Finally, as the woman moved off, Kelly skirted the bar and stood behind Sam. Sam, we have to talk.
Those broad shoulders tensed. He did not turn around. One of the SEALs glanced at her, growled a little. A Draicon werewolf. Wonderful. Sams friends had tried, judged and convicted her. But the muscular SEALs didnt matter. Only Sam did.
Please, she said softly and placed a hand on his arm.
Sam picked up his beer and led her to a corner booth. A bowl of peanuts sat on the table. Her stomach grumbled. Kelly picked up a peanut and ate it. Suddenly ravenous, she devoured one after another. Sam looked at her, his mouth a narrow slash.
You okay? That was a nasty bolt of energy Rogers tossed at you.
Ive felt worse. The two Mages back on the island made Rogerss jolt of energy feel like a tickle.
His expression softened. Youre hungry.
Sam waved a hand. The bartender came over, his expression grim.
I need a burger, medium rare, fries and a... Sam cocked his head at her, his expression amused. Still into root beer?
I can handle something stronger. What youre drinking. Domestic, right?
A ghost of a smile. Tom, give her a Bud.
Silence from the bartender.
Sams expression tightened. Well, Tom?
You, Ill serve. Not her.
Anger flared in Sams eyes, the green sparking like fireworks. I dont like your tone.
I like you, Shay. But Ive got two young daughters. They mean everything to me. I dont serve no stinking Arcanes... The word was spat out in disgust. Especially Arcane bitches who steal kids just so she can suck out their powers for herself.
Guess good news travels fast. Kellys appetite fled, the peanuts turning into cardboard in her stomach.
I didnt do it, she protested.
Sams jaw worked. He drank his beer as the bartender left. Everyone was looking at her. Humiliation poured over her.
Sam, please. Kelly struggled to find the right words. After twelve years, she felt at a loss. What did you say to the man who once loved and now probably hated you?
He dug into his back pocket, pulled out a wallet, fished out some bills and laid them on the table. Heres enough money to get dinner and get a flight out of here. Go home. Youd better leave, Kel. Were all pretty tight, and the guys can be very reactive. And they dont like what they heard about you.
They heard rumors I steal children.
They heard what your father did to my family.
Torment haunted his eyes as he looked up. Dont force me to take sides. Because this time, I cant stand with you against my teammates.
Her throat was suddenly dry. She tried to calm her shaky nerves. Coming here was a bad idea. I should have known I was up for the pitchforks-and-torches routine. Now what? Do you give me a head start before sending the mob after me?
I would never hurt you, he said softly.
I didnt kidnap Billy. Just because you believe my father killed your family doesnt make me exactly like him.
There. Out in the open. Sams jaw clenched hard as stone. Sparks leaped from his fingers. Damn.
Kelly stared. Sam? Whats going on with your powers?
Theyre a little haywire lately.
Sparks sizzled in the air. The lights flickered as Sams hands glowed white. Uh-oh. She recognized the potent surge of power....
As she glanced at the bar to see if anyone noticed, a woman stared at Sam. Her expression was both sad and hopeful.
Sam raised his hands and flicked them toward the ceiling.
The lights flickered again, and Kelly glanced at the bar and the burly man standing by one of the SEALs. She stifled a gasp and looked away. Surely that could not be...
Her gaze cut back to the man. Suddenly he was gone. Replaced by...
Evil.
As the lights went out, Kelly shrieked.
Chapter 4
Shay jumped up, the beer bottle spilling. The lights flickered back on as suds spread over the table. Blood drained from her face, Kelly stuffed a fist in her mouth, staring at the bar.
She was okay. He ran to her, his fingers curling around her slender shoulders. What is it?
I saw... She closed her eyes and then opened them, the fear gone. A Death Mask. The skull face of a Mage whos slaughtered another Mage to gain his powers. The first step to becoming a Dark Lord.
Conversation around them quieted. His teammates stared at him and then at Kelly. Someone muttered a curse.
Impossible. Tom shook his head.
I know what I saw. Hes here. Or was. Kelly craned her head to peer past Sam. Hes gone now. Left when the lights went out.
Silence draped the bar. Shay studied Kellys tight expression and could tell her pulse was galloping. She was scared but resolved. Her gaze scanned the room.
Tom spoke, his voice tight with anger and fear. Youre lying. Get out of my bar.
Unease rippled through the room. Two burly support staff from Team 21 cracked their knuckles and got off their stools.
Whispers and more stares. Shay glanced up and saw Renegade and the other SEALs tense. It was going to get ugly fast. Fear did crazy things to people, even paranorms. The crowd would fast turn into a mob if Kelly didnt leave now.
She turned to him.
Sam? A shallow breath and whisper. You believe me, dont you?
A razors edge of silence. He studied his former lovers face, and then her hands. Steady and resolved. He drew on all his instincts and inhaled the air.
He smelled a tinge of something familiar...and foul, as if evil brushed the air and then fled.
I believe something nasty was here.
Turning, he glanced at his teammates, his friends and Tom. Hed known Tom for years.
We dont, Tom said flatly. Shes lying. Get out of my bar.
Two lines furrowed Kellys brow. He recognized the look. It would take force to remove her. I know what I saw. And Im not leaving until I search every inch of this place and see where he went.
I believe something nasty was here.
Turning, he glanced at his teammates, his friends and Tom. Hed known Tom for years.
We dont, Tom said flatly. Shes lying. Get out of my bar.
Two lines furrowed Kellys brow. He recognized the look. It would take force to remove her. I know what I saw. And Im not leaving until I search every inch of this place and see where he went.
He turned and saw his teammates maneuver around the bar, getting ready to intercept.
Shay, Sully said quietly. His teammate nodded toward the door.
Right. As Kelly slid out of the booth, Shay got out and scooped her over a shoulder as if she were a sack of flour. She let out a startled Oomph. He ignored it as he jogged toward the door Renegade held open.
As the heavy wood door banged behind him, Shay set her on her feet. He hated her stricken look, as if hed killed her favorite kitten. A knot of barbed wire cinched his guts.
She was dangerous and outcast. He should send her far away before he got involved. Too late, he thought dimly.
Sam, you have to let me back in there.
Leaning against the door, he shook his head. Kelly, Ive had a bitch of a day. Watching you get your head torn apart by dozens of drunken vampires, werewolves and Mages is not how I want it to end.
Hes in there. I have to find him. Someones hiding him, Sam, and youre not standing in my way.
Her fingers flexed. He felt the quiet hum of power in the air. Behind him, the door rattled on its hinges. Sams own powers surged.
Back off, he said quietly.
She dropped her hands, her luscious pink mouth trembling. So thats it. Now what? Go to a motel? No one will rent me a room. My names been flashed across every television screen in America as a suspect in the kidnapping of Senator Rogerss son. There are no flights until morning. Where am I supposed to go?
Home with me.
This new steely, conservative Sam Shaymore still harbored a hint of wildness. It roared with the big, shiny chrome Harley he rode.
Clinging to his back, Kelly closed her eyes as the big bike rumbled beneath her. Wind slapped at her cheeks. The ride was exhilarating and one shed have enjoyedif not for the tense male driving.
She hooked her arms around his muscled waist. Sam had always been fit, but the navy had turned him into granite. As her thighs nestled against his long limbs, she felt a jolt of pure sexual awareness. The sharp leather scent of his jacket and his own masculine smell sent her female hormones surging.
Bad timing.
Sam turned a corner onto a quiet street lined with trees and trim, tidy homes. He pulled into a driveway before a two-story white house with green shutters and cut the engine.
Ever the gentleman, he helped her dismount. Kelly pulled off the helmet, smoothing down her tousled hair.
Sam quietly studied her, his full, sensual mouth drawn in a flat line. Unreadable, his expression shuttered.
You dont live on base?
Team 21 has off-base privileges. This is our street. Id tell you who all my neighbors are, but its classified.
And youd have to kill me, she joked.
No, the base security officers would. His gaze was even and unblinking. As she gulped, the ghost of a smile touched his mouth. Sam touched her nose. Gotcha.
The tension between them eased. Kelly breathed a sigh of relief and followed him inside.
Sam had always had taste, but the modest living room surprised her with its plain but comfortable furniture. This was more a home suited for someone like her.
She trailed him into the kitchen, a more elegant room with gleaming granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Dumping her pack on the floor, Kelly sat on a stool at the breakfast bar. Sam needed time to download and process before she hit him with the heavy-duty artillery.
He grabbed two bottles of beer and offered her one. Kelly sipped as he hunted through the fridge, setting bread, deli turkey slices, lettuce and Swiss cheese on the countertop. He frowned and braced his hands on the counter, studying her a long minute.
Do you have any memory of where you were two hours ago?
Confused, she nodded. At your base, SEAL Team 21s compound. Youre all paranormals, arent you?
Curt didnt take your memories right before you left the base, Sam said softly. Ill be damned. Civilians arent allowed on our compound, and any who do have their memories erased. No one is supposed to know about our team. SOP.
Maybe your commanding officer has more faith in me than your standard operating procedure. He asked questions, but I didnt answer them.
Because I dont trust him. I trust only you.
Kelly, youre in deep trouble. And these rumors about a Dark Lord arent helping your case.