Dark Light by Randy Wayne White Page A

The guys can explain it.”
    â€œLet’s hope so.” Fontana surveyed Sierra. “Are you all right?”
    â€œYes,” she managed, pleased that she sounded relatively calm in spite of her skittering senses. “How bad do I look?”
    It dawned on her that she had not checked a full-length mirror since the fall in the street and the mad dash to safety in the Green Gate. She probably appeared somewhat the worse for wear.
    â€œI don’t care how it looks,” Fontana said. “I’m asking about the damage.”
    â€œOh.” She noticed that her glasses were slightly crooked. She adjusted them and then looked down at her muddied coat. In the process she saw that her stockings were shredded. “A couple of bruises, I think, and my shoe is ruined, but that’s about it.”
    â€œWhat happened?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s a long story,” she said. “I’ll tell you later.”
    â€œI want the story now,” he said quietly.
    He probably couldn’t help that air of command, she thought. Nevertheless, she was not in the mood for it.
    â€œIn case you haven’t noticed,” she said, “everyone’s waiting for us.”
    That information did not seem to register. Fontana made no move to steer her toward the waiting onlookers.
    Andy cleared his throat. “Couple of Night Riders tried to grab her purse in front of her apartment building, boss. She took a nasty fall in the street.”
    â€œWe ran the bastards off with a few ghosts,” Mitch explained.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Jeff said. “They won’t be back anytime soon. We explained to them that Jade Street is hunter territory.”
    Sierra blinked. “Well, what do you know. Guess it was a short story, after all. Could have sworn it would take longer to tell it.”
    Fontana tightened his grip on her arm. She winced and sucked in a sharp breath.
    â€œWhat?” he said, loosening his grasp.
    â€œThat’s the side I fell on when I tripped,” she explained. “It’s a little sore.”
    He released her swiftly and took her other arm. This time his hand closed around her with a tenderness that surprised her.
    â€œAre you certain that they were Night Riders?” he asked.
    â€œOr a good imitation thereof,” she said dryly. “They were in full costume. Black helmets and lots of black leather.”
    â€œAnd big black Wave bikes,” Jeff volunteered. “They’re a Rider trademark.”
    Fontana looked at the four men. “I owe each of you, gentlemen. Anytime. Anywhere.”
    It was a somber vow. Jeff, Mitch, Simon, and Andy accepted it as such. The new Guild boss had openly declared himself in their debt. Sierra knew enough about Guild tradition to realize that was a very big deal. The four men had just been given the right to call on the most powerful man in the organization for a favor at any time in the future.
    â€œGlad to be able to help out,” Jeff said. “Sierra’s a friend of ours.”
    Fontana nodded. He looked as if he wanted to discuss the matter further and in depth, but to Sierra’s surprise, he shot a quick glance at his watch.
    â€œWe’re due in the registrar’s office,” he said. “I’ll look into this later.”
    Startled by the hard edge on the words, Sierra pushed her glasses higher on her nose.
    â€œIt was just an attempted purse snatching,” she said. “The cops almost never pick up those kinds of criminals, not unless they’re caught red-handed.”
    â€œThere are other sources besides the police,” Fontana said evenly.
    A chill went down her spine, but before she could ask any questions, he steered her toward the entrance where her colleagues were waiting.
    Fontana nodded at Ray Takashima, who also wore the Guild exec black.
    â€œRay, I’d like you to meet my future wife, Sierra McIntyre,” Fontana said. “Sierra, this is