Toby looked over his shoulder at the leather bindings around his wrists. “These are charmed restraints, Andrea. I couldn’t raise the magic to blow my nose right now, let alone open a telepathic link. This is all on you.”
She stared at him in shock. “But that’s crazy. I can’t do anything like that, Toby.”
“Tell me what you’ve been doing since we got here.” His eyes never left hers. “Everything.”
She sat on her cot, not breaking eye contact. “Nothing. I’ve been trapped in here with nothing to do but check my watch and try to wake you up.”
“How did you try to wake me?”
“I yelled at you. I banged on the glass.”
“What else?”
She frowned. “That’s it. Well, I … Never mind. That doesn’t matter.”
“Tell me. It’s important.”
She colored slightly. “It’s silly, but my mom told me that if you want someone to get well faster, you have to reach out and let them know you’re watching for them to recover. I sort of tried to concentrate on making a connection to you and sending you some good vibes.” She dropped her gaze. “Sorry. I know it’s just superstition—”
“You opened a link,” Toby said in a defeated voice.
She stared at him. “What do you mean, a ‘link’?”
“A Sentinel link, Andrea.” Toby slumped backward against the wall, ignoring the discomfort in his bound hands. “You made us a dyad, forever.”
“But I’m not a Sentinel!” she answered.
“Yes, you are,” Toby whispered.
She stared at him and then slowly got to her feet, her fists clenched in fury. “Oh, my God. This is what it was all about, wasn’t it? That’s why you came, because I’m a Sentinel.”
Toby nodded wordlessly. “Yes.”
She swallowed when she heard his silent thought. “How long have you known?”
Toby sighed. “Since the funeral, after Nick shook your hand.”
“Who else knew?”
“Just me and Nick, Jack and the Triumvirate, as well as the other Winds.”
She grimaced. “That was a lie. I could feel it on your tongue when you said it.”
Toby sighed. “We told your father. He insisted that we not interfere with your life.”
“Fat lot of good that did,” said Andrea. “It still doesn’t explain why they attacked us. I can’t be the only latent Sentinel in England.”
“Not just a Sentinel,” Toby began, readying himself for her reaction. “You’re one of the Winds.”
Andrea sat again in shock. “The Winds?”
“The leaders of the Sentinel people,” Toby said. “They’re the four strongest Sentinels in the world, one for each element.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know what the Winds are, Toby.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “Which one am I?”
“Air.”
“Power of the mind,” she said, her expression thoughtful. “Is that how I made the link, even with your powers suppressed?”
Toby frowned suddenly. “That’s probably right. They must not have thought you were worth restraining yet. You’re still probably a good four to six hours away from coming into your power entirely, if the usual estimates hold true for the Winds. They probably didn’t realize that your Gift has kindled this far.”
Andrea shivered. “That woman, Yvette, she said she had plans for me.”
“What?” Toby stared at her. “Yvette is bad news, Andrea. She’s schemed and lied her way across Europe for thousands of years. Nick thinks Lorcan agreed to let her serve as Ambassador just to get her away from the Court where she could do less damage.” He thought quickly. “What did she say, exactly?”
Andrea stared at the floor. “She said she had plans for me and that we’d have plenty of time later to get acquainted. Then she laughed and walked away.” She swallowed when she looked back at Toby. “I thought she meant that she planned to convert me, but that can’t be it if I’m a Sentinel. We’re immune to vampire blood, aren’t we?”
“Yes, but only once the change is complete. Before then, we’re just as vulnerable as humans. Even more so, since we gain our powers before the final mutation. That’s why Luscian perfected—oh, God.”
She leaned forward at his change of tone. “What is it?”
“A hybrid,” Toby said, staring at her in naked horror. “She wants a scion with the power of a Wind. She’ll be unstoppable if she manages to pull it off.”
The two of them sat in silence for a moment. Then Andrea sat up straight. “We have to get out of here.”
Toby smiled weakly. “I’m open to suggestions. My magic is blocked, and you’re not strong enough yet to get us out of here.” He tested his bonds experimentally. “If I can’t get these off, we’re probably both going to die tonight. The difference is that you’re going to be coming back.”
“Bullshit!” she said, coming to her feet and starting to pace again. “Just because we’re trapped for now doesn’t mean that we should give up and go quietly. So they took away your powers—”
“They’re blocked, not suppressed,” Toby said absently. “The bindings only prevent me from controlling my abilities, but they’re still there.”
“Then maybe we can hack in and free you somehow.”
Toby looked sharply at her. “It might be possible. They probably didn’t know you were strong enough to link this fast, or they would’ve restrained you too. You could use your own magic to free me, if you knew how.”
“But I don’t, so why even mention it? We don’t need another dead end.”
“You’re probably right.” Toby licked his suddenly dry lips, wondering if they were under surveillance. “Don’t answer out loud, just think what you want to say. If you’ll let me in far enough to establish control, then I could use your own power to cast the spells necessary to break down the restraints.”
She swallowed. “You want me to let you take over my mind?”
“Either that or die here. It’s worth a try. I just need your consent.”
She thought for a moment before answering. “Fine. Do whatever you need to do.”
Toby reached out along the link, through the barely substantial shields her human mind had instinctively created over the years. Insinuating himself deeply into her thoughts, he extended his control into her slowly awakening Gift. A rush of power flowed through him, making him realize how dependent he had become on his own magic. Turning his attention back to his own body, he analyzed the spellforms he could now see embedded in the leather. Once he understood them fully, he created a countercharm around the restraints to neutralize their magic progressively. Critically evaluating his work, he decided that it was the best he could do with the strength of her Gift. Then he carefully disengaged himself from her mind.
Andrea stared straight ahead for a moment, then shuddered and closed her eyes. “Well, that was … different.”
Toby looked at her nervously. “I tried to be as gentle as possible. I’ve never used a link of this depth before.”
She shook her head. “No, that’s the thing. It felt right, like you were meant to be there.”
Toby blushed and looked away. “We’re bonded now, Andrea. It will always feel right.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “Did it work? Were you able to break the restraints?”
“Yes,” Toby said, flexing his wrists. “I couldn’t do it all at once, since your Gift is Air and not Fire, but I could set a spell in motion that will break down the charm layer by layer over time. It might take a while to get to the point where I can actually force them off.”
“How long do we have?” asked Andrea.
Toby leaned back against the wall. “If I’m right, and Yvette means to try to turn you, she’ll probably wait until just before the third-stage mutation is complete and you become immune. From the rate your Gift has progressed so far, it won’t be more than four or five hours.”
Her expression hardened. “Then we need to have a plan for when we get th
e opportunity to escape.”
Toby looked at her. “You know we probably aren’t getting out, right?”
She snorted. “Way to think positive, Tobias.”
“I’m just being realistic,” said Toby. “If you make it out and I don’t, will you do me a favor?”
“I don’t think a promise will hold much water, if she turns me into a Nightwalker.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Honor counts for a lot with them.” Toby turned his head away. “Tell Nick and the rest of my family that I loved them, and tell Layla that I’m sorry I won’t be there for her and the baby.”
Andrea blinked in shock. “Baby?”
“Long story.”
She folded her arms in front of herself and gave him a hard stare. “Then start at the beginning.”
CHAPTER 14
Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, Prince George’s County, Maryland; Four hours, ten minutes remaining
Collins paced nervously in the conference room of Air Force Two. “What’s taking so long?” he asked the lead agent of his security detail.
“The tower just says all air traffic is grounded temporarily.” The agent watched the Vice President’s agitation carefully. “I could see if I can get specifics, if you like.”
“Yes,” said Collins. “Find out what you can.”
Just then, another agent came into the room. “Mr. Collins, the President has arrived at the base and is demanding permission to come aboard.”
The lead agent frowned. “Why weren’t we informed that he was coming?”
The other agent glanced at Collins. “Headquarters says that the President gave the order, sir.”
The lead agent raised his eyebrows for a moment but controlled his surprise as he turned to Collins. “I presume you’ll want me to let him in?”
Collins looked at him sourly. “If I said no, would you let him in anyway?”
The lead agent showed no emotion. “I’m sure you won’t make that necessary, sir.”
Collins nodded and unlocked a pitcher from the table to pour himself a glass of water. “Let him in. I’ll wait for him here.”
After the junior agent left to convey the order, the lead agent looked pointedly at Collins. “Sir, if there’s something I need to know about this situation, then you should tell me now, while there’s still time.”
“There’s no more time, Agent,” Collins said with resignation.
The agent stared at him, saying nothing.
A minute later, the door opened and Daniels and Nick walked in, followed by eight Secret Service agents.
Collins frowned at Nick. “Andrews is a secure facility, Kevin. Why did you bring one of them here?”
Daniels glared at him. “My daughter has been captured by the Court.”
“That’s terrible!” Collins feigned surprise. “How did they find out?”
Daniels shot him a look of pure hatred. “Someone tipped them off that she was a Sentinel, and you’re the prime suspect right now.” He gave Collins a predatory smile. “I told you I would come looking for payback if they found her, Alex. Did you think I was kidding?”
Nick ripped his claws across the Vice President’s left lapel, shredding the cloth and tearing away the psychic inhibitor. A bright violet light burst from Collins’ chest, and Nick stumbled backward and fell to his knees with a harsh cry.
Collins grabbed the glass of water he had poured and smashed it against the table. Immediately, the President’s Secret Service agents drew their weapons and held Collins at gunpoint. The Vice President raised his hands, bloody with embedded glass.
“Sorry, Kevin,” Collins said. “It was nothing personal.” Then he slapped his bleeding palm against the glowing violet amulet under his shirt. A bright white light surrounded him, and he disappeared.
* * *
Nick got to his feet. “He had a second psychic inhibitor on him, and it had a feedback pulse programmed into it that would have killed a Second Order telepath.” He extended his senses to the space where Collins had been. “That was a teleport matrix—stronger than anything I’ve ever seen.”
Daniels scowled in frustration. “How did he get through the jumper block, damn it?”
“Class four teleportation. Very rare, and difficult to achieve, and it goes right through a normal jumper block,” Nick explained. “It’s only possible with pre-constructed artifacts, because of the complexity of the spellforms. We don’t consider the spell to be very useful because it requires blood magic to target the teleport matrix, so it can only be used to jump to the location of a specific person. He’s probably gone right to Yvette.”
CHAPTER 15
House Daviroquir stronghold, London, England; Three hours, forty-six minutes remaining
William Consul Daviroquir counted the angry faces of his fellow scions. “She’s late.”
The Consul from Edinburgh sneered at him. “Perhaps Yvette simply chooses not to debase our honor to become lackeys of House Diluthical.”
William smiled, showing his fangs, the challenge sparking his instinctive desire for combat. “The Challenge of Kings was decided by Court protocol and custom. Do you wish to challenge my honor in recognizing the verdict?”
The other Nightwalker scowled. “He used forbidden magic in the duel. That invalidates the verdict, in and of itself. You were a fool to surrender.”
William shook his head, controlling his bloodlust with iron discipline. “The protocols state that combatants are forbidden to call magic against their opponents once the circle has been raised. It does not deny the ability to use personal protection spells. Imperator Lorcan armored himself in the Light. The magic was defensive. The fact that it had an offensive effect is immaterial.”
“A petty distinction, William,” said one of the other Consuls.
“But a valid one,” William argued.
The Consul from Cardiff looked around the room at the House Diluthical soldiers lining the walls. “If Lorcan is so convinced of the legitimacy of his position, then why is he keeping us waiting under guard?”
The door to the chamber opened and Lorcan walked into the Great Hall, flanked by more soldiers. “I was waiting for Yvette, but it appears she has declined my invitation.” He looked over the assembled Consuls. “This won’t take long. Does each of you agree to respect the outcome of the Challenge of Kings and submit to my authority?”
“Pretender!” yelled one of them. “We will never bend our knees to you!”
“Does he speak for all of you?” Lorcan asked, meeting the eyes of each in turn. When no one spoke, Lorcan nodded in approval. “Good, that simplifies matters.”
All of the Consuls suddenly collapsed on the floor, with the exception of the Consul from Manchester, who stood frozen in shock while an amulet under his shirt burst into bright violet light. William slammed his fist into the side of the Consul’s head. The Nightwalker collapsed to the floor with the others.
The air shimmered between the ranks of the House Diluthical soldiers who had followed Lorcan into the room. Jeremy appeared, shutting down his artificial shroud of invisibility. He faced Lorcan. “You were right. They were too angry to notice a mortal heartbeat in the crowd.” Jeremy drew a dagger from his boot and approached the Consul at William’s feet.
He dug into the collar of the unconscious vampire’s shirt and dragged the glowing medallion from concealment. With his knife, he cut the leather thong holding the amulet in place and threw it away. He studied the Nightwalker’s face intently. “The Triumvirate’s information from the arrest of the Court Embassy’s personnel was accurate. Yvette is definitely in Manchester, and they’re holding Toby and Andrea prisoner. It looks like Yvette’s ultimate plan is to convert Andrea. She’s only holding Toby for leverage against Nick in case we found out where she’s hiding. She’s going to kill him as soon as Andrea is turned.”
“Then we have our killer,” said Lorcan. “Have Nick tell the Nexus, and we can finish this.”
Jeremy shook his head. “He already tried. The N
exus insists that they require proof that justice has been served.”
William checked his watch. “We have less than four hours left. Manchester is a heavily defended facility. We’ll need time to break down its defenses. Surely they won’t hold us to the original deadline?”
Jeremy sighed. “They’re machines, William. They look at the world in binary absolutes. They set their terms, and they won’t deviate from them. We bring down Yvette before the deadline or they carry out their threat.”
“What about Collins?” Lorcan asked. “He’s as much to blame as she is. The Nexus will want us to get them both.”
Jeremy looked back into the Nightwalker’s mind again for information on Collins. His eyes widened. “Aw, crap.”
“What is it?” asked William.
Jeremy looked at Lorcan. “He had terminal cancer. She promised him a cure.”
Lorcan frowned. “You can’t heal a natural illness with magic, only physical wounds. How did her honor let her make that kind of promise?”
“Simple,” William replied. He looked at Jeremy with a wry smile. “She killed him and then brought him back.”
CHAPTER 16
The White House, Washington, D.C.; Three hours, twenty-six minutes remaining
“This is ridiculous!” said the Speaker of the House, Sebastian Avery. He was a tall man, with sharply defined features beneath his close-cropped, graying hair. Nick thought his severe expression and dark suit made him look like a small-town preacher on the warpath. Avery turned from the President to face Nick. “These are your machines! Can’t you control them?”
Nick spread his hands helplessly. “They’re intelligent constructs. I can’t control their thinking patterns any more than I can control yours. All I have is negotiation and persuasion, and right now, they’re not in the mood for either.” He looked around the room at the hostile faces of the Cabinet and key members of Congress who had joined them for an impromptu war council. “The question is what do we do in the time we have left?”
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