Cross Waves, page 20
His eyes glittered and shimmered, until he turned from her to look at some distant place, as if he was still in his prison and not here in her bedroom. His voice bit into her heart, taking a chunk with him. “I have never been so close to turning as I have over the past few days, lying in the dark, waiting and wondering if and when I might escape. Plotting my revenge. The dark has a power all its own, Geneva. Make no mistake, it’s a seductive mistress. It tempts and taunts and teases me without end. It tells me I can have everything I desire, including you. If I wanted, I could unleash a darkness so great it would cover this entire building.”
She stood and opened her mouth to protest, but he turned his back to her, fists clenched at his sides. Flames of darkness ripped through his aura, burning everything in its path. She stilled, watching his struggle to control the dark energy yearning for release. His aura shifted green, and his fists unclenched. He turned and walked toward her, first one step and another, until they stood face to face. She looked into his eyes—twin flames of torment flickered in their shadowy depths. He grasped both her hands in his. Her skin tingled.
“It’s okay, Geneva. I won’t turn. I can’t. Ever. You see, I don’t want to destroy. I want to love. You.”
He sighed—a breath deep and swollen with understanding. “I can see why you might believe the legends over me. We’ve all been warned since we were children. I tried to protect you from myself. Do you remember that day right after you graduated from high school when you went to a bar?”
“Yes, how could I forget? You told me to go home and play with my Barbie dolls. I cried all the way home.”
With the pad of his thumb, he wiped away a single tear that rolled down her cheek. “Believe me, it hurt me to say that to you as much as it hurt your feelings. I’m sorry. I never meant the horrible things I said. They were all lies. But the lies were meant to keep you safe.”
He raised their joined hands and kissed her knuckles, the touch sending tiny vibrations throughout her body and causing an ache in her heart. “Without trust between us, we have nothing. But whether you believe me or not, this is real. I haven’t turned, and you’re the reason why. You stand between me and the dark, Geneva, with a light so bright I cannot turn away from it. I will not let the dark take me if there’s a chance in hell you can love me as I am, filled with darkness but also love for you. Please tell me that’s the case.”
In the end, it all came down to trust. Did she trust him with her life? Did she trust him with her heart?
“Yes.” She wrapped her arms around him. “It is, Rolf. I swear it. I need more time to establish a portal. To see for myself your love is real and not some figment I’ve dreamed about because it’s what I want to be true.”
He smiled and placed two fingers over her mouth. “Shh, it’s okay. We have time. As long as I know you’re on my side, there’s hope for us. I promise, I’ll handle the dark energy and anything more they throw at me.”
“But what will you do now? The CMU believes you’ve turned into a serial killer. They have the whole department on the lookout with orders to shoot on sight. Come to think of it, how did you manage to get here from Cleveland after you escaped?”
Rolf grinned. “We hitchhiked. I persuaded the driver to pick us up, and Kaitlyn created the illusion we were two sweet old ladies. Worked like a charm.”
“You’re not safe here, Rolf. You need to hide.”
He tucked a loose hair behind her ear. “Keep my visit here a secret. I don’t want you to suffer any more than you already have. I’ll find a way to expose Cynthia. Do you have any clue who her silent partner might be?
“I call him Gemcatcher—your cousin Percy’s name for him.”
“Fitting.”
Rolf turned and approached the corner of the wall, where she had first spied his glowing figure. Was it only minutes earlier?
“Where are you going?”
He stopped and glanced back with a quick grin. “To see Julia, of course. I believe I can help her.”
Faster than she could blink, he was in front of her again, his lips on hers, soft and full, leaving her breathless with need and desire and wanting so much more.
“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll return soon.”
“Rolf, wait. Don’t leave. Not yet.”
He had released her again, not stopping as he headed toward the corner.
She spoke quickly. “It’s too dangerous. My brothers are expecting you. They’ll find you. And when they do, they won’t ask questions. They’ll kill you.”
“Geneva.” He paused and glanced back, her name a prayer on his lips and his eyes swallowing her whole. “I must.” He turned to the wall, his form going from a solid, physical shape to glowing green in an instant. He pushed his right leg through the surface as if it were water and vanished.
“Rolf, no.” She raced to the window and pulled the shades, expecting to see him and his companion. But neither of them appeared beneath her window.
37
Jeopardy
After Rolf disappeared, Geneva forced herself into bed but left the light on in case Rolf returned. It seemed she slept for hours, but upon opening her eyes and checking her phone, mere minutes had passed. The door creaked, and she lifted her head.
“Rolf, is it you?” Funny Rolf would use the door when he could walk through walls. And hadn’t Nate told her talent wouldn’t open it?
“Has Rolf been here to see you?” A female voice spoke, causing Geneva to jerk her head toward the door.”
She blinked, not trusting her eyes. Buttercup yellow floated around the figure inside the doorway. She gasped. For the second time tonight, the impossible was happening in her bedroom. “How did you get in here? The door’s locked.”
Cynthia Torra smiled a smile that could melt ice. Everything about her was fake. Too bright, too shiny, and much too slim. From her fancy hairdo, to the veneers on her teeth, to the over-bright halo surrounding her head. The woman reeked of privilege and trickery. She sat on the side of the bed, trapping Geneva under the covers, and pointed a loaded revolver in her face. She also didn’t bother to answer the question.
“Now, that’s interesting. It really is. Rolf is fast, that man. Last I heard he was on the run, the government on his tail. Now you talk as if you expected him. Has he been in this room?” She shook her head when Geneva didn’t answer. “You do know he’s a suspected criminal? A hardened serial killer, incapable of human love or compassion. I’ve been sent to investigate and given special access to the lone witness—seeing the only other witness may not survive. I pity the woman who falls in love with Rolf, don’t you?”
Despite the gun, or maybe because of it, adrenaline flooded Geneva’s body, opening her to energy waves in every shape and color. She drew the colors to her, arming her mind for what she suspected would be a battle. “What are you doing in my bedroom? What do you want?” She kept her voice low and even, no hint of panic.
“Nothing, really.” Cynthia still pointed the gun, but now she used her other hand to tap Geneva’s forehead, scattering the massive energy cloud in an instant. She laughed, a tiny chirp. God, even her laugh was fake.
“Oh, please now, honey. And I thought we were friends? Don’t go trying anything stupid. I do know how to shoot this thing. My daddy taught me when I was a little girl. And at such close quarters, well, I don’t want to make a big mess. I don’t have time. Settle back now, and don’t try any tricks.”
Rolf wasn’t lying when he’d told her Cynthia was capable of zapping energy. Her touch had drained Geneva dry. She fell back on her pillow. Unbelievable.
“Rolf, uh, sorry to bother you, but if you’re still here I could use your help.”
She worked hard to keep her emotions from her face and called to Rolf. With her energy so low, only Rolf, with his ability to use dark energy, might hear her. God, would this day never end?
Cynthia’s lips moved. “You’re not that pretty. Not like I expected.”
Keep her talking. That’s what they did in the movies. “What did you expect?”
“Oh, I don’t know. A face with a bit more substance, I suppose. Something to attract and hold the attention of Rolf. If he hasn’t turned yet, he will, you know. He won’t be able to help himself. It’s the fate of all known dark masters.”
“Rolf isn’t like other men.” Pride bloomed in her chest.
“I know. Rolf and I have a bit of a history, you understand.”
There went the annoying chirp again. Geneva shouldn’t antagonize Cynthia, but she couldn’t help herself. “Any history you have with Rolf is ancient history.”
“I beg to differ. I’d say our history isn’t over. In fact…” This time the laugh was louder, her excitement spilling into the room. “I’d say it’s just beginning.”
“What do you want with me?”
“Oh, I’m not interested in you. God, no.” Cynthia gave an exaggerated shiver, and her gaze flitted toward the door, which Geneva now noticed was propped open, and back to Geneva. “You’re a means to an end. When Rolf arrives, we can get this little show on the road. You did call to him, did you not?” She tipped her face in a question. By her smile, it was clear she knew the answer.
Fear plunged a cold stake through Geneva’s heart. How could she have been such an idiot? Cynthia had set a trap for Rolf using Geneva as a lure. “Rolf, ignore my earlier panic. I had a nightmare. But everything’s fine. I’m safe. Don’t worry about me.”
Too late.
Rolf stepped through the doorway, his deep voice filling the room almost pleasantly. The door clicked shut behind him. “Hello, Cynthia. Why am I not surprised to see you here? It’s me you want, isn’t it? Let her go.”
Cynthia let out a peal of laughter as if Rolf’s words were the funniest thing she’d heard in some time. “Brilliant. I suspected you would appear. I left the door open for you. You know your girlfriend means nothing to me. It’s you and your wonderful dark energy I need. That’s why I brought along this.”
Cynthia kept the gun pointed at Geneva with one hand and with the other, she drew out a small bag of glittering crystals from her pocket. She spilled the crystals on the bed in front of Rolf. “Fill these with dark energy, and you’ll both be free to go. I won’t kill her.”
“Leave Geneva out of this.”
“Sure, hot stuff.” Cynthia pressed the gun to Geneva’s temple. “Get busy, or I’ll blow your girlfriend’s brains out.”
“Rolf, don’t do it. It will turn you into a monster.”
“If she hurts you, I may not be able to control myself anyway. I’m not letting her kill you.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Cynthia separated one of the crystals from the rest of the pack, the one glowing a brighter yellow, and plucked it from the covers to hold in her palm. “I’ll give you thirty more seconds, and I’ll activate this crystal. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? It’s called a moon crystal. Its maker is long since dead. There’s no other stone quite like it. I don’t know how it got its silly name, but the energy trapped inside is capable of transporting us all back to our little underground lab.”
She closed her fist around the gem. “Now, are we ready?”
“No, Rolf!”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful. I knew you’d see it my way.” She lined the crystals a few inches apart on the bed. “Get busy, or you can kiss your girlfriend goodbye.”
Rolf’s aura mutated from its customary green to darkness. His eyes changed color. Grew cold and hard as granite and black as coal. This wasn’t happening. She couldn’t sit by and watch Rolf lose all compassion and humanity.
Cynthia’s attention landed on Rolf and stayed there. Dark energy streamed from his chest, pouring into the synthetic crystals.
Geneva’s nerve endings tingled. Colors returned. She opened her psychic senses, searching, searching, searching until she spied a familiar color. Danny in the parking lot of the Institution. Cynthia underestimated Geneva’s talent. Although not strong enough to interrupt the scene in front of her, she had plenty of energy to alert her brothers.
“Danny, come quick.”
“Geneva? What is it?”
“Hurry. You have to stop Cynthia Torra. She’s in my room. She’s forcing Rolf to use dark energy.”
“Hang tight. I’m on my way.”
A stinging slap hit her cheek, forcing tears from the corners of her eyes. Cynthia stood in front of her, palm raised, eyes flashing fire. Gone was perfection. In her place was a steely-eyed witch. She jammed the revolver in Geneva’s chest. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? This gun is loaded, you know. Don’t make me use it.”
Geneva’s fingers ached to touch her sore cheek, but she didn’t dare move. “Stall her,” Danny said. “Don’t let her leave.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, you little bitch. You’ve contacted someone, haven’t you? I can tell by that vacant look on your face. Who is it?”
“No one. Who would I contact?”
“Liar.” Her lip curled at the corner. “It doesn’t matter anyway.” She pointed to Rolf, who had collapsed on the floor. “He’s done. I don’t believe you’ll recognize him when he awakens. No dark master can channel that amount of energy without losing himself to the darkness. Your Rolf will be a bad, bad boy.” She smiled, triumphant. “I wonder how much you’ll like him then.”
Cynthia swept the glittering crystals from the bedcovers and moved toward the door. “I’d love to stick around and see how this plays out, but I have to finish producing my story. I’m delivering a special report on the hacker gone mad. It will be all over the news soon. I can’t let the competition beat me to the punch, now can I?”
She kept the revolver pointed at Geneva and hustled to the door, passed a card over the lock, and kicked it open. “By the way, no one knows I’m in your room. If I were you, I’d keep quiet. It’ll be your word against mine. And you’ll have no proof. Everyone knows you’re not in your right mind. Making up fantasies.”
There went her annoying laugh.
“I wonder who they’ll believe?”
38
Portal
Energy buzzed in the atmosphere, hitting Geneva’s psychic senses. The moonstone. Cynthia’s solid form flashed a blinding yellow for a brief moment. She moved through the exit and disappeared. The door slammed behind her. Minutes later, Danny came tearing into the room, two orderlies with him. He took one look at the scene in front of him and was on Geneva in an instant, grabbing both arms and yanking her toward the door.
“We need to get you the hell away from here before he wakes.”
“No, I’m not leaving him like this.” She tore herself from Danny’s clasp and flung her body on Rolf’s prone one. Heat radiated from his flesh. “He’s feverish. We need to do something for him, Danny. Don’t stand there. Get a cold washcloth, for Christ’s sake.” Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. When had she become such a crybaby?
Danny shook his head. “He’s too far gone, Geneva. The change is on him. The heat is his body’s way of dealing with it. You have to let him go. We can’t save him. And if we stick around, he’ll kill us both.”
“No, I don’t believe it. I can reach him. I know I can. You have to let me try.”
Danny moved toward her. “I can’t allow it. I’m sorry. I’ve called for backup. Let’s get you out of here.”
“Don’t touch me!” Energy, white and hot, vibrated the air around her. The chair next to the desk toppled over, missing Danny by inches. “I won’t leave him.”
Rolf moaned, as if his unconscious self sensed the combustible energy in the atmosphere.
Danny stared, eyes hard. “You’ll risk both our lives for his? Don’t you understand what he’ll do to you?”
“I love him, Danny. I always have.” She took a breath and expelled the air in a rush, swiping at the tears continuing to flow. “I have to help him.”
The door creaked. Rolf groaned and stirred. One hand went to his head.
She pointed toward where Nate stood with a bevy of armed officers in the open doorway. “Get out of here. Go. Leave us alone. He’s waking up.”
“Don’t be crazy. You can’t save him. Let us do our job, Geneva,” Nate said. He took two steps forward.
Those were the last words she heard. One second she was aware of Danny, Nate, the officers, the room, her heartbeat pounding in her ear. The next moment, Rolf’s eyelids fluttered and opened, and she was lost. She stared into crystal blue eyes—glassy, hard, and glittery.
“Too late.” Icy tentacles pressed on her temple. Sharp pain ricocheted through her skull.
“No.”
His mind gripped hers and wouldn’t let go, forcing entrance. A sob erupted, and her throat constricted. She couldn’t breathe. Rolf controlled her body’s autonomic functions. Oh God. He was going to kill her. Like the legends claimed. Coldly, cruelly. Cutting off her air supply by controlling her mind, forcing her heartbeat to cease. But she couldn’t go out this way. Not without a fight.
“Rolf, please, no, not this way. Not in this awful Institution.”
Spots appeared in front of her eyes, blinding her. She had maybe seconds. Fitting her last thought would be of him.
“I love you, Rolf. I always have.”
A strange hum seized her brain. The room dimmed, fell away. “I always will.”
Energy pounded her mind, dark and dangerous. Heat flooded her body. Burning, burning, burning. Dragging her down, down, down into deep and darkest black.
Fire. He was on fire.
Sweat drenched Rolf’s body, but it did nothing to cool the fever ravaging his system. Darkness rushed in, coating his mind in anger, emptying his soul of all goodness. Rage pounded the surface of his brain. He would make them pay—all of them. Every last blessed one who’d ever crossed him or made him suffer. He would find them all and eliminate them, one by one, until there was no one left. The darkness must have its say. There was no room for mercy in his heart.
