Dealers of Light

by Lara Nance

  No matter how he analyzed the situation, there was no doubt a head-to-head fight with Desmond’s much larger group in Norfolk would result in defeat for Rolf’s team. That meant Cara would be harmed. Possibly killed.

  That just wouldn’t do.

  Chapter Thirty

  Cara did sit-ups in the salon, while the others participated in their own activities scattered around the room. On fifty, her burning muscles screamed for her to stop, and she flopped onto her back.

  A blur of fur flashed by.

  “Hey, Alistair,” she called, laughing. “Rambo and Dusty are playing tug-of-war with one of your silk argyle socks.

  The group broke into laughter.

  “Hey, listen to this.” Amber pointed a finger to the open textbook in her lap. “‘Combining the correct crystal frequency with a corresponding reactive stone can block the energy of the stone in its outward reflection.’”

  Cara sat up and repeated the sentence in her head. Marc, Shana and Tor just stared at Amber. “Okay, what does that mean, exactly?”

  “I think it means if you pair the right crystal with the proper reflecting stone, you can use the crystal to block the stone’s energy.” Amber turned to Alistair. “I wonder what the right crystal would be to interact with Desmond’s Andean opal.”

  Alistair held up his bedraggled sock and shook his head, then stuffed it in his pocket. “My dear Amber, you raise a very interesting question.”

  “What are you suggesting?” Marc snatched the book from Amber to study the page.

  “Alistair is right. The secret to this whole mess is the opal. It has to be,” Amber said. “Its power is at the heart of Desmond’s ability to maintain control. We either have to disrupt the power or steal the stone.”

  Alistair nodded. “Precisely.”

  “Wait up. From what you said, if we knew what crystals to use, we could actually block the opal’s power,” Shana said. “That sounds important.”

  Made sense to Cara, but she wasn’t an expert. “How do we find out?”

  “If we had some Andean Opals, we could test the theory on them,” Alistair said. “Maybe they all react the same, regardless of size.”

  “But we wouldn’t know the right crystals for Desmond’s opal until we actually see it, though,” Tor said.

  “True,” Alistair said. “But this is vital knowledge. We don’t know how we might use it, but the knowledge can only benefit us.”

  “How can we find Andean opals?” Shana asked.

  “Order them online,” Cara said. “If the post office here is working.”

  The door to the deck burst open, and they all jumped. Rolf strode in, eyes immediately going to Cara.

  She clutched her chest in relief.

  “Is everything okay?” She wrapped her arms around her bent knees.

  “I found the Takers, and they have about five members.” He removed his trench coat and hat to hang them on an anchor-shaped hook beside the door. “And there’s good news. It seems Desmond is not going to expand his territory until after the next new moon. Which means we have more time than I thought.”

  Cara pushed to her feet and went to the sofa, the cushions sighing along with her as she sat. “Excellent news, I guess, but we still have to beat the next Net.”

  “Tell him what you found about the crystals, babe,” Tor said to Amber, and settled on the arm of the sofa beside Cara.

  Amber repeated her discovery and what they proposed to do with testing crystals against Andean Opals.

  Rolf scratched his chin, his normally smooth skin creased along the temple. “It would be extremely valuable information,” Rolf said after a few seconds. He let out a deep breath then crossed to the bar for a glass of wine. “You’re right to test the theory. We need all the information we can get if we hope to defeat Desmond. I’ll have Sean order some opals for you.”

  “Will we be able to have them delivered in this bizarro-world?” Shana glared at Rambo, who had tripped her up again as she paced between the stairs and the couch.

  “We’ll have them shipped to the marina office. Things are functioning in a basic way.”

  “What are we going to do about the Takers?” Tor asked.

  “It’s late. We can plan tomorrow. I’ll have Sean pull up a satellite picture of the house’s location so we can have a full view of the logistics.” He stood. “I suggest you all get some rest.”

  Cara let out a sigh and bid her friends goodnight. Back in her cabin, she paced about the bed, heartache churning in her chest like acid.

  She took a shower, hoping it would cool her off. Then, still twitchy, put on a cotton camisole paired with drawstring pants and hopped into bed, but sleep eluded her. Rolf stayed in the front of her mind. They couldn’t keep sharing brief moments of intimacy and backing away.

  The connection was there, she was certain. But Rolf needed something to shock him out of the past and into the present. She ached to put her hands on him, run her fingers over the taut muscles until he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

  Faced with the dangers of the Takers, they might all die tomorrow. If she had to die, she wanted to take what pleasure from life she could. Her heart throbbed with the need for affection and the warmth of his touch.

  She punched her pillow.

  Enough. She would tell him what Emmie had said then see if he thought they shouldn’t be together. Carpe Diem! She pulled a T-shirt on over her head, to cover her sheer camisole, then pressed her lips together and strode out to Rolf’s cabin. She gave the door three hard knocks and waited with arms crossed until he called for her to come in.

  She stormed inside. He sat behind his desk with papers scattered before him, staring at her. His wary look turned to blue fire when she closed the door and crossed to stand before the desk, hands on her hips.

  “This is ridiculous for you to keep avoiding me. I know you care for me and I care for you. Why can’t we at least talk about it?” The spark in his eyes flared to a raging inferno. She swallowed, and warmth spread from her lower abdomen up through her chest.

  He rose from his chair, never breaking eye contact. Two steps around the desk had him standing inches from her.

  “Cara, I do care for you. More than you know, but—”

  “No.” She put her finger over his lips and traced her fingertips over his smooth cheek. With trembling hands, she lifted the T-shirt over her head to reveal the skimpy camisole beneath, keeping her eyes locked on his.

  He hissed in a sharp breath and tried to retreat, but she grabbed his shoulders. After a few seconds, a muscle in his jaw twitched. He cupped the side of her face in his hand, caressing her bottom lip with his thumb. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m trying to reach your heart.” She rested a hand on his chest. “I know it’s in there somewhere. And I know you feel what I feel.”

  “My heart…” He glanced at the ceiling and put a hand over hers. “…is cold, rusty, and full of sorrow. Why would you want to touch such a thing?”

  “If it is, you’ve allowed it to become that way.” Her fingers curled, grabbing a handful of his shirt. She gave him a little shake that brought his gaze back down.

  Hot blue eyes bore into hers. At that moment all his anguish, loneliness, and the passion of centuries past flooded into her.

  “If you choose to live in the present and have some joy in your life it doesn’t mean you’ve betrayed those you cared about in the past. Don’t you think Sakhet would want you to be happy?”

  He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. “I don’t know.”

  “What would you want for her if your positions were reversed?”

  “I’d want her to be…happy,” he whispered, his breath caressing her face. The deep musky scent of him drew into her nostrils.

  “Then—”

  He raised his head, eyes no longer afire. “But it’s more than that. I’m tortured with the thought I should have been able to save her. My name back then was ‘Bes’. It means ‘Joy-Bringer’. An
d yet the joy went out of my life when she was killed. It must have been my punishment for not protecting her. My whole world dissolved into the hunt, killing and more killing, in the hopes I could atone for the loss of my Sakhet. Pursuing a revenge that can never be consummated.”

  “It’s a burden you put on yourself.” Cara placed a hand on his cheek. She wiped away the single tear that escaped the corner of his eye. “You can bring joy again if you only allow yourself to. Please, Rolf? Can’t we have a little happiness in our lives in the midst of all this horror?”

  He drew in a deep breath and stared into her eyes. She nodded, and he reached out to touch her lips with gentle fingertips that trembled. His eyes warmed, and his hand moved from her face, trailing fire with his fingers as he stroked down her throat. He inched the thin strap of her camisole over her shoulder until it slipped down her arm. From there, he slid his hand over her back in slow sensuous circles, his gaze still holding her enthralled.

  “Mmm,” escaped her lips.

  He answered with a growl and, suddenly, they were crushed together, lips sliding, searching, hands moving over each other’s bodies. An explosion of tingling heat ran through Cara, and her knees gave way in the surge of passion, severing their kiss.

  Rolf wrapped an arm around her shoulders and the other behind her knees. He lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. The pounding of her heart pumped blood like hot flames through her veins, and she had to take several deep breaths to calm the pulse throbbing in her neck.

  He squeezed her body against his, and she rested her head on his heaving chest. The clean smell of scented soap mixed with the musky scent of his skin invaded her senses. She skimmed a hand around his neck and her fingers caressed the tender skin. He gasped and took three strides to the bed, placing her on the comforter.

  His jaw twitched as he stared at her, then he tugged off his shirt with an impatient jerk. The bronzed muscles of his chest glowed in the lamplight. He slowly pulled the ankh over his head, stared at it a moment, then opened a drawer of the night stand and dropped the necklace inside.

  He lowered himself to the side of the bed and Cara sat up. She took a deep breath, removed her camisole and tossed it on the floor, releasing her breasts. She fell back to the mattress, heart racing.

  Rolf’s eyes widened in desire. “Cara, you’ve bewitched me.” Heavy and warm, he lowered himself to cover her body with his.

  “I’m no witch,” she whispered, dusting his face with tender kisses. “I’m a real woman who can love you. Let me…love you.”

  His lips trailed heady warmth over her shoulder, up her neck, and locked to her lips. Hungry, their tongues thrust together, moving in sensuous swirls. She tasted a hint of red wine. Snaking her hands about his neck, she massaged his shoulders, tracing the hard texture of his muscles. Her hands traced the chiseled curves of his muscles and her fingers met a patch of scored flesh. A scar no doubt. She deepened her kiss. If only she could kiss the centuries of suffering and fighting away. She wanted to take care of him, love him, and make up for all the years of love he had lost. If only he would let her.

  He rolled her to his side, so they lay face to face, and enfolded her in his arms, a tender, cherishing gesture. His eyes searched hers and she met his gaze, steady and sure of her love. They lay like that for a minute, his heart pounding inches from her own. Water slapped against the hull of the boat in a rhythmic, soothing sound. Liquid throbbing pulsed between her thighs. She threw a leg over his hips, and pressed her hand against his back, wanting more.

  Needing more.

  “Cara,” he murmured, his lips met hers, responding to her fervor, warm and insistent. He shuddered and slid his hands down, grabbing her hips, pushing his pelvis against hers. “May the gods forgive me if this is wrong, but I want you. I need you. I need love.”

  She felt his urgency, a thousand years of pent up frustration and guilt slipping away on a tide of passion. A sob rose in her throat, but she swallowed against the constriction. Instead, her heart soared with the ancient call of a woman to comfort her man. The strong warrior who could only lower his guard and allow tenderness in the arms of the woman who loved him.

  “I need it, too, Rolf. We have a bond. You know it. It formed when we joined for the shield, and there’s no way to deny this attachment.” She rolled on top of him, hands pressing against his shoulders, and leaned over to kiss him tenderly. “Admit it.”

  He reached up, cupping the sides of her breasts with his hands. She reared back, and he was able to put his hands around them, squeezing the softness. She didn’t even try to restrain her moan.

  “I admit it. I wanted to deny our bond, thinking it would protect you. But it’s true, gods help me.” He grasped her waist and pulled her back to him. She rested on his chest, breathing heavily. He softly stroked her skin, up and down her spine, then nibbled her neck and shoulder, his lips warm, insistent.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” he whispered against her ear, his breath warm, tickling the hairs on her neck.

  She snuggled into the crook of his arm on one side, luxuriating in the hot skin and closeness of him, the strength that resonated beneath her fingers. She knew there were difficulties, but she didn’t care. Emmie told her to follow her heart and her heart led her to Rolf. Even if they only had this one night of joy, she was willing to risk it. “Yes, for as long as we have, I want this. I want you.” She hugged his chest and draped one leg over his.

  “So be it,” he said.

  Shivers crawled through her as his fingers explored her abdomen down to the drawstring of her pants and untied it. He tugged the waistband loose and slipped his hand inside, his fingertips teasing the tender skin. She gasped and raised her hips so he could pull the pants off, leaving her naked body gleaming in the low light.

  He twisted to sit on the side of the bed, unzipped his pants, and tossed them to the floor along with his boxers. He rolled back to face her, already hard, and she took him in her hand. He groaned and grasped her waist with strong hands as his mouth found hers, sucking her tongue in to meet his.

  “Rolf.” She drew back, hands on his chest.

  “Yes?” He touched feather light kisses to her eyelids, one at a time.

  “I…I do want you.” She cupped his face between her hands and looked into his wanting eyes. “This is right, I know it.”

  “So right it’s almost unbearable,” he whispered, face flushed.

  He kissed her again. A deep, penetrating kiss full of promise. He grabbed her buttocks, pressing her against his body as she wrapped her legs around him. His entrance was a smooth thrust of pure pleasure. A joining she’d wanted for so long.

  He sucked his breath in, and she moaned as they moved together. Slow luxurious thrusts increased in intensity, and they gazed into each other’s eyes, the throbbing between her legs now a sharp ache. His breath came out in a rush as she moved her hips in time with his thrusting.

  “Ohh, yes,” slipped from her lips.

  His gaze never strayed from her, despite their actions. “Gods, you’re so beautiful, Cara.” The blue of his eyes morphed into liquid sapphires, and she fell into their depths. Inside her, a glow of Light burst forth from her center and the tendrils of energy uncurled. Rolf’s Light surged as well, and she could feel the coils of Light entwined with each other like hot golden cords, binding the lovers in bonds of radiant power. Every sensation was heightened.

  She gasped at the intensity, her skin tingling. “What’s happening?”

  “It’s the Light,” Rolf said. “This is what it’s like for Dealers. Didn’t you know?”

  She shook her head, unable to speak and, despite the urge, unable to burst into tears of joy. She’d never made love to a Dealer, never imagined such a connection could exist.

  She saw the strands of Light in her mind, and floated in the glow of passionate energy. They stroked each other like fingers, swirling energy whipped into a frenzy of desire and need. Arousal burned like hot coals needing to be quenched
. Her hips moved faster, and he followed, both of them consumed now with the race to release.

  He squeezed his eyes shut and stiffened. Her answering passion was a burst of fiery rapture, carrying her in waves of swelling pleasure until it bordered the edge of painful in its intensity. Her body bucked, but he crushed her against him. Their bodies trembled in unison for several seconds, then the tension eased. The Light recoiled inside her, retreating back to her inner core.

  Cara released a deep breath and lifted her head. Sweat trickled down her face and back as the tingles in her skin subsided. She sucked in air and met his gaze. So many complications and emotions swirled in the depths of his eyes. Was there still a twinge of guilt? She wasn’t sure. So much about his relationship with Sakhet became clear after that amazing interaction of Light during their love-making. It was a binding, so complete, so powerful there was no escaping it.

  She stroked his face, hoping to ease his inner turmoil. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “It’s going to be okay.” God only knew what sort of memories were running through his head.

  He rolled to her side, closed his eyes, and pulled her to his chest. “Gods, Cara. I hope I have not put you in any more danger. I can’t bear the thought of losing you.” He whispered in her ear, voice catching. “I’m…afraid.”

  “What?” Ice gripped her heart. He was Rolf, an ancient, powerful Light-dealer. How could he be afraid of anything?

  He didn’t answer for several seconds, and she held him close, stroking his back.

  “What if your closeness to me puts you in danger?” His voice was so low she could barely hear it. “What if I can’t protect you?”

  “Shhh,” she said as she would to calm a child. “What happens from now on is fate. You can’t control it. Be happy for what we have.”

  He clung to her, pressing his face into her hair, and she continued to rub his back until his breathing calmed. Cara’s mind raced from one worry to the next until Emmie’s face appeared in her mind. The old dear would tell her to “Stop her frettin,” no doubt. With a sigh, she closed her eyes.