The Darkness of Sable

by Faith Bicknell

  Sable sighed.

  Finally, she replied, “I understand now, Thomas, but the pain’s still there nonetheless.”

  “I know.” He fought hard to keep the hurt out of his voice. “I only hope you’ll trust me again.”

  “Let’s see what happens.”

  “Gerald?” Thomas said. “Take us to a beach.”

  Sable raised her head and looked at him. “Why are we going to a beach?”

  He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead. “I told you earlier I had something I wanted to tell you. We can take a nice, relaxing walk on the beach and talk.”

  She smiled. “That sounds wonderful.”

  Minutes later, the chauffeur parked the limo in a small beach lot. Thomas slipped his arm around Sable’s waist, and they strolled out along the boardwalk leading down to the sand. Signs dotted the banks and dunes, warning beachgoers about the sea turtle nests. Stars flickered above the inky ocean. The lights from the parking lot cast just enough illumination for Thomas to find their way out onto the sand. The surf pounded to his left.

  The wind blew in from the ocean, bearing the aroma of saltwater and fish. Stray wisps of hair danced around Sable’s face. She tucked the strands behind her ear and leaned into Thomas’s side.

  “What did you want to tell me?” she asked.

  Uncertainty tiptoed into Thomas’s heart and pulled at it like the beach sand sucked at his shoes.

  “Well,” he replied, hugging her. “I’ve been trying to talk to you about this for a while, but it seems like something always comes up to keep me from it.”

  “It’s not bad, is it?”

  He chuckled. “No. Well, I don’t believe it is, and I hope you don’t think so either.”

  “Okay. I’m listening.”

  “I know we’ve known one another for a while now and—”

  The growl issued from just ahead of them. The sound sliced through the noise of the surf, the tone angry, menacing. Thomas stopped and tightened his grip around Sable’s waist.

  “What was that?” she whispered.

  Adrenaline burst into his system. His senses grew more pronounced, and he caught the scent of cloves on the wind. “We’ve just been visited by some trouble, and it’s the jealous kind.”

  The growling escalated, growing louder, more dangerous.

  “I think we better go back to the limo,” Sable said, fear in her voice. Tremors raced through her body and into Thomas’s.

  The growl turned into a snarl.

  Thomas squinted into the darkness but only detected the dim outline of something. The snarls transformed into that of a furious beast.

  “Thomas?” Sable pulled on his shirt. “Let’s go b-back to the car.”

  “Back up slow and easy,” he said. “Don’t run and don’t turn your back on him.”

  “Him?” Sable began, walking backward with Thomas.

  Despite their feet slipping in the sand, he kept their steps in sync. As they neared the boardwalk, the sounds followed them, and gradually, a huge, shaggy black dog padded into the light cast by the parking lot’s security lamps.

  “That’s the dog I’ve been seeing everywhere,” Sable said. “The one I told you about. The one that always seems to show up where I am and watches me.”

  “That dog is Rick,” Thomas replied, keeping his gaze on the canine. He wanted nothing more than to charge him and beat him senseless.

  “Rick?”

  “Apparently he’s decided he’s going to go against the Judge’s wishes and wants you as his woman after all.”

  “Wh-what? How can that dog be Rick?”

  “He’s a Phooka. He can change into the form of an animal,” he whispered. Thomas’s heels touched the boardwalk.

  Sable wobbled, nearly falling flat on her back. He caught her arm and steadied her, his gaze riveted on the animal.

  “When I say run,” he said, “run like the Devil’s on your ass.”

  “Right.”

  “Get your feet on the planks. On the count of three,” he said.

  The dog snarled louder, more fiercely. The mane of fur around its neck stood on end, and the animal’s teeth gleamed in the lights. A seagull called in the darkness, as if urging Thomas to grab Sable and flee. If he could get her to safety, he could deal with the Paranorm. Anxiety assailed him. All it would take was a moment for the dog to knock her down, transform into human or Phooka form, and take her. Once Rick penetrated Sable’s body, she’d be under his control until he decided to release her or kill her. One way or another, you lousy Paranorm, I’ll kick your ass and send you packing.

  “One,” Thomas said.

  She placed one hand on the railing, poised to whirl and flee. “You better be right behind me,” she said.

  The dog growled harder, its tongue lolling out to lick its snout. Golden eyes blazed in the gloom.

  “Two,” Thomas said.

  The dog advanced on them.

  “Three!”

  Sable spun on her heel and pounded up the boardwalk, her footsteps hollow on the planks. “Driver!” she screamed. “Open the door!”

  Thomas stood his ground as the huge dog advanced, hackles up, long, gleaming teeth bared.

  “Back off, Paranorm,” Thomas warned.

  “You don’t have your weapons,” the canine said, its speech low and guttural. “What can you do to me? I’m a Paranorm, you’re just a human.” The dog lunged at him, teeth snapping, claws going for his abdomen.

  Thomas threw his arms up to block the blow, drawing upon his powers. A cool, invigorating sensation shot through his veins. He imagined ice, envisioned snow and intensely cold temperatures. The invisible power hit the dog, freezing him in midair. The animal’s body hit the sand with a hollow thud.

  “Thomas, run!” Sable screamed where she’d paused on the wooden planks.

  Thomas whirled and pounded up the planks after her. “Get in the damn car,” he yelled. “The magic won’t last long.”

  Thomas risked a glance over his shoulder. Already the canine had thawed, stood, and galloped after him, fangs bared, barks from Hell dogging Thomas’s heels.

  The chauffeur rushed to the back of the car and yanked the door open. “Ma’am, please get in!”

  Thomas closed the space between them. “Sable, move your ass!”

  The dog yapped and howled behind them. Sable raced across the asphalt.

  Thomas stretched his legs, racing faster. “Get in the car!”

  The driver turned and faced them. His eyes flashed red, and a rumble rolled out of his throat. Although Sable seemed momentarily startled by him, she managed to leap through the doorway and into the backseat, followed by Thomas, who slammed the door after them. The dog charged the limo, teeth snapping. Its body crashed against the metal with a loud thwump, and its muzzle hit the glass, leaving a snotty smear across it.

  Sable gasped and whimpered.

  “Be gone with you, Paranorm,” Thomas yelled. “Go now!”

  The animal slavered, fangs gleaming in the parking lot lights, eyes aflame with fury. Gerald advanced on the dog. He pointed toward the beach and said something that Thomas couldn’t make out, his face a mask of disapproval.

  Tail lowered, the canine cast one last look at Sable through the window and backed away.

  Gerald stared hard at it, and his eyes flashed red again. He turned and hurried around the hood of the limo. He settled behind the steering wheel. “Are you two okay?”

  “Yes,” Thomas replied, panting. “Take us back to our hotel, please.”

  “How did you freeze the dog like that?” Sable asked, her eyes round with awe.

  “Just a bit of my own magic,” he said, gasping from exertion. “No mortal is permitted among the Paranorms unless he or she possesses some sort of magical ability.”

  The limo started up, and Gerald drove out to the street, leaving the dog in the parking area.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Questions

  T he elevator doors closed, and Sable propped
herself against the back wall.

  “Doing something mundane like this makes everything that has happened the past few hours seem like a dream, doesn’t it?” Thomas said.

  Sable nodded. “But it did happen. Don’t forget that.”

  His chuckle overwhelmed the small lift. “No chance of that.”

  She had so many questions to ask him. She wanted to know more about Phookas and what had caused the schism of the paranormal worlds. First, however, she needed to know where to look or ask for information about returning Cheyenne to her normal human form.

  Thomas leaned over her, placing both hands on the wall at either side of her head. His dark gaze met hers. “The past few hours have made me realize something, though.”

  Sable’s questions died on her tongue as the elevator paused and the doors slid open. A bellhop of no more than eighteen boarded. He greeted them, cheeks reddening, and faced the doors.

  The lift rose, the sensation of shifting gravity tickling Sable’s tummy. She looked into Thomas’s eyes.

  The need to tell Thomas how she felt about him surged anew. However, what if he didn’t love her and only wanted to keep their relationship as business and sex? After her failed marriage, she didn’t think she could handle another rejection. He might work in a world of paranormal creatures, but he couldn’t deny the chemistry and emotions firing between them like missiles. Sable’s love for Thomas grew by the second, but if he didn’t feel the same way about her as well, she knew it would be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. The past few years, and especially the last few days, had been too much to bear without a breaking point.

  She raised her chin, tilting her head slightly to the side, and offered her lips to him.

  The elevator stopped, the doors slid open, and dimly, she heard the bellhop exit before the doors closed again.

  “You’re murder on my willpower, baby girl,” Thomas said huskily and claimed her mouth.

  Vaguely, Sable felt the elevator ascend again. The sensation played with her equilibrium and enhanced the intensity of his kiss. She opened her mouth to him, their tongues tentatively greeting each other. Thomas uttered a low groan and pressed her tightly to the wall, his hips grinding against hers.

  She sighed, smoothing her hands over his shoulders and locking her arms behind his neck. He smelled so good, so—her eyes flew open. Sable broke the kiss and looked Thomas straight in the eyes.

  “You!”

  He raised his eyebrows, his expression startled and perplexed. “What?”

  “It was you,” she blurted. How could she have missed it so easily? The clue had been right there under or nose, or rather tantalizing her nose. “You were the reason I escaped the monster that attacked me in the basement during the bar’s daylight time.”

  Sheepishness settled over Thomas. He nodded. “Yes, baby girl, I was there. It was and is my duty to protect you. That day I followed you and Hal to the building, but how did you guess it was me?”

  “Your cologne. I caught whiffs of it, and then kissing you now, I realized how I knew that fragrance.” The idea that he’d been invisible fascinated Sable. Excitement crept through her veins, and she found herself wanting to know more. “How did you fight that thing without me seeing you? Do you have more powers than just the ice magic I saw you do at the beach?”

  “Yes, I have other abilities, which is why the Judges approached me about working for them. I was taught some tricks and spells to aid me in my work. That day I used one of those magical tools to go unseen and to move quickly.” He looked uncomfortable. “It was stupid of me to make such a mistake. I must be losing my touch.”

  She shook her head. “Not at all. It means you were so worried about me you thought of nothing else.”

  Thomas smiled and drew her against his body. “That very thing is why the Judges threatened me about becoming involved with you. I can’t think clearly around you, baby girl.”

  She captured his lips, surprising him. Thomas uttered a pleased sound and slid his hands down her sides, around her hips, and palmed her ass. His kneading fingers prompted desire in Sable that spread straight to her pussy. She murmured her approval and pressed closer.

  Thomas released her mouth and said, “I really don’t want our exploits on security cameras, do you?”

  “No,” she breathed, her pulse pounding in her ears.

  “Let’s continue this in your suite.”

  The elevator stopped. Thomas took her hand, led her out of the lift and down the hall to her suite. Sable withdrew the keycard from her back pocket and swiped it through the lock’s mechanism, her thoughts on what Thomas would do to her body and the heights she’d climb to. The light flashed green, and the door beeped. She opened it, flipping the light switch just inside the door. A couple of lamps flickered on, the rest of the suite in shadows.

  Thomas kicked the door shut. “Come here.”

  She turned to him. He looked so handsome standing there, so caring. She wanted to trace the web pattern shaved into his beard and play with his cornrows. During their partnership, she’d put him through so much, but he’d weathered everything with her as if it were no more than another sunny day to him.

  And he’d been putting his life on the line for her.

  Regret awakened in her heart.

  “I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain in the ass the past few days.”

  “You’re not,” he said, taking her into his arms. “You’re a challenge, an enigma, and those are two of the many reasons you intrigue me.”

  Sable fidgeted, wishing she could change the past. “I understand why you lied to me for so long, and I’m sorry I’ve made things so difficult for you. I feel badly about what you’ve endured for my sake.”

  Thomas closed the distance between them. He cocked his head to one side and stared so intently into her eyes that it unnerved her. “Stop it,” he said.

  “Stop what?”

  “Always doubting yourself. Always worrying about everyone else. You have to learn to take care of yourself before you can help others.” He traced his index finger along her jawline.

  She stared into his eyes, wondering at the soft expression in them.

  He drew her braid over her shoulder and pulled the tie free at its end.

  Desire stirred within her, but she needed to focus. “I want to ask you something,” she said.

  “Go ahead.”

  She searched his eyes. A pinpoint of light like a brilliant diamond shone in their dark centers. He had such expressive eyes, but she couldn’t really read what was in them now. Too many emotions swept across them at once to discern one from the other.

  “Have you ever…?” Shame skipped across her body. Now that she had the opportunity to ask Thomas her question, she suddenly felt stupid.

  “Have I ever…?” he prompted.

  “I mean…in all your years of working for the Old World, you’ve met many different women, and I was just wondering if…” Sable bit off the rest of her question. He’ll think I’m insecure, or that I’m acting like a teenage girl. She gave herself a mental shake. Maybe I am insecure. She stared into his eyes. “Uh, never mind. It’s not important.”

  He flattened his hands on her lower back, pulled her hips against his, and placed a quick kiss on her lips. “Why do you always require words to heal your heart?”

  Sable gaped at him. How was it possible he was so attuned to her thoughts, her desires, and her needs?

  “Until you, I’ve never slept with a ward, let alone developed a relationship with one. It’s not allowed. But most of all, until you came along, Sable, I never had any interest in anyone in or outside of my job as Paranorm Marshal.”

  Embarrassment prickled her skin. “I’m sorry, Thomas, I just…”

  “Sable, you’ve been hurt by the man whom you believed you’d grow old with. I understand where you’re coming from. I was married once, too, remember?”

  Sable nodded and cursed the tears that stung her eyes.

  Thomas captured her m
outh, caressing the seam of her lips with his tongue. Each of her insecurities shattered into confetti to be tossed to the side and forgotten. Sable whimpered, reveling in the explosion of electricity that cascaded through her body. The need to have Thomas become one with her derailed every coherent thought attempting to surface in her mind. He cupped her ass and moved closer, rocking his hips so his erection rubbed against her lower belly. A delighted gasp escaped Sable.

  Thomas released her long enough to grab the hem of her T-shirt and pull it over her head. Her braid tumbled down her back. He threw the garment to the floor, took her hair again, and finished unbraiding it.

  “I’m going to make love to you,” he said, his voice rife with desire. “And you’re going to realize something when I’m done with you.”

  “Real—?”

  His finger on Sable’s lips silenced her. The corner of his full-lipped mouth twitched. “Now, take off the rest of your clothes.” He turned and walked across the suite to the bed, discarding his apparel, some of it landing on the sofa, other pieces on the floor. He kicked off his shoes, pushed his jeans and boxers down his long, muscled legs, and stepped out of them.

  Naked, he stood in the dimly lit sleeping area. The image he presented shot an arrow of longing through Sable. Oh, how she loved the man! Tall and muscled, Thomas’s body boasted hard planes and sleek lines. She unfastened her jeans as she strode toward him, her hair swaying around her while her heart thrashed in excitement and matched the throbbing between her legs.

  “Come here.” Thomas reclined on the bed and rolled to the far side.

  Sable admired how his muscles flexed and softened with his movements.

  “Lie next to me,” he said and patted the mattress again.

  She discarded the rest of her clothes and tossed a hotel robe over the foot of the bed for later. With the air conditioning swirling around her body, she crawled onto the bed, skin pebbling, and snuggled against Thomas’s warm form. The heat emanating from him reawakened her desire and calmed her troubled spirit.

  Sable traced her fingers down the ripped abs that led to his proud cock. She grasped it, stroking her hand up and down the shaft.