"Give Yolando courtesy and safe passage, and send a representative vision down to make sure none of the Guardians accidentally fire on him in Carlos's absence, should he need sanctuary at the compound," Ausar said flatly, his eyes on Carlos. "As well as give that young man my utmost respect."
Tarasat quietly in the dark staring at the moon, sipping Jack Daniel's neat. There were still some nights where she couldn't sleep. Her biorhythms had never self-corrected. There'd always be a part of her that would remain nocturnal. The argument she'd just endured in the bedroom required space. Some issues simply needed the combatants to find mutual corners, lest something get said that couldn't be taken back.
But the vision was clear. It came directly from the Neteru Council that Yolando could seek refuge on the compound outer grounds in the event of a firefight. Barriers were to be dropped, the drawbridge effectively lowered. Rider was going to have to make his peace with Yolando, one way or another . . . sooner or later, and it just seemed that now was an auspicious time.
So she waited, knowing the vampire life by second nature. Yolando would call for Valkyrie as sure as the moon would continue to light the night sky.
Tarakept her gaze on the fluttering sheets that Jasmine had drawn intricate dragon patterns on to shield the house. Sacred blood spirals from Berkfield's veins made elaborately fierce creatures that seemed already alive and added the faint scent of human blood to the breeze.
Each dragon-emblazoned sheet was suspended in a spiderweb-like maze of blue tactical energy, holding dragon images waiting to come alive like compound watchdogs.Tara sat so still that her lungs barely moved, and it wasn't even necessary to blink.
Night vision was a gift that had never fled her when the Light spared her. What her husband didn't understand was, her heart broke-no, bled-for Yonnie . . . bled that he hadn't been pulled over to a full life, given back his soul, and offered the chance to live out his mortality with the love of his life. Jack Rider had to ease up. She and Jack had been blessed. Now this newcomer spoke of Yolando with a purity of passion that he'd never even gotten from her. Not even as his vampire mate for a time. It had been a marriage of convenience . . . and of deep friendship, but it wasn't what Valkyrie could give him now.
Tarabrought the rim of her glass up to her lips and took a delicate sip, thinking. She'd already violated house rule number one-team seers weren't supposed to go into the thoughts of fellow housemates uninvited. But there was still so much of her that had old habits from her past existence. This was an emergency. She needed to know if thisthing between Yonnie and Val was all a part of his normal vamp seduction bullshit, thus potentially endangering a fellow team woman's life-or if this was the real McCoy.
She lowered her glass to study the moonlight dancing in the crystal, glad that the windows were busted out so that the breeze could lift her hair. Oh, how she loved the night . . . no matter how bad that life had been there was something so electrifying about it. She briefly closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, allowing a collision of scents to tantalize her old palate.Ocean on one side, redwood forest not far off. Plus blood. Dry, brittle land struck barren from the worst drought in centuries. All of it made her quietlysigh .
As expected, the soft pad of near silent footfalls marked by the hesitation of a woman unsure drifted into her stellar hearing range.Tara opened her eyes and waited. The moment Valkyrie crossed her path, she stood.
"Good evening,"Tara said with a sly smile.
Valkyrie whirled on her, drew a blade, and squared off.Tara didn't have to see it to know what it was. She'd heard it and smelled the steel alloy.
It took a few seconds, but within moments Valkyrie recognized her.
"Forgive me," Val said and lowered her weapon, placing her hand over her heart. "You startled me. Of course there would be sentinels taking shifts."
Tarasmiled and lifted her glass. "I'm off duty tonight, but I should have warned you that I was here. Old habits die hard." She parted from a shadow as though she were part of the night itself.In complete silence.
Val gaped. "How . . ."
"I learned from the vampires."
Impressed, Val walked closer. "You must teach me."
Taraarched an eyebrow. "I can't. To show you how I do it, I'd have to kill you."
Val stepped back and subtly gripped her blade tighter.
"I'm just teasing you because I'm in a semi-foul mood.My apologies."Tara dragged her fingers through her midnight-hued hair and stepped into a wider shaft of moonlight. "You didn't deserve that. But I did want to be sure you understand what you're in for with Yolando." She took another careful sip from her glass and then stared at Val for a moment. "That is where you're headed, right?"
It wasn't a question. It was more of a statement of fact. Val looked away.
"I know we are not supposed to leave the house without alerting the others, so that no one is lost to the enemy. It was not my intent to violate the hospitality of the Neterus or this team on the very first night of my sanctuary . . ."
"But, he called,"Tara said flatly. "I know. What can you do?"
Val shook her head. "That's just it. He never called. I feel as though I must search for this brave soul who may be injured . . . he's behind enemy lines. He could be trapped. Where he'd been was . . . I cannot describe."
Taralowered her glass and her expression softened. She swallowed hard. "Where he is, hon, you can't go retrieve him. You have to wait until he surfaces, or you'll compromise his cover. Or, worse, you could be taken as a hostage and used as a lure to bait him to his certain death. If he hasn't called, wait."
Val sheathed her blade. "I feel so helpless-and as a warrior, that feeling is completely unacceptable."
"I know,"Tara murmured. "I have wished from the very marrow in my bones that Yonnie didn't have to be in this unrelenting quagmire. His predicament haunts me, too. I have prayed on it; I know Carlos and Damali have. Maybe with you having some angel in your bloodlines, they'll hear you? Who knows?" She tossed back the rest of her drink and swallowed it with a wince. "Try to get some rest.Day and night have become eventful around here."
"It is comforting to know that you also care for him and think well of him. This tells me so much more of his character." Val's eyes searchedTara 's face, staying her leave. "He is beloved to you, just like he is beloved to Carlos and Damali?"
Tarahesitated, but as she stared into Valkyrie's eyes, sudden hot moisture filled hers. "Yes. He is beloved. A dear, crazy, ridiculous soul-who is wanton and passionate and funny and decent . . . who will give his life for you, if you're his family, and that isall that man has ever wanted. They'd made him a slave and then took everything from him, even his personal dignity. But he is still a class act, because he chooses to be. I will always be his friend.Always."