Darkness Unknown (16 page)

“Your kisses ought to come with a warning label, because they melt my bones.” She brushed her lips across his. “Not that I'm complaining.”

He immediately took control of the kiss, his tongue plunging in and out of her mouth, reminding her of how it had felt when he'd used the same rhythm to bring her to a shattering climax the other night. She just couldn't get enough of this man.

He laid her down on the boulder, then unbuttoned her shirt far enough to reveal the top of her breasts. He whispered hot words of approval as he teased her with his lips and tongue, tasting her skin and leaving heat in their wake.

She pushed him away just long enough to release the front catch of her bra, and his eyes turned the color of melted chocolate as he tongued her nipples into hard peaks. His callused hand palmed one side as he suckled hard on the other. If he kept that up, she was going to come right there. She was half naked right where anyone walking through the woods could see them, but she wouldn't miss it for the world.

Then he found the damp heat between her legs. No other man had ever stoked her fires to such an inferno before.

He reached for the snap of her cutoffs, when all of a sudden the dogs came bounding back, barking
their fool heads off. She snarled at them to shut up, but stopped when she realized that their attention was focused on the ridge above them, the fur on their necks standing up. Their low growls doused the rest of her passion completely.

“Jarvis?”

He shushed her with his fingers over her lips. “Straighten your clothing and go back to the barn and stay there. Tell Jake to come running with my gear bag. He'll know which one. Hurry.”

Her sweet-smiling lover was gone. In his place stood a warrior, his face harsh and fierce, his entire body rigid with tension. Without taking his eyes off the ridge, he gave her a hand up off the boulder and picked up her shoes.

“Go
now,
Gwen, and
don't
come back with Jake. We'll be fine, but I can't afford to have any distractions.”

She put on her shoes but didn't wait to tie them. The faster she got to Jake, the faster Jarvis wouldn't be alone in the woods with whatever had both him and the dogs so spooked. And he seemed to know exactly what the threat was.

As she ran back toward her farm she struggled to button her blouse, hoping Jake and Chase would assume her bedraggled appearance was because she'd been running.

“Jake!”

She hollered his name again when she came
even with the pasture gate, and then repeated it until she turned the corner toward the front of the barn. He was already charging out of the door with Chase right behind him.

“Gwen! What's wrong?”

“Jarvis wants you to bring his equipment bag and come running. He's waiting a short distance down the path. Hurry, because something's got him and the dogs really spooked.”

“Son of a bitch!”

Jake disappeared back into the barn and reappeared immediately with a bright red duffle that clinked like metal inside. He took off at a dead run and Chase started after him, but Gwen blocked his way.

“He said only Jake, Chase. He didn't want any distractions.”

Her brother tried to step around her, but she managed to keep herself planted in front of him.

He grabbed her waist and set her out of his way. “Damn it, Gwen, those are my friends and my dogs out there. I'm not going to stay here like some helpless child.”

She didn't bother trying to catch him, knowing that he'd easily outdistance her. All she could do was wait and pray for all three of them, and hope that whatever was out there didn't hurt any of her menfolk.

 

Jarvis was clearly not happy to see him, but too bad. He wasn't some child to be left out of the action.

“What's up?”

The two men ignored him as they unzipped the red bag and pulled out a pair of swords and a couple of handguns. They checked the two automatics over with deadly-looking efficiency.

Did they know what was out there? No one in their right mind went hunting with swords, for God's sake. At least no one he'd ever heard of.

Jake held out a smaller version of the gun he'd just stuck in the back of his waist. “Do you know how to use one of these?”

“I'm more familiar with a twenty-two rifle, but I've shot something similar to this a few times at a firing range with my friend and his dad.”

Jarvis nodded. “Good. Keep the safety on. I don't plan on you needing it at all, but I don't want you unarmed, either. It would be better if you went back to your sister, but I figure that's not going to happen.”

“No way.” These were his woods. If they were no longer safe for him and his sister, he wanted to know why.

Then Jarvis picked up his sword. “Chase, you hang back, no matter what happens. Got that?”

Jarvis's voice of authority made him want to salute. “Yes sir.”

“Okay, let's get this show on the road.” Glancing
at the dogs, Jarvis said, “Come on, boys. Show me where they are.”

For once, Larry showed good sense and let the more experienced Dozer lead the way at a slow lope, splashing across the river and then uphill. When they neared the top Dozer stopped and waited until his people caught up with him. Smart dog. When Larry started to pass him, Dozer shouldered him aside.

Jarvis reached the dogs first because he'd gone straight for them while Jake had angled off to the right. Following his lead, Chase moved to the left, but stuck closer to Jarvis, figuring caution was the name of the game. Especially when his hands were shaking and the lump of what felt like fear almost choked his throat closed.

When they were all the same distance from the crest of the ridge, Jarvis made a forward motion with his hand. Chase did as he'd been ordered and waited a count of three before following his companions over the top.

Memories of playing soldiers with his friends in these same woods flashed through his mind, but this was no game. He'd never seen anyone look as deadly as Jarvis and Jake. In an odd sort of way, following the two of them into the face of danger felt right.

They continued down the other side about twenty feet before Jarvis stopped. The dogs ranged
out ahead, nose to the ground and sniffing like crazy. Jarvis knelt down to study the ground while Jake did the same thing farther on. Chase did the same thing, even though he didn't know what he was looking for.

A broken twig on a nearby bush caught his attention. He duck-walked closer, studying the ground. Anything could have accounted for the damage: a raccoon, a coyote, a deer. He moved the branch out of the way to study the ground, hoping for some kind of paw print.

What he saw made his pulse race again. It was a footprint. Judging from the condition of the leaves on the twig, someone had passed through here recently. If it had been hours before, the leaves would have wilted; days before and they would be dry and crumbly.

He gave a soft whistle, catching Jarvis's attention. He in turn signaled Jake, who moved closer to stand watch while Jarvis joined Chase on the ground.

“Tell me what you see.”

Pointing at the broken twig, he pushed it aside to show Jarvis the clear print. “Someone passed through here recently enough that the break in the stem is still wet and the leaves aren't wilted.”

Jarvis nodded. “Go on.”

“The heel print ends here, the toe there. I wear a thirteen, and this is smaller, maybe an eleven. Still plenty big enough for an adult man.”

“Male. We call them males.” Jarvis unfolded to his full height. “What you see here, what we tell you here, stays between us. You can't tell your sister or your friends. If you can't handle that, go home and stay there. Argue the point, and Jake will personally haul you back. You might be close to our size, but don't doubt his ability to take you out.”

Curiosity won out over temper. “I won't tell.”

Jarvis stared into his eyes for an eternity before nodding. “See if you can tell which way he went, and if there's more than one male.”

Chase moved off, keeping his eyes to the ground, trusting Jarvis and Jake to stand guard. “Here's another print.”

He measured the print against his own foot. “Probably the same male who made the first one.”

Following the same direction, he went on for a few yards before turning back to the last print. Using it as a focal point, he walked ever-widening arcs, looking for another trace that someone—or something—had passed that way. His mind whirled with questions. Why males and not men? Why swords? Although both Jake and Jarvis had guns, it was clear that the blades were their primary weapons.

“I'm not finding anything. The ground gets rockier from here on out.”

Jarvis muttered a string of obscenities. When Chase looked up, the dogs were sitting at the base
of a limestone cliff and staring up toward the top. He walked over beside them and studied the rocky surface. The tops of a few stones were damp, as if they'd recently been disturbed. Again, an animal might have knocked them loose, but he didn't think so.

“If he went up there, he did it without any climbing equipment or the rocks would show fresh cuts.” He felt Jake come up beside him. “Unless this male could fly?”

“No, he can't fly.”

Jake scanned the cliff that towered thirty to forty feet above them. “Someone who knows what he's doing might be able to scale that without a bunch of equipment, but I think he probably had help.”

Jarvis had been studying the ground past where they stood. “He either went up or he flew.”

Chase snickered at the disgust in Jarvis's voice. “Jake just told me he couldn't fly.”

“Yeah, we're done here.”

Chase nodded and whistled the dogs back.

“Let's head for the farm. Gwen's bound to be frantic by now.” Jarvis turned back to face him. “Chase, when we get there, we're going to need to get our story straight. It has to be something that makes sense but won't keep your sister up nights worrying.”

“Okay.” He gave it some thought. “How about a sick coyote? They're normally skittish around hu
mans, but one that's sick or hurt might threaten the dogs.”

“What would you do if you saw one?”

“Go after him with the dogs and our twenty-two.”

“You wouldn't call in the authorities?”

“Not unless we thought it was rabid. If it's just been injured, we'd put it down. Doesn't happen often, but it wouldn't be the first time.”

“Jake? Any thoughts?”

Jake shrugged. “I'm a city boy. Chase knows the area. Sounds reasonable to me. What would you do with the carcass?”

Chase didn't hesitate. “After we check in with Gwen, I'll come back with a shovel to bury it. I'll have to cover the spot with rocks to keep other animals from digging it up.”

Jarvis patted him on the shoulder. “Good plan. Do you want the privilege of shooting our coyote? That knothole in that second tree to the left looks pretty vicious to me.”

Just that quickly, the mood turned from deadly intent to black humor. Chase clicked off the safety and took aim with the compact automatic that Jarvis had given him. With a firm squeeze of the trigger, he hit the knot dead-on.

“Nice shot, but it might be playing possum. Maybe another shot to make sure.” Jake held out his bigger gun.

Chase traded with him, making sure to engage the safety on his first. Holding Jake's gun in two hands, he finished the tree off, hitting it only about two inches from his first shot.

Afterward he put his hand over his heart. “A moment of silence, please, for the deceased.”

Jake tried to cuff him as Chase danced back out of reach. Then he held his hand out for the gun. “Come on, brat, fork it over. We need to get back.”

Chase reluctantly handed it over. It was a sweet little weapon.

On the way, Jarvis asked, “You sure Gwen won't want to see the body?”

“No, she has a soft heart for furry things. She'd pull the trigger herself if an animal is suffering, but she'll be relieved we took care of it.”

Jarvis checked his watch. “Shit! Jake, we need to haul ass. We're going to be late.”

The three of them picked up the pace, the dogs having already headed for home.

“I know you've got questions, Chase, but now isn't the time. How much longer until your birthday?

“About three weeks.”

“After that, I have some people I'd like you to meet. Until then, we continue as we have. Fair enough?”

“It will have to be.”

He tried not be disappointed, but it was hard. He'd really liked feeling like part of the team.

As if reading his mind, Jarvis gave him a commiserating look. “Give it time, Chase. It will be worth the wait.”

He mulled that over as they walked back to the house. His gut told him that Jarvis was being honest with him. They clearly had answers for Chase. He just wondered what the questions were.

A
s in most small towns, high school football was a community event, so the bleachers were crowded with friends and family. The team was gathered around the coach, getting last-minute instructions. Even without being able to see Chase's number, she could pick him out of the crowd of red-and-gold jerseys. Only one or two other boys even came close to his size.

It was hard to think of him as on the verge of manhood, but he was. Soon he'd be eighteen, legally an adult and able to make his own decisions. She'd been only two years older when she'd taken on the responsibility of raising him. They'd both come a long way.

The game was but minutes away, and still no sign of Jarvis. Reminding herself that she was here to support Chase, she forced herself to stop watch
ing the parking lot for his car. He'd said he come if he could. She shivered, hoping he and his buddy Jake were safe.

The team captains walked out to the center of the field with the refs for the coin toss. The visitors' side cheered when their side got first choice. The home team defense put on their helmets and ran out onto the field as everyone held their breath for the kickoff. The teams lined up and as the ball flew through the air, the game was on.

On the second play, Chase knocked down the pass and one of his teammates snagged it for an interception. She and everyone else around her leapt to their feet, cheering at the top of their lungs.

When she sat back down, a familiar voice said, “Glad I didn't miss that.”

Her heart skipped a beat as she beamed at Jarvis. “Me, too.”

“Sorry I'm late. Things took longer than I expected.” He had his eyes on the field, but his arm snaked around her shoulders to pull her close.

She had to ask. “Is Jake okay, too?”

“He's fine.”

When the play ended, Jarvis turned to face her, his dark eyes serious. “It's sweet of you to worry, but I wish you wouldn't. You know better than most how resilient the two of us are.”

“Yes, but that doesn't mean you don't hurt.”

He turned away, a strange expression on his
face, making her wonder what he was thinking as he watched the game. The offense was moving steadily down the field. Chase was walking up and down the sideline, his helmet in his hand. When he looked up toward the stands, Jarvis waved.

Her brother's immediate response was to grin and wave back, but then he frowned. Clearly he was not happy about something, but then his team scored, and he got caught up in the celebration on the sidelines.

When the crowd quieted down, she said, “I wonder what's up with him.”

“I suspect he's happy I came to the game, but he's not sure he likes me being with you.” He gave her a small squeeze.

So Chase hadn't liked seeing Jarvis's arm around her. Well, that was too bad. She liked keeping Jarvis as close to her as possible.

“He needs to get over that.”

“He might have a problem with anyone you bring home, at least until he decides the guy's not going to hurt you. Considering what happened to his father, Chase probably figures I'm a bad risk.” He softened the comment with a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

The regret she heard in his words hurt. She didn't know which one she wanted to throttle more: her brother for trying to interfere, or the good man sitting next to her who thought so little of himself.

She caught his chin with her hand, forcing him to look at her. “He's wrong. And so are you, Jarvis Donahue. You've been up-front with me about what you can offer me and what you can't. A lesser man would have lied just so he could get in my…” Then she remembered where they were. “Good graces. Get in my good graces.”

The devilish twinkle was back in Jarvis's eyes. “I can't remember when I enjoyed being in someone's good graces quite so much.”

“Behave!” she hissed.

The trouble with being a fair-skinned redhead was that she blushed so easily. It didn't help that he took one look at her face and laughed before planting a quick kiss on her mouth.

“Watch the game!”

“Yes, ma'am. Anything to stay in your, uh, good graces.”

His eyes made a quick trip up and down her body, telling her exactly which graces he had in mind.

Turning her attention to the football field, she watched her brother's team fight the good fight and walk away with the victory.

 

As Gwen waited to congratulate her brother, Jarvis tried to think of the last time he'd had so much fun. He still chuckled every time he thought about Gwen and her good graces. They'd have only the few minutes'
drive back to the farm alone, which was disappointing, but he needed to tread carefully around Chase.

If the boy had problems with Jarvis's arm being around Gwen, he'd take it very badly to find Jarvis at the breakfast table tomorrow morning. Nothing was ever simple.

“After you talk to Chase, want to go somewhere for a while? Maybe get a bite to eat?” Anything to keep her to himself for as long as possible.

“I've got sandwich makings at home, if that's okay.”

“That would be good, too.” If that was the only way he could extend their time together, he'd settle for sharing her with Chase.

Several of the football players came filing out of the locker room, and Gwen waved to get her brother's attention. He made his way through the throng with a trash bag in his hand.

Jarvis moved up beside them. “Great game, Chase. That was a heck of a play when you batted that pass down to your teammate. I bet your coach was happy.”

Chase ducked his head, looking embarrassed at all the attention. “Yeah, he may have mentioned it a time or two.”

Gwen gave her brother a quick hug. “Well, we're proud of you, too.”

Jordan yelled from across the hall, “Hey, Chase? The dance is starting.”

“Yeah, I'll be right there.” He handed the bag to Gwen. “Here's my uniform. Thanks for taking it home for me.”

“You're welcome. The dance ends at midnight, so you'll be home by one?”

“I told Jordan I'd give him a ride, so that sounds about right. I'll call if it's going to be later.”

“Okay. Have fun and we'll see you when you get home.”

Chase's good mood dimmed. He looked over Gwen's head to stare down Jarvis. “You'll still be there?”

“That depends on your sister, and whether or not I get called in.” In other words, Chase had no say in the matter.

Gwen put her hand on Chase's chest, forcing him to pay attention to her. “We'll probably watch a movie and make popcorn. I've got one of my mushy chick flicks already picked out. You go have fun with your friends.”

Chase snickered and met Jarvis's gaze. “Enjoy your movie. But keep a box of tissues handy; she likes real tearjerkers.” Then he was gone.

As they walked out of the school, Jarvis asked, “You were kidding about the movie, weren't you?”

Gwen grinned. “We might get around to it—but I thought you might enjoy getting into my good graces first.”

Watching her laugh as she skipped ahead of
him, Jarvis was pretty sure his tongue was hanging out. He tried not to trip over it as he followed her to the car.

 

With Chase's eighteenth birthday almost upon them, their time together was running out, making Jarvis a desperate man. He and Gwen had seen each other a handful of times over the past two weeks, but never alone. As in getting naked, hot and sweaty, mind-blowing sex alone. The situation was killing him. The stolen kisses and full-body-press hugs were great, but all they did was throw gas on the fire.

But today he had a plan. He pasted an innocent look on his face as he pulled into the driveway in the middle of the afternoon, not wanting to scare Gwen with the intensity of his need. Nor did he want to set off all those protective urges Chase was prone to.

He'd decided that a picnic along a private stretch of a river was just the ticket. A blanket, a bottle of wine, and skinny-dipping all added up to a perfect afternoon. He hoped Gwen would think so, too.

Gwen stepped out on the porch, looking pleased but surprised to see him. Good. She came straight into his arms.

“I wasn't expecting you. What's up?”

He decided not to point out the obvious if she hadn't noticed it for herself. “Grab your swimsuit. I got the afternoon off and don't want to waste a minute of it.”

Bless her, she didn't hesitate or stop to ask questions. “I'll leave Chase a note.”

Score!

So far, so good.

The screen door slammed open, and Gwen came out carrying a beach bag and wearing a smile. Another quick kiss, and they were off and running.

 

Twenty minutes later, he turned off the state highway. The road ahead was unmarked and not on any maps. “My friend owns this place and said we could use it this afternoon. I wanted you to myself, and this is as private as he can make it.”

Actually, the Regents used it for training new recruits, both Paladins and guards, but there weren't any classes going on today. After another half mile, the road came to an abrupt halt right at the edge of the water. From there, a narrow foot bridge would take them to the trail on the other side.

“We're here. I'll grab the picnic basket out of the back.”

She took his hand as they crossed the river into the woods. “This is lovely, Jarvis.”

After a short walk they reached their desti
nation, a wide spot where the river pooled deep enough for swimming. He spread the blanket out on the grassy bank and set the basket down.

Gwen looked around. “Where do I change into my suit?”

He grinned. “I'm only going to strip it off you as fast as you put it on.”

Her answering smile was all he could have wished for. “Better move that blanket into the shade, then. No use in getting sunburned in awkward places.”

The woman knew how to get a picnic off to a perfect start. And he planned on making the most of each minute they had left to them, hoping to build enough memories to last a lifetime.

 

Jake shifted in the Chevelle's front seat. “Chase has been looking forward to this day for weeks. I guess now that he's eighteen, he gets to register for the nonexistent draft and to vote.”

“That's why Gwen invited us to the celebration. He's officially a man.” It was also the beginning of the end for him and Gwen.

“You know, I don't think I've ever been to a birthday party.” Jake seemed oblivious to Jarvis's mood as he reached for the radio.

“Touch that button and I'll break your fingers.”

His friend sank back in the seat. “This may
come as a surprise to you, but music didn't die in the seventies. There are whole decades of music you've never heard.”

“I've heard it. I just don't like it.”

“You're showing your age, old man.”

Hmm. Considering Gwen was closer to Jake's age, maybe he should try listening to something more current. He pushed a button and country western filled the car.

Jake covered his ears and moaned dramatically. “I surrender: Put the oldies station back on; I won't complain.”

Jarvis laughed and turned the radio off. “We're almost there anyway.”

“Thanks. But back to the party. What did you get him? My dad gave me a new sword for my eighteenth birthday, but you couldn't very well do that. Not around Gwen, anyway.”

“No, although I thought about it.” He flexed his hands on the steering wheel to ease his tension. “Gwen and I went together on his present. She thought it was time he had his own truck, so I helped her pick one out. My part is to help him tune the engine, along with a gift certificate to the auto parts store. I thought he'd get a kick out of doing the work himself.”

Jake fiddled with the envelope in his hands. “Great idea. I know he's a big Rams fan, so I bought him tickets to one of the games.”

“He'll love that. Should make for some happy memories for his birthday.”

Jake turned serious. “Now that he's eighteen, are you going to bring him to the Center for training?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow is the big day, unless he changes his mind.”

“You actually think he'd turn down the chance to finally see what we do for a living? He's been champing at the bit to find out ever since we started training him.”

No, he wouldn't back out, and Jarvis knew his duty was to introduce Chase to his future. There was satisfaction in knowing that they helped make the world safer for everyone, even if no one outside the organization had any idea the battles the Paladins fought.

But he had this awful premonition that the minute he took Chase to see the barrier, the death knell would start ringing for him and Gwen.

“Hey, buddy, don't go all glum on me. We're going to a party, not a funeral.”

“She'll hate me when she finds out what's in store for her brother.”

“I hate to point out the obvious, but that woman has some powerfully strong feelings for you, old man. Even Chase has made peace with the idea of you and his sister being involved long-term.”

Jarvis's temper exploded. “And how fucking well do you think
that's
going to work out, Jake? Are you
looking forward to being the one to break the news to her that I'm dead?”

His friend flinched. “Hell, no. Are you crazy?”

“No, but I will be, and then I'll be dead. Have fun with Gwen at my funeral.”

He could have cut the silence with a sword. He fought to control the anger boiling through his blood. “Look, I'm sorry, Jake. I didn't mean to take your head off.”

After a bit, Jake looked at him. “It doesn't have to be that way, Jarvis. Look at your buddy Trahern and Brenna, and Devlin Bane and his Handler. Maybe things are changing for us. No point in digging a grave when you might not need it for a long time to come.”

That idea tasted a little too much like hope. But the jury was still out on how long those relationships would last. And neither one had a complication like Chase to deal with.