Eternal Nights (12 page)

Rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, Wyatt said, “I’m not a hundred percent sure which hall we chose our first run through, and I want a couple seconds to think about it. I believe we veered toward the left here, correct?”

Kendall pursed her lips as she studied the five spokes that split off the main corridor. “I think so,” she said slowly, “but was it the far left, or second from the left?”

Shaking his head, Wyatt said, “I was hoping you’d remember.” He smiled at her, and Kendall felt her heart rate pick up. “I’m leaning toward the hallway on the far left.”

She studied it more intently, but there were no distinguishing characteristics. “I trust you.”

His hand tightened around hers for a second, then relaxed. “Bug, your faith means a lot to me. I just hope it isn’t misplaced.” Before she could comment, he continued, “Okay, we’ll head left, and take our chances.”

“Does it matter?” she asked after they resumed walking. “I mean, one way is as good as another as we look for a door.”

“Maybe, but I was having trouble keeping track of where we were. If this isn’t the right hallway, then we’re completely lost with no chance of finding our way back to where we started.”

Kendall thought about that. “Are you saying that if our situation became desperate enough, we’d try to exit the way we came in? Despite the thieves watching for us at the entrance? ”

He was dead serious when he looked at her. “We don’t have much food, but what I’m concerned about is water. We can’t last long without it, especially since we’re moving. What do you think? Is there water in this section of the temple?”

Her first instinct was to say yes, but Kendall swallowed the word. “I don’t know. There could be, I guess, but this part hasn’t been mapped or explored.”

“Yeah,” Wyatt said grimly. “I’m aware of that.”

They hadn’t gone far before they reached a right angle in the hall. “I don’t remember this our first time through,” Kendall said quietly as they drew to a halt.

“I don’t either. Fu—uh, dang.”

Her lips twitched. “You don’t have to watch your language. Don’t you know by now that you can be yourself with me? If you want to curse, go ahead. I’m not going to be offended.”

“I know you wouldn’t be offended by swearing, but my mama told me not to cuss, and my dad said sometimes a man had to swear, but just be careful not to do it in front of a lady. I can’t change twenty-five years of indoctrination.”

Did he have to smile like that? So sweet and sexy? And did he have to talk about his mother and father with so much affection, so much respect? It made her melt every time he did either of those things, but both together, well, that was lethal. “Do we go back?” she asked before the silence dragged on too long.

“You know we have to.”

Kendall nodded, but she didn’t want to retrace her steps, even if Wyatt had that route more or less mentally mapped. When he started back the way they came, though, she followed. They reached the hub of halls and turned down the next passageway.

As they walked, an odor reached her. It wasn’t a pleasant one, and it seemed out of place in the temple. Kendall lifted her nose, trying to get a better read on the scent. She thought maybe urine and feces, but there was something else, something that almost smelled metallic, something she couldn’t name. The one thing she was certain of was that it was growing stronger. “What is that stench?” she asked.

“Nothing good.” Wyatt appeared grim, and her throat went tight. He’d recognized the smell, she knew it. “When we get closer,” he added, “you stay put and let me check it out.”

Instead of asking him what they’d find, Kendall scowled. She didn’t like the idea of Wyatt shielding her. On the other hand, while he’d always been protective, he’d never been unreasonable about it. If he didn’t want her to see whatever this was, he probably had a good cause.

The odor was really strong now, and she put a hand over her nose, trying to block some of it. They slowed as they neared another intersection of halls, and she briefly glanced to her right.

Kendall froze midstep. She couldn’t move, couldn’t force herself to look away. From the corner of her eye, she saw Wyatt stop and follow her gaze. She heard him mutter a curse, but her feet were still glued to the floor.

Breathe, she thought, and gasped in a shaky breath.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
She felt her stomach heave, and she gagged. That broke her paralysis enough for her to close her eyes.

It didn’t help. She couldn’t block the image. One of George’s stooges hung suspended, his body impaled by dozens of sharp metal spikes.

Chapter Seven

With a faint smile, Stacey gazed down at Cam. Her godson slept like he did everything else—all out. She never would have believed a two-year-old could be capable of such determination, but that was before this boy had come along. Fortunately for everyone, Ravyn was accustomed to intense males and one more in her life didn’t faze her.

Looking around the darkened room, Stacey found a chair and quietly pulled it closer to the bed before sitting. She rested her hand lightly over her abdomen and gave the baby cocooned there a small caress. What would her child be like? Would he be patient? Quiet? Focused? She stifled a laugh. Heaven help her if this baby took after Alex in that last regard.

Cam had taught her a lot about kids. If she’d had to guess, Stacey would have thought that babies developed an identity over time, but even as a newborn, Cam had been his own person. Sure, some of his traits must have come from his parents, but there were definitely things that hadn’t. That made her wonder.

The little boy shifted restlessly, and she held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t wake up. She’d volunteered to put Cam to bed, giving Ravyn the night off, but she’d had ulterior motives too. Stacey needed the peace this child gave her. There was nothing like a hug from him to put life in perspective and help her remember what was important.

He was a healthy, happy toddler, growing up secure in the knowledge that his mom and dad loved him. Heck, just plain growing up with both his parents around him every day. Something her own child wouldn’t have. With a sigh, she slumped in the chair. She felt a clutching in her chest as she realized what a loss that would be for her son or daughter.

But Cam was also secure in the knowledge that his mom and dad loved and respected each other. She was doing the right thing for her baby; Stacey trusted that. What would she be teaching her son or daughter if she stayed with Alex? That love only had to go one way? That it was okay to settle for whatever affection was carelessly tossed out? Sometimes she felt like a dog waiting for scraps to fall her direction, and that was no way to live. She straightened. No child of hers was going to be raised to believe this inequity was acceptable in a relationship.

When Cam shifted again, Stacey knew it was time to leave and let him sleep without her hovering. It wasn’t like she needed to avoid Ravyn. Her friend wouldn’t ask any questions, not unless Stacey herself brought up Alex or why she’d left him.

Stacey closed the door to Cam’s bedroom behind her and paused, trying to decide whether to find Ravyn or simply retire for the evening. As she stood there, she heard Ravyn talking to someone.

Alex.

Stacey grimaced. She should have guessed he’d show up. Forcing her feet to move, she headed down the hall. Ravyn shouldn’t have to run interference for her and Sullivan deserved to be told face to face that it was over.

“For the last time,” Alex said, “move out of my way.”

Icicles dripped from his words and that told Stacey clearer than anything how angry he was. She’d learned quickly after meeting him that the colder he sounded, the more furious he was.

“No,” Ravyn replied, her voice calm and almost as chilly as her brother’s. “If you want to get past me, you’re going to have to hurt me, and we both know you won’t do that.”

Stacey’s lips curved before she could prevent it. Alex was tough as nails, deadly when he needed to be, and a complete marshmallow when it came to women—especially his sister and her.

As her friend’s back came into view, Stacey stopped. She couldn’t see Sullivan, but she could feel his intensity radiating down the hall, and her courage faltered. Ravyn had learned to deal with her brother a long time ago. Heat didn’t win disputes with Alex. Once his opponent’s temper became hot, Sullivan had the upper hand and the argument was all but over then. That was always Stacey’s downfall—she couldn’t stay cool like Ravyn did.

“Where the hell is Brody?” Sullivan demanded.

“You think Damon’s going to back you up?” Ravyn sounded incredulous. “First, he’s as big a teddy bear as you are, and second, he’s always on my side.”

Alex muttered something Stacey couldn’t make out, then said, “Come on, Ravyn. Stace and I need to talk.”

“If she wanted to see you, she would.”

“Why do you have to be so damn stubborn?”

Stacey shook herself out of her daze. She couldn’t stand here, out of view, and listen to them argue. “Ravyn’s not being stubborn,” she told Alex when she reached the other woman’s side. “She’s being a good friend. But it’s okay.” Stacey looked at Ravyn. “Alex and I do need to have a conversation.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Ravyn said. “I can handle it.”

“I know you can, but I
do
want to talk to him.”

Ravyn studied her intently before reluctantly stepping back. “Just remember, I’m here if you need me.” After giving her brother a last glare of warning, Ravyn withdrew to the master suite.

Reluctantly, Stacey turned back to Alex. She was an adult; she could deal with breaking up with the man she loved. If anything, his features had pulled tauter, and she swallowed a sigh. He was in a warrior frame of mind. Ravyn blocking his path had started it, but it was honed now and directed at her.

“Let’s go home.” Alex took her elbow and started to draw her toward the door.

Stacey dug in her heels and tugged her arm free. “No. We can talk here.”

“I’m not having this discussion in the hallway.” A thread of anger crept into his voice.

“Why don’t we use one of the rooms off the main chamber? We’ll have privacy there.”

“Fine,” Alex snapped, and taking her elbow again, he began to pull her across the large gathering room. Irritated with his high-handed behavior, Stacey tried to yank loose again, but she couldn’t. Sullivan’s grip wasn’t painful, but he was hanging on tightly enough that she was stuck. She was staring at his hand, trying to figure out how he did that, when Alex stopped short.

Stacey looked up and saw Ravyn’s husband blocking the path.

“Get the hell out of the way, Brody,” Alex warned.

“Is everything all right, Stacey?” Damon asked pointedly.

“Thanks, Damon, but I’m fine. Really.”

“Are you sure? You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, you know. I’ll make sure of that.”

His concern touched her and Stacey had to blink a few times before she said, “You’re a good friend, but honest, I need to talk with Alex. I’d just prefer,” she glared at Sullivan, “he not tug me along like a dog on a leash.”

Damon studied her for a moment, then looked at Alex. “You heard the lady, she doesn’t want to be tugged.”

Alex released her, but he growled, “This is between Stacey and me. Mind your own business.”

“This is my business, Colonel. Stacey is my wife’s best friend and a guest in our home. It’s my responsibility to protect her when the need arises—even from you.”

Stacey didn’t need to be psychic to predict Alex’s reaction to that statement. His jaw became so tense, a muscle started to tic in his cheek. “Brody,” he growled, “if you thi—”

She jumped in quickly. “Alex, you know you’d do the same thing if the situation were reversed, so don’t get indignant.”

The two men hadn’t gotten along when Ravyn had first fallen in love with Damon, but over the past three years, they’d made a lot of progress. In fact, they’d forged a tentative friendship, although she suspected both would deny that with their final breaths—at least for right now. After all that, the last thing Stacey wanted was to see it undone by one incident.

Alex grumbled, but he couldn’t disagree. “Now that you’re aware Stacey wants to talk with me, you can go away.”

Damon seemed amused by Sullivan’s bluntness, but his voice was serious when he told her, “If you need me, just holler.”

The silence was absolute until Damon was gone, and then Sullivan demanded, “What did you say to them?”

“Nothing.” She resumed her course for the room directly across from where they stood. Stacey ignored the cursing she heard behind her and took a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs, folding her hands demurely in her lap. Truthfully, she was nervous about this meeting. She loved Alex; what if she wasn’t strong enough to stand her ground? Going back to him, living as they’d been living, would destroy her. She knew it. But her heart didn’t seem to care. Even now, it was urging her to wrap her arms around her man and hold on to him no matter the cost.

Alex closed the door quietly behind him. “You must have said something,” he said, picking up where he’d left off. “My sister and her husband are acting like I’m some dangerous felon.”

“I didn’t,” she gritted out, “say one word to either of them about you.” He was standing close enough to loom over her, his hands resting on his hips, and that irritated Stacey. Alex was always looking for an edge. He couldn’t just sit down and have a discussion like a normal person. No, not Sullivan. He had to find a tactical advantage. “If they were concerned, it might be because when you’re focused on something, your personality becomes extremely forceful. Maybe they think that I’m no match for you when you’re in this state of mind.”

“That’s bullshit.” Alex quirked his lips. “No matter how strongly I come across, we both know who gets her way nearly every time.”

Stacey opened her mouth to disagree, but shut it without speaking. Instead, she considered what he’d said—and realized it was largely true. If she didn’t back down, eventually she did prevail unless her safety was involved. That was the only thing he never budged on. She needed to think about this some more, but not right now. Later, when she’d be left undisturbed.