Shadows in the Light

Chapter 8

Ethan's POV

"Tell me you don't feel it," I begged, my voice low and erratic, the dim moonlight catching Olivia's flutter of uncertainty.

She murmured, "I can't keep doing this," her arms curled defensively over herself. "Ethan, you pull me back only to drive away."

"I never pushed you away," I said, going forward and my chest tightened at the tears she was trying to hide. You turned to go. You even denied me an opportunity to explain.

Her chuckle was sharp as a knife, unpleasant. Just explain? Ethan, you violated me! I handed you everything—my trust, my love—and you tore it without thinking twice.

Now, frantic, I closed the distance between us. Still here you are. Tell me, Olivia, why did you come back if I really meant nothing?

Her jaw tightened as she tensed and raised defenses. "I returned to see Amelia."

The reference to our daughter split my heart. "Amelia is entitled to more than this. You also deserve the truth; she does as well.

" Truth??" Her voice surged, her rage like a tempest. You want to discuss the truth, Ethan? Start with the reason you misled me for years.

I stammered, my secrets biting at my throat. "Because I wanted to shield you. Every action I took—everything I have ever done—was to keep you safe.

"Safe from what?," she said, her green eyes burning with wrath and something deeper, something that still tied us despite the upheaval.

"From them."

Her voice stammered, uncertainty slicing through her rage. "Who"?

The lights in the room flickering before I could respond sent us into short darkness. Olivia gasped and moved automatically toward him.

Her voice shaking, she said, "What's going on?"

The shadows all around us appeared to thicken, a stifling hush enveloping the space. I went for her hand and firmly grabbed it.

I whispered, "We're not alone."

A cool draft across the room seemed to be shutting in the walls. Olivia's breath accelerated, her anxiety clear. I looked around, every muscle in my body coiled and ready for combat.

She replied gently, her voice just above a whisper: "Ethan." "Is this concerning the threats?" The folks that followed us earlier?

I nodded, my hold on her hand getting stronger. "They persist, Olivia." They had been observing us, waiting for the opportune attack. And today they have located it.

Her eyes became wide, and I saw first-time raw terror. "Amelia. Is she—"?

"She's safe," I told her quickly. I sent her along with Victoria. She is going to guard her.

Her voice cracking, "And who's going to protect us?" she said.

"I'll."

She screamed, "You can't protect me, Ethan!" and pulled her hand away. "You cannot protect me now and you cannot protect me then."

"I'm not that man anymore," I said sharply back. "You believe I regret nothing that happened? I wish I could go back and correct every darn error I made, not repeating any of them.

Her lip shook, but she stood fast. "Ethan, words mean nothing." Actions are doable. And all your deeds ever accomplished broke me.

I moved forward, the fury in her voice driving my will. "Let me then show you what I mean. Allow me to correct this.

And should you find yourself unable?

"I will," I said, sounding sharp. "Because losing you again isn't an option."

Her eyes looked at me for the flaws, the falsehoods, but all she discovered was the unvarnished truth.

We both came out of the moment startled by a loud crash from the next room. Olivia took my arm and her claws dug into my flesh.

She said, "What was that?" softly.

"Stay here," I murmured, heading for the sound.

She muttered, trailing me despite my stare, like hell I will!

I had no time to argue. Another collision sent a surge of adrenaline through my veins accompanied by a strong footfall.

The study door sprang open, and a shadow-covered person walked in. Carrying a weapon, the steel glinting menacingly,

Well, well, he said, his voice shockingly quiet. The joyful reunion. Too bad it will just be temporary.

My body protecting hers, I shoved Olivia behind me as I squared up against the invader.

"Who delivered it?" I insisted, my voice calm even though I was within a tempest.

He laughed and deliberately stepped forward. "Let's assume, Sinclair, you have some strong rivals. They also become bored with waiting.

"You wish me? Better still. Still, leave her out of this.

The man slanted his head, as though weighing my proposition. " Tempted, but I have instructions. She is sadly also part of the bundle.

Olivia grabbed my arm, her terror real. "Ethan, don't—";

"Run," I said to her, my eyes never leaving the invader.

No.

Olivia—"

She yelled, "I'm not leaving you!" her stubbornness breaking through the stress.

Smoking, the invader raised his firearm. " touching. Not that it will rescue you, though.

A second figure materialized behind him—a woman with stunning silver hair and a lethal glare in her eyes—before he could squeeze the shot. Her sword gleaming, she moved with predatory ease, disarming him in one quick action.

"Not today," she responded, her voice austere and forceful.

The invader staggered back holding his injured arm, but his eyes stayed on mine. "This is not yet finished, Sinclair. You cannot outrun what is ahead.

Turning to us, the silver-haired woman had an incomprehensible look. We have to leave. right now.

"Who the hell are you?," said Demand came from Olivia, her voice trembling.

She said squarely, "I'm the only reason you're still alive."

As the woman spoke, the atmosphere in the room seemed stifling. She fixed a stern glare at me.

"They know where she is," she added, her voice solemn. And they are on her next trip.

Olivia's face became white, and her hold on my arm tightened.

Her voice was almost audible, she said, "Who's coming?"

The woman turned her eyes to Olivia, her face softening just slightly. The ones who never ceased hunting you.

And the brittle earth underfoot broke exactly like that.

The silver-haired woman went to the window and peered sharply at the night outside. Her tone sharp and urgent, she added, "We have about five minutes, maybe less."

" Five minutes until what?" With her voice shaking, Olivia questioned.

"Until they cross the perimeter," the woman answered. Sweetheart, your secure little world is going to burn. You will do precisely what I say if you want to survive.

"No," I said as I moved forward. "You never get to bark orders without telling me who the hell you are and why I should trust you."

She turned, her silver hair catching the weak light, then regarded me with a chilly stare. " Sinclair, you have no option. Unless you would rather they locate her.

"Those who?," asks Olivia, insisting, her voice becoming frantic. "Why is everyone still riddles-speaking? What is happening?

The woman sighed, irritation flitting over her features. " Sweetheart, the ones who wish you dead. The people who emailed those morons across there. She motioned toward the disarmed invader, staring at us and still clutching his injured arm.

"Don't listen to her," the guy spat, his voice thick with wrath. She's lying. She is equally deadly than the rest of us.

The woman hardly blinked at all. She smashed the heel of her boot quickly into his chest, pinning him to the floor. Her hiss, pushing down harder, "keep talking." "I would be happy to provide a reason for more bleeding."

" Enough!," I pulled Olivia up close and snapped. "Help if you are here to provide it. If not, go off my path.

The woman stared at Olivia and momentarily softened her gaze. "Do you truly have no idea what's coming?"

Then tell us, Olivia said, begging. "I cannot live like this—looking over my shoulder, not knowing who to trust."

The woman paused then let out a moan. Perfect. The brief version is that you two are pawns in a game far larger than you could possibly conceive. And just now the opposite side is starting to move.

The sound of tires screaming outside broke the quiet, as if on demand. Olivia tightened her hold on my arm as several black SUVs skidded to stop in front of the home.

Drawing a sleek black revolver from her coat, the woman stated coldly, "They're here." "Get ready to sprint." And never turn around whatever you do.

A strong impact caused the front door to shutter, the wood splintering. Olivia gasped, and my pulse thumping, I moved naturally in front of her.

"What would they like?" Whispering, Olivia's voice was hardly heard.

With a frighteningly serious look back at us, the lady "You."

The door burst inward, and pandemonium followed.