Touched by Light

by Spangler, Catherine

  She told herself that it was a good thing she was becoming sexually aware of men. Sure it was. It meant she was getting over the attack. That sounded like good reasoning.

  Wondering what the hell she was doing, she bent down and rolled up her pants legs to her knees. Then she straightened and put her hand in Adam’s, bracing for the inevitable jolt of sexual energy. It sizzled through her, stronger than usual. Great. Water appeared to be a conductor of Sen tinal—or Sanctioned—energy. And wasn’t science a wonderful thing.

  Trying to keep her gaze above his chest, she walked to the steps, let him help her sit on the edge of the pool. She put her feet two steps down and sighed in appreciation. The water was just warm enough to offset any chill in the air, and felt heavenly to her sore feet.

  “This does feel good,” she said, propping her hands behind her and leaning back a little.

  Adam slipped back into the pool, settled on the step beside her feet. “Water is life, and has healing properties. It also enhances Sentinel abilities.”

  He leaned an elbow on the step behind him, looked up at her. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence the Belian attacked along the Riverwalk.”

  “Do you mean that aside from the fact there were a lot of people there, the water itself played a part in his plans?”

  “Its plans,” he corrected. “And, yes, that’s exactly what I mean. The Belian is struggling to maintain its hold on Matt’s physical body, as well as keep the upper hand mentally. Then it had to tap into Matt’s powers and exert a lot of effort to control the policeman and make him start shooting.”

  Julia knew from the barrage of news coverage they’d listened to all evening that Officer Olvera had killed himself after the bloody spree. He’d been a model cop, and everyone who knew him was shocked by what he’d done. He’d also left behind a wife and two small children. It was terrible and sad.

  “So the water along the Riverwalk helped the Belian carry out his—its—plan,” she said.

  Adam nodded. “That’s what I think.”

  “Then it would be logical for the Belian’s next attack to be near water.”

  “That’s a very strong possibility,” he agreed.

  “That should narrow our search.”

  “It’s still a big arena. There’s Six Flags, and its water park, although I don’t know if that part is open right now. There are several state parks and SeaWorld, and the Belian could hit the Riverwalk again.

  “Plus we have to consider that we don’t know who it will use to do its dirty work. We’re not just looking for Matt, but anyone the Belian can control.” Adam ran his hand through his wet hair. “I’ve got to get a handle on this thing, and fast.”

  “Have you reconsidered calling in reinforcements?”

  “Not unless it becomes absolutely necessary. I don’t want my Sentinels to have to hunt one of their own. I’m already allowing Sean in on this, against my better judgment.” He considered a moment. “Even if I bring in other Sentinels, there’s no guarantee they could go up against this Belian, not with it tapping Matt’s powers.”

  “So it’s basically you against this thing.”

  “Yes. As I’ve already said, it’s my responsibility. Failure is unthinkable.”

  “Failure is a relative thing,” Julia said. “Let me ask you something. Can you fly?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Outside of a few woo-woo abilities—some devious and underhanded, I might add—you’re basically in a physical body, and subject to the physical laws of Earth. Is that right?”

  “To a large extent, yes.”

  “Then let me point out—again—that you’re just one man, despite any superpowers you might have. You can’t foresee everything that’s going to happen, and for the most part, you can’t second-guess this Belian. The tools at your disposal are two mere human females who are dependent on visions, Tarot cards, and a piece of crystal on a chain, to come up with clues that indicate possible events. And those can change with the whim of this Belian.”

  She leaned forward, resisting the urge to touch Adam. “It’s really not any different than the situation we faced with the bomber in Dallas. Taking him down involved luck as well as divine intervention. I would say that all you can do now is keep chipping away at it, and trust in God. She’s the one who’s actually in charge here.”

  “She?” His lips quirked into a smile. “Your feminist streak is showing. One thing I like about you, Julia—you’re smart. Quite brilliant, as a matter of fact. You’re good at helping me clarify the issues, and breaking them down to their most basic components.”

  He ran his hand through the water. “Somehow, you always manage to balance me. Before I met you, I thought I was completely grounded.” He looked back up at her. “But you upend me, and then jerk me back to reality. You help me focus on the issues, and you usually manage to keep me in my place.”

  “I don’t believe that for a moment,” she told him. “But I wish someone would keep you in your place.”

  His eyes darkened, taking on a predatory glint. He slid his hand slowly up her leg, stroked. Shock slowed her reaction for a moment, then she tried to kick her leg free. “What are you doing?”

  His fingers wrapped around her calf. “You also make me feel things I haven’t experienced in hundreds of years,” he said, his harsh voice softening. He resumed the sensual strokes. “You remind me, as you did just a moment ago, that I’m a man, in a physical body, with physical needs.”

  Any so-called brilliance she might have dissipated like a mist. Her brain turned to mush as lightning bolts of sensation streaked up her leg and to her groin. She could only stare as Adam pushed up to sit on the ledge beside her; couldn’t even react when he palmed her shoulders and pulled her toward him. Those odd, mesmerizing starbursts were in his eyes again.

  “I’ve been wanting to do this since I saw you again at the Red Lion Pub,” he murmured, leaning closer until his lips were hovering over hers.

  Her brain finally registered the fact that she was facing a red alert situation. “Oh, no.” She put a hand on his wet chest, tried to shove him away. He moved maybe a millimeter. “You are not kissing me. I mean it, Adam.”

  “It’s been a very long time since I’ve done this,” he continued, as if she hadn’t spoken. “Let’s see if I remember how it’s done.”

  “Adam—”

  His mouth came down on hers, insistent, melding into a perfect fit. She stiffened under a new layer of shock, tried to protest, to push him away—do something—but her traitorous body had other ideas. Such as her lips opening under the demand of his. Like her tongue sliding against his, in a mating dance as old as Atlantis. And her hands sliding up his water-slicked chest to grasp his shoulders.

  He hadn’t forgotten a damned thing in however many hundreds of years he’d been celibate. He kissed her with a shattering intensity that bound every molecule of oxygen in her body. Except for that one brief time at the Dallas/ Fort Worth airport—again with Adam—she hadn’t been kissed in over twelve years. Even then, she’d never been kissed like this.

  Heat and need flooded her body, and she felt herself melting against him. Not doing this, her mind shrilled, even as she realized that little hum of pleasure was coming from her. She arched her body, the only thoughts in her clouded mind that she was wearing way too much, and that she wanted him to touch her more intimately.

  As if reading her mind, he slid his fingers over her midriff, leaving a sizzling trail. They closed over her breast, squeezing gently, then teased the nipple through her bra. Tension gathered and coiled inside her, and she knew a climax was building, that if he would just move his hand down between her legs . . . God, what was she doing?

  Somehow she found the will to wrench her mouth free, grab his arm, and shove him away. “Adam,” she gasped. “Stop this now! Why the hell did you do that?”

  His eyes gleaming, he slid his hand behind her neck, tried to tug her back. “Because I wanted to. And so did you.”

  Wit
h stunned disbelief, she resisted. “Why are you playing this game?”

  He dropped his hand to rest possessively on her thigh, a little too close to ground zero. “I’m not playing a game.”

  She knocked the hand away. “Oh, please. You could have anyone—someone beautiful and sophisticated. Every woman in the hotel lobby yesterday wanted to throw herself at you.”

  “You’re the one I want, Julia. My perfect match. And you have your own special beauty.”

  He was full of it. “This is crazy. It’s totally illogical and makes no sense and—” Then why did it have so much appeal? Why was her body feeling vital and alive—and so desperately needy? And why the hell wasn’t he breathing as hard as she was?

  She felt like screaming in frustration—at both herself and Adam. It’s just the Sanctioned/conductor link, she again reminded herself. That needed to become her mantra: It’s just the link. Just the link. Just the link. Nothing more.

  “This is a really bad idea,” she said firmly, scooting farther along the pool edge.

  “Why? My body thinks it’s a grand idea.”

  Of her own volition, her gaze dropped to his lap, to the erection beautifully showcased by his wet bathing trunks. So he was affected, and had been on several occasions, which made her feel minimally better.

  “Try to pay attention here.” He slid close enough to grasp her chin and turn her face back to his. “You liked it, too, Julia. Admit it. You kissed me back—very well, I might add. You liked me touching you. I could sense your need. I wasn’t forcing you. You were right there with me. So why shouldn’t we take this further?”

  “Because I’m—” She closed her eyes against the rush of painful memories. Another argument to add to the pile. “I’m not whole. I’m getting better.”

  At least, she fervently hoped that was true. “I think I’m getting better. And because of you—or maybe I should say, because of the nonscientific pull between conductors and Sentinels, or Sanctioned—” She waved her hand. “Whatever. Due to that link, at least I’m feeling things again. But this—us—isn’t real. It’s just a physical attraction.”

  “It’s more than that, and you know it. But we are in physical bodies, have physical needs,” Adam pointed out. “I believe we just discussed that fact a few moments ago.”

  “I was talking about the physical limitations of Earth, not—” She waved her hand again, not quite willing to say “screwing like minks,” which she strongly suspected would be the case with Adam. “You know.”

  “I’m not sure I do. Maybe you should use scientific terms, Professor.”

  Abject frustration stabbed at her. “I’m not sure even hand puppets would get the message through your thick skull.” She paused, wondered how she could make him see reason. “We’re from two different worlds, Adam. We have nothing in common. I don’t think I’m ready for a sexual relationship with anyone, but if—or when—I am, it will be someone on my level, someone in my world. Not some god from Atlantis.”

  She felt very real regret that she wasn’t bold or brave enough to indulge in such a possibility. But she was a practical, intelligent woman. Most of the time, anyway.

  “I’m not a god,” Adam muttered.

  “Close enough. I’m calling it a night.” She lurched to her feet, knowing it was best to put some distance between them. It was obvious she couldn’t think clearly when he was within a ten-yard radius. But her leg had stiffened, and she lost her balance when she tried to pivot and climb out. The next thing she knew, she was falling backward into the water. She came up sputtering and drenched.

  “Are you all right?” Adam took her arm.

  She jerked back. “Damn it! I’m all wet!”

  He kept his grip on her, his gaze sweeping her chest. “You certainly are.”

  She didn’t have to look down to know that her wet top clearly revealed her state of arousal. “I didn’t peg you for a wet T-shirt type of guy, but I guess you’re a Neanderthal, like the rest of the male population.”

  “I’m a man. We’ve established that fact several times now.”

  She wouldn’t be reminding him of that again. “Let me go, Adam. Playtime is over.”

  He released her. “I guess it’s safe to say you didn’t find the water calming.”

  Despite the situation, she had to laugh. For such an intense man, he had a surprising streak of humor. “I don’t think being around you is ever calming.”

  She turned and plowed through the water toward the steps, determined to get out and to her cane without embarrassing herself a second time. He beat her to the steps, and offered his arm to help her out. She let him, and held on until her cane was firmly in her hand.

  He got them both the thick, luxurious white towels the hotel provided its guests. She did the best she could to wipe off the excess water, but she still left a wet trail as she got her coat and started toward the hotel.

  “Julia.”

  His husky voice halted her steps and she turned. He had dried off and wrapped a towel around himself. Naturally, he wasn’t a dripping, drowned-rat mess like she was. She tried to ignore the fact that in that towel and with his hair slicked back, he could give the Sean Connery version of James Bond a run for his money. “What?”

  He stepped close enough for her libido to hum. “This isn’t over between us. As a matter of fact, it hasn’t really started. I’m not going to walk away from destiny. I’m betting you won’t, either.”

  She shivered, despite the heat radiating from his body. “I know who I am, Adam. I’m a plain, ordinary professor who is happiest working at the university and living an uncomplicated life. That’s my destiny. I can’t be anything else.”

  “There you’re wrong. You are a complex woman, and so much more than you realize. When you have sex with me—and make no mistake, we will end up in bed—it will be completely of your own free will.”

  “Nice fantasy—and that’s what it is.” She turned away and went inside.

  Adam followed her into the elevator and pushed the button for their floor. The doors whispered shut. “I’m going to change and go investigate the Riverwalk murder scene,” he said coolly, as if they hadn’t just been discussing sex.

  “It should be calm enough by now for me to slip in undetected. I’ve decided to take Sean with me. He’s already in the middle of this, and he’s holding up so far, so I’ll allow him in on the investigation—as long as he can handle it. Keep your gun close and call me if you have any concerns.”

  At the reminder of what they were facing, she felt exhaustion seeping through her. “All right.”

  “This also means we’ll try to trigger a vision first thing in the morning. We might have to resort to a conduction.”

  Oh, joy. “You know I’ll do whatever is needed, Adam.”

  He nodded, his gaze serious. “Yes, I know, and I appreciate it. You’re a woman of valor, Julia.”

  Shaking her head at his misconception of her, she preceded him into the suite. “Get some rest,” he told her. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned toward his room.

  “Adam,” she called out impulsively, then felt foolish when he turned back.

  “Yes?”

  “Stay safe, okay? Walk in Light.”

  His gaze was warm and intimate. “I will, Professor.”

  She shut her door, leaned against it, and cursed herself for being a fool. She couldn’t allow herself to get too close to Adam, to mistake pure unadulterated lust for anything other than a mystical attraction. He was light-years out of her league, and nothing could ever come of their . . . association, for lack of a better word.

  Absolutely nothing at all.

  BATTLING the cursed Sentinel was draining him. It was taking more and more effort to keep the Sentinel subjugated. The Sent was growing more aware, trying to struggle and surface more often. It didn’t help that others of his kind were looking for him.

  He’d felt the ripple of awareness, the energy of a conduction, even as he was taking control of the cop last ni
ght, but he hadn’t been able to focus on it. The Sentinel must also be aware of the others, must be responding to them.

  He couldn’t let that happen. He’d have to keep the physical body weak, even though it then became his weakness as well. But Belial was giving him strength and purpose. Last night, the blood—all that glorious blood—had bolstered him, energized him. Belial was very pleased, but it wasn’t enough. It was never enough.

  As the early-morning light seeped through the thread-bare hotel curtains, he poured the cheap whisky into a plastic cup. He downed it, savored the burn in his throat. He’d drink enough to feel tipsy, but not enough to impair his superior reflexes.

  It didn’t matter that he was damaging this body. As he made more kills and grew in strength, he’d be able to take over a better body, one with a soul that wouldn’t resist. He’d miss being able to tap the Sentinel’s abilities, but he couldn’t wholly serve Belial if he had to fight to maintain control all the time.

  He poured another round of whisky. And set his plan for the next kills into motion.

  JULIA woke feeling groggy, with gritty eyes and an aching body. She squinted at the blurry clock, gave up, and reached for her eyeglasses. Eight o’clock. It had been three in the morning before she fell into bed, which explained why she felt so crappy.

  A new day, she thought. Another day of conductions, tracking evil, chaos, terror—and Adam. Groaning, she rolled stiffly from the bed and went to shower.

  She dried her hair, dressed, and went to join in the fun. As she entered the living room, she smelled coffee and food. Adam, Sean, and Miriam were seated at the dining table, which was loaded with silver-domed serving dishes and plates of eggs, various breakfast meats, fruit, and breads. It all looked delicious, but her focus was on the coffeemaker.

  “Coffee,” she said. “Give me coffee.”

  “Good morning, Julia.” Adam rose and went to pour her a cup.

  “It’s not good until I get some caffeine in me. Thank you.” She took the mug from him and eased into an empty chair. She looked around as she sipped.