The Complete Lost Children Series

by Krista Street

  SINCE NONE OF us had anything other than the clothes on our backs and whatever we’d grabbed on our way out the door last night, nobody bothered to shower or change. Susannah at this very moment was perched on a tree outside of Marcus’ home. The longer she sat there, the more likely she’d be spotted. Given her size, there was no way she’d be mistaken for a normal eagle. Marcus was bound to capture her, or worse, kill her, the longer she was on her own.

  “We need vehicles.” Father surveyed the busy highway outside our motel window. The limo we’d hired was long gone. “Flint and Di? There’s a car dealership down the road. We can buy two there. Would you like to join me?”

  Father’s authoritative tone and brisk manner set me on edge. Normally, he was prone to hashing things out as a group and letting us decide our own fates. Today there was none of that. Father was in charge.

  Watching the three of them disappear out the door only made my anxiety grow. With the remaining eight of us in the motel room, it felt crowded and claustrophobic.

  It didn’t help that Luke paced, low growls emitting from his throat like deep rumbles from the passing semis. Jacinda kept wringing her hands. Amber and Edgar huddled in the corner. Only Mica and the twins seemed ready for what was to come. Nervous yet excited energy emitted from the three of them.

  But this was different from our previous encounters with Marcus and his men. For one, we had no time to plan, and two, we’d be on Marcus’ turf. He’d have a distinct advantage.

  “I need some air.” I bounded out of the room.

  I stood in the parking lot and took in huge gulps of cold winter wind. The huge blow-up Santa swayed in the breeze. If only I felt as happy as he looked.

  A few cars drove by on the frontage road. Slushy snow sprayed in their wakes every time one passed.

  A door opened and closed behind me. A moment later, Jacinda’s energy reached me. It pulsed against my back in soft waves. She laid a hand on my shoulder.

  “Are you okay?”

  I didn’t turn, but I nodded. Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks. I didn’t know where these emotions came from. Maybe it was from the hellish experience I’d just escaped from. Maybe it was from lack of sleep. Heck, maybe I was pregnant and experiencing new hormones. Whatever its cause, it didn’t matter, because what I did know was that we were returning to the one place I’d so desperately sought to escape.

  “I’m scared,” I replied honestly.

  Her grip loosened on my shoulder and then long slender fingers closed over mine. She squeezed my hand tightly. “Me too.”

  We stayed outside, holding hands, as the giant Santa grinned and waved to passerbys. Neither of us said anything until Father, Di and Flint returned with the vehicles. Both were American SUV’s with Ford logos blazing in their grills. Their large tires kicked up snow and slush when they parked in the lot. Di stepped out of the vehicle and called for everyone to get in.

  Taking a deep breath, Jacinda and I collected the others before setting out into a future that suddenly seemed more precarious than any we’d faced before.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  When we drove to Marcus’ estate, we didn’t take back roads. Nor did we conceal our identities behind sunglasses and large hats. We were done hiding. If Marcus wanted us, he’d have to fight to get us.

  Nervous, heightened energy permeated the cab—the way smoke consumes a burning house. At times, it made it hard to breathe. Now more than ever, I needed to call upon my ability to protect us. My foot tapped repeatedly against the floor. If Marcus still had that sound machine, we’d again be rendered useless.

  But we didn’t have a choice.

  We couldn’t wait to prepare. We needed to act now. Susannah’s life may be in danger, and come what may, all of us were willing to fight to protect her.

  Forest surrounded the sleepy, county road that bordered Marcus’ property. Di stopped the vehicle twenty yards from the main gates. Father stopped the second vehicle just behind us.

  Large, towering trees rose like unfolding umbrellas above, their bare skeleton branches naked in winter. Only a few days ago this very forest had hid me while Marcus’ men combed the woods. Vivid images of flattening to the cold, dead earth while a spot light from a security vehicle shone from the road, filtered through my mind. A zing of terror ran down my spine.

  The gates I’d blasted through just three days ago were already replaced. Shiny, new metal gleamed. Swiveling cameras at the top turned toward us. Two men flanked the gates, watching us suspiciously. One had a broken arm.

  I cocked my head. That was new. There hadn’t been security there when I busted out.

  Flint tensed beside me, his energy increasing. Luke straightened too, growling as his eyes flickered to gold.

  My gaze returned to the guy’s broken arm. “Did you do that?” I asked Flint.

  “Yeah, that bastard tried to take me down when they hauled you away.”

  “Everyone stay together when we get out.” Di unclicked her seatbelt. “Without a rehearsed plan, we have nothing to fall back on other than our instincts. If something doesn’t seem right—react. And remember, our main priority is beating Marcus, then we can rescue Susannah.”

  When we opened our doors and stepped onto the county road, one of the men reached for a walkie-talkie. Crackling static could be heard from the distance. Our slamming doors cut off the sound.

  Di glanced my way. “Lena?”

  I quickly gathered the energy inside of me. The fear swirling in my core made my energy grow. I then gathered the energy around us. Between our heightened states and the abundance of trees and wildlife, there was plenty to feed on.

  The ball I formed was large and powerful. With careful precision, I descended it over the men. The one holding his walkie-talkie shrieked. Both were pushed flat to the ground. When that happened, the one with the broken arm screamed in pain.

  Di raised an eyebrow. “Flint and Luke?”

  They raced to the security men. A blow to each head and both men were unconscious.

  “Tie them up.” Di pulled a bag of zipties from her back pocket and tossed the bag to them.

  I shook my head. Always prepared.

  A few minutes later, both men were passed out with ankles tied and arms bound behind their backs. Flint and Luke stowed them in the ditch, out of view. On the off chance anyone drove by, they’d have no idea that two men lay unconscious in the dead grass.

  The twelve of us marched to the gates. Everyone’s energy was so high a headache threatened. I pulled up my reserves and created a protective bubble around me. I needed to stay focused.

  The gates stood tall and menacing. Di eyed me again. “Lena?”

  I gathered my energy and then called upon others. The trees responded, as if standing to attention that someone within their vicinity could feel their power. I summoned the giant oaks and evergreens, harnessing their great age and strength. Using their power, I manipulated my cloud subtly, winding it into the locking mechanism on the gate.

  Similar to how I escaped, I molded my cloud to the lock. With a strong push, the bolt disengaged.

  The gates swung open.

  “Let’s go.” Di strode forward.

  We fanned out, all of us assessing the yard and trees for movement. While speed was imperative, running blindly to Marcus’ home only meant we’d be oblivious to an attack.

  Mica spotted the first guard. “He’s about eighty feet away and armed. He’s trying to hide behind trees while approaching us. He has a gun.”

  Just then, he appeared around a distant oak, legs spread, arms raised.

  Mica’s breath sucked in. “He’s got a tranquilizing gun!”

  Everyone ducked behind landscaping or flattened to the ground. A swish of air sounded above. A tranquilizing dart impaled a tree on the other side of the road.

  A shout sounded in the distance. More men came from scattered areas on the property. Each carried a similar weapon to the first guard. Stomping footsteps running through gravel soun
ded next.

  “They’re going to try to capture us!” Jacinda shrieked.

  My gaze frantically scanned our surroundings. Flint squatted three yards away behind a tree. Our eyes met a second before he disappeared. A moment later, Flint materialized at the first guard’s side. The guard screamed and dropped simultaneously, his scream caught in his throat when Flint knocked him out. I had no idea if the guard was dead, but I knew Flint would kill him to defend himself or our family.

  And you’d do the same. Just remember to think before you act. Control yourself.

  No regrets.

  I closed my eyes just as Jasper and Jet closed theirs. Blood whooshed through my ears. My heart galloped in my chest.

  I called upon the forest’s energy. Whizzing darts flew past me overhead.

  Mentally, I reached out. The mens’ auras were closing in. There were five more of them. Each man’s cloud pulsed with rage, hate and glee. They were enjoying this.

  Not today. Today, is not the day we get captured!

  My teeth gritted together as I gathered their clouds but already I could feel the mens’ energy diminishing. The twins were manipulating them full force.

  I descended balls upon them, squashing each man to the ground. Flint’s blurred figure suddenly appeared by the first one. He knocked him out. Luke growled and pushed up. He reached the second man just as Flint appeared beside the third. Together, they took down four and five.

  When each was unconscious, I shakily stood. My brothers, sisters and Father did the same. Cloudy puffs of breath hovered around us. Everyone panted.

  “That was close,” Amber whispered.

  Mica’s brown eyes grew wide. “Too close.”

  “Where are the rest?” Di’s sharp gaze darted around.

  “Seven . . . or eight men are in the distance.” Amber lifted her nose and sniffed. “I keep catching their scents on the breeze. They’re still far away.”

  Luke joined our side. His eyes glowed golden. “They’re on the other side of the property.”

  “They know we’re here.” Edgar’s voice shook with fear. “The buggers are preparin’ right now.”

  “How do you know that?” Amber inched closer to him.

  “Luke in’it the only one with other traits, love.”

  I did a double take at Edgar. It was the first time he’d alluded to having more abilities, but of course, he had to. From the dozens and dozens of colors in his cloud it was impossible he didn’t have enhanced characteristics. He simply never talked about them. Father had guessed it was another defense mechanism. It seemed Edgar wished to be a normal human.

  Di nodded briskly. “Let’s get a move on. It’s only a matter of time before they find us.”

  When we reached the fountain in Marcus’ drive, we stopped and faced the front door. We didn’t have to wait long. The door opened. But instead of Marcus peeking out, it was Raven.

  My breath stopped.

  Flint and Di stiffened beside me.

  I knew Raven could burn us alive if he wanted to. I hated to do it, but I readied an energy ball just in case.

  “Lena!” Surprise was evident in Raven’s voice.

  “Hi, Raven.”

  He stepped onto the drive, leaving the door open behind him. He was barefoot. Di and Flint’s energy picked up even more.

  Raven’s hair stood out on all ends, as if he’d been raking his hands through it all afternoon. His olive-toned skin looked as though he’d just been on a Caribbean cruise—tanned from days in the sun. His eyes, though, were uniquely him. They were visible even from the distance. They glowed brighter.

  “I thought I was seeing things on the security camera.” He shuffled from foot to foot.

  I stiffened. “Is your dad here?”

  He nodded. “He’s calling extra security right now.”

  The energy in our group picked up even more. I diffused it around me. “How many men are coming?”

  Raven’s eyes darted from mine to Di and then Flint. Those fire filled irises glowed even brighter. “Um, there’s twenty-five total on the property right now. He boosted security after you escaped.”

  “Seventeen more,” I murmured. Hopefully those eight that had been knocked out behind us were still unconscious. Fear clawed my throat, making the next words stumble out. “Do they have that sound machine?”

  Raven shook his head. “That was borrowed from a guy my dad knew in California. It’s not here.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief.

  However, Di and Flint’s energy grew the more Raven and I spoke. Di shifted, the pebbles crunching under her shoes. “You’re Raven?”

  Raven nodded. “You must be Di.” He glanced between her and Flint. “You do look like me.”

  Flint’s energy quadrupled.

  “Will you please tell your father to step outside to speak with us?” Father’s diplomatic question seemed to break the spell.

  “Um . . .” Raven murmured. He kept darting glances at Flint and Di.

  “I have a better idea.” Jet placed his feet wider apart and nudged Jasper. “How about we make him come out?” The twins closed their eyes.

  I did the same and reached out with my mental arms, gathering and drawing the energy around us.

  I found Susannah about two hundred yards away. She was still in eagle form and was watching everything that was going on. I wasn’t sure if she was aware of me or not. Her eyes stayed focused on the house. I moved my reach beyond her, to the surrounding roads and terrain where men could be coming from.

  I sensed the seventeen other men. They were drawing closer. From their heightened energy, I knew they were coming to fight.

  Marcus abruptly appeared behind Raven.

  Raven’s mouth dropped when his dad joined him on the gravel drive. A glazed look filled Marcus’ eyes. The twins’ ability strummed full force.

  When Marcus stood only ten feet away, his eyes cleared before widening. The twins had released him.

  Now, the negotiations begin.

  Marcus glanced hurriedly around and seemed about to run, when Flint disappeared from my side, only to reappear behind Marcus. He grasped Marcus’ arms and wrenched them behind his back.

  Marcus howled in pain.

  Raven took a step forward.

  I gave Raven a desperate look, begging him to not interfere. Even though none of us wanted to hurt Raven, we’d be left with no choice if he intervened.

  The shuffle of Marcus’ feet on the pebbles slowly stilled as Flint held him in a steel-like grip. However, what I heard next was not what I expected.

  Marcus laughed.

  “So here they all are.” His gaze traveled to each of us, one by one. When he settled on Father, something evil shone through Marcus’ irises.

  I switched my vision. Marcus’ cloud appeared around him. It was worse than I remembered. Billowing like a pitch black menacing storm cloud, it pulsed and throbbed. It grew in diameter as he watched Father. That sight triggered a memory of me in O’Brien’s warehouse. Marcus stood above me, his eyes filled with a sadistic gleam as he plunged a needle into my arm.

  I snapped my vision back to normal. My heart pounded. I glanced away as my chest rose and fell.

  Marcus’ glacial words brought me back to the present. “Conroy, dear friend, it’s been too long.”

  Father stiffened but met Marcus’ gaze. “Enough is enough, Marcus. We’re not going to hide anymore. We’ve come to negotiate with you.”

  “Negotiate?” Marcus’ breath puffed in clouds each time he spoke. In his perfectly tailored dress shirt, he must be freezing, but he didn’t seem to care. “What makes you think I’m going to negotiate?”

  “I’m not sure you have a choice,” Father replied. “It seems we have the upper hand.”

  Marcus laughed again. “Or you’ll do what? Kill me, Conroy? Please. We all know you don’t have it in you.”

  Flint’s energy increased as he leaned down. “No, he may not, but I do.”

  The threat didn’t seem to f
aze Marcus. “I’ve got my men on the way. As strong as you all think you are, your pathetic attempt at fighting last time showed me otherwise. They’ll be here any minute.”

  “That may be a minute too late,” I replied.

  Marcus’ head whipped toward me. His eyes narrowed. “Little, Galena. I wasn’t very happy with what you did the other night.”

  “I’m sure you weren’t.”

  A scream filled the air. Susannah circled above, her soaring form dominating the skies.

  “Susannah.” Marcus’ teeth grated. A look of fury covered his face.

  I darted a glance at Raven. He was staring at his dad with a shocked expression. It was as if Marcus had forgotten his son was there. Ugly, hate-filled words had flown from Marcus’ mouth. I could only hope that Raven was finally starting to see the man his father truly was.

  The sound of tires on the drive broke the quiet. Three vehicles raced toward us.

  “Ah, here they are.” Marcus smiled smugly.

  His smug look made my breath catch in my throat. The vehicles skidded to a stop. They blocked our escape. Men jumped out with guns aimed at our faces. Fear coated every particle in my body. None of us could withstand a bullet or tranquilizing dart.

  “Now,” Marcus said. “What were you saying about negotiating?”

  My heart still lodged in my throat until some of the men lowered their weapons, wistful expressions on their faces.

  The twins!

  “Keep your weapons—” But Marcus didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. Flint whipped him around so fast, a crunching sound filled the air. Marcus howled in pain.

  I winced. I felt fairly certain Flint just broke his arm.

  “Now would be the time to choose which side you’re on, brother!” Flint’s dark eyes bore into Raven’s.

  Raven backed up to the door, a horrified expression on his face.

  Another scream filled the sky. Susannah still circled above.

  The twins’ gazes whipped up. One of Marcus’ men shook his head, as if shaking himself out of a trance. Wide eyed, the man looked around, a jagged scar on his cheek. Heath.