Eden Robins - Never Until Tomorrow.pdf

7/27/2019 Eden Robins - Never Until Tomorrow.pdf

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NEVER UNTIL TOMORROW

By

Eden Robins

cop yr ig ht E den R ob in s

C ov er a rt b y E li za B la ck , c op yr ig ht J un e 2 00 4

New Concepts Publishing

5202 Humphreys Rd.

L ak e P ar k, G A 3 16 36

www.newconceptspublishing.com

Prologue

Y e ar 3 00 0

" Yo u w an t m e t o d o w ha t? " t he m an a sk ed i nc re du lo us ly a s h e s ta re d a t t he v id eo c om mu ni ca to r o n t he

w al l o f h is s tu dy .

" Th e c ha mb er h as d ec id ed t ha t i t m us t b e d on e t o g ua ra nt ee o ur f ut ur e, " s ai d t he g en er al .

" Yes, b ut w hy h av e I b een cho sen w hen I ?m m er el y a m il it ar y com mand er ? S ho ul dn ?t a p er so nage f ro m

t he H ig h C ha mb er b e c ho se n t o c ar ry o ut s uc h a n i mp or ta nt a ss ig nm en t? I ?m n o d ip lom at , y ou k no w t hi s

sir. Also my scientific knowledge of time travel is limited."

" I d on ?t t hi nk y ou g iv e y ou rs el f e no ug h c re di t, A ri n. Y ou gr ad ua te d t op o f y ou r c la ss a t t he i ns ti tu te a nd

you studied politics, military strategy, and scientific relevance extensively."

" Ag ai n s ir , t here are m an y o th er s m or e q uali fi ed ," h e s ai d s tu bb or nl y, alt ho ug h h e k new h e h ad alr eady

lost this battle.

" It ?s b ee n d ec id ed . Y ou w il l l ea ve i n o ne w ee k. M ee t m e t om or ro w m or ni ng a nd w e? ll b eg in y ou r

briefing of the time and the individual involved."

"Yes, sir."

A ri n t ur ne d a s t he m oni to r w ent b la ck a nd s at d ow n i n h is f av or it e c ha ir o ve rl oo ki ng t he c it y. H e s ti ll

cou ld n?t u nd er st an d w hy t hey h ad cho sen h im . I t all s eemed v er y s us pi ci ou s and h e w on dered i f h is

f at her h ad any th in g t o d o w it h i t.

T he n ex t m or ni ng A ri n m et wi th t he ge ne ra l t o d is cu ss t he e ve nt s o f t he t im e he w as t ra ve li ng t o a nd w ha t

c ha ng es n ee de d t o b e m ad e. A s t he g en er al w as p re pa ri ng h is p ap er wo rk , A ri n t ho ug ht a bo ut h is m is si on

a nd w ha t i t e nt ai le d. O nc e t he m ys te ry o f t im e t ra ve l h ad be en s ol ve d i n h is t im e, i t b ec am e c om mon


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practice for his government to travel to the past and change events to the benefit of the future. As could

h av e b een exp ected f ro m s uch act io n, i n t he b eg in ni ng s om e t er ri bl e cat as tr op hes w er e creat ed i n t he

past by the mistakes of novice time travelers, either unaware of the long term effects of their actions or

through accidental changes that had monstrous consequences for the future. Only through great practice

and ext en si ve t rain in g and r es earch w as t he s ys tem p er fect ed and t he m is takes cor rected. T he s ay in g,

h in ds ig ht i s alw ay s p er fect b ut t oo l at e, b ecam e h in ds ig ht i s every th in g. A ll t he m is takes o f t he p as t, w hi ch

con tr ib ut ed t o u ns af e w at er and f oo d, as w el l as env ir on ment al p ol lu ti on , d is app eared. O nce A ri n?sw or ld h ad b een o ne s o p ol lu ted t hat p eo pl e w er e f or ced t o l iv e i n env ir on ment al ly con tr ol led b io do mes

a nd c on su me a rt if ic ia ll y c re at ed n ou ri sh me nt . N ow h is w or ld w as a lm os t a s c le an a s t he d ay i t w as

created.

T he g ove rn me nt h ad o nl y p ra is e f or t hi s s ys te m a nd s aw no d ef ec ts i n i t. T o A ri n t he re w as s om et hi ng

n ot q ui te r ig ht a bo ut i t. T oo m an y q ue st io ns w er e l ef t u na ns we re d, s uc h a s h ow f ar d oe s t he g ov er nm en t

g o t o m ak e t he se c ha ng es ? W ha t i f t he re a re h um an l iv es i nv ol ve d? A re t he y s ac ri fi ce d f or t he f ut ur e?

T hese q uest io ns l ef t h im f eeli ng s kept ical abo ut t he cor rect ness o f w hat t hey w er e d oi ng . T hu s t hi s

m ee ti ng t oda y a nd hi s u pc om ing m is si on t o t he pa st l ef t h im w it h a b ad t as te i n hi s m out h. H e h ad t hou gh t

abo ut i t all n ig ht , b ut h e s ti ll cou ld n?t f ig ur e o ut w hy t hey w an ted h im t o t im e t ravel.

I t w as hi gh ly u nu sua l. A s h e h ad s ai d t o t he g en er al l as t ni gh t, A ri n r ea ll y w as n? t a s q ua li fi ed a s h e s ho ul d

be for such a mission. Most time travelers are chosen by the Chamber and trained for several years

before they can travel. Again the thought that his father may have something to do with this came to mind.

H is f at her w as a p ow er fu l m an w it hi n t he C hamb er , and A ri n k new t hat h e cou ld arr an ge s om et hi ng l ik e

t hi s. B ut w hy? H e a nd h is f at he r h ad b ee n c lo se u p u nt il t he d ay h is m ot he r d ie d f iv e y ea rs a go . A ft er

t ha t, h is f at he r a nd h e h ad e ac h g on e i nt o t he ir ow n s he ll of m ou rn in g, no t k no wi ng h ow t o c om for t e ac h

o th er . H is m ot he r a lw ay s s ee me d t o k no w h ow t o b ri ng t he m c lo se r t og et he r a nd g et t he m t o e xp re ss

t heir f eeli ng s t o each o th er . B ot h m en w er e s tr on g, d et er mi ned, and s tu bb or n. O nce h is m ot her w as

g on e, t he y d id n? t k no w h ow t o b ri dg e t he g ap b et we en t he m. S o, e ve n t ho ug h t he y d id l ov e e ac h o th er ,t he p as t f iv e y ea rs s ee me d t o o nl y b ui ld a b ig ge r c ha sm b et we en t he m. T he y w ou ld g et t og et he r e ve ry

cou pl e o f w eeks , y et each m eeti ng w as s tr ai ned and u ncom fo rt ab le f or b ot h o f t hem. A ft er t hi nk in g t hi ng s

t hr ou gh , A ri n d ecid ed t o app ro ach h is f at her aft er t he b ri ef in g t od ay w it h t he g en er al .

" Yo u w il l b e g oi ng b ac k t o t he y ea r 2 00 0, " t he g en er al b eg an . " On ce t he re , y ou w il l f re qu en t a n

est ab li sh ment cal led T he D ar k L an tern . T here y ou ?l l m eet y ou r con tact . T hi s p er so n can h el p y ou g et t o

kn ow o ur t ar ge t, Fr ank St eve ns . He i s t he ma n you m us t ge t c lo se t o. Hi s wo rk i s of gr ea t r el eva nc e t o

u s. T he r ec or ds h e k ee ps a re v er y s pa rs e, a s h e f ea re d d is co ve ry f rom e ve ry whe re . M os t o f t he

i nf or mati on i s k ep t i ns id e h is h ead, t hu s t he n eces si ty o f g et ti ng h im t o t ru st y ou . D o y ou u nd er st an d y ou r

instructions so far?"

W h en A ri n n od ded h is h ead, t he g en er al con ti nu ed u nt il h e h ad cov er ed all t he i nf or mati on n eces sary

a nd ac ti ons , up to a poi nt. Aft er that , he wa s t o c ont ac t t he gener al to be advis ed of the ne xt st eps t o be

t ak en . O nl y o ne t hi ng w as m is si ng f rom w ha t he h ad b ee n t ol d.

"W ho w il l b e m y c on ta ct , a nd h ow w il l t he y h el p m e g et c lo se t o P ro fe ss or S te ve ns ?" A ri n a sk ed .

" Th at i s w he re w e? re a l it tl e u nc le ar . I t? s a r el at iv e o f t he p ro fe ss or a nd y ou ?l l s av e t he m f ro m s om e k in d

o f h ar m. T he n t he y? ll b e i nd eb te d t o y ou a nd y ou s ho ul d h av e e as y a cc es s t o S te ve ns ," t he g en er al

replied.

" A l it tl e u nclear ? I t ho ug ht t hi s w as a p er fect ed s ci en ce, s ir ."


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"Well, it is," the general explained clearing his throat and suddenly looking uncomfortable. "But even

s ci ence can ?t p ick u p w hat h is to ry n eg lects t o r eco rd ."

" Wha t do y ou m ea n s ir ?"

" We ll i t s ee ms t ha t t hi s p ar ti cu la r r el at iv e d is ap pe ar s a ft er h is o r h er a rr iv al t o T he D ar k L an te rn a nd i s

n ev er h eard f ro m again . S o y ou s ee, y ou ?l l s av e t hi s r el at iv e f ro m a v er y u ncer tain f ut ur e, " t he g en er alexplained.

A ft er t he b ri ef in g, A ri n w en t t o M in d S et t o l ea rn e ve ry th in g a bo ut t he y ea r 2 00 0. M in d S et w as a

computer-aided memory system, which committed to a human?s memory whatever information was

r eq ui re d i n a m at te r o f m in ut es . T he t ec hn iq ue w as d is co ve re d d ur in g t he l as t w or ld w ar o f 2 65 0 a nd w as

n ow a s ta nd ar d t oo l u se d b y a ll t im e t ra ve le rs t o h el p t he m l ea rn a bo ut t he ir l at es t d es ti na ti on . T he

exp er ience w as s ti ll s tr an ge t o A ri n, h av in g h ad l it tl e con tact w it h M in d S et i n t he p as t.

On ce i t w as f in is he d, A ri n w en t t o s ee h is f at he r.

" I r eall y k no w n ot hi ng abo ut y ou r m is si on , s on . T he f ir st I h eard o f y ou r p ar ti ci pati on i n i t w as l as t n ig ht .

O bv io us ly t hey t hi nk y ou ?r e t he b es t equ ip ped t o h an dl e t hi s s peci fi c cas e o r y ou w ou ld n?t h av e b een

cho sen b y t he C hamb er ," h is f at her r easo ned.

A ri n w as s kept ical abo ut h is f at her?s p ar ti ci pati on i n h is s el ecti on . H is f at her w as n ev er t ol d s om et hi ng

a ft er t he f ac t. T he C ha mb er a lw ay s c on su lt ed h im b ef or e a d ec is io n w as m ad e. H e t ho ug ht a bo ut

q ue st io ni ng hi m m or e a bo ut h is r ol e i n t hi s, b ut c ou ld t el l b y t he c los ed l oo k o n h is f ac e t ha t h e w as no t

going to impart much more information to him.

" Fa th er , w e b ot h k no w I ?m n ot t he b es t c ho ic e f or t hi s m is si on b ec au se o f m y q ua li fi ca ti on s. T he re a re

m an y w it hi n t he t im e t ravel cir cl e w ho are t rain ed ext en si vely f or t hi s. " A ft er A ri n s ai d t hi s, h e w ai teds il en tl y, h op in g h is f at her w ou ld r ev eal s om et hi ng t o h im . I ns tead , h e j us t l oo ked away evasi vely and

s hr ug ged h is s ho ul ders . A ri n r eali zed s om et hi ng s er io us and d an gero us , o th er t han w hat h e h ad b een t ol d,

w as g oi ng t o h ap pe n du ri ng h is t ra ve l t hr ou gh t im e. I t s ee me d, o n t hi s c as e, h e w as o n h is o wn . A ll h e

c ou ld d o w as t ry t o p re pa re h im se lf f or w ha te ve r m ig ht c om e u p.

" I? m s o g la d w e? re c lo se e no ug h t o h av e t he se l it tl e t al ks , F at he r. T ha nk y ou f or y ou r h on es ty a nd f ai th

i n m e. A nd t ha nk s f or a ll y our h el p, " A ri n s ai d s ar ca st ic al ly , a s he t ur ne d a nd s ta lk ed a ng ri ly o ut o f h is

father?s office.

As he walke d out of the r oom, he didn? t s ee his fa ther t ake a s te p f or wa rd and re ac h out to stop him.H e d ro pp ed h is h an d a nd s ho ok h is h ea d w it h r eg re t a s a v oi ce s ou nd ed b eh in d h im .

" Don? t e ve n t hi nk a bout i t, J ohn ," a m an s ai d a s h e w al ke d out f rom a doo r be hi nd hi s de sk. " He ?s our

only hope. If he knows anything more, it would jeopardize everything."

" He i s my s on, H enr y. I don? t wa nt to s ee hi m ge t hur t," h e s ai d s tubbor nl y. " Why di d he ha ve t o be the

o ne?" h e ask ed q ui et ly .

C ha pt e r 1

Ye a r 2 00 0


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S he w as d oi ng i t a ga in .

S he w as l oo ki ng a ro un d t he r oo m w it h t he f or lo rn e xp re ss io n o f a k it te n w ho h ad l os t i ts m ot he r. D id n? t

t he g ir l r ea li ze t ha t t he s ha rk s i n t hi s p la ce c ou ld e at h er a li ve ? T he y t hr iv e on t he w ea kn es s o f o th er s f or

t he ir o wn g ai n. A nd b y t he l oo ks o f h er t he re w as m uc h t o g ai n. H er s tr aw be rr y b lo nd h ai r h un g j us tbelow her waist, and it looked so soft that Arin wanted to reach out and touch it. At first glance her petite

body looked almost boyish beneath the baggy clothes she wore, but on closer inspection her curves were

d ef in it el y t ho se o f a w om an . H er f ac e w as h ea rt s ha pe d, y et o ff se t b y t he s tu bb or n s et o f h er c hi n. S he

ha d f ul l l ips t ha t pou te d t o be k is se d, a pe rt n os e t ha t h e kne w, i f he l ooke d c los el y, w ou ld be s pr inkl ed

w it h f reck les, and s tr ik in g aqu am ar in e eyes t op ped w it h p er fect ly arched eyebr ow s.

Y es , t he re w as a l ot t o be ga ine d b y t hi s o ne , but not by hi m. Not t ha t s he wa sn? t be aut if ul e noug h.

Ra the r, i t w as be ca us e s he ha d t ro ubl e w ri tt en a ll ove r h er . He di dn? t kn ow how , bu t h e c oul d f ee l i t, a nd

h is t hi rt y- si x y ears o f l if e exp er ience t au gh t h im t o l is ten t o h is f eeli ng s abo ut w om en . S o w hat i f s he

l oo ke d l os t a nd i n n ee d o f r es cu e? H e w as g oi ng t o f or ge t h er a nd c on ti nu e w ai ti ng f or h is c on ta ct t os how. The gi rl mus t know wha t s he wa s doi ng i n a pl ac e li ke t hi s, s o he l eft he r t o i t. He w as goi ng t o

s ta y a s f ar a wa y f ro m he r a s pos si bl e.

He w as d oi ng i t a ga in .

H e w as l oo ki ng a t h er w it h t ha t d ar k s co wl in g e xp re ss io n. T al ia f er ve nt ly h op ed h e w as n? t t he o ne s he

w as s ch ed ul ed t o m ee t w it h. J us t s it ti ng i n a c ha ir a cr os s t he r oo m, h e i nt im id at ed h er . A nd r ig ht n ow , s he

c ou ld n? t a ff or d t o b e i nt im id at ed . H er l if e a s w el l a s h er f at he r? s d ep en de d o n i t. I t t oo k a ll o f h er

c ou ra ge t o c om e t o a p la ce l ik e t hi s. I f t he y h ad n? t t hr ea te ne d h er f at he r? s l if e, s he w ou ld n ev er h av e

a gr ee d t o i t. W as n? t i t e no ug h t ha t t he y? d r ui ne d h er f am il y? T ha t t he e nd r es ul t c au se d t he d ea th o f h er m ot her d ue t o t he s tr es s and s tr ai n w eakeni ng h er alr eady i ll con di ti on ? A ft er g iv in g t hem t he m on ey t hey

ha d de ma nd ed, s he ha d t hought s he wo ul d be s af e a ga in. Y et s ix ye ar s t o t he da y a ft er t he y got t he ir

blood money, they were back for something else. She could no more understand what this was about at

age t went y- fo ur t han s he d id at age eig ht een. H er f at her r ef us ed t o t el l h er any th in g, o nl y s ay in g t hat t hey

h ad t o g iv e t he m w ha t t he y d em an de d.

W hy w as h e s ta ri ng a t h er s o i nt en se ly ? I t w as v er y u ns et tl in g. S he d ec id ed i t w as h is e ye s t ha t d is tu rb ed

h er m os t. T he y w er e t he d ee p g ra y o f s to rm c lo ud s t hr ea te ni ng r ai n. H is d ar k e ye br ow s, l on g t hi ck

eyelash es and h aw k- li ke n os e o nl y i nt en si fi ed t he eff ect. S ur pr is in gl y, i n con tr as t t o t he r es t o f h is f ace, h is

l ip s l oo ked f ul l and s en su al . H is m id ni gh t b lack h ai r, w hi ch h e w or e l oo se t o h is s ho ul ders , com pl et ed t hel oo k o f a m an w ho s ho ul d n ot b e t ak en l ig ht ly . S ud de nl y h e s to od u p, w al ke d o ve r t o s ay s om et hi ng t o

the bar te nder and t he y bot h t ur ne d t o s tar e a t her . As he got up, she s aw that he wa s ver y l arge . That

w as t he o nl y wo rd f or i t. S he kn ew t ha t, a t b es t, h er h ea d wo ul d ba re ly r ea ch t he t op of h is c he st . A nd

d ue t o t he s nu g f it o f h is bl ac k j ea ns a nd T -s hi rt , s he c ou ld s ee h is w el l- de fi ne d m us cl es r ip pl in g w he n h e

w al ked. Y et , d es pi te h is t al ln es s and i ncredi bl e m us cu lar p hy si qu e, h e m ov ed g racefu ll y acr os s t he r oo m.

R em in di ng h er o f s om e m aj es ti c b ea st s ta lk in g w it hi n t he c on fi ne s o f a c ag e. T he re w as on e w or d f or t hi s

ma n, a nd t ha t wa s da ng er ous . Sh e w as g oi ng t o s ta y a s f ar a wa y f rom h im a s po ss ibl e.

" Well , w el l, t he l it tl e g ir l h as g ro wn u p. "

T al ia n ea rl y j um pe d o ut o f h er s ea t a s a n as al ly v oi ce f ro m b eh in d h er i nt er ru pt ed h er t ho ug ht s. I t w as a

v oi ce s he h ad ho pe d n ev er t o h ea r a ga in . T he n as al t wa ng a nd s li gh t l is p p er fe ct ly f it t he w ea se l- li ke

c re at ur e s he t ur ne d a rou nd t o f ac e. H is e ye s da rt ed q ui ck ly ov er h er b ody a nd he l ee re d a t he r a s h e


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l ic ke d h is l ip s. S he f el t d is gu st ed a nd n au se ou s a nd o nl y w is he d t o f le e; y et s he k ne w s he h ad t o s ta y t o

d is co ve r h is l at es t d em an ds . T al ia w as s ur pr is ed h e h ad c om e t o m ee t h er hi ms el f. H e u su al ly s en t o ne o f

h is h en ch me n t o d o h is d ir ty w or k i n t he p as t.

" Wh at d o y ou w an t f ro m u s n ow ?" s he a sk ed , t ry in g t o s ou nd b ra ve .

H e w as n?t f oo led.

" Wh at ? N o h eart felt h el lo s o r t el li ng m e h ow m uch y ou m is sed m e o ver t hese p as t s ix y ears , d ar li ng ?"

He sni cke re d a s he sa t down be si de her a t t he ta ble .

" I? m n ot h er e t o p la y g am es w it h yo u M r. B li gh ," s he s ai d i n a n o- non se ns e t on e.

" The l as t t ime we me t you t ol d us you woul d ne ve r bot he r us ag ai n, a nd t ha t you ha d wha t you wa nt ed.

W hy di d y ou ne ed t o m ee t a ga in? " s he a ske d.

H e s li d hi s c ha ir ove r s o c lo se t o h er s t ha t s he c oul d f ee l h is b re at h on he r f ac e. I t w as p ut ri d a nd hi st eet h l ooke d a s if t he y we re rot te d a ll t he wa y t o hi s gra y gums . Tal ia t ri ed t o move a wa y f rom hi m, but

before she could, he grasped her arm in a surprisingly steely grip.

" It s eems I f or go t s om et hi ng w hen col lect in g f ro m y ou r f am il y, " h e s ai d s pecu lati vely as h e s tu di ed h er

face intently.

"Y ou m ean b es id es k il li ng m y m ot her?" s he b lu rt ed o ut b ef or e h er com mo n s en se r em in ded h er t hat t hi s

w as a d an ge ro us m an s he w as d ea li ng w it h.

L uc ki ly h e i gn or ed he r c om me nt a nd w en t on t o e xp la in w ha t he m ea nt .

" I n ev er r ea li ze d w ha t a b ea ut if ul g ir l y ou w er e. O ne o f m y m en s aw y ou r ec en tl y a nd r ep or te d t o m e

h ow e xq ui si te y ou h ad b ec om e. I t w as t he n t ha t I r ea li ze d t he i mp or ta nt t re as ur e I h ad l ef t b eh in d. "

" An d w ha t m ig ht t ha t b e? " T al ia a sk ed , a lt ho ug h s he a lr ea dy f ea re d s he k ne w t he a ns we r t o t ha t.

" Wh y, y ou , o f c ou rs e T al ia ," h e a ns we re d w it h s at is fa ct io n a s h e s aw h er e ye s t ur n f ea rf ul . " I a lr ea dy

h av e a b uy er f or y ou . F or ei gn , v er y w ea lt hy , a nd v er y, v er y d is cr ee t. A s f ar a s t he w or ld w il l b e

con cern ed , y ou w il l h av e d is ap pear ed o ff t he f ace o f t he p lanet. "

* * * *

Wha t i s s he d oi ng t al ki ng t o a s li me b al l l ike B li gh ? A ri n w on de re d a s he w at ch ed f ro m a cr os s t he

room.

" So y ou d on ?t k no w w ho s he i s T om ?" h e a sk ed t he b ar te nd er a ga in . D ur in g h is t im e h er e, h e h ad

g ot te n t o k no w T om p re tt y w el l. A lt ho ug h h is c us tom er s w er e t he s cum o f t he e ar th , A ri n k ne w h e c ou ld

t r us t t h e b ar t en der .

" I? ve n ev er s ee n h er i n h er e b ef or e. S he j us t i sn ?t t he t yp e, i f y ou k no w w ha t I m ea n, " T om a ns we re d.

U nf or tu nately , A ri n k new j us t w hat h e m eant . A s h e con ti nu ed t o w at ch h er t al ki ng t o B li gh , h e k new


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t ha t t he t rou bl e h e h ad e xpe ct ed w as a bo ut t o b eg in .

T oo l at e, T al ia r ea li ze d w ha t a m is ta ke i t h ad b ee n t o c om e h er e a lo ne . S he q ui ck ly r os e, t ry in g t o

s tr ug gl e o ut o f B li gh ?s g ra sp . B ut i t p ro ve d a f ut il e a tt em pt , a s h e j us t s to od u p w it h h er a nd p ul le d h er

c lo se t o h is s id e.

"L ea vi ng s o s oon? B ut we ?v e o nl y be gu n t o g et t o k now e ac h o the r. A nd I d o wa nt us t o ge t mu chbetter acquainted," he said grinning mockingly as he began dragging her toward the backdoor.

T al ia f ou gh t a ga ins t hi m a s s he s ca nn ed t he r oo m, l oo ki ng f or s om eo ne w ho m ig ht h el p h er . S he h ad j us t

d ec id ed t o s cr ea m a t t he t op o f h er l un gs , h op in g t o g et s om e a tt en ti on , w he n a m an j oi ne d B li gh a nd

s tu ff ed a r ag i n h er m out h a s he g ra spe d h er ot he r a rm. Nob od y s ee me d t o no ti ce t ha t s he wa s be ing

f or ci bl y d ragg ed acr os s t he r oo m. E very on e j us t con ti nu ed d ri nk in g and t al ki ng as i f n ot hi ng s tr an ge w as

going on.

J us t a s Ta li a wa s a bout t o be pu she d out si de a nd i nt o a wa it ing c ar , h er l ef t a rm, t he n he r r ight a rm we re

abr up tl y r el eased. S he i mm ed iately f el l b ackw ar ds i nt o w hat at f ir st f el t l ik e a s ol id w al l. T al ia r eali zeda ft er a f ew s ec on ds i t w as a ct ua ll y a v er y l ar ge , v er y s ol id c he st . T wo h an ds s te ad ie d h er , t he n q ui ck ly

r el ea se d h er . S he t ur ne d a ro un d a nd f ou nd t ha t t he c he st a nd s tr on g h an ds b el on ge d t o n on e o th er t ha n

t he m an w ho h ad b ee n s co wl in g a t h er i ns id e t he p ub . H e w as i n t he p ro ce ss o f t yi ng a n u nc on sc io us

B li gh and h is accom pl ice?s h an ds u p. D ur in g h er r el ease and s ub sequ en t f al l i nt o t he m an ?s chest n o

w or ds h ad b ee n s po ke n. T he m an f in is he d w ha t h e w as d oi ng , t he n s to od a nd l oo ke d o dd ly a t T al ia . S he

r em ov ed t he g ag f ro m h er m ou th .

" Th an k yo u f or y ou r h el p. W it hou t i t I w oul d h av e r ea ll y b ee n i n t ro ubl e. " I n r es pon se t he m an s ai d

n ot hi ng , b ut con ti nu ed t o s tare i n t hat s tr an ge w ay . U nf azed b y h is l ack o f r es po ns e s he con ti nu ed .

" Le t m e i nt rod uc e m ys el f. I ?m T al ia S te ve ns , a nd a ga in, I a m v er y g ra te fu l f or y ou r a id ," s he s ai d a s s hem ov ed c lo se r t o h im w it h h er h an d e xt en de d. H ow ev er , i ns te ad o f s ha ki ng h er h an d, h e g ra bb ed i t a nd

r ou ghl y pu ll ed h er t ow ar d h im u nt il h is f ac e wa s on ly i nc he s a wa y f ro m he rs . T oo l at e s he s aw t he b ar el y

con tr ol led ang er o n h is f ace.

" Wh at d o y ou t hi nk y ou ?r e d oi ng ?" A ri n a sk ed i n a d ec ep ti ve ly q ui et v oi ce . I f s he ?d k no wn h im , t ha t

a lo ne w ou ld h av e w ar ne d h er o f t he e xt en t o f h is f ee li ngs . H is v oi ce w as a g au ge o f h is e mo ti on s. A t t ha t

moment he was absolutely furious.

" Wh- wha t do you me an ? I wa s t ryi ng t o t ha nk you f or your he lp, " s he s tu tt er ed a s f ea r r os e i n he r on ce

again.

" No! I me an wha t a re you doi ng i n a pl ace l ike t his , l at e a t ni ght ? I a lmos t d idn? t he lp you be ca us e I

t ho ug ht y ou w er e o ne o f t he n ew p ro st it ut es l oo ki ng f or a n ig ht ?s w or k. W el l, a re y ou ?" h e a sk ed

m oc ki ng ly a s h e d id a s lo w p er us al o f h er b od y f ro m h ea d t o t oe , h op in g t o c ha ng e h er f ea rf ul e xp re ss io n

t o s om et hi ng e ls e. A s h is e ye s r et ur ne d t o he r f ac e, he r ea li ze d t ha t i t h ad w or ke d. He c oul d t el l by t he

s tu bb or n j ut o f h er c hi n, t he r ed ne ss i n h er c he ek s, a nd t he i nd ig na ti on i n h er e ye s.

" Ho w d ar e y ou ! O f c ou rs e I ?m n ot o ne o f t ho se w om en . O bv io us ly y ou ?v e b ee n w it h t ha t t yp e t oo l on g

t o di sc er n t he di ff er enc e be twe en a w om an who w ant s t o be wi th a m an a nd a wo ma n w ho doe sn? t, " s he

s ai d, r ai si ng h er c hi n h ig h i n a n e ff or t t o l oo k do wn h er n os e a t hi m.

S o, t he k it ten h as claws , A ri n t ho ug ht t o h im self , b ut i gn or ed h er i ns ul t.


7/93

" The l ad ie s I k now d on ?t c om e t o p la ce s l ik e t hi s a nd c on so rt wi th m en l ike B li gh ," he s ai d s mi li ng .

" I w as n ot c on so rt in g w it h h im ! A nd j us t w ho a re yo u a ny wa y? M ay be I s ho ul dn? t b e c on so rt in g w it h

y ou e it he r, " s he s ai d s pi te fu ll y a s s he t ri ed t o b re ak f re e o f h is g ra sp .

A ri n r ef us ed t o r el ea se h er . I ns te ad h e t ig ht en ed hi s gr ip o n h er a rm s, p ul li ng h er u p a ga in st hi m.

Ta li a s ud de nl y b ec am e a wa re o f h is b od y. I t w as l ik e a t id al w av e o f s en sa ti on w as hi ng o ve r h er : t he

h ar d con to ur s o f h im s o d if ferent f ro m h er s of t cur ves, t he h eat emanati ng f ro m h im , t he clean m as cu li ne

s mell o f h im com bi ni ng a m ix tu re o f l eath er , s oap and cig ar s mo ke. E very th in g abo ut h im s ur ro un ded h er

senses until she felt lightheaded from it all.

T h ei r e ye s m el t a nd h el d a s s he l oo ke d u p i nt o h is f ac e. S he e xp ec te d h ar dn es s b ut f ou nd s om et hi ng

d if fe re nt . S he s aw t he s am e s en su al a wa re ne ss t ha t s he w as f ee li ng . T he n a s q ui ck ly a s i t w as t he re , i t

w as g on e. H e s hu tt er ed h is e xp re ss io n s o t ha t s he c ou ld r ea d n ot hi ng a nd h e p us he d h er o ut o f h is a rm s

s o q ui ck ly t ha t s he a lm os t f el l. S he f el t s ha ke n b y t he ir b ri ef c ont ac t a nd c ou ld b ar el y s ta nd .

Al th ou gh A ri n s ee me d c oo l o n t he o ut si de , h e w as a ny th in g b ut t ha t o n t he i ns id e. H e h ad n ev er h ad

s uc h a n i mm edi at e r ea ct io n t o a w om an i n a ll h is l if e. H e w as b ur ni ng u p w it h s uc h de si re t ha t h e w as

abo ut t o exp lo de, j us t f ro m h ol di ng h er ! W hen h e f in al ly r eg ai ned h is com po su re, h e i nt ro du ced h im self t o

her.

" Ar in M cC li nt oc k, a t y ou r s er vi ce , m y l ad y, " h e s ai d, s tr es si ng t he l as t w or d a s h e b ow ed m oc ki ng ly t o

h er . " Now t ha t t he f or ma l i nt ro du ct io ns a re ov er w ou ld yo u l ik e t o e xp la in t o m e w hy yo u w er e m ee ti ng

with a man like Bligh?" he asked impatiently.

S tr ai gh teni ng t o h er f ul l h ei gh t, T al ia d id h er b es t t o l oo k cal m and com po sed.

" I r ea li ze yo u d id m e a g re at s er vi ce , M r. M cC li nt oc k. H owe ve r, m y b us in es s w it h B li gh i s m y o wn

c on ce rn , a nd n on e o f y ou rs . O nc e a ga in t ha nk y ou , a nd g oo dn ig ht ." S he t ur ne d t o l ea ve , b ut o nl y t oo k a

f ew s te ps be fo re h er a rm w as gr ab be d y et a ga in .

" Wh at d o y ou m ea n g oo dn ig ht ? D o y ou t hi nk t hi s i s o ve r m er el y b ec au se t he se t wo a re t em po ra ri ly

u nc on sc io us ? B li gh w an te d s om et hi ng f ro m y ou a nd h e i sn ?t t he t yp e t o g ive u p e as il y. H e c an b e a s

r el en tl es s as a p it b ul l w hen h e?s aft er s om et hi ng . S o, u nl es s y ou ?r e l eavi ng t ow n p er manent ly , I ?d adv is e

y ou t o t hi nk abo ut t hi s a l it tl e m or e clear ly ," h e s ai d, h is v oi ce s ou nd in g d an gero us ly s of t again .

" Yo u a dv is e m e? N o o ff en se M r. M cC li nt oc k, b ut .. . O h! " S he n ev er g ot t o f in is h h er s en te nc e a s h epicked her up and started carrying her away from the bar.

" Wh at d o y ou t hi nk y ou ?r e d oi ng? P ut m e d ow n! "

"W here?s y ou r car?" h e as ked, i gn or in g h er d em an d.

"M y car? W hy -- "

"I f y ou d on ?t a ns we r t he q ue st io n, w e c an j us t t ak e m y c ar ," h e i nt er ru pt ed .

" Yo ur car? W her e- - "

" My c ar i t i s, " h e s ai d a s t he y r ea che d t he bl ac k M er ce de s c onv er ti bl e. T he c ar s ee me d t o s ui t t he m an


8/93

w ho o wn ed i t- -i mp re ss iv e, f ul l o f p ow er , s le ek , a nd s ex y. F or a m om en t T al ia t ho ug ht a bo ut j us t h ow

g oo d h is b od y f el t p re ss ed a ga in st h er s. H ow ev er , a s h e t ur ne d o ff t he a la rm a nd s ta rt ed t o u nl oc k t he

d oo r, wh il e s ti ll h ol di ng h er w it h o ne a rm l ik e a r ag d ol l, s he c am e t o h er s en se s. R ea li zi ng t ha t t hi s w as

probably her only chance to get away, she suddenly twisted her body toward him to loosen his hold, and

brought her knee up to hit him in a place she knew would hurt.

H is r ea ct io n w as i ns ta nt an eo us , a nd i t w as e no ug h t o g et A ri n t o l oo se n h is g ri p e ve n m or e a s h edouble d ove r a nd t ri ed t o ta ke a fe w br eat hs. Ta li a broke awa y a nd be gan to r un t o he r c ar . When s he

r ea che d i t, s he qui ckl y f oun d he r ke ys i n he r p ur se a nd s ta rt ed t o u nl oc k t he d oor . Th en s he m ad e t he

m is ta ke o f l oo ki ng b eh in d h er t o s ee i f he w as p ur su in g h er .

He wa s a lmos t u pon he r, a nd t he l ook on hi s f ac e t ol d he r t ha t i f s he di dn? t ge t i nt o he r c ar be fo re he

r ea ch ed h er , s he w ou ld b e i n b ig t ro ub le . S he w as m om en ta ri ly f ro ze n a s s he s aw t he d ep th o f a ng er i n

hi s e ye s. Ye t t he s pe ll b rok e a s s he h ea rd he r k ey s f al l t o t he g rou nd . S he b ent d ow n, qui ckl y gr abb ed

t he m a nd unl oc ke d t he d oor . S he j um pe d i n t he c ar , l oc ke d t he d oor a nd pu t t he k ey i n t he i gni ti on t o

s ta rt i t. W he n i t i mm ed ia te ly s ta rt ed s he s il en tl y s ai d a p ra ye r o f t ha nk s, r ev er se d o ut a nd d ro ve a wa y.

Th is t im e s he di dn? t l ook ba ck. S he j us t dr ove h om e a s f as t a s s he c oul d.

O nc e i n he r o wn n ei ghbo rho od, s he b ega n t o r el ax a l it tl e. W ha t a d ay i t t ur ne d out t o b e. F ir st s he ?s

a lm os t a bd uc te d b y B li gh , t he n s he ?s s av ed b y a c ra zy , a lb ei t g or ge ou s m an , w ho t he n p ro ce ed ed t o a ls o

t ry t o k idn ap h er . Th er e w er e j us t t oo ma ny w ei rdo es i n t he w or ld t oda y. Ho we ve r, a s s he p ul le d u p t o

h er h ou se , s he c ou ldn ?t h el p r em em be ri ng t he f ee l o f A ri n a s h e he ld h er , or t he f ee li ng s t ha t h e h ad

brought out in her by his closeness.

* * * *

W he n T al ia ?s c ar w as out of s igh t A ri n go t i n hi s o wn c ar a nd d rove t o t he ho us e he ha d r ent ed . He

d id n?t n eed t o f ol lo w t he w om an . H e o bt ai ned all t he i nf or mati on h e n eeded w hen h e m em or ized h er

l ic en se p la te n um be r. A s h e t ur ne d o ff t he a la rm a nd e nt er ed t he h ou se a v oi ce i ns ta nt ly m et h im a t t he

door.

" If you ha d t ake n me wi th you, I c oul d have s ave d you a lot of t ime , e ne rgy and, uh, pa in i n s avi ng the

girl," the female voice said smugly.

" I k no w, I k no w. Y ou ?r e r ig ht a ga in , E sm er el da ," h e s ai d w ea ri ly , a s h e c on ti nu ed t o w al k t ow ar d t he

r oo m w he re t he w om an ?s v oi ce w as c om in g f ro m. A s h e e nt er ed , h ow ev er , i t w as a c om pl ex l oo ki ngcom pu ter s ys tem r at her t han a w om an w ho con ti nu ed t o t al k w it h h im .

" Of c ou rs e I ?m r ig ht . I ?m a lw ays r igh t, a nd t he s oo ne r y ou r ea li ze t ha t t he b et te r of f y ou? ll be . A ll y ou

h ad t o d o w as t ak e t he w ri st r em ot e w it h y ou a nd e ve ry th in g w ou ld h av e b ee n f in e. B ut n oo oo oo . Y ou

h ad t o p la y t he bi g m ac ho ma n a ll b y y ou rs el f."

" Es mereld a eno ug h! I alr eady adm it ted y ou w er e cor rect i n y ou r est im at io n o f t he s it uati on . N ow I d on ?t

w an t t o s pe ak of i t a ga in . H av e I m ad e m ys el f c le ar ?" A ri n d em an de d i rr it ab ly.

" Cr ys ta l. J ee z- -w ha t? s b ot he ri ng y ou ? I t? s t he g ir l, i sn ?t i t? S he r ea ll y g ot t o y ou . D on ?t d en y i t. W hi le I

f ol lo wed y ou r act iv it ies o n t he chest m on it or , I p icked u p s om e p rett y h ig h p hy si cal r es po ns es -- hi gh h eart

r at e, s ho rt ne ss o f b re at h, a nd t ha t w as n? t e ve n w he n y ou h it t ho se t wo g uy s o ve r t he h ea d! "


9/93

E sm er el da w as h it ti ng t oo clo se t o h om e f or h is com fo rt .

" En ou gh ! Q ui t t al ki ng s o m uch and l is ten t o m e. Y ou ?r e g et ti ng t oo car ri ed away w it h t hi s t im e?s l in go . I f

y ou r ea ll y w an t t o h el p m e, l oo k u p t he n am e, a dd re ss , a nd p ho ne n um be r o f t hi s l ic en se p la te ."

"Fine."

A f ew m in ut es l at er A ri n h ad t he i nf or ma ti on he h ad r eq ue st ed a nd he d id n? t l ik e i t o ne b it .

" Th e n am e i s F ra nk S te ve ns . T he a dd re ss i s 1 78 9 E . C el to r L an e. T he p ho ne n um be r i s 8 67 -2 34 5. "

A ri n r ea li ze d h e h ad f ou nd h is c on ta ct . T al ia m us t b e P ro fe ss or S te ve ns ? d au gh te r. A s h e w en t t o l oo k

a t a p ic tu re o f h im , h e f ou nd t ha t a r es em bl an ce w as d ef in it el y t he re . I t w as n? t s o m uc h t ha t t he y l oo ke d

com pl et el y ali ke, alt ho ug h T al ia s eemed t o h av e i nh er it ed t he s tu bb or n s et o f h er chi n f ro m h er f at her. I t

w as t he ir e ye s t ha t g av e t he m a wa y. T al ia a nd h er f at he r b ot h h ad t he s am e u nu su al a qu am ar in e e ye s.

C ha pt e r 2

Ta li a s aw t he wor ri ed l ook t ha t c am e i nt o t he e ye s s o i de nt ic al t o he r ow n a s s he e xpl ai ne d t o he r f at he r

w ha t h ad o cc ur re d a t T he D ar k L an te rn t he p re vi ou s n ig ht .

" I don? t know why I l et you go t he re i n t he fi rs t pl ac e. I s houl d ha ve i ns is te d t ha t I be t he one t o m ee t

t he m. M ay be i f t he y h ad n ev er s ee n y ou , t hi s w ou ld n? t h av e h ap pe ne d. I ?m s or ry , h on ey . I d id n? t k no w

y ou w ou ld b ec om e a t ar ge t f or t he se p eo pl e. C an yo u f or gi ve m e f or p ut ti ng y ou i n d an ge r? " h er f at he r

ask ed , w it h a g ui lt -r id den f ace.

" Th er e i s n ot hi ng t o b e s or ry a bo ut d ad . I w an te d t o h el p y ou a nd w ou ld h av e g ot te n i nv ol ve d o ne w ay

o r a no th er . B es id es t he y t ol d u s I h ad t o m ee t t he m a lo ne ," T al ia i ns is te d.

H er f at he r w as n? t c on vi nc ed , b ut l et i t s li de f or n ow .

" Te ll m e m or e a bo ut t hi s m an , A ri n M cC li nt oc k. Y ou d on ?t k no w w hy h e s av ed y ou , t he n w an te d y ou

t o go w it h h im ?" h er f at he r a sk ed w it h c on ce rn .

Tali a h ad n?t t ol d h er f at her every th in g t hat h ad h ap pened. S he j us t cou ld n?t b ri ng h er self t o t el l h ima bo ut t he p hy si ca l r es po ns e t hi s m an h ad b ro ug ht o ut i n h er . I t w as a ll t oo c on fu si ng a nd p er so na l f or h er

t o s ha re w it h h im . A lt ho ug h s he a nd h er f at he r w er e c lo se , i t h ad b ee n h er m ot he r w ho T al ia h ad

c on fi de d i n a s s he be ga n t o c ha nge f rom a l it tl e g ir l t o a t ee na ge r. Now t ha t s he ha d be come a wom an,

s he n o l on ge r h ad a ny on e t o t al k t o a bo ut t he n ew e xp er ie nc es s he w as h av in g.

A ft er h er m ot he r d ie d, s he m ud dl ed t hr ou gh da ti ng a nd e ve n t ho ug ht s he w as i n l ov e o ne t im e.

U nf or tu nately , h er b oy fr iend h ad n?t agr eed. S he h ad m et M ar k w hi le att en di ng col lege at t he n earb y

u ni ve rs it y. S he w as a s ec on d y ea r g en et ic s s tu de nt a nd h e w as h er s tu dy g ro up t ut or . H e w as a s en io r

a nd wo ul d g ra dua te a t t he e nd o f t he y ea r. He h ad pl ans t o go t o m ed ic al s ch ool , t he n s ave t he wo rl d

w it h h is g en et ic r es earch o nce h e f in is hed. T al ia?s p lan w as n ot s o amb it io us . S he w an ted t o f in is h

m ed ic al s ch oo l a nd t he n g o o n t o f in d a c ur e f or t he g en et ic d is or de r t ha t k il le d h er m ot he r. T ha t w as h er

dream.


10/93

Th e f ir st t im e M ar k a ske d he r out f or c of fe e a nd t ol d h er a bou t hi s goa ls , s he wa s s o a we d by t he

n obi li ty of h is l if e m ap a nd t he s ac ri fi ce s he t al ke d a bo ut m ak in g t ha t w he n h e a sk ed h er t o s ee h im a ga in,

s he i mm edi at el y s ai d ye s. She fe lt i t w as a pr ivi le ge f or he r t o be w it h s uc h a pe rs on. Af te r t ha t, s he a nd

M ar k c on ti nu ed t o s ee e ac h o th er , a nd s he c on ti nu ed t o w or sh ip t he g ro un d h e w al ke d o n. A ny t im e h e

n ee de d s om et hi ng s he w as a t h is b ec k a nd c al l. I f he di dn ?t s ho w up f or a d at e, s he w as e xp ec te d t o

u nd er st an d, d ue t o t he i mp or ta nc e o f h is w or k. I f h e r us he d h er i nt o b ed , s he h ad t o u nd er st an d t ha t

a lt hough Ma rk d id c ar e de epl y f or he r, he ha d s o l it tl e f re e t ime t ha t t he y h ad t o m ake t he mos t of i t whe nthey were together. Unfortunately, even that aspect of their relationship hadn?t been very satisfying for

her.

E ve ry th in g m ov ed t oo q ui ck ly . U nt il s he w as d um pe d b y M ar k, b ec au se h e s ai d s he h ad n? t b ee n

s up po rt iv e e no ug h. T he n s he h ad t oo m uc h t im e o n h er h an ds t o t hi nk a bo ut w ha t a f oo l s he h ad b ee n.

T ow ar d t he end o f t heir r el at io ns hi p s he h ad s tart ed t o r eb el a l it tl e again st M ar k?s s el fi sh ness b y t ak in g

m or e t im e o ut f or h er se lf a nd h er s tu di es . M ar k m us t h av e r ea li ze d t ha t he no l on ge r h ad h er c om pl et el y

e nt hr al le d w it h hi m a nd d ec id ed i t w as t im e t o f in d a no th er wo ma n t o w or sh ip h im . I t h ad n? t t ak en l on g.

T he d ay a ft er t he ir br ea k u p s he ha d s ee n h im w al ki ng h an d i n ha nd w it h a not he r s ta rr y- ey ed g ir l w ho

w as l oo ki ng a t h im w it h t ot al a do ra ti on a nd a we .

D ur ing t he r em ai nd er o f h er t im e a t t he u ni ve rs it y s he r an i nt o s om e o f M ar k? s e x- gi rl fr ie nds , a f ew of

w ho m h e h ad b ee n s ee in g w hi le s he a nd h e h ad be en d at in g. O f c ou rs e n on e of t he m k ne w a ny th in g

a bout s he a nd Ma rk s ee ing e ac h ot he r a t t he s ame t ime . The y a ll t hought he ha d be en ve ry bus y wi th hi s

w or k. S he r ea li ze d t ha t i t w as n? t t he n ob le g oa l o f s av ing t he w or ld t ha t h e w as a ft er , n or w as h e w il li ng

t o s acri fi ce any th in g f or h is cho sen w or k. R at her, i t w as com pl et e adm ir at io n, att en ti on , and w or sh ip t o

f ee d h is o ve rz ea lo us e go t ha t d ro ve h im t o d o w ha t h e d id . H e c ar ed no th in g f or o th er s, o nl y hi ms el f.

T al ia ?s b it te r r em in is ci ng w as c ut s ho rt a s h er f at he r a ga in a sk ed h er a q ue st io n.

" Ta li a, a re yo u o ka y? Di d yo u h ea r wha t I a ske d yo u? " T he c onc er n a nd wor ry w er e s o s tr ong i n hi sv oi ce , t ha t a ga in T al ia l oo ke d s ea rc hi ng ly i nt o t ho se e ye s s o l ik e h er o wn . T he re w as m or e g oi ng o n h er e

t ha n w ha t h er f at he r w as t el li ng he r. T he e mo ti on i n h is g az e w as o ne o f d ee p f ea r. H er f at he r w as v er y

f ri gh te ne d of s om et hi ng, a nd s he w as go ing t o f in d o ut w ha t i t w as .

" Doe s t hi s h av e a ny thi ng t o d o w it h t he w or k yo u? re d oi ng a t t he l ab ?" s he a sk ed w it h g ro wi ng a la rm

and suspicion.

" Ho ne y, you kno w I c an? t t al k t o you a bout m y wor k. J us t be li eve m e whe n I s ay wha t I ?m doi ng i s of

gr ea t i mp or ta nc e t o n ot onl y u s, b ut t he w or ld a s w e kno w i t, " h e a ss ur ed he r.

"I kn ow D ad , y ou ?v e s ai d t hi s b ef or e. B ut w as a ll o f t ha t w or th m om ?s l if e? "

A ng er b lo ss om ed i ns id e T al ia again b ecau se h is w or k s eemed t o t ak e p recedence o ver h is f am il y. W hi le

s he w as g ro wi ng u p, t hi s w as s om et hi ng t ha t s he h ad c om e t o a cc ep t w it h r es en tm en t. H er m ot he r

s ee me d t o u nd er st an d h er f ee li ng s a nd t ri ed t o c om pe ns at e f or t he l ac k o f t im e h er f at he r s pe nt w it h h er .

S he k ne w h er f at he r l ov ed h er a nd h er m ot he r, b ut f or h im , h is w or k a lw ay s d id a nd a lw ay s w ou ld c om e

f ir st . H ow ev er , s he a ls o k ne w t ha t h er f at he r f el t a n i mm ens e a mo un t o f g ui lt o ve r t he d ea th o f h er

mot he r. I t wa s s ome thi ng t ha t a te a wa y a t hi m, a nd he n eve r l ike d t o t al k a bout i t. A t he r que st ion hi s

f ac e l os t a ll c ol or a nd hi s e ye s f il le d w it h p ai n.

" I?m s or ry , D ad . I d id n?t m ean t hat, " s he apo lo gi zed, f eeli ng h er o wn g ui lt f or b ei ng s o h ur tf ul .

" I k now h one y. I ?m s or ry t oo. Y ou k now h ow m uc h I m is s yo ur mo the r. I n a w ay I di d c aus e h er d ea th ,


11/93

a nd I ?l l ne ve r f or gi ve m ys el f f or t ha t. B ut t he wo rk I ?m d oi ng i s s o i mp or ta nt t ha t I mu st c on ti nu e. I n my

m in d, a ch ie vi ng s uc ce ss w it h t hi s r es ea rc h, s o t ha t I c an h el p l ot s o f p eo pl e, l es so ns s om e o f t he gu il t I

f ee l o ve r y ou r m ot he r? s d ea th . O th er t ha n t ha t, t he re ?s n ot hi ng e ls e I c an t el l y ou , T al ia ," h er f at he r

e xp la in ed , a s h e s to od u p a nd w al ke d t ow ar d t he f ro nt d oor .

" I? m goi ng t o l ab t o f ini sh u p s om e t es ts f or t he da y. L oc k a ll t he door s a nd do n? t l ea ve th e hous e. I ?l l

be back soon," her father said as he picked his keys and wallet up off the table.

" Oka y, D ad. A nd p le as e b e c ar ef ul t oo. I f t hi s doe s h ave s ome thi ng t o do wi th you r w or k, t he n y ou

c ou ld b e i n d an ge r a ls o, " T al ia w ar ne d h er f at he r.

"I will, honey. Bye."

A s s oo n a s t he d oo r c lo se d, T al ia s ta rt ed p ac in g t he f lo or , h er m in d r ac in g. S he o nl y g av e a q ui ck

t ho ug ht t o t he f act t hat h er f at her h ad o nce again evaded a m eani ng fu l con vers at io n w it h h er b y l eavi ng .

W he ne ve r h e d id n? t w an t t o f ac e s om et hi ng , h e t ur ne d t o h is w or k. T hi s t im e h ad b ee n n o d if fe re nt .

I t d id n? t m at te r. T he re w er e m or e i mp or ta nt i ss ue s t o d ea l w it h. S he h ad t o d is co ve r w ha t h er f at he r

w as d oi ng i n t ha t l ab w it hou t hi m k no wi ng i t. I t w as t he o nl y w ay s he c ou ld h el p b ot h of t he m. Sh e

s topp ed p ac in g a s a n i de a hi t h er , a nd s he r ea li ze d ho w e as y i t c oul d be .

T ha t n ight , Ta li a wa it ed a n hour a ft er s he he ar d he r f at he r c ome hom e a nd go t o be d. By t he n, s he

f ig ur ed h e w ou ld b e a sl ee p a nd s he c ou ld s ne ak o ut u nn ot ic ed . S he f ou nd h is w al le t o n t he k it ch en t ab le .

A ft er l oo ki ng t hr ou gh i t, s he t oo k o ut t he i tems s he t ho ug ht s he m ig ht n eed. S li pp in g o ut t hr ou gh t he

backdoor, she walked around the house to her car. It was parked in the driveway. Luckily she had been

t oo s ha ke n e ar li er t o pa rk h er c ar i n t he ga ra ge . S he wa s a bl e t o s ta rt t he i t w it ho ut he r f at he r he ar ing .

* * * *

A ri n w at ch ed T al ia g et i nt o h er c ar a nd w on de re d w he re s he w as g oi ng s o l at e. H e h ad b ee n w at ch in g

h er h ou se f ro m h is c ar p ar ke d d ow n t he s tr ee t f or t he l as t f ew h ou rs . H e t ho ug ht t ha t h e m ig ht c at ch B li gh

or one o f hi s me n s how in g up t he re t o c au se f ur the r t roubl e. A s s he dr ove a wa y, h e r ea li ze d t ha t t he

trouble was probably just beginning.

H e f ol lo we d h er , a nd r ea li ze d f ro m t he i nf or ma ti on h e h ad b ee n g iv en t ha t t he y w er e a t t he l ab w he re

P ro fe ss or S te ve ns w or ke d. B ut ho w w as t he l it tl e m in x g oi ng t o g et i nt o t he b ui ld in g? H e d ou bt ed s heh ad a cc es s t o s uc h a h ig h p ro fi le p ro je ct . H e w as p ro ve d w ro ng , h ow ev er , a s h e s aw h er p ul l s om et hi ng

o ut o f h er p oc ke t a nd h ea d p ur po se fu ll y t ow ar d t he f ro nt e nt ra nc e.

W he n T al ia r ea ch ed t he f ro nt d oo r, s he q ui ck ly l oo ke d a ro un d t o s ee i f a ny bo dy e ls e w as n ea rb y. O nc e

a ss ur ed s he w as a lo ne , s he i ns er te d h er f at he r? s c ar d k ey i nt o t he s ec ur it y l oc k. W he n t he l ig ht t ur ne d

f ro m r ed t o y el lo w, s he r ea li ze d t ha t s he w as h al fw ay t he re . T ak in g a d ee p b re at h, s he p la ye d h er h un ch

a nd t yp ed h er m ot he r? s f ir st n am e i nt o t he c od e p an el . I f s he w as w ro ng , t he a la rm s w ou ld g o o ff a nd

s he w ou ld be i n b ig t rou bl e. A s s he s ta re d a t t he l ig ht f or w ha t s ee me d l ik e h ou rs , t hou gh i t m us t h av e

been only seconds, the color finally changed from yellow to green and the doors unlocked. She let out

t he b re at h s he h ad b ee n h ol di ng .

Tali a ent er ed t he b ui ld in g and s tart ed d ow n t he h al lw ay t ow ar d t he l ab . S ud denl y s he h eard s om et hi ng

behind her and turned to see if someone was there. Peering into the darkness, she could see nothing. She


12/93

u ne as il y t ur ne d b ac k a ro un d a nd h ea de d f or t he l ab . O nc e t he re , s he h ad t o a ga in g o t hr ou gh t he s ec ur it y

procedure to open the door. As the door opened and she was about to walk into the lab, she was

roughly grabbed from behind.

" No w, w e? re g oi ng t o w al k s lo wl y i nt o t he l ab t og et he r a nd y ou ?r e n ot g oi ng t o m ak e a s ou nd . D o y ou

un de rs ta nd? " he r a bdu ct or a ske d a s he pr es se d a kn if e t o h er t hr oa t a nd p us he d h er a he ad o f hi m i nt o

t he l ab .

"Y-yes," she stammered fearfully.

J us t a s h e h ad i n T he D ar k L an te rn , s he r ec og ni ze d t he v oi ce w it ho ut s ee in g t he m an ?s f ac e. M r. B li gh

had somehow followed her into the building.

Wh en t he y e nt er ed t he l ab, B li gh l ook ed a roun d t o m ak e s ur e i t wa s e mpt y. O nc e he w as a ss ur ed t ha t

t he y w er e a lo ne h e r ou gh ly p us he d h er i nt o t he c ha ir a t h er f at he r? s w or k d es k.

" Ho w n ic e o f y ou t o s ho w m e y ou r f at he r? s l ab , T al ia d ar li ng . W e? ve b ee n t ry ing t o f ig ur e ou t hi ss ec ur it y c od e f or we eks , b ut n ow , t ha nks t o yo u, we n o l ong er ne ed t o ke ep t ryi ng, " he s ai d a s he l ea ne d

c lo se r a nd g av e he r a n e vi l s mi le .

" So t ha t? s w hy y ou ?v e b ee n b ot he ri ng u s. Y ou w an t s om et hi ng t ha t h as t o d o w it h m y f at he r? s r es ea rc h.

Wh at i s i t? W hy is i t s o i mpor ta nt t o you? " s he a ske d, hopi ng t o ge t s ome a ns we rs a nd buy he rs el f s ome

time.

" Don? t pl ay dumb wi th m e. I kn ow you know wha t we wa nt . A nd you? re goi ng t o he lp us ge t i t. We

w er e g oi ng t o k id na p y ou a nd b la ck ma il y ou r f at he r, b ut y ou r l ar ge f ri en d g ot i n t he w ay . N ow , w e c an

d o t hi s n ic el y o r n ot s o n ic el y, " h e s ai d l oo mi ng o ve r h er . " Yo u? re q ui te a tt ra ct iv e, a nd t he re a re s ev er al

w ay s t o m ak e y ou t al k t ha t w ou ld g iv e m e g re at p le as ur e. "

T al ia ?s e ye s w id en ed i n f ea r a t h is w or ds .

" Ah g oo d, I l ov e t o s ee f ea r. I t o nl y m ak es e ve ry thi ng t wi ce a s p le as ur ab le f or m e. " H e l ic ke d h is l ip s i n

anticipation.

T al ia r ec oi le d f ro m hi m a s h e d re w n ea re r. L us t g la ze d o ve r h is e ye s. P ul li ng s om e r op e f ro m a b ag h e

car ri ed w it h h im , h e b eg an t o t ie h er h an ds b eh in d t he chair . S he f rant ical ly s earched t he r oo m, l oo ki ng

f or s om e w ay t o e sc ap e.

" Do n?t even t hi nk abo ut s tr ug gl in g. Y ou w ou ld n?t l ik e t he r es ul ts . A nd I w ou ld h at e t o b ru is e u p t hat

pretty face of yours. There?s no escape this time, Talia. Your friend isn?t here to protect you tonight." He

f in is he d t yi ng h er ha nd s a nd b ent d ow n t o t ie u p h er f ee t.

"W el l, whic h way wi ll i t be ? You t ell me what I wa nt t o know, or I ge t t he pl eas ur e of c onvi nc ing you to

talk step by delightfully painful step."

T al ia n ev er go t t o a ns we r b ec aus e a s B li gh b en t d ow n, A ri n s ud de nl y a pp ea re d b eh in d h im a nd h it hi m

o ver t he h ead w it h t he f lash li gh t h e w as car ry in g. B li gh cru mp led t o t he f lo or u ncon scio us , and A ri n t ied

h im u p w it h t he r em ai ni ng r op e. T he n, t o h er a ma ze me nt , he s ta rt ed t al ki ng i nt o t he w at ch h e w or e. T al ia

s tr ug gl ed t o h ea r w ha t h e w as s ay in g, b ut o nl y p ic ke d u p t he n am e E sm er el da a nd t ra ns po rt . S ud de nl y

B li gh ?s b od y d is ap pear ed r ig ht b ef or e h er eyes. N o f ad in g i nt o n ot hi ng ness s lo wl y, b ut a com pl et e

n ow -y ou -s ee-i t- no w- yo u- do n?t. S he clo sed h er eyes, t hi nk in g s he h ad o nl y i magi ned i t, b ut w hen s he


13/93

o pened t hem B li gh w as s ti ll g on e.

T al ia w as n? t s ur e h ow l on g h er m ou th s to od op en i n s ho ck a nd a ma ze me nt , b ut s he f in al ly c lo se d i t a nd

turned toward Arin.

" Wh at h ap pened t o B li gh ?" s he ask ed as cur io si ty and p an ic o vercam e f ear. " Wh y w er e y ou t al ki ng i nt o

y our w at ch ? W ha t i s g oi ng o n h er e? "

S he k ep t f ir in g o ut q ue st io ns , n ee di ng t o k no w, y et f ea ri ng t o h ea r t he a ns we rs . A nd w it h e ac h q ue st io n

ask ed , h er v oi ce g ot l ou der and h ig her i n p it ch , u nt il s he w as alm os t s cr eami ng .

H ea ri ng h er r ai se d v oi ce A ri n? s h ea d s na pp ed u p a nd h e s co wl ed d ee pl y a t h er q ue st io ns . H e h ad b ee n

l os t i n r ag e w he n B li gh t ou ch ed T al ia . W he n h e s aw hi s s li my h an ds o n h er b od y, h e h ad w an te d t o t ea r

t he m an l im b f ro m l im b. H e w as p er pl ex ed b y t he s tr en gt h o f h is f eeli ng s.

T al ia f in al ly r an o ut o f b re at h, a s h e k ne w s he w ou ld . B ef or e s he c ou ld c on ti nu e, h e s po ke .

" Le t? s j us t s ay t ha t B li gh a nd I d on ?t n ee d t o g et a qu at in te d j us t y et . W e? ll b e d oi ng t ha t s oo n e no ug h. "

A ri n h ad t rans po rt ed B li gh o ut si de o f t he b ui ld in g w here h e w ou ld p ro babl y w ak e u p u ns ur e o f w hat h ad

h ap pened. H e w ou ld n?t m in d g et ti ng r id o f B li gh p er manent ly , b ut w as n?t s ur e o f t he eff ect t hi s w ou ld

ha ve on t he fu tu re . Fo r now he wo ul d ha ve t o bi de hi s t ime a nd s ee wha t B li gh wa s up t o.

A nd T al ia w ou ld h av e t o w ai t f or a ll t he a ns we rs t o h er q ue st io ns .

"But--"

" No m or e q ue st io ns M is s S te ve ns . Y ou k no w e ve ry th in g y ou n ee d t o k no w f or n ow . I ns te ad , w hyd on ?t y ou t el l m e w ha t y ou ?r e d oi ng h er e a lon e i n t he m id dl e o f t he n igh t? D idn ?t y ou r p ar en ts e ve r t ea ch

y ou n ot t o g o o ut alo ne w it h s tr an ge m en ?" h e ask ed m ocki ng ly , h op in g t o d iv er t h er att en ti on f ro m

Bligh?s disappearing act. It worked.

B lo od r us he d t o h er f ac e a t t he i ns in ua ti on . T he n s he r ea ll y s aw r ed . S om et hi ng a bo ut t hi s m an j us t

brought out the worst in her. Lifting her chin, she glared up at Arin.

" No w y ou l is te n t o m e, y ou b ig a pe ! I ?v e h ad j us t a bo ut e no ug h o f y ou r i ns ul ts a nd i nn ue nd oe s a bo ut m y

c on du ct . I ?m e xa ct ly w he re I ?m s up po se d t o b e, d oi ng e xa ct ly w ha t I w an t. Y ou a re t he p er so n w ho

doe sn? t be long he re . I don? t know how y ou a nd B ligh got i n he re , but I ?m s ur e you c an f ind your ownw ay o ut . I ?m v er y bu sy a nd d on ?t n ee d a ny i nt er rup ti on s f ro m y ou o r h im . N ow , j us t u nt ie m e a nd y ou

c an be on your wa y. I ha ve wor k t o do. You know wha t wor k is , don? t you? Work i s t he opposi te of

s it ti ng i n a b ar g et ti ng d ru nk . U nd er st an d?" s he ask ed con descen di ng ly , t hen s mi led s weet ly at h im as i f

h e w er e a l it tl e s lo w.

A ri n s ee me d o bl iv io us t o h er l it tl e b ar bs a s h e c lo se d t he d is ta nc e b et we en t he m a nd k ne lt d ow n i n f ro nt

o f h er c ha ir . H ow ev er , w he n h e m ov ed c lo se r, h is f ac e i nc he s f rom h er s, T al ia c ou ld s ee t he a ng er i n h is

e ye s. I ns te ad o f u nt yi ng h er a s s he h ad d em an de d, h e g ra sp ed t he s id es o f t he c ha ir . S he s ud de nl y

became very nervous and very aware of the proximity of his body so close to hers. Determined to hide

h er f eeli ng s, s he s tart ed b ar ki ng o rd er s at h im .

" Well , w hat are y ou w ai ti ng f or ? U nt ie m e t hi s i ns tant !"


14/93

W ha t s he h ad h op ed w ou ld c om e o ut a s a s hou t, ho we ve r, c am e ou t a s a h igh pi tc he d s que ak i ns te ad .

S he c le ar ed h er t hr oa t a nd t ri ed t o c on tr ol h er w il dl y b ea ti ng h ea rt . U nb al an ce d b y h is c le an s ce nt

s ur ro un di ng h er , s he l et h er m in d w an de r t o t he t ho ug ht o f h im i n t he s ho we r a nd t he n p on de re d w he th er

or not hi s body wa s a ctua ll y a s ha rd and big a s i t s ee me d f ul ly c lot he d. Re al iz ing t ha t now wa s not t o t he

t im e t o f an ta si ze a bo ut t hi s m an , s he f oc us ed a ll o f h er a tt en ti on b ac k o n A ri n, o nl y t o g et a no th er j ol t t o

he r s en se s w he n s he s aw t he i nt ens e l oo k o n h is f ac e.

As i f s en si ng h er t ho ug ht s h is m ou th s lo wl y s pr ead i nt o a s ed ucti ve s mi le and h is l id s clo sed s leep il y

halfway over his eyes.

" Wh y w ou ld I un ti e y ou , K it te n? " h e a sk ed w it h s at is fa ct io n i n h is v oi ce , a s h is e ye s r ak ed s lo wl y o ve r

h er b od y. " Yo u? ve s cr at ch ed m e o nc e b ef or e. Y ou r p os it io n i s p er fe ct f or m e. U na bl e t o m ak e a ny m or e

w el l p la ce d i nj ur ie s, a nd u na bl e t o l ea ve u nt il I s ay s o. W ha t m or e c ou ld I d es ir e? "

A rin di dn? t kn ow i f h e wa nt ed t o s ha ke he r or hol d he r. Al though s he ha d u se d he r c la ws on h im , he

wa nt ed t o s ee i f h e c oul d ma ke he r pur r i ns te ad o f gr owl .

A ri n c ou ld a lr ea dy f ee l hi s b od y r es po ndi ng t o h er c lo se ne ss a s w el l a s t he c le an w om an ly s me ll o f h er .

M os t w om en h e k ne w w or e s o m uc h s ic kl y s we et p er fu me t ha t i t w as s om et im es o ve rb ea ri ng . T al ia w as

w ea ri ng n ot hi ng a rt if ic ia l. S he ha d h er o wn n at ur al s ce nt . I t w as a m ix of h er p er so na l w om an ?s m us k a nd

t he c le an s ce nt o f l av en de r. H e k ne w i t w ou ld b e f or ev er i mp ri nt ed o n h is b ra in .

I ts s ens ua l b le nd b ec kon ed hi s bo dy c los er t o h er s. A s hi s e ye s r et ur ne d t o h er f ac e h e s aw t he s ta rt le d

a wa re ne ss i n he r wi de e ye s. He r f ac e wa s f lus he d. She w et he r l ips wi th h er t on gue a nd s he pa rt ed t he m

i n a nt ic ip at ion o f h is k is s. H is b ody h ar de ne d pa inf ul ly . Ta li a m ay h av e n ot b ee n a wa re of i t, b ut s he

l oo ke d l ik e a w om an f ul l o f d es ir e a nd w an ti ng . A nd h e c ou ld n o m or e r es is t h er t ha n s to p b re at hi ng .

A s A ri n?s g aze d el ib er at el y m ov ed d ow n h er b od y, T al ia f el t as i f h e w er e p hy si call y t ou ch in g h er . H er breasts tingled and felt full. Her lungs constricted and she had to take short little breaths to get any

o xy ge n. T he m us cl es i n h er s to ma ch t ig ht en ed , a nd a t hr ob bi ng b eg an a t t he a pe x o f h er t hi gh s. S he g re w

w ar m a ll o ve r a nd a ct ua ll y f el t d iz zy a s h is e ye s r et ur ne d t o m ee t h er s. L ic ki ng h er s ud de nl y d ry l ips , s he

o pe ne d h er m ou th i n a n e ff or t t o s ay s om et hi ng t ha t w ou ld b re ak t hi s s pe ll , b ut n o s ou nd c am e o ut . S he

w as s o a ff ec te d b y t he r aw d es ir e i n h is e ye s, t ha t s he c ou ld o nl y s il en tl y w at ch a s h is h ea d l ow er ed

t ow ar d h er . H e k is se d h er . T he s of tn es s a nd w ar mt h o f h is l ip s s ur pr is ed h er . H e r an h is t on gu e o ve r t he

t op , t he n bot to m l ip . She f el t a s i f s he we re b ei ng t as te d. Wh en he be ga n t o s uc k on he r b ot to m l ip, h er

m ou th o pened w id er t o accom mo date h im .

T al ia d im ly r ea li ze d s he h ad n o w il l t o r es is t A ri n. H is ki ss es e le ct ri fi ed pa rt s o f he r b od y w it h s uc hi nt en si ty t hat s he f el t h el pl es s again st i t. A s h is t on gu e s li pp ed i nt o h er m ou th and h e f ur th er exp lo red and

t as te d i ts r ec es se s, s om et hi ng i ns id e h er s na pp ed . U p t o t ha t p oi nt s he h ad b ee n a n o bs er ve r,

e xp er ie nc ing a ll t ha t he di d t o h er . No w s he wa nt ed m or e. S he ne ed ed t o f ee l a nd l ea rn hi m a s he wa s

doi ng t o he r. She he ar d Ar in gr ow l i n t he ba ck of hi s t hr oa t a s s he be ga n t o t ouc h a nd t wi ne he r t ongu e

w it h h is . H e m ov ed h is b od y c lo se r a nd p ar te d h er t hi gh s a s h e s li d b et we en t he m. T he h ar d p la in s o f h is

ches t p res sed again st h er b reas ts and h er n ip pl es t ig ht en ed i n r esp on se. T he ach in g b et ween h er l eg s

gr ew a s s he be ca me m or e a nd m or e a wa re o f hi s ha rdn es s c ra dl ed t he re . S he s tr ugg le d t o m ov e he r

a rm s. S he ne ede d t o t ouc h hi m. S o l os t i n t he h az e of de si re he ha d c re at ed, s he c oul dn? t r ec al l wh y s he

wa sn? t a bl e t o l if t he r a rms . W he n s he r em emb er ed whe re s he wa s a nd w ha t pos it ion s he w as i n, i t wa s

l ik e i cy w at er b ei ng t hr ow n o ve r h er h ea te d b od y. S he t ur ne d h er f ac e a nd p ul le d b ac k f ro m h im .

" No , A ri n . .. s to p, " s he s ai d i n a w ea k v oi ce t ha t d idn ?t s ound l ike h er ow n. I t w as h us ky a nd br ea thl es s

a s s he gul pe d a ir i nt o he r lu ngs t o c le ar he r he ad.


15/93

Eve n b ef or e s he s ai d t he w or ds , Ar in h ad s ens ed t he c ha nge i n he r a nd w it hdr ew . I t t ook a ll t he

w il lp ow er h e p os se ss ed t o p ul l h im se lf a wa y f ro m h er . S lo wl y h e s to od u p, t ur ne d a nd w al ke d o ve r t o a

d es k a cr os s t he r oom , k ee pi ng h is b ac k t o h er . H e n ee de d t o b e a s f ar a wa y f ro m T al ia a s po ss ibl e. H is

jaw clenched and unclenched with the effort it took to get his body back under control. Never had a

w om an aff ected h im s o q ui ck ly , o r s o s tr on gl y. C on si deri ng t he f act t hat A ri n h ad s pent m an y p leas ur ab le

h ou rs i n t he com pany o f w om en t hr ou gh ou t h is adu lt l if e, t hi s s ho ck ed h im . I n t he p as t h e alw ay s p leas eda w om an f ir st , t he n l et h im se lf e nj oy t he r es t o f t he e nc ou nt er . A nd a lw ays , a lw ays h e h ad r em ai ne d t he

o ne i n con tr ol .

H owe ve r, wi th Ta li a, h e a ct ed l ike a gr ee n boy d ur in g hi s fi rs t t im e. He ha d j us t w ant ed t o ki ss he r t o ge t

he r t o b e q ui et . No , t ha t wa sn ?t t rue , h e a dmi tt ed t o hi ms el f. H e ha d a ls o w ant ed t o t as te h er s we et l ips ,

w hi ch h ad l oo ke d s o i nv it in g. S om eh ow , t hi ng s h ad g ot te n o ut o f h an d, a nd h e h ad a lm os t u nd re ss ed h er

a nd ma de l ove t o he r i n t ha t c ha ir i n t he mi ddl e of he r f athe r? s l ab. H e ha d be en f ine unt il s he r es ponde d

s o op enl y a nd a rd ent ly t o h is ki ss es . I t w as a s i f s he h ad be en m ad e f or hi s t ou ch. He r r es pon se t o hi m

w as s o n at ur al ly s en sua l t ha t i t d ro ve h im o ve r t he e dg e. H is l ac k o f r es tr ai nt w or ri ed h im . A s h e f in al ly

t ur ne d a nd w al ke d b ac k t ow ar d h er , a f row n m ar re d h is f ac e.

T al ia ha d n ot s po ke n f ro m t he m om en t A ri n w al ke d a wa y f ro m he r u nt il he t ur ne d a ro un d. S he w as n? t

q ui et o ut o f c on si de ra ti on f or h im o r h is s tr ug gl es . R at he r, i t w as b ec au se o f h er o wn i nn er b at tl e a nd

s hoc k ov er wh at s he h ad j us t e xpe ri en ce d i n t he a rm s o f a m an s he ba re ly kn ew. She h ad ne ve r

r es po nde d l ike t ha t t o M ar k. H e ha d o nl y m ad e he r f ee l i na de qua te wh en t he y we re t og et he r. I t wa s a s i f

A ri n? s t ou ch h ad c ha ng ed h er i nt o s om eo ne e ls e. T ha t o th er p er so n w as s ex y a nd s en su al -- hu ng ry t o b e

t ou ch ed , a nd t o t ou ch . H er u ni nh ib it ed r ea ct io n t o h im e mb ar ra ss ed h er . I f s he h ad n? t b ee n t ie d t o t he

c ha ir , s he w ou ld h av e g ot te n u p a nd r an f ro m t he l ab . U nf or tu na te ly , s he w as f or ce d t o s ta y a nd f ac e h im .

A nd a s h e t ur ne d a nd w al ke d t owa rd h er w it h a f row n o n h is f ac e, h er d re ad i nc re as ed .

E xp ecti ng t he w or st , T al ia w as s ur pr is ed w hen A ri n s il en tl y w al ked b eh in d t he chair and u nt ied h er . S hes to od u p a nd t ur ne d a ro un d, s o t ha t t he y w er e f ac in g e ac h o th er w it h t he c ha ir b et we en t he m. A s h er

e ye s m et h is , h er b re at h g ot c au gh t i n h er t hr oa t. T he u nb ri dl ed d es ir e i n h is g az e m ad e h er k ne es f ee l

w ea k. H owe ve r, j us t a s q ui ckl y a s i t w as t he re , i t w as g on e. He s hu tt er ed hi s e ye s s o t he y s ho we d

nothing.

" Mi ss S te ve ns , I t hi nk i t? s t im e t o g o. W ha t h ap pe ne d b et we en u s j us t n ow s ho ul d n ot h av e o cc ur re d. I t

w on ?t h ap pe n a ga in ," h e s ai d i n a v oi ce d ev oi d o f e mo ti on .

" We ll , I s houl d h ope not ." She l ift ed he r c hin a nd ma de he r voi ce j us t a s c ol d a s hi s. I f he w ant ed t o

h an dl e t hi ng s t hat w ay , t hen s he w ou ld p lay r ig ht alo ng .

A ri n m er el y n od de d a nd c on ti nu ed . " Wo ul d y ou l ik e m e t o d ri ve y ou h om e o r a re y ou a bl e t o d ri ve

y ou rs el f?" h e ask ed i n t hat p ol it el y f or mal v oi ce, w hi ch w as alr eady g et ti ng o n T al ia?s n er ves. S he t ho ug ht

o f s ev er al t hi ng s t o t el l h im t o d o w it h h is r id e, b ut d ec id ed a no th er t ac ti c w as i n o rd er .

" Wh y s ho ul dn ?t I b e a bl e t o d ri ve m ys el f h om e, M r. M cC li nt oc k? A ft er a ll , I ?m n ot t he o ne w ho l os t

con tr ol and p ract ical ly att acked a d ef en seless w om an ," s he s ai d accus in gl y, w it h r ep ro of i n h er v oi ce.

T he n w it ho ut a no th er w or d, s he t ur ne d a nd w al ke d o ut t hr ou gh t he l ab d oo rs . I f A ri n w an te d t o a ct l ik e

w hat h ap pened h ad n?t aff ected h im , t hen s he cou ld d o t he s am e. H e d id n?t f ol lo w h er i mm ed iately , b ut

s he c oul d f ee l hi s e ye s bor ing int o he r ba ck a s s he w al ke d a wa y. A ft er a mi nut e he c aught up wi th he r.

" Fi ne ," h e s ai d i n a c li pp ed v oi ce . N ei th er s ai d a ny th ing e ls e u nt il t he y r ea ch ed t he p ar ki ng l ot . A s s he


16/93

u nl ocked h er car d oo r, A ri n g en tl y g rasp ed h er s ho ul ders f ro m b eh in d and p ul led h er again st h is chest .

H e l ow er ed h is h ea d u nt il h is m ou th w as r ig ht b es id e he r e ar . S he c ou ld f ee l h is b re at h t ic kl ing i t a s h e

spoke.

" Yo u a nd I b ot h k no w t hi s i sn ?t o ve r y et ."

H is r ou gh w hi sp er s en t s hi vers o f d el ig ht t hr ou gh ou t h er b od y. T hen h e l if ted h er h ai r and k is sed t heback of her neck. Talia felt as if the spot he kissed had ignited every intimate part of her body on fire.

S he y ea rn ed t o l ea n a ga in st h im s o t ha t h e c ou ld c on ti nu e t he e xp lo ra ti on o f h er n ec k, b ut c om mo n s en se

prevailed. She was in a parking lot in the middle of the night with a man she barely knew. What had

c ome o ve r h er ? S he ne ede d t o t el l Ar in t o s to p bo the ri ng h er -- to s ta y ou t o f he r l if e.

E ve n a s s he t ho ug ht o f t ur ni ng a ro un d t o c on fr on t h im , s he f el t a c oo l b re ez e a ga in st h er b ac k. W he n s he

f in al ly d id t ur n, t he s ig ht t hat g reet ed h er w as o f h im w al ki ng away. D ur in g t he d ri ve h om e s he k ep t

t hi nk in g a bo ut w ha t h e s ai d b ef or e h e l ef t h er . A nd s he w on de re d i f h e h ad b ee n r ef er ri ng t o h er t ro ub le

w it h M r. B li gh , o r w it h h im .

C ha p te r 3

A ft er a n ig ht f il led w it h t os si ng and t ur ni ng , and d ream s abo ut a v er y s ex y m an n am ed A ri n, T al ia h ad

t ro ub le w ak in g u p t o h er M on day m or ni ng alarm clo ck . N or mall y s he h ad n o p ro bl em g et ti ng u p and

g oi ng t o d o t he w or k s he l ov ed s o m uc h, b ut e ve ry th in g s he h ad b ee n t hr ou gh o ve r t he w ee ke nd w as

cat ch in g u p w it h h er . S he w as exh au st ed . S in ce g radu at in g f ro m m ed ical s ch oo l, s he h ad f ou nd a p os it io n

a t o ne o f t he n at io n? s t op l ab s f or g en et ic r es ea rc h.

D ue t o h er o ut st an di ng academi c ach ievement s, as w el l as s om e o f h er g ro un db reak in g r es earch w hi le

s ti ll a t s ch ool , s he ha d b ee n s ou gh t a ft er b y m an y o f t he m edi ca l f ac il it ie s i n t he c oun tr y. T he o ne s he

f in al ly c ho se w as b ot h c lo se t o h om e a nd r es pe ct ed n at io nw id e f or i ts w or k. I t w as p er fe ct b ec au se i t

a ll ow ed h er t o f ul fi ll h er d re am o f f in di ng a c ur e f or h er m ot he r? s d is ea se , w hi le s ta yi ng c lo se t o h er d ad .

T he f ac t t ha t T al ia w as n ot s ee in g a ny on e s er io us ly , a nd h ad n ot s in ce M ar k, n ev er r ea ll y b ot he re d h er .

T wo t hi ng s k ep t t ha t f ro m e ve r b ec om in g a n i ss ue w it h h er . T he f ir st w as t he b ad e xp er ie nc e s he h ad

w it h M ar k, a nd h ow i na de qu at e i t s ti ll m ad e h er f ee l. T he s ec on d w as t he s en se o f a cc om pl is hm en t s he

g ot t hr ou gh h er w or k.

T he p ro je ct s he h ad b ee n w or ki ng o n t ha t d ay k ep t h er s o p re oc cu pi ed t ha t t ho ug ht s o f A ri n a nd B li gh

d idn ?t c om e t o m ind u nt il s he l oo ke d u p a t t he c lo ck a nd r ea li ze d i t w as 8 :3 0 i n t he e ve ni ng . L oo ki ng

a round , s he s aw t ha t t he l ab w as e mpt y e xc ept f or he r. T hought s of M r. Bl igh c ame t o mi nd a nd s he

s ud denl y f el t v er y n er vo us and v ul nerabl e b ei ng alo ne. S he q ui ck ly f in is hed u p w hat s he w as i n t he m id dl e

o f and l ef t t he l ab . W hi le r id in g d ow n t he elevato r b y h er self , s he k ep t g et ti ng t he f eeli ng t hat s om eo ne

w as w at ch in g h er a nd w as r el ie ve d w he n s he r ea ch ed t he g ro un d f lo or . T he d oo rs o pe ne d, a nd s he s aw

t he s ec ur it y g ua rd a t h is de sk i n t he l ob by . F ee li ng s il ly bu t d ec id in g t ha t i t w as t he s ma rt t hi ng t o d o, s he

asked him to walk her to her car. It wasn? t until she was out of the parking lot and on her wa y home that

s he f el t m or e a t e as e.

A s h er c ar p ul le d a wa y, t wo f ig ur es s li pp ed f ro m t he s ha do ws , w at ch in g h er d ri ve a wa y.

" We c oul d ha ve ma de a g ra b f or he r, s ir . W hy di d you s top me ?" t he v oi ce w hi ne d.


17/93

" Becaus e, B li gh , y ou i ncom petent f oo l, t he s ecur it y g uard can no t b e h ar med. H is o ff sp ri ng are d es ti ned

t o b ec om e v er y i mpo rt an t t o t he w or ld i n m y f ut ur e. W e? ve g on e o ve r t hi s m an y t im es b ef or e. M y p la ns

m us t b e e xe cu te d e xa ct ly t he w ay I t el l y ou . N o m or e m is ha ps , u nd er st an d? "

"But General--"

" No ! D on ?t e ve r u se m y t it le . I ?v e w ar ne d y ou b ef or e, B li gh ."

B li gh w in ce d a nd s hr an k b ac k a t t he a ng er h e h ea rd i n t he o th er m an ?s v oi ce .

" I u nd er st an d s ir . I j us t- -"

" Yo u j us t l is te n t o w ha t I t el l yo u a nd k ee p y our m ou th s hu t. I f yo u a cc om pl is h t hi s m is si on , t he re w il l b e

g re at r ew ar ds f or y ou i n t he f ut ur e. H ow ev er , i f y ou k ee p m ak in g t he se s tu pi d m is ta ke s, w el l, l et ?s j us t

s ay t hat y ou r f ut ur e l oo ks d im . D o y ou g et m y m eani ng , B li gh ?" h e ask ed , l oo ki ng m en acin gl y d ow n at

him.

"Y es , G en . .. u h . .. I m ea n, s ir ," h e a ns we re d f ea rf ul ly .

Th e g en er al g av e h im a d is gu st ed l oo k, b ut i gn or ed h is l it tl e s li p.

" Go od . N ow w e? ll go ov er t he n ex t p ha se o f m y p la n w hi le y ou d ri ve ."

* * * *

W he n T al ia a rr iv ed h om e h er f at he r w as g on e, s o s he d ec id ed t o m ak e d in ne r, l ea vi ng s om e i n t he o ve n

f or h im t o e at w he n h e r et ur ne d. As s he wa she d t he d is he s a nd l oo ke d d ow n i nt o t he s uds y wa te r, s he

d ec id ed t ha t a ni ce , l on g b ub bl e b at h w as j us t w ha t s he n ee de d. E ve r s in ce h er f ir st m ee ti ng w it h B li gh ,

s he ha d be en t ens e a nd un ea sy. Sh e kn ew a s oa k i n t he w ar m w at er wo ul d r el ie ve s ome o f he r s tr es s.

A s s he s li pp ed i nt o t he l av en der- scen ted t ub , s he i mm ed iately f el t m or e r el ax ed . L ay in g b ack and clo si ng

he r e ye s, s he t ri ed t o c le ar he r mi nd of a ll he r wor ri es . Y et e ac h t im e s he s ta rt ed t o dr if t of f, A ri n? s f ac e

w ou ld s ud de nl y a pp ea r a nd h er t ho ug ht s w ou ld s tr ay b ac k t o w ha t h ap pe ne d i n t he l ab l as t n ig ht . A s s he

l ay t here t hi nk in g abo ut i t, s he cou ld alm os t f eel h is w ar m l ip s m ov in g s of tl y o ver h er s. T he m em or y o f

h ow h is t on gu e s li pp ed i n a nd o ut o f he r m ou th m ad e he r s ig h a lou d w it h p le as ur e.

" Havi ng p leas an t d ream s, T al ia?" a d eep s ex y v oi ce ask ed , b reak in g h er r ev er ie.

Ta li a? s e ye s f le w op en a nd s he s aw t he f ac e s he ha d j us t b ee n dr ea mi ng o f m om ent s a go . She s hot u p,

r ea ch in g f or h er t ow el , b ut w as u na bl e t o g ra sp i t w it ho ut g et ti ng c om pl et el y o ut o f t he b at h. S he s at

t here, m om en tari ly f ro zen i n p lace b y h is h ot g aze s lo wl y d ri ft in g d ow n t o h er exp os ed b reas ts . H er

breasts swelled and her nipples tightened in immediate response.

W he n A ri n s aw h er b od y? s r ea ct io n, h is h an d t ig ht en ed o n t he d oo rk no b h e w as h ol di ng a nd h e d re w i n

a s ha rp br ea th . De si re r od e h im h ar d. H e t oo k o ne j er ky s te p t ow ar d h er , a s i f he ha d l os t c on tr ol o f h is

own body. Clenching his jaws together, he forcefully stopped himself from going any further. His sudden

m ov em en t b ro ke t he s pell . T al ia q ui ck ly s ub merg ed h er b od y u nd er t he b ub bl es s o t hat n ot hi ng s ho wed

below her neck.


18/93

"W ha t a re y ou d oi ng h er e? " s he a sk ed i n a b re at hl es s v oi ce .

He di dn ?t a ns we r r ight a wa y. I ns te ad he pi ck ed up he r r obe a nd t owe l a nd g ent ly t hr ew i t o n t he f loor

by the tub. If she thought submerging her body helped get his libido back in check, she couldn?t have

been more wrong. Now that he had seen how beautiful her body was, his imagination was driving him

c ra zy. H e ha d t o g et he r ou t of t he ba th a nd p ut s om e c lot he s on h er be fo re he c oul d t hi nk c le ar ly. Het ur ne d h is b ac k t ow ar d h er , c le ar ed h is t hr oa t, a nd f in al ly s po ke .

"Pleas e get out of the ba th. I think it?s time that you and I had a talk," he said in a voice that was low

an d r asp y.

A s h e w ai te d f or h er t o g et d re ss ed , he t ri ed t o g et h is bo dy ba ck u nde r c ont rol . H e c onc ent ra te d on t he

r es ea rc h h e h ad d on e o n h is o wn t od ay . H e h ad p ic ke d t hr ou gh t he c om pu te r? s h is to ry o n F ra nk

S tevens and f ou nd s om et hi ng s ur pr is in g. N ot o nl y d id t he r ecor ds d et ai l i n- dept h t he p ro fess or ?s f am il y;

i t a ls o s ho we d w ho m t he r el at iv e w as t ha t d is ap pe ar ed t ha t n ig ht a t T he D ar k L an te rn . T al ia ?s n am e w as

clear ly w ri tt en i nt o t he accou nt . A ls o, t he exact n ig ht and app ro xi mate t im e o f t he d is ap pear an ce w asd ocum en ted. A ri n f ou nd i t o dd t hat t he g en er al n eg lect ed t o f in d t hi s i nf or mati on and w as s o v ag ue abo ut

the information he did give. The logical, methodical way his superior approached everything did not

c oi nc id e w it h t he c ar el es sn es s t ha t w as s ho wn i n t hi s c as e. S om et hi ng w as n? t r ig ht , a nd h e k ne w t ha t h e

w oul d h ave t o b e e xt re me ly t ho rou gh i f h e w er e g oi ng t o f in d o ut t he t ru th a bo ut w ha t w as r ea ll y g oi ng

on.

T he s econ d b it o f i nv es ti gati ng h e d id w as b ack i n t he f ut ur e. A lt ho ug h f requ en t b ack and f or th t ravel

w as n ot n or ma ll y p ro mo te d, Ar in f el t t ha t i n t hi s c as e i t wa s j us ti fi ed. H is i de a c am e w he n h e w as go ing

o ve r t he a cc ou nt o f w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d a t T he D ar k L an te rn t he p re vi ou s n ig ht . H e r ea li ze d t ha t t he

c om pu te r r ec or ds h e h ad w it h h im w er e o ut da te d. T hi s w as b ec au se t he y s ti ll s ho we d w ha t h ad

h ap pened b ef or e A ri n arr iv ed t here. E ven t ho ug h h is to ry h ad b een chang ed , E sm er el da w as n ot s ho wi ngt he r ev is ed accou nt . A ny th in g t he com pu ter h ad o n r ecor d n ow , abo ut t he f ut ur e, cou ld b e i ncor rect .

S o h e w en t b ac k, w it ho ut n ot if yi ng t he g en er al , t o l oo k i nt o t he m at te r. H e n ee de d t o f in d o ut i f a ny

f ut ur e a tt em pt s o n T al ia ?s l if e w ou ld b e m ad e, a nd i f s o, w he n a nd w he re . T hi s w ou ld gi ve hi m t he a bi li ty

t o p re ve nt t he m a nd p ro te ct T al ia . A s h e t ho ug ht a bo ut w ha t h e f ou nd o ut , h is f ac e h ar de ne d a nd h is

protective instincts kicked in. No one was going to hurt her as long as he was around. This feeling was

ve ry ne w t o h im. He ha d ne ve r f elt s uc h a n i nt ens e n ee d t o pr ot ec t a ny of t he ot he r wom en he ha d

k no wn . I t l ef t h im p er pl ex ed and n ot a l it tl e d is tu rb ed .

" Ok ay , I ?m d re ss ed . Y ou m ay t ur n a ro un d n ow , M r. M cC li nt oc k, a nd t el l m e w ha t i s s o i mp or ta nt t ha ty ou f ee l t he n ee d t o br ea k i nt o m y h om e a nd s py o n m e w hi le I b at he ." A lt ho ug h T al ia k ne w t hi s w as n? t

t he c as e, s he s ti ll f el t v ul ne ra bl e a nd a l it tl e o ff b al an ce by w ha t h is w an de ri ng g az e d id t o h er . S o, o nc e

a ga in , s he c ov er ed i t u p b y t ak in g o n a h au gh ty a ir .

Whe n A ri n t ur ne d a ro un d h e t ri ed t o h id e h is a mu se me nt . T he re s he s to od w it h h er p er t l it tl e n os e i n t he

a ir , t ry ing t o l oo k d ow n a t hi m f ro m h er p et it e h ei gh t. S he l oo ke d l ik e a l it tl e g ir l w it h t he t ow el w ra pp ed

l op si de d a ro un d h er h ea d, w ea ri ng a n o ve rs iz ed r ob e, w hi ch d ra gg ed o n t he g ro un d a nd h ad t he s le ev es

r ol le d u p w it h h er h an ds p ea ki ng o ut o f t he e nd s.

A s T al ia s aw h is l ip s t wi tch w it h a s mi le and h is eyes s park le w it h amu sement , s he b ecam e i nd ig nant .

Ho w da re he l au gh a t h er ! She kn ew he r bod y w as n? t p er fe ct , but i t w as not hi ng t o l aug h a t.

" I d on ?t k no w w ha t y ou f in d s o a mu si ng a bo ut t he s it ua ti on . I c ou ld c al l t he p ol ic e a nd h av e y ou a rr es te d


19/93

a s a P ee pi ng T om. I f yo u t hi nk m y b od y i s s o f unn y l oo ki ng t he n w hy w er e yo u s py in g on m e i n t he f ir st

place?" she asked as she turned and looked at herself in the mirror for the first time since getting out of

t he t ub . W he n s he s aw w ha t s he l oo ke d l ik e s he c ou ld n? t h ol d b ac k h er s mi le . T he n t he l au gh te r j us t

jumped out of her. She looked like a ten-year-old at a sleepover party wearing her mother?s robe. She

c on ti nu ed t o l au gh , a nd s oon A ri n j oi ne d i n, u na bl e t o h ol d b ac k a ny l on ge r.

A s t heir l au gh ter d ied d ow n, A ri n cou ld n?t h el p b ut t hi nk h ow b eaut if ul s he w as w hen s he s mi led andl au gh ed , a nd T al ia c ou ld n? t h el p b ut n ot ic e h ow h is f ac e l it u p a nd h e l oo ke d l ik e a c ar ef re e l it tl e b oy ,

d im pl es a nd a ll . T he s ig ht o f t ho se d im pl es m ad e h er t hi nk t ha t m ayb e h e w as n? t s o h ar d l ook in g a ft er a ll .

S he w as p re tt y s ur e h is d im pl ed s mi le w as s o i rr es is ti bl e t o m os t w om en t ha t t he y w ou ld d o a lm os t

anything after seeing it.

A s t he y s il en tl y s tu di ed e ac h o th er , A ri n w as t he f ir st t o r ec ov er a nd q ui ck ly b ro ke t he s il en ce .

" Pl ea se c om e s it d ow n i n t he o th er r oo m. T he re a re s om e t hi ng s w e n ee d t o d is cu ss ."

T al ia s at down on he r c ou ch a nd wa it ed f or hi m t o c on tin ue . I ns te ad of s it ti ng, he pa ce d t he f loo r a s hetalked.

" As I tol d you be for e my na me i s Ar in M cC li nt ock. Wha t I di dn? t t el l you w as t ha t I a m not f rom t his

t im e. I ?m f rom t he f ut ur e. F rom t he y ea r 3000 t o b e e xa ct ."

A t h is adm is si on T al ia?s eyes s napp ed u p t o m eet h is . T hey w er e f il led w it h d ou bt and s us pi ci on .

" Be fo re y ou s ta rt d ec la ri ng m y i ns an it y, p le as e l is te n t o w ha t I h av e t o s ay . I ?m h er e t o he lp ."

" Yo u we re s ent he re fr om t he ye ar 300 0 j us t t o he lp m e? W hy? " s he a ske d wi th a voi ce f ul l of

skepticism.

A ri n h es it at ed , b ut t he n d ec id ed h e w ou ld b e a s h on es t a s p os si bl e w it h h er .

" We ll , no. I w as se nt he re on a not he r mi ssi on, but I ca n he lp you a t t he s ame t ime . Y our li fe i s i n da nger .

Y ou d o r ea li ze t ha t? " h e a sk ed i n a n e ff or t t o d is tr ac t h er f ro m t he t ru e p ur po se o f h is m is si on .

"A ft er t he l as t t wo a tt em pt s b y B li gh , h ow c ou ld I n ot s ee t ha t s om et hi ng i s g oi ng o n? M y q ue st io n t o

y ou i s w he the r o r n ot yo u k no w wh y t hi s i s h ap pe ni ng? Af te r a ll , i f yo u r ea ll y a re f ro m t he f ut ur e,

s ho ul dn ?t y ou k no w t he o ut co me o f t hi s a lr ea dy ?" s he a sk ed i n a w ay t ha t t ol d A ri n s he s ti ll d ou bt ed h is

story.

" Th er e are t hi ng s y ou j us t d on ?t r eali ze T al ia. T he f ut ur e i s v er y f ragi le. A ny chang es t hat h av e b een

cau sed b y m y com in g h er e w il l h av e an eff ect l at er i n t im e. S o, event s aren?t p er manent i n t he f ut ur e, u nt il

they have actually happened. Do you understand?"

I gn or in g h is u se o f h er f ir st n am e, s he ans wered h im .

" Ye s, b ut I s ti ll c an? t b el ie ve t ha t yo u? re f ro m t he f ut ur e. I t? s j us t a l it tl e t oo m uc h l ik e t he m ovi es f or m e.

H ow ev er , I w il l g o a lo ng w it h t he pr em is e t ha t y ou c an h el p m e. A ft er m y b ru sh w it h B li gh y es te rda y, I

r ea li ze d t ha t I ?m i n o ve r m y h ea d. S o, M r. M cC li nt oc k, w il l y ou o r w on ?t y ou ?" s he a sk ed .

"W il l I o r w on ?t I w ha t? " h e a sk ed i n c on fu si on .


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" Be m y b od yg ua rd , o f c ou rs e, " s he a ns we re d w it h a s mu g e xp re ss io n o n h er f ac e.

" Y ou r w hat?" H er q uest io n t oo k h im b y com pl et e s ur pr is e.

" My b od yg ua rd . I f y ou r ea ll y w an t t o h el p m e, y ou c an d o i t b y p ro te ct in g m e. I w ou ld f ee l q ui te s ec ur e.

I t s eems y ou h av e all t he p hy si cal att ri bu tes n eces sary f or t he p os it io n, " s he com ment ed as s he s lo wl y

c ir cl ed hi m w hi le p er us in g hi s b ody . W he n h er ga ze r et ur ne d t o hi s f ac e s he s aw a da nge ro us g li nt i n h ise ye s. T he ir c ol or h ad c ha ng ed f ro m g ra y t o c ha rc oa l.

" Be c ar ef ul ," h e w ar ne d s of tl y. T ha t s im pl e s ta te me nt a nd t he h un gr y l oo k o n h is f ac e s to pp ed h er i n h er

t ra ck s. S he l oo ke d a wa y q ui ck ly a s s he f el t h er f ac e g ro w w ar m f ro m e mb ar ra ss me nt .

A t T al ia ?s p er us al o f h is b od y, A ri n g re w w ar m, t he n h ot a ll o ve r. H e w on de re d i f s he k ne w w ha t e ff ec t

s he h ad o n h im . S tu dy in g h er f ac e, h e c ou ld n? t h el p b ut s mi le . S he l oo ke d l ik e a k id w ho j us t g ot c au gh t

w it h he r f in ge rs i n t he c ook ie j ar .

He wa s a bo ut t o obj ec t t o he r a bs ur d o ff er , wh en i t hi t hi m t ha t t hi s wo ul d be t he p er fe ct wa y t oaccom pl is h b ot h o f h is m is si on s: p ro tect in g h er and g et ti ng clo se t o t he p ro fess or .

" I?ll d o i t. B ut o nl y u nd er cer tain con di ti on s, " h e cau ti on ed .

" Yo u w il l? U nd er w hat con di ti on s?" s he ask ed w ar il y. H e h ad agr eed t oo q ui ck ly .

" Fi rs t a nd f or em os t, I m us t b e a va il ab le t o y ou a t a ll t im es . T he re fo re , I s ho ul d s ta y a t y ou r h om e. "

" No -- " s he s ta rt ed t o p ro te st , b ut w as c ut o ff b ef or e s he c ou ld c on ti nu e. H e g en tl y p la ce d h is i nd ex

f in ger o n h er l ip s. H is t ou ch l ef t h er k nees w eak, and s he i mm ed iately f el l s il en t.

" Be fo re y ou d is ag re e, l is te n t o m e, " A ri n s ta rt ed . H r t oo k h is h an d a wa y f ro m h er m ou th w he n h e s aw h e

h ad h er a tt en ti on . T he m in ut e h e d id , h e w is he d h e c ou ld p ut i t b ac k a nd s lo wl y r ub i t a cr os s h er f ul l

bottom lip. Resisting the urge, he continued.

" It o nl y m ak es s en se t ha t I ?m c lo se b y n ig ht a nd d ay . Y ou ?v e a lr ea dy s ee n t he w ay B li gh w or ks . H e i s

capable of anything."

T he l os s o f h is c on ta ct w it h h er l ip s l ef t T al ia d is tr ac te d, b ut s he t ri ed t o c on ce nt ra te o n t he i ss ue a t h an d.

" Bu t w ha t a bo ut m y f at he r? I d ou bt h e w ou ld a gr ee t o s uc h a t hi ng ," s he a rg ue d.

" On ce we a ll s it down a nd t al k, h e? ll r ea li ze t he da nge r you bot h a re i n. I f I c an be of a ss is ta nc e, w hy

s ho ul dn ?t h e a ll ow m e t o s ta y h er e? B es id es , I h av e a f ee li ng t ha t y ou r f at he r w il l b e a l it tl e m or e o pe n t o

m y claim o f com in g f ro m t he f ut ur e t han y ou ," h e add ed m ys teri ou sl y.

I gn or ing h is c ry pt ic r em ar k, s he a gr ee d w it h h is p la n. S he c ou ld t el l b y t he s tu bb or n s et o f h is f ac e t ha t

h e w as n? t go ing t o g iv e u p un ti l s he s ai d y es .

" Fi ne , we ?l l t al k to my fa the r i n t he mor ni ng. C ome ba ck the n a nd we ca n s or t t hi s out whe n he wa ke s

u p, " s he s ai d and s tart ed t o s tand , d is mi ss in g h im .

" I can ?t d o t hat, " h e s ai d s im pl y, r em ai ni ng i n h is s eat.


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" Wh y n ot ?" s he ask ed .

"I ?m s le ep in g h er e t on ig ht , o n t he c ou ch , s o I c an h el p i f I ?m n ee de d. "

" Wh at a bou t y ou r t hi ng s? " T al ia a sk ed g ra sp in g a t s tr aw s t o g et h im t o l ea ve . S he d id n? t t hi nk s he w ou ld

be able to sleep knowing he was here in the house with her. She just wasn?t that comfortable with him.

" Do n?t y ou n eed an o vern ig ht b ag o r s om et hi ng ?"

" We c an g et t ho se t hi ng s t om or ro w, a ft er I p ic k y ou u p f ro m w or k, " h e a ss ur ed h er .

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