by R. D. Brady
“A thirty-five-minute drive.”
“Fine.”
The landscape of Calevitnia was nothing to boast about. Flat lands, barely a hill or tree in sight. It looked like a barren wasteland. Which explained why, for a country the size of California, it had the GDP of Mississippi.
Luckily Elisabeta had some excellent reading material to keep her entertained during the incredibly dull ride: the reports from the multiple attacks in the United States. She read through the injury and death reports. She frowned, realizing none of Delaney’s inner circle had been killed. She’d been hoping one of them would be, maybe the mortals, her uncle or that annoying Rogan. But the uncle was most likely paralyzed, her former roommate was dead, and her brother’s child was in a very precarious position. All in all, not bad. It would be enough to make sure that whatever decision McPhearson made next was not well thought out.
By the time she’d finished her review, the stone walls of her estate had appeared. She had picked the place up years ago, right after the fall of the USSR. It had been renovated and stocked within the last few years, as she’d known it would be needed. The large reinforced metal gates opened as they approached. Elisabeta felt the familiar tingle roll over her. Three of her Fallen were here. The rest of her army, all three hundred, were in strategic positions across the globe, just waiting for her word. She was so close to victory she could taste it.
Artem’s phone rang just as they pulled to a stop. He glanced at the message. “The scientists have completed each of their parts.”
“And they’re still here?”
“As per your instructions.”
“Excellent. As soon as I conclude my business with Sergei, have them brought to my library.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The driver opened the door as a second car pulled in behind them. She headed up the stairs as two guards opened the front doors for her. A blast of warmth greeted her. She sighed. Much better. She peeled off her coat and gloves, handing them to a uniformed servant. Without a word, she strode down the hall to the study.
The study was lined with bookshelves, and a deep brown leather couch with a coffee table covered with more books sat in front of one wall. A desk had been placed in front of the large window overlooking the courtyard. She made her way to the small bar in the corner and had just poured herself a scotch when Artem appeared with Sergei Yanovich.
Yanovich was not an attractive man. His nose had been broken one too many times, and his eyes were too small for his large beefy face. He was a solid man, with a deep chest and the ruddy complexion of a man who liked to drink. Years of fighting had given him a body of scars attesting to his tenacity and his ability to overcome. In the world of organized crime, he was known as the Raven. When he appeared, death followed.
Sergei bowed. “Samyaza, a pleasure as always.”
Sergei was not a Fallen, nor a Nephilim. He had no abilities, but he had trained in war for decades, leading one of the most brutal crime syndicates in Russian history. But Elisabeta had lured him away with a more tantalizing offer—the control of an entire country.
“I take it everything is in order?”
“Your supplies arrived at long last. I assume the hiccup has been removed?”
“He has.”
Sergei smiled. “It is nice to deal with someone who knows how to get things accomplished.”
Elisabeta ignored the compliment. “How many men do you have?”
“Five hundred. The forces of Calevitnia are pitifully under resourced and underpaid. Most will run at the first sign of trouble.”
“And if they don’t?”
Sergei shrugged. “Then they die where they stand.”
Elisabeta finally smiled. “I do like how you think, Sergei.”
“Coming from you, that is indeed a great honor.”
“How long will it take?”
“My people are all just awaiting your order.”
“Consider it given, Tsar Yanovich.”
Chapter 42
Baltimore, Maryland
Protective custody.
Laney wanted to laugh when the agent said the words. The U.S. government was going to protect her? The same government who had been trying to kill her for the last year? The same government who was woefully unequipped to deal with the Fallen? They thought they were going to protect her?
Laney glared at the agents. “Absolutely not.”
The agents stepped forward as one, each of them placing a hand on their service weapon.
Laney gaped. They were going to try and shoot her. What the hell?
A fourth SUV sped across the runway, coming to a screeching halt next to the agents. An athletic blond man with bright blue eyes stepped from behind the wheel.
“Everybody back down. Right now.” Mike Witt, Jen’s brother and Jordan’s twin, strode forward, placing himself between Laney and the agents.
Mike held his FBI badge up. “I have been given authority to personally escort Delaney McPhearson to the office, where we will wait for instructions. Anyone who has an issue with that can take it up with the director of the FBI.”
Laney watched the indecision on the agents’ faces, then they stepped back. With a nod, Mike turned to Laney. “You okay?”
“What the hell is going on?”
“I’m not sure. When I heard about the protective custody order, I got here as fast as I could.”
“What about Max, Cleo, and Drake?”
“They’re being placed in protection as well.”
“Why?”
“That is above my pay grade.”
“Wait, then how did you hear about it?”
“Nancy Harrigan’s office called me and warned me to be on the lookout for something like this.”
“Harrigan? Is this from her office?”
“No. The order came from Homeland. Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but someone is supposed to be coming down to speak with you in an hour. That’s where we’ll get answers.”
“Mike, I can’t stay here for an hour. I’ve got Max with me, Cleo, my uncle’s in the hospital. And Jen. How is she?”
“She’s holding her own. They’ve been trying to place her in a medically induced coma to help the baby. But with her abilities . . .” He shrugged, but his eyes gave away how worried he was.
“I’m sorry, Mike. But that’s all the more reason I need to get out of here.”
Mike nodded, his gaze sympathetic. “I know. But I think you’re going to need to stay anyway.”
Laney scanned the area, noting all the soldiers and the weapons they carried. Another Hummer sat idling over near the hanger. “Tell me, Mike, are all these weapons part of the protective custody?”
“Yes.”
“And if I decide to turn down the offer?”
“They have been okayed to use those weapons,” he said quietly.
Laney studied the ring of government forces. She knew she could take them out with a few well-placed lightning strikes. But people would die. And these soldiers were just doing as they were ordered.
“Fine. The government has an hour. But only an hour.”
Chapter 43
The government official showed up at the fifty-seven-minute mark. Laney was trying to stay calm for Max’s sake, but she wanted to scream. Here she was, twiddling her damn thumbs, when destruction had just been rained down on her family and friends.
Drake moved closer to her, turning so he was not facing any of the agents. He dropped his voice so only Laney could hear him. “Easy, ring bearer. Getting angry will only make the wait more difficult. And your powers seem to be a little uncontrollable today when you are angry.”
She blew out a breath.
“Try visualizing something that makes you happy. You’ve seen my show. Picture me in all my Vegas glory.”
Laney slanted her gaze toward him.
He leaned toward her, his lips just grazing her ear. “Then picture me in all my natural glory. That should distract you.”
&n
bsp; Laney felt her cheeks color as that very image of him sprang into her mind. Then the door opened and Mike strode in, followed by two soldiers, one male, one female. Laney disregarded them immediately, her gaze directed at the third unknown guest: a tall man with salt and pepper hair slicked back. He wore a dark gray suit, and his chest pushed against the buttons, suggesting he’d put on a little weight recently. The man’s gaze raked over Laney before settling on Drake, who’d turned around.
“We need the room,” he said.
Laney glanced over to where Max lay curled up on the couch with Cleo. “How about if we give them the room and we find another room to talk in?”
Slick Hair glared. “You don’t call the shots here.”
The man’s aide, who’d slid quietly in the room behind him, leaned up and whispered in the man’s ear while gesturing to Max. The man gave Max and Cleo a hard glare. “Fine. Follow me.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and stalked from the room.
Drake briefly touched her hand as he passed. “Remember: Patience, ring bearer.”
The soldiers followed the man out. Mike waited for Laney just outside the door. She glared at him. “Who is this tool?”
“You have just had the honor of meeting Jessup Hankton Ianson the Third, Department of Homeland Security.”
Ahead, Ianson disappeared into a room. “Call me crazy, but he doesn’t seem to like me.”
“Well, he was the mentor of Moses Seward.”
Laney groaned. Moses had been the Homeland agent who’d taken over the SIA facility and tortured Cain, along with the other Fallen taken from the facility. After his activities in that incident became public, he’d been charged with multiple crimes ranging from unlawful imprisonment to torture. “Great.”
“Yeah, so just watch yourself with him. He’s looking for a reason to tie you up.” Mike went silent as they approached the room. He gestured for Laney to go ahead of him.
Ianson glared at Mike as he stepped into the room. “You’re not needed here, agent.”
Mike smiled as he leaned back against a wall, crossing his feet at the ankles. “Well, according to my director, I am. So I’ll be staying.”
Ianson glared at him again before turning his attention to Laney. “You have been placed under the protective custody of the U.S. government. You will remain in our custody until such time as the U.S. government is convinced you are no longer in danger.”
Laney stared at him, waiting for him to continue, but apparently he was done. “That’s it? Until I’m no longer in danger? Do you have any idea what my life is like?”
Ianson scoffed. “I’ve been fully briefed on your ring bearer delusion.”
“Delusion?” Laney took a breath. Drake’s voice wafted through her mind. Patience, ring bearer. “Why am I being held in protective custody?”
“We believe that Elisabeta Roccorio has targeted you. And after the events of the last twenty-four hours, it is safer for everyone if you are taken off the playing field.”
“Taken off the playing field? I am never off the playing field. Elisabeta targeted everyone around me to get to me. Taking me off the playing field will not keep that from happening. I need to be out there, going after her.”
Ianson’s gaze was lethal. “Please. You have been allowed to roam all over this world, leaving a trail of destruction in your wake. You are a public menace. Personally, protective custody was not what I argued for you, so you should just be happy you’re not sitting in a jail cell, because that’s where you belong. I’m not fooled by any of this biblical garbage. Ring bearers, fallen angels, Nephilim—save it for the gullible. If I had my way that cat of yours would been shot on sight and you’d be in cuffs, so don’t test my patience.” He smiled without warmth. “Or maybe that cat of yours won’t be around for much longer.”
Patience, ring bearer. Drake’s voice again slipped through her mind, but she could barely hear him due to the blood pounding in her ears. “Are you threatening Cleo?”
He shrugged. “I don’t threaten. I tell you what will happen.”
Laney’s control on her anger snapped. The lights in the room flickered. Gusts of wind battered the walls. The soldiers jolted, stepping back nervously.
Laney stepped forward. “You think you know what a ring bearer is? You think you know what a Fallen is? One Fallen could rip through every soldier you’ve brought with you in seconds. And all you would be able to do is call their next of kin. Protect me? You don’t even know what you are up against.”
Ianson paled as the windows rattled. “I am a representative of the United States government. You will—”
“You can follow me. You can accompany me, but I will not spend one more minute here while the people I care about need me. And I would strongly encourage you not to try to stop me.”
“I have a warrant that allows me to—”
Mike pushed away from the wall, holding up his phone. “Actually the protective custody order has been rescinded. Dr. McPhearson and her friends are free to go.”
Without a word, Laney spun on her heel. She was done with this bureaucrat. But apparently he wasn’t quite done with her.
“McPhearson!”
She looked over her shoulder at him.
“You claim to be this powerful person. But where was that power when your friends were being attacked? What good did it do you then? You think the United States government can’t protect you or the people around you? Well, you haven’t done such a great job, either, have you?”
“You’re out of line,” Mike said, his voice ringing with anger.
But Laney just walked out of the room, saying nothing. Because as ugly as Ianson’s words were, there was also an undercurrent of truth to them. Even with all her powers, she hadn’t been able to protect the ones she loved. At the end of the day, they just weren’t enough.
She wasn’t enough.
Chapter 44
After the dustup with Ianson, Mike wasted no time escorting Laney, Drake, Max, and Cleo off the airport grounds. Laney wasn’t sure whose anger he was more worried about, Ianson’s or hers. She could not believe how she’d lost it back there. She’d basically threatened them with her powers. She sighed. But what was she supposed to do? The government was trying to push her into a hole. That was beyond unrealistic. And they simply had no idea what they were getting themselves into.
Mike drove them to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Patrick had been moved there, and Jen was a patient as well. In fact, an entire floor of the hospital was filled with people from the Chandler estate. And Henry had bought out the few empty rooms for family members to stay if needed.
Jen was holding her own, but there was shrapnel close to the baby’s amniotic sack. The doctors were debating when to go in to remove it. Henry had already had all the shrapnel removed from his back. And he’d healed, not that you could tell from the paleness of his face. He was terrified for Jen and his child. But even with that terror, he’d arranged for a specialist to be flown in from Switzerland to examine Patrick. She was supposed to be the best in the world. And if she said there was no hope . . .
We’ll deal with it. She squeezed her uncle’s hand. He was strong. He was a survivor. He’d adapt.
She sat down in one of the chairs next to her uncle’s bed. Cain was in the chair next to her. Drake had gone in search of a decent cup of coffee. Max lay in the bed opposite her uncle, and Cleo lay curled up with him. Matt Clark had managed to pave the way for Cleo. When they arrived, a service-animal vest was waiting for her. It was probably the first time anyone had seen a giant leopard acting as a service animal, but no one had even questioned it.
Mike was down the hall visiting with Jen. He promised to grab Jordan and the two of them would personally deliver Max and Cleo to the bomb shelter. Until then, Laney wanted Max nearby.
Matt appeared in the hospital doorway. He gestured for Laney to come outside. Laney nodded, leaning over to Cain. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
Cain spoke
quietly. “Do what you need to do, Laney. I won’t leave Patrick’s side.”
She stood, heading for the door before crossing back to Cain and kissing him on the forehead.
He looked up in surprise. “What was that for?”
“To thank you for being here.”
Cain’s chin trembled, and he gave her a nod. Clearing her head of her worries for her uncle, she met Matt in the hall. Matt hugged her. “I’m so sorry, Laney.”
“Thanks. But I’m guessing you’re not here for just moral support.”
“I’m afraid not. Mustafa sends his thoughts as well.”
Laney closed her eyes, more guilt piling on. With everything going on, she’d forgotten about the attack on Göbekli Tepe. She hadn’t called Mustafa to see how his sister was holding up. She promised herself she’d call him as soon as she finished speaking with Matt.
Laney held up a hand. “Before you tell me your news, how are Mustafa and Fadil?”
“Shook up. Mustafa escorted her back home to Cairo. He’s taking a few days off to stay with his family.”
“That’s good. Do you have any idea what they wanted?”
“It looks like they were interested in four carved skulls.”
“Carved skulls? I didn’t think there were any remains at Göbekli Tepe.”
“To my knowledge, these were the first ones found. Fadil thinks they may have come from India.”
Laney’s head jolted up. “You mean Dwarka?”
Matt nodded. “I believe so.” He led her to an empty room down the hall. Matt closed the door as Laney sank in a chair. “But that’s not what you want to talk to me about, is it?”
“No. Ianson jumped the gun earlier. The government has decided to take the lead on the Elisabeta issue, but that was all Ianson’s work getting you detained.”
Laney frowned. “What do you mean the government is going to take the lead on the Elisabeta issue?”
Matt ran a hand through his hair, and Laney realized she’d never actually seen Matt look so disheveled before. “The simultaneous attacks—they changed the government’s view of this issue. I think the government was happy to let you handle it. But now, everything’s out in the open. Elisabeta is basically declaring war on you and yours. And the government will not let a war break out.”
