Dark Storm (Dark #23)(76)
Author: Christine Feehan

Gary walked directly in front of her. She caught him twice looking over her head, back toward Jubal. They exchanged a knowing look that made her shiver. Okay, she wasn’t entirely losing her mind; they both felt the danger, too, they just reacted better. She put her hand in the pocket of her light jacket, assuring herself the Glock was there should she need it.

Your fear is beating at me, yet you do not allow me to share your mind. What is it?

His voice was always so calm and reassuring.

We don’t make any sense. She would have glared at him if she wasn’t so busy looking in the trees for an imminent attack. Sometimes being so utterly calm was annoying.

Match your heartbeat to mine. Your heart is beating too fast, Dax ordered. In what way don’t we make sense?

Smug male amusement was much worse than calm. She risked a quick glance over her shoulder to glare at him. He wasn’t even breathing hard, while her lungs were burning. He was all muscle and hotness, and her body felt like lead. He didn’t seem to mind that at any moment he might have to pitch the professor into a spiny tree to save the day like some comic book hero.

Comic book hero? Is that how you see me? I must have a cape.

His laughter filled her mind, raw and masculine and unexpected. She found herself smiling just because he was. He’d managed to find his way into her mind when she had been so certain she was closed off to him. He could make her laugh in the worst of circumstances. Ignoring the gathering anxiety pressing down on her, she deliberately began to conjure up an image of Dax in pink tights, a long tunic and a pink cape.

This is what you wish me to wear? He sounded perfectly serious. It is much like the Inca garb. The color might clash with my skin tone.

Riley burst out laughing. Clash with your skin tone? she echoed. Small beads of sweat ran down the valley between her breasts. She had to rub more out of her eyes. What in the world does Gary have going on in his head? You got all your information from him.

Jubal as well. He has sisters. Once again he sounded smug.

She took a deep breath, hoping he’d deny it, but knowing he wouldn’t. You know we’re going to be attacked.

Yes, of course.

Riley stumbled, but caught herself before she fell. She felt light-headed, dizzy enough to sink to the ground in a faint. She bit down hard on her lip, the stinging pain grounding her. You’ve been talking to Jubal and Gary. She made it a statement.

Coordinating what they need to do.

Riley cringed a little at her ridiculous reaction to his matter-of-fact tone. Speaking mind to mind seemed so intimate to her, a secret shared with a lover. Could she be jealous? How utterly beneath her. And in the middle of an incredibly dangerous situation. She was acting like an idiot. She wasn’t even the jealous kind.

She frowned as she walked, counting her steps to clear her mind. There was no buzzing in her mind to indicate the vampire was influencing her as it had the porter who killed her mother. She continued counting each step, finding a rhythm, wishing she could stop and put her hands in the earth. She felt exhausted, and the soil would rejuvenate her.

Riley? Why do you keep cutting yourself off from me? Your heart is still beating too fast.

She shook her head, not wanting Dax in it. She needed to work this out on her own. Her frown deepened. Dax, Jubal and Gary had all agreed that vampires preyed on weaknesses. She was definitely insecure, feeling as if she somehow wasn’t worthy of Dax. To her, he was noble and courageous. He’d sacrificed his life for his people. He’d endured all kinds of suffering and wounds in battle, been completely alone while she’d had a wonderful, happy childhood with every advantage.

At once her mind was flooded with warmth. You have great courage, Riley. There is no other for me, nor will there be.

She got that. She really did. She’d committed to him. She hadn’t gone to sleep insecure, but she’d awakened that way. Her mind turned that over and over. What had been different from the time Dax had carried her back to the others and helped her set up her hammock for the night and when she’d awakened? Something had happened to make her doubt herself, or worse-doubt Dax. What was it? She must have fallen into a trap Mitro had set.

She looked around her at her traveling companions. None of them seemed affected.

Gary turned around abruptly to face her, stopping so fast she ran into him. He caught her shoulders in a steadying grip. "You’re burning up."

A lump had formed in her throat and when she tried to swallow, she had difficulty. You’re talking to Gary again.

You’re shutting me out.

No remorse. She would have to store that away for future reference. Apparently not, because you’re back in my head again.

Everyone had stopped at some command from Jubal. Dax set the professor down gently on the makeshift travois the guides had made. Riley watched him stride toward her. Her heart leapt toward him. He was impressive any way one looked at it. Sometimes, when she saw him, like now, so confident and purposeful, he intimidated her just a little, yet at the same time, he made her feel safe.

He seemed to get taller as he approached her. His grip on her upper arms was as gentle as ever, yet she knew if she tried to free herself it would be impossible.

"Look at me, sivamet. Into my eyes."

She was aware that the scales running beneath his skin were very close, which meant he was more upset than his demeanor indicated.

Lightning forked across the sky. The wind howled, sweeping through the trees with deadly intent. The branches swayed, rubbing one another to make a clacking sound that seemed to reverberate through the jungle. Long vines dropped down from the overhead canopy, looking like hangman’s nooses in the dark.

Dax transferred one hand to her chin, tipping her head this way and that, studying her eyes. "You’re ill," he said.

"The spider bite. That’s the only thing I can think of. Mitro must have had insects waiting to attack me. Can he program them to do that?" Even to her own ears, her voice sounded far away. "I should have known something was wrong when I was acting so out of character."

"Out of character?" he repeated, catching her when she would have collapsed.

"You know, doubting that I was good enough to be your lifemate. I’m sure I have a high opinion of myself." She reached up to stroke his jaw. "You really are beautiful, Dax."

He hissed something between his strong white teeth she couldn’t catch. She seemed to be floating through the air, while several of her travel companions looked on with trepidation on their faces.

She waved at them. "No worries. He has a pink cape," she assured.

Overhead, the flutter of wings distracted Dax for one moment as he found the spot he was looking for. Crouching low, he looked up as a great horned owl, known as the night tiger, settled on the branches above them. Somewhere in the distance, an eerie scream sent a shiver of goose bumps chasing down the travelers’ spines. They all moved closer together.