by Sophie Davis
“What’s wrong, darling?”
“What happened to me?” Cressa demanded.
“You’ve become Privileged, of course.”
Pulling at her skin, Cressa sobbed. “I don’t want to be the Dame’s clone. I don’t want to be anyone’s clone.”
Her mother’s voice was tight when she replied. “That’s terribly selfish of you, Cressa. What would your father say?”
“He would never have let them do this!”
With a scoff, Mrs. Karmine turned on her low heel and stomped from the bathroom. When she reappeared a moment later, her husband trailed behind.
“Tell your daughter that she’s being selfish,” her mother insisted.
Cressa whirled to face her father. Clinging to his arms, she refused to look at her reflection.
“Make it stop,” she pleaded. “I want to be me again.”
Instead of the comforting words and reassurances she expected, Cressa’s father held her out to arm’s length and scrutinized her face.
“Stop being so selfish, Cressa,” he intoned. “Not that she needed my permission, but I told her she could do whatever she wanted. Have a little gratitude for this honor.”
Every ounce of her being screamed in protest. She grasped for a way to make it stop, to make it all go away. Just as she thought her heart would give out, Cressa’s world turned black.
Chapter Ten
Talia
Hunting was already in my blood to a degree. I’d spent nearly half my life training to track and capture prey, though it was always of the human variety. Animals were new for me, and I didn’t much care for the sport.
You have no choice, I reminded myself as I sniffed the air with my lioness nose. Erik, sill in panther form, slinked beside me. His keen, feline eyes surveyed the area for wildlife. Alpha too had taken the form of a lion, while Epsilon had morphed into a hawk and was circling overhead.
I did believe the Clearwood children meant us no harm, but I also had misgivings about opening my mind to them. Unfortunately, we were sort of in a bind; we needed to feed a lot of people and hunting the wildlife in the woods around the school was our best option. Hesitantly, I opened a channel between the four of us and tried to block the rest of my mind from Alpha and Epsilon.
“Three deer to your nine,” Epsilon sent.
“I see them,” Erik replied, slinking forward through a thick crop of trees.
Alpha and I followed, with me flanking Erik’s right and her on his left. I’d never killed an animal, and seeing the large, majestic creatures gave me pause.
Feast or famine, I told myself.
Erik darted toward a large buck with impressive horns. His paws barely made noise as he flew over fallen tree branches and rocks.
There was no contest. Erik’s jaws were around the deer’s neck before the creature saw him coming. The other two deer darted for the woods. Alpha gave chase to a small buck, outrunning him with ease. I hesitated, but thoughts of Alex invaded my mind. I let my animal instincts take over.
The third deer was the largest. While fast, it was not fast enough. I was on the creature before I knew it. The kill was bloody and sort of gross, but also extremely satisfying.
“Tals, you okay?” Erik called.
“Yeah, I got him. Now what?”
A part of me, the part that was the lion, wanted to hunker down and gnaw at the raw meat. My mouth salivated, wanting just a taste. The human part of me wasn’t so keen on the idea, and the two halves battled with one another. Just when I thought the lion would win, I felt Erik nuzzle my side. His touch, even in panther form, was enough. Though I felt the lion instincts recede, I didn’t morph back to human.
“Take them to the house. I’ve got this,” Erik sent.
“I’m fine,” I retorted.
The panther rubbed his head against mine. “You’re not. And that’s okay. I can handle the deer.”
“How are you so calm?” I asked.
It was weird. Erik was eerily calm, his temper more in check than I’d felt since he’d received the creation drug. It was possibly the calmest I’d seen him ever. And that worried me.
“I’m just doing what’s necessary,” Erik replied vaguely.
The hawk dove toward us with a loud caw. As it dipped below the tree line, the bird’s massive wings wrapped around its body like cocoon, and Epsilon spun through the air in a blur of feathers. With each rotation, black ribbons unraveled around him until a thin human boy materialized above me. The transformation was beautiful, almost magical, and I wondered whether I would ever achieve his level of grace.
Epsilon tumbled to the ground, landing perfectly on his feet as Erik had done early. Completely naked and unashamed, the Clearwood boy stood with his hands on his hips.
“I’ll help Erik if you want to return to the McDonough’s house,” he said, surveying the dead animal with mild interest.
Then, Alpha joined us, still in lion form. Her muzzle was covered in blood and specks of crimson dotted the space between her eyes.
“I can help, too,” she sent. “Survival training was part of our curriculum.”
Though I had so many questions for the kids, I didn’t ask any just then. The interrogation of the Clearwood children could wait.
Erik nudged me gently with his nose. “Go. Make sure Alex is okay.”
The mention of Donavon’s son was all I needed, which Erik knew.
“Be careful,” I told him, and then set off toward the house.
My own muzzle and chest were coated with fresh blood. I couldn’t let Alex see me like that, so I took a short detour to the nearby pond. I dove into the water as a lion. Once I was submerged, I morphed. The water felt good on my hot skin. I scrubbed my face and neck and watched the water around me turn crimson. The sight made me queasy.
Who else will die before this ends? I wondered yet again.
The faces of those I cared about, both living and dead, flashed in my mind: Erik, Alex, Penny, Victoria, Henri, Kenly, Frederick, Emma, Donavon, Crane, Kip, James, my mother and father, Mr. Kelley, Erik’s brothers…Mac. I hated myself for feeling anything but disgust for him, but I couldn’t help it. Mac had been such a large part of my life, such an influential force. I didn’t miss him. It was more that things with Mac felt…unresolved.
Will stopping Gretchen give me closure? I wondered.
I emerged from the pond, naked and clean, and started toward the house and Alex. Sharp branches lashed my bare feet as I sprinted through the woods, a few scrapes and bruises were nothing after the way Eighteen threw me around. Several times the small rocks lining the dirt path made me stumble, and I twisted my ankle but managed to stay upright. When I reached the clearing, running on pure adrenaline, I picked up the pace even more.
My lungs burned, and my legs were lead. I’d used too much energy holding the four-way connection, which would’ve been hard enough in human form. As the lion, the power I’d wielded had drained me.
I reached the door, my legs feeling weak. Before I could open it, someone on the inside did the honors. Erik’s father, who looked so much like an older version of his son, opened his arms, and I fell into them.
“Talia, sweetheart, are you okay?” he asked. Stroking my wet hair, he politely ignored the fact that I had no clothes on.
“I’m fine,” I breathed, letting him hug me tighter. It had been a long time since I’d felt the arms of a parental figure. In Mr. Kelley’s embrace, I felt safe. Loved, even.
“Erik…is he—”
“He’s fine,” I said quickly, admonishing myself for not saying something immediately.
Reluctantly, I pulled free of the arms that held me. “He’s gathering food for everyone. How are you? What about Alex? I want to see him.”
Mr. Kelley held up a hand.
“Slow down, slow down,” he chuckled softly. “Alex just fell asleep. I think it might be best to let him rest right now.”
I glanced down. “Yeah, of course.” A quick read of Alex’s emotions made my lips curve into a smile.
He was at peace. For now, at least.
“Why don’t we talk first, and then you can peek in on him?” Mr. Kelley asked gently.
“Okay, yeah.” Tears welled in my eyes. I willed them away. I didn’t even know why I felt like crying, but now was not the time.
Mr. Kelley put an arm around my shoulders and guided me toward the house. I cleared my throat, needing to fill the silence.
“How are Edmond and Evan? Did they make it off the island?” I asked.
Mr. Kelley’s smile was sad. “The boys weren’t on Eden when it was attacked. Edmond is with Ian, in D.C., and Evan is with Brand in California. Let’s get you some clothes and then I’ll tell you all about it.”
He started to turn away.
“Wait!” I exclaimed, grabbing ahold of Mr. Kelley’s shirt. He turned with wide eyes. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to yell. It’s just, I need to talk to Crane but can’t seem to reach him. Erik thought you might have Michael Tanaka’s contact info. Or maybe even Amberly’s?”
Mr. Kelley wasn’t stupid, he knew something was up.
“What’s going on?” he asked, checking over his shoulder as though worried little ears might be listening.
No point in lying, I thought.
“Gretchen McDonough is behind the Privileged and the attack on the Isle,” I told Erik’s father. “She plans to attack all the UNITED bases.”
His emotions didn’t change. Mr. Kelley wasn’t surprised.
“I’ll get my communicator and some clothes for you. Why don’t you wait in the kitchen?”
Without waiting for a reply, he hurried toward my bedroom. I scanned Kenly and Emma’s emotions while I waited for Mr. Kelley, systematically checking on everyone in the house. Kenly was slightly agitated, but her heartrate and blood pressure were within normal levels. Emma was sleeping like the dead.
Alex was still calm, and I took a minute to bask in that peace. For those sixty seconds, the tension fled my body. My mind quieted. Then Erik’s father returned, as did reality. Mr. Kelley handed me an old pair of McDonough School sweatpants, a plain, gray t-shirt, and a hoodie. I dressed as quickly as possible and then held out my hand for Mr. Kelley’s communicator.
Michael Tanka’s contact information was already up on the screen.
“Talia?” Mr. Kelley asked as I was about to hit connect.
“Yeah?” I replied, sparing him a glance.
“You mentioned Amberly earlier….” He sighed loudly, and I knew.
Unlike Victoria, Amberly and I truly despised one another. From the first time she’d laid eyes on me, the councilwoman had been determined to put me in a cage. To be fair, I’d sort of wished she’d fall down a deep well. Still, the news of her death hit me in the gut like a sucker punch.
How many more will die before this ends?
“How?” I asked around the lump in my throat.
Mr. Kelley shook his head. “The how is not important. I just thought you might like to know.”
“How?” I repeated with more force, though no compulsion. Even I had limits when it came to my more insidious talents.
“Call Michael first,” Mr. Kelley replied.
I hit connect on the communicator. Eight rings later, Michael’s harried holographic image appeared. I sagged with relief. He nearly jumped when he saw me.
“Natalia, you are alive,” he breathed.
“I could say the same,” I said pointedly.
“You have heard about Victoria and Amberly, I presume.” Michael bowed his head and closes his eyes. “Their deaths are terrible losses for us all.”
An image of Victoria’s limp body flashed in my mind, and I cringed.
Now is not the time for sentiment, I lectured myself.
“Yes, terrible losses,” I agreed, surprised to find I meant it. Of course Victoria’s death was awful, but so was Amberly’s. She hated me because I was powerful, and she only liked power UNITED could control. My well-documented impulsive nature and penchant for recklessness probably didn’t help either. But I could see why someone devoted to protecting the Talented wouldn’t want someone like me on the loose. For all her flaws, Amberly had truly been devoted to helping the Talented. Just like Victoria, even if they’d rarely agreed on the best path forward.
Victoria.
My head shot up. Mr. Kelley had specifically mentioned Amberly earlier but made no mention of Victoria. Had Michael’s comments about her death been the first Mr. Kelley was hearing?
What an awful way to learn the woman you’re dating is dead, I thought. Fully prepared to break my own rule, I considered using my manipulation to soothe him.
Judging by his stoic expression, my talents weren’t needed.
He knew, I realized.
“Michael and I spoke on the way here,” Mr. Kelley explained, noticing my reaction to his nonreaction.
“Again, Earon, I am so sorry for your loss,” Michael interjected.
Mr. Kelley nodded but said nothing.
Michael refocused his attention on me, a small smile on his lips. “You are a wanted criminal, Natalia. You must know that contacting me is unwise.”
“Oh, I do.” I swallowed unshed tears for Victoria and grinned at Michael’s hologram. “But I have some information that will hopefully prevent you from tracing this comm.”
He chuckled. There was a knock on the door of what could’ve only been Michael’s home office. A man I hadn’t noticed lurking in the corner went to answer it.
I hesitated, unsure whether to speak freely with eavesdroppers. Michael must’ve noticed my reluctance.
“Sato is my most trusted companion,” he assured me. “And please know that I have no intention of tracing this comm. You are alive and free, and our kind is better for it.”
Michael folded his hands on the desk in front of him as Sato closed the door and resumed his post in the corner. “Now, you said you have information for me?”
I nearly teared up again at his kind words. It felt like adults only ever pointed out my faults or gave grudging compliments on rare occasions. Hastily, I blinked back the wetness and answered him bluntly.
“Gretchen McDonough has plans to attack all the UNITED bases.” I waited for his reaction. When none came right away, I plunged forward. “She plans to kill Crane as well. She’s also behind the attack on the Isle.”
Silence stretched for long enough that it became uncomfortable. Both Mr. Kelley and Michael were processing my warnings, but the councilman was doing something more. I couldn’t read his thoughts, so I watched his eyes. They darted from side to side erratically. Though my grasp on Higher Reasoning talents was lacking, if Kenly was any indication, Michael was cataloging the new information and cross-referencing it with the data already stored in his head. Once he was done, he’d spit out an answer.
A moment later, Michael proved me wrong by asking a question.
“How do you know this?”
I squirmed in my chair. For some reason, it hadn’t occurred to me that I’d have to divulge my source. A part of me had believed Michael would just act on the intel which. In hindsight, it was a ridiculous notion. With UNITED’s forces busy overseeing the mass relocation of our kind, there weren’t really agents to spare. For Michael to divert resources, he had to be positive.
“A Privileged girl,” I said after a very long pause.
Michael cocked an eyebrow. Even Mr. Kelley narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“We have several Privileged in custody,” Michael began, leaning forward so his dark holographic gaze wouldn’t be missed. “Our very best psychic interrogators have been unable to withdraw any useful information as of yet.”
His tone wasn’t necessarily accusatory, almost curious.
“Am I to assume you also have one of these so called Privileged in custody?” he asked me.
“That would be correct,” I replied slowly.
Michael shook his head and hid a smile. “You have been quite busy since your escape from Vault. My dear, am I also to assume you extracted this informatio
n from your prisoner?”
Extracted was a nice way of saying “took it by force.”
“Erik entered her mind. He saw Gretchen McDonough in Gracia’s memories,” I replied, growing annoyed with the twenty questions. “Gretchen is behind this. You need to take precautions.”
Michael was silent for a long moment. Finally, he nodded slowly. “I will inform President Crane.”
What? Why wasn’t he more concerned? Where were the tactical teams?
But I didn’t ask any of those questions. Instead, I asked, “Crane? What about the head of the UNITED council? We need troops.”
“President Crane is our new council head,” Michael replied.
“Then where the hell is he?” I demanded. After his careless dismissal of my information, I was agitated.
“London. With the Joint Nations committee,” Michael said. He pursed his lips. “President Crane will likely be unreachable until tomorrow morning at the earliest.”
My mounting ire receded. What could possibly be important enough to make Crane go dark during the most crucial time in our kind’s history? And if he wasn’t running the country, who was there to stop an open hunting season on Talents?
“I am acting head of the council while President Crane is away,” Michael continued. “Penelope is handling his duties in America.”
I snapped out of my thoughts. “Penny? She’s okay? She wasn’t on the Isle?”
Relief flooded through my muscles like the best massage ever, and I slumped against the back of the chair. There had been so many worries occupying my mind, but thoughts of Penny had always lurked in the background.
“Penelope is alive and well, yes,” he confirmed, showing the hint of a smile at my slightly dramatic reaction.
“And Frederick and Henri?” I pressed.
When Michael’s brow furrowed, I remembered not all my friends were on a first name basis with the council.
“Frederick Kraft and Henri Reich,” I elaborated. “They’re both UNITED agents. They were supposed to be taking reinforcements from England to the Isle.”
Sadness filled Michael’s dark gaze. “I have a list of the known casualties, if you would like me to look?” He held up a hand in warning. “Natalia, remember the list only contains names of those found and identified thus far. We only just secured the Isle two hours ago.”
