by Nina Croft
“But the build-up is so much fun,” she murmured.
Fergus’s eyes narrowed. “Why do I get the impression there’s a whole conversation going on that I know nothing about?”
“See,” Sadie said, “he’s not so stupid after all.”
Ethan decided to take pity on his friend. “It seems that Travis has been working on a project for the last few years or so that the rest of us knew nothing about. He’s been working with a group of telepaths. On the surface, they were involved in a government-run program, but really controlled by the Conclave. Nine months ago, the group decided to sever ties with the government and, unknowingly, with the Conclave. In the resulting fallout, a few people may have died. Sadie is a member of that group.”
“This is for real?” Fergus sounded…bemused.
“Oh, it’s real,” Sadie said. She strolled across and patted Fergus on the arm. He flinched under the touch. “But don’t worry, I won’t tell your boss that his big, bad, macho assistant has been secretly in love with him for the last twelve years.”
Fergus stepped back, shock stamped clear on his face. Ethan was sure his own looked the same. Had she just said Fergus was in love with him?
Sadie laughed out loud. “I’m kidding, guys. Geez, you’re so easy to wind up.”
He shook his head. “Really?”
She grinned. “Hey, you have to admit it was funny. Just the expressions on your faces.”
“Bitch,” Fergus muttered. He stood staring at the floor for a minute. “So what am I thinking?”
“Three thousand five hundred and sixty…four. Though why I’m playing along with this, I don’t know. It’s nothing to do with me if you don’t believe. I’m sure there’s nothing in your head worth seeing.” She turned her attention to him. “He thinks you should kill me. I’m too dangerous to keep around. Too many secrets.” She went back to her perch on the desk, swinging the empty glass from her fingers. “You know, those government controllers promised us a world with no more secrets. No more lies. Then they gave us the same old shit.”
She sounded bitter and sad. He wanted her laughter back, and as the thought crossed his mind, a small smile curved her lips. “You know you’re not the badass you like to make out to be.”
He decided to give Fergus time to come to terms with things. He was clearly still in the shock stage.
“Why did you run in the end?” he asked her. “What changed?”
“One of us died. He wasn’t the first, but we’d always believed them before—they told us the deaths were from natural causes. But they’d been lying to us almost from the start.”
Maybe not from the start. More likely, when the Conclave got involved. She looked at him sharply and gave a quick nod in agreement.
“Did someone close to you die?”
“My twin sister. Four years ago. They said it was some sort of blood disease, but they killed her, experimenting on her until she died. I never even saw the body.”
“Is that why you came looking? Is that what you want out of all this? Revenge?”
She pursed her lips, maybe considering what to tell him. “Actually, I do want revenge. But the main reason my group is hunting the Conclave is because, believe it or not, we’re more interested in secrecy than even you are.”
“Why is that? “Ethan asked.
“Ah, well, now that would be telling secrets.”
God, she was annoying. “The hunted becomes the hunter,” Ethan said. “I quite like the concept. It has a certain irony.”
“So you’re not a prostitute?” Fergus interrupted them. He still sounded a little bemused.
“Why? Were you hoping to do business with me?”
“I don’t pay.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whyever would you have to? You’re such a charmer. But no, I’m not a prostitute.”
“And you read minds.”
“Among other things.”
“What else?” Ethan asked.
“I can talk to animals. Well, not really talk, but they understand me and usually do what I ask.”
“How well do you read minds? How much can you see?” Fergus sounded rattled.
“Now that would be telling. But I’m not the best. Let’s just say, I can see that you don’t want to believe me, but you do. You think Ethan has made a deal with the devil—that’s a bit strong by the way, I’m not that bad—which will likely get us all killed.” She studied him for a minute, her eyes narrowed, her head cocked on one side. Poor Fergus almost squirmed beneath her direct stare. “You think he wants this too much, and that he should maybe leave the past in the past, where it belongs. And move on.”
How much was she getting? He wasn’t ready to reveal his purpose yet.
She shook her head. “But the problem is, Ethan’s not ready to move on. Mainly because he has nowhere he wants to go. Poor Ethan. Brought up to believe he’s got the right to rule the world and part of him thinks, yes, he can do a better job than most, so why not?” She gave him a small smile. “But he also suspects that ultimate power corrupts, and a system based on hereditary passing on of power can only ever lead to disaster. And that soon, he might very well be faced with a difficult choice.” She shrugged. “Fingers crossed he makes the right decision.”
Ethan glanced around as if he might find someone listening, hearing his inner most secrets laid bare. This was treason.
“Has the room been swept for bugs recently?” he asked Fergus.
“Yesterday.”
“Thank Christ.”
“This is a potential nightmare. You know that right?”
“Yes.”
“Oh well, that’s good. So what’s the plan? Is there a plan?”
“We’ve made a deal. I find out whether her friends are alive and where they are and she gets me the information I…need.”
“Can you find her friends?”
“We can start looking, but once Travis gets here, we’ll get access to the files and no doubt they’ll turn up.”
“He’ll give up the information?”
“He has no choice. He went against protocols when he eliminated Forrester himself.”
“And how does she go about getting the information you need?”
“I plan to take her to the conference next week.”
“What?”
“Ooh,” Sadie said. “Fergus doesn’t like that idea.”
“If your father—if any of the other members—discover you’re taking a telepath to the annual conference, you’re a dead man.”
“Well, best he doesn’t find out, then. It’s the quickest way. Hell, probably the only way.”
“So this conference,” she said. “It’s all the Conclave together?”
It occurred to him that if someone wanted to destroy the Conclave, that was a vitally important piece of information. But chances were, she’d already plucked it from his mind. And besides, attempting to get her close to all the members individually would be an impossible task. What the hell. “It’s the only time the hereditary members get together. They’ve thought to close it down numerous times—some think it’s too dangerous, but it was a part of the original protocols, so we don’t forget who and what we are.”
“God forbid you would ever do that. A party, then. I like parties.”
“You’ll go as my assistant.”
“Is that usual?”
“Fergus usually comes—most of us have assistants who are not actual members. People we can trust. People who understand that it’s a job for life.”
Fergus snorted.
“And when I’m there? What do you expect me to do?”
“You’ll find me the information I’m looking for.”
“Well, let’s hope it’s not your friend Travis.”
“Why?” Though it was unlikely Travis was involved, he was four years older than Ethan and had been away at university when his mother died.
“He’ll be shielded,” Sadie said. “If he thinks there’s any chance that we’re getting close to him.”
“Shielded?”
“There’s this…thing they developed—a reflector device. A sort of tiara—quite pretty actually—that stops us being able to get into your minds.”
“There is?” Fergus said. “Where the hell do I buy one?”
She turned to look at him. “Aw, you don’t want to share your innermost thoughts with me. I’m hurt.”
“I don’t want to share my innermost thoughts with anyone.”
“You know, with that attitude, you’re going to end up old and alone.”
“Hopefully.”
“Your friend’s a misogynist,” Sadie said to Ethan.
“No. I’m a realist.” The phone on the desk rang, and Fergus crossed the room and picked it up. He listened for a moment, then put it down. “Your father’s on his way up.”
Ethan blew out his breath. Why would his father come here now? He’d never come before. Had something happened with Travis?
No doubt he’d find out soon enough. As in, within minutes.
He glanced at Sadie and she raised her brow. He didn’t want her meeting his father right now. If his father got any inkling of what he was up to, Sadie would never make it anywhere near that conference.
“You want me to make myself scarce?” she asked. “Go for a walk and come back when he’s gone?”
His lips twitched. He wasn’t a mind reader, but he was betting she didn’t believe for one second that she was going anywhere alone.
“Aw. You don’t trust me. You know, I really could do with some fresh air. I was cooped up in that horrid little cell…”
He turned to Fergus. “Take her for a walk.”
“What am I, a goddamn babysitter?”
“Yes. And think nice thoughts.”
He glanced out of the window. Night had fallen, and his stomach rumbled, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. It was now after six.
“Take her down to security, get her fixed up with access and codes. She can start going through the systems tomorrow, see if there’s any sign of her friends.”
“Is that likely?” Fergus asked.
“Maybe not, but we have perhaps a week before the conference, she might as well do something. It’s not as though we have any secrets from her. And there might be some hint.”
“I was thinking,” Sadie said. “If they are alive, then someone is keeping them in special holding cells. The colonel—our old controller—built one for Kaitlin using the same technology as the reflector device. They’d have to be built and quickly. Maybe that’s a way to find them.”
“Good. Try to think of anything else that might indicate their whereabouts.”
“I will.”
“Then Fergus can take you for that walk—”
“I’m not a dog.”
He ignored the interruption. “And I’ll meet you for dinner.”
“Like a date?”
“Just like a date.” Not. Though he had a sudden urge for some semblance of normality. Which was crazy, because he didn’t go on dates. But maybe this could be a time-out. He and Sadie could act like normal human beings instead of total fuck-ups who’d never had a normal day or a normal date in their lives.
She touched his arm, and for a second he saw…sympathy flicker in her eyes. Then it was gone. “Who wants to be normal anyway? But I am starving.”
“What do you like?
“Italian.”
He turned to Fergus. “Meet me at Dino’s at eight. And don’t let her out of your sight.”
Fergus frowned. “Couldn’t we knock her out and hide her in the bathroom?”
“He likes me, really,” Sadie said with a grin.
Ethan shook his head. “Go.”
He walked with them to the reception area, just as the elevator arrived. The doors slid open and his father walked out, wearing a dark suit and carrying a briefcase. He glanced at Fergus and Sadie, his gaze lingering on Sadie. But they didn’t speak, and Fergus ushered her into the elevator. Ethan caught a last glimpse of her frowning face as the doors closed.
He released his breath. He really hadn’t wanted the two of them in the same room. Had she already, even in that short time, managed to get a glimpse inside his father’s head? If so, what had she seen in there?
His father was staring at the closed elevator doors. “Who was that?”
“My new assistant. Or rather my assistant’s assistant. Fergus needed some help.”
“Hmm. She reminds me of someone.”
The comment echoed the thoughts he’d had when he’d met her that first night. He hadn’t thought about it again, but his father was right. Not in hair color, or eyes, but then, neither were natural. It was something that went deeper, in her bone structure. But he still couldn’t work out where he might have seen her. So he ignored the comment and led the way into the office.
“Drinking?” his father asked, waving at the empty glasses on the coffee table.
“Welcoming my new assistant.”
His eyes narrowed. “You like her. Is that a good idea?”
He shook his head. “No, actually she’s not my type. But I think Fergus does. She’s his choice.”
“He’s a good man, loyal.”
“Exactly. If she keeps him happy…” He shrugged. “Why are you here? I presume it’s not to discuss my staff.”
His father took a seat on the sofa and rested the briefcase on the table. As he sat, Ethan caught a glimpse of something at his ear. An earpiece? Or was his father finally succumbing to old age and wearing a hearing aid.
“I had contact with Travis. He’ll be a few more days yet. Something he needs to clear first. I told him you may have one of his… assets in custody, and he told me to tell you to keep the fuck away. I take it you still have this woman.”
Ethan sank down into the seat opposite. “She’s still in custody.”
“Is she talking?”
“As far as I know, she’s not said anything of use yet.”
“And have you kept the fuck away?”
“I have no reason to go anywhere near her.”
His father pursed his lips. “Travis said knowing you, there wasn’t a chance in hell. He also said the women are quite appealing, not that I expect that to sway you in any way.”
“Not my type.”
“Hmm, there seems to be a lot of those around. Maybe it’s time you found someone who is your type and settled down.”
That was never going to happen. He was quite aware there would be the regular matchmaking activities at the annual conference. But he wasn’t playing. The idea of hooking up with someone who’d been brought up within the confines of the Conclave made his skin crawl. “Leave it. What else?” His father could have told him this over the phone. The line was secure.
“He gave me a present for you. Well, told me where to find it.” He leaned across and flicked open the case. A silver band was nestled in a bed of foam.
“What is it?” he asked, but he could already guess. A reflector device, Sadie had called it.
He glanced again at his father and caught a glint of silver. He was already wearing a similar device. So that answered his question as to whether Sadie had been in his father’s head. And her disgruntled glance as she’d left.
His father plucked it out and handed it to him. “Travis said to wear it whenever you’re in the same room with this woman. It should stop her getting inside your head.”
He took it and examined the thing. It was nothing more than a thin silver band with a hook over one ear. It would be almost invisible when it was on, hidden in his hair. Probably most people would take it as some sort of phone earplug. He doubted it would get a second glance…though Sadie would know what it was right away. “I see you’ve got one, as well. Are you planning to visit my prisoner?”
His father lifted a hand and touched his ear. “No. Call it paranoia, but I have no plans to be in the same room with anyone who might get inside my head. And as for your prisoner, my advice would be for both of us to stay clear.
”
“I’ll very likely take it.”
“Since when?” His father shook his head. “You always went your own way, even as a child. It used to drive your mother crazy.”
The reference to his mother startled him. It was rare that they talked of her. He’d always believed his father had been too upset by her death to speak of her. She’d been pregnant when she died. Up until then, he’d been an only child. But he’d been aware she wanted more and that she’d been undergoing some sort of treatment shortly before her death that had finally allowed her to become pregnant again. It made her death all the more heartbreaking.
His father had never remarried.
Had it been grief or was there some guilt involved?
While Ethan never doubted that they’d loved each other, his father’s loyalty to the Conclave was absolute. But would he choose the Conclave over his family?
Ethan didn’t know.
Chapter Eleven
Bugger.
The thought flashed through her mind for about the tenth time since she’d seen the old man. Ethan’s father had been wearing a reflector device.
Which no doubt meant that by the time he got here, Ethan would be wearing one, as well. Did that mean that this Travis guy was back? Or had he just been in contact?
It took away her advantage.
Fergus had reluctantly done the security stuff with her. Tomorrow, she’d have access to the systems. She was itching to begin. In fact, she’d told Fergus that she would forgo her walk and spend an hour getting started instead. He’d just grunted, taken her elbow, and led her out of the room and finally out of the building.
She took a big lungful of not-so-fresh air—they were in the middle of the city after all. But it felt good to be outside. She did a quick mental search for Jake but found nothing. How long was it since she’d seen the colonel? A couple of hours. It would depend on where Jake had been at the time. She had faith he would get here soon.
She gave her escort a quick sideways glance; he had hold of her lower arm and was propelling her along the street at a rapid rate.
Could she take him? Maybe. Though he was big. And while he was dressed in a suit and shirt, those muscles she could almost see bunching beneath the expensive material were not the result of sitting at a desk all day.
