Dark Destiny Page 0,127

the glittering pieces of glass.

"Mary Ann, very slowly back into the next room," Destiny said softly. "He's under some kind of compulsion, and there's something about the shattered glass that's the trigger." She couldn't read anything in his mind other than the sudden need for extreme violence. It was an ugly roar, a need to grab and smash anything or anybody close to him. The roar was all she could distinguish at first, but Destiny dodged his swinging fists with blurring speed and concentrated on the sounds bellowing in his mind.

John Paul slammed his fist into the wall, punching a hole through the middle. Spiderweb cracks appeared from floor to ceiling, radiating out from the center.

Mary Ann groaned. "Repairs. Oh, no, repairs are so costly."

John Paul's head snapped around toward the sound of Mary Ann's voice, his brows drawing together, his fists swinging.

Destiny tapped his broad back to draw his attention away from Mary Ann. "Hey, big fella, I thought you wanted to dance with me. I'm the jealous type."

Stop playing around, Destiny. If that besotted idiot lays another hand on you, I will tear him into little pieces. I am not in the least amused, nor am I joking with you.

In spite of Nicolae's grim tone, Destiny wanted to laugh.

Pitiful male. I'm not slow dancing with him. There's no need for jealousy.

She ducked John Paul's fist and slipped just out of his reach, staying close enough that the large man kept his attention on her.

"What do you want me to do? Shall I call the police?" Mary Ann asked anxiously, wincing as John Paul struck at Destiny again.

"No, don't talk, I want his attention on me at all times." Destiny was working at deciphering the code in his head. He was fast for a big man, but she was much faster and not worried about getting hit. The noises in his head were nearly unbearable. Loud roars and growls, piercing whistles and shrieks. A buzzing like a swarm of bees. She separated the sounds, filtering them as she dodged around the small office always just inches out of John Paul's reach.

Something planted these sounds in his head, and it wasn't nature. She shared with Nicolae as she always did.

Someone. He has been programmed much like a bomb might be. If shattered glass is the trigger, what is the target? What is the point of this violence?

Now she could hear it, a voice, low, mumbling something over and over. It sounded as if it were on fast forward, demonic, speaking a command. Puzzled, she amplified it for Nicolae. John Paul was unaware of the command, unaware of the voice at all. It was only part of the terrible roaring in his head.

Destiny waved her hand and silenced the voice, silenced the roaring. John Paul stood in the center of the room, blinking at her with blurry eyes. He looked puzzled. His great shoulders were shaking and he broke out in a sweat. He lifted his head and looked past Destiny to Mary Ann.

Destiny blurred his vision to make certain that he would not catch a glimpse of the shattered slivers of glass on the floor. "John Paul." Her voice was melodic, silvery, the compulsion buried deep. "You must go back to your home and stay there. You want to sleep, not listen to music or tapes or talk on the phone. You just want to go to sleep."

I am going through his house now, Destiny. There must be something that sets him off before he is given the trigger. I will find it. Vikirnoff is on his way to Mary Ann's office to make copies of the photograph of the young lady the vampire is hunting.

John Paul muttered something and rubbed his eyes. He looked more confused than ever. When Destiny touched his mind, she felt sorry for him. He was totally bewildered, had no idea how he had gotten to the office or why he was there.

"Mary Ann?" He sounded like a small child seeking reassurance. "I think I'm losing my mind. I'm so sleepy, and I don't know what happened." He peered around her, squinting to get a better look. "Did I do this? Did I wreck your office?"

Destiny patted his arm in a gesture reminiscent of Velda. "Go home and sleep, John Paul. Everything will be fine."

Mary Ann watched him go, her eyes troubled. "Will it be fine, Destiny? Does this have something to do with a vampire? Do you have any idea what's going on? This