Last Chance (DarkWorld: SkinWalker Book 3)

by Ayer, T. G.

  “Because that’s exactly what I want to do to him right now.”

  I tamped down a grin as Drake threw me a startled look and lost his glamor just for a moment. As he regained his human looks, I leaned against the counter at last. My eyes fell on the file that lay open beside me. Someone must have been disturbed while filling in details in Mom’s report. But it wasn’t the report or the information on it that stopped me in my tracks.

  It was the stationery the technician had used. I picked up the file and examined the paperwork to be sure. Then I sucked in a breath. “Drake?” I called without looking up from the file.

  “What is it?” He came immediately, probably hearing the stark consternation in my voice.

  I turned the file to face him. For a moment, he seemed confused, then annoyed, as if he thought I was playing games with him. He was about to look up at me when his gaze must have caught the letterhead and he stopped, mouth open and eyes wide. “You got to be fucking kidding me.”

  I had nothing to respond with, considering the Gargoyle had voiced my very thoughts with perfection.

  “So? What are we going to do?” he asked, his voice as shocked as I felt.

  And a voice behind us said, “Do about what?”

  I spun around, the file still in my shaking hand. Saleem stood in front of me, looking endearingly confused. I forced myself to breathe. “We were getting worried. Mel’s been gone a bit too long.” I tried to keep my answer short. I had the tendency to ramble when I was lying.

  Saleem shook his head sharply. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you home. Let’s see what’s keeping Mel.” Then he turned to Drake, studying the Djinn, suspicion gleaming in his black eyes. “You mind waiting for me or Mel to come back?”

  Drake glanced at me, and only when I gave him a quick nod did he say, “Sure.”

  Saleem gave him an odd look, clearly curious about the Gargoyle’s strange behavior. Then he grinned at me and crooked his elbow. “Ready when you are, ma’am.”

  I forced a smiled onto my face, gripped the file in my hand, out of Saleem’s sight, and took his elbow. Almost immediately, my stomach turned as if something were sucking the air out of me. Saleem’s jumps were certainly more turbulent than Mel’s.

  We landed in my apartment just inside the front door. I didn’t wait to speak to Saleem, just threw the file on the dining table and ran to my bedroom where my panther ears had picked up movement.

  Mom lay in the bed, pale and still unconscious. Mel sat at the foot, silent and surly. Beside the door stood a man who I’d never seen before. He was burly and looked too strong for me to fight. My panther senses picked up Saleem’s light tread through the floorboards. He was coming after me. I slipped one hand behind my back and waved it at the Djinn, hoping he’d see it and understand.

  My spine remained stiff as I stared at the man by the door. “Who are you?” I asked coldly. And loudly. That should give Saleem enough warning.

  “That is not important right now. At this time, our highest priority is to ensure you and the rest of your team are safe and not contaminated.” There was a slight hesitation in his voice when he said the word contaminated.

  “What?” I snapped at the man. “Are you going to give me some bullshit line about contamination? Who the hell are you?”

  The man ignored me, then turned slowly to look into the dining area. I turned too, as if to see what he was looking at. When he met my eyes, I raised an eyebrow. “What?” I asked, determined not to make things easy.

  “Where is the jumper?” His eyes never left mine.

  “How should I know? He was here when I arrived. How else would I have gotten here?”

  He didn’t answer me, just tilted his head and spoke strangely, in much the same way I did when I spoke into my microphone. “The Hunter has returned. The jumper has left… No, no idea. I’d assume back to the facility to extract the rest of their team… Yes, sir. I’ll let you know immediately.” Then he fell silent, and I had the odd feeling he was restraining himself from saluting his absent superior.

  I faced him and folded my arms. “So what is it you people want?”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. At the moment, I am not at liberty to say. Ms. Morgan here is also awaiting an answer. Which you will both get during debriefing.”

  I barely waited for him to finish speaking before I turned my back on him and headed to Mom’s side. “How is she?” I asked as I brushed aside a lock of hair from her forehead.

  I’d asked Mel, but the guard responded instead. “Her vitals are fine. She seems to be under the influence of some sort of drug.”

  My thoughts went straight to Niko, lying on the floor in the observation room. I stared at Mom, wondering if at any point she’d opened her eyes to see her brother-in-law experimenting on her. I had to force myself to concentrate on the guard’s words as he continued to speak.

  “We wanted to transfer her to our medical facility—”

  Mel cut him off. “Ivy wouldn’t let them,” she said smugly.

  She gave the guard a take that glare, and I had to laugh. “Grams told these jerks what to do and they listened?”

  “They had to, or they would have gotten themselves into deep trouble,” said Grams from the doorway. I twisted around and stared at her. It occurred to me that nothing that was happening was making the least bit of sense. “Come, girls. We need to talk.”

  We both got up and followed her out of the room. I was relieved to be out from under that guard’s constant stare, but then I wasn’t too sure about leaving Mom alone with him.

  I hesitated in the doorway, then kept moving. Mel touched my arm as we headed to the lounge. “I think she’ll be fine. They’ve taken good care of her until now.”

  “Yes,” said Grams as she sat. “They will take good care of her.”

  “Who are they and what’s going on?” I asked, not caring if she thought I was being rude.

  “Mr. Ice over there is Jerry Winter. And ‘they’ are the security detail attached to the High Council.”

  My jaw dropped.

  ***

  Chapter 37

  “What are they doing here?” I asked, not bothering to hide my shock.

  “They got wind that Celeste was in a bunker facility in Nevada.”

  “How did they get that information?” For the briefest moment, my eyes narrowed on her, and she laughed.

  “It wasn’t me, dear. Cassandra’s phone was bugged. They saw your texts.”

  “That explains why she and Larsson never showed up,” I said, sinking into the cushions at my back. I kept an eye on my open bedroom door, still unable to trust the stony guard. Suddenly, I stiffened. “Where’s Lily and Anjelo?” The question came out edged with a hint of hysteria as I feared for their safety. We’d left them behind specifically to keep them out of harm’s way.

  “Don’t worry, dear. The officials from the High Council spoke to the kids briefly, then sent them home. Even they don’t think it’s entirely necessary to arrest a couple of children.”

  “They’re hardly children, Grams,” I said wryly, trying to imagine Lily’s and Anjelo’s reaction to being referred to as children.

  “You and I both know that. The High Council doesn’t. Perhaps it’s better they continue to believe that,” Grams said a little sternly. “It seems you are responsible for those two now, Kai. I hope you make sure you keep them out of danger. One sojourn in the Wraith world should be enough for that young man.”

  I snorted. “If anything, it’s juiced up his desire for adventure. I’m probably going to find it hard to get him to concentrate on school.”

  “Well, you do your best, Kai.” Grams gave my open room door a quick glance.

  I frowned, thinking of the remainder of my team. “Are they waiting here for Saleem and Logan?”

  “Yes. They want to speak to both of them regarding the mission and what they saw.”

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea,” I said softly.

  “Why not, dear? The High Counc
il just wants to be sure Omega is still legitimate and that both those boys were involved only at your behest.”

  I heard Grams’ words, but I got to my feet and went to the table. The file was still there, but it now lay open on the table. I was sure when I’d thrown it there if it had landed closed.

  Saleem.

  I decided at this point I didn’t care. Let Logan and Saleem know what their organization was involved in, what their employers were doing to paranormals.

  I picked up the file and turned on my heel, heading back to Grams. When I handed the file to her, I said, “Now, tell me what you make of that.” Mel leaned over to peek into the file as well.

  Her response was so similar to Drake’s I had to laugh when she looked up at me with half-open mouth and wide eyes. “Tell me this isn’t true.”

  “I’m afraid it is. It’s right there for anyone to see. This facility certainly wasn’t as secret from certain Omega employees,” I said as concern rippled up and down my spine. Drake and Niko were still back there. Where would Saleem and Logan take them?

  While Grams was studying the file, I caught Mel’s gaze, then pretended to tuck my hair behind my ear. She gave me a sharp shake of her head. They’d taken her comms. But I still had mine, and I intended to use it.

  I got to my feet. “Can I use your bathroom, Grams?” I asked, making a face in the direction of my room.

  She waved me off, more interested in the file than my bathroom needs. I hurried over to Grams’ room, closing her door. Once inside her bathroom, I turned on the tap and touched my microphone. “Logan,” I said, my voice just a whisper.

  “Kai, what’s going on?” His voice held an edge of urgency that said he was borderline panicked. Good thing I’d thought to contact him, then.

  I didn’t answer. “Did you get Niko and Drake out?”

  “Yes. They’re at Drake’s.” From that, I assumed that would also be Mel’s since she did say they lived in the same house.

  “Good. The High Council is here. Just stay away until I tell you it’s okay.” My panther ears alerted me to the footstep as it hit the threshold of Gram’s room. I tugged the microphone and earwig off and threw them in the toilet. Just as I reached to flush it, someone knocked so hard on the door that I jumped.

  “What?” I asked angrily as I flushed. I waited only until I saw the comms disappear down the toilet, then flung the door open before turning my back and heading to the sink to wash my hands. “What the hell is your problem?” I flung over my shoulder. Let Jerry think I’m pissed that he disturbed my pee.

  “Who were you talking to?” he asked, his eyes watchful.

  “No one. You see anyone here?”

  Jerry stared at me, his face implacable. I dried my hands and faced him. Then he leaned over to me, peered into both my ears, then checked my collar. He did all that without touching me.

  That was a good thing.

  Then he cast a suspicious glance at the toilet. He straightened, then said, “We would appreciated your full cooperation, Ms. Odel.”

  “Of course. You’ll get it when you start telling me what the hell is going on.”

  Jerry blanched at the vicious edge to my voice. Neither my panther nor I had the patience for this.

  Grams popped her head into the bathroom. “Are you two done here? This conversation can easily be held in the lounge,” she said with a raised eyebrow.

  Jerry exited meekly, and I grinned at her as I passed. When we entered the lounge, my heart stopped mid-beat. Logan, Saleem, Drake, and a still-unconscious Niko were gathered in the middle of the floor.

  Grams, coming out of the room behind me, let out a sharp cry and ran to Niko’s side. “Oh my, please tell me I’m not imagining this.”

  “No, Grams, you aren’t imagining it,” I said. Then I glared at Logan. “I thought I told you to stay the hell away from here?”

  Behind me, I heard Jerry grunt something like, “I knew it.”

  Logan gave me a chilling glare. Uh-oh. That didn’t bode well for me after all this nonsense was said and done. I’d pissed him off. And from the looks of it, Saleem was equally upset with me. “What? Not you too?” I asked. The glacial glares didn’t warm even a degree. “I was just trying to protect you.”

  “Because of the file?” Logan asked.

  “Yes,” was all I was willing to say. I wasn’t in any condition for a good fight. Maybe later, when I’d rested.

  Logan’s expression softened a little, and I took that as a good sign. Grams was fussing over Niko and beckoned Drake to help take her unconscious son to her bedroom. Once he was comfortable, they both returned, Grams with a worried look on her face.

  I knew how she felt. There was no time to rejoice that her son was alive. The problem we faced right now was what was he doing for Omega and what did Omega want with Mom? And what connection did Omega have with the Wraith rebellion?

  “So what now?” asked Logan, his tone now unaffected and totally professional.

  “High Council debrief,” said Grams.

  “Do they need me and Drake?” asked Mel, getting to her feet and giving her cell phone a glance. “I need to go. I have an ongoing case that I’m looking into, and something’s just come up.” She waved her phone in the air as if unsure what to do.

  “Of course, you need to go, dear. I don’t think the High Council will be too upset at your absence. You don’t work for Omega.”

  Mel gave us all a weak smile and an equally weak wave before bustling out the door with her Gargoyle in tow. He gave me an odd look as they left, and my panther hearing picked up his words.

  “Typical,” he growled.

  “What’s typical?” Mel asked softly as their footsteps took them to the first flight of stairs down.

  “Just when I find myself a nice, decent, hot woman, she happens to be taken.”

  Mel’s tinkling laughter rang out as they descended the stairs, followed by a gruff, “Shut up,” from the Gargoyle.

  I was smiling to myself when I became aware they’d asked me a question. I glanced around the group. “What? What did I miss?”

  “I was asking you if you prefer the High Council come here, or would you like to go to see them?”

  “I’ll go in. I don’t want Mom disturbed.”

  Grams nodded. “Don’t worry about her. They have a good doctor looking after her. And once that boy wakes up,”—she gave her room door a dark look that said Niko was in deep shit when he woke—”he’s going to have some explaining to do. Especially regarding Celeste’s treatment.”

  “He’ll be awake soon. All he received was a blow to the back of the neck.” My voice clearly was cold as I gave the door an even darker glare

  Grams snorted. “That was less than what he deserved.”

  “Gee, please don’t ever sit on a jury if I’m on trial for anything,” said Logan, his eyes laughing.

  Grams waved him off. “Will you two also go to HQ?”

  They both nodded.

  My stomach tightened. “But, Grams, what if they arrest them?” The thought had been bothering me ever since Grams had filled me in on the High Council’s presence.

  “What for? Just being employed by Omega? I think not.”

  “I suspect they’re going use this opportunity to turn us into double agents,” said Logan, his expression dark and worried.

  “You know what my take on that is,” said Saleem firmly. Something else was happening here and I had no clue what. Mental note to ask Logan later.

  “So shall we get this over and done with?” Both nodded and Saleem offered each of us an arm.

  ***

  Chapter 38

  We arrived at the building and headed to the front door. The High Council had chosen a quiet residential area as their location, which I thought was a subtle touch. The house was located in one of the older parts of Chicago where the streets were still cobbled and the light posts were styled after old lanterns. Morning light gleamed on the stones of the street, teasing away the inky darkness from t
he night sky.

  Up the concrete stairs, Logan raised the ancient lion’s head knocker, tapping it a few times. A few seconds passed, and just as Logan raised his hand to knock again, the door opened. An older woman answered, blond hair streaked gray, pulled back in a severe bun, black-rimmed glasses on her long nose as she studied us through the glass.

  “How may I assist you?” she asked, her voice crackling like electricity lived in her throat.

  “Kailin Odel to see the High Council as requested,” I said.

  The woman’s eyes widened. Then she nodded and waved us inside, closing the door softly behind us. “Please wait a moment while I get someone to attend to you.” I nodded, but she was already gliding out of the room.

  We weren’t made to wait too long.

  Voices traveled to us down the passageway, and two men entered the room. The first, tall, slim, with auburn hair and a pair of glasses that distorted his eyes, gave us a nod. “Thank you for coming. We do appreciate your assistance in this matter.”

  I nodded and stared at him, waiting for this debrief to happen and be over. The second man cleared his throat. He was shorter and stubbier, with thinning black hair that he combed over his gleaming skull in a vain attempt to hide his baldness. “This is Michael Carter, and I’m David Horner. We are both members of the High Council. If you will follow me, we can talk in private. I hope you don’t mind, but we do prefer to interview each of you separately.”

  He got nods all round. None of us minded. Then he gave us a thin smile that I assumed meant he was satisfied with our response. He turned and walked out and down the passageway. He reached a set of stairs with two flights, one going up and the other down. We followed Horner down the carpeted stairway and exited into an extremely clinical office area, so different form the warm wood and old furnishing of the upstairs.

  Here, white walls and white-painted furniture gave an air of clinical indifference, but I refused to allow that to make me wonder what I’d gotten myself into.

  I was shown into the first room while Carter led the guys farther down the row. Howard motioned for me to enter, and I took a seat in a room that looked identical to the one we’d transported into at Sentinel HQ. Horner seated himself on one of the chairs in front of me and glanced at the door. Seconds later, Carter appeared and took the spare seat.