Shadow of My Heart - By Caryn Moya-Block Page 0,20

me back to the school, Raven. I have a class to finish.”

“Cara, don’t be unreasonable. I’m trying to explain why you need to be careful.”

“Oh, my god! Are my students in danger? Will they come after me at the school? We need to call the cops or Homeland Security.”

“Calm down. I’m not going to let anything happen to you or your students. The proper authorities are looking into this. I want you to be aware of the danger.”

“Take me back. Now, Raven.”

Raven signaled the driver to turn around. How had a simple explanation turned into this? Cara was being as cold as an icicle. Nothing he said made anything better.

He reached for her hand and touched her mind with his. She stiffened but didn’t pull away.

Cara, you are everything to me. Please, tehila- love, I promise you I will keep you safe. There is no need to fear.

I’m not afraid. I’m furious. Get out of my head.

Raven withdrew from Cara’s mind. How was he going to make this right?

The limo pulled into the school parking lot, and Cara was out of the car before it was completely stopped.

“Cara . . .” Raven called after her as he climbed out of the vehicle.

He frowned when she didn’t even look back.

Derek, are you back in place?

Just now arrived.

Keep an eye on her. She’s pretty ticked off right now.

She’ll get over it, Derek sent.

You better hope she does. Keep her safe.

Don’t worry, I will.

Raven signaled to the limo driver that he could go. Then, seeing a group of trees shading the sidewalk, he walked over and into Shadow.

§

The afternoon went by quickly for Cara and her students. Now, she needed to get the last of the test papers graded and their scores recorded. She was on the last paper when Principal Davidson walked in her door. Sighing, Cara looked up.

“Working late, Miss Hamilton?”

“I was finishing up the last of these tests. Is there something you needed?”

“Do I need a specific reason to visit with one of my employees?”

“Of course not,” Cara said, feeling a shiver of fear going down her back. What was Davidson up to? He didn’t normally come and check on her. “I guess I’ll be going now,” she said, rising from her metal desk and putting the papers into her school bag.

“Are you doing anything this evening, Cara? Meeting with Mr. Darkwood perhaps?”

“No. I have to finish getting the student’s grades entered into the computer. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, no reason. Just making polite conversation.”

“Well, I really need to go now. Goodnight, Principal Davidson.”

“Goodnight, Miss Hamilton.”

Cara hurried out of her classroom and out to her car. Davidson was acting downright weird, and it was scary. She climbed into her little car and headed for home. After fighting with Raven and then this, she felt exhausted. A hot bath and a glass of wine were definitely in order. Then, she would try and figure out how to respond to Raven’s news.

She didn’t mean to get so angry. After thinking about it, she figured she overreacted big time. But what really worried her was: Could she live like this? Raven’s tribe worked for the government and came into contact with the dregs of humanity. This might not be the last time she was put under surveillance.

Cara felt the cold of Shadow blow over her skin.

“When we get to my condo,” Cara said, knowing Raven’s men could hear from Shadow what was said on Earth, “you stay outside.”

Chapter Six

Two days, two days, Cara had refused to answer his phone calls. When he touched her mind, she ignored him, refusing to reply. Or worse, she started reciting the alphabet. Pacing in his office, Raven didn’t know what to do. This was a first. He was the commander of a black ops team, a Shadow Walker, and one woman had turned his world upside down. If she didn’t answer her phone, he was going to storm the castle so to speak and . . . and . . .

“Girl trouble?” Derek said, appearing out of the shadows in the corner of Raven’s office and flopping down in a chair.

“What are you doing here? Who is watching Cara?”

“Joe took over for me,” Derek said. “I needed a couple of hours of sleep. Cara told me to stay outside her apartment. She’s a spitfire, that one. Anything more on Amanda?”

“It appears her treachery was just a fit of jealousy,” Raven said. “But she did receive a $4,000 payment to her bank account. Now that I have the