"And she's the most talented of all of them," I said. "If anybody gets us out of this mountain of shit, it'll be her."
"You know why I told Hunter it wasn't a good idea to have her at the meeting."
"I do, but you see what kind of problem that created, don't you?"
"We don't need a repeat of what happened the last time someone like her died."
"I hear that, all right."
* * *
Ilya
A day and a half passed before Corinne came home after disappearing a second time. From an unemotional standpoint, I understood. I couldn't remain unemotional, however, whenever Corinne was involved.
A part of me wanted to continue the argument. Another part wanted only to hold her close. I chose to remain silent as she walked into the kitchen during dinner, which Nathan and I prepared for the others. I'd learned that Nathan liked to cook and was quite good at it.
Corinne went straight for a protein drink inside the refrigerator, uncapped the bottle, drank some of it and turned to walk out of the kitchen again.
"Wait," Colonel Hunter held up a hand.
"You're about to tell me you can't handle any more of my disappearing trick," she waved a hand. "Got it. I'm going to the media room. Carry on."
We watched as she walked out the door and made a turn for the media room, just as she said. "Fuck," I muttered.
"Finish your meal," Dr. Shaw suggested. "Leave her alone for now. She'd have stayed in the kitchen if she wanted company."
"Screw that," James said and rose from his place at the island. I didn't intend for him to get to Corinne before me, so I beat him to the door.
* * *
Corinne
No matter how much I tried to squash them, panic attacks had threatened to overwhelm me the past two days. Something was wrong, I could feel it, but whatever it was stayed frustratingly outside my search field.
Less than five minutes passed before Ilya and James arrived in the media room, at a near-run. "Cori, please don't leave like that again; I nearly had a heart attack," James rasped.
Ilya, in better shape and breathing more evenly, wore a slight frown as he took a seat beside me on the sofa. I'd settled there, my knees drawn to my chest, while I sipped the protein drink I'd filched from the kitchen.
"Will you talk to me?" Ilya breathed. He hesitated to touch me-worried, no doubt, that I'd disappear again.
"Depends on what you want to talk about," I said, refusing to look at him.
"I know we haven't been completely open with you," he sighed and leaned back on the sofa.
"When were you going to tell me that Auggie will be at the meeting and I'll be the only one watching a live feed from somewhere else?"
"We were working up to that," he admitted.
"I'll uh, just go," James mumbled and walked out of the room, his footsteps muffled by carpet that hadn't been changed in decades.
"I hate the carpet in the hallway," I said.
"We can worry about the carpet later," Ilya said. "You'll be watching a live feed, Corinne. You can rush in if you're needed-you know you can-at the first sign that something is wrong."
"Sure-just magically appear in front of some of the most powerful world leaders? You may as well hang out a neon sign telling all of them that aliens are on the loose."
"Cori, I think you may be fretting over nothing. Maye, Rafe, Opal and I will be there, in case things get out of hand," Nick said as he strode into the room and settled on a nearby chair.
"I disagree." My forehead now bumped against the tops of my knees and I refused to look at him. "Conspiracy theories are everywhere, still, even after all the creatures died. People on those websites and some in the mainstream media still believe they're in danger. They're not wrong, either, they just don't know what they should really be afraid of. If I were still human, I'd be terrified, too."
"I know you worry." Ilya braved my anger and reached out to massage the back of my neck.
"I'm concerned that insurgents will fire nuclear weapons at specific countries while their leaders are tied up in a meeting," Auggie said, taking the chair next to Nick's. "That's why we need you outside the meeting and able to do what you do without anyone noticing."
"Nice try, Auggie," I lifted my head to blink at him. "Now, I'm only going to ask this question once-are you absolutely sure you don't want me in that meeting?"
"Corinne, I am absolutely sure," he said.
"Fine. You live with the consequences, then," I said. Dropping my feet to the floor, I stood and walked away. The ugly carpet changed to wood flooring beneath my feet as I left Ilya, Nick and Auggie behind.
* * *
Ilya
Corinne refused to discuss the matter further. It acted as a barrier between us, too, whenever I convinced her to make love. A sadness had come over her, too-one I couldn't banish, no matter how hard I tried.
Every day, Colonel Hunter and Director Michaels had a meeting. I was invited often, to discuss seating at the large table, and how difficult it might be to get to President Zoran from three seats away.
Too, Zoran wanted two guards with him; they'd stand against the wall behind him during the meeting. Nick would be placed five seats to my right, on Madam President's left side, while Maye would sit to her right. Colonel Hunter and Director Michaels would sit on the opposite side of the table, with Opal placed between them.
Colonel Hunter did make a concession, though-he asked Richard Farrell to stay with Corinne inside a smaller room nearby, where the live feed could be seen on several monitors. Hidden cameras would be placed strategically inside the meeting room, so that every attendee would have their image relayed to at least one of the monitors.
I understood why Colonel Hunter wanted Richard with Corinne-he wanted to know if nuclear warheads were launched and Corinne disappeared as a result. Richard was tasked with sending a text if that happened.
I didn't fail to notice that Corinne became quieter after every meeting I attended with Colonel Hunter and Director Michaels. Often, Nick, Maye and Opal were there, too, as they'd be directly involved if pandemonium occurred during the meeting.
Colonel Hunter held off telling Corinne to stand back and let us take care of things unless they went too far-that would come the day of the meeting, which was now two days away.
No additional word had come on the location of the warheads, and the insurgents had settled for beheading two hapless relief workers they'd kidnapped from a small border town; they'd gone to help treat an infection that had run rampant.
Corinne, to distract herself, I'm sure, set about transforming the ugly building. Yes, it still looked the same on the outside. On the inside, it was anyone's dream, from an atrium filled with plants and a fountain to luxurious suites decorated with comfortable furniture and the latest entertainment technology.
Nick attempted to hug her when he found the latest gaming system and a horrendously large television screen installed in his suite.
She'd brushed him off, choosing to walk away, instead.
Our suite was an area of tranquility. The kitchen was something I'd dreamed of in the past and fully intended to get for myself someday.
Corinne had given it to me now.
She listened while I talked about anything except what was important while we cooked. The others showed up for meals and often attempted to engage her in conversation. They barely received replies to direct questions.
Corinne was cutting herself off from all of us.
* * *
Notes-Colonel Hunter
"I've gotten the silent treatment from Laci in the past," I said. "This is worse."
"Yeah." Matt didn't meet my eyes. He felt just as guilty as I did, but wasn't about to back down. For whatever reason, he'd insisted that Corinne be kept from the meeting and the President agreed with him.
Opal, at times, looked as if she'd lost her best friend when Corinne failed to respond or volunteer anything. As badly as Opal was taking this, Rafe was worse. The moment Corinne was out of sight
, deadly silence would descend and he'd only respond if spoken to directly.
Even worse, Corinne appeared fragile. Leo Shaw was concerned, but couldn't get her to agree to a session. Unless things changed, I wasn't sure it would do any good anyway.
At least Laci was keeping her appointments with Shaw-she was looking forward to this being over, hoping, I'm sure, that everything would return to normal once the meeting took place.
I wished I could say the same thing. Corinne was upset about it, and if I'd learned anything in the nearly seven years I'd known her, it was to be concerned right along with her.
Rafe refused to discuss any difficulties between him and Cori, which was admirable and frustrating at the same time. Shaw had invited him for a session after Corinne's refusal-Rafe refused as well.
* * *
Corinne
"Isn't this premature? You've only known one another for a few weeks," Maye said as she, Richard and James walked into the kitchen the morning of the meeting.
Ilya worked nearby, covering a breakfast casserole with shredded cheese and olives before placing it in the oven. Automatically, I began brewing coffee. I understood, too, without asking, that James and Nathan wanted to be married.
"We don't live in the dark ages, anymore," James pointed out.
"That's not what I'm saying," Maye said. "I'm just saying to get engaged and set a date, instead of rushing into it."
"If you set a date, Corinne and I will stand with you," Ilya said after shutting the oven door and turning toward James.
"Cori, will you be there for us?" James implored.
"If you get married, I'll be there," I said. "Even if I have to move Heaven and Earth to do it."
"That's two whole sentences," Richard smiled. "More than anyone's gotten from her in days."
"Hmmph," I muttered and went back to making coffee.
"What's cooking?" Auggie arrived with Leo and sat down at the island.
"Breakfast enchilada casserole," Ilya said.
"I love that," Leo beamed. "Thank you."
Cori, Opal sent while dipping casserole onto her plate twenty minutes later.
Opal? I returned.
Always remember I'm on your side, she said. Always.
I appreciate the thought, but I'm not sure how that might help me in the future, I replied.
You never know, she gave a slight shrug. "Aren't you hungry?" she said aloud.
"Not really." I made more coffee. The others were eating, drinking and talking as if the weight of the world hadn't settled like a heavy blanket over the lot of us.
* * *
"He's holed up at the Russian Embassy and has refused to see anyone other than his aides and the new Ambassador since his arrival yesterday," Madam President said after we were ushered into the Oval Office and the door was shut behind us.
Repairs to the office had been made in record time, although a few things still remained to be done. Those things were cosmetic only, as Madam President needed the space to work.
She was referring to Russian President Zoran, although she hadn't mentioned names. "The German Chancellor is offended that he refused to talk over dinner last night at his embassy, the French President is angry on many levels and wants a personal apology, of course, along with finding the culprits inside Zoran's government responsible for handing dangerous weapons to terrorists. He wants to put them on trial-in France," Madam President continued. "The UK is understandably upset, and that doesn't include the fact that the same people are likely behind the theft of their crown jewels."
She then went on at length about all the other world leaders-Ukraine and Australia included-who'd been wronged and whose citizens had died on Zoran's watch.
The Secretary of State had been busy, attempting to calm everyone while delivering messages from Zoran-that rogues in his government had somehow been involved in selling secret technology to the insurgents. He'd even gone so far as to offer proof, but that didn't fly with any of us.
It didn't surprise me in the least that Zoran wouldn't take responsibility-somebody had likely told him to do just that. It made me wonder what else they'd told him to do. None of the photographs I'd been shown even hinted at what that might be, but then the photographs I had weren't recent, either.
I wanted to set my eyes on Zoran the moment the live feed was up and running. Worry still gnawed at me while panic threatened-Leo Shaw had been included on the live feed roster at the last minute, because I'd been shaky after breakfast.
That's when Auggie leveled the last bit of frustration to the heap I'd already dealt with. "I don't want you to come in that room unless there's no other option," he said while Madam President nodded her approval. "Let us handle any problems that arise."
"Is that your final word, Colonel Hunter?" I asked, my voice as cold and emotionless as I could make it.
"By my orders," the President said.
"Fine," I said. I didn't say another thing as we filed out of the Oval Office, Richard, Leo and I going toward a small room equipped with several screens; the rest toward the much larger meeting room.
* * *
Notes-Colonel Hunter
Words are things that can never be taken back, no matter how often you might wish it otherwise. Matt exchanged several glances with Opal as we walked down the hall toward the Cabinet Room; Corinne was herded toward the Press Secretary's office farther down the hall, where the live feed would be shown on several screens.
She'd called me Colonel Hunter, in a voice I'd never heard before. Something was broken between us, and I worried that it couldn't be fixed.
Foreign leaders were already arriving; I watched the French President and the German Chancellor arrive, one after the other. They were ushered into the Cabinet Room by White House employees.
Corinne disappeared into the Press Secretary's office. I almost called out to her. I didn't.
* * *
Corinne
"Have a seat in here," the Press Secretary smiled as he indicated a small cubicle inside his office. It was lined with six monitors, each designated for a different camera hidden in the Cabinet Room.
They weren't on, yet. I fidgeted. I must have made some sort of frustrated noise, too-Richard held out a hand to touch my shoulder.
"Corinne, they'll be turned on soon," Leo said softly.
Snow appeared on each screen first before images appeared. In fact, I believe I heard the screams and shouts first, before the images appeared on six screens. Richard, poor man, watched as Maye, standing in front of the President to protect her, was nearly cut in half by exploding bullets a half-dozen lizard-like troops fired after appearing from nowhere.
Chapter 19
Notes-Colonel Hunter
At the time, I had no idea who'd attacked us. Maye was dead, Nick wounded, from their attempts to protect the President. At least four world leaders were already dead, their blood spattered over everything as armored, lizard-like creatures fired among us, the shots silent-the damage their bullets caused anything but.
Opal, still between Matt and me, had pulled a weapon from beneath her jacket and fired back at the creatures. While I might have believed these creatures were part of a force sent by the enemy, I was wrong.
I didn't learn that until later, however.
Zoran stood behind his two guards, who were shooting at the armored intruders, just as Rafe was shooting.
The French President died before my eyes while Opal took aim, her bullets ricocheting off the shield surrounding the creature who'd done the killing.
Rafe, though, his shield up and strong, downed the creature with a shot from the unusual weapon he carried before taking aim at another and killing him, too.
Only one or two of the attendees had managed to get through the door; one of the assassins went after them, shouting in a language I'd never heard. A huge chunk of the doorway was blasted to dust with a terrible noise as Rafe fired at him and missed.
Three were still up and firing as Nick, bleeding from at least two w
ounds, pulled Madam President to the floor and shoved her beneath the sturdy, wooden table. He was shot in the back for his efforts. He died as Corinne walked through the door.
If I hadn't seen it myself, I'd never have believed it.
She was herself when she walked in; she transformed before my eyes.
Eight feet tall or taller. Blue skin. Pale, blonde hair. Fury in bright blue eyes. All three lizard-like invaders took aim at her. I opened my mouth to shout. Nothing came out. Instead, I watched, filled with terror and wonder as she lifted her hands, weapons firing all around her, each assailant doing his best to take her down.
I'll remember the wash of that power as long as I live.
Each lizard-man disappeared in a storm of glowing sparks, as if he'd been reduced to atoms before winking out of existence.
Dropping to my knees, I fought for breath-discovering that I'd been holding it for what felt like an eternity.
* * *
Ilya
Zoran's gaze leveled on Corinne-at least she'd been Corinne when she'd walked into the Cabinet Room. What she'd become after that I didn't recognize. Yes, I was motionless in shock when Zoran spoke.
"You," he snapped, drawing my attention away from Corinne. Jerking my head around, I stared into his eyes.
That, as it turned out, was the worst mistake I'd ever made. "You will not harm me," he said. I felt the command grip my mind. It had an ugly, sickening feel to it-I understood, then, what Corinne had meant when she'd described the fog on other's minds. The gun shook in my hand-I wanted to shoot Zoran and found I couldn't. A slow smile formed on Zoran's lips before he turned toward Corinne.
* * *
Notes-Colonel Hunter
"Very nicely done," Zoran spoke to Corinne in the sudden silence. "I see now how effective you can be at killing." One of his guards was dead, the other wounded in the shoulder. He was unscathed.
"Hello, President Phillips," Corinne said. She kept the shape she'd transformed into, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared at the one we'd believed to be Zoran.
"Well, I can't let you live after that little announcement," Zoran bared his teeth in a caricature of a smile. With bodies piled around us and blood from the dead and wounded soaking into the rug beneath the table, Zoran wanted to bandy words with Corinne. "Kill yourself," Zoran commanded.
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