Love in the Shadows

by Caryn Moya Block

  Katherine shut her mouth with a snap. They all climbed back into the jeep and headed back to town. One of the limitations of the Shadow-Walker tribe was that tribe members had to visit a place in person before they could use Shadow to get there. Now that they had visited the lab, they could go straight in, but there were no shadows in the lab to use for exiting.

  §

  Joe motioned Katherine into the passenger seat of the Jeep. She sat, her body stiff with anger. He should take her off the team. She needed to be reminded who was in charge. If she wanted to be part of the team, she needed to take orders without question. He shouldn’t have had to wait for her when he signaled her to leave.

  Joe gritted his teeth. Now that he had surveyed the lab, he knew it would take careful planning for an extraction to work. He’d figure out how best to get Derek out. He wasn’t taking any chances with Derek’s or his team’s lives. He needed to get Hugh’s and Charlie’s reports before making any more decisions. This was his job. Joe wasn’t the head of the security branch for nothing.

  He drove into the hotel parking lot and parked the jeep. “Katherine, go into the office and find out where they recommend we eat. We’ll meet in my room in ten.”

  §

  Katherine knew an order when she heard one. She sighed and went into the lobby. The hotel was run by a family that seemed to consist of grandparents, parents and two toddlers. The father manned the front desk, and Katherine asked about places to eat. She could hear one child screaming and one crying in the background. She gave the tired father a big smile of understanding. “My wife has gone into Manaus for food,” he explained in broken English.

  When she asked about where to eat, the father suggested the bar across the street. It was also a restaurant and the only place in the village that served three meals a day. Katherine walked back to Joe’s room and knocked on the door. She needed to tread lightly. Joe was angry with her. She didn’t want to be sent home.

  “Come,” she heard and let herself in.

  Joe, Charlie and Hugh sat at a small table. They were leaning over it and seemed to be drawing a map. Each one pointed out features and things they had noted. Katherine walked to the table and joined them.

  When they finished, they had a complete map of the facility. Hugh had noted the power source and backup generator, as well as two windows in the wing where Derek was held. Both windows were too high and too small for access. Charlie noted the guard positions and outside surveillance cameras, as well as a back entrance that was code-locked. Katherine and Joe helped fill in the interior with what they had discovered.

  Then, they started to list complications. The most important was the lack of shadows. They also needed a way past the coded doors.

  “If everything is electric, then a power failure would fix most of our problems. We’d have to make sure the generators didn’t come on, of course,” Charlie said.

  “We don’t know for sure that the doors will automatically open. They might automatically close and lock.” Hugh scratched his head.

  “What about a fire alarm?” Katherine suggested. “Wouldn’t they want all the doors to open in case of fire?”

  “Good suggestion,” Charlie said. “That would get everyone out of the building, leaving us free to get to Derek.”

  “I think we need some more information, but I can feel a plan coming together,” Joe said. “Tonight, Hugh and Charlie, I want you to do a little more recon. Do they ever turn off the inside lights? Even a few would give us some shadows. We can’t get Derek out, if we can’t shadow-walk. Katherine, you and I are going to do a little snooping. I bet all those scientists are too good to clean the place, which means they probably hire a cleaning crew. Cleaning crews normally have keys to all the rooms.”

  “The only place to eat is the bar across the street. They serve three meals a day,” Katherine said.

  “Let’s go then. I’m starving,” Charlie said.

  “What I tried to point out is if any of those scientists want to have a night out, there is only one spot in town,” Katherine explained.

  “Come on then. Let’s go get some lunch and check the place out,” Hugh suggested.

  Katherine smiled and followed the men out the door. Could they get a plan together to save Derek? She needed to trust Joe and his men.

  The cantina was small. Its dark tiled floors were muddy from where people tracked in the earth. There wasn’t much on the menu, so they all ordered feijoada and arroz. It was late to be having lunch, so the place was empty. When they finished, Joe threw down some bills to pay the tab. Then, they headed back to the hotel.

  “I’ll meet you here at seven-thirty. Maybe you can charm some information out of a lab nerd,” Joe told Katherine as he headed into his room.

  “I’ll have to shadow-walk back to my apartment and get some more clothes.” At least, she warned him this time. Of course there were several hours before their meeting. She waved and walked through her door.

  Katherine laid on the bed. She tossed and turned feeling tied up in knots. When she knew it was impossible to rest, she reached for Derek. If he could give her some new information, it might help with the rescue plans. He was awake and feeling better.

  “Hey, beautiful….” he sent

  “I need to see the room you’re being held in,” Katherine sent to him. “Reach for me and allow me into your mind.”

  “Okay, I’ll try,” he sent back. “You’re already in my heart. Might as well take my mind, too. Will you respect me in the morning?”

  “Very funny,” Katherine sent.

  Then, she felt Derek reach for her, and she flew into his mind. Through his eyes, she could see the bright lights and cameras on the wall. There was also a mirrored window, and she bet it hid an observation area.

  By lifting Derek’s head, she could make out the door across the room. He lay on a metal-covered table and wore only a pair of briefs. She also took note of the restraints holding his arms and legs. She tried to see if there were any shadows in the corners. The room wasn’t very big, and the two large lights illuminated the space.

  They were giving Derek fluids intravenously, and Katherine could feel Derek’s pain as a dull ache. Most, if not all, of the cuts had closed and were on their way to being healed. She could also feel his hunger and wished she could bring him some food.

  Katherine felt Derek chuckle in her mind. “Being hungry is the least of my worries, Kate,” he sent “Can you imagine how uncomfortable it is to lie here for days? I’ll be lucky if I can walk out of here.” Katherine thought she felt some real concern behind Derek’s teasing words.

  “I’m sure you’ll be able to walk out of there, and if you’re not, then I’ll carry you.”

  “Working out some? You won’t be any good at flirting with the lab nerds if you don’t look your best,” Derek sent. He must have picked that out of her thoughts. Was he jealous?

  Katherine knew he was right. Still, it hurt to think he would send her away. It got harder and harder to leave him.

  “Make sure that’s all you do, beautiful. I’d hate to have to kill some lab nerd,” Derek added as she pulled her mind back into her body.

  At least, she had more information for the team. Realizing that staying in bed was useless, she shadow-walked back to her apartment in New Mexico.

  If she flirted for information, she needed to look the part. She changed into a pair of tight- fitting jeans, which had Derek salivating at Cara’s bachelorette party, and a skimpy T-shirt that barely covered her midriff. Then, she put her hair up in a ponytail and did her makeup. The final touches were a pair of large hoop earrings and a belly-button jewel.

  Derek still hovered in the back of her mind. Their link seemed to be strengthening now that she shared his thoughts. She let him see through her eyes as she looked in the mirror. She smiled when she heard him groan in her head and felt the shot of lust that went through his body. Just information, beautiful. If one of those lab techs touches you…

  Don’t be silly.
I don’t want anyone touching me but you.

  Katherine picked up one of her favorite paperbacks and prepared to wait until seven-thirty.

  The hours flew by, and Katherine hurried back through Shadow to her hotel room. Joe arrived right on time and gave her an appraising look when she opened the door.

  “Going fishing,” she said with a smile.

  “Let’s hope all you catch is information,” Joe said, shaking his head. “I’m not sure Derek would like you wearing that outfit in public.”

  “What’s wrong with my outfit?”

  “Every man in that joint is going to want to gobble you up. We’ll be lucky if a fight doesn’t break out.”

  “Oh, come on, Joe. They’re lab nerds. There won’t be any fights.”

  The cantina was crowded. Joe stood near the men at the bar. Katherine entered separately and was sure she noticed a couple of the guys from the lab. She sauntered up to the bar, and one of the men immediately offered her his seat.

  “Hey, honey. Can I buy you a drink?” the nerd asked.

  “Of course. I’ll have whatever you’re having,” she said, leaning toward him.

  It wasn’t long before Katherine steered the conversation to the lab. Before she finished her drink, she found out that there were fire alarm buttons that would swing all the doors open. One was in the guard shack and one inside the main building.

  Katherine let the lab tech go on and on about how important his work was. Then, she steered the conversation toward the cleaning crew.

  “Of course, all the experiments need to be done in pristine conditions. Even the slightest contaminate could change the results,” he explained to her.

  “Do you have to keep the place in pristine condition?” she asked, smiling her brightest smile and batting her lashes at the man.

  “It is everyone’s job to keep the lab in working order.”

  “Oh, you poor dear. You work so hard, and they make you clean, too?” Katherine asked. She could see the lab tech thinking. If he boasted that he kept everything clean, he would be lowering himself to the level of a servant.

  “Of course, we have a cleaning crew to take out the garbage and scrub the floors,” he confided.

  “Well, of course,” Katherine said, encouraging him to continue. “Your work is much too important. Can you excuse me a minute? I’ve got to go to the restroom.” Katherine signaled Joe and headed down the dimly lit hallway toward the restroom. She didn’t want to take a chance that the tech would follow her. She found the nearest shadow and shadow-walked back to her motel room.

  There was a quiet knock on the hotel room door a few minutes later. Katherine opened the door to let Joe in.

  “That was quite a performance tonight,” Joe said. “You’ll have to be careful if you see that guy again.”

  “Did you hear all of it?” Katherine sat on a chair and reached for the band holding her hair.

  “I think so. I’ll have Hugh look for the fire-alarm button in the main building while he’s there tonight. We’ll ask around town tomorrow and see if the cleaning crew is from here or Manaus.”

  “Okay. Anything else I can do?” Katherine asked, suddenly weary.

  Derek flooded into her mind. You did great, Katie. You had that man eating out of your hand.

  Noticed that did you? Katherine’s chest filled with pride.

  “Get a good night’s sleep,” Joe said. “I’ll expect everyone at my room at nine a.m.”

  Katherine got up and opened the door. “See you in the morning, Joe.”

  He walked out without a word.

  Chapter Three

  Derek’s pain from healing faded as each knife cut closed and the bones in his hand re-knit. He could feel through his telepathic link with Katherine that she slept. Derek let his consciousness resurface from the center of the Earth.

  The bright lights in the lab room hurt his eyes. He squinted up at the lights as they seemed to waver and become the sun. Heat rose around him, and Derek stood in the desert surrounded by sand and cactus. As he looked around, his ancestors appeared near him.

  Derek fought a moment of panic. Was he dying? Had his ancestors come to escort him home? He looked around at the familiar faces. His mother gave him a stern look, then shook her head. His father stood stoically next to her.

  “You have angered the tribal elders, my son,” his mother’s voice floated into his head. “Since you have used the healing potion inappropriately, they require a sacrifice. Your destiny has changed. You will no longer be a warrior for our people. You must become the healer. Study well with Quiet Thunder. His time is fading. If you do not accept this responsibility, your life will be cut short and the potions that used to heal will instead poison you.”

  “What must I do, iná?”

  Derek woke as someone stabbed a needle in his arm. He looked up to see Colette taking a blood sample. Wait. Where had his ancestors gone? Where was his mother?

  “You are doing well, cheri. Almost completely healed. Tomorrow we will try some other injuries and see how quickly you can recover.” She smiled at him.

  How could he have thought this woman was pretty? She was a complete nutcase. What was she going to do when Quiet Thunder’s potions wore off, and he couldn’t heal himself?

  “I’ll be happy to tell you what you want to know,” Derek said “Just let me off the table.” If he could get to one little shadow, he could escape.

  “Sorry, cheri. Science demands proof, so I would still have to carry on the experiments. You do understand.” She withdrew the needle from his arm.

  “Colette, I need to eat and move,” Derek pointed out. “Those few steps to the bathroom are barely enough to keep me from cramping up. Your experiments will be useless if I grow too weak to heal myself.”

  “Hmmm, what you say may be true. I will think on what you have said. Until then, heal, cheri.” Colette picked up the vials and trash and walked out the door.

  Derek heard the locks snap into place. He needed to get out of here today. He certainly didn’t want to find out what Colette planned next for him. For a moment, Derek couldn’t breathe. Being tied to a table and experimented on was a nightmare.

  §

  Katherine felt Derek’s fear and reached out to him. “What is it?” she asked, not feeling anyone near him.

  “Tell Joe he needs to move quickly. They start more experiments tomorrow,” Derek sent to her.

  “Oh, baby, hang on. I’m on my way to Joe’s room now,” Katherine sent back.

  Katherine knocked on Joe’s door and heard him call to come in. She opened the door and walked in.

  “You’re early,” Joe greeted her.

  “They start more experiments on Derek tomorrow. We need to get him out tonight.”

  “Shit! We need to hear what Hugh and Charlie found out. Raven is supposed to be getting back to me about the cleaning crew. I know it’s hard to let them hurt Derek. Remember that he’s valuable to them alive. They won’t risk accidentally killing him.”

  “Would you leave your mate tied to a table, while they tortured her?” Katherine asked through gritted teeth.

  “We’re not going in with guns blazing,” Joe growled out. “We need a foolproof plan in place before we act. I know you’re upset by all this, and that is the only reason I’m not booting your ass back to New Mexico. Do you understand?” Joe growled out.

  Katherine nodded. Joe was right. He always protected Raven and Derek. This was his job. “I’m sorry, Joe. I was out of line.”

  “Yes, you were,” Joe answered. “I know this is hard for you.”

  Katherine realized that all was forgiven. But they still needed to find a way to get Derek out.

  “Hugh and Charlie should be here in a few. We’ll share reports and see what we can come up with,” Joe assured her. “Might as well stop pacing and sit down.”

  Katherine hadn’t even realized she had been pacing. She really was rattled. “Sorry,” she murmured.

  Joe shook his head and sat down as wel
l. He pulled out the drawing they had made earlier and studied it. When Hugh and Charlie showed up, they tromped in and sat down at the table.

  Joe started the meeting by telling Hugh and Charlie that Derek expected more experiments to take place tomorrow. Then, Joe described the fire-alarm button in the guard shack and said there was a cleaning crew. Hugh and Charlie both looked at Katherine, and she could see pity in their eyes. None of them knew if Derek would be able to continue to shield her from the pain of torture. She didn’t want their pity. She wanted them to come up with a plan. Now.

  Hugh took over the meeting. “Buses drop workers off at the lab at six a.m. and pick them up for their return home at six p.m. At seven p.m. most of the lights go off, except for those in the main hall and a few in the lab rooms. Derek’s room is always lit. Outside lights come on at dusk and go off at dawn. We found the fire-alarm switch in the main hall. We did not see a cleaning crew.”

  “What about guards?” Joe asked

  “There are three night guards,” Charlie said. “They come in on a bus from Manaus. One stays in the guard shack by the gate. One is stationed inside the main door. The other one patrols outside the building. A patrol is done every thirty minutes. When they finish a patrol, they go into the lab. There is a break room inside the main door. All three guards carry radios and check in every thirty minutes. They seem kind of relaxed, which will work to our benefit. Seems the only problems they have are an occasional monkey setting off an alarm or triggering the door sensor.”

  Just then they all felt Raven’s mind-touch. As chief of the tribe, he could communicate with anyone at any time. “Good, you are at morning brief. The cleaning crew is out of Manaus and is scheduled during the day on Tuesday and Thursday,” Raven sent.

  “Roger that. We need to get Derek out tonight if possible. The cleaning crew won’t be there. I’ll report when the plan is in place,” sent Joe.

  “Well, that answers one of our questions,” Joe said. “Now, this is how I see it. We go in at night after seven when the lights are out. Hugh takes out the generators, then Charlie sets a fire in the break room and hits the fire alarm. Once the doors are open, Hugh kills the power, Katherine gets Derek out of the building, and I destroy the evidence they’ve collected. How does that sound?”