Hunting the Rogues (Shadow Claw Book 8)

by Sarah J. Stone

  This was the first undercover mission that they had attempted in quite a while. Sienna wasn't properly trained for them, even though she should have been. Desmond made sure to load Laura's files onto her tablet, so that she would be able to refer to them if she was unsure. All he needed was to pretend that he wanted to join Reynolds' rebellion.

  And given how the Jurors had treated them recently, Desmond didn't think that was going to be hard. He didn't want to use his magic for evil, but more and more often, he found himself thinking of finding freedom from the strict rules that were set out and the life they demanded the witches live. He missed Mariah, even now, and he wasn't sure he ever wanted to miss her again.

  Chapter 8

  “Devon!”

  Nathaniel realized he had neglected to tell Sienna that it was Devon who was going to be waiting for them. As she walked down the ramp, her face lit up in a kind of happiness that he rarely saw. She picked up her pace, rushing down the ramp. Devon opened his arms, and she flew into them, giggling.

  “He doesn't look well,” Desmond said quietly to Nathaniel, who cast his gaze on the boy. Devon was taller than he used to be, but also thinner and a bit paler. It was as if his height hadn't caught up to the fact that he was chronically ill.

  Unlike Sienna, though, Devon's condition was well managed and known to the med bay. It was terminal, but he tolerated all the treatments well, mostly through a continuous intravenous pump, hidden under his clothing. He felt almost no effects from his illness. Which meant he and Laura could continue to go on quests that required high levels of energy until the moment he no longer could.

  “He's progressed,” Nathaniel admitted as he watched Devon swing Sienna around. If he was going to walk down the platform, he would have yelled out, but he couldn't make his presence known. He would wait until they were gone and then sneak out the back way. “Speaking of, you have everything she needs? You know that she needs the red pills at noon and–”

  “Nathaniel,” Desmond said. “I may not have been the one physically dealing with the medication, but I've been here every day. She'll be fine.”

  “Right,” Nathaniel answered, taking a deep breath. “See you on the other side then.”

  “See you then,” Desmond said, and took a few steps down the platform.

  Devon finally put Sienna down, a wide smile on his face. “How are you?” he asked.

  “Excited,” she whispered. “It's been so long.”

  “It has,” he said. “I couldn't believe this…choice…brought me you.” His language was slightly guarded, remembering that there could be spies anywhere.

  “Yes, this choice.” She, too, chose her words carefully. Desmond approached from behind, and she turned to him. “Maestro, you remember Devon?”

  “Uh, yes, I remember Devon,” Desmond answered, rolling his eyes. “Do you think I am so old and senile, Sienna?”

  She bit her lip, trying to not let a smartass reply fall out. Devon held his hand out to Desmond, who shook it.

  “Good to see you again,” Devon said. “Welcome.”

  “Your Maestro awaits us, I think?” Desmond answered. “Do you know the way?”

  “Yes,” Devon assured him. “She is waiting for you.”

  “Sounds…hailful,” Sienna said and both of the turned to her in confusion.

  ‘Sienna?’

  ‘Ominous,’ she answered with her mind.

  “Baleful,” Desmond answered. “The correct term is baleful, but that's not quite right. Ominous.”

  Devon smiled at her as they walked. “Forgot how cute that was when you do that.”

  “Ahem,” Desmond answered, raising an eyebrow.

  Devon quirked an eyebrow right back. “This is the advantage to the Acheronian side, Maestro. Relationships are allowed.”

  Desmond wondered if he was playing a part in that moment, but decided not to question it.

  He allowed Devon to lead the two of them through the crowded streets and down back alleyways. They mostly walked in silence after that, trying not to give too much away with their voices or their minds. Devon did seem to know where he was going, though, and Desmond said nothing until he threw himself against a door in a black alleyway.

  “Devon,” Desmond said, grabbing him. He didn't know the details of the boy's medical condition, but he wasn't sure if this type of behavior was a side effect.

  Devon simply grinned. “It's okay,” he said. “This is the only way to get in.”

  Sure enough, the door that had no handle suddenly flew open.

  Devon led them through what looked like an abandoned kitchen and dark, dirty bedrooms. Desmond was about to ask him what was going on when he pushed through another door.

  And there, in a well-lit area that had been hidden from the rest of the house, was Sybil, Kierry, and Laura.

  “You made it,” Sybil said with a grin as she got up. Desmond was like a father to her, and she was always glad to see him. “Welcome to my undercover world. Kierry, can you take Sienna to go get settled, while I fill Desmond in?”

  “Here,” Desmond handed over Sienna's rucksack that he had been carrying. “Be good.”

  “Maestro,” said Sienna, outraged at his suggestion that she would cause trouble. He rolled his eyes, and she accepted that as an apology, happily following Devon and Kierry into the back of the hidden house. “This is…big.”

  “Sybil and I had plans when we found it,” Kierry said. Kierry was a tall sixteen-year-old who seemed so awe-inspiring and mature to Sienna. She always seemed confident with Sybil at her side, and the two made a fantastic pair. “All of you were in the plans from the start.”

  “Good thing it worked out then,” Devon grinned. “This is my room,” he said, pointing. “So, Sienna, maybe this one?” He pushed opened the door to the left, showing a simple bed and closest. It wasn't grand, but she did note that it was as close to his room as possible.

  “Uh…” She glanced around, looking for a hook. She occasionally needed IV infusions, but if she did, she needed a hook for them to work by gravity.

  “Right,” Devon remembered without being asked, and pointed to the ceiling. “See? It's an old nail, but it should serve its purpose.”

  “Thank you,” she said, smiling at him gently. She had missed him so much that it seemed surreal to just see him again. She knew they were on suspension for this very reason, but she couldn't help but reach out and touch his arm.

  “I got you,” he answered, as Kierry headed back to the main room. Her hand lingered on his arm, and he put his own hand over it. “How are you, Sienna?”

  “I'm….” She didn't have words to describe how she felt. “Exile is hard. But seeing you again makes it worth it. How are you?”

  “Busy,” he said. “Since we last spoke, it's been a non-stop whirlwind. I don't think Laura and I have been home in three months.”

  “Three months is a long time to not go back,” she said as she moved to sit on the bed.

  “So is eight,” he answered, and she leaned against the headboard.

  “Yes, but I haven't been saving the galaxy lately,” she said, as he sat on the foot of the bed. “You look–”

  “I know,” he said, adjusting so he could put his feet up. It was comfortable to be sitting with him, Sienna thought. It was almost like they were a normal couple, on a normal day. “It's that obvious, eh?”

  “But you're all right?”

  “Oh yeah. I feel fine,” he said with a shrug. “But feeling fine is all in the mind, isn't it?”

  “Maybe Laura shouldn't have such a rigorous pace for you,” she suggested. “I mean, would it be better if you had more time off?”

  “I've thought of that,” Devon answered. “But I don't want to slow her down. Laura is rising to the top. She might even surpass your Nathaniel one day, if she keeps going. I can't do that to her.”

  Sienna had often had those thoughts herself, usually late into the night when no one else was listening to her mind.

  “So, what do y
ou want?” she asked simply. He shook his head, tucking his knees up.

  “I don't know,” he said. “I'm just talking. It is good to see you, though.”

  “When do we see Reynolds?” she asked. “Is there a time?”

  “We didn't make an appointment, if that's what you mean,” Devon grinned, back to his usual jovial and boisterous self. “No one has actually seen Reynolds yet. We know he's at the top of this food chain, but we have yet to lure him out. Which is why you're here, and Desmond is here. That should help.”

  “I don't know that bait is an official Academy mission.”

  “It totally is,” Devon said with a grin. “I've seen it posted once or twice. Usually it's for worse reasons–pretty girls and the like. But it is something they assign.”

  “Well, it doesn't matter because they are not tracking our movements,” Sienna said with a shrug.

  “But maybe you'll do so well that they will want you to go back,” Devon answered, and she met his eyes. He sensed something in her then, and paused. “Do you not want to go back?”

  “Of course, I want to go back,” she said, but it didn't sound very convincing. “I just…have the same thoughts as you do.”

  “Something to think about,” Devon replied, as he slid off the bed. “Come on. Our Maestros will be missing us.”

  “I wonder when Nathaniel will get here,” Sienna said as she slowly got off as well.

  “He's cautious, so an hour or two, I'm guessing,” Devon answered. “There's no plan until tomorrow anyway. We want word to travel through the city to Reynolds that Desmond is here.”

  “I just don't know why he would want me,” Sienna said as they walked back down the hallway. “My power is uncontrolled and untrained.”

  “Hope,” Devon said softly, and she turned to him.

  “Hope?”

  “The hope that he could control your power and have it for himself.” Their faces were just inches apart. Devon reached up, brushing a lock of hair from her face. “Hope is what keeps us alive, even when we aren't using our powers for good.”

  “Hope,” she said, as he leaned in.

  The kiss was short but sweet. She felt so much strength from him, so much happiness as their lips met. She wanted to snuggle closer to him, their lips never falling apart. She wished that they could have this moment together and no one could judge them. One small bit of happiness in a confusing world full of pain–that was all she wanted.

  “I missed you,” Devon said softly in her ear. She hung onto him a moment longer, her arms wrapped around his neck.

  “I missed you, too,” she said as they finally broke apart.

  “We're together now,” Devon answered. “That's all that matters.”

  “Yes,” she agreed.

  Back in the main room, there was food being cooked and served. Sybil had apparently prepared a feast for them. Sienna went to her rucksack for the rations that she had gotten used to. Natural food was something that triggered her magic, the defective genes overreaching for anything that was naturally occurring. She was used to nibbling on synthetic rations, while everyone else ate a home-cooked meal. But Sybil called her over with a smile, holding a plate.

  “When you're undercover, you don't go to the markets,” she said. “I checked with Nathaniel before you got here. Everything in there should be safe for you.”

  She glanced to Desmond, who nodded his approval.

  “Thank you,” Sienna said, settling down beside her Maestro. It had been a very long time since she had hot food, and she was grateful for it after the long trip. She felt included, snuggled among the chairs and shoulders as she ate with everyone. This trip may be for a terrible purpose, but it was certainly having its moments. “Nathaniel?”

  “Not yet,” Desmond said. “But I'm used to this. He'll be here when he gets here.”

  “Of course,” Sienna answered with a shrug as she dug in. “He's strong.”

  “That he is,” Desmond assured her. “Don't worry.”

  Chapter 9

  By nightfall, Nathaniel had still not made an appearance, and even Desmond started to worry.

  “Can you feel him?” Sienna asked him, and Desmond shook his head.

  “He's blocking my thoughts for some reason,” he said. “Can you feel him? Be careful, little one. Don't overexert yourself.”

  She closed her eyes, reaching out with her mind. She was normally so connected with Nathaniel. But they were also normally only an arm’s length apart. Despite the fact that Desmond was supposed to be her go-to during the day, she rarely went a moment without knowing where her younger Maestro was. They were inseparable in almost everything.

  Except, it appeared, for today.

  “I can….” She pushed her magic harder. “I feel the wall you feel. Just wait....”

  ‘Nathaniel,’ she called out to him, trying to find another route into his mind. There was no second call with Nathaniel; he never left her waiting when she called out to him.

  “Sienna…” Desmond put a hand at her back, just in case.

  “Mmm,” she grunted, her eyes still closed. The wall was dark, and she felt fear in the pit of her stomach. She knew he was there, but he wasn't answering. It wasn't just that he was asleep or unconscious. He was physically blocking her from getting in. However, Sienna's main skill was mind reading–reaching for words that people couldn't bring themselves to say.

  With another push, she broke through the wall. The images that came into her mind then shocked her.

  She saw a flash of someone's hand, heard a grunt, and then she felt pain across her face. Her hands flew to her nose, and she stumbled back against Desmond, seeing stars.

  He caught her quickly, used to her falling, and lowered his knees in case she dipped farther.

  She broke the connection, and the pain disappeared almost instantly. Her eyes flew open, and she knew the pain that she had felt was not her own.

  “Desmond!” she said, as he helped her into a chair. The others gathered around, worriedly.

  “I know,” he said. “I saw it, too. Something has happened.”

  “Show me.” Sybil held out her hand. “Kierry and I have been exploring this area for months now. If something has happened, I might be able to recognize where he is.”

  Sienna put her hand out, but Desmond brushed it aside, offering his own instead. Devon took her hand instead as Desmond transmitted the information to Sybil. It wasn't as good as seeing it from the firsthand magical supply, but Sienna knew she had already overextended herself.

  “Do you want something?” Devon asked her, as he crouched down to be at her level.

  “No,” she replied, content with just his touch. “Just stay.”

  “I will.” He focused on her eyes, and Laura did not miss their look.

  ‘What are you doing?’ She asked her young Tiro, who didn't break his gaze from Sienna.

  ‘Living,’ Devon answered, and it almost broke Laura's heart to hear such an answer.

  “I know where that is,” Sybil said suddenly, breaking all their concentration as her eyes flew open. “Do you remember, Kierry? That's the warehouse where they keep the contraband collected from the docks.”

  “Yes,” Kierry answered. “But how? Why?”

  “I highly doubt they will tell us those things,” Sybil said with a half grin. She was trying to keep a light heart. “We have to go to him. He's all right?”

  “If Sienna could get through, he's all right,” Desmond answered. “I don't know why he's blocking us, though. Nathaniel has blocked me a few times in his life, mostly because of his temper, but he's never blocked Sienna's thoughts.”

  “Is it possible that he is not doing it on purpose?” Laura asked. “I know I've been hit on the head a few times, and it's confused my thought process.”

  “Nathaniel is a trained warrior,” Desmond pointed out. “He's used to being hit on the head.”

  “Which explains so much,” Sybil couldn't help but throw in. “Sorry, old habits die hard. Shall
we launch a team? What's our plan? I'm sure he's fine; he's Nathaniel.”

  “Multiple entrances?” Desmond asked, and Sybil nodded. “Then we launch in teams. Each team takes an entrance, and we crowd them into the middle. Whoever they are. Is it possible that it's Reynolds' team?”

  “It's possible...,” Sybil screwed up her face. “Technically. But I mean, this isn't their style. Reynolds' rebellion is not being led by force and violence. He knows he will get better loyalty if they come willingly to him.”

  Desmond felt like someone had struck him upon hearing that explanation. It was exactly the type of thing that he used to tell Reynolds. He hadn't been talking about leaving the witches, of course, but he had been talking about running a government–a system, inspiring loyalty in soldiers.

  In a lot of ways, he realized, Reynolds hadn't failed him. He had become a leader, a warrior, and he was strong. His name was known.

  It was just for all the wrong reasons.

  “So, someone else has him,” Laura spoke up, breaking Desmond out of his thoughts “Sybil?”

  “No idea,” she said. “Suit up, Kierry. Let's go find out.”

  Witches didn't often use weapons that weren't magic, but it appeared that Sybil and Kierry had created quite a storehouse. They had laser guns and enough ammunition to last them for days, if they had to. Which, Desmond thought, might be a reality if they were found out.

  “Do you know how to use one of these?” Devon asked Sienna, who shook her head.

  “I'll just stay behind Desmond,” she said.

  Devon put one in her hand. “You're smart, you can figure it out,” he said, and she smiled. He had faith in her strength, and she hadn't had many people do that. Her Maestros kept her quietly behind them, and she didn't think much about what she could do to help. They had always made it clear they would ask. Otherwise, she would be taken care of.

  “Thank you,” she said, as the rest of them grabbed what they needed. Devon winked at her as Sybil ushered them out.

  “There are any number of rebel forces in this city,” she said. “The government is badly run, and I imagine they are going to stage a coup any day now. There is a black market, a blacker black market…essentially, everything is corrupt. Anyone could have him, and they could have him because they know who he is, or they don't.”