Harlequin Nocturne March 2016 Box Set Read online

His eyes shifted to the opening, as if impatient to be on the move. “The quick and dirty version is this—we can create a field around our bodies that makes it hard for Nalusa and his wisps to see, smell or hear us in the dark.”

  He reached behind her, pulled out a camouflage duffel bag and slung it over his right shoulder.

  So that was what he’d been looking for earlier when he’d leaned across her body. And she’d grabbed at him like an out-of-control hormonal teenager. Annie winced inwardly. But she consoled herself, knowing that he had obviously enjoyed their kiss.

  “Let’s go.”

  His command cut through her musings. She followed him out, and they walked across the open field. Annie took care to stay close and stay silent.

  It was like another world at night. Although it was still hot, the humidity was at a bearable level, and she became even more hyperaware of sound and smell—the gentle lap of the Gulf water, the crickets, the unnerving screech of an owl. The breeze smelled of pine and moss and sea salt that invigorated. It was the smell of childhood summers and freedom.

  Tombi kept a slow pace, most likely for her ease, and managed to avoid most twigs and dry leaves. Annie winced at the first few crunches her footfalls produced. Somehow, though he weighed twice as much and his foot size was a great deal larger, Tombi walked almost soundlessly.

  To his credit, he didn’t utter a word or give a disapproving warning look. Because you are doing just what he wants you to do. He needs you to find Bo again. Tombi didn’t care so much about stalking prey as he did about finding his friend. And she was his key.

  Her legs tired, and her arms burned from scratches and brushes with foliage and bark. On and on and on they walked until she’d lost all sense of time. Her jeans were hot, but at least her legs weren’t getting sliced and battered like her arms. How long would this go on? She’d assumed it would only be a couple of hours, but now she feared he would keep hunting until dawn.

  Every few minutes he would turn and look at her, an eyebrow raised in question. Have you heard anything?

  And each time she’d had to shake her head “no.”

  Annie kept her senses fully opened, a rare event. She heard more intricate, softer sounds now, rustling leaves, a lone car passing by from a great distance. The other noises she’d heard earlier deepened, and she awakened to the more subtle tones like tree roots pulsing and pushing the earth, inch by inch, mining for nutrients. The ocean lapped the shore with a splash, announcing the end of its journey until the undertow pulled it back to start a new one. Insects droned and squeaked in their thirst for survival. Small critters like squirrels or rabbits or foxes skittered amongst dense underbrush.

  Eat or be eaten. Perish or thrive. The cadence of survival was a constant dance of retreat and attack, a crescendo and decrescendo of noise.

  Tombi unexpectedly pulled her close to his side. His mouth covered one of her ears. “Do you need to rest?” he breathed. Her skin and insides vibrated with arousal.

  She nodded, and he led her to a fallen limb where they could sit. Annie sank on to the rough bark and fought the urge to break into a loud sigh of relief. Tombi removed the camo bag from his back and produced a water bottle. Wordlessly, he handed it to her.

  Annie gulped the cold water. She lifted it to her lips for another draught, pausing at the faint, floating notes wafting in the breeze. Bewitching, evocative notes that pulled her inside, urging her to come forward, to more clearly enjoy the exquisite melody. She dropped the water bottle and rose to her feet, circling to catch the direction of the music.

  The music grew more distinct. And even though she knew its charm held an ugly underside, the need to follow the sound twisted her gut with longing to be closer, to bask in its loveliness.

  Tombi’s touch on the middle of her back steadied her. Again, he whispered in her ear. “Is it Bo?”

  She considered. “I don’t think so,” she said, keeping her voice barely above a breath.

  Disappointment tightened his face.

  “But there’s more than one,” she added. “It’s a blended sound. I’d guess at least five or six separate voices.”

  “Damn. How far away?”

  “About fifty yards.” She pointed toward the east. “In that direction.”

  Tombi pulled out his slingshot and palmed several rocks. “Can’t wait here and let them circle us in an ambush.”

  “What would happen if they did?”

  “Your soul would be in jeopardy. They invade your mind like a cold smoke. A vapor that seeps in by any crack in your mental armor.”

  “I’ll go with you,” she said hurriedly. “I can help throw stones.”

  “No,” he said, cutting her off at once. “You’ll be safer here. Stay put and don’t go anywhere.”

  He placed a couple of stones in her hand and left, disappearing in sudden, silent movements.

  Jerk. He’d promised to stay close by her side, yet at the first whiff of a fight, he’d abandoned her. Annie sat back down on the log, put the stones in her lap and pressed her fingers to her ears, trying to at least partially block the will-o’-the-wisps’ alluring call. It helped, but it wasn’t perfect. Annie resorted to her second round of defense; she sang silently inside, blocking outside sound from overpowering her emotions.

  Much better. Not perfect, but better. It was tolerable. Good thing, because her last defense was running away, and right now that wasn’t an option.

  The relief was short-lived.

  A stealthy note of caution and cunning crept over her flesh like sticky syrup. Something or someone was at the edge of her awareness. Annie dropped her hands in her lap and stared into the inky void.

  A rumble vibrated in her mind, like she’d imagine an earthquake would produce. But the ground wasn’t trembling. Where the hell did it come from? Even the wisps had fallen silent. Did this mean Tombi had been hurt or captured? Dread prickled her scalp.

  A harsh noise like grating metal erupted. Annie jumped up, nerves jangling with adrenaline.

  The rumbling and grating ceased, and a small childlike voice whispered in the night.

  “Help me. Please.”

  Annie’s breath was so loud and ragged she might as well have had a beacon of light shining on her, telegraphing her location.

  “I’m trapped,” the voice said plaintively, louder this time.

  It called to the healer in her even more than the wisp’s enchanting songs.

  She had to help.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Over here.”

  Annie squeezed the rocks fisted in both her palms and took a couple of steps forward. She held her hands out in front of her to avoid slamming into anything and carefully followed the voice.

  The exquisite music returned, and she realized the voice was a soul trapped in a wisp. Thankfully, it appeared to be solitary in its flittering about the swamp. If only Tombi were here, he could help this poor soul. As for herself, she was always the last one picked for any kind of sport at school, including softball. So her strength and her aim were highly suspect. She’d be lucky to hit a large target even at the mere distance of ten feet.

  Forward progress was painfully slow, but the volume of the music increased, and Annie knew she was close. She leaned against a tree and took a deep breath. Might as well speak up; the wisp already knew she was present. “If you want my help, come to me.”

  A swirl of pink and purple shone through a patch of brambles a few yards ahead.

  “That was quick,” she muttered.

  Symphonic music emanated from the wisp, soothing her fear.

  Be careful. Annie focused on the rocks balled in her hand, their sharp edges scratching into her flesh. Focus on the soul who wants freedom.

  In the span of time it took for a struck match to catch flame, the wisp floated to within six feet of