by Jaime Rush
This time they didn't obey her. They advanced with the single-mindedness of movie zombies but a lot faster.
Pope turned to find Yurek leaping toward them in panther form. Pope grabbed Suza's hand and 'ported to her truck. He'd had to take the chance. She spun around with a gasp.
“Suza, get in the truck. We need to get out of here.”
She opened her mouth to ask what was probably a thousand questions but clamped it shut and jumped into the truck. Once they were locked inside the cab, she patted her shoulder. “I don't have my purse!” She ducked down beneath the dash and groped around before extracting a key, which she jammed into the engine starter. Within minutes she was driving down the side street, slowed by clusters of people wandering aimlessly. Her fingers clutched the wheel, and her face was frozen in fear and determination to get out of there.
“Suza—”
“Don't talk to me!” Hysteria edged her voice. “Not while I'm driving, 'cause I'm going to go friggin' nuts and then I'm going to go insane and bonkers right after that, and I'm trying not to do any of those while I'm driving a five thousand pound vehicle.”
“Don't 'nuts', 'insane', and 'bonkers' have the same meaning? Of course, 'nuts' can apply to other things, too.”
She shot him a look—and feelings—he didn't know how to interpret, which was probably just as well. They were soon out of the business district, such as it was, and heading down a road with a smattering of businesses. She drove into the parking lot of a pet store that was permanently closed, stopped the engine, and jumped out of the cab. Her blue eyes were wide as she paced, fingers tunneling through her hair and leaving it mussed.
As soon as he came around the front of the truck, she stalked toward him. Within a foot of him, she stopped, fear and confusion in her eyes. “What the hell just happened? Who are you? Who was that man who changed into Pope? Where is Pope?”
“Please, you must calm down.”
She laughed, the kind of sound that could shatter glass. “Calm down? Seriously? After what I just saw, what I went through, you suggest I calm down. Oh, that's priceless.”
He wanted to touch her, at least put his hands on her shoulders, but that didn't seem wise at the moment. “I need to return to downtown and follow Yurek, the man who attacked us. But I cannot leave you in this state where you might go nuts, insane and bonkers all at once.”
“He called you Pope, and then he turned into Pope.” Her eyebrows furrowed, half hidden by her bangs, as she studied him. “He said he killed you, or thought he killed you. This sounds so crazy coming out of my mouth, but…you're Pope, aren’t you?”
He decided that confirming that would be more beneficial than denying it. “Yes. When we met you the day you were in your underpretties, we were in the middle of a battle with Yurek.”
“My underpretties?”
“What I call your under garments, which were very pretty on you.”
For a moment she smiled, then shook her head. “So when we met, this guy was after you?”
“Yes. That is why Cheveyo sent you away for a while, to keep you safe from any fallout. Yurek was sent to terminate me, and if we'd killed him, my government would only send another in his place. So we implanted a fake memory in Yurek's mind of him killing me, Cheveyo, and Petra, the woman who was with us. I had to change my looks in case he ever saw me.”
She searched his face. “You had plastic surgery?”
“In a manner of speaking.” It was a long, arduous undertaking to change his façade.
“But how did he turn into you?”
“He has an ability, a supernatural ability you'd call it, to mimic the look of those he touches. Somehow he picked up my former visage.”
“And he, he turned into a friggin' panther!”
“Technically, it's a jaguar. That is Cheveyo's ability, to become jaguar. But for good, never evil.”
“Cheveyo's like you?”
“Sort of.”
“Why is this man hunting you?”
“I'm an outlaw. A Scarlett. Once I was the highest-ranked officer in my government's police force. But then I had to make a choice: lose my position or expose humans here who are like my family to certain death. I chose to save them.”
She took his hand, turning it palm up. He bore no mark, no indication of his power. “You threw those people back with some kind of force. You tossed that horrible man several yards.”
Pope couldn’t help but smile at the relief that surged through him. “My powers are definitely returning. I haven't had to use them in the last few months, so I have not been working with them.” He also liked the way she was touching the center of his palm, searching for whatever produced the Flare.
Her gaze slowly lifted to his, her eyelashes fringing eyes filled with question. “What are you?”
“Suza, you can drive home and forget everything you saw. Including me. You will be safe and sane, and I will do what I can to find out what is going on here and free these people. I suggest that you do.”
She had not released his hand. “I sensed that you were different, you, Cheveyo, and Petra. I still feel your heart, Pope. I could never forget you, just like I couldn't forget what just happened. Whatever is going on here, I'm involved. Because of my friend. Because of that kid who's being used by them. And because of you. What are you? Tell me.”
She looked calm enough to handle it, but he wasn't sure she should handle it. Perhaps if she knew the truth, she would run screaming into the hills.
“I'm a form of human from a parallel dimension, as are the two men we were watching. Because our kind lived deep within the earth, near the magnetic field, our energy and physicality changed, as did our abilities. We lost the density of the human form. Our energy vibration runs higher, so we can change our form or use that energy in different ways. We use what you call the sixth sense with ease and regularity.”
“Parallel dimension? Really?”
“Your scientists, the smart ones, have already figured out that there are other dimensions besides this one.”
She sat on that for a moment. “What is your dimension like?”
“Much like this one, physically. But it is run more strictly. We are not allowed to express our emotions because our government believes they are the downfall of mankind. I suspect that what is affecting the people in Strasford is something called Darkness. It's an accumulation of the repressed emotions of our people. Many years ago it became a large energy field that men tapped into to gain darker powers. Two men did that and then came through a portal not far from here. I think Darkness may have come through, too. Obviously my people have learned they can use it to control the humans here.”
Suza swayed, her pupils so wide her eyes appeared nearly black. He lunged forward and caught her around the waist. She looked as though she was about to pass out from overload.
“I've got you,” he said. And she felt good in his arms in a way that nothing else had.
She put her hands on his upper arms. “I've never fainted before,” she murmured, looking into his eyes. She smiled, her eyes still dazed. “You kissed me. Pope kissed me.”
He chuckled. Her mind was definitely overloaded if that's what she focused on. “I've been wanting to do that ever since you put your hand on my chest and said I had a good heart.”
“Kiss me again.”
“Pardon?”
She gave him a stern look. “I think you heard me.”
“But did you hear me? You know what I am, what I'm involved in. And you still want to kiss me?” He felt an odd buzzing in his chest.
She nodded, then leaned up and kissed him, putting her hand to his jaw. Her mouth opened to his, lips soft and warm against his. Her tongue touched his, running along the length of it, and the buzzing grew louder. He mirrored her movements, momentarily losing himself in the sensations bombarding him.
She finished the kiss and backed up. Her eyes were clear again. “I knew you were different.” She shook her head in an exaggerated way. “I never im
agined quite how different. I'm not sure I understand everything you told me, but I do know something horrible is happening that's affecting a lot of people. And I know that whatever you are, you are a good man. Take me, Pope.”
He blinked, taken aback by her command. “Here? Now? I have to get back—”
She laughed, full and robust. “I mean, take me with you. I want to stop these people.”
A mix of relief, joy, and fear mingled in his chest. He nodded. “Let's go back to town and find Yurek. He is no doubt looking for me.”
They spotted him before he saw them. Suza remained several car lengths back as Yurek drove through town searching. At the end of his pass through the main street, he continued on, heading toward Las Vegas.
She peppered him with questions and took each answer in. “Will Yurek tell the others about you?”
“It is doubtful. That would mean admitting he'd failed, and our government doesn't tolerate failure. He will try to kill me without the others knowing.”
Midway to Vegas, Pope and Suza looked at each other.
“Did you feel that too?” she asked.
He nodded. “The energy got lighter, like we reached the outer edge of Darkness.”
She turned back, her expression troubled—and determined. “We have to stop this, Pope.”
“There's too much at stake to fail.”
CHAPTER 11
Lanna returned not long after they heard the door close upstairs. She’d changed into a tight sweater that accented her cleavage and small waist. She had a nice figure, Magnus would give her that. But her icy blue eyes, pale complexion, and white-blond hair reflected the lack of warmth in her soul. She reeked of the same desperation he'd seen many a time, and that was bloody unattractive. Still, he had to pretend she was all that if they had any hope of getting out of there.
She visually checked their restraints before unlocking the cell door. Holstered on her hip was a knife. Once inside, she relocked the door. That would be problematic, though he was sure he could wrangle the key unless she tossed it outside the cell.
One step at a time.
She prowled closer, taking him in as though he were some specimen. He wondered if this was how some women felt when a guy leered at them.
“Some of the people with us have Darkness, too,” Lanna said, nodding toward the tunnel door.
He raised an eyebrow. “You have others locked away in the tunnel?”
“No, they're part of the group who…they're near Vegas. So far they haven't come in through that door.” But the possibility worried her, by the crease of her forehead. She seemed to push that thought away. “I haven't seen any of the Darkened ones over there Become, but I've heard they're dangerous.” She raised her hand toward him, hesitating only an inch from his face. Probably remembering that her husband would know if she touched him. “Are you dangerous, Magnus?”
He played into her game, trying not to let his focus stray to Erica. “Very. But only to the wrong people.”
“What animal do you Become? Nester used to be something resembling a bear, but since he's been sniffing Darkness, it's warped him into some grotesque creature.”
“I'm a mountain lion. Sleek, fast, with fangs and claws. Too bad I can't show you.”
She made a tsking sound. “No, you can't. If it were up to me, I'd release you and screw your brains out.” She traced her finger down her throat.
“It is up to you. We're alone, aren’t we?”
She chuckled. “You just want me to let you go so you can haul ass.”
“Can you blame me? Your husband's going to kill me. I don't particularly like that idea. Maybe I can take you with me.” Erica stiffened, but he kept his heated gaze on Lanna. “Your husband obviously doesn't appreciate you.”
Something changed in Lanna's expression, a raw and oh-so human need. “I couldn't,” she blurted out, but the idea clearly intrigued her. “I just want to experience passion.”
“And what do I get out of pleasuring you?” Besides the chance to escape. Her need for fantasy might cloud her judgment, but she was no fool. She'd be suspicious if he were too willing. “A guy likes sex wherever he can get it, sure, but it's a bit difficult to get in the mood when you've got a hatchet hanging over your neck.”
Lanna flicked a glance to Erica. “I won't let Nester kill her. I know you're protective, that it's your nature. And she's terrified of dying the way her companion did. I can save her that.”
“Deal.”
He had to keep in mind that Lanna could sense emotions. He didn't need any special ability to see that his cooperation pleased her. She came closer and took out the keys he wanted so badly. He stilled his own enthusiasm at the thought that she was releasing him. His arm fell to his side, prickling as the blood returned to it. The cuff was still tight around his wrist, curbing his abilities.
She drank in the sight of him. The woman was starved for sex, no doubt about it. And from the way her fingers flexed, she wanted to touch him so bad she ached. She visibly forced herself back and, surprisingly, approached Erica, who regarded her with suspicion. Erica's eyes widened, she gasped, and then her pupils dilated. Lanna released her cuff from the bar, though again it was still around her wrist. Erica wasn’t in there anymore. For the first time, he saw no fear, want, or suspicion on her pretty face. It was eerily blank.
“What did you do to her?” he asked, his chest tight.
Erica straightened and walked toward Magnus. “I'm in her head, controlling her.” Erica's voice sounded different, and then it hit him, that she was in Erica. “I haven't used this ability in years. I can't use it with my own people, and I'm not allowed to use it on the regular humans.” Erica’s smile was stiff. “But now it will come in handy. I can experience everything without violating Copeland's stupid rule.”
He didn't like it, even if he had touched Erica. And deep in her blue eyes he saw stark terror. She stumbled toward him, her body falling against his. Lanna laughed through Erica. “I am so out of practice.” She remained against him, her hands sliding over his shoulders, hips grinding against his pelvis.
Suddenly her fingers gripped him so hard that her nails jabbed into him, and an unholy scream tore from Erica's mouth. He saw her in there, trying to take control as she grabbed her head and thrashed her body so violently she knocked Lanna to the floor.
Lanna scrambled to her feet, knife ready. She opened the cell door, ran out, and closed it behind her. She was stunned, but Erica was still freaking out, muttering, “No, no, no, not again!”
He reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her closer. “Erica! It's all right.”
Except it wasn't because they'd probably blown their chance to use Lanna's lust to escape. She'd run up the stairs, obviously shaken, but right now all he cared about was Erica.
She blinked, coming back to herself. Her face was pale, and tears streaked down her cheeks. “She got into my head. Controlled me.”
This vulnerable side of the tough woman reached out and grabbed his heart. He tugged her against him, using his free hand to stroke her back. “It's done. She's gone.”
He kept stroking and whispering inane words meant to calm until she stopped shaking and whimpering. Her hand rested against his chest, and her fingers flexed and contracted involuntarily.
“I can't imagine how freaky it was to have someone inside your head,” he said trying to understand her reaction. He knew her brother Jerryl had gotten into one of the Offspring's heads and tried to get him to kill his friends. Eric Aruda had fought the bastard's directive and shot himself to save them.
She pulled back, wiping her hand across her eyes. He didn't release his hold on her though, letting his hand slide to her shoulder.
The words she'd screamed came back to him. “You said not again.'“
She shook her head. But it hit him then, the man he'd just been thinking about who could get into people's heads. Her brother.
“Jerryl got into your head?”
She wrapped her arms around hersel
f, and in her eyes he saw shame and pain and anger all twisted together. “I’m not talking about this with you.”
He couldn't resist needing to figure it out. Figure her out. “Have you talked to anyone about it?”
She kept her gaze averted. “No one who believed me.”
“I believe you.”
She shuddered at those words, and he could see her struggle. “Why do you care?”
“I don't know, but I do.”
She still stared at a spot a couple of feet to the right of him. “I couldn't push him out. I wasn't strong enough when he…”
“When he…“ He didn't want to hear this, but he needed to. For some reason he needed to know the shadows this woman harbored. He had a feeling they were even darker than what he held.
“He made me do things to him,” she whispered. “Sexual things. And I couldn't fight him. I was a kid. I didn't have any power then.”
Magnus's hand tightened on her. “Sick son of a bitch.” He held back the violence that boiled inside him at the thought.
“He said it was okay because we had different fathers. I'm not sure how he knew that, or if it was even true.”
He stroked his thumb over her shoulder, his stomach turning. “Who did you tell?”
“Jerryl threatened to kill me if I did, but finally I went to my father. He told me I was just jealous because Jerryl was so good at everything, that he got all the attention and I was making this up in an ugly attempt to get some for myself. Our stepmother didn't believe me either, since she always sided with my father. They thought Jerryl was a hero. He'd saved a boy from drowning when he was eight, pulled him from a lake. I got into trouble a lot, wasn't doing well at school. Early on, he would get into my head and make me do things like tear my clothes off and run screaming through the house. Of course they thought I was mentally disturbed, so my allegations fit that diagnosis. All Jerryl's plan, I'm sure.”
Magnus hurt for her, for that girl he was imagining. “Your life must have been hell.”
