Mystic Militia (5 page)

“Do you know where your sister is?” His expression remained calm, but demand crept into his tone.

A shiver slipped down her spine, dispersing the lingering heat. If he was depending on her to fill in the blanks, they were both headed for disappointment. “Get off me.”

“Will you behave if I do?” One corner of his mouth twitched as if he was trying not to smile.

“Why don’t you find out?”

With obvious reluctance he released her hands and straightened, but he didn’t stand. “Allow me to explain and then I’ll go.”

He stayed on his knees, his legs still straddling her hips. He was easily twice her size and she didn’t even know his name. This was insanely dangerous. “I don’t know you.” She pushed up from the floor, more or less sitting with him bridging her lap. “I’d rather have this conversation somewhere public.”

His lips slowly parted and he seemed to relax. “Let’s start over, all right?” He stood. Moved to her side and then held out his hand. “I’m Special Agent Lor and I’m looking for Angie because she was seen with the criminal I’m pursuing. I’m no danger to you or your sister.”

Tori covered her eyes with her hand and shook her head. “Why does she keep doing this?” With a long, shaky sigh, she uncovered her eyes and grasped his hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet. “Do you have identification?” Tingles erupted with the contact of their hands. She half expected to see sparks and hear a sizzle.

“Of course.”
He released her and reached into his back pocket, then flipped open an ID wallet and held it level with her face.

Rubbing her tingling palm, she looked carefully at the badge and laminated ID card. The set looked legitimate, but then she knew nothing about credentials. “I don’t recognize the issuing agency. What country did you say you’re from?”

He chuckled. “I didn’t. I doubt you’d have heard of it.” He flipped the wallet shut and put it away. “We’re a recently formed federation of provinces in Eastern Europe. The name has changed three times in the past two years. Sometimes I forget what the bureaucrats have decided on this week.”

At least the card had confirmed his name, or at least the name he was using.
Special Agent Lor.
No first name, not even an initial. “I don’t know where Angie is. I haven’t seen her in a couple of weeks and haven’t spoken to her in about four days.”

He held up a cell phone and asked, “Is this hers?”

It was hard to mistake the colorful anime scene decorating the phone’s case. “It is.” She tried to take it from him, but he moved it out of reach.

“I wasn’t able to turn it on. Is it malfunctioning or has it lost power?”

She smiled at his word choices. He spoke English really well, but some of his phrasing was awkward. “I can’t tell by looking at it. You’ll have to let me touch.”

His gaze narrowed and sexual awareness arced between them, nearly as palpable as the earlier heat. Was he feeling these sensations too or was she just so sex starved that her libido was overloading? He didn’t say a word, but his gaze remained hot and watchful as he handed her the phone. She pushed the power button. Nothing happened. “Battery’s dead. There should be a charger around here somewhere.” She looked around as she asked, “The man you’re chasing, what’s he done? Is he dangerous?”

“His crimes are many and yes, he is very dangerous.”

She found the charger on the kitchen counter and plugged in the phone. The mundane task gave her a moment to gather her thoughts. It was so like Angie to hook up with some underworld thug. Neither of them admitted it too often, but they both had a thing for dangerous men.

“What’s your name? I need it for my report.” Lor tried to sound conversational, but the heat in his gaze made his casual tone unbelievable.

The breakfast bar separated them now and she felt a little less vulnerable. “I’m Tori.”

“Is that your legal name?”

He wasn’t taking notes or recording her answers. Was his memory that good or was he just going through the motions? A warning bell tolled in the back of her mind and she nervously licked her lips. “It’s short for Victoria.”

“And do you have a second name?”

Suddenly she wasn’t sure she wanted to volunteer any more information. Wouldn’t a real investigator have checked in with the local cops? She was uncomfortably aware that he hadn’t produced a warrant along with his identification. “Do you have the picture you showed Jeff?” she evaded. “He didn’t think it looked like Angie. Maybe you have her confused with someone else.”

He ignored her question and moved closer to the two-sided counter. “The bartender told us Angie has been out of town for the past few days. If we can confirm that fact, there will be no more reason to bother you or her.”

How could she confirm Angie’s alibi if she had no idea when Angie left or where she’d gone? “I’m not sure. Let me think about it.”

“All right.
Then perhaps you can explain why Angie left without her purse or cell phone. It’s my understanding that people from your
wor
—country, feel lost without them.”

What had he been about to say? It sure as hell hadn’t been country. Ward?
World?
Yeah, right. She’d seen to many movies. “I think she forgot her phone, but all of the important things are missing from the purse over there.” She nodded toward the table. “It looks to me like she switched her things into a different purse before she took off.”

He rubbed his chin as he stared past her. “Then you believe she left of her own volition?”

“That’s what I was trying to determine when you grabbed me.”

“I apologize if I hurt or frightened you. I just couldn’t let you scream.”

“In this neighborhood, it’s doubtful anyone would have reacted. But I understand your caution.” She rounded the counter and headed for the bedroom. His interest in Angie was obviously genuine, so why was she still bothered by his mannerisms? He was probably a hired gun, being paid big bucks to track down Angie’s new flame.

As she headed down the short hallway, she caught his reflection in the full-length mirror mounted on the back wall of the bedroom. His image was partially obscured by hers, but an odd scarlet shimmer haloed his wavy blond hair. Her steps faltered and she blinked, but the illumination remained. First the heat and now she was seeing auras? This couldn’t be good.

“Are you all right?” He paused, keeping the distance between them constant.

“I’m just tired and worried about my sister.” Their gazes met in the mirror and she couldn’t make her feet move. At a distance he’d been attractive. Up close the exotic quality to his features was even more evident. The slant of his cheekbones and the shape of his eyes were anything but all-American. But were they Eastern European? Despite his explanation, she wasn’t convinced.

Shaking away the disquieting tangent, she set herself back in motion. Like the rest of the apartment the bedroom was small and common. The bed was made, but Tori
was
embarrassed to realize the faded quilt was the one they’d brought with them from San Diego. Interior design was obviously not a priority for Angie.

Lor didn’t seem to notice the shabby excuse for decorating. He glanced at the bed then took in the other furniture—what little there was of it—with
a calm
, assessing gaze. “Are any of her clothes missing?”

“That’s where I was headed.”
Great minds think alike
sounded way to cliché.

She pulled open the rickety closet door and flipped through the hangers. It was hard to say. Most of Angie’s clothes were similar. She was partial to tunics and skinny jeans. “I’m not sure.” She dug a little deeper and changed her mind. “Her favorite boots and her ‘go to’ shoes are gone. So is her overnight bag.” She turned and looked at him as she exhaled. “She didn’t take much, but she definitely packed for the trip. Doesn’t sound like a kidnapping to me.”

Lor clasped his hands behind his back as he battled his need to touch Tori. He could still remember how she’d felt beneath him, arching and twisting, her body all soft curves and welcoming heat. Welcoming? He smiled at the irony. She’d been anything but welcoming since she walked into her sister’s apartment, but he couldn’t fault her hostility. He was the
intruder,
the potential threat to Tori’s loved one.

“I need to make a call.” He left Tori near the sleeping station and returned to the slightly larger outer room. He launched a
mindlink
with Allenton and waited for the Shadow Assassin to open his end of the connection.

I’m here. Go ahead.
Allenton’s signal was faint but understandable. The Shadow Assassin had an impressive store of untapped potential. All he needed was time with skillful trainers who could teach him how to control his latent abilities. In the world below, the occupants had only been taught how to hunt and fight—and seduce their captive females.

The sister interrupted my search. I’ve questioned her briefly, but it’s unlikely she knows Angie’s location. We’ve discovered indications that Angie departed voluntarily. Have you learned anything at the club?

Angie is involved with one of the door guards. I believe his name is Bouncer.

Lor smiled at the misconception.
Bouncer is likely his job title not his name. Was he helpful?

He’s been absent for the past two days. I’m starting to suspect the two are together.

Did Tori know about her sister’s boyfriend? She hadn’t mentioned the likelihood that Angie had sneaked away for a romantic encounter, but then Tori had said very little even after agreeing to cooperate with him.
If she’s out of town as the bartender said, Angie couldn’t have been the woman you saw in the casino.

Not true. Bouncer has only been gone for two days. Angie could have departed after she spoke with Nazerel. This proves nothing.

Lor rubbed his forehead and consciously relaxed his jaw. Allenton was like a dog with his favorite bone, snarling and growling and shaking his head.
We have concluded that Angie is not currently in Los Vegas. Would you agree?

Rather than commit, Allenton asked,
Is the sister still with you?

She is.

Keep her there. I want to show her what I saw.

Before Lor could point out that the vast majority of humans couldn’t transmit or receive telepathic information, Allenton pinched off the connection.
“
Prezot
.”

“Is something wrong?”

Lor snapped his head around and found Tori lounging in the doorway to the sleeping area. Her shoulder rested against the privacy panel’s frame and speculation gleamed in her light brown eyes.
“Just an annoyance.”

“I thought you were going to make a phone call.”

How long had she been standing there? “No signal.” He offered with a diverting shrug.

One of her silky brows arched. “Where’s your phone?”

He motioned to the audiocom nestled in his ear. It was smaller than most of Earth’s communication devices, but similar enough to avert suspicion.

“Not your ear piece, your phone. Where’s the part that does the work.”

She was much too observant for his peace of mind.
“Fine.
You caught me.” He tried to look embarrassed when all he really wanted to do was pull her into his arms and kiss the curiosity out of her. “I must have left it in the bar. I didn’t realize it was gone until I tried to place the call.”

A firm knock on the door interrupted whatever she was about to say. Lor was thankful for the interruption, but what Allenton intended was going to be even more awkward than trying to explain how they’d been communicating without benefit of telephones.

She rushed past him and grasped the handle on the privacy panel. Then she paused and peered through the tiny magnification lens.
A primitive precaution, but effective.
“It’s your friend. Should I let him in?”

Lor nodded. “I was expecting him.”

“Really?
Do you often issue invitations to other people’s apartments?” She deactivated the locking mechanism and pulled the panel aside.

Lor just smiled as Allenton stepped into the dwelling.

“I am Allenton.” Rather than offer his hand, he inclined his head. “How much has my companion told you?”

Tori stared at Allenton, shock and confusion clear on her delicate features. She looked at Lor, rubbed her eyes then looked back at Allenton. “What is it with you two?” The question sounded offhanded, as if she was talking to herself.

She’d had a similar reaction when she looked into the mirror. Ontarian females found Allenton attractive and the same had seemed to hold true since their arrival on Earth. Tori’s reaction, however, indicated fear not approval or sexual interest. Unwilling to ignore her behavior a second time, Lor asked, “What are you seeing when you look at us?”

Her mouth opened then closed and she shook her head and averted her gaze.
“Nothing.
I’m just tired.”

“That’s what you said when you looked into the mirror.” He moved closer, waiting until her gaze returned to his. “It might be important. Tell me what’s happening.”

She blew out a breath and crossed her arms. Rubbing her hands up and down, she was clearly debating what to tell him. “In the casino, when I first noticed you, I felt this strange rush of heat. I thought it was just because you’re…” She made an awkward gesture toward his face, “Better looking than the average tourist, but when you grabbed me, it felt like an electric current passed from your body into mine.”