[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Looking into those large dark eyes, the same compassion ran as deep through him.
He d hurried over to get her, using a back tunnel to help keep her hidden, but then they
rushed off to protect his people. He wanted her, but just as badly, wanted to ensure the
safety of his world.
Everything was in a dark plastic bag. It was on the seat next to me when I was in
the tran-bus. The small box that held her mother s journal could be damaging if it got
into the wrong hands. I d brought something to show you that I found out in the dead
lands before I met you.
What was that? He watched her when she glanced his way.
My mom s journal. It was in a box that had similar designs on it that were painted
on the tunnel walls that led from my world to yours.
I have men working on learning what those designs are. He picked up the small
speakerphone, giving the order that the bag in the tran-bus be taken to his house. Or I
did until Fern died, he added, staring at her.
Will you miss her? She couldn t read his dark stare.
She betrayed me. Obviously he wouldn t share his feelings.
All she could go by was the darkening of his eyes at her question. The hard edge of
his jawline, the intent dark gaze in his eyes, made him so powerful looking. Warmth
spread through her, something that felt as dangerous as he looked.
The dash buzzed and he reached for the small speakerphone, corded muscles
flexing in his arm. His mouth barely moved as he spoke.
Roln here, checking in. The voice sounded raspy through the small speaker. I ve
been in touch with all the unit commanders. The situation at the passages appears to be
stable, although interesting.
How so? Tor asked.
Our readings show they ve collapsed the pond that leads to Syndi s world, but
they ve extended the East Passage. My guess is they ve made their own exit to her
world.
Syndi sucked in a breath. Things were about to get ugly for both worlds. Would it
be better to be stuck down here, or on the surface when it all went to hell? The pain in
her heart made that answer too clear. She wanted to be by Tor s side.
Have the men reopen that passage. We might have to prepare some of them to
head to the surface. Still he showed no emotion, other than that one muscle that
twitched next to his mouth.
We might not have to do that. Roln s words had her pulling her gaze from Tor
and staring at the small speaker. That small hole we discovered in the ocean leading to
the surface has just gotten larger.
175
Lorie O Clare
Small hole? she whispered.
Tor looked at her. I was investigating a hole that had developed in the ocean wall
when word reached me that you had been attacked.
She nodded. The timing was right.
Do you know about it?
I couldn t say until we reach the location. Her insides tightened. There was no
way to guess what his reaction would be when she told him they had dug for water.
But, damn it. Her people had a right to survive. Before I left to come here, I convinced
a few of the villagers to dig for water.
She straightened in her seat, sliding slightly in the puddle created from her wet
clothes. No way she d back down from that penetrating gaze of his. He needed to see
that her people meant as much to her as his did to him.
He took his time looking at her, as if forming some conclusion. Her tummy twisted
in knots. That power that had turned her on filled the small confinement of the tran-
bus. And those sensual large eyes, with that almost black hair bordering the hard
features of his face, made it seem suddenly very warm.
He slowly raised his hand, putting the small speakerphone to his mouth. We re
headed over to the hole in the ocean wall. Meet us there.
Putting the handheld device back on its hook on the dash, he finally pulled his gaze
from hers, adjusting their course. For a long moment he said nothing. She didn t look
away but studied his profile. There was no longer a twitch by his jaw. He focused on
the view in front of them. All of that water.
I had to do it. We re dying without water. She bit her lip. There was no reason
why she had to explain her actions. She didn t need to prove herself to him.
Any good leader would have done the same thing. He didn t look at her.
I m not a leader.
It s in your blood. Obviously he accepted her bloodline without any questions.
The tran-bus slowed, and silver cylindrical objects appeared floating in the water,
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]