by S W Vaughn
Kaden stirred. His lips parted and garbled sound emerged.
"Don't try to talk.” Michael's voice broke. “Let me get you inside first. Kendra, would you please get some water and bring it into the den?"
Nodding, Kendra rushed inside. Grace stepped onto the porch just as Megan and Lawrence thundered up the stairs and stopped short.
Megan uttered a brief shriek. “Who is that? What's going on?"
"It's Kaden,” Grace whispered. “The guy Dawn was talking about earlier..."
Michael glanced at the new arrivals. “I'm not even going to ask how you two got here so fast. Lawrence, will you help me bring him in?"
"Of course.” Lawrence moved to Kaden's feet. They lifted him, and Grace moved aside to let them into the house. She and Megan brought up the rear and left the front door open.
They settled Kaden on the couch. Megan sent Grace a worried glance and approached the motionless figure. “Let me see him,” she said to Michael. “I can help."
"Megan, don't!” Grace blurted. You've already done too much today. We don't know what will happen if you go too far.
"I have to try.” Megan reached for him, but Michael caught her wrist in mid-air.
"What are you doing?"
Megan wrenched her hand away. “Healing him."
"Well, that explains a lot.” Michael stepped back. “You two are something else. I don't know whether to be grateful or furious."
Megan ignored him. She slipped a hand behind Kaden's back, pressed her palm between his shoulder blades. A groan escaped her. “So tired...” Her eyes rolled and she folded to the floor.
"Megan!” Grace ran to her and dropped beside her.
The girl shuddered. “I'm okay. Need to sit. Thirsty."
Grace helped her to a chair. “Kendra's bringing water."
"Good.” Megan glanced at the couch. “I couldn't finish, but he's better now. Is he awake?"
As though responding to her question, Kaden twitched. His eyes flew open. Amber light shone from them, highlighting his bewildered expression. “Michael?"
"I'm here.” Michael knelt in front of Kaden and put a hand on his shoulder. “What's going on? You should have been long gone. Safe. What happened?"
"I've got water,” Kendra announced from the doorway. She entered with a pitcher and a stack of plastic cups and set them on the hearth. Grace scooted over and helped hand out cups to Megan and Michael, who helped Kaden drink.
"Thank you,” Kaden gasped. His gaze flew to Megan. “Another healer. You saved my ass. I owe you."
"Another?"
"Me, too. I was spent, though.” He faced Michael again, and his eyes flared. “You have to evacuate this place. Right now."
"Why?"
"Your contact. Zane.” Kaden's hand brushed his throat. A dark red line scored the surface, just visible beneath the dirt. “He tried to kill me. Must've thought he did, otherwise he would've stuck around. He slit my throat and dumped me in the ground. Good thing it was a shallow grave."
"No...” Michael lurched back and sprang to his feet. “No. He's an FBI agent. A recruitment specialist. You're remembering it wrong."
"He's an angel, Michael.” Kaden struggled to stand. “The others are dead. He killed them. We have to get the kids out of here."
"No!"
"It's not your fault. He fooled everyone. Even the government."
"You're wrong. They're not dead..."
"Michael.” Kaden reached for his hand and lifted his unresisting arm. “Look.” He pressed Michael's fingers to his temple.
Michael went rigid. His eyes locked open, staring blindly. Endless seconds passed, then violent tremors shook his body.
"Stop it!” Grace reached out automatically to steady Michael.
Kaden's eyes tracked her movement. “Don't touch him!” he shouted.
The warning came too late. Grace's hand brushed Michael's shoulder and clamped down as though she'd stuck it over a vacuum hose. A powerful shockwave slammed through her arm and exploded in her mind, releasing fragmented visions.
A car, driving through dark woods. Worry. This is the wrong way, deeper into the mountains. The car stops. A door opens. Come on.
There's nothing here.
We're staying on a base tonight.
Secret military operation? Maybe. Feels wrong. The man's foot taps.
You want to serve your country?
Get out. Walk. Trees rush by. A clearing, bathed in moonlight. Packed mounds of earth—a dozen, more. Loose dirt piled around a hole. Not a base. A graveyard...
A useful Nephil is a dead one.
Steel flashes. Blood pours. Dirt tastes like sorrow, sounds like death.
Grace screamed and wrenched her hand free. Reality shattered the visions. She fell to her knees and buried her face in her hands. So many dead.
So many more to follow if they didn't get moving. Zane was headed here, now.
The realization shook her from stupor. She stood. Michael faced her and his expression said he'd realized the same thing. “We'll get the others and drive into town,” he said. “No ... further. I can drive through the night. After we get some distance, we'll worry about long-term decisions."
"We can trade off.” Kendra rose from the hearth, pale and determined. “I'll do some driving, too."
Michael nodded. “Thank you."
Lawrence, who had been watching from the doorway, straightened suddenly. “What's that smell?” Before anyone could react, he darted around the corner. His footsteps pounded across the porch, down the stairs. Less than a minute later, he bellowed from outside, “Michael! Get out here!"
Michael took off after him. Grace helped Megan up, and the two of them headed out with Kendra and Kaden close behind.
There was no sign of Michael or Lawrence in the yard. They descended and circled the camp house, until the main house came into view. Thick black smoke billowed from the rear of the structure, and flames licked along the roof at an alarming rate.
Lawrence and Michael were shadows streaking along the ground. They'd already closed half the distance. The rest of them shed their collective exhaustion and sprinted for the house.
* * * *
"Lemme go! Ace, make him let go! Dawn!"
Grace heard David's frantic cries before she reached the group huddled on the lawn, and her heart sank. Dawn was still inside.
This close, the flames crackled and spit their lethal intentions. Immense heat radiated from the house, flattening grass and baking the moisture from the air. Evan held a struggling David with both arms locked across the boy's heaving chest. No one attempted to enter the conflagration—and with good cause. They wouldn't come back out.
Bailey turned away from the blaze, her features smudged and somber. “Lou went in after her. It's been too long already."
"Jesus,” Grace said. “We can't just stand here! Is there a hose somewhere, or a pond? Buckets? Anything..."
Michael shook his head. “There's nothing. The closest fire department is an hour from here. We're helpless."
Bailey stared at Megan. “Heal me."
"What?"
"Heal me. Knock the drug out. I know you can do it, and I can go in there."
"I ... can't. I'm spent."
"I can.” Kaden stepped forward.
Bailey gasped. “Kaden? How..."
"I'll explain later. Come here.” When Bailey moved toward him, Kaden stepped aside and settled a hand on her back. A moment later, he sat down hard. “There. Oughta do it. Do your thing."
Bailey's eyes shone in the dark. Nodding, she turned and walked toward the house. As she moved, the heat shimmer saturating the air seemed to part, to flow above and around her. She reached the front door and kicked it open. Flames shot through the opening, swirling and congregating in mid-air a few feet in front of her. She forged ahead without pause.
David slumped against Evan. “Is she going to get Dawn?"
"Let's hope so.” Evan's voice was a harsh croak. He stared briefly at Kaden, but
didn't ask questions. His grip on David refused to relax.
Michael scanned the yard, his expression drawn and shattered in the flickering firelight. “Dorinne?” he said. “Vera, Kyle. Are they..."
Ace shook his head, stared at his feet.
"Vera woke me up, and then she went to find Dorinne.” Evan grimaced. “I think Lou got everyone else. Haven't seen Kyle at all."
"All right. Listen.” Michael sent an anxious glance at the house. “If ... I mean, as soon as Bailey and Dawn get out, we have to get to the van. Everyone stays together. Understand?"
Weak murmurs of assent replied. Ace shook himself and walked over to Kaden, who still sat on the ground. “Since nobody else is asking ... What's going on?"
"Ace!” Kaden looked up and smiled. He struggled to his feet and gave the boy a clumsy hug. “What've they been feeding you, Miracle-Gro?"
"You've only been gone a week.” Ace smirked. “So, I guess you're not going to tell me anything. Right?"
"It's a long story."
"Later?"
"Promise."
Ace flashed a tired smile. “Whatever happened ... I'm glad you're back."
"Me too, kid."
A sharp groan rose above the steady roar of the flames, commanding attention. From just inside the doorway, a heavy thud sounded. Showers of sparks spit through the opening. Thick smoke chased the sparks. When it cleared, a massive solid shape lay blocking the exit—a charred chunk of rafter from the loft ceiling in the front room.
Bailey wouldn't be able to get out. Especially if Dawn couldn't walk.
Bailey! Grace called without thinking. David's renewed, panicked screaming sounded distant and muffled as Grace attempted to focus inside the house.
Who ... Grace? Is that you?
Yes. Where are you?
Bottom of the stairs. I have Dawn. Can't see the door.
I'm coming in.
You can't!
Trust me.
Someone touched her shoulder. Grace whirled, her concentration shaken.
"You're not thinking what I think you are...” Megan spoke through ashen lips. “There's two of them. And Bailey has some kind of shield. What if you can't get through it?"
"I have to try.” Grace managed a smile. “You know I do.” She lowered her head, pinched the contacts out and shoved them in a pocket. They'd be ruined. It didn't matter now.
"Try what?” Kendra's voice, shrill with concern, startled her. “Grace, what are you talking about? You can't get in there. The door is blocked!"
"I'm not going through the door."
She had to move quickly, before anyone tried to stop her. Bailey. Whatever that shield is you have, I'll need you to turn it off for a few seconds. When I say now. Okay?
Okay ... Bailey's response wavered.
Grace closed her eyes. She pictured the stairs, Bailey, Dawn. Tried to imagine exactly what it looked and felt like in there: dark, hazy with stinging smoke. Suffocating heat. Without precision, she might move herself into the flames.
Now.
An instant of stomach-turning weightlessness. A blistering inferno replaced warm outside air. Heat pressed in from all sides. The floor beneath her feet threatened to melt her shoes. Bailey huddled in front of her, cradling Dawn's unconscious form. Grace knelt and embraced them both tightly. “Hold on, if you can. I won't let go."
Vertigo slammed her the moment she initiated the move out. She felt something slip. Her fingers clenched harder. At last, the heat vanished. Her back hit the ground. Two bodies slammed into her, knocking the breath from her lungs.
"Damn.” Bailey stirred and rolled off. “I want that power."
"Trade you,” Grace murmured. “That shield is awesome.” She squeezed her eyes shut against the smoke stinging them. The scent of singed hair hung heavy around her. She blinked rapidly, let her tears cleanse the soot and smoke, and swiveled her head aside. No longer brilliant blonde, Bailey's hair had blackened and crinkled to resemble a cheap Halloween wig. Dawn had fared little better.
They'd survived, though. The rest didn't matter.
Running feet and mingled shouts approached them. Someone lifted Dawn away and laid her on the grass. Grace sat up, narrowly avoiding David's flying tackle. “Dawn! Wake up!"
Dawn erupted in a spate of violent coughing. The spell wore down slowly and she drew a gasping breath. “David,” she whispered. “Okay. I'm awake. Get off me."
Sobbing, David threw his arms around her. “You're alive. You're not charcoal."
"Yes. Seriously, get off me. You're heavy."
David scrambled up and regarded Bailey and Grace with solemn features. “You saved her. Thank you."
"Thank Grace,” Bailey said. “I wouldn't have gotten out without her."
"I couldn't have found Dawn without you. I have to know where I'm going."
"Oh. Well, maybe I'll keep my shield, then."
Dawn curled on her side, and another coughing fit overcame her. When it stopped, she pushed herself up and looked back at the house. “Did everyone else get out?” she whispered.
"We'll talk about that later,” Michael said. “We've got to leave. Not much time. Can you walk?"
"I'll help her.” Evan bent and scooped Dawn to her feet.
"All right. Everyone find a partner and stay together."
Megan approached Grace and offered a hand. Just as stubborn as me.
Damn straight. Grace took it, wrenched herself from the ground. The tattered group headed for the camp house with shared and silent urgency.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 27
The camp house greeted them with stark mockery, an unsafe haven. Michael ushered them inside and lingered on the porch. “Pack whatever you think might be useful, in anything you can find. I'm going to bring the van around."
"I'll go with you.” Kendra pushed her way to the fore. “You shouldn't be alone. Everyone stays together, right?"
"Right.” Michael gave her a grateful smile.
Grace stepped out on the porch. “I'm coming, too. No, Megan,” she said before the girl insisted on joining them. “I think you should help Lawrence coordinate things here.” She wanted to give them as much of a chance as possible. If Zane didn't know about Kaden, he was still only coming here for her—and if he showed up in the next few minutes, she wouldn't be here.
"Fine. Killjoy.” Megan shrugged. “Honestly, I'm glad you said that. I really don't feel up to walking much more. Not even a couple of feet."
"Where's the van?"
"Around the other side of the greenhouse, in the garage. It's not far.” Michael jogged down the steps and glanced over his shoulder. “You ladies coming?"
Grace and Kendra followed him across the yard, past the darkened greenhouse. “Grace,” Michael said without breaking stride. “I owe you an apology."
"For what?"
"Basically for being a dick.” He stared straight ahead, his expression inscrutable. “I shouldn't have been so suspicious of you. If I hadn't insisted on drugging you into oblivion, it would have saved a lot of trouble. Maybe even a few lives."
The pain in his voice wrenched her heart. “Michael ... Kaden was right. This isn't your fault. No one could have stopped what happened. But now we can make sure it doesn't happen again.” Grace glanced back at the camp house. “I have to apologize to you, too. I was wrong. You do care about them ... about us. I'm sorry for refusing to see that."
"That's all right. I understand why you thought what you did."
Grace looked sidelong at Kendra, who remained grim-faced and determined. Her mother had been unusually helpful since Kaden arrived, and far less abrasive. She couldn't help suspecting it was an act for Michael's benefit. But maybe, in her own way, she did care—at least whether Grace lived or died. The woman had seemed genuinely distressed at her entering the burning house.
No time to contemplate the psychology of Kendra now. First, they had to get the hell out of here.
The garage came into view, darkene
d and silent. It was a one-plus model with a wide vehicle door and a smaller door for quick entry. Michael reached the building first. He opened the small door, leaned in, switched on a light. “Shit."
"What? What's wrong?” Grace looked inside. Tools, workbenches and boxes lined the left side of the garage. A dark blue cargo van occupied the space to the right, resting on four flat tires. “Oh."
Michael wandered into the garage, stunned and shaken. “How could this happen? I just took it out a few hours ago.” He approached the van. “I don't have four spares. Any brilliant ideas?” He crouched to examine the front tire.
Grace and Kendra joined him. Grace moved to the rear of the vehicle and ran a hand along the top of the tire. Her fingers brushed frayed strands of rubber. She stopped, poked at the strands, and discovered a long slit in the surface. They'd been slashed. Deliberately.
"Michael,” she said slowly. “I think we'd better..."
"Hey, freaks. Took you long enough to get here."
Grace recognized the voice before she found its source. Kyle stood framed in the doorway. He must have been waiting outside. His gaze swept each of them in turn, and settled on Kendra. “You first, I think. All that money and you never paid me enough."
Swift movement at his side. A deafening roar erupted in the enclosed space. Kendra slammed back against the van. She hung frozen for an instant, then slid to the floor, leaving a glistening smear along the vehicle's side door.
Shock robbed Grace of the scream exploding inside her. Kyle stepped forward and this time raised the gun in plain view. “I warned you before that I'd have to shoot you if you tried to stop us. Now look what you've done—you got everyone all riled up and leaving before the party starts. Time to say goodnight, Gracie."
Grace reacted viscerally. She sent an immense surge of power at the garage wiring. A strident drone sounded. The light bulb flickered rapidly and shattered. Darkness consumed the room.
No! A male voice in her head. The one from her dreams.
Who are you? she replied instinctively.
The voice didn't answer.
"Damn it!” Another shot followed Kyle's epithet. Grace felt the bullet pass inches from her and heard it punch through the van behind her. She closed her eyes to hide the light, hoping he wouldn't be able to aim.
