Creatus (Creatus Series) (18 page)

Chapter Thirty-three

Kris grabbed the plate of pizza as soon as the man threw it on the counter and shoved bites down her throat as she ran
the long stretch of corridor, which she was positive had doubled in length. Not as enjoyable as she’d imagined when she had to keep checking the time. At a couple minutes late, she was fine. Ten, she started to tap her foot in exasperation. Fifteen, she’d demanded they just give it to her as it was.

She rounded the hallway and saw Derrick coming out of the couple’s lounge, his white robe still wrapped around him. He made eye contact, and at first, a look of utter gratitude washed over his features as he pulled to a stop, both of his hands running through his hair. But then, if looks could kill, well, when she’d thought Victoria was dangerous looking, she’d been way off.

“I’m sorry…” She almost fell into him, the paper plate still clutched in her hand. “I’m so sorry. I was running to get back before we were supposed to meet.”

He exhaled a breath as one arm latched around her body and his hand cupped her face. Kris stared up to see his eyes completely glazed over. He pulled her against him. “I thought—” He ran his hands through her hair and kissed her forehead. “Please don’t ever scare me like that again. Any other time I wouldn’t freak out that you’re late, but right now, with that maniac—”

“I’m sorry,” she said again, her words disappearing into his chest as he squeezed her tighter.

“Pizza?” he groaned, pressing his lips to the top of her head, as if just happy she was with him. “All you had to do was order it. They would have brought it to you.”

She peered up at him, feeling like a little girl. “I didn’t want to eat it in front of you.”

“Why on earth not?” he demanded, his voice rising a fraction.

“Because you can’t eat it.”

Derrick swiped his hand across his forehead. “Kristina, I’ve never even tasted pizza, so I don’t miss anything. But oddly enough, it doesn’t appeal to me. It’d be like offering a great white shark ice cream.”

She covered her mouth to retain a laugh. “Yesterday a superhero, today a great white?”

“I’m not comparing myself to a shark. I’m just saying pizza isn’t in our food group. We don’t crave food the way humans do. We eat when we’re hungry, simple as that.” He lifted her chin. “And you’re in trouble, so stop trying to change the subject by laughing.”

She dropped her head. “I really am sorry. I knew you’d be worried, but I thought it’d only take a few minutes.”

Derrick scooped up her hand and led her to the couple’s area so they could change and be on with their day. “We’ll find him, Kristina. I promise. And then I won’t go insane when you’re fifteen minutes late. It’s just—”

She pulled him to a stop before he opened the door. “I understand, Derrick. This is serious. I know you’re not being ridiculously obsessive. I saw Beth; I know this is real. I just figured I was safe here.”

He nodded and pulled her against him again. “You are safe, but I can’t take any chances. I can’t lose you. I just got you.”

She smiled, even though he couldn’t see it. She felt the same way. She’d been irresponsible. “I promise. I’ll never cause you to worry again.”

Obviously comforted, he lifted her chin and kissed her again. “Okay. So, since you’ve already eaten lunch, how about we go change before we head off to our next adventure?”

“Maybe we can take a little nap before getting ready,” she said suggestively, hoping he wasn’t too upset with her. Though, oddly enough, he didn’t seem angry at all. It’s as though he’d gotten over his frustration in seconds. 

“Well, our reservation is at two, so I’m sure we can fit in a nap if you’re tired.” He raised his eyebrows in question, but then continued, “But first off, I have to go in and settle our bill and make certain the staff doesn’t have us thrown out for disorderly conduct.”

Kris bit down on her lip. “Um… exactly what did you do?”

“I was looking for you the last place I saw you—the ladies’ locker room. They don’t like men in there, it seems.”

Catching the gist of his confession, Kris mashed her lips together to keep from laughing again, even though she knew it wasn’t funny. “You think? It’s not as if you can sneak in and out.”

He shook his head. “There wasn’t any sneaking go
ing on, believe me. I’m surprised you didn’t hear me from the other side of the hotel.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip, her head lowered. She’d have to be extra nice to him when they
returned to the room. He was being kind, but evidently, he’d been more upset than he’d let on. “Okay. I’ll go get my stuff out of the locker while you make amends.”

“I’m sure there will be a hefty tip involved.” He pushed open the door and stopped, peering into the eyes of the woman who’d checked them in earlier. He shrugged. “Found my wife.”

Kris cringed and then slunk off toward the ladies’ room, knowing Derrick would take care of everything.

Two hours later, Kris stood bundled in a harness and helmet, ready to take on the largest treetop zip line, approximately 165 feet off the ground. It didn’t sound high when she was on the ground, learning how to zip line five feet above the snow. But now looking over the expanse of the hemlock canopy below her to the platform over eight hundred feet away, she knew she’d been utterly insane to think she could do this. She was sixteen stories up; even Derrick couldn’t fall from this height and live. Or, at least she didn’t think he could. She’d never actually asked. The guide had mentioned that some of the trees were two hundred and fifty years old, dating back to The Revolutionary War. So they were strong and sturdy. The zip lines consisted of two vinyl-covered cables, assuring they were completely safe, and she’d been okay on the first few zips. Even the sky bridges they’d crossed had been okay. But getting a bird’s eye view of Rosebrook Canyon, she was having second thoughts.

“You okay,” Derrick asked, encircling her waist with his arms.

She afforded him an unconvincing nod, gulping in the process, her hands sweating. She knew she didn’t have to hold on, but the instructor had told her to be careful that no part of her skin touched the line. So what if her hand slipped out of the glove?

The guide stepped in front of her. “It’s no different than the others, Mrs. Ashton. Just let the harness do all the work. Lean back in the cannonball position we showed you, point your toes downward, and have fun.”

Kris gave another nod and stepped forward, but then turned to Derrick. “Maybe you should do this one first?” she suggested.

Derrick pressed his hand to her cheek. “You’ll be fine, love. Just keep your eyes forward. Focus on Mount Washington.” He gave her a wink. “Pretend you’re gazing out at the trees from our suite.”

She smiled and huffed out a breath. “Maybe I’ll just rappel down. I handled the rappelling okay.”

“But how would you get to the next platform?” Derrick suggested.

“You go first,” she insisted again. “That way you can catch me if I fall—I mean, come in too quickly.”

The guide laughed, so obviously he thought nothing of her blunder. Of course, who would imagine that her husband was capable of jumping off a building and saving her?

Derrick stepped toward the front of the platform. “Okay, Kristina.” He chuckled along with the guide. “I’ll be waiting to catch you.”

The guide checked Derrick’s straps
, and using the carabiner, hooked his harness onto the line. After getting an “all clear” from the guide on the opposite platform, Derrick whooshed over the expanse of trees, letting out a thrilled whoop for her benefit she assumed.

After a few minutes, the other guide’s voice came through the radio, signaling it was safe to send her down. Even though her heart pounded in her chest and her hands were still sweaty, Kris took a deep breath and let it out and then said through gritted teeth. “Okay. I’m ready.”

The guide didn’t respond. She turned, but saw nothing as a cloth covered her entire face. Unable to control her need to take a breath, she inhaled the ether-like odor, a sweet taste prickling her tongue.  She tried to pull the glove-covered hand away, but to no avail. Obviously, this was the rogue. The world seemed to wobble before her eyes, and her legs felt non-existent. For a second, she wondered if she was even standing. Then the trees whooshed by her, but she heard no sound as if she’d gone deaf. Was she falling? Had the rogue just dropped her? She tried to scream for Derrick, but nothing left her throat, at least she didn’t think so, remembering she hadn’t heard the trees that jumped over her either.

Now the entire forest bobbed up and down, and she just wanted it to stop. Dizzy and feeling sick, she closed her eyes and just waited to hit the forest floor and die. Unfortunately, Derrick would not be able to save her this time.

Derrick
. Tears burned her eyes, or maybe it was the chemical on the rag. Her husband would be alone forever. She attempted to lift her head, tried to fight, but it seemed her body wouldn’t obey. Then the sun flickered off and on, as if it were the fluorescent bulb in her kitchen. Dampness spread over her entire body, or was she drowning? The icy, dark water engulfed her.

That’s right
, she remembered. She’d jumped off the Tobin Bridge, and she would die. It had all been a dream. None of it had been real. 
Derrick
… his name… her Dark Angel had a name. He was real.
Derrick
, she repeated. Though again, she wasn’t sure if the word escaped her lips. She had to believe; she had to hold on for Derrick.

Chapter Thirty-four

Michael called Victoria, but she didn’t answer. Next he called Jonas, ready to confront him. He didn’t have a problem with him being back, but they needed to make a decision. He had no intention of fighting with his best friend over Victoria’s affection. And Ry, well, he could just give it up. He was too young anyway. And Vic thought nothing of him but a kid brother. Hell, she probably thought of Michael as a brother too, but he could remedy that.

Jonas’ cell phone went to voicemail as well. “Damn!” He hated thinking what that might mean. He searched his phone contacts and found Ry’s number and touched the name.

“Yo, what’s up, Mike?” Ryan answered. “I was just in the middle of something.”

Michael heard Ry’s car door slam. “Have you seen your brother?”

“Nah. Not since last night. We pulling same shifts tonight?”

“Yeah,” Michael answered. “How about Vic? I can’t reach her either.”

Ry laughed through the phone line. “Oh, I get it. You think they’re together. That maybe Jonas is comforting her after telling her where the newlyweds went.”

Michael stopped walking toward his vehicle. “How do you know where they went?”

“We overheard them yesterday after the meeting. I think since Derrick is with a human, he forgets that we can hear him.”

Continuing his tread to the car, Michael hopped in, irritated. “Hey, you want to go out tonight, Ry? I have one thing I have to handle, but then I can meet you downtown around ten-ish.”

“What about watching?”

“I don’t think we’ll see any action tonight, but come dressed though.”

Ry clucked his tongue. “I’m in the middle of something. I’ll call you later
this afternoon if I have time.”

“Sounds good,” Michael told him. “As I said, I won’t be available until ten-ish anyway.” Michael looked at the time on his phone. One-thirty, he had just enough time.

At ten o’
clock, Michael turned his phone on. He had several missed calls from Derrick and his father, but he wasn’t in the mood. It’d been a long day. He tried again to reach Ry, Vic, or Jonas.
What the hell were they doing
, he wondered. He needed company, preferably of the female persuasion. He lifted his phone and searched through the contacts again, Rebecca would do well. She was fun, cute, and she generally wanted to be with him.

The thought that Victoria could be off with Jonas somewhere burned his insides. He thought he could just let her
go if Jonas wanted her, but now he felt otherwise. The current situation he was in allowed no time for screwing around, he knew, but if he didn’t act quickly, he could lose her forever.

Would jealousy work?
he wondered
. Jonas had told her last night of both their interests, so maybe…

Rebecca picked up on the first ring. “I was hoping you’d call,” she drawled. He wasn’t certain where she’d picked up her slight southern drawl, but he had to admit, he liked it.

“Hey, Rebecca,” he chirped back. “You still up for that drink?”

“Sure,” she answered without hesitation. Too hastily. No challenge. He sighed inwardly, wondering why he needed a challenge.

“Meet me at the pub at ten-thirty.”

“I’ll be there.”

As soon as he hung up, he clicked Victoria’s number again. No answer, of course. Maybe she and Jonas had skipped town together. “Hey. Meet me at the pub round ten-thirty, so we can discuss this evening’s route.” He clicked end, ran his vehicle through a car wash, and then headed to meet Rebecca. He hated even the slightest bit of dust on his Charger. She was his baby, the one woman who could do no wrong.