by Ciana Stone
“Okay, well, I think I’m going to take a run over to the mall.” She stuck her finger in the sour cream on the counter, and then popped it in her mouth. “I feel the need for something fabulous.”
Aaron smiled. “Something to wow the congregation, no doubt.”
“Umm, you know me too well,” she laughed flirtatiously. “Have any preferences? Silk, satin, sequins? Red, black?”
“Let’s see…” He stopped in his preparations and turned to her. “How about a nice sedate black sheath with a single strand of pearls and—”
“And how about not.” She cut him off. “I said fabulous, not frumpy.”
He shrugged and turned away. “Whatever.”
She knew she had struck a nerve but at the moment didn’t care. Besides, it was her bitchiness and unpredictability that kept Aaron in line. She was not going to give up a useful tool just to soothe his hurt feelings.
“Okay, I’ll see you later. Have fun.”
He didn’t turn as she left the room but did look up and stare thoughtfully out of the window.
* * * * *
Jackson Township
Konnor walked into the kitchen to find company sitting at the table. “I didn’t expect you,” he said as he put on a kettle of water to boil.
“And does that make me unwelcome?”
“No.” He took a seat across from his guest.
Shen tilted his head to one side. “No questions?”
“What purpose would it serve?” Konnor asked in return. “You’ll tell me what you want me to know when you’re ready.”
Shen gave a half nod. “You are learning.”
“Thank you.”
“And yet you allow yourself to fall victim to the same demons from which you have fought so long to escape.”
“You know?”
“About Slater. Yes.”
“How much do you know?”
“As much as there is to be known.”
“And that’s why you’re here.”
“Yes.”
Konnor stood and got cups from the cabinet then set about making tea. When it was done, he brought the cups to the table. Shen sampled his and grimaced. “You still have not mastered the art of making a decent cup of tea.”
Konnor didn’t comment but waited patiently. After a few minutes of silence, Shen spoke again. “You will proceed with your new assignment. Slater is on the right track. Using the resources he can provide, we will locate the gongiu. Then we will destroy all evidence of its existence and the balance will not be broken.”
“Are you so sure he’s right about this?” Konnor asked. “I can’t see how the information could have been hidden in this way for so long and not have been discovered. Surely someone would have considered—”
“Our adversary is both cunning and resourceful. Do not make the mistake of underestimating the opponent.”
“Then let me tell you what I told Slater. If the top scientists can’t figure out how to retrieve the information, how am I supposed to?”
“Unless I have miscalculated, he would have provided a key, something unique and yet not so rare that it would not be uncovered in time. Our task is to find the key and unlock the storehouse of information. And the only way we will succeed in this is if you are successful in winning trust.”
Konnor’s face wore a tight frown as he rose from his seat. “This is all well and good in theory, but application is another matter. Besides, I don’t know that I’m the man for this particular job.”
“Do I detect fear?”
“No!” Konnor turned quickly. “It’s not that.”
“Is it not?” Shen stood to face him. “Or are you lying to yourself? Could it be that you are afraid to admit to the feelings that have been awakened?”
Konnor looked away. He could not face Shen with a lie, but he could still try and lie to himself.
* * * * *
Later that evening
Ballantyne, Charlotte
Aaron answered the door and smiled at Ryan and Senna. “Come in.” He took Senna’s hand. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you,” she smiled in return. “It’s been a while. How’ve you been, Aaron?”
“Never better,” he replied and shook Ryan’s hand. “I understand you and Paige have been handed a big one this time. Making any progress?”
“Not yet,” Ryan said.
“Well, I’m sure you will.” Aaron led the way into the house where a number of guests were gathered in the formal living room.
Senna spotted Kendal Baldwin, her best friend, and Justin, Kendal’s husband. They were talking with a couple Senna was vaguely acquainted with. Kendal noticed and excused herself.
“Wow!” Kendal looked her over. “You look fantastic! Where did you get that dress?”
“Min helped me pick it out. She showed me this little shop over on Seventh Street that has some really unique clothes. We’ll have to go there sometime. And by the way, you look great.”
“Thanks.” Kendal’s smile was genuine. “All the work’s finally starting to pay off. He told me he was getting to the point that he was nervous about me going out alone, I look so good.”
“And who said romance was dead?” Senna quipped.
“Who’s dead?” Ryan asked from behind her.
Kendal rolled her eyes and Senna laughed. “An inside joke.”
“Oh yeah, girl stuff. Okay. Want something to drink?”
“Something light, thanks,” she answered.
“Champagne?” Kendal handed him her empty glass.
“At your service, ladies.” He gave them a mock bow. They wandered over to where Kendal’s husband Justin was. He introduced them to another couple, Patty and Rick Tremont. Ryan joined them a minute later and for a short time they made small talk.
Rick Tremont had just asked Senna to comment on a book he had been reading on quantum mechanics when Paige entered the room. Kendal nudged Senna and they both looked around.
Paige was wearing a skin-tight red dress that was cut low in the front, high at the hem and was scattered with sequins. Her long legs were well displayed in the short dress as were her ample breasts.
“Hi, guys!” She made a production of crossing the room. She gave Justin a big hug. “How are you?”
“Fine.” He gave a nervous look in Kendal’s direction. Paige turned and gave Kendal a smile that would have been right at home in a freezer. Then she turned to Ryan.
“Hi there, partner.” Her voice was low and intimate as she leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so glad you could come.”
Kendal rolled her eyes but Senna merely watched as Paige turned and gestured around. “All of you. I’m so glad to see you. Ah…” She focused a laser sharp look at Senna. “Dr. Laserian. How good of you to honor us with your presence. Alas, I fear we have no one of your intellectual stature to discuss matters of cosmic importance. I’m afraid you’ll just have to make do with us intellectual inferiors tonight.”
Without missing a beat or taking a breath she turned her barbs to Kendal. “Kendal, my goodness! Have you put on weight? Better watch it, honey. Some gal will be trying to grab this good-looking man of yours.”
Senna took Kendal’s arm as her friend started forward. “Let it go,” Senna whispered. “She’s trying to goad you.”
Kendal stopped but her eyes were shooting daggers at Paige. She gulped down her glass of champagne in one swallow. “I need another drink. Come on.”
She and Senna went to the bar where Aaron was holding court with some of the people he worked with at the District Attorney’s office. Kendal got a scotch on the rocks and Senna got a refill of Perrier. Just as they started to leave, Aaron asked Senna’s opinion on a book on physics another of the group had mentioned.
“I think I’ll go protect my honey,” Kendal whispered and made her exit.
Senna chatted with Aaron and his associate for only a few minutes then turned and looked for Ryan. She didn’t spot him, Kendal, Justin or Paige. Wanderi
ng through the house, she spoke with a couple of people in the dining room, and a man she had met at Kendal’s who was coming down the hall. She passed by several small groups scattered throughout the house. Finally she came to the den. Ryan and Paige were inside with Justin and Kendal and a few other people from the police department. She didn’t have to listen long to figure out they were discussing police matters.
Having no interest in that topic, she walked back the way she had come. As she passed Aaron’s study she noticed the door was open. The room was dark except for dim light that came from the tall window dominating the outside wall. The quiet suddenly seemed very inviting. She had no desire to deal with Paige’s sarcasm. Maybe she would just spend a few minutes alone while she could.
She entered the room, closed the door behind her, and crossed over to the window. Even in winter, Aaron’s yard was neat and manicured. She could see the sparkle of garden lights on the surface of the small koi pond that was located just beyond the inlaid stone patio. As she watched the light dance on the water, and ripples drift across the water’s surface, she found herself wondering what it would be like to be so attuned to nature that you were one with it, accepting and passive, without struggle or resistance.
A slight sound made her turn and look around. As she did, a tall form rose from the chair in front of the desk. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she apologized without thinking. “I didn’t know anyone was in here.”
The form took on features as Konnor Chase walked toward her. Just as before when she saw him at the martial arts school, she was seized by an uncontrollable sense of excitement, arousal and anxiety.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you.” She immediately started for the door but before she could take a step he was in front of her, blocking her way. “Excuse me.”
“What are you afraid of?” His voice was low, almost a whisper, yet it cut through her like a swift blade, leaving an open wound of longing she didn’t understand.
“Nothing,” she lied. “I just didn’t want to intrude.” She couldn’t bring herself to look up at him.
“What makes you think you were?”
She moved one hand in a slight sweeping gesture. “Most people sit in a dark room alone when they want solitude.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
She looked up and when their eyes met she felt the most peculiar sensation. It was like falling a very long way, yet knowing that your feet were still on the floor. His eyes seemed to suck her in, and she almost thought he could read her mind, could know that his presence filled her with something she had never felt before. It scared her to feel that way, and embarrassed her to think that he might sense it.
“I…I just wanted…to get away from the crowd for a minute,” she stammered.
He moved closer and looked out of the window at the koi pond. “What did you see?”
“What?” She didn’t understand the question.
“When you looked at the water.”
She turned and looked at the pond again but didn’t answer. After a few moments she dared to look up at him to find him watching her. “I was wondering what it would feel like to be as passive and accepting as water. To be able to incorporate everything that touched me within myself and yet not be changed by it.”
His eyes narrowed for a moment then he nodded and looked out at sparkling water. “Yes, perfect calm, sensitive to all impressions, as water is sensitive to the slightest breath of air. To be in harmony with all things. A spirit like water.”
“Mizu-no-Kokoru.” Senna was shocked to hear the words come from her lips.
So, apparently, was Konnor. He looked at her sharply. “Where did you learn that?”
“I honestly don’t know.” She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “It just popped out of my mouth.”
“Are you a student of the arts?”
“Oh no,” she replied. “That sort of thing definitely isn’t for me. I don’t care for fighting and macho things like that.”
“What makes you think it’s only about fighting?”
“Isn’t it?” She was clearly surprised. “I thought that’s why all of you did it.”
He seemed offended by her words. “Excuse me.” His voice took on a cold edge. “I’ll leave you to your solitude.”
Senna was taken aback by his sudden hostile tone and manner. She had not meant to offend him, but she honestly didn’t think she had said anything so terrible. Part of her wanted to call him back and apologize. That made her humiliated and angry. She didn’t owe him anything and she certainly was not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that she was attracted to him.
I’m sure he’s vain enough as it is, she told herself. Turning back to the window, she tried to regain some measure of calm from the landscape. This time it didn’t work. There was a churning inside her that she didn’t understand and could not control.
Unsettled and ill at ease, she left the room and went in search of Ryan. “Where’ve you been?’ Kendal grabbed her arm as soon as she entered the living room.
“Taking a break. Where’s Ryan?”
“One guess.” Kendal made a face and looked pointedly in the direction of the kitchen.
“Paige?”
“Bingo,” Kendal popped a stuffed mushroom in her mouth then tapped Senna excitedly on the arm. “Look!” she whispered with her fingers covering her mouth. “Konnor Chase. He’s the big karate dude Justin and Ryan are always going on about. Jesus, have you ever seen anything as totally sexy as that?”
Senna looked across the room where Konnor was talking with Aaron and another man. As if sensing it, he turned his head and looked at her. She felt a flood of heat move through her as their eyes met. He held her eyes for a moment then returned his attention to the conversation.
“Whoa!” Kendal drew back slightly and regarded her. “What was that?”
“What?” Senna tried to sound nonchalant even though her heart was racing.
“Don’t play that with me,” Kendal whispered. “That look. Is something going on you haven’t told me about?”
“Hardly,” Senna replied. “Excuse me, I think I’ll find Ryan.”
The only way she could get to the kitchen was to pass Konnor. She looked straight ahead, keeping her eyes glued to the door. “Oh, Senna!” Aaron called out as she started by them.
She stopped and looked at him. “Yes?”
“Have you met Konnor Chase?” he asked.
“Yes, we’ve been introduced,” She nodded politely in Konnor’s direction.
“Paige and Ryan have been raving about Konnor’s school,” Aaron said. “Even the normally noncommittal Justin is singing his praises. I’ve been thinking of giving it a crack myself. Konnor was telling me that he has class on Monday evenings.”
“I’m sure you’ll enjoy it,” she said and made a move to leave.
“Why don’t you join me?” he asked. “According to Paige there are a number of women involved.”
“No, I don’t think so,” she declined.
“Oh, come on.” Aaron took her arm. “It’ll be fun.”
“No, I really don’t think I’m suited—”
“Sure you are. Please say you will.”
“Aaron, I really don’t think—”
“Darling, don’t hound her,” Paige’s voice interrupted. She sidled up between Senna and Aaron and wrapped one arm around Aaron’s waist as Ryan stopped beside Senna. “Senna just isn’t cut out for martial arts.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Aaron argued good-naturedly. “She plays a pretty mean game of racquetball and she’s a darn good runner. Besides, you said yourself that there are women in the class.”
“Yes.” She smiled then looked at Senna. “But they’re not afraid. Senna’s scared. Aren’t you, Senna?”
Senna felt put on the spot. “I would assume that in any instructional environment certain safeguards would be instituted to prevent bodily injury,” she said then realized how stiff and formal she sounded.
Paige giggled and re
ached over to give Ryan’s arm a squeeze. “She might not say that if she saw how we went at each other last night, would she, partner?”
Ryan’s eyes darted nervously from Paige to Senna, and Aaron and the other man, Norman, laughed at the comment. Konnor’s face carried no hint of amusement.
“You know, Paige,” Ryan finally found his voice, directing his comment to Senna. “She’s just yanking your chain.”
“I’m sure,” Senna agreed.
Kendal and Justin walked over just in time to hear Ryan’s comment. Kendal looked at Senna in concern but said nothing.
“Well, considering your past, I suppose it’s understandable,” Paige said.
“Excuse me?” Senna looked at her in surprise.
“Oh, you know,” Paige smiled in mock sympathy. “What with your…mental problems.”
Senna frowned and Paige leaned toward her. “You don’t have to be embarrassed, honey. You’re among friends. Justin told Aaron and I all about your sessions with the shrink. And I completely understand how someone with your mental instability would be scared of new situations.”
Senna gave Kendal an accusing look of anger. She could not believe that Kendal had talked behind her back that way. Not only had she betrayed their friendship, she had apparently divulged information that should have been confidential. Kendal could not meet Senna’s eyes and looked down with a shamed expression.
Senna turned to look for Ryan. He was still standing just outside the kitchen door, watching what was going on.
“I don’t think my past has anything to do with the present,” she finally said. “And I can assure you that I am not, nor have ever been, mentally unstable.”
“Oh?” Paige raised her eyebrows. “Well, color me corrected. Does that mean that you’re not scared?”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“You suppose you are or aren’t?” Paige persisted.
Senna was beginning to get really angry. She didn’t appreciate being put on the spot by Paige in this manner, and she was furious that people she had trusted had been talking about her private affairs behind her back. Not to mention the fact that Paige was obviously deliberately trying to provoke her and none of her friends were doing a thing to stop it.
