All the blood rushed from Allie’s face and Sasha winced at the hurt look in her eyes as she turned back to the corkboard wall. Sasha knew it wasn’t fair to take her frustrations out on her best friend.
“I’m sorry, Allie.” She sighed. “I didn’t mean that. I’m just not ready to give up hope yet. This vigil … it’s too soon.” She worked a piece of red yarn around a thumbtack in the wall and guided the thread to another thumbtack to link the two elements she was certain were connected, although she couldn’t prove it. Yet.
“I don’t think it’s supposed to be about giving up.” Allie flopped down on the corner of Sasha’s bed, clearing a pile of her carefully documented notes. “It’s not about that for me, anyway. I think this vigil-celebration thing is supposed to be about renewing our hope for whatever is ahead for him. It’s not about moving on without him.”
“You’re right.” Sasha nodded. In her heart, she knew Quinn’s family wasn’t giving up on him and never would. But they were keeping her in the dark and it seemed like they were no closer to liberating him now than they were when he was taken more than two months ago.
“What’s all this?” Allie swept her hand across the bed, taking in the chaos that was Sasha’s room. “It looks like you’ve been binge-watching old episodes of Prison Break on Netflix. If you’ve got plans to tattoo all this crap on yourself, please don’t.”
“You’re not funny, mortal girl.” Allie and her pop culture references usually went right over Sasha’s head. “This is all my personal research on Quinn’s situation. I can’t sit back and let the adults do all the work. I need to do something, and I’m good at researching.”
“Let me help,” Allie said eagerly.
“You have to keep all of this stuff to yourself and not share with your little brain twin.” Sasha gestured to Allie’s forehead where her brother Aidan had taken up residence in Allie’s telepathic mind.
“Let’s just say I suddenly have the proper motivation to keep some of my thoughts to myself,” Allie muttered.
Sasha’s eyes widened in surprise. The last she’d heard, the two couldn’t control the link they shared and were in each other’s thoughts constantly. “I bet that’s making him crazy.”
“Well, it doesn’t take much to send Aidan into a tizzy. Now tell me what you’re planning. I have a feeling it has a kamikaze theme.”
“I’m not planning anything.” Sasha shot her a withering look. “Just researching.” Unfortunately, Allie was right. Sasha did have a plan and it was incredibly risky—but she wasn’t going to be telling her friend anything about it. Sasha just needed to do something. The way she’d left things with Quinn haunted her. What did that kiss mean? They were headed for something just moments before he was ripped away from her. And it was her fault. She brought the Coalition’s attention on them that night.
“Don’t look at me like that, Sash. I know you. I know what Quinn means to you and I know sitting around waiting for something to happen is killing you. To be honest, it’s killing me. So tell me what you know.”
“What do you know about where he is?” Sasha asked.
“I know he’s in Atlanta, and it doesn’t seem like he’s with the Coalition like we originally thought. At least not the normal Coalition. Livia’s connected with them, but she was the one in charge the night we were taken, so I’m thinking he’s still with her.”
“He is. At least for the moment.” Sasha passed her a stack of photos she’d managed to wrangle from Graham. Quinn’s brother was busy with his own investigation and she’d been spending a lot of time chatting with him online while he was in the Azores with his family. They were helping each other fill in the gaps of missing information the adults didn’t think they could handle.
Allie flipped through the photos, trembling at the sight of Livia, the woman who’d held her captive just a few weeks ago. Sasha felt bad. Allie didn’t need another reminder of that awful night. She had been lucky to escape and Sasha knew Allie blamed herself because she was home now and Quinn wasn’t.
“Do you know anything about her?” Allie asked. “They won’t tell me anything.”
“From what little I could find online, she runs a non-profit that caters to Immortals, called ‘The Fold.’ Their headquarters are based in Sterling Tower in Atlanta.” Sasha turned her computer toward Allie. “That’s the same building where Quinn is being held. That much I know from Mom.”
“So if we know exactly where he is, why can’t we just go in and get him?” Allie asked. “You can’t tell me your family doesn’t have the resources to make that happen.”
Sasha shook her head. “The security in this place is like the Pentagon. You can’t get in unless you have an appointment or you work there. Not unless you’re a kid like Graham with more technologically advanced gifts. They run a program for kids who need the kind of training their parents can’t give them. It’s kind of like a boarding school for really talented kids.”
“So why don’t we dangle a carrot?” Allie leaned over Sasha’s desk, scrolling through the website for the Fold. “Get one of us in there and we can figure out how to reach him.”
“Dad refuses to even consider it. He’s probably right. I'm getting a sinister vibe about this place, like it’s a front for something else. Livia’s affiliation with the Coalition doesn’t give me the warm-fuzzies. Why would a woman advocating for young Immortals and their families secretly have one foot in the Coalition and make it a point of pride that they don’t have a single tie to the Senate?”
“What does your dad say?” Allie asked.
“I haven’t talked to him much since he left for Cleveland, but Dad won’t tell me anything. I think he’s worried I’ll do something stupid.” The family had spent weeks trying to find a way to get close enough to Quinn to act, but they refused to see the obvious. The best way into Sterling Tower was through the front door. If you were a young and gifted Immortal they would welcome you with open arms.
“And what exactly are you thinking? You wouldn’t be Sasha if you didn’t have a carefully articulated plan in place. With, like, pie charts and shit.” Allie gestured at the wall to make her point.
“Nothing concrete at the moment.” Sasha turned away, wincing at the lie. “I’m still researching, trying to find alternative ways into the building. And I’m convinced the Fold is connected with some rather … corrupt organizations.” She took a step back from her wall. “I’m missing something and I feel like it’s staring me in the face.” She glanced at Allie, hoping she wouldn’t stop her from walking right through the front door of Sterling Tower, asking for help with her training. And once she was in, she could find Quinn and they could escape together.
“You’re such a bad liar,” Allie said. “I can literally see you plotting as we speak. So where is Quinn in this place? Probably not in a student dormitory?”
“No. He’d never cooperate, so he wouldn’t be with the other kids who volunteer. He’d have to be in some kind of prison somewhere in the building.”
“Sasha Louise El Sadawii McBrien. Don’t you dare do what I know you’re going to do,” Allie said.
Sometimes it really sucks having a clairvoyant for a bestie.
“Don’t you four-name me, Alexis Ann Mareé Carmichael. I’m not doing anything. I swear.” Yet, Sasha added, silently begging Allie to look the other way.
“Please don’t make us have to worry about two of you in there,” Allie pleaded. “I don’t think any of us could take it.”
“I know.” She did. She knew it would hurt the family if she acted rashly, but they didn’t understand the pull she felt toward Quinn. It was like a fire, constantly burning in her veins. It was worse since his capture. Like he was calling her for help. She couldn’t ignore that. She wouldn’t.
“Hey, you two,” Aidan said as he barged into the room without knocking, like the obnoxious little brother he was.
“Coming to the vigil?” he asked. “It’s time.”
“You guys go ahead without me. I’ll
be there in a little while.” Sasha hated lying to them, but she couldn’t face this vigil for Quinn. Not when she knew she could do something to help. Tonight would be the perfect night to slip away without anyone noticing. They wouldn’t force her to join in the festivities, celebrating Quinn’s life. They would all assume she wasn’t ready and no one would bother her. By morning, when anyone thought to look for her, she’d be in Atlanta and well out of their reach.
~~~
“Hey kid,” Imogen called as she knocked on Sasha's bedroom door.
“I’m not coming to the vigil, Gen.” She dropped her duffel bag onto the floor and kicked it under her bed. It seemed she was wrong about the family leaving her alone, but she wasn't in the mood for Gen's sistering.
“I'm not here about the vigil. Mom and Gregg need to see you in their office. It’s important.”
“Dad’s here? When did he arrive?”
“A few hours ago.” Imogen looked worried.
“What’s wrong? Is it Quinn?”
“No, this isn’t about Quinn. It’s the Senate. They’re here and it’s not good, sweetie. Clean this up before Mom sees it.” She gestured at the photos and maps covering the surface of her bedroom wall. “Be quick about it. We don’t have much time.”
“Now you’re scaring me.” Sasha pulled a drape over the wall to conceal her investigation.
“They’re here for you, Sash.”
“Here for me?” What could the Senate possibly want with me? But her father’s old worries suddenly seemed more than just his over protective parenting. Gregg had always suspected the Senate would use her for her gifts someday, but this was much too soon.
“Let’s go.” Imogen grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs to the common room and across the courtyard. Naeemah’s office was on the opposite side of the huge villa they’d rented for the summer. Far enough away that any visiting Immortals would not be able to sense how many lived under Naeemah’s care.
Sasha heard her father’s voice long before they arrived at the office.
“We've been over this, Sloane. You’re not taking over my daughter's training and that is final,” Gregg said.
“And the Senate has been patient with you both, but Sasha is old enough now to handle the superior training we can offer kids like her.”
“What?” Sasha came to a dead stop, looking at her sister for confirmation.
Gen gave her arm a gentle squeeze as she led her into their mother's office.
Sasha held her head high as she stepped into the room. She was the daughter of two influential Immortals and the granddaughter of an Egyptian pharaoh. She would not show weakness. She would not show fear. But Sasha’s heart felt like ice in her chest.
Having the Senate take over her training had always been her greatest fear. Aidan was the rock star of the family—more powerful than just about anyone she'd ever met. Allie was right on his heels. But Sasha was a close third or fourth in that race. The Senate didn't know her brother or Allie existed—a fact neither of them even realized. Aidan came to the McBrien family as an infant. Gregg found him just after a storm when he was working in Ireland. Because their new son was so powerful, Gregg and Naeemah made the decision not to register him with the Senate—for this exact reason.
But Sasha wasn't so lucky. She came to the McBrien family when she was nearly five years old. For the first few years of her life, she’d lived in a mortal orphanage in Haiti. Her adoption was a public record and on file with the Senate. There was no hiding her existence. As far as the Senate knew, Sasha was likely the most promising Immortal of her generation.
“Mom, what is this all about?” Sasha’s voice came out calm and formal. Regal, like her mother.
“Have a seat, Sasha. We will explain," Naeemah said.
“I’m not sure we can stop this from happening, sweetheart,” Gregg said as he took her in his arms. She hadn’t seen him in weeks. He was supposed to be in Cleveland. “We will be with you the whole way. They’ve agreed to let Imogen come with you.” He gave her a level look but panic coiled in Sasha’s chest.
“Go? Where am I going?” She sank into the seat her mother offered. All of her carefully laid plans started to crumble as she turned her attention to the two Senate representatives who had come to collect her. Sasha eyed the handsome young Indian soldier. He was about Imogen’s age, maybe younger. Tall like Sasha, with a slim build. He was attractive, but in an unexpected way. Except for the livid tattoo marring his left cheek.
“Just give it to me straight.” She was all but certain they were after her target ability. Sasha never missed a shot. No matter what, if she aimed while using her gift, she hit the mark. The ultimate recipe for the perfect sniper, a role Gregg had always prepared her for, but she never dreamed it would happen so soon.
“Jayesh Basu is an old friend,” Naeemah said. “You can trust him. I’m trusting him with my young daughter’s safety and I know he will not disappoint me. Right, Jayesh?” Naeemah gave him her scariest look. Sasha had been on the receiving end of that look more than a few times and it never failed to scare her into total obedience.
“Of course, Naeemah. Your daughter’s safety will be our number one priority.” His words were meant to be soothing, but his tone said he wasn’t thrilled to be here either.
“Anyone care to tell me what this is all about, or should I take a guess? I’m sure I won’t need more than one.”
“You’re right, dear,” the other Senate rep said in the most patronizing tone she could possibly muster. "It should come as no surprise to anyone here that the Senate has taken a special interest in your training."
“Please don’t call me dear.” Sasha shook her head in disgust. These people were taking her away from her plans. I should have left for Atlanta yesterday.
“I am Lieutenant Governor Sloane and I am here to tell you that your government has chosen you for a very special training program. Isn’t that an honor?” She beamed at Sasha like she was talking to an eight-year-old.
“Not really,” Sasha muttered.
“It is highly unusual for the Senate to take an interest in a child's training, but we believe you have such incredible potential, we'd like to offer you the full support of the Senate's resources. We have high hopes for your future, dear. We've hired a very special mentor to oversee your summer training. Think of it like an internship—a much-needed boost to your education."
"And what will I be learning?" Sasha crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap to keep them from shaking.
"Jayesh is head of a special forces team employed by the Senate. Occasionally, the Senate must step into mortal affairs, and teams like Jayesh’s typically handle those … unseemly details. He is the absolute best of the best at what he does. He will be supervising your training in the ancient arts of the Chola assassins.”
Sasha’s pulse pounded in her ears. There was a huge difference between knowing this would happen one day and realizing it was happening right now.
“No,” Imogen said softly. “We cannot allow this. Mother, she is too young. Jayesh … we can't go back. I swore I would never return, and you want me to take my baby sister there?”
“She’s not much younger than we were when we trained with the mother,” Jayesh said. “She will be fine.”
“We have to stop this.” Imogen shook her head stubbornly. "There is no sense in doing this now. Wait until she is Proven. At the very least. She deserves that much.”
“I’m afraid the Senate has spoken, Imogen,” Lieutenant Governor Sloane said. “You know better than anyone what that means.”
“Gen, please tell me what's happening,” Sasha said. “So I can stop imagining the worst. I can't be an assassin. I'm seventeen years old. You know that, right?” Sasha turned to Sloane in desperation.
“They want you trained by the Chola,” Imogen said. “This is serious. It’s about them making an early investment in the future they have all planned out for you.”
“You are nearly correct, Imogen, but
do not make it sound like she doesn’t have a choice about her future. While we may direct her training and offer her guidance, she will still be able to finish school with her friends and go to college wherever she likes. We simply feel Sasha's gifts are suited to this line of work and we would like to see her training reflect her strengths. But this is a one-time deal … for now. When she has completed her training with Mother Raghavan, she will return home and continue her life as usual. If this summer goes well, we'd like to see her train one-on-one with Jayesh’s team next summer before she pursues her college education. And over the intervening years until she reaches her Proving, we will offer her the special attention a girl like Sasha needs."
"And what if I don't want it?" Sasha leaned forward. "Does that even matter?"
"We simply want to give you the necessary tools to support the gifts you possess. Whatever lies in your future is your choice, but you will serve the Senate just as we all do. It is a privilege and a responsibility."
"A simple 'no' would have sufficed." Sasha sat back in defeat. This was happening whether she wanted it or not. "Where am I going?"
“You will travel with Jayesh to Tamil Nadu in southern India where you will spend six short weeks training with Mother Raghavan and her people until you become a Chola assassin—a title few are given the opportunity to earn.”
“And what is the point of all of this?” Naeemah asked, her voice like the most corrosive acid.
"The point is to equip Sasha with the necessary skills to serve the Senate to the absolute best of her ability. Sasha is young, with many years ahead of her before she will be called upon to serve.” She turned to Sasha, the syrupy-sweet smile slipping from her face. “But when you are called, you will be prepared."
"Prepared to kill mortals when and how I am told? Or do I get to voice my concerns as a non-violent person?”
“I would never have expected such resistance from a governor’s daughter.” Sloane wiped her brow nervously.
“Can you just answer my questions? Don’t you think I deserve a little honesty?”
Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3) Page 3
