PART SIXTEEN

Tess rolled over restlessly in bed, drifting just along the border of sleep, but not quite entering that netherworld. Her mind was too energized to truly allow slumber, far too troubled by Anna’s situation.

So she slipped in and out of near-sleep, her mind awash with images of Riley’s swollen eyes, Serena pacing in front of the hearth…and Marco’s anguished dark gaze. The emotions coming from him had been so intense she could nearly feel them from across the living room where they’d gathered tonight. And for the briefest moment, she’d caught him staring at her when he hadn’t thought she was looking. He’d made no effort to disguise the raw need she saw reflected in his black eyes—and she knew that somehow she represented comfort to him. She was sure of it, but then he’d grown immediately guarded, looking away sharply.

The images just kept swimming in her mind, holding sleep at a distance. But she was so damn tired, and despite her restlessness, she did finally drift off a bit.

Her waking images were displaced by hazy dream ones.

Tess slammed awake, every nerve ending on fire, her dream instantly forgotten. But she did know one thing--Marco was in some kind of terrible trouble.

******

Marco stood near the security gate, all his senses on alert. He kept inhaling deeply, trying to detect the scent of their enemy, and the frigid night air burned his lungs. It was after 2:00 a.m. now, and he had two more hours of patrolling left. He was thankful there was a full moon in the sky, and it lit the path clearly—taking some of the edge off this middle-of-the night watch.

At least this was better than lying in his bed, wondering why he’d dropped full in the middle of Max and Liz’s connection again—totally unbidden and without any warning whatsoever. Yet it haunted him even here, out on the security perimeter, almost as vividly as if it were still happening. The worst part was that he had no idea how to guard against it in the future—what had precipitated it at all. At least before, he knew they’d been experimenting with their gifts, dancing dangerously toward something foreign to them all.

He ran a shaky hand through his hair, brushing it off of his forehead, as he turned back along the path that tracked beside the main road. He raised his night-vision binoculars to study the terrain, but was alarmed when he heard a soft rustling behind him. He spun on his heel, inhaling quickly, as he raised a hand to throw up his shield. But the scent that quickly filled his senses wasn’t that of the enemy…it was the soft perfume of wildflowers touched by sunlight.

Tess’s gorgeous scent, intoxicating him instantly…and then he saw her standing just above him on the path. The moonlight shimmered over her long blonde hair, which fell loose and wild over her shoulders. Shadows played across her features, and he couldn’t really see her face.

"Tess," he whispered, his heart pounding frantically. "Why the hell are you out here?" He hadn’t meant to sound so stern, but she had frightened him considerably—and it was terribly unsafe for her to be out like this. In so many ways… and not just because of their enemies.

"I’m sorry," she responded in a quiet voice, and he couldn’t miss that she sounded a bit hurt. "I was…" Her voice trailed off.

"You were what?" He asked, more gentle now as he stepped toward her. She stared down at the ground for a moment, then turned as if to walk away. He caught her arm, spinning her back toward him. "Tell me," he prodded softly.

"I was worried about you," she finished, gazing up into his eyes. He could see her so clearly now, the moon illuminating her water blue eyes perfectly. "It was stupid. I’ll just go."

She tried to pull out of his grasp, but his hand tightened around her small wrist. "Why?" He questioned in a thick voice, leaning down so he could meet her averted gaze.

"I had a dream," she shook her head slowly, gazing up at him. "And I just knew you were in some kind of trouble."

Marco was silent a long moment, and slowly released her from his grasp. How could she have known? How could she possibly have known that he was in definite trouble…that he knew it after tonight’s experience with Max and Liz’s bond.

And he was in even deeper trouble with her. Every direction he turned he was absolutely hemmed in by danger, emotional and otherwise—and somehow, even in her sleep, Tess had known it.

"I’m okay," he stated simply after a long moment.

"I see that now," she breathed, and he realized he’d been stepping slowly closer toward her so that only the smallest distance separated them.

"You shouldn’t have come out here," he chided her quietly, stroking her hair. "It’s far too dangerous."

"I see that now, too," she teased huskily.

And her simple words were too much for him—he had no choice but to kiss her now. He cupped her face within his hands, and bent down toward her. God, she was so small…much tinier than he’d even realized in his bed the other night. But finally their lips did meet, as she turned her face up toward him. Her breath was so warm, and her mouth softer than he even remembered. They kissed slowly, their lips just lingering together for a long moment, until they slowly parted, and he felt her tongue dart within his mouth.

Then the most unexpected thing happened…something absolutely exploded between them. All the tantalizing desire they’d been toying with over the past weeks just ripped wide open, and Marco felt energy roil all through his body. In his stomach, his chest, all along his skin. Nothing had prepared him for it, nothing possibly could have.

Her small hands threaded through his hair, as she trailed kisses across his jaw, down onto his neck. He nipped at her ear, kneading her thick hair within his hands, as he worked her backwards against a nearby tree, pinning her there with his body. He already strained so painfully within his jeans, and knew she could feel it. But this time he didn’t care…he wanted her to know just how strongly she affected him. He was dizzy with it, desperate as the heat just kept cresting within his body.

She touched him below his parka, rubbing her hands across his chest, and he slipped his fingers beneath her sweater, right up against her warm, smooth skin. He was about to explore her fully, when he heard the sound of a car on the highway. Instantly, he stopped, turning from her as he grabbed his binoculars.

He stood watching the eerie glow of the fading headlights, and guilt engulfed him--terrible, agonizing self-blame because this little indiscretion might easily have cost them all their lives. He’d just compromised a security patrol because he’d been unable to control himself with Tess. He stood, his back toward her, drawing in uneven, burning breaths. Slowly, he turned to face her, and knew exactly what he had to say.

He stepped back toward her quickly, where she stood with her back still against the tree, panting raggedly. The way they affected one another was unbelievable…insane.

"Tess," he began quietly. "This cannot happen." His voice was firm, his words final. "This can only lead to danger for all of us, don’t you see?"

She nodded silently, and he swore tears pooled within her large eyes. He didn’t want to hurt her. God, it was the last thing he wanted.

"I’ll just go," she replied shakily, yet she didn’t move, just kept staring up at him.

"Look at what’s happened with Riley and Anna," he pointed out unsteadily. "You see what bonding brought them, don’t you?"

"I see that they obviously love one another very deeply."

"And it may have cost Anna her life in the process. She would never have been in Khivar’s camp if they weren’t mated."

"She would never have saved Max and Liz’s life if she hadn’t been there. Their bond was invaluable to the resistance."

And he absolutely couldn’t argue with her, because it was true--their very joining had saved their leader’s life last night. So, how could he stand here and argue that a union between the two of them could only mean harm for Max and Liz? He stared over her shoulder, trying to settle his thoughts. It was different for the two of them because he was the only protector in the group specifically assigned to Max and Liz. He’d already let his guard down dangerously moments before—what was to prevent it from happening again? This went against all the rules, all his vows…everything, and could only hurt them both before all was said and done.

"A bonding between us can only bring heartache in the end," he explained, his voice incredibly thick with emotion.

Her head jerked upward in obvious surprise, and only then did he even realize what he’d just said.

"Who said anything about bonding?" Tess asked quietly, not mocking him, just genuinely taken aback. "Why can’t this just be something…casual?"

That was what he wanted to say, but he could only stare at her, his heart hammering like a freight train. He had no idea how to answer her at all, and was grappling with some kind of explanation when his radio crackled, piercing the silence abruptly.

"Marco," Serena called over his mobile unit.

He removed it from his jacket, and raised it to his mouth immediately—yet his eyes never wavered from Tess’s.

"Here," he replied.

"You need to get back right now. Riley’s made contact with Anna."

"Is she okay?" He questioned tightly, watching Tess’s eyes widen.

"I think so, but just get up here now," she commanded firmly, and then the radio fell silent again.

They stood staring at one another—both wanting to say so much—yet the moment had passed, and now something much more important beckoned them. He reached for Tess’s hand and began leading her quickly up the path. "Come on," he urged, clasping her small hand within his own.

Marco knew they’d just been saved from a very painful moment…but he also felt they’d lost something precious in the process. They’d been at a crossroads, where the balance might still have swung either way--but this interruption had changed that irrevocably, because he had no doubt that neither of them would ever let things explode between them again.

So, he treasured the feel of their hands clasped together, and the energy that answered within his body at their physical contact, knowing that he was destined for only one thing…and it wasn’t this beautiful woman hiking alongside him in the moonlight.

*****

Max came suddenly awake when their bedroom door opened, spilling light from the hallway across the wooden floor. He squinted at the bright doorway, as Serena appeared within the frame.

"Max," she called gently. "Please get up…both of you. We must all come together immediately."

"What’s going on?" He asked in a groggy voice, though he was already alert as he sat up in bed, feeling Liz stir softly beside him.

"Anna…Riley has made contact with Anna. Please hurry."

And with that, she stepped back into the hallway, but Max didn’t miss the urgency in her voice. Liz still slept beside him, so tired from all the events of the past few days. He stroked her arm softly, trying to gently rouse her.

"Sweetheart…we’ve got to get up," he urged, stroking her arm. Her eyes fluttered open, and he saw them widen instantly with fear. She’d had nightmares all last night after their attack.

"What’s wrong?" She cried.

"Everything’s okay. They’ve made contact with Anna, and Serena wants us all together."

She nodded silently, and he slipped away from her, planting his feet on the shockingly cold floor. He had to suppress a small wave of fear, as he remembered Serena’s urgent tone. He’d never even met Anna Davidson, and yet they all owed her so much—their very lives.

He only hoped that Riley’s connecting with her was a portent of good things.

*******

Marco and Tess entered the cabin, and found the group already gathered in the living room, looking very tense. Only at that moment did it really hit Marco that they were walking in together from the patrol…how very incriminating it would appear.

And that everyone would have been worried about Tess.

Kyle instantly sprang to his feet, visibly relieved. "We were all worried about you. Serena went to wake you, but you were gone."

Marco’s eyes searched the room nervously, and he hated the way his cheeks had flushed at Kyle’s words. Even worse, he saw that Tess’s fair complexion had stained a deep red, too. She coughed nervously, hugging Kyle. "I’m fine," she answered quietly.

Marco noticed Liz and Maria share a quick smile where they sat together on the sofa. He groaned inwardly at the sight, because this was the last thing he’d needed—to leave the entire group convinced that he and Tess were involved. Because of course what else would they think now that they’d come bounding in from outside together at two in the morning.

He flinched as he met Serena’s gaze, prepared to see disapproval, but was surprised when she seemed wholly unconcerned about Tess. Her brows were narrowed intently, as she stood by the fireplace.

"Now that everyone’s here," she began, her eyes sweeping around the room. "I want Riley to fill you all in."

Riley cleared his throat softly, and stared at the floor. Marco wasn’t sure how to read his expression, but at least he seemed calm. "Anna contacted me about thirty minutes ago. She’s been under sedation since last night. They know everything…that she’s part of our unit. That we have everyone in a safe house…they just don’t know where. That’s why I never told her where we were going, so it wouldn’t be in her mind for them to," Riley swallowed hard, hesitating. "Well for them to take from her."

He hadn’t said mind rape…hadn’t been able to—but now the awful pieces were coming together in Marco’s mind. Riley’s very hesitation told him so much more than his words could have. Anna had been brutalized since last night—mentally and physically.

"They’ve…hurt her. Quite badly," he closed his eyes, staring at the floor. "But she’s alive and says she’ll be okay. The trouble is they’re demanding a meeting with Max."

Marco drew in a sharp breath, and noticed that Michael’s eyes had flown to his own. He saw alarm in his expression…instant protectiveness, though he remained silent.

"Which obviously can’t happen," Serena finished.

"No, obviously not," Riley agreed with a quick nod. He would never put Max in danger—even to save Anna—and something about that seemed important to Marco…relevant to his discussion with Tess earlier. But he didn’t have time to analyze that right now.

"So the question is, how do we get around their demand and who do we send?" Serena wondered aloud, raking her fingers through her long hair.

Max cleared his throat quietly, and Serena glanced at him. "Max, what do you think?" She asked intently.

"I think Michael and Tess should go," he replied thoughtfully. "And that you should go with them, Serena."

She nodded vigorously. "I agree completely. Riley, contact Anna and see if you can set something for…" She glanced at her watch. "Six a.m. That should give us enough time. Make sure they know Max will not be coming."

Riley nodded silently, and stepped away from the group toward the kitchen. He needed privacy to make the connection with Anna, always did since they were separated by such a distance. He had to quiet his thoughts in order to tune into her.

Serena was silent a moment, and sat down on the hearth. Everyone was gathered all around her, listening intently, though no one ventured to speak who didn’t need to. Marco observed the way the humans responded to this moment, how very calm they all seemed. Alex and Isabel sat on the floor together, holding hands, Kyle was beside Tess on the sofa. It amazed Marco how quickly this group could move as a unit—Max had done his job very well in the past years, drawing them into one unified core. And now they could all reap the results of that, because this was a solid team.

"They’re going to demand the Granolith," Serena offered evenly.

"Of course," Max agreed, nodding. "That’s what they always want."

"Yes, but they can’t have it, Max. Never."

"That’s always been my instinct," he agreed quietly. "Though we’ve never known it’s purpose."

"It’s a transport device, and the minute it falls into their hands, the tide of this rebellion shifts forever to their side. They can come and go freely with weapons, resources…it’s all over once that happens."

"Then you’ll bluff. Tess can buy time with her mindwarp, while you and Michael go to Anna…Riley needs to learn her exact location."

"Yes," Serena agreed solemnly.

Riley entered the living room again, his eyes sweeping quickly over all their faces. "It’s on. Nicholas has agreed to a meeting with the three of you instead of Max."

Marco drew in a tight breath, as his eyes searched out Tess’s. For the briefest moment, their gazes locked powerfully and he knew she was afraid. Afraid yet perfectly strong, ready. He smiled at her very softly, and then looked away again, a sharp knife of regret stabbing at his heart as he remembered the way their conversation had ended before. And now she was walking into imminent danger, with so many words left unspoken between them--then again, they never would be…never could be.

The only problem was now their unfinished conversation seemed to hang in the air permanently, resonating like one giant unanswered question. What if they might have bonded one day? What if Tess could have convinced him that they might be together somehow?

What if Marco McKinley had just let the love of his life go tonight? He could only wonder, as he stepped back into the frigid night, returning to his patrol again.