if given a wife, I will have one."
"I understand that."
"One that I would cherish and defy all odds to defend as well."
The air suddenly became tense. "If only you knew her as I do," he said. Then he added hurriedly, "I think you've come in just the nick of time. And thank God. Now I am absolved from breaking a promise. And you, Phantom, are in a good position to protect the property of Tori DeMontville, soon to be your own."
"How so?"
"I am afraid...deathly afraid. Sheridan and Morray were at Tori's med-lab today putting forth their ultimatum. Tori was certain she had time before they forced her to marry Morray since Sheridan did not want to antagonize any of the cities' counselors. I am too embroiled in this to give her the protection she needs, and Tori made any entanglement very difficult for me."
"What will you do?"
"I gave my word I would not interfere. I didn't mean to give in to her demands, but she has her ways of convincing."
"Jonathan, my esteemed representative, you handle men with a mere look, but women..."
"Tori is not any woman. I challenge you to do better."
"She will do as I say, have no doubt about that."
There was a long pause before Jonathan spoke again. "I would love to be there when you have your first argument with her." His easy manner faded. "I am worried."
"Then so am I. But you needn't fear any longer. You may keep your word and still know she is protected." He stepped forward again and offered his hand once more in a sound clasp.
"I'm glad you're back," Jonathan said. "Life is going to be infinitely more fun to watch now."
"I had to leave Reding. You know that."
"Yes. Your research--you and Tori--really the two of you have more in common than you'd like to believe. She hates the City, despises the confinement."
"Despite that, we may be up against more than just Sheridan and his men."
Jonathan grimaced. "True enough. But we won't go down without a fight."
"A struggle...perhaps a long and brutal one."
Jonathan stepped back, watching. Cameron moved to the outer area of the office then walked into the hall, a black ominous figure beneath the failing light in the corridor.
Jonathan turned back to his desk, musing.
Would Tori eventually be pleased with this choice of her father's? A marriage contracted upon DeMontville's deathbed? She was such an independent thing.
He doubted it very much. Yet Cameron did have a way with women.
She would hate Cameron for it, perhaps even blame him. She'd remember him as a thieftaker. He grinned, thinking of the way Tori said Savage's name ever since he had accosted her in the forest--or ever since she had accosted him. He had never been too sure which way it had gone that day. That confrontation so long ago had changed Tori. But If Tori knew the truth about Cameron, she might see him in a different light.
Cameron, it seemed, was equally hard on Tori. Jonathan weighed each word carefully when he spoke to him, but he knew Cameron found Tori rebellious and stubborn and not at all the innocent young woman she should be. Cameron would certainly be a trustworthy husband. He would never hurt Tori, and indeed, he would protect her with his life. But he didn't really know her, could not possibly understand her. Lord, he hoped someday Cameron would come to love her.
Tori would defy him every step of the way.
Jonathan could think of no way to make the transition easier.
Perhaps Tori would cease her childish rebellions. She had already made strides toward that end.
Or perhaps Tori would teach Cameron a few lessons in compromise and obedience. She did have a way of manipulating him, winding him around her little finger, getting her way with every argument.
He smiled widely then chuckled softly.
In truth, the ride would be wild.
His laughter stilled abruptly. A wild night for a wild ride--if The Phantom could protect her from the horrible demons threatening her tonight, perhaps they would someday find a gentle peace together. It had become such a curious night. The wind was howling its discontent, hinting at treachery and whispering of foul deeds. Gossamer veils of mist swirled around the tower giving it a ghostly appearance.
The Phantom
In his glider, The Phantom felt the same curious change in the wind, the foreboding on the air. Hovering near the lab, he, too, heard the calling, tasted the evil that clung to the night. It was a night that hinted of danger calling out to him to take care, to beware of the deceit lying so close by.
A full moon, a Comanche moon, bathed the countryside with light, illuminating every nook and cranny, every creature that used the darkness as a shield. The wind caused the spray from the waterfall to dance capriciously.
For a moment, the world seemed magical, almost ethereal. He could see the tower rise above the City, straight, determined, and stark in the night. The tower appeared independent and resolute, much like the lady herself.
His eyes narrowed. His breath quickened.
"Too soon," he said softly in the night. "Too soon."
Then, even as he spoke, the stillness of the night was suddenly shattered by a silence that beat a death knell.
A dim light floated through the visitor's center. The sight sent chills slithering down his spine.
It moved steadily upward, closer to the tower room, Tori's room.
Then a light so brilliant it almost blinded him broke through the surrounding area. Men surged up the stairs, their bodies framed by the tall glass windows of the facility and from the highest point of the tower. One small light eclipsed all others, flickered once then died.
He had debated meeting her as The Phantom. She would not know that her rescuer was Cameron Savage, the man she despised. Would that bode well for him? She might fall in love with the wrong man.
He found he wanted her to fall in love with him. If this marriage was to be a success, they would need love. The years ahead would be hard in the best circumstances. If she continued to despise Cameron Savage, the time would be unbearable.
The Phantom closed his eyes for a moment, soaking in all of the sounds of the night, deciding on the best course of action. He could not enter through the front door now that Morray had made his move.
He left the glider at a run and negotiated a dangerous path to the top of the tower where the twins resided, where Morray was headed. He prayed that Nessa's abilities with the computers would give him the time he needed.
Victoria
Tori woke from a sound sleep. Why, she didn't know because there was nothing, no sound. Perhaps it was the absence of noise that alerted her, perhaps not. Yet she knew Sheridan was taking matters into his own hands.
It was too late to make further plans, too late also to leave undetected.
Why did that surprise her? She had been so sure of herself, positive she had several days before he initiated anything. Her mistake could prove costly.
She tried to tell herself she was dreaming, that nothing was happening below to cause this sudden feeling of doom.
But she couldn't.
In the dark interior of her room where she had spent the last few months in blessed security and contentment, she realized instantly that she would have to leave. This was no longer a safe haven, no longer a retreat.
She sat very still.
This time she heard something.
Of course it all made
incredible sense. Her lips thinned, every muscle in her body tensed. She wanted to cry out her fury and her outrage at this terrible deed, but she knew she didn't have time. This was her med-lab, her property. And Sheridan had no rights to it nor did Morray have any claim to her. How dare he invade her sanctuary? Her home.
She rose from the chair, forcing her nerves to calm and her horrible shaking to stop. She compelled herself to think.
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