His voice deep and mesmerizing, Thaddeus recited the issues between the Union and the Confederacy as he taught his lesson on the Civil War. Tayla watched from the tiny window in the door as he moved with confidence across the front of the room. If she moved just a bit to the left, she had a view of the first two rows of students in his class. They seemed entranced, but as several of them were girls she couldn’t tell if it was due to his teaching or his good looks.
Lord knows, she’d dedicated enough time of her own to contemplating this fine brother. Tayla loved an intelligent man, a strong and confident man. At that thought she wondered what had ever attracted her to Jerome. Her ex-husband had been intelligent and confident only in certain areas of his life. Unfortunately, where she was concerned he’d played the role of the domineering husband to a tee, his confidence seeming to exude from the mental abuse he inflicted upon her.
She’d invested a lot of time and energy into trying to make that marriage work when she should have known better. Jerome Ranier wanted to control her, his mother despised her and Tayla didn’t have the patience to deal with either. Resting her forehead on the cool pane of glass, she reassured herself that she’d made the right decision, that her two years at Grayson Moore had been the happiest times of her life.
“You belong to me.” Jerome’s words rang in her head, causing her heart to pound.
She was taking deep, steadying breaths when the door shifted. With a hasty step backwards she watched as it opened and Thaddeus Delos appeared.
“Are you okay?”
He towered above her, his thick locks of hair pulled back from his face, his dark, penetrating gaze aimed at her. His impressive breadth blocked her view into the classroom and she found herself taking another retreating step, a hand going to her throat. “I…ah…I’m fine,” she stammered.
She was not fine. Thaddeus had felt her presence the moment she appeared at the door. He’d been doing his best to keep his thoughts focused on teaching so as not to give her reason to question him, but her sudden shift in emotions had disturbed him. That in itself was strange. He’d never felt a connection to a mortal’s feelings like this before. Now he watched as she tried to pull herself together. Her hands moved quickly from her throat to her sides, where she clenched her fists tightly. She would not fidget in front of him, would not want him to see any bit of weakness. That was the type of woman she was, strong and independent.
Thaddeaus was torn between admiration and impatience. Her independence would only hamper his duties. As far as admiring her, there was no room for that either.
“Can I get you something?”
“No.” Tayla shook her head. “I was just observing. You seem to have won them over pretty quickly.” She nodded toward the class behind him.
“I think it is going well.” It was going better than well. The children were like sponges, absorbing all the information he fed them. It also helped that he treated them to graphic tales of fighting amongst the Greek gods that both entertained and intrigued. Although that was not in their curriculum, the kids loved it and after his first day there had begged him for more. How he could be so knowledgeable about these things did not seem to enter their minds.
“Good. Then I’ll just be going.” He was really close, invading her personal space. Tayla had already come to the conclusion that close proximity to Thaddeus was not a good idea. She liked looking at him from a distance because that was safe. Close up was another story entirely.
He took her arm. “I will walk you back to your office.”
Tayla attempted to move away. “I know the way. Mr. Delos, I know I’ve told you about touching. This is highly inappropriate.”
Her words were most likely true, but he hadn’t been able to resist. He’d really wanted to stroke her cheek and run his fingers through her thick mane of flaming hair but he’d managed to take only her arm instead. He loosened his grip but still kept the connection. “Inappropriate but necessary,” he said and instantly knew it was the wrong thing.
“Excuse me?” Tayla looked him up and down, trying to figure out if he were being fresh. “I don’t know the protocol at your prior schools, but at Grayson Moore we do not have this type of interaction between staff.”
Thaddeus arched a brow in question. “What type of interaction would you call this?” He called it undeniable attraction, although he knew that too was a mistake.
“Considering the fact that it’s uninvited I would most definitely call it sexual harassment.” She jerked away so hard this time that she stumbled backwards.
But she had nothing to fear. With a stealthy movement she’d only seen by superheroes in movies, he reached and stopped her fall.
“Do I make you nervous, Ms. Hampton?” he asked when he held her securely.
No, not nervous. Horny as hell was a bit closer to the truth. “I am not intimidated by you, Mr. Delos,” she said as she again stepped out of his grasp.
Thaddeus conjured every ounce of control he possessed and let his hands fall to his sides. She was stunning. Her eyes, her hair, that kissable mouth, all tugged at his senses, begging him to react. She’d backed into a locker in her effort to get away from him and he squelched a smile. Never before had he encountered a female that did not want to be touched by him. This was new and added to his growing fascination. “It is not my job to intimidate you.”
“But it is your job to teach, and since I’ve already passed all my history courses I would suggest you turn around and go back to that room full of ten-year-olds.”
That was the last place he wanted to be, but he realized that she was right. He was overstepping his boundaries and entering into dangerous territory. This was his last assignment. An assignment was not to be interpreted as opportunity for him to bed a beautiful woman, no matter how much he wanted to. “Go back to your office. I will see you at the end of the day.”
Tayla blinked, totally confused by his shift in mood and the finality of his tone. Was he telling her what to do? “I have every intention of returning to my office, but not because you told me to.”
Placing his hands on her shoulders, Thaddeus simply turned her in that direction and gave her a little shove. “Have a good day, Ms. Hampton.”
Tayla opened her mouth to speak, then turned, only to find him closing the door to the classroom behind him. Clamping her mouth shut, she stalked down the hallway, not at all sure what had just happened.
* * *
A week had passed and Tayla and Thaddeus had seen each other several times. After that day outside his classroom they’d developed a cordial friendship—if you could call it that. As a result of her conflicting feelings toward him she’d tried to keep her distance.
Thaddeus, however, had different plans. He seemed to appear wherever she was. Early in the morning when she’d normally be the only one in the building, he was there, in his room preparing lessons or knocking on her door to see if she wanted coffee or breakfast. He was always around, helping her with this or that even when she refused. Her arguments basically went unheard as Thaddeus made himself useful to her in any way possible. Along with admitting that she was growing used to his constant presence Tayla had to concede that he was great with the children, and that was what mattered most.
After school was over he’d stop by her office to see how long she’d be staying and if she wanted him to walk her back to her quarters. She always rejected his offers but, like clockwork, he’d appear just as she was locking her door and together they’d make their way through the forest. She had other male teachers, but none of them seemed the least bit concerned whether or not she walked through the forest by herself.
That only confirmed her suspicions that Thaddeus Delos was different from any man she’d ever met. Though his large stature and domineering presence had been the first clue, there was something else about him that struck a chord with her. He was very watchful, especially when they were in the forest. Tayla chalked this up to his newbie status. If you weren’t used to walking through a thick stand of trees instead of across the open space of the city and an asphalt pavement, the first few weeks could be a bit alarming.
Still, she couldn’t shake the sense that there was so much more to Thaddeus Delos. It was something that went beyond the chivalrous teacher with the body of a superhero and the demeanor of a refined gentleman.
* * *
It was Friday and the staff had planned a movie night for the kids. It was hard being away from home, away from the normal world, so Tayla liked to plan activities that would make the kids feel as if they weren’t really missing much by being up on this secluded mountaintop.
“Ms. Hampton! Ms. Hampton!” Alisa Conley burst into Tayla’s office. “Ms. Dudley says we’re about to start the movie, but we need you to come and fix the tape machine.”
Tayla looked up and smiled at the young girl. She was like a little cherub, a seven-year-old with puffy, almond-colored cheeks with deep dimples. Alisa was one of Tayla’s favorites, although all the children held a special place in her heart. Alisa’s mother had died in a violent car accident when she was four. Her father, Daniel Conley, had brought her to Grayson Moore just a few days after Tayla started working there. Alisa was shy and didn’t talk much those first weeks, but with Tayla’s constant attention the little girl had blossomed and was now as cheerful as a sunny day.
“You mean the VCR, Alisa?”
“Yes ma’am, the BCR.” Alisa nodded, her ponytails bobbing with the motion.
Tayla smiled. “Okay, just let me shut down my computer and we can go down together.” She was pressing the buttons on her keyboard when she felt the atmosphere shift. Without looking up, she knew he had entered the room. Since his arrival, each time he’d been near her stomach had performed some sort of acrobatics warning her of his presence.
“Where are we going?” Thaddeus asked the two females in the room.
Alisa looked up at him as if he were the giant she’d read about in class earlier, her eyes growing wide. “It’s movie night. We’re watching Aladdin.”
“Oh really?” Thaddeus had read through his manual so he knew what movie night was and had to admit to being a little excited about it himself. He’d seen a few movies during his mortal assignments, but not nearly as many as he’d like. There were some things about this modern world that appealed to him, one of which was standing right next to him. She wore slacks today, a dark brown color, and a blouse that looked like spun gold. The effect the color had on her eyes was nothing short of amazing, and for a moment he could only stare.
“Will you be joining us tonight, Mr. Delos?” Tayla asked. He was looking at her with a strange glint in his eyes. All week long she’d been trying to read him, to figure out what was going on in his mind when he watched her like that, but she was still unsuccessful. However, the spurt in her pulse gave a slight hint.
“I most certainly will.” Thaddeus smiled down at her. He’d been doing his teaching job very well while still keeping a close eye on Tayla. He’d made sure her quarters were securely locked and had even found a shortcut from his lodgings to hers. Over the weekend he’d work on a spot in the woods for their safe house. There had been rumblings in the sky last night, a message from the gods that danger was imminent. He would be prepared. “And I’ll gladly escort you two beautiful ladies to the auditorium so we won’t be late.” He held out an arm to Tayla, simultaneously lowering his other hand for Alisa to grab.
Tayla smiled, enjoying the light rapport between them, and looped her arm in his. She pulled her office door closed and walked down the hall with Alisa chatting excitedly about the movie, thanks to Thaddeus’ encouragement. For a moment she felt as if they were a family—mother, father and child. She’d always wanted children, but Jerome had had other plans.
The auditorium was full of chattering youngsters excited about the upcoming movie and the break from studies. Teachers were spaced throughout the room, monitoring the children, while Marilyn Dudley, the administrator, stood watch at the center of the room in front of the table that held the VCR.
Tayla stooped down until she was eye level with Alisa. “I have to go to the front to help Ms. Dudley. Do you think you could show Mr. Delos where your class is sitting so you can take a seat?”
Alisa bobbed her head, smiling up at Thaddeus with definite stars in her eyes. Tayla grinned and pinched one irresistible cheek. “Good girl. Now hurry up, the movie’s going to start soon.”
Thaddeus watched her with the little girl, saw the etchings of longing in her face and wondered why she didn’t have any children. Why was she holed up in the solitary school all alone? What could have happened to chase such an obviously vivacious creature like her into hiding? For he was sure that’s what she was doing.
Tayla clearly did a wonderful job with these children and the running of this school, but in the week that he’d known her Thaddeus hadn’t missed the fact that she didn’t belong here. She had the look of a supermodel or, at the very least, a woman used to bright lights, big parties and lots of people. She simply did not fit the description of a schoolmarm. But, then, what did he know about this world?
“The teachers usually don’t sit. They can’t keep an eye on all the kids if they do. But there’ll be light refreshments afterwards.” He’d been looking at her oddly and Tayla wasn’t sure what to say to him. At times he seemed to be deep in thought, almost in another world while he physically stood in front of her.
“You take care of the equipment and I’ll get her settled,” he told her.
Tayla nodded and moved away quickly. Every minute she was near him her attraction grew. She knew that it was silly, most likely a result of her going without real sex for so long. Still, it was becoming increasingly harder to resist her urges.
He’s a teacher, just keep reminding yourself of that fact. He is so off limits, yet he’s so delicious…
“Ms. Hampton. We’ve been waiting forever for you.”
Ms. Dudley’s voice quickly tempered her daydream about Thaddeus. She looked at the woman who was old enough to be her mother and gave her a guilty grin. “Sorry. I had a few things to finish up.”
Ms. Dudley’s lips were set in a tight line. “Well, let’s get on with it. The children have a curfew. And you…you look like you could use some rest yourself.”
Leave it to Ms. Dudley to be frank with her. At any other time Tayla would have ignored her, because it was simply the old woman’s way. She mothered everyone at Grayson Moore, from the janitor to Tayla, and they all accepted it and loved her for it. But today, at this moment, her comment had Tayla looking down at herself wondering if she really did look a fright. That would be something, wouldn’t it? Lusting after a man that was off limits while she looked like death warmed over.
Her slacks were a bit wrinkled from sitting down in her office for the better part of the day, but her blouse was in good order and although she couldn’t see her hair, it was pulled back into a ponytail so she doubted it looked that bad. Maybe it was her makeup. She wore very little, so she wasn’t sure if that was the problem.
“Ms. Hampton, if I knew how I would fix this contraption myself and relieve you of the duty you seem so hesitant in fulfilling. But as it stands I cannot—”
Tayla snapped out of her silly musings about her appearance and cut Ms. Dudley off. “I apologize, Ms. Dudley. Now if you’ll just step to the side, we’ll get things rolling.” She didn’t look at the older woman, nor did she wait for her to move; she simply scooted around her and pressed the appropriate buttons. It must be an age thing because each movie night Ms. Dudley swore she couldn’t work the VCR when all she had to do was push the ‘Power’ button and then the ‘Play’ button. “There. Could you tell Mr. Parsons to dim the lights?”
“Hmph.”
Ms. Dudley turned quickly and stomped off, apparently not liking Tayla’s curt response. Tayla grinned to herself and moved closer to the wall, out of the way of the big screen television, so the children could see.
* * *
“Larry tells me you’re still looking for her.” Lorraine Ranier sat back in her chair, her jeweled fingers and perfectly manicured nails resting on the desk blotter. She was in her office behind the antique Victorian desk, surrounded by the lavish furnishings she’d picked out herself. She was in her element. And her son…he was on her last nerve.
Jerome shrugged and walked across the Persian rug, his hands stuffed into his pants pockets. He knew the moment his mother had summoned him what she wanted to talk about—the same subject that had been a sore spot between them for the last seven years. Frankly, he was tired of going over it again and again. “Actually, I think I’ve found her this time.”
“Think?” Lorraine didn’t raise her voice, but the cool edge to it said she was not amused. “You’ve wasted a considerable amount of time and money looking for her. I would have hoped by now you’d either found her or given up the task. Really, Jerome, is she worth all this trouble?”
His back was to her, which was a good thing. He wouldn’t have to look at her and pray that she couldn’t see the depth of his feelings on his face. Was she worth it? Was Tayla worth all he was doing to get her back? Hell yes! But of course he didn’t say such a thing to his mother. “Yes, Mother. She is. She’s my wife and she belongs with me.”
Lorraine raised a brow, wondering if now was the time to tell her son the truth. No, it wouldn’t make any difference now. The woman had been gone for two years, out of sight and out of their lives. Lorraine had been ecstatic the day she left, not because she wished her son pain but because she’d despised the woman that had come into his life. Tayla Simmons was a nobody; she came from nothing and aspired to be nothing. By attaching herself to the Ranier name she thought she’d secured herself a stable future. But Lorraine had known better.
The woman had displayed her body until Jerome was utterly besotted with her. Not long after the marriage, Jerome had come to his senses and begun to lay down some ground rules. The unschooled, no-class person that she was, Tayla rebelled and she and Jerome had fought it out until the bitter end, when Tayla packed her stuff and left in the dead of night. Jerome had been devastated, and since then had devoted an abundance of his time to hiring detectives and following leads, searching to no avail.
“There are more than enough women to interest you. Obviously she did not want the life you provided for her and that’s why she left. I wish you’d just let it be.”
Jerome continued to stare out over the Boston harbor. He heard his mother’s words but dismissed them. What he and Tayla shared was special. From the moment he met her at the Waterfront Park he’d known she was meant to be his. It was almost as if they were destined to be connected, their lives intertwined forever. He believed that with all his being and that’s why he swore he’d never stop looking for her. She needed him, and he’d vowed to take care of her until the end of time.
“I’m sure it’s her this time.” His investigators had given him a final report this morning. It was Tayla. They’d finally found her. She’d been using her mother’s maiden name, but they’d managed to track her down and had given him an address.
Jerome turned to face his mother. Lorraine Rainer was still an attractive woman. At fifty-three she didn’t have one wrinkle on her smooth, mocha-colored skin. Her long black hair was never out of its neat chignon, and her wardrobe remained impeccably stylish. She was the epitome of grace and social status and he’d expected his wife to be just like her. But Tayla had disagreed. “I’m going to go get her.”
“You’re what?” Lorraine slowly stood.
“I’m leaving tonight to get her and bring her back.”
Lorraine opened her mouth to speak again but was stopped by Jerome’s raised hand. “She’s my wife, Mother.”
Lorraine shook with rage but decorum dictated she not show it. “No, Jerome, she’s not.”
Jerome looked at her quizzically. “What did you say?”
Standing with her back rod straight, Lorraine looked her only child directly in the eyes. “She is no longer your wife.”
“The fact that she left didn’t sever the marriage vows or the way we feel about each other.” He still loved Tayla, and he knew in his heart that she still felt the same for him. She had to. She had simply needed some space, some time to realize that she belonged with him. Now that he’d given her that, it was time for her to come home.
“When she left she filed for a divorce.”
“I never received divorce papers.” Jerome moved closer to his mother’s desk, wondering what she’d done now. Lorraine Ranier had a knack for getting whatever she wanted, no matter what the cost. Hadn’t he been raised to be the same way?
“I received them and signed them on your behalf. It’s done. The marriage is over. So there is no need for you to go on this fool’s chase.”
Through the windows a furious wind suddenly howled and rattled against the panes in the office. Lorraine arched a brow, then tilted her head toward her son.
“You had no right.”
“I had every right. She was destroying you and our name. I could no longer deal with her foolishness. It was past time someone put a stop to it.”
Jerome’s hands fisted at his sides, and his lips were drawn in a thin line as he tried to remain calm. “It doesn’t matter.”
“What doesn’t matter?”
“Tayla belongs to me,” he said in a measured tone.
Lorraine shook her head, waved her hand in dismissal. “Not anymore.”
His fist came down on the desk with a thunderous bang, and Lorraine flinched. “Always,” Jerome growled. “She will always belong to me.”
* * *
About ten minutes into the movie Tayla felt Thaddeus’ presence. He was standing behind her, very close behind her. If she took a half a step backward she’d feel his hard length against her. She sighed with the thought. That was exactly what she wanted to do. Instead, she held her body rigid, attempting unsuccessfully to concentrate on the movie.
The scene began where Genie made his first appearance and began granting Aladdin’s wishes. Apparently the sight of a big blue genie wearing shades and a Hawaiian shirt was hilarious, because Thaddeus laughed as if it were the funniest thing he’d ever seen. The deep, rich sound vibrated off the walls, settling around her with the comfort of a wool blanket in winter. She found herself smiling along with him, but didn’t dare turn around. Then he touched her shoulder and she jumped.
“Sorry,” he whispered. “I wanted to know if you need anything. Can I get you something to drink?”
Tayla shook her head, wondering what had prompted him to ask her that. Then she remembered how he always seemed worried about whether or not she was okay, whether she had everything she needed. That was especially strange to her since she’d been taking care of herself since she was seventeen years old.
Strange and disconcerting.
Jerome liked to take care of her, to make things just perfect, just the way he wanted them. “No, thanks. I’m fine. We’ll serve dinner after the movie and then put the kids to bed,” she answered.
“And then I’ll walk you to your room.”
He told her this as if it were a given. He didn’t ask, didn’t wait for a response. This was nothing new. Finally, Tayla did turn to face him. He was looking at the television again, grinning at something happening on the screen. He had the best smile, broad and reaching his eyes so that they twinkled with his delight. Her stomach plummeted and she felt her body swaying uncontrollably toward him.
At that exact moment he seemed to notice she was looking at him because he shifted. Their eyes met and for a long moment, neither one of them moved. Had he not been her employee, had they not been in the middle of an auditorium full of children and scattered adults, Tayla was sure she would have chucked all other thoughts, aside and kissed him. And she was equally sure he would have kissed her right back.
Then she finally put a name to the way he looked at her: hungrily. She wondered if she looked at him the same way.
Thaddeus could have kissed her. All it would have taken was for him to tilt her chin just so, to lower his mouth so that it would fit perfectly atop hers. But he did not. He could not. Again he warned his body to listen to his brain. Common sense had to win the war between it and his libido. He was just about to draw back, to move a safe distance away from her while still staying close enough to be there if she needed him, when the lights and the television screen flickered and they were all thrust into complete darkness.
As if on cue the children’s voices rang the panic bell by echoing screams of uncertainty and concern throughout the auditorium. Above their cries Tayla could hear the teachers trying to offer comfort that for some reason she didn’t feel herself.
“Great,” she sighed. “That’s just what we need on movie night, a power failure.” Keeping her hand firmly on the wall she moved to take a step and collided with a solid barrier.
“Where are you going?” Thaddeus’ senses were on instant alert as he tried to figure out a game plan to keep them all safe.
“We need flashlights. There are some in the maintenance room and some in my office.” She couldn’t see him but instinctively knew those eyes were glaring at her. They’d most likely lost the twinkle she’d seen there just moments ago and were dark and ominous again.
“I’ll go with you.”
“I know my way.” She tried to skirt around him, but in the darkness that was almost impossible. “Mr. Parsons?” she raised her voice and called for the janitor, Usef Parsons. Then she felt Thaddeus’ tight grip on her elbow while his other arm snaked around her waist, guiding her toward the back of the auditorium. The shades had been drawn over the windows to enhance the theatre effect for the children, but now Tayla wished they’d left them open. That would have offered them a small measure of light.
His hands on her felt good, but not good enough to erase the growing anxiety. For days things had seemed strange. She’d chalked it up to the newcomer, the man who steadily invaded her dreams. But a part of her knew it was someone else. “Mr. Parsons?” Tayla called again.
“Yes, Ms. Hampton. I’m right here.”
Before Tayla could speak again a small stream of light appeared and she saw the wiry form of the school’s janitor. “You are a mind reader, Mr. Parsons.” She sighed again, with relief this time. “We need to get each teacher a flashlight. Can you go to the maintenance room and gather some? I’ll get the ones from my office.”
“Sure thing, ma’am. Here, take this. I can find my way; besides, the maintenance room is closer than your office.” He thrust the flashlight in Tayla’s direction but, before she could take it, Thaddeus’ large hand grabbed for it.
“Let’s go,” he ordered while keeping a firm grip on her arm.
“Ms. Dudley,” Tayla called to the supervisor who had just approached them. “Make some sort of announcement. Try to keep them calm until I return with the flashlights.”
“You’d think a big school like this wouldn’t have electrical troubles,” Ms. Dudley grumbled.
Tayla would have responded but Thaddeus moved quickly, pulling her behind him. They moved through the long halls of the castle-like structure that was the main school building. High beamed ceilings and huge windows towered over them as they traveled through the darkness; the only light was the short stream coming from the flashlight.
But Thaddeus could see just fine. He’d studied the building and knew all its hiding places and shortcuts. Because he didn’t like the feeling he was getting, he moved fast to get them to her office to retrieve the additional flashlights.
Tayla thought this was a simple electrical failure. He knew that it was only the beginning.
“You’re going the wrong way,” Tayla said from behind him before she tripped and stumbled.
Thaddeus paused, holding her steady by her arm. “Are you okay?”
In the darkness she frowned. “I’d be a lot better if you stopped dragging me around.” She tried to wrestle her arm free of his grasp, again to no avail. “And you’re going the wrong way. My office is back there, down that corridor.”
She was okay, he surmised, then turned, pulling her in the same direction he’d been going.
“Can you hear? I said this is the wrong way.” She was getting frustrated now. This was her school, her building. She knew where she was going and where her office was. He should be listening to her, not the other way around. She stopped suddenly, causing him to pull on her arm even harder. But she wouldn’t budge and she knew he wouldn’t physically drag her over the floor—or at least she prayed he wouldn’t.
Thaddeus stopped again, clearly disturbed at her insistence. “Why are you stopping? We need to get these flashlights and get the children to safety quickly.”
His voice was intense, definitely too intense for a simple power outage. “It’s just an electrical failure. We probably blew a fuse or something. I’m sure Mr. Parsons will have it fixed in no time. However, we’re never going to get to my office going this way.”
Thaddeus didn’t need to shine the flashlight in her face to see those hazel eyes flashing at him or hear the edge to her voice. He knew there was more to her than that calm exterior she put on. “I know a shortcut.” He pulled on her arm again, gently this time. If he knew anything about females, he knew that once their temper rose you didn’t really want to be standing less than two feet in front of them, and Tayla would be no different. She wouldn’t cooperate if she was angry, and he needed her cooperation at this point. He could simply throw her over his shoulder and carry her to the office but thought this way was easier for them both.
“How do you know a shortcut when you’ve only been here a week?” There was something strange about Thaddeus now, something stranger than what she’d been trying to forget all week. The flashlight was pointed at her, yet his form was outlined perfectly in a pale gold light, similar to the way it had been that first night in the forest. His voice had gone from tense terseness to a soothing chant that had thrown her.
Conversing with her was taking too long. In the darkness danger loomed closer than he had realized. They had to move, now! “Tayla, we must go now.” He tried to remain calm but this time pulled her insistently until her feet began to move and they were once again on their way to her office.
Before she could speak again they rounded a corner and, like magic, her office door was only a few feet away. She hadn’t even realized they were that close. As Thaddeus reached for the door, she made a mental note to check out this shortcut when the lights were back on.
“I have to get the key,” Tayla said as she reached into her pants pocket. But Thaddeus turned the knob and the heavy oak door opened before them.
Tayla stopped, staring at the creaking door as it moved. “I locked it when we left,” she whispered.
Thaddeus remembered her doing just that. The base of his neck tingled as his grip on her hand tightened and he led them inside. The first thing they both noticed was the cool breeze rushing throughout the room. Thaddeus pointed the flashlight in the direction of the windows and Tayla gasped.
On the far left wall were two huge floor to ceiling windows that had once been paned with copper-toned glass. All the panes had been broken and now the night air rushed inside, leaving an eerie chill in its wake.
A thump in the right corner had them both stopping, turning in that direction. Thaddeus pointed the flashlight in that corner but did not see anything…or anyone. Tayla was behind him. He took a step back, reaching his arm around to grasp her waist, then took another step backward, leading her to the wall. When he couldn’t move any more, he turned to her, placed a free hand over her mouth and leaned down close to her ear. “Do not move. I am going to check the rest of the room. I want you to stay right here.”
Tayla swallowed the all-too-familiar feeling of fear and moved his hand from her mouth. “I have to get the flashlights.”
“Stay here!” Thaddeus growled, then felt her stiffen against him. Silently he cursed himself. He did not want to frighten her. And speaking harshly to her did not sit well with him either. He sighed, then brushed a quick kiss across her mouth. “Just let me check the room out first. Then we will get the flashlights and get back to the kids,” he said in a more reasonable tone.
Tayla was shocked by the kiss but didn’t dare speak again. She was also shocked by the sudden hint of accent in his voice. She’d had a feeling he wasn’t from the states, what with his stilted English, but she couldn’t readily place the lilt. She remained still. Thaddeus and his changes had her entranced and she wasn’t sure what she should say next. Instead, she plastered her back against the wall and nodded her agreement. He moved away from her and she instantly missed his warmth, his solidness—yet his kiss had left her tingly on the inside.
It seemed like forever that she waited for Thaddeus to return to her side, or at least say something to her. In the meantime the cool air pricked at her skin, causing her to shiver. Outside the sky was deep indigo, no stars in sight. A vague outline of the tallest trees and the mountain a distance away added to the eeriness of the scene. The wind picked up, making a strange hissing sound, and fear clawed at her insides once more. What was going on? Where was Thaddeus?
As if he heard her thoughts he appeared at her side, taking her hand in his. He’d turned off the flashlight when he stepped away from her, why she wasn’t quite sure, but then where Thaddeus Delos was concerned she wasn’t quite sure of anything. Now he flicked it back on and shone in it her face. She blinked furiously, then focused her attention on him.
“Where do you keep the extra flashlights?”
“In the closet behind my desk,” she said in a surprisingly steady voice. Then as she took a step to guide him toward the closet, the lights flicked back on, illuminating the room and increasing Tayla’s fear factor by another notch.
“Oh….my…God,” she said slowly, taking in the mass destruction around her. Not only had all the panes been broken out of the windows, scattering shattered colored glass all over the place, but all the books from her shelves had been tossed to the floor, some ripped almost to shreds. The couch near the window where she had special conversations with her children was ripped with long jagged slices, with white foamy filling sticking out violently.
She turned to her desk only to find more disarray. Files and knickknacks were thrown here and there, her keyboard had been splashed with some red substance, and her computer screen had a hole straight through it. Her chair had been slashed similarly to the couch. She took a step toward the desk, a hand coming to her throat. “What happened?” she whispered.
Thaddeus had scanned the room as well and felt a sick swirling in the pit of his stomach. That tingle at the base of his neck grew into a blazing heat as he recognized this as a scare tactic. Then a flash of light caught his eye and he focused on something on the windowsill. As if his eyes sparked some sort of ‘on’ switch, the object produced music.
The melody filtered throughout the room and Tayla turned slowly until she found the source. On the windowsill sat a pink music box, open, with a tiny ballerina spinning in its center. As she recognized the notes of the timeless tune, Tayla’s blood froze.