Shadows of Eternity

Chapter Two

L eia woke after a restless night. Usually, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow and she didn’t wake up until her alarm went off. Any dreams she had while she slept were usually forgotten by morning.

But last night … last night, she had tossed and turned. Her dreams had been fragmented with scenes of Indians attacking homesteads, murdering men, women and children. Surprisingly, one of the warriors had looked like Shadow Dancer. Or perhaps not so surprising, she mused, since he had stayed in her thoughts long after she returned home. Interspersed with those nightmare images set in the Old West had been visions straight out of an old Dracula movie, with a dark, handsome vampire bending over the slender throat of some helpless woman clad in a flowing white nightgown.

Slipping out of bed, Leia headed for the shower, hoping it would clear her head and chase away the last remnants of her odd dreams.

After showering, she dressed, ate a quick breakfast, made sure she had everything she needed for the day, stopped at a nearby Starbucks for a latte and then walked to school, which was only two blocks from her apartment.

It was Friday, always an easy day in her class. A short lesson first and then they had storytime until their parents came to pick them up.

All thoughts of Indians and vampires fled her mind as her students began to arrive.

Leia kicked off her shoes, dumped her handbag on the coffee table and collapsed on the sofa. Fridays might be easy days in the classroom, but her work day didn’t end there. She had to plan next week’s activities, plus she had to arrange for several parent-teacher conferences.

She had no sooner sat back and closed her eyes than her cell phone rang. One ring. Two. Three. Shoot. She delved into her purse, pulled out her phone, and said, not very nicely, “Hey, Janae.”

“Wow, rough day?”

“It’s Friday.”

“Right. Listen, I’ve got an extra ticket to that Native dance thing. Trent was supposed to go with me, but he has to work tonight.”

Leia grunted softly. Janae Frumusanu was her best friend. Leia wasn’t exactly sure what Janae’s husband did for a living, but whatever it was, it was very hush-hush. Sometimes Leia wasn’t sure Janae knew, either. The only thing Leia knew for certain was that he worked nights, was often gone for days at a time, and never discussed his job with Janae. “I don’t think so.”

“What? Why not?”

“I went last night.” An image of Shadow Dancer flashed across Leia’s mind—coppery skin, long black hair, mesmerizing eyes, a deep, sexy voice that made her toes curl. She shook it away.

“How was the production?” Janae asked.

“It was great.”

“Then why don’t you want to go again? You know what these tickets cost! I asked my mom and she can’t make it. Come on, girlfriend, you don’t even have to pay me for the ticket.”

Leia blew out a sigh. After last night, how could she go back? No doubt Shadow Dancer would think she’d come just to see him again. And he’d be right. “Janae … ”

“I’ll take you out for a Belgian dark chocolate sundae afterward.”

“You’re not playing fair now,” Leia complained, already mentally going through her wardrobe.

“I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty,” Janae said, a note of triumph in her voice.

Leia fidgeted with the strap of her handbag as Janae pulled into the parking lot. This was a mistake. She should have said no.

“What’s wrong with you?” Janae asked. “You’re as nervous as a bride. Don’t tell me one of the Indians made a pass at you.”

“What?”

“It happens everywhere we go,” Janae said, and then she stared at Leia, eyes wide. “ That’s why you didn’t want to come with me tonight, isn’t it?”

Leia nodded.

“I’ll make it up to you somehow,” Janae promised. “Maybe dinner at your favorite restaurant tomorrow night or a massage at our favorite spa.”

Feeling as if she was going to a massacre, Leia followed Janae into the auditorium, muttered, “I don’t believe it,” when their seats were front row, center.

Ten minutes later, the lights dimmed and the first dancers were announced.

Leia grew more and more nervous as the evening went on and then, all too soon, he was on the stage.

“Wow,” Janae whispered. “He’s gorgeous!” When Leia didn’t respond, Janae glanced at her, then whispered, “He’s the one, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Times like this, I wish I wasn’t married.”

Leia tried not to watch him, but try as she might, she couldn’t look away. He was beautiful to watch, his movements intricate and precise. She had the oddest feeling that he was dancing just for her, that every sensual movement was meant to entice her, arouse her. And, damn his hide, it was working.

She breathed a sigh of relief when he left the stage amid thunderous applause.

“That was great!” Janae exclaimed.

Leia was relieved when, at last, all the dancers came out for a final bow.

Shadow Dancer stood in the center of the stage, directly opposite her seat. She flushed as his gaze moved over her.

And then, as the other dancers took their leave, he leaped agilely from the stage and landed lightly in front of her. “Leia, how nice to see you again.”

Janae tugged on her arm, silently begging for an introduction.

“Rohan, this is my best friend, Janae. Janae, Rohan.”

“I’d love to have your autograph,” Janae said, thrusting her program and a pen at him. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

“Anything for a friend of Leia’s.” He was speaking to Janae but he was looking at Leia, his dark eyes caressing her.

She felt the heat of his gaze all the way down to her toes.

“Perhaps I could take you ladies out for a drink?” he suggested as he returned Janae’s program and pen.

Leia started to shake her head, but it was too late.

“That would be terrific,” Janae gushed. “Wouldn’t it, Leia?”

Yes,” she said. “Terrific.”

Rohan was wonderful company. Thoughtful. Polite. He listened to Janae babble about her twin sons, Mark and Mike, as if he was really interested, answered her questions about how long he’d been dancing and where he’d learned.

“My father taught me,” Rohan said. “He was a Lakota medicine man, able to see into the future.”

“A medicine man?” Janae asked. “Like a doctor?”

“No. He was a shaman. A holy man. They possess some mystical powers.”

“That’s fascinating,” Janae said. Then, glancing at her watch, she said, “Oh, shoot! I was supposed to be home half an hour ago. I’ll be right back, Leia. I need to call my babysitter.”

When they were alone, Rohan said, “I was surprised to see you here tonight.”

Leia shrugged. “Janae’s husband couldn’t make it and she didn’t want his ticket to go to waste.”

He nodded. “Any chance I could take you out some evening? I know we got off on the wrong foot last night, but how about giving me a chance to prove I’m not a jerk?”

She wanted to say no. She intended to say no. But something in his voice had her saying, “Yes. I’d like that.”

“How about meeting me after the show tomorrow night? We could go out for drinks and dancing.”

“All right. I’ll meet you at the stage door.”

His smile warmed her from head to heel.

“Here comes Janae,” Leia said, pushing away from the table. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Rising, he took her hand in his and kissed her palm. “Until then, Princess.”

“You’re going out with him!” Janae exclaimed as she pulled out of the parking lot. “Do you think that’s wise? I mean, he’s sexy as all get out, but you just met the guy.”

“I meant to say no, but … ” Leia shrugged. “Somehow it came out yes.”

“Well, you be careful. Call me when you leave and the minute you get home.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I mean it,” Janae said. “The guy is drop-dead gorgeous. There’s no doubt about that. And sexy as hell. But … I don’t know. I don’t trust him.”

“Are you having one of your psychic warnings?”

“Not exactly. But … this is going to sound weird, he’s a lot older than he looks.”

“What are you talking about?” Leia asked, frowning. “Do you think he had plastic surgery, or something?” The very idea was ridiculous. No plastic surgeon could have molded the masculine beauty of Rohan’s face.

“No. No, nothing like that. I don’t know how to explain it. I mean, he looks like he’s in his late twenties, early thirties, but the vibe I got from him was older. A lot older.”

“It’s just one date, girl.” She appreciated Janae’s concern, but sometimes she went a little overboard.

“Well, you be careful,” Janae said again as she pulled up in front of Leia’s apartment. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“Now you’re quoting Star Wars movies,” Leia muttered as she stepped out of the car. “Good night, Obi Wan.”

“ ‘Night.”

Leia waved as she opened her apartment door and stepped inside. Older than he looked? What did that mean?

Rohan strolled the dark streets of the city, his thoughts focused on Leia. There was something about her, something rare that called to him. Even now, he could smell her scent—the flowery fragrance of her hair and perfume, the unique scent of her skin, the enticing scent of her blood that was hers alone. He had been sorely tempted to steal her away. Perhaps he still would. He wanted to know her better, touch her, taste her, arouse her until she begged him to take her.

It had been years—perhaps decades—since he had been so attracted to a woman.

Years since he had gone back home to where it all began.