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Dealers of Light

Page 25

by Lara Nance


  Rolf managed to grab a flailing arm, his lips pulled back in a grimace. Tor raced past Cara and pinned the other arm behind the man’s back. The Taker spit and thrashed, a wild glaring creature. A shiver of disgust hit Cara like the sudden smell of sewage. He didn’t even seem human.

  Marc grabbed the arm Rolf had been holding and growled, “Do it!” His pale face glowed in the streetlights.

  Rolf fought to get his hand behind the man’s neck, but the Taker’s bucking and struggling threw Rolf’s hand off. Cara and Shana rushed forward together and tackled him, landing in a heap on top of the man with Marc and Tor pinning down his sides. Cara still got a knee in the gut, but she held on and kneed him back right in the groin. Rolf pushed a hand under his neck and the Taker’s movements slowed until his head arched back and he lay still, eyes open and bulging.

  “Hurry. Get him inside.” Rolf rose to complete his tortuous ritual while the others dragged the man back to the boat. Rolf’s men waited on the boat deck and lifted the body up once they had him on the deck.

  Rolf rose from his doubled over position and sprinted back to them, looking over his shoulder a few times. Sweat glistened on his face. “Did anyone see another person?”

  “No, just this one. Dude must have been lurking around checking out the boats when the dogs started barking,” Tor said, Amber clutched his arm, her face white.

  “Quick, inside.” Rolf gestured with his hands for them to move. “Turn off the deck lights.” Fortunately, the other boats in the marina stayed dark and oblivious to what had occurred, or simply didn’t want to get involved.

  Inside the salon, Cara and Alistair called to their dogs to quiet them down, but they continued to pace and sniff.

  “Man, I never thought that little dog would be any use, but damn if he didn’t help take the guy down,” Shana said as she watched Rambo bouncing around, sniffing at the door and the edges of the room.

  “Did you see him take a bite out of the man’s neck?” Alistair’s chest puffed out.

  “Yeah, Rambo, first blood.” Shana leaned over and ruffled his fur. “Go, little man.”

  Rolf had followed his men as they hauled the body to the back of the boat. Cara went outside and found them at the stern.

  “You should go inside,” Rolf said. They were wrapping the man in lines.

  “What are you going to do with him?”

  He gave his men a few instructions in a low voice she couldn’t make out then took her arm to steer her back to the salon. “We have to dispose of him. They’re going to put the body in the dingy and some of us Dealers will have to take it farther into the harbor where the water is deep then sink it.”

  “Oh.” She shivered.

  “Are you okay? You have blood on you.” He pointed to a streak of red on her shirt.

  “I’m fine. This is his.” She jerked her head toward the body.

  He dropped his head and let out a deep breath. She swallowed the lump in her throat and hurried back to the salon.

  The others paced, wide-eyed and anxious, adrenalin running high. Rolf slipped in the door a few minutes later and explained about the body.

  “Oh, thank God it won’t be on the boat with us.” Amber’s voice quivered.

  “Well, guys, I think it’s clear we need to move against the Takers at once.” Tor took his wife’s hand.

  Rolf glanced at Cara. With one of their numbers missing, the other Takers would become suspicious and start searching for him. They might even alert Desmond. They had to strike now. Cara slowly inclined her head to Rolf and his eyes narrowed.

  “We can’t wait any longer,” Cara said.

  “Very well, tomorrow evening we attack,” Rolf said.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  “We’re almost there.” Cara drove the big Lincoln they had stolen after dark, the rest of the group crammed in, three in the front, four in the back. She dropped Amber and Tor on the street that curved toward the Taker’s house. They crept through the shadows to a hedge and disappeared. A little closer to the house, she let Shana and Marc out.

  She passed the house and lights shone in a downstairs room. Someone’s home. Turning up the street, she dropped Rolf first then Alistair a little further on.

  Darkness cast eerie shapes across the lawns of the silent houses. A gentle breeze moved tree limbs, casting a flickering light on the pavement from the partial moon above. She turned off her headlights and steered the car to the side of the road.

  She slid out and gently closed the door, starting up the street toward the Takers’ house. A sudden blast of headlights splashed over her and a car skidded to a stop beside her. The door burst open. Arms reached out and snatched her into the back seat. She screamed and thrashed but the car door slammed then they took off.

  “Woo hoo, got us a little fighter here,” yelled the one who’d grabbed her. His hot breath on her face reeked of bourbon.

  “Let go.” She hit and kicked, but the tight confines of the seat hampered her movements. Her captor punched her in the stomach and the air went out of her lungs. He slapped her across the face and white lights twinkled in her vision. Fear gave her energy, but she couldn’t overpower both of them. Think, Cara.

  The car roared down the street toward the house they were staking out. Rolf burst from his hiding place. He reached for the door handle but the car slid sideways to head back the way it had come.

  “What the hell?” the driver yelled, eyes shifting to the rearview mirror. “What’s going on?”

  “Just drive and lose him. He’s on foot,” backseat man said. He turned to Cara, his soulless eyes studying her face as she crouched in the corner, hands in front of her. “Hey, I recognize you from the pictures. You’re the one Desmond’s lookin’ for. We’re going to get a nice little bonus, Ben.”

  “Our lucky day,” Ben said. “Shit, Steve, that guy got a car and he’s behind us.”

  Steve swiveled in the seat and glanced out the back window. Cara turned, too, when his grip loosened. Rolf followed in their stolen vehicle only a hundred feet behind them. Her heart surged with hope.

  Ben accelerated, and she slipped as he took a turn too fast, gravel spewing from the tires. Cara tumbled over the seat to the far side, striking her shoulder on the door handle. Sharp pain shot through her arm.

  The car roared down a residential street, and Steve steered so they plowed into trash cans. The cans flew into Rolf’s car behind them. He swerved, tore up front yards and hopped curbs, but nothing stopped Rolf. Cara rolled across the back seat, aiming kicks at the Taker as she fought to keep her balance at the same time. His fingers dug painful welts into her arms.

  The Takers swerved around a right hand turn and the car fishtailed. Rolf did better in his maneuver and closed the distance between them. He picked up speed and forced his vehicle beside theirs. Ben cursed and twisted his steering wheel, but Rolf jerked his wheel, pushing back.

  Through the windshield, Cara saw the street they were on ended in a wooded area. She gritted her teeth and punched Steve in the eye then wrapped her hands around Ben’s head, covering his eyes.

  “Dammit, bitch.” Ben twisted his head but Cara hung on with all her strength. “Get her off me!”

  But Steve had a hand pressed to his bleeding eye, groaning. Cara gave a gasp of relief when the car’s tires screeched. It skidded and spun around. The rear went over the curb, and they tilted, sliding down an embankment into the woods. The bumper hit a tree and the vehicle thudded to a stop. Cara pushed open the door. Steve grabbed her ankle. She fell face first out the door and smacked her cheek against the damp leaves.

  Footsteps cracked through the underbrush. Rolf’s hands gripped her shoulders, yanking her out of the car. She twisted and kicked Steve in the face with her free foot and he yelled, falling back into the car holding his head. Rolf set Cara down, eyes intent on the driver.

  He wrenched the front door open and hauled the Taker out by the neck. With a twist of his hands, a crack rent the air and Ben dropped lifeless to the leav
es beside her. She scooted away, bile biting the back of her throat, and Rolf dove into the backseat.

  He backed out, doubled over and grimacing after taking Steve’s Light. When he straightened up, he rushed to see if the driver was still alive. There was no movement of the Taker, but Rolf took his Light just the same. He bent over, breathing hard, hands on his thighs as the cleansing washed over him. He gagged and fell against the door, eyes squeezed shut.

  “Rolf.” She pulled herself to her feet, holding on to a tree. Her stomach throbbed with pain.

  He straightened and rushed to her side, crushing her against his chest.

  Tears erupted from her, and she clutched his jacket.

  He pushed her tangled hair back from her forehead. “Are you truly all right?”

  She nodded, wiping the tears from her face with one hand. Then her eyes popped wide. “The others.”

  ###

  Cara stepped through the gaping hole of jagged wood in the Taker’s front door. Tor’s handiwork, no doubt. She and Rolf followed the sounds of furniture crashing, yells, and thumps of bodies falling to the back of the house where the living room was located.

  Rolf threw back his head and roared an inhuman sound as he entered the skirmish. Amber’s tiny figure stood at the side of the room, clutching her radio to her chest, eyes like huge sparkling emeralds. Shana and Marc fought one man while Tor grappled with the other one. Alistair stayed in a far corner, but held a stick of firewood he used to hit any Taker within range.

  Cara staggered against the wall to duck Tor’s flying kick into a man’s throat, which dropped him to the floor. Rolf rushed to take his Light. Shana threw a right hook, catching the other Taker in the side of the head. He crumbled, and Marc rushed to hold his arm. Rolf took this Taker’s Light as well, rubbing his hand after the cleansing. His face was pale and drawn after so much tainted Light, and he heaved in ragged breaths. Cara rushed to his side and rested her fingers on his chest. She sent her soothing energy into him until he nodded, covering her hands with his. “I’m okay now. Too much distorted Light at one time.” His breathing slowed and the lines at the corners of his eyes eased.

  Cara’s hand settled on the dull ache of her stomach where she’d been hit by the man in the car. Shana bent over, hands on her knees, breathing in short bursts.

  “Is everyone all right?” Cara gasped, her eyes traveling around the group.

  “I believe so.” Alistair patted his arms and head in a tentative manner. Marc gave them a thumbs-up, chest heaving.

  “Yeah,” Tor said. He clutched Amber, who still clutched her radio, eyes big.

  “Thank God you got loose, girl,” Shana panted, glancing at Cara then Rolf. “Did you get the other two?”

  “Yes.” Rolf cupped Cara’s shoulders. “You sure you’re not hurt?”

  She nodded, still winded. “Just a bit bruised. Let’s get out of this rat hole. It gives me the creeps.”

  “Yeah, let’s go.” Marc motioned to them, wiping a bleeding cut on his forehead with the back of his hand.

  They piled into the car and Rolf radioed ahead to have the boat prepared. Their mission accomplished, now they needed to get out of town. Fast. Tor drove, Amber pressed against him. Cara heard a siren in the distance and shivered.

  “We’re almost there.” Rolf looked over his shoulder. “Tor, drop us at the boat, then ditch the car. And hurry.”

  Tor came to sharp stop at the dock. “Go.” He pushed Amber when she hesitated to leave him.

  They ran up the dock. Avalon’s engines rumbled. Lights glowed from the ports, and the crew waited on deck to cast off.

  “Inside, hurry.” Rolf waved them aboard.

  “Tor,” Amber cried, eyes frantic.

  “He’s coming.” Cara pointed.

  Tor sprinted across the parking lot and up the dock. Amber grabbed him and jerked him inside.

  “Let’s go,” Rolf ordered his men.

  Cara fell into a chair in the salon, and Dusty ran up to lick the scrape on her right arm. Nausea swirled in her stomach, the aftermath of the blow she’d taken there and too much adrenalin. Marc rubbed one shoulder, grimacing, and Shana grabbed a first aid kit from one of the crew to bandage her raw knuckles. Alistair and Amber were unhurt. Thank God. Tor fell onto the sofa, face grim. They were all silent. They’d just killed four people.

  Avalon slipped away from the dock into the darkness beyond the lights of the city. Cara pushed herself out of her chair and followed Rolf outside. She needed to feel the cool night air on her face and thank him. They walked together to the stern. The buildings of downtown Charleston faded from view in the haze of evening shadows. Sirens blared in the distance.

  “Thank God, we got away.” Cara sucked in a shaky breath. She glanced at Rolf, but he continued to stare out over the water. The cool breeze of evening and the movement of the boat blew her dark hair across her face.

  “You were almost killed,” he whispered, a muscle twitching in his cheek.

  “It’s okay. I’m fine. You saved me. Again.”

  “But—”

  “Shhh. The training paid off and we did what we had to. I even kept my guard up.”

  He chuckled, and the lines on his face smoothed. “Yes, you did.”

  She leaned over the rail, watching the ship’s wake gurgle up as their speed increased.

  Fighting the Takers jolted her into reality, the horror of what these twisted Dealers were capable of. The joy of having a relationship was nothing compared to the responsibility of stopping these murdering monsters. They had to complete their mission of destroying the whole Desmond gang.

  “It’s over and we need to focus on defeating Desmond. I understand. Let’s just work together and get through this. When it’s done we can get on with our lives.”

  His gaze swept over her then he turned back to the water. “Okay. Good. I’m glad you want to finish taking care of this menace.”

  “Of course. We’ll do it.” She nudged his side with her elbow.

  “But, know this: if something happens to you, I will be broken,” he whispered.

  Cara looked away. Me too.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  They reached Norfolk in two days, wrapped in the concealing cloak of late night darkness. The group had spent their travel time practicing the shield and planning the next attack. At this point, Rolf found linking to Cara was almost second nature. They settled into an easy friendship, avoiding any mention of their emotions. He was able to regain his usual intent focus on his enemies, but with a double purpose—ending the threat and being able to sweep Cara into his arms again.

  Cara leaned against the front rail beside Rolf. “Do you think our plan will work?”

  The lights of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel flickered ahead, approaching the entrance to Little Creek. He glanced down at her. Shadows played across her face as she gazed over the dark swirling water.

  “We have a few things in our favor,” he murmured. “Desmond doesn’t know about the rest of our group, and he doesn’t know we have the ability to shield ourselves. He also doesn’t know we have all his files. We know who he’s bribing and, therefore, who will report our presence to him. That’s why we’re coming to Little Creek instead of going back to Waterside Marina in downtown. There are hundreds of boats here. We’ll use what he doesn’t know to our advantage…”

  “But?”

  “But the number of people he has is still overwhelming. I’d feel a lot better about this plan if we had some way of drawing some of them off so we could get to the stone.”

  “What if we had some regular people to help us?” She turned to him, excitement shining in her eyes. “Create a diversion.”

  “What do you mean? Who would possibly help us? No one would believe our story.”

  “Wrong. I know some people who might.”

  “Help would make me a lot more confident of success, I can’t deny it.” He rubbed his temples with his fingertips.

  She looked across the water and pointed t
o a tall tower with a red light. “Is that the entrance?”

  He straightened and squinted in the darkness. “Yes, not much longer now. Want to explain your idea?”

  “Not yet. I have to contact some people once we’re in Norfolk.”

  “You know they’ll be Dimmers, right?”

  “Not if I give them some Light.” She smiled.

  “Be careful, Cara.” Who was she thinking of?

  “I will. Don’t worry.” She reached out and squeezed his hand. “We have to make this work.”

  He studied the approaching shore. “I’d better talk to the captain.”

  Dark water swelled before them and the silver flash of a half-moon reflected on the choppy waves. When the moon waned, Desmond would form his web again, and they would be right in the middle of it. They had to stop him before that happened.

  ###

  Cara walked back into the salon and Dusty ran to greet her. “Hey, Duster-man.” She kissed his nose and he licked her chin.

  “I don’t think we have any choice but to destroy it,” Tor said to Alistair. The two men stood by the bar, a map of Norfolk spread on its surface. Cara sank into a chair across from Amber and Shana on the couch.

  “I don’t know.” Alistair rubbed his chin. “It has great power. It might be useful in the future.”

  “We can’t take the chance of it falling into the hands of Takers again if we succeed in stealing it,” Tor insisted, eyes narrow.

  “If we are able to get rid of Desmond’s group, we still have the Takers in the other cities,” Shana said. “We can’t just let them go. Maybe the stone would help us defeat them.”

  Marc frowned. “It sounds like you want to make a career of chasing Takers.”

  “What’s wrong with ridding the world of murderers?” Shana stood and put her hands on her hips. “At least it will save lives. Isn’t that important to you?”

  “Hey, guys,” Cara interrupted. Sadly, Shana and Marc’s relationship had deteriorated again. Their arguing had increased over the days they’d been at sea since leaving Charleston. Cara was concerned their bickering would disrupt their ability to defeat Desmond. They needed everyone in the group pulling together.

 

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