The Darkness Beyond (12 page)

The helicopter swooped in low and fast, landing only long enough for them to jump out. Barak hit the ground first, while Devlin followed more slowly, bringing up the rear and carrying the equipment they'd brought with them. It was hard not to laugh at his Kalith friend trying to walk on legs that had turned to rubber.

Although Barak had flown in a chopper before, he'd been badly wounded and hurting at the time. He clearly hadn't enjoyed this experience much more. Judging by the slight greenish tinge to his normally pale coloring, he wouldn't be anxious to try it again soon.

Devlin moved up beside him. “Barak, are you okay?”

The Kalith warrior nodded, although he didn't look convinced. He stumbled slightly, but Devlin caught him before he actually hit the ground. After a few steps, he looked steadier.

He stared up after the retreating chopper. “Even when I lived in my world, I had heard of such things. Back then I never dreamed I would actually have a chance to fly in one. As amazing as it was to see the land from so high in the sky, I would prefer not to do so again.”

If the situation wasn't so damn serious, Devlin would've laughed. They were almost to where Trahern stood waiting; he immediately asked Barak, “Do you have any idea why two Kalith males would want to steal a human woman?”

Barak accepted the abrupt greeting with his usual calm reserve. “I have no idea, but it cannot be good.”

Devlin couldn't agree more. “Where's D.J.?”

All trace of good humor disappeared from Trahern's expression. “He's inside the cave waiting for us. Or at least I hope he's still there. I don't know who this Reggie is, but she's definitely got our boy tied up in knots. Think she's the reason he's been off his feed lately?”

“Let's keep moving. I'm afraid he'll panic and do something crazy if we don't get back to him soon,” Devlin suggested. “But to answer your question, yeah, she is. Seems she's been busting his chops online for a couple of months. Somehow she managed to get past the firewalls he and Cullen installed and was messing around in the Regents' server. D.J. said she found the history of the Paladins that Brenna has been working on.”

“Well, that sucks, but it explains a lot.”

Devlin studied the area, memorizing the layout in case they had to come back. “Where's this Cody D.J. told me about?”

“He went back into the cave with D.J. to get his first look at the barrier. They've been gone about half an hour. There's no telling how stable the barrier is, but our boy is definitely champing at the bit to cross over.”

Knowing D.J. as well as he did, Devlin picked up the pace. “Then we'd better haul ass.”

“Sounds like Trahern and the others are coming this way.”

Cody nodded but couldn't tear his eyes away from the barrier. The hum filled his head like a melody he'd heard before but couldn't quite place. And, oh man, the colors! He'd started to take a picture of the barrier with his cell phone, but D.J. almost knocked it out of his hand.

“If you don't want Devlin to stomp your phone into dust, I wouldn't do that.”

D.J. went back to pacing. Whoever this Devlin guy was, he must be big-time scary from the respect both D.J. and Trahern had in their voices when they spoke of him. Guess he'd find out soon enough because several people were definitely hoofing it down the passage to the cavern. A few seconds later, they filed in.

Cody reluctantly turned away from the mesmerizing light show to face the newcomers. He nodded at Trahern and Lonzo, but it was the other two men who held his attention.

The one in the middle had to be Devlin. Damn, he'd thought Trahern was big, and Lonzo and D.J. only slightly less so. This guy was absolutely humongous. Heck, his muscles had muscles.

The big man headed straight for him with his hand held out. “Cody, I'm Devlin Bane. It's nice to meet you, although I wish it were under better circumstances. You've certainly managed to dive into the deep end of our little version of reality. You hanging in there?”

“More or less.” For some reason he felt compelled to add, “Sir.”

Devlin nodded with approval and continued with the introductions. “This is Barak q'Young. He's originally from Kalithia, but he lives here now.”

Okay, Cody hadn't expected to actually meet someone from the other side of the barrier.
Huh, so that's what an alien looks like. So much for all those little green men with big heads and buggy eyes in all the UFO shows on television.

D.J. interrupted. “Fuck the chitchat, Devlin. The longer we delay, the harder it will be for me to find Reggie. Barak, bring the damn barrier down now.”

Devlin crowded closer to D.J. “You don't give the orders around here. Do I need to remind you that if you'd followed protocols, we might have avoided this bullshit in the first place?”

D.J. held his ground. “Screw that, Devlin. You can keelhaul my ass when this is all over, but right now there's a woman's life on the line. Just let me get on with what needs to be done. Every second you waste jawing at me is one more she's spending in hell.”

Cody watched the interplay between the two men. He wouldn't have wanted to cross either one of them. Despite the obvious tension in Devlin's stance, his voice was calm when he spoke again.

“I get that, D.J., but you're not going quite yet. Strip off. Barak brought you some of his old clothes to wear so you'll stand a better chance of not getting caught.”

Cody watched to see if they'd brought a second set of the alien clothes. Obviously they weren't planning on his going with D.J. To hell with that. Reggie was his friend, not theirs. He eased closer to the barrier and leaned against the wall of the cave. As long as he didn't draw unwanted attention to himself, maybe he could figure out some way to follow D.J. when he crossed into the other world.

Yep, wait and watch, that was the name of the game.

D.J.
peeled off his jeans and shirt and tossed them aside. He yanked the tunic Barak handed him on over his head and then pulled on the black trousers.

Barak held out a pair of boots. “I wasn't sure these would fit you, but it would be better to wear them in my world if you can.”

D.J. toed off his running shoes and slipped his feet into the boots. He'd walk on broken glass if that's what it took to find Reggie. He took several steps to try them out. While he did, Barak transferred D.J.'s supplies from his backpack to a smaller one that was similar in design. Both must have come from Kalithia.

He could live with the boots. “They're a bit snug, but they'll do.”

“Good, add this cloak and you're all set.” Barak stepped back to check him out. “I know you will adapt to the thinner atmosphere in my world as easily as Lonzo and Trahern did. It would be better if you had Berk to act as a guide, but I know you aren't willing to wait for him. I wouldn't be either.

“Hunter promised to get word through to him to be on the lookout for both you and your woman. If possible, Berk will find you and pass you off as one of his men. It's normal for the Sworn Guardian to do all the talking. Once you're with him, keep your mouth shut unless you're in private.”

Then Barak knelt down and opened the equipment bag Devlin had carried in. He pulled out a scabbard designed to hold a curved blade.

“Strap this on.”

D.J. did as he was told. As soon as he had the leather belt settled around his waist, Barak adjusted it a bit and then held out a Kalith blade.

“Larem sent this to you. It was his, and his father's before him. He hopes it will bring you both luck and success in your rescue mission. He greatly regrets not being able to accompany you.”

D.J. wouldn't have asked him to. Larem had just found out he was going to be a father, not to mention that there was a death sentence hanging over his head back in Kalithia.

“He has enough on his plate right now. But let him know I will treat his family's sword with the greatest respect. I understand the honor he has paid me.”

After a few practice swings, D.J. nodded in approval at the way the sword fit his hand. “This thing is totally sick. I guess all those lessons you guys gave us in your style of fighting are going to come in handy.”

Barak nodded, his expression grave. His own woman had been kidnapped by professional killers, and he had called the fury of a mountain down on his own head to end the threat to Lacey. Like Devlin, Barak knew exactly what D.J. was going through.

“I would come with you myself, but legally, Berk would be obligated to arrest me the minute I crossed into Kalithia. I find myself reluctant to test the depths of his friendship for me.”

D.J. had to laugh at that. “Not a problem. Besides, I wouldn't want to face Lacey if I managed to get you arrested in Kalithia. She'd be over there in a heartbeat. The bastards wouldn't know what hit them.”

Barak's smile widened. “True enough. My mate has a fierce heart. But back to business. Devlin and I brought enough supplies for me to remain here in the cave for several days. I will check each day at sunrise and sunset to see if you have returned.” He paused. “I just wish you knew more about who you were after.”

The comment jarred D.J.'s memory. He slapped his forehead. “I'm an idiot!”

Lonzo cracked up. “Tell us something we don't already know.”

D.J. ignored him and pointed. “I found a word scratched in the rock over here. I think Reggie was trying to tell me who had kidnapped her.”

Barak studied the marking with a grim expression. “Jeban is definitely a Kalith name. Unfortunately, it is common enough that his first name alone won't identify him, but it's a start. We'll share the information with Berk as soon as possible. This woman of yours is clever.”

Yeah, she was. Too clever for her own good, but now wasn't the time to think that way. She'd managed to survive so far. Hopefully her quick thinking would keep her alive long enough for him to find her.

“I need to get going.”

Devlin had to have the last word. “Don't get yourself killed, D.J. You might be a pain in the ass, but you're our pain in the ass. Besides, I'd like to meet this Reggie. Anyone smart enough to run you around in circles sounds like my kind of woman.”

D.J.'s, too, but he hadn't yet earned the right to be thinking that way.

“Barak, do your thing.”

The Kalith warrior stood in front of the barrier and held out his hands as he quietly chanted. Almost immediately, the barrier began to fade. As Barak continued to work, D.J. caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. Cody was creeping forward while everyone's attention was focused on the barrier. No doubt he was hoping to jump across into Kalithia.

It wasn't going to happen, although he respected the guy for trying. He caught Trahern's attention and jerked his head in Cody's direction. The Paladin nodded and immediately positioned himself in front of him. There was no way he'd be able to get past Trahern.

Cody knew it, too. He shot D.J. a furious look, but D.J. kept his eye on the barrier as he made his way around behind Barak to talk to Cody.

“I need you to stay here and help Devlin. They're going to need you to track down the guy who did this to Reggie. If we don't find him, he'll go after her again when we get back.”

Cody didn't like it, but at least he was listening. D.J. added his last argument for leaving him behind. “You're the only one who can cover for Reggie with your boss. Besides, she wouldn't want you screwing up your classes by missing your finals.”

“I'll retake them next quarter if I have to.”

“Yeah, but can you afford the extra tuition?” D.J. was grasping at straws, and they both knew it.

Cody could give D.J. a run for his money when it came to sheer cussedness. “That's my problem, not yours.”

“Fine, it's your decision, but Reggie will kick both our asses if you have to drop out because of her.”

Then he handed Cody the flash drive he'd saved Reggie's files on and the keys to his truck. “Plus, you know how her mind works. My friend Cullen will stand a better chance of finding the bastards behind this with your help.”

Devlin had been listening in. “But whether you do this or not, Cody, we'll see that your tuition is covered until you graduate.”

Cody's eyes flared wide. “Why would you do that?”

“Because you're one of us now. Now let's get out of the way. Barak's almost done.”

Everyone moved back from the barrier except D.J. and Barak. Not knowing who might be waiting on the other side, the Paladins pulled their swords and stood ready to fight.

The swirling energy jerked and twitched as if it were alive. Holes that gradually grew until one blended into the next and the next appeared in the fabric of the energy. Two seconds later the whole thing ripped apart and disappeared. D.J. couldn't afford to hesitate. If he was straddling the line between the two worlds when it popped back up, it would slice him in half.

A voice behind them shouted, “Holy shit!”

Cody's reaction didn't come as any surprise. All of them had stood at the barrier at some point in their lives and caught their first glimpse of an alien world. Although the cavern on the other side was a mirror reflection of the one D.J. had just left, there was an opening directly to the outside that revealed a small glimpse of the twin suns in the sky over Kalithia.

D.J. stopped long enough to look back at his friends. There was no way to know what was going to happen as he hunted for Reggie. He'd find her or die trying. With that thought in mind, he made eye contact with each man in turn, hoping that it conveyed how much they all meant to him.

Barak was showing the strain of maintaining control over the barrier. Even so, he leaned forward slightly as if straining to see past the cave and into the world beyond.

“Once you find your lady, come back here if you can. If not, aim for those low hills you see in the distance. There are caves along the back of the second range. One that holds a small stretch of the barrier hides behind a boulder shaped like an old man's face. I will tell Berk that you know of that cave.”

D.J. nodded, feeling better to have two possible escape routes. While they talked, Trahern and Devlin tossed a couple of equipment bags across to the other cave.

“What's that?”

Devlin added one more bag. “Food and water. Basic survival gear. Should be enough to keep you both going until we can get you back across.”

D.J.'s throat closed tight with emotion. He could barely choke out a simple, “Thanks, guys.”

Then Barak released his control of the barrier. Just that quickly all of his friends disappeared behind the surging colors. D.J. hadn't felt quite so alone in a long time. It took him another few seconds to focus.

Once his pulse had returned to normal, he braced himself for the hunt that was about to begin. He stuck his gun into the waistband of his trousers and sheathed Larem's sword as he stepped out of the cave and into the dim light of a Kalith evening.

God, if he found all of this a bit bewildering, how bad was it for Reggie? He rested his hand on the pommel of his sword, drawing comfort from the familiar feel. Battle fever ran hot in his veins. He'd been at war with this alien world for most of his adult life. The only difference was, this time he was bringing the fight to them.

Reggie stumbled along in between her two captors. Once they'd crossed the barrier, they'd made her put on a set of clothes and a cloak from the cache of supplies they'd left in the cave. At least they'd let her keep her own shoes. Thanks to the oversize pants, her feet barely showed anyway.

Once they started hiking, it was hard to keep up with the pace set by Jeban's partner. Obviously they wanted to put considerable distance between themselves and the barrier. Judging from the way Jeban kept looking back, he was worried about being followed.

The thin air left her lungs burning from the effort to keep up. Despite being physically fit, it was all she could do to keep putting one foot in front of the other. When they'd first started out, she tried to take note of the landscape, but eventually gave up trying to make sense of the endless monotony. The whole freaking world was brown with the occasional streak of gray. Each step they took kicked up a cloud of dust, clogging her nose and throat. Beads of muddy sweat trickled down her face and left her skin itching.

Would D.J. actually cross into this hellish place to come after her? There was no way to know for sure that he'd been able to follow their trail back on earth, much less track her in an alien world. Her logical mind might have its doubts, but her heart told her he'd come. Despite having spent only a short time in his company, she felt a powerful connection to the man.

Hunger and exhaustion were making it much harder to make sense of everything that had happened in the past few days, starting with the fight with Big Ed and then D.J. showing up on her doorstep. Not to mention how her whole image of reality had been turned inside out and upside down. For now, she just had to keep trudging along. As long as she focused on the simple things, she didn't think so much about why she was there in the first place.

Obviously Ray had his own plans for her. God knows what they were, but he seemed to be waiting for her trail to grow cold before pursuing them. Right now it was Jeban and company who scared her right down to her bones.

“Stop.”

The alien in front of her abruptly turned off the trail and waded into the high grass. They'd been walking along a narrow, dusty path that led down a steep hill toward the valley below. Where was he taking her now? She froze where she was, reluctant to go any farther.

Jeban moved up beside her. “Follow him. We're going to stop to rest and have something to eat.”

Sure enough, a short distance into the grass, there was a small stream. The two Kalith immediately knelt down and used their hands to scoop up handfuls of water to drink. Reggie didn't even let herself consider what alien microbes might be lurking in the water and followed their example. If these two guys could function back on earth, she had to assume there were enough similarities between the two worlds for her to be able to eat and drink in relative safety.

God, she hoped so anyway. But regardless, she needed to maintain her strength if she was going to escape from these two. How she'd find her way back home on her own was a problem she'd deal with later.

The water was cool and clear and tasted fine. It also felt good to splash it on her face and to rinse the dirt off her hands. When she'd had enough, Jeban motioned for her to have a seat on a nearby rock. Then, to her surprise, he tossed her a couple of granola bars, the same brand she bought for herself.

The little touch of home had her eyes burning with tears that she refused to shed. “So people aren't the only thing you steal from my world.”

Jeban's freaky pale eyes narrowed in anger. “I thought you would do better eating your own food.”

Darned if she'd feel grateful for anything the guy had done, even if it was thoughtful. She perched on the rock but turned her back on the two men. Neither of them seemed interested in talking to each other much less her. That was fine. She was too tired to maintain a brave front.

She nibbled on the granola bars, hoping to delay their departure as long as she could. Every minute they spent out here on the trail would give D.J. that much more time to track them. Besides, she didn't want to think about what would happen once they reached their final destination.

Footsteps behind her warned that her respite was over. Sure enough, Jeban circled the rock to face her.

“We are leaving soon.”

Not knowing when they would stop again, she sipped more of the cool water, enjoying its soothing trickle down her throat. She was about to reach for another handful when the nameless guy stopped her by putting his hand on her shoulder.