by Ciana Stone
“How can I thank you?”
“Be happy,” she replied and staggered. “Brody?”
“I’m here, Red.” He scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the living room to put her on the sofa. “Do you want to lie down?”
“No, just sit with me, please.”
Everyone had followed them and stood watching. “Please, sit.” Trina offered.
It meant bringing in chairs from the dining room, but at least everyone was seated.
“Are you going to be okay?” JJ asked Trina. “If I’d known it would hurt you I never−"
“I will be fine. I promise,” she gave him a smile and then turned her attention to Mason.
“Savannah came seeking answers. I’m guessing you’ve told her?”
“Yes.”
She nodded and looked around the room. “First, it’s important that you know. Sadie Rockler was born in my mind when I was a child. Events beyond my control eroded my psyche. My father was in the service and was rarely home and when he was, he and my mother had a strained relationship.”
She looked at Etta. “I believe my father was a good man. In my eyes he was a hero. As was his brother, who was always there for my mom and me when my Dad was gone. I didn’t realize at the time, but he loved my mother.
“One day my Dad came home and found my uncle there. There was a lot of shouting and arguing and when it was done, both left. And neither ever came back.
“I think that’s when Sadie was first created, a fetus in my mind who grew over the next few years of my mother’s alcoholism, her remarriage and the sexual abuse my stepfather visited on me.”
Trina paused. She hated telling her story, hated the way it made her feel dirty and made her Father and Uncle appear self-centered and uncaring. There was nothing pretty or precious to cling to about that time in her life.
“One day when my mother was passed out drunk, my stepfather tried to sodomize me, and Sadie came alive. She stabbed him, and we ran away.
“It was Sadie who changed our name. She seduced a Judge who was associated with the orphanage we landed in. He helped her, and we became Sadie Rockler.”
She turned her gaze to Brody. He took her hand and gave her a slight nod. She clung to his hand as she looked at Mason. “When I met you, Sadie had been dominant for a very long time. She was excited about being with the CIA and she thought you were very exciting and sexy and loved being your partner.
“Actually, she loved you. In her way. But she knew you didn’t care for her that way and you’d made it clear from the onset that there would never be anything between you but sex, so she pretended that was all she wanted as well.”
“You should have been honest.” Mason said.
“It wasn’t my truth, Mr. James, and I had no relationship with you. I was little more than an observer. Sadie never let me out.
“So, you didn’t know what she was doing?”
“Oh, I knew. More than she realized. Do you remember the first time you found her sitting up, going from one newscast to the next on the television while surfing online for news?”
“Yeah, I do. She said she had insomnia sometimes.”
“She said that to cover. Sometimes when she slept, I’d sneak out and use the time to catch up on the world, or at least on things that she didn’t pay attention to.”
“That was you?”
“Yes. She’d shove me back into the darkness before I had a chance to communicate.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“No one did. But it’s important that you know the truth. About who we were, Sadie and I, and about what happened when we were taken. But I can’t tell that part in front of anyone who doesn’t have clearance, so I will stop with a request.”
“What?”
“May I touch your mind? I think maybe your mistrust of Sadie comes from something outside of yourself. While you may not have been in love with her, I know you cared for her. You saved her life more than once and at significant risk to yourself. If nothing else, you were friends or partners who depended upon one another. She would never have betrayed you and I don’t believe you would have betrayed her.
“But you did, and I think someone did something to you as well.”
“And you think you can sense that by what—taking my hand and looking into my eyes?”
“Mason!” Savannah’s voice carried a scolding note.
“No, it’s okay.” Trina quickly argued and then Mathias spoke up.
“She’s the real thing, Mason. She took all the pain from me. Set me free.”
“He’s right,” JJ added. “It’s not in there, waiting to rise to the surface and torment me.”
“That doesn’t mean she can tell if my mind was messed with.”
“I think it does,” Etta argued. “She’s more than just a healer, Mason. She can read people. On deep levels, I believe.”
“Maybe, but I don’t think it matters at this point why I did what I did.” He looked at Trina. “I don’t have hard feelings toward her. I never did, and I don’t know why I ratted her out but I’m sorry and I’d like to help.
“However, I do need to know. If you’re not really Sadie Rockler, then is Catherine Mermet your real name?”
“No, she’s the one we created when we were captured. She was a newborn, so we put her in charge. She didn’t know anything, after all. She was a blank slate. That’s how we survived.”
“Smart, but still, who are you?”
“Katrina Rose Johns.”
Mason fell back in his chair and stared at her in shock. “You’re—holy shit. Your Father and Uncle are Deacon and Wiley Johns?”
She nodded, and he blew out a breath, looked around the room and addressed his next words to Etta. “You realize, of course, that if we don’t find a way to get the CIA off her ass, it’ll be a fight and there are an awful lot of SEALs here who are going to be behind her, right? It could get bloody, Etta.”
“Unless we can give them what they want.” Trina spoke up.
“And that is?”
“We kill Sadie and give them the information they want.”
“And you think we can do that?”
Trina looked at Brody, who turned his gaze to Mathias and JJ. “I’m with you,” Mathias said, and JJ added. “Count me in.”
Brody grinned and turned his attention back to Mason. “I think we’re either gonna do it or go down trying.”
Mason looked at Savannah who took his hand and nodded. “Okay.” He shrugged and looked at Trina. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
“You all don’t have to be part of this if you’re against it.” She looked around at everyone. “Any of you. Honestly, I’d understand.”
“Sure we do.” JJ said. “After what you did for me, they better bring their fucking A team, because they’ll have to get through me to get to you.”
“Amen to that, brother.” Mathias added.
“You had me when you healed JJ.” Etta said. “But, I’d like to propose that before we implement any plan, we see first what we can do about making sure that Sadie can’t rise up and take control from you. And,” she looked at Mason. “We make sure there are no triggers that can be used to control you without your knowledge.”
“That sounds smart,” Mathias commented with his attention on Trina.
“Yes, it does and if you all think it’s wise, I’ll agree.”
Everyone agreed except Brody and Trina turned to him. “What about you, Brody?”
“Aww hell, Red. You had me at hello.”
Everyone laughed and even Trina giggled. Here she was, facing what would undoubtedly be the fight of her life and for the first time felt surrounded by people who genuinely cared.
Chapter Sixteen
“Do you honestly think we’re any closer than when we started?” Trina looked at Brody and then Etta. “Seriously. Can we take a break or consider switching over to my plan? No offense but I don’t think therapy is going to cut it.”
“Mayb
e not, but it was far less radical than your plan.” Etta argued.
“Yes, but I still believe my plan could work.”
“If it doesn’t get you killed.”
“Okay, point taken, but please. Brody only has a few more weeks here and—and—"
“I get it. You want to spend more time with him and less time doing this.” Etta held up her hands in surrender. “And maybe you’re right. It’s getting real hard to keep this from Deacon. Mathias said Deacon has even asked him if something is going on.”
“Can’t you keep him from reading you?”
“I can, but it’s a strain and—and I think you need to face him and your Uncle Wiley. It just might be the key to getting rid of the other personalities.”
“I know, and I’ll make a deal with you. Give me a couple of days off and I’ll come and meet them face-to-face.”
“Okay, deal. And with that, I’m out of here.”
“Thanks, Etta.” Trina jumped up and hurried around the table to hug Etta.
“You’re welcome. Enjoy your vacation.”
“I will. Thank you again.”
She and Brody watched Etta leave and then Trina turned to him. “So, I was thinking…”
“Should I be afraid?” He reached out and reeled her in with one arm.
“Very.” She looped her arms around his neck. “Are you okay with us taking a break from all the sessions?”
“Babe, you’ve gotta call the shots on that. It’s your head and when it’s time to take a break or to tell people to step back, just do it.”
“Why are you always so understanding?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Oh, Brody, how can you be so perfect?”
He chuckled. “Far from it, Red.”
“You are to me and don’t—don’t put me off again. I need to say this to you.”
“Okay.”
“I know I don’t have a lot of experience and maybe what’s happening isn’t anything new for you, but—but for me…” She paused, trying to find the right words. “You’re my first, Brody. My first lover. My first love.”
“I like being your first everything, Red.”
“Do you?”
“I do.”
“Then how about having another first with me?”
“What’d you have in mind?”
“A picnic.”
“You do know that Sadie tried that once, right?”
“Yeah, she wanted to seduce you.”
“Whereas you want…?”
She smiled as she realized he was teasing her. “The same thing.”
“Well, hell, Red, why didn’t you say so? What time?”
“Whenever you can get back. I’ll cook and get everything ready while you’re at the training center and when you get home, we’ll go down to the lake shore. I’ll even split some wood for that fire pit we dug.”
“Sounds perfect.”
It did to her as well and was topped off by his departing kiss that was perfect as perfect could be. Trina smiled, and waved goodbye then closed the door and literally danced back to the kitchen, eager to get started on their evening, determined to make it perfect.
Three hours passed before she had everything ready and had showered and dressed. Now it was just a matter of waiting, which was the hardest part. She walked outside to sit on the front porch and saw a plume of dust in the distance. There was only one thing that made that. A vehicle going very fast.
She walked to the steps and watched. It wasn’t long before she recognized who was driving the old truck. Trina ran down the steps and across the yard. “What’s wrong?” she asked the moment he stopped in the driveway.
“Brody’s been hurt.”
The world went silent except for the sudden pound of her heart. Her legs went weak and if she hadn’t grabbed onto the door of the truck, she would have fallen. In that moment it became all too clear.
She loved Brody.
“Take me to him.” With trembling hands, she opened the door and climbed into the truck.
Mathias backed up at breakneck speed, skidded to a stop then lurch forward.
“Tell me,” she said.
“He fell trying to save a recruit who was tangled in his line on the tower. The recruit panicked and—and I don’t know how but Brody fell.”
“He’s alive?”
“Yes. They called the doctor on call at the center. He called an ambulance. I headed straight here.”
“How bad is he hurt?”
“The doctor’s scared his back is broken.”
Those words hit her like a truck. She lost her breath and her vision swam. “Can you heal him?” Mathias asked.
“I think so. Or die trying.”
He looked over at her and their gazes locked. She didn’t have to say anymore. She saw it in his eyes and in the way he nodded. “I’ll be with you, Trina Rose. Hold onto me and take my strength if you need it.”
“You don’t have to—"
“He’s my friend.”
It was her turn to nod in understanding and acceptance. Minutes passed like time had slowed to a crawl but finally they reached the training facility. She and Mathias jumped out of the truck and ran.
There was a crowd of people at the base on the tower, near the water’s edge. She saw faces she knew as Mathias pushed his way through the crowd, hanging onto her hand and pulling her behind him. Etta and JJ were there as was Mason and Wiley. And her father.
She didn’t acknowledge any of them. The moment she saw Brody, she flung herself down beside him. His skin was pale, covered in sweat. It didn’t take a medical degree to tell he was in horrible pain.
“I’m here, Brody.” She ran her hands over his face, neck and chest, working down his body.
“No.” His voice was weak. “Too dangerous.”
“Shh,” she smiled at him.
“Mathias,” he pleaded. “Don’t let her—"
“She knows the risk, bro.” Mathias knelt on the other side of Brody and watched Trina.
She felt the injury as her hands passed over his torso. It was his spine. She looked up at Mathias. “I have to do this now.”
“Let me help.”
“Sit behind me in case I fall.”
He nodded and got up to kneel behind her. Trina placed both hands on Brody’s torso, just above his navel. Then she closed her eyes and opened herself to the injury that threatened Brody’s life.
She’d not tried anything like this since Sadie’s love, Barush died. She hadn’t been able to save him and had almost died herself. She might have if Catherine had not emerged to stop her.
This time, nothing would stop her. She’d not lied. She’d save him or die trying.
The pain hit her with such force it drove the air from her lungs. It was agony more intense than any she’d felt before. Dear God, how was Brody not screaming in pain? She could barely breathe from the agony.
“Stop.” She heard the voice and recognized Etta but ignored it. She could feel it moving into her, feel his body as the fibers and cells began to knit and cling and rejuvenate. And her own started to crumble.
“Mathias.” Trina didn’t really mean to call for help, but she could barely stay conscious and Brody was not yet safe.
“I’m here.” He put his arms around her, holding her tight and she felt his strength radiate into her, amplifying her power. On and on, she willed Brody’s injury to leave him and she took it, crying silently in pain and trembling in effort.
Trina was unaware of anything but the pain and injury she pulled from Brody’s body. Then she felt something else. Mathias’ strength was ebbing. “I’ve got this,” she whispered. “Let go now.”
“No.”
“Please, do as I ask.”
He did, and the loss of his strength had her bending forward, her hair draping the sides of her face to form a shield. Her gaze stayed on Brody and she saw the color returning to his face, felt him becoming whole and the joy that filled her was unlike anything she’d ever expe
rience it was so vast.
The last of his injury passed into her and she struggled to push herself upright. She looked up at the sky, releasing her prayer for salvation and strength in one word.
“Begone.”
A spasm of pain wracked her entire body, moving up her spine and through her chest, into her heart and throat, her face and head and she had time to think that she hoped she’d succeeded in healing the man she loved before everything washed into an endless sea of white.
*****
Brody took Trina into his arms and held her close. The on-site physician was beside him and kept checking her vitals. She had a pulse, but it was far too slow, and her breath was shallow and weak.
“The ambulance will be here any moment.” Etta crouched beside him to put her hand on Trina’s back. She closed her eyes for few moments then looked at Brody.
“I can’t tell, I’m sorry. She’s not just asleep, Brody. She’s unconscious.”
“Don’t leave me, Red.” He whispered to Trina. “Don’t you dare leave me. I need you. You hear me?”
Etta stood at the sound of a siren in the distance and walked over to where Deacon and Wiley stood with Mason and JJ.
“Sadie made her do that for Baruch and she nearly died.” Mason said.
“You don’t think she’ll die?” JJ asked.
“I don’t know what to think, except we need to disperse these people. Deacon?”
He nodded and turned to look around. “Recruits, return to barracks. We’ll notify you when training recommences.”
Several of the recruits had questions. Deacon led them a short distance away from those waiting for the ambulance. Etta watched everyone and noticed how intently Wiley was watching Brody as he held Trina and talked softly to her.
Did he recognize Trina, or was something about her familiar? Those questions were dismissed as the ambulance rolled to a stop and the EMT’s piled out. Brody was loathe to release Trina to them and it took Mathias to convince him.
Etta didn’t want to give away anything that had happened but asked that Brody be transported with Trina and checked since he’d taken a little fall. That’s how she put it and ignored the looks she received from JJ. She’d confess her reasons later.
