Free Night Visions (Night Series) by Elena Gray

close. Why don't they just pass?"
    He'd asked himself the same question for the past ten miles. If only he could tell if there were passengers in the car. He'd debated pulling off onto an access road and dealing with the problem. Three assailants he could handle. Would actually be fun. More than three would leave Sam vulnerable. Damn!
    A dirt road came into view up ahead. Did he take his chances now or drive through the ni ght? Ginger nudged his shoulder then gave him a lick on the ear.
    "Hold on," Ian warned.
    Sam braced her hands on the dashboard, her eyes wide with fear. Or was it excitement?
    Without easing off the accelerator he cranked the wheel to the right. The tires squealed in protest on the pavem ent, swinging the backend right then left before finally straightening. Dirt and gravel spewed from beneath the tires, stirring up dust.
    Ian slammed the gas pedal to the floor until they reached the cover of trees. Glancing in the mirror, he was relieved to see the SUV didn't follow.
     
    * * *
     
    Sam tore her eyes from the passing SUV to look at Ian. Did he expect the vehicle to follow them? No. It was more like he wanted it to follow. And why did she feel disappointed that it didn't? She was turning in to an adrenaline junky, restless for more excitement. What was happening to her? Earlier she ran from danger, now she wanted to throw herself into the heart of it.
    "Should I even ask what that was all about?"
    A heartbeat passed before the hard lines in Ian's face softened. Twisting in his seat he draped his arm across the steering wheel, his fingers threaded through his hair. "I wanted to clear the air between us."
    "What do you mean?"
    "I should be the one apologizing. I dragged you from your home, without time to prepare and then yell at you for wanting to explain to Scott." He tore his gaze from her, directing it out the window. "I was wrong."
    The effort it took for Ian to admit that was not lost on Sam.
    "It's okay. I shouldn't have snapped at you, either. I just wish I knew what was going on. Why all the secrets?"
    "Sammie…" The word seeped from his lips as he shook his head, releasing a deep sigh. "I promise, I'll explain everything soon. I know it's a lot to ask, but please trust me."
    The depth of sincerity in his eyes tugged at her heart. For the first time he seemed vulnerable. Maybe it was time for her to be honest with him. He wasn't the only one with something to hide. Stealing herself for Ian's reaction , Sam inhaled and prayed on the exhale that he wouldn't think she'd lost her mind.
    "I think there is something you need to know about me." She rubbed her damp palms on her pants. "What happened earlier when I freaked out. That wasn't the first time it's happened to me."
    Ian's expression didn't change. He simply sat there, eyes fixed on hers, waiting for her to continue.
    "I started having nightmares several years ago. The same one over and over. Not long after , I started to see a woman." She leaned her back against the door, giving him a moment to respond. When he didn't she continued. "In the beginning she was like a shadow, then over time became clearer."
    "What does this woman look like?" Ian asked, sitting up straighter in his seat.
    "She looks like me. Only her eyes are this beautiful shade of violet."
    His face pinched. But not with doubt. More like curiosity. "What was she wearing?"
    Any other time she would have laughed at the question. Something he used to ask when he called her on the phone. But now, in this context it was just strange. Why did it matter what she wore? The woman wasn't real.
    Humoring him , Sam responded, "A white gown."
    "Do you know what she wants? Why she's reaching out to you?"
    At least he was taking the news well. Or doing one heck of a job pretending.
    "She's never said anything. Well at least not until the last time. She told me he's watching and waiting." She decided to leave out the warning about not making the same mistake. He didn't need to know that. Especially