Phoenix Rising

by Corrina Lawson

  Alec flexed his hand, summoning the TK. “Will you stop me if I don’t liquidate the Resource?”

  Drake turned around and faced him, his mouth set. For a moment, it was eerily like that moment where Lansing had been about to kill him.

  Beth stood behind her father, eyes wide, her face pale.

  Drake shook his head and broke eye contact. “If I wanted to stop you, Alec Farley, I wouldn’t have given you all this information,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I’m not Richard Lansing.” He tapped the papers on the desk again. “But, dammit, be aware what you’re getting into. And leave my daughter out of it.”

  Drake turned around to look at Beth. “You’re with him on this?”

  “That’s between us, Dad.”

  “I’ve taken you out of the line of fire. Stay with him and you’ll be right back in it.”

  She nodded. “I know.”

  “This is not what I wanted for you.”

  “I know.” She kissed his cheek.

  He hugged her, nearly pulling her off her feet. Beth had said that she was more than a daughter to Drake, that she was his hold on sanity. The man was completely different with her than with anyone else.

  “If he hurts you, the gloves are off.”

  “Oh, stop growling, Dad.” She let go of him. “Are you going to get that rest?”

  “Yes.” He handed her a smart phone. “It is customized for top security. You can reach me at speed dial one.” He glared at Alec. “Good luck. You’re damn well going to need it.”

  Drake closed the door behind him so quietly that it didn’t make a noise.

  Beth walked back to the window and stood beside him.

  “Do you want me to do what your father said? Take the money and run?”

  “You’re not Philip. There’s something very damaged in him that’s not damaged in you.”

  “Sounds like you spent a lot of time figuring him out.”

  “Sometimes I think I went into psychology just to understand Philip better. But I never doubt that he loves me.” She shook her head. “And even he doesn’t believe all of what he says.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “If my safety was Philip’s first priority, he would never have arranged for me to get inside the Resource to help you. He also wouldn’t have let me go on the mission to the container ship. And he certainly wouldn’t let me decide to stay with you now. Whatever else he’s done, he’s tried hard to be a good parent.”

  “You love him very much,” Alec said.

  “Of course.”

  “Even though you don’t approve of what he does for the CIA?”

  “It’s hard to pass judgment when what he does saved my life.”

  “Beth, would you pass judgment on me if I took control of the Resource?”

  She flinched. “I won’t answer that. Don’t ask me to. I made my mistake already, by kidnapping you, which led to my accidentally taking away your abilities, which led to an entire mess.” She shook her head. “I’m not your counselor anymore. I never should have been. You have to decide what you want. You wanted to be in charge. You are.”

  “But if I choose wrong, I’ll lose you.”

  “And you may choose wrong, if I tell you to jump one way or the other. This can’t be my choice. And you can’t do it to please me.”

  “You’re still being a counselor.”

  She shook her head. “You won’t provoke an answer from me.”

  It felt like his insides were vibrating, excitement and nerves and fear all at once. He put arm around her shoulders, thought of lying in bed with her. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  That was all the answer he would get from her.

  He could take days, maybe weeks to decide about the Resource. But he knew what he wanted. No, what he had to do. He wasn’t normal, he never would be. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t do what was right. If whoever was out there wanted to stop him, well, let them try.

  He could accomplish anything with Beth’s help.

  “I’m not Lansing. I can’t continue it his way. But I can continue it. My way.”

  She stepped away from him. “I thought so.” She spoke so low it was nearly a whisper. “And not because I can read your mind.”

  He put his hands on her shoulders. “The Resource doesn’t have to be the way it was.”

  “I know you think that.” She shook her head. “It wouldn’t start that way, true. But my father had a point.”

  “That people want to kill each other?”

  “No, that helping people isn’t simple. For instance, Lansing wanted to train other kids into weapons. Is that what you want too? Do you want them to eventually join some version of F-Team?”

  He frowned. “I want to show them how to use their gifts.”

  “How? Will you just put up a billboard advertising your services? Psychic School, telepaths, telekinetics and firestarters welcome.”

  She really sounded like her father when she was angry, especially that dry tone.

  “These kids will have parents. I’ll talk to the parents, let them decide what’s best.”

  “And if they don’t want their children trained?”

  Alec frowned. “Why wouldn’t they?”

  Beth shook her head. “People are naturally afraid. How are you going to convince parents to trust you?”

  “I’ll show them what I am. What their children can be.”

  She walked out of his hold. “Parents aren’t going to want to see problems with their children or think they’re different. I know. I’ve seen it with parents of my gifted patients.”

  “I’ll figure it out.” Stop asking questions.

  “To know the answers, you have to ask the right questions and I don’t think you know them yet.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “You’re creating problems before they are even here. You make everything sound so wrong.”

  “Because it came from something wrong. This place has a black soul. Take the Resource, that’s what Lansing said. You’re doing exactly what he wants.”

  No. “Lansing felt love too, even if he hid it from himself. Does that make love all wrong? So why can’t he have been partially right about this?” Alec put his hand on the paper stack and sat on the edge of the massive oak desk. “You said you trusted me.”

  “You don’t—” She stared out the windows. “You don’t know what this can cost you.”

  “Maybe not. But I can’t sit by idly. It’s not in me.”

  “Yes, I know that.”

  “It’s not in you, either.”

  “What?”

  He wrapped his arms around her from behind. They both stared out the windows that he’d created with a wave of his hand.

  “When you demanded that your father get you in to see me, you didn’t know what you were getting into either. You only knew I needed help. You didn’t let the problems stop you.”

  “I couldn’t let you—”

  “Exactly. And you kidnapped me to show me the way,” he said.

  “See, that’s what I mean. Good intentions go awry.” She twisted to face him. “I’m sorry. I’ve apologi—”

  “No, listen. I meant you did something a little wrong to make sure I was okay and it worked.” He kissed her cheek, feeling that current between them again. She’d opened up to him. She was wavering.

  “You’re looking at doing nothing as the right thing and doing something as all wrong. It’s not. Look at your father—he’s a walking mess of contradictions. You haven’t given up on him. And you won’t, either.”

  “What will you do?” she asked.

  “I’ll go through the whole thing, company by company, program by program, person by person, rip up what’s rotted and keep the rest. Lansing thought people needed someone in charge. Hell, he wanted supermen in charge. More, I think he wanted to make sure no one could lord it over him. Someone must have ground him into dust at one point.”

  He took a deep breath and held Beth at arm�
��s length. “But it’s undeniable that because I could control my abilities, millions of people are still alive. Don’t you think other people deserve the right to be heroes too?”

  “You’re all alone in this, there’s someone unknown watching you and you don’t know who you can trust. Not to mention that you lack experience in the corporate and political worlds.”

  “That’s why I need you, counselor.”

  Her face went deathly white. “No.”

  “You can tell me who’s trustworthy. You can separate the guilty from people like Daz and F-Team.”

  Her eyes went wide. “Alec until a week ago, I had no idea how I still had my telepathy. I’m barely controlling it now. And now you want me to manipulate people at the highest levels? I can order people around just by wishing it. Do you know how dangerous that is?”

  He stepped back and shrugged. “I know how dangerous it could be if you don’t train it. What if there’s someone else out there with this ability? You might be the only one who could help them.”

  “Oh, that’s not fair.” She dropped her head and stared at the floor. “I was captured and my mother was killed by people who wanted to use me. By making these kids known, we’re exposing them to danger.”

  “I don’t think your mother would want you to stay afraid.”

  Beth smiled, closed her eyes, and shook her head. “A catalyst, that’s what my father said I am. I did what I did to you and Philip without knowing. How do I know I might not do the same to a child, even with good intentions?”

  “That’s bullshit. I’m sure your father regrets being able to heal himself. I sure as hell know I regret riding an explosion into the sky. You’re afraid, counselor.”

  “Maybe.” She sighed. “All right—hell, yes.”

  “You keep saying I’m a hero, but you helped find the bomb and save everyone.”

  He grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers, pushing his power into hers until he could feel their telepathic bond again, until their bodies started humming along the same frequency. “You can’t put the genie back in the bottle and have everything the way it was.”

  “There’s a thought.”

  She huddled into his shoulder.

  “Remember you said I couldn’t conceive of a normal life because I hadn’t seen it? Like a fish couldn’t envision being outside of water? Maybe you’re refusing to consider this because you can’t imagine a world where your telepathy is part of your normal life.”

  “But I knew you could learn to drive or shop at Wal-Mart. I don’t know if I can do this.”

  “I know you can.”

  She let more spill into their link, he saw the images of her late mother and her kidnapping, of the abuse that she’d suffered from her captors. He fought the anger at the men who’d hurt her, the men who’d made her afraid of her gift.

  “We’ll protect other kids from that.”

  “You picked that up, did you?”

  “No, you let me see. Admit it. You want this.”

  He sent everything he felt about her through the link. Love, support, joy, desire.

  She raised her head. “I love you, Alec.”

  He grinned, lifted her off her feet and twirled her around. She laughed. “Put me down.”

  “Only for now.” He looked at the coat of arms over the fireplace. “I think that the Resource needs a new name if we’re going to take over, something that signifies the new start. Glory or death are extremes. I want choices.”

  “Are you really going to make this a school? Do you have any idea what that entails, logistically?”

  “Maybe not a school. A training facility or something. Have some extracurricular activities. Like, you know, Quiddich or something.”

  She blinked. “Well. That would be interesting.”

  “Yep.” He looked at his handiwork, out to the sky. “And we need more windows, to let in the light.”

  About the Author

  Corrina Lawson is former newspaper reporter with a degree in journalism from Boston University. She turned to writing fiction after her twins were born (they were kids three and four) to save her sanity. She naturally filled her books with the kinds of stories she loved as a kid: superheroes, alternate history and the connections people make in the midst of all that chaos.

  Corrina is currently an editor of www.GeekMom.com and a core contributor to its brother site, GeekDad on www.Wired.com. She also writes for Sequential Tart, a webzine about comics and pop culture written solely by women. Often you can find her hanging out on comic book writer Gail Simone’s forum on Jinxworld.

  Her published works include the novella, Freya’s Gift from Samhain Publishing, Dinah of Seneca, an alternate history romance and its upcoming sequel, Eagle of Seneca. You can find her website at www.corrinalawson.wordpress.com.

  Look for these titles by Corrina Lawson

  Now Available:

  Freya’s Gift

  Saving her people could mean losing her man.

  Freya’s Gift

  © 2010 Corrina Lawson

  In the months since an unexplained sickness wiped out most of their women, Sif and Ragnor have managed to hold their people together. Yet nothing can overcome the tribe’s overwhelming grief, and their future as leaders—and as a couple—is at a dangerous crossroads.

  A series of sensual omens convinces Sif that a fertility ritual to honor the goddess, Freya, is the only path to healing, but it requires a sacrifice. One Sif is more than willing to make—but puts Ragnor’s heart in the middle of an emotional tug of war. He would give his life for his people, but share Sif’s body with his greatest rival? The goddess asks too much.

  Refuse, and Ragnor will fail his duty and doom the tribe to violent destruction from within. Accept, and their trust could be rewarded with renewal for their people and themselves. Or shatter a love already stretched to the breaking point.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Freya’s Gift:

  Gunnhilda turned to face them. No longer did she seem a feeble old woman. Instead, backlit by the blaze, dressed in her finest clothing, it seemed some of the goddess inhabited her.

  “Kneel,” she said to them.

  They all knelt. Sif closed her eyes, to shut out the brightness. It burned.

  “Clasp hands,” Gunnhilda said.

  Ragnor grabbed Sif’s right hand with a reassuring squeeze. Gerhard slipped his hand around her left, with a grip not too tight but not too loose, either. His hand was smaller than Ragnor’s but callused in the same places. It also gave off more heat than she’d expected. He seemed absolutely calm. As a child, Gerhard had had a habit of going still like this before an explosion. Would it be the same tonight?

  Sif took a deep breath, inhaling smoke both from the fire and the torch Gunnhilda still held. It smelled different. Gunnhilda had put something else in with the tar on the torch. Sif took a deeper breath, inhaling more, and her throat burned.

  Gunnhilda laid her hand on each of their heads, calling on the gods to bless this night with life, with fertility. She started with Gerhard, calling on Thor. Next, Ragnor, and calling on Odin. When Gunnhilda put her hand on Sif’s head, it felt like the weight of the world. Sif’s neck bowed of its own accord.

  “Repeat after me,” Gunnhilda said.

  Sif gathered saliva, hoping her voice would work. Her head felt so heavy, so strange. Gerhard rubbed his thumb along her wrist, sending tremors down to her toes. If he’d meant to be reassuring, he wasn’t.

  Gunnhilda repeated the same blessing she’d used for the men, only calling on Freya this time. Sif repeated it, her voice steady, at least for now. Gunnhilda motioned for the three of them to stand. Sif allowed the men to stand first, content to use the support of their hands to keep her own balance. Her head spun. The night seemed nothing but fire. She closed her eyes against the brightness. When she opened them again, three women had appeared beside Gunnhilda. For a moment, she thought they were illusions, until she recognized Bera as one of them. All three held cups full of water. Gunnhilda
took the first cup and handed it to Gerhard, urging him to drink it all. He took it all in one long swallow. Ragnor did the same when it was offered.

  When Gunnhilda presented the third cup to her, Sif didn’t know which hand to drop to seize it.

  “I will help you,” Gunnhilda said.

  Sif nodded. Gunnhilda held the cup to her lips and tipped it. Sif swallowed, the bubbling spring-water taste mixed with something a little grittier, something she’d not tasted before. Fear gripped her, tightening her stomach. What had Gunnhilda done? She squeezed the hands holding her tighter. Gerhard entwined their fingers, allowing her to squeeze harder. Ragnor seemed not to notice the extra pressure.

  The world spun a bit more but the brightness vanished. Sif focused on Gunnhilda as she finished. The old woman bent to her ear.

  “You will be Freya’s vessel tonight, Sif,” she said. “This will help you get closer to her. No fear.”

  “Thank you,” Sif whispered.

  Gunnhilda nodded. The three women melted back to the crowd. Gunnhilda raised the torch to speak to the tribe but Sif couldn’t hear the words. Sounds from the crackling fire roared in her ears. The sky seemed bright with all sorts of light, shooting off in all directions. Her skin felt covered with living smoke, prickly, intense, hot, throbbing.

  Freya, help me.

  Gerhard dropped her hand, only to put his arm around her waist, steadying her but also bringing her closer to him. His arm enclosed her back, sending that strange second skin enclosing her humming. She licked her lips, her whole body awakening to the touch. Ragnor followed Gerhard’s example and she was enclosed by both of them. She bit back a moan, almost turning to watery clay in their hands.

  Her breathing grew faster, her face hotter, the lights in the sky more intense. No longer could she tell which hand was Ragnor’s and which hand was Gerhard’s. They seemed as one, all the same person, her body ready to reach out and absorb both of them.

  The arms around her tightened.

  “Sif,” Ragnor whispered. “Are you well?”