by D McEntire
"Mi dulce, you know the way to my heart," Vane crooned as he gave Rosa's butt a pinch before she smacked his hand away. Chuckling, he dove into the sandwich with gusto.
Shaking his head Tank pushed himself away from the wall and left the kitchen wondering how Vane could still be hungry after they'd eaten dinner only hours before.
Remote in hand, he thumbed through the channels on the television while Trigg and Vane kissed their mates goodbye. The two would be gone only two nights, but he'd heard separation between mates wasn't easy. The emotional impact ran higher than merely a case of homesickness.
The closing of the back door heralded their departure.
Though it had only been moments since the guys had left the Cell, Tank thought the place already seemed rather quiet without them.
With Kern in his room with his mate, Marie, Tank had the living room to himself. Settling into one of the overstuffed chairs, he placed his legs on the ottoman, crossed his feet at the ankles and let out a long, exhausted breath. There hadn't been a day in nearly a week since he'd slept peacefully, he thought grimly. Now, his body, not to mention his mind, screamed in revolt. Each time he settled down to sleep, as soon as he closed his eyes he saw Sonya. She was there, pleading with him to help her, crying out her pain and despair. Helpless to comfort her, he felt utterly useless, leaving him with an ache in his heart, which was quickly replaced by anger at his inability to comprehend what the dreams meant.
Tank vowed to attend the concert at the School for the Blind tomorrow evening. The one orchestrated by Sonya Brown. The woman in his dreams. His nightmares.
Groaning, he rubbed his face with both hands, then let his head fall back on the chair and closed his eyes.
The dream shimmered into his subconscious, pulling him in deeper.
Sonya stood within the thick mist, her sobs piercing his heart. Attempting to speak, Tank found he had no voice. He was forced to watch and listen as she reached out for him and pleaded.
A sudden noise jerked Tank out of his dreams. He awoke with a start, almost launching off the chair to hear muffled laughter from upstairs where Kern and Marie were obviously having fun in the privacy of their room.
Tank envied his men. Each had found their mates and was genuinely happy--content with their lives. He often wondered if there was a woman out there, somewhere, waiting for him. Fate willing, he'd find her, and soon.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Tank stood and slowly made his way up the stairs to his room, planning to take a shower, then crawl into bed. Right now he was too tired to worry about what awaited once sleep claimed him.
The light snowfall didn't deter the throngs of people who attended the School for the Blind's concert. Sonya tried to appear calm and collected as she spoke with the children, giving them words of encouragement and praise.
"Sonya, the children's seats are ready. Should they take their places now?" Mrs. Kennerly, the school's Administrative Secretary, asked from directly behind her.
Sonya turned to the woman and smiled, though she was nervous as hell at the moment. "Yes, thank you, Mrs. Kennerly. Are both pianos in position?"
"Sure are. Would you like me to assist you to your place as well?"
Sonya shook her head. Having conducted many concerts on stage, she knew exactly where to go.
Sonya heard the woman's heels clip clop across the stage floor as Mrs. Kennerly made her way to the podium.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for coming out tonight and braving the snow and cold temperatures to attend this fundraiser. Our music students have worked very hard since the beginning of the school year on this performance. At this time, I'd like to turn the microphone over to Ms. Sonya Brown, our Music Director. We've been blessed to have her at the school for twelve years now and look forward to many more years to come. Now, without further adieu, may I introduce to you Ms. Sonya Brown."
Sonya stepped from the sidelines and onto the stage, tapping her cane as she made her way the few steps to where Mrs. Kennerly waited. She'd heard every warm word spoken about the students and herself, and it touched her heart. Mrs. Kennerly was a dear. A loving, almost motherly figure in Sonya's life, and for that she was truly thankful.
After a quick peck on Mrs. Kennerly's cheek, Sonya turned so she faced the audience and adjusted the sunglasses on her face.
"Thank you, Mrs. Kennerly. I too, want to thank everyone for attending the children's fundraiser concert. As Mrs. Kennerly said, they've worked so very hard on this performance, which I'm sure you will enjoy. It's wonderful to see everyone here. A great way to kick start this new calendar year. Your support for the school means so very, very much. So, please, sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful music, which is our gift of appreciation to each and every one of you."
Sonya situated her cane against the podium, pasted on a warm smile for the audience, then turned and counted out the steps she knew it would take to reach the piano on the opposite side of the one Melissa was going to play. Taking her seat and straightening her spine, she sucked in a deep breath then gave a slight nod to the person in charge of opening and closing the curtains behind her.
With a scrape and a rustle of fabric, the curtains opened, revealing several rows of children of all ages, races and genders sitting at attention with their musical instruments resting peacefully in their laps. Sonya could imagine them resembling a group of professionals playing in an orchestra in a packed theatre. The thought made her smile.
Time to begin. Sonya tapped out a rhythm with her foot loud enough for the students to hear the clicks of her heels on the wooden stage floor. She knew they'd do as practiced time and time again--follow her beats and know exactly how many to wait to begin playing.
Tank blended into the shadows in the rear of the auditorium. When Sonya walked onto the stage, his breath caught in his throat. He'd had no idea the woman was blind. Not even when he'd first seen her at the Riverside Hotel the night of the annual fireworks festival.
Beautiful, he thought to himself. She walked with the grace of an angel. Even the sight of the cane tapping in front of her could not take away from that grace.
After making a short speech about her students, he watched her turn and step unerringly to the piano without the use of her cane, then sit in a regal pose. Her small foot, which peeked from under the billow of a black velvet skirt, tapped out several beats. In unison, the children lifted their instruments from their laps and began to play a soft, soothing melody.
Tank couldn't take his eyes off Sonya. Her fingers moved deftly over the keys as if caressing them. The notes seemed to swirl around him, through him. Each one pulled him closer to her.
Tank gave his head a shake. She's mesmerizing.
The concert was excellent, and the standing ovation from everyone in the audience attested to their pleasure at the entertainment. Enthusiastic applause and whistles filled the auditorium, echoing off the walls.
It took several minutes for the audience to clear out and the parents, families and friends to collect the children. Tank remained within the shadows until the room was completely empty. When Sonya left the auditorium, he followed.
Sonya reached the door to a classroom then hesitated with her hand on the knob. Tank wondered if she somehow sensed his presence. Just as he'd finished the thought, she turned her head in his direction as if looking directly at him.
Standing as still as a statue, her watched her, the woman who had invaded his dreams. Finally, she turned and passed through the doorway, disappearing into the classroom.
Tank slowly released the breath he held. Lifting his hand, it disturbed him to find it trembling. Why does this woman affect me so? She'd definitely made her mark on him. One deeper than he cared to admit.
He didn't dare get closer to her classroom after what had just happened. Besides, he told himself, the concert was over, and she was fine. He would wait until she left for home, then follow her the entire way, just to make sure she arrived safely. After that she'd be out of his head, an
d hopefully, out of his dreams.
Sonya stood in her classroom, replaying through her mind the cheers and loud applause from the audience. The auditorium had been filled to capacity, and though she hated to turn anyone away, they'd had to halt entrance when they'd reached the capacity.
The concert was over, and now she could relax, she told herself. Then again, another project usually waited in the wings to take over. The next fundraiser concert was Easter, which meant new music for the children to learn. She planned to get them started as soon as they returned from winter break.
It wouldn't take them long, she mused. Her students were very gifted. They didn't let their disability stand in their way. She remembered being just like them at that age and how she'd begun playing the piano at an early age.
As if silhouetted in her mind, she pictured herself, dwarfed by the huge piano and tall bench. She could hear the voice of her music teacher, praising her talents to her parents, but she couldn't recall ever hearing a reply. Only heated whispers. She caught some of the words, the negative ones which spoke of wasted time and money.
Sonya skimmed her fingers along the top of the piano in her classroom as she passed it on the way to her desk. The heaviness in her heart from her parents' lack of support remained even though they were now gone.
With a drawn out exhale, Sonya attempted to banish the memories. She knew entertaining them created nothing but heartache.
Once at her desk, she filed away the printed Braille music. As her mind continued to wander, it returned to moments earlier of when she had the feeling of being followed while walking to her room.
Perhaps one of the children's parents wanted to speak to her, she told herself. Listening intently, she waited several moments, but no one entered the room.
A second explanation brought along with it a sense of panic. Was David lurking out there? What did he want? She'd told him she didn't need a ride home from the concert.
Unease attempted to settle in her mind until another thought pushed it aside. She realized the presence had not, by any means, felt malicious. In fact, warmth had graced her skin as if the sun had shown upon her. Her mind had imagined being touched by a loving gaze. The experience had been pleasant.
Sonya shook her head. Tired, her imagination attempted to get the best of her.
Unlocking the cabinet, she retrieved her purse, then walked to the door and pulled her coat from the hanger on the wall. Dread set in at the thought of sitting in the cold waiting for the bus. Tonight she'd call a cab, she decided as she locked the door and headed for the office to ask Mrs. Kennerly to phone the cab company.
Stepping out into the hall, Sonya felt nothing. The earlier presence was gone. Its absence left her a little bereft and alone. Don't be ridiculous, Sonya inwardly chided. Obviously overtaxed both mentally and physically, she needed a relaxing soak in a hot bath, then to crawl into her warm, soft bed.
Finding the office quiet, Sonya hitched her purse higher on her shoulder and adjusted hr coat. "Guess it's the bus tonight."
A gust of frigid, winter air greeted her as she pushed through the door, and she pulled the lapels of her coat tighter around her neck. Counting each step, she descended the stairs to the sidewalk, and tapped her cane in front of her as she walked to the street corner to sit on the cold, hard bench and await the bus.
The wind was merciless as it picked up strength and whipped around the sides of the small and barely enclosed shelter where Sonya waited. She placed her fingers over the customized watch on her wrist and pressed the button. A computerized voice droned out the time in a clipped, monotone voice. Eleven o'clock in the evening. No wonder I'm so tired.
The rumbling hum of the bus caught her attention and relief swept through her as the sound grew louder, telling her it was close. Moments later, she heard the squeak of brakes and the familiar cherrrsh sound of the bus coming to a stop.
After she heard the doors slide open, Sonya stepped forward cautiously and reached for the rail she knew would be on her right side, just within the doorway.
"Good evening, Ms. Brown," a familiar voice called. The smile in Marshal's voice was a treasure at the end of her day. Marshal operated the bus during the evening shift. They often carried on a conversation during the route. Sonya was grateful he was the driver most evenings she rode the bus home. She didn't have to be concerned about not getting off at the right place and getting lost. When the doors would open and the familiar voice didn't greet her, worry would make itself home inside her chest. That meant she had to tell the diver where to stop and trust him or her not to forget or pass over the spot.
"You're running pretty late, Ms. Brown."
Sonya anchored her purse over her shoulder as she stepped aboard the bus and climbed the few steps inside. Navigating her way to the seat behind the driver, she got a whiff of his cologne. Pleasant, just like him, she thought.
"Yes, I know. Tonight was the fundraiser concert," she said on a heavy sigh, weariness getting the best of her. Normally, she caught the five-fifteen bus, which was right at the beginning of his shift for the night.
"Oh, that's right. I figured it was just another evening of practice this week. I knew school was still out for the winter break. How'd it go?"
"The children were wonderful," she gushed and smiled, remembering how the audience had cheered at the end.
"That's great."
Sonya relaxed against the seat and replayed instances of the night's concert and comments she'd heard from some of the audience members. Though dog-tired, she didn't mind carrying on a conversation with Marshall because she knew he wasn't asking out of congeniality. He always seemed truly interested in what she was up to.
"All right, here we are. You have a good evening, Ms. Brown. Be careful on the walk. It's slick out there."
As she descended the steps, he spoke again.
"Would you like some help? I'm sure the riders wouldn't mind if I stopped for a few minutes to walk you to your door."
Sonya turned and offered a grateful smile. His constant concern for her touched her deeply. Another one of God's watchful angels, she thought.
"No, but thanks anyway. I can manage."
Hefting her purse over her shoulder once more, she traversed the last step and lowered the tip of her cane to the ground. As she stepped onto the curb, she heard the bus drive away.
Tank parked along the curb on the opposite side of the street from where Sonya exited the bus. He followed her progress as she walked down the sidewalk.
Watching earlier as she'd sat in the cold waiting for the bus had been torture enough, but the impulse to jump out of his SUV and directly by her side so she didn't slip and fall beat at him. He gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.
Finally, she turned from the sidewalk and approached a house. Once again, Tank was amazed at Sonya's ability to get around. She seemed to know her exact location at all times.
He watched her climb a set of steps to the porch, unlock the door and step inside. Relief seeped into Tank's bones. Sonya was safe. After seeing it for himself, he hoped the dreams would cease to trouble him.
After a few moments, Tank noticed lights coming on and going off inside the house, obviously where Sonya made her way through the rooms. He wondered why a blind person would bother, but then again, he'd never personally known someone with the disability.
Perhaps she'd had an illness or had suffered an accident which had taken her sight and the act was done out of habit. Tank knew the questions forming in his mind would never be answered as he had no plans to approach her. He was a Watcher and a vampire. She was human. There'd be no contact between them unless he had to fight off Rogues for her.
A surge of panic, followed by anger, elongated his fangs. His fingers clenched the steering wheel once again at the idea of Sonya being harmed by Rogues.
Tank shook his head. Thoughts about Sonya were coming out of nowhere. He scoffed at himself. They didn't make sense. He knew nothing about the woman except where she w
orked and the fact she was blind. Why was she so important he couldn't get her out of his head?
He couldn't blame his current feelings on the dreams. He wasn't asleep. He was fully awake and staring at the woman's house as if waiting to catch another glimpse of her.
With a growl, Tank yanked the steering wheel, pressed on the gas pedal and pulled away from the curb, trying to push Sonya out of his mind. She was fine. He needed to move on and get his focus back on his duties.
Glancing at the clock on the dash, Tank knew it was time to return to the Cell. The two newbies would be showing up soon, and he needed to get started on their training. A groan escaped his throat at the thought of training them. New recruits were nine times out of ten cocky young males who thought they knew everything. Many had never come face-to-face with a Rogue, much less fought one. Tank had no doubt most of them had no idea Rogues almost never traveled alone. They roamed in packs like dogs, hoping to find strength in numbers, but they could rarely best a Watcher. The thought made him smile, and he found himself itching for a fight, but it would have to wait.
When Tank declared he'd be going out alone tonight and Kern would remain at the Cell, Robyn had felt relieved knowing she and the two other women wouldn't be alone this evening. She'd been expecting the arrival of the two WITs, as Tank had called them, tonight, but as the newbies walked through the door, the anxiety returned for another round. To push it aside, she turned to her happy hostess skills to break the ice.
"Have you had dinner or would you care for something to drink?"
"No thanks," answered the one leaning against the wall beside the pool table. Tall and slender, he resembled Rayne's build, she thought, picturing the Watcher who'd recently moved from the Cell to southern Indiana.
The newbie wore faded blue jeans and a red T-shirt that had Built to Please written on it. Robyn had to stop herself from rolling her eyes when she'd first seen it. The guy obviously thought he was something, she mused.
"I'll have a beer," the other said as he sauntered into the living room, then slouched on the couch, looking as if perfectly comfortable and at home.