Stone Guardian

Stone Guardian A. J. Cove

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2006 A. J. Cove No part of the e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Amira Press. ISBN: 0-9789935-3-5 Formats available: HTML, Adobe PDF, Mobipocket Publisher: Amira Press Baltimore, MD www.amirapress.com

Prologue Tina crossed her arms and tapped one high-heeled boot on the linoleum floor. She knew the echoing click was irking the customs clerk, but she didn’t care. It was just a small portion of what she deserved for demanding a letter of invitation when she’d traveled to this country umpteenth times before. This kind of treatment was completely uncalled for. “Look, will this take long?” she demanded. “I have things to do.” “Maam, you’ll need to be patient. I have to check with my supervisor.” Tina blew out a noisy breath and turned away. She moved a few paces from the desk and flipped open her cell. If she could get through to her assistant, this matter could be cleared up quickly. “Martin? Martin!” she yelled into the phone. “Uhn?” She’d forgotten the time difference. It must be one in the morning back home. “Sorry, Martin, but I need you to do me a favor. Martin?” “Yes, of course, Tina.” She explained briefly and was confident her assistant would come through. Even if he had to go out in the dead of night, in a blizzard, he’d go. She smiled to herself. She needed to give that man a raise and soon. “Fax it to…” She glanced over her shoulder, flicking one eyebrow skyward in query for the number. The response was clipped and Tina relayed the information to Martin. “Ok, we’re done here for now,” Tina told the clerk. “Yes.” That sounded too relieved, but Tina didn’t feel like challenging it, so she let it go. The help in some of these places…, she thought as she walked away. She refused to examine her own attitude. A seventeen hour flight was enough to put anybody out of character and being stuck in an airport for hours was also no picnic. Tina hooked a hand around her suitcase and wheeled it behind her as she searched for a comfortable spot that wasn’t overcrowded with other travelers. A full bench was available in the next cluster of chairs and Tina sprinted toward it just as a group of young people arrived at the same decision. She spread her full length on the seat and closed her eyes, ignoring the exclamations of disgust from the bunch. Just a quick rest of her eyes would help her horrible mood, she hoped. Surfacing from a deep sleep, Tina forced her eyes open to discover she’d been resting for two hours. She surged to her feet and hurried back to customs. The same clerk was there. “Any word?” “No.” “I—“ “Maam, we haven’t received the fax. I’m busy right now.” Tina speed-dialed her assistant. No answer. She chewed at her lip, wondering where he was and if he was safe. Guilt descended for her insistence on sending him out in the bad weather.

Now what would she do? She returned to her bench to mull it over. So distracted was she that she nearly sat on top of the man now occupying the space. “Do you mind?” “Oh, I’m sorry.” Her face suffused with red as she sat beside him. “I’ve had a long day.” If she thought he’d make light conversation to pass the time, she was mistaken. His aristocratic nose pointed higher in the air, if possible, and he turned away from her. Tina took the hint and copied the cold shoulder. She tapped her boot again to the rhythm of a song playing in her mind. “Stop!” the man bellowed. “Sorry!” Tina fumed. Some people were completely inconsiderate of others. “If you’re stuck here, there’s nothing you can do about it now. So why take it out on others?” “You’re one to talk.” The man turned an accusing glare on Tina, making her remember her own attitude toward the clerk. “I—“ He softened, “No need to explain.” Tina took in the silky black hair, the now-amused blue eyes and the impish grin. “I guess we’re in the same boat. Huh?” She breathed in his cologne which was seriously clouding her logical mind. This man was incredibly gorgeous and obviously an American. She stuck out her hand. “I’m Tina.” “George.” His large hand swallowed Tina’s smaller one, sending a slight tingle down her spine. “I’m here on business, but I live in New York. You?” He winked and leaned conspiratorially toward her, “I’m supposed to be working, but I’m sneaking a few extra hours in on the beach. “Don’t tell my boss.” She burst out laughing. “I hear that. With all the snow on the ground back home, I would love to enjoy the warmth for a while.” “Why don’t you join me?” Tina’s eyes widened. She’d just met this man. She knew nothing about him, except his name. Still, he looked like fun and she could use some of that right now. Working nonstop for the last three months, she could not be faulted for taking a little detour at the beach. She threw caution to the wind, “I’d love to.” “Great! Here’s where I’m staying. Call me after eight tonight and we’ll plan where to meet, ok?” He rose and Tina stood with him, “Ok.” Her stomach fluttered at what this rendezvous meant. “I will.” George hugged her briefly, gathered his bag and disappeared into the crowds hurrying along the terminal. Her body was alive with the excitement of what she’d just done. She had flirted with many guys, even picking up a couple. But making a date in a foreign country was bold, even for her. It was exhilarating. With a grin pasted to her flushed face, she returned to the customs counter. The fax had not arrived and Martin did not answer when she called again. Yet, none of these complications dented her exuberance. She was moved to apologize for her earlier attitude.

“I’m sorry how I acted before, Miss. I have no excuse.” The woman blinked and accepted the apology at face value, “No problem. You know what? My supervisor has just told me that it’s my discretion whether I let you through. Based on your other paperwork, I think we should have no problem.” The clerk stepped around the counter holding a handheld scanner and indicated for Tina to pass through the metal detector. She moved to comply but stopped abruptly when the machine’s alarm went off. Tina squeaked and jumped. The clerk smiled kindly, “Don’t worry. It’s probably your earrings or something. Let’s see.” As the scanner moved slowly over Tina’s body, she had a sudden premonition of things getting a hundred times worse than a small delay in the airport. The scanner went off at her jacket pocket. “Maam, what’s in your pocket?” “Nothing.” Tina reached her hand inside and felt something completely unexpected, something she knew she hadn’t put there. Fear choked her and tears ran down her face. “Maam?” “This,” Tina whimpered, “is much worse than I could ever imagine.” In her other pocket, her cell phone buzzed to life, but Martin was too late to save her or anyone else in the immediate vicinity.

Chapter One She struggled against the covers that seemed to bind her to the bed. A dense fog clouded her mind as she struggled back to consciousness. Finally alert enough to force her eyes open, she searched the room for some sense of familiarity. There was none. She shoved back the covers, preparing to rise, but a withered hand held her in place. “No, no. You must stay in bed.” The voice was kind, yet foreign to her ears. “I must go.” “No,” the lilting voice came again. “Jade, you’re not well enough yet.” “Jade?” Her mind must still be mottled. “My name is not Jade, it’s—“ “It’s Jade now. Remember that.” Jade sat in the garden, as was her custom for the last two months. She questioned the woman sitting across from her, receiving the same vague answers she'd been given every day since she wakened to find herself in this unfamiliar place. “Please. I just don’t understand. Why has he brought me here? Why change my name? And,” she lifted trembling hands to her cheeks, “why did he change my face?” The woman was always patient, always gentle. She’d held Jade in the middle of the night when she cried desperately at her circumstances, confused with the changes and the memories of her ordeal flitting constantly in her mind. “Jade, I have given him my word that I will wait for him to discuss all of this with you. It’s the best I can do.” “It’s not good enough!” She stood, knocking over her chair. “He took away my life, my identity. And I’m not supposed to know who he is? It’s absurd.” “With all due respect, Jade, he didn’t take away your life. He saved it.” Yes he had, she admitted to herself. But that didn’t give him the right to rule her now. She was an American citizen after all. She could leave whenever she liked, couldn’t she? “I’m not a prisoner?” “Of course not.” The woman stood and moved to link an arm with Jade’s. She led her charge toward the house. “You are not a prisoner. You can leave whenever you want. But you’ve been very ill. Give it some time.” Jade acquiesced. Not because Lana was so persuasive, but because it was fruitless to argue. She had been ill. The injuries she’d sustained were serious, the plastic surgery more extensive. It had taken all of those two months to get to her present state. And even now, she had her bad days, like today. “Ok,” she sighed heavily, suddenly exhausted. “I will give him one week. And then I am leaving, Lana.” Her companion patted her hand, “Alright. But no more discussion. You’ve worn yourself out. Time for a nap.” Three more months ha slipped by. Jade pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the window inside her room. She stared out at the garden, allowing the varied colors of flowers blooming there to soothe her troubled mind. Behind her, Lana made up the bed. "Saint John. Is that a first or last name?"

"Does it matter?" Lana was particularly reticent this morning. Not that she was ever talkative regarding her employer. The only thing Jade was sure of at this point, was that she was devoted to the man. "It shouldn't matter. I should say to you, Lana, what is my benefactor's name? And you should easily reply, His name is…" "Jade, you must understand—" "Understand what! He paid for me to have plastic surgery. He put me up in his castle." She waved her arms around frantically, encompassing the well-appointed room, the expansive house and the rolling hills beyond. "There should be no mystery behind it all. This is the twenty-first century, for heaven's sake, not some gothic novel!" Lana moved to take her hand, "Jade, there's more in the world—" "That's enough, Lana." The male voice was clipped, authoritative. Having long anticipated facing him, Jade was unreasonably terrified of looking up at Saint John. His presence alone had set Lana to quaking and scurrying from the room like a frightened rabbit. Jade couldn't believe she'd been abandoned so quickly with this stranger. "So, Jade," his tone was filled with amusement, "are you always so shy, staring at the floor in a man's presence?" She refused to be manipulated into looking at him. The garden scene was more inviting, and she let him know that with the turn of her back. "I appreciate all you've done for me. However, I think it's time I went back home. I will be leaving tomorrow." His voice, when it came, was at her ear. She hadn't heard him move from the doorway. "No." Jade jumped, "What?" "Tomorrow is not a good day for you to leave. It will rain…heavily." She frowned, "Then the next day." Saint John tsked and placed strong hands on her shoulders to turn her toward him. Lightening raced through her slender frame, nearly knocking her to the floor. She raised startled eyes to his face and stared, unable to look away. Jade didn't suppose it was the chiseled jaw or the arrogant nose that caught and held her attention. Nor was it the sensual lips, though she did wonder. Instead, it was the intensity of his gaze upon her, those smoky eyes, almost black. She thought he knew things about her she hadn't intended him to know. Her secrets lay bare before him. With effort, she looked away before he could ensnare her in a trap her rational mind told her did not exist. Yet, she longed to explore him—his mouth, his body. Shocked at her thoughts, she tugged out from the light touch on her shoulders and moved to a safer distance across the room. "Who are you? What is your name?" He echoed Lana, "Does it matter?" "Yes, it matters," she sighed. "What is going on?" Tears of frustration filled her eyes. Jade blinked them away, not wanting him to see her in weakness. She stepped to the dresser and removed the clothing there. She would leave this place whether he liked it or not and no matter what the weather was like. If Saint John, or whatever his name was, wouldn't give her answers, she'd find them on her own. Jade hadn't admitted it to Lana in their discussions, but she'd finally

remembered all of what happened the day she'd been hurt. Her path was clear. She'd find the man calling himself George and she'd put him out of his misery. Jade retrieved her suitcase from beneath the bed and began to pack her clothes inside. She ignored the man leaning against the window sill where she'd been staring out much of the morning. He hadn't said anything, so she assumed he wouldn't stop her. "I've changed my mind," she announced when her packing was done. "I'm leaving today. If you will arrange for someone to drive me to wherever I can find an inn, then I will stay there until I can get a flight home. Thank you again for everything you've done for me." Finally, he shoved away from the window and approached her leisurely. "I'm sorry, Jade. You can't leave." The tears erupted from her eyes and the months of waiting and wondering drove her to throw a tantrum. She slammed her suitcase on the floor and stomped her feet childishly, "You have no right to keep me here! You have no right!" She sobbed uncontrollably as he took her gently in his arms. Even in her misery, Jade felt the attraction that made her press closer to his muscled form. She sought his warmth, despite herself and yielded immediately when Saint John covered her mouth with his own. His kiss along her throat burned her skin, lighting her entire being. He lifted her against him, so that her feet dangled momentarily in the air. Jade wantonly wrapped her jeans-encased legs around him and felt his arousal pressed between her legs. It wasn't until she'd abandoned common sense and greedily stuck her tongue inside his mouth that caution reasserted itself. This trusting of a handsome man had gotten her into trouble at the airport. She was not so foolish to fall into that trap again. Jade struggled in his arms to free herself. "Please put me down." He grinned, revealing perfectly white teeth, "But we're having so much fun." "I need to go." "Still?" "Yes, please." Slowly, Saint John allowed her to descend upon his body. Of course he'd know the hard planes of his flesh would drive up her cravings. She resisted with the little strength remaining within her. "Jade, you must know—" "Don't call me Jade." She bent to pick up her suitcase and headed toward the door. "My name is Tina. You may have taken my face, but you won't take my name." He followed her into the hall and took the case from her to assist her down the long winding staircase to the first floor. "I won't force you to stay, J-- I will only say that you risk your life by leaving my protection." "What does that mean?" "It means there are those who wish to harm you. I have kept you here to keep you alive." She stopped on the last step and turned to face him. "Look, I remember what happened to me. I remember someone put a…bomb in my pocket. It went off. I don't know how I survived, but I remember the man who must have done it to me and to the others who were killed in the explosion. I will hunt him down and make him pay. It's as simple as that."

"Jade." She glared at him. He continued without using her name, "You are right. Someone planted that bomb on you, but it was not some terrorist act as you might suppose." "Then what was it?" "I cannot say. Only know that I have already taken care of 'George.'" She crossed her arms in front of her. She doubted his sincerity. Who's to say he wasn't behind this whole thing? "Yes, just like you cannot say what your name is. I'm not interested in you any more. I've got to go." He grinned suddenly, the dark eyes flashing. "Somehow I think you are interested in me." "That's beside the point!" Embarrassment made her yell at him. "Ok, I will be honest with you if you cannot be with me." He sat down her suitcase beside them and reached to grasp her hands. She trembled at his touch. "Now, my name is Saint John Kane. You may call me John, if you like. I own this house." "More like castle," she interrupted. A look silenced her. "I brought you here to keep you safe. The bomb was meant for you and you alone." She gaped, terror twisting her insides. "I…I'm nobody special." "No? Tell me, Jade. How did you know so quickly that the device in your pocket was a bomb?" "I—" How could he know that she'd recognized it, the bomb her father had designed ten years before? He wasn't there, was he? "Yes," he nodded as if he'd read her mind. "Your father." "I just don't understand," she whispered as she sat down on the stairs. "It malfunctioned. It is designed to be undetectable by the scanners, even casting an illusion when x-rayed." John sat beside her and drew her into his arms again. "I made sure that Lana would not share this with you, since there is something I need to tell you myself." She turned wet eyes up to him, "What is it?" "It's your father." She dropped her head against his chest and held on to him. She knew what he would say before he said it, had known all along. It was the only logical explanation why someone other than her father had access to the device he'd created and supposedly destroyed. "My father's dead, isn't he?" "I'm sorry, Jade. Yes he is." "And now?" He sighed, "And now you are a suspected terrorist, wanted in two countries. I had your face changed, as well as your name to protect you." "I can't believe this. Things like this are only for the movies, not real life." His lips pressed lightly on hers before he pulled her to her feet. "Jade, you can't leave my home until I have prepared you." "What do you mean?"

"I mean, if you are to survive out there," he nodded toward the door, "then you must be ready for what you'll be faced with." "But surely they think I'm dead? I had the bomb in my pocket." "As you said, it malfunctioned. Your 'remains' were not found in the wreckage." Jade was still confused. Ok, so her name had to be changed and her face, but how had she survived? Even a malfunctioning bomb should have ripped her hip to shreds, yet she had no damage. She'd examined her body from head to toe seconds after she recalled what happened. There was not even a tiny scar on her body. Could plastic surgery do all of that? Something in John's story still didn't ring completely true. But what he'd said as far as her being wanted probably was. An American terrorist. That was sensationalism. If nothing else, the media would be desperate to locate her. She needed to decide on a direction. "I suppose all of my assets have been frozen?" He nodded and then grinned, "You are completely dependent on my good will." So she had to accept his hospitality a little longer. She had no choice. "Ok, what do you want me to do?" John took her into his arms again, "I want you to learn." Passion ignited between them. Jade clutched at his suit jacket, struggling against the drug that was his male scent. "You don't want me to learn to be your sex slave do you?" John burst out laughing, "Oh how tempting, my beauty. How very very tempting. No, you must learn how to protect yourself while extracting the information you need from your enemy." She gasped, wondering what she'd gotten herself into.

Chapter Two The first dry day, after many filled with pouring rain, dawned cold and dreary. Jade forced her feet over the side of her bed at the reminder knock from the new maid. She’d brought hot coffee, for which Jade was truly thankful. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t give John a piece of her mind for demanding her training begin at five-thirty in the morning. It wasn’t as if he had a job to get to, being independently wealthy, or so she’d heard. Mary had been hired the day before from the village and had been bursting to gossip with Jade. There were no years of quiet loyalty there. Poor Lana was feeling her age, and John had finally given in to getting her some help. Mary didn’t bite her tongue on that either, “If you ask me, I think he should have hired me years ago when Lana had that stroke. Though to be fair, a couple people do come out once a week to do a thorough cleaning.” “Stroke?” Jade crossed her legs and sipped her coffee. She wasn’t about to hurry downstairs to meet her taskmaster. Let him wait while she got an earful of all his business. “Oh yes,” Mary joined her on the bed, giving no indication of beginning her own work, “she had a stroke and had to be rushed to the hospital. She was babbling some crazy things, looked terrified.” Jade frowned, “Are you sure it was a stroke?” “Maybe it was a heart attack,” the maid shrugged. “She’s old anyway.” An eighteen-year-old would think so, Jade thought. Mary had proudly confessed her age when Jade wondered aloud if the girl was old enough to handle the job. She appeared no older than twelve or thirteen. Her freckled face and wispy chestnut hair did not help matters. “So, what was she saying when they brought her in?” Jade couldn’t help but be curious. Had she seen something strange here in the house? She knew from Lana herself that she’d worked for the Kane family most of her life. It explained her loyalty to Saint John Kane. Mary’s eyes grew round with remembrance, “She kept saying something about a horrible monster. That only confirmed what we’d all feared anyway about this place, these lands. Nobody comes out here unless they’re well paid to, and nobody stays after dark. Except Lana and Saint John.” Jade drained the last of her coffee and sighed. These were fairy tales. “Mary, there’s no such things as monsters. This is not the eighteenth century when people believed that nonsense.” Mary shrugged again, “This is Belcoo, Ireland, Jade. Those beliefs never left.” Jade shivered and then stood, “Well I’d better not keep him waiting any longer.” She moved to the dresser to search out a suitable outfit for learning self-defense. Knowing there wasn’t much of a choice, she shuffled around the couple pairs of jeans and few blouses. The closet wouldn’t be a better option since it held the business suits she’d intended to wear on her trip. That reminded her, she needed to ask John how he’d managed to transport her to Ireland, her being wanted and injured. “Saint John says for you to wear this.” Mary held out black sweatpants with a matching sweat shirt.

“He’s so efficient,” she commented before Mary vacated the room without making the bed. Jade didn’t mind doing it herself. Back home, she didn’t have servants. It was only that Lana had insisted that she’d allowed her to wait on her. Now she felt guilty with the woman ill. Guilt wouldn’t get her to her session on time, so she set it aside and let herself out of the room. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be as bad as she imagined. “You’re late.” “I know.” She made no further excuse, but boldly took in John’s appearance in the dim morning light. He was all of six foot four inches with broad shoulders and chest muscles rippling beneath the loose mesh of his workout clothes. Jade allowed her gaze to drop to his drawstring pants and then bit her lip at her dirty thoughts. “Do you like what you see, Jade?” his eyes crinkled with mischief. She turned away and began to stretch. “Stop flirting with me, Saint John. I am here to learn so I can go home.” “Nothing wrong with a little fun in the midst.” Again he’d snuck up on her silently. She trembled at the light touch of his breath on her neck, followed by the feather brush of his lips. “Come, you know you like it.” “Whether I do or don’t is not the point.” She did like it. A lot. She wanted him, right here in the middle of the lawn at the back of his castle. It was a good thing the area was walled. She wanted him so badly, she ached. The effect of the bomb must have been worse than she imagined. Wanting a perfect stranger so quickly and completely was insane. “No, we cannot.” His grin was self-assured, “I’m confident you’ll change your mind.” “Whatever. Teach me something,” she demanded. He stepped around to face her, his body rubbing against hers, “Your wish is my command.” John’s hands slid along Jade’s hips until they rested on her waist. With a strength she found enticing, he lifted her to be level with him. He captured her mouth savagely, his tongue darting inside her mouth without hesitation. Her hands raced to embrace him, to pull him closer. She sucked lightly at his thick tongue, loving the taste of him. Her groans meshed with his own as her body meddled against him. After a few moments, he set her down and stepped back, “Now, your next lesson.” Jade raised a hand to her tingling lips, “What do you mean my next lesson?” “Your first was learning to recognize your need for me.” “Hah!” His arrogance grated. “I believe I schooled you in how much you want me.” John leaned forward and kissed her quickly. “But you see, my dear Jade, I do not deny wanting you. You are a ravishing woman, especially with those haunting green eyes and silky auburn locks. Why would I not?” Pleasure suffused her when she recognized the open lust in his eyes. He examined her from head to toe. The heated gaze lingered at her hips, her breasts, her mouth. She trembled, biting her lip. “Ok, I admit it. I want you. Happy?” she challenged. “No. Not until you’re in my bed.”

“Oh.” “Then I will make sure we’re both happy.” “You’re so self-assured. How do you know you can please me? Not many men can.” “Have you had many then?” She hedged, “A few.” Jade laughed when she saw the jealousy. Men were all the same. When they wanted a woman, no other man could exist for her. She couldn’t help but tease him. “One or two of my former lovers were experts in that arena. It’s rare. Most are mediocre at best.” Too late she realized that statement might intimidate him. But John was made of sterner stuff. “Oh, don’t worry, honey.” He pulled her into his arms again. “When we make love, you will be so satisfied, you will bow before me in gratitude.” “Is that so?” “Yes, that’s so. Now, let’s get to work.” John guided Jade in various moves to defend herself against attack for the next two and half hours. By the time she was begging for a break, her muscles ached so badly she thought she’d collapse at his feet, bringing his statement of her bowing to fruition. After seemingly hundreds of punches thrown and blocked, she still didn’t feel confident that she knew what she was doing. John didn’t look too happy at her progress either. “Ok, we’ll stop for the day. Have Lana, or rather Mary draw you a bath to soak your muscles.” Jade thought she saw pain in his face, but it was gone instantly. She hadn’t seen Lana for several days and had been told by the all-knowing Mary that John had driven her to her daughter’s house in town. It was obvious that her illness was serious, if she was leaving Saint John’s side. “Will Lana be back soon?” she asked when he escorted her back to the house. “I don’t know.” His answer was gruff, annoyed. Jade didn’t attempt further conversation, but parted ways with him when they reached the bottom of the stairs. “I will see you at dinner.” He turned before she could answer and disappeared through a door, which he shut firmly behind him. “Well, that was uncalled for,” she glowered. The day passed slowly with Jade luxuriating in a steamy bath to soothe her muscles, reading ancient books in the library and chatting with Mary. The girl was often sidetracked from her duties when she stopped to chat. Jade didn’t mind. There was only John and herself to care for anyway. “Have you been to the bridge yet?” Mary asked. “What bridge?” With an excited glow in her eyes, Mary dropped her dust rag on a table and plopped down beside Jade on the couch. “The bridge about half a mile down the road. On the other side are the haunted woods.” Jade was skeptical, “The haunted woods?” “Oh yes. They say it’s haunted by a monster.” Jade laughed, “Usually a haunting is done by ghosts, not monsters.” The maid frowned, “You may call me untck, but I know what I’m talking about. There’s a creature out there, in those woods.” She pointed toward the general location

and Jade assumed it was to the left of the house. She could only guess what an “untck” was and didn’t feel like questioning the girl on it. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, Mary,” she soothed, “I just don’t believe the people who told you about the monster. I mean has anyone ever seen him?” The look was triumphant. “Yes! Barry has seen him.” “Who’s Barry?” “My brother.” “Oh.” Mary tilted a look up at her, being much smaller and grasped her hand, “I think you’d like my brother, Jade.” Oh no, she was being fixed up. “I…” The girl rushed on, “He may be just a country fellow to you, coming from a big city, but he’s really nice. He doesn’t drink too much and he owns his own farm. Oh, and he’s looking for a wife.” “Well,” Jade extracted her hand from between Mary’s and stood, “I’m sure he’s nice, Mary, but I am not really looking for anyone right now.” “I see.” The girl rose and retrieved her dust rag. “I guess you’re holding out for someone richer, like Saint John?” Jade pressed her lips together in a firm line. She was not discussing her personal life with this talkative girl. Mary was right about her background at least. Jade came from a big city and it made her very uncomfortable to be discussed among the locals. She still wasn’t quite sure what John had said in explanation of her presence here and had been reticent herself since she didn’t want to contradict him. Still, knowing his secretive personality, he probably didn’t tell them anything. “I think my personal plans are my business, Mary and you should mind yours.” She’d been ruder than she intended, but Mary hadn’t been that polite herself. “I’m sorry, Jade.” She worried the rag clenched between her fingers, “Don’t tell Saint John I was rude, ok? I need this job. If I lose it, I’ll have to go back to farming with Barry and I hate it.” Jade laughed, “And you want me to marry Barry?” Mary slapped a hand over her mouth and giggled between her fingers, “Oh, I didn’t mean to admit that.” All her anger faded and Jade forgot her earlier annoyance. Mary meant well. She just wasn’t about to be the girl’s new sister-in-law. There were too many things happening in her life, namely getting her identity back by clearing her name. And, maybe, exploring the sensations John stirred in her. That could definitely make the training worthwhile. “Well, Mary, I think I will check out that fountain you mentioned.” “Great. Just don’t go after dark,” Mary warned. “Why?” “Because that’s when he comes out, of course.” “Of course. Mary moved toward the door, “Well I better get back to work. Do you want your tae here?” Jade shook her head. She was never a tea person. She tolerated coffee only in the morning. Right now, she wanted to get out of the house for a little diversion. This idle

life sometimes got to her now that her health had improved. Mary nodded and Jade headed for the front door. Jade stood in the middle of the old stone bridge watching tiny birds flit across the surface of the water. She brushed away a strand of hair blowing across her face in the gentle breeze. Now this, she thought serenely, was what this place was all about. Peace and simplicity. She turned to continue on her journey, lightly sliding her hand along the cool rough surface of the railing. Mary didn’t tell her the fountain was not on the edge of the lake. The magnificent fountain sat further into a thick grove of trees, a romantic structure of ivy and stone, columns stretching toward the sky. At the top of each column, gargoyles guarded the serenity below. Jade caught her breath in awe. The beauty was beyond anything she could have imagined. She wondered how the people of the surrounding areas could have allowed the myth of a monster to keep them away from this place. “It’s bonny, isn’t it?” Jade turned at the deep lilting voice behind her. She didn’t recognize the face of the sandy-haired man of medium height and smiling eyes. Yet his simple work-worn outfit told her he was probably a local farmer. She felt no threat from him. “Yes, it is. I was just wondering how anyone could let an old wives' tale keep them away.” “Oh it’s no wives' tale,” the stranger assured her. “It’s true. I’ve seen him myself.” “The ghost?” “The monster.” Inexplicably, she shivered. The temperature must have dropped since the sun was going down. She dismissed the spooky thoughts rambling through her mind. “I don’t believe in such things.” He shrugged, apparently not really caring if she believed or not. “Well, my eyes don’t lie to me, Jade.” She jumped, “How do you know my name?” “Oh, I’m sorry.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Barry Brennan, Mary’s brother.” “Yes, I had heard about you.” Jade examined him with new eyes. Not that she was interested, but curious about why Mary thought he’d be husband material for her. His kindly smile and easy manner was appealing, though she did prefer a professional man. That reminded her that she had no idea of what John did or how he spent his days. Then she shook herself. She’d been putting way too much thought energy on the man. If he didn’t feel it necessary to entertain a guest in his house, she shouldn’t feel obligated to think about him every second. His kisses were intoxicating… “Jade?” She blinked, “I’m sorry. I was thinking about the legend. Did you say something?” He grinned and Jade bit her lip. She had the feeling he thought she was interested in him since he'd caught her staring. If he only knew who she was fantasizing about. “I said, would you like me to tell you the story behind the monster?”

She frowned, “I’d rather hear about your encounter with him. Surely it was dark and you couldn’t see anything clearly?” “Well,” he hesitated. Just as she thought. He hadn’t seen anything. “Mary said he only comes out at night.” He seized on her understanding, “Yes, only at night. I came out here just to do some thinking, you know. I’d just broken it off with my…friend.” She nodded. “It was night. I know the legend, but I wasn’t in the mood to think about that. I needed to be alone and you know Mary, she’s a good one, but if you give her half a chance, she’d talk your ears off.” Jade thought it ran in the family. “Anyway, I was here about half past eleven, just sitting on the side of the fountain. Then, suddenly I hear this loud flapping sound.” “Flapping?” Jade knew her voice sounded doubtful and didn’t suppress it. In the excitement of the retelling, Barry didn’t notice. “I looked up and saw it.” “Saw what?” “The monster. Just what I’ve been telling you.” He gestured toward the top of the trees, “It was right there, just hanging in the air and flapping its gigantic wings. Mind you, I couldn’t see it clearly, but it was too big to be a bird. Way too big.” If there was one thing she’d learned since being here was the Irish loved to ‘spin a yarn’ over a pint of ale in the local pub. Jade had found it entertaining chatting with Mary over the local superstitions. And not knowing Barry well, she had no reason to believe he wasn’t telling an interesting tale now. It was just too fantastic, too unreal in this day and age. “So what did you do? And what did he?” Just because she didn’t believe him, didn’t mean she wasn’t entertained by his story. “I got my arse out of here, that’s what!” He ducked his head, “Pardon my language, Jade.” She laughed, “No problem. Did the monster come after you?” “No. At least I don’t think so. I ran so fast.” Jade wondered at his story and glanced again at the tops of the trees. There was no sound in the gentle evening breeze, except the rustle of the leaves. The sun was almost fully set and the moon and stars began to appear in the night sky. “I think I better return to the house, Barry. It was nice chatting with you.” She tried to dismiss him, but he wouldn’t be put off so easily. He hooked a hand around her elbow, “I think I need to see you home safely.” “That won’t be necessary.” “I could not hold my head up in front of Saint John if I did not look out for his guest,” he persisted. “Well if you insist.” They walked together silently for awhile back across the bridge. Jade looked ahead to see the lights of John’s house in the near distance. She was glad they didn’t have far to go. “Barry, why do you and Mary call John, Saint John.” “It’s his name.”

She smiled, “I mean you call him Saint John and not just Saint or just John. Why?” He shrugged, “A sign f respect I guess. I could tell you stories about him too.” “I’m sure you could. However, if you don’t mind, I’ve had enough stories for one day. Mary has told me plenty.” “Oh, don’t listen to that one. She makes up new tales every day.” Jade laughed, “But not you. Never you.” The gentle eyes locked on her face, “You can depend on me, Jade. I won’t let you down.”

Chapter Three

“Shift your hips to the left, Jade. Now plant your feet and attack!” John barked the orders, heedless of Jade’s exhaustion. She was so disgusted with him, she leapt forward much more than necessary and he neatly avoided her. With a yelp of outrage, Jade landed flat on her face. “You did that on purpose,” she accused. “You’re not concentrating. Get up. Do it again.” He towered over her, a frown marring his handsome features. “No.” “Again!” “No!” Jade shoved herself up and stomped over to a stone bench nearby. She parked herself on it and refused to budge another inch. “You’re being too hard, John. I don’t want to do it anymore.” His fingers curled to fists at his sides, “Then you will not leave here.” “What?” she jumped to her feet again. “You don’t own me, John. I can leave when I feel like it.” “No, you bloody well can’t!” “Yes, I bloody well can!” She knew mocking him was sure to raise his ire even more, but didn’t care. He was high-handed and insensitive. It was time somebody stood up to him and not allow his money to rule their tongue. “You’re used to this, John. I’m not. I’m hurting and I’m tired. I need a break. No, I want to stop for the day!” He seemed to consider her words for several seconds and then relented. “Fine, but we work harder tomorrow. With all the breaks you take, I’ll have you up to speed in about two years!” “Don’t be so dramatic,” she laughed, dropping onto the bench. “I’m much better than when I started.” “That’s for me to say and I’m not saying.” But there was mischief in his eyes. She knew he was just teasing. She patted the seat beside her, “Well, come and sit beside me. I need a shoulder to lean on.” He obeyed, “I thought you were too tough for that, women’s lib and all that?” “It’s only a shoulder. Don’t get excited.” Jade changed her mind at the last second when he was in place beside her. She slid her hips along the bench and rested her head on his lap. She just caught the arrested look in his eyes as she closed hers to relax. The spark of desire was not all on his part. The intimacy she’d created with such a small move had made her hot instantaneously. “Jade.” His voice was a whisper, tormented. Should she do this? An affair with John could be dangerous. She still knew so little about him. For all she did know, he could be the man behind her father’s murder, or her attempted one. But would he have gone to such lengths to save her, change her face, if he only intended to kill her? “Why did he have it? How did he get it?” She wondered aloud? “Pardon?”

She brushed away his hand, stroking her hair. It was distracting. “How did George get the bomb my father designed? Last I knew, he’d dismantled it, gotten rid of the plans.” “But you knew that wasn’t true didn’t you?” She sighed, remembering. Of course she did. It was why she’d moved away and changed her name. Jade hadn’t seen her father in several years. Her conscious wouldn’t allow her to have anything to do with a man who would sell his destructive gadgets to the highest bidder. “Yes,” she confirmed, “I knew. That’s why I wanted nothing else to do with him.” Her words were as bitter as her heart towards her father. She’d hated him for years, giving him control of her emotions. She hadn’t yet learned to stop resenting him for not putting her before his ambitions. “He loved you,” John said simply. “He wanted to keep you safe.” She sat up, “By selling undetectable bombs? Yes, that’s the true sign of love.” John stroked her cheek. She realized she’d given away too much to him. He’d given nothing. “Jade.” He pulled her into his embrace, softly touching her mouth with his own. She pressed herself against him, stroking his chest with one hand and gripping his sweat-drenched shirt between the desperate fingers of the other. John’s hand slid up beneath her top to stroke her breast. The sports bra she wore was shoved aside so that her bare nipples could be teased with his fingertips. Jade arched toward him, wanting more. She slid her legs apart, pushing against the restraints of her clothes. As if she’d given the command, John’s hand moved down her belly to stroke hard between her legs. All strength for resistance gone, Jade fell back against John’s other arm and he took the opportunity to slide his hand inside her pants. His insistent fingers made contact with her moist center and she cried out in pleasure. “John!” He stroked and stoked, heightening her need, bringing her to the brink of climax. Jade grasped his arm, tugged him closer. She squeezed her legs closed around his hand, demanding more. She was on the threshold, so close. “Saint John?” The two snapped apart. John tore his hands from between Jade legs and she almost tumbled to the ground before he caught her and righted her on the bench. Her breath came in harsh gasps, matching his own. She didn’t look up at Mary, feeling resentful that the girl had interrupted. “What is it, Mary!” John sounded as inpatient as she was. “I’m sorry to interrupt. There’s someone on the phone. He says it’s urgent.” “Thank you.” John dismissed the maid and barely gave Jade a clipped explanation of having to take the call, before he outdistanced his employee in his haste to get away from her. It was ridiculous that her feelings should be hurt, but they were. John remained holed up in his office for the rest of the morning and when he didn’t bother showing up for lunch, Jade decided it was time she explored his house. If he wasn’t going to tell her anything useful about himself, she’d find it out on her own. And she wasn’t fooled. He kept his study locked for a reason. The moment she got a chance, she’d investigate that place too.

She started at the top and made her way down. She liked to think of the place as a castle, but it was really a mansion. An old one. She’d heard Mary say it had been in the Kane family for many years. The top floor was not a floor, but a small tower, with windows all around stretching almost from floor to ceiling. “A lookout point,” she mused. She leaned against the bench running along the walls to the space outside. She could see the greenery, the farms in every direction. She could just make out a small point of the fountain, hidden among the small forest of trees. On the building itself, at each of six points, were small gargoyles, the same type, that had been carved into the tops of the columns at the fountain. The architect must have loved them. Other than the bench and the scenery beyond, there was nothing else appealing in this room, so she moved below to the next. The gallery, a room she knew to be included in many older styled mansions, held just what she’d expect. Portrait after garish portrait hung about the walls. The judgmental glares of John’s ancestors made her feel unwelcome as she passed along the display. Anxious to escape their all-seeing eyes, she let herself out at the other end into another hall. She suspected this was the passage that led to John’s bedroom. It was on the opposite side of a long hall separating two wings of the house. “Poor Mary. I guess she gets her exercise straightening our rooms every day.” It was pretty sad that Jade had become accustomed to being served in such a short time. When she went back home, she’d have a hard time forcing herself to make her own bed. “Did you get lost after all this time, Jade?” Mary was coming up the stairs, a friendly grin making the plain girl look almost pretty. “I…yes…no.” She couldn’t think of a simple lie. “Never mind.” The load of laundry slipped from the girl’s hand and Jade moved to help. “Barry’s downstairs wanting to know if you’d like to go out riding with him. Jade was aware that most places were modern around here. Cars, hi-tech, the whole thing, but Barry seemed to have missed that boat completely. She’d seen him driving a donkey cart many times. And there was no way she was getting behind one of those animals. Mary laughed, obviously sensing her thoughts, “He brought his car.” “Well…” She didn’t get to make up an excuse. Twenty minutes later, with much bullying, Jade was on a narrow country lane sitting beside Barry on the wrong side of the road. It made her nervous to watch other cars pass, thinking he’d have an accident. In all her travel, she'd refused to drive outside the United States. It was an irrational fear. “Don’t be scared, Jade.” He patted her leg. She moved it away. “Mary says you’ve got a crush on Saint John. You shouldn’t get involved with him.” Jade frowned. Here they went again, in her business. “It’s not really anyone’s business what I feel.” Again, he tried comforting her with a pat. She moved in time. “I’m sorry, Jade. But the legends say the Kane family—“ “Stop!” She plugged her ears. “I don’t want to hear it, Barry. Take me back. I’m tired of the legends, the myths, the monsters. I don’t want to hear another word.”

The gentle brown eyes hardened. He pressed his lips in a line, “You should care. It could save your life.” He swerved to avoid a man strolling with a pig down the middle of the road. Jade blinked, disbelieving. “Why do you think he moved all the way out here away from the city? Why do you think that fountain is on his land?” Jade snorted, “I know you’ll tell me what you think about it.” He nodded, “Yes. I think it’s because he keeps that monster, feeds it.” This could not be happening. This was not some gothic novel with the villagers storming the castle for the Frankenstein monster. Yet here was Barry accusing John of housing a savage beast. The sooner she got out of here, the better. She was still determined to find her father’s killer and discover who wanted her dead. John would help her or she’d find out on her own. “Barry, I think it’s best that I go back to the house, please.” The anger drained, to be replaced by worry, “Promise me, Jade, that you will call me if you ever need me. I’ll drive over and get you. Ok?” What could she say? She had to agree or he was apt to drone on forever. Maybe if she assured him, he’d take her back to John. Or rather John’s house. “Alright, good. I’ll take you back. But first a visit to my pride and joy.” It was another two hours before Jade could finally convince the proud farmer to free her to return back to the house. Barry wasn’t a bad man. He was actually quite handsome. If Jade didn’t prefer a more lively lifestyle, and of course if she didn’t crave John every second she was apart from him, then she might consider the man. Since all of that was true, she tried her best to discourage him. It wasn’t working very well. “Jade, I can pick you up in the morning to take you to town. You’ll like it. It’s more animated.” “Um,” she struggled to think up an excuse. “I have my lessons in the morning.” “Lessons?” Stupid to mention it. Now how would she explain? Suddenly, a scream pierced the twilight and Jade turned with Barry toward the house. It had come from inside. Jade lunged from the car and ran toward the entrance, with Barry close behind. Before she could throw open the door, Mary came bounding out, stumbling and crying. “What’s wrong, Sis?” Barry took her into his arms. “I..I..” Jade stared. The poor girl was so pale, her freckles stood out clearly in the dim light. She tried again, “I saw him. The monster. There.” She pointed toward the fountain, completely hidden from their vantage point. Jade was still skeptical. This could be some cleaver ruse put on by brother and sister to make her believe. “How could you see him from right here? We can’t even see the fountain.” Barry frowned at her and she fell silent. “Go on, Sis.” “I went up to the tower, just to get away for a few minutes. I’d worked so hard all day.”

Jade put a hand to her mouth to hide her amusement. Mary working hard wasn’t likely. “And I just happened to glance out the window, toward the fountain, like I said.” “And then?” Barry was apparently excited, completely taken in. “And then there he was. He flew up from between the trees and off toward the west. He was hideous, all black and…and…” “It’s hard to see in twilight, so far away, Mary.” Jade didn’t think she was helping. “And Barry and I were out here. We didn’t here or see anything.” Again the look from Barry, “We were having a serious conversation, Jade. I believe my sister.” Jade had had enough, “Well either way, he’s gone now, whatever she saw or didn’t see. I’m going to find myself something to eat. Jade slipped inside the house, shaking her head at the silly girl. Mary was so gullible. If big brother said there was a monster, then there must be. And she wouldn’t be satisfied until she saw him too. “How convenient that all these sightings start happening when I’m here,” she laughed. Barry had mentioned to her that the monster seemed to come back from wherever he’d been when she came to town. “Whatever.” She served herself from the food Mary had laid out on the table earlier. Barry had brought her back a little late so that her boxty was cold, but she didn’t care. She loved the taste anyway. Her appetite sated, Jade considered what Barry and Mary had said about the monster. He had been spotted by both of them at the fountain. And Barry believed John kept the monster, took care of it. She wondered if there could be a secret entrance to his house beneath the fountain and a hidden switch opened it. Excitement began to take over her rational thought. She didn’t want to wait until the next day to investigate. She’d go now. If the monster had flown away, or there was no monster as she was still convinced, then there was no harm in searching the area tonight. Besides, this wasn’t New York. No one would bother her. The night air was cool and breezy. Jade regretted not grabbing her sweater when she’d gone to her room to change into a pair of jeans, sturdier shoes and a flashlight she’d happened upon previously in the library. It had been easy avoiding Mary and Barry. He was still comforting the maid over a mug of ale in the kitchen. She’d already let it be known that she was going to her room to read. Now, she was a bit creeped out by the darkness, in spite of the full moon and traveling along the side of the road meant she kept tripping over stones in her path. “This was a crazy idea. Tomorrow would have been soon enough,” she complained to herself. “I guess I’ll either prove them right or prove them wrong by if he eats me.” That talk made her shiver with fear, so she sang a lewd song she’d recently learned while she walked. The fountain was somehow lighted in the moonlight. Jade thought it was the whiteness of the stone that reflected well, illuminating the entire grove. She flipped off her flashlight and began her search.

The water was cool as Jade dipped her fingers into it and ran them along the lip of the structure, hoping to find a catch somewhere. She tugged at a molded leaf here, a vine there as she examined each column in turn. There was nothing. Finally, after searching for half an hour, she gave up defeated. It had been foolish to come out here at this time of night. The morning would have at least allowed her to look within the small forest, where there might be a further clue. She let her head dip backward and closed her eyes a moment before she’d head back to the house. It was a great relief that no one knew she had come out here. Barry and Mary, if they knew, would probably never stop talking about the monster, thinking she believed them. She leaned forward preparing to stand when she heard it not far away. It was the unmistakable sound of flapping wings. Jade jumped to her feet, staring up at the sky and ready to run across the bridge. A shadow blocked the moon and then he descended before her. He was above six feet, with sharp talons for hands and feet. His face was a grotesque formation of stony skin stretched across hard planes. His skin, a tint of midnight blue-black, was rough and rocky. As he landed, she stared frozen in terror. Unable to look away, she saw the span of his wings was no less than fifteen feet from tip to tip. They curled gradually, as if in slow motion, against his back and he took a step toward her. Jade cried out in terror and stumbled back away from him. Something on the ground tripped her feet and she began to fall, flailing her arms in the air to catch her balance. A grip capable of crushing her fragile bones encircled her wrist before she touched the ground. “L-let me go,” she begged, tears blurring her vision. “Please.” She hit at the claw holding her arm and it was like punching at a boulder. Jade cried out again having hurt her hand. She saw his startled expression then and he lowered her carefully to the ground and released her. She took advantage of her freedom and flipped over on to her stomach to lunge to her feet. Before she was fully up, she shot out of the grove and across the bridge. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she brushed them away to clear her sight. She mumbled and whimpered as she ran, not looking back to see if he followed. By the time she reached the house, her sides burned and her throat was dry and cracked, still Jade pushed on until she reached her bedroom. She almost didn’t see John standing just inside the door waiting for her. “Jade, what’s wrong?” “I…” She couldn’t tell him. He wouldn’t believe. Besides, she couldn’t stop crying or trembling. He took her in his arms and stroked her hair, “Shh, it’s ok, baby. I’m here.” She pressed into his embrace, seeking comfort and safety. “Stay with me. Please, just tonight. Stay with me,” she begged. He nodded, “Of course. I will.” Waking at dawn, Jade lay in John’s embrace watching him sleep. He looked like a boy with his long dark lashes curled against his cheeks. She reached out to stroke his hair, feeling grateful to him. He had been a gentleman, not taking advantage of her distraught condition last night. John hadn’t tried to seduce her at all, though she knew he

wanted her. Being curved against his body had told her that fact. She grinned, thinking of it now. “If you’re going to stare at a person like that…” She gasped, “How did you know with your eyes closed.” He laughed softly, “A man can feel when he’s being lusted after by a beautiful woman. “Jerk!” she punched him playfully. John reached for her and flipped her easily so that her back was facing him. He tucked her in against him, spooning her body. “Now then, where was I?” She wiggled to free herself, “You were letting me go. I have morning breath and I’m hungry.” “You’re always hungry,” he accused. “I can’t help if I have a healthy appetite.” “That’s not all that’s healthy.” He swatted her backside and she punched him again. “Are you feeling better?” She stiffened, “Yes.” “Want to talk about it?” “No.” He seemed relieved. Probably didn’t want to discuss the wild emotions of a woman, she thought. Across the breakfast table from each other, Jade and John sat quiet and sober from their night of sharing a bed without being intimate. Jade knew she needed only to give him a sign and he’d take it to the next level. But she wasn’t sure yet. John made her laugh, he was attractive and intelligent. Most of all, she wanted him like crazy, but his secrets stood between them. She knew there was much he wasn’t sharing. Still, after being in his arms last night in her bed, the secrets didn’t seem as important as they had the first day she met him. “How did you meet my father?” She decided to try again to get him to open up. “It’s not that complicated a story.” She grinned, “Great, well then you won’t mind telling it to me.” The look told her she was stubborn. Her response was to await an explanation. She wouldn’t be put off again. “Fine. Your father happened upon me after I was…injured by an enemy. He helped me to safety so that I wouldn’t be captured.” John splayed his fingers before him and shrugged. “I owe him my life.” Jade was more confused, “What do you mean ‘an enemy’ and ‘captured’? Just what are you in to, Saint John Kane?” “Do you really want to know?” She thought she did. Though watching him now made her hesitate. What if he was doing something illegal? “Are you a drug lord?” He threw back his head with a bark of laughter, “That’s an interesting theory, but, alas, no.” “Then what? Why would you have enemies, and why would they want to capture you?”

“You ask a lot of questions, Jade.” “And you give few answers, John.” For a moment they stared at one another. The curve of his lips invited her to have a taste. The muscles on his arms, tensing as he lifted his glass, made her long to be in his embrace again. She’d have to give in soon to the desire coursing between them or she’d lose her sanity. With effort, she returned to the subject at hand to distract herself from his physique, “Why would someone want to kill me?” “Good question, Jade. Why indeed.”

Chapter Four Jade wasn’t surprised when John squirmed his way out of a direct answer. In fact, he found a way out of breakfast completely. “A business trip? For three days? That’s convenient.” She wasn’t buying it. “Jade, you know I have my work to take care of.” He gestured toward the ceiling, “This house doesn’t pay for itself.” “Just what is your business, John?” “More questions?” He tugged her toward him and kissed her lips. “We’ll talk when I return. I promise.” “How come I don’t believe you?” And then she grinned. “That’s ok, I’ll have Barry to keep me company.” Just as she knew he would, John exploded. “What? Jade, you can’t be serious.” “Why not? He’s cute. He’s a man and my needs are simple.” His jaw tightened, “I don’t want you seeing him.” “Then it’s a good thing you and I aren’t seeing each other, because what I do is my business.” She graced him with a sweet smile, laid a small peck on his cheek and pranced from the room. Jade decided her episode of the night before was a hallucination brought on by the continuous stories told to her by Mary and Barry. She was better off mentally if she buried the horrible experience and focused on her upcoming visit to see Lana. She’d convinced Barry to take her to visit her ex-nurse as soon as the taxi driving John to the airport disappeared around the bend in the road. If she gave in to his indirect command not to see Barry, she wouldn’t be able to pick Lana’s head on John’s history. She could only hope his old housekeeper would be more forthcoming now that she was retired. Lana’s daughter’s house was a small bungalow-type structure at the end of a long unpaved road. Traveling there meant Barry had to drive around the small town to the far side, almost into the next county. After the excessively bumpy ride, Jade’s head was pulsating and she just wanted to turn around and go back home. But Lana’s daughter stood in the doorway ready to welcome them inside. ”Hello, I’m Coral, Lana’s daughter. Please come in.” The petite woman was the spitting image of Lana, except that her eyes were grey where Lana’s were green. Jade could imagine the older woman as she was so many years ago. “Thank you, Coral.” Jade took a step forward and suddenly felt a strong presence of evil. The unfamiliar feeling nearly suffocated her in its alien appearance. In a panic, she turned and examined the flat grounds around the house, but nothing and no one was in sight.” “What’s wrong, Jade?” Barry took her arm. “You’ve gone pale. Is everything alright?” She shook herself and started forward again, “Yes. Everything’s fine.” But that wasn’t true. She could still feel something, an awful presence like someone wanted to hurt her. She remembered the creature and shivered. One thing was certain, she wouldn’t be venturing out to the fountain alone again.

The tiny house smelled of boiled cabbage and cookies. Corel excused a nonexistent mess, scooted two small children aside and led them to a back room. “I hope you don’t mind visiting mother in her room. She isn’t very strong these days.” “Maybe we should come back another time,” Jade hesitated. She was being selfish requesting this visit when the woman was so obviously sick. “Oh no,” Coral tugged her gently forward, “mother’s been almost beside herself to speak with you, Jade.” “Me?” “Yes, I don’t know why, but she felt she needed to give you a message before it was too late.” Jade speculated on what that meant. Too late for whom? She didn’t want to consider the old lady’s passing, but she didn’t want to think something bad was about to come upon herself either. She’d heard of those deathly ill having an uncanny insight into things to come. She had no wish to be the recipient of this temporary gift for Lana. Lana lay still, bundled beneath a stack of blankets. Her sunken cheeks and eye sockets brought tears to Jade’s eyes. She rushed forward and gently took the frail woman’s hand in hers. “Lana, I’m here. It’s Jade.” “Jade,” the voice came as if from far away. Her uncertainty made Jade wonder if she remembered her charge. “What’s wrong with her?” Jade sniffed, struggling not to cry. She’d come to care for Lana in the months they spent in solitary together and the patience Lana’d shown her while she struggled with her own illness. She chided herself for not coming sooner. Coral whispered, her voice also choked with emotion, “Age mostly and a myriad of other health problems—too many to mention.” Jade nodded and turned back to Lana, still clasping her hand, “John should have come.” “But he comes every day,” Coral informed her. “He does?” She wondered why he never told her or brought her here with him. Suddenly, Lana found the strength to speak, “Everyone out, except Jade.” Coral, probably warned ahead of time, hooked her arm through Barry’s and guided him through the door, before clicking it closed behind them. Jade waited in silence for Lana to speak again. “I need to tell you a story, Jade. Listen closely.” Not another one, she groaned. Lana had enough spunk to smack her hand and Jade focused on her words. “There was a man from a privileged family. He was so rich and so spoiled that it turned him sour. He couldn’t find happiness in anything, so he found the bad in everything. He had an obligation to care for his people as a duty to his birth. He shunned it and lived life hard. Everyone around him hated him. And he didn’t care. He went on doing what he wanted, destroying anyone who got in his way.” Lana paused to catch her breath and Jade wondered how long this story would continue. After a few moments, Lana started up again repeating all that she’d just related as if it was the first time. Jade feared she’d stop again at the same point and she’d be trapped here for the rest of her life. But Lana continued. “This man had no friends, no one who cared. He was the last of his family and it looked like the name would die out with him. Until he met a woman gentle enough to

love him and strong enough not to allow him to bully her. Fate brought her to him, to show him the way to his destiny.” “What was his destiny?” Jade wondered aloud, not meaning to keep the story going, but still curious. “To be a guardian, of mankind in general, of his people in particular.” “A guardian?” Lana smiled, “Yes, a guardian.” Jade waited for Lana to elaborate, but the woman seemed to have fallen asleep. She figured the conversation was over and rose to go. At least it had been good to see her. She’d come again when Lana wasn’t so inclined to babble about old fables, though she doubted she could find that time. Just as she twisted to step away from her chair, Lana stopped her with a feathery touch. “Jade, Saint John is a man just like the one I told you about. He’s not angry and he doesn’t hurt others, but he is lost. And very lonely. You are the woman fate has brought to him, to help him find his way.” “I—“ She’d come here for answers. Maybe a story or two from John’s childhood would help her figure him out, but not this. What could she make of Lana’s cryptic words? She was certainly not ready to be anyone’s destiny. Jade bent to kiss Lana’s cheek and brushed away a strand of hair from her face. “I’ll come again,” she whispered. “You will come, but I won’t be here,” came the soft answer. Jade puttered around the mansion searching for clues to the mystery that was Saint John Kane. She found nothing. Even trying to jimmy the lock on his study was fruitless. The thing must have been a deadbolt made of reinforced steel, she thought disgustedly. “Not that I’d know anything about picking a lock,” she sighed. “But it did look easy on TV.” “What looked easy?” Mary had come up behind her on silent feet. Jade jumped, annoyed. “Must you sneak around, Mary?” The girl laughed, not offended, “Poor Jade. You’re bored aren’t you? Well you could take Barry up on his offer to take you into town. It might be fun.” Jade pressed fingertips to each of her temples and massaged. Mary would never get it through her matchmaking head that Jade was just not interested in her brother. The woman wouldn’t be satisfied until she had them married with children. “Mary, I’m really not—“ “Stop,” the girl giggled. “I know what you’re going to say. You’re not interested in my brother, right?” “Well…” “Ok, but you are bored aren’t you? Nothing to do in the country for you? Well, then, go to town. Saint John’s not here to distract you.” She was right. Jade was about to burst if she didn’t get some stimulation, any kind. Even tolerating Barry’s clumsy attempts to woo her was better than rattling around the house alone. “Ok, I’ll give him a call. Thanks, Mary.”

The girl patted her hand as if she were a child and turned to resume her duties. The quaint little town three miles from John’s house boasted a grand total of six thousand residents. The antiquated shops that lined the narrow streets produced a spark of excitement in Jade. She was eager to explore and didn’t know why she hadn’t decided to come before now. If there was one thing her mother had passed on to her daughter before she died, it was a love of exploring mom and pop stores for hidden treasures. Jade catapulted herself from the car as soon as Barry pulled to a complete stop and headed toward the closest shop, an antique furniture store. “Jade, hold on,” Barry called. She pretended not to hear when her eyes connected with the walnut secretary desk in the display window. She’d been searching for the perfect one to match the décor in her den back home. Barry stepped up beside her. “Jade, I’m going to drive around to see my mechanic about that knocking in my engine. I’ll meet you in an hour and we can go to lunch.” “Sure.” She waved him away and reached for the shop door. When her fingers curled around the cool metal handle, she paused. Someone was watching her. She could feel his eyes on her back. Jade stood still, hearing the knock Barry referred to fade in the distance as he drove along the street and turned a corner. She spun slowly to her left, taking in the street and the pedestrians in the immediate area. Mamas and babies in strollers stopped to chat with one another. Men slapped each other on the back in greeting as they headed in to various pubs. Shoppers strolled along the walk weighted down with bags. One man, in a straight line on the opposite side of the road stood leaning against a wall, watching Jade with bold eyes. She turned to face him, curious about his interest in her. The stranger was tall, probably within an inch of John’s height and just as broad shouldered. His all black attire matched his dark looks—long raven hair and deeply tanned skin. Jade was drawn to his side. She moved quickly across the street to get a closer inspection of this male perfection. “Hello,” she breathed. “Hello.” His voice rumbled. “You don’t belong here.” “No?” She shook her head, sure of her assessment. “Why do you say so?” Her eyes drifted down over his toned form. The leather was certainly working for him, she thought lustily. “The clothes, the attitude. The residents here are friendly and open. You’re mysterious.” He grinned. “And here I thought women preferred the strong mysterious type.” Jade widened her eyes and tilted her head back. She was prepared to flirt shamelessly with this man, whoever he was. “Do we really? And you feel I should fall into your arms?” “Of course.” He pushed away from the wall, unfolding his arms. “Why are you not in my arms already?”

She couldn’t deny the man was attractive and she was definitely curious about what it would be like to be intimate with him. But an image of John sprang to mind, cooling her inclination to explore. Jade still desired to develop something with Saint John. She wasn’t sure how far she wanted to take it, but she’d always been a one man at a time woman. She wouldn’t blow it chasing this seductive creature. He seemed to sense that she was rejecting him, for his alluring features began to change. A sneer replaced the friendly smile and his grey eyes darkened to a dangerous black. Jade took step back at its menace. He reached a hand out toward her. “Jade!” She turned to see Barry walking toward her, a confused expression on his face. Jade turned back to the stranger, but he was gone. She spun to search up and down the street. Surely she would have noticed had he walked away. Had Barry scared him off? “Barry, did you see—“ He interrupted, “What were you doing, Jade? I thought you were losing it jabbering to the wall like that.” “What?” Jade staggered and grasped blindly for the wall to support herself. He must be joking. “Barry, that’s not funny.” He nodded, “I agree. Don’t act like that. People, including myself, are superstitious around here. We’re liable to think you were talking to a divil.” Jade gasped. She would never have taken Barry seriously had she not felt that presence at Lana’s home or seen the monster with her own eyes. Sure, she’d been attracted to the stranger, but there was also something fearful about him. He couldn’t be a devil. That was ridiculous, another fairy tale. “Barry, I think I’m ready to go back to the house, now.” “But you’ve barely had a look around,” he protested and clasped her arm. “Come on, I’ll show you my town. My mechanic was out sick.” True to his word and the Irish hospitality, Barry showed her every nook and cranny of the town. She didn’t spot the ‘divil’, as Barry called him, again. The afternoon turned out to be quite pleasurable. She’d even made an impulsive decision on buying the secretary she’d seen in the shop window. Arrangements would be made for shipping as soon as she knew where she was going back to. She couldn’t imagine her apartment, and all of her furniture was still there after so long. But shopping all over against for everything else would be fun too. Those little details would have to wait to be resolved when she could come out of hiding. “Jade!” John’s enraged tones cut across a particularly spicy dream she was having, jarring her so much, she surged upright and ended in a heap of blankets on the floor. Jade untangled herself to glare up at John towering over her. “What! What’s so important that you had to wake me up like that?” She didn’t care that her own voice held the grumpiness of a too early waking after a too late night. “I told you I didn’t want you seeing Barry, didn’t I?” His eyes were bloodshot, his suit was crumpled as if he’d slept the entire three days he’d been gone in them, but still he looked good to Jade. She’d missed him. “Well hello to you too.”

“I said—“ “I heard what you said,” she blurted. “I’m not addressing it, since you don’t own me.” All the blood in his poor overworked body must have rushed to his face, Jade thought, as she leisurely rose to her feet. She flung her blankets on the bed and headed toward the bathroom. John grabbed her arm to forestall her, “I’m serious, Jade.” “And so am I.” She swiveled to face him, arms folding in defiance. “I like Barry. He’s a good man. He’s friendly and not given to these bursts of anger that you have. He’s completely open, no secrets with him. So, if you have a problem with us being friends, keep it to yourself.” John dragged her forward into his arms. He attempted to kiss her mouth, but she angled her head away from him, shifted enough to pull a knee up toward his groin. With lightening reflexes, John blocked the assault and yanked her into a tighter grip. “You would try to use what I’ve trained you to do on me?” he growled. “Why not? You’re manhandling me.” Without warning, John loosened his hold and stepped away. “Fine. Your desires are clear. You may leave whenever you’re ready.” Jade gasped, “So you’re kicking me out, is that it? We still haven’t discussed the fact that you changed my face without asking me.” “You needed to be protected.” “And you thought that was your job?” Jade stomped over to the dresser and began dragging a brush violently through her tussled hair. She glared into the mirror. “Look at me!” He’d moved over to the door and didn’t face her, despite her command. “I don’t know who I am. I don’t exist anymore. I have no job, no family. My assistant probably assumes I’m dead. Who am I now? I can’t even use my own name. Why?” “I can’t tell you that.” “You can’t tell me anything!” She hurled the brush at his head, but he ducked. “You want me to want you, to have sex with you? I don’t know you anymore than I know myself right now. Why should I?” Now he turned, “Because we have a connection, that’s why. Because I don’t want to see you hurt.” “If I could, I would sever that connection right here, right now,” she spat. “You’re dishonest and…and…not what I want. I want Barry.” His eyes narrowed to slits filled with dislike. Slowly, he raised both hands before him and swiped the palms against each other like he was wiping dirt from them. “You can have him.” The door crashed against the wall when he flung it wide and stormed down the hall away from her. Jade slid to the floor and rested her head on the edge of the bed. Her eyes were dry, but the ache in the pit of her stomach was very real. The call came a few days later, after Jade hadn’t spoken to John and he not a word to her the entire time. She’d been issued her invitation to get lost, yet she found she couldn’t bring herself to take the flight home. Mary had given her the news from her host

that he would pay all of her travel costs and pay for an apartment until she got on her feet at home. As far as she was concerned, he was still being controlling. He hadn’t mentioned that she could stay in Ireland at his expense. She supposed he drew the line at paying for her to date another man right under his nose. She silently told him where he could go and then asked Mary to relay to him her thanks, but no thanks. “If you ask me, you’re both acting like children,” the wise eighteen-year-old informed her. “You want him. He wants you. It’s clear.” “Oh Mary.” Jade thought of denying it, but couldn’t raise the gumption. “I’d be blind if I didn’t see it,” the girl sighed. “You moon over each other. Why don’t you get down to business already and stop the nonsense?” Jade laughed but Mary shook her head in consternation as she moved to answer the ringing phone. The plain face of the maid grew plainer and paler as she listened to the messenger. “What is it?” It was death. Jade could feel it. “It’s Lana,” Mary whispered as she hung up the phone. “She’s passed.” The funeral was held quickly, within a couple of days of the old woman’s dying. Jade stood mute beside John at the gravesite as the minister spoke a few words of comfort to family and friends. She glanced up surreptitiously at John. His jaw was set, his lips tight, but she saw the intense pain in his eyes. He was hurting deeply. Lana had been a part of his life from his birth. It must be like losing a nana, she thought. Afterward, she stood beside him as he offered his condolences to Coral. Mary also stood by. “Coral, I’m sorry for your loss,” John’s voice was gravelly and hoarse. “It’s yours too,” she whimpered, tears clinging to the ends of her mascara-coated lashes. “If there’s anything you need, ever…” “I know. Thank you.” He turned to Mary, “You have the day off, Mary.” “That’s ok.” “Take the time,” he demanded harshly. She yelped, nodded and scurried away. Jade thought of reprimanding him, but remembered his pain and hoped Mary would also. She reached out to touch his arm as they still hadn’t spoken to one another all this time. Barry suddenly slid up beside her and took her other hand so that she faced him, “I’ll drive you to Coral’s for the gathering.” “I think John…” She turned in time to see John heading toward his car and her mood plummeted further than it had on hearing of the loss of Lana. The rift between them was great. She might as well avoid him until she could make arrangements to leave. “Ok, Barry. That’s fine, thank you.” Jade perched on a stool in an unobtrusive corner of Coral’s living room, listening to family and friends retell the stories of Lana’s life. A picture of the gentlest of people, selfless in every way, was clear in the emotion-filled reminisces. Though she paid attention to those around her, Jade watched the door. John had not yet arrived and as the hour grew late, she began to doubt he’d come at all.

Probably holed up in his study again, licking his wounds. “Jade, why are you over here alone?” Barry slipped a friendly arm about her shoulders. She saw the knowing looks from the older women nearby and shifted away from him. “I think I am ready to go home, Barry.” She stood. “Back to John’s house, I mean. It’s getting late and I’m tired.” He seemed ready to argue, but then thought better of it and agreed. “Ok, let’s go.” It turned out to be easier to get rid of Barry than she’d worried it would be as he drove her back to the mansion. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her cheek before resting his hands on her shoulders. “Remember, I’m always here for you.” “I know.” Her eyes dropped to the street a moment and then she met his gaze. “Barry, I consider you my friend. You’ve been nothing but good to me since I’ve been here…” “But?” His smile was strained. She sighed heavily, “But right now, I—“ A tingling raised the hairs on her neck. Someone was watching. Jade glanced up at the house to see John watching boldly from the tower. Any other person would have ducked out of sight, not him. He felt no shame. She could only imagine what he was thinking right now about her relationship with Barry. She sighed again and stepped away from her friend. “I need to go inside. We’ll talk again.” “I’m sure of it.” Barry hopped back into his car and spun out of the drive to the road leading back to town.

Chapter Five Jade rushed up the stairs and let herself inside the house. She stumbled around in the darkness looking for a light switch. Her outstretched fingers ached for the familiar touch of the wall rather than this empty space all around. She shuffled along hopefully in the direction of the stairs and soon impacted with a warm hard body. From his scent, she knew it was John and pressed herself fully against him. John’s arms encircled her in a crushing embrace. “Don’t see him!” “Give me a reason not to.” She titled back her head and glared toward his face though she still couldn’t see it. One hand at her waist and the other firmly behind her head, John covered her mouth in a punishing kiss. His tongue curved against her own as he demanded her capitulation. Jade gave it willingly, knowing she was ready to give in to her desires. Barely registering their movements to get there, Jade realized John was laying her on her own bed. He followed her down and lay beside her tenderly kissing the heated skin of her neck. But she wasn’t in the mood for tenderness. Her lust was raging out of control. She wanted him now. She stood in the bed beside him and yanked the zipper on the back of her dress downward. Within seconds, the black material bunched at her feet and she flung it away to the floor. She saw his eyes widen at the sight of her lacy bra and panties. John put up a hand to help her brace herself and Jade clutched it while rubbing a bare foot across his crotch. “Well? You do want me don’t you John?” “Of course I do.” His voice was gruff, thick with desire. “Then take off those clothes now,” she demanded. “I’m about to burst.” He obeyed, yanking himself free of his covering as quickly as his fingers could manage the various buttons, zipper and strings. Jade watched the muscles of his stomach tighten as he bent to shove away the clothing. His body was firmer, more chiseled, than any man’s she’d ever seen. There could not be an ounce of extra flesh anywhere. Jade dropped down to her knees and bent to kiss the perfection of his middle. She shuddered, “I’m so hungry, John.” He pulled her up to lay atop him, “What do you want to eat?” “You.” The coupling of their bodies, once all undergarments had been ripped away, was almost violent in its frenzy. Jade refused to climb down from her perch on John, so he took her there, invading her with a force that sent her reeling. His rigid thrust burrowed deep and fast until her breasts bounced and her breath caught. Jade clawed John’s back, struggling to maintain her equilibrium at the sensation of making love with him at last. She greedily kissed at his mouth, his eyes, his chin, wanting more but unable to withstand it. When he lay back against the soft covers, Jade continued to ride him, feeling him still stiff beneath her aching body. She rested her hands against his stomach and flexed her hips, sensing the rise inside her. Soon she would explode and she willed him to last. He must have known her thoughts, “Don’t worry, I can last as long as you can take it.”

He slid his hands across her belly and cupped her breasts, pinching the nipples. The added stimulus sent her over the edge, and Jade cried out when she reached her climax. She wriggled hard against his body as she felt the matching explosion of warmth John released a beat behind her. Jade lay down on top of John and rested against his shoulder. “Was it worth the wait?” “You know it was,” she sighed. “Are you spent for the night?” “Foolish, lass,” he whispered against her ear. “I can take you a lot longer than you can bear it.” “Never.” “Shall I prove it?” “Definitely!” For the next several hours into the night, Jade received sexual attention of a level she could only fantasize about previously. John had been true to his word. After she’d climaxed nearly a dozen times in half as many positions, she whimpered her conceding. He could definitely outlast her, but she’d had incredible fun trying him. “Now, go to sleep, Jade. It’s late.” John kissed her once more before sliding to the edge of the bed. “Where are you going?” He uncovered his shirt from the mass on the floor, “I have work to do.” “But it’s three-thirty in the morning. Surely it can wait for a decent hour.” Not missing a beat, he bent to kiss her lips again and stood, “Good night, Jade.” “John!” But he didn’t answer. The door of her room closed softly behind him. “What the hell?” Over the next few days, John’s lovemaking followed the same pattern. He wore her out until she trembled in exhaustion, yet fully satiated. And he left her bed directly after. Jade refused to believe his work took that much of his time that he couldn’t sleep an entire night next to her. “What is going on, John? Why don’t you sleep with me all night?” Jade had considered cutting him off as she’d heard other women do, but that was ridiculous. She’d be hurting herself in the process. Besides the fact, that she didn’t think John would accept her rejection at this point in their relationship. The man was likely to rip all her clothes off her and demand she deny the pleasure his fingers gave her as they sought the warmth between her thighs. Just the thought of his doing it set her alight. “Jade, I’ve explained to you—“ “You’ve explained nothing!” She moved to her knees in the middle of her rumpled bed. The scent of their lovemaking still permeated the air and he was leaving. “I don’t understand what could be keeping you so busy. No business takes all night every night.” “You are a stubborn one, Jade,” he grinned in the dim light from the moon. “Always determined to have your way.” “And you don’t? I simply want to know what’s taking you out of my bed. Is it fear?” He frowned, “Fear?”

“Yes, are you afraid I’ll demand something you’re not prepared to give?” What else could it be? She knew some men figured if they spent the entire night in a woman’s bed, it was as good as a commitment. Possibly John worried about that. John returned to her side and gathered her naked form onto his lap, “I assure you, Jade, I am not afraid of anything. I simply have things I must take care of. I cannot share the details.” “Well—“ He interrupted, “And as for commitment, I consider our connection solid. We are together.” She knew immediately that his dark look meant no fraternizing with Barry. “Do you expect that I will have nothing at all to do with other men? I mean that is the worst kind of jealousy, not to mention unrealistic.” He shook his head as he set her again on the bed, “No, but I know what Barry wants and that is you. So he is off limits.” She placed her hands on her hips, “Fine, I will respect that. But how will I get into town when you’re wrapped up in your business?” “I will arrange it. Don’t worry.” He disappeared out the door leaving Jade as frustrated as she’d been every night previously. For a good twenty minutes, Jade lay still in the bed, hoping to fall asleep. It had not worked previously. She didn’t know why she thought it would tonight. Finally, she threw back the covers and yanked on her nightie. She’d have it out with that man once and for all. He was going to tell her what he was up to or else. She stomped down the stairs, muttering to herself and trying to figure out the words that would force him to confide in her. Maybe she should try to seduce him. Many an important man had fallen when his lips became too loose in the arms of a woman. She shook her head. That wouldn’t work. Their lovemaking had gone on for hours and her muscles ached now, not from Tae Kown Do, but from bedroom acrobatics. There was no way she could take him inside her again tonight, as much as she did enjoy it. The door to his study was closed as usual, but no light shined from beneath the door as she’d seen on previous nights she ventured down here. She considered whether he’d clicked off his desk lamp and gone to sleep on the couch she knew was inside. “He didn’t have time to sleep in my bed, but he can sleep in there,” she complained. Jade raised a hand to bang on the door to wake him up, but paused at the loud screeching of some animal outside. The horrible grating of it set her teeth to chattering and goose bumps popped out on her arms. Now terrified at the continued struggle somewhere nearby on John’s land, she moved toward the front door and peered out into the darkness from the side window. Nothing more than a few feet past the steps was visible. On impulse, she glanced toward the sky. It too was empty of activity, the stars twinkling innocently and the moon full. Yet, the painful animal cries and the repeated smashing of something against some hard surface continued. She pressed her hands against her ears, willing it to stop. Jade turned back toward John’s study. How could he be sleeping through this racket? She hurried up to the door and pounded. “John, wake up! Don’t you hear that?”

There was no answer. “John!” She twisted the doorknob. It held as it always did, locked against her. “Please, open up!” She pounded again, but still he didn’t answer. Angry and hurt, she headed toward the back of the house to the kitchen. Lana had kept a bat beside the back door. She found it easily and grabbed the flashlight from the drawer above it too. If John wouldn’t help, she would. There would be no sleeping tonight with that sound. She sensed the animal was in trouble and somehow longed to help it. “I must be out of my mind,” she mumbled into the darkness, as she opened the front door. Before she could take two steps out onto the steps, a wave of evil flooded her being, forcing her back against the doorjamb. Jade gasped, struggling to catch her breath. Fear gripped her chest with claws bent on her death without mercy. Feeling herself pinned against the wall, she attempted to call out to the wounded animal. “I ..I’m hear to help you.” It was foolish and stupid. She must be more tired than she thought. The struggle in the black night ceased immediately. Jade squinted into the shadows, fighting to see what wasn’t there. And then something was. A figure, racing toward her on all fours. It was evil coming to devour her. And then she heard the angered cry of the creature above her head. It swooped down to land inches from her, facing her with black eyes, void of life. Its wings spread wide, and it moved closer to her. She was aware of the click of its claws when they tapped the pavement as he moved forward. Jade screamed and the bat clattered to the ground, unused. The creature reached out to grab her, but something catapulted against it from behind. It fell forward, pinning her in a narrow space between its rough arms. Her second cry stuck in her throat, knowing she was dead with her lover only a few yards away, unable to save her. He’d come out the next morning to find her torn flesh on his step, rotting for the birds to feast on. The stench was already in her nostrils, bringing to mind sulfur and earth. The combination was at odds, enemies as were the creatures fighting again in front of her. The second creature latched on to the back of what Jade figured was a living gargoyle. It reached out a reddened arm, three inch nails attempting to swipe at her face, but the gargoyle fell backward, pinning it beneath him. Finally Jade could move. She took advantage of their battle to run back inside the house and slam the door behind her. She threw into place the locks and jetted up the stairs to her room. The crash of the door against the wall meant nothing to her when she leaped onto and over her bed, dragging her covers with her. Irrationally, she figured on the closet to hide inside until daylight broke, covering her head to block out the war still raging in the night. Jade was still curled inside her closet when Mary arrived at her door with her morning coffee. She couldn’t pretend she hadn’t been just sleeping inside the closet when she’d left her bedroom door wide open a few hours ago. “Why are you sleeping in there, Jade?” The girl never reigned in her curiosity.

“I had a bad dream,” she lied. There was no sense in upsetting the young maid. She might quit without notice. Still, if what she remembered from the night before had really happened and was not some insane nightmare, it might be safer for Mary to work in town. She broached the subject cautiously. “Mary, was there anything unusual on the front this morning?” Mary frowned, “What do you mean?” “I mean on the front steps. Was there anything out of place?” “Well, I came through the kitchen door as I always do, but I can go down and check if you want me to.” She turned to leave, but Jade forestalled her. “No, that won’t be necessary. Like I said, I had a bad dream.” Mary tsked, “Poor Jade. You look all shook this morning. I know how you feel. But you’ll feel better after you’ve had your coffee.” Jade nodded, but doubted it. “Have you seen John?” “No. I think he is sleeping in. He never likes me to wake him up in the morning. He’ll appear when he’s good and ready, he says.” Jade sipped her coffee silently letting this sink in as the maid let herself out of the room, closing the door. She considered disturbing his high and mighty self for not being there for her last night, but thought better of it. Having slept little, she didn’t feel up to arguing with him again. “So why don’t I just take him up on his earlier offer and escape this godforsaken place?” she wondered aloud. She answered her own question, “Because you still can’t bring yourself to separate from him.” She sighed, annoyed with her flesh. Never before had her lust ruled her so completely. She hurled a pillow across the room, imagining that it connected with John’s hard head. Jade didn’t get the chance to confront John on his absence as Mary had delivered her a note at the breakfast table, where she sat shuffling her eggs around in a pool of yolk rather than eating it. “Did you see him, Mary?” She stood so quickly, her chair dipped backward and would have fallen had the girl not caught it. “No, he’s already gone, Jade. I didn’t even see him put the note on the kitchen counter.” Jade sank down on her chair. So he had abandoned her. His note calmly informed her that he’d been called away yet again on business. The jerk’s avoiding me, she growled inwardly. She had begun to deduce that he couldn’t have missed hearing the commotion. Jade hadn’t seen him asleep, but she suspected he was a light sleeper. If he were inside that study, he couldn’t sleep through the noise outside and her banging and calling his name. That meant he was not inside and maybe not on the property at all. She remembered Barry suggesting that John was the keeper of the monster. Could that be true? And if he was, why had he released it last night? And where had that other one come from? This country was beautiful and the people were some of the best she’d ever met in her travels, but things happening here defied all that Jade had believed all her life. And that was—monsters did not exist. Yet, how could she deny the fact that a red and a blue-

black monster had battled it out on Saint John Kane’s doorstep at close to three in the morning? And what she also wanted to know is, where was the evidence? She pushed back from her chair and returned to the scene, easier now that the sun was beaming it’s brightness on the surroundings, dispelling the dreary fog of the early mornings. Jade carefully eyed the ground. There was not a drop of blood on the steps, nor on the graveled drive. It was impossible. The two had been going at each other fiercely, claws tearing at flesh, teeth bared as an added weapon against the enemy. She bent to examine a small patch of crushed grass. No blood. “Ok, maybe the stone creature wouldn’t bleed, but that other thing looked fleshy enough. Where’s the blood?” She twisted back toward the house. The bat was gone too. She remembered dropping it and it rolling. Jade stood and moved to the side of the steps into the flowerbed. It wasn’t there. “Someone wants me to think this was all a dream,” she grunted angrily. “I’m not crazy. I know what I saw.” Just as Mary and Barry knew what they saw, she thought guiltily. She hadn’t believed them, but neither of them had mentioned a second creature and she hoped they’d never see it. If her memory served her right, it had the resemblance of just what Barry had said, a divil. She shuddered, feeling the rise of her fear, and longed for John to return so that she could discuss it with him. Jade returned to her morning drills in an effort to relieve the pent up tension she felt taking hold on her. A week had passed and still John had not returned. He hadn’t even phoned to see that she was ok. It was the least he could do given the events at his homestead. Anger gripped her as she swung her leg and hip into a round house kick and followed it with several punches. She imagined the blows landing on him, though not really expecting her small fists to make any real impact on his steel physique. Remembering his leaving without warning and his general treatment, she flew into a series of swirling kicks, chopping the air and bellowing the cries from her diaphragm as he’d taught her. She fought fiercely nonstop as tears welled in her eyes and she blinked them away, repeating the process continually. “You’ve improved considerably.” She didn’t turn to face him, but slowed her assault on the air around her. “Where have you been?” “I left a note.” “How do you know that…something didn’t hurt me and I was dead? Or if I’d fled this place and returned to America?” She didn’t elaborate on the ‘something’ that could have killed her. He knew or at least she suspected that he knew of the existence of the creature. “I didn’t leave you unguarded,” his voice was strained. “I also know you won’t run away.” Now she turned to face him, “Just how do you know that, Saint John?” John stepped closer and wrapped her in his arms, “Because I know you’re not a runner. You’ll stand up to anything.”

She sighed, tugging at his hold unsuccessfully, “I’m strong. I do face challenges, but I’m human and a woman. I feel this whole thing is beyond me. I feel like I can’t do it.” “You can. You must.” “Why?” She demanded the answer, the tears starting fresh. She couldn’t blink them away. “I don’t understand anything. You won’t tell me the truth.” “I share only as much as I can, Jade. Why can’t you get that?” She jabbed him suddenly in the stomach. He let her go, though there was no reaction to her assault. She suspected her elbow throbbed more than anything she did to him. “I can’t get it, John! I just can’t seem to get it. A few nights ago—“ “Jade, look let’s not fight.” He reached for her again, but she pulled away. “I hope you’re good and horny, John. I hope you suffer hard, because you are not sharing my bed tonight!” She pivoted on her heel and headed back to the house.

Chapter Six In spite of the fact that she was denying him sexual favors, John kept his word in arranging for her to have transportation to town. He’d rented a small Passat for her use and Jade was enjoying it. Though she did feel guilty by his continued kindnesses, she did not allow it to sway her decision. Jade was constantly beset with doubts about her situation. She should feel resentment, hate—anything—concerning John’s actions in changing her life. Yet, she still experienced a pull toward him. He was inescapable. She often considered whether Lana had been right and she was destined to be with the man. In times of torment like this, she visited her favorite shops in town and spent John’s money. “I should be ashamed.” “Why is that?” The store clerk probably could care less as he’d made a sale on a slow day. Not many shoppers were out and about, Jade had noticed. A few men had thrown her some suggestive looks, which she’d ignored, but other than that the mamas and children must be otherwise occupied. The town shopping areas was all but deserted. “Because I’m spending money like this,” she replied. The least she could do was satisfy the man. She’d seen the lust clear in John’s expression across the table at lunch. Yet, he’d respected her wishes and not pressed her at all, while she felt like throwing herself in the middle of the food and begging him to do it now. She shook her head to dislodge the thought and returned her attention to the clerk. “It’s not right.” The man winked, “Money is made to be spent. You shouldn’t worry your head about that.” Jade was too weighted with her own uncertainties to challenge his ‘worry your head’ statement, so she let it pass and gathered her bags. She glanced at her watch and noted it was four-thirty, time to return to the house. With the seasons changing soon, it was beginning to get dark earlier. Even driving, she didn’t want to be caught out after dark. The Passat was parked just outside the door and Jade popped the trunk to stuff her purchases inside. From habit, she glanced about her as she arranged the bags. A nondescript man stood in a window two doors down from the shop she’d just vacated. He watched her openly, his dull eyes seemingly familiar. Otherwise, Jade didn’t recognize him. She smiled and waved wanting to break his unmoving stare, but he didn’t budge nor turn away. “Well fine,” she grumped and slammed the trunk closed. She tapped the door locks to let herself inside the vehicle, when another man slipped up next to her. “Tina?” She gasped, not having heard that name in a very long time. Recovering, she shook her head, “No, I’m sorry you’re mistaken. My name is Jade.” He grinned, teeth yellowed and crooked. “Tina, you should come with me.” He snaked a hand through the crook of her arm and tugged her away from her car. For only a second, Jade forgot her endless training, and then as if it were traveling along a tunnel at increasing speed, the knowledge sped into the forefront of her mind. She switched to impulse.

The smash of her open fist impacting against his mid-section sent the man reeling backward. Before he could recover himself, Jade followed through with a high kick to his chin. The man hadn’t seen it coming. The force lifted his wiry frame slightly from the ground and he slammed down to the pavement, unconscious. Jade didn’t wait for any other person to try their luck at abducting her. She snatched open the car door, flung herself inside and tore off down the road at a very unsafe speed in the close quarters of the town. She was grateful that no pedestrians had stepped out as she took the corner on two wheels before heading back toward John’s house. Somehow, the enemy John had spoken of had found out where she was and that she had a new face. She was no longer safe here. “I’m not going, John,” she yelled unreasonably. “You are and that’s final.” It had been a mistake to confide in him the attempt in town. It had been worse telling him of the dark man she’d been attracted to prior to that. John had insisted on a full description and chided her for not revealing it sooner. “Things have gotten out of hand. We’ll have to find a new hideout.” “And change my face again?” She crossed her arms, still stubborn. “Why can’t we just track down whoever’s hiring these guys and take care of him?” “It’s more complicated than that.” “It seems simple to me, John.” She leaned forward across his desk and covered the map he was studying. “You seem to have forgotten that this is my life. I have a right to know all of what’s going on.” He sat back, “You’re completely right, Jade.” She was hopeful. “However, as much as you have a right, I’m prepared to violate that right to protect you.” She gaped. He hesitated, “Even if it means I can’t be intimate with you.” Again guilt plagued her. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, maybe more. Jade was glad they were not having this conversation in her bedroom. She had a feeling her resolve would dissipate immediately. “John—“ “I’ve stated my decision.” He resumed his scrutiny of the map, his silence a dismissal. Jade stomped the few steps to the study door, “And mine has been made also. I’m not going to some wilderness place where there’s nothing to do. And that’s final!” In her room, Jade began packing. John had ordered, in his usual commanding way, that she gather her things for the long trip to an undisclosed location high in the mountains. But she was packing for a return to the states. If he was unwilling to help her find the man responsible for killing her father, then she’d take matters into her own hands. She’d quickly come to the conclusion that the best solution was to allow the hired thugs to take her captive. She’d fight from the inside out. “And that means,” she whispered into her empty room, “that I may not see John again.” She wouldn’t leave without being intimate with him one last time. The decision made, it was easier for her to make it through the day being stuck inside the house. John

had forbid her walking about the grounds or visiting the courtyard where they’d had their morning sessions. Jade gazed out at the falling leaves in the courtyard off the sunroom. The scene was so peaceful with its wide grassy space surrounded by a high brick wall. The narrow walkways all held a bench to rest on and a shade tree to protect one from the sun. Longing for fresh air while it was still light enough, she reached for the door handle leading outside. “Don’t do it, Jade.” She paused on hearing Mary’s voice. “Don’t tell me John has assigned you as my keeper,” she groused. “No,” Mary indicated past Jade with her chin, “the red sky. I’m thinking it means an ill wind.” Jade sighed, “Oh Mary. Not your superstitions.” “Don’t mock them, Jade. They’re true.” She moved away from the door, “As true as you give them credit for. Life is what you make it. Nothing outside of that.” “Ok, don’t believe me. But you will see.” The girl floated from the room as quietly as she’d arrived and Jade sat defeated on the couch. She didn’t believe in such things, but there was no sense pushing her luck. She laughed softly. “What’s funny?” John strolled in, looking as delicious as any man had a right to be, she thought annoyed. Then she remembered her plan and smiled up at him, “Oh nothing.” “Uh-oh. What’s that look mean? What are you up to?” Jade adjusted her position on the couch, crossing her legs up on the back of the chair, so that the simple dress she wore fell down to reveal her bare legs. Immediately, they caught and held her lover’s gaze. “Jade,” he breathed, “You’re not a tease.” “No, I’m not.” Comprehension lit his eyes and John strode to her side to haul her onto his lap, “I won’t ask why you’ve changed your mind. Right now, I don’t care. I must have you.” “The feeling is entirely mutual.” Jade didn’t wait for John’s leading. She stretched out an eager hand to unzip his pants and reached inside to stroke him into readiness. John’s groan rumbled against her breast where he’d rapidly uncovered her aching nipples. He fed first one, then the other inside his mouth and sucked until she too cried out. His circling tongue drove her to buck against him and John tossed her down on the chair as his hands relieved her of her panties. “Spread your legs, Jade,” he ordered. “I need to get inside you right now.” She was only too willing to comply and hooked her legs on his hips to assist. John’s body pressed her firmly into the couch, his hardness penetrating her already moist center. The two moaned in unison as their bodies worked a spell of grinding pleasure. “John, I can’t believe…I can’t believe…” Her voice trailed as she reached her peak, the first of many if she knew her perfect lover at all. She sought his mouth greedily and shoved her tongue inside, while tangling her fingers in his hair.

She wouldn’t let him up, she declared mentally. If she had to seduce him again and again, she wouldn’t let him up from between her legs. But hours later, when the last of the red light had already faded from the room, Jade was too weak and too sore to take him inside her again, despite knowing John could take her to a higher height with each thrust. She whimpered beneath him, her signal that she was spent. “Poor Jade,” he muttered against her numb lips. “I hope I’ve pleased you?” “Yes.” “And you’ve pleased me. As always.” Jade stroked his cheek when he rested his head against her shoulder. She knew he would leave. The restlessness was apparent in the way he laid atop her. Tears stung her eyes. In the midst of their lovemaking she’d realized that she couldn’t willingly part from him. If it meant going into the wild, so be it. At least he couldn’t disappear into an office out there. Suddenly, John stiffened above her. Jade couldn’t see his face in the darkened room, but she sensed he was listening to something. She strained her own ears to hear what had made him go on the alert. There was no sound at all other than the rustling of the leaves outside the window. Mary had long since left the house while it was still light out, without disturbing them. “What is it?” she whispered cautiously. “Nothing.” For this nothing, she allowed him to lift her in his arms and carry her up to her bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed and kissed her swiftly. “When I’m gone, lock your door. Do not come out tonight. Promise.” “John…” “Promise me, Jade,” he insisted. She nodded, silent. “Promise me out loud.” Jade slipped a hand behind her and crossed her fingers. It was silly, but she wasn’t fully promising anything with such a cryptic statement. She wasn’t letting him out of her sight if she could help it. “I promise.” “Good girl.” John moved to the door. “Lock it behind me.” She did and pressed an ear to the door to follow his retreat by sound. Next, she snatched a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and tennis shoes and dressed on the way down the hall in the direction she’d heard him go. At the top of the stairs, Jade bent over the railing in time to hear rather than see the study door close. She raced down the steps, hoping she wouldn’t slip and break her neck or at the least give away her presence before she could find out anything. At John’s study door, she heard him moving around. No light shown out as before and she eased out the flashlight she’d left in the table drawer outside his office. John may walk around as if he could see in the dark, but she couldn’t. She was going prepared. Another sound check produced no movement at all inside the study. John had either fallen asleep or he wasn’t there. She wouldn’t be fooled again. She tried the knob and this time, it turned. He’d forgotten to lock it.

Jade pushed open the door slowly, bracing herself for John’s reprimand for breaking her promise so soon. The room was empty. “What in the world?” She stepped inside and shut the door behind her. The desk and chair stood abandoned in front of the only window in the room. The blinds were shut and she hadn’t heard any sounds like John opening them. The only other items in the room were the small couch on the opposite wall, the antique guest chairs and the bookshelves surrounding the fireplace. To be sure, Jade crossed to the window and peeked through the blinds. The windows were shut and locked. “So how did he get out when I was right here?” For a moment she considered maybe he hadn’t come inside here at all. Maybe she’d mistaken the location of the closing door in the dark. No, she’d heard the sounds he made when she listened at the door. John had been here and now he wasn’t. Her heart beat increased, knocking excitedly against her ribs. She smiled at the room. There was no doubt a secret exit. Jade could almost clap her hands like a child at the thought. So where was it? She checked the obvious places. Secret levers in the movies were always on bookshelves or inside fire places. Both turned up nothing. Glancing down at the books strewn everywhere, she knew she’d have to explain to John why they were there. She’d never get them back in place in time or in the order he’d had them. In the months she’d known him, she knew John was the super-organized type. He would have a system for his books. “Probably subject and then alpha order,” she muttered while she searched. Deep in her thoughts, it was some time before Jade became aware of the animal sounds she’d heard before. The moon was right overhead. It illuminated the area she guessed to be the location of the fountain. Disbelief and terror mingled in her tight throat as she witnessed a winged creature swoop down between the trees. Moments afterward, the second monster followed out of her line of vision. The clash of something pummeling stone like a jackhammer in the still night made Jade tear her eyes from the scene and fall helplessly over the wastebasket before she vomited the contents of her stomach. The retching, like the hammering, continued long past her endurance. Jade clung wearily to the receptacle and closed her eyes against the reality of what was happening yet again. This place, was it even real? This experience? Maybe she was still in a coma from the damage of the bomb. It was the only thing to explain the madness. At long last finding relief, Jade crawled on hands and knees toward John’s chair. She rested her heated face on the soft leather until she could gather more strength to haul herself onto it. In that space of time, as she blinked into the shadows under John’s wide desk, she saw it. The trap door was still open, with the sectioned carpet lifted behind it and resting against the underside of the desk. A gaping hole stood waiting for John’s return to his office. “The feckin shite!” she exclaimed in her best Irish accent. Jade waited a few minutes longer to regain her equilibrium and then located her flashlight. The glow of the dim light did little to dispel the creepy darkness of the tunnel

below the room. Her heart knocking erratically in her chest, Jade lowered herself down the narrow ladder to the cement floor beneath. Goosebumps popped out on her arms and sweat formed instantly on her forehead when she aimed her beam forward and backward. She could go in the direction of what she judged to be tunnels leading under the rest of the house, or she could pass the outer wall and see where that led. Jade chose the outer wall. She moved further under the house first and flashed her light along a narrow staircase leading upward. She didn’t doubt that it lead straight up to the second floor and probably beyond. A person could probably have access to the whole house by these tunnels. Something told her John hadn’t stayed within the confines of his home. He would be tracking that sound, she thought. He had to know more than he was letting on. She headed back the way she came and continued past the outer edge of the house. The knowledge that there must be tons of earth packed over her head was not sitting well with Jade’s increasing panic on being stuck inside the narrow stone hallway. John had kept it in good repair—there was no excess dirt or dripping water—but it was still underground. That and the fact that it just might be the passage for a mythical creature was setting her skin to itching and her clothes to clinging to her moist body. From a mental picture of the direction of the fountain, Jade was able to navigate the tunnels until she believed she was below the fountain. The sound of the splashing water along with a three foot square trap door above confirmed her surmise. Here the ceiling of the tunnel was low enough not to require a ladder. Jade could stretch and push open the door. She’d need to haul herself up and out. The fresh air would be welcome after twenty minutes in this dark hole. She listened for alien sounds in the still night. The smashing conflict had ceased for the time being. Did she dare risk going above ground? There was no way to judge her safety before opening the door and she remembered how the creatures had immediately begun to attack her the last time at the front door of the house. Still, somewhere out here must be John. She had to find out what he was doing, if he was involved in any way. If he was guardian to this monster, she wanted to know. She had a right to know. Finally, with tremulous hands, she shoved at the door. It didn’t give immediately, being made of stone, it had a tight grip in its narrow frame. She shoved again, harder. It budged. The stone was very heavy and now the trembling in her hands had spread to her arms and shoulders. It took most of Jade’s reserves to force the door to its full extension when a bracket locked it into an open position. She breathed a sigh of relief. There would be no way for her to hold the stone up while hauling herself out. Again, she paused to listen. The distant song of cricket’s legs could be heard over the rippling water. The thud of something stirring nearby was the only other sound. She took the chance and was soon crouched beside the fountain. Amazingly, the door was a large block of white flagstone that covered the ground around the fountain. Jade would never have suspected it as being the entrance to a tunnel. Even now as she looked around, she couldn’t locate the mechanism that would allow her to close and reopen the door. So, she left it open.

Transferring her attention to her surroundings, Jade’s nostrils filled with the stench of before, the sulphur and stone. She glanced up at the sky, now deeply shadowed with the moon hiding behind a group of clouds. The sensation of menace was absent and she assumed the creatures had gone, though where she could only guess. Jade crept to the edge of the stone floor and peered out into the darkness. No wind stirred the trees and the crickets had ceased their racket. Something was coming. She knew it, though she heard nothing. She spun to face the bridge and then eyed the trap door. Which way would be safest? If there was some other entrance in another part of the grounds, the gargoyle could already be down there. The thought made her whimper and she backed toward the bridge while aiming her flashlight toward the trees. When she reached the edge of the pavement, she lost her footing and crashed backward into the brush at the side of the path. Her flashlight sailed above her head and dropped with a low splash into the river. She crawled through dirt and grass to peer over into the water. The flashlight was sinking fast. The dimming light flickered and then died completely. The water was too deep to retrieve it so she was plunged into darkness. Movement behind her beside the fountain compelled Jade to crawl back as quietly as possible to where she’d fallen. The area was still in darkness, but she could just make out the outline of something large. Her silent wish for light seemed to have been heard when the moon broke free of its covering and illuminated the thing hunched over the hole she’d left exposed. She pressed a hand across her mouth to stifle a scream of horror. The same creature she’d faced before stood there. He stared down at the trap door while one clawed hand attempted to reach the torn flesh just below his opposite shoulder blade. His powerful legs were bent as if he could no longer hold up his own weight. The movements of his giant bat-like wings were awkward due to the wounds in varied places along them. Jade wondered if they were made by bites or claws. She supposed it didn’t matter. The other creature had obviously fought hard. She wondered what condition he was in. As she watched, the creature continued to stand over the hole. It shook its head as if it were trying to clear it enough to decide on its next move. She didn’t figure it could fit in the hole. Though the hole was at least three feet wide, the monster was bigger, more broad shouldered. It would never fit. It must have come to the same conclusion as she waited, for it began to change. Jade gaped when the wings began to shrink and recede inside the thing’s back. It roared enough to hurt her ears when the back opened over the wound to allow the wings to tuck inside. Tears clouded Jade’s vision only a second before her heart was ripped from her chest. The almost black skin lightened and the features rearranged themselves to that of her fair lover. There was no mistaking that John was not the keeper of the gargoyle, but the thing itself. She could not hold back her cry of fear and anguish at this revelation. She saw him turn to face her, his nakedness plain in the moonlight. But she stumbled away from him and dashed for the bridge. Sobbing, Jade ran blindly away from the fountain and away from John’s house. She could not go back there…ever.

“Are you sure about this, Jade?” The crease in Barry’s forehead was a clear indication of his worry. He’d been a real friend in not demanding an explanation for her banging on his door at five-thirty in the morning. “Yes, I’m sure.” “And you can’t tell me why you are fleeing from the man you love?” “What? Who says I love him?” She turned away. Barry tucked an arm around her shoulders and pulled her head down on his own, “It’s clear in the tears you haven’t stopped releasing since this morning.” “I…I don’t know what you mean,” she sniffed. “I’m just upset about something. “Did he hurt you?” The anger in her friend’s eyes was clear. She almost laughed, thinking she’d never seen him angry and wondering at his ability to stand against John. “Of course not.” She stood on hearing the announcement for boarding her flight. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” She tucked a hand inside her pockets and searched around her. No one was watching. No darkly handsome men leaned negligently against the walls. Relieved, she turned back to Barry. “Thank you for everything, Barry.” He hugged her briefly, “I won’t say I’m happy to see you go. I hope you will come back.” She forced a smile. “I’m sorry.” “I know.” A half hour later, Jade was flying home. She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep. It had been fortunate that Barry, on the pretext of escorting Mary to the mansion for work, had been able to secure the falsified papers and money John had previously supplied for her departure. Neither had run into John and Jade surmised he was somewhere healing from his injuries. She’d already calculated the timing of his leaving on business each time the battle with the other creature ensued. It could only mean he needed to heal and didn’t want her to know it. Jade had seen his beautiful body plenty of times, had explored him with hands and mouth. There had been not one scar on his flesh, something she’d admired and told him of. She grimaced as she remembered now. John had stiffened in her arms and avoided the discussion. “Now I know what you were hiding, John,” she choked out the words and the tears began again. Jade hid her face in the pillow she’d been given and wallowed miserably in her sorrows. Now, there was no question of her ever seeing him again. The worst thing of all was that Barry was right. She loved him with all her heart.

Chapter Seven New York was just as she’d left it nearly a year ago. The brisk wind, the crowded streets, a hotdog stand on the corner of 5th and Main, this was home. Jade strolled along the street in no particular hurry to get to where she was going. Her attention was taken by the countless buildings stretching toward the overcast sky. She paused at one which looked to be at least a hundred years old, and peered up at the top. The highest floor was too distant to see with clarity, yet she knew from experience that small gargoyles graced the corners. They were like him. She tormented herself with the thought. No. She shook herself and continued on. Jade had vowed not to think of John again. It was best. The apartment she was to lease was not far. It was costing her way more than she thought was reasonable, but she needed somewhere to stay and didn’t want to spend another night in the cheap motel where she’d left her things. “Tina.” She stopped. They’d closed in on her sooner than she thought they would. She wasn’t ready, had not planned what she would do once they caught her. She hadn’t had the chance to visit her old assistant or find out where her father was buried. They were moving too fast. Jade cleared her throat in a discreet cough and stepped out to cross the street. She sensed the man following behind. “Fine. Just don’t make a move yet,” she muttered, though he didn’t hear. The days blurred and the nights crept by in year-long minutes. Jade laid awake most of that time in her new establishment thinking of John. When she wasn’t thinking of him, she dreamed of him. He made love to her with such intensity during those restless moments that she cried out into wakefulness, only to find him a figment, an outline in the morning frost. The landlady slid a master key into the lock and slammed a shoulder against the door to Jade’s father’s rented office. “Sometimes it gets stuck.” The caked-on lip stick had coated the woman’s teeth, though she grinned with friendliness. Jade eased past her to the room inside, “So how is it that you still have this place empty?” Her question was answered immediately when she spied the mess. The place must have been ransacked. Books were strewn about the floor. The desk was overturned, along with the chair. Holes littered the walls at odd points and the lone window was boarded over. “Oh.” The woman laughed self-consciously, “I know I should have cleaned it up, but I didn’t really want to come in here. It has a bad vibe.” Jade blinked, “Does it?” “Oh I know you think I’m crazy, but the night I found the professor’s body here,” she crossed herself, “I sensed this great evil. It was as if it was watching me, but I couldn’t see it.” Jade remembered her own sense of terror that afternoon at Lana’s and every night she’d heard John battle the other creature. It had been red, like a demon, she thought.

She dismissed the thought. Demons were not real, at least they didn’t appear in plain site. She hoped the didn’t. “Well, the rent has another few months to run out, so as his niece, I guess it’s yours.” “Thanks, Mrs. Canton.” Jade felt no guilt at having lied to the kind woman. It was for her own and the landlady’s good. She was just glad the woman bought her story of being out of the country in a remote area taking photos of wildlife. It was far-fetched, but seemed to appeal to the woman’s longing for the exotic. “I’ll leave you alone then.” She moved back toward the door, stepping over heaps of papers. “If you need anything, remember I’m at 555-2392. It’s not far to my place.” “Ok, thanks gain.” The door closed with a soft click. Jade picked her way through the mess and righted the lone chair. Two feet away was a photo behind a cracked sheet of glass. She retrieved it and picked out the shards to find herself and her father. It was a jolt to see her old face, frowning into the lens. “Guess I was always angry then, Dad.” She hadn’t called him Dad for years either. Her final outburst to him was as fresh in her mind as if she’d just uttered the words. “You’re dead to me, Professor Lambert. Dead.” The crinkly green eyes, so like her own had been the thing she loved and missed most about her father. How she’d longed to have them turn to her as much as they focused on his work. “Don’t be so dramatic, Tee,” he chuckled good-naturedly. “Young people watch too much TV these days. No imagination.” “Imagine me leaving and never coming back!” She’d stomped to that very office door, yanked on it for her theatrical exit. Of course it hadn’t budged. Even then, the stupid thing had stuck hard. To cover, she’d continued to assure her father she would never see him again. “I mean it, Professor, I’m not coming back. You’ll miss me when I’m gone.” “You’ll come back, Tee. You’ve been running away from home since you were seven.” He’d been right. She had, ever since her mother died. He hardly climbed out of his office long enough to notice his neglected daughter. “And silly me, I loved him.” Tears filled her eyes and splashed down on the picture crumpled in her hands. “Foolish Theodora Lambert—God awful name—still loved her father so much.” Jade worked late cleaning up the office. It was the least she could do for Mrs. Canton for putting up with all the drama her father had brought to her small property. When the books were packed and the floor was swept, Jade called it quits. Her strength was not enough to right the desk, so she left it. Mrs. Canton could hire someone or perhaps she had a husband or boyfriend who could lift it. “That’s it. I’m bushed,” she announced to the empty room. “Good, then I’m right on time.” The hairs on the back of her neck stood erect. Jade clenched a last ball of trash, too petrified to turn around and face the one who’d thrown open the door as if it was little more than a scrap of wood.

“Well Tina?” his voice demanded she face him. She mentally pumped her veins with courage and spun to confront the murderer. “Stop calling me Tina. My name is Jade! Who the hell are you?” The sight of the man was enough to make her fall down at his feet. He must be six foot five or more and over three hundred fifty pounds. The beady eyes were incongruent with the bulbous nose and flaccid lips. Yet the full effect was frightening. He appeared capable of crushing the life from her without remorse. With the threatening appearance of her enemy, Jade didn’t immediately note the fact that he wasn’t alone. Standing casually at his side, and looking just as bewitching as he’d been on her first sighting of him, was the man in black. She glared at him, “What are you doing here?” His self-confident grin annoyed her further. He pushed away from the doorjamb to approach her. Instantly, Jade was aware of the menace, the evil. It seeped from his every pore, giving off an odor that choked her. She stepped back and placed a hand over her mouth and nose. How could a man so beautiful, reek so badly? His grin widened, “Are you afraid of me? You should be.” Before her eyes, he altered. His rich black hair seemed to fall away and the tanned skin reddened. She dropped her gaze to the floor. She didn’t need to see his face to know this was the demon that’d fought John repeatedly. This was the thing he’d been protecting her from. And she’d left him thousands of miles away in Ireland. This thing was going to kill her. No amount of plotting would allow her to escape him. How foolish she had been. “I think we understand each other, Tina.” The large man interrupted her thoughts. At her look, he addressed her again. “Ok, have it your way for now. Jade. Now about our business…” She was confused, “What business?” “Your father’s plans?” An eyebrow flicked upward. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “No?” He moved closer to her, waving away his beast. Jade was amazed that the thing obeyed. Though it was much smaller than the man, the claws could surely have torn him to shreds. She’d seen its handy work on John. The man now held out a tiny device to her. “Does this look familiar?” Jades eyes widened, “That’s my father’s invention— I mean.” “Let’s not play games, Jade. We both know who you are.” She gave in, “Fine. What does this have to do with me?” “Everything, darling. Everything.” “Spare me.” She was not interested in the endearments. The man wanted one thing, but she wasn’t about to make it easy for him. “Why don’t you explain to me what’s going on?” She’d learned well from John. Every morning during their workouts, he not only instructed her in physical combat, but in tricks to prolong her life—one being to keep them talking. If she could somehow get someone to notice… But she’d heard no activity in the low-income office building. This being a Saturday night, as she’d intended, there was not much foot traffic. This man could attack her and nobody would stumble upon her until Monday or later.

“I think you know, Jade.” The man moved to force his bulk in the chair. “Your father invented this handy little bomb, but reneged on his deal to sell it to me. It’s missing a key component that makes it undetectable and precise in its discharge. Now I want that component.” “And that has to do with me how?” She knew she was pushing her luck being snippy with the guy, but try as she might, she couldn’t put together a way out. The smell, the hot breath of the beast as he stood so close to her made it impossible to concentrate. Fear crawled along her back, tightening the muscles. How could John have expected she could hold her own against this thing? Tie Kwon Do wasn’t a match for him. A fist slammed down on the side of the desk, smashing a hole in the aging wood. Jade cringed and swallowed against nausea. “I said don’t play games with me!” “I…I’m not. I don’t know anything about a component.” “You’re his daughter. You must know.” “Well I don’t,” she yelled, at the end of her endurance. “If you’ve checked up on me enough to know my previous name, you should know I haven’t seen my father in years. And maybe you should have checked that your contraband wasn’t faulty before you killed him!” Jade heard a growl of laughter beside her and the large man shook with his own mirth. “Stupid girl.” “Why am I so stupid?” She didn’t like being made fun of. He struggled to his feet, “Because you foolishly think the man whose grave you visited yesterday was your father.” “What?” Jade staggered. The red beast wrapped a hand around her arm and she screeched and yanked away. When she could pull herself together enough, she croaked, “What are you trying to say?” “I’m saying, your father is not dead.” “But—“ John had told her he was. Was he mistaken or lying? A crook of the finger brought the demon to her side again. This time his hold was not easily shaken. The heat of his skin stung slightly. Jade clenched her jaw and stared hard at the floor. “Don’t worry little flower. I need you. He will not burn you…yet. You will tell me about the component or you will be bait to lure your father from hiding. Either way, I get what I want.” A Lincoln towncar waited at the curb outside. Jade figured it was the only thing that the giant could fit inside. The beast had transformed back into the handsome man, though now his good looks did nothing for her. She knew what lay beneath. Few people walked the streets at this late hour. There was no one to call out to except a hooker at the end of the block. She would not be any help, being more concerned with her next trick than helping Jade. On instinct, Jade glanced up toward the room of the buildings on the other side of the street. These, though old, were not anywhere near one hundred years old. So why, Jade wondered, did a rather large gargoyle hang from the edge of one corner? Her heartbeat quickened with a hope that John was in New York. It was not impossible. It had been several days since her arrival. Was it long enough for him to

have healed properly? She prayed so and that he didn’t resent her too much to help. He was the only one who could. “Get inside,” the beast spat and Jade obeyed. Come now, John. Please! The towncar sped toward the highway leading out of the city. Jade pressed herself against the car door in an effort to put as much space as possible between herself and the demon. He growled low in his throat, she assumed trying to intimidate her. It was working big time. To distract herself from her rising fear, she questioned him. “So what are you? A demon? A man possessed?” The temperature in the enclosed space rose steadily. Jade forced her stare away from his evil face to reach for the panel that would allow a breath of fresh air inside. Before she could press the automatic button, the creature’s hand shot out and an extended claw sank down in the soft flesh of her hand. Jade screamed in pain and fear. An instant after, something smashed into the roof of the car causing the thin metal to sag towards their heads. The demon released her to take on his full hideous appearance. He crouched on the chair, ready to spring. His wild eyes swung back and forth as he tracked his enemy from side to side of the careening car. Another attack on the roof came when craggy fingers ripped into the metal and tore it back as if they were a can opener and the car merely a can. Jade cowered in her corner staring up through the gaping hole at the gargoyle looking down on her. For just an instant, the harsh face became human and she recognized John. She knew he was trying to comfort her, to calm her terror. With the seething thing next to her, that wasn’t likely. John reached with one arm inside the vehicle and hauled the demon up through the hole. Its howl of protest pierced both Jade’s and the large man’s ears. “Shut up that racket,” he yelled pointlessly. The two creatures were already in the air, duking it out as Jade had heard them do too many times before. The car continued to swerve as the combatants periodically careened with the hood, denting it and blocking the driver’s view of the narrow road. Jade rechecked her seatbelt and gripped the seat on either side of her when the cliff hove into view on their right. She squeezed her eyes shut just as the last impact sent the car smashing into the rail. Seconds later, it was airborne, arching out over the sheer black drop. The frightening roar barely registered in her ears when her heart pounded out all sound and then seemed to go still. Time paused while she braced for impact. But before she hit, Jade heard the seatbelt snap and her body was snatched up through the hole just as the demon’s was previously. A gentle wind slapped at her face so that she forced her eyes open to know what was happening to her. Far below, maybe hundreds of feet, the ravine where the car had landed was on fire. Jade shook and buried her head against John, knowing he had saved her in the knick of time. Unfortunately, she’d forgotten his present state. The rough texture of his skin scratched at her cheek. “Ouch.” “Careful.” His voice was half human, half animal’s growl. It took her a moment to realize what he’d said. “My skin will hurt you.”

“John.” Jade’s eyes grew round with awe as she watched his wings flap. They were so long and wide that she had to tilt back her head to see them almost meet at the top of his lift. Periodically, he glided and rested on the wind. “I’m getting sick,” she whispered, unused to this mode of transportation. “Where are you taking me?” “To your apartment.” “How do you know where I live? When did you get here? What about the demon?” “Wait.” It was a command. Since her stomach was in no condition to argue she kept her mouth shut. She’d learn soon enough. “Where is he?” “That’s not important for you to know right now. I will take care of everything.” John set her down on her rooftop. Immediately, he switched to his human form. Jade couldn’t help but smile, noting his nakedness. “You have no clothes on,” she blurted stupidly. His grin was fleeting, “If I didn’t remove them, they’d tear. I get very big.” Involuntarily her eyes dropped to his groin. He did get big. But she already knew that. John must have resisted his desire when he spun her to face the door leading inside the building. Her feelings were hurt, but she understood. The battle wasn’t over. Wherever the demon was, it wasn’t dead. It would hunt her and him again. Now that its master was dead, there would be no restraining its wrath. They stood in front of her door before Jade realized she didn’t have her purse. “I can’t get in. My purse must be burned, my keys melted.” “Wait here,” he ordered. She watched as he moved to a hall window leading to the fire escape. When he climbed outside and disappeared, she stuck her head out to see where he’d gone. Incredibly, he was a gargoyle again and crawling effortlessly around the corner of the wall. In each place were his nails had dug into the brick surface were small holes. “He’s so powerful. How can anything hurt him?” she muttered. Remembering the demon could attack at any moment, Jade ducked back inside. Soon she heard him moving inside her place and he unlatched the door. “How did you get in?” “The window. It was foolish of you to leave it open.” “The fire escape doesn’t extend around to it and I’m on the eighth floor,” she sassed him. “Besides, if I had not, you wouldn’t have been able to get in.” He quirked an eyebrow at her and she let the matter drop. She had a feeling locking her window would not keep him from getting in. Nor would it keep the demon out. She shivered and John drew her into his embrace. When she stiffened, he dropped his arms to his sides and spun away. “I’m sorry, I—“ “There’s no need to explain. I understand how you feel. If I were in your shoes, I’d be the same.” “No, I don’t think you would.”

He faced her from the windowsill. “You’re right. I’d give up everything for you—my life, my sanity.” She gasped at his words and when he let himself fall from the window. And then she caught the distinctive beat of his wings as he sailed away to fight again. Jade rattled around her home for two weeks without a word from John. She listened to a TV news report that confirmed the death of suspected arms kingpin, Larry Poochy in a freak car accident. “Poochy?” The police were investigating, but could not identify what had caused the dents in the hood of the burned out Lincoln. The damage was inconsistent with the drop from the cliff, nor the tumbling end over end before exploding. At first she’d considered the demon may have pulled the man from the wreckage before he was killed, just as John did for her. But the police reported identifying the man’s ashes among the debris. He was safely dead. “So what about the demon?” She spoke to the announcer as if he could hear her, but he’d moved on to other news. Jade sighed and switched off the set. Jade was considering what she’d do to get through the day, when someone tapped at her front door. She froze in the middle of her living room, heart having leapt into her throat. “W-Who is it?” “Letter, maam. I need you to sign.” She didn’t trust it. Her wary eyes searched the room for some type of weapon before she answered. A small stone sculpture on her coffee table was the only thing nearby that could do any damage. “How ironic.” Jade crept toward her door, listening as best she could. As an added measure, she sniffed the air. There was no foul odor. That was not a guarantee. If she remembered correctly, he was able to mask it when he was fully in human form. The knock came again, more insistent. "Maam? This needs a signature." "Pushy!" Jade took a battle stance and swung the door wide. The man ducked as if she'd already aimed the weapon at his head. Jade couldn't help her burst of laughter. Relief flooded her being when her eyes met the irritated ones of the messenger. "Sorry, there has been a rash of burglaries in the neighborhood." His look of disbelief was not lost on her. Jade signed hurriedly and shuffled to the living room couch before opening her letter. It was from John. She closed her eyes and sucked in a few deep breaths. At least when he'd written the letter, he was alive—in Ireland. With trembling fingers, she ripped open the package and scanned the short note within. "Jade, you may rest easy. I've taken care of the demon." "What does that mean?" She continued reading, "My investigations have led me to believe that no one else knows of your true identity except for a couple of people I trust completely. I will of course be alerted should that status change. You are free to live your life without fear. Should you need me, at any time, you know how to find me. John."

Jade wadded the note and threw it with unnecessary force across the room. She jumped to her feet and paced the floor while biting off bits of her thumb nail with her teeth. "Yes, John! I suppose I could always send up the bat signal!" On impulse she snatched up her cordless phone and punched the numbers for the international operator. "Yes, may I have the number for Barry Brennan, please? Yes, connect it for me. Thank you." She waited impatiently for him to answer. Too late, she realized it was probably very late in Ireland. Barry picked up on the tenth ring, his voice fuzzy. "Aye?" "Barry, it's Jade." "Jade!" That perked him up. She got right to the point. "Barry, I'm sorry to be calling so late, but I need you to tell me the legend of the monster at the fountain." "What? The legend?" She willed him to explain without asking why. It worked. "Well, the story goes that a curse was put upon an ancient family where the male head of the family is changed into a gargoyle. His lot is to protect the people of his town and ultimately the world. Of course, it's a solitary life. His secret can't be known." "Why not?" He paused so long, she wondered if he'd fallen asleep. Finally, he picked up again, "I don't know. But it's said there's only one woman who can take away his sorrow. She's destined to be at his side and to bear his children for the next generation's gargoyle. As far as I know, the line hasn't been broken." "Barry, do you know who the family is that's cursed?" "No, I wish I did." "So you believe in it?" "Of course. I've seen the monster." "And will this woman break the curse if she kisses him in love or something?" He chuckled, "Don't be ridiculous, Jade. This isn't a children's fairy tale." "Of course not." She made a face into the phone. "Thank you, Barry. It was just bugging me and I wanted to ask about it. I forgot about the time difference." "No problem. When will you come back, Jade?" His voice sounded desperate. She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling sorry for the man. She would never come close to feeling for him what she felt for John. "I don't know. I just don't know."

Chapter Eight Jade drew her knees up to her chest, deep in thought as she lay on the bean bag in her living room. Her bed wasn’t aiding in sleep, she’d hoped this would help. It wasn’t. Another sleepless night and now the sun was rising, peeking through a slit in her blinds. Her money was running out because she hadn't found a job and thoughts of John still tormented her on an hourly basis. She'd spent the last six months chasing down every lead the private detective offered her in search of her father. For the millionth time, she doubted he was even alive. "Jade, you need to accept the fact that maybe Professor Lambert is dead, or he doesn't want to be found." She hated his nonchalant attitude, as if he could care less as long as she paid him. That assessment was probably true. "Did you talk to the people you know? The ones you said could quietly let it be known someone close to him is looking for him?" She knew it had been a foolish thing to do, likely to put her in danger again, but she couldn't help wanting the chance to put things right between herself and her father. "Yes." He stood and tossed his coat over his shoulder. The spring hadn't settled in enough to burn away the chill of winter. "I said I did. So I did." Jade didn't believe him. Somehow she suspected this man of playing both sides of the fence. And lately, she'd sensed someone watching her when she walked the city streets, even during the day. Examining the sky for creatures of the night revealed nothing. No statues were out of place, no flash of red. Still something wasn't right. "Ok, Mr. Bow. Thank you for your help. I will not need anything else." She handed him his last paycheck. It hurt to part with it when she was so low on funds. He tipped his hat and left. Just a half hour later, a knock sounded at the door. Jade had gotten over her terror of the demon invading her home since receiving John’s letter. She padded barefoot to the door without a second thought. She swung the door wide and then froze in shock. "Martin!" The grin was oily, though she'd never recognized it as such before. "Hello, Tina." Damn, does everyone know who I am? Foolish! This was why she felt watched. Her old assistant. "What are you doing here?" There was no sense in pretending. She looked past him to be sure he didn't travel with a demon of his own. The corridor was empty. He was alone. She grinned, "You came here all by yourself? Silly you." His voice was harsh, full of hate. "Like I can't handle you, Tina?" He had been lifting weight. The scrawny little secretary she’d known was gone. The one hundred twenty-five pound bookworm was a thing of the past. This five-footten inch man appeared to be able to hold his own. Still, Jade was no pushover. She hadn't stopped her morning drills and had even bought some extra DVDs to learn a few new tricks. "You're bigger,” she told him bluntly. “How did that happen?” “Steroids.”

“It figures.” His features curled into a sneer, “Well you’re not looking so hot, Tina. You’re wasting away. What’s the matter, the rich girl run out of money?” Jade turned away. She wasn’t about to discuss her financial issues with this idiot. She had never been rich, but was able to afford certain luxuries owning her own consulting firm. Now she couldn’t access her bank accounts because she was assumed dead. “My money situation is none of your business.” “Or maybe you’re pining over that Irishman you bunked with in Ireland.” She gasped. So he knew about John. But how much? “Oh yes, I know all about your boyfriend. It’s my job to know.” She faced him again, wanted to judge whether he was lying by his body language. “What is your job these days, Martin?” He grinned, moving toward the couch to take a seat. Dramatically, he flipped back the ends of his expensive coat, and perched on the edge of the seat. His pointed nose couldn’t rise any higher. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” She waved a hand and turned her head, “Whatever.” That got him. The growl in his throat put her in mind of the demon. Jade twisted to take a second look, but his face revealed only the peeved expression of a joke. Martin’s muscles were little more than a show. He looked better, even exuded confidence, but she could see straight through him. Martin was still the same subservient person she’d known. But that meant someone else was running the show. Who? Jade searched her memory, but had no inkling. There were obviously more powerful players out there, all vying for control of her father’s weapon. “I have things to do this morning, Martin. So if there’s a point to your early visit…” “Imagine my surprise when he told me you were still alive, living under an assumed name and an assumed face!” “Imagine how little I care,” she flung back at him. “I thought you cared whether I lived or died. You were my assistant. Now it seems you’re working for an enemy of mine.” Martin’s snort must be laughter, she supposed. It was trapped in his clogged sinuses and rang more like a Volkswagen’s horn. “Why should I have cared about you? You were a bitch to me.” “I was not.” “Selective memory.” “If I was, I’m sorry.” She held out her hands in appeal, sure he wouldn’t accept. Someone had paid him well. “Too late.” He leaned back in the chair and crossed one leg over the other. Slender, soft hands rested on his knee and he bounced his elevated foot slowly. “I’m well taken care of, Tina. I like it that way. I’m not switching back. He—“ “Is your lover,” she blurted. “What of it?” She tried again, “It’s obvious he’s a bad man. He wants to kill me to get a device that—“

“I know all about it.” “Then you know it could be the destruction of our country.” “Don’t be so dramatic. He’s going to sell it to the highest bidder. Get even richer and buy me many more things. I’ll travel the world…” “Get your head out of the clouds, Martin! This is no game!” Jade took hold of the collar of his coat, preparing to shake some sense into him. The man, whoever he was, wasn’t going to just let Martin live, knowing what he knew. Certainly not since it was clear that Martin could be bought. “Take your hands off me!” Martin stood. “If he wasn’t out of town right now, I wouldn’t have to deal with this crap. I came here to warn you to give him what he wants. I thought I could appeal to you more being your old assistant, but it was obviously a mistake.” Jade stood still. The man was out of town? “Who is he?” “None of your business,” his voice was petulant, vexed that she’d become physical. She considered her words carefully, “Well tell him I’ll meet with him tonight at seven to discuss where he can find my father.” Martin’s eyes had lit up for a second and then dulled with a frown. “He’s not going to be back tonight. He’s not back until Thursday.” “Great.” Jade smiled broadly just as she shot the heel of her palm up into Martin’s chin. His elegant head snapped back hard and he crumpled lifeless on the couch. She stood watching him for a minute to be sure he was really out before grabbing for the phone. A rapid dial of the international code with phone number and soon the line was ringing. She willed him to answer. “Jade!” She gasped, “How did you know?” He hesitated, “I’ve waited.” Her stomached muscles clenched, “For six months?” “I mean today. I received word that you were being watched again. I was giving you time to contact me.” Annoyance replaced her guilt. “If you knew, why didn’t you tell me? If I’m in danger, why are you still so far away?” She knew she was being unreasonable. Tears burned in her eyes and her throat was closing fast. His voice was sweet in her ear and she longed desperately to touch him. She hadn’t admitted it to Martin, but being low on money hadn’t made her lose weight. Jade had been unable to eat more than a few bites of her meals. Being without John was like being without some vital organ. She needed him so much. “I’ve had someone keeping an eye on you.” “Who?” “Someone I trust.” “That other guy told me my father is alive. And just now, Martin said—“ Jealousy was clear in his tone, “Who is Martin?” She grinned into the phone, “If he sounds interesting to you, sorry he’s already got a lover, the man who’s after me now.” “Oh.”

“Anyway, I’ve just knocked Martin unconscious. The other person is out of town until Thursday and—“ “Tie him up as securely as you can. I will contact my friend and I’ll be there in a few hours.” “Yes, General.” She saluted, knowing she was giddy with speaking to him again. “Anything else?” “Don’t do anything foolish!” He slammed down the phone in her ear. Jade blinked and moved to obey her orders. Jade drank in his handsome face. The steel grey eyes were as secretive as ever, hiding his feelings, his plans. She had expected that he’d have suffered as severely as she had done, yet he didn’t seem to have lost a pound. Irritation made her pout and fold her arms across her chest. The movement didn’t go unnoted when he had been stepping closer to her. She suppressed the petty demand of an explanation trembling on her lips. Instead, she questioned his travel. “How did you get here so fast? It takes forever to get through the airport, let alone flying time and customs.” “I did not take a plane.” She frowned, confused. “I flew…myself.” Her eyes widened in awe. He could fly that long, that fast? “You must be tired.” “I am. However, your safety is what’s important right now.” Jade watched him bend over Martin and then lift the man in the air with one hand. With a swift shake, John revived Martin, who was still bound with the belts Jade had used. “Wha--?” “Who do you work for?” John demanded. Martin trembled at the fierceness in John’s eyes. Jade was not sorry for him. “I will ask you again.” John moved toward Jade’s balcony with his arm stiff in front of him. Jade followed, amazed that he wasn’t even breathing hard. He flipped the latch and slid back the balcony door. She covered her mouth with one hand and clenched the doorframe with the other. John was going to throw him over the railing? “John, don’t.” He ignored her. Now Martin was wiggling and his eyes rolled in his head. He begged to be pulled back, apologized for every sin he’d ever committed. “I can’t tell you, please. He’d kill me.” “And I won’t?” Jade darted forward and clutched at John’s sleeve. “Please John. You’re not a killer. You’re not like them.” His eyes were hard. Jade stared in terror when his face stretched and grew. The skin darkened just as two tiny horns grew out two inches from his forehead. Now Martin was screaming with fear. His cry was soon hoarse. “Now you’re ready to tell me.”

The base tone, barely recognizable as words was back in John’s speech. He lowered Martin to the floor of the balcony. Jade reached out to pat the man’s shoulder, but John caught her hand to stop her. He turned his attention back to Martin, who was curled in a fetus position and quivering. “What’s his name?” “B-Butch Caine,” came the weak reply. John was human again and Jade turned away and went back into the apartment. She slid the doors closed and headed to her room to lie across the bed. This is what her life would have been. This is why she didn’t choose him, she thought. She could not…would not be a part of this madness. She rolled over toward the door to find John standing there, quietly watching her. The heat of desire began to rise in her but she resisted it and looked away toward the ceiling. “Where is he?” “Don’t worry, I didn’t kill him.” “But you could have.” “I’m not a killer, just as you said.” “Oh, you heard that?” Jade tucked her arms behind her head and crossed her legs at the ankles. She wondered if she was fooling him. “Jade—“ “Do you know who this Butch Caine is?” He sighed. From the corner of her eye, she saw him run a hand through his hair. “I’ve heard of him. I can find him.” She sat up suddenly, “And what will you do, John?” “What’s wrong, Jade? Why are you so angry with me?” He moved further inside the room. “You’re the one who left me, remember? You’re the one who called only when you were in trouble.” “Well I made a mistake!” She shoved herself to her feet and slung open a drawer of her nightstand to rifle through its contents. She withdrew a small hand gun. “I can handle this on my own.” “No!” The word was explosive. “I will take care of it, just as I did with the last guy and the one before that.” “And on and on until when, John?” She waved the gun about. “I know. You’re the guardian. Lana told me on her death bed. Barry told me the legend of the cursed family, whose male head is always a gargoyle.” “I do not consider it a curse.” His voice was barely a whisper. “Well, whether it is or it isn’t is a moot point.” When she waved the gun again, he stepped forward and removed it from her grasp. She stared in shock when his hand alone changed long enough to crush the metal until it was unrecognizable as a weapon and the small puff of smoke was the only indication that the bullets had exploded inside his hand. Jade stammered in disbelief, “How can you do that?” He sat on her bed, his head bowed, “I can turn to stone at will. No, harder than stone. The rock you know can be broken, blown up. I cannot.” “But I saw your wounds the night I left. You had a gaping hole in your back.” Tears filled her eyes as she sank down beside him.

John reached for her hand and gently stroked her skin. His hands were roughened as a man’s should be, but nothing of the blue-black stone was present now. “You should know all about me. Maybe it was unfair of me to expect you to stay without knowing. Barry was right. Gargoyles do run in my family. But it is not necessarily the head of the family that has this gift. Sometimes it skips a generation or two. As far as I can tell, there has been no clear cut order to it.” “Yes, it is mostly males, or almost all, but I have records in a room I keep locked,” he gave her a look that told her he knew of her snooping around, “that there was at least one female.” Her eyes widened, “That sounds interesting.” “It’s a lonely life as you must have heard. The secret must be kept.” “Why?” He shrugged, “I’ve heard that if it a gargoyle is discovered in daylight, he will turn to stone forever.” She trembled, fear gripping her heart. That couldn’t be true. “But you’ve flown in the day, haven’t you?” “No, I don’t risk it.” He grinned down at her, then stole a kiss. “I am a gargoyle only at night. I waited for nightfall to come here.” She thought about it. “And you’re unbreakable? How did that demon hurt you?” “I’m not unbreakable. Let me explain.” He held out his hand to her. “See it is human form now. When I change enough to fly, it is hard and stony, but breakable. If I am stationary, maybe containing an explosion as I did earlier, then I am harder, unbreakable.” His words confirmed a theory she had that it was John who saved her in the airport. She guessed he had changed to the unbreakable stone and shielded her from the blast. Still, it must have been a split second decision which was probably why she’d still been hurt somewhat. He had total control of the various levels of hardness. His hand had grown so heavy, she could not lift it when he was unbreakable. “I can’t fly in the unbreakable state. I can be hurt when I’m not in it. The demon was strong.” He grinned again. “I was stronger.” “Did you kill it?” she wondered. He considered her face before answering. “It had weaknesses just as I have.” “What do you mean?” “It was weak when in human form, able to be killed. I caught it at that time.” “There must be more,” she mused, wondering when another would come for her. “Coming to get me.” “I don’t think so. Larry had a pact with the devil. Unless this Butch does the same before I get to him, you’ll be fine.” She moved to the window, pain ripping at her heart. “I suppose you’re leaving after you take care of him?” “No.” “What?” “The news report will eventually be, ‘Is there a living gargoyle in New York?’” He didn’t laugh at his own joke and Jade couldn’t bring herself to smile either. “Why are you staying? And for how long?”

Instantly, he stood behind her, his breath warming the delicate hairs on her neck. “I will be here as long as you are. I know the pain of being apart from you. I won’t be again.” Jade began to tremble and his arms encircled her. “John, I can’t. I just can’t.” “Why?” She heard the pain in his voice and broke down completely. He lifted her into his arms and returned to sit on the bed, cradling her in his protective embrace. When she was able to speak again, she hiccupped the words out while swiping at her nose, “My father…he…” “I’ll help you. We’ll search together until we find him.” She shook her head. “That’s not what I mean.” “What then, baby?” “He didn’t love me enough. He didn’t love me enough to put me before his work.” She tried to pull away, but he held on. “Always, I came second. I can’t do it again. You are a guardian. You protect more than me. There’s no way I’d come first in your life. It’s impossible.” “Jade. Sweet Jade.” He held her face between his hands, forcing her to look at him. “I would allow this world to go to wrack and ruin before I ever let it come before you. You are my heartbeat, Jade. I cannot do this without you. I can’t.” She stared up at him, lost in the love she saw reflected in his eyes. Fear still imprisoned her mind and heart, but he was right. She couldn’t continue without him. Not eating or sleeping was bound to take its toll. “If you put me second—“ “I won’t.” “If you neglect me—“ “My heart, I won’t.” “Then seal it now, with a kiss.” He did. ~~~~~~~~~~ Check out Amira Press’ other titles: Shift for Hire – A. J. Cove Tara Barnes, shapeshifter is forced to live on earth with her people after the destruction of her home world. The Shift, Tara Barnes, owns her own business in which she mimics female humans to solve problems for them - whether it be to dismiss an unwanted boyfriend or stand up to an awful boss. Tara is hired to play the wife of a wealthy businessman when he travels to a private island to conduct a business deal. She agrees only because her financial situation is desperate and she must provide for not just her needs, but those of her Shift life-assistant. Tara arrives on the beautiful tropical island expecting an all expenses paid vacation only to find mysterious happenings in the woods late at night. Now she has to discover if the

man she's rapidly falling in love with is innocent of a plot to enslave Shifts or if she needs to cut her losses and run for her life.

Theda’s Lovers – Candi Riddick Theda is a goddess, or so say her many lovers. She knows well how to please a man and get him to give her any and everything she wants. But Theda doesn't care about anyone's feelings when it comes to getting her way. Not even the wife of her favorite lover separates Theda from his body or his wallet...until the Spellcaster is called in to make her pay for her sins. Suddenly, the goddess is working her hardest to seduce a man with more power than she could ever imagine, to break herself free of his curse and his effect on her senses.

The Better Man – Yvette A. Lynn When Keisha Jones finally breaks free of her abusive husband and begins to build a life for herself and her daughter, she struggles with self- image, finances and her career. Then suddenly, her whole world changes drastically. She's pursued by not one but two handsome men who find her soft curves irresistible. And if that weren't enough, Keisha is the number one suspect in her boss' murder, for the simple reason that her fingerprints are on the murder weapon! Now Keisha has to clear her name and for once in her life, choose The Better Man...

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