Carpathian 09 - Dark Guardian

murders; on every floor she could hear the various conversations. She didn't want that—didn't want to know what people thought of her part in the carnage.
    She admitted to herself that most of what she overheard was kind and sympathetic, but that didn't lessen the pain. And she had never sought pity from anyone. As she sat down, her stomach lurched again, and the feeling of evil nearly overwhelmed her. She was aware of eyes on her, unable to keep from staring.
    She wanted desperately to be alone, to weep and throw things, to scream, to sit on the floor in the bathroom, hugging the toilet, and be sick. Instead, she made herself spread her notes out on her desk.
    The pictures would come later. She couldn't face them now.
    It wasn't easy being without Lucian. She had been with him nearly every moment since waking up from the warehouse disaster. Now, when she needed him most, needed his comfort, he had gone to save her friend. He was in danger because of her. She rubbed the heel of one hand against her throbbing head.
    I am not in danger, angel. That is impossible. You should know that by now. Be still, and allow me to take away your headache.
    It's enough that I know you're there if I reach out to you . And it was. Jaxon felt comforted, safe. She felt he was holding her in his strong arms. Bring Barry back safely, Lucian. I still have that feeling, the one that means Drake's about to do something terrible . Her stomach was a mess, clenching and knotting in outrage.

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    We are close to the safe house where the captain says he has Barry stashed. I am scanning the area around us continually, and all is not right. I feel the intrusion of evil, yet it is not the same as what you were feeling in the apartments.
    Jaxon closed her eyes tightly, trying to shut out reality, if only for a moment. If Drake already knew where Barry was located, the chances were more than good that it was far too late to save him. She could only hope that Daryl had called ahead to warn the officers guarding Barry that Drake was on a killing spree and was stalking them.
    She bent over her notes, trying to focus, trying to read the words, but the ink all seemed to run together.
    How was she going to generate a decent report if she couldn't even read her own work? It took several minutes before she realized she had tears in her eyes. Swearing silently to herself, she jumped up and began to make her way down the hall to the bathroom.
    Every step she took only increased the terrible precognition of death. Small beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. Lucian ? She reached for him desperately.
    I am here . His voice was tranquil and soft, more soothing than ever, a mesmerizing tool that instantly calmed her.
    He's killing someone right now. I feel him. Please get to Barry.
    It is not Barry. Your captain is talking to Radcliff on the phone. We will be there in minutes. There is a presence, but I am not certain it is Drake. It does not feel the same as what is in your mind when you replay your memories. Similar, but different.
    Like in the apartment?
    No, not even that. We are here now. I will protect Barry from this monster . With that last assurance Lucian broke off their merge.
    She thought about that, the abruptness of his departure. He never did that, never separated from her as he had just done. He always did it slowly, almost reluctantly, his presence lingering so that she felt him, not always certain whether he was really gone or still a shadow remaining in her mind. This was different.
    He was completely gone, and she actually felt a loss. For the first time she knew what he meant when he talked about lifemates and their urgent need of each other.
    With a sigh she pushed open the door to bathroom. At once the feeling of darkness and evil overwhelmed her, and she doubled over, clutching her stomach, retching violently.
    An arm curved around her waist, and Tom Anderson helped her into the bathroom and away from all the watchful eyes. "You'll be okay, Jaxx. Let's get you some water."
    Tom had been a loyal member of her unit for a long time, so she let him help her, although she found it humiliating that he should see her this way. She had trained with these men, fought beside them, led them.
    She needed their respect if she was going to work with them. Splashing cold water on her face helped ease the gagging in her throat, but her stomach was in knots as tight as ever. The