by Trudi Jaye
It’s not long before I find it. A tiny tracking spell stuck deep inside his body where no one would think to look. Disbelief and anger rise in equal measures. It was him. He led these people to us.
Why didn’t Jeff consider this possibility earlier? We should have met Agent Barnes at a neutral location instead of allowing him to come all the way into our favorite secure location.
I edge away from him, not sure what to do. First things first. I need to know if he did this intentionally. He’s in pain, and he’s not himself. But it’s his fault that Jeff and Si are dead, so my sympathy is at a low ebb. Figuring out how deep in this mess he is will help me decide whether I leave him here with a second bullet through his skull or take him with me when I go.
I hold one hand over his bullet wound. I hesitate, but gathering my anger around me like a cloak, I push my hand down over the entry point.
He screams, his whole body jerking upward. His eyes pop open, and he stares at me with pain-glazed eyes. “What are you doing?” he gasps.
“You led them here. You have a tracking spell inside you.”
“What?” He shakes his head. “No. No. That’s not true.” His face has returned to the waxy paleness that he had earlier. Sweat appears on his forehead.
Determined to punish him, I push harder. “If you want to survive the next five minutes, you need to tell me the truth.”
He shakes his head quickly, his eyes wild. “I did... exactly what... I was told to do. I wouldn’t... lead killers here.” His words come out in gasps, and he’s shaking.
“Not even if it was the Earthbound? You argued with Jeff about it.”
He coughs and swallows over dry lips. “I didn’t know who... you were. I was told... it was a protection job... in the middle of nowhere.”
I scan his features, trying to spot a lie. Jeff is better at reading people than me.
You have to assume they’re lying and work from there, Mei.
“What are you lying to me about?” I push on his wound to emphasize my point.
He groans, and his head falls limply to one side. I’ve managed to make him pass out. A part of me feels remorse. I’m hurting him on purpose, but I need to know if I can trust him. Reaching into the water, I gather a small handful and pour it over his head. He sputters and his eyes flick open again.
“What are you lying to me about?” I ask again, not daring to punctuate my question with another jab at his bullet hole.
He shakes his head. “Nothing.” He hesitates, breathing heavily. “I was told... to make my way up here. I... I thought it was punishment for... something I did... at cadet training.” His face is flushed and he’s gasping for air. I don’t think he knows anything more than he’s saying.
“Who sent you up here? Who is your supervisor?” It had to be someone Jeff felt he could trust. I run through the SIG agents Jeff has spoken about, in my mind. It has to be one of them and luckily for me, it’s not a very long list. Whoever it is, I’m going to find them and make them pay.
He shakes his head. “Can’t tell you... Classified.”
“Whoever they are, they didn’t think twice about sending you into this operation.”
He blinks. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re supposed to be dead. You’re the dummy in the middle who ends up with all the blame.”
Agent Barnes shakes his head. “No.”
“The Earthbound knew our location. They followed a tracking spell inserted inside you. If it wasn’t you, it must have been someone at SIG headquarters.”
“That makes no sense. They would just call you in if they were going to hand you over to the Earthbound. There’s no need for all this...” He spreads his hand out to indicate the men hunting them.
I shake my head. “This is a rogue agent. Someone who’s working against the SIG’s directive to protect me.” I narrow my eyes at Agent Barnes. “And it better not be you.”
Agent Barnes moves restlessly, his face showing his distress. He’s bleeding again. I need to get him medical attention, or he’s not going to make it. I glance guiltily down at the widening stain of red on his shirt.
I’m not entirely sure he’s innocent in this, but I don’t want him to die. At least not until I know if he deserves it.
“We’re going to have to make a run for the truck. But first I’m going to try to heal your wound a little.” I just have to hope that Si was wrong about my healing skills.
He nods.
Taking in a deep breath, I use the water next to us to gather energy. My hand slips down into the restless pool, and I close my eyes. I skim along the spell web, using it to enter his body. I can feel the wound with my other senses, the smell of the thick, red blood thumping through his veins, the reedy sound of his gasping breaths as he tries to keep calm. The first thing I realize is that the bullet is lodged inside his body still. I hesitate for a moment, but I’m pretty sure it needs to come out. The temptation to use my fingers and dig inside him is huge, but I decide to try with magic first. It will be better if I can push it out without causing too much harm.
I send out tendrils of magic, so light and wispy you might think you imagined them. Taking a couple deep breaths, I gather the tendrils around the metal of the bullet and pull.
Agent Barnes screams, and I jerk back, almost losing my place on the ledge and falling into the water. As it is, I scrape my hand, and drops of blood form on my palm.
So much for the soft and gentle approach. I sit back up, and consider my options. I don’t have many.
I close my eyes again, form the connection with his body, and send my magic out to hover over him. In one deep, sharp thrust, I shove my magic inside his body and drag the bullet out. Agent Barnes screams again and passes out. The bullet emerges easily and pops into my waiting hand.
I glance back at the wall of water behind us, hoping my spell and the noise of the waterfall will coincide to ensure his screams weren’t heard by our hunters.
Next I look for the tracking spell. We can’t go anywhere with that thing still inside him. I race along his spell web, jumping over the broken bits until I find the tiny little spell that destroyed my life. I slam enough magic into it to break it apart a thousand times, my grief fuelling my magic. Agent Barnes groans but doesn’t wake.
When I check again, the tracking spell is gone. Just like Jeff and Si. I’m shaking so hard I see ripples in the spell web across my skin.
I force my thoughts back to Agent Barnes and attempt the healing magic Si has been teaching me. It’s about tiny increments, and I have to focus my whole attention on moving the tiny cells I can’t see. It’s difficult work, and I’m not confident I’ve made much headway until the agent blinks open his eyes; his gaze is clearer and more focused. The bleeding seems to have stopped and the wound is gaping less than before. I sigh with relief. It’s not perfect, but it will do until I can find a proper healer.
“Thank you,” he whispers.
“Don’t thank me yet. We’ve still got to get to the truck. You’ll be swearing at me by the time we get there.” I smile down at him, trying to soften my words, but I mean it. He’s going to find it difficult to move, let alone run like I’m going to make him.
CHAPTER SIX
We’re about halfway to the truck, the agent’s arm draped over my shoulders and his blood dripping down my shirt, when I hear the shouts of our pursuers. I don’t think they’ve seen us. The forest is hiding us, and it’s dark, with clouds covering the moon and stars. But they’re close.
I speed up, knowing we only have a small window of time. I’m glad he’s almost unconscious now, because he’d wonder how someone as small as I am can carry a big guy like him. Or maybe he wouldn’t. He’s an SIG agent, after all.
We make it to the edge of the forest. The truck is only just visible in the distance; all I can really see is a large shape on the track, but my heart lifts. We’re going to make it. I shift Agent Barnes across my shoulder, and tread carefully along the forest’s edge, trying to get a
s close as I can to the vehicle before I have to step out into the open. My eyes are focused on the blue truck; everything inside me is directed like a bullet toward making it there. By force of will, I’m going to get us out of this situation.
When I see someone covered with the glowing spell web wander around one side of the truck, I stumble and almost fall flat on my face. Barnes groans incoherently. I can make out a rifle in the man’s arms and he’s big. Pausing beside a tree, I lean Agent Barnes against the trunk and crouch down, peering around the edge. Another man joins the first, again with his spell web glowing, and my heart pounds in my chest. I’m going to have to fight for the truck. Standing up again, I pull Barnes to his feet, taking most of his weight on my shoulders. I keep moving through the trees, staying low. I don’t have perfect night vision, but it’s okay. This time I’m careful to keep us well out of sight. Luckily, I’m wearing black, and Agent Barnes has a black suit over a black shirt.
It doesn’t hurt that I have one more advantage over them. I can see and use the spell web against them.
When I’m about thirty yards from the truck, I settle Agent Barnes against a tree. He mumbles something that I can’t hear, and then slumps to one side. This escape has been hard on him, but we can’t stop now.
I’m going to have to race to Bertha, trying to stay unnoticed in the field of long grass. I rub one shaking hand down my trouser leg. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. They can’t possibly be more difficult to fight than Si. They’re just bigger and meaner looking. I wait until they’re both on the other side of the truck, and take off in a crouching run. Moments later, I’m hiding on the other side of my truck, listening hard. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart and the scratchiness of my dry throat as I swallow. The moon comes out from behind the clouds, bathing the truck and road in silvery light, and I curse under my breath. The cover of darkness is an asset to me right now. But I don’t have a choice.
I take a breath and step out in front of the truck. “You looking for someone?” I ask, trying to smile casually. It feels more like a grimace.
One of the men jumps and turns, his rifle pointed straight at my chest. I try not to squirm. The other spins slowly, a smile spreading across his broad face. He’s got beady eyes that seem too bright. “The boss was right,” he says. “It’s our lucky day.”
I stand in front of them, loose limbed and relaxed, content for them to feel like they’re in charge.
“Don’t move a muscle, little lady, and you won’t get hurt. Much.” The bright-eyed man walks toward me, his rifle held protectively in front of him.
I know my way around weapons—Jeff saw to that—but Si insists they make people lazy. As soon as they get behind a gun, people feel invincible, he always says. Looking at these two guys, I see he’s right.
At least, he was right. A lump appears in my throat and a burning sensation rises up through my chest. I focus my anger on these two men. They think they have an edge over me. I’m going to see if it’s true.
Loosening my legs, I bounce lightly on the front pads of my feet. The movement doesn’t seem to bother the two men unduly, but it should. I’m preparing for a fight.
“Keep your gun on her. I’m gonna to tie her up,” says Bright-Eyes. The other man comes closer, still holding the gun on me; he’s got the thick lips and the slightly squishy walk of a water creature. I run my magic along his spell web and discover he’s got so much liquid inside his body, I can hold him just using my water magic.
As Bright-Eyes steps in close to grab my arm, I strike out. Three moves later—one kick and two punches—I have his weapon, and he’s down on the ground, groaning. A couple of yards away, the water-creature is straining his body in all directions, but standing stock-still. I have him tightly wound up inside my magic. I stride over and take his gun, allowing my magic to settle, and then throw two quick punches to knock him out. He hits the ground with a satisfying thud.
It wasn’t even a decent fight, but it does make me feel better to hit someone.
I turn back to the first guy and grab the rope he was planning to use on me. Dragging their bodies to the side of the gravel road, I tie them to each other. I’m hardly even puffing by the time I’ve done all this. Si has been training me hard for the last twelve years.
Picking up their guns, I put them in the truck. The clouds move over the moon again and the night darkens around me. Glancing around, I can’t see anything, but it feels like someone is breathing down my neck. There are other hunters out here, looking for us, and if they could get the better of Si and Jeff, they can almost certainly take me out. Our only advantage is the night.
I run back to where I left Barnes. He’s still passed out. I heft him up over my shoulders and jog back across the long grass. It takes longer than I’d like to get him in the truck, and I’m glancing around anxiously by the time I’m done. He’s all buckled up, but only semi-conscious and slumps against the door as I close it.
Jumping into the truck, I turn it around and accelerate down the track. I have to keep the lights off, which makes it almost impossible to see the road, and I hunch over the wheel like a grandma, peering out into the darkness. Like I said, my night vision isn’t amazing and the moon is completely hidden by clouds now. I’m relying on my memory of the track to keep us safe.
The bumping brings Agent Barnes around, and he turns his head, trying to figure out what’s happening. “We made it to the truck?” he says with surprise in his voice.
I shrug. “Now we just need to make it to the bottom of this track.”
He sits up straighter and sees the guns. “You ran into someone?”
I nod.
“Are they alive?”
I ignore his question. “Can you use one of the guns?”
Barnes leans down slowly and picks up the rifle. “Bullets?”
I nod toward the glove compartment where I stashed them.
He haltingly reloads the gun, his wound and the jarring movement of the truck along the old track making it difficult.
“Now I can,” he says eventually, but his face is pale and he’s shaking. I don’t know how much use he’s actually going to be if it comes to a fight.
He sits with the gun held perpendicular to the window for a while, but doesn’t speak. I’m not in the mood for small talk either, and concentrate on keeping my hands on the wheel and the truck moving toward freedom. We’re most of the way down the track when I see lights in front of us.
I don’t need good night vision to see what it is. It’s a group of supers, their spell webs showing up like lights on a Christmas tree as they wait behind their roadblock. I put my foot on the brake and slow the truck to a stop. I don’t think they’ve seen or heard us yet. My stomach tightens and my heart lurches up into my chest. I’d been hoping the two guards I took down were the only people out here.
I should have known better.
“What’s happening? Why are we stopping?”
I glance over at Barnes. He can’t see the spell web, so it’s just inky darkness up ahead.
“They’ve put up a roadblock on the track. We need to figure out how we’re going to get through.”
To his credit, he doesn’t question me. “How many people?”
I squint ahead, down the hill. “At least five.”
“Do they have vehicles?”
I shake my head. “I can’t tell. Probably. I can only see the people.”
We sit for a moment. One option is to leave the truck and walk out past them through the woods. But I don’t know how many other people are in the woods waiting for us, and I don’t think Agent Barnes has the energy left to walk, let alone run if we get discovered.
If we just drive through the roadblock, we risk getting shot, and we’re going to be a great big moving target for their guns.
“We could split up,” I say. “You drive the truck down toward them, going really slow to cause a distraction. I’ll go down separately and take a few of them out. Maybe all of them.” I glance over at Barn
es, not entirely convinced he’d stay conscious long enough to drive the truck to the roadblock.
But he nods, his eyes glittering in the dark. “That’s about the best plan we’re going to come up with. How long do you want me to wait before following you down?”
I look toward the hill below us. “Ten minutes. Just to make sure I get into the right position.”
He nods. “Okay. Let’s do this. And fast, before I lose any more blood.” He grins, some of his previous charisma returning, despite his gaping gunshot wound. I give him a grim smile, trying to seem reassuring.
Jumping out of the truck, I help him move across to the driver’s seat. He straps himself in and nods. “Go. Quickly. We need to get out of here.”
I nod and, without another word, head into the woods and disappear into the trees. I run swiftly through the undergrowth, choosing speed over silence at this point. I slow down and walk when I’m closer, until I’m parallel to the roadblock. They’re making no attempt to be quiet. Again, they’re assuming they have the upper hand; a large automatic machine gun rests on a tripod on the hood of an enormous SUV parked across the road. Another smaller truck sits to one side.
I aim for the two men operating the machine gun first. I don’t want to get Agent Barnes any more shot up than he already is. If I can take them out quietly, we have more of a chance.
I use the spell web to see the two men and send out a feeling of being relaxed over the grid. They sit back in their positions and start smiling almost immediately. Moving soundlessly, it takes me no more than a quick pressure onto their necks to knock them out, thanks to Si’s training. I’m pulling their bodies quietly to one side when I hear the motor of the truck start up. Not a moment to lose.
Another man comes around the side of the SUV, and I sucker punch him into his stomach, just under the ribs, and then kick his head when he leans over, trying to breathe. He goes down, obviously one of those big guys who relies on never being punched to survive in a fight. He didn’t even get a chance to pull out the gun holstered to his side.
