The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance #1) - Dianne Duvall Page 0,49
a small town up the road, but no other structures nearby.”
“Is there forest behind the motel?”
“Yes.”
“The heartbeats we’re hearing could belong to animals out back. Or perhaps some that nibbled their way into the attic. Hell, they could even be underneath us if there’s a crawl space. This place is a dump. There’s no telling what might have burrowed beneath it.” Marcus meandered around the room, examined every corner, even peered at the wall and knocked on it a few times. “No hidden panels.”
“Should we contact Seth?”
“No. Rumor has it he’s going to propose to Leah tonight.”
Roland’s eyebrows rose. “He is?”
Marcus gave him a meaningful look. “After he takes her to meet Tomasso and Cassandra.”
“Oh.” Roland’s look turned pensive.
“Exactly.”
“Let’s not bother him then. If the couple Henderson spoke with knows something and tries to share it, I’m sure the network will catch them and put a stop to it.”
Marcus nodded. “And if one of the soldiers from the military base stole the Humvee, he is likely dead because all loose ends appear to have been tied up.”
“Except this one.”
“And the missing gifted one.”
Roland frowned. “Right. Do you think the two are related?”
“I doubt it. I think Reordon is probably right. Gershom most likely killed the missing gifted one. We just haven’t found the body yet.”
Gifted one? Lisa thought. What was a gifted one?
Roland’s features darkened. “I wish I could’ve seen Seth take that bastard down.”
“Me, too. Are you hunting tonight?”
“No.”
“Me either. While we have a moment to ourselves, how is Michael?”
Roland sighed. “As traumatized as Adira.”
Marcus studied him. “And you?”
Roland’s eyes flashed brighter as fury darkened his features. “Every time I think of what those fuckers would’ve done to them if the children hadn’t been capable of protecting themselves, I break out in a cold sweat.”
Marcus’s eyes began to glow. “I do, too. I can still hear them crying for us in that hellish place.”
Had they been among the vampires held captive at the base? Had children been held captive in the base? She vaguely recalled Brad mentioning as much but had forgotten until now. The notion horrified her.
“As can I,” Roland admitted. “Thank you for letting us bunk in your room. Michael didn’t want to let Adira out of his sight.”
Marcus clapped him on the back. “Anytime. You can do so again if need be… for however long it will take the children to feel safe again.”
Roland nodded. “Thank you. Let me get you back to David’s place.”
Both vanished.
Lisa expelled a sigh of relief.
Taelon relaxed.
Then Roland reappeared.
Both tensed.
Roland glanced over his shoulder.
The door to the motel room swung closed with a quiet snick and locked itself.
He had telekinetic abilities, too?
“If you’re here,” he said softly, “hiding where I cannot find you, I warn you… do not betray us. If you do, you will find us a formidable and terrifying enemy.”
Lisa did not doubt his words.
Reaching into a back pocket, he retrieved his phone and dialed. “Henderson? It’s Roland again. The room appears to be empty. I hear heartbeats but see no one. You know I’m a suspicious sort, so I called in Marcus. He thinks it’s probably animals in the attic or crawl space since we’re out in the sticks. But I’m not so certain.” He listened for a moment. “Yes. Do you need anything else?” Another pause. “All right. I’m heading back to North Carolina.” He disconnected the call, then made another. “It’s me. I’m on my way.”
Taelon’s hand tightened around Lisa’s.
Roland vanished.
“Wait!” Taelon lunged out of bed.
Lisa jumped, startled by his shout. But the vampire was gone.
Swearing, Taelon crossed naked to the door and flung it open. He even stepped outside and looked around. He glanced over his shoulder at Lisa. “Did you catch his name?”
“Roland War-something,” she answered.
Taelon faced the parking lot and bellowed, “Roland!”
Lisa gaped at him. What was he doing?
Taelon shouted the vampire’s name several more times.
When Roland didn’t miraculously reappear, Taelon stepped back inside and slammed the door.
Her eyes remained wide as she watched him.
Oblivious to his nudity, he paced back and forth in stiff, agitated movements that surely must aggravate his injuries.
As if to confirm her concerns, he clutched his chest.
A hard cramp ripped through her abdomen. Hissing in a breath, she clutched her belly, only then remembering her own nudity.
He stilled. “Lisa?”
Breathing deeply, she reached down, grabbed the sheet, and tugged it up to her breasts as the pain intensified.
Taelon returned to the bed and sat down beside her. “Are you okay?”