In Darkness Reborn (13 page)

Lacey knelt down on the floor to speak to the children at their level. Right then she was listening intently to a little girl. Lacey frowned slightly, her eyes alight with intelligence as she answered the question in terms such a young one could understand.

He could have watched her all day, inspiring the small child with her love for her chosen field. Did she have any idea how beautiful she was? Somehow he doubted it. But even across the crowded room, he could feel her warmth, selfishly wishing he could keep it all to himself.

He'd overheard one of the Paladins bragging about a recent conquest, describing a night spent burning up the sheets. That's exactly what would happen when he convinced Lacey to share his bed.

As if she'd felt his scrutiny, Lacey glanced in his direction. Her smile faltered slightly as she gave him a puzzled look. He carefully banked the fires and turned away after a quick nod in her direction. He was trying to give her time to adjust to his presence in her life, but it was growing increasingly difficult. Her friendship was a double-edged sword. There was so much he had to hide from her while at the same time he badly needed her to trust him enough to let him get close.

He had secrets to protect. But, damn it, it hurt to be this alone.

The small theater was cool and comfortable—for her. Barak, on the other hand, was clenching the armrest between them in a white-knuckled grip. Telling herself she would have offered comfort to anyone, she gently pried his hand free and threaded her fingers through his, noting how chilly his skin felt.

She could understand his reaction to the movie of the 1980 explosion of Mount St. Helens; it was nature unleashed and destructive beyond description. But it had happened close to thirty years ago. Why was it bothering Barak so much?

The screen went blank and disappeared back up into the ceiling. The drapes covering the windows drew back, revealing the mountain in all of its deadly beauty. Her heart skipped a beat, just as it always did at the sight of all that barely controlled rage. She'd always wondered just how strong that glass was, in case the mountain decided to blow again.

Barak's hand squeezed hers almost to the point of pain, although she doubted he was aware of it. He slowly rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving the mountain. She let herself be tugged along in his wake as he slowly approached the windows.

When he stepped into the bright sunlight streaming in through the glass, she was surprised to see that his lips were tugged up in a slight smile. He drew a deep breath, letting it out slowly as the tension in his stance disappeared. It was only then that he noticed how hard he was gripping her hand.

“I'm sorry.” He brought her hand up to his lips.

The warmth of his breath both tickled and soothed her hand, but it had a different effect on the rest of her body. Without thinking, she turned to face him, the desire to be held in his arms suddenly overwhelming her.

“Have you thought about what I said?” he whispered.

The reminder of the choice she had yet to make acted as a splash of cold water, causing her to back away from him. No, she hadn't thought, which showed how comfortable she'd become with him regardless of his alien nature. When she backed away, he let her go without protest. She cast around for something to say, something that would ease the renewed strain between them.

“We'd better be going. It's a long drive back home from here.”

Barak's mood remained cold and angry all the way to where Lacey dropped him off in his apartment parking lot. He had spent the ride down the mountain silently cursing himself, cursing Lacey's understandable reluctance to accept the passion he could offer her, and cursing the mountain even more. He'd promised himself earlier that morning that he would make an effort to be casual and relaxed with Lacey.

He'd known beforehand that being shut up in the small cab of the truck with her would make it difficult to control his growing attraction to her. She warmed him in ways he'd thought gone from his life for good. If she'd been of his world, he would have known better how to court her, how to lure her to his bed.

He'd worried that he'd driven her away for good with his blunt statement that it had to be all or nothing for them. It was the simple truth, but he could have softened his words so they wouldn't have hurt her so much. It spoke of Lacey's innate kindness that as they'd approached the mountain she'd seemed more concerned about him than she was about herself.

He closed his eyes and thought about the mountain. He'd known Mount St. Helens was restless, but he hadn't known how powerfully she would call to him. He'd been able to sense the murmurs deep under the slopes as powerfully as if he'd reached out and touched them with his hands.

Even the movie had held him captive, reveling in the power of the rock and stone that made up the mountain's heart. And these foolish humans had watched as if it had been just another special-effects extravaganza. Lacey and the rangers who worked near the mountain were the only ones who understood the danger they were all flirting with by being so close to the restless volcano.

He walked up the stairs to his apartment, wishing he could find some release for the energy building up within him. Another good fight with Penn would help, but Barak couldn't very well call up the Paladin to say that he either needed to spar with Penn or bed his sister. Imagining the volatile Paladin's response made him smile for the first time in hours.

Devlin and Trahern would understand the strong feelings a man felt for a woman he wanted to claim as his own. But they weren't likely to accept Barak's pursuing a human female, especially a fellow Paladin's sister.

When Barak reached his door, he could hear the phone ringing inside. He charged through to the kitchen and snatched up the receiver.

“Barak here.”

“Hi, Barak.” Laurel Young's calm voice washed over him, soothing away some of the day's stress. “You sound breathless. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“It is never a bad time to speak to you, Laurel.” He pulled a stool closer to the phone and sat down, content to stay on the line with his friend as long as possible.

“I was wondering if you'd like to come to dinner tomorrow night. Devlin, Trahern, and Brenna will be there.”

He could tell she was holding her breath, waiting for his answer. “I would enjoy an evening out, if you're sure the others won't mind.”

“I wouldn't be asking if I didn't want you there.”

And if the two Paladins had strongly objected to her inviting him, she wouldn't have been calling. If she'd bothered to mention the idea to them at all.

She played her trump card. “If it makes any difference, I've also invited Lacey Sebastian.”

Clever woman: she had him trapped. If he refused the invitation now, Laurel would know something was up. “I'm sure Lacey will enjoy an evening in your company, Laurel. She reminds me of you in some ways.”

“So she's both brilliant and stubborn?” Her words were laced with laughter.

He chuckled. “I was going to say that you are both charming, but I won't contradict your assessment.”

He could hear the smile in her voice. “I'll be glad to see you, Barak. Tomorrow at seven.”

As he hung up the phone, he pondered the significance of Lacey's acceptance of Laurel's invitation. She was a bright woman and adept at math. There would be six people, three men, three women, three couples. Should be interesting.

Ben Jackson mopped his forehead for the third time in ten minutes. Failure mixed with fear made a man sweat even in cool weather. The minutes on the clock were ticking away until he had to make the call. His coconspirator paid well, but he expected results for his money.

Ben didn't have any to offer him, and that was bad. Maybe real bad. His sole assignment had been to find out what the Paladins knew about the blue stones operation. He'd thought Penn Sebastian was the best one to approach, but so far the disgruntled Paladin had proved elusive.

When he'd convinced Penn to meet him after work at the local bar, he'd thought that he had finally made some headway. But the man had thrown Ben a curve by showing up with that spooky Other in tow. What was up with that?

It seemed unlikely that the two were in cahoots with each other, but stranger things had happened. Besides, if word about the blue stones had leaked out, what better partner than one of those pale-eyed bastards from across the barrier? After all, what did Penn have to lose? He'd spent the last few months sitting on his ass in a filthy alley. If that was the best the Regents could do for one of their own, Penn should be vulnerable to bribes, at least.

But, just when he'd thought things had been working out, Penn's status had changed with no warning. If he really was on the verge of returning to full duty, then Ben was back where he'd started: hunting for a chink in the Paladins' armor.

He mopped his forehead again, wishing he could think of an excuse not to dial that phone. Hating the way his hand shook, he punched in the number he had on speed dial and prayed for voice mail to pick up. Luck was with him; unfortunately it was all bad.

“You're late.”

Groveling wouldn't help; neither would lying. “At least I called.”

The heavy silence told him that his small show of bravado did little to improve the man's mood. “But late; we've already covered that. What have you got for me?”

“I had a beer with Penn Sebastian. It's the first time he's been willing to do that.” Of course, Penn hadn't said more than a handful of words the whole time.

“Did you get anything out of him about what the Paladins know or suspect about our operation?”

“No, but he had the Other with him. That Barak fellow.” Ben shuddered; that freak had really given him the creeps. “There was no chance to talk with him sitting there.”

“What was he like? The Other, I mean.” There was renewed excitement in his boss's voice.

Ben thought back. Mostly he and Penn had dissected the last couple of baseball games. “He was quiet, but with the same edgy feel as a young Paladin—you know, before they learn to hide what they are. If he didn't have that strange coloring, he could have passed for just another guy stopping off for a cold one on the way home from work.”

Ben frowned. “He and Penn were sitting together when I came into the bar, but I didn't get the idea that they were chummy. Last talk I heard, Penn was angry about Barak working with his sister. Can't see how that would have changed any.”

“Then that's a weakness for you to prey on. That and his bad hand. I hear that it's not healing.”

How had he heard that? He didn't work in the same area as the Paladins. Even if he did, they didn't spread gossip, especially when it was bad news.

“I'll keep trying. But if I push too hard, he's more likely to get suspicious rather than friendly.”

“We need to know what they know. It's up to you to find out. Try harder, or I'll find someone else who will.”

Ben was sweating again. No one was allowed to just walk away from their little enterprise. You were either in or dead. Nothing in between.

The silence from the other end of the line was ominous. Ben closed his eyes as he desperately tried to offer up something that would placate the man. There was Penn, the Other, and Penn's sister.

Penn's sister—there was a thought. Lacey Sebastian was well thought of throughout the organization. The local Paladins treated her like a mascot, so threatening her would be like running on a razor's edge. They'd go after anyone who threatened her with their swords drawn, but they wouldn't risk her getting hurt.

Maybe, if he was really careful, he could trade information for Lacey. Then he'd have to run like hell, but that day was coming anyway. Hurting a woman wasn't his style, but he needed to buy himself some time.

He braced himself for the worst. “Listen, sir, how about this?”

H
ello, Barak, come on in.” Laurel smiled as she stood back and welcomed him into her home.

He handed her the bottle of wine he'd chosen. “I hope you like it. The guy at the wine shop assured me it was a decent vintage.”

Laurel grinned up at him. “Listen to you! You're sounding more like a native-born Washingtonian all the time. I'm impressed.”

Devlin loomed up behind her. “Damn it, Barak, I've warned you about flirting with my woman.” He slipped his arm around Laurel's shoulder and pulled her against his side to nuzzle her neck.

Laurel did her best to frown up at her lover, but it was obvious that she couldn't stay mad at him long. “He wasn't flirting. I was just commenting on how well he was adjusting to our world.”

Barak thought she was being optimistic, but that was Laurel's way. No one else would have taken on the daunting task of convincing Devlin and the other Paladins to suffer their lifelong enemy to walk among them safely.

“I'll take the wine into the kitchen. I need to check on dinner.”

Devlin waited until she was out of the room before giving Barak a conspiratorial look.

“We may need all the wine we can drink. Laurel doesn't cook very often.” Then he dropped his voice and shuddered. “Thank goodness. Vegetable dishes are pretty safe, but the meat is usually iffy.”

Barak stifled a smile. “I will choose what I eat with care.”

“What are you two talking about out there?” Laurel poked her head out of the kitchen.

Before Devlin had to come up with a believable answer, the doorbell rang again. “That's probably Trahern and Brenna.”

The entryway was about to get crowded. Barak walked into the living room, hoping for a few seconds of solitude. But he hadn't been the first one to arrive, after all. Lacey looked up from the magazine she was browsing and gave him a tentative smile.

“Hi, Barak. I hope you don't mind me being here. Laurel was pretty insistent that I come.”

“No, of course not. I've said before that I thought you and Laurel would make good friends. Brenna Nichols, too.”

He was rather proud of himself for sounding coherent. He was used to seeing Lacey dressed in jeans and a T-shirt for work. Nothing had prepared him for seeing her in a dress, one that showed off her feminine curves to perfection. Her tan legs were long and graceful, and the heels she wore accented her trim ankles and pretty feet. She looked wonderful all dressed up, and he wanted nothing more than to strip every stitch of clothing off her.

He'd vowed to treat her no differently than he would either Laurel or Brenna—courtesy coupled with a cool distance. But there was nothing cool about the way he was feeling right now—especially when Lacey leaned over to put the magazine back on the coffee table, affording him a brief glimpse of her cleavage. Maybe he should leave while he could still walk out the door.

Trahern strolled into the room. “Hey, Lacey, what are you doing here?”

Lacey's eyes met Barak's briefly before facing Trahern. “They do let me out of the lab once in a while, you big oaf. I'm more interested in knowing who's holding your leash tonight. Has poor Brenna realized that you're barely even housebroken?”

A smiling Brenna Nichols stepped out from behind Trahern. “We're working on that. It's good to see you again, Lacey. You, too, Barak.”

He doubted that, but he was willing to pretend if they were. “Are you still enjoying the archives, Brenna?”

“Yeah, although I promised Blake I wouldn't bore everyone to tears with it,” she said, giving Trahern a mock frown. “I can't help it if he and his buddies like to be all mysterious and spooky.”

Lacey giggled. “It's hard to consider them mysterious when you had to share a bathroom with one of them growing up.”

Trahern rolled his eyes and yelled, “Hey, Bane, I need backup in here. Brenna and Lacey are ganging up on me.”

Barak enjoyed the banter, wishing he knew how to join in. He had grown up thinking the Paladins were murderous monsters, but it was getting harder to remember that when he saw them with their women, relaxed and happy. Who could have ever imagined someone as hard as Blake Trahern being teased by a trio of beautiful women and enjoying it?

“And how about you, Barak? How is it working with Lacey in the geology lab?” Brenna stood next to Trahern, with his arm draped casually around her shoulder. “Laurel tells me that you've a special interest in the subject.”

That was the excuse that he and Devlin had told Laurel, but it was truer than the Paladin leader knew. “I'm enjoying the challenge of mastering your technology. And Dr. Sebastian introduced me to Mount St. Helens yesterday.”

He knew he sounded stiff and formal using Lacey's title, but he needed that small distance it gave him. He didn't want anyone to think of them as a couple, though if he'd been human, he would have encouraged everyone to think that way. Especially her.

Laurel joined in the discussion. “I've never been down there, but I understand it's an amazing sight. I keep planning on making the trip, but I never seem to find the time. Besides, the one time I mentioned it to Devlin, he looked at me as if I were crazy.”

Devlin nodded. “And for good reason. I spend way too much of my time fighting because that bitch of a mountain can't settle down. Every time she acts up, I end up ankle deep in—” Laurel elbowed him in the ribs, bringing the Paladin's comment to an abrupt halt.

Ankle deep in Other blood.
They all knew that the mountain's rumblings resulted in the Paladins having to face Barak's kin in one bloody battle after another.

Laurel broke the silence in a too-bright voice. “Devlin, I'd like to see you in the kitchen.” Then realizing how that sounded, she amended her request. “I could use your help.”

Devlin looked like he'd swallowed something foul, but he followed Laurel anyway. Trahern waited until his friend disappeared into the next room before laughing. “Does my heart such good to see someone call Bane on the carpet once in a while.”

“I heard that, Trahern,” Devlin yelled from the kitchen. “Keep that up and I'll run your ass ragged tomorrow in practice.”

Trahern only laughed harder. From what Barak had seen, the two men were pretty much equal when it came to fighting, either with or without weapons. Devlin had more style when it came to using a sword, but Barak would not have wanted to face Trahern in battle. He didn't underestimate his own skills, but Trahern fought with deadly determination.

Still smiling, Trahern looked at Barak. “I hear Devlin has pitted you against Penn. How's that going?”

Lacey moved closer to him, waiting for his answer, no doubt worried about her surly brother. Barak hesitated before answering, mainly because Devlin had wanted to keep the workouts private. Obviously, though, Bane didn't care if Trahern knew, and Lacey was Penn's sister.

“We've only had one workout so far. We started off at each other's throats, but that's no surprise. His right hand is still weak, but showing promise. He's never fought with his left hand, but he's learning.”

Lacey offered him a tentative smile. “That's good news, Barak. He may not say so, but I'm sure Penn appreciates your working with him.”

Barak laughed. “I wouldn't say that. Devlin was so disgusted with the two of us, he stormed out, leaving us to kill each other. We decided that would only make his life simpler, and we'd rather stick around to aggravate him some more.”

“I heard that, too,” Devlin said as he walked in from the kitchen. “Laurel says we can all come to the table. Dinner is served.”

He met Barak's gaze long enough to remind him of what he'd said earlier about Laurel's cooking. Barak quietly sniffed the air and decided that Devlin was right. Judging by the slight burnt-meat smell in the air, it might indeed be safer to stick to the vegetables.

Besides, the food didn't really matter. For this one evening, he was being included as part of the close-knit group of friends enjoying themselves over dinner. He just wished he and Lacey Sebastian would be leaving together afterward.

The evening drew to a close. Lacey had to work in the morning, but she'd been in no hurry to leave. Laurel and Brenna were kindred spirits, who gave her hope that Penn might eventually find someone who brought happiness to his life.

But more importantly, she liked the way they both accepted Barak. Laurel had been the first to champion his cause, but Brenna didn't seem at all uncomfortable in his presence. Why that should matter to her she didn't know, but it did.

Maybe because she sensed a deep loneliness in Barak. Even in a crowd of people, he seemed to be set apart. Perhaps it was his own doing, but it had to be difficult to be the only one of his kind wherever he went. For her part, most of the time she forgot that he was different.

Except for the way he affected her. She had to wonder if Laurel had sensed that Lacey's feelings for Barak ran deeper than mere affection for a fellow coworker, especially when Lacey considered the fact that she and Barak had been the only unattached guests at the dinner. Although Laurel hadn't assigned seats at the table, the two couples had naturally chosen seats next to each other, leaving Lacey and Barak no choice but to do the same.

“Thank you again for inviting me, Laurel. I had a wonderful time,” Barak said.

“I'm glad you could come.”

Trahern's car had been blocking Lacey's truck, so he and Brenna had left first so she could get out. The temperature outside was still mild, but it had started raining while they'd been eating.

When Laurel saw how hard it was coming down, she stopped Barak from leaving. “Give me a minute to grab my purse, and I'll give you a ride home.”

Devlin wasn't having any of that. “If anyone takes him, it will be me.”

Lacey intervened. “No, let me. There's no point in you two going out in this weather when I'm going right by there.”

“I don't want to be trouble for anyone. It will not hurt me to walk.” Barak stepped past Lacey, heading out into the steady drizzle.

She caught his arm. “I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it. It's no trouble.”

He studied her face briefly before slowly nodding. “All right then, thank you.” Turning back to Laurel and Devlin, he gave them one of his rare smiles. “And I thank you again for inviting me.”

Devlin said, “We're both glad you came, Barak. I'll see you at the gym tomorrow afternoon.”

“Bring your sword. It will be easier to show Penn what he should be doing if I have a victim to practice on.”

Devlin laughed. “Don't you mean a volunteer?”

Barak arched an eyebrow. “That depends on which one of us wins. We'll find out tomorrow.”

With that, Lacey led the way out to her truck. Once again the cab seemed small with Barak in it, but she didn't regret making the offer. It wasn't often she got to see Barak this relaxed and enjoying himself. She almost wished he lived farther away to stretch out their remaining time together. Tomorrow morning they'd be back to their usual roles of coworkers.

At a stoplight, she turned to face her silent companion. “I had such a good time. I'll have to think of something nice to do for Laurel for inviting me. I know she appreciated your bringing her wine.”

“She is a kind person.”

Lacey hesitated before bringing up her brother's name. “I want to thank you again for working with Penn.”

“It's nothing.” He turned to look out his window, clearly trying to avoid the subject.

“No, it's not nothing. I know it must be hard for you to help him regain his ability, considering how he'll put those skills to use.” She reached out to touch his hand, offering what little comfort she could.

He immediately wrapped his hand around hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Laurel isn't the only kind one.”

There wasn't much she could say to that, so they drove the remaining few blocks to his apartment in silence. She pulled into a parking spot even though that wasn't necessary to drop him off.

Barak didn't hurry to open the door. When he turned those pale eyes in her direction, it was as if he'd reached out to caress her face. The summer rainstorm shut out the rest of the world, leaving the two of them alone—and too far apart. She was playing with fire, waiting for whatever was going to happen next.

She only hoped it happened soon before she lost all courage and bolted for home.

“Lacey…” He made her name sound like a prayer, and maybe it was.

“Barak…,” she whispered and then giggled, partly from nerves and partly because they sounded like the beginning of a love scene in an old soap opera.

“I like your laugh.” Barak reached across to tuck her hair behind her ear. “I want to kiss you.”

Was that a challenge? Or simply a man warning his woman what was coming? His hand slid behind her head to draw her closer to him. She went willingly, sliding across the bench seat until her thigh brushed against his, sending a frisson of heat through her chest and spreading out from there, leaving her aching.