Touched by Light

by Spangler, Catherine

  Adam took her arm and started walking toward the car. “I said it was in discarnate form, not that it still is. The fact that it was here, in Matt’s house, and that I can only sense Matt intermittently, leads me to believe the Belian has possessed him.

  “Not only that, but the Belian that was at the IMAX last night was in a human body, although its image was blurred, so I couldn’t see what it looked like. Since you had a vision about the IMAX fire after I transmitted Matt’s energy pattern to you, it can’t be a coincidence.”

  “So Matt is possessed by a Belian?”

  “I believe so.”

  Which meant they would indeed be tracking Matt down. Damn. Julia started to say just that, but a sudden flash of mental images sent her reeling. Caught in the throes of a precognitive vision, she stumbled and fell against Adam. Then she lost all awareness of everything but the unfolding vision.

  ADAM rose early the next day, did his prayer and meditation rituals, and then spent an hour on his laptop, reading reports from his Sentinels and sending directives. He’d spent three hours the previous evening doing the same. Belian activity was extremely high in Texas right now. The only positive aspect of that was that the Sentinels working for him were too busy to speculate about his presence in San Antonio.

  He’d never faced having to take out one of his Sentinels, and it didn’t sit well with him. Unfortunately, and especially in view of Julia’s latest vision, which had occurred spontaneously, without any push from him, there was a good possibility that he might have to kill Matt.

  Troubled, he shut down the computer and got ready for a workout in the hotel exercise facility. He might be a Sanctioned, but he had to keep his human body in shape. He looked in on Julia before he left the suite. She was sound asleep, burrowed under the covers.

  Her face and one arm were uncovered, giving him a glimpse of the poodle-print pajamas. She was one of the quietest sleepers he’d ever known. If he hadn’t been able to see her aura, he’d have been tempted to make sure she was breathing.

  In sleep, her relaxed expression lent her a youthful and innocent appearance. But awake, her face was animated and challenging. He liked that Julia the best. He also enjoyed the surprising aspects to her normally predictable personality.

  In truth, he found her absolutely fascinating and—under certain circumstances—delightful. He knew she was disciplined and could be pedantic, but then she’d show that caustic wit and do something unexpected. Like drinking the better part of a bottle of merlot last night, after they’d returned to the hotel and discussed her vision. She’d also indulged in the chocolates left during the turndown service—both hers and his.

  Making a mental reminder to get more chocolate and wine, he left a note for Julia by the coffeemaker, and went to work out.

  When he returned an hour and a half later, she wasn’t in the suite. Her bed was neatly made, and her laptop and briefcase were gone. But there was no note. He checked with the lobby desk to see if she’d left a message, but there was none. Concern and irritation snaked through him. Where would she have gone?

  Closing his eyes, he focused on her, reaching for her unique energy pattern. He could call forth the energy signature of every Sentinel and conductor in Texas, all of which he initially absorbed and then stored in a spiritual “cache,” for lack of a better word. Sanctioned could tap and manipulate otherworld dimensions that transcended Earth’s limited parameters. It was the only way they could handle all the energies they had to absorb and manage.

  He readily found Julia’s signature, felt her vibration, clear and strong. But that didn’t tell him where she was. Keeping his focus on her energy, he quickly changed from his workout clothes and headed for the lobby. She wasn’t there, and he decided to take the Riverwalk exit, although he couldn’t believe she’d be foolish enough to go there after what she’d seen last night.

  But she had. Her vibration grew stronger as he came outside, and it was easy enough to track her to the Riverwalk level of the hotel’s elegant Las Canarias restaurant. She sat at one of the linen-draped tables, working on her laptop. A plate of fresh fruit and a croissant and cup of coffee were set off to one side. It was a clear, cool morning, and the sunlight reflected gold and red shades in her hair.

  Adam strode over to her. “Good morning, Julia.”

  She glanced up, an annoyed expression on her face. “Adam.”

  “Mind if I join you?”

  “Do you really care if I mind?”

  “No.” He pulled out the chair to her right and sat. “What are you doing here?”

  She gave him her professor look. “I’m eating breakfast. Lots of normal humans do it. By the way, I put it on your tab.”

  So she was in testy mode this morning. He leaned back in the chair. “Why did you leave the suite without telling me?”

  “First off, you weren’t there. Secondly, I wasn’t aware you were my social secretary.”

  “I am responsible for your safety. You’re certainly aware that, according to your vision last night, the Belian could be attacking somewhere along the Riverwalk.”

  “I am responsible for my own safety, Mr. Macho. I’m a big girl, and I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”

  One disadvantage of the challenging aspect of her personality that often intrigued him was that it could also be annoying as hell. “A rampaging Belian with a gun trumps a stubborn female, even one with an attitude. You’re smart enough to know that.”

  “I know I saw a man shooting into a crowd, and I know it was on the Riverwalk.” She gestured toward a group of elderly tourists taking photos of the water. “But there were a lot more people than there are right now, and it wasn’t here. The Riverwalk winds all over the place. There’s no telling where the shooting will actually occur, unless we can walk or boat the entire area and see if I can spot it.”

  She had a point there. In Dallas, her precognitive ability had given her extremely detailed and accurate visions of events before they happened. She’d been able to visually identify one of the bomber’s targets and give Adam enough information for them to locate a second target. But this was a different scenario.

  “We’re possibly dealing with a being more powerful than your garden-variety Belian,” he said. “Although this is a first for me, I can only assume that if a Sentinel and Belian are sharing a body, then the powers of both come into play. If the Belian is in control and can harness the Sentinel’s powers, then the danger increases exponentially. A healthy dose of fear and caution would be appropriate here.”

  Julia’s lips firmed. “I’ve got experience with monsters. I’ve faced terror and pain. I’ve also faced death. I refuse to let fear paralyze me, or keep me hiding behind locked doors. I—God.” She clenched her hand into a fist. “Today is Friday. It’s Friday, and he’s being turned loose.”

  Closing her eyes, she drew a shuddering breath. “I won’t let it undo me. I won’t.”

  That’s why she was so reactive today. It wasn’t anger, but fear. The man who’d enacted her worst nightmare—only it had been real—was once again free in the world. A powerful surge of protectiveness flowed through Adam. She shouldn’t have to endure this.

  “Julia.” He reached out and clasped her clenched hand. “Bennett won’t get anywhere near you. He’ll have to go through me first, and that will never happen.”

  She looked at him, her eyes anguished. “You can’t be with me forever, Adam. I can’t count on anyone besides myself. I’m the only one who can face my demons and defeat them.” She pulled her hand free, and struggled to compose herself.

  We’ll see about that, he thought. She was not facing Bennett alone.

  A waiter approached the table. “What can I get you, sir?”

  “Just coffee, black.” Adam looked back at Julia. Some of her color had returned.

  “Besides,” she continued as the waiter left, “if I had to put up with you all the time, I’d go stark raving mad. I haven’t done anything to deserve that much punishment.”r />
  “I think you’ve got it backward. I would be the reward.”

  “Talk about arrogant,” she muttered, picking up her coffee.

  “Why don’t we talk about a game plan instead?”

  “Gee, I don’t know if I have time. I have to attend Aunt Willie’s funeral. You do remember that?” She set her cup down. “I also scheduled lunch with Dr. Curtis on Wednesday, assuming we’re here that long. That’s the earliest date she’s free. And I have you to thank for this fun event.”

  “The credit really should go to the Belian.”

  She rolled her eyes. “So not buying that one. All right then, what do we do now?”

  “What you mentioned earlier is probably the best plan. We need to cover the Riverwalk and see if we can locate the area you saw in your vision. We could start by—” A thrashing sound from the manicured shrubs behind them interrupted him.

  “Let go of me, you creep!” shrieked a female voice.

  “Goddamn it! That burns like hell!” came a familiar male voice.

  “I told you to let me go! I’ll spray you again, I swe—ouch!”

  Adam came to his feet, turning to see Sean dragging a struggling young woman out of the lush landscape. Sean’s face was red, his eyes watering. The woman, who had spiked hair dyed several shocking shades and looked very familiar, managed to twist and knee him in the crotch. Adam winced as Sean doubled over, but the young man didn’t release his hold.

  Instead he shook her like a rag doll. “Bitch!” he yelled.

  “Bastard!” she yelled back, slinging her backpack at him.

  “Sean! What the Darkness is going on?” Adam demanded.

  “Miriam!” Julia gasped.

  Adam sensed Julia coming to her feet, felt her coming to his side.

  The young woman’s head whipped around, and he realized why she looked familiar. She was the woman from the bar—also Julia’s student, and someone he’d recognized as a potential complication.

  Miriam White had just become a real problem—and a big one.

  EIGHT

  FRIDAY morning, Miriam hitched her backpack purse over her shoulder and left the hotel. The air was crisp and clear, the sun was shining, and it promised to be a nice day. She’d driven to San Antonio last night, figuring it was best to do whatever it was she was meant to do, and be done with it.

  She’d been lucky to find a room at an older Comfort Inn close to the Riverwalk. San Antonio enjoyed a healthy tourist trade year-round, although the busiest part of the season had pretty much wound down. However, the upcoming weekend was the San Antonio Oktoberfest celebration, and a lot of people would be in the city for that. But she had a room and was set to go.

  Now, to locate Dr. Reynolds. Miriam had a general idea of where to look, because she’d used her pendulum over a map of San Antonio this morning. It had gyrated most strongly over a section of the Riverwalk between St. Mary’s and Navarro. That made sense, as the strongest concentration of San Antonio hotels were clustered on or near the Riverwalk.

  She figured she could walk the area and continue to use the pendulum. If that failed, she’d call Dr. Reynolds’ cell phone. Not ideal, as she preferred the “Oh Dr. Reynolds, what a surprise. I never thought I’d run into you here” approach. But she’d do whatever it took.

  She walked to Commerce and turned east. Then she turned on St. Mary’s Street and walked the short distance to the Riverwalk. As always, it was like entering a different world, a cocoon of stately trees sheltering the gently lapping waterway: the old-world ambience of the hotel and restaurant patios, huge umbrellas, and potted plants, intermingled with the energy of people, music, and mouthwa tering scents. She had always loved the Riverwalk, despite the masses of tourists.

  Now to find Dr. Reynolds. Miriam strolled along, scouting a good spot to pull out the pendulum. As she slowed, eyeing a vacant bench, she happened to look up toward the multilevel terrace of a hotel restaurant just ahead on the right. There was Dr. Reynolds, sitting at a table and working on a laptop. Miriam stumbled and nearly fell. What incredible evidence of the Universe orchestrating events. Serendipity in full force.

  A little stunned, despite her conviction she was meant to be here, she debated what she would say to her professor. She started toward the table, turning phrases over in her mind. Then Adam appeared in her peripheral vision, striding toward Dr. Reynolds. Shit! She did not want to tangle with him before she had a chance to talk to Dr. Reynolds.

  Dr. Reynolds gave Adam a look that was far from welcoming; he pulled out a chair and sat down. Miriam edged closer, hoping to hear their discussion. A waiter approached the table, and she turned around, in case Adam looked her way.

  Peeking around a few moments later, she saw the waiter was gone. She picked out a large palmetto tree closer to the table for a cover. It wasn’t very broad, but it was her best option. She sped to the palmetto and hunkered down. Setting her backpack on one side, she slid her legs out, as if she were just resting there, and hoped they didn’t notice her. She could hear them clearly from here.

  “I have you to thank for this fun event,” Dr. Reynolds was saying.

  “The credit really should go to the Belian,” Adam replied in that odd, rasping voice.

  Miriam leaned around, saw Dr. Reynolds roll her eyes. “So not buying that one. All right then—”

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” came a harsh male voice near Miriam.

  She looked up to see a dark-haired man bearing down on her, his expression fierce.

  “What?” she managed, before he grabbed her arm, jerked her up. “Hey!”

  His dark eyes blazed. “I saw you sneaking around the tree, spying on Adam. What are you up to?”

  “I’m not doing anything. Let me go!” She tried to shake free, but he had an iron grip. So she kicked his leg instead.

  He merely grunted and tightened his grip. “Who are you? Why are you watching Adam?”

  She didn’t care if he knew Adam. No one manhandled her. She slid her hand inside the front pocket of her backpack, wrapped her fingers around her pepper foam. “Let me go, or you’ll be sorry.” She thumbed the canister safety off, just in case.

  “Like that’s going to happen.” He yanked her away from the tree. “We’ll just see why you’re lurking and spying.”

  “Let go of me, you creep!” She pulled out the foam and let him have it in the face.

  He reeled back, but kept his hold on her arm. “Goddamn it! That burns like hell!”

  “I told you to let me go! I’ll spray you again, I swe—ouch!” She hissed as he practically jerked her arm from its socket and began dragging her toward the terrace. Furious, she twisted and slammed her knee into his crotch.

  He gasped and doubled over, digging his fingers even more painfully into her arm. He shook her hard. “Bitch!” he yelled.

  “Bastard!” she yelled back, slinging her backpack at him. She couldn’t believe he was still on his feet and still had hold of her.

  “Sean! What the Darkness is going on?” came another male voice.

  “Miriam!”

  Crap. That was Dr. Reynolds.

  Gasping, she looked around. Both Adam and Dr. Reynolds were on their feet, staring at her. The game was up.

  “Miriam White, I believe?” Adam asked.

  She nodded, glared at the man still painfully squeezing her arm. “You’re hurting me.”

  “Sean, let her go,” said Adam.

  The younger man, apparently Sean, shook her again. “But we don’t know what she’s up to.”

  Dr. Reynolds strode forward, and rapped her cane sharply against his back. “Let her go immediately.”

  With a frustrated gesture, he released Miriam. His face was bright red and swollen from the pepper foam and his eyes were watering. She couldn’t believe he wasn’t howling in pain.

  “I’m trying to protect you, and I get hit from all quarters,” he muttered.

  “Step away from the girl,” Adam ordered.

  “Fuck it
, then.” Sean strode a few steps away, emanating fury.

  “That’s enough.” Adam told him. He turned around, his gaze sweeping the startled diners on the terrace. Several of them had cell phones out. “Everything’s fine,” he called out. “Just a lovers’ quarrel. Sorry for the disturbance.” His attention shifted to Miriam.

  She sidled toward Dr. Reynolds, who put a comforting arm around her. She sighed in relief. She knew her professor wouldn’t let those two lunatic guys near her, realized on an intuitive level that Dr. Reynolds could hold her own with Adam. And he was definitely the one in charge, the one with the power. Today Miriam didn’t even have to concentrate to see the light blazing around him.

  “So, Ms. White, what are you doing here?” he asked.

  “I told you already,” Sean snapped. “She was spying on you. Hiding behind that tree there and watching you.”

  The game was definitely up. “Yes, I was observing you,” Miriam admitted, meeting her professor’s questioning gaze. “Not spying, really, but watching. I wanted to talk to you, Dr. Reynolds. But I didn’t want to interrupt with him there.” She gestured toward Adam.

  Adam’s eyes narrowed. “And why is that, Ms. White?”

  “Oh, stop with the interrogation routine.” Dr. Reynolds hugged Miriam against her. “The girl is trembling. She’s been manhandled by one of your testosterone-laden lackeys. Look at the bruises on her arm.” She swept her free hand along Miriam’s exposed lower arm, and Miriam winced. She could see the dark splotches already forming.

  Dr. Reynolds turned her toward the table she and Adam had been at. “We’re going to sit and let this poor girl settle.” She gave Sean her most intimidating professor stare. “And you, young man, are going to calm down and start acting like a responsible and rational Sentinel. You owe Miriam an apology for your behavior.”

  “Me? She’s the one who sprayed me and kicked me in the balls. All I did was shake her a little.”

  “You’re far more powerful than she is, and if you have the usual Sentinel abilities, you could have just immobilized her with your mind.”