The Marradith Ryder Series: The Art of Shadows, Part 32
Justin opened the door with his key.
The lights in the livingroom were already out, but there was one light on in the bedroom. The soft murmur of the television droned in the background.
Quietly, he stepped inside, and slid the keys into his pocket, supressing the urge to jungle them between his fingers. Justin smiled at the elaborate arrangement of roses and lilacs were in a vase on the living room table.
Zasha had reserved for a top notch suite of rooms for him and Marradith. He wondered if she had designs on enticing them to stay.
Walking further back into the bedroom, he found Marradith asleep.
She’d nodded off in front of the television. The bed was not turned down, and she was still wearing her clothes. He laid took off his shoes and laid down beside her. He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Justin,” she smiled, coming awake.
He kissed her mouth and then drew back, smiling. “Not mad?”
She shook her head. “No. Not after today. What time is it?”
“Late. Little after two,” he said softly.
Marradith moved closer, and he wrapped his arms around her. They were both silent. He enjoyed the feel of her warmth, the familiar scent of perfume on her skin. She was still half asleep; he felt her sigh, a little yawn as she laid against his chest.
There would have to be talk and explanation about many things later.
“Think Rafael will make it?” she asked softly.
“Maybe,” Justin said. He hoped so. At least long enough for him to find out if Zasha’s theory was true- that Rafael was beholden to a demon. If he’d made that kind of exchange, and actively put Leighton on his and Marradith’s trail when they were on the run, there would be a price to pay.
“One thing I am certain about.”
“Yes,” Marradith whispered, lifting her face to his.
“It’s been way too long since the last time,” he said with a wicked grin, and drew her closer.
****
The desert grew cold at night.
Daria took a service jeep and drove out alone. One of the things that she’d always loved to do was to stargaze. Here, there was no equipment required. The wide open skies were clear and full of stars.
She felt out of place at The Compound. She was used to being around the Ryders and their odd little family unit. But this was a new environment, with other people that she didn’t know. And she didn’t care for Fiona, would not have been interested in even coming if it hadn’t been for her respect for Rafael.
And while everyone was concerned about Rafael, it seemd no one was paying attention to how he got into this situation in the first place.
Daria made a call from her cell phone. The line only rang twice before his voice came on the line.
“Hey there,” Terrance said. “Can you hang on for a moment?”
“Sure,” Daria said.
There was a moment. The sound of footsteps, and a door being closed.
“What’s up, Daria?”
“Where are you?” she asked. “I heard you left New York a couple of days ago.”
“Yes, I did. Not to be rude, but I was not expecting your call, and it’s really late here…”
“Where exaclty are you, Terrance?”
He paused.
“I’m in Colorado.”
“What are you doing there?”
“I was hoping to see you again, actually,” he said, his tone softening. “I had someone I had to meet out this way and I was hoping to stop by and see you tommorow.”
Daria paused. “I’m in New Mexico.”
“Okay.”
“I would have been home, but we found Rafael, my boss. He was gravely injured, so I’m here with some of his other colleagues and family members.”
“At least you found him. Are they holding out much hope?”
“It’s too soon to tell.”
“Sorry to hear that,” he said. Daria felt something was off about the sound of his voice. He was distracted.
“Maybe when things clear up, we can meet sometime soon.”
“Is there some reason you left New York that you’re not telling me?”
“No. There isn’t. Daria. Look, I have got to go.”
“Sure. Goodnight.”
Daria ended the call before he got the chance. She knew that tone all too well.
He wasn’t alone.
****
Terrance turned off the ringer on his phone and slipped it into his pocket.
“Who was that?”
She was sitting with her back against the headboard, her arms crossed over her chest. He sat down next to her on the bed. “A friend. Nothing important.”
“A friend,” she repeated. “Uh huh.”
She shifted, turning on the bedside lamp. The soft yellow light gave a glow to her olive skin, but left her dark eyes in shadow.
“Look, Shannon. You’ve got that cop boyfriend back home, so you really can’t say anyhthing.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” she said. “I didn’t come out here looking to hook up with you.”
“I know,” he touched her face. “Let’s take this for what it is. I love you. Always have, always will. But we’re not kids anymore. We can’t go backwards.”
Shannon nodded. She already felt guilty. Ryan was waiting at home for her, and he was a good man. He deserved better than this.
“We came to talk. So since we didn’t get around to that before, maybe its time that we do.”
“Miranda’s gotten herself into some trouble,” Shannon said, “and I’m not sure how to get her out of it.”
____________________________________
©2011 Lori Titus
Lori has two novellas set for release in September, 2011: The Moon Goddess and the long awaited Hailey’s Shadow.
Green Water Lullaby and Lazarus are both available on Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/3ztbtnh
For more about the author, see her blog: http://loribeth215.wordpress.com/
Or follow her on Twitter: Loribeth215
Tags: Lori Titus, The Art of Shadows, The Marradith Ryder Series
