As she was getting closer to the building in question her anxiety, worry and fright seemed to take over. It felt like one of those fun house allusions where the building never actually got closer.
After what seemed like a half hour but couldn't have been more than ten minutes, Mia stood at the front door to the building. There was a buzzer to the left side of the door. The man she was meeting told her to hit five. She looked at the panel a beat.
Adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her subconscious set off warning bells left and right. She wanted to leave. She didn't want to be involved. It didn't matter that there were men surrounding the building who would protect her. She just wanted to go home. With a very shaky hand, she reached up and pressed the button next to the number five.
In her right hand she still clutched the coin. She clutched it so hard she knew if there had not been adrenaline going through her veins it would have hurt. A second later there was a buzz letting Mia know the front door was open.
She couldn't help it. She closed her eyes as she opened the front door. She let out a small sob.
Then she heard Viking's voice over the radio. "Mia, are you all right?"
Over all the worry and fright embarrassment spread over her like frosting. They could hear her having a panic attack.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just really freaked out."
When there was no response Mia looked at the lobby around her. It wasn't the nicest office building she had ever been in but it wasn't terrible either. Straight in front of her were two elevators. Even though she stood in a grand entryway there were glass office doors on both sides that seems to wrap beyond the elevators, as if the elevators were sitting in the middle of a circular building.
Taking a very deep breath and letting it out Mia stuck out her chin and headed straight for the elevators. This time when she pressed the up button her hand barely shook. She patted herself on the back mentally for calming herself down that much.
The elevator opened faster than she thought it would. As if it had waited for her. Trying not to think about it, Mia practically jumped into the elevator. Pressing five, she watched the door shut.
She closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. She couldn't show even a little bit of concern. Mia knew she couldn't let on to having backup. She had to pretend she was all alone. That thought did not help her nerves.
There was a ding, then the doors opened. The real estate agent from the interrogation room stood in front of a propped open office door straight ahead to the left of where she stood in the elevator.
Straightening her spine, Mia walked towards him. She put on the best calm face she could muster. "I know time is of the essence with this"
The real estate agent gave his own forced smile. Mia didn't know why, but that look told her it had fallen for their trap. The being was in charge at the moment. She hoped the wards the MPs claimed to put on the building before the real estate agent arrived were strong enough.
"I have to admit I was surprised by your call. Please, come in." He gestured to the inside of the office.
Mia heard a click in her ear. "Go on in Mia. We can't see you standing out in the hallway. But the office suite he has you going into has windows. I can see you through those windows."
Mia continued to have the smile pinned on her face as she walked past the man and into the office suite. She tried not to outwardly panic as she heard him kick the block out and shut the office door behind her. She walked straight ahead until she could see out the windows. She was maybe a yard from the glass when she finally turned to the side so that she could see out the windows and keep an eye on the man approaching her.
She concentrated on keeping her voice as even as possible. "To be honest, I'm a little surprised I called myself. But the more I heard about the other people involved, the more I knew the Warriors were probably on the losing side. They are very secretive. I wasn't sure if they could be trusted. It seemed a safer bet to approach you and see what you have to offer. So I snuck in and got your number from one of the other people."
The man came to stand in front of her. But he was far enough away that he was out of arms reach. Even if he lunged. Which told her the man was still partially in control of his own body. But the smile that curled onto his lips reminded her the being was in there too.
"It would appear you've made a wise decision. All I need from you is obedience. Guaranteed obedience. If I have that, we will get along fine. We will have to do this more quickly than I would've liked. Since it appears my stock has dwindled. Thanks to those Warriors you speak of. I was going to go hunting tonight for more but you walked right into my lap. Which I appreciate, thank you." The man turned his back on her clasping his hands behind his back. He then began to pace. Back and forth about three steps before pivoting and going the opposite direction.
"But you see my dear, we have ourselves a bit of a dilemma. That dilemma being that I am not stupid."
Warning bells went off like crazy in Mia's head. The change in tone told her something was about to go wrong."
"You make it sound as if you're trying to choose between two books at a book club." Mia cursed herself for stammering on the code word.
She heard a click in her head before a voice not Viking's came over the radio. "We hear you were coming in. Viking's already at the front of the building."
Mia tried not to show her relief that backup was on the way.
The man stopped pacing and faced Mia, smile still on his face. "I'm afraid it's a little more serious than something so trivial. You see, I am not stupid. You're right hand has not left that pocket since you got here. Now, you can show me what has your attention so riveted. Or I can simply take it from you. Because I know a bespelled object when I feel it."
The man didn't even pause. He lunged for her. Mia couldn't do more than let out a shriek. His fist connected with her mouth. Stunning her for a moment. She tasted the metallic that told her he must have split her lip. Mia had never been in a fight in her life. She had no idea how to react. She simply began kicking and screaming. Flailing out as much as she could. Then his other hand clamped over her mouth.
"Hush now dear. Mustn't be alerting others."
Mia gave him a swift kick between his legs while biting down on his hand. At the same moment she heard the door to the office suite burst open. The man threw himself from Mia and stood looking at the door. He stood in a fighting stance. As if ready to take on the Warrior and three Werewolves who burst into the office.
Then Mia saw the look of shock on his face. He must have tried to leap from the body and out of the office. Only now realizing he was trapped. It was as if time slowed down. Mia watched as Viking lunged for the other man.
At the last second the man smiled at Mia with a look of almost insanity. The look was evil. He winked at her before sidestepping Viking.
Mia couldn't help the shocked shriek that pulled itself from her lungs when the man ran straight for the windows that took up most of the wall. They collapsed under his weight and he fell five stories.
The adrenaline. She couldn't believe it. This man had been helping them. She didn't want to be responsible for his death. As she looked down she saw the man landed on an awning that shaded over a side door to the building. As she watched it collapsed under him. And hit the ground. That awning might've been the only thing that stopped him from dying. The being must've known what it was doing. The man was clearly unconscious.
Before she knew it, she could feel Viking standing next to her. She spoke to him without looking up.
"He escaped from the building. He escaped from the ward by trying to kill that guy." Her voice was shaky.
Shock hadn't kicked in yet. It was as if she couldn't catch her breath. "He used him as cannon fodder to escape. He almost killed him. I'm not even entirely sure he's not dead."
She could feel panic taking over her body. The plan hadn't worked. Her breathing started to get out of control. She couldn't seem to concentrate on anything long enough to soothe it.
She felt her lungs not getting enough air. She knew she was hyperventilating. She started to see black around the edges of her vision. Even though there was a whooshing in her ears she could hear one of the Werewolves on the other side of Viking.
"He's not dead. He's probably got broken legs, maybe even some problems with his spine. But we would know if he was dead. Probably in a lot of pain though. It's a good thing he's unconscious. I'm going to call the cops, tell them we tried to stop him from jumping."
Mia didn't hear anything after that. So she assumed the Werewolf left. Mia told herself she was not going to faint. She was not going to pass out. Nothing but embarrassment would come from that.
She gripped the hoodie and tried to stick her hand around the medallion again. Only the token it wasn't in the pocket. It must've fallen out in the struggle. She put all of her might into paying attention to the floor around her. She turned and saw it a few feet away. Knowing she couldn't stand, she crawled over to it and scooped it up in her right hand. She closed her hand around it and felt instantly better. She held it so tight she knew the ridges were going to imprint on her hand for hours.
Soon Viking crouched down in front of her. His hands on either side of her face. "Mia breathe, Mia breathe with me. Ready? Breathe in."
She did as she was told. Concentrating fully on what Viking told her.
"Now, breathe out."
They repeated this for several minutes. Until Mia was sure she wasn't going to pass out. Viking seem to have noticed it too because he gave her cheeks a slight rub with his thumbs before letting go.
"I have to let the others know what happened. I have to let the king know what happened. I'm still going to be in the room but I'm going to be a few feet away. Are you going to be all right?"
Mia didn't have it in her to respond. She felt shaky and like she could sleep for a week. All she could do was nod.
Viking didn't look reassured but stood up and moved out of her line of sight.
Mia didn't know what she should do. Something in her told her that being would come after her now. If the others had done their jobs, it would have nowhere else to go. It would be stuck without a body. She was on its hit list. She didn't know what to do. This was not a world she knew anything about. She hadn't even known she had been crying until she felt a tear roll down her face. It wasn't a sob. Simply, the world went glassy and the tears dripped down. At that point she knew she didn't care what the others thought. This was overwhelming. They had all been born into this world. She had known about it for three days.
She let herself sit there and didn't bother to wipe her face. She didn't know how long she sat there alone. Eventually, Viking came back and sat next to her. He didn't judge her. Or comment on the fact that she was crying. He didn't act panicked. All he did was sit next to her so her thigh and his touched. He was being comforting without drawing attention.
It wasn't until after her eyes dried up that Viking spoke.
"We're not sure how to track it now. Everyone checked in. They delivered those medallions. And they all stayed with each sensitive to make sure didn't go after them. Unless there is some new sensitive we don't know about, this being is in the wind. I am so sorry Mia. I think it's best if you stay at the shop for a while. That way I can watch you and the others can look out for you as well. At least until we come up with some kind of plan. I know it is not ideal. I'm sorry for that. But something tells me this thing might come after you."
Mia knew the adrenaline was gone from her body. Because when she heard her own voice it was completely emotionless. "I know it will." There was nothing else to say.
They sat like that a few moments longer. Before Viking got up and held out his hand. Mia took it, as her body felt incredibly weary. He put his arm around her waist as they walked out of the office suite through the broken door. They walked into the elevator and out of the building. Mia registered seeing one of the Werewolves at the side of the building. They must've been waiting for the police to arrive. She could hear sirens in the distance.
It was almost as if Viking could hear her thoughts again. "We don't need to be here. Rain told the cops it was simply the three of them there. So we should leave before the EMTs show up. Gwen and the MPs are already on their way back."
Mia didn't have a response so she didn't acknowledge Viking’s words. He didn't seem to mind though which she appreciated. The ride back to the shop was completely silent. Her brain wasn't even functioning enough to come up with thoughts. She almost felt numb. When they parked at the building, in the back, Viking turned to her before opening his door.
"I'm going to make sure you get into my apartment. And into bed. Then I'm going to go tie up some loose ends. Once I've done that I'll be up to join you."
Mia just nodded and opened the door. When they met around the front of the car he put his arm around her again. Mia was simply too tired to be touched by the gesture. Intellectually she knew this was the sort of thing she should be enjoying. But she just didn't have it in her.
He unlocked the back door and opened it for her. Stepping back with the door so she could go in first. She walked inside and blinked at the fluorescent lighting. She felt the headache to end all headaches pounding in her head. It was horrible. The fluorescent lights did not help any. As Viking closed the door behind her she turned to him.
"I don't know whether it's the stress, the adrenaline, or the switching from the night to bright lights but I've got a migraine brewing. Do you have anything for that?"
Viking looked at her with worry. "I don't, Warriors don't get headaches. But Gwen does. I'll let you into the apartment and go get something from hers and come back down. That way you can take it before lying down."
Mia smiled. And it was genuine. "Thank you."
He smiled back at her before putting his arm on the small of her back, guiding her towards the stairs. They went up the stairs slowly and steadily. Mia didn't have it in her to go a normal or hurried pace.
When they reached his floor Viking walked in front of her so that he could open the door for her. When she stepped inside he motioned for her to stay put and shut the door behind her. She heard it lock and heard him walk away from the door. When they first arrived he had her drop off her duffel bag in the front room. She walked towards it now and picked it up before heading down the hallway.
She headed for the master bedroom because she knew Viking would have it no other way. While she waited, she changed into a pair of shorts with cartoons on them and a long tank top. She sat on the edge of the bed in the dark when she heard the front door open and Viking call from the front room.
"Mia? Where are you?"
"I'm in the bedroom." Mia shouted.
There was some rustling and she heard water running then footsteps coming towards her. She watched as the hall light turned on. While there was no happy feeling she did appreciate that he left the light in the room off. She saw him fill the doorway. A cup in one hand something in the palm of the other.
"Here, take these and drink the whole glass."
Mia did as she was told as fast as possible. Gulping down the water. She handed him the glass and he set it on the night table next to where she sat.
"This way, if you need more water you already have a glass. You can get it from the bathroom sink. Now go ahead and lie down before I head out."
Sleep sounded like a wonderful idea. Mia ripped back the roughly made covers and swung her legs into the bed. Viking stood next her, pulling the blankets over her. She registered that she should find the gesture endearing but the emotion just didn't pop up. He bent down and kissed her forehead.
"Good night Mia. Hopefully you will be asleep by the time I come back up here."
She forced herself to give a soft smile as a reply. Then she watched him turn and leave the room. Turning off the light in the hallway as he went.
It wasn't long before Mia felt herself drifting off to sleep.
Chapter 18
Viking told Raider to order all their people out
in the field to guard the Sensitives. In the end, as it turned out, there was a pair of Night Worlders per sensitive. The other seven people had come back to the shop to try and figure out a new course of action.
When he entered the lounge there were already ten people waiting for him. None of them looked pleased. Not even Poet cracked a joke as he walked through the door.
"Does anybody have an idea about how this thing escaped? How it knew Mia had that medallion? And how we can catch it?"
Barrett stretched from where he and Marco sat at one of the tables. "I can tell you how he escaped. We didn't have time to put full wards on the building. To put wards on the building that prevents the being from breaking the glass and escaping through it, essentially keeping it in the building, would've taken hours. We didn't even have one.
"As for how it sensed the medallion: that I'm not sure. Marco and I have talked about it and it shouldn't have noticed it. The only thing I can guess is that it noticed itself being cut off from the others and realized we had set it up. As for tracking it. It isn't as if it leaves a slime trail for us to follow. We either have to wait until it strikes again or take the medallions away from the people he's connected to and hope he circles back to one of them. But good luck getting those medallions back from some of them."
It wasn't exactly what Viking wanted to hear. They needed a way to defeat this thing. Even if it wasn't part of the rebellion it could still cause them problems if it got an army of Sensitives together. They couldn't risk it. They had to find it somehow.
He turned to Gwen. There was a flash of pain when he looked at her. His sister's descendant. All this time Viking had family alive. And he hadn't known it. Now that he was passed the Maddening, those feelings were creeping in. The understanding that his strong connection to Gwen wasn’t simply because of their time spent together but some deep familial connection.
On top of that, his nephew was alive. He wanted all of this to be over as soon as possible so he could book a plane ticket to see his nephew. To see his nephew as a grown man and to meet his wife. For his nephew to meet Mia.
Viking Sensitivity (Night World Series Book 2) Page 22
