“There’s still a journey for me that involves Dr. Richmond. I’ve known it since the beginning, and now it feels imminent.”
Her science teacher. And the man who worked for Omega Corporation and Damon Vessler years ago.
She pressed closer into him. “Will you really go away?” She didn’t think she could bear it. And yet, she knew she couldn’t bear watching him hurt while she spent time with Mace.
“Who knows? Vessler’s reach is far. Maybe we’ll all be expected to help Richmond.”
Nikki pushed back to look at him. “You think Dr. Richmond is in danger?”
“If not now, soon. But Halflings never work alone, so if the Throne is expecting me to get more involved in Richmond’s life, the rest of the team is sure to follow.”
“The other Halflings and Will?”
He nodded. “And you.”
She hadn’t considered that.
“You’re a Halfling, Nikki. You’ve been drafted by the Throne, and have some pretty mind-blowing wings to prove it. You’ll be expected to fight.”
Her heart whooshed in her ears. For so long, everything had centered around her — keeping her safe, keeping her alive. Now, she was one more player on the field, and it was others whose lives were in danger. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to whoop or scream.
“That’s if pretty boy will let you fight.”
Nikki frowned. “He’s not in charge of me.”
“Ah, that’s the warrior I love to see.”
She rolled her eyes. He’d baited her. Easily. “You said Mace would challenge me.”
“He will, Nikki. He’ll make sure you stay at the top of your game. Don’t forget, you’re not out of danger yet. Vessler is still out there. He still wants you.”
She shrugged. “He gave his best shot and he didn’t break me. I’m not a dark creature like he planned.” A new feeling rose within her, a sense of supremacy, a strength she’d never known before. She wasn’t dark. “He can’t touch me.”
Raven flashed a scowl. “Don’t get cocky.”
She shook her head. “Not cocky, just sure. What can he do to me? He tried everything in his power to get me to turn. I beat the seeker, Raven. That means I beat Vessler.”
Concern closed over his features.
Nikki pushed off him, irritated that he’d be so quick to warn her after she’d just experienced such a victory.
Raven didn’t speak. He reached out and stopped her from moving away. Then he gripped her arms and looked at her as if he stared into her soul. For a long time, they stayed like that, and Nikki felt her irritation melting. Once the last shreds had peeled away, Raven pulled her into his arms.
And there he held her for a long, long time.
Chapter 13
Are you okay?” Mace asked as she folded the sleeping bag and tucked it into the backpack. She’d been cleaning ever since Raven broke their embrace.
Her hair bobbed in front of her as she nodded, but she didn’t trust her voice to speak. Mace crossed the cave to where she stood and gently took the backpack. He dropped it on the ground and cupped her face.
“Your eyes are red from crying.” He kissed her cheek on one side, then the other, and she melted into him. She didn’t want to. She wanted to feel nothing. It seemed an even worse betrayal to Raven to relish Mace’s touch. Raven. Her heart cracked yet again. How could one girl cause so much damage?
Mace glanced down the rock corridor leading deeper into the cavern. “Where is he?”
“Gone.” She hated her voice. “He said he’d let Will and the others know the seeker is dead.”
Mace’s face troubled. “Is he —”
“Okay? I don’t know.” Nikki pressed her lips together, wanting, needing to tell Mace what happened. “He spent last night listening to me talk about you. How much I love you, how much I need you. And whenever he’d try to bring the conversation back to himself, I got angry.” She watched as the horror registered on Mace’s face. Raven must not have given him all the details.
He pulled her into his arms and rested his chin on her head. “Oh, Nikki. I’m so sorry. You didn’t mean to hurt him.”
She wrenched herself from him and attacked the backpack again. “I didn’t mean to hurt him, but I did.” She grabbed the empty can of fruit cocktail and took it to the mouth of the cave. Outside, the forest was a blur. She held the can beneath the rushing water then shook off the excess before dropping it into the pack. “Does it matter that I didn’t mean to? Oh, sorry, did I just split that atom? Didn’t mean to. Oops, did I just press the button and start World War Three? I didn’t mean to.”
He came at her. “Nikki, stop.” His hands closed on her upper arms; his touch was warm, almost hot against her skin.
She stared past him to the crack in the cave wall where a line of ants marched. “You know the worst part of this?” Nice, straight rows of ants carrying tiny bits of dirt and food. “He said it gave him freedom, letting me go. And instead of being happy about that, I was hurt by it. How horrible am I?”
Mace’s fingers twitched then loosened on her arms. “You’re not horrible. You’re human. Well, you’re not completely human, but you have human emotions. They don’t come with an on and off switch.”
“If they did, this would have been a whole lot easier.”
“You care for Raven, even love him on some levels.” He raised the side of his mouth. “I’ve come to terms with that. So it’s natural that you’d feel like you’re losing him. And it’s natural that your emotions would react to that.”
She huffed.
“You know, for the very first time, I was beginning to wonder if Raven was the one for you. Then I came here.”
“What a mess the three of us are. You wanting to give me up for Raven, me wanting to let you both go because all I seem to do is hurt you, and Raven giving me up for you.”
“I guess we were all trying to do the right thing.”
Mace caught her chin between his thumb and finger and forced her to look at him.
She tried to break his grip. “How horrible am I for talking to you about this?”
“Nikki, deep in my heart, I’ve always known you and I would end up together. Even though earlier, I was doubting it. Fact is, you’re my match. And I’ve always known that you were scared for Raven, thought he wouldn’t be okay if you didn’t choose him.”
“Am I so easy to read?”
“For me, yes.”
She gave him the tiniest smile, her cheeks stretching and cracking after so much salt from the tears she’d cried. “I knew you could be okay without me. But I didn’t know if Raven could.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I couldn’t live without you, Nikki. You’re air to me.”
In that moment she knew it was all right for her to grieve for Raven, for the loss. That’s what was so remarkable about Mace. His strength, his ability to cut through all the emotions to find the truth. She’d need a little time to heal, and Mace would give her that. No, he’d insist on it. Then he’d challenge her. He’d make her be a better person than she was. He’d force her to fly. “So, what do we do now?”
He put the backpack on his shoulder. “We can go back to the house on Pine Boulevard. Will had the entire group come to Missouri after the seeker appeared. We have to keep a closer watch on Vessler.”
“Everyone’s staying on Pine?”
“Actually, Will’s going to let the girls sleep at their apartment downtown. Zero’s back at the underground.”
Ah, the underground, the mysterious place in Arkansas where Nikki first met the icy-eyed, sharp-tongued Halfling. “I bet he’s glad to be home.”
“You have no idea. And he’s keeping busy watching Omega Corporation.”
Which meant he was watching Vessler. For the briefest of moments it felt like there was something Mace wasn’t telling her; the way his words clipped at the ends. She tried to brush it off but couldn’t. “You going to tell me what’s going on in that stubborn head of yours or do I have to
guess?”
“What?” He seemed surprised.
“Whatever it is, you’re avoiding saying.”
His jaw twitched. “We confirmed Vessler is the one who sent the seeker.”
She’d assumed it, of course, but to hear it said as fact made her a little dizzy. Vessler had tried to make her believe he’d cared about her — and on some insane level, she still believed he had — even though his version of love was twisted. But twisted enough to send such a vile creature to hunt her? She thought about it only a moment. Yes, that’s exactly what Vessler would do. “Why does he want me so badly?”
“Nikki, Will thinks we should be close to Omega, but I disagree. I think the safest place for you is at Viennesse. We could go there —”
“And what, Mace? Hide until Vessler comes up with some other scheme? Some other monster from the pit? I’m tired of hiding. Will’s right — we need to be close to Vessler and his operation. He can’t get to me anymore. I defeated the seeker.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re out of danger.”
Ugh. Why did he and Raven keep reminding her of that? Couldn’t they just be happy for two minutes that she’d won? “Mace, people have died because of me. To protect me.”
“You mean the Frenchmen.”
“Not just them. And others died by association. I won’t go into hiding. I owe it to them. To avenge them.”
A smile tilted one side of his face. “Nikki, the avenger.”
She sank a punch in his arm. “Don’t make fun of me.”
“I’m not.” His smile faded. “I honestly believe you’ll bring Vessler down. You’ll avenge the deaths that he’s caused. Even your parents.”
Her eyes left him and stared at the crystal clear water at the mouth of the cave. She couldn’t erase the scene that played over and over in her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“When I was hunting Vessler, I saw a man. He looked like my dad, but he was way too thin and just too old, I guess, to be Dad. Like the guy was a brother. He was meeting a man named Townsend and getting something — I think it was money — from him. Townsend left it in a trash can, and the guy looked really, really scared to be there.”
“No wonder. Keagan Townsend is a marksman, Nikki, an assassin. He’s Vessler’s right hand guy. Zero said he probably pulled the trigger on the scientist we dragged from the fire.”
“I just wish I knew who that other man was.”
Mace took her by the arms. “You can’t bring your parents back, Nikki.”
His sapphire-tinged eyes bore into her. “I know,” she mumbled.
“I realize you haven’t had much closure where your mom and dad are concerned, but promise me you won’t go snooping around Vessler or any of his men trying to find out things that won’t change their fate.”
Bleah. Does this whole “challenging me to be stronger” really have to start now? “But maybe I have an uncle.”
His hands dropped suddenly. “An uncle who is meeting with one of Vessler’s assassins. Not the greatest family member, in my opinion.”
“But what if he was trying to find out what happened to me? There could be answers about my family.”
“Nikki! Stop it. You have a family. We’re your family now. Why do you keep reaching into the past?”
“Don’t you ever wonder about your parents?”
“Every day. But it doesn’t change anything. There’s nothing but death back there for you. You said it yourself — you owe something to the people who died at the hands of the seeker.”
And that was another thing she’d have to live with. “Why is one person’s life more valuable than another?”
“We were sent to protect you. You’re valuable to the Throne.”
“Why?”
“Only time can reveal that. The important thing is you’re alive.”
She wasn’t convinced.
“Nikki, I don’t know what plan the Throne has for you. All I know is that he will go to no limit to keep you safe.”
“But why me?”
“Do you think Zero is important?”
“Of course. Zero runs the network. He keeps Halflings connected all over the world. Zero is the hub and no one else can do what he does.”
“Exactly. Zero’s work is vital to Halflings everywhere. If he were to die, the whole network would shut down. Like you said, no one can do what he does.”
“But I’m not Zero. I’m not anybody. I’ve barely learned to fly.”
“But you still have worth beyond measure. When Zero was younger, do you think he knew how important he’d be?”
“I guess not.”
“So stop questioning. Your worth will be revealed one day.”
She gauged his words but still felt there were things he wasn’t telling her. Things about her family, the world she left. For the moment, she’d let it go. “I have wings.”
“Shall we go try them out? Take ‘em for a test drive?”
She nodded and let the excitement drain the apprehension from her muscles.
Chapter 14
Raven! It’s good to see you,” Dr. Richmond said, using his body to hold the door open.
“You too,” Raven returned, actually happy to be here. He wasn’t sure why he’d come, other than it felt right.
Richmond’s face dropped to a grimace as he inspected Raven’s features. “Have you been ill?”
“Uh, no. Just not getting much sleep.”
The doctor waved him in. The living room was filled with buzzing from a TV in the corner that no one watched. Some reality show with a girl dressed in clothes that had to be from the children’s department, who was crying — mascara smeared her cheek. Doc Richmond shook his head. “I don’t know why my wife likes these shows. I think they’re all staged. No reality in reality TV.”
“Well, reality is overrated.”
The older man found the remote control and hollered toward the back of the house. “I turned off your show, hon.”
A voice echoed from down the hall. “I’m doing laundry.”
As she said it, the strong scent of detergent drifted into Raven’s nose. Sometimes he wished things weren’t so intense. Smells, his sight, everything a brilliant kaleidoscope of colors, scents, tastes, and feelings. Right now, he’d be thankful for the whole world to gray down.
The phone rang. “Have a seat, Raven. I’ll grab that and make it quick, and we can chat.”
Raven sank onto the floral couch and also to a new low, seeking consolation and friendship from a balding scientist. If he wasn’t careful, they’d be joining a bowling league next and picking out matching polyester shirts. But when Raven heard the young female voice skating through the phone lines and out to him, his gaze shifted to Richmond, who stood at the edge of the hall. He cast a glance back to Raven and pointed to the phone. “My daughter.”
Raven nodded and motioned for him to come and have a seat in the living room. Not because he wanted to hear her voice. Nah, couldn’t be that. Yet she sounded so very alive and enthralling, and Raven tuned into her words as the doctor approached. Okay, so sometimes great hearing was a blessing.
Richmond dropped into his easy chair. “Yes, sweetheart, we’re still going. No, not this weekend, next. Are you taking your medicine? Good girl.”
That’s right, Richmond’s daughter was diabetic. He’d mentioned once he was worried she’d forget her daily insulin shots while she was off at college.
Raven heard laughter, and it sailed into his chest cavity, causing his heart rate to pick up. When he realized the reason why, he sank a little more. The girl sounded like Nikki. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the sound.
Something drew his attention to the hallway. Almost commanded him to look. He obeyed, and there on the wall, mixed in with a ton of other photos, was a small snapshot of Jessica Richmond standing out like a firefly among moths. He moved toward it, coupling the voice with the face and body that wasn’t Nikki’s. He needed this, to separate the two girls in his mind, or the res
t of his day would be plagued with that rolling laughter. That, he could do without.
Jessica was beautiful. More so than Nikki in every traditional sense. She stood on a beach in a bikini and dared the camera to look away. Her smile was bright and perfect, natural, and it too reminded Raven of the girl he’d just given up.
He growled and spun away from the picture just as Richmond ended the conversation with his irritatingly happy daughter.
Raven dropped back onto the couch.
“She’s a card, my girl.” Richmond sat the phone on the coffee table, by a large square book titled Castles of Europe. “All excited about her grade in Physics.”
Raven nodded.
“No matter how busy she is, she takes time to check on us. We’re going out of town for our anniversary and she thought it was this weekend.” He brushed his hand through the air. “But enough about that. What’s wrong, Raven? You don’t seem yourself and you look like you haven’t slept in a week.”
“I’ve got a lot going on.” Am I really about to confide in Richmond? Seemed so. “You ever think you know something only to find out you were way off?”
Richmond raised his hands. “I’m a scientist. That’s a daily occurrence for me.”
“Well, I’m not a scientist and I don’t like being wrong. Besides, it’s a little different when it involves people.”
“Did someone betray you?” Richmond leaned forward to rest his elbows on his thighs. He studied Raven intently.
“Yeah.” Raven laughed. “Me.”
Richmond waited, lips pursed.
“Sorry, Doc. It’s just that I thought this girl and I …” No, he couldn’t go through with it. Even total heartbreak wouldn’t make him a share-your-feelings kind of dude. He stood and headed toward the door.
Richmond grabbed his arm and tugged him toward the pictures on the wall. “Did I ever tell you about the time I tried hair replacement?”
Raven shook his head to clear it.
“It failed miserably. You should have seen me. It looked like I’d sprouted miniature bean stalks on my head.” The doctor dug behind the pictures that had been stuck in the frame edges of other pictures. Some were two and three deep. His sleeve caught the corner of the beach picture as he reached past it. Raven watched as Jessica Richmond tilted and dropped to the floor. From the tan carpet, she smiled up at him. He reached to pick her up. She and Nikki definitely shared a smile. Broad, soft lips, and white, even teeth. Raven brushed his thumb over the photo, half expecting it to be three dimensional, the colors and expression were so vibrant. He tucked it back in its spot inside a framed Christmas photo of Dr. Richmond dressed as Santa.
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