Page 104 of Dark Lover

“It’s obvious that you and Ian have teamed up—he has your back and you have his. You used to protect us that way. Now you’re fighting for him that way,” Tabby said.

“And he was so worried about you,” Brie interjected. “Not to mention that he’s still really upset about what happened at the Cathedral.”

He’d been worried about her. He’d leapt time to rescue her—again. They’d fled together—he’d healed her twice. What did that all mean? Sam reached for the wine and realized both bottles were empty.

Tabby stilled her hand. “Underneath the anger and despair, he is a good man,” she said.

Sam looked at her. That was what Brie had said, a day or so ago. “I know. He comes across as a total jerk—wealthy, arrogant and unbelievably self-centered. But I’ve seen the truth.” She spoke slowly, choosing her words with care. “He was in demonic captivity for sixty-six years. He suffered unspeakably. I’m afraid to think about what they did to him. Those wounds remain and they’re raw. I think he suffers from flashbacks, from nightmares. You’re right—he lives with despair.” She was grim. “The arrogance, the scorn, the indifference and even the selfishness, it’s all a facade, so we will never know how fractured he is, how frightened, how hurt.”

Tabby’s eyes were wide. “You care about him,” she said softly.

“I hope not!” Sam exclaimed uncomfortably. “Not the way you mean, anyway!”

Her sister and cousin looked at her.

“Okay, I do care, but not that way! Damn it. It all started when I began to realize what he’s been through. I fought the compassion, I really did. But no one should ever have to suffer what he has—and it’s not even over! That damned monk is back!”

Tabby and Brie exchanged glances, smiling.

“Nothing is funny, guys. The monk needs to pay. Ian needs payback, and can you blame him? I think peace will follow, and then he can heal. Of course, stealing the page of illusion and refusing to hand it over to Nick doesn’t exactly lay the groundwork for a peaceful life. So I guess that’s where I come in.” Sam paused.

“Maybe you’re meant to be the one to bring him peace,” Brie said. “The way I brought Aidan to salvation. He’s certainly gone out of his way for you.”

Ian had gone out of his way for her, many times, but Brie was wrong. “This isn’t a karmic love connection!”

Brie smiled.

“Can you really go behind his back and hand over the page to Nick?” Tabby asked quietly.

“I hate the idea, but there’s no other choice,” Sam said quickly. “It will save our lives.”

“And what will that do to your relationship?” Tabby seemed worried.

Sam started. “Whoa! Didn’t you hear anything I just said? We don’t have a ‘relationship.’ We’re allies, but we’re still rivals. We may be lovers, but it’s not the real deal, Tab, like you and Macleod. It’s not even close. He’ll be pissed as all hell at me. We’ll have great make-up sex. We’ll vanquish Hemmer and the monk. And then we’ll go our separate ways.”

Tabby didn’t respond.

Sam flushed, uncomfortable. “This is just a case for me. There’ll be other assignments and lots more war. Eventually this will be an interesting memory…if that.”

“Wow,” Brie said. “You have your life all charted out.”

Sam looked at her.

Brie just shrugged. “You’ve never bothered with compassion for anyone other than me or Tabby, and of course Allie. I don’t think this will be as easy as you think. Ian reminds me so much of Aidan when he took me hostage. He’s meant for great things, I just know it. But he can’t achieve his destiny until he heals. I don’t think you will find it easy to walk away, Sam, not when he needs you.”

“Is that your romantic nature speaking, or have you seen something I should know about?”

“Ian has white power,” Brie explained. “The gods will want him to use it to protect the Innocent!”

Sam stared. “Do you know that for certain?”

“I’m sure of it, but not because of a vision,” Brie said. “I just know it.”

Sam tried to imagine Ian as a Master. It was hard to do. She knew that if he ever took those vows, he’d fight evil his way—flying solo and acting as indifferent as possible about it.

Tabby touched her. “Sam, has it ever occurred to you that if he can get past his past, he might have a very different future? I think you two are peas in a pod. Aren’t you his flip side, in a way?”

“What?”