She grabbed the top of the door, not trusting her screaming leg muscles, and cursing the fact that her cane was out of reach. Then Adam was beside her, pressing her cane into her hand. “Take it slow,” he murmured.
She started for the hotel entry, stumbling as her leg gave out. Adam moved against her left side, his arm slipping around her lower back and creating a steel band of support. He kept her upright and moving forward. She squelched the protest that rose to her lips. Her aversion to him so freely touching her didn’t trump the embarrassment of falling flat on her face.
They entered the elegant lobby, with its large terra-cotta tiles polished to a high gloss, recessed lighting, dark paneled wood, Southwestern rugs, and the hushed murmur of voices that intimated money and prestige. Adam led her to an upholstered bench seat across from the check-in desk. “You’d probably be more comfortable waiting here,” he said.
She sank down, rubbed her throbbing leg. She didn’t even want to think about what a mess she was, with her filthy pantsuit. She probably stood out like rough home-spun in the midst of this Spanish Colonial elegance.
Adam strode to the desk and spoke with the clerk in low tones. No matter that he was in shirtsleeves, and a muddy, rumpled shirt at that. He radiated authority and power, and a smooth sophistication that garnered him deferential treatment. He also radiated something else, something Julia had been trying to ignore since she first met him—a raw magnetism and an aura of sensuality. Several of the female clerks and guests gave him appreciative glances. He appeared oblivious to them.
But he didn’t seem indifferent to Julia, and unfortunately, she was becoming increasingly aware of him as a man, even at a distance. Damn. She did not need her libido coming to life after a dozen years, most especially not with Adam. Telling herself that didn’t seem to stop her heart rate from accelerating as he walked back to her.
Just a physical response to the conductor/Sanctioned energies, she told herself—physical being the key word here. She had a powerful intellect, and she believed in mind over matter. She could—and would—control her reactions.
Adam offered a hand and helped her up. They walked to the gilded elevators in silence. He didn’t speak unless he had something to say, a trait Julia appreciated, since she was the same way. Outside of her classes and her family, she lived a solitary existence.
He pushed a floor button, and the doors whispered shut. “We have a parlor suite,” he said, as the elevator started up. “I believe you’ll find it’s very nice.”
Julia remembered the two adjoining suites they’d had when they’d been in Dallas hunting the Belian bomber. “There’s no plural in that phrase. Don’t you mean suites?”
“No. We have one suite with two bedrooms. Because of the situation, I felt it would be best to keep you close.”
Bad enough to have to put up with Adam for several days; to be in the same rooms with him would be maddening. Plus he probably had some ulterior motive for sharing a suite; he didn’t do anything without a reason.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” she protested. “Surely this can’t be more dangerous than tracking a crazed bomber was.”
“I don’t know how dangerous it might be. I’ve got a missing Sentinel who may be possessed by a Belian.”
“Possessed?”
The elevator stopped and the doors opened.
“Let’s discuss this after we’re settled.”
Julia’s thoughts were whirling. Possessed? This was beginning to sound like a B horror movie.
“I know the past two days have been stressful for you,” Adam said. That was a definite understatement. He stopped before a door, didn’t bother with the electronic card key. Instead he made a quick motion with his hand, and the red light blinked to green.
“Show-off,” Julia muttered, still thoroughly irritated over the single suite. She knew arguing would be futile. Her only option was to march downstairs and get her own room. That should only cost about, oh, four or five hundred dollars a night. She could afford it for a few nights, but still—
“Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of much downtime.” Adam ushered her inside with another of his smooth moves.
They were in a small foyer area, with a richly carved, marble-topped dark wood commode with a matching mirror above it. Wrought iron light sconces flanked the mirror, and a large bouquet of fresh flowers sat atop the commode. Julia looked around the sumptuous room.
The upholstered sofa and love seat, both with a bank of matching pillows, looked surprisingly comfortable, and a soft brown throw was draped over the love seat arm. The lush beige carpeting and creamy walls balanced the massive furniture and dark colors. Across from the sofa, two sets of glass-paned doors obviously opened onto a balcony overlooking the Riverwalk. Everything about the room screamed “expensive,” yet it looked inviting and functional.
Impressed despite herself, Julia said, “Not too bad.”
“I’m sure you would have preferred a Days Inn. I’m glad you’re not disappointed.”
He was a smart-ass as well as devious and controlling. “I’ll make do.”
He gestured toward a door at the end of the room. “I’d prefer you’d take that bedroom, and let me have the one closest to the entry.”
She understood he was taking the role of protector, placing her farther from possible danger, and she accepted that. He was much stronger and a very powerful being, and she would be foolish to deny it. She had enough battles to pick with him. “Fine,” she said.
“Our luggage should be here shortly. I’m sure you want to clean up and change.” His gaze swept down her. “And I know your leg is hurting. Perhaps a soak in the tub would help.”
“Thank you, Doctor Masters. Do you think you can manage to stay out of my bathroom this time?”
Humor gleamed in his eyes. “I’ll try to avoid the temptation.”
“Try very hard,” she suggested. Turning, she made her way to the end of the large room, stepped into the bedroom, and closed the door. She didn’t lock it. Why bother? There was no stopping Adam if he wanted in.
She looked around the bedroom. It was just as impressive as the front room, with a king-sized bed, a massive wood armoire, and small accent tables with Spanish-style lamps. There was a desk with an upholstered leather chair and an ornately framed mirror above it.
Julia went to the bathroom door and sighed with appreciation. Marble countertops were lined with luxury products, and the marble sunken tub looked heavenly. She had to admit Adam had good taste in hotels.
She noticed the thick white robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door, and decided she didn’t need a change of clothing before she bathed. She stripped, tossing her bedraggled suit on the leather desk chair, and indulged in the luxury of a long soak.
When she came out of the bathroom, feeling semihuman again, she saw her suitcase sitting on a luggage stand, and her business case and computer placed by the desk. The discarded pantsuit was gone. Making a mental note to add her bedroom to Adam’s off-limits list—obviously mentioning only the bathroom had been a tactical error on her part—she got dressed.
As she ran a comb through her damp hair, she smelled fresh coffee. While she rarely allowed herself more than two cups a day, she suddenly craved some. She’d missed lunch and felt the need for something to take the edge off her unusual fatigue and sharpen her wits—a definite necessity around Adam Masters.
Grabbing her cane, she went to the door. She could hear Adam talking and assumed he was on the phone. She opened the door, started out, then stopped in surprise. He wasn’t alone. A young, dark-haired man stood before the French doors, glaring at Adam, who sat on the sofa, seemingly relaxed.
“Why won’t you tell me where Matt is?” the young man demanded. “I’m certain you know.”
“No, I don’t.” Adam’s voice was low and calm.
“You have to know something,” the man insisted, vibrating with tension. “You’re Sanctioned. You’re intentionally keeping me in the dark, a
nd I want to know what’s going on. Just because you’re over me doesn’t mean you have the right to lie to me.”
“That’s enough.” Steel edged Adam’s voice. “You’re out of line.”
The young man’s jaw clenched and his hands fisted. He opened his mouth to speak, but Adam held up a warning hand. “Stop right now. Get control of yourself. You don’t want to go against me on this.” He turned his head to look at her. “Julia. Please join us.”
She hadn’t been in his line of vision, but she wasn’t surprised he’d sensed her presence. “I think I should give you two some privacy to talk,” she hedged, easing backward.
“No. This involves you, too.” He gestured her forward.
Reluctantly, she came into the room, aware of the young man’s gaze on her cane. She stopped beside the couch, feeling the animosity he radiated.
“Julia, this is Sean Stevens,” Adam said. “Sean, this is Dr. Julia Reynolds. She’s—”
“I know what she is,” Sean hissed. “She’s a fucking conductor. We don’t need her involved in this. She has no business being here.”
He started toward her, but Adam came to his feet in a superhuman blur. “Enough!” Stepping in front of Julia, he held up his hand. Peeking around his broad frame, she saw light flare from his palm. Sean stumbled a few steps back. “You’d better calm down before I’m forced to take disciplinary action,” he told Sean.
Sean stood there, his chest heaving. “Think carefully about what you say and do next,” Adam warned him. The young man stared at him with a smoldering gaze, but remained silent.
Trepidation coiled through Julia. She didn’t want this to escalate further, didn’t want to see what Adam could—and would—do to this obviously distraught young man, who was also a Sentinel. She could sense the faint connection now that she focused on it. Not the startling jolt she experienced with Adam, but a resonating thread of energy.
“When you’re ready to sit down and discuss this in a rational manner, then I’ll tell you what I can,” Adam said.
She felt the power humming below his utterly calm exterior, had to admire his control. Apparently Sean realized he was on shaky ground and managed to reign himself in. “Fine.” He sat on the love seat, slouching back carelessly, although his hands remained clenched.
“Have a seat, Julia.” Adam moved out the heavy coffee table and took the middle of the couch, closer to Sean.
Resigned, she sat on his right. Sean glowered at her. Interesting, since she’d assumed that conductors—not that she was accepting that assignment—were in demand and valued by Sentinels.
“Dr. Reynolds is a conductor,” Adam said. “But that’s not why I’ve brought her here.”
Sean’s dark eyes narrowed. “Oh, so she’s just your piece of ass on the side? And I thought the Sanctioned were celibate bastards—” His voice ended on a gurgle and he raised a hand to his throat.
“Since you won’t shut up, I’ll do it for you. I’ll also restrain you, if necessary. Your decision.” Adam’s voice was low, unemotional, despite the tension in the room.
“Maybe I should leave you two alone,” Julia said. “I’m obviously making things worse.”
“No. I want you here.” Adam looked at her. “Matt is Sean’s mentor, and has been since Sean was thirteen. Sean is understandably upset about Matt’s disappearance, but Sean has no excuse for his behavior and lack of control.” He looked back at Sean. “Matt trained him better than that.”
Julia saw the flash of emotion on Sean’s face and her heart went out to the young man. “He’s just worried about his mentor,” she said softly, then went into professor mode. “Why don’t we all settle down and start over?”
Adam asked Sean, “Are you willing to hear me out now?”
Sean gave a stiff nod and dropped his hand. Tried to speak, his voice returning, but cracking. “Y-yes.”
“All right, then.” Adam leaned back. “As I was saying, Dr. Reynolds is not here to assist in conductions”—he glanced at her—“at least not at this time.”
Oh, not at any time, she thought.
“She is here,” Adam continued, “because she is a high-level precognitive. If she can access Matt’s energy pattern, she might be able to tell us what he’ll do next, or where he might go.”
“In other words, to track him like some animal,” Sean snapped.
Adam gave him a long, level look. “No, not to track him, but definitely to help us locate him.”
“We don’t need her to do that. I’m sure there’s some reason for Matt to be gone.” Desperation hitched Sean’s voice up.
“You know he would never disappear without letting us know his plans. Or go a week without contacting me,” Adam replied. “Something is wrong, Sean, but I’m not yet certain what it is.”
“He’s not dead. He’s not! He can’t . . . be.” Panic leached the color from the young man’s face.
“No, he is not dead. I can tell you that much.”
Relief swept Sean’s face, followed by determination. “I want to help you find him.”
“Until I know the situation, I’m not going to risk any of my Sentinels. You need to let me take care of this.”
“He’s my mentor, and my father, damn it!”
“You will either step back, or I’ll send you away until this is resolved.” The steel returned to Adam’s voice, and Julia knew full well he’d back up his ultimatum.
Sean apparently realized that. He muttered, “Fine.” He stood, grabbed a leather jacket slung over the love seat back. “I’m out of here.” He strode to the door.
“Wait,” Adam ordered, rising.
Sean stopped, shooting a resentful glance his way. Adam walked over to him. “That includes you staying away from the house. Don’t go back there again.”
“Fuck that! It’s my home, too.”
“But you also have an apartment now. I don’t want you at Matt’s.”
Sean looked away, his jaw clenched. “That house is still home to me.”
Adam reached out, clasped his shoulder. “I understand that you’re upset,” he said. “That you’re worried about Matt. I give you my word that finding him is my top priority.”
Sean swung back around, his eyes glittering. “And then what are you going to do?”
“Everything I can for him. You have to trust me on this.”
“I don’t have any choice, do I?”
“No, you don’t. But I still need you to do your job. I want you to monitor all possible Belian activities in San Antonio, and check in with me every day.”
Sean shrugged. “Yeah, sure. Whatever.”
“Then I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Adam dropped his hand and stepped back. “Walk in Light.”
Sean jerked open the door and left without another word. Adam closed the door, stood there a moment.
“I feel for him,” Julia said. “He’s just a kid.”
“He’s twenty-four years old, and he’s also a Sentinel. He knows his duty, and he knows he must maintain control in every situation. I refuse to accept less from him.” He looked at her. “You may think I’m a coldhearted bastard, but my chief concern is always the welfare of my Sentinels and conductors.”
“I know that.” And she did. Adam certainly had a ruthless side, but he did have a conscience—of sorts—and apparently, a heart. She remembered how he’d crouched over a critically injured Luke in Dallas, his expression fierce as he channeled energy into Luke’s wounds, his harsh voice raw as he ordered the Sentinel to stay with him. He had literally willed Luke to live.
“You handled Sean well,” she added. “You could have busted him. I’m glad you didn’t. He’s acting out under duress.”
“He’s always been a tough case,” Adam said. “His Sentinel father was killed when he was just a few months old. His mother was a drug addict, and he grew up on the streets of Los Angeles. It took a while for the Sanctioned there to track him down and get him away from his mother.”
She felt a new wave of compassion.
“That’s awful. How did he get to Texas?”
“We felt it was best to get him away from the bad influences in Los Angeles. Matt wasn’t mentoring anyone, and he and Susan had no children. They were delighted to take in Sean. He rebelled a lot at first, but came around eventually, and became devoted to them. They legally adopted him when he was fifteen. Susan’s death shook him up almost as much as it did Matt. And now Matt is missing.”
“Leaving Sean upended,” Julia said. “No wonder he’s so hostile. There’s a lot of fear and grief beneath that anger.”
“I understand that, but I can’t allow him to forget his purpose or training.” Adam walked over to an alcove that had a dining-sized table with six chairs. Good grief, just how big was this suite? Going to the coffeemaker on a sideboard, he poured two mugs of coffee.
“Sean is too powerful to let his emotions dominate his actions. Self-control and discipline are crucial traits for Sentinels.” He returned to the sofa, offered her one of the mugs. “There’s no room for emotional reactions, or questioning my orders.”
“Of course not, Mr. Macho Sanctioned. That would be too difficult on your ego.”
Adam sat beside her. “You’re the only one who truly challenges me.”
She sipped the excellent coffee, sighed. “How did you know this was what I wanted?”
“Just a guess. You still look tired.”
“Gee, thanks. And you look—” She eyed him, noting the black trousers and charcoal gray cashmere pullover sweater, which showed off a very nice physique. Not going there. “A little casual. And here I thought you even slept in a coat and tie.”
He shook his head. “Acerbic wit must run in the family.”
Julia wrapped her hands around the warm mug. “Why was Sean so upset that I might be a conductor? Can’t a conduction help track Sentinels?”
“Not in theory, no. Sentinels operate out of the upper three spiritual chakras, which vibrate at a higher level than the four Earth-based chakra energies of Belians. That’s why Belians can’t readily track Sentinels—they can’t access the upper-level resonance. During a conduction, a conductor amplifies the Belian’s energy signature that the Sentinel has already absorbed, and helps create a psychic lock on the Belian. But it doesn’t work the other way.”
Touched by Light Page 9