by I. T. Lucas
“Not much, I agree. But she can get coaching from a pro. What if we get Carol to instruct her every step of the way?”
“Carol can’t help Ella while she’s dream-sharing with Lokan.”
“That is true. But she can instruct her before and after.”
“I think you’ve already made up your mind.”
“Catching Lokan could be the biggest breakthrough we’ve had since this has started. If we know where the island is, we can revisit the idea of planting Carol there and letting her do her thing because we can get her out. I’m asking your opinion because right now I can’t think of a downside. Lokan can’t learn anything from Ella, and if we set a trap for him, we will make sure that she is not in any danger. I’ll get the entire Guardian force to watch over her if needed. This is that important.”
“What if after all this he doesn't talk?”
“Then we will hold him as a bargaining chip.”
“In stasis?”
Kian hadn’t thought that far. “We can decide what to do when we get there. But I’m inclined to keep him prisoner. The anticipation of torture can be worse than the torture itself, and we are in no hurry. We can wait long years for him to talk.”
For a long moment, Turner remained quiet, and Kian imagined him staring into the distance while the cogs in his brain moved faster and faster, running through different scenarios and calculating the probabilities of success or failure for each.
“I agree. We need to seize this opportunity. If Lokan is the one doing the compulsion, then chances are that he is not under compulsion himself, which means that we can get him to talk one way or another.”
Kian leaned back in his chair and swiveled it around to look out his window to the village square. “I’m not sure about that. Lokan can compel only humans. One of the other sons is rumored to be able to compel immortals as well. He might have done it to Lokan.”
There was another long moment of silence. “What if it’s Navuh himself who does the compelling?”
Kian frowned. It was possible, but it didn’t make sense for the leader to bother with things like that. “I don’t think Navuh would deal with such mundane matters. He is above that. But even if it is him, does it make a difference?”
“That depends on how he does it. I’ve given it some thought, and I suspect that he can do with compulsion what Yamanu can do with thralling. Think about it. He has an army of tens of thousands of warriors, loyal to him despite being treated like disposable trash. He is a demagogue, using propaganda to unite his people, but with a twist. How else is he keeping such tight control over his troops?”
“Fear can be a very effective motivator for loyalty. Any unrest is dealt with quickly and brutally.” Kian swiveled back to face his desk. “With all due respect to your brilliant mind, Turner, I think you are jumping to conclusions. The propaganda and the iron-fist rule are the most logical explanations for his control. We don’t need to look further than that.”
“Perhaps. But you know me. I like solving mysteries, and things don’t add up as neatly as you think.”
Kian chuckled. “Then by all means, try to solve this one. But while you do that, can you come up with a plan for us to catch Lokan?”
“Shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“Maybe for you it isn’t. I’ve already thought about and discarded several ideas.”
“Let me hear them. Maybe I can use one and improve on it.”
“I’d rather not. I don’t want to contaminate your thinking process with my lousy suggestions.”
14
Ella
“I’m glad we don’t have to schlep anything back home,” Ella said as her mother parked the car in the village’s underground.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yeah, I did. The best part was getting the girls to come out and eat lunch with Anandur on the front lawn.” Ella smirked. “I proved the hoity-toity therapist wrong.”
Tucking her new bedazzled T-shirt under her arm, she closed the door and headed for the elevators. Vivian had left hers as a sample for the girls to copy, which was a shame because it came out beautiful.
The purple T-shirt had been donated by Amanda, so of course it was top quality and as good as new, and the huge butterfly her mother had added to the front had turned it into something that could’ve been displayed proudly in a boutique.
“I wondered about that,” her mother said. “I saw the lunch exodus, but I thought you’d convinced them it would be fun to eat out in the sun. I didn’t know they were going to hang out with Anandur. How did you manage that?”
Ella shrugged. “Easy. I convinced the two queen bees to come with me to the second floor and peek at him from a window. He did his thing, winking and waving and looking charming. Then I told them that he was Wonder’s fiancé and that was it. They were convinced he was a harmless teddy bear. When the other girls saw them picking up their plates and going outside, many followed.”
“Queen bees, eh? Even in the sanctuary?”
“Of course. They have cliques like any other bunch of girls stuck in the same place. High schools, women’s prisons, sanctuaries, it doesn’t matter. I figured that if I got the queens to tell their stories first, it would be easier to convince the others.”
“Did you ask them?”
“Not yet. I’m building up a rapport first.”
Ella was starting to realize that it was going to be harder than she’d imagined. The girls were suspicious and skittish, and she braced for weeks of coaxing instead of days.
Her mother smiled. “Do you have a plan?”
“The stunt with Anandur was great for that, and also joining your bedazzling class and the self-defense training that Kri is teaching. I’m making friends. But this is going to take much longer than I anticipated. Those girls have been through a lot, and asking them to do something as emotionally draining as telling their story in front of a camera is not going to be easy.”
Vivian leaned and kissed her cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”
“It's nothing. It’s just common sense.”
“Still. You’ve taken on this difficult project, and you’re pushing hard to make it happen.”
By the time they reached the house, it was starting to get dark, and Ella’s stomach was rumbling. “I’m hungry. Do we have any leftovers from yesterday?”
Vivian chuckled. “The guys probably finished them off. But we can make some sandwiches and a salad for dinner.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Ella opened the door and was hit by aromas that made her salivate. “What smells so good?”
“Barbecue,” Parker said. “Magnus has ribs and steaks on the grill.”
“And how are you going to eat them?” Vivian asked.
“I took four Motrin’s, and I’m going to chew even if my gums bleed.”
Shaking her head, Ella patted his shoulder. “Good luck with that.”
“Your timing is impeccable.” Magnus walked in with a loaded platter. “You are just in time for dinner.”
Vivian smiled and gave him a quick peck on his cheek. “You are the best.”
Ella eyed the table. “Should I cut up some veggies for a salad?” Other than meat and more meat, the only side dish was corn on the cob.
“Why spoil the taste?” Parker said. “Forget the salad, Ella. Sit down and let’s eat before all of this amazing beef gets cold.”
As she pulled out a chair and sat down, Ella had that same weird feeling she’d experienced when Parker had told her to do the model walk. She’d really wanted some fresh veggies, and yet she’d done what the little dweeb had told her to do.
“Anything wrong, Ella?” Her mother looked at her with concern in her eyes. “Suddenly, you seem troubled.”
She smiled and waved a dismissive hand. “It’s nothing. I’m just hungry.”
Magnus forked a juicy steak and dropped it on her plate. “Do you want some ribs too?”
“Sure. And also corn.”
How was Parker doing that? Was
he doing anything? Or was it her?
The thing was, the sensation was familiar, just in reverse. Logan’s compulsion prevented her from talking about him, and Parker’s commands were making her do things she didn’t want.
Could Logan messing with her head have opened her up for manipulation by others?
Or just by Parker?
“You’re not eating, sweetie.” Her mother pointed at her full plate. “Is it not well done enough for you?”
“I can put it back on the grill,” Magnus offered.
Ella shook her head. “Mom, tell me that I have to eat.”
Vivian looked at her with worry written all over her face. “Why?”
“Just do it.”
“Okay. You have to eat, Ella.”
Perhaps a direct command was needed? Or maybe it had to be issued by an immortal?
“Magnus, please tell me to cut a piece of steak and put it in my mouth. Just humor me.”
Thankfully, Magnus just did what she’d asked without demanding an explanation. “Ella, cut a piece of the steak, put it in your mouth, and tell me if you like it.”
Nothing.
“Parker, ask me to pass the salt.”
Her brother rolled his eyes. “Is it a game?”
‘Yes. Now say it.”
“Please, pass the salt, Ella.”
Nothing again.
But then Parker didn’t care whether she did as he asked. Maybe he had to put some conviction behind it?
Rising to her feet, Ella lifted the platter. “There is too much meat on the table. I’m taking this back to the kitchen.”
As she’d expected, Parker responded. “Put it down! I’m not done yet.”
The moment he said to put it down, she almost dropped the platter, barely managing to hold on to it in order to lower it to the table without incident.
Letting out a breath, Ella slumped back in her chair. “I guess we’ve just found out what Parker’s talent is. He can compel.”
15
Kian
As Kian hung up the phone with Magnus, he lifted his eyes to the ceiling and offered a prayer of thanks to the Fates. The last time he’d felt so grateful and so elated was when Syssi had come into his life.
The stars seemed to be aligning in his favor.
It had started with the very tangible possibility of capturing Navuh’s son and finally discovering where the Doomers’ fucking island was.
That in itself was a cause for celebration.
But if what Magnus had reported was true, then they finally had a compeller in the clan. Having an asset like that opened up a host of possibilities, and that was true even if the kid could only compel humans. But since Parker was exhibiting this talent so soon after his transition, he might grow up into a powerhouse.
Heck, the boy hadn’t even transitioned fully yet, and already he could compel his sister without even meaning to do it.
“Is Amanda coming?” Syssi came out of the closet, dressed and ready to go.
The only downside of that phone call had been interrupting their making out session in the Jacuzzi that he’d planned on continuing in bed. But the news he’d gotten from Magnus was well worth the sacrifice. Besides, they could continue when they came back home.
After all, they were on a mission. Almost as much as Kian wanted to give Syssi the baby she craved, he wanted to be done with drinking Merlin’s foul-tasting potion.
“Amanda is just as excited as I am. Probably more. So, of course, she is coming. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already there. Do you know how long we’ve been waiting for this?” She had no way of knowing, so he told her. “Since we discovered that someone in Navuh’s camp could compel. If they have an immortal who can do it, then we should too. And here he is.”
Kian shook his head. “Little Parker. Who would have thought.”
Stretching up on her toes, Syssi wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. “We don’t know that for sure yet. Ella might be imagining it. I don’t want you to get your hopes up and then get disappointed.”
“I won’t. The girl knows what compulsion feels like. If anyone would know, it’s her.”
Syssi smiled sadly. “Parker could be inadvertently pushing a thrall on her. I don’t think she can tell the difference. Heck, I don’t know if I can tell a thrall from a compulsion.”
She was right, of course. As always, Syssi was the voice of reason.
He stroked her cheek. “I know. And I have some doubts too. But on the other hand, I have a good feeling about this. Things are going our way for a change. First with Ella and Lokan, and now this. I sense a shift coming up in this conflict. We are finally getting a break.”
“Did we switch places? Are you the seer now?”
Kian laughed. “I don’t know about that. First, you will have to start barking orders at everyone and cussing a storm. Then I’ll consider us switched.”
“Oh, no.” She pretended horror. “I can’t do that. If I start cussing, you’re going to spank me.”
Chuckling, he cupped her butt cheeks and lifted her up. “That should be an incentive, not a deterrent.” He pressed his erection against her mound.
“Indeed.” Syssi’s cheeks pinked as they usually did when she was thinking naughty thoughts. “People are waiting for us. We’d better get moving.”
He nuzzled her neck and then let her slide down his body. “I want you to think up some creative cuss words for later tonight.”
Syssi was funny that way. Even though cussing was their agreed-upon invitation to playtime, she had a hard time saying anything harsher than shit or crap. Instead, she invented cusses that were often too cute or just plain hilarious. Like Wooly Wanker, or Jerkemaia Johnson. That one had another variation—Jerkorama Douchensky.
Her blush deepened. “It’s a deal.”
16
Julian
By the time Julian was done with the last contractor, the sun had set, and he was more than ready to call it a day. Or rather call Ella and ask her how her day at the sanctuary had gone and see if she wasn’t too tired to see him.
Even though it was torture to hold her in his arms and wait for her to make each move, it was a sweet torment.
Yeah, he must be a closet masochist. No one should look forward to a case of blue balls. But he did.
Perhaps it was the novelty of it. After years of having girls practically dropping their panties for him without him having to even ask, the old-fashioned courtship dance was refreshing.
“Do you mind driving?” he asked Yamanu. “I want to make a phone call.”
“No problem, buddy.” He smirked. “I know you’re missing your girl.”
As Yamanu got in the driver’s seat, Julian got in on the other side and pulled out his phone.
Ella answered right away. “Julian, I’m so glad you called. Are you back home?”
“I’m on my way. What’s up?”
“Come straight to my house.”
He frowned. “Why? Not that I need a second invitation. But did something happen?”
“Maybe. We are not sure yet. But you will want to be here. Heck, I want you here.”
“Can you give me a clue?”
She hesitated for a moment. “It has to do with Parker and his special talent. But that’s all I’m going to say.”
Julian let out a relieved breath. As long as it wasn’t more bad news about Ella, he was good. “I can be there in about twenty-five minutes.”
“Perfect. Kian and Syssi are coming too. And so is Amanda.”
“Now you’ve really got me curious.”
She laughed. “See you here, Julian.” The call ended.
“Little Parker has discovered his special talent?” Yamanu asked.
“It sounds like it’s a big deal. Otherwise, Kian wouldn’t have bothered coming over there to check it out.”
Yamanu rubbed his hand over his clean-shaven jaw. “I wonder what it is. Probably telepathy, like his mother and sister.”
“Not nece
ssarily. Talents are kind of random. I’m surprised that Vivian and Ella share the same one. The commonality is usually in how powerful it is.”
“Makes sense.” Yamanu chuckled. “My mother can’t thrall for shit. But she can do other things.”
Julian’s ears perked up. Any nugget of information about Yamanu could shed some light on the mystery he was. “What’s her talent?”
“Nagging.”
“Seriously.”
“I am serious. She has everyone doing exactly what she wants just to stop the nagging. That’s one hell of a power.”
Julian sighed. Yamanu was pulling his chain. This mystery wasn’t going to get solved anytime soon, but at least he was going to find out what Parker could do.
The rest of the drive was spent with Yamanu telling him one anecdote after another about his mother’s nagging and what she’d managed to achieve with it, and by the time the Guardian parked the car, Julian was inclined to believe him that it was a special talent.
“Is she very charming? Because I can’t see people cooperating with a horrible nag unless she has some redeeming qualities.”
Yamanu smiled wistfully. “My mother is one hell of a woman. She’s always ready to help in any way she can, and she can do a lot. Many owe her favors, and she is not shy about collecting.”
They parted at the village square, with Yamanu heading to his house and Julian turning toward Ella’s.
He got there at the same time as Kian and Syssi did.
“Hello, Julian.” Syssi gave him a quick one-armed hug.
Kian nodded in his direction and knocked on the door.
Amanda opened it. “Good, you are all here, so we can finally begin with the testing.”
Given Amanda’s excitement, Parker’s talent must really be a big deal.
As soon as he entered, Ella ran up to him and took his hand. “Come sit with me. We are about to begin.”
He let her pull him to an armchair. “Both of us can squeeze in here.”
