"Something wrong, Blue?" Talon asked with a grin.

"What? No. I'm just...thinking about...what we need to do first. About your training." She shook her head to clear the erotic images from her mind. She knew what she wanted to do first and it didn't include stretching or jogging.

"Okay. Start slow and run at your own pace and we'll see how far you get."

"You mean I get to play without mommy watching?" He asked in a singsong voice.

She ignored his warped sense of humor. "You'll be by yourself when you do whatever it is you're going to do to Draagon, so, yeah. Mommy won't be around to wipe your...nose. Whenever you're ready, you can leave. Don't head into the foothills, don't talk to strangers, and be home before dark."

Chapter Eleven.

Shadow watched Talon jog confidently along the dusty road. His laughter still filled the air. With his improved vision he easily missed the tufts of overgrown vegetation. When the road curved and took him out of sight, every instinct she owned urged her to follow. What if he fell? What if he lost his way? What if...?

"Give it a rest, woman!" She scolded herself. "If he falls, he'll get up and keep going or sit on his b.u.t.t until I come looking for him when he doesn't show up for dinner." Spinning on her heel, she headed back inside. As soon as she straightened her room and put some kava stew in the cook pot to simmer, she intended to explore the village.

Two hours after Talon left, Shadow entered the house next door to theirs. "Let's see if I can discover just what it is about this house that triggered his shut-down."

The elements had leached most of the color from the walls but enough remained in the upper corners to indicate the family enjoyed bright, vibrant colors. To the right of the front door was an empty closet with the door hanging precariously from a single hinge. The room to the left gave no indication of its original purpose. Dry leaves and faded sc.r.a.ps of cloth scuttled across the floor at the whim of the breeze through the broken windows.

Continuing down the hall, she pa.s.sed two additional rooms, each as empty as the first. A ma.s.sive tree occupied the outside corner of what once was a kitchen. Obviously part of nature's way to reclaim the land that once belonged to her. Hints of bright yellow suggested this room offered a warm, happy start to the family's day.

Bits of broken crockery crunched beneath her feet when she turned to leave. The sound was over-loud in the quiet of the abandoned village. Glancing down to see what she was stepping on, Shadow spotted a small flash of something metallic. It didn't take more than a firm tug to lift the edge of the damaged floor to reveal her first 'treasure'. The tarnished, silver spoon was caught in the twisted roots of the tree. Something-possibly her walking across the floor?-sc.r.a.ped the tarnish away and allowed the brief sparkle that caught her eye.

Rubbing the spoon with the tail of her shirt brought out more detail to the small spoon. "I bet this was for a baby," she whispered to no one but herself. Continued rubbing revealed an ornate, scrolling 'D' at the end of the handle.

"I wonder if Talon would know who lived here and if they had a baby." With a huge grin she slipped the tiny spoon into her pocket. "Let's see what other treasures we can find."

The stairs just inside the front door looked st.u.r.dy but she wasn't willing to risk a broken leg-or worse. a.s.suming the strongest part of the step would be against the wall, she carefully tested each tread before putting her full weight on it.

"Remember the definition of a.s.sume?" She whispered, taking nothing for granted as she slowly climbed. Each step creaked and groaned but accepted her weight. With both feet firmly on the upstairs landing, Shadow allowed herself a moment to relax before heading to the closer of the two doors.

This was a boy's room based on the blue and brown paint traces. A small bed lay in pieces in one corner next to what looked like it was once a chest with drawers. What the h.e.l.l? Someone took an axe to this furniture. Who would do something like this? Why?

Draagon! From everything she knew of the man and his army, it was the only answer. What he couldn't take he destroyed so no one else could use it. "Talon's gonna kick your sorry a.s.s. Your days are numbered."

Leaving her threat to be carried away on the breeze, she quickly finished with the room. There was nothing salvageable left to tell her about the child who once lived here.

Maybe the parent's room would give her more insight.

Shadow grasped the door handle, expecting it to turn as easily as the other doors in the house. Forward momentum carried her into the door.

"Ouch!" She muttered rubbing her nose where it hit the door. "What the h.e.l.l?" She examined the handle but found no locking mechanism. The frame wasn't warped neither was the door itself. In fact, a closer examination of the door revealed it wasn't wood at all, but some type of composite material. Her internal alarms were screaming. This wasn't just another bedroom but without a key of some type she wasn't getting in to check it out.

"Great." She muttered to herself. "Something else to keep me unfocused on my a.s.signment."

Shaking her head she stomped back down the stairs and out the door. There were more houses still standing.

Talon slowed his easy jog to a brisk walk. What a difference a night's sleep made! He could see! Well, not completely, but definitely more than yesterday. He had to stop and touch the feathery fronds of a giant fern growing near the road. He remembered them from his youth. The blooms it would produce next spring would fill the air with a sweet, fruity fragrance. Back then he would never have noticed the delicate fronds. Twelve-year-old boys were more focused on themselves and the latest adventure to catch their imagination.

The sun on his face told him it was close to midday. He needed to reach the artesian well soon. The water came from deep underground and was cold enough to make your teeth ache. He figured he already covered five or six miles and the well was at the eight-mile mark going this direction on the road. He would turn around at the well and start back. All-in-all, considering his lack of physical activity the last two years, he felt remarkable. Breathing a little harder than normal and he knew for sure there would be entire muscle groups screaming at him for the abuse he was heaping on them today.

"I'll cut my tongue out before I let Blue know how bad it is." Thinking about Shadow triggered an avalanche of conflicting emotions. He was now totally committed to whatever she demanded of him. She gave him the gift of sight! He had to admit he missed the blue aura and the quick flashes of color when she lost her temper.

She kissed him because she called him an a.s.shole. His brain knew it. His 'lower brain' wanted more-a lot more. He wanted to feel her silky skin against him. He wanted to kiss that birthmark on her a.s.s....

"How do I know she has a birthmark?" He mumbled. "Because I felt the slight difference in her skin and she told me what it was! I've already kissed it! When did I kiss it? Dammit! Why can't I remember?"

Thirst drove him to resume his jog. He may be able to see better but he still needed his mind on what he was doing or he could break an ankle on the overgrown trail. His subconscious could work on the problem of Shadow and her birthmark.

He was no closer to a solution when he reached the well and used his hand to scoop the water to his mouth. The icy chill flowed through his system. He felt every drop as it traveled down his throat into his stomach and beyond. Tomorrow he'd bring a water bag and take some back to Shadow. She deserved a special treat, too.

Since when is a cold drink of water a special treat. Whatever you're thinking you need to rethink. Don't let your d.i.c.k convince you that grat.i.tude is something more-something lasting.

The water bubbled up through the rocks into a deep pool before forming a small creek that disappeared into the forest and eventually into the sea. Did he ever explore the path of the creek? Follow it to the sea? He couldn't remember. For so many years the only memories he allowed himself were of Draagon and bringing him to justice. The slaughter of everyone he held dear was tied to his nightmares. To open himself to remembering anything else was to invite unimaginable pain.

With a final drink, Talon wiped his hands on his pants and took off back the way he came. This late in the fall, the sun would set early. He grinned thinking about Shadow's demand that he be back before dark. He'd make it-barely.

After going through three more houses, Shadow headed back to the one she shared with Talon. Her scavenger hunt was more successful than she could have imagined. She now had several china plates and cups, two cooking vessels-once she cleaned the residue of dried on something, and two books written in a language she didn't recognize. Maybe Talon could translate them for her. The one item she didn't know what to do with was a dress. She'd never worn anything but rough, serviceable pants-preferably with multiple pockets for weapons and supplies, and cotton shirts that were equally as rugged as the pants. Why she brought the soft garment with her was a mystery.

If I wear it for Talon, would he even notice? Or care?

"Great stars and planets, woman! What do you care if that b.u.m notices what you wear?"

Hurrying into her room, she shoved the dress into the bottom of the wooden chest at the end of her bed and covered it with her other treasures.

"Fix dinner and quit thinking about what you've never had and never will have."

Chapter Twelve.

"Haul your lazy b.u.t.t up!" Shadow bellowed from the door. "The sun will be up soon and you need to eat."

Talon rolled from his bed and choked back the groan rumbling through his chest. Every muscle in his body screamed at him to lay back down and don't move. He knew he'd be a little sore this morning, but he didn't expect this.

"You up?"

"I'm working on it!" d.a.m.n. The woman was relentless. What he wouldn't give for an hour in one of Cypriana's hot-spring-fed tubs. Forcing his stiff muscles to move, he struggled into his pants. Grabbing his shirt, he shuffled into the main room, praying to those elusive deities that she didn't notice.

"We need to work on close contact maneuvers this mo...,"

"Something wrong, Blue?" Talon drawled. Shadow's gaze was locked on his chest and those faint, little flashes of color went straight to his groin. His new vision made the color harder to see but there was still enough tint to broadcast her interest. Let's just see how interested you are.

Talon slowly ran his fingers through the hair on his chest, trailing down to his stomach where he lazily scratched his abs. She was so focused on what his hand was doing she never saw the grin spreading across his face. Those intriguing little flashes of red and pink were getting stronger every day.

"You were saying something about close contact?" He prompted. And just that fast, she was a solid blue again.

"Yeah," she cleared her throat. "The change in your visual perception will take some getting used to before you go after Draagon."

Talon slipped his shirt on and b.u.t.toned about half the b.u.t.tons. His mother raised him to be a gentleman and she drilled into him to never sit down to eat in mixed company half-dressed. "Where did the dishes come from?"

Shadow spooned the reheated kava stew from last night onto each plate before sitting. "You gonna stand there all day or what?"

"A gentleman never sits before his lady." He settled into his chair and picked up his spoon.

"I've never been called a lady so don't waste your manners on me. About the dishes...while you were on your jog yesterday I explored some of the houses that aren't too damaged. I found dishes and pots and some books but I don't know the language. I'm hoping you can help me translate them."

He couldn't get over how animated she became just talking about the trash left behind by the Phantom Riders. She was almost child-like in her enjoyment. What kind of life did you have that a couple of chipped plates make you happy?

"We can look at them before we turn in for the night. I can't promise I'll know what they are. The library was extensive with volumes from dozens of galaxies."

"Which building is the library?"

Talon laughed at her enthusiasm. She was practically bouncing in her seat. "If it survived it's on the street behind this one, on the opposite corner from where we are. Most of the families had their own private editions so you may find more as you scavenge the village."

"You make it sound like I'm stealing."

"Not at all." He rushed to rea.s.sure her and wipe the dejected frown from her face. "Draagon took anything of value when he destroyed the village. Whatever you find is yours to keep, just be careful where you step. Some of these houses are held together with nothing more than the vines climbing unchecked up their walls."

"That reminds me...the house next door has a strange door upstairs. It won't open but there's no lock and it's not made of wood like the other doors. Any idea what it's made of or what might be inside?"

Talon pushed his empty plate away as a cold, hard knot of fear settled in his gut. By all the G.o.ds, he didn't want to think about that house or the room; but she deserved the truth-at least, as much of the truth as he was willing to share.

"It's the burial vault for the village." Please don't ask more questions, Shadow.

"In someone's house? Why not a separate building?"

Sipping his rapidly cooling tea, he forced the words past his clenched jaw. "The original crypt was destroyed and the ashes of hundreds of thousands of the departed were scattered to the winds and stomped on by the Phantom Riders. The funeral urns were more valuable to the Riders than what they contained.

"The room next door was the only secure room after they left. The remains in there are those who died during that week or were taken from here by force. If you need to go in, the sonic key is buried in a tin box beneath the bottom step. If you will excuse me, I'm going to stretch and get ready for what you have planned for us."

Shadow ached for the pain and sadness he couldn't hide. Suddenly, it all made sense. The house next door was his. How was he the only survivor of that long-ago slaughter? He couldn't have been more than ten or twelve years old; yet, he prepared the dead, cremated them, and placed their ashes in a safe place. No wonder he's had only one driving force-destroy the malevolent man who destroyed everything in his world-everything that was him. Wiping the tears from her face, she headed out to join Talon. She would do everything in her power to give him what he needed to succeed.

"Stance and balance. The two most important tools in hand-to-hand combat. If you lose your balance your enemy wins." She stood beside him to ill.u.s.trate the correct form.

"I know how to fight, Shadow. Former bounty hunter, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You and the threat of a couple of laser guns that didn't require much in the way of aiming-just spray the general area and everybody dies. Is that how you want to take down Draagon? If so, this whole training program is a waste of time for both of us." She used the tail of her shirt to wipe the sweat from her face, waiting for Talon's answer.

"No," he finally muttered. "I want to feel that b.a.s.t.a.r.d's blood run through my fingers."

"You just earned yourself another fifty push-ups for cussin'. Drop and count 'em out." So far this morning Talon's mouth had earned him a total of one hundred and fifty push-ups-and he says I have a potty mouth! At the rate he was going, he would be able to bench-press a tree by the end of the week. When he finished his punishment, she tossed him the water skin.

"When you catch your breath, we'll see if you can put me on the ground." She glanced at the sun just peeking above the treetops. "Looks like we have an hour-maybe a little more before midday. Why don't we make this interesting by setting up a small wager?" She grinned at him when he sealed the skin and flopped back onto the gra.s.s. His stamina surprised her, but in a good way.

"What did you have in mind? I, obviously, have no coins."

"IF-and I have serious doubts that you still have any fighting skills left-but if you manage to take me down more times than I take you down, you get the afternoon off. But if you can't...."

Talon didn't acknowledge her semi-threat. He waited until she looked back up at the sky; hooked his foot behind her knee, and jerked. She went down hard beside him.

"Oooooh, you are one sneaky bas-ket. That's how you want to do this? Blitz attack?"

"I'm sorry, Shadow." Talon tried hard to maintain his frown at her annoyance. "Are there rules you haven't given to me?" The grin he couldn't hide spread across his face. "I must say, as an instructor you aren't very...articulate in explaining your lesson plans."

The arrogant a.s.s! So he wants to play games. Fine. I'll give him what he wants. Exactly what he wants.

Shadow drew in a deep, calming breath before pushing to her feet. "You know, one of my trainers used to tell us to be careful what you prayed for because you just might get it. I'll try to articulate slowly. I wouldn't want you to miss anything important."

With feet spread shoulder-wide; her hands fisted on her hips; the faint blue aura firmly in place, she was magnificent! He was going to love whatever she threw at him. He was also pretty certain she was going to kick his b.u.t.t.

"There's only one rule, Talon." She held up one finger. "Stand up."

Talon grinned, and followed her order. "I don't think you're supposed to point with your middle finger."

"This special gesture is all for you." She replied in a sickly sweet voice.

When she stepped close enough for her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to touch his chest, Talon held his breath. He struggled to focus on her mouth instead of her chest but looking at her mouth came with its own set of problems. One in particular he would have trouble hiding. If he missed what she was saying because she suddenly morphed from a jailer/trainer to a s.e.xy woman...? Yep. I am in serious trouble.

"There are no rules."

No sooner was the last word out of her mouth before she jabbed him just above his pubic bone. He doubled over in a natural reflex used by men throughout time to protect their jewels. Unfortunately, it left the back of his neck open to the rapid slash of her hand. He hit the ground...hard.

"That's one for you and one for me. Now let's get down to business."

For the next hour they punched, flipped, wrestled, and kicked. Shadow was well trained in multiple fighting disciplines but Talon was a down-and-dirty street fighter. The scores rocked back and forth and blood dripped from busted lips and noses. By tomorrow both of them would be covered in some interesting bruises.

Talon was currently flat on his back on the ground with Shadow standing over him. He couldn't move because she held his brutally twisted wrist in one hand while the other pulled his index finger back in an unnatural position guaranteed to keep him from moving. Any movement of any part of his body pulled against his hand and arm. On the off chance that he would try to retaliate, her right foot rested on the back of his elbow. In a real fight, she would have already broken his finger and wrist and crushed his elbow. He was done. She tied the score with a move he couldn't counter. There was no way to escape and score another point.