Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

D r. Etta Morgan frowned down at the results of her experiment. The work she'd been doing with the morchev kept surprising her.

Once again the seemingly insignificant gems had displayed unusual readings. Her original research project had simply been to catalog the various gems and minerals found on Cresca - an undertaking that had not been accomplished before.

Although it had begun as a routine process, once she discovered the morchev and their more unusual properties she'd been fascinated. With the approval of her department head at the university in Port Cantor, she'd decided to focus solely on the gems until she had uncovered all of their mysteries. Unfortunately it seemed as if everything she discovered only revealed more intriguing possibilities.

A knock on the door startled her out of her abstraction, her frown deepening. She wasn't expecting visitors. She had set up her lab in the foothills of the mountains specifically to avoid any unwanted interruptions and, other than a once monthly delivery of supplies, she didn't see or hear from anyone. Why was someone here now?

She started for the door then paused and retrieved a small blaster from its usual location in the drawer of her desk. While she wasn't an expert, she was a competent shot and she wasn't foolish enough to assume that anyone who appeared at her door had good intentions.

She'd even been accosted once in Wainwright, the closest town, while taking a shortcut between two buildings. Fortunately a swift knee to the balls had discouraged her attacker, and as she'd been exiting the alley a large alien male had been entering it. She'd heard enough of the following conversation to know that he had also threatened the man who had tried to take advantage of her. Apparently he'd been successful in convincing the man not to be so foolish in future. From what she'd heard he'd left town shortly thereafter.

Pausing to one side of the door, she took a quick glance through the one way glass. A normal-looking human man dressed in black stood outside.

Well, perhaps not entirely normal , she decided as she studied him.

While he was remarkably well built - both tall and muscular - that wasn't what caught her attention. It was the way he held himself, not stiffly but with a precision which argued some kind of martial training. He had short-cropped dark hair and rather stern, angular features, composed in an expressionless mask.

He was looking directly at the door and she had the uneasy feeling that he could see her despite the one way glass. A shiver ran down her spine and she was suddenly quite sure that this man was dangerous - but that didn't necessarily mean he was dangerous to her. He had knocked politely enough, and it seemed foolish not to at least find out why he'd made the journey.

"Take two paces back from the door," she ordered.

A flash of what might have been surprise crossed his face, but then it settled back into the previous cool expression as he obeyed. Once he had moved away she opened the door, keeping her gun concealed at her side.

"What do you want?"

"You are Dr. E. Morgan?"

His deep voice was as calm and controlled as his appearance.

"Yes - although I assume you knew that before you made the trip out here. What do you want?"

After an almost imperceptible pause he focused directly on her face and their eyes met. His eyes were an unusual shade of green with a slight bluish tint. Another shiver ran down her spine but this time it was due not to nerves but rather an unexpected current of attraction.

Nonsense , she thought, immediately dismissing the idea. She had long ago decided that she had no interest in the opposite sex.

"My name is Tomlin. I understand that you are researching morchev," he said after another tiny pause.

"That is correct. Why?"

Another hesitation.

"I am interested in the results of your research. I believe I may also be able to provide some information which would be useful to you."

"Are you a scientist?" she asked skeptically.

"No, but I do have some… experience with the gems. Also I have heard stories about them."

Now that was interesting. None of the research that she had done had indicated anyone else taking any interest in the stones except as attractive if not particularly valuable gems.

"What kind of stories?" she demanded.

The eyebrow went up again.

"Perhaps we could have this conversation inside. It may take a while."

This time she was the one to hesitate. Even though he wasn't carrying any obvious weapons, her earlier impression hadn't changed - she was still convinced that he could be dangerous. However one of the first things a scientist learned was not to make assumptions, and she studied him thoughtfully. He had knocked politely enough, and if he had intended her harm there would have been nothing to prevent him from making an attempt.

It wasn't as if anyone else were in the area. Since he wasn't aware that she was armed he would have justifiably thought that he was capable of overwhelming her physically. People were often a mystery to her but somehow she didn't think he intended her harm.

Besides, her curiosity was aroused. She stepped back, holding the door open wider.

"Very well. You may come in."

He nodded a brief thanks and walked through the door. The small hallway immediately seemed to grow even smaller. She was a tall woman but her head barely reached his shoulder and although his build was lean rather than bulky, it didn't diminish the sense of danger she got from him. He moved with the sleek powerful grace of a predator.

He raised an eyebrow again and she realized she'd been standing there silently staring at him, but she refused to be embarrassed. She hesitated a moment longer, trying to decide where to take him. While the majority of the building was devoted to her laboratory, she also had a compact living area to the right of the entry hall. Since she preferred to keep her research private, she opened the door to the living area instead.

Like the rest of the building, the space was utilitarian and designed for efficiency rather than elegance - her one indulgence had been the large bathroom at the end of the hallway. Unfortunately, although she kept her lab in pristine order, she had little time or interest in housekeeping.

His eyes flicked briefly to the dishes piled in the sink, the cluttered array of documents and used tea mugs on the table, and the worn upholstery on the second hand furniture, but he didn't comment.

"Have a seat," she said, finally remembering the manners that her guardian's wife had tried so hard to instill in her.

After pausing briefly in the doorway, he accepted the invitation and took a seat in the rather battered wooden chair by the window. The wood creaked beneath his weight and she bit back a smile as she pushed aside another stack of papers and sat down on the equally aged sofa.

Just as in the hallway, the room seemed much smaller with him in it and an awkward silence fell. Those odd greenish-blue eyes were still studying her face and she had the uncomfortable feeling that her cheeks were heating under his scrutiny. He's only interested in my research , she reminded herself. Although…

"How did you know that I was working with morchev? I haven't published anything yet."

"I have contacts at the university," he said calmly. "One of them was aware that I had been gathering folklore about the stones and suggested that I contact you."

It seemed plausible enough, and it wasn't as if there were anything secret about her work, and yet she still had the feeling that he was concealing something. However, if he had any information which might be useful to her research that was more interesting than any secrets he might be hiding.

"What kind of folklore?"

"One of the tales I heard was that the stones were a gift from the gods, to connect the hearts and minds of those who held them. An ancient king was granted the first one, that he might understand his people better and rule more wisely."

His deep, calm voice filled the room as he continued, sharing the tale of how the king had discovered a darker side to the gems and created an order of warrior priests to protect them. He was an excellent storyteller and she listened in fascination as he described the exploits of the priests and their efforts to protect the stones. By the time he'd finished, the late afternoon sun was casting a golden light around his head and shoulders.

She was a practical woman, not given to flights of fancy, but for a moment she could envision him as one of those ancient warrior priests, stern and uncompromising in pursuit of his duty. Shaking her head, she dismissed the foolish notion and focused on more immediate matters.

"How did you get here?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I rode, of course. I took the liberty of putting my horse in the corral with yours when I arrived."

Damn, she thought as she took another look out the window. At this time of year, night fell quickly. Even if he left now, he would be making most of the long ride back to Wainwright in the dark. She tapped her finger against her lip for a moment, considering her options. It seemed… uncivil to send him off into the night and besides, she had a lot of questions about both the tale and its source.

She looked up and found him staring at her mouth. That intense gaze made her feel strangely breathless and for a second his eyes seemed to flash blue, but then he looked away and she realized it must have been a trick of the fading light.

Stop being so foolish , she scolded herself as she rose to her feet.

He stood up as well.

"Thank you for listening, Dr. Morgan."

"Just call me Etta."

"Etta." A tiny, attractive smile curved surprisingly sensuous lips for a brief second before he bowed his head. "It has been a… pleasure to meet you."

He was clearly planning to take his leave, and she made a quick decision.

"It will be dark soon and it would be foolish to leave now. You should spend the night with me."