Restless (Element Preservers, #4)

by Linwood, Alycia

  “No, but Ethan saw my fire was weaker than his.”

  “Good. Then there’s nothing to worry about. I don’t think anyone would immediately connect a weaker element with the disease. Ethan’s element just happens to be pure.” The tension left Lily’s shoulders. She must be glad most of the scientists were safe, so for her our mission was already a success. More people came through the door, some of them looking a lot like the government’s men. As far as I could see, all the scientists wore their coats and overalls, not black suits. Besides, the men in suits walked with their hands behind their backs. They were probably tied up, even though I couldn’t see that from the spot where I was standing.

  “We’re taking some of the kidnappers with us to question them. Maybe they can tell us something about Ethan and Paula’s whereabouts.” The gleam in Lily’s eyes told me that she meant to get revenge for what the kidnappers had done to the scientists. I was sure the questioning wouldn’t be pleasant.

  “Do whatever you want, but our time is running out.” Something buzzed in my ear and I realized it was the device I’d gotten from the girl so she could redirect the president’s calls to me. Oh, crap.

  “What was that little trick you were trying to pull off?” the president hissed into my ear and I winced. “Did you really think you can outsmart me?”

  “I almost did. The scientists are free.”

  “Yes, but the one that matters to you isn’t.” I could almost hear him smile at me, no matter how impossible that seemed. “I’m warning you, my dear. If you try anything like this again, your friend will die. I assure you it won’t be easy for you to find her this time. Paula will pay for every mistake you make. I promise you that.”

  I felt cold all over as if someone had dipped me in icy water. “What about Ethan? Is he your hostage too?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” The president hung up and I nearly threw the phone to the ground. I looked up at Lily and saw sadness in her brown eyes.

  “We’ll do everything to find her,” she said, but I could tell she didn’t believe we could find and save Paula in time. Even I was losing my hope because the president would expect us to attack, so he’d do something better than throw Paula into an abandoned building. Not to mention that it was much easier to hide one person than a whole group.

  “It’s going to be alright,” Adrian said. “They won’t kill her because they need you to be on that protest. You can always request to talk to her as a proof that she’s still alive.”

  “I hope you’re right,” I whispered.

  Chapter 26

  “I wish there was something we could do other than sit here and wait,” I said, leaning my elbows on the desk in my office. Adrian got up from the chair he’d been sitting in and came to stand behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders. He’d risked being seen to come to my office again, but the government most likely knew there was something between Adrian and me by now.

  “I know.” He gently squeezed my shoulders and started to trace circles up and down my back. “If anyone can find Paula, it’s Lily’s team.”

  “Yeah, but all they found was the abandoned car, and no trace of Ethan and Paula. They couldn’t have disappeared into thin air.” I couldn’t help but relax while Adrian massaged a tense spot in my neck. “It’s getting dark already. If they don’t find a clue soon...”

  My phone rang and I nearly jumped up to answer.

  “Lily knows Paula’s location,” Michael said, his voice urgent.

  “Michael?” I was so stunned that he was the one who called that I could barely form a coherent thought. “Where is Lily? Is she busy?”

  Michael hesitated for a moment. “No, not really.”

  “What do you mean? If she knows where Paula is, she should be making rescue plans!”

  “Actually, Lily didn’t plan to tell you any of this... because Paula is in a lab.”

  “What lab?” I frowned. “Why wouldn’t Lily tell me?” What Michael was saying didn’t make any sense. Lily would probably argue if I wanted to come with her, but she’d never hide something so important from me.

  “That lab is the government’s best kept lab. It’s impossible to get in, especially if a large group of people approaches, carriers or not.” The worry was evident Michael’s voice. “We don’t know much about the lab, except that it has 3 levels of security. All devices that aren’t approved by the security stop working in there, and there’s no way to tell who or what is inside.”

  “How do you know Paula is there then?” My heart rate was increasing with each second. Did all of this mean it was impossible to save Paula before it was too late?

  “Lily’s techs hacked a satellite and saw an image of Ethan carrying Paula into the lab right before the image was deleted. No one could retrieve the image, but those who saw it swear that they recognized Paula. Lily can’t risk sending in a team because that would be a suicide mission. No one knows what lies inside. The chances that the team gets Paula and survives aren’t that great, even if they go inside and start shooting like madmen,” Michael said, barely taking a breath. “There could be dozens of armed men inside.”

  “Fine. Then I’ll have to go.” A suicide mission didn’t sound particularly appealing, but at least I could try to save Paula. There was no guarantee that the government would let Paula go after they killed me during the protest. I was a dead woman either way.

  “No way,” Adrian said, turning my chair so I was facing him. He knelt on the floor in front of me and pressed his hands firmly against my legs. “There’s no fucking way in hell I’m letting you go there.”

  “I’m afraid I must agree with your douchebag boyfriend.” Michael sighed. “I only wanted to let you know what is going on because I’m as worried about Paula as you are, but you don’t have to do this.”

  “Yes, I do.” I earned myself a dark look from Adrian. “The government wants me dead, but if they want to make a spectacle out of my death, they need to kill me during the protest. I have the biggest chances of survival even if I get caught. Think about it.”

  “But there’s almost no way to get inside,” Michael said, sounding resigned.

  “Almost no way,” I repeated his words, a smile breaking out on my lips. “Do you know how to get inside?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Tell me,” I said, and Adrian reached for the phone, probably trying to end the call. Wrapping my fingers around his wrist, I squeezed until he pulled his arm back. He shot me an annoyed glare, but I only shook my head at him.

  “You might be able to sneak in with the delivery, but even if you do that, there’s no way of telling what kind of security the lab has. We only know that it’s good. Very good.” Michael actually sounded a bit impressed.

  “Oh, come on. It’s only a fucking lab. I bet they have many scientists there and don’t know what each of them looks like.” I scratched my head, trying to come up with a good plan. “Can’t Lily’s team just capture one of the guys who work there and force him to tell them everything? Maybe we’re scared for no reason.”

  “I don’t think that would work. The scientists usually don’t know much and the security guys are very loyal to the president and would sooner die than reveal anything to the enemy.”

  “Great.” I rolled my eyes. “The only loyal people in this country work for the president. That lucky bastard!”

  “I still don’t think you should go anywhere,” Michael said.

  “She won’t,” Adrian interrupted. “I’ll go.”

  It was my turn to gape at him and vehemently shake my head. “No. You’re not going anywhere. They’d kill you!”

  “We could offer them a trade. Me for her.” Adrian boldly met my eyes as if I’d ever send him to his death. “They know you care about me. At least I’d have better chances to escape. I know how to deal with places like that.”

  “No! We can’t give the president the proof that we’re together. He’d find at least a hundred of ways to twist that fact and use it to torment us eve
n more before he kills us!” I pushed my chair back and got up.

  “Ria, there’s no reason for them to let Paula go once they off you.” Adrian got up, his gray-blue eyes flashing with determination. “If they accept the trade, you could always say you don’t care about me and never show up for the speech. You and Paula would get to live.”

  “Yeah, but you’d be dead!” I turned on him with all the fury I had in me. “I can’t accept that. I won’t accept that!”

  “Oh, really?” He got into my face, his breath tickling my skin. “And I’m supposed to accept your death just like that?”

  “Maybe I won’t die. Don’t you have faith in me? I could help Paula escape, and we’d both get to live. The government can’t kill me until the protest.” Even I didn’t believe in what I was saying, so why I expected Adrian to believe me was beyond me.

  “Ria, please.” He scoffed. “You can’t go alone in there and expect everyone to let you through to Paula because the president needs you for the protest. What if he changes his mind and decides to stage a nice story about your death? He could still blame carriers.”

  My determination faltered and I lowered my eyes. “Then what? If we don’t do anything, Paula and I could both die.”

  “Then we both go.” Adrian and I stared at each for a long moment. He’d never let me go alone, and even if I somehow forced him to stay, he’d find a way to follow me.

  “You guys are both stupid. You’re all going to die,” Michael said. “Ria, why don’t you let Adrian trade himself for Paula? That’s your best chance. He’s going to die anyway if he comes with you.”

  “Michael...” I groaned. “Just find a way to get us into that lab. I won’t ask anything else from you. Do it for Paula, please.”

  “Alright. I’ll see what I can do.” The line went dead.

  “We need weapons.” Adrian started to turn away from me, but I caught his arm and pulled him into a hug. Wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, I looked up into his eyes.

  “Is there nothing I can do to convince you not to come with me?” One part of me knew that I needed him with me. He was my strength. And if someone threatened his life, I was ready to blow up the whole damn lab.

  “No.” He chuckled. “I’d follow you to the end of the world, Ria Milanez. Don’t even think about knocking me unconscious or something like that.”

  “Shit.” I pouted. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

  “I always know what you’re thinking.” His soft lips brushed the tip of my nose. “And even if I die tonight, at least I’ll die protecting you.”

  “Stop it!” I let go of him and smacked him in the shoulder. “You’re not going to die.”

  “Nah, you’re right. I won’t.” He grinned, but his face was serious again only a second later, his voice low. “But if I do, kill them all.”

  “Of course,” I whispered. Luck better be on our side tonight or I’d be seriously pissed off.

  Chapter 27

  I wrinkled my nose at the horrible smell that came from the trash cans behind which Adrian and I were hiding. The government’s lab was surrounded by a high fence, and I couldn’t help but feel slightly nauseous because we were so close to it.

  “Five guards. All armed,” Adrian said, taking another peek around the corner. “I can’t feel their elements.”

  “Are they carriers or are their elements blocked?” I’d love to laugh in the president’s face if he had hired carriers to protect him.

  “Probably blocked by their suits or bracelets. The president doesn’t seem like a man who’d trust magic disease carriers.”

  “Ria, can you hear me?” Michael said.

  “Yeah.” I pressed the tiny microphone on my shirt so he could hear me too.

  “Great. The truck with supplies should be here in three minutes. It will stop at the entrance for the checkup, so you should get inside somehow and the truck will take you to the garage.”

  “Ok, but how are we supposed to reach the truck? There are cameras everywhere.” I rose to my feet and glanced at the building, counting at least five cameras that were pointed directly at the entrance.

  “I can override the computer at the nearby substation. The electricity will go off in the whole block.”

  “You can do that?” My eyebrows shot upward. I’d never guessed Michael was so interested in computers.

  “Yeah, I picked up a couple of new skills while working with Lily and her team.” There was a hint of pride in his voice.

  “Cool. But doesn’t the lab have its own power supply?” It would be dumb not to have a backup, especially when labs pretty much depended on technology.

  “Yeah, it does, but you’ll have 20 seconds until their generator starts working.”

  “What about the guards?” I was sure they wouldn’t disappear if the power went off.

  “We’ll have to distract them,” Adrian said.

  I tilted my head at him. “I can do that.”

  Adrian flashed me a quick smile. The truck came a couple of minutes later than Michael had predicted, but Adrian and I could see it clearly when it stopped in front of the entrance. I found air inside of me and pushed it out, focusing my attention on the alley on the other side of the lab. The twirling air grew larger and larger as I unleashed it, crashing into various objects in its way. The sound of the rolling trash cans pierced through the silence like a thunder, attracting the guards’ attention. Only one guard remained at the entrance, and he was talking to the driver.

  Darkness swallowed the street as the lights went off, but the truck’s red lights were still visible.

  “Now.” Adrian touched my shoulder and we started running toward the truck as fast as we could. My mini-tornado was still producing enough noise, so Adrian managed to slide open the door without alerting the driver and the guard. We climbed inside and hid behind some large boxes. I could hear my heart pumping like crazy and I huddled closer to the box, afraid the guard would see us.

  The door opened and the beam of a flashlight swept across the truck, just above my head. I held my breath as I heard the guard’s footsteps coming closer.

  “It’s clear,” the guard said, sounding bored. “Even if someone is in there, they won’t get far.” The driver laughed, and I heard the door closing. I slumped against the box, my throat feeling as if I swallowed a potato. My breath came out as a little gasp.

  “That was close,” Adrian said, hitting one of the boxes as the truck lurched forward. The device in my ear popped, and all I could hear was the white noise. Michael had been right. Any foreign devices wouldn’t work as soon as we reached the lab’s protected area. I had no idea what they did to keep their technology untouched, but I wasn’t about to go ask them. Taking the device out of my ear, I flung it to the ground. I didn’t know if they had special detectors inside, and the device was useless anyway, so it was better for me not to carry it around.

  The truck came to a stop and I strained my ears to hear what was going on outside. We had to get out the truck before someone tried to unload it. We heard footsteps near the door and coldness filled the truck. The door shook, but it wouldn’t open because Adrian had frozen it with his element. The man swore and trudged off, probably to find something to use on the door. It was our moment to move.

  Adrian pulled his ice back without melting it and we slipped outside. We ran toward the nearest pile of boxes and hid behind it.

  “When did you learn how to do that?” I whispered. It took a great deal of energy to stay in contact with your element and pull it back completely like nothing had happened. In fact, I’d never seen someone do it before. It was nearly impossible to do it with fire, though, because things that got burned couldn’t get whole again no matter what you did with your element. If I survived this night, I’d have to try that particular skill with my water or air.

  Adrian only grinned at me, and we focused on our new surroundings. He nudged my shoulder and pointed at the door on the other end of the garage. I pulled out my gun and pr
epared myself for the run. We had no idea what waited for us behind that door, but we had to be ready. Just as I was about to start for the door, Adrian grabbed my wrist and bobbed his head toward one of the boxes that was open.

  “What?” I looked at him in confusion.

  “White coats,” he said. “If we dress up like scientists, maybe we’ll have better chances once we get inside.”

  “Oh.” That wasn’t a bad idea, considering that our original plan was to run inside, shooting at anyone who got in our way, and try to get to Paula before anyone noticed the cameras were frozen. Adrian tore the box and took out two nearly identical coats. I shrugged one over my shoulders and hid my gun underneath it, in a place where I could easily reach it.

  It was unusual to see Adrian wearing a white coat, but I didn’t have time to comment on that. We strode across the garage and opened the door. The cameras were everywhere, so we kept our heads down and pretend to check something on the large notepads we had found with the coats. My throat constricted as we moved down the hall and I was afraid I’d throw up.

  Adrian looked unnerved too, his face pale, his eyes darting from one white wall to another. This lab wasn’t any different from any other lab with its white walls and white floors, so I could understand why Adrian didn’t like it in here. A man and a woman in white coats approached us from the other end of the hall, but they didn’t even glance at us as we passed them by. The woman was saying something about a new experiment and the man next to her was nodding enthusiastically.

  We found ourselves in a big room with an elevator. Guards with rifles stood right across from the elevator, monitoring it for any suspicious activity. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from flinching and staring at them. As we neared the elevator, I realized it was closed and right next to it was a fingerprint and eye scanner. Oh, crap. What now? I searched Adrian’s eyes, but he focused on the elevator, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

  We slowed our pace a little, but if we stopped here or turned around, the guards would become suspicious. I could already feel their eyes on my back and had to fight the urge to just turn around and run for the exit.