Darkness Unknown (10 page)

“Okay, what's your favorite color?”

“Green.” Because it was the color of her eyes.

“What's your favorite sport?”

“Football, followed by baseball. Then basketball. Motor sports of all kinds are good, too.” This was easier than he'd expected.

“Do you like to read? If so, what kind of books do you like best?”

They were definitely on a roll. “I read more than I used to. History, mostly. I just started a book on the Civil War here in Missouri.”

“Did you grow up here in Missouri?”

That was a tricky one. “I wasn't born here, but I've spent the last twenty-seven years here, ever since I got out of high school.” He waited for her to do the math.

Her eyes widened with shock. “Jarvis, that would make you forty-five!”

“Yeah, is that too old for you?” He wasn't surprised by her reaction to his real age. Paladins quit aging physically at around thirty.

“No, not at all. You look a lot younger than that,
though.” Then she giggled. “I'd say it was due to clean living, but somehow I don't think that's the case.”

How long would it take her to figure out his ability to heal and his apparent youth came from the same source? From there, it was only a hop, skip, and a jump to her realizing that her brother carried the same traits.

“So how old is Jake?”

She was already on the right track. Or the wrong one, considering the Paladins were supposed to keep their different nature secret. “Thirty, I think. Somewhere around there.” Luckily, the restaurant was just ahead. “We're here. Hope you're hungry.” For more than just a good steak dinner, too.

 

Halfway through dessert, Jarvis's cell phone rang. They'd been dawdling over peach cobbler and coffee, keeping the conversation light and easy. He ignored the first call after glancing at the number. When it immediately started ringing again, he cursed under his breath and gave her an apologetic look.

“I'm sorry, but I've got to take this.” He got up and disappeared out the front door of the restaurant.

Whatever it was must be important…and secret, reminding her that she had no idea what Jarvis
did for a living. The image of him lying in the river, cut and bloody, filled her mind, and she pushed her cobbler away, no longer hungry. She signaled the waitress. “Can we please have a couple of boxes for the cobbler?”

The young woman picked up the dessert plates. “Yes ma'am. I'll be right back with them and the check.”

The waitress had come and gone, and Gwen's coffee had grown cold before Jarvis finally reappeared. His mouth was set in a grim slash, warning her that whatever the call had been about wasn't good news.

“I'm sorry to cut our evening short, but we've got to go. I've been called into work.” He dropped a wad of bills on the table, then eyed the boxes. “Thanks for getting the desserts to go. Would Chase like mine? He's probably worked up quite an appetite, glaring at the door and watching the clock.”

Jarvis's comments weren't exactly said in good humor, but she laughed anyway. “Maybe we shouldn't give him the cobbler. It's a mistake to reward bad behavior.”

Jarvis looked disappointed. “I'm real sorry to hear that. I had some bad behavior in mind that I'm pretty sure you would have enjoyed. I know
I
would have.”

At least he was smiling again. She looped her arm through his as they headed toward the door. As
soon as she touched him, she could feel the tension thrumming through him.

By the time they reached the parking lot, she almost had to run to keep up with him.

“Jarvis?”

He realized what he was doing and came to an abrupt halt. “Sorry, Gwen, I didn't mean to drag you.”

“That's okay. I know whatever is going on is important.” She suspected it was also dangerous, but he'd drawn a pretty clear line cordoning off subjects he wouldn't discuss.

He cupped the side of her face. “I don't deserve you.”

She didn't like the sound of that at all, but wasn't sure how to respond. “Don't make it complicated, Jarvis. Dinner was lovely, and the phone call wasn't your fault. There are a lot of jobs where people have to be on call all the time. You know, like doctors.”

If anything, he looked even more grim. “I'm sure as hell not a doctor.”

No, whatever he did for a living was a whole lot scarier than that.

“I know, but the idea's the same. Let's get me home so you can report in.”

She intertwined her fingers with his and tugged him toward the car. When they got to where they'd parked in the shadows at the far end of the lot, he
didn't immediately start the car. Instead, he scooted across the seat until he was close enough for her to feel his heat.

“I've been looking forward to this all day.” He brushed his mouth gently across hers. “To heck with peach cobbler.
This
is the perfect dessert.”

She didn't hesitate, parting her lips in invitation. “Don't be a tease. Kiss me like you mean it, Jarvis.”

“Oh yeah.”

Then his arms pulled her tight against his chest as he plundered her mouth with his tongue, plunging in and out. With each stroke he fanned the flames higher, making her ache for his touch. As if sensing what she wanted, he gently rubbed and kneaded each breast in turn.

That only made things worse, as her legs stirred restlessly, trying to ease the throbbing deep inside her. She fumbled with his shirt buttons, wanting to feel the sleek strength of his chest. He shifted back to give her room, while putting his hand on her leg and sliding it upward.

He kissed her mouth again, then rained quick little kisses down to the pulse point at the base of her neck. After nipping her gently, he followed the line of her jaw up to her ear.

“Come for me, Gwen,” he whispered, his voice rough with heat. “I need you to come apart in my arms.”

She could no more have resisted the promise in
his dark eyes than she could have given up breathing. He gently turned her until he was sitting between her legs, her dress rucked up around her waist. She held out her arms in welcome, loving the feel of him pressing down on her. The armrest was digging into her back, and the steering wheel kept him from having enough room to stretch out. But the second he tugged her panties down far enough to slip his hand inside, everything else ceased to matter.

She tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him close for another kiss as he used his fingers and palm to slowly, surely drive her crazy. He gently brushed his fingertips over her slick folds before finally sliding one, and then two fingers deep inside her.

She whimpered. She felt him smile, and he moved his fingers in and out, driving her higher and higher. When she arched against him, hovering right at the precipice, he plunged them deep one more time. Her body shattered, taking her mind with it. All she knew was that the strength of this man's arms gave her something to hold on to, keeping her firmly anchored in this world.

Slowly, coherent thought returned. She nuzzled his neck, almost purring with contentment. “I wish we were someplace a lot more private.”

“Me, too.” He looked surprisingly satisfied, considering he'd been left out of that little party.

“I'm sorry you didn't get to—”

He shushed her with a kiss. “I've been dreaming about this since that first morning. Watching you was enough. I had to know, just this once.”

She tried to puzzle out what he meant, as he helped her straighten her clothes.

“We'd better get going. I don't have much time.”

His words sent a chill of dread through her, but she was determined make the few minutes left positive.

She felt around for the middle seat belt. “Mind if I sit closer?”

“I'd like that.”

He kissed her again before starting the engine. Then they were hurtling down the Ozark highway, taking her back to her real world.

 

He walked her to the back door. “I really am sorry, Gwen.”

“I know.”

She also knew that he wasn't just talking about their date being cut short. The slight hint of good-bye in his voice shook her far more than it should have.

She stood on the first step so she could look him straight in the eyes. “I'll tell Chase you might not make it tomorrow.”

“I wish…ah, hell, Gwen. I can't do this. It's too much, and you deserve better.” He kissed her, then walked away without finishing his thought, but he didn't have to.

She already knew. When he did come back, it would be for Chase—but not for her.

J
ake took one look at Jarvis's expression and intelligently shut his mouth. He handed Jarvis his sword and fell into step beside him. It wasn't anybody's fault that the barrier was threatening to go down, but at the moment he was the closest target for Jarvis's bad mood. As long as he didn't speak, he might live long enough to fight the real enemy.

He made it as far as the elevator. “You know I'm sorry about calling you in, but they didn't give me any choice. Was Gwen mad?”

Jarvis frowned. Damn it, he should have known Jake would be unable to stay the hell out of his personal business. He leaned his sword against the wall, then he snagged a fistful of Jake's sweatshirt and slammed him back into the corner of the elevator.

“Don't. Say. Another. Fucking. Word.” He punctuated each word with another shove. “Understand?”

Despite the choke hold Jarvis had on him, Jake managed to croak, “Yes.”

Jarvis let go, picking up his sword. Silence continued until the elevator settled on the bottom floor and the doors slid open.

Jarvis stepped out first and glared across the cavern at the barrier. Sure enough, there were sickly green streaks flickering across the surface. He flexed his fingers on the pommel of his sword, anxious to get on with it.

Jake followed him across the floor. “Is everything okay?”

“No. But it's nothing killing a few dozen crazies won't help.”

Jake gave him a concerned look. “That's not like you, Jarvis. Maybe you should sit this one out.”

“Why the hell would I do that? The crazies ruined my evening. I figure on ruining theirs.” He knew he was worrying his friend, but he couldn't help that.

“Come on, Jarvis. We both know you've never enjoyed killing.”

“Maybe not. But it's what I'm good at, and all I'm good for.”

The barrier flared in intensity, casting Jake's face in eerie colors. “So the evening went that well, huh?”

“The evening went fine. Too fine.” He angled toward Jake, but kept a wary eye on the barrier.
“Gwen is…well, you've met her.” There were no words.

“Yeah, she's special all right. So what happened? Did she get mad that you were called in?”

“No, she said she understood that some people are on call all the time, like doctors. I think she was hoping I'd admit to being something normal, something she could accept.” He turned back toward the fading sheet of pure energy. “Even if it wasn't forbidden, I don't know that I could tell her what I am.”

“If you told her you were a soldier, she'd understand that.”

He sneered at his friend. “Yeah, right. Tell her that the guy who wants to put the moves on her is a killer who fights aliens for a living? She'd either die laughing or slam the door in my face.”

Jarvis brought his sword up as the alarms sounded and Paladins began pouring into the cavern, weapons at the ready. Jake took his usual position to Jarvis's right and slightly behind his shoulder.

The idiot just wouldn't let it lie. “You're doing both of you a disservice, if you think that's true. Did you forget that she's already seen you after a bad day at work? That hasn't stopped her from looking at you like a birthday present she can't wait to unwrap.”

“Shut up, Jake.”

Jarvis couldn't let himself think like that. He was
too old, too close to dying for good to accept that there could be anything else for him but this.

A cold calm settled over him as the barrier flared bright and then died.

The first swarm of Others came crashing across, madness and death in their eyes. Jarvis smiled and welcomed them with his sword.

 

Heavy footsteps stalked her. It was too dark, too noisy to know whether she was sought by one or by many. No matter how hard she struggled to run, the living ground grabbed her feet and held on tight. Each time she managed to break one foot free, her other would be trapped by something that held on with claws and power. Her throat burned raw with the effort to force a scream past the fear. It was impossible to breathe, much less speak.

An animal howled, its voice echoing all around her. She shivered as another joined the chorus, a warning that evil was moving closer. Darkness like a living shadow swept over her, carrying her over the edge of rocky cliff. For a lifetime, she fell through the night, watching the ground race up to greet her.

Gwen shot upright in her bed, her breath coming in short gasps and her nightgown clinging to her sweaty skin. With a trembling hand, she reached over to turn on the bedside lamp, hoping to drive the shadows away and banish the fear.

It didn't help.

Maybe a cold drink would help. When she reached the bottom of the steps, Dozer howled out on the porch. As the mournful sound faded, Larry picked up where his buddy left off.

She flipped on the porch light to see what had the dogs all stirred up. She couldn't see anything, so she stepped outside. After pulling on her barn boots, she picked up her flashlight. The two dogs flanked her as she walked out toward the pasture.

It was unlikely that anything was threatening the alpacas, but she wouldn't be able to sleep until she knew they were all right. The dogs kept close by her side, occasionally ranging out in front of her, sniffing the ground as they walked.

Then Dozer froze midstep, his nose in the air, and growled low in his chest.

“What is it, boy?” She reached out to pat his head. “What's out there?”

He let loose with another long, mournful howl, and her skin prickled with goose bumps. She hurried over to the fence and scanned the pasture with the flashlight. The alpacas blinked in the bright light, but seemed fine.

The dogs, however, were still freaking out about something. Both of them stood facing the woods at the back of the property, whining softly. The only other time they'd acted this way was the night they'd found Jarvis. That time, they'd herded her
out to where he lay, cut up and bloody. Now they stood between her and the treeline, clearly worried.

She hovered behind them, unsure of what to do. Surely if it were Jarvis out there, Dozer would go charging out to find him. There was no way she was going exploring in the darkness armed with only her flashlight. Before she set foot in the woods, she needed her rifle and cell phone.

As she turned back to the house, Dozer barked softly and followed her. Now his tail was wagging and Larry trotted up beside him, all signs of nervousness gone. Whatever had caught their attention was gone now. Relief washed over her as they rushed ahead to wait at the screen door.

“All right, you two idiots,” she told them after patting both of them on the head. “I'm going back to bed. Please keep it quiet so I can sleep.”

Dozer bumped into her on his way to his favorite spot. Larry turned three times and then flopped down on the floor with a sigh. She wished she could slough off the unease their reactions had caused her. It must have been coyotes, or maybe a couple of stray dogs passing by. But as much as she'd like that explanation, it didn't feel right.

Come morning, she'd head out with the dogs and her rifle and take a look around. If someone was up to no good in her woods, she'd call the sheriff and let him handle it.

 

God, he hurt, but it was mostly bruises and tired muscles. The few nicks and cuts would disappear with a few hours of rest. The fighting had been fast and furious, with no time to think beyond the need to defend himself and his friends. Jake had survived the fight in good condition, which pleased both of them. The barrier had finally been restored after six hours of sporadic fighting.

Doc Crosby would be busy for another few hours stitching up a few guys, but none would require more than a day to heal. All good stuff.

Jarvis unlocked his door and headed straight to the shower to wash off the stench from a battle fought well. He had stripped before he reached the bathroom door. After turning the water temperature to hot, he stood under the stinging spray, wishing he could wash regrets and missed chances down the drain along with the blood-tinged water.

As tired as he was, and as sick as he was of killing and death, he'd almost rather be back out there in the cavern swinging his sword than be alone with his thoughts.

Last night, it had taken every ounce of strength he had to walk away from Gwen Mosely. He'd stolen precious time from his duty to the Regents to hold Gwen in his arms, just to spend another hand
ful of minutes with her. She'd burned hot and bright, just as he'd known she would.

But he wasn't being fair to her or the Regents. A man couldn't live balanced on a line between two different worlds, cheating them both in order to keep them separate. He should have answered Jake's phone call the first time it rang. Then he'd compounded his mistake by not leaving as soon as he heard the barrier was failing. He'd managed to get back only minutes before it had collapsed completely.

And finally, he shouldn't have given in to the temptation to spend an evening with Gwen, acting like he was a normal man out with an attractive woman. It was one thing to pick up a woman at a bar or club for an evening's fun, where they both knew the score going in. How many times had he spent a few hours in a stranger's arms, pretending it meant more than scratching an itch? But that attitude wouldn't work, not with Gwen.

He cocked his head to the side, listening hard. The phone was ringing in the other room. Not his cell, so it wasn't Gwen or Chase. Someone upstairs here in the complex wanted him. Once again, he was tempted to ignore the summons. But if he didn't respond, they'd send someone to pound on his door. If that failed, they'd use the master key to get in. One way or another, they'd find him.

He dunked his head under the spray, quickly
rinsing away the shampoo and soap. After shutting off the water, he snagged a towel and stomped out into the other room.

Grabbing the receiver, he snapped, “What?”

He listened for several seconds with growing anger. “Fine, sir. Leave the new schedule on my desk. I'll look at it after I've had a chance to get something to eat.” He braced himself and asked one last question. “When are you sending them back?”

The answer burned like acid in his stomach. “Yes sir. Of course we should be grateful we had the extra help this long.”

Then he gently set the receiver back down in the cradle. Staring at it, he considered what he should do next. Get dressed. Eat. No time to sleep. Yeah, that's the best he could do. Before that, though, there was one last thing to do.

Calmly picking up the phone, he yanked its cord out and heaved the damned thing at the wall. He kicked the shattered bits of wire and plastic out of his way while he got dressed.

Before leaving his room, he used his cell to call Jake. “Meet me in the cafeteria. We need to talk. Oh, and Jake? Would you tell maintenance that the phone in my room doesn't seem to be working?”

 

Jarvis stared down at the half-eaten pancakes on his plate, too wired to eat any more. Jake, on the other
hand, had shoveled in his breakfast and was eyeing Jarvis's last strip of bacon with greedy eyes.

“For Pete's sake, take it if you want it that bad.” He shoved the plate toward his friend.

Jake accepted with a grin. “What's put you off your feed?”

“They're pulling the extra men they brought in. They'll be gone after the end of the week.” He didn't bother to keep the cold anger out of his voice. “They're scheduled to be assigned to Seattle.”

Jake tossed his napkin on the table, clearly not any happier about the situation. The locals would barely have time to heal and rest before having to start pulling full duty again.

“Oh, and we're supposed to be grateful that they could lend a hand even for a few days.” Jarvis clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to use up some of his anger. “One of these days…”

On some level, maybe the Regents were doing the best they could with limited resources—meaning the Paladins themselves. They tried to supplement their ranks with purely human guards, but they were a limited resource, too. And unfortunately, once guards died, they stayed that way.

Jake asked, “What's on our agenda for the day?”

“I need to check the cavern. I'm still trying to figure out where that Other got out when I tracked him to the woods by the Moselys' farm.”

“Speaking of Gwen—”

“Which we weren't,” Jarvis stated firmly, even knowing that nothing would stop Jake. The man was a bulldog when he latched on to something that caught his interest.

“Maybe not, but you were thinking about her. Are you going to call her?”

Leave it to Jake to cut straight to the point. “The only Mosely I'm interested in talking to is Chase. I need to let him know that I'll be stopping by for a few hours this afternoon.”

“Want company?”

Jarvis considered the offer. “Better yet, why don't you go by yourself? Might as well let him get used to working with different teaching styles.”

Jake laughed. “Oh, buddy, you've got it bad! I'd be glad to work with Chase, but I don't believe for one minute that you're sending me there for his benefit.”

“Shut up, Jake.”

“But you like her…maybe a little too much?”

“I said shut
up
, Jake.” Jarvis had never hurt a friend bad enough to need medical care, but if Jake kept this up he'd make an exception.

Both of them were saved by the ring of Jarvis's cell phone. He gave his friend a nasty look and flipped his phone open.
Son of a bitch!

Closing his eyes, he tried to banish all the morning's frustrations. “Good morning, Gwen. No, you're not interrupting anything important, but you're cut
ting in and out. Give me a few minutes and I'll call you back. The reception isn't good where I am.”

He headed for the elevator to catch a ride up to ground level. Outside, he'd be safe from prying eyes and ears.