“The alien ship,” Karen said.
“That would be my guess, but the first thing we need to do is find out who they are. Guessing isn’t good enough.”
“How are we supposed to do that? We don’t even know where they’re going to be.”
Morgan grinned. “If they’re some kind of military unit, like the Murphy people, then yes, we do.”
Chapter 20
“What?” Karen asked. “You want me to go back to the bar? And wait for those bastards to show up?”
“They’ll be returning with a clean-up team. And as far as they’re concerned, you’re long dead.” Karen looked quizzically at Morgan. “Hello, vampire here. Or at least that’s what they thought I was.”
“They’d never expect you to let me live.”
“Exactly,” he said.
Morgan was correct. Karen was free. The Murphy Unit would think her dead, killed by a vampire. She hadn’t thought about it, but she was truly free and no longer on the run. No more hiding. She’d have to lay low for a while, change her name and keep under the radar, but she no longer had to look over her shoulder every second of every day. She could start over somewhere.
“That’s the best news I’ve ever heard.” Karen said. “Do you know what this means?”
“It buys you some time, that’s all,” Morgan answered flatly, killing her buzz.
Karen began pacing the room. She had an out. It was selfish, but weren’t people allowed to be once in a while? Especially given everything she’d been through? She had to take this present; it was practically a get-out-of-jail free card.
“I’m no mind reader, but I know what you’re thinking.” Morgan stood, blocking Karen’s path. “Are you forgetting everything you told me? What Josh said to you about not letting them find the ship?”
As if slapped, Karen stared at Morgan’s face. She felt her insides deflate like a popped tire. She couldn’t make a new life by leaving everything behind unfinished. She’d never be able to live with herself knowing that the world might be in peril. In the wrong hands, the power she was given would lead to further bloodshed.
Morgan held her by the arms. “If your ability gets into the wrong hands, life on this planet will end. Think about it: everyone paranoid and untrusting. Secrets revealed. Nations wondering who knows what. Thoughts, emotions, no longer private. People won’t be able to handle it.”
Karen remained guarded but listened. She knew everything Morgan told her was true. The gift had to die with her.
Morgan raised his voice. “Karen, are you listening?”
“Yes,” she yelled back, pulling her arms free. “I know all of this already. Can’t I at least have the dream of having my freedom back? I know how horrible this curse is. I’m living proof. I knew that man was going to kill Melanie before he did it and I could do nothing. I knew eventually he was going to kill me, too. And I know that this gift has to end with me.”
“I’m sorry,” Morgan said, reaching out to her. Karen pulled away as tears fell from her face.
“Stay away, please, until I get myself under control.” She took a moment, wiping her eyes. Clearing her throat, she turned around.
“So, are you in?” he asked.
Karen nodded, too choked up to speak.
“Okay,” he said. “We need to move fast, establish a few things.”
“Like?”
“We need to see how far away you can be from a person and still be able to read their mind.”
Morgan led the way outside to the back of the motel. The day was beautiful. Puffy cumulus clouds dotted the sky, surrounded by a sea of cobalt blue. A couple hundred feet from where Karen stood was a mountain, something you didn’t get to see in the city. She took in a sip of the crisp air, feeling as if things could only get better.
“Karen,” Morgan said, breaking her daydream. She glanced his way. “Okay, do your thing and connect with my thoughts. I’m going to start walking away from you. Let me know when you lose the connection.”
“Sure,” she said, before tapping into Morgan’s head. He counted from one to ten, repeated the sequence over and over as he walked. Karen wondered how he knew she was in his head. Normal people had no idea, at least none that she knew of.
“Still with me,” he said, standing about twenty feet away.
“Yep.”
Morgan continued further on. At thirty feet, he turned.
“Yes, still hear you,” Karen told him before he could ask. He kept walking and the numbers stopped. He was wondering if Karen was getting tired, if her abilities used up her strength. “No, I’m fine,” she yelled.
When Morgan reached a distance of about seventy feet, Karen began having difficulty hearing his thoughts, like static on a radio station. “Having trouble reading you.”
“What am I thinking?” Morgan asked.
Karen concentrated harder, but it was like trying to single out a lone voice in a loud, crowded room. Squinting her eyes, as if the sun was bothering her, she said, “Something…need to…something…the bar. Something about a bar?”
Morgan jogged back. “About seventy-five feet, give or take.”
“Just what I guessed, too.”
“Let’s try something else.” Morgan took off again, telling her when to connect to him. At fifty feet away, she connected, hearing his thoughts loud and clear, but it was slightly more difficult to get inside his mind. He had her disconnect before walking twenty-five more feet and telling her to try and read him. She couldn’t.
For the next hour, they experimented through glass. Morgan sat in the car with the windows rolled up while Karen tested her range as she backed away. Then they changed positions, Morgan walking away while Karen remained in the car. It seemed that glass had no impact on her ability.
Next, Morgan had Karen connect with him before disappearing around the corner of the motel. Once out of view, she lost contact with him. When they finished the experiment outside, the two returned to the motel room.
While in the bathroom and out of Karen’s view, Morgan told her to connect to him. She was able to do so, but his thoughts were no longer loud and clear, coming across as more of a whisper. Once he closed the door, she lost all contact with Morgan’s mind. They both assumed Karen’s ability worked using the walls as reflective barriers; outside there were none, hence the reason she lost all contact with Morgan when he turned the building’s corner. She remembered it not working with the mirror in the bar, but assumed her body had still been developing, adjusting.
“I guess we sorted that out,” Morgan said, standing in the bathroom doorway. “Now we have a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses. Do you have any earthy-colored clothes?”
“Why?”
He looked impatient and spoke again, slower. “Do you. Have any…dark brown, or green-colored clothes?”
“I think so, yes.”
“We’re going for a ride.” He headed for the door. “I’ll be in the car. Time is of the essence, so be quick.”
Chapter 21
Morgan sat in the car while Karen changed her clothes in the motel room. He hoped he wasn’t underestimating whoever it was that was after her. There was a chance that they had already returned to the bar, but he didn’t think it was likely. They’d have to gather a team, equipment, and formulate a tactical plan. That would all take time and O’Hulahan’s would be closed until three p.m. according to the hours posted on the front door.
He was sure it was The Murphy Unit. The men he had encountered were clearly top military echelon in training. Their movements, appearance, and weaponry suggested so. The men had American accents, helping to narrow the guessing down as to which organization they belonged to. But it was more the feeling in his gut that made him believe he was dealing with his old foils.
Karen exited the motel room and approached the car. The woman was beautiful; Morgan unable to deny the fact. She wore black pants and a dark maroon blouse. It wasn’t what he’d wanted her to change into, but almost anything dark would do.<
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Karen opened the passenger door and got in. “Nothing green,” she said, shutting the door. “Wasn’t sure if I should put on any makeup, so I only used a pinch of clear lip gloss.”
“You look fine,” Morgan said, meaning it. He started the car and took off toward Salisbury Mills.
The bar was only a few miles from the motel. Morgan sensed Karen’s nervousness, the scent of fear coming off her body in clear pulses. He wished he could put her at ease, but where they were about to go and what she had to do would surely terrify her.
He liked Karen. Morgan believed people were like shapes, certain ones linking together better than others. Maybe it was the chemicals in people’s bodies, or the spirit, but whatever it was, certain people just felt right around each other. Karen was one of those few Morgan fit right with.
He’d felt the connection almost immediately when he saw her at the bar. He wouldn’t have gotten mixed up with just anybody, and besides truly needing his help, Karen was special. He would do everything in his power to protect her, and hated putting her in danger, but it needed to be done if she wanted answers. Karen would be more prepared this time, knowing the limits of her ability.
The people after her would assume she was dead, killed by a vampire. The Murphy Unit would go over the area with a fine-tooth comb, making sure that the target had been neutralized. If they didn’t find any DNA at the scene, they might assume she’d gotten away or was taken. If that was the case, they’d scour the area for her.
During the ride, he felt her occasionally probe his mind, saying she did it by accident. He didn’t believe her for a second, and thought of a blank chalkboard when he felt her intrusion.
As much as he liked her, Karen made him nervous. He’d seen many fantastic things during his lifetime, but Karen terrified him more than any of the creatures he’d crossed paths with. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so vulnerable. Even though he could sense her when she pried into his mind, picturing the chalkboard to keep her from his thoughts, he knew it wouldn’t always work. He worried about not being fast enough, letting an answer slip through before the wall went up. And if the people after Karen ever got their hands on the alien spaceship, he feared for not only the human race but all races.
“So, are you going to tell me what we’re doing?” Karen asked.
Morgan noticed she wasn’t looking at him, probably on purpose so as not to be tempted to read his thoughts. He smiled. Good girl.
Morgan drove past the bar, taking the road that ran along the side, making sure the rear parking lot was empty. Good, no one was here yet. He pulled the car over but kept the engine running.
Pointing out of the window, he said, “The place is surrounded by dense forest. You’ll hide up on that hill. It looks to be about thirty feet from the building, so reading anyone in the parking lot shouldn’t be a problem. All you do is remain still and listen to everything you can until they leave.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Karen said, shaking her head. “I’m free now. I could just take off and start over, not have to worry about them coming after me. Now I’m going to be sitting just a few feet away from them.”
“I won’t let that happen,” Morgan assured her. “You have my word.”
“And you’re sure about this?” Karen asked, her eyes revealing her hesitancy.
“Yes, it’s a good plan. The only plan.”
“And how are they going to reveal anything to me about where their base is located? Or what they’re doing? They may only think about cleaning up the mess.”
“Oh, I’ll take care of the questions.” Morgan grinned. “I wrote this up this morning when you were still sleeping.” He pulled a handwritten note out of his pocket.
“What is it?”
“A little message, asking all the questions we need to know.”
Karen closed her eyes. Morgan watched as her chest rose and fell with deep breaths. She was sexy and a tough woman, remarkable. Fate had taken away his vacation, his time to renew, but instead had delivered him a friend.
“You know, I’m really glad we found each other, Morgan.”
“Me, too. Do you know how long it’s been since I had someone I could talk to?”
Karen’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “You mean I’m the only one who knows about you?”
“Yes. The only other person was Doctor Rivera.” He looked away, out of the window. “I never stay in any one place for too long. I never get to know anyone, and when I do, I can’t tell them about myself. If the vamps found out what I am…it’s better that nobody knows my secret.”
“It’s only been a day for me. I can’t imagine how tough it’s been for you, not being able to talk to anyone for so long.” Karen gazed into his eyes.
“There’s something else you need to watch out for,” he said, his tone serious.
“Great, what?”
“It’s in my nature to know when people are staring at me for prolonged periods. Vampires have the ability to charm a person, catch and hold their stare. They can open a person’s mind to suggestion.”
Karen nodded.
“What I’m saying is, if you see anyone acting strange when you’re probing them, moving differently or whatever, disconnect from them quickly. We don’t know if it’s just me that can feel when you’re inside someone’s head.”
“I don’t think others can. Humans anyway, but I’ll keep an eye out.”
“If I have to, I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, but they won’t know I’m there.”
“Good, and they definitely won’t expect me to be there, either.”
Chapter 22
Karen and Morgan left the car parked along the side of the street and walked into the wooded area behind O’Hulahans. Karen cringed every time her feet crunched over a branch or rustled leaves.
“We need to find you a safe vantage point,” Morgan said.
“I’ll leave that to you,” Karen said, ducking below a low-hanging limb.
“Here,” Morgan said, stopping. He pointed to a small clearing. “This will do.” He crouched down and looked toward O’Hulahan’s. “Perfect. You’ll be able to see the entire rear parking lot, but it’ll be almost impossible for anyone to see you.”
Morgan stood up, ushering Karen to take his place. She squatted. A short but thick bush stood in front of her. The top was uneven, giving her places to look through while staying hidden. A large oak tree stood just next to the bush.
“Should, and I don’t think anyone will, but should anyone spot you, this tree will provide cover until I take over.”
Karen felt a jolt of electricity rise up her spine. “This tree’s going to stop them from killing me?” She stood, wanting to leave.
“Relax, that’s not going to happen. It’s just a precaution. This bush provides great camouflage for you, but it wouldn’t stop a pellet from a pellet gun. This oak,” Morgan pounded on the tree’s trunk, “will stop anything short of a missile.”
“Great, I feel so much better. Just don’t get me killed.”
“I’d never,” Morgan said, jokingly. “Okay, keep your head in the game and read the bastards’ minds when they show. I’m going down to the lot to make sure I can’t see you from it.”
Karen stood up, grabbing his arm. He turned to her.
“Everything will be fine.” He took her hand, holding it gently. “Trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you. And these clowns won’t be prepared for a vampire, let alone one who can walk in daylight. I’ll rip them to shreds before they even get a bead on you.”
Karen let go of his sleeve. “Okay, let’s do this.” Morgan turned to walk away. “What’s with the blackboard?”
He laughed. “To keep my thoughts private. Neat trick, huh?”
Karen shook her head. She grinned, watching Morgan disappear into the foliage. A minute later she saw him enter the parking lot. He looked in her direction and began pointing to his head. Karen took the signal and connected with his thoughts.
He told her to enjoy reading his mind, because it wasn’t going to happen often. Even with his superior vision, he was unable to see her. With that, he again told her not to worry and that she would be fine, then the blackboard went up and she disconnected from him.
Crouching in the woods, looking upon the place where her best friend died only a night ago, Karen began to feel nauseous. A sense of loneliness crept into her heart like an ominous storm cloud, threatening to overwhelm her. She couldn’t let that happen. She needed to be in top form. This was life or death. Even if she managed to escape, she might possibly get Morgan captured or killed. For herself and for him she had to remain calm and focused. Still, she’d never felt so lost in all her life.
Chapter 23
Karen took a seat, the earth damp and cool beneath her. She imagined what she must look like. A couple of days ago she would never have imagined herself sitting here, so far from the familiar. It was eye-opening, terrifying, to think how a person’s perspective on life could change so quickly.
An hour later, and still no action. She felt partially relieved, glad that no one had shown yet, but at the same time she knew the agents would.
She viewed the lot with boredom, her anxiety having dwindled. Morgan was out there somewhere and she looked for him, but with the foliage in her way she knew it would be impossible. She figured even without the forest obscuring her view, she probably wouldn’t see him anyway. Like a chameleon, he would blend in.
Doubt challenged Karen’s resolve with a horrifying thought: what if Morgan had decided he wanted no part of helping her and took off? Panic rippled through her body. Her breathing grew shallow, drawing air into her lungs a challenge.
She took deep breaths; in through her nose and out through her mouth. She repeated the practice ten times before settling down. Shaking her head, she felt like a fool. She’d only known Morgan one day, but that didn’t matter. She knew him. More importantly, she trusted him, as if she’d known him her whole life. People were like that sometimes. They just clicked, knowing everything was going to be okay. Morgan was out there, watching. He would never abandon her. And she would never abandon him. Deep down, she felt it in her bones.
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