by Lara Nance
They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms. Safe, for the moment.
Chapter Thirty-One
“Can you hack it?” Rolf leaned over Sean’s shoulder.
Sean’s fingers sped over the computer keyboard. “I can hack anything. But the military will take a little longer than a civilian site.”
Rolf drank from his cup of espresso and walked to the control panel of the boat. He pictured Cara as he had left her in his bed this morning, all warm and tousled from their love-making. His groin tightened. How wonderful it had been to love her, to have his Light mingle with another Dealer for the first time in thousands of years. But still, guilt surged through him every time Cara’s image rose in his mind. The distraction of love was powerful, tugging on his heart, making him weak with craving her.
From the pilot house window, he had a clear view of the marina in the early morning mist. Occasionally, a car crept by on the nearest street and a few pedestrians walked along the sidewalk, like rusty robots. Things were only going to get worse if they didn’t stop Desmond. The priority was clear.
“Let me know when you acquire the satellite.” With a last glance out the window, he walked down the steps to the salon. He had to face Cara sooner or later. Somehow, he had to find a way to continue this mission. Diving into a relationship with Cara made both of them vulnerable. If only Cara had put off her confrontation until this was all over, then he might feel differently.
The group had coffee and munched on bagels, croissants, and fruit salad for breakfast. He found it strange his eyes skipped over Cara with her new brown hair. But he always located her eventually. She sat on the couch beside Amber with her back to him. He wanted to kiss her and touch her warm, soft skin again.
“Good morning,” he said to the group. Cara turned. The glow in her eyes set him on fire, and he lost his train of thought.
Damn. This was just the sort of confusion that could get them all killed.
“Hey, something new happened.” Tor pointed the remote toward the flat screen TV on the wall and turned up the volume.
“Sources say the planes collided due to errors made by air traffic controllers at Raleigh’s International Airport. Records show the controllers on duty were slow to respond to the emergency landing situation which led to this disaster. Now, over two-hundred people are dead with many more injured. The FTC has already launched an investigation into the alleged oversight,” the announcer said. “This, two days after a major train mishap just outside Richmond, Virginia killing ninety-eight also blamed on conductors unable to deal with a rapidly changing situation.”
Tor turned the volume back down and pivoted toward Rolf. “Effects of the Net?”
“Possibly,” Rolf said. “But it might be a coincidence.”
“If it isn’t, I don’t understand how Desmond hopes to get away with this.” Marc shook his head.
“A lot more incidents of this nature and people outside the areas may start asking questions.” Alistair polished his glasses.
“Yes, but what can they do about it?” Rolf paced over to the bar and refilled his cup. “There’s no way for anyone to discover what’s going on. They can’t even imagine what’s happening.”
“Even if we had records of the officials being bribed?” Tor asked.
“Such a route would be difficult to prove, and we don’t have enough time,” Rolf said. “We have to stop them before they expand any further. That’s the only way this disaster will go away.”
“Um, can we talk?” Cara came to her feet and motioned to the outside door. The others continued discussing the long-term consequences of Desmond’s plan. Only Amber’s gaze tracked them out the door.
Rolf followed Cara to the stern of the boat, his mind jumbled with thoughts. He didn’t want to hurt her but, at the same time, he knew getting rid of the Takers had to be their main concern.
“How are you this morning?” Cara went to the rail and he joined her. The brush of her arm against his made his skin tingle.
He reached out and tucked a wind-blown strand of hair behind her ear. “Still in a dream from last night.”
She smiled and ducked her head as a blush crept up her cheeks. “I know what you mean. It was unbelievable.”
He coiled an arm around her shoulders and clasped her to his side, savoring the warm press of her softness. She leaned against him, resting her head on his chest. The rush of his Light reacted, stirred in his stomach. It made him momentarily light-headed.
“Whoa, did you just feel that?” Cara stepped away, gazing at him with big eyes.
“Our Light reacting to each other. A greeting, as it were, after the bonding last night. I’d forgotten the effect.” He smiled briefly.
She rested her hand on his shoulder, head tilted to one side. “And you’re thinking all this is a big distraction, right?”
He frowned then laughed. “Now you’re reading my mind?”
“I know how you think.”
He averted his gaze, trying to choose his words carefully so she would understand. “Yes, when I saw you this morning I lost all train of thought. Such distraction could spell disaster.”
Surprisingly, she smiled and tucked a hand into the crook of his arm. They leaned against the rail, and the soft breeze ruffled her hair. He brushed it out of her face and she caught his hand, bringing it to her lips.
“I have to admit, I actually understand what you mean now.” She shot him a sideways glance then turned to the water. “I could barely breathe when I saw you in there. My heart started pounding and I thought I was going to pass out.” She pulled back her hair with one hand. “This addition of the Light seems to make everything so much more intense. It’s overwhelming.”
They were silent for a few minutes. Seagulls swooped, looking for a handout, and their raucous calls cut through the morning air. Rolf squinted in the bright sunshine. What would it be like to be standing here with Cara on his boat under different circumstances? A vacation? A romantic trip to Charleston? Cara’s sigh brought him out of his thoughts.
“What are we going to do?” Her eyes drooped in sadness.
“I don’t know the right answer. But we have to destroy these Takers.”
She leaned her elbows on the rail. “I know.”
He stroked her hair, wishing he could say something different to her—loving words full of tenderness to express what was in his heart, some hope for the future. But hope seemed bleak with Desmond holding so much power.
“Let’s get through all this then have a discussion. If we’re still alive, maybe the way will be clear. Until then, we need to focus on the mission. It’s hard to say this to you, but anything else isn’t realistic.”
Her head fell forward and her newly dark hair draped over her face. She didn’t move for several seconds, and his heart seemed to stop beating.
Then she stood straight and pulled her shoulders back. “You’re right. We can’t let our emotions put everyone in danger.” She grabbed his upper arms and looked into his eyes. “But, when it’s over, I’ll hold you to that repeat discussion.”
He flicked her chin with one finger and smiled as much as his crushed heart would let him. “Deal.”
When they walked back into the salon, Sean came out of the pilothouse and craned over the stair rail.
“I’ve got it,” he said from the top of the steps.
Rolf motioned to him. “Bring the laptop so everyone can see.” Cara moved off to pour a cup of coffee at the bar.
A few seconds later, Sean carried the computer down and set it on top of the bar counter. The group gathered behind him. The screen showed a black and white overhead shot of a city neighborhood.
“This is the house where the Takers live.” Rolf walked to the side and pointed to the screen. Cara stood beside Amber, and he forced himself back in hunter mode, focused on the prey. “As you can see, there are houses closely placed on the streets surrounding it.”
“Man, this is cool. Is it real-time?” Tor asked.
�
��Yes,” Sean said. “You’ll be able to see people moving.”
“So, we can track their movements?” Marc’s eyes widened in amazement.
“Only during certain times when the satellite is passing over,” Sean said.
“I wanted you to see the layout of the area so we can discuss the best way to attack them.” Rolf nodded to Sean.
“These houses are all occupied?” Alistair pointed to the houses lining the streets leading up to and away from their target.
“Yes. I didn’t notice any empty houses,” Rolf said.
“If we can’t track their movements all the time, we should try and catch them away from the house or lure them out so we can pick the Takers off one at a time,” Shana said. “We don’t want to just rush the house not knowing how many there are.”
“How can we lure them out?” Amber asked.
“Well, they’re men, aren’t they?” Shana flipped her braids over her shoulder and arched one eyebrow. “I’d say a pretty girl jogging by in short shorts would do it.”
Marc frowned. “You can’t be serious.”
“Hey, they like to take people and torture them. They can’t be having too much fun with the dimmers they created. If they saw a girl jogging by, perky and full of life, I don’t think they could resist grabbing her.”
“There’s no assurance they would see her or come for her.” Rolf squelched that idea. “We’re going to have to stake out the house and pick them off as they come out.”
“What if more than one person comes out?” Alistair cradled Rambo and sat in one of the chairs. The others followed to take seats, Dusty beside Cara.
“We can take two at a time for sure,” Tor said.
Rolf motioned for Sean to remove the computer. “Sean, print out copies of the layout so we can use it for planning.”
Sean nodded and returned in a minute with several copies.
“Okay, so we position people along the road.” Tor pointed to patches of trees or bushes as hiding places.
“That’s the idea,” Rolf said. “We’ll have radios to talk to each other. When they come out, we follow. Whoever is closest can create a diversion to keep them there until the others converge. ”
“What kind of diversion?” Cara asked.
“Ask for directions, talk about the weather, punch them in the stomach, anything,” Rolf said.
“Okay,” Shana said. “When do we do it?”
“Keep practicing, you’re not ready yet.” Rolf looked around at the group. Maybe they were ready and he was stalling to protect Cara. His eyes met hers, and she gave him a brief smile. Then she broke the contact and bent to pet Dusty. He gritted his teeth and picked up one of the printouts. Time to get down to business.
“Okay, dudes, let’s go over the layout again.” Tor pulled the map towards him.
###
After dinner, Cara walked out on the deck. She trailed her fingers along the rail, strolling to the stern of the boat. The cool night air fanned her face, and she raised her chin, letting the breeze blow her hair back. The crispness of the wind refreshed her after being confined on the boat for so many days. They were all getting a bit stir-crazy. There was a salty feel to the air with an occasional whiff of food aromas from local restaurants. Scattered stars twinkled in the night sky, but the moon had not yet reached half-full.
She meandered to the back of the boat and paused, finding someone else there in the shadows sitting in one of the lounge chairs. Her heart lurched, but it was only Alistair.
“Ah, Cara.” He smiled. “Come, sit with me.” He gestured to the chair beside him. The cigar in his fingers gave off a sweet scent like molasses.
She lowered herself into the chair, glad it wasn’t Amber or Shana. They’d pestered her about Rolf all day after noticing her quietness.
“It’s a beautiful night.” Alistair turned his gaze to the water. “So hard to believe what’s going on here, hidden beneath the surface of normal activity.”
Cara wrapped her sweater closer about her shoulders. With fall in full swing the temperature fell quickly at night. Water slapped against the hull below them, and muffled voices floated over from the other boats.
“I came here once with my wife, Amanda,” he said, his lips lifted on one side. “Back then, Charleston was one of the most romantic places I’ve ever been. Carriage rides at night, intimate dinners in small cafes, and a huge four-poster bed at a small inn. I remember it like yesterday.”
“Sounds nice,” Cara murmured. How wonderful it would be to come here with Rolf once this was over and experience a little southern romance.
“Oh, yes, quite lovely.” He shifted in his seat. “She was a Dealer, too.”
“Your wife?” Cara asked. He’d never mentioned this before. His wife died before the group formed, so they never knew her. All she’d seen of Amanda were the pictures Alistair kept on his office desk and on the mantle of his home, but he never talked about her. Cara had always wondered why he never remarried. Now that she’d experienced the deep connection possible with another Dealer, she knew.
“Yes,” he said. “I didn’t know the truth about either of us for many years. I only knew we fit together like pieces in a puzzle. I couldn’t imagine myself with anyone else.” He glanced at her sideways. “And, of course, the bond between Dealers is so much more powerful than regular couples. Don’t you think?”
She looked away. Seemed the professor saw more than he let on. But it was true. Any relationships she’d had with non-dealers before meeting Rolf were like plain white toast compared to the diverse buffet of exquisite sensations she had experienced last night. She shivered remembering Rolf’s hands and lips on her body, and the burst of Light that had consumed them.
“Yes, the bond is more intense,” she said in a low voice that echoed her deep emotions. “You don’t want the connection to end or you might lose yourself.”
“Exactly.”
She leaned forward, clasping her hands together. “Alistair, what would happen to me and Rolf if we got together? I mean, he’s an ancient. He’s going to keep living and, as far as I know, I’ll die after a normal lifespan.” Her voice caught and she swallowed. “Is it wrong for us to have this relationship, knowing the outcome?”
He smiled and patted her hand resting on the arm of the chair. “Oh, I don’t think it’s ever wrong to love someone. I wouldn’t trade anything for my years with Amanda, even though she died long before me.” He squeezed her hand. “Cara, you never know what the future holds. Take what happiness you can, while you can. That’s the best advice I can give you.”
She smiled at him and they both turned their gazes to the impenetrable darkness of the open bay.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Watch this.” Amber placed an opal on the dining room table beside a three inch crystal of amethyst.
Cara took a chair beside her and her eyes popped wide when the opal rocked and slid two inches from the dark purple stone.
“Now, if we use it with the runes it might give the crystal more power to repel the power of the opal.” Amber placed a rose quartz beside the opal and nothing happened.
“That’s amazing, Amber.” Cara picked up the opal and studied the smooth surface of milky turquoise. An odd stone, and fragile. Then she picked up the amethyst, a pentagon-cut finger of purple stone, and soothing calm settled over her like a warm bath.
Cara placed the rock back on the table. “Keep working on it. We need a way to neutralize Desmond’s evil opal if we ever find it.” She yawned, and pushed to her feet. “I’m exhausted. Time for bed. See you in the morning.”
“Cara?” Amber looked up, frowning. “Wait. I want to talk to you.”
“No.” Cara put up a hand. “Not yet. Everything’s fine. Let’s get these Takers and then we can talk.”
“But—”
“Amber, I love you, but no.” Cara touched her friend’s shoulder to take the sting from her words.
Amber patted her hand. “Okay, honey. But I’m here if you need
me.”
Cara smiled and padded across the salon to the bookcase behind the bar. She scanned the titles until she found a book on ancient Egyptian symbols. Surely that would put her to sleep. She went to her cabin and propped herself up in bed. Dusty pressed against her side and, with a sigh, she opened the book.
She must have dozed off after midnight because she woke sometime later, still in her clothes, the book draped over her stomach. Suddenly, Dusty jumped up and began barking. In the distance, Rambo barked as well. Her eyes popped wide, her heart pounded, and she swung out of bed.
“Takers,” she yelled. There must be some outside. Dammit, we waited too long.
She hurtled out her door and almost collided with Rolf. He rushed by, wearing only a pair of drawstring pants. She ran behind him up the stairs to the salon, the others piling out of their rooms to follow.
Rambo and Dusty lunged, barking at the side door to the deck. Rolf squinted out the window and, without saying a word, threw open the door to race out down the dock. Cara followed in her bare feet. She reached the parking lot and the rocks in the paved surface cut into her feet, but she kept going. She heard more commotion behind her and knew the others followed. Dusty and Rambo dashed past all of them.
A lone figure raced about a hundred feet in front of Rolf. But he didn’t beat the dogs. They overtook him and Dusty latched on to his pants leg. The big dog’s actions sent the Taker sprawling. Rambo was on him in seconds, going for the man’s throat. His teeth cut a gash and blood flowed freely.
The man flailed about with his arms and legs. Rambo whimpered and went flying across the pavement, but the game little dog jumped up and rushed in for more. Thankfully, Rolf arrived by this time and Rambo was satisfied with chomping down on an ankle. The man butted Rolf in the stomach with his head and tried to grab his neck. Rolf twisted away and threw a punch, catching the intruder in the cheek. The Taker staggered back, trying to get his feet under him to run again. But Dusty and Rambo clung to his pants, tripping him up.
