by R. D. Brady
Laney nodded. “The individual behind the attack today is still at large. I’d like to get to her before she gets away.”
Hannigan’s blue eyes pierced Laney. “And you know where she is?”
“Australia.”
“Is she like you?” Hannigan asked quietly.
Laney paused. “Not exactly. In some ways, she’s more powerful.”
“Can anyone else stop her?”
“No. Myself and the SIA are the best equipped to deal with her.”
Hannigan sat back. “I’ve known Matt Clark for years. I remember when he first met you. His respect for you is immense. And Matt is not easy to impress.”
Laney wasn’t sure what to say to that, so she stayed silent.
“What you did today—it saved a lot of lives. And it averted a major diplomatic incident, although already there are arguments and accusations going back and forth.”
Laney cringed. “We had hoped to do everything quietly.”
Hannigan gave her an amused smile. “Floating over the city with a bomb strapped to your back is your idea of ‘quietly’?”
Laney shook her head. “No. It was my version of ‘there’s no other way.’”
Hannigan eyed her appraisingly. “You realize that what you did today shined a spotlight on you. Who you are, what you’re capable of. What you did… it has changed the world.”
Laney felt the enormity of her actions. “I know,” she said quietly. “And if there was an alternative to that, I would have seized it. But it was either this, or allow the bomb to explode…” Laney shook her head. “And then the world would have changed in a very different way.”
“I wonder which way is better for the world? I suppose we have to hope it’s this one.” Hannigan stood. “I have arranged for you and your team to be released. I assume you’ll be going after the priestess?”
Laney stood. “Yes.”
“Well, you have the full backing of the United States government, as well as the cooperation of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Great Britain, and about a dozen other countries.”
Laney felt her jaw drop. “What?”
“Like I said, Dr. McPhearson, you changed the world. And your role in it as well. Good luck.”
CHAPTER 74
Somewhere over the Middle East
Drumming her fingers on the side of the leather chair, Elisabeta waited for the report. The bomb had been set to explode an hour ago. Why was she still waiting? She stood and paced the bedroom on her plane, trying to tamp down her anger. She really needed to replace Hakeem.
A knock sounded on the door. Finally. She sat behind her desk. “Enter.”
Hakeem ducked into the room.
“Well?”
“The bomb exploded in the Mediterranean.”
Elisabeta frowned. “How did that happen?”
“Um, McPhearson. She took the bomb there.”
Elisabeta waited for him to continue—but apparently he thought that was an adequate explanation. She entertained the notion of tossing him out the plane door, but pushed it aside. “Is there anything else?”
“Um, yes. There’s video.” He handed her a tablet.
She flicked it on and saw that a news report was queued up. She started it and waved Hakeem away.
“Ma’am.” He bowed and let himself out.
On the screen, a male news reporter was speaking excitedly about the events that had just occurred on the Temple Mount. “Jerusalem is a city of miracles. And today, the world has just seen another one.”
The video cut away from the reporter to a shot of the sky above Jerusalem. Elisabeta frowned. What does this—
She halted in mid-thought. An object in the sky was growing larger. People around the camera operator began to murmur, and fingers pointed. The image in the sky became clearer as it moved closer. And then Elisabeta’s jaw dropped.
It was Delaney McPhearson.
She watched in shock as McPhearson flew over the beach and out over the sea. The camera operator kept his focus on her, zooming in as she grew smaller. She dropped something, and then turned and headed back. A moment later, a plume of water shot into the air behind her, and McPhearson tumbled into the ocean.
The reporter came back on. “I can report that the woman is alive and was taken to Israeli Police Headquarters immediately after returning to shore. We still do not know her identity—”
Elisabeta paused the recording, her mind reeling. McPhearson had flown—flown—over Jerusalem.
A giggle trickled from Elisabeta’s mouth, followed by a chuckle. Soon she was laughing hysterically. Her stomach ached, and she had to hold on to the desk to keep herself upright.
After a few minutes, she wiped at the tears on her cheeks and smiled. Oh, ring bearer. You are simply making this way too easy.
CHAPTER 75
You changed the world. And your role in it. The Secretary of State’s words replayed in Laney’s mind as she made her way to the airport courtesy of the Israeli police. She knew Hannigan was right: there was no chance her little flight wasn’t caught on someone’s camera. But she couldn’t regret what she had done. She had changed the world; she just had to hope that she had changed it for the better.
Just a few short hours ago, she had been wondering at how Solomon could have so readily revealed his abilities on the Mount. And then she went ahead and did the same thing, in the same location.
The gates to the airport were pulled back to reveal the Chandler jet. Laney thanked the officer for the ride and boarded the plane. Matt, Mustafa, and the other SIA agents were already on board.
Matt grinned at her. “Oh, I thought you were going to fly on your own.”
“Not funny, Matt,” Laney growled as she walked past him.
Matt reached out and took her arm. She stopped and looked down at him. His eyes were serious. “You did what you had to do, Laney. And you saved a lot of people today. No one will forget that.”
Laney sighed. “Is it wrong that I kind of wish they would?”
He smiled. “No, not wrong. But also not possible.”
She nodded and headed toward Jake at the back of the plane. She had barely taken her seat before the plane was moving.
“Any word from Australia?” Laney asked as she buckled herself in.
“There’s been movement at the facility, but the place was buttoned up tight when the police arrived.”
“Do we have permission to go in?”
“Laney, the priestess was behind a plan to set off World War III. There’s not a government in the world that doesn’t recognize our authority to go in.”
“Are they going to wait for us?”
“It’s your show. They’re going to follow your lead.”
Laney frowned. “What does that mean?”
“It means, I have been contacted by at least a dozen different countries to offer their help. You’ve basically created a global coalition to go after the priestess.”
Laney shook her head; the idea seemed insane. “Me?”
“You.”
“Do they know what I can do? What the priestess can do?”
“The priestess—no. But after your little flying adventure, they’re getting a clearer picture of what you can do. And they’re glad you’re on our side.”
Laney looked out the window. A sense of foreboding came over her as the plane sped down the runway and into the air. I wonder what happens if they think I’m not on their side?
CHAPTER 76
Laney all but passed out after her chat with Jake. She didn’t wake up until ten hours into the eighteen-hour flight.
Jake looked over at her as she stirred. “I thought you were going to sleep the whole way through.”
Laney stretched. “I think that would have been preferable. Why does everything have to be so global? Couldn’t these guys at least stay on the same continent?”
Jake laughed. “Well, next time we run into a criminal mastermind, I’ll be sure to lodge your complaint.”
“Not sure I�
�m happy about how you just assume there will be another criminal mastermind,” Laney grumbled.
“When it comes to the Fallen, there’s always another one.”
“You’re not wrong. Speaking of which, any word on Samyaza?”
Jake shook his head. “No. No one’s seen hide nor hair of her. Even her office seemed unsure as to her location.”
Laney frowned. She still couldn’t figure out what Elisabeta’s angle was back in Jerusalem. Was she being honest when she said she just wanted to avoid world catastrophe? Laney did suppose a nuclear winter would mess up Elisabeta’s access to the finer things in life, but somehow that felt wrong. Like I’m missing something—again. For the life of her, she couldn’t see what else Elisabeta had to gain from her actions.
When Laney and Jake grabbed a bite to eat, Mustafa and Matt joined them.
“You guys get any sleep?” Laney asked.
“Yes,” Matt said.
“These seats are so comfortable,” Mustafa said. “I don’t think I can go back to flying coach.”
Laney laughed. “That’s a rich person’s problem, Mustafa. But the jet is yours whenever you need it.”
He grinned. “I will take you up on that.”
Laney rubbed her eyes. “Okay, so what do we know about the Honu Keiki facility?”
“A lot more than we did, and still not much,” Jake said. “We got our hands on the blueprints at least.”
“How’d we manage that?” Laney asked.
“The Australian government was more than happy to hand them over when they learned of the group’s involvement in the Israel plot. They even chased down some of the individuals who helped build the facility.”
“And we have confirmation that the priestess is in the bunker,” Jake added.
“How?”
“The Australian police attempted to intercept.”
Laney groaned. “Oh no. What happened?”
“Apparently three of the men on the detail were killed, and the fourth said he doesn’t know what happened. One minute he had the priestess in his rifle sights, and the next she was gone. And then he was flying through the air and slammed into a pole.”
Poor guys. They had no idea what they were up against. “Why did they go after her? Didn’t we tell everyone to wait?”
“They thought they had a clear shot and they went for it. They didn’t know what she could do.”
Well, they do now, Laney thought. “All right, well, at least we know where she is. We just have to get to her. What did we learn from the blueprints?”
“About what you’d expect from a bomb shelter,” Matt said. “A large structure underground, with pipes for plumbing, air, et cetera. The thing is, there’s a lot more vents than should be needed for a facility of the size indicated on the plans, which leads us to think…”
“That the facility is larger than what’s on the blueprints,” Laney finished.
“Exactly.”
“Well, that’s just great. Any idea how we get in?” Laney asked.
“Picture Dom’s bomb shelter,” Jake said. “How would you get into that?”
“You said there are vents. Can we use them?” Laney asked.
Mustafa nodded. “There are some vents, but they would be a tight fit, not to mention difficult to climb down. The vents run at least three hundred feet deep and are only four feet wide.”
Laney felt claustrophobic just thinking about it. “But it can be done?”
“Yes,” Jake said. “And once inside, that person should be able to open some of the other doors to let the rest of the team in.”
Laney sighed. “Well, I guess we’re going to rappel down an air vent. How fun.”
It took a while to work out the specifics, but by the time the plane was approaching Australia, the team had a plan mapped out. They would use the Australian law enforcement units to cover the exits in case anyone got out. Laney, Mustafa, and two of the smaller SIA agents would then go through the vents. The two agents would be responsible for opening the doors to allow the rest of the force in, while Laney and Mustafa tracked down the priestess.
Matt’s phone rang, and he stepped away to answer it while the others finalized the details. When he returned, it was only because Laney knew the agent so well that she recognized the concern on his face.
“What happened?” she asked.
“Samyaza’s been seen.”
“Where?” Jake asked.
“Perth. She just arrived at the airport we’re heading to.”
CHAPTER 77
The priestess growled as she stormed into the facility. Her new attendant, Aido, ran up to her, his eyes large. “Priestess, are you all right?” he asked, taking in her bloodstained clothes.
The priestess waved him off. “Run me a bath. I’ll be right there.”
“Yes, of course.” He gave her appearance one last look before scurrying down the hall to do her bidding.
The priestess seethed. The ring bearer had destroyed all her well-laid plans. She had underestimated the woman. She’d heard the stories of the ring bearer—it was part of the lore of Lemuria—but it was just so unbelievable. A single mortal woman who was given powers by a ring? And not even powers like the priestess had—not the strength or the speed. How could she possibly be a big threat?
But she had been, and now, undeniably, she was on her way here. The police that had tried to intercept them were proof of that. They had tied her to the Jerusalem event. The botched Jerusalem event.
Now what do I do?
The priestess became aware of the heavy silence around her, and she could feel the stares of her guards. She cursed McPhearson again before calming her face and turning.
Six of her guards stood before her. Four had been with her in the car and had seen her use her abilities. Another wrinkle. The priestess nodded at the other two. “You two are dismissed.”
They headed down the hall. When they were out of earshot, the priestess addressed the remaining four. “I’m sure you have questions. My abilities are a gift from our ancestors. A way to keep us safe. I have never shared them before, because there was no need. Today, protecting you became my goal. And I would do it again—without hesitation.”
The guards’ faces were unreadable, and for the first time she wasn’t sure of her control over them. If they are disloyal, they are dead, she reminded herself.
“What is important now is protecting our people. And I fear that a greater threat is coming.” She paused, and let the silence hang in the air.
“What?” asked Ephraim, her second-in-command.
“Her name is Delaney McPhearson. She believes herself to be the ring bearer, but she is not. She is the devil in disguise. If she enters our home, it will be the end of us all. We will not let that happen, will we?”
Her guards stood straighter and answered as one. “No, priestess.”
She nodded. “Good. Stay vigilant.”
She headed down the hall toward her suite of rooms. She knew the ring bearer would be able to defeat her men; with her powers, she would tear through them, and there was no way to stop that. But she had no intention of making it easy for the woman.
She smiled as an idea formed in her mind. Let’s see exactly how committed to taking me down you are.
CHAPTER 78
Laney stared at Mustafa in disbelief. “Samyaza’s in Australia? What the hell?”
“Where is she now?” Jake asked.
“She’s off the airport grounds and heading in the direction of the Honu Keiki facility,” Matt replied.
“Just make sure no one gets in her way,” Laney said. “I don’t want anyone else getting killed.”
“Already done,” Matt said.
“What the hell is she doing?” Jake asked.
“Damned if I know,” Laney growled. “I mean, she didn’t appear to have any personal interest in the priestess, so I can’t figure out why she’s here.” Samyaza involving herself in the Temple Mount incident made a certain amount of sense. But why foll
ow the priestess here? Revenge? Anger that one of her former lieutenants was playing by their own script?
“Are we sure she’s not working with the priestess?” Jake asked.
Laney groaned. “No, I guess we don’t. But I can’t see why she would help us defeat the priestess if she was in cahoots with her. Matt, is there any connection between them?”
“We never found one. But if they both remember their past lives, it’s possible.”
Laney ran a hand through her hair, and had to stop herself from yanking some of it out. “It’s bad enough we need to find a connection in this life. How the hell are we supposed to figure out a past life connection?” She looked at Matt. “Do you remember your past life?”
Matt shook his head. “No. Occasionally I have glimpses of things: feudal Japan, the Roman coliseum—but there’s no identity attached. I don’t know who I was in the past or what those scenes mean to me.”
“Do any Fallen know?”
“Only Gerard and Samyaza. And Gerard only learned because of your mother. I’ve never heard of anyone knowing any more than I know.”
“So if the priestess doesn’t know who she used to be,” Jake said, “what does Samyaza want with her?”
“Could she want to help us take her down?” Mustafa asked. “Like in Israel?”
Laney scoffed. “So what—she’s now Team Chandler? One of the good guys? I can accept Cain not being who we thought, and Gerard, even, heading toward the light—but Samyaza? I just can’t buy that.”
“She has done a lot of good in the world lately,” Mustafa said quietly.
Laney felt like she’d fallen down the rabbit hole. Were they honestly thinking Samyaza was turning over a new leaf? “No. Whatever reason Samyaza has for being here, it’s not to help the world, out of the goodness of her heart. There’s some other angle here, and we’re just not seeing it.”
