In Darkness Reborn Read Free

fan—was claiming that Barak wanted nothing more out of life than the opportunity to work in the Geology Department.
    She rounded on Barak when Devlin started repeating himself. “You’ve never said anything about this before.”
    Keeping his eyes firmly on Laurel, Barak did his best to look both innocent and sincere. “I never thought it would be possible. But when we were in St. Louis helping out Trahern, Devlin learned that the study of stone has been a special interest of mine. Until we knew for certain that the transfer would work out, I didn’t want to say anything.”
    Bane didn’t know exactly how special that interest really was, and that was a secret Barak planned on taking to his grave.
    â€œIf you’re sure…”
    Her easy acceptance of his transfer told him all too clearly how difficult having him around had become for her. He wanted to shake her for not having told him, but that would ruin his and Devlin’s carefully laid plan.
    â€œI’m sure, Laurel.” He stepped forward to take her hand, ignoring the waves of disapproval coming from Devlin. “I need to feel useful. You have given me time to learn the ways of this world, but my value in the lab is limited. It’s time for me to make my own way, and this is how I can best be of service.”
    She narrowed her eyes. After a long look at her lover, as if to warn him not to say anything, she pulled Barak close for a hug. Barak knew he shouldn’t prolong the embrace, but it had been so long since anyone had been willing to hold him….
    Rather than test Bane’s patience, Barak broke off the hug and put a small distance between himself and Laurel. When he saw the small tear trailing down her cheek, he allowed himself the small privilege of wiping it away with the pad of his thumb.
    â€œThere’s no call for tears, Laurel. It’s not like I’m going far. The Geology Department is located in the Seattle Underground, not far from Devlin’s office.”
    Devlin pushed himself back into the conversation. “Yeah, and let me tell you that we’re all thrilled, knowing he’ll be so close by. Trahern’s already planning a tea party in Barak’s honor, and Brenna has him practicing drinking out of tiny cups with his pinky held out.”
    The image of the cold-eyed Trahern serving tea and scones had Laurel smiling again—no doubt the effect Devlin had been aiming for. Neither he nor Barak could tolerate seeing her unhappy.
    â€œWell, at least you’ll be in good company.” This time her smile was more genuine. “You know that you’ll always be welcome back here with me.”
    Not if Bane had anything to say about it—but Barak left that unsaid.

    â€œLike hell he’s coming here!”
    Penn Sebastian gave his shopping basket a shove, sending it careening into the brick wall. The new dent barely showed, and Lacey wondered how much more abuse it could take before her brother had to go scrounging for another one.
    â€œI didn’t have any say in the matter, Penn.” Hot tempers were the status quo among Paladins, but lately Penn’s had been worse than usual. Ever since his sword hand had been badly damaged in a vicious battle, he’d become more and more volatile.
    Penn crossed his arms over his chest and blocked her way into the Center. “So why are you getting saddled with this low-life Other?”
    Though Lacey agreed with Penn, she reined in her own temper. If Penn got busted for fighting one more time, the Regents might confine him to quarters or, worse yet, decide that he was too unstable to continue on as a Paladin. And his kind didn’t retire to enjoy their old age: a Paladin either died in combat or he was chained to a steel slab and executed.
    â€œEvidently he wasn’t working out in the medical lab. According to Devlin Bane, this Other of his has a special interest in geology. In exchange for major