Seeker (Shadows)

by Jolene Perry

  “Not me.” She’s trying to mimic Landon’s relaxed stance, but failing a bit. “I think you got smug and lazy.”

  He gives her a peck on the cheek, which I already want to erase from my memory. It’s so relaxed and familiar.

  Ocean and I glance at one another, and Ocean drops Dean’s hand putting both his in front of him. “We’re more than happy to come with you. We just want to talk.”

  Ocean let Dean go. What the…?

  “Let me take care of something first.” Landon pulls a roll of metallic tape out of his backpack and grabs Ocean’s hand, wrapping the tape quickly over his watch about six times. Ocean just lets it happen—his face un-readably relaxed.

  A gust of wind slams into my side. The storm’s coming in, and I’m sure my parents will just think that the storm is interfering with reception instead of the tape, which may or may not work. But still. Damn.

  I reach for my watch knowing it’ll send a warning out, but Dean’s too fast, grabbing both my arms. Now that he’s holding me, I pull my arms out to the side, bringing him closer and jerk my leg, giving him a hard knee in the groin.

  “Holy…” Dean gasps as he leans forward, but still doesn’t let go of my wrists.

  “Play nice, K,” Ocean says with a smirk, but he’s also not moving or stepping in, and neither is anyone else.

  I make another play for my watch, but Landon’s grabbed my hands, too, and I’m pissed that Ocean’s not helping me out. I writhe to the left, and swing my leg around almost hard enough to knock Landon’s right leg out from underneath him, but not quite. And then I realize it’s Landon and he’s close and touching me and I don’t want to hurt him. I stare at his blue eyes and wish for him to remember me.

  “Kara, relax,” Ocean says, and I have a moment of panic where I wonder if he’s working with them.

  My chest caves in as my watch is firmly covered in the foiled tape, because Landon doesn’t even pause in constricting me further. I jerk my arms a few times as Dean continues to hold me, and Landon pulls out stupid zip-tie cuffs like I used on Addison. He slides them on quickly, and now I’m pissed. Closing off my use of the watch is enough insult, and this is worse. I’m angry, hurt, and furious that we were taken so easily—not to mention a bit humiliated at my girlish notion of what it would be like to see Landon again. Just as Landon leans slightly back, I pull my hands away and slam both fists into his nose, spraying blood over both of us.

  Ocean leaps at me from the side, wrapping his arms around me, holding my arms, but also standing between me and them in protection, which I don’t need. He takes a few steps away from them, still holding me. “Don’t touch her, okay? I’m being really nice here. We’re coming with you.”

  His protective move, leaving himself totally vulnerable isn’t something I’m used to, and is definitely not the best strategic move. I shrug him off and step away. And of all the ridiculous things—Ocean looks hurt. What he doesn’t understand is that this is what Landon was supposed to do for me. And instead not only does he not recognize me, but he tied me up without a thought.

  My fists ache from the hit, but Dean is just now standing and Landon’s bleeding everywhere as he holds his nose and blinks his eyes over and over. “Geez, girl. Was that really necessary?”

  “Yes.”

  “We’ll come with you with the promise you won’t hurt us.” Ocean is infuriatingly calm, and I’m not sure that he and I couldn’t take the four of them, especially with Addison in handcuffs and the two guys somewhat impaired.

  Though, I’m also in handcuffs, so I’m not sure exactly how it would work. I’m not interested in talking anymore. I want them trapped and back at The Middle Men house to make sure they don’t go further. I’m also suddenly wondering why Ocean’s idea of talking to them and making sure they end up on “our side” seemed like such a good idea. The point was to stop them from making it to Long Island. I don’t know how to talk them out of it. I do know how to cuff them and take them in.

  Though, it would appear that I’ve definitely lost that ability.

  “Wouldn’t dream of hurting,” Landon says as he makes a swipe of his face splattering his blood across the front of my dress and the street between us. He quickly sets Addison free and Micah and Addison stand close together, looking somewhat in shock.

  I grit my teeth and take another step away from Ocean. “I’m fine.”

  “Lead the way,” Ocean says, gesturing toward the harbor.

  I know the histories of these people. I know their parents. I know that Dean has a brother he probably misses and that Addison’s little sister was a big part of her life. I know that Micah’s close with her mom and that she somehow ended up with her dad’s talent times three. I know that Landon is the youngest of his brothers, and that there’s virtually no record of him before age one or two. I also know that his brothers are ridiculous overachievers and that his dad is a lot more loyal to us than Addison’s is.

  “Where’s my dad?” Addison asks quietly as Dean slides his arm around her.

  She leans into him, and I’ve never ever seen two Manipulators be able to hold one another like this. It takes a trust that I can’t even imagine. It’s hard when one in a couple has that gift, but both? Almost inconceivable.

  “Your dad is perfectly fine, Addison. We spoke with him just before we came. He was completely uncooperative, but he’s not harmed in any way and I was given their word that he wouldn’t be while we were away.” Ocean’s voice is calm and relaxed.

  Addison spins to face Ocean tears streaming down her face. “Why should I believe you? And what will happen to him when you get back?”

  Ocean sighs. “If I could use my watch, I’d be able to call or show you.”

  “Nice try.” Landon laughs in the same easy way Ocean does.

  It’s not lost on Ocean either as he stares at Landon. “Who are you?” Ocean asks.

  Landon pauses on the sidewalk to look at Ocean. “I could ask you the same thing.”

  They study one another for a moment longer before everyone starts moving again.

  Landon reaches into his back pocket. “Mind if I do a quick zip-tie cuff on you?”

  Ocean reaches his two hands out without hesitation. “I told you already. We just want to talk. If you want me to be cuffed for that, it’s fine. I think you’re seeing something sinister where there isn’t anything. I’ve been to Middle Men headquarters, and it’s run like almost any mid-sized organization.”

  Landon pauses, looking almost afraid to touch Ocean, before sliding the plastic ties onto his wrists.

  I’m not sure what’s passing between those two, but I’m really worried I’m going to be the one left out here.

  THIRTEEN

  Kara

  Just before we get to the boat, Landon fishes through my pockets until he gets my keycard for the hotel. We’re close enough that I can smell him and I hate myself a little for breathing him in, and wondering when he’ll recognize me. He hands my card to Dean. “Get all their stuff. Run. We’re leaving port tonight.”

  “There’s a storm coming in,” I protest. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Dead serious.” Landon pauses to look at me, and his relaxed confidence is infuriating.

  I’m going to die at sea because Landon’s too stupid to stay in the harbor when a hurricane is headed our way and both Ocean and I will drown because we’re handcuffed. Why did I ever think I’d like him?

  Dean and Addison jog back toward the street and my hotel, and Landon gestures for us to step onto his boat. Micah reaches out an arm to help me on, but no way I want an Insighter touching me right now so I jerk away from her. They don’t need to have any more information on me than necessary.

  She looks almost offended as she steps back. “You know I could probably see anyway.”

  Wait. What? My dad’s one of the only Insighters I know that doesn’t need to touch. Him and Digs. This is definitely something to file away. It must be from being in such close quarters with the rest of them. />
  I throw her a look that I hope says something like drop dead, and by her taking another step back, I think I nailed it.

  Ocean sits at the table on their back deck, despite the wind. I sit next to him not knowing what else to do. He leans into me, but I push away, not sure what to make of him right now. Allowing himself to be handcuffed? How’s he supposed to help me get undone and take over the boat?

  This whole thing is a miserable failure, and not only have I been one-upped by Ocean’s talent, now I’ve been taken hostage by the people I was supposed to bring in. Oh. And my childhood crush is a jerk and an idiot.

  Ocean’s brows pull down a little as he glances at me, but I refuse to look at him.

  “You two want to talk, you can prove it, but we’ve got about a three hour ride ahead of us, and a boat to prepare for a storm. I’ve got a room for you, but you will be locked in because after getting punched in the face, it’s gonna take you a while to earn back some trust.” Landon smirks and I want to punch that off his face, too.

  I take some satisfaction in that there’s still blood all over him, and his nose is swelling.

  Being handcuffed like this is humiliating, and it’s even worse because Ocean doesn’t seem to mind.

  I lean toward Ocean slightly as Landon starts the engines on the boat and Micah runs around the sides tying up lines to get ready to leave. “Do you have some master plan to take over this boat after we talk or something?” I ask.

  “It doesn’t all have to be done by force, Kara. If we want them on our side and not to have their talents wasted by them being locked up with Addison’s dad to keep the shadows where they belong, then I think the approach of beating the crap out of them, tying them up and stealing their boat to sail back to The Middle Men house probably isn’t the best idea.”

  He’s so infuriatingly calm.

  I scoot further away from him feeling completely out of my element. Most people are excited about the chance to come work with us. So few aren’t, and I’ve never had any problems helping to bring them in. But this situation, which is really more dire than anything I’ve faced, is the one that Ocean thinks we can talk our way out of. And the hardest thing to swallow is that I’m not sure if he’s wrong, and that’s a new one for me.

  After sitting in silence for close to twenty minutes, Dean and Addison throw our bags, including my laptop and tracking systems on board, and we shove off immediately.

  This is going to be a very long night.

  No one says out loud where we are, but I know the cayes around here pretty well. Still, it’s dark and I’m still sitting at the same table on the back deck with my handcuffs on as they secure the boat to three anchors and the shore in preparation for the storm. Ocean lounges peacefully next to me, which gets more irritating every second.

  I’ve gotten wary glances from everyone but Landon who has done a fine job of ignoring our existence since we left port four hours ago.

  My wrists ache, and Landon pulled the zips up too tight, so the edges are starting to chaff. I try to get my hands in a more comfortable position, but there’s no way to do it. Ocean opens his eyes, and concern fills them as he glances down at my wrists.

  “Hey!” he yells. “Someone needs to clip the ties off Kara.”

  Landon’s halfway from the inside of the boat to the steering station and pauses to look at me. “Why would I do that?”

  “Where do you think we’re gonna go?” Ocean’s eyes widen as he looks around at the deserted island cove they’re tying us up in.

  “I don’t know.” Landon’s voice is all sarcasm, but he’s not looking at Ocean, he’s looking at me. “You two said you wanted to talk and then you tased Addison, knocked her on the ground and tied her up… Nearly broke Dean’s finger.” He gives Ocean the slightest glance. “Almost broke my nose…”

  “And got me in the balls,” Dean says as he rounds the corner from the front of the boat to lean against the wall near the door. “I was gonna use those later.”

  “I didn’t ask to be untied.” I jut out my chin.

  Dean touches Addison, and she glances between Dean and me a few times before reaching over and touching my shoulder. I can feel the thought creeping in—hold, still.

  I know how to fight it and I do, but it presses in. I pull away from her, but she sends the same message again. This time I’m more prepared, but just as I stop it, Landon touches Addison and the message shoots into my head, and my body freezes.

  I’ve just lost control.

  Addison doesn’t take her hand away, and I can’t move, the thought and action still firmly planted. I gasp and pull in shaky breaths because I’m suddenly terrified they’ll make me be so still my body will shut down, stop breathing. I start to shake in fear, still frozen.

  “Stop it!” Ocean yells as he tries to stand with his arms tied together. “Leave her alone!”

  “She’s fine.” Addison gives me a wicked smile as her hand remains firmly on my shoulder.

  “Relax.” Landon holds his hand toward Ocean. “I just didn’t want to get hurt while I untie her. I’ll do you first, and you can keep her still if you like.”

  It’s all going on around me, and it feels as if I’m only half here because I’m paralyzed, crippled. He really does make them stronger, and this energy they have with them is going to get out of control. No one’s been able to “make” me do something before. Ever. Another piece of my world just fell apart.

  Landon’s eyes still don’t meet Ocean’s, and now I’m sorta pissed because Ocean gets undone first? I’m the one in a suffocating hold. Wish I’d known what a smug prick Landon could be before I collected an embarrassing number of pictures.

  Addison’s hand doesn’t move from my shoulder, and I still can’t make my body move. I’m wondering how deep her mean streak goes.

  Ocean’s free hand touches my leg, as Landon begins to snip at the thick, plastic ties binding my wrists. The wind whips through the rigging of the sailboat making a furious whistling sound, and as Addison moves away, I’m suddenly free and gasp for air, even though it’ll make me look weaker than I want to.

  Ocean wraps his arms around me, holding me as I spring toward Addison, wanting to keep her away. Hurt her. Anything.

  “Shhh,” Ocean whispers.

  His arms are around me so tightly that I can’t move, and all the jumbled pieces inside me line up again as we touch. I go limp. Ocean’s too strong and if even he’s not on my side, I’ve really failed. And then there’s the part of me I’m trying to ignore that never wants him to move away.

  “You said we’d just talk, but I couldn’t…” I hiccup a few times, hating that they’re all seeing me so weak. I never show this. Ever. It’s one of my best strengths. “I was afraid I’d stop breathing, too.”

  “Was that really necessary?” Ocean spits.

  “I don’t know,” Addison says sweetly. “But it wasn’t necessary to cut you two loose either.”

  Ocean’s hands rub up and down my shoulders when I realize I haven’t seen Micah since we left port.

  Dean stands in the doorway of the boat, folds his arms, and stares at Ocean and I. Then he gets this smug smile as he looks at his girl and what she just did to me.

  “Now who’s the bad guys?” I ask quietly.

  Dean and Addison share a quick glance, and his face falls a bit as he shifts his weight, but no one says anything.

  Landon steps inside the boat and leans down into one of the doorways that I guess steps down to the pontoons and sleeping quarters. “Micah?” he calls quietly.

  Her masses of blond curls show up a few moments later and Landon pulls her into him. “We need your help for a minute, okay?”

  She nods, but still looks unsure.

  “Maybe focus on him this time instead,” he whispers, but even over the wind and the storm I can hear him.

  Micah stares at Ocean, but he’s pretty tough, and I wonder if she’ll be able to see anything about him.

  Micah’s eyes widen and her breathing get
s all shaky. I think all of us are watching, waiting to see what she says.

  “Babe?” Landon runs his hand up and down her arm—just like Ocean did for me.

  Ocean’s face turns to stone as his eyes lock on Landon.

  “Ocean’s your brother,” she whispers.

  Wait. What? That should have definitely been in the file.

  FOURTEEN

  Landon

  I bend over because it’s like someone’s punched me in the gut. “Ocean can’t be my brother,” I say, even though there’s something about him that’s been scratching at me since I saw him standing on that pathetic little sailboat.

  “He is.” Micah sounds sorry, like it’s her fault or something, and its times like this that I hate asking her to do what she does.

  I know it’s hard for her. I know she feels things so sharply—that’s not a part of her gift I’ve been able to help with.

  She continues. “In a conversation he was guessing at it, and I could give you the gist of what was said, but the whole conversation is changing now. Something inside him already knows.” Her deep blue eyes fill with liquid as she watches me. Worried. “And I think part of you does, too.”

  I’m afraid to look at Ocean, haven’t really wanted to see him, but I don’t really have much of a choice now. Micah believes what she’s saying, but this might just be another trick. Who knows what they’re capable of?

  Now that I know magic exists, and messes with your head, I’ve started to see it everywhere. Without the solitude of being on the boat, the paranoia would be rough. But now… With two people on here from The Middle Men? I’m hyper aware that nothing could be as it seems.

  “I just guessed at it.” Ocean shrugs only he’s doing it like I do it when I really need to look calm but I’m not. “My mom. She told me a lot more than she should have I guess. Just before I left home she talked about how this group she used to belong to wanted people to get married within the group because they hoped it would make people stronger. I had a twin up until I was about a year and a half or so and then he disappeared. Your dad and my mom must have…”