by Mara, Devi
Sarah let the woman drag her from the dressing room and thrust her in front of Luke. She cringed, but forced a smile.
"Wow."
She stared at him. He did not seem to realize he had spoken aloud. She glanced at the store clerk. The woman winked at her.
"I told you he would like it."
Sarah held back a scowl. She watched Luke's stunned face, for any idea of what he was thinking. He slowly stood from the chair and circled her. She shifted, as his fingertips skimmed her bare back. Her eyes narrowed.
"What do you think?" she asked, stepping away.
"You look beautiful, Sarah."
She turned her head to look at him. His slow smile made the knot in her stomach tighten painfully. She rubbed at her arm, as her skin began to tingle.
"I mean the dress," she clarified.
He took a step toward her. "It's fine. I imagine you would look beautiful in anything."
She looked up at his tone. His proximity made the tingle in her skin increase to an itch. She took a step back.
"I'm glad you like it." She forced a small smile.
He nodded. "I do. We should go somewhere nice for dinner." He trailed his fingertips over her shoulder. "I'll see what I can arrange."
She fought not to scowl at the contact. "I'll go change." She whirled away and hurried back to the dressing room. She felt his gaze on her until she passed through the doorway.
"Didn't I tell you he'd like it?"
She glanced over her shoulder to look at the clerk. She sighed. "Yes."
"It's a great feeling, right? I mean, if my man looked at me like that..." she fanned herself.
Sarah clenched her jaw. "He's not my man."
The clerked frowned at her. "I thought you were just being modest, but you're serious." She shook her head. "Well, honey, if you're going to pass up a man like that, you must have someone really special in mind."
Sarah froze. "What?"
The woman smirked. "It's obvious. If you're that adamant, you've already got your eye on another prize."
Sarah's eyes widened.
The woman looked up from the clothes she was folding and giggled. "You should see your face." She shook her head. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."
Sarah blinked at her. Mind spinning over the woman's words, she did not say anything else as she changed back into her borrowed t-shirt and jeans. She watched the clerk gather the clothes in her arms.
The woman glanced at her. "Don't frown. You'll get wrinkles."
It startled a laugh out of her.
"I'm just going to get rid of these. Your clothes will be at the counter."
Sarah smiled. She slipped on her coat and squared her shoulders.
"I made reservations," Luke said, the second she stepped out of the dressing room. "Maretti's. It's Italian." She felt him watching her for her reaction.
"That sounds nice." She looked away from his intense stare. "Thank you."
"My pleasure."
...
She smoothed the dress down over her hips. The fabric clung to her no matter how much she tugged on it. She sighed. Her eyes scanned her figure in the mirror. The vivid crimson of the dress made her skin seem even more pale than usual. She pursed her lips and tugged at the hemline.
"Sarah? We should probably leave soon," Luke called through the bedroom door.
She gave her reflection another glance and sighed. "I'm ready."
She carefully walked to the door in the heels the clerk had slipped into her purchases. They pinched her toes.
Luke grinned at her. "You look nice."
She forced a smile. "Thank you. You look nice, too."
He beamed. "Are you ready?"
"I think so. I'm not very steady in these shoes..." She watched his gaze sweep down her body slowly.
"Hmmm. It would be a shame to change them, though." His eyes found hers, and he held his arm out. "You can lean on me."
She hesitated.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm sorry. I was just thinking, that's all."
"Oh." He looked relieved.
The doorbell chimed in the foyer. He glanced down the hall, a perplexed scowl on his face.
"I'm not expecting anyone." He shook his head and smiled at her. "Can you make it to the door without me?"
"Yes." She slipped off the uncomfortable shoes, as soon as he was out of sight. She grabbed them in one hand and tip-toed down the hall after him.
"...not the time," Luke muttered.
She peeked around the corner. Luke leaned against the edge of the door, his body blocking her view of the other speaker.
"...and he knows it was her."
Sarah frowned. The voice was familiar. She leaned forward to try to make out more of the quiet conversation.
"I don't know what you want me to do about it," Luke whispered back furiously.
She inched forward.
"We've got company," the other person suddenly stated.
Luke's head whipped around and he stared at her. His expression switched from surprise to guilt. He looked away.
"Hello, Handler Mackenzie." Keane stepped into the house without waiting for an invitation. He swept her body with an appreciative eye. "Look who cleans up well. Seems a pity."
A heavy wave of revulsion swept through her at his expression. She crossed her arms.
Keane ignored her silence. "I bet you're wondering what I'm doing here." He raised his eyebrows. "I can just see that mind of yours spinning."
Her eyes moved from him to Luke. He did not meet her gaze.
"You've been very busy these past few days," he continued, pushing the front door closed behind him. "First, there was that slip up in the cafeteria."
Sarah frowned.
"Do you know why we don't call the Dems by their given names?" He shrugged off his coat and tossed it to Luke.
He fumbled to grab it before it hit the floor. His eyes rose to hers, before he turned his head.
At her silence, Keane continued. "It keeps things in perspective. It keeps them in their place."
"And what place is that?" she asked, before she could stop herself.
He smiled, as if he expected her outburst. "Above dirt, and just below contempt."
She stiffened. "You're wrong."
Luke's gaze flew to her. She felt his eyes on her like a weight. She refused to look at him.
"I thought you may say that," Keane said. His lips curved into a cold smile. "Which brings me back to your recent activities. The visit to the library."
She stared at him silently.
"Nothing to say? What about the book you stole and stuffed under your pillow?"
She cringed.
"And that digging at City Hall? Putting your family in danger, because of your curiosity. It's very selfish."
She started to crumble, when her mind snagged on something he said. Her eyes narrowed. "How do you know where I put the book?"
His smile widened. "You know, I have to admit, I was surprised to see it. With all the time your sniveling brother spent at Bill's house, I had assumed the book burnt up in the fire. Imagine my surprise to find it under your pillow, safe and sound."
She glared at him. "Don't insult my brother."
He smirked. "Or what?" His gaze slid to Luke. "Oh, maybe you think Williams is going to come to your aid. Is that it?"
She glanced at Luke. He carefully avoided her gaze.
"Sorry, to be the bearer of bad news, but you're getting no help from him. In fact, why don't you ask him how his mother, my sister, is doing? Go ahead. I'll wait." Satisfaction dripped from his tone.
"You're his uncle? Of course," she muttered to herself. "The note at the hospital." She glared at Luke. "But, why didn't you tell me when I started? Or all those times you warned me about him?"
"There was never a good time," Luke answered quietly.
"I told him not to tell you."
She tore her eyes away from Luke's bowed head to look at Keane. "Why? Was he suppose
d to spy on me?"
Luke flinched at her tone.
"In a manner of speaking," Keane answered. He took a step toward her. "At first, I told him to just watch you. Make sure you didn't follow in your family's accident prone footsteps. Especially, after that fiasco with your brother. What a tragedy."
She clenched her fists. "Don't talk about my brother."
He moved forward, until she had to crane her neck to meet his gaze. "You know, your loyalty to him is almost charming. I imagine, it would be cute if it weren't so pathetic." He leaned into her space.
"You don't know anything about my brother," she spat.
He laughed. "Careful. You're starting to sound like that Dem." His smile faded. "I paid your Dem a visit yesterday. I gotta tell you, he's looking a little...peaked." He studied her. "You're looking a little wane yourself, Sarah."
"I'm tired."
"I'm sure. Be that as it may, it's a strange sort of coincidence that the Dem decides to get, for lack of a better word, sick the very day you get yourself suspended. I find that interesting."
Sarah frowned. "They don't get sick." She glanced at Luke, but he was staring at his uncle. "You're lying."
"No need," he assured her.
Marked. The word floated through her mind, as she stared at him. Her skin tingled.
"I'm just as surprised, as you are," Keane continued. "In fact, I would almost say, I'm more surprised than you are." His eyes narrowed. "What do you know that I don't?"
She blinked. "What?"
He tipped his head to the side. "Something in that book? Tell me," he demanded.
She took a step away from him. "I don't know what you're talking about."
He grabbed her shoulders. "I can make you tell me."
"That's enough!" Luke shoved him aside. He positioned himself between the two of them. His eyes scanned her. "Are you okay?"
The city's storm siren screamed to life and she jerked violently.
"What the hell?" Luke whirled around to face the front windows. "There's not a cloud in the sky."
At his comment, Keane burst into movement. He snatched his coat from Luke and ran out the front door.
Sarah watched Luke frown in confusion. "What's going on?"
Luke glanced at her. "I have no idea. I'm sure it's fine."
The lamp popped. She watched the light fade, leaving them in shadow.
"Must have blown a fuse."
The heating system clicked, then fell silent. Luke scowled. She watched him frown at the dark house across the street.
"Power outage."
She stiffened. Her mind immediately flew to her brother. She could clearly picture the host of machines that kept him alive. He was completely dependant on them. Her heart began to race. Luke's voice pulled her out of her frantic thoughts.
"Listen, I want to explain-"
"You don't need to explain anything to me," she interrupted. She ignored his shocked expression and walked past him.
"What are you doing?"
She perched on the chair beside the door and reached for her boots. "Leaving."
"But..." he gaped at her. "Where are you going?"
She jerked the laces tight. "Hospital."
"Now? Why?"
She sighed. "Because my brother is there."
"But the alarm-"
"All the more reason to make sure he's okay," she cut him off.
He stared at her. "They have an emergency generator. I have one, too. You should stay here where it's-"
"No, thank you." She jerked open the closet and slipped her coat on over the dress.
"Don't you at least want to change?"
"No." She watched his mouth open and close.
"I could drive-"
"I'll walk." She strode toward the door.
"Sarah, it's cold out-"
"Thank you for your hospitality. I'll be back for my things later." She pulled the door closed behind her.
...
He stared at the overhead light. His hands clenched and unclenched with the flickering bulb. He heard the humans in the Main Hall. Their voices became louder with each power failure, as if they could feel the anticipation in the air. The light above his cell popped and slowly faded to black. His gaze snapped to the bars.
The energy shimmered within the shields. He slowly sat up. Yellow sparks raced along the security screen. The energy crackled and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He smirked. What sounded like a roll of thunder swept through the stone walls of The Corridor. He felt the power spike, before it failed completely.
He surged to his feet, his teeth set in a fierce smile. In two long strides, he crossed to the door of his cell and slammed his boot into the lock. The door jumped out of his way. He vaguely heard it clang against the bars of his cell, as he glanced both ways. Cell doors sprang open along hall.
"General."
He heard Tradis jog up behind him. His eyes scanned the hallway, before he turned to his second. "Colonel."
"Sir." Tradis bowed his head quickly. "Colonel Motlin informed me this was likely to happen within 24 hours. What are your orders?"
"Gather the humans in the Main Hall, and evacuate The Corridor."
"Sir."
Farran watched him stride down the hallway, until he entered the Main Hall and vanished from view.
"Go."
The Dems around him hurried to follow his second. He crossed his arms and scanned each one, as they passed. His eyes lingered on Eitad.
"Private."
Eitad froze.
"I assume your insubordination will not be repeated. Is that correct?"
Eitad turned to face him. Farran watched him swallow hard.
"Yes, sir."
Farran nodded. "Go on, then." He followed his men at a sedate pace.
The air filled with the roar of hundreds of humans screaming in terror. His lips curved. He stepped through the final doorway and glanced around the Main Hall. Most of the humans stumbled ahead of the Dems sent to retrieve them, but several obviously refused to be herded. They screamed and flailed, as they were dragged into the room.
Farran sneered. He crossed his arms and watched their antics. The humans wandered between the tables blindly, bumping into benches and tripping over each other. He watched Motlin approach from the corner of his eye.
Farran glanced at him. "What is that phrase the humans use so often?" He watched the engineer's gaze move around the room.
"Turn about is fair play."
"Yes. That is the one. I knew that phrase would be of use." He saw Motlin smirk.
"Most satisfying, sir."
"Indeed."
He turned on his heel and strolled across the room toward the exit. Tradis stood on the other side of the doorway. Farran watched him scan each Dem that passed, clearly counting. He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb.
"First battalion, companies two and three have been successfully evacuated. Colonel Motlin sent Major Balendin to supervise the evacuation of second battalion, company one. Major Vikram and Captain Ragnar are securing the surface."
Farran nodded. "And Captain Azzan?"
"Collecting the humans with Captain Drusus."
"Well done." Farran watched Balendin emerge from a hallway. His company followed him from the entrance of Corridors Fifteen to Thirty. "Send Major Balendin's company to the surface."
"Yes, sir."
Farran left him to his duties. He turned his head toward the far side of the room and casually scanned the humans. They cowered in groups along the wall.
"General," Balendin greeted, as he passed.
Farran returned his nod.
"What do you intend to do?" Motlin asked, as he approached. His gaze followed Farran's to the humans.
"Nothing." He laughed at the look his engineer gave him. "Truly."
Motlin raised his eyebrows.
Tradis paused beside him. "Second battalion, company one has been evacuated, General."
Farran nodded. "Let us leave this p
lace."
He turned away from the humans and stalked from the Main Hall. He heard Tradis and Motlin yell the order in their native tongue. The smooth stone beneath his boots gave way to the iron steps of the staircase. He climbed quickly, feeling a tingle of unease begin in his stomach along with the growing pain.
The winter air swirled down around him. His mind immediately connected the scent with Sarah. He scowled. The wail of a siren broke the silence. His head jerked up and he hurried up the last few steps. His men spread out around the glass shelter of the stairwell. He narrowed his eyes at the nearby houses.
"Status report."
Vikram stepped forward. "General. My company swept the area to the east. We neutralized the sentries, but one had time to alert the others." He scowled at the ground.
Farran nodded. "Find the sentry. Now."
Vikram gave him a snappy bow and returned to his company. Farran watched them split into teams. One jogged around the shelter toward the hills in the east. The other marched toward the nearby houses. He turned to watch the last of his regiment emerge from the staircase. The shrillness of the alarm seemed to grow the longer it continued. He grimaced.
"A forewarning, I assume?" Tradis paused next to him to gaze at their surroundings.
"Presumably," he answered.
"It is irritating."
Farran nodded. "Very. I intend to find the one responsible and express my displeasure." He saw Tradis smirk.
"Several of them have made it out of the Main Hall," Tradis commented, as they watched the emergency vehicles speed up the hill toward their position.
Farran nodded. "Yes." He tipped his head to listen to the faint scampering.
"Turn about?"
Farran smirked. "I wondered if you heard that."
Tradis' lips quirked. "It is a very appropriate sentiment."
Farran watched the first wave of humans break against the line of Dems. "Destroy the staircase."
"Poetic."
Farran raised an eyebrow and Tradis bowed.
"As you say."
Farran turned his attention to the battle. He eyed the human offense in disgust. They attacked without skill or focus. His soldiers mowed them over, as if they were not there. He glanced at Motlin.
"Lacks sport," the engineer remarked.
Farran nodded. "Pathetic."
"Yes." He ducked his head, and seemed to gather himself. "I wish to inquire about your marked."
