Dealers of Light (26 page)

“I did.” She held up two shopping bags
filled with a new sundress, shorts and a bathing suit.

“
Good. I got the gold.” He patted his coat pocket. “Let’s grab a taxi and head to the marina.”

They found the rest of the gang
at a tourist store in the busy area of King’s Square, a short walk from the boat. Cara smiled, happy to see her friends having some fun for a change.

Shana
struck a pose, wearing a wide brim straw hat on her head and large round sunglasses.

“
You look like a movie star,” Cara said.

“A girl can pretend.” Shana pursed her lips, hands on hips.

“Where’s Marc?” Cara glanced around. Amber and Tor purchased bathing suits and beach towels from a cart while Alistair pondered some Bermuda shorts in a horrific shade of green.

“
Marc is making me so mad.” Shana whipped off the hat and glasses, eyes flashing. “I don’t know why, all the sudden, he doesn’t like it that I’m good at fighting. We had a huge fight about it, and he stormed off the ship. I don’t know where he is. But he looks like hell. I just don’t know what’s going on with him anymore. I thought we were a team.” Tears welled in her eyes and she brushed them away with one hand.

Cara pursed her lips. That wasn’t like
Marc.

Rolf
approached Cara and Shana. “We all need to talk. There’s a pub near here where we can get something to eat.”

“Good, I’m hungry.”
Shana glanced at her watch. “Wow, it’s three o’clock.”

“I’d love a pint.” Alistair placed the green shorts back on the rack, much to Cara’s relief.

“Sounds good. I’m going to get this hat and the sunglasses.” Shana paid for her items, and they all trooped over to the pub.

Marc
sat on a bench outside the restaurant, and his face lit up when he saw them. His cheeks had more color and there were fewer lines around his eyes. Cara smiled in relief.
Maybe he’s realized we have to pull together on this and not make hasty judgments.

He jumped up and went to Shana. She allowed him to take her hand
, but her face said he had a lot of apologizing to do.

Inside, a traditional dark wood bar stretched along one side of the pub
. A TV hanging over the bar blared with a soccer game. The smell of fried fish made Cara’s mouth water. They munched on fish and chips with pints of beer while Rolf related his experience of sensing a Taker in Hamilton.

P
eople at other tables laughed, drinking and enjoying their vacations. One table erupted into loud cheers as their team scored a goal.

Cara took a swallow of beer. “Doesn’t seem like anything bad could go on here. Not with this atmosphere.”

“Huh, there’s quite a bit
that’s bad going on,” their waitress said, placing new beers on the table. “Strangest happenings on this island.”

“What do you mean?” Cara
handed her an empty glass.

“Murders.”
The woman leaned over, whispering. “This island hasn’t seen murders like this in hundreds of years.”

Cara and Rolf shared a glance.

“More than one?” Marc asked, a sheen of moisture forming on his upper lip. Shana’s eyes went wide, and Amber let out a small mew of fear.

“Oh, ye
s. Three in the past two weeks—apparently, the bodies were in bad shape because it took them a couple days to identify them.” She glanced over her shoulder then leaned toward them. “Just wanted to warn you to be careful. Stay in the popular spots, and don’t go out late at night.”

“Thanks,” Shana said. “We appreciate the warning.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Cara’s gaze followed the waitress, who walked over to a couple at another table, out of hearing range. “Sounds like it might be Takers.”

“Crap, there goes my trip to the beach.” Shana pushed her plate away.

“Let’s go to the boat. We need to discuss this,” Rolf said. “But not where anyone can hear.”

The others collected
their packages with no argument.As they walked up the dock the sunset splashed purples, oranges and fiery reds across the western sky. Reggae music wafted in the air, inviting either head-nodding or hip moving. People on neighboring boats gathered on their decks, sipping cocktails. Little did they know a deranged evil stalked innocent victims on the island, and they were all in danger.

Cara’s group
trudged into the salon and the dogs danced across the floor, happy to see their humans.

“The good thing is
, I doubt the Takers are aware of us.” Rolf dropped into one of the wingchairs. “In my experience, Takers gravitate to the seedy nightlife of areas. It’s easier for them to snatch their victims in those surroundings. People are drunk, it’s dark, easy enough to lure someone outside to a secluded area.”

“Horrible.” Amber shivered
, sinking onto the sofa beside Tor with Cara on the other side. Shana and Marc filed over to the loveseat.

“What is it you feel from a Taker, exactly?” Alistair
scooped up Rambo and sat in the other wingchair.

“It’s like a vibration, and my skin feels chilled. The closer they are, the stronger the sensations.”

“Can we feel it?” Tor asked.

“In time, you will. Once
they’ve been turned to evil they take on a completely different aura that’s very recognizable. When you’re close to them, after a time you become more sensitive to it.”

Shana winced
. “Oh, goodie, something to look forward to.”

“How, uh, long does it take for them to turn to evil once they get addicted?”
Marc asked.

“Depends on how long they fight it.” Rolf shrugged. “Some with no
conscience give in right away. Others with more depth of soul fight it and hold out longer. It’s different for each person. But the end result is the same, evil consumes them and they live for the Taking.”

“What are we going to do about them?” Tor asked.

Rolf reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a leather pouch, which he handed to Amber. “We proceed with our plans. Here are the gold sheets for the amulets.”

“Shouldn’t we find out if they’re part of Desmond’s group? If they are, we should stop them now so they can’t support him from here.” Cara
slid to the edge of her seat.

Rolf
shook his head. “Until you have the amulets, you can’t get close enough to surprise them without the Takers feeling your warmth as Dealers. You’d be sitting ducks.”

“What about you? How do you sneak up on them?” Tor asked.

“I have learned to mask my energy over time. But it takes years to master and it’s a conscious effort. That’s why I have the globe for my home so I can relax and sleep in peace.”

“I’ll get started on the amulets,” Amber said. “We know what crystals to use for each of us now.”

“Good.” Rolf rose from his chair. “I’ll show you how to use the equipment you’ll need to cut and carve the gold.”

A chill ran up Cara’s arms. Rolf didn’t seem very concerned about the local Takers being a threat to them, but she wasn’t buying it.
Fear gripped her heart. It would be just like him to go after them on his own. If he got himself killed, it would be difficult to continue this quest.

But
, selfishly, she had to wonder what
she’d
do without him?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Cara climbed the steps to the main deck with Dusty behind her. She’d tossed and turned for an hour. Maybe a glass of wine would help her sleep. 

When
she reached the salon, a small lamp radiated a soft glow, but most of the room remained bathed in shadows. The murmur of two male voices stood out against the hushed atmosphere.

Rolf stood
at the door leading to the deck, dressed in black. Sean handed him a knife, which he tucked in a sheathe on his ankle under his pants. Sean handed him a handgun next.

A spasm of terror shot through her
, and she ran across the room, eating up the distance between her and Rolf in a second. “What are you doing?”

Rolf
’s head jerked up, brow furrowed. He motioned for Sean to leave. “Cara—”

“You’re going after them, aren’t you?” She grabbed his arms. His
hard biceps flexed beneath her fingers, reminding her of his incredible strength.

He tucked the gun under his belt and
crossed his arms, gently covering her fingers with his. After a few seconds, he peeled her hands away. “What are you doing up? You shouldn’t be here.” He turned and picked up a black windbreaker.

“Stop.”
She yanked the jacket from his hand. If something happened to him she would be devastated. Her fear hit her like a train going full speed, crashing into her with full-blown panic. “You can’t do this.”

His eyes darkened. “
This is what I do. I kill Takers.”

“I know, but
—” How could she make him understand? “Don’t you get it? There are more of us. We can help you. You don’t have to do this alone anymore.”

He closed his eyes and sigh
ed, then directed that devastating blue gaze into hers. His face smoothed, taking on an expression of incredible tenderness as he reached out to run the back of his fingers down her cheek. “My dear Cara.”

His touch sent a shiver through her.
She sucked in her breath, giving in to the realization of what he meant to her.
He has to stay safe
. She’d never experienced such deep emotions tying her to someone. Sharing Light had entangled their essences, and she couldn’t bear losing him.

“Rolf, please. You don’t understand.” She grabbed his shoulders
. “I can’t lose you. I—”

“
Shhh
.” He placed a finger on her lips, which trembled at his touch. “I can’t bear this anymore—”

Slowly,
his gaze intent, he lowered his head. His lips pressed to hers and she threw her arms about his neck, drawing him close. God, those warm, soft lips, so full of passion. Her heart ached with the need for tenderness and love.

The
ir kiss exploded with hunger, and harsh, naked desire, even better than she’d thought it would be. He growled, and his arms encircled her waist, pulling her body tight against his. The gun in his belt pressed into her abdomen, but she didn’t care. His tongue entered her mouth, warm and inviting against her own.

She ran her fingers
across the soft skin on his neck. His hands skimmed lower on her back, down the swell of her buttocks and lingered there as his kiss intensified. Rough fingers traced a trail of fire up her hips to her waist. The rise of passion in her belly flamed, a hot coal growing, spreading through her stomach. A shudder rocketed down her spine. His lips caressed her skin from her mouth down her neck. She tipped her head back, and the ecstasy of his lips traveled to the tender area of her collarbone. 

Cara’s skin tingled from her throat to her fingertips, and she trembled, pressing her breasts against his hard chest. Hugging him to her
, she stood on tiptoe and arched her back, moaning.                              

But
then his kisses stopped

H
e stepped back from her, breathing heavy. She resisted his retreat, holding tight to his neck, but he slowly removed her arms. His lids drooped over his eyes, and his lips pressed into a thin line.

“Rolf
.” The loss of him holding her left her hollow. No, he couldn’t reject her again.

“
Please, Cara,” he said. “I have to go. I have to find out if they’re part of Desmond’s group.”

“I’m going with you.”

“No.” His tone was sharp and commanding.

She stared at him full of defiance
and slammed her fisted hands on her hips. “
Why not?
”

“You
might get hurt. I would never be able to live with myself if something happened to you.”

“
It’s okay for you to worry about me, but not for me to worry about you?” She shoved against his chest. “Don’t deny what’s going on here.”

His jaw moved back and fort
h. Finally, his shoulders sagged. “This was a mistake. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. Some force had brought them together
, and he wanted to deny it. His lips told another story. “Rolf, at least admit you need help. If we’re going to fight Desmond, you have to let us help you.” 

“You and your friends are not ready.” He adjusted the
gun in his belt.

“
We’re working on it. Look, promise me this. If you must go
tonight
, just find out what you can, then come back and we can discuss what to do as a group. We’re in this together and we can’t afford to lose you.” She smoothed her hands over his chest and gazed into his eyes.