Deceived

by Heather Sunseri

  When I was sure I had the look down, I grabbed a stack of towels and entered the locker room. Vance was on the phone in front of his locker. Thankfully he was still dressed. He looked around before he spoke. I backed out of sight around the corner.

  “I only told those two assholes to scare her enough to make her leave town… I know… I know what you said… I’ll make her disappear… No, I get it. She won’t be a problem.” He ended the call, then slammed the phone in his gym bag before slamming the locker shut.

  Don’t lock it, I mindspoke.

  He had sent those thugs to scare me. But why?

  Vance left the lock dangling and headed for the shower. When he was gone, I moved slowly to the locker and dug through his duffel bag. I found his wallet, his phone, and his car keys. Then I struck gold: his photo identification and keycard that would get me access to the Howard BioTech buildings. I knew the building had many more security measures, but this would at least get me through the gate.

  I heard a shower shut off, followed by Vance talking to another gym member, so I quickly stuffed the ID in the back pocket of my jeans and everything else back inside his locker. I then grabbed the pile of towels beside me.

  I started to turn and pretend to distribute towels, but a hand pushed me hard against the lockers, forcing me to drop the towels. I grunted in pain as the side of my head hit metal. Fire exploded through my cheekbone, and I knew instantly that it would leave a bruise.

  I lost control of the minds around me.

  Vance spun me around and held me against the locker with a strong hand around my neck. He eyed me curiously, apparently not all that surprised at my mind trick. He grabbed both of my hands and held them above my head with one hand, then put his other hand back on my neck. “I knew you had to be up to something.”

  I choked against his hold, gasping for air.

  “Did you find what you were looking for?” Covered by only a white towel around the waist, he pushed his body against me, and memories of last summer accosted me.

  I stared into his crazed eyes. He eased his hold enough that I could at least take in a labored breath. “I didn’t take anything.”

  “I know you didn’t. Because I don’t have it.”

  I narrowed my eyes. What was he talking about?

  “Who sent you? Your father?”

  I shook my head. “My dad doesn’t know I’m in Portland.” I coughed again when he squeezed briefly. “I swear I didn’t take anything. I was just looking for your keys. I was going to text you and tell you I was at your apartment. I wanted to surprise you.”

  He loosened his hold. Looked as if he might believe me. “Well then, I guess this is awkward.”

  “What’s going on with you, Vance?”

  He smiled, and a chill moved down my arms. I knew his squeeze around my neck had to have left a mark, along with the bruise to my temple and cheek.

  “I should have known you were playing me.”

  I shook my head. “I wasn’t.”

  The sound of men entering the locker room prompted Vance to let go of me completely and turn. I changed my appearance to match that of a man in workout clothes and ducked away as a couple of guys turned the corner.

  “Hey, Br—Brian!” Vance yelled after me. “Wait.”

  But he was too late. I darted from the locker room and from the gym before he could stop me.

  ~~~~~

  I slowed when I neared Magic Muffins, a touristy bakery in downtown Portland, where I’d asked the group to meet me. My heart beat wildly, and I’d broken into a sweat despite the cool morning.

  I mindspoke to Jack. Can you come outside? Make up something. Don’t tell anyone.

  I’ve got to tell Lexi.

  Fine. But tell her to stay put. And ask her to keep Jonas inside.

  Less than a minute later, Jack came out. I was several storefronts away. I had chosen this spot because of its very public atmosphere, hoping it would be more difficult for someone to shoot at us there.

  As Jack approached—alone, thankfully—I let my true appearance show through.

  Jack stopped short when he saw me. “What the hell happened to you?”

  “I met up with an old friend. Who isn’t really a friend.”

  Jack grazed his fingers along my temple and cheekbone. I flinched at the pain of his touch. When he reached the marks around my neck, I lifted my head and held my hair back to let him see the extent of the bruising.

  “If this was a friend, I’d hate to meet your enemies.”

  “Can you just heal me before Jonas sees them?”

  “Why are you keeping this from him?”

  I looked up. “Jack, you and Lexi have something really special. I get that. But right now, Jonas doesn’t want me in his life.” And he didn’t deserve me after the insults he’d tossed at me the night before. “And I refuse to give him reason to feel pity or some sort of obligation to stick around and protect me. I don’t need or want a protector.”

  “Okay, well, let’s get you fixed up.”

  Jack didn’t even bother arguing my point. He knew Jonas better than anyone. Maybe he agreed that Jonas and I were bad for each other. Whatever. I just knew that when I faced Jonas, I needed to feel strong and in control. I needed to convince him to stay out of my business while I went to confront my dad at Howard BioTech.

  I knew my dad was involved in the initial cloning experiments, but I prayed he wasn’t involved with the same twisted shit as Sandra Whitmeyer. And if he had anything to do with those missing Palmyra clones, or worse, if he was part of some inner circle trying to hunt down and exterminate us clones who had gone rogue, I absolutely had to face my dad alone. And then I’d deal with him myself.

  Jack managed to heal the bruising and marks around my neck without getting sick. He had apparently gotten better both at healing and at controlling the side effects. When he was done and we were heading for the entrance to the bakery, he tugged at my arm. “Don’t be too quick to think you and Jonas don’t have something special. He jumped on a plane the minute he thought you were in some sort of trouble.”

  chapter ten

  Jonas

  I looked at my watch again. It was nearly eight, and Bree was supposed to have met us at this weird tourist-trap bakery almost an hour ago.

  We’d managed to get a table before a line formed out the door. Bree had obviously chosen a very public place. Most likely on purpose.

  According to Raven, Bree was only a block away, but Lexi insisted that I be patient and give her space. What could she possibly be doing? I looked at my watch again.

  “Would you stop?” Jack shoved my arm down. “Enjoy your Maple Bacon Cinnamon Roll Muffin.”

  I narrowed my eyes at Jack, then took a sip of my coffee. He smirked. A second later, he looked toward the door, then leaned over to Lexi. “I’ll be right back.” Lexi must have mindspoken to him, because he shook his head, and after a kiss to her cheek, he stood and exited the bakery.

  I stared at Lexi until she finally acknowledged my unspoken question. “It’s fine. He just stepped out to call Seth.”

  She was lying.

  Several minutes passed. After enjoying a few bites of the bizarre yet delicious muffin—it was coated in maple-flavored icing and topped with two strips of bacon—I at last heard the sound of Bree’s voice. I looked up and saw her pushing past customers, with Jack right behind her. I sat up straighter, but stopped myself from going to her—from verifying that she was all right. She’d been shot at before. We all had. I had to trust she could take care of herself.

  Jack and Lexi traded looks, having a private mindspoken conversation.

  Just tell me if she’s okay, I mindspoke to Jack.

  He met my stare. She’s fine.

  Bree ordered a coffee from a waitress dressed in a long bohemian-style skirt and black blouse, then took a seat next to Lexi. The skin beneath her eyes was darker than usual, most likely from a restless night’s sleep. She nodded at something Lexi said. I tried to get inside her
head, but it was locked up tight.

  “Jonas,” Lexi said, and I finally gave my head a shake and focused on her, realizing I hadn’t been listening.

  “What?”

  “We thought you might like to pretend you’re interested in what Bree has to say after the fit you threw when she left this morning.”

  I glared at Lexi, then looked at Bree. “It won’t matter.”

  “What do you mean?” Lexi asked.

  “She’s already shutting me and the rest of you out of her mind. She has no intention of telling us why those men were shooting at her.” I looked at Jack. “Go ahead. Try to get inside her mind.”

  Bree stood abruptly, nearly taking out the waitress, who had appeared with a tray of coffees behind her. “I’m sorry.” She took one of the cups and set it on the table, then looked at us, reeling in her temper. “I didn’t ask any of you to come to Portland. I get that you think it’s your responsibility to find this group of clones or Addison or whatever, but I have no idea how to help you with any of that. They have nothing to do with the reason I’m here.” She was lying. I didn’t have to get inside her head to recognize the telltale way she wrung her hands. “I won’t interfere with whatever it is you feel you must do. But I need to take care of some family business, and I need all of you to stay out of it. This is my life, not yours.”

  I stood and leaned into the table. People around the restaurant were staring at us, and by the way Lexi glared at me, then at the other customers, I could tell she was attempting to control their minds to ignore us. She had a special knack at easing the emotions of others.

  “Why don’t we start with an easy question, then,” I said. “Why do you think IIA agents were shooting at you this morning?”

  “Those weren’t IIA.” Her face fell slightly.

  “Who were they?” Jack asked.

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  I let out a laughing sigh. Not because I thought this was funny, but because of the ridiculousness of my fiery redhead’s determination. “Why is it you think it doesn’t matter that two men tried to kill you? And us?”

  “None of their shots hit me or the car. They were just trying to scare me.”

  This made no sense. “How do you know those men—who are now dead, by the way, thanks to someone nuking their embedded trackers—weren’t sent to kill you? Because they did a pretty good job of shooting up the motel trying to kill us.”

  “Because, Jonas, you’re not the only one who knows how to intrude on people’s minds.”

  Lexi and Kyle both chuckled in a she’s-got-you-there sort of way.

  “I have not entered your mind. And I resent the implication,” I said. It was true, I hadn’t entered her mind—though not for lack of trying.

  She didn’t even try to suppress the laughter that erupted. “You resent the implication? Well, I resent the invasion into my privacy. You made it quite clear when I was on Palmyra that you wanted nothing to do with me.” She took a deep breath, scanned the small bakery, then lowered her voice and spoke through gritted teeth. “I believe you told me we were ‘just too far apart in our long-term life plan.’”

  “You have a long-term life plan?” Kyle asked me, his voice suddenly upbeat. My glare—and Raven’s elbow to the ribs—had him staring into his coffee again.

  It was painful having it out with Bree in the middle of this tiny café and in front of our friends. “Our long-term relationship has nothing to do with what’s happening here in Portland,” I said. “With those men shooting at you—at us.”

  “That’s the first thing you’ve said that I agree with, except for one thing: we don’t have a relationship. You made sure of that.” She looked to the others, one at a time. “Look, I’ll say it again: I get that you guys want to find these clones. I’d love to help. But it’s time I faced my dad. He did not send those men, but someone close to him did. I don’t want any of you involved with my dad. And I need you to respect that.”

  Lexi pulled at Bree’s hand, encouraging her to sit again. When she did, Lexi faced her. “Tell me this. How can you say you aren’t in danger?”

  “I can take care of myself.” She was hiding so much from us.

  “Will you at least promise to reach out to us if you get in over your head? Will you let us help you?”

  “If I say no, won’t you just keep track of my every move anyway?” Bree eyed Raven, who quickly looked away, uncomfortable.

  “Yes.” Lexi made no apology for keeping Bree under surveillance.

  “I’ll call.” She leaned down, and in a rare show of affection, gave Lexi a quick hug.

  Lexi slipped something into her hand. “Be careful.”

  Bree nodded. “I have to go.” Without even a glance toward me, she turned and exited the café.

  ~~~~~

  “What do you know of Mr. Howard?” I asked Lexi when Bree had left.

  “Doctor,” Lexi corrected.

  “He’s a doctor?”

  “Yeah. And I only know what Seth and Mom told me. That Bree’s father studied engineering and pre-med in college, then went to medical school. He wanted to learn how to make medical devices that could train the mind to overcome certain mental disabilities. Among other things.”

  “Mental disabilities?”

  “Yeah. According my mom, Dr. Howard thought he could take a baby or a young child with a mental handicap, but physically capable, and enhance his brain functions.”

  This was starting to sound all too familiar. “Are you talking about trackers?”

  Lexi shrugged. “I guess, though Sandra seemed to be the only one sick enough to suggest taking complete control over humans with trackers. Until recently, I suppose.” She glanced at Raven.

  Kyle squeezed Raven’s hand tighter. She had learned firsthand how a nefarious electronic device placed at the base of a person’s skull could “enhance” a person’s brain functions and enable someone to control their mind. Raven didn’t have the altered DNA that the rest of us were born with, but she had been gifted certain mental enhancements when some men inserted the wrong tracker into her skull. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

  Thankfully, control of every tracker that had been discovered in either Sandra’s labs or in Costa Rica was now in the hands of Lexi’s mother, Alyson Roslin—and that included the tracker at the base of Raven’s skull, the one in Lexi, and the one in me.

  “Did we know this about Bree’s father already?” I asked. “I never saw Dr. Howard pop up in anything I found on Palmyra or in the intelligence we gathered about the tracker manufacturing facility in Costa Rica.” And of course, Bree never spoke of her parents.

  “You wouldn’t have. I only talked to Seth and Mom about him last night. He was researching things we’ve come to know as trackers way before Sandra and my mom came up with the ones we’ve seen.”

  “So trackers were originally Dr. Howard’s idea?”

  “Only from the standpoint of medical research. It was Sandra who decided to use trackers to control the clones and their abilities.”

  “Dr. Howard sounds like an innovative genius.” I took a drink of my coffee, making a face when I realized it was cold.

  “He’s certainly a successful one. Seth says that he owns a biomedical laboratory just west of here. They study and produce all sorts of medical appliances and machinery to assist people with disabilities, like limb replacements for amputees. But they also create devices like the ones we’ve been talking about.”

  “Is he well respected in the medical community?”

  “According to the research Mom did last night, yes.”

  “What made you decide to ask your mom about Dr. Howard?”

  “You’re not the only one skeptical about Bree’s sudden urge to return home. I went to school with her, remember? She never talked about her parents. She always claimed to have had a normal upbringing, but she wasn’t quick to return home after graduation this past spring. She wanted to find something to do next that didn’t involve her father
.”

  Which was why she traveled to Palmyra instead. And I did nothing but shove her away.

  “Does she normally ice you out when it comes to personal problems she’s dealing with?” I asked Lexi.

  She angled her head. “Seriously? Have you been around Bree and me? Until this past year, we couldn’t be in the same room together without practically breaking out into a catfight.”

  “I can’t pretend I wouldn’t want to see that,” I said, wiggling my brows.

  Kyle and Jack laughed.

  I held up a hand when Lexi glared at me. “Fine. Bad joke. What about you?” I asked Kyle. “The two of you have been close.”

  “Yeah. For two boarding school students, I guess. But she hasn’t opened up to me about our newfound abilities—or much of anything else lately. To be honest, she was pretty freaked after everything that went down on Palmyra. I’m actually surprised she went back, even if it was to visit you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

  “Are you kidding? That girl is crazy about you. She’s doing everything she can to embrace her abilities and accept this world we’ve been thrown into, but under that tough-as-steel exterior, that’s one scared little girl. I figure she came to you seeking encouragement and a little bit of help developing her abilities.”

  I winced internally at how badly I had screwed that up. “So, let’s say she traveled to Palmyra just to see me. What made her come to Portland?”

  “I thought that was clear,” Kyle said. “You pissed her off while you guys were on Palmyra.”

  He got that right. “That’s why she left. But why did she suddenly decide to return home?”

  “Nowhere else to go?” Lexi asked, but she didn’t sound convinced.

  “I don’t think so.” I leaned back in my chair. “But I do know that if she thinks I’m going to just sit back and wait for her to ask for help, she doesn’t know me very well.”

  “Or me.” Lexi’s lips curled into a grin. Jack and Kyle just shook their heads. And Raven looked more confused than ever.