In Darkness Reborn

by Alexis Morgan

  And she was going to make sure he knew it.

  She pretended an interest in the current readings from Mount Rainier, letting Barak cool his heels behind her. After a bit, she glanced over her shoulder in his direction.

  “Glad to see you finally showed up.”

  His pale eyes narrowed and his lips twitched as if wanting to smile. However, his face remained impassive as he said, “My apologies. I would’ve arrived earlier if I’d known that Devlin Bane wanted to see me.”

  Darn, she hated it when she was full of righteous indignation and the target for her temper was both polite and apologetic. “Yes, well, don’t let it happen again. Undependable help is worse than no help at all.”

  Barak nodded. “I will endeavor not to be late again, Dr. Sebastian.”

  There he went again, being polite when she wanted to fight. What was it about him that had her feeling all edgy? It wasn’t as if he was crowding her, but it felt that way. She wrote down some numbers she didn’t need and moved further down the counter. He followed her, still maintaining his distance.

  “How are you feeling today?” she asked.

  Barak frowned. “Fine.”

  His tone said clearly that he didn’t want to discuss the subject. Too bad.

  “Does your kind always get sick in high places?”

  There was no mistaking the temper in those pale eyes now. “My kind, as you put it, vary in their reactions to things, just as your kind does.”

  So she’d hit a nerve. “Sorry.” Not that she meant it. “I should have asked if you always get sick in high places.”

  “I don’t know. That was my first trip to the mountain. Are there any other rude questions you want to ask?” He stepped closer, as if trying to intimidate her with his height.

  Thanks to Penn and his friends, she’d learned early on to ignore such behavior. She stepped closer, crowding his personal space with her hands on her hips. “I’m not asking to be rude, Barak. If you’re going to be a liability, I need to know that.”

  Standing so close to him made her painfully aware of him, just as she had been yesterday on the mountain. She’d lived her life surrounded by Paladins, all of them the biggest, toughest guys in town, and size and muscle meant little to her.

  Yet something about Barak made him sexy and virile. She backed up a step, appalled that she would even think such a thing about him. Even though he was dressed in human clothing, and had learned some of their ways, he was still an Other—one who had killed her people and invaded her world. He should have died or gone back to his own kind.

  Something of her thoughts must have conveyed themselves to him. He crowded her again, pinning her against the counter without even touching her.

  “I will not be a liability to you, Lacey.” His rough voice and odd cadence made her name sound like a caress, sending a deep shiver of awareness through her.

  She had to regain control of the situation. “Look, Barak. I’m sorry that Devlin’s interference got us off on the wrong foot this morning. Why don’t you continue reading through those manuals on the machines while I finish calibrating them? When you’re done, we’ll talk about any questions you might have.”

  She slid to the side, turning her back to him. She could still feel the heat of him standing behind her, but he didn’t speak for several seconds. Finally, he walked away. She let out a breath and willed her hands to stop shaking.

  For several minutes she concentrated on her research until she gradually became aware of Barak staring at her with a puzzled look on his face. When she glanced in his direction, he looked away.

  “Is there something you wanted to ask me?”

  He frowned. “I was wondering if someone else had been in the lab this morning.”

  “Not that I know of, but it wouldn’t be unusual for one of the others in the department to stop in to check the readings. Even some of the Paladins come in for the same reason if the mountains are restless. Why are you asking?”

  “Some of my notes are out of order.”

  Lacey set down her clipboard and walked around the end of the counter to where Barak stood. “Maybe it happened the last time you shuffled through them. I do that all the time.”

  “Perhaps you are right,” he said, although judging by his frown he clearly didn’t think so.

  “Let me know if you notice anything else out of place. I don’t always lock up when I’m just running down the hall for something, but I can.” Most of what they did wasn’t secret; still, she didn’t like the idea of anyone messing around with their stuff. “I’ll have a key made for you, too. It wouldn’t hurt to tighten up security a little bit.”

  She didn’t have to remind Barak that there were those who might not appreciate his sudden addition to the geology staff. Barak’s intrusion into their close-knit community was bound to ruffle a few feathers.

  When she’d contacted the IT department to set up Barak’s access to the department computer programs, they had flat out refused. She’d asked her boss to intervene, but he’d been almost as bad. Finally they’d set up a restricted e-mail account for Barak, but that had been all.

  How was he supposed to work without using the computers? She planned on talking to Devlin Bane to see if Cullen Finley or D.J. would be willing to perform a little of their magic on Barak’s behalf. If not, she’d have to think about letting him use her password, although that idea didn’t sit well with her, either.

  As she moved away, she could have sworn she’d heard Barak sniff. Maybe he was developing allergies to this world. If so, she hoped they made him miserable enough to want to return home. If that happened, they’d all be better off.

  Except perhaps Barak himself. Which bothered her more than she cared to admit.

  What were those damned Paladins thinking of? It was one thing to have that freak emptying bedpans for Dr. Young, but now they’d given the Other a real job in the geology department. Ben hadn’t believed it was true until he’d checked, and sure enough, the spooky-looking bastard had been escorted in by Trahern himself.

  Penn Sebastian seemed to be the only one truly troubled by the decision to allow the Other into the Center, but he didn’t like anyone getting near his little sister. More than one guy had been warned off asking her out, and they’d been human. Having his mortal enemy working right beside her must have the wounded Paladin ready to chew nails.

  A weakness Ben might just be able to exploit. Maybe he’d offer to bring Penn a sandwich for lunch. He’d have to be careful how he approached the man, but a few lunches or a cup of hot coffee now and then would be a cheap investment in what could be a useful relationship. At the very worst, Penn would growl, but even the most wary of beasts could be tamed with patience.

  Penn shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position. The hours dragged by as he watched over the alley that led directly into the Center. He rarely had to do more than simply sit in his pile of squalor. Most of the fine citizens of Seattle sped up slightly as they passed him, trying to act as if he didn’t exist.

  A very few dropped money in the rusty peach can he kept on the edge of his blanket. He supposed he should feel guilty about taking their money, but he didn’t. Hell, he probably made their day for them, sending them on their way feeling good about their efforts to help the less fortunate. Besides, considering all that he’d risked and lost fighting an invisible war, the least they could do was buy him an occasional cup of coffee.

  He doubted Lacey would approve of his attitude, but he wasn’t too happy with her lately, either. What was she thinking of, working with Barak? When he’d found out that she’d spent a whole day with the bastard out on the mountain with no one along to protect her, he’d seen red. Then when he’d tried to talk to her—well, yell at her—about the stupidity of what she’d done, she’d rolled her eyes at him and walked away, leaving him staring at her back in frustration.

  That stubborn determination to take care of herself was what worried him most. He understood her need for independence, but she wasn�
��t like him. She could be killed all too easily. His hand flexed painfully, reminding him that even he wasn’t completely impervious to injury.

  Footsteps had him sliding his hand under the blanket to grip the Glock he kept there. He’d never had call to use his weapons to defend the entrance to the Center, but there was always a first time. Especially now when Devlin was letting a damned Other wander the streets of Seattle as if he belonged there.

  “Relax, Penn. It’s just me, Ben Jackson.”

  Penn glared up at the intruder, the man’s face shadowed with the afternoon sun at his back. He eased off the trigger but kept the gun in his hand. “What do you want?”

  “I’m going to the deli on the corner to get a sandwich. Coming out this side of the Center is closer.”

  “Next time call ahead to warn me, or you might get your head blown off.” Penn was only half kidding.

  “Sure thing, Penn. I should’ve thought of that.” The man took a few steps, then turned back. “Hey, since I’m coming right back by here, do you want me to bring you anything?”

  Normally Penn might have accepted immediately, but the words seemed practiced, making him wonder if the man’s whole purpose in coming down the alley was to make that offer. But to what end? He reluctantly nodded. “Sounds good.”

  “What would you like?”

  Again, that subtle note of eagerness. “Whatever you’re having will be fine.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Penn leaned back against the wall, keeping one eye on the technology specialist until he disappeared around the corner. Maybe the man was just being friendly. As Lacey had pointed out all too often, his mood lately had been pretty bad. It wouldn’t hurt to loosen up a bit.

  He reached for his wallet, grimacing in pain when he forgot and used his sword hand. He hadn’t been doing the exercises the doctor had ordered as much as he should. They were damn painful, and he’d only had limited success in improving the mobility in his hand. But if he was ever to return to the tunnels, he needed to get past the pain and work those damaged tendons. Biting his lower lip, he slowly began a double set of reps.

  He was just finishing up when his lunch arrived. He accepted the sandwich and cold drink after offering his thanks and a ten-dollar bill to cover the cost.

  When Ben tried to give back part of the money, Penn shook his head. “Don’t sweat it. This is a far better lunch than I would have had. I appreciate it.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure.” Ben checked his watch. “I’d better get going. I want to finish this morning’s crossword puzzle before I have to go back to work.”

  Penn grinned at him. “Let me know if you figure out what eight across is. I must have some wrong letters in there because I can’t make any sense out of that part.”

  Ben disappeared down the alley as Penn took a bite out of his sandwich. After washing it down with a long drink from his pop, he studied the crossword puzzle again, hoping for inspiration to hit while he finished his lunch.

  * * *

  Chapter 5

  A sense of unease had plagued Barak all morning and afternoon because of the faint scent that might or might not have been out of place. He hadn’t been in this world long enough to develop a feel for how things should have been. Until he did, he could only rely on his senses to keep him safe.

  And his nose was telling him that it was no coincidence that the man whose scent he’d caught near the alley entrance that morning had also been the one who had rifled through his notes, leaving them slightly out of order. Had he done so on purpose, as a warning? He could have just been waiting to talk to Lacey and picked up the papers out of curiosity.

  Barak didn’t think so. Or why would the intruder have gone to such lengths to avoid being seen by Lacey? No, someone was checking to see what Barak was doing in the geology lab—perhaps someone who thought he might be a threat.

  There had been no trace of the blue stones in the man’s scent, but that didn’t mean much. Unless the stones came into direct contact with someone with the talent for working them, they acted just as any other jewel might, reflecting available light and not much else.

  The Regents weren’t about to allow a manhunt through the underground offices, so he’d have to rely on luck to find his elusive quarry.

  “Why don’t you break for lunch, Barak?”

  Lacey walked out of her office, bending from side to side to stretch out her back. The action emphasized her soft curves and narrow waist and his body flashed hot and hard with need. Ever since meeting her, his nights had been plagued with dreams of her in his bed, her bright blue eyes filled with smoky desire and those long legs riding high around his hips. He glanced back at his notes to keep her from seeing the heat in his gaze.

  He about fell off his chair when she put her hand on his shoulder as she reached past him to flip his book closed. “Come on, Barak, you’ve been reading those manuals for almost four hours without a break. Not even I could stand to study them for that long without giving myself a headache.”

  “I have to admit my attention has wandered a bit the past few minutes.”

  “I can see why. I’m surprised you can keep your eyes open.” Lacey stepped back, giving him room to stand up.

  “I believe I will go out for a bite. Would you care to join me?” The invitation slipped out before he could help himself.

  For a long second, he thought she considered accepting, but then she frowned and shook her head. “No thanks, but I appreciate the offer. I brought something from home.”

  The idea of going out just lost its appeal, but he couldn’t very well change his mind without making her suspicious. That he would also have to contend with Penn Sebastian going and coming increased his reluctance to leave the building.

  He headed for the door, wishing that he could come up with a legitimate excuse to stay. At the doorway, he paused for one last look in Lacey’s direction. To his surprise, she was watching him walk away. She blushed when he gave her a parting nod before stepping out into the corridor. For the first time in hours, he felt like smiling.

  That lasted as long as it took him to reach the door that led to the alley. He’d rather not fight with Penn Sebastian, but the alley was the only way in and out of the Center that he’d been shown. It was unlikely that anyone would allow him free access through the rest of the complex to find another way out.

  But that wasn’t all that was bothering him. That elusive scent was back. He slowly turned in a circle, testing the air in each direction. The sickening sweet smell of cheap aftershave combined with male sweat came from the direction opposite the geology lab, reinforcing Barak’s conviction that the man had been snooping around rather than having been here on legitimate business.

  The real question was why.

  To his surprise, the scent was strong in the alley as well. It would be a simple matter to ask Penn who had recently passed by him; the hard part would be to get the irascible Paladin to give him a straight answer. Even if Penn liked Barak, which he didn’t, the Paladin would wonder why Barak wanted to know. No, until he had more concrete evidence that something was amiss, he would have to keep his concerns to himself.

  Not even Dr. Young or Devlin Bane knew what Barak was capable of when it came to the five senses, or that he had one or two extras thrown in for good measure. He planned on keeping it that way.

  He made sure to make enough noise walking down the alley to alert the quick-tempered Paladin that he was coming. However, he had almost reached the street end of the alley before Penn Sebastian even noticed, because he was too busy eating a sandwich.

  Barak walked by him without saying a word, thinking it was the first time he’d have managed to get by Penn without a fight. Barak’s luck ran out at the sound of a gun being cocked. He froze between one step and the next. Careful to make no sudden moves, he slowly turned back around.

  “Thought that might get your attention.” Penn’s teeth gleamed whitely. “No one said anything about you leaving the building alone.”

&n
bsp; “I’m on my lunch break.”

  “You’re still leaving alone.”

  Barak grew weary of having his every action watched. “So?”

  “So, I don’t like the idea of you contaminating any of the local restaurants. You’ll just have to go back to work hungry.” Penn nodded back in the direction of the alley. “As much as I’d love to shoot you right where you stand, I’d rather not have to fill out all the paperwork to explain why you deserved to die.”

  That did it. He had to take orders from Devlin and even Trahern, but damned if he’d listen to the likes of Penn Sebastian. The man might have the right to be bitter over the injury to his hand, but he didn’t have to wallow in his misery, let alone take it out on everyone around him.

  For Lacey’s sake, he wouldn’t kill the obnoxious bastard, but he’d sure enjoy leaving him bruised and battered.

  “Who’s going to stop me from leaving?”

  “We are.” Penn aimed dead center at Barak’s chest. “One shot from this little baby, and we’ll be hosing your blood off this sidewalk.” And liking it, too, if the smile on Penn’s face was any indication.

  “Do you use this same charm on everyone who passes by, or do you save it just for me?” Barak held his breath, hoping to get the answer he needed.

  “Just you, freak. When one of the IT guys walked by a while ago, I was the picture of charm. Now get back inside or bleed. Your choice.”

  No way that was going to happen. Barak took a couple of reluctant steps back toward the alley, all while sensing Penn following his every movement, his gun aimed straight at him.

  At the last possible second, Barak charged Penn directly. Just as he thought, the Paladin was reluctant to use the gun in such a public place. Instead, he came boiling up from his blankets to meet Barak head-on, both ready to beat each other senseless.