Visions of Fire and Ice (The Petiri) (4 page)

“I don’t know you, why would she ask…” But she knew why. This was the person Julie was talking about. But why would she leave when she’d just warned Tamara to be careful?
Julie was dead meat
. That’s all there was to it. Just as soon as she got back to the hotel and banged on her door.

“Are you all right?” he queried, while they filed out with the audience.

No. She wasn’t. Logic told her she was imagining things, yet every time she peeked at him from the corner of her eye, she could only shake her head. He looked just like the man in her dreams. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“My name is Ramose Trevelyan, and you?”

Ramose. A powerful and strong name. The one detail she’d never been able to gather from the dreams was the man’s name.
But this isn’t him
. “Tamara Kimbell.”

He narrowed his gaze, focusing on her armband.

She crossed her arms, her fingers touching her bracelet for comfort. It burned warm against her skin, warmer than ever before. Before tonight, she’d always thought it a beautiful piece of jewelry, though she’d never seen anything overtly special about it. Yet tonight, when she’d donned it, power had risen in the metal, warming her already flushed skin and sending energy through her blood.

“Shall we go, then, Miss Tamara Kimbell?” he asked, and she saw him glance toward her hands, looking for a ring, she assumed.

Tamara nodded, her thoughts spinning in her head. He wasn’t the man she’d dreamed of for all those years. They were of the past. Thousands of years past. Maybe he was a descendant of the man in her dreams.
But that tattoo
?

“So, Tamara, what brings you to Egypt?” Ramose interrupted the flow of thoughts in her brain.

She couldn’t tell him she came to see if she could research the man who haunted her nights. And that man looked just like him. “Vacation. With my cousin, bless her ever living, idiotic heart,” she grumbled then glanced at Ramose.

Color radiated from his body, drawing Tamara’s gaze. Her eyes were a magnet for special bursts of energy called auras. Just one of those little talents she kept hidden from the world. Energy radiated from every living being, changing with moods and health. His burned bright, blues, greens, even a little red here and there. Then there was the surprising tinge of purple. He was interested in her. Sexually.

Unlike the reaction she had with the pervert when she saw his interest, Tamara bit her lip and slowed her sudden accelerated breathing. Nope, no disgust here.

“You are angry she left?”

“Among other things.” They walked toward the exit. His palm rested against her lower back, as though guiding her steps. Or showing possessiveness. She ought to be telling him to take a hike, just like the perv from earlier, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so. His hand felt right. Maybe it was because she was alone. Maybe it was the memories of her dreams. Either way, she wasn’t quite ready to send him packing. And that was strange in itself.

“So, what do you do, Ramose?”

He smiled. And while his teeth were equally perfect, she didn’t get that artificial perfection from him. Maybe it was because he so confident. “I research various antiquities throughout Egypt.”

“Really? That must be an awesome job.” Memories of her dreams flashed before her eyes. Images of gold and beautiful antiquities. But to work with them all day? Just thinking about spending her time among such beautiful history made her heart beat faster.

He nodded. “I do. And it is.”

“What a fascinating job,” she said with a grin. They moved through the glass doors into the brightly lit hotel foyer.

“Are you interested in the antiquities?”

She chuckled under her breath and nodded.

“Why is that so amusing?”

She laughed again, her eyes twinkling in the night. “It’s not. I just find it interesting the way you talk.”

Ramose frowned and arched a brow. “And what is wrong with the way I speak?”

She bit her lip. “Nothing. It’s just different is all. And, yes, I’m in Egypt because I love their history and can’t wait to see the artifacts.”

They stepped through the revolving door into the hotel. They were greeted by the cool air conditioned air and the glittering foyer with its marble floors and golden trim.

Rather than guide her to the elevators, Ramose escorted her to a small couch tucked into the back corner of the foyer. Chandeliers sparkled above them, and the gold leaf from the front desk reflected off the white floors. Again, she thought about stopping him, but a sensation of “rightness” overwhelmed her, as though his side was exactly where she should be, even if just for a moment.

“I would be happy to take you to the museum in Cairo.”

She shook her head. “Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that. I’m sure you’re a busy man, and, as much fun as it would be, I have my cousin—”

“Who has abandoned you to your fate,” he interrupted. His eyes gleamed, and his jaw tightened. She followed his gaze. He was staring at her arm bracelet. Did he not like it? Maybe it was rude to wear one in Egypt. She’d tried learning all their customs and courtesies, but maybe she’d missed one.

As though he caught himself, he turned his attention back to her, his expression softening. “Let me take you to the museum tomorrow. If your cousin wishes to come, she is more than welcome. And her friend, too, of course.”

“Husband. Jeff’s her husband.”

“Her husband, then. I shall come for you in the morning.”

Tamara frowned. “All right, so long as Julie and her husband can come, I don’t see any harm in it.”

She worried about his laying out her plans for her, until she saw relief on his face. Odd. His aura was mottled with a mixture of colors, indicating he was hiding something not only from her but from himself.
Interesting
. Interesting enough for her to want to solve the puzzle that seemed to be Ramose. And, if Julie was right, maybe he was very important to her future.

“Come.” He got to his feet. “I will escort you to your room and then take my leave.”

“Funny.” She smiled, half to herself.

“What’s funny?” Ramose cocked his head in confusion.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone actually say
Take my leave
. So, tell me, is it because you are Egyptian and your native tongue is Arabic?”

He grinned. “No, Arabic is not my native tongue, but you are correct. Sometimes, I do use old style language. Perhaps you can teach me to do better?”

Tamara laughed. “Oh, I don’t know. I think I kind of like it.”

Chapter Four

Tamara ground to a halt when Ramose froze half way to the elevator. Dark power skittered over her arms like tiny insects. She glanced up, expecting the chandelier overhead to blink from the sudden flux of energy. It didn’t. Icy power radiated in waves from Ramose’s tense muscles.

Tamara followed his gaze to the man entering the foyer. Silky strawberry blonde hair cascaded below wide shoulders; long legs smoothly ate up the floor. He moved with the grace of a cat, muscles gliding beneath his clothes. Glacial power cut like a knife in front of him, drawing an involuntary shudder from Tamara’s body.

A strong arm hooked about Tamara’s waist, and Ramose yanked her to his side then angled his body, putting himself between her and the approaching stranger. She thought about pushing away, until she caught a glimpse of the newcomer’s aura. It was black. A total absence of color. It wrapped about his body like an evil shroud, hiding his true nature. Maybe Ramose’s arms were the perfect place to be in this instant.

“Why are you in Cairo, Amunkha?” Ramose’s clipped voice was dark and angry.

Tamara darted her gaze back and forth between the two.

The stranger moved closer, undeterred. His eyes narrowed. “Ramose, what an unexpected surprise. How good to see you. What brings you to Cairo?” The man’s voice was rich and deep, yet a sensation of sticky syrup ran down Tamara’s spine.

“Business. You?”

Dark eyes glittered and traveled quickly from Ramose to Tamara. She couldn’t help but wonder if they spoke English only to keep from sounding rude. But the edge of civility wouldn’t be considered polite by anyone.

“Watching you, why else?”

Animosity thickened the air. The stranger’s inky black gaze rested on her, and the chill of unease grew, stealing through her body.

“Well, well,” said the newcomer. “What have we here?” His eyes raked over her, drinking her in. “Ramose, I have never known you to keep a lady. At least, not for a very long time.”

A sound rolled from Ramose’s throat. Low and deep, it resembled an animal’s growl.

The stranger bowed, unperturbed, taking her hand in his to kiss her knuckles. The long red-tinted locks fell forward to brush her skin. The light from above reflected the soft strawberry tones. The romantic gesture did nothing to stop the sensation of cold dread stealing over Tamara’s body. It swept from the top of her head, traveled down like evil fingers, and left a repulsive bone chilling tingle in their wake. She tried to snatch her hand away, but he held tight. His black eyes locked with hers, and he slowly raised her hand to his lips. The sardonic grin told her the man could sense her discomfort.

“Please, allow me to introduce myself,” the stranger spoke smoothly, his hot breath trailing across her flesh, “as I am sure Ramose will not. I am Amunkha.”

The instant his lips made contact, her chest constricted, and air refused to fill her lungs. Her knees nearly buckled, and the room tilted on its axis. Ramose’s arm tightened around her. She needed to get away, yet there was no diplomatic way to do so.

Tamara stiffened her spine, gathering her strength, and yanked her hand from his grip. “I’m Tamara.” She pursed her lips. Evil was on this man’s mind. Evil directed at Ramose.

Amunkha smiled. “Ramose and I are—”

“
Hanij
!” The word thundered from Ramose, stopping the man mid-sentence.

The stranger’s gaze flicked between the two of them, a smirk on his lips.

“We were just leaving.” Ramose tightened his grip about Tamara’s waist and wordlessly guided her to the bank of elevators across the foyer.

Tamara glanced over her shoulder. Dark eyes studied her, measured her. The evil cloak of his aura shook, and, for a minute, she had the impression it was laughing at her. A shudder passed through her body. The gold metallic doors whisked closed, blocking the dark, icy glare.

She poked the button to her floor and collapsed against the wall of the elevator. Wave after wave of revulsion rippled down her spine, and the skin on the back of her hand still crawled where Amunkha had kissed it. She rubbed the flesh, trying to dispel the icy sensation left behind.

“I did not wish you to meet with him.”

Tamara had almost forgotten she wasn’t alone. She took a deep breath, letting it out slow then looked at the man beside her. “Who was he?”

He didn’t answer right away. Ramose’s gaze slid to the side, not meeting her eyes. His jaw muscles flexing and tightening. “He’s not important.” He turned at last to face her, his eyes narrowing in concern when she continued to rub the back of her hand.

Damn, why couldn’t she stop this? The man hadn’t hurt her. Yet, still, she couldn’t shake the oily feeling of evil that rolled off him. Nor the sensation of his lips on the back of her hand.

“Here, let me.” He took her hand in his and gently massaged away the cold. His fingers burned against her bare flesh, chasing away the frigid sense of evil left behind by Amunkha.

“Look, I know you don’t know me from Adam,” she began.

He arched a brow, his lips curved. “You don’t look like an Adam.”

Tamara flushed. “It’s just an expression.” She waved her hand, brushing away his humor. “But that man out there, Amunkha, he wants to hurt you.”

Ramose shook his head. “Amunkha has done many things in his life, but he will not hurt me.”

“Now, there is where you’re wrong.” She pursed her lips. “I know evil when I sense it. Like I said, you don’t know me, but I know things sometimes. Well, not like my cousin Julie knows things. But I can see his aura, and it’s black. No color at all. Do you know what that means?”
Shit
. This man was going to think she was insane.

His eyes widened, and he dropped her hand as the elevator doors opened. They moved toward her room.

Tamara took her room key from her waist pack and reached for the door.

“Yes,” he said at last, “I know what it means. And you will stay away from him.”

Chapter Five

Tamara stopped with the key halfway in the lock on her door and whirled around. “What did you say?”

“You heard me,” he said.

A twinge of frustrated anger sparked inside her. She didn’t tolerate her younger brother ordering her around, and she surely wasn’t going to tolerate anyone else to either. She raised a finger and pointed it at his chest. “Oh, no, we aren’t even going down this path. Let me stop you right there.” Her finger poked at hard as rock muscles, and his eyes widened, this time in surprise. “I’ve raised three sisters and a brother. Nobody tells me what to do. I make my own decisions, buster. If you think for an instant I’ll let some overgrown child tell me to stay away from the playground bully, you’ve got another thing coming.”

His brow raised, and his oh so heavenly full lips quirked into a smile. “Overgrown child?”

“You know what I mean.” Tamara’s stomach twisted inside. She really hadn’t meant to come on so strong, but, then, she hadn’t expected the sudden humor in his eyes either. That smile did something to her insides, making her muscles quiver like Jell-O.

He softened, leaning toward her, his face so close.

Until now, she’d disregarded how much like her dream man he looked. Well, she’d tried to ignore it. Just like she’d tried not to notice how arousing that small tattoo on his cheek was. But, then, he offered her his crooked half smile, and strange things happened inside her.
Damn, he’s sexy
.

“Is that how you see me?” He rested one arm on the doorframe, leaning toward her. Despite the casual pose, he reeked of masculine strength. Power rolled over her, pulling her ever closer to his heat, feathering across her body like wings.