by Jenn Nixon
“Sounds like an excuse. He is a god after all, isn’t he?”
“A title I’ve never given myself nor wanted,” the Enhancer’s voice boomed through the room. Dina blinked. Liam frowned. Caelum laughed and blipped into the middle of the base. “One out of two surprised reactions will suffice. I am working on my human humor.”
“Keep working,” Liam said.
Dina laughed, breaking out of her rabid episode. “Good one, spaceboy.”
“I was trying to ease the tension. It hasn’t been an easy morning,” Caelum stated as he sniffed the air, his head rising, and eyes roving to the exit. “May I eat before we proceed?”
Liam shut his eye, nodding. “Of course.”
“Dina, come with me.”
“Why?” she asked, giving him her best obstinate Dina stare.
Liam smiled inwardly.
“You need sustenance, you’re underweight and malnourished and you need energy for what you’re about to do.”
Liam blinked this time.
“Whateves,” she said, teleporting to the door.
Thank you. Liam projected to the Enhancer.
We will heal her, Liam. You have my vow.
Nodding, Liam reclaimed the hub chair and brought up the queue, pretending to review it as Caelum followed Dina to the kitchen. When the door latched shut, he covered his eyes with one hand and slammed the console with the other, unable to bite back the tears. He sucked back the second attempted escape and wiped his face, lifting his head to the hanging monitors.
“Aime, go visual.”
“Good mor—Liam? Are you well?”
“No, I need a diversion. Read me the results of last night’s scan.” Liam set his head back on the chair, shut his eyes and listened to the AI read off mundane results from the hundred odd scans and searches of the land, air, and sea, and cyberspace, looking for anything odd, anything requiring their attention, knowing full well, it wouldn’t take his mind off what was going to happen next.
Chapter Eleven
Actual sunrays warmed her face as she opened her eyes. The window of her studio was three times larger than it had been when she went to sleep. Sanjeeta crinkled her brow, shielded her eyes, and sat up on the bed. She shook her head. What the hell?
She glanced at the time on her Netphone, it was seven thirty on the dot. Aside from the weirdness at seeing the new window, Sanjeeta’s entire body was energized. Jumping out of bed, she zipped through her studio, showering, dressing, and getting ready for the day, thinking perhaps Caelum was the answer to her lack of sleep. He was undoubtedly powerful. She was sure Hinta didn’t install a new window while she slept. As he crossed her thoughts, she retrieved her phone and sent him a text, including her idea about talking to Mrs. Allen.
Sanjeeta received Hinta’s reply while walking through the front door of Howlligans and Ruffians. He liked the idea and wanted to go as her back up after lunch. She grinned as she greeted Jasmine and Ming, already aware she was going to take another half day, while her boss was on vacation, less than a month after getting the new position. She didn’t care one bit. Unable to wipe the smile off her face, she rushed to her office in back, more excited than she should be, considering Marjorie was missing. Spending time with a bunch of aliens was too interesting to pass up. On the positive side, she was doing it for Marjorie.
She had four hours to get as much work done as possible. First, she did the billing and AR, and then ran all the reports. Next, she checked the hours from yesterday and viewed the security tape at the registers and kennel, looking for anything out of the ordinary, knowing she usually found nothing. Two hours in, she called Mrs. Allen and asked to stop by. The final hour before lunch she hurried through the rest of her tasks, made sure she had enough coverage for the rest of the day, and checked all her boss’s emails and set up a forward feature so she didn’t miss anything important.
Relatively exhausted, Sanjeeta picked at the cold slice of pizza and sipped soda, anxiously watching the clock on her computer tick by slowly. As she took her last bite, footsteps echoed in the distance. She wiped her mouth, tossed her plate, and had her purse in her hand when Hinta appeared in the doorway.
“Hello,” he said, dipping his head.
“Afternoon,” she replied, grinning, and then twisting her mouth. “I shouldn’t be excited about this.”
“Of course you should, Sanjeeta, you’re trying to help, making a difference. Even here with your job,” he said, motioning to the back door.
“I wouldn’t say that, I’m just a paper pusher.” She shrugged, following him to the door.
“You’re much more than that,” he said, opening the door. “I’ve brought someone along…”
“You did?” Excited, Sanjeeta walked out to see a pair of lovely lavender eyes staring up at her. The women, who had olive skin and silver hair, was the most unique of the visitors she’d seen so far. “Hi.”
“Hello, I’m Jazara,” the woman said, smirking at Hinta for some reason as she lifted her hand in greeting.
Sanjeeta didn’t even attempt to hear their thoughts, but easily saw the bond between them when they clasped hands.
“We’ll hang back, outside while you talk to the mother. If you want, we can stay in telepathic contact,” Hinta said, leading the way through the back alley toward the street.
“If Mrs. Allen is psychic won’t she hear us?”
“Not if we’re linked in the conversation, we can broadcast or be precise.”
“Very cool, I didn’t know that.”
“Kim has a user-friendly guide to the classes and their abilities, I’m sure they forgot to offer it to you,” Jazara said as her eyes twinkled up at Hinta.
“Liam has a video, thought it would be easier.”
Sanjeeta shrugged. “Having something handy can’t hurt, it was a lot to remember.”
“See,” Jazara chuckled.
“You win,” Hinta replied. “I’ll send a copy to your phone, Sanjeeta.”
“Thanks,” she said, guiding the couple to the end of Main Street and toward the location of the Allen house. “So what kind of questions should I ask?”
“Just focus on her and Marjorie, be the concerned friend that you are. I’ll listen to her thoughts, let you know what I pick up.”
“Oh, so you don’t want me to—”
“You can as well, if you feel comfortable. I didn’t want to put any pressure on you. Normally Duncan and Bates would talk to her, but you already have a connection, this is less invasive and since the case is active, our involvement may cause unwanted suspicion.”
“Crap, I didn’t even think about that. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea,” Sanjeeta said, twisting her mouth into a frown.
“I disagree,” Jazara said, pausing at the corner.
“This is the right thing to do and the best way to do it,” Hinta replied with a nod. “Just be yourself and keep your thoughts open to me.”
Sanjeeta glanced down the street, took in a breath before nodding, and made her way toward the Allen house. She approached the steps, turning back. Can you hear me, Hinta?
Yes. She saw him nod in the distance as his reply came, similar to hearing Caelum’s voice.
Climbing the stairs, she clenched her purse close to her side, putting everything else out of her mind, and thinking only of Marjorie. She rang the bell. The short woman who answered the door craned her neck and said hello.
“Hi, Mrs. Allen, Sandee Desai from the shop,” she said, extending her hand. They shook, and the older woman’s eyes began tearing. “Are you sure this is a good time?”
“Yes, yes, please come in,” she replied, waving her hand and leading the way to the living room. “Can I get you a drink?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” Sanjeeta sat on the loveseat. Mrs. Allen went to her armchair. The table beside her covered in Have You Seen Me posters with Marjorie’s face. Her heart sank.
“It’s sweet of you to check up on me. The police have only called.”
“Any n
ew information?”
Mrs. Allen shook her head and pulled out a tissue to dab her eyes. “They talked to the boyfriend, Rufus, he’s just as worried.”
Sanjeeta took a quick look around the living room, seeing mostly pictures of the mother and daughter. “We’re all concerned. If you give me a stack of flyers I’ll be sure to hand them out at the shop.”
“Oh, that sweet boy Billy just came by, he’s been helping make copies,” she said, smiling slightly. Sanjeeta didn’t hear any thoughts in the woman’s head and since Hinta wasn’t saying anything either, she nodded and pulled one of the flyers closer trying to think of something else to say or ask when Mrs. Allen sniffled again. “It’s all my fault.”
“I’m sure that’s not true.”
“Every parent says their child is special…” she sniffled and wiped her eyes again.
Sanjeeta reached over and patted the woman’s hand wishing that were actually true. “Marjorie is special, she’s kind and sweet—”
“Her father was special, too.”
The hairs on the back of her neck sizzled. Choose your words wisely, Sanjeeta.
She wrapped her fingers around Mrs. Allen’s hand drawing her gaze. “Whatever you want to tell me, I promise, I only want to help find your daughter.”
“He had the most beautiful hazel eyes I have ever seen, similar to Marjorie, but lighter,” Mrs. Allen said, dabbing the corner of her eye with one hand, not letting go of Sanjeeta’s. “We met at a concert, a whirlwind affair, he seemed to know what I was feeling before I did, he always knew what I was thinking, and once, I saw him move so fast…I asked him how. He promised to tell me, one day. Marjorie was only a year old when he died, he never did tell me and I never thought about it much until she started showing the same attributes as her father.”
“Did you talk to her about it?”
“I didn’t know how, she was seeking answers, claimed she found a group on the internet,” Mrs. Allen frowned. “The police took her tablet.”
“Do you know her online handle?”
“No, I’m sorry. I told them we got into a fight, they probably think she’s staying with a friend, but I know my daughter better than that, if she went out there searching for answers, she’s in trouble, she’d never go this long without calling me.”
“I have friends who can try to help. If they need to talk to you, can we come back?”
See if you can get a toothbrush. Hinta’s voice barged into her head. Sanjeeta ticked her head to the side when Mrs. Allen nodded and began tearing up again.
“I’ve been holding it in so long…you’re so easy to talk to,” she said, sniffling and patting another tissue against her face. “Do you think your friends can help?”
“I do.”
“Thank you, Sandee.”
“You’re welcome.” As she rose from her chair, Mrs. Allen handed her a stack of flyers, which she gladly took. “You have my number, please call me if you need anything.”
“I will.”
Sanjeeta made her way to the exit, already feeling Hinta’s voice breaking through her head. She cut him off. Can’t you just teleport into the house and get it?
Oh, yes, I can.
Shaking her head, Sanjeeta jogged down the stairs and met Jazara halfway down the block. Just as she neared, Hinta emerged from the side of a house on the opposite side of the street. He had a green toothbrush, covered in plastic clutched in his hand.
“That was really good work,” he said, handing off the toothbrush to Jazara. She frowned, shook her head.
“What?” Sanjeeta frowned.
“Oh, I’m just testing out my ability to see visions from objects. I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
“Um.”
“She sees future visions through touch,” Hinta said.
“That’s why I don’t shake hands,” Jazara added, shrugging.
“Crap, that’s horrible. Why do these cool ass abilities come with such crummy side effects?”
“Good question,” Jazara said, chuckling. “I’m learning it’s possible to control when I see them, it’s worked on two people so far. Baby steps.”
“Advice I’ll gladly take,” Sanjeeta said, stuffing the flyers into her purse and glancing back toward the house. “So what did you take away from that conversation?”
“Her father’s a psychic or visitor, DNA will tell us which.”
“Does that mean you’re going back to the base?”
“Yes,” he replied. Jazara elbowed his waist. “Would you like to join us?”
Sanjeeta bit her bottom lip. “I should probably go back to the shop, make sure everyone is okay, but I’d really like to know if Marjorie is a psychic…”
“How about you go to work, check in and as soon as the results are in, I’ll come get you?”
“You’d do that?”
“Yes, of course, I told you, Sanjeeta, you’re part of this now.”
“No pressure, remember,” Jazara said with a smile. “As long as you want to stay involved and help, we welcome it.”
“Thank you, I’m at the shop until six.”
“It shouldn’t take longer than an hour.”
“Then I better go,” she said, nodding. “See you soon.”
Jazara waved as Hinta tugged her back across the street, probably back to the spot where he teleported from. Sanjeeta smiled, lifting her hand and went the opposite way.
Near the shop, she felt better about her decision to help. It wasn’t always exciting discoveries and mystery, the team did actual investigative work, piecing together the clues. Sanjeeta hoped Marjorie’s DNA would be a clue, too.
For now, she had to put the thoughts aside and make an appearance at work, anxiously awaiting another visit from her new friend Hinta.
***
Caelum made Dina sit at the table while he fixed her a plate of waffles and fruit, poured a glass of orange juice and tea, knowing her preference, and brought all of it to the table without saying a word to her or Theo, who couldn’t even turn away from the waffle iron.
The eager Enhancer motioned for her to start eating then promptly fix himself a plate and coffee and sat on the opposite end of the table. After his second forkful, he glanced back. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes,” Theo replied.
“Enough?”
“Probably not.”
“This will be easier if you’re relaxed and strong, Theo.”
Dina stared at her plate, forced another bite past her lips, chasing it down with some tea, hoping the warming of her insides spread through the rest of her body. Caelum glanced at her four times, between bites of food and sips of coffee. On the fifth, she held his gaze. “What?”
“I know what you’re hoping, Dina. The missing piece you seek will slow the rest of the memories from replaying in your mind, but not stop them. They don’t belong.”
“Can you block them?”
“I won’t know until I look into your mind.”
“You’ve never lied to us, Caelum. I’ll let you into my mind at your own risk, these memories are…” Dina shook her head and stared down at her plate again.
“I understand, perhaps more than most, Dina. Had I not felt the pain your future counterpart carried I’d honestly be furious with you right now for what you have yet to do.”
“Give it time, I’m sure you’ll find another reason,” she murmured. “Are we going to do this?”
“I am ready.” Caelum glanced back. “Theo?”
“Are you sure, Dina?”
“Positive.”
Caelum opened the door to the base. Dina went in first, catching Liam’s eye and feeling hers well. He teleported to her. She threw her arms around his back. When she shuddered, he squeezed tight, opening his senses to her, letting her take in his energy.
You can do this, Dina.
Don’t go far.
I won’t.
Dina rose on her toes to kiss him softly, and then saw Theo standing in the far corner of the base near the techro
om. Caelum was at the hub, much to Liam’s annoyance. She smirked at him before turning and walking toward the pacing Theo. He rubbed the back of his neck and paused. She was chewing on her thumb when he turned and met her eyes.
Unsure what she could possibly say to make the situation any less uncomfortable than it was, she stepped closer, holding out her hand, trying not to cry because she knew he hated it when she cried.
Theo’s hand was trembling as he lifted it. When their fingertips touched and nothing happened, he seemed relieved. The moment she looked in his eyes, the wall came down and the entire dream, no, day filled her head. Waking up in Rivia’s ship, seeing the flower, arguing, then the missing piece, the one she dreaded seeing spilled through her mind.
“Do you remember the night in the club?”
His brow rose high. “When you were high on E and kissed me for the first time? Oh, yes.”
“What did I say to you?”
He leaned back, pulling her hands from his face as he frowned. “That we’d never be in love with each other because we’ll always be in love with them.”
“It doesn’t mean I don’t love you, Theo. All of this. It was real.”
Theo’s face went from surprise to confusion in a nanosecond. “Was real? Dina—”
She jerked him forward, planting her mouth on his. Within seconds, they were ripping off each other’s clothes, twisting on the chair and kissing, panting, and clawing at each other frantically. Desperate to have him one last time, Dina made sure he knew exactly how she felt. He noticed the change and slowed the tempo ensuring both of them were satisfied. She let everything drop away for one, quick moment as she came apart in his arms.
After Dina fell to his chest, she went still, enjoying the heat from his body, doing her best not to let the guilt rising through her spoil the moment.
“There’s nothing to be guilty about, Dina,” Theo grunted, wrapping his arms tight around her back. “It’s been forty years since they...”
She pushed on his chest. He held tighter. Dina teleported out of his grasp. “Don’t tell me there’s nothing to be guilty about. We fucked up. We let him get away. We watched them all die, Theo.”
