Free The End of Darkness by Jaime Rush Page B

than relief bombarded her at the thought of seeing him again, of having him help her figure this out.
    “I, uh, no, I'm afraid I can't get away from my current location in Maryland. My brother, however, is very close to you. I'll ring Cassius up and send him your way. You'll be hearing from him soon.”
    “Will you come out at all?”
    “I'm sorry, Suza. I cannot.” 
    She released a breath. “All right, thanks for sending Cassius out.” What kind of name was that? “I'll be waiting for his call.”
    “Get somewhere safe. Talk to no one, not even the police.”
    She smiled. He cared about her, dammit. That's what frustrated her the most. “I will. And won't.” She remained in her car, twisting her silver rings on her trembling fingers and waiting for the phone to ring.

CHAPTER 8
     
     
    Pope studied the map for another minute. Strasford was situated between two finestras, portals to the dimension he used to call home before he became an outlaw. That couldn't be a coincidence. 
    He called Magnus's cell phone to see if he'd sensed anything, especially considering what Suza had said about the energy being similar to his. No answer. Then he called Cheveyo. “Have you heard from Magnus lately?”
    “A couple of days ago he had a question about the area. Why?”
    “Suza just called. She's picking up some dark energy that's affecting a large part of the population of Strasford. If it were anyone but Suza, I'd think she was paranoid. Since she accurately senses feelings, I've got to investigate.”
    “I've been through the town a few times but never sensed anything off. Let me know what you find.” Cheveyo paused. “And will you be seeing Suza?”
    Pope's chest tightened at the thought. “I will, but as my brother.”
    “Can't you change your appearance back to your old one? It's been six months since Yurek killed you.”
    Yurek had been assigned to bring Pope back to the other dimension for a death sentence. Unfortunately he'd also discovered Cheveyo and Petra. 
    Pope shook his head. “I can't chance it. If Yurek sees me, the false memories you implanted of him killing us will be for naught. It's possible that there are other Callorians in the area who could recognize me as well. If they figure out I didn't die, they'll know you and Petra didn't either, and someone will come after us again.” He would do nothing to endanger the only family he now had. “Besides, Pope and Suza can never be, for obvious reasons.”
    “Yeah, getting involved with ordinary humans can be tricky. Petra's fine with me turning into a jaguar, but I'm guessing most women would have a slight problem with that.”
    “You're being sarcastic,” Pope said with a nod. “ Slight  problem.” He was trying to master the way humans used language, but it was only 'slightly' easier than figuring out emotions. “As Suza would have in finding out I come from another dimension and that my human façade covers a body 'slightly' different from hers.” Not in form, as he still had all the basic components. But his body's composition was beautifully opaque. “Imagine how difficult it would be to explain that I changed my façade.”   
    That he had grown out his brown hair wasn't a big deal, but he was not as tall. Both his facial structure and body mass was different. This time he opted for a look that blended in better, though women often gave him admiring looks—and feelings. The only woman who had captured his fascination was Suza. He felt something that was likely grief at the hopelessness of the situation. “I must go now, as she's in a tense situation. However, I will need to 'port to you and borrow your phone, as my brother cannot have the same number as I.”
    “Sure—”
    Pope stood in Petra and Cheveyo's kitchen, his hand over his eyes. “Is it safe to look?” Once he'd come in without warning and found them in a most interesting position. He'd learned quickly to alert them before popping in.
    “I'm alone. Petra's