Page 50 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)
The school employed physically imposing guards for security measures, yet even they appeared small in comparison to the formidable presence of the world’s leading scientist. He soared to well over six feet, built of pure muscle, a stark white lab coat doing nothing to hide a broad chest or powerful arms. Auburn hair fell in thick waves, slightly longer than fashionable for such a highly-regarded professor, over a chiseled face.
Every muscle screamed power and presence, this man who ruled his world and knew it.
As if he inherently sensed her, he turned, piercing Kyla in a blue gaze of fierce intelligence.
A coffee mug rattled.
Kyla blanched as Dr. Blackburn darted his gaze to the cup.
She fought for calm as emotions and powers seesawed, threatening her journey before it even began.
Although she occasionally rattled objects in the safe haven of the family estate, she never lost control of her powers in public.
How would she explain a levitating desk in front of the nation's leading scientist? Sorry, but I think you're cute?
"It's just vibrations from the floor above us." The security guard gave the obvious and incorrect explanation. "Happens all the time."
Kyla breathed out. No harm and no exposure… yet. She stepped forward. "Dr. Blackburn, I presume." She held out her hand.
The formidable scientist stepped toward her, not stopping until her entire vision was powerful male. She looked up… and up… and up. At 5'1, she was all curvy petiteness, but he was a giant . Would he notice if she levitated to his height?
He held out his hand, engulfing her small fingers. His grip was warm, firm and almost… possessive ?
"That's me." His voice held a deep timbre, and he looked at her deeply, as if he could understand her every thought. Although she could sometimes read people, she could not sense him. "I don't believe we have an appointment, Ms…"
"Conley."
"Ms. Conley. Are you a student or the press?"
"Neither," Kyla replied smoothly, "and actually, it's Dr. Conley. I'm from the University of Ft. Lauderdale, and I've come to work with you."
He examined her closely, as if surprised by what he saw. For a moment, he leaned closer, but then he straightened. "Dr. Conley. They said someone would be coming from the university."
Kyla smiled. Why had she been so worried? This was going to be easier than–
"And a shame we won't be able to talk until late next week."
No. Not easy. Not even a little. "Dr. Blackburn?"
He held up a hand, "I'm sorry, Doctor. I'm already overwhelmed with a full research schedule, classes, doctoral students, the department chairmanship, and now?" His eyes flashed to the screen.
"Other matters. I'm sorry if the school misled you, but I don't work with visiting professors one-on-one.
The group will be meeting a week from Thursday in the department auditorium.
I'll see you then." With the slightest hesitation, he turned back to the monitor.
Her “easy” task hit the roadblock that was James Blackburn and fell off a cliff. This man took on the role of commander with ease. She ignored the sudden urge to change every screen in the room to cartoons.
She had to try again. She opened her mouth, but the words caught as the monitor came into view.
It showed the lab that had been on every news show, website and social media channel since the accident, revealing Oliver’s enchantment in all its supernatural glory.
And for an instant, it showed the culprit, and clearly so for anyone who knew him.
She glanced back to the scientist. He would not get rid of her until she assured her people’s safety. "Is that footage from the biology lab?"
Dr. Blackburn's head snapped back with clear surprise. Was he shocked she didn't immediately do his bidding and vacate the premises? The world treated him with deference, something she could ill afford. Yet another emotion burned in his eyes, a spark vanishing a moment later.
"Ms… Dr. Conley," he amended, "I appreciate your tenacity, however as I stated my responsibilities are overwhelming. If you don’t mind…"
She ignored his words and pointed to the video, now replaying. "That is the footage."
Now he looked annoyed, and she resisted the urge to grin. Few people dared disobey the great Dr. James Blackburn. He moved abruptly. "I'm done, Stuart. Save the footage, and don't let anyone except the authorities see it." He gave her a pointed look. She smiled.
"Come with me." Without warning, he grasped her arm. Static electricity rocketed between them, sending sparks throughout her entire body. She jerked her arm back, like a reflex of touching something too hot to handle. What. Was. That?
"I'm sorry," he said gruffly, with another strange look.
He gestured ahead, indicating for her to exit ahead of him.
She forced a neutral expression as she allowed him to lead her out but stopped right outside.
She may not get another chance to talk to him alone.
"That was the footage from the lab," she repeated, this time as a statement and not a question.
He raked a hand through his hair, undoubtedly aware of the futility of denying it. Yet then his hand stilled, and he narrowed his eyes. "Why are you so interested?"
Kyla's breath hitched, as suspicion crept into his gaze. Had he already guessed she was somehow involved?
She willed her galloping heart to slow, her breathing to calm.
He would be even more suspicious if she panicked.
"I've been discovered." She held up empty hands as if caught in a train robbery.
"I'm here to do research on cell mutations, but I became intrigued by your newest mystery.
The wind machine that caused your miniature tornado fascinates me. I hoped to help you solve the problem."
Blackburn visibly relaxed, and she could breathe again.
Obviously, it made more sense that the university's newest scientist couldn't resist a good mystery than she was a mystery herself.
She was not alone in her interest. Every newspaper, from the small campus ledger to the national papers, had printed a story on it.
It appeared on the nightly news every day and lit up the Internet.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Conley, but this is a department matter." She opened her mouth to protest, but he stopped her with a raised hand. "I don't have a lot of time, but if you agree to forgo your arguments, I'll allow you to regale me with tales of your research while I walk to my office."
Kyla managed not to enchant a miniature celebratory firework. Although she'd rather discuss the tornado, the chance to speak with him was a win. "I’ll take it."
Blackburn stayed close as they journeyed through the long hallway.
It should have been an uncomfortable walk, yet somehow it felt right, despite the threat he represented.
Kyla explained her current research, easily falling into the scientist role she held in reality.
She enjoyed explaining her experiments to someone who actually understood and didn’t simply nod in ignorant politeness.
All too soon, they arrived at his office, and she hadn’t yet managed to mention the incident.
"That sounds fascinating." Dr. Blackburn seemed to honestly appreciate her work. Too bad she wouldn’t be around long enough to actually collaborate with him.
As soon as she neutralized the danger, she would concoct a pressing research emergency and escape.
She wouldn't see Dr. Blackburn again unless lucky enough to secure tickets to one of his seminars.
"Thank you for giving me the time to talk about my project," she hedged, making no move to leave. She had to convince him to prolong their conversation without giving anything away.
He spoke before she could formulate an excuse. "No problem. I enjoy speaking to a kindred spirit."
She froze.
"I mean a fellow lover of science," he elaborated, yet another flash of something lit his eyes. He hesitated once more. "I really do have to say goodbye now. My current project will take me all over campus."
Kyla's heart plummeted. His current project was the hunt for Oliver.
If he found him before she did, the young enchanter could very well break under his commanding presence.
She couldn't let that happen. "Can I help?
" She edged forward as he opened the door to his office.
She waited for the inevitable refusal, yet instead his attention had been stolen by something.
She peered past him into the office, where an expansive floor-to-ceiling office window revealed broad campus lawns…
And an endless sea of people.
Like a pack of ravenous wolves, they stood poised and hungry, ready to strike.
There were hundreds of them, all with phones, many with microphones and quite a few with cameras.
All aimed straight at the heart of Dr. Blackburn.
The glass that separated them didn't stop the rapid-fire questions from the seasoned reporters.
Behind them stood hundreds more with cell phone cameras, commanding untold reach.
"What really happened to the biology lab?"
"Can you comment on reports of an indoor tornado during a sunny day?"
"Was a culprit really seen in the security video?"
"Could it have been an alien ?"
Kyla clenched and unclenched her fists, fighting ever-increasing panic. Reporters posed just as much danger to her people as scientists. One lucky shot, one fortuitous moment of being in the right spot at the right time, would make Kyla and her people instantly famous in the very worst way.
The powerful man beside her did not appear frightened. No, instead he seethed . She didn't even realize she leaned into him until he tore his eyes away from the scene to look down at her. Finally, he sensed her panic. "Are you all right?"