He shook, his head falling back against the seat. “He—is—here.” He forced each word out with great effort.
She framed his face with her hands, fear clawing through the remains of her passion. “Who? Joon? What should we do?”
For several terrifying moments, he just shook, his jaw clenched, his eyes squeezed shut. “He’s not trying to mask his presence,” he finally said, his voice hoarse and strained. “He’s either very weak or he thinks I am.”
She waited until he relaxed and opened his eyes before she crawled back into her seat. Reaching under her sweater to fasten her bra, she tugged her clothing back into place. “What just happened? Is it always so painful to sense him?”
“No. He often goes to great lengths to change his energy pattern, making it difficult to detect him.” He released a deep, shaky breath. “I felt as if his pattern slammed into me. I don’t think he did it intentionally.”
“What would cause his signal to intensify like that?” Turning the car around, she headed back toward her cabin. Okay, so there really was a Joon. That didn’t mean his presence here had anything to do with her.
She continued to watch him out of the corner of her eye. The experience had clearly left him shaken. Well, she felt a little shaken too. Was lust a valid reason for getting involved in an interplanetary manhunt?
“Any number of things can cause a mage to lose control.” He offered her a smile and a sidelong glance.
Now that their desire had cooled, she felt foolish. She was nearly thirty years old and she’d been making out in the front seat of a car. Adults didn’t do things like that. Certainly not rational adults with law degrees!
“So why are you chasing Dez dar Joon? Are you a law enforcement officer?”
“I am a Master-level Mage.”
“I know that.” She rephrased the question. “What gives you the authority to apprehend him? Or is this personal?”
“Code regulator,” he said offhandedly.
“What?”
“I believe the Ontarian equivalent of law enforcement officer is code regulator.”
Even the sudden shock of Joon’s signal hadn’t dispersed Tal’s desire completely. If she’d pull this infernal contraption over, he’d be willing to rut with her in the snow. It didn’t make sense. Why did he respond to her so powerfully?
“I’m not a code regulator,” he went on, forcing himself to think about something other than her lush, responsive breasts. “Trey has that authority, but only a shapeshifter can sense another shapeshifter. I’m assisting my brother.” The situation was far more complicated than that. Still everything he said was true.
“Ontarian. Is that the name of your planet?”
“I have not told you the name of my homeworld?”
She laughed. “You haven’t told me much of anything.”
“That is clearly an exaggeration.” He smiled. “Ontariese is the name of my homeworld. I am Ontarian.”
“But you are not a code regulator. Your brother Trey is and he also commands the ship you were concerned about. So how do Master-level Mages spend their time when they’re not helping code regulators sense shapeshifters?”
“That depends on the mage.”
She made a growling sound and hit the navigation wheel with her open palm. “You are the most exasperating man on this—or any—planet. Can you ever just give a straight answer to a simple question?”
His smile broadened. Why did he find her frustration charming? “Yours are not simple questions.”
“What do you do when you’re not chasing Joon all over the galaxy? Simple enough?”
“Many Ontarians have abilities humans would find extraordinary. When these abilities first manifest, it is reported to the Conservatory. It is my responsibility to visit the homes of these children and assess their potential. The ones I deem worthy are invited to the Choosing.”
“You’re like a football scout, a recruiter,” she said.
He didn’t understand the reference, but she seemed pleased with the comparison.
“What happens at the Choosing?”
“The mages who are available and willing choose an apprentice.”
“Do you have an apprentice?”
His body tensed and he looked beyond the transparent plate in front of him. “My search for Joon has kept me from many things.”
“You said you didn’t know why this guy is looking for me. Why do you believe I’m his target?”
They had arrived at her dwelling. Tal pivoted to face her as she tucked the keys into the small pouch concealed in the front of her coat.
“That is definitely not a simple question.”
“I’m capable of comprehending fairly complicated concepts, but you have to start answering my questions. I’m really very smart—for a human.”
He chuckled. “Shall we enter your dwelling before I begin?”
“And have you change your mind between here and the door? No way.” She reached beneath her and pulled on something that allowed her to move the seat back away from the navigation wheel. “Do you know why he’s searching for me—if I am this woman?”
“We are unsure of his motivation.”
“Who is we?”
“Vee and I. Vee is my mentor.”
She nodded. “And he is the one suffering from energy deprivation. What is his role in the search for Dez dar Joon?”
“Vee oversees the entire Conservatory. He is also a member of the Symposium.”
“The Symposium,” she murmured.
Tal sighed. “My world is complicated.”
“The Conservatory is the training facility for people with paranormal abilities. You haven’t actually said so, but it sounds like Master-level Mage is the highest level of training attainable. Dez dar Joon must have dropped out of the training program somewhere along the line because you said he hasn’t earned the title. If Vee is head master, I presume he is a Master-level Mage and more. You’ve never mentioned Trey as having any paranormal abilities. Is he a plain-Jane Ontarian?”
She displayed her ability to comprehend Ontarian complexities quite skillfully. Tal nodded, acknowledging her accuracy. “Trey has no Mystic abilities, but he is the first son of the Royal House of Aune.”
“Royal House of Aune?” The words burst from her and she made a soft, nervous sound. “You never mentioned the royal part before. Are you an Ontarian prince?”
“Prince is an Earth term and my family is only acknowledged as royal by one of the two sects.” He sighed. “I suppose the simple answer is yes.”
“Kiss a toad and find yourself…” She dissolved into laughter.
He watched her regain composure, annoyed by her amusement.
“I’m freezing. Let’s go inside and you can tell me about the two sects and the Symposium.”
Tal couldn’t help but feel she was amusing herself at his expense. She would explain about kissing toads before he offered any more information.
He reached the elevated platform spanning the front of her dwelling before he realized she had lagged behind. He heard the mechanical growl of a conveyance. It sounded like Charlotte’s vehicle only deeper.
She stood beside her vehicle, clutching her shoulder bag to her chest with both hands. Her gaze was fixed on the transport making its way up the narrow roadway. Tal shifted back into his Earth form, uncertain what she would do. Surely she wouldn’t attempt escape after all he had told her.
Her head turned toward him and their gazes locked. Tal slowly shook his head. He saw her decision in her eyes an instant before she set her body in motion.
Revealing his presence would endanger his mission. It was a risk he would not take—and she knew it.
I’m sorry. She mouthed the words then got in the vehicle with the intruder.
Chapter Five
Sunlight gleamed off Rod Sanders’ wavy blond hair and his wide blue eyes stared back at her curiously. He looked like the all-American boy next door but Charlotte was far too anxious to fully appreciate his virile appeal.
/>
“Hi there,” she said with an overly friendly smile while she climbed into the truck. “Get me the hell away from him!”
Rod glanced in Tal’s direction, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Who is he? What has he done?”
“Just drive!”
Slamming the truck into reverse, Rod backed down the driveway without another word.
Her heart thudded wildly. Wasn’t Tal going to make any attempt to stop her?
He couldn’t risk further exposure to humans. She answered her own question. He had no choice but to let her go.
“Has he harmed you?”
Why did Rod suddenly sound so formal? She looked at him but his eyes were fixed on the road ahead.
Hanging around with an alien is making you paranoid.
She took a deep breath and tried to ease the tension coiling in her belly but she couldn’t make herself relax.
What was she going to do? Would Tal just watch her until she was alone and then transport her back to the cabin? Could she really get away from someone with his power? She would just have to make sure she was never alone.
“Do you need medical treatment?” Rod asked. There was that formality again. “Who was that man?”
“No medical treatment is necessary,” she teased, exaggerating his tense tone, but he didn’t respond to her humor. “He’s an ex-boyfriend. He heard about the fire and drove up to make sure I was okay. Then he proceeded to remind me why he is my ex-boyfriend.” Plausible, shouldn’t lead to too many more questions.
“Are your parents still alive?”
Her head snapped toward him. What? She certainly hadn’t expected that one. “Why would you care?”
He still didn’t look at her and fear knotted Charlotte’s abdomen. “What were you doing at my cabin just now? I’m thankful for the ride, mind you, but what brought you by?”
“I was looking for you.”
The corner of his mouth quirked and Charlotte went cold. It couldn’t be… But she’d seen Tal take on someone else’s form. This wasn’t Rod!
“Do your parents yet live?”
“What difference could that possibly make to you?” Could he sense her fear? How long would it take him to realize she knew? “Look, Rod, just drop me at Sardy Field. I’m not in the mood for anyone’s games.”
“I must verify my information,” he said tersely. “Just answer a few questions and you will come to no harm.”
They came to a fork in the road and he slowed the truck to a stop. She released her seat belt and frantically pulled on the door handle. Nothing happened. With a little yelp, she tried the window button. Useless!
“I have disabled the controls,” he said casually.
Rubbing her sweaty palms against her jeans, Charlotte tried to think. Don’t panic. You have to remain calm.
He turned off Highway 82 and drove deeper into the mountains.
“What do you want with me?” Everything Tal told her surged through her memory, mocking her and terrifying her.
“Answer my question.”
“No, my parents aren’t alive.” She offered no more information.
“When did they die? How did they die?”
How should she answer? What did he want to hear? What did he intend to do to her? Fear choked her. She could hardly breathe much less speak.
“I’ll make this even easier. Were they your natural parents or were you adopted?”
He couldn’t know. How could he possibly know? “What difference does it make? They are all dead now.”
“This is not about them. It’s about you.”
He looked at her and Charlotte gasped. His eyes were now a swirling mass of green and blue. “You’re one of them,” she cried, yanking on the handle again.
Jerking the truck to the side of the road, he jammed it into park and grabbed her arm. “That was Tal Aune, was it not? I cannot believe he is still alive.”
Charlotte’s mind reeled. This had to be Joon and the only way out of the truck was over or through him. She shuddered, fighting back tears. There was no way that would work. She had to think of something else.
What did her parents have to do with Tal? None of it made sense. She had to get away from these creatures. She had to get away!
“You better open this door,” she said urgently.
“We will speak first.”
“Open the door.”
“When did you—”
“I’m going to throw up, vomit, be sick. Open the damn door!” She covered her mouth with her hand and began to gag.
* * *
Tal stormed about Charlotte’s dwelling in impotent fury. He had to gain control of his emotions or he would be no use to anyone.
Welcome back, little brother. Trey’s voice sounded inside his head. Vee told me to try the comlink again. He said he was sensing some very strong emotions that might not bode well for your companion.
The female has fled—again, Tal admitted begrudgingly.
If you need advice on how to hold on to a woman—
Don’t start with me. Tal cut him off. I will find Charlotte but others are involved now. Can you dispatch Dro Tar Nex and Al Varellien? I seem to have my hands full just dealing with Charlotte.
Trey’s laughter made Tal clench his fists. He could have at least closed the audiocom before he indulged his amusement.
Al is already on the ground, securing a headquarters in case this takes longer than we anticipated. I’ve locked on to your signal. I’ll send Dro Tar directly to you.
The link closed and Tal took a deep breath. The little human was in danger whether she acknowledged the fact or not. They had been charged with her safety. And he intended to keep her safe—with or without her cooperation!
* * *
The lock popped up with a distinct click and Charlotte threw the truck door wide. Her boots hit ice and she cried out, skidding toward the ditch beside the road. She quickly grabbed the slender trunk of an aspen to prevent herself from skidding over the edge.
Glancing over her shoulder, she fought the need to run. Joon watched every move she made. She bent from the waist, coughing and spitting as loudly as she could. After a moment, she looked under the truck, waiting for his feet to lower to the pavement.
He slammed the driver’s door and walked around the truck. Patience. She counted each step, forcing herself to wait until he reached the tailgate then she spun and dove for the cab. His hand closed around her ankle and Charlotte screamed.
Landing on her stomach half in and half out of the truck, she kicked wildly, clawing at the leather seat, trying to get inside.
He flipped her onto her back and pinned her down with the weight of his body. She thrashed and bucked but her feet dangled off the ground and he was too close to kick. He easily caught her flying fists, securing them above her head.
“Look at me,” he ordered.
She turned her face away.
He held both her hands in one hurtful fist and dragged her face toward his. “Open your eyes.”
“Get away from me!”
“If you are not who I think you are, I will let you go.”
“I’m not. I promise. I’m no one important.” She hated the terror revealed by her shrill tone.
“Just look at me,” he coaxed.
She stubbornly scrunched her eyes even tighter. They could read minds. They could control… They could…
Her mind spun off into chaos and she renewed her struggles. Thrashing wildly, she reared up and bit his shoulder until she tasted blood. He howled, shoving away from her. She immediately brought up her knee hard between his legs.
His raw, angry wail echoed in her ears, but she didn’t pause. She ran along the road, her arms and legs pumping frantically. Tears cooled her heated cheeks. Each sobbing breath made her head spin.
You’re hyperventilating.
She couldn’t stop but she had nowhere to go!
A scream, part frustration and part fear, built within her. Where could she hide? Why were they lookin
g for her?
Where the hell was Tal?
She slammed into him so forcefully it knocked her backward. He’d materialized out of nowhere. His hands caught her upper arms, steadying her for a second before he stepped in front of her.
Get a grip. She forced her chaotic mind to focus. The cavalry is here. You led him right to Joon. Now Tal will arrest him and they’ll both get their butts off your planet.
Hope and fear chased each other through her body, drying her mouth, making her tremble. Moving half a step to the side, Charlotte studied the other man. Had he taken over the identity of a firefighter? Had there ever been a firefighter or had it been Joon all along?
The men began to argue as they faced off like gunfighters. She wished she could understand what they were saying. What had Joon done? What did he want with her?
She felt a sharp ping deep inside her brain and suddenly she could understand their words. The language still sounded alien to her ears but somewhere between her inner ear and her brain, their words were being translated into English.
“You had no authorization to Summon the Storm,” Tal said. She could only see his back but the charge sounded serious. “I have been sanctioned by the Mystics to return you to Ontariese by whatever means necessary.”
Joon laughed. “And what ‘means’ do you believe will give you power over me? Vee himself cannot control me. Do you really believe you can?”
Tal’s body stiffened and the coil of his hair tightened. She wanted to help him, to support him, but she knew anything she did would only distract him. This was way out of her league.
Joon’s shape rippled, such a subtle movement, she wondered if she’d imagined it. But Tal dove for him, toppling the other man to the pavement.
The men rolled across the snowy asphalt, landing in the dirty ridge left behind by the plows. Inches beyond the insubstantial mound lay a deep ravine. She started toward them but stopped herself. How are you going to help him, you fool?
She could see no trace of the firefighter now. Long white hair tangled with black and she couldn’t distinguish between their flailing limbs. Tal pinned Joon to the ground, his forearm across Joon’s throat.
Taken by Storm V3 Page 6
