Shadow of My Heart - By Caryn Moya-Block Page 0,6

Los Angeles. They often used the hotel for these kinds of functions. Once he held the image clear in his mind, he walked through Shadow. He could see the street and the shadows behind the huge palm trees in the planters out front. Knowing Joe walked right behind him, Raven stepped out of Shadow and onto the street. Then, he calmly strolled into the front door of the hotel. Joe followed on his heels and moved up to his side. Several reporters started taking pictures, and Raven smiled and waved. He reached into his pocket and drew a small piece of Shadow out, before rubbing the mist around his face. When the reporters checked their pictures, they would be surprised to find his features blurry. He had used that trick more than once over the years.

The reporters were not allowed past the elevators in the hotel. As Raven reached the other side of the elevators and no longer had to worry about photographers, he sighed in relief. He heard Joe in his mind.

No one would believe that you are actually shy.

No one would believe you have a great sense of humor.

Touché

Raven appreciated the banter with his friend. He knew Joe did it to put him at ease. As a result, Raven could actually give the maître d' a real smile, while being ushered into the dining room.

Tonight, the annual awards dinner honored local heroes, a program that Raven initiated. So, here he stood in his tuxedo, surrounded by beautiful people in a lavishly decorated dining room. Now, if only he didn’t feel so alone.

“Is everything to your satisfaction, Mr. Darkwood?” asked the maître d’.

“You’ve outdone yourself again, Felipe. Everything looks wonderful.”

“It is a pleasure to serve you, Sir.”

Felipe bowed low and disappeared into the back. Turning to Joe, Raven said. “Remind me to make sure he gets a good tip.”

“It is a pleasure to serve you, Sir.”

“Very funny, Joe.”

“I thought so. General Holland is approaching. Good luck,” Joe said as he melted into the crowd.

Sure, leave me alone with him, Raven sent on their telepathic link.

You can take him. I have confidence in you. I want to check the security around here.

Don’t insult our hosts.

Of course not.

Raven could hear Joe’s chuckle in his mind and shook his head at his friend, as General Holland and his aide Jacob Kellen reached him. Raven noticed the general wore full military dress for the evening’s events and shook his hand warmly.

“General, so nice to see you, Sir.”

“You clean up real good, Son. Quite a party you have going. Are you keeping up with the martial arts? You look fit.”

“When I have time, Sir. Running a company as big as Isanti keeps me busy.”

After sending Kellen to fetch a drink for him, General Holland expounded on how the government couldn’t afford to lose the men of the Shadow Walker tribe.

Raven tried to look accommodating, but he had no intention of forcing the men of his tribe to continue to spy for the government. They had already given the general years of service, in addition to all the new technology Isanti had developed.

Now, they needed to repopulate the tribe, which meant each of the twelve men on the board would need to find a mate. Not just any woman would do. It must be the one that made his Shadow mark burn. That, not skulking about for the military, was the single most important task of the Shadow Walkers.

Wishing for an escape, Raven glanced across the room. He met the eyes of a woman, dressed in red, who made his breath catch. As he gazed at her, his heart thundered and his tattoo burned on his chest. Her long brown hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders. Her red dress hugged her curves lovingly. Raven wished with all his might that he might hold her as closely. Unable to look away from her, he excused himself from General Holland and made his way toward her. Something about her called to him. He wanted to sketch her, capturing her beauty for all time.

She smiled softly as he approached, welcoming him. Her eyes seemed locked to his, and he felt helpless to look away. His body stirred, and he almost stopped. No woman had ever caused him to lose control. He wouldn’t allow this one to be any different. But even as the thought slipped into his mind, he acknowledged that she was different. Just her presence in the room made his life a little brighter.