by Lara Nance
He released his grip and let out a harsh breath. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to hurt you. But, you must understand, I’ve been fighting them for centuries, and I know what they’re capable of.”
She rubbed her arm where the red marks from his fingers bloomed. “Don’t take it out on me, okay?”
He squeezed his eyes shut and nodded. “I’m trying to protect you.” When he opened his eyes, the harshness was replaced with a charming twinkle, melting her boiling anger.
She puffed out a breath. “Okay, what are we going to do?”
“I plan to continue doing what I came here for. I will hunt them down and destroy them.” He paced back to his chair and sat, retrieving his wine glass.
“What about me?” She followed him, standing with her hands on her hips before his chair. “I can’t hide out here forever.”
“You will stay here tonight. I can take you to work in the morning and, if you don’t wish to stay here longer, you may find a friend where you can stay. But on no account should you go home or be anywhere alone until this is over.”
“I can’t believe it.” She sat across from him and put her head in her hands. Dusty settled in front of her and rested his head on her knees. In a matter of hours, her life had become completely disrupted. Disoriented and vulnerable, she had no choice but to trust Rolf. She’d helped him but now she knew his secret and might be a danger to him. Something he’d have to control.
Sean entered the room, carrying two bowls, one filled with water and the other some type of dried dog food. He set them on the floor beside Cara’s chair. Dusty trotted over and started lapping up water. Sean handed Cara a bottle of aspirin and she took two with the remaining wine in her glass.
“Sir, I have two messages for you.” He handed slips of paper to Rolf. “I’ll bring dinner in a moment.”
“Thank you, Sean. After that you can work on the police reports.”
“Very good, Sir.” Sean gave a small nod and left.
Rolf skimmed the papers briefly then stuffed them in his jacket pocket. “Cara, if you need to freshen up there’s a bathroom down the hall on the left. We’ll have something to eat shortly. Is there anything else I can do to make your stay more pleasant?”
“I’d like to use the telephone to call my friends. They’ll be worried about me.”
“There’s one on the desk over there.” He pointed to an antique desk with spindly legs in a corner opposite the fireplace. “I have some business to attend to, but I’ll rejoin you shortly.”
Rolf left the room and Cara bolted off the chair. Five quick steps carried her to the desk. Trembling fingers punched her best friend’s number on the keypad. She gave Amber a quick summary of the night’s activities.
“Cara, my God, how horrible. Are you sure you’re okay, honey?” Amber’s voice squeaked with concern. “When Tor told me you remembered seeing the tattoo on one of your patients I was sure you were going to do something dangerous.”
“I’m okay. Rolf saved me.”
“Are you sure you trust him?”
“I think so. He did save my life, and he could’ve killed me in the last half-hour with no one around, but he didn’t. That has to be a good sign.”
“Well, if you feel safe, I agree you shouldn’t go home. You can come here tomorrow after work. No more going off on your own. Okay?”
“I’m not going to argue,” she said. “I’m really afraid after actually seeing one of those creeps in action. You should have seen his eyes. They were empty, just completely empty.”
“How horrible! I can’t believe these demons are running loose in our city killing people.” She paused. “I’ll let Tor know. Maybe they can have a car go by and check to make sure Nicki is okay.”
“Oh, Amber, that would be great. Thank you. I feel so bad I didn’t do more for her, but she went off with her gang buddies and, afterwards, I blacked out. I think they will take care of her.”
“She’s tough. She’ll be all right. I’m more concerned about you.”
“I’m protected, at least for tonight.”
“Okay. Stay safe, sweetie. If you need us during the night just call.”
“Thanks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Cara left the living room and tiptoed down the hall of black and white art deco, which was accented with posters by Erte and decorative wall sconces. She went into a world of modern bright white marble, clear glass and chrome. Every room had a particular theme. Rolf must be incredibly wealthy.
She splashed water on her lower face and inspected the bandage on her forehead where a small amount of blood had seeped through. She would dress it properly once she reached the clinic tomorrow. Thank goodness the pain in her back and head had receded with the aspirin taking effect. Faint streaks of yellow and blue collared her throat. Ick, that’s not going to be pretty.
What have I gotten myself into?
###
“My men have staked out locations where the Takers usually stalk their prey—different clubs and late night areas.” Sean sat in front of a monitor in the control room, filled with computer equipment and video screens. He held a phone in one hand, covering the mouth piece with the other. “What’s that?” he said into the phone, raising a hand to hold off Rolf.
Rolf glanced at the monitors, which flashed different shots of the house’s exterior. No movement there. Good.
“Sir, Jim said they also discovered a site involved in at least one of the murders, and they’ve counted at least thirteen men going in and out of that townhouse you discovered.” Sean covered the phone, looking to Rolf for instructions.
Rolf adjusted the focus on one of the monitors. “Tell them to continue surveillance on the townhouse. I need more information on their movements.”
Sean relayed the information and hung up. “This is a large cell.”
“Large and organized,” Rolf said. “Not what we’re used to.”
“At least we know where they are. We should be able to take them out before they know we’re here.” Sean turned to his computer, typing away.
Rolf fiddled with another monitor. Rescuing Cara complicated things. He always worked alone, but now he felt responsible for protecting her, which invited her into his life. She was a Dealer, a Giver. His opportunities to interact with a woman of the Light were few and far between. Because of his great power, he hesitated to touch anyone, for fear he would take Light from them. The only women he’d touched recently were Takers, those he’d killed.
He left the control room and strolled along the hall to the living room. His thoughts filled with visions of the night. He’d been surprised at the fury he’d experienced when he found the Taker attacking Cara. Even now, the urge to protect her swelled in his chest, an ancient compulsion long forgotten.
When he joined her in the living room, one of his men had situated a table between the two chairs by the fireplace and placed food and table settings on it. Cara sat on the chaise. She rose, and a beaming smile flitted across her features. Immediately, though, her cheeks grew red and she bent over to pet her dog to cover the expression. A curtain of strawberry blonde hair fell forward to obscure her face. The hair appeared so soft, inviting him to run his fingers through it.
The breath squeezed out of him, leaving him lightheaded, the feeling so alien he had to stop and think what had hit him.
Attraction.
No. His fists clenched almost instinctively at such disloyalty to Sakhet. Biting his cheek, he forced the light feeling back into the dark recesses of his sorrow. He retreated to the small bar to refill his wine glass. “Did you reach your friends?”
When she faced him again her skin was its smooth ivory color again. “Yes. Thank you. Amber and her husband will let me stay with them tomorrow.” She followed him to the chairs by the fireplace and sat across the small table.
Sean had provided a tray of cold cuts, cheese, and roasted vegetables, along with a basket of rolls. The aroma of soy sauce and garlic from the vegetables made Rolf’s stomach grow
l in hunger.
They filled their plates and Cara heaped a roll with ham, cheese, onions and zucchini. She took a big bite and closed her eyes while she chewed. “Mmm, I didn’t realize I was so hungry.” She immediately sank her teeth into the food again.
“I’m glad you’ll have a safe place to stay with your friends.” The idea of having her in his home even for one night sent disturbing echoes through his mind, which he preferred to avoid. Best she stayed with her friends after tonight. He filled a roll himself and began to eat. “How did you know about the dogs?”
She stopped chewing, swallowed, and tilted her head to one side. “What do you mean?”
He pointed to Dusty, now lying at her feet. “Dogs. Once a Taker has completely turned, dogs can sense their evil. You didn’t know?”
“No, I just wanted some companionship because I live alone and having him makes me feel safer.” She reached down to pet Dusty’s head. “So, that’s why he reacted so aggressively when we got to Nicki’s apartment. I was surprised he became so violent with the Taker and yet, when you showed up, a complete stranger, he licked your hand.”
“Animals are very sensitive to paranormal events. They also have a true sense of good and evil. It’s excellent you have him.” He’d had many dogs over the centuries. They had been his companions in the hunt. But it was painful to constantly have things around you die while you lived on. He had people working for him, mercenaries, but they were not Dealers; each man came and went over the years. Having Cara and Dusty here, on the other hand, only magnified the loneliness of his existence.
“So, how did you use all those crystals?” Cara arched one brow.
He paused in the process of pulling another roll apart. “Crystals? How did you know about them?”
“You bought a lot at a store owned by Amber’s friend.”
“Ah. No secrets in that business, I see.”
She smiled, crinkling the skin around her sparkling hazel eyes. Even with the bandage on her face, she glowed with beauty. A strange warmth smoldered in his chest, an aching need to protect her.
“You should know we’ve uncovered some useful information. Amber’s husband is a policeman, and two people in our group work in the hospital. I think we can help you,” she said. “Maybe we should share information.”
He gulped his wine and closed his eyes a few seconds to regain his composure. “Tell me what you’ve discovered.” Any information that would help him figure out Desmond’s plan interested him. But he wasn’t sure he should involve Cara’s friends in any more danger than they were already in.
She explained what her friends Shana and Marc had discovered from the hospital records, and what the policeman Tor had found from fellow officers in other cities.
Rolf rubbed his chin. “Everything I’ve learned since coming here points to a concerted effort to infiltrate cities in an organized manner. I’ve never encountered such a developed plan.” In the past, he’d only seen small towns fall victim to the depravity of the Takers.
“What are we going to do?” She bent to pet Dusty. The movement shifted her blouse, gifting him with a flash of curved, creamy flesh. A shiver of desire swept through him, and he gripped the chair arms to keep from reaching for her.
He grabbed his wine and took another swallow, studying her over the rim of his glass. Her head remained tilted down, that gorgeous hair streaming over her shoulder. Dusty closed his eyes in contentment at her stroking. She murmured endearments to her dog like he was her child. If it weren’t for his past, Rolf would be enchanted by her company. But, in fact, a strong compulsion urged him to avoid her for fear of betraying his long lost love. He put a hand to the outline of the ankh beneath his shirt, hoping for resolve, but none came.
Logically, however, he had to admit he needed assistance with this organized assault. Cara and her friends might prove useful against such a large group, and possibly Cara was the woman Sakhet said would help him in this fight. He’d just have to keep his emotions focused on destroying the Takers. When it was over, he would leave and never have to see Cara again.
Cara sat up. “Hello? Still with me?”
“I’m not sure yet.” He rubbed his chin.
She sipped her wine. “What if they find out I’m here and attack us tonight?”
“Impossible.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Have you finished eating?”
She consumed the final bite of her ham and cheese stuffed roll and nodded.
“I want to show you something.”
She swallowed, then pointed at Dusty. “Stay.”
Rolf rose and motioned her toward the door. “This way, please.”
They walked side by side down the hall to emerge in the foyer. He crossed the black and white marble floor to the hanging tapestry on the side of the staircase. Moving the heavy fabric aside revealed a small door. He pulled a key from his pocket and inserted it in the lock. The door swung open.
Cara’s eyes narrowed, but she followed as he led her down the dark stairs. Her breathing quickened in the silence as they descended. At the bottom, he flipped a switch and overhead lights flickered then glowed. In the center of the large, cement basement sat the golden crystal sphere on its plain black-covered table. The rainbow of colors spinning out from the crystals never ceased to fascinate him.
Cara rushed to his side, her mouth hanging open as she stared at the glowing globe. She continued toward it, eyes darting over the intricate golden sculpture carved in the surface and the crystals inserted in holes scattered amid the designs. “What is it?” She paused just shy of the globe and retreated a step.
“It’s something I invented many, many years ago. I found the Takers could sense my presence because of my strong energy signature. I can control my energy when I’m awake, but I needed to mask my location so I can sleep without fear of detection. Crystals are a source of pure energy. Once I figured out how to channel their power though this device, it was successful in overshadowing my energy.”
“Amazing.” Cara circled the table, inspecting the apparatus. “It’s genius. I think. Of course, I have no idea how it works, but it certainly sounds like genius.”
He had to chuckle at that. It felt good. He couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed. Just like the sense of attraction earlier, it was a sensation from another, happier time. She smiled at his response and laughed as well.
“Thanks, I’m very proud of it,” he said. “The principles are based on ancient theories I’ve learned over the years. I can’t explain it simply.” He shrugged.
“I’m not sure I would understand if you did. But I’m happy to know they can’t find us here.”
“I think you should get some rest. I’ll show you to the guest room and, in the morning, I’ll drive you to your job.”
“Thank you.” She flashed him a smile. “I really appreciate all you did tonight. You saved me and Nicki.”
He hesitated, unsure what to say. Yes, he had saved them, but his intention had been to kill the Taker. That he didn’t accomplish. The evil one had escaped, and the others would soon know he was here hunting them. Picking them off one at a time had now become more difficult. On top of everything, he had the added complication of protecting Cara and, he had to admit, the dangerous distraction she would be.
They returned to the first floor, gathered Dusty with his bowls and Rolf led her up the wide staircase to the second floor. Two doors down on the left, he guided her to a spare bedroom decorated in opulent Victorian style, burgundy velvet and carved, dark walnut wood. He placed the bowls on the floor at the foot of a bed. Cara took in the decorations, touching a piece here and there with gentle fingers.
A sudden image of those fingers caressing his skin flashed. His abdominal muscles tensed, chest constricted. He gripped one of the carved bedposts to steady himself. She moved on unaware, stroking the golden-carved surface of the Ormolu clock on the fireplace mantle, sending unwanted fire through his veins
“This is beauti
ful,” she breathed.
Bereft of speech, he only watched her, tortured, until the spasm of emotion passed and he was able to retreat toward the door. “Sleep well,” he murmured. “There are pajamas on the bed. They should fit you. If you need anything else, please, let me know.
She whirled in the center of the room. “This is all so beautiful. You have some truly lovely collections.” She stood facing him, head tilted to one side, those hazel eyes searching his face. “What an enigma you are.”
“Enigma?” Heat crept up his neck.
She tossed her long hair over one shoulder and stepped back. “You’re a mystery. A person who cannot die, fighting evil doers. You should have a cape and a catchy name, or at least a whacky sidekick.”
“What?” He blinked, forcing his control back in place.
“You know, like Batman or The Green Hornet.” She waved a hand. “Sorry. That’s trite for what you’re doing. It’s just…I’ve never met anyone like you before. This is all a bit overwhelming. ”
“Good night, Cara,” he managed to say. “Sleep well.” He touched Dusty’s head and went to the hall, closing her door behind him.
He staggered forward an unsteady step to lean one shoulder against the wall, his breath coming in gasps. What was she doing to him? One hand went to the necklace under his shirt and he pulled out the ankh, pressing it between his fingers in desperation. But Cara’s face dominated his mind.
Stumbling along the hall, he made it to his room and pressed his hands against his temples. Finally, his heart rate slowed and the tightness in his chest eased. He lowered himself to the side of his bed. He’d been with hundreds of women in his long life and none had tempted him this way. Was it merely because Cara was a Dealer—a purely physical reaction to someone his body recognized as a potential mate? A shiver of desire swept through him, making him grit his teeth. He forced in a deep breath and locked his steely reserve back in place. This desire, his attraction, wouldn’t happen again. There was no way he would betray Sakhet and, furthermore, Cara was simply too dangerous a distraction from his current mission. Tomorrow he would put her from his mind and get on with the hunt.
