Night Visions (Night Series) (12 page)

"But Sam."

Silently dismissing him, she turned her back. The painting of a white farmhouse in front of her began to blur. She squeezed her eyes closed, containing the tears that threatened to fall. The room remained silent for a heartbeat. The scrape of the safety chain followed by the faint squeak of hinges, signaled Ian's departure.

A sob slipped past her lips. In the
nine years they knew each other, she couldn't recall one argument. So why had they fought so many times in one day?

She pulled back the covers. Tucking her knees under her chin, she curled up on the bed. The cool pillow cradled her cheek, where she finally let the tears fall unchecked.

* * *

A fine mist fell on Ian as he stepped through the door. He tried to temper the storm raging inside him. Relaxing his fists, he jammed his hand through his hair.

What the hell just happened in there?

On
ce again, he let his emotions spiral out of control. If he hadn't been so consumed by jealousy toward Scott, he may have realized Sam misunderstood his question. If it all weren't so frustrating he would laugh.

"Have you had one with him," he growled. How could he be so stupid? A twinge of relief overshadowed his anger, knowing Sam never became intimate with Scott. But hearing her tell him she loved him… it was like a white-hot poker pierced his heart. Those were the words that he longed to hear.

Instead of doubting her, he should have been forthright and flat out asked her if she saw the woman. Why did he care so much if Scott knew about her visions? He should be thankful she had someone else to confide in.

But why did she keep the woman a secret this time? Hadn't he made it clear to her, that nothing she could say or do would push him away?

Right now she needed to understand these visions weren't a trick of the mind. If they were going to move forward, Sam needed to know the truth.

Ian reached for the door,
but his arm fell back to his side at the sound of a puddle splashing behind him.

* * *

Sam sat up in bed with a jolt, scanning the room for a sign of what intruded on her sleep. The other side of the bed untouched. The door left open, framing a night so dark, a sense of foreboding washed over her.

Had Ian not returned yet? She shouldn't have let him leave angry. Couldn't blame him for being jealous after what they shared in the pool. She would have reacted the same way.

Slipping on her shoes, she made it to the door, hesitating a moment before stepping outside. Dark clouds swept across the sky, obscuring the stars and the moon. The parking lot remained deserted, no new arrivals while she slept. And no sign of Ian or Ginger.

The wind crept forward, swirling around her like a lover's embrace. Lifting her hair to run a feather light touch down her neck. Sweeping along her jaw line to caress her cheek. She wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the chills coursing through her body. Whispers in her head urged her to go back in the room and lock the door.

Before she could move, the door slammed behind her, blocking her escape. She jumped at the sound, her heart in her throat, rationalizing in her mind that it was just the wind. She drew comfort from the Rover, sitting like a lone guardian. Ian couldn't be far.

“Ian…Gin…?” she called. As if in response, the wind increased its tempo. A mixture of howls and shrieks battling to be heard.

Glancing at the woods, she couldn't shake the sense that someone watched her. The trees slashed in the night, shadows intertwining with them in a manic dance. Dry leaves skittered across the ground, like old bones clawing at the inside of a coffin.

"You are crazy to be outside by yourself," she muttered under her breath. Didn't she yell at people in the movies who went to investigate by themselves? She was a walking movie
cliché.

A soft orange glow of light guided her toward the vending machines. Her heart raced, matching the pace of her footsteps, as she closed the distance to a safe haven from darkness. Reaching the corner
, Sam hesitated. Her feet turned to lead as she forced herself to turn the corner. The corridor empty, except for the flickering bulb overhead. The steady buzz of the bulb reminded her of a hundred angry bees in their hive.

Saaaammmm…

She whipped her head around. The chilling moan sent ice shooting through her veins.

Saaaammmm…

With a loud snap, the light burned out. Darkness engulfed her. Whispers in her head franticly urged her to run. Her heart hammered in her chest, breath coming in quick gasps as she ran back the way she came. Her screams for Ian echoed off the motel walls. She slid to a stop, stumbling past the Range Rover, as a wolf appeared at the edge of the woods.

Paralyzed with fear, she felt the blood drain from her face. Its eyes gleamed red, as if illuminated from within, teeth bared in a macabre smile. Slowly backing away, Sam blindly felt for the handle of her door. Her ragged breathing
was the only sound in the still night. Relief flirted with her when she made contact with the cold knob. Safety just one twist away.

“Nooo…” she moaned when the handle held firm.

With shaking hands, she patted down her pockets, searching for the key. Her eyes still held the wolf's gaze when she realized her pockets were empty. Ian had the key…the only copy.

She held her breath, judging the distance to the Rover, praying Ian left it unlocked.

Ian.

Where was he? He should have heard her screams. Unless something happened to him. Terror gripped her, threatening to pull her under. Could he be hurt? She refused to believe it. Ginger would protect him
, or at least give him time to reach safety. No. She had to believe they went for a walk and would be back soon.

With measured steps, Sam approached the Rover. The wolf held its position, unmoving. Her arm lifted slowly, her hand folded over the handle.

Locked. Pressing her forehead against the glass, her eyes fell on each door. All locked.

Was it possible the wolf's smile got larger, its eyes burned brighter? As if understanding she was trapped. She could swear it licked its lips, anticipating the taste of her blood. It took one step forward, then another as it stalked its prey.

The whispers began again pleading for her to move. She quickly scanned the area, looking for another place to hide. The wolf moved closer. Her gaze halted at the office, a faint light peeked behind the curtains. It seemed miles away, but was her only hope for safety.

She sprinted across the parking lot, slamming into the office door. The door rattled as she banged on it. Her screams for help unanswered. She groped for the handle, her sweaty palm slipped on the unmoving brass.

“Nooo…”she moaned, continuing to pound and kick. She glanced over her shoulder, the wolf nowhere in sight. Her throat constricted, as invisible hands wrapped around it. Her breathing labored, her chest tightening.

Where was it? Waiting to pounce and rip her throat out like the man on the news? She continued banging and screaming, shaking the handle as if she could will it to open. There was no place to run, nothing around for miles.

The whispers came back. Unrecognizable sounds in her head. She paused as a chill swept down her spine, her stomach clenching. Turning, she braced her back hard against the door, expecting to find the wolf. In its place stood a black bear looming over her. A roar burst from its mouth. One that shook her to her core.

I
mmobilized by fear, a silent scream remained trapped in her throat as an icy hand squeezed her heart. Hazel eyes with flecks of gold stared back at her. A familiarity niggled at the back of her mind. Her scream ripped through the night as the bear's giant paw swiped down at her head.

CHAPTER 11

"Sam!" a voice shouted from far away. "Sammie, come back to me. You're safe now."

The darkness faded. Pinpoints of light broke through the haze obscuring Sam's vision, just as her fist connected with Ian's jaw. Her blood-curdling screams accompanied his loud grunt of pain. She scrambled backward, legs tangling in the sheets until her head slammed against the wall. The picture overhead rocked on its hook.

Strong hands gripped her shoulders, pinning her arms to her side, with a firm shake her teeth clacked together.

“Sam, wake up.”

The chatter in her head no longer frantic dwindled to a soft sigh easing the tension from her taught muscles. She began to relax, letting Ian's deep voice ground her back to reality.

His face came into focus. Brows furrowed, mouth pinched with worry. Across the room, an infomercial played on the television, selling a juicer. The serene farmhouse still in its frame on the wall. She ran her hands down her body, searching for slashes on her skin. Whimpering, Ginger rubbed her soft fur against Sam's bare leg.

"It was just a dream," she whispered, running her fingers across Ginger's back. At least she thought it was. Her nightmares always so vivid. This time it was clear, as if it really happened. The wolf's eyes…the bear's roar.

"It was just a dream, wasn't it?" she asked, looking to Ian for confirmation.

Drenched in sweat, her body began to shake uncontrollably. Ian pulled her tightly to his chest, the warmth from his body radiated through her. His damp t-shirt smelled of rain and wet leaves. She closed her eyes in an attempt to control her breathing as he made shushing sounds in her ear.

"Go back to sleep, Sam. We'll talk about it in the morning." His hand made circling motions on her back, while his other cradled her head.

Feeling safer than she had in years, Ian held her until she fell back into a dreamless sleep.

* * *

“What the hell was that?”
Ian asked Cara. Reluctantly, he lifted Sam from his chest, then laid her on the bed.

She's had nightmares before, but nothing like this.
Cara's thoughts slipped into his mind. He knew she itched to be in human form, but it was too much of a risk for her to shift now. Not when Sam could wake at any moment and catch her. It would be difficult to explain the strange woman in their motel room. Staying as Ginger was their only option.

Ian was silent for a moment, pushing the strands of damp hair off Sam's flushed cheek. He watched the slow rise and fall of her chest, before pulling the covers to her shoulders.

“Did you see her eyes? They burned violet. Instead of my reflection, I saw fire burning within.” His tone turned grave. “Do you think they are dreams or visions?”

Cara
abandoned her post next to Sam. Jumping off the bed, she paced in front of Ian, her paws padding softly on the carpet.
She's had nightmares for as long as I've been with her. She would cry out in her sleep. Always something about blood and fire. Trap and run. She never spoke to her parents or Jason about it.

"I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you for doing this. Sacrificing your own life for hers." When Cara volunteered to guard Sam, it was meant to be temporary. One year max, not six. If he'd known it would take that long to unravel Sam's heritage, he would have found another way. But it was a decision that he and Jason would have to live with.

Cara's bright eyes bore into Ian's.
I love her Ian, like my own sister. I would do anything for her. I only hope she can forgive me for my deception.

And his
too. "It was never my intention to be gone for so long. You didn't have to stay."

How could I leave her, knowing that she was helpless to defend herself.
Cara shifted her gaze to Sam, then back to Ian.
You know, she really missed you. You coming back now kinda complicates things. She was finally going to move on.

Ian's chest tightened with regret. He eyed the floor, dreading the question that lingered in his mind. "You mean with Scott?"

Yeah, he's a good guy. He really cares for her."

No matter how much the truth hurt him, he respected Cara for her honesty. It's one of the things he admired about her. But it only fueled the pain burning his heart. "Does she love him?" His hands clenched at the memory of Sam speaking the endearment to Scott.

Yes. Does she love him as much as she loved you? I don't really know. He came into her life at a time when she needed a friend.

When she needed him.

He stared at the black night as vast as the hole in his soul. "I can't let her go, Cara. But I won't stand in the way of her happiness." At least not without a fight.

In time
, she will understand.

He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. "I
need to talk to Trent about this. It may be memories from long ago that are beginning to surface. If that's the case, we need to be careful. We don't know what kind of powers she has or how to control them.”

* * *

Sam clenched her eyes against the sunlight intruding on her sleep. She squirmed on the bed, hating the firmness of the motel mattress. It seemed harder than the last time she laid on it. Cracking one eye open to the glaring light, she realized it wasn't the bed that cradled her in sleep, but Ian. His shoulder served as a pillow, his fingers entwined in her hair. Her palm rested on his smooth chest, a bare leg thrown casually over his.