Dragon Awakened (19 page)

“I don't want you coming in with me. I'd like to say I trust Fernandez. He and his wife raised me after I was orphaned. That's the way being a Ward worked in the old days, if you had no family to take you in.”

She didn't want to know about how he'd lost his parents, how he had no family. “But?”

“I can't completely trust him.”

“So I'm hiding in the car?”

“No, I want you nearby so you know what's going on. We'll walk through the neighbor's yard. They're up north for the summer, so the house is closed up. I've got a boat off the side dock. Duck down there. Ready?”

“As I ever will be.”

He stood and dropped some bills on the table. Once outside, he walked to the passenger side and peered into the car first. “Rule of thumb when being hunted by demons: always check your vehicle before you get in. Not a bad idea anyway. Miami has its share of ghouls of the Hidden and the Mundane variety.”

He was still teaching her. It should annoy her, but somehow it had the opposite effect. Their gazes locked, and that sexuality curled through her. She could feel the heat of the sun on her back, and his heat from where he stood inches in front of her. “Cyn…”

She tried to dredge up something angry or cold, anything to put distance between them. All she felt was a draw to him, even knowing what he'd done. She ached to feel his hand on her, even just to brush a strand of hair from her temple.

“Ruby, don't look at me like that. Because it makes me want to do this.” He did touch her, stroking his fingers along her jawline.

She batted his hand away. “Damn it, we aren't supposed to be here again. Together. Feeling like this. You were supposed to be—” She cut off the words.

“Feeling the ache of you turning your back on me?”

“Yes, I wanted you to feel even a fraction of what you caused me to feel. But you can't feel, can you? That's what you said, anyway. Tell me I was only a moral obligation to you. A few moments of lust.” She lifted her chin.

“You like to hear the raw truth, don't you, Ruby?” As though he'd read her mind, or maybe her energy, he did brush a stray strand of hair from her forehead, trailing his fingers across her brow. “Are you sure you want to hear it this time?”

“Yes.” She braced herself for his cold, harsh words.

“Watching you Awaken woke up a part of myself I didn't know existed. It was more than you growing into your Dragon's sensuality. It was how your spirit touched me so deeply that I could not stop myself from wanting you. I told myself it was just sexual attraction. But when you told me I was the first man you wanted to give your heart to, I realized what's between us was much more. And that I wanted you more than anything I've wanted in a long, long time. The only way I could keep from violating my moral code was to tell you the truth. Watching you walk away cut so deep, hurt so much, I actually looked for blood on my shirt. Now I feel such a deep emptiness, it's like my insides have been sucked out. Does that fill your need for revenge?”

She swayed, forcing herself to breathe. Every word had twisted so tight around her heart, lungs, her entire body. She felt the truth in words filled with pain, saw it in his eyes. Her voice sounded hollow when she said, “That should do it.”

He opened the door for her and said, “Let's see what Fernandez has to say. Maybe we can finish this now, and you can walk away again.”

R
uby was glad for the silence in the car as Cyn turned onto his street. She was waiting for the satisfaction over his admission. It should be coming any second now. But it didn't, because she was suffering, too, though she'd die before admitting it.

What astounded her was that he didn't appear to be in pain. He could mask it so well. What else did he hide from her? From himself, for that matter?

He parked in the driveway next door and killed the engine. “I want to get you into a hiding spot before I meet Fernandez. Mr. Smith could be watching.”

He led her around orange and grapefruit trees to the ocean that sparkled in the midday sun. “We're going to climb down there and take that ledge over to my dock.”

The ledge was made of broken concrete close to where waves splashed. Bracing himself on the edge of the seawall, Cyn stepped down and gained his balance, then looked at her. She followed suit, mirroring his movements as he scooted along the ledge, hidden by the seawall to anyone who might be lurking around Cyn's house. His property was on a point, the dock on the side that faced across the canal to another house. The other side looked out to open ocean. She eschewed his offered hand and stepped onto the dock, crouching down as he did.

“Wait for me to get you. If there's trouble, you'll have to determine whether it's better to get involved or stay hidden. For instance, if I'm killed straight out, there's no point in jumping in. You'll only die, too, because if someone gets the best of me, you have no chance.” He took his phone from his back pocket and placed it in her hand. “If that happens, wait until they leave and find Kade. Or Grayson.”

She put her hand to her chest as she watched him head back to the car. The thought of his dying made her heart hurt. It was only fear of being on her own, right?

It seemed like forever before she heard his voice, carried on the breeze. “We're safe to talk out here. My neighbors are gone for the summer. Lately I don't like being in closed spaces.”

Ruby dared peek just above the wall. The other man was dark-haired, too, but shorter and stockier. Cyn positioned himself so that the man's back was to her. His gaze flicked to her before focusing on Fernandez again. “What's going on?”

“Mr. Smith came to see me again. He said you're harboring a woman who has been trying to sabotage his efforts to save as many people as possible from the
Deus Vis
fluctuations.”

“It's not the fluctuations that are threatening us. It's that our life force is actually breaking up. I'll bet he didn't tell you that he's causing the fracturing. Brom Winston saw the devastation his project would cause. That's why Justin sabotaged the project, and why he was executed.”

Fernandez shook his head. “Mr. Smith told me how he hired Justin to come up with portable
Deus Vis
so Crescents could leave the Field. How the device he engineered exacerbated the fluctuations of the solar storms that were hitting at the time. And yes, Brom did warn him, but Justin ignored those warnings. When Mr. Smith talked of shutting the project down, Justin took all of his research and the device and went on the run to continue his experiments.
That's
why he was terminated.”

Fernandez clearly believed the story Mr. Smith had fed him. But Ruby didn't.

Cyn didn't either by the hard edge to his next question. “So why are we experiencing this extreme disruption now? Did he have an answer to that?”

“It's a huge solar storm. You've heard it on the news, physicist Michio Kaku talking about the way it might affect electricity and satellites. It will affect Crescents in more devastating ways. Mr. Smith has a device that holds
Deus Vis
and will feed a select number of Crescents the energy we need. The woman is trying to destroy this device. We'll all die.” Fernandez's words grew raw with emotion. “Celia is already ill, as you know. Those who are weakened are feeling it first.”

“Who chooses the ones that benefit from this supposed device?”

“The Chosen are based on their value to Crescent society. My wife, I, and you, Cyn, we'll all get the energy. But only if you turn over this woman to my custody.”

“And you trust a man who won't even tell you his name?”

Fernandez nodded with conviction. “I've seen the device revive my flagging secretary.”

Ruby went cold. She was a bargaining chip. Cyn lived if she was taken into custody. She knew he'd never hand her over.

“I'm not turning her over.”

Fernandez's shoulders slumped. “I'm sorry, Cyn. I can't let my wife die.”

Ruby tensed, ready to come out and fight. Especially when a man stepped out from the hedges. He looked to be in his sixties with a trim beard and expensive-looking clothing. She held her position because she didn't see any weapons or demons. In fact, his hands were held at his sides in almost a surrender style.

“Cyntag Valeron,” he said in a strong voice. “We meet at last.”

“We haven't met, since I don't know your name.” Cyn, always smooth and in control. His body language, though, was poised for action. His hand flexed behind him, a message to stay put.

“I mean you no harm. You or the girl.”

“Those demons weren't exactly benign messengers.”

“My son, Darren, went overboard. I didn't know he'd gone to such extremes. I am Purcell, by the way.”

He was Darren's
father
?

“Listen to your former mentor, Cyntag. What would I have to gain by causing the death of so many Crescents? Do I look like a diabolical mass murderer? I am, in fact, a savior. While the Mundanes have been preparing to protect power grids and global communications satellites, the private lab I've been funding has invested years of research to figure out how to protect Crescents. The problem is that there are just too many. When the coronal mass ejection arrives, many will lose their connection to the
Deus Vis
and their essence will wither. And they will die.”

“Why not warn the population?” Cyn asked. “They could leave the Field for a time. Surely the fluctuation will not last for more than two weeks.”

“First, how would we get all of this across in a secretive manner? Then, can you imagine the panic that would ensue? It's unfortunate that many will die. You remember during the Cold War when a nuclear attack seemed imminent? The U.S. government built fallout shelters for their high-ranking officials. It's logical to protect those who can rebuild society. I am willing to ensure that you and yours are included in the Chosen. But you must give me something in return.”

Cyn fisted his hands at his sides. “I'm not handing over Ruby.”

“Ah, you care about her.”

“She's been through enough. You had her family murdered.”

“But the girl was not harmed, due to your…compassion.”

“I wasn't
harmed
?” Ruby exploded from her hiding place, rage heating her cheeks, and her Dragon. “You killed my family! My uncle! And you've been trying to kill me.”

Cyn gripped her arms as she tried to pass him and face the man who had taken so much from her. He held her fast, whispering her name in a warning tone.

Purcell didn't look the least bit afraid of her. “The blame lies squarely on Brom's head. He is quite mad, you know. He accused Darren of re-creating the fluctuation and then stormed off. Darren sent a scry orb to follow him, worried for his safety. Brom told Moncrief about his vision, that you would follow in your father's insanity and sabotage everything we've worked for. Darren would not let that happen. He acted rashly, without consulting me. I apologize for the trouble he has caused.”

He apologized.
Apologized
for killing her uncle!

She crossed her arms over her chest. “A demon tried to attack me
after
his death.”

Purcell's mouth tightened. “A demon that continued to fulfill its obligation.” He met Cyn's gaze. “You killed my son, because he acted recklessly.” His cold eyes shifted to her. “Your father died for the same reason. Enough people have perished. Now we must focus on saving those we can.”

Rage trembled through her body, making Cyn squeeze her shoulders.

Cyn's voice was rigid when he asked, “Won't it be odd when thousands of people die for no apparent reason?”

“Of course. The CDC will be desperately searching for the killer pathogen that will seem like the avian flu panic all over again. But it will be over before they can even begin their research. You, Cyn, are—were—a Vega, the most capable of Guard officers. We could use your help.” He looked at Ruby. “You will be spared, too, if you cooperate.”

Purcell turned to Fernandez. “Show them your bracelet.”

He did, plucking at a leather band. Purcell pulled more bands from his pocket. “I will give you four of these. When the lack of
Deus Vis
becomes too much to handle, the Chosen will be called to a central location, where we will ride out the storm. Like a hurricane shelter.” He held out the bands. “Do we have a deal?”

Cyn gave her shoulder another squeeze. “Deal. We'll cease and desist.” He couldn't be thinking of trusting this guy!

Purcell's steely gaze shifted to her, and she felt an odd pressure in her head. “I know you doubt me,” he said, as though he'd read her mind. He had, she realized. “But with your comrade on our side, you haven't a chance of succeeding. Cyn, when you or Ruby start feeling ill, call Fernandez. He'll have instructions by then.”

Fernandez approached Cyn. “I'm sorry I set this up.” He watched Purcell's retreating back as though he were afraid the man would disappear.

Cyn narrowed eyes that showed his sense of betrayal. “Set
me
up. This could have gone much differently.”

“I can't lose her, Cyn.” The man's voice bled with regret. He ran across the lawn to follow Purcell.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Ruby asked, “We're not really—”

Cyn shook his head, answering and cutting her off with the same movement. He motioned for her to follow him to the T-bird. As soon as they pulled away from the house, Cyn instructed his cell phone to dial Grayson.

His deep voice boomed over the speakers when he answered. “What's up?”

“I need a Leap to Chena. I'll fill you in when we get to your place.” He disconnected.

“Who's Chena? And what's a Leap, and why does it make my stomach knot up even more than it already is? Don't you dare tell me ‘later.'”

He slid her a slightly amused look. “Chena is a what, not a who. It's a town in Alaska, one of the few places where pockets of
Deus Vis
can sustain Crescents.”

“
Alaska
? Are we running off to save our asses? Or are you running off?”

“Ruby, you've got to stop letting your emotions drive you. Back there, bursting out like that could have gotten us killed.” He released a breath. “You really think I'd leave you to save myself?”

She settled back in her seat. “No.”

Cyn pulled into the high-rise's parking lot and started heading to the entrance. “Maybe Purcell's telling the truth, and this disturbance is a natural result of the impending solar storm. My gut says it isn't.”

“If he's right, my father was either crazy or greedy. My gut says it's not true.”

“Your gut or your heart? You must be able to tell the difference.”

She recalled the memories Grayson had revived. “I remember my father telling Darren that what they were doing was dangerous. That's why he destroyed everything. He wasn't a man intent to run with a moneymaking device, but one in fear for the safety of his family. And all Crescents. My gut says that in the end, he did the right thing.”

Cyn nodded. “Trust your gut always. Trust your emotions never. Going to Alaska is about getting answers. Jay Caruso's had a fascination with the
Deus Vis
ever since he went to college with your father. When Brom had his vision fifteen years ago, he called Jay, whose idea it was to use the prism to see the
Deus Vis
. Jay is a permanent resident at Sanctum, the Crescent sanctuary where Brom went. When I was at Brom's earlier, there was a message from Jay on his machine. He's running experiments based on something Brom just told him. We're going to find out what that something is.” He ran his hands lightly over her shoulders and down her arms. Her body stiffened, and he pulled back. “You're going to need a coat.”

Even that casual touch sent his energy into her body. “I can get one at the airport.”

“We're not going via plane. We're going via magick.”