Time Eternal Read Free Page B

felt so right. It felt safe. It felt like they had embraced in such intimate positions many times before.
    What’s going on with me? Who is he?
    With a frustrated sigh, she walked to the bank of televisions on the wall opposite the director’s office door and Curtis’s desk. They were showing different news channels from around the world. TSCCA was actually part of the Homeland Security department, but because it used unconventional and highly secretive technology, its official cover was doing geological research for the Department of Interior. Anyone who had been inside TSCCA headquarters would know it had nothing to do with geological research. High-tech research equipment, yes. Geological studies, no. In fact, headquarters was a fortified stronghold with the most advanced defensive system available, including a cache of weapons that could have been used to defend a small country.
    Without really watching any of the news channels, Skyla asked quietly, “Curtis, have you ever felt you knew a person from a long time ago, but you’re sure you’ve never seen them before?”
    A rather long moment passed before she heard his nonchalant reply, “No, I have not. Maybe you’re just tired from traveling through time.” Another pause and she heard a rapid string of typing. Before she could make much of it, Curtis continued.
    “Maybe you should go see Knox for a full checkup. I’ve just read the incident report from Vivienne. You didn’t come back through our protocol channel.” Curtis’s cold, analytical tone pulled Skyla from her momentary uncertainty. She hated those kinds of feelings. After the car crash, she’d had an intense need not to feel vulnerable or helpless ever again. That’s why she’d joined ROTC during college and then the Secret Service afterward.
    “I will, but not before I speak with the director.” The director’s office door hissed open at that moment. A familiar figure walked past the door. The director was a medium-height, slimly built woman of Asian descent. Her translucent complexion was enhanced by her chin-length, jet-black hair. As usual, the director was dressed in a form-fitting skirt suit in a neutral color and a pair of killer heels. Skyla had always admired the director’s wardrobe. Today, the director wore a pair of soft pink patent leather peek-a-boo stilettos with her pale bluish-gray suit. A pair of pearl stud earrings and a matching strand of pearls were the only accessories she wore. Frankly, the director looked more like a senator’s trophy wife about to host a high-society luncheon in D.C. than the founder and first commander of an experimental counterterrorism government unit.
    “Skyla, come in. Curtis said you have something urgent to report.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Skyla was relieved she was finally walking past the Bulldog’s desk and into the director’s office.
    Inside the office, the director had coordinated an efficient glass-top desk with a floor-to-ceiling tropical fish tank behind her. One wall was lined with computer monitors showing various ops teams from different government agencies on missions around the globe. The other wall was lined with TVs showing different news channels, just like the ones in the waiting area.
    “Director.” Before she started to report her encounter inside the bank, the director pulled her into a tight, affectionate embrace.
    “I’m glad you’re all right. I read the incident report from Vivienne. You should’ve let Knox check you out first.” Giving her another tight hug, the director went on. “And how many times have I told you to call me Laura when it’s just us? Most people in the Agency already know we’re related by marriage. There’s no need for the formality when we’re behind closed doors.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Skyla always felt the need for formality between her and the director, even though the director had treated her like a daughter since the day Skyla had woken up in the hospital, three months after the