“Come, hurry,” he calls, racing up the stairs.
We follow him to the second floor. There is another lounge area, only this area is floor to ceiling with books, and in the far corner is an array of instruments. The black guitar sends a pang through my chest. Dad had a black guitar. I suppose I have to accept that little things are going to trigger off memories and emotions and that’s how life is going to be for me now.
A hallway stretches off behind the wall of books, but the man continues up another flight of stairs. A massage table and a trolley of oils sit on an open landing space. A screwed up towel lies on the floor. October raises her eyebrows at me. We must have interrupted his massage, although, the masseuse is long gone.
Double doors lead into a master bedroom. Unlike the rest of the house the bedroom is dark. Maroon walls, black sheets, and dark furniture give it a seedy, brothel feel. Paintings of naked woman in the throes of passion adorn the walls. I can sense everyone’s awkwardness as they look around.
The man opens the wardrobe door, pushing the clothes aside, and smacks the back panel until it slides away to reveal a metal door. He types in a code on a small, numbered control pad and the door opens inwards.
“In,” he says, shoving Yana and October inside. “The polizia are searching.”
We all file into the small space of what I am assuming to be a panic room.
Jude shakes the man’s hand. “It’s more than the bloody police, Silvain. Thank you for this.”
Silvain waves his thanks away. “Hurry, Jude.” He eyes Maggie’s bound wrists, but doesn’t mention them. A doorbell rings, and Silvain’s face turns serious. He raises a finger to his lips before closing us in. “Silenzioso.”
The panic room is cramped and everyone jostles into one another in the dark. Jude turns on a small television monitor, filling the room with a blue glow. Images of the house pop up in numerous little frames. Frame three shows a group of armed men getting ready to break the doors down. Then, Silvain comes into view, waving his arms to get them to stop. Jude grabs a control and clicks button three. The image of Silvain at the door fills the screen.
“Can you turn it up?” Fabian asks.
Jude clicks a few buttons. “What are they saying?” he whispers to Fabian.
Adam sits down on the floor, and I sit in between his legs. He is exhausted and rests his head on my shoulder. His breath is warm against my wet hair.
“He’s asking Silvain if he has seen the people in the pictures. I’m guessing they’re of us. He says we’re EVO members who escaped the complex on Friday night. They know we travelled in this direction,” says Fabian.
Silvain flicks through a stack of papers, shaking his head.
“Silvain says he hasn’t seen any EVO.”
The man in charge runs a device the length of Silvain’s body.
“It’s a kinetic energy reader,” says Fabian, chewing his nails. “And they want Silvain to donate a saliva sample for EVO testing.” He falls quiet, and then gasps. “They’re going to check the house.”
Men flood passed Silvain, but the one with the kinetic energy reader holds out a second device and swab stick. Silvain steps aside as a good host should, herding the man into the lounge. Jude hisses at us to keep our mouths shut, and then switches off the monitor, casting us into darkness once more.
This is it. This has to be the end of the road. I take Adam’s hands and hold them against my lips, kissing his knuckles. He smells of the sea, and I pull his arms tighter around me to inhale all of him. He nuzzles further into my neck.
Focussing solely on the crackle of electricity I always feel when I link with him, I steady the telepathy in my mind. “Whatever happens, don’t let us get split up,” I say in my mind.
“No one is taking you from me,” he replies. His voice jingles around my head with such clarity that I’m surprised no one else can hear it. His hands run down the length of my arms, lacing in my own fingers.
“Don’t let me go,” I say. Even in my mind my voice betrays me. I start thinking about the TORO beating me in Facility One, my lip bursting from the impact. Adam tenses behind me, and just as quickly, that awful memory is replaced with the image of Adam knelt in front of me, drying my legs in the shower block. Then, it switches to him leaning over me in the cell; the first time I ever saw his whole face when he smiled.
“No one is taking you from me,” he says, firmer.
I believe him. He moves his thumbs in circles on my palms.
“You would do this in Facility One.” I raise our hands slightly, so I can see his strong hands. “This was the only thing that got me through.”
Footsteps hurry into the bedroom. I instinctively hold my breath. The wardrobe is opened, and I squeeze my eyes closed, turning into Adam. One hand holds my head close to his chest, whilst the other keeps my hand in a vice like grip.
“Don’t let go,” I whisper again, my lungs closing up.
“Never,” he replies.
I nod, but I feel like I’m suffocating. I need to stand, to get out of the room before my panic overwhelms me. A ringing in my ears grows louder as my heart races so fast it could conk out at any minute. I can’t go back to the government- to Towley.
“Breathe,” Adam whispers in my ear.
The coat hangers clang as the wardrobe is searched, and then the door is slammed shut.
“Chiaro,” says a voice, and the footsteps leave the bedroom.
“Clear,” Fabian translates quietly.
A collective exhale resounds in the darkness. I flop against Adam, panting as if I have just run a marathon.
I sense his aura- psyche- whatever you want to call it, and use everything in me to link again. “I can’t go back.” My chest feels like it’s on fire. “Towley knows what I can do now.”
Adam lifts my face to his, his hands holding my head against his own. “I will kill all those guys before they get their hands on you.” He places a hand over my heart and it feels strong and sure.
I imagine his hand slowing my heartbeat. His deep breaths on my face regulate my own breathing. I know he means what he says, and fifteen days ago I would have been alarmed at a man threatening to kill for me, but now it’s exactly what I need to hear. How life can change in such a short space of time.
The glow from the TV illuminates us once again. The volume is muted, but we can see Silvain having the inside of his mouth swabbed. The man takes the swab stick and pushes it into a small machine. He waits a few moments until the light flashes green. The men file out of the house, and the swab man shakes Silvain’s hand, giving him a card. Silvain stands at the door until they leave and closes it behind them. Looking directly at the camera, he puffs out his cheeks in relief.
“Is he EVO?” Emiko asks. “The device didn’t detect him.”
Seth shakes his head before Jude can reply. “I didn’t sense h-h-him.”
“Why is he helping us?” asks Cooper.
Jude ignores the questions, but I wonder the same thing. Why would he risk everything to help us? The way Jude thanked him tells me that he is not being blackmailed or threatened.
Yana’s pale face sits alone in the corner, her eyes wide and unfocussed. She must sense my gaze for her eyes flit in my direction.
“I thought we were going back,” she says, her voice flat and quiet.
I reach over and pull her to me. Adam wraps his arms around the both of us, cocooning us against his chest. All eyes are on us, but they have no idea. They really have no idea.
I’m the first to exit the panic room, barging Cooper out of the way in the process. He huffs his annoyance and opens his mouth to say something, but thinks better of it after looking at Adam.
“Come get a drink,” says Silvain, ushering Jude out of the bedroom and back down the stairs.
We follow them back to ground level. Silvain pours out twelve tots of brandy, passing them along the kitchen counter. I’m physically shivering, my teeth chattering from my wet clothes and adrenaline. Adam puts a hand on my sho
ulder and I jump feet.
He hands me the glass. “Drink it,” he says, gently.
My hand shakes as I tip the dark liquid into my mouth. I scrunch my face in disgust; it tastes how nail varnish smells, but I will myself to swallow it. Adam smirks at me before downing his own.
I catch a look at myself in the mirror above the breakfast bar. My hair is straggly from the sea water and my skin paler than usual. How is that even possible? My lips have a blue hue and tremble from the chill I feel.
Jude surveys me. I pretend not to notice the concerned look he shares with Adam. They’re both worried about me. Adam’s lips purse like they do when he’s thinking, and his brow is lowered. I’m not surprised by their concern after the quivering mess I just became in the panic room. I didn’t know I could be affected like that. I’ve not had time to think about all that happened at Facility One, but the thought of being at Towley’s mercy makes my blood run cold.
Adam walks back to Yana and Seth with their drinks, bypassing Maggie. She has been shoved in a corner with Fabian watching over her. I want Adam close by, right at my side, and I don’t like feeling this vulnerable and weak. More importantly, I don’t like that it’s Towley who is making me feel this way.
I hug myself in an attempt to warm up. Wheeler pulls me against his chest with Emiko. Instantly, I feel warmer as the air around us heats up. I breathe in deeply, allowing the air to warm me from the inside.
“Thermokin, remember,” he says, seeing my amazement. “Better than a boring, old Electrokin, eh?” He winks at Adam and takes a punch to the arm. Emiko rolls her eyes at the pair of them.
“So, what now?” Adam asks Jude.
Jude holds up his hands and shrugs. Way to make me feel confident, Unc.
“What is that?” snaps Cooper. “You don’t know? You’re supposed to be the plan man.”
Jude leans back against the wall, taking the cigar Silvain offers. “Since when have I been the damn plan man? Do you think I can shit wonders and piss miracles?”
“Nah, but you were quick enough to drag us into your coop against Gabe.”
“If you haven’t noticed the situation has changed and the shit has hit the fan.” Jude speaks fast and his lips barely move from hissing the words at Cooper.
“Basically, you’re saying we’re no better off with you than if we were to go it alone?” Cooper snipes back.
Jude lights the cigar and takes a long drag. “I ain’t going to tell you what to do. You’re a big boy, Coop. Plus, I couldn’t care less where you go.”
Cooper chews his lip, his fist clenching and unclenching in anger.
“You are welcome to stay here, but I suggest you go soon. It’s unwise to stay for long,” says Silvain. “Those men will be back.”
His cigar smoke wafts over me and catches in my throat. Emiko wrinkles her nose, but neither of us is willing to move from the warmth of Wheeler.
“I agree,” says Jude. “But I plan on getting drunk tonight, so if any of you have any bright ideas, do me a favour and keep them until tomorrow.”
“I g-gave her th-the gun,” Seth blurts. “A-a-and showed her how to u-u-use the phone. I didn’t think s-she’d—”
“You did what?” Jude snaps.
Seth cowers away, backing into Cooper who shoves him back into the room. Jude steps up to him.
“I-I’m s-s-sorry. I d-didn’t k-k-now w-w-what—”
“You stupid, little shit,” says Jude, lunging for Seth’s wet shirt.
Cooper beats him to it, hitting Seth square in the jaw. “So, it’s your fault we’re in this bloody mess.” He hits him again, sending Seth sprawling on the floor.
Adam rushes to help Fabian restrain Cooper. Seth spits blood onto the tiles and groans in pain. Cooper grabs him by the scruff, dragging him to his feet. I hold out my hand, cocooning Cooper in my telekinesis. There is no need for a violent outburst; my telekinesis is the only thing I have control over. I squeeze, and Cooper’s body goes rigid. He rises off his feet, only by a couple of inches, but it’s enough to scare him. I squeeze a little tighter still.
“Are you done?” I ask Cooper, stepping in front of Seth. I study Seth’s bloodied face. “I told you not to say anything.”
Maggie stares at the wall. Her indifference makes my temper flare. She has lost her damn marbles. I haven’t a clue what the hell we’re going to do with her.
“Are you happy? At least we have no doubt that you premeditated everything.”
“You knew this?” Jude asks me. His voice raises an octave.
“Yes, so you better get over yourselves. Touch him again and I won’t be so forgiving.” I let Cooper body slam to the ground, and then bustle Seth into what appears to be a laundry room, closing the door behind me. Jude’s face is a satisfying mix of shock and disbelief.
“Why did you do that, Seth? Jesus, talk about setting yourself on fire.”
He holds his hands out in defeat. “I-I-I can’t d-d-deal—”
I place my fingers on his temples, and he smiles meekly. “I can’t deal with secrets, Teds. It’s easier if it’s all out on the table, even if that means I’m enemy number one.”
“Just keep quiet from now on and let me deal with it, okay?”
“You don’t have to look after me, you know. I know what everyone thinks of me. Yeah, I have a stutter, but it doesn’t mean I’m weak. Seriously, I can take a punch from Dom Cooper.”
“Golding would want us to look after each other. What I do for you, I want you to return the favour when I need it. Don’t think of it as me molly-coddling you, but me having your back, for you to have mine in return.”
“What are you two mind-talking about?” says Jude from behind. He’s quickly followed by a concerned Adam and Wheeler.
I position myself between Jude and Seth. “You can bugger off if you’ve come here to tear into him. Maggie worked him.”
Jude scrunches his nose. “Yeah, I realise. No hard feelings, eh?” he says, holding out a hand to Seth. Seth shakes it warily. That’s the best apology he’ll get from Jude. “Fabian has taken Maggie to a spare room before Yana loses her shit. That girl really is growing on me. You should have told me everything, Princess.”
“Seth told me the truth at the beach. What more does anyone need to know? Maggie knew what she was doing and I thought it was best to keep it quiet, at least from you, Cooper, and Fabian. I knew you’d react like you did. Then, Seth decided to open his big mouth. I mean- you know what he is like- we just can’t shut him up,” I say, a smile creeping into my eyes.
Adam grins and slaps Seth on the back. “This guy and his verbal diarrhoea.”
Seth laughs through a swollen lip.
“But it’s out now, and you can put up and shut up,” I say to Jude, repeating his own phrase back at him.
He stares at me, grinning. “God, you are just like my Dad- your Grandfather. He wouldn’t take any shit from me either.”
“I think I would have liked him,” I state, raising an eyebrow at Jude. I can’t stop a smile gracing my lips.
“She is good for you, Jude,” Silvain says from the kitchen.
Jude smiles and leans back against the dryers. “She’s a pain in my ass is what she is.”
“I deserved a-a-a punch,” says Seth.
“Damn right you did,” says Jude.
“I’m sorry. I’m j-j-just feeling over-w-whelmed by it all, and I get f-f-frustrated when I can’t s-say what I w-w-want to say.”
I squeeze his shoulder and lead him back into the kitchen. “If you need to get something off your chest just come to me, okay? I need to talk about Golding too.”
Seth quickly looks to his feet. “What h-h-happened on the roof, Teds? How did he... d-die? I need to know. W-w-was it peaceful?”
“It was... shit. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but it was. He was so scared, so scared, but he was as brave as hell.”
“You don’t have to do this now,” Adam whispers.
“It’s okay.” I know that now is t
he time to share. They have a right- a need to know why I killed Isaac. Tess and Golding’s story should be told. “Isaac and Yvette had synced a sedation collar with Tess’ life support. If her heart rate stopped, then the collar would inject Golding with some kind of lethal injection formula. They wanted Tess to use my body as a vessel or they’d stop her life support and Golding would die.”
Yana buries her face in her hands, but I have to continue.
“Golding was amazing. He influenced Yvette to remove the collar and it worked, but in the end, Tess couldn’t bring herself to kill Isaac. She let her guard down and he took advantage of it. I remember a blow from behind, and somehow he got the collar back onto Golding and switched off Tess’ life support. It was easy for him to flick that switch- he did it smiling. It was just seconds later that Golding... that he... He was so scared, and there was nothing I could do. I just held him as he...”
Adam squeezes my hand, giving me some stability. “Golding told me to finish it. Then, Isaac threatened everyone and tried to drown Adam—”
“You did finish it,” Seth states without a single stammer.
“No, I finished Isaac, but what good did it do? It didn’t bring them back. Golding, Haydn, and Tess are still dead, and now there is a bunch of EVO rioting with no one to control them. Whatever Isaac was, he was clever, he’d have a plan.” Seth goes to protest, but I look to Adam. “You know it’s true.”
“Maybe, but if you didn’t kill him, god knows who else would have died at his hands that night. There is no way of telling if Isaac could have controlled the mess he caused.”
“You think Isaac was a one off?” Cooper pipes up. “The EVO Nation Corp is worldwide. We already know Gabe Kersey played the Big-I-am, but was a front man for Isaac. Isaac must have had other front men or at least set up other E.N.C associations in other countries. Isaac deserved to die, but killing him has just cleared the path for another Isaac down the line. There will always be Isaac Woodmans, Teddie. You watch this space; another dickhead will declare himself EVO almighty soon enough.”
EVO Shift: EVO Nation Series: Book Two Page 5
