Destined for Time (2 page)

“Every word,” he confirmed, tension radiating through his
body, his face twisting with anguish as something inside of him snapped. “You
have no idea what it’s like to know people are going to die. To have the power
to save them and still not be able to do anything to stop it from happening.
Right now my mind keeps going back to the first time that bomb went off. We
were so close. The force of the blast actually threw us a good fifteen feet
through the air. What if you had died in that explosion? I wouldn’t have been
able to save you dammit!”

His eyes were wild, frightened, and by the time he finished
he was shouting at me. He grabbed my arms and shook me. “What if I’d lost you
tonight?”

It was the same thought that I’d had when our eyes met after
the first detonation. Until that moment I hadn’t realized just how much it
would hurt me if something happened to Rook.

We stared into each other’s eyes for half a second then he
kissed me. Our lips met and his tongue shot into my mouth, sliding along mine
with desperation. All his fear poured into me overwhelming me with the
knowledge that we almost lost each other, that we almost missed our only chance
to have a happily ever after. His hands raced over my body and I pulled him
closer needing to feel his warmth, to know he was still alive and well.

Gradually the panic started to fade and his arms circled my
shoulders holding me tightly against his chest. The kiss slowed, became soft,
sensual and for a moment I let myself feel everything I’d kept locked away for
the last six years. I never wanted to let go of him, but I heard the sirens
getting closer and knew this had to end now. I couldn’t let this go any further
than it already had no matter how right it felt.

When he finally lifted his head I shoved him away from me,
barely holding back the tears welling in my eyes. “Stay the fuck away from me
Mr. Delaney, don’t you ever come near me again,” I shouted at him then turned
and ran into the darkness.

He called after me but I kept going until I was sure he wasn’t
going to follow me. When I finally stopped running I sank to the ground under a
giant oak tree and cried, deep shuddering sobs that shook my whole body with
the force of the emotions behind them.

My entire world had just been shaken like a snow globe and
as the chaos in my mind started to settle a new reality was being formed.
Suddenly I saw all the suspicious behaviors I’d attributed to criminal
activities with new eyes. What if Rook wasn’t the only one around here with
super powers? What if they were all just trying to hide their supernatural
abilities, not some massive drug or gun trafficking organization?

Oh God, my heart started racing with excitement. If Rook
wasn’t a criminal there wasn’t any reason for me to keep turning him down. We
could finally be together. For one shining moment hope sang through my entire
being.

Then I realized nothing had changed. I couldn’t tell anyone
I traveled through time with Rook. To everyone back at the station he was still
a lowlife criminal that needed to be put behind bars.

I took a deep breath and sighed. All this would have to
wait. Right now there were people who needed my help. Dragging myself to my
feet I headed back to the main building to help with the rescue efforts.
Whatever my future held I would face it when this disaster was over.

Nothing could have been stranger than the situation I walked
into when I returned to the area just outside The Gateway. Somehow Dragon and
Rook had taken charge of the scene and for some reason all the rescue workers
were following their directions. These were men and women that I knew
personally and their behavior was so out of character that I had trouble
believing my eyes and ears. Why would the officers in charge allow civilians to
take control of a scene like this?

Deciding to get my answers later I jumped in, helping out
wherever I could. Over the course of the next few hours I witnessed a number of
things that had me questioning my sanity but I pressed on making mental notes
for later. Everyone worked together in a well-organized manner until the last
person had been accounted for and the rest of the building had been deemed safe
to reenter.

In the end there were more than two hundred injured and
forty-seven dead including Senator Mitchell and four other United States
Senators. The secret service agents on duty were outraged that something like
this could happen but Dragon reminded them that they had cleared the grounds
and the theater prior to the festivities beginning. Most of the building had
survived because the fire had been miraculously contained within The Gateway
and its receiving area. Hotel staff members were consoling guests and comping
rooms while the rescue workers wrapped things up and headed for home.

Shortly before dawn I stood with a group of people
discussing the events that had taken place and what still needed to be done.
The group included Dragon, Rook, whose presence I desperately tried to ignore,
Solomon, the Myths and Legends Entertainment Manager, and Serrano, the Food
Facilities Manager for the resort.

When all the status updates were complete and the
conversation was winding down I decided it was a good time to get some answers.
I considered waiting until I was alone with Dragon and Rook but figured Solomon
and Serrano were probably aware of the weird shit going on around here.

“I’ve been watching you closely all night and somehow you’ve
tampered with the memories of every single law enforcement agent and rescue
worker at this scene except for mine,” I told Dragon drawing the attention of
everyone in the circle. “Why is that? Don’t get me wrong,” I added pushing my
hand out in a stop motion. “I want to know how you’re doing it too. But right
now I’m more concerned with why you left my memories intact.”

After a moment of deliberation he replied, “I can’t alter
your memories.”

I was surprised by his honesty then another question hit me
and I narrowed my eyes on him. “And how would you know that?”

He glanced at Rook then answered, “I’ve tried, many times,
and after what happened earlier tonight those failures make a lot more sense.”

I turned to glare at Rook, acknowledging his presence for
the first time. “Have you ever tried to fuck with my head before?”

He put his hands in his pockets and shook his head sadly. He
looked so dejected that I was sorry I’d snapped at him. “I don’t have that
ability, and even if I did, I’ve already told Dragon that I was glad he couldn’t
get into your head. It felt like a betrayal even knowing he tried.”

Again I was surprised. Considering their willingness to
alter memories in everyone else, it meant a lot that Rook didn’t want anyone
changing mine. I refocused on Dragon and said, “So let’s say you could have
tweaked my memories, what would I be writing in my report about this incident?
Because I’ll be honest, I’ve seen some pretty amazing things here tonight that
would win me a quick trip to a psychiatrist and a nice long vacation if I
included them in my report.”

He grinned at me. “Well, I wouldn’t mention that bit about
traveling through time.”

“That one was obvious, but how do I explain the man who transformed
into a wolf before my eyes, an invisible wall that contained the flames within
The Gateway, and the fact that one redheaded dancer was able to kick a hole
through a brick wall so that dozens of guests could escape the fire unscathed.”
I waited expectantly for his response.

“You could tell the truth.” He shrugged and I narrowed my
eyes at him again. “The man was actually a shapeshifter who lost control when
he was frightened. It happens, especially when we’re young or out of practice
for some reason.” My eyes widened and he continued, “Solomon cast a spell over
The Gateway, a protective ward that kept the flames from spreading further into
the building. And since Scarlett is what we call a nightshifter, part vampire
and part bear shifter, breaking through a brick wall wouldn’t take much effort
from her at all.”

I was stunned and barely noticed Solomon and Serrano whisper
to each other beside Dragon. I looked around the circle from one face to the
next and finally settled on Dragon. “You’re serious aren’t you?”

“Yes.” His eyes were hard telling me the situation was
becoming very serious.

I kept my eyes locked with his while I absorbed what he wasn’t
saying out loud. “If I put all that in my report I’d be laughed off the force.
Of course you know that, but it doesn’t matter does it? My report would never
be filed if I tried to include any of that.”

“No, we wouldn’t allow any of that to become public record.”

Rook started to move between us but Dragon stopped him with
a look. I glanced at Rook then back to Dragon who said, “He wants to protect
you from me. Do you understand what that means? He is bound to me by blood and
magic. For him to even think about fighting against me would take a monumental
effort on his part.”

I turned to Rook and when our eyes met I fell into the
endless sea of blackness staring back at me. The deeper I fell into those eyes
the more I lost my sense of self until the most incredible sensation suffused
me with its warmth. It was similar to the energy that washed over me when Rook
set time back, only this time it surrounded me, seeped deeper into my being
with every breath I took. Instinctively I struggled against the power that held
me captive. My entire body went rigid and sweat broke out across my brow as I
fought to break free.

“Rook,” Dragon prompted gently.

Rook turned to Dragon like he was waking from a dream and I
sagged in relief when I was consequently released from his hold. For a second I
thought my legs would give out but I locked my knees and straightened my spine.
Coldness swept through my body with the loss of the connection and I crossed my
arms over my chest.

This night just kept getting weirder and weirder. I wasn’t
sure I wanted to know what just happened but there was one thing I
was
sure of.

“Your secret is safe with me,” I assured Dragon with a shaky
voice. “I don’t have any desire to ruin my own life just to expose whatever you’ve
got going on here.”

“That’s good to know.” Dragon seemed relieved and I got the
sense I’d just dodged a bullet.

Rook took a deep breath and relaxed while Serrano passed a
twenty dollar bill to Solomon.

Dragon sent the two other men on errands then spoke to Rook
in a language I couldn’t understand. I listened closely while he spoke but none
of it made any sense to me.

“Hey, what are you saying to him? Speak English,” I
demanded. “What kind of messed up language was that?”

A brilliant smile spread over Rook’s face then he bowed to
Dragon with his hand fisted over his heart. When he straightened he grinned at
me like he was anticipating my reaction. “He was telling me not to worry
because in his eyes you’re my woman and therefore my problem to deal with.”

“What?” I asked, outraged and curiously thrilled at the same
time. “I’m not
your woman...
”

“No!” The shout of pure terror came from Dragon as he fell
to his knees. Rook and I were instantly alert and scanning the area for danger.
Suddenly Dragon got to his feet and raced out of sight faster than my eyes
could follow. Rook grabbed my hand and we followed, running faster than I’d
ever run in my life. When we turned the corner a gigantic black and red dragon
shot into the air heading towards the terrace on top of the staff apartment
building. I didn’t have time to question what my eyes were seeing because Rook
sped up pulling me along faster than I thought my feet could carry me.

When we reached the building we sprinted inside to the
elevator where Rook put his hand on the security panel, it lit up while his
palm was scanned, then he hit the button for the top floor. I leaned against
the wall with my hands braced on my knees and tried to catch my breath. Sweat
ran down the sides of my face and every one of my muscles was screaming with
pain. Rook on the other hand was breathing normally and appeared to be very
relaxed with his feet crossed and his arms folded over his broad chest.

His guarded expression however, was anything but relaxed.

I peeked up at him through the hair falling around my face. “I
know why you’re looking at me like that, but you don’t need to worry. I’m not
going to freak out right now. I can’t make any promises about later, but right
now I’m going to focus on whatever made Dragon take off like that.”

“Something must have happened to Serafina. They’re bonded as
mates so he can feel everything she feels.”

I shook my head and gave him a wry smile. “Someday you’re
going to have to explain how that works. That and a lot of other things, like
how exactly Donovan Drake just transformed into a dragon and launched himself
into the night sky.”

“Someday I’d like to explain all of this to you,” he said
cautiously. “I’ve wanted to tell you about my world for some time, but I wasn’t
sure how you would react. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem because I could
just have your memories wiped if you reacted badly. But in your case, we’d have
to take other steps to keep our secrets safe.”

Looking at his grim face I knew he wouldn’t have enjoyed
those other steps any more than I would have.

Just then the elevator came to a stop with a ding and I drew
my gun as we straightened and the doors rolled to the sides. We stepped out
into a large foyer with an open doorway where the door had obviously been torn
from its hinges. Rook and I went past Dragon, who was completely nude and
leaning over Doyle’s unconscious body. Rook took off upstairs and I started
clearing the immediate area.

From another room I heard Dragon shouting, “What happened?
Where is she Doyle?”

I strained to hear Doyle’s groggy response. “It was
Scarlett. She came to the door and said you wanted Serafina to join you in your
office.” Dragon swore loudly and I finished clearing the downstairs. When Rook
and I met beside Dragon, Doyle was talking from where he was slumped on the
floor with his head in his hands. “Something wasn’t right though. She didn’t
smell like Scarlett.”

She didn’t smell like Scarlett?

Doyle continued, “I tried to close the door in her face but
then Rook stepped off the elevator. I was going to explain my suspicions to him
but he cold-cocked me before I could say a word. As I was passing out I
realized he didn’t smell right either.”

Dragon roared, an inhuman sound that sent chills skittering
up my spine, then he sent a table flying into the glass doors at the other end
of the room. They shattered with the impact showering the terrace with glass
and wood. When he turned to Rook there was fear and rage burning in the red
flames that consumed his usually brown eyes. I’d never seen anything so
frightening in all my life and I stepped behind Rook as Dragon bellowed, “She’s
dying! I can feel her slipping away.”

“She’s not here Dragon. I need you to calm down and
concentrate on her. Lead us to her. We can’t save her if we can’t find her.”
Rook’s reasonable tone seemed to bring Dragon back from whatever edge he’d been
teetering on.

Dragon went out onto the terrace and Rook put his arm out to
keep me from following. We watched as Dragon lifted his face to the sky and
inhaled deeply a few times. Then he went to the railing and scanned the beaches
below. Slowly Rook and I crossed the living room and stopped where the glass
doors used to be.

Suddenly Dragon fell to the ground moaning on his hands and
knees.

“Shit,” Rook swore as he ran to Dragon and crouched down in
front of him. Speaking urgently he said, “Dragon, I’m going to reset the clock
but we need to know where she is or we’ll never reach her in time. Do you know
where she is?”

Dragon shook his head. “I don’t know for sure but I think
she might be down there on the beach where that fire is burning.”

Rook glanced over the railing and nodded. “We’ll find a way
to save her just hold on.”

As I came closer to them, Dragon reached out to grasp Rook’s
arm and said, “Travali was here, and Ivanna, I can smell them both.”

I remembered Rook saying one of the two troublemakers had
been named Travali but I couldn’t imagine why the Senator’s new wife would be
involved in whatever happened here.

Rook stood, leaving Dragon where he was, and approached me
with a determined but wary expression. “I need your help Angela. I’ve already
reset time twice tonight. I can’t do it again by myself and even if I could I
wouldn’t be able to go back far enough for this.”

Something about the look in his eyes set off all kinds of
warning bells inside my head but I tried to hide my fear when I replied, “I don’t
understand. How can I help? I can’t travel through time.”

He made a frustrated sound and growled, “I don’t have time
to explain. I need you to trust me. Serafina’s life depends on it.”

I looked down at the ground, unable to meet his eyes while I
considered his request. Rook had never done a single thing that indicated he
would harm me, and going by what I’d seen and heard tonight, he took my safety
very seriously. That meant whatever danger my internal alarm was trying to warn
me about was more than likely the emotional kind not the physical kind.