Bride of the Night

by Heather Graham

CHAPTER NINE

 

  THE DREAM OF THE VISION came again, soon after she lay her head on the pillow.

  She wasn't with Lincoln in the White House. She rode in his carriage with him as they traveled through the mall.

  "One day," he said, "there will be many buildings here. The American people will create museums to rival those around the world. We're young, a fledgling nation. But united again, we will grow strong, and on our principles, we will stand against the world. "

  "You believe that, sir. That the nation will heal the great rift. "

  He was silent for a minute. "There will always be those who seek revenge. There will always be those men who see themselves above others. But this great nation has been forged on the backs of pioneers and great thinkers. Oh, I'm not a blind man. I have seen the way that I am lampooned in the papers. But I think holding fast does not so much influence today as it does tomorrow. Look at the world around us, Tara. War is as old as man. But we are the new world-we are an ocean away from the old world. We must cling to one another to be a bastion against the old world. "

  "You believe the war is coming to an end. "

  He smiled. She had so seldom seen him smile. "Yes, I believe this. "

  His smiled faded.

  "What is it?" she asked him.

  "I have had a dream," he told her.

  "What is the dream?"

  "I awake. I hear tears. I am in the White House. I come along the corridors, and there are so many tears. I see no one, but I can hear the soft sound of crying. And at last I come to the East Room, and when I'm there, I see a catafalque. And I ask someone, 'Who has died to cause this sorrow?' They tell me, 'The president is dead. '"

  Tara was silent. Then she said, "That is only a dream, sir. I have come to tell you so many times that as much as you feel you must be a man of the people, you must take great care, as well. I believe, as you do, sir, in the goodness of humanity. But as you have said, there are always those who will seek revenge. "

  "Don't fear for me. I am surrounded by friends, and those who guard me. "

  "But you must let them be with you at all times, sir. "

  "The war is drawing to an end. "

  "Especially because the war is drawing to an end. There will still be great and horrible battles, sir. And mostly, those who blame you, North and South, for the deaths of their loved ones. "

  "Look at the mall, Tara. One day, there will be a great museum here-"

  "No, no, you can't think about the museum right now, sir! You must worry about your safety. Don't you see? You are having the dream because you are in danger!"

  She tried to reach the president; she couldn't. Suddenly, someone was holding her back. She began to struggle and kick, and then her eyes flew open. "No, no, let me go! Don't you understand? I have to reach him! I-"

  "Tara! It's a nightmare!"

  The room was lit by only the pale glow of a lamp. The candle within it had almost burned to the end. But in that soft illumination, she saw Finn's face before her. She saw the curious red glint in his dark eyes, and the dark concern that knotted his features. She was cold where he did not touch her. She was afraid. Afraid enough to forget all logic.

  She threw her arms around him, trembling as he held her.

  He didn't push her away; his arms encircled her. His fingers stroked soothingly over her hair and down her back.

  "It was a nightmare," he told her.

  "It's not a nightmare," she told him. "It's. . . I'm with him. Somehow, I'm actually with him. "

  "Him?"

  "Lincoln. President Lincoln. I was with him in his carriage, and he was telling me about a dream. . . he had a dream about his own death. He saw himself in the White House, people were crying, and when he asked about the commotion, he was told that the president was dead. "

  Finn eased himself back from her. "No," he said, and the sound of his voice was harsh.

  "I have to reach him!" she whispered.

  He was silent, and then pulled her against him again. "All of us fear for him, Tara. All of us who admire and love him. But you're having a dream, and nothing more. "

  "I wish I believed that," she said.

  He pulled away to look into her eyes. "It's a dream. You know, by the very fact that I am here, that we take every threat very seriously, and will stop at nothing to see that he is safe. Tara, I will find Gator. No matter what it takes, I'll find Gator. "

  "You'll find Gator," she whispered. "You'll find others. You'll stop the people in the crowd when he is speaking, and you'll find those who offer the kind of threat that you see. But this has been a long and bitter war, and some people don't see. They don't believe that evil-with supernatural power-is out there. "

  His fingers ran down the length of her hair again and was silent for some time. "I'll see that you're able to meet him," he told her at last. "And you'll know that you've been dreaming. "

  She lowered her head. "Really? You believe me?"

  "Yes, Tara, I believe in you. Now-"

  He started to pull away. "Don't leave me," she said.

  "Tara, I can't stay like this. . . with you," he told her.

  She was silent for a moment, looking at him.

  "But what if I don't want you to go?" she asked softly.

  "Tara. . . "

  She slipped her arms around his neck, meeting his eyes. "I don't mind being compromised. And I know that I'm your prisoner, and that you risk compromising yourself. I will not try to escape you. I don't wish to escape you. I am innocent-as is Richard-of any attempt to enjoin in a conspiracy. "

  He groaned softly. "But I must still take you to Washington. "

  "Indeed, you must. " She smiled. "You've promised me that I will meet the president, after all. "

  She touched his face, something she felt she had longed to do forever. Her fingers stroked his cheek. He caught her hand. "Tara, I don't take advantage of-"

  "Ah, but Agent Dunne, I believe I am the one taking advantage of you. "

  He caught her hand, met her eyes and eased them both back upon the captain's bunk. For a moment, he stared into her eyes.

  And then he kissed her.

  His mouth was gentle, and then firm. His lips teased upon hers, and then formed hard upon them. When his tongue slipped into her mouth, she felt as if an exquisite heat burst forth within her. He played there long with his lips and tongue, kissing her in a way that ignited longing in her limbs-indeed, in every fiber of her existence. She returned the kiss, eager to learn, and more eager to satisfy. His mouth broke from hers at last; they were both breathless as they stared at each other. He nearly ripped his jacket and shirt from his body, and she remembered when she had first seen and admired his naked chest, when they had been diving, and the sun had glittered down upon him.

  She pressed her lips to his throat, and his chest, and she felt the shuddering within the man. His finger fell upon the buttons of her dress, and she relished the touch of his hand against her naked flesh. Even as they disrobed in a tangle of clothing, she felt his kiss, and his hands. And when they lay naked and panting together, she was aware of the corded strength in his limbs and torso, and the fire that just being so close together seemed to burn within her. Again, he kissed her, and then she felt his lips as they began to ease down the length of her body. His touch, gentle and like a feather brush against her throat, the lightest graze of his teeth against her, the caress of his mouth on her breasts. And then her abdomen, her kneecaps, her thighs. She lay stunned and still at the sensations that arose within her, and then she swallowed down a cry as his hands gripped her hips and his kisses roamed even more intimately and she felt something like an explosion. She gasped, catching his shoulders, rising against him, drawing him back to her while she trembled as she found his mouth again, and feverishly rode her kisses over his shoulders and chest.

  He pressed her back to the bunk again, his eyes on hers as he moved himself easily between her thi
ghs, and came into her with a slow, sure thrust that took the greatest care. And then, when she felt the force of him, he began to move, so easily at first, his eyes never leaving hers. She stared back at him, entranced, and then she felt the growing wonder once again, and instinct took over and she began to move, too. She gasped, and eased her mouth to his chest again, and felt the hunger begin anew, something that made her body react in a way as old as time. She arched and clung to him, finding a rhythm that brought her gliding with him as gracefully as the dance, and as haphazardly as the roll of the ship upon the waves. Shimmering ecstasy spun and swirled before her. Even as they melded together, she seemed to forget everything in life except for the need, and the man entangled with her. Then there was an explosion within her, and she felt as if the world had rippled with fireworks, and there could be nothing wrong in heaven, or even in hell if she was there with him. She felt his extreme tension, something so taut it seemed like molten fire, and then he eased himself against her, drawing her to him.

  They lay in silence for long moments, and she relished the way that he held her. Tara caught her breath, and felt the cool night air wash over her, easing the burn in her body. She wondered if she was mad, or if she had simply given in to something she had craved so much, and told herself that the consequences, whatever they might be, had been worth something so desired. She wondered at his thoughts as she lay against him, and so she turned to him then, seeking out his eyes.

  "I meant what I said-I would not compromise you in any way," she said softly. "I will remain your prisoner, and I will answer to any court. I will make no attempts to escape you. "

  "I know," he said quietly.

  He rolled over on an elbow, looking down at her. He touched her face and said, "You have been on my mind since that day at Gettysburg. I couldn't bear, for one, that you had escaped me. Pride, you see. But beyond that, something about you haunted me. And when I caught you on the island, I knew, of course, what you were, and I was stunned that I had you back in my life, no matter the circumstances. And though I fought it in my own mind, I was jealous of Richard, thinking that you loved him. "

  "I do love him. "

  "It was hard for me to imagine such a brother," he said softly.

  "But he is my brother, really," she said, smiling.

  "I know that now. And I know, as well, that you are like me, that you are like your family. And I have seen how you dream of Lincoln and fear for him. I believe in you. And still, the die is cast. "

  She reached up and touched his hair. She knew that his loyalty and his commitment to his work was part of what drew her to him. What made her admire him, and want him so very much. "I wouldn't have it any other way. I will face any charges. I would stop Gator myself, in any way that I could. "

  "I see rough times ahead," he said.

  "Whatever they are, I will not regret. . . you," she told him.

  He pulled her into his arms again. They held fast, close for a moment, and then she felt again the incredible sensation of his sleek nudity, and the moment of comfort became something else again, quickly. She was strong, and she rolled atop him, caught his hands, leaned down and kissed him, and the kiss deepened. Then, again, in the night, as the ship sailed ever closer to the Union garrison, she forgot the future. She began fluttering her kisses against him; she teased, and he allowed her to do so until he took control, pulling her strongly against him. She was one with him again, and the world seemed to escalate all around her. She was heedless of it all, wanting only him.

  CAPTAIN CALLOWAY SAT behind his desk in his command office at Fort Zachary Taylor, staring at the men before him with incredulity plastered upon his worn face.

  "Let me see if I have this straight, gentlemen," he said. "You went after a blockade runner, lost a ship, but then caught the blockade runner, and found another Union ship with monsters aboard? I believe that you both might be in serious need of long leaves!" He stood at the last, staring at them.

  "Captain Calloway!" Finn said. "I assure that we are of sound mind. This is something I know about because the capital was recently made aware of the disease that claims and kills men-but makes each victim a machine of death in himself. Harpers Ferry was just so plagued in the midst of war. It is a very real threat. "

  "We returned here to warn you of this threat," Tremblay said. "We might have continued on, sir, but we feared for the men at the fort, and for the citizens of the island. "

  "The Rebel-loving horde!" Calloway said, sniffing his dismissal of the danger. "We have had the organization of troop movement to the north from here in the days that you have been gone. General Newton received information that the Confederate, General Milton-son of the state's governor-was reinforcing troops to the west of the state. We are down in numbers here, and I cannot be worried about the fates of men and women who would spit on my men if given the chance. Especially for some such ridiculous report about diseased men attacking. "

  Tremblay walked forward and slammed a fist on Calloway's desk. "I have long served the Union with my passion and my life. And you will listen to me now, sir! I saw these beings in action. They set upon my men with the fury. We found all aboard the Union ship I then commanded dead. Or in the final throes of dying of the disease. You must understand this. The danger could be coming here. "

  "We are a sound fort. We can withstand the rabble on the island, and we can withstand any assault by sea," Calloway said.

  Finn hesitated. "No, you won't be able to withstand it, sir, because you won't know when it's coming, and you may not know when it's here. It's like a disease, sir. One man gets it, and then others are inflicted. And it could happen within the walls of the fort without your ever realizing it's begun. "

  "This is insanity!" Calloway said.

  "I swear to you that it is not. Ask any man who was with us on our ill-fated voyage," Tremblay said.

  Calloway sat again, staring at them. "I admit to being stunned, gentlemen. What would you have me do? You caught a blockade runner-one who fired at you and sank a Union vessel! The captain of that runner must face trial-since he made war on us, he should be hanged!"

  "No, sir. He should not," Tremblay said stoutly. "When we were besieged, he fought with us. And he saved many of my men, no doubt. "

  "And he is still my prisoner, under special authority of the Pinkerton Agency," Finn said, staring at the captain.

  Calloway tried to return the stare; he looked away.

  "So, Agent Dunne, you still intend to take these prisoners to Washington. You believe one of them to be your Gator? Perhaps we could solve your dilemma now with a hanging. "

  "No. Captain, I'm not in the business of killing men. My goal is information, to lead me to those who aren't just at war, but those who believe that murder might well be a sanctioned part of war. That's not what the president wants. Lincoln is now planning for the day when we are one people again. When the North does win the war-which is inevitable-he wants to heal the land. The point of peace is that men will stop killing other men. I have to ferret out the truth regarding Gator. I don't believe that Richard Anderson is Gator, nor do I believe that the young woman, Tara Fox, is involved in any kind of espionage. I do believe that, perhaps, somewhere in their minds, they may have information that will help me to ferret out Gator. They may not even realize that they heard something somewhere, and it may come to them at some point. "

  Calloway threw up his hands. "So, Tremblay, what do you say? What would you have me do now?"

  "Give me another ship," Tremblay told him.

  "And warn the men. I need to speak with the civilian authorities on the island, as well-warn them about what may happen," Finn said.

  "Captain Calloway, my good man!" Tremblay said, indignant. "The mission could have been completed. We had an injured ship on hand, but-"

  "There should be an inquiry into this!" Calloway bellowed, looking from Finn to Tremblay.

  Finn looked at Tremblay and they both shrugged. "Indeed
, there should be an inquiry. Call the men in here, sir. Call every last man. "

  Calloway stared at him. "You may be a Pinkerton, sir, and you may be chosen by the president himself, but you're talking like a madman. I will bring them all in!"

  "Please do so," Finn said.

  "Gentlemen, if you will get out of my office?"

  Finn and Tremblay looked at each other again, and exited as instructed. They walked out to the sally port and stood there waiting. A young officer passed them by, obviously headed off to summon the others who had been on the ship.

  "No one believes," Captain Tremblay said.

  "Until they are faced with the truth. And, of course, survive it," Finn said.

  "And yet, you've known," Tremblay said, watching him.

  "I told you, there have been other outbreaks," Finn said.

  "But there's something special about you, Agent Dunne, isn't there? And something special about that young woman who saved my life, also. "

  Finn shrugged, looking away. "We know what can happen, that's all. Tara heard the tales when she was young. "

  He started; there was a hue and cry near them. He saw that someone had come across the walkway, and was seeking entry.

  Walking to the gate, he saw a tall Indian man in a calico shirt and blue denim breeches talking to the guard.

  He strained to hear what was being said.

  "I have come for Tara Fox!" the large man said loudly. "You are holding a civilian, and you have no right to do so. I will take the girl home, and see that she is safe! And there is more, if you will be men and not military men, not Northern or Southern. There is a danger that awaits, and I can help prepare you for it!"

  "Seminole Pete," one of the men on guard murmured.

  "Let him in! Let him see the commander!" another said. "It's Pete. He'll stand there until he's heard, and before you know it, we'll have a whole contingent of Key West citizens disrupting all in the barracks!"

  The gears began to grind; the gate was opening.

  Finn sensed someone behind him; it was Richard. He knew that before he turned around; he had become attuned to the man.

  But Richard wasn't looking at him; he stared at the tall, stoic Indian who had come.

  "Pete!" Richard cried, stepping forward to embrace the man.

  "Richard. " Seminole Pete greeted him in return. "Tara-where is Tara? I heard that you two were here, confined, but I see you-"

  "We are prisoners, Pete, but I was just summoned before the fort's commander to give credence to the story that we returned to tell. Tara is fine. And-"

  Richard had seen Finn standing there, and was about to introduce Finn and Tremblay to Seminole Pete, Finn thought, but a young officer interrupted Richard. "Sir! I am to return you to your cell!"

  Pete had a grip on Richard's arm, and was about to challenge the officers. Finn stepped in quickly. "There is no harm being done your friends, Pete. "

  "This is Finn Dunne, Pete," Richard said. "He will tell you what happened. You need to see the commander here when they bring you in. Let him know that the people must be warned, and that the fort shouldn't be alarmed if they arm themselves in their homes, that their target isn't the fort or the Union. "

  Richard looked at Finn, and he knew he was being implored to see that no harm came to Seminole Pete.

  "Pete, if you'll spend a few moments with Captain Tremblay and me while you wait?" Finn asked.

  Pete nodded; his face gave away no emotion. His tall, stalwart body remained stiff. His posture was that of a ramrod.

  Finn gave Pete a hasty summary of events, starting from the sea battle until their return to the fort. Pete listened; he winced when he heard that Richard's ship had exploded, and that the crew had gone down, and his jaw tightened when Finn described the attack on the island.

  "You think it will come here?" Pete asked him. "I had only heard rumor this morning. People were talking about the return, and about an attack on the island that was not Seminole, not white. Not human. "

  "We don't know," Tremblay said. He sounded indignant as he added, "However, we returned here to bring warning of the menace, to tell people how the enemy must be killed to-to stay dead. And that fool does not want to listen to me. " He hesitated, looking at Pete. "You believe what we are saying?"

  "My people have been aware forever that there are many enemies a man may find on earth-some are flesh and blood, some are in the mind and some are true monsters," Pete said. "I believe your story. I will tell the commander that I have heard of such attacks before, and that he must listen or he will have the people on the island in revolt. And that if the disease becomes an epidemic, no fortress walls can protect him. "

  Charles Lafferty exited the commander's office, and came toward them. "He's asked to see the Seminole. " He nodded toward Pete. "We've all told him what happened. He seems to think that we're victims of some form of malady-a hallucinogen in the island's fruit!"

  "Agent Dunne, don't you have the authority to demand that he pay heed?" Captain Tremblay asked.

  "I am not military, Captain," Finn said. "He has no power over me, and I can demand my prisoners, but I can't command the man to believe what he won't. "

  "I will speak," Pete said. He lowered his head to them, and then turned and headed for the commander's office. He stood well above most men, and his long, straight black hair only amplified his height and his size.

  "Pray God, he can make Calloway have some sense!" Tremblay said.

  The tension in the little group waiting seemed to grow. It was hard to imagine, of course, that the fort could be taken by any small group of men-or even monsters. The thick walls rose for three stories. It was cut off from the mainland, save for the walkway. The fort was exceptionally advantageous, surrounded by water on three sides, and its strength had been fortified by the building of the east and west martello towers on the mainland. The fort was well supplied with cannons; the Rodman and Columbiad cannons had a range of three miles.

  Seminole Pete was in with Captain Calloway for what seemed like a long time.

  And then the two men emerged.

  "Agent Dunne, I will summon all I can to the inner grounds so you may give them a presentation on what to watch for and how to combat this enemy-should it arrive among us. We will be prepared. It's better to prepare for the preposterous, as I have been led to believe, than fall prey to it. Tremblay, if you will summon your seamen, sir, I will see to those on duty here at the fort!"

  It seemed odd, standing beneath the bright Florida sun on a day when the winter's chill seemed to break, when it was almost hot standing beneath the brilliant blue sky, trying to explain what might occur, what men should watch out for-and how they must be on guard for danger from outside the fort-and from within. He was sure that most of the men watched him with the same disbelief as Captain Calloway had done, but others listened to him with grave attention.

  Hopefully, in the end, enough listened. They might not believe, but if enough listened, they might have a fighting chance.

  When the men were dismissed, Captain Tremblay came to him. "So, sir, I have been given leave to take another ship. Do we stay, and hope to help if action occurs? Or do we set sail as quickly as possible? Apparently, though Calloway longed to dismiss our tale, his orders regarding you were stanch-you were to have all assistance, a decree that apparently came to him straight from the secretary of war, Mr. Stanton. "

  Finn smiled. Thank God that Stanton, among others, believed heartily in the manifold dangers to the president.

  "We'll bide two nights, and take our leave," Finn told him. "I don't know whether the danger will come here-or if it will follow us. One way or the other, we will stay and watch tonight, and tomorrow night, and then we will once again sail northward. "

  TARA KNEW THAT RICHARD was in a rough prison cell with other men who had been taken for various reasons. Some were blockade runners as well, and a few were dissidents from the island. A few
were drunkards who liked to talk too freely, and torment the Union soldiers when they were on duty in the town.

  Her own "prison" was not so rugged; she had been locked in a room just steps up from the yard. She was kept above barracks due to the men of the fort, and she had heard their speculation and whispers the night before. Some of them longed to climb the steps, just to be near her. Some of them laughed crudely and spoke about being closer. For the most part, though, they were young men far from home, and longing just for gentle companionship.

  She had been offered no hardship; indeed, she'd been brought a real bath, with hot water. The young aide who had been in charge of her incarceration had been pleased to tell her that they managed to make the "facilities" work with the outgoing tide. She had a comfortable bed, and pillows, and her bag had been searched but then brought to her. There were a few books on a dressing table, and she was supplied generously with fresh water and plenty to eat.

  But it was frightening to be kept away from the others. Try as she might, she heard nothing but what the men said in the chambers below her, and they usually spoke as boys. She couldn't hear anything regarding Richard, nor her own status.

  Finally, she heard a commotion when the men hurried out to the yard, and she could hear Finn's voice, though she couldn't follow all his words. When he finished speaking, the sun began to set, and she found herself waiting, and then pacing, and then again trying to listen to the men beneath her as they spoke in their quarters.

  Some laughed.

  Monsters, indeed!

  Well, bring them on.

  Others seemed to be urging at least some caution regarding the threat.

  An officer entered to quiet the men, and call some of them to the walls for guard duty; soon after, it seemed that the rest below her fell silent, either keeping their thoughts to themselves, or weary from the day's work.

  At length, she heard the chain rattle outside her room. She walked quickly toward the door, and then hesitated, something inside her warning her to take care.

  As the door opened, she saw it was only one of the enlisted men, standing there with a food tray. "Evening, miss," he said. But he looked over his shoulder, as if afraid.

  Instinctively, Tara drew him into the room and thrust him behind her. The panic that touched his face made her bring a finger to her lips, shushing him.

  She waited, and thought that she had been wrong, that she had misread the soldier's expression.

  And then another man stepped into the doorway.

  The stranger was in uniform. Union naval uniform. But there was something about him that wasn't quite right. It was the way he moved, perhaps, or the strange angle of his head.

  She had never seen him before.

  Another moment revealed a still-healing scar on his throat. At one time this man had been dead.

  She had no weapons; there was nothing to grab.

  But the man didn't expect trouble. She didn't know him, and he didn't know her.

  "Ah, lassie, it's time for you to come out now. The commander has asked to see you, yes, that he has! Come to me, girl. I won't be hurting you!" He started to laugh, and she saw the saliva glistening on his teeth, which were becoming fangs.

  She thrust the poor seaman forced to do the monster's bidding far behind her, and set a hand on the bedpost. The seaman would see her, of course, but she had no choice. When the monster took a step toward her, she tightened her grip on the bedpost. The changed thing stared at her.

  "I'll enjoy every minute of this, the lead up to the taste of your sweet fragrant flesh. . . ?. "