Jarvis, but the number had a Seattle area code.
“Bane, this better be good. I told you I’d check in when I had something worth reporting.”
The woman’s voice on the other end of the line sounded amused. “If you can’t tell the difference between me and Devlin, Trahern, I’d better have the Handlers there ship you back home.”
“What’s the matter, Doc, don’t you have enough bone-headed Paladins there to keep you busy?” He did not need a mother hen checking on him. Not with Brenna listening to every word, despite pretending that she was engrossed in feeling up the couch cushions.
Laurel just laughed at him. She’d been way too happy since she and Devlin Bane had hooked up. It was enough to make a grown man sick—and a little jealous.
“If Devlin can’t keep you busy, why don’t you go play with your pet Other? Or has someone shown the good sense to kill him?”
He knew she wouldn’t appreciate that little comment, but too bad. He was born and bred to hate Others. It galled the Seattle Paladins that she’d taken one in, like a mongrel dog that was more likely to bite her than appreciate the gesture. All because the shifty bastard had saved her life.
“Leave Barak out of this. You know you’re supposed to check in with me regularly, Blake Trahern. I haven’t heard from you in almost two days.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“That’s no excuse. The only reason the Handlers in St. Louis aren’t haunting your footsteps is that I promised them you’d keep in touch with me.”
All traces of good humor were gone from her voice, reminding him that she was fully capable of handling the worst of the Paladins, including him.
“Fine. I’ll call in.”
The silence on the other end of the line spoke volumes. Finally, she sighed. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine.”
“Blake…” The warning was clear.
Not for the first time, he cursed the existence of cell phones. “The barrier near here has been going up and down like a damned yo-yo, so how do you think I feel? I’m not as attuned to it as I used to be, but I can still feel enough to make me edgier than normal. Considering I haven’t had more than one full night of sleep in almost a week, I’m doing all right. At least I haven’t killed anybody.” Honesty made him add, “Though I’ve come close a couple of times.” They both knew his ability to control his temper was crucial to his continued existence.
“I’m glad to hear you’re hanging in there, Blake.” She must have been satisfied because she changed the topic. “How is your friend’s daughter doing?”
Blake caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. “Look, Doc, I’ve gotta go. I’ll check in tomorrow.” He disconnected the call before Laurel could do more than sputter.
“Was that one of your Paladin friends?”
“No.”
Brenna gave him a disgusted look. “You want me to trust you, but you make it hard when I can’t get an answer to a simple question.”
“When I did answer your questions, you didn’t believe me.” Turning away, he made a pretense of checking out the judge’s rack of CDs. He was being a jerk, but he didn’t want to explain his relationship with Laurel Young. How safe would Brenna feel if she found out that his doctor was afraid for him to be out on his own because of the very real risk that he’d cross the line into murderous insanity?
“I thought you’d like to know that I finished going through the dining room. Do you want to do your old room while I check out mine?”
“Fine. We should leave in half an hour or so.” He probably owed Brenna an apology, but she was already gone. Maybe it was for the best. Laurel’s call had reminded him of all the reasons he should keep Brenna at arm’s length. That kiss in the car had been a monumental mistake—one he’d give almost anything to make again.
Chapter 6
B lake headed for his old bedroom on the floor below. There wasn’t much that he felt sentimental about, but this room
“Bane, this better be good. I told you I’d check in when I had something worth reporting.”
The woman’s voice on the other end of the line sounded amused. “If you can’t tell the difference between me and Devlin, Trahern, I’d better have the Handlers there ship you back home.”
“What’s the matter, Doc, don’t you have enough bone-headed Paladins there to keep you busy?” He did not need a mother hen checking on him. Not with Brenna listening to every word, despite pretending that she was engrossed in feeling up the couch cushions.
Laurel just laughed at him. She’d been way too happy since she and Devlin Bane had hooked up. It was enough to make a grown man sick—and a little jealous.
“If Devlin can’t keep you busy, why don’t you go play with your pet Other? Or has someone shown the good sense to kill him?”
He knew she wouldn’t appreciate that little comment, but too bad. He was born and bred to hate Others. It galled the Seattle Paladins that she’d taken one in, like a mongrel dog that was more likely to bite her than appreciate the gesture. All because the shifty bastard had saved her life.
“Leave Barak out of this. You know you’re supposed to check in with me regularly, Blake Trahern. I haven’t heard from you in almost two days.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“That’s no excuse. The only reason the Handlers in St. Louis aren’t haunting your footsteps is that I promised them you’d keep in touch with me.”
All traces of good humor were gone from her voice, reminding him that she was fully capable of handling the worst of the Paladins, including him.
“Fine. I’ll call in.”
The silence on the other end of the line spoke volumes. Finally, she sighed. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine.”
“Blake…” The warning was clear.
Not for the first time, he cursed the existence of cell phones. “The barrier near here has been going up and down like a damned yo-yo, so how do you think I feel? I’m not as attuned to it as I used to be, but I can still feel enough to make me edgier than normal. Considering I haven’t had more than one full night of sleep in almost a week, I’m doing all right. At least I haven’t killed anybody.” Honesty made him add, “Though I’ve come close a couple of times.” They both knew his ability to control his temper was crucial to his continued existence.
“I’m glad to hear you’re hanging in there, Blake.” She must have been satisfied because she changed the topic. “How is your friend’s daughter doing?”
Blake caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. “Look, Doc, I’ve gotta go. I’ll check in tomorrow.” He disconnected the call before Laurel could do more than sputter.
“Was that one of your Paladin friends?”
“No.”
Brenna gave him a disgusted look. “You want me to trust you, but you make it hard when I can’t get an answer to a simple question.”
“When I did answer your questions, you didn’t believe me.” Turning away, he made a pretense of checking out the judge’s rack of CDs. He was being a jerk, but he didn’t want to explain his relationship with Laurel Young. How safe would Brenna feel if she found out that his doctor was afraid for him to be out on his own because of the very real risk that he’d cross the line into murderous insanity?
“I thought you’d like to know that I finished going through the dining room. Do you want to do your old room while I check out mine?”
“Fine. We should leave in half an hour or so.” He probably owed Brenna an apology, but she was already gone. Maybe it was for the best. Laurel’s call had reminded him of all the reasons he should keep Brenna at arm’s length. That kiss in the car had been a monumental mistake—one he’d give almost anything to make again.
Chapter 6
B lake headed for his old bedroom on the floor below. There wasn’t much that he felt sentimental about, but this room
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