In Darkness Reborn Read Free Page B

sword.
    Lacey pushed herself away from the wall and started the long walk down to her office, reminding herself each step of the way of all the badly needed equipment this Barak’s presence could bring. Though Dr. Louis would hang onto most of the money for his own pet projects, the small fraction he’d promised her would be a welcome addition to her funding.
    Once she’d been sure that she could be civil, she had tried without success to call Laurel Young, hoping to talk to her about Barak. She’d email the Handler later to see if she’d be willing to answer a few questions over lunch in the next couple of days.
    Until Laurel had forced Devlin Bane to spare Barak’s life, she’d been well respected. Now there were grumblings about the Handler, and maybe that was why they’d found a new spot for the Other. The Geology Department was certainly less high profile than the medical branch of Research.
    Lacey checked the time. If she hurried, she could record the latest readings from Mount St. Helens before reporting to her boss’s office for the official meeting. Focusing on work might keep her calm enough to make it through the day.
    On the other hand, maybe she’d do everyone a favor and kill the Other herself.

Chapter 2
    B arak watched Bane pace the floor while the nervous gaze of Dr. Louis, the head of the Geology Department, flitted back and forth between the Paladin and Barak.
    Which of them worried the elderly professor more? Devlin Bane, the most fearsome of all the Paladins, or Barak himself? Since the professor had never met one of Barak’s kind before, he probably expected him to drool and make animal noises. If Barak’s existence didn’t depend on his continued good behavior, he might have indulged in some theatrics just to see the older man’s reaction. Bane might find it amusing.
    Or not. The Paladin had gone to great lengths to arrange this meeting; he wouldn’t appreciate anything that might jeopardize its success.
    Footsteps out in the hallway had all three men watching the door to see if they continued on past, or if the mysterious fourth member of the party had finally arrived. The doorknob began to turn, and Barak leaned back in his chair, doing his best to look disinterested.
    Then the door opened. Why hadn’t Bane told him that his new coworker wasn’t a dusty old geology professor but a beautiful young woman? One with hair the color of the sun and huge blue eyes filled with a fierce intelligence and barely controlled fury. Her rapid pulse thrummed in his ears, and her breath was shallow. Her cheekbones were flushed with color, her passion running high.
    After a brief hesitation, he rose to his feet and waited for someone to make introductions. Instead, the human female took matters into her own hands.
    She gave Devlin Bane and her boss a curt nod. “Devlin. Dr. Louis.”
    At first Barak thought she was going to ignore his presence, but once again she surprised him. She closed the distance between them and held out her hand. He was familiar with the custom of shaking hands, but so far none of the other humans had extended that offer to him.
    He almost fumbled but managed to fit his hand to hers with some semblance of grace. She tightened her grip briefly as she said, “I’m Lacey Sebastian. Dr. Lacy Sebastian.”
    Her slight emphasis on her title was a clear reminder of who would be in charge. He briefly met her gaze head-on, then looked away before it could be taken as a challenge to her authority. It wasn’t in him to be subservient to anyone, but he’d prefer to ease his way with as few complications as possible.
    â€œMy name is Barak. Barak q’Young.” He nearly smiled when Devlin flinched at his newly acquired last name. Laurel had gifted Barak with use of her surname when he had needed one for all the official papers. It was yet another claim he had on Bane’s woman, and the Paladin’s