The Cure

by Teyla Branton

Keene pulled over and took out his phone. “He’s at a hotel called Misión Palenque. I have the address somewhere. We’ll stop for gas and ask for directions.”

  After filling up the tank at a remarkably modern gas station, we drove to Misión Palenque. According to the guidebook we’d purchased, the hotel featured a main building with several wings branching off like the spokes on a wagon wheel. Luscious trees and dense vegetation filled the space between the spokes, and I found myself searching the darkness for signs of Hertenstein’s black howler monkeys.

  “So what’s the plan?” I looked down at my jeans, spotted with dirt and blood and smeared with green stains from the jungle. I didn’t want to think about what was on my top and was glad to have it covered by my black jacket. “We’ll have to clean up a bit. If we go searching for the senator looking like this, his security will tackle us and throw us in a Mexican jail. Especially this late.”

  Keene’s gaze wandered down my body a bit slowly for my comfort, and then passed to his own clothes. “The night has barely begun for the tourists, and my bet is the senator is still at dinner. But you get a room while I go visit his room to make sure.”

  “No way,” I said. “You’re not going alone.”

  He contemplated me for a few seconds. “Keeping an eye on me?”

  “I’m your backup. Remember, he’s got at least one Unbounded with him. And knowing who that is, there are probably more.” I hoped my voice didn’t portray my own nervousness at seeing Tom again. I didn’t love him anymore, but two months didn’t erase all the memories.

  “Okay, we’ll get a room first. The others can wait there for us.”

  Mari was my biggest concern, but while I didn’t want to leave her alone, I certainly didn’t want to drag her on our visit to the senator either. My eyes went to Hertenstein. He seemed responsible enough to keep an eye on both her and Benito. He’d said he knew how to use a gun.

  “Benito can get the room,” I said. “We’ll be less noticeable that way.”

  Benito nodded. “I will need a credit card.”

  “Of course,” Keene said dryly.

  I fished in my bag for a card, choosing one with a generic business name. “Just one room,” I said. “We won’t be here long and anything else will raise suspicion.” Finally the man was doing something to contribute. I wondered if we could get some new clothes for him, or at least send his out to be washed. He still reeked, though the smell had been slightly better since the plane, where he’d removed his old coat. “I’ll go with you into the lobby.”

  “Better let Hertenstein go,” Keene said. “In case the senator’s aide happens to be there.”

  I drew out my backup Ruger and handed it to the doctor. “Just aim and fire. It’s racked and there’s no safety. Stay near the door. Try not to look like you’re with Benito.”

  He nodded and slid the gun into his pocket.

  Within fifteen minutes, Benito was back, grinning. “All finished. Vámanos. Let’s go.”

  The small room held two double beds with white bedspreads and cherry frames. A huge mirror, a dresser, and a TV graced one wall, while a table and matching chairs filled the small area next to the beds. Keene was already pulling off his T-shirt, replacing it with a dark green button-up shirt with short sleeves. Mari averted her gaze and Hertenstein headed for the bathroom, but I stared in fascination at the long scar that curved from Keene’s left kidney to the middle of his chest. Faded and old now, but it was a wonder that he’d survived.

  He quirked a brow when he saw me staring, yanking his shirt closed and buttoning it. “A present from your Renegades.”

  “That’ll teach you to be on the wrong side of the fight.”

  “Oh? You sure they’re telling you the whole truth now?” From his bag he removed a green blazer, so dark it looked almost black.

  I took several steps toward him. “We all keep secrets. All of us. But don’t tell me you still think the Renegades are anything like the Emporium.”

  He held my gaze. “Fine. That’s why I’m here, but ultimately I fight for mortals not Unbounded.”

  “So do I.” Yet I wondered if that was really true. I also wanted Unbounded to live freely and openly instead of hiding in the darkness of false identities and faked deaths.

  “Mortals?” Benito whispered. “You two are vampires, aren’t you?”

  “Shut up,” Keene and I said at the same time. Mari laughed.

  Hertenstein was out of the bathroom, and I hurried toward it, hefting my bag. “Seven minutes,” I said. “That’s all I need.”

  I used three minutes to shower, two to dry off, and the remaining two to dry and change into my black catwoman suit, loading the special pockets up with weapons. There was even a side pocket that held the machete and its sheath, though I’d need to wear the longer fitted jacket to cover the hilt, and I’d have to leave behind the soft leather piece that had originally tied the sheath around my hips. The jacket added a flare of dressiness, which would compete easily with Keene’s jeans and blazer, while the stretch material didn’t hinder my movement.

  I emerged, my blond hair still wet and curling slightly where it brushed my shoulders. Keene handed me back my Ruger. “I gave him one of the spares.”

  “What about Mari?”

  We both looked at her. “Do you know how to shoot?” Keene asked.

  She shook her head, a scowl on her face. “No.”

  “Time to learn.” I chose a Smith and Wesson nine mil from the weapons bag. It was easy to shoot and had a laser on the top to make targeting easier. A useful gadget, the laser, though I noticed the more experienced Unbounded never used them, except on the sniper rifles.

  “I, but, what, uh.” Mari stumbled to a stop and reached for the gun, a glint of excitement on her face.

  I held it away from her and popped out the magazine. “The magazine has ten rounds. Rounds means bullets. To fire, you first have to rack it by pulling the top part back like this.” I demonstrated. “With the magazine in, that will put a bullet in the chamber so you can fire.” I pulled the trigger, gun pointed at the carpet, and was rewarded with a soft click. “Now you try.”

  She racked it hesitantly and then dry-fired.

  “Perfect. Only do it faster if someone comes.” Taking the gun, I reinserted the magazine and handed it back to her. “Most of us wear our guns ready, but I want you to rack it only if you think you’re in danger, okay? We don’t use guns with safeties. They’re mostly a liability.” I was worried more about her shooting an innocent bystander than herself.

  “What about me?” Benito asked.

  “Oh yeah, if Benito tries to leave, shoot him,” I said.

  “What you talkin’ about?” Benito slathered on the accent again. “I work for you.”

  “You have to prove yourself like everyone else. And so far, all you’ve been doing is a lot of complaining.”

  “Okay, okay.” He held up his hands to ward me off. “Just don’t drink my blood.”

  I managed to stop myself from strangling him. “You’d have to bathe first anyway.”

  Mari let out an amused snort. She looked better, and I hoped she’d stay that way. She probably would if I could keep her out of the line of fire in the immediate future.

  I looked at Hertenstein. “Keep a low profile. You’re in charge. Lock up behind us.”

  Before he could reply, a knock at the door threw Keene and me into action. Pulling his gun, he pressed himself next to the entertainment center, while I chose the closet. “Benito, get the door,” Keene growled. “Ask who it is first. You others get in the bathroom and shut the door until we call you.”

  “Why can’t I go to the bathroom?” Benito darted a frightened glance toward the door.

  “Go!” I barked.

  He jumped into movement. “¿Quién es?” I didn’t recognize the Spanish words, but the meaning was bright in his mind: “Who is it?”

  “Servicio.”

  Benito relaxed. “Oh, yes. I did order food. That was very fast.” />
  Keene and I held our positions, but the waiter who came inside and left a cart seemed innocent enough. After he left, Keene checked out the cart’s contents. “Hamburgers,” he said with disgust. “Couldn’t you order anything better?”

  Benito shrugged and dug in.

  “You can come out,” I called, tapping on the bathroom door.

  Mari emerged first. “Oh, good. Food. I’m hungry. Well, not exactly hungry, but I should be. I haven’t eaten in forever.” I didn’t have time to explain absorbing, and from what I could tell, Hertenstein wasn’t aware of our true natures, so it would have to wait.

  “Come on,” I started for the door, and Keene followed. “What’s the plan anyway? How are we going to find out what room the senator’s in?”

  “I have the number, of course.”

  “And how are we going to convince him that he’s in danger? Won’t he think we’re wackos?”

  “Not if we’re from the FBI.”

  “You have a fake ID?”

  “I have the ID. Not fake.”

  We’d reached the end of the hall, and I stopped and looked at him. “That’s what you’ve been doing these past months, joining the FBI?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve been working with them for years now. One of the IDs the Emporium set up for me.”

  The idea of the Emporium infiltrating the FBI was disturbing, though not a real surprise. “So the senator’s going to accept that the FBI sent someone to warn him about an assassination attempt? I’m not sure he’ll buy it, especially since his cover story is that he’s here to negotiate a simple import deal. Nothing the FBI or anyone else should care about.”

  “His commercial flight landed early this morning, and he’s had plenty of time to send someone to check out the lab by now. He’ll know something serious is up and that will work in our favor. Besides, I’ve met him before. He doesn’t know I’m with the FBI, but a familiar face shouldn’t hurt.”

  I searched Keene’s face. “Don’t tell me. You were the one keeping an eye on him for the Emporium.”

  “He’s been a thorn in their side for a long time.”

  “You would have killed him?”

  “I don’t know. If I thought he was a danger, then yes, I would.” He stared at me without expression. “Maybe that’s why I’m trying so hard to save him now.”

  He had killed for the Emporium and their idea of utopia. Of course he had. And when it came right down to it, I was no better. I’d also killed, though in my defense, I’d been attacked first. Either way, killing changes a person. It forced you make a judgment about the value of a single human life as compared to whoever—or whatever—you were trying to protect.

  Keene started walking again, and I followed. “What if Tom answers the door?” I asked. “Wouldn’t an aide typically do stuff like that?”

  “We’ll break in. Subdue Tom if we can’t find the senator alone.” Keene gave me a smile that made me feel warm inside, and I grinned back. Nothing for bonding like breaking and entering.

  The senator’s room was on the ground floor, and breaking in became a simple matter of cutting out the window with a handy tool Keene kept in a pocket of his jeans. No alarms sounded and no one challenged us from inside or out, though we could hear people talking nearby at the outdoor pool. A light was on inside the senator’s room, but it was deserted, as was the rest of the suite.

  I whistled. “Quite a bit better accommodations than we have. I was wondering why a senator would want to stay here.”

  “The senator is actually one of the few who is conscious of spending the taxpayers’ dollar,” Keene said dryly.

  “Which is why he’s here and we’re squeezed into economy.”

  “We’re trying to keep a low profile.”

  I sighed. “Okay, so what now?” I sat on the silky red bedspread.

  “I was positive he’d have finished eating by now since you took so long in the shower, but maybe not.”

  I rolled my eyes. “The restaurant then.” Where we were sure to run into Tom, and maybe Justine. My stomach roiled at the thought.

  We used the door this time, and thankfully no one was in the hallway. Pulling out the brochure of the hotel that I’d snagged from the room, we tracked our way to the dining room. We stood by the entrance, and Keene peered in. “He’s there. By that fern.”

  Following his direction, my eyes landed not on the Senator, but on one of his two companions: Tom Carver. He had brown hair a shade lighter than Keene, tanned skin, blue eyes that changed shade with his clothing color. Tonight he wore a gray tailored suit that cost more than he’d ever make as a senator’s aide. He was good looking in a casual sort of way that didn’t scream attention. Except now he did call my attention because unlike before, he exuded the confidence of an Unbounded. Hard to believe that if he hadn’t Changed, he would have been dead at my hand. Tom laughed at something the senator said. I couldn’t hear him, but I knew what he’d sound like, and that left an odd feeling in my chest. I reached out mentally to him, but like a good little Unbounded, his mind was dark.

  My eyes shifted to Senator Greggory Bellars seated across from Tom. My first impression was a poof of wavy, sand-colored hair and large eyebrows. He appeared to be in his late fifties, a tall, pale man with an aura of presence. He wasn’t fat, but neither did he appear to spend a lot of time in the gym, his fitness due more to good genes than care.

  “The third man is the body guard,” Keene said, as I pulled back out of sight.

  A couple approached us in the hallway, and Keene reached for me, as though to tell me a secret or kiss my ear. I snuck a glance, but the couple wasn’t anyone we knew. Definitely not Unbounded. The woman had to be cold in the nighty she was wearing for a dress, even on this mild evening.

  “You see Justine in there?” I asked.

  Keene shook his head. “What about Unbounded? Any more besides Tom?”

  I scanned the restaurant. “I don’t think so. Quite a few people here, though, and Justine could have a sensing Unbounded to block me.”

  “She doesn’t know you’re involved.”

  Something in the words made me uneasy, though he was right and there was no way she could know I’d come here, not unless Keene had reported it to her, and I’d already decided to trust him. “I guess we wait,” I said. “They’ll have to finish sometime. At least we know he’s safe for the moment.”

  “If they haven’t poisoned the food.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Right.” The aromas were delicious and I took the opportunity to consciously absorb from the air, enjoying the hint of something exotic that seeped in through my pores.

  Another couple passed, and Keene stepped even closer. We were only inches apart. I could smell the slight aroma of mint on his breath. One brow rose, emphasizing the glittering green of his eyes. “Do you think we’re too conspicuous?” he asked.

  “Only because you’re standing so close.” My heart had launched into high gear with the emotions I sensed radiating from him. He wasn’t exactly leaving his mind open, but he wasn’t blocking everything, and I felt myself reacting. Keene was a smart, sexy, normal male. Well, as normal as you could get living with the knowledge of Unbounded. He never lied, and I always knew where I stood with him. He was clearly interested in me, and we had a lot in common. His only drawback was that he’d die before I aged another year.

  A memory of Bronson lying on his sickbed flashed into mind, and I backed away from Keene. “The host is coming over,” I said. “Probably to stop us from scaring off his clientele. Let’s take a little walk.”

  Keene nodded. “Right. Keep an eye out for Unbounded.”

  We went back three times before the senator finished his meal and started to leave the dining room. I worried about how to get rid of Tom, but he checked his cell phone, showing something to the senator, who nodded like a king giving permission. I knew Tom would hate that, and nearly laughed when he simply smiled and walked away, heading to another exit.

  “I should follow To
m while you talk to the senator.”

  “Too late. Here he comes.” Keene stepped in front of Senator Bellars in the hallway, holding out his badge. “Hello, Senator Bellars.”

  Senator Bellars looked hard at Keene’s ID, his blond eyebrows rising like lazy caterpillars. “FBI? Wait, I remember you. But you never said anything about being FBI. I guess this isn’t a chance meeting.”

  “No, it’s not. Is there somewhere we can talk?” Keene glanced at the bodyguard. “It’s urgent.”

  “Aren’t you going to introduce your companion?”

  “This is Agent Morse.” Keene stumbled only slightly on the fake name. I hoped Bellars didn’t ask to see my badge.

  “Nice to meet you.” Bellars offered me his hand, all smiles and friendliness. I took it, reaching out also with my mind. The face people showed the world was almost never their true one, and I wanted to see what kind of a man he was.

  His mind was open, refreshing after being with Ritter and Keene, and even the natives in the jungle. I sensed only worry and determination to make things right. My smile widened. But he clearly didn’t trust Keene and was thinking about asking for my badge, so I needed a distraction. “Nice to meet you, Senator Bellars. We have a mutual friend, I believe. Stella Davis? She funds a lab down here.”

  He nodded. “Yes, I do know her, though we’ve met only once. Beautiful and smart.” He said it with an admiration I’d grown accustomed to hearing in regards to Stella. “We’re both contributors to the lab, although she and her partners have donated far more than I have. The lab is part of why I’m here. It burned to the ground a few days ago. I booked a plane the minute I heard something was wrong. I asked my people to contact Stella, but they haven’t been able to get her on the phone.”

  “We know about the lab.” Keene opened a door in the hallway and turned on the lights. “This room’s empty. We can talk in here.”

  Senator Bellars nodded at his bodyguard, who entered before him, checking out the room. After assuring himself it was empty, the man stood at attention by the door, his hand near a weapon I couldn’t see under his blazer but knew was there.

  Bellars smiled without mockery. “You can speak in front of him. He’s been with me ten years.”