Sentinel? Powerful? Mental immobilization? Miriam sank gratefully into a chair at the table and wondered what she’d gotten herself into.
“I agree with Julia,” Adam told Sean. “You overreacted—again. I expect better from you.”
Sean looked chagrined. “I guess I went overboard when she sprayed me with the pepper. But I didn’t hurt her.” He cut his gaze to Miriam. “Sorry.”
“That’s a start,” Adam said. “Have a seat at the table. We’re going to sort this out.”
The waiter hurried toward the table, a carafe of coffee and a cup and saucer on a tray. “Is everything all right here?”
“Yes,” Adam told him. “It’s all resolved. Ms. White, would you like something to eat or drink?”
A bowl of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream drowning in hot fudge sauce would be a balm to her nerves, but she opted against it. “Uh, hot tea, please.”
Sean refused anything, and the waiter left.
Adam went to Dr. Reynolds’ chair, waited for her to sit and helped her slide it in. At least he has good manners, Miriam thought. But there was more to it than that—it was a protective, possessive gesture, if she was reading the energy right.
He took the remaining chair. “I’d like to know why both of you are here this morning.”
“I happen to live in San Antonio,” Sean said. “And I’m worried about Matt. I know what you said last night, but, damn it, I deserve to be in on this.”
Adam held up his hand. “We’ll get to that.” His dark, piercing gaze settled on Miriam. “Ms. White, I’d like you to answer the question.”
She wished she could consult her Tarot or have time to meditate on the matter, but she was in the hot seat. She honestly wasn’t sure what to say.
“Ms. White, we’re waiting.”
“Just call me Miriam.” She hesitated. “I’m here partly because of Dr. Reynolds, partly because of you, and because . . .” Oh, hell, just get it over with. “Because I’ve seen some things about you and had some dreams, and both my intuition and the Tarot cards guided me here.”
There. She’d said it. Miriam looked around the table. Dr. Reynolds looked startled and Adam looked thoughtful. Sean scoffed, “She’s here because of some wild dreams and some cards? I find that hard to believe. Just look at her. She’s a freak.”
He really was a jerk, one with serious anger issues.
“Be quiet, Sean,” Adam growled.
“Why would you think dreams and cards would have no credibility?” Dr. Reynolds asked Sean. “No one questioned my ability, or Marla’s, or Kara Cantrell’s. From everything I’ve seen, you guys employ all sorts of unexplainable phenomenon in your work.”
Miriam blinked in surprise. This was an unusual statement, coming from her highly intelligent and ultralogical professor. Of course, she still had no idea what was going on here.
“You’re absolutely right,” Adam said, with another warning look at Miriam’s new nemesis. “Sean knows that. So, Miriam, visions and other signs have guided you here?”
She nodded. “It started when you came into the Red Lion Pub on Wednesday. I could see that you were upsetting Dr. Reynolds, so I looked at your aura, and it wasn’t normal. Then I read the vibrations off the money you gave me and picked up some really strange stuff. That night, I started having weird dreams that involved you and Dr. Reynolds and . . .” She looked at Sean, realized he’d been the other person in her dreams. “Him.”
Ignoring his derisive snort, she went on. “I wasn’t sure what any of it meant, except that I was somehow involved and needed to do something. So I went to see Dr. Reynolds yesterday to try to talk to her about it.”
“She told me she had concerns about you, and that you weren’t normal,” Dr. Reynolds said to Adam. “That was a shocker.”
His attention remained on Miriam. “So you can read auras, and have psychometric abilities?”
“Yes.”
“And you’ve had precognitive dreams?”
“Not precognitive, really, just flashes of things. To be honest, nothing very clear or specific. I’m not sure I can even explain what I saw. But I think the purpose of the dreams was spiritual guidance, to bring me here.”
Adam kept staring at her, and she clasped her hands together in her lap. “You have the sight,” he said. “Gypsy heritage, I presume.”
She wasn’t surprised he was so perceptive. “I am from a Romanichal lineage. I have the sight with the cards and auras and sensing energies from items, but my abilities don’t generally show me future events.”
“Oh yeah, she looks like a Gypsy,” Sean sneered. “She has all those hair colors. The multiple earrings add flair. Must be the latest punk Gypsy look.”
“Be quiet, or I’ll use my cane on you again,” Dr. Reynolds told him.
“Miriam, how did you find Julia?” Adam asked. “She didn’t know where we were going to stay, so unless you had contact after we arrived, you couldn’t have known our location.”
Figuring she might as well go for full disclosure, Miriam tugged the chain from beneath her sweater, held up the quartz crystal. “I used this.”
Again, he showed no surprise or skepticism. “So you have dowsing abilities as well. Anything else?”
“That’s pretty much it.”
“Fascinating.” He sat back, drumming elegant fingers on the table. “What does my aura look like?”
So bright she almost needed sunglasses when she focused on it. “Mostly white light, without the other colors.”
“I expected it to be black,” Dr. Reynolds muttered.
Ignoring her, he nodded as if he already knew his aura was all light. “This adds a new slant to the situation. I believe Miriam is supposed to help us with our . . . problem.”
“Wait just a minute,” Dr. Reynolds interjected. “What do you mean? Are you telling me now that Miriam is a conductor? Back in Houston, you said she wasn’t.”
“Hell no, she’s not,” Sean said before Adam could reply. “Thank The One.”
Adam sent him an annoyed look. “No, she’s not a conductor. But there are many people in the world who have psychic gifts that can be useful. There’s a reason Miriam is here, and I have to trust that it’s providence. We need to utilize her abilities.”
“Yeah, to track down Matt. I know that’s what you’re planning,” Sean said. “I need to be part of it!”
“Perhaps you do,” Adam said. “Miriam, you’re certain you saw Sean in your dreams?”
She already knew the answer, but she studied the young man anyway. He had the same thick black hair, a little unkempt and down to his shoulders; the same dark, flashing eyes as the man in her dreams. His face was currently burned and swollen, but the strong, chiseled features were there, as well as the firm lips. When his skin healed, he’d be ruggedly attractive, if not for his arrogant and rude personality. Not to mention the anger.
“Yes, he’s the one.” Unfortunately.
“All right, then.” Adam looked around the table. “Let’s go up to the suite, where we’ll have privacy. We’ll explain the situation to Miriam.”
“Oh, no,” Dr. Reynolds said. “No. If she’s not a conductor, there’s no need for her to be here. Miriam, you should return to Houston. Forget all this weird stuff, and resume your normal life. Or as normal as it can be, considering your abilities.”
“I can’t.” Miriam stared helplessly at her professor. How could she explain that she’d learned the hard way it wasn’t wise to ignore very specific and direct guidance from the Universe? “I know I need to be here.”
“Miriam is astute enough to recognize a spiritual directive when she receives it,” Adam said. “And she’s conscientious enough to act on it. Would you ask her to go against her beliefs?”
“I would ask her to remove herself from a dangerous situation and let the so-called experts handle it,” Dr. Reynolds replied.
“Has it occurred to you that she is one of the so-called experts? She certainly has unusual gifts that lend themselves to
this situation,” Adam countered.
“Hey! I’m right here,” Miriam interjected. “And I am a responsible adult, capable of making my own decisions. Dr. Reynolds, I appreciate your concern, but I’m here for the exact reasons Adam stated. I’ve been directed here, and although my spiritual philosophy may be unorthodox, it is one I believe in. I’ve learned to pay attention and go with the flow—which brought me to San Antonio.”
Dr. Reynolds looked unhappy, but she raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. “I can’t fight the two of you.” She leveled a threatening gaze on Adam. “But I’m holding you responsible for her safety, Adam. I mean it.”
“Of course. I’m responsible for everyone here,” he said. “Now that we have that settled, let’s go up to the suite and explain everything to Miriam. She needs to know the facts. Then we’ll come up with a plan.”
Miriam guessed she was glad to hear that, because she sure didn’t know what was going on here, or who Adam and Sean were. All she knew was that she’d been hurled down the rabbit hole, and it was sink or swim.
They damn sure weren’t in Kansas, or anywhere approaching science and logic, anymore.
MIRIAM looked pale and shell-shocked—not surprising after everything Adam had just told her. Remembering how staggered and incredulous she’d felt when Adam had unloaded the we-are-supernatural-beings bit, along with some show-and-tell demonstrations, Julia could certainly relate to her best student.
“Let me get this straight,” Miriam said. “Atlantis really did exist, and there were the good Atlantians and the bad Atlantians, who were called Belians. The Belians were responsible for the destruction of Atlantis. Now they’re reincarnating on Earth in human bodies, as serial killers, mafia types, dictators—really bad people. The Sentinels are the good Atlantians, who are reincarnating on Earth to track and remove the Belians. Both groups have superhuman powers.”
“That’s right,” Adam said. “But despite those powers, we all have mortal bodies and can be killed.”
“So how do you track the Belians?” Miriam asked.
“It’s difficult, because they can shield their presence, which we can also do,” Adam explained. “Because of this, we sometimes bring in certain humans who are born to be conductors and enhance the Sentinel abilities. These conductors are always the opposite sex of the Sentinel, and often have their own psychic abilities.”
Sean shot Julia a glance and then walked over to stare out the French doors. She could just guess what he was thinking—about the hot, steamy sex that usually occurred between Sentinels and conductors. And the fact that she and Adam were precisely matched.
Knowing Sean probably thought they were engaging in wild conduction sex sent a flush of heat to her face, even though she and Adam would never come close to that. She felt a surprising regret about it, and mentally shook herself. Time to get back to reality.
“Actually, Adam and I are not doing any conductions,” she said. “My part in this is to allow Adam to feed me energy from Belian crime scenes, and try to get a precognitive vision from that.”
“Wow,” Miriam said. “Are you telling me you’re a pre-cog?”
“Afraid so. But I don’t see future events on a regular basis. Just when something—or someone”—Julia glanced at Adam—“triggers a vision.”
“That’s really cool. No wonder you didn’t hold up a cross when I told you I was intuitive.”
“One other thing,” Julia added. “Adam isn’t just a regular Sentinel. He’s a Sanctioned, a higher level than Sentinels. He’s more powerful, and usually just oversees and coordinates Sentinel and conductor activities. He normally doesn’t stoop to our level.”
“We can go into more detail on that later,” Adam said. “Miriam, does your arm hurt?”
She had been absently rubbing the bruised arm, and she dropped her hand to her side. “It hurts a little. If I could get some ice and ibuprofen, I’m sure it will be better.”
“It will get much better,” Adam said. “Immediately. Sean, you did the damage, so you can fix it.” He gestured toward Miriam.
Lips firmed, Sean turned from the French doors and walked to her. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. Give me your arm.”
She took a step back, cradling the injured limb protectively against her chest. “I don’t want you touching me again.”
“Cut the drama.” He pried her arm free and straightened it. “Just be still.” He ran his hand over it.
She watched, even more wide-eyed. “I can feel heat. And there’s light around your hand. And—” She closed her mouth, staring at her arm as he released it. “The pain is almost gone, and the bruises are lighter. How did you do that?”
“Sentinels can manipulate energy,” Adam explained. “Sean can’t completely heal your arm, but he was able to draw healing energy from the Earth and channel it into the arm. It’s enough to reduce swelling and speed up the healing process. The arm should be completely fine by tomorrow.”
“Oh . . . Wow . . . Okay, then.” Miriam looked at Sean. “Thanks for doing that.”
He shrugged and returned to staring out at the Riverwalk.
Miriam looked shaken up. Who could blame her? She’d just had a lot of unbelievable information dumped on her. Even with her metaphysical background, it had to be hard to take in.
Julia felt a resurge of protectiveness toward her student. “Adam, I think we’ve done enough this morning. Maybe Miriam would like some time to herself, to assimilate everything. Then she’ll probably have some questions.”
“I agree. I’m booking another suite here at the hotel. Sean, I want you and Miriam to stay there.”
“What?” Sean and Miriam both screeched at the same time.
“I have a place to stay—my apartment.” Sean shot Miriam a disgusted look. “Even if I didn’t, I don’t want to be babysitting her.”
She glared back at him. “I sure as hell don’t need you around, either, jerk.”
“That’s enough,” Adam said. “Both of you are acting like children. Sean, if you want in on this, you’ll follow my orders without hesitation, or I’ll ship you out of here. I understand we’ve got some Belian activity in Alaska.
“And, Miriam, please cooperate on this. Later today, we’ll fill you in on the details of our situation. Trust me when I tell you it might become very dangerous. I suspect we’re going up against a very powerful Belian, and one of my best Sentinels is missing. I’m not taking any chances with you or Julia. From now on, we’re using a buddy system. Neither of you is to go anywhere alone. You might not like Sean, but he can—and will—keep you safe. I also want all of us in close proximity, so that we can access data and act quickly, if necessary. Is that clear?”
Miriam hesitated, looking as if she might bolt at any moment. “Say yes,” Julia advised her. “Adam may be a macho, overbearing jackass, but if anyone can manage a dangerous situation with minimal casualties, he can. Besides, his suggestion is logical.”
“Okay, I guess.”
Adam looked at Sean. “Are you onboard?”
Sean nodded, but it was obvious he didn’t like any of it.
“It’s settled, then,” Adam said. “Sean, take Miriam back to her hotel to get her things, then get what you need from your apartment. Be sure to scan thoroughly before you go in. Keep your weapons close and ready.”
“Will do.”
“After you leave your apartment, I want the two of you to return to the hotel,” Adam continued. “I’ll have a suite waiting, and the key cards will be at the desk. Take some downtime, get some lunch, and let Miriam get her bearings. Answer any questions she might have. And be civilized about it, or you’ll be headed for Alaska. Miriam, do whatever you need to center and recharge yourself.
“In the meantime, Julia and I are going to do some reconnaissance, and it might take a while. I want you to meet us back here around five. I’m hoping we can tap Miriam’s abilities to help us create a working plan. Any questions?”
Still sporting a deer-in-the-headlights exp
ression, Miriam shook her head, and Sean muttered, “No.”
“Good. For once, we’re in agreement. Let’s get going.”
Julia watched the two walk stiffly to the door, keeping an icy gap between them. When the door closed behind them, she said, “I don’t like this. I hate involving Miriam. She has a brilliant future ahead of her—in science, not Belian hunting. And to pair her with Sean, after the way he treated her, is totally illogical.”
“We need all the help we can get. And I’m not one to ignore guidance from a higher source. It makes perfect sense to put Sean and Miriam together. He will be able to protect her.”
“I’m trusting you on this one, Adam. You know Sean better than I do. But if he does anything to traumatize or hurt Miriam, she and I will be on the first flight back to Houston.”
“He won’t hurt her, at least not physically. But he is somewhat volatile right now and, as you’ve seen, tends to shoot off his mouth.” Adam shook his head. “Being born a Sentinel doesn’t guarantee full emotional control or maturity. Sean has a long way to go in that arena. But his powers are well developed and he has solid control over them. He also has a good spirit, but he’s still working through the emotional trauma of his childhood. However, something tells me Miriam can hold her own.”
“I hope so.” Julia limped to the couch, lowered herself down, trying not to wince. Her backside was bruised and sore from her tumble yesterday. “I’m still shaken up over Miriam showing up here, and her psychic abilities. She’s never given any indication of them in the two years she’s been taking my classes.”
“Why would she? Have you ever discussed your ability with anyone other than Marla?”
“Point taken. I guess Miriam doesn’t like to broadcast the fact that she’s different.” Julia shifted to get more comfortable.
“Still sore?”
“Not too bad.”
“Liar. Want me to rub it and make it better?”
Even the man’s harsh voice was sexy as hell, not to mention the erotic images his loaded suggestion triggered. Mind over matter, Julia told herself firmly. “No, I don’t.”
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