Illicit Desire: Outlawed Realm, Book 2 Read online

  A thread of fear prickled her skin. She didn’t want to hear anymore. She wanted him to go while he still had the opportunity.

  “Don’t you want to know what kill I’m talking about?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  It didn’t stop him. “Yours, Arez. By being kind now, he will have gained your trust. You’ll be easier to manage when he hunts you like an animal along with the other rulers. With a full belly, you’ll run faster. Or he’ll leave you outside the Palace to starve. If you’re already close to death, he won’t have the opportunity to watch you suffer, to hear you beg for his previous kindness.”

  Arez stared, trying to wrap her mind around such a horror. “Is that what they did to you? Is that why you were gone?”

  “No.”

  But he had survived and thrived. That’s all that mattered. “Then go, before he does to you what he intends for me.”

  Lukan frowned. “I’m not leaving without you.”

  New alarm replaced her sorrow. He expected them to flee together? Even if they could without anyone seeing them, Arez couldn’t imagine where they’d go or how long they’d be able to escape detection. “What?”

  “Shhh.” His hand returned to her mouth, keeping her from asking anything else.

  Footfalls rang down the hall. From the sound of it, at least two men. Given the noise from their shoes, they were guards, not rulers.

  Already, they knew Lukan was in here and had come to take him away.

  Arez turned her face so she could speak. “Go. I don’t want you to die.”

  “I won’t. Keep still.” He clamped his hand over her mouth as the footfalls stopped just outside her door.

  Chapter Six

  Regina faced the wall of her dining room. Minutes earlier, Nikoli had created a portal there. It was gone now. The Monet reproductions she’d hung and the needlepoint chairs beneath them were solid again, the image of them wavering and dissolving, revealing the lighted void that lay between the dimensions something she might have imagined.

  The package of strawberry licorice near one of the chairs reminded her it was not. Lukan had failed to notice the candy falling out of his backpack. He’d been in such a hurry to return to Arez, he’d shoved food and equipment into the canvas container, along with his tee.

  Bare-chested, he stood, removing his shoes and socks, stuffing them next to the other items he’d bring to E4.

  Damir and Meelo watched in silence, a lifetime of regret playing across their faces. Neither cried. Regina didn’t expect them to. They’d been trained too well on E2 to suppress all emotion.

  However, Damir did reach out as though to touch the boy she’d help create, a man she considered her son.

  Lukan didn’t see her wanting gesture. He busied himself with his preparations.

  Regina wanted to take him aside, begging him to acknowledge Damir and Meelo. To at least offer them a good-bye. They might never see each other again. He could very well die in the Palace.

  The ends of Lukan’s hair hung over his pecs as he worked the jean’s metal button. Within seconds, he’d be naked, prepared finally to return to a life he’d never wanted, danger he’d chosen to face.

  As if she thought the same, Damir made a strangled noise that caused Lukan’s hands to stall. Regina noticed how they trembled. Whether it was from fear of what he’d soon encounter or Damir’s obvious misery, Regina couldn’t determine. For a long moment, Lukan simply breathed hard as though struggling against bone-deep sorrow and resolve.

  Love won.

  He crossed the room, slinging one arm around Damir’s narrow shoulders, the other on Meelo’s. They embraced as all families do when faced with a sad departure and the threat of death. None spoke. Regina knew words weren’t necessary. With that one gesture, Lukan had given Meelo and Damir more than they’d ever dreamed…his forgiveness.

  The little boy within him had come home at last. The man he’d become was now leaving. He backed away from them, turned and stripped, pushing the last of his clothing inside the backpack. With it slung over his shoulder and his sunglasses on to protect him from the intense light, he entered the portal.

  Its brutal wind pulled at his hair and buffeted his body.

  Regina recalled how cold the void was when she’d been in there with Nikoli, escaping the vampires, going to E2, then returning to this dimension and the inventor’s house where they’d first made love.

  If Lukan felt the same penetrating chill she had, he didn’t show any discomfort. One last time, he looked back at Damir and Meelo, then at Nikoli. Lukan’s handsome face revealed his concern that Nikoli might not succeed.

  “I’ll find both of you,” he assured them.

  He was upstairs in his office now, struggling to do what he’d promised. Meelo and Damir had left immediately to find whatever other materials Nikoli might need.

  If he couldn’t bring Lukan and Arez back here, Regina sensed Nikoli would never forgive himself. A part of him would die with them.

  She hurried up the stairs to be near him, stopping on the landing to catch her breath, realizing how stupid she was acting. He didn’t need to see her panting like a frightened dog. He had enough crap to deal with.

  Regina worked her face into what she hoped was a look of composure and went down the hall. Spread out on his worktable were metal wires, discs and other stuff she had no hope of identifying. Rubbing his temple, Nikoli stared at the materials as another man might when trying to solve the New York Times crossword puzzle. His expression was challenged, maybe even pissed that her side had such crappy equipment to work with.

  Not wanting to disturb him, she stepped back. The hardwood floor groaned beneath her weight. Damn. Regina gritted her teeth.

  “Don’t leave,” he said, his focus still on the materials. He swung out his arm, inviting her inside.

  Regina slipped within his embrace, her arm snaking around his shoulders as he rested his forearm on her hip. The weight of it and his warmth comforted her more than words ever could. Even so, she still needed the added reassurance. “How’s it going?”

  He picked up a silver disc, turning it from side to side, frowning at it intently. “Everything’s going to be all right.”

  “Then you’ve solved whatever the problem is?”

  “I will.” He lifted his face and smiled. It touched his eyes, reaching deep into his soul, telling Regina he didn’t want her to worry. He’d take care of everything or would risk his life trying.

  God. She forced a grin. “Good.”

  “You don’t sound so certain.”

  “I am.”

  “You’re such a lousy liar,” he said, hugging her.

  She held him fiercely, kissing the top of his head. His hair was thick and soft, smelling of the woodsy shampoo he favored on this side. For the rest of her days, its scent would bring Regina back to this moment. “How long do you think it will take Meelo and Damir to find what you need?”

  “I don’t know. But they’ll hurry. They love Lukan.”

  “Yeah, they do.” As Nikoli loosened his arm and directed her to his lap, Regina snuggled into him. “What’s Lukan facing over there if—that is, when he gets Arez out of the Palace? He and Damir said something about a jungle. That doesn’t make sense if it’s a twilight world. How can plants grow without any light?”

  “It’s scarce, not absent.” He brushed Regina’s hair from her shoulders and stroked her back. “From what Damir said, the plants have adapted, using what little illumination exists. In order to reach it, they grow far taller and larger than they do on this plane or E2. They’re not green as they are here, but a yellowish color, similar to gold.”

  It sounded too weird for her to picture. “What about the animals? How do they hunt or avoid predators if they’re nearly blind?”

  “You’ve seen whiskers on cats, right? It’s the same with E4’s mammals. Their feelers are several feet in length, brushing the vegetation, allowing them to detect obstacles and movement they can’t see. Because
of their poor sight, their eyes are larger too…the size of saucers.”

  She curled her upper lip. It sounded like something from a fairytale she’d heard when young and believed in ghoulies and ghosts. No different from now. Andris, Sazaar and the other vampires had convinced Regina monsters had always existed. “Damir mentioned subhumans. Are we talking about Neanderthals?”

  “Some are similar.” He ran his fingertips down her throat, trying to soothe her.

  What he was doing felt incredibly good but not enough to lull her into complacency. “Some?” Regina eased back so she could look at him. “Damir said ‘the others’. What others? What did she mean?”

  Color rose to his cheeks. Despite that crack in his composure, he spoke calmly. “Lukan knows to avoid them.”

  “Good for him.” She frowned. “Them what? Tell me.”

  Nikoli sighed.

  She slapped his chest.

  Grabbing her hand, he kissed her fingertips. “There are creatures on E4 with intelligence similar to ours, but they’re more cunning. They’re part human, part wolf. They can change from one form to the other at will.”

  Regina’s mouth sagged open.

  “You wanted to know,” Nikoli said.

  She blurted, “You’re saying they’re like a werewolf or a lycan? I think that’s what they’re called. I’ve read horror stories about these things. You’re telling me they’re real, just like vampires? Oh hell,” she continued before he could answer. “Have they already come over here through a portal like the vampires did? Were the authors of those stories talking more about reality than folklore?”

  Nikoli lifted his shoulders. “I don’t know. I’ve never read those stories.”

  “This is nuts.” She fisted her fingers in his tee. “When will it end?”

  “Do you want it to?”

  Was he kidding? “Yes, of course. Don’t you?”

  “Not if it means going back to the existence I knew on E2. Everything perfect, little of substance to worry about, nothing to live for, no one to really love.”

  Regina blew out a sigh. Why did he have to pick now to be so fucking objective? “Isn’t there a happy medium?”

  Grinning, he scanned the room, messy with his stuff and hers. “I believe we’re living it.” He hugged her so hard Regina winced. “Sorry.” He released his grip a bit. “You’re in no danger from what’s on E4. I’d never put you at risk with what I’m doing.”

  “I know that, but what if something goes wrong? What if something from there follows Lukan and Arez through the portal?”

  “He knows better than to allow that to happen. Everything’s going to be all right, believe—” Nikoli stopped abruptly at the doorbell’s chime.

  Regina scrambled off his lap. “I didn’t expect Meelo and Damir to get back here so fast.”

  “It’s good news. They must have found the materials I need far more easily than any of us imagined.”

  She didn’t think so but nodded agreeably.

  The bell chimed again, followed by quick rapping.

  “Why are you still here?” Nikoli swatted her butt. “Go on. Let them in so we can get this over with.”

  She bent down, brushing her lips over his. “Once it is, you’re mine, mister, and you’re going to pay for what you just did.”

  “Begging you to get the door?” he asked, all innocence.

  Regina gave him a smile and went downstairs. Through the stained-glass windows on either side of the front door, she saw the outline of two figures, one taller than the other. Definitely Meelo and Damir. She wondered if they’d returned to ask Nikoli something about the materials he needed, or were back here to report their failure in finding the stuff.

  Aw, please, not that.

  Hanging on to a bit of hope, Regina opened the door. Her smile faded instantly at the man facing her. His paunch and florid complexion told Regina he surely had high blood pressure. His thinning hair put him at late forties or early fifties. To his side was a thin woman in her forties with short brown hair. Her glasses made her already pinched features even more severe, like someone who’d found religion and was determined to preach about it whether that was welcome or not.

  These two were certainly dressed for proselytizing, both of them wearing drab suits.

  Great. Just what Regina needed tonight. “Whatever you’re selling, I’m not interested,” she said as politely as she could.

  The woman glimpsed past Regina into the house.

  The man studied her as though trying to answer a question playing in his mind. “We’re not selling anything. We’re here to see you, Dr. Page.”

  He’d said her name so casually…so confidently…it stole all speech. For some reason, Regina’s first thought was to lie and tell him he had the wrong house. Not that she figured he’d believe her. He had an air of skepticism about him, and authority. It was in the way he stood and kept staring at her.

  She cleared her throat, hoping to hide her wariness. “Why? Who are you?”

  From his jacket’s breast pocket, he pulled out a thin leather wallet. Flipping it open, he revealed a shield. “I’m Detective Sheehan. This is my partner, Detective Goddard.” He gestured to the woman. “May we speak with you for a moment?”

  Regina’s stomach rolled. What were the police doing here? Surely, they didn’t know about Nikoli. If they did, the feds would be here, right? Men in black from the government. Not detectives from one of the local police departments.

  Oh God. Were they here because of Damir and Meelo? Had those two said or done something to draw the authorities’ attention?

  “Speak with me?” She gripped the doorknob so tightly her fingers hurt. “I don’t understand. About what?”

  “Donald Bakshi.”

  The name meant nothing, unless… Was Bakshi the identity Meelo had purchased on this side? Regina’s skin went clammy. It took all of her will to pretend confusion. “Who?”

  Both detectives regarded her, allowing the silence to lengthen. In the distance, the whapping of helicopter blades mingled with the sounds of cars and voices. Children still playing outside, neighbors conversing. Someone laughed.

  Sheehan said, “We were hoping you’d be able to tell us that, Dr. Page.”

  A bead of sweat ran down her spine. She prayed Nikoli wouldn’t take this moment to come downstairs, sensing something was wrong with her delay. If these two started to question him, his life would be over on this side. They’d know he wasn’t one of them the moment they took his fingerprints.

  With more confidence than she felt, Regina shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know anyone by the name of Donald Bakshi.”

  “We think you do,” Goddard countered. “In fact, we know you do.”

  She frowned. ”I don’t see how. I’ve never known anyone by that name.”

  “Then why did we find your fingerprints at his home on Bainbridge Island?’ Sheehan asked.

  Regina grabbed the knob more tightly, needing something to hold on to. She’d never been in a home on Bainbridge Island until the night she and Nikoli had escaped the vampires. Nikoli had brought her from a portal on E2 to the inventor’s house, a man Andris had killed. Donald Bakshi? The police had found her prints at his place?

  Impossible. She and Nikoli had cleaned up before they left, making certain to wipe away their prints for obvious reasons. His were unlike anyone’s in this dimension. Hers were traceable, having been in the system from when she’d been a school psychologist before starting her own practice.

  When Regina admitted nothing, Goddard said, “We’re investigating Mr. Bakshi’s murder.”

  “How about we talk inside,” Sheehan suggested to Regina. “Unless you want to come down to the station with us.”

  In the hall outside Arez’s room, the guards continued to argue quietly, not yet coming in.

  “Let the fool have his pleasure,” one of them said, barely loud enough for her to hear. “We can watch and deal with him later.”

  “Wha
t if Vakar finds out?”

  “Do you intend to tell him?”

  “Of course not, but—”

  “We let the slave use her, then take our turns with the girl, saying every mark on her, each drop of fluid came from him. We’ll have our fun too, and no one will ever know, especially Vakar. We’ll take what’s supposed to belong to him alone. Don’t tell me you haven’t ever wanted to do that.”

  “What if I have? It doesn’t mean I’m foolish enough to do so now. How did the slave even get out of his room and into hers?”

  “You forgot to lock his door and probably many others, as you usually do.”

  “Not tonight,” he insisted. “And what about the light we saw in her room that came from the stone wall? What was it?”

  “A problem with the monitors. Most likely, they need to be repaired. Come on. Let’s do this.”

  Arez stared at the door to her room, expecting it to open, the guards to watch from in here. After which they’d beat Lukan, taking him away.

  Her pulse jumped at the handle turning.

  “No,” the one who’d argued the most said. “We should watch from our stations. Then we’ll return. While they sleep.”

  Their conversation grew heated but was still so muted Arez was unable to make out anything more. At length, their footfalls moved down the hall. Hurriedly, she whispered to Lukan, “Leave now, before they get back to their monitors and see you.”

  “No.” Moving back, he sank to his knees at the foot of her bed.

  There, hidden from the monitor’s view, was some kind of a container she hadn’t noticed before. Lukan dug through it, pulling out a slender black box no larger than his hand, with two curved prongs at the top. “What is that?”

  He pressed his finger to his lips, wanting her silence. After he slipped the instrument beneath one of her pillows, Lukan returned to his container and took out something else. An item small enough for him to hide in his palm. Arez frowned as he also left it under the pillow.

  “Lukan, listen to me,” she whispered. “You have to leave before the guards see you doing so.”

  Bent over her, their faces mere inches away, he eased a strand of hair from her cheek. “I have to wait for them to return before you and I can leave. Only then will we have an opportunity to escape.”