Dawn's Never Ending Glow

"I'm moving out," Janine hissed, close to tears. She needed more than just a brief vacation from Patrick. She needed a sabbatical, maybe a permanent one. Staying at the compound was too difficult. He was too accessible. And she was too willing.

"No you're not. Dane won't let you."

"He doesn't own me and neither do you."

Robbie closed the distance between Janine and Patrick. Pulling her away from the counter. The playful spat was about to get ugly and she didn't want it in her shop. "Patrick. Out." She steered Janine toward the back room. "Janine come with me." She nodded to Lori who was standing in the doorway teetering between laughter at the situation and pity for the couple. "Lori, run the register."

"Are you going to fire me?" Janine asked, once the door was shut.

"No, I allow all employees one get out of jail free card. You just used yours for the rest of your life." Robbie crossed her arms and leaned back on the desk. A gesture that reminded her so much of her father. "I just don't understand. What is going on?"

"I don't know." Janine sighed and sank down onto the uncomfortable straight- backed chair. "I love him. But I just can't do it anymore. I need more. I need him to respect me and see me as an equal."

"I don't think hurling a large shake at him earned you any respect," Robbie said, sounding way too much like her mother.

"No, probably not. He made me so mad. I thought what happened this morning was special. But, when he came in here teasing and joking about it. I guess it was just sex to him. He doesn't love me at all. I have to face the facts." Janine played with the hem of her apron, blinking back tears.

"Doesn't love you?" Robbie shook her head in disbelief. "Are you nuts? He's crazy about you."

"Then why doesn't he ever tell me? He never tells me he loves me. Once. I think. And he certainly hasn't ever mentioned getting married."

"He's a guy," Robbie explained in exasperation. "Sometimes you have to take the lead. Do the asking yourself."

"Absolutely not!" Janine huffed. She gave Robbie a pleading look. "Can I crash at your place for a while? I need some time away."

Robbie shrugged and grumbled under her breath. The house was empty. Dane wouldn't be happy about having Janine leave the safety of the compound. But, someone could keep watch over her. Probably Patrick would volunteer. What Janine didn't know wouldn't hurt. "Sure. Temporarily. Just till you and Patrick get this sorted out. But, take my advice. If you love him, swallow your pride and tell him what you want. Ask him to marry you."

Janine took the house key from Robbie's hand. She had a whole head full of friendly advice. "I'll think about it. And I really am sorry about the shake incident."

Robbie smiled and snickered. "It was kind of funny."

"Yeah," Janine agreed, "it was."

Chapter 37

Roark was vastly improving, regaining his strength and vitality. The blood of the second girl, Angel, flowed through his veins, hastening his recovery. He was bathed and dressed. Kayla gently combed the long wavy locks of his brown hair, snipped off the singed ends with a pair of scissors and gathered them up into a band. He felt more like his old self. "Thank you, love," he whispered, patting her hand and dismissing her as the Great Father appeared in the doorway.

The Great Father sent his warriors out of the room. The conversation was private, between The Rogue Master and himself only. "You've almost fully recovered," he said, cautiously taking a seat.

"Yes. I thank your Sons for their protection." Roark chose his words carefully. "I would demand restitution from the one who did this to me. But, I assume she is under your protection."

"She is." The Great Father settled his lips into a firm line. He knew what the rogues considered as restitution. And Anna's life was not up for negotiation.

"I'm sure she is a great asset."

"Her abilities were unexpected." He shrugged casually as if anomalies like Anna happened everyday. "One never knows the mind of Kokumthena."

"Your goddess."

"Yes, you know our history well."

Roark smiled coldly at the Great Father. "I should. Since I was the one who ushered the Sons into existence."

"If it hadn't been me, the goddess would have found another warrior to parent her children."

"I suppose so."

The Great Father shifted, meeting the cold, eyes of The Rogue Master. It was time to end this pointless charade and get to the heart of the matter. "What is it that you want? I know of your fortune and your holdings. You have no need for money or lands. You have plenty of your own men. Why are you here?"

Roark nodded in appreciation. Finally. "Straight to the point. I like that." He paused, gauging his words. "Peace. A pact between our two factions."

"Ah." The Great Father nodded. Peace. Nice idea. Bad timing. Wondering what Roark's real motive was, he asked, "Given our differences, how do you propose that we go about this, negotiation?"

"Simple, live and let live. We're not so different. Not entirely."

"I suppose not." The Great Father was wary. He would not agree to a treaty unless all his terms were met. Pacts only worked if the two parties involved were trustworthy. Somehow, he doubted if Roark was entirely truthful about his purpose in being here.

"You and your Sons serve a purpose, just the same as my followers and I do. I keep out of your way. Allow you to fulfill your sacred duty. You keep out of my way. Allow me to conduct my business dealings the way I see fit. Leave those bearing my mark alone. Free from harassment."

"Harassment?" The Great Father didn't consider ridding the world of rogues, those who murder and feed off innocents, to be harassment. "What about our rules? Can you prevent your followers from killing?"

"Killing is not allowed. Of course," Roark said with a wave of his hand. "There are accidents."

"Accidents?" The Great Father had seen the result of those 'accidents' first hand. Entire villages reduced to rubble. Bodies left like empty shells to rot.

"Very well, perhaps the word 'Accident' is a little too light. My friend, those days are long gone. The fact of the matter is that we are bound. Despite what either one of us may desire. We are bound by one singular thought. What do you think would happen if humans truly believed in us? If they knew the truth behind their myths?"

"Agreed, our existence has to be kept a secret."

"Then you understand why we can no longer kill." Roark grinned maniacally. "Too hard to hide the evidence."

The Great Father cleared his throat in distaste. "Continue."

"I have nothing left to say. Your Sons destroyed one of my favorite homes. But, I'm willing to let that go. The havoc and devastation inflicted by Kore and Kiros when they invaded your lands was far worse." Roark smiled bitterly. "We both have our share of enemies so it seems."

"It would," The Great Father agreed.

"One of your kind nearly killed me. Yet, I wave my right to restitution. I'm willing to forgive and forget, in the name of peace." Roark shifted on the bed, knowing how precarious his position was. "Enter into a treaty with me and we'll spend the rest of our days coexisting happily side by side."

"Can you control your followers?"

Roark raised an eyebrow in challenge. "Can you control your Sons?"

The times were changing. The world was no longer so black and white. Rogues killed. The Sons imparted swift justice. Simple. Now, there were shades of gray. Murky borders that were undefined. Trust and treaties, pacts lie on the edge the fragile blurred boundary. Was Roark a man of his word? "I'll allow safe passage through my lands for any rogue bearing your mark. As long as one law remains observed. The penalty for breaking the pact is death. Anyone who takes a life will give his own in exchange."

"Fair enough. Honorable." Roark nodded, conceding, still far from having the upper hand. "I'll offer protection to your Sons. Send my best men in to fight by their side if need be. I'll allow them use of any assets at my disposal, my homes, my lands, and technology. Whatever they need, while engaged with hunting down those who break the law. We cannot risk being exposed."

"A very generous offer." The Great Father was hesitant and reserved. The offer sounded good. But, he still had his doubts. In an act of good faith, he bit into the fleshy part of his right palm, releasing a trickle of red blood.

The Rogue Master held doubts that the pact would ever come to fruition. But. The agreement was timely and served his needs for the moment. Reciprocating, he bit down extending his right hand to The Great Father. Their blood mixed as their palms met and fingers clasped, sealing the deal. A peace, albeit temporary, was formed.

Chapter 38

Anna and Toby sat on the hard stone boulders, looking out over the canopy of trees that curtained the valley below. She rested her head on his shoulder, full from the hunt, marveling at the mystery her life had become. "Thank you," she whispered.

Toby wrapped an arm around Anna's shoulders and took her hand in his, playing with the moonstone and diamond engagement ring on her finger. "I want to have the wedding here."

"It's a beautiful place," Anna agreed. Her life had been turned so upside down that she hadn't given much thought to their wedding. "When do you want to do it?"

"I don't know. Things have been kind of crazy lately."

"That's an understatement," Anna muttered low under her breath. "To be honest, I haven't given the wedding much thought." She shrugged. "I still have tons of loose ends left to take care of. A house to pack up, a desk to clean out, a dress to buy." The list was endless, seemingly impossible.

He pushed a stray blade of grass around with the toe of his boot. "Chris was so excited when she found out you were moving in for good. She rallied the troops and organized a packing and moving brigade. All of your stuff is here, boxed up and waiting for you."

Anna gasped in surprise. "That's wonderful! But, Toby where'd they put it all?"

Toby grinned smugly and lifted Anna's ring finger to his lips for a kiss. "That's a secret."

"Well how am I supposed to unpack my stuff when I don't know where it is?"

"Marry me and you'll get your stuff."

"Are you holding my things for ransom?"

"Not for ransom, but I promised Chris I wouldn't ruin the surprise."

Anna grabbed Toby's hand and squeezed his fingers. "What surprise?"

She wondered what her stuff had to do with his surprise.

"Set a date and I'll give you a hint." For once her obsessive need for order was working to his advantage. He was ready to marry Anna and let the whole world know exactly how he felt about her. As if they didn't already know. But, he wanted to make it official.

"I don't have a dress," Anna protested. What was the big rush? Weren't things insane enough? Was she getting cold feet? He was everything she'd ever wanted. But, now when push came to shove, was she backing out? No, she wasn't. She needed to be sure that she was everything he ever wanted. "You really want to marry me?"

"Yes." Toby landed a kiss on her forehead. "I'd do it here and now if that's what you want." He grinned at her. "Anything you want Anna. Buck naked in the middle of the Alaskan tundra during a blizzard works for me, as long as that's what you want."

Anna scoffed. "Shrinkage might be a problem."

"Around you? Never. Please end my suffering and set a date."

Anna bit her lip, how could she possibly set a date without her calendar? "I have a few things to take care of and then I'll let you know." She couldn't run off and marry him without having closure. She wanted to start their lives with a clean slate.

"Woman, you're killing me. I can't take the suspense."

"Toby, I have to do this, for us." She gently kissed his lips ending the conversation. They sat shoulder-to-shoulder, arm in arm, lost in a world of private thoughts, hopes, and dreams.

******

Janine drove to the compound, carefully navigating her borrowed car along the narrow lane leading to the garage. She wasn't staying long. She needed to talk to Dane and let him know she was moving out. Then she'd pack a few things and retreat to Robbie's house. She truly hoped that Patrick was nowhere around. That she could sneak in and out without a scene.

Dane listened empathetically as Janine explained her reasons for leaving. Everyone knew that she and Patrick were on the outs. But, he didn't realize the extent of the problem. He couldn't blame her for wanting to put some space between her and Patrick and for needing some time alone. Above all else, he couldn't stop her from leaving. "I can't ensure that someone will be able to guard the house."

"I understand and that's not what I'm asking for. I know the risk I'm taking." Janine was unusually calm. She thought she'd end up bawling, sniveling and crying all over Dane's shoulder. Maybe, she was better prepared for and ready to go than what she thought. On the inside she was trembling, overwrought with emotions. But, she kept her cool.

"I'll have John Mark escort you out. I don't anticipate any problems. But, Patrick isn't going to handle this well I'm afraid."

"He'll probably be glad to see me go. We got into a bad fight at work today and," she looked away embarrassed, "he kind of ended up wearing a large chocolate shake." Sh

Dane hid his snicker of amusement. "You might have pissed him off. But, I can guarantee, he won't be happy to see you go. Janine are you sure this is what you want?"

She nodded; now the tears were starting to well up, stinging her eyes. "I need this Dane. I really do."

"Ok. I'll send patrols around to check on you as often as I can." He nodded to John Mark, who poked his head into the office. "I want you to know that no matter what, you always have a home here."

"Thanks Dane, I appreciate that." Janine smiled weakly at John Mark. No doubt Robbie had already told him about the fiasco at the shop today.

"Janine, I'm sorry. I truly am," Dane said, watching as Janine turned to go. As soon as The Rogue Master was out of his hair, he planned to have a talk with Patrick, a long heart to heart about women.

Patrick paced the halls. She was really going through with it, moving out. Leaving him. Leaving the safety of the compound. His ego roared, demanding that he stop her. His common sense whispered for him to keep quiet, give her the time she needed, and not give up. The dark side, the devil in him scoffed sarcastically, bidding her good riddance. He could get laid anywhere, what else was she good for anyway? He knew the truth, as ashamed as he was, violating every unspoken man code of conduct in existence. His heart was breaking and it hurt.

Janine rushed to pack, cramming and stuffing her most necessary things into a gym bag. After the situation with Patrick cooled off she'd come back for the rest of it, if she decided to move out totally on her own.

"Let me take that for you." John Mark slid the bag out of her hands and slung it over his shoulder, groaning beneath the weight. The bag was heavier than it looked.

"Ok. I'm ready," Janine said taking a last glance around the room before turning out the light. She shot a glance both ways down the hall to see if the coast was Patrick free or not. Her eyes locked briefly with Patrick's before he turned a corner, disappearing from view.

"You ok?" John Mark asked softly as he walked by Janine's side. He volunteered to escort her out of the compound. Not fearful for her safety. But, fearful of Patrick and what he'd do if he thought he could stop her from leaving.

"Yeah, I think so."

*****

Bryce shoved his hands deep into his pockets, reluctant to talk openly to Anna. She barged into his room just as he was waking up for the night, letting herself in. He couldn't help but stare at the rock on her finger. He hadn't really rallied for her affections, knowing it was a useless waste of his time. Her heart belonged to Toby, the lucky bastard. "What's up?" He kept his tone light, casual, as if her engagement didn't matter.

"Bryce, I haven't seen you a lot lately, how are you?" She heard about the explosion, and Marcus was next on her list. But for now, her attention was focused on Bryce. She had things that needed to be said to him.

"I'm fine, readjusting to country life." He sighed running his fingers through his tangled hair. "Are you doing ok?" He wasn't going to mention the explosion or the incident in the alley, unless she brought it up.

"Sure. It seems that I'm having to adjust to country life too." She kept her voice soft and even. "I'm adjusting to a lot of new things." She nervously fingered the fringe on a throw pillow.

"That's good." Their conversation was stiff and cordial, uncomfortable.

"Toby wants me to set a date," she said, cutting to the chase. She hated this, but she had to do it.

Bryce grinned. "Should I polish up my cowboy boots?"

"Oh I don't think the world is ready for the Cowboy Stripper act, not so soon."

He snorted. "I've got lots of other costumes."

Anna stood drawing closer to Bryce. "Maybe someday some special lady will get to see you wear them."

"Not likely," He cut her off, ducking from under the hand resting sympathetically on his shoulder. He didn't need her sympathy. He was a loser, fair and square. The glittering stones on her hand crassly reminded him of the fact.

"Bryce. I don't know what to say. By the time you came into my life, I was already head over heels for Toby. If I'd met you sooner," Anna bit her lip, not getting the chance to finish the sentence.

"No need to think about what might or could have been. It's pointless. You and Toby make a good pair. He's a good guy. He'll treat you right. And you, you're wonderful and amazing." He turned away from her. "I wish you every happiness."

"Thanks, I know you mean that." Anna was close to tears feeling the despair rolling off him in waves. If she'd known how deeply he cared for her, she would have handled things differently, kept her distance instead of becoming a friend.

"I do." He turned and ran his finger along her cheek, smoothing a stray piece of hair back with his finger. "I really do."

"You're going to make some lucky lady very happy," Anna said smiling, fighting back a tear.

"Someday, maybe." Bryce lowered his hand, clinching it into a fist to keep from reaching out for her again.

"Definitely." Anna wrapped her arms around his waist squeezing him in an embrace.

Bryce couldn't help himself he reciprocated, returning the warmth and care of her embrace. "I'll always be your friend."

"You'd better be." Anna gave Bryce a gentle peck on the cheek. "I'll see you at the wedding?"

"Definitely." Bryce shooed her out of his room before he did something he'd regret, like try for one last kiss. "Goodnight Anna."

"Goodnight Bryce."

Chapter 39

Janine walked through the house, flipping on every light in her path. She made John Mark check out the basement and the upstairs rooms before she went inside. But, an hour later and completely alone for the first time in over a year, the place was silent and still. Unsettling her already frayed nerves. She chastised herself for being such a baby. Determined to make the best of it, she retraced her steps, turning the lights off and settling down in Robbie's old bed, forcing herself not to jump at every little creak and groan the old house made as it settled.

She didn't think she had any more tears left to cry. But, she was wrong about that too. Sobbing softly she cried herself to sleep. Tossing and turning restlessly in the unfamiliar bed, her dreams were troubled and worried. She could have sworn that Patrick was sitting in the rocker watching her as she slept. But, when she forced her eyes open, the rocker was empty, slashed by a stray beam from the neighbor's porch light.