I refused to look at it, refused to believe he was dead.
But one picture, one loss, I carried in my heart alone, to grieve in private. Only Lucy came close to understanding my sadness at the Seeker's death.
The service ended, and Lucy held my unburned hand as we left the building. A familiar profile caught my eye. I turned, but he was gone before I could be sure.
Still, in my heart I knew.
Drake had been here.
He was alive, and I would find him.
Chapter 62 – Drake
Drake slipped out of the church before anyone could spot him, Father Patrick's rosary clutched in his hand as though it could somehow save him. Seeing Sam nearly tore his chest apart. He wanted to touch her so badly, to talk to her and hold her and tell her everything would be okay, but he couldn't.
How could he go to her a broken man, with nothing to offer her or their child? Until he could mend himself and his shattered mind, he had nothing to give them. They were better off without him.
He knew he spun these lies to protect himself from his cowardice, but he didn't care. His mind held a tentative grasp on reality these days—the destruction of his power had robbed him of some of his mental faculties as well.
He couldn't let Sam or her friends see him like this.
***
Drake drove until the tremors took over his body once more. He stopped at a gas station and locked himself in the bathroom. Whatever sickness or poison had laid claim to his body, his body pushed it out through both ends, leaving him weak as a kitten and unable to move.
Each day, his symptoms became more extreme.
Fear and anger battled in him like two demons fighting for control of his body. He leaned his head against the cool bathroom tiles and tried to fill his mind with something—anything—other than Sam.
He had to get his powers back, one way or another.
---END OF BOOK TWO---
Forbidden Life
(Book 3 of The Forbidden Trilogy)
by
Kimberly Kinrade
Part One – A Deal with the Devil
Chapter 63 – Lucy
Twilight descended on the world outside their airplane, casting long grey shadows into the sky. The moon hung heavy in the night, a large glowing orb that looked as if it had been dipped in powdered sugar. Lucy tried to focus on Agent Morrison's briefing, but the pulse of the sphere in her backpack seemed stronger with the full moon present. The power seduced her into quiet reflections.
Luke jabbed her in the ribs with his elbow.
"Ow, that hurt." She rubbed the sore spot and shot mental daggers at her twin brother.
"Sorry, Sis, but pay attention. What's the matter with you?" His blue eyes studied her, and she knew it was a loaded question.
She hadn't told him about the sphere she'd discovered in Russia, before they'd escaped the Rent-A-Kid center. It just hadn't come up. Normally, they told each other everything, so this omission weighed heavy on her.
His eyes bore into hers, and she turned away, flicking her long brown ponytail at him. "Sorry, just got distracted by the moon."
Morrison scowled. "You two ready to focus? We have a lot to cover here."
This mission was important. The older kids had escaped Rent-A-Kid's evil clutches, but the babies and young kids remained prisoners, and Luke and Lucy had teamed up with International Paranormal Investigators, IPI, to rescue them. It had taken some strong-arming, but Lucy had obtained the address from a reluctant Mr. Black before she and Luke had escaped. After he'd beaten her near to death, Lucy harbored no warm fuzzies for the man, but at least he'd come through in the end. Also, Lucy and Luke knew more about Rent-A-Kid than any of these agents.
The fact that they were martial arts experts, that she was a computer hacker and human lie detector with some cool shadow powers, and Luke could walk through anything, and now, could change the molecular structure of something—like when he'd saved everyone from a cascade of bullets by thickening the air—made them uniquely qualified.
About to set out on their most important assignment yet, it wasn't the money that drove them and their co-workers this time, it was the mission.
Morrison cleared his throat and flexed his biceps as he adjusted himself in his seat. He'd looked distinctly government when they'd first met after the break out, with his black suit, black tie and black briefcase. Seriously, did he take his wardrobe style from the movies? Now he looked military, in camouflage and combat boots.
"As I was saying, the compound is heavily guarded and we have to be careful. They could use the kids as hostages if we blow our cover too soon." He handed them photos of the perimeter that showed walls, fences, guards and cameras everywhere. "Also, count on some snipers that you can't see. We'll drop the two of you into the water, where you'll swim past the fence. If you don't see an opening, use the underwater torch in your packs to cut through. Then, when it's fully dark outside, sneak into the compound and disable guards as needed. Lucy, once you're in, hack their system and take over any surveillance."
Luke flipped through the pictures. "What will I be doing?"
Agent Morrison pointed to a building in the center of the compound. "That's the generator. If Lucy, for some reason, can't get in, you'll need to shut it down manually. But only as a last resort, got it?"
Luke nodded.
"Once you've done that, you need to plant sleeping gas in the ventilation system. This will knock out everyone inside and, hopefully, give us a chance to rescue the children while also keeping them safe. Luke, you'll open the gate and our backup team will arrive to extricate the children and take the staff and guards into custody."
It sounded simple enough, but Lucy's field experience had taught her that plans often went awry in the trenches. "I thought sleeping gas is dangerous, and hasn't been used since that 2002 Moscow theater hostage crisis."
Morrison looked up from his file, surprised.
Lucy didn't know if she should be flattered or insulted. "We have been doing this awhile, Agent Morrison. Rent-A-Kid may be a lot of things, but they aren't stupid. We're well trained and well educated."
He put the files back into his backpack and zipped it up. "I can see that. And you're right, that form of sleeping gas hasn't been used in a long time, but our organization created a substitute a few years ago. It's completely safe and top secret. The gas will be visible, and most will think it's smoke from a fire. We need to shut down the fire alarm before it goes off and they start to evacuate."
What other top secret weapons and gadgets does IPI have? Lucy's thoughts were cut short when Morrison handed her and Luke black backpacks.
"These are waterproof. Inside you'll find the sleeping gas grenades, computers, a change of clothes and supplies, and a tank-less breathing system that will attach to your vests and allow you to breathe the oxygen directly from the water."
"From the water?" Luke appeared puzzled.
Morrison looked at her brother as if he were a student not paying attention in class. "Yes, from the water. You know... two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen."
It was Lucy's turn to be impressed. She examined the device and then attached it to her wet suit. They'd provided her with a top-of-the-line laptop for hacking, but she pulled it out and set it aside. "I need to use my own computer. I can't risk working on a new system while in the middle of an assignment."
"That goes against regulation. We know the quality of our own tools. I'm not comfortable sending you into a hostile situation with an unknown."
Lucy rolled her eyes and pulled out her own computer from her backpack. The sphere pulsed softly and she palmed it and dropped it into her new pack before showing the agent her computer. "This is top-of-the-line. Even you don't have a better model with more power. It's fully customized and programmed for me, specifically. I'm not going in without it. And for the record, I'm not under your regulation. I'm not your agent. You and your agency are working with us. Let's keep that clear."
Luke snickered b
eside her, and Morrison made a face as if he'd bit into a lemon.
Lucy didn't say another word, just waited for the agent to make a move. How far would he push her?
He opened his mouth to speak, but his phone buzzed. "Yeah...... oh, yes, sir....... I understand, sir.... Goodbye." His face twitched in annoyance, and he grabbed the IPI-issued laptop and put it in his own pack.
Interesting. Had someone just given him an order to allow her to use her own computer? She'd been certain he was going to make an issue of this. That meant the higher-ups had them bugged and were keeping an eye on them.
Based on Luke's expression, he'd made the same connections. They'd have to talk about this later.
Morrison handed them parachutes. "We can't get too close to the base without revealing ourselves, so you'll have to jump. Once you've completed your mission, use the orange flair gun provided to alert us. Agent Simmons will bring a task force through the gate and get everyone out. If you run into problems, use the red flare gun, and her team will bust through the gate and attempt to offer aid."
Attempt to offer aid. That sounded so reassuring. Not the most foolproof plan. They'd tried to negotiate, but couldn't make contact with the head of Rent-a-Kid—Sam's father. They'd even captured a hostage—the leader of the compound—but still, no one responded to them.
Luke tightened a strap around his chest and stood to make sure all his equipment was secured properly. "What if we're captured, what's Plan B?"
Lucy wondered that as well, as she readied herself for the jump and the mission.
"We have the compound's leader. We're hoping they will trade, if you're caught."
Lucy stood, mouth agape. "Your big plan is to try to trade a guy no one appears to want, to rescue two powerful paranormals? And you think this is a good plan?" She couldn't believe this lamest plan ever. If they were captured, it would never work.
"I never said it was a good plan, but it's the plan we have. Moral of the story? Don't get caught."
Right, don't get caught. "Let me talk to him."
Morrison looked up from his own preparations. "Who?"
"The hostage. If he's on the plane, let me talk to him. I have some experience with interrogation. Maybe I can get him to tell us more."
No one could lie to her without her knowing. Surely she could break this guy and remove some of the risk from their mission—make it more likely she and Luke would survive.
The IPI agent pressed his lips together and scowled. "Technically, since you're not an agent, you're not allowed near the prisoner."
She crossed her arms and glared at him. "This is our mission. We're the ones risking our asses to save these kids. We're the ones who will be left behind if it tanks. I don't give a damn about protocol. I want to talk to this guy, now. If you want our help on this, that is."
IPI's plan could not succeed without her and her brother, and the agent knew it. They could do things no one else could. It wasn't even just their para-powers, though that gave them an edge no one could compete with. They'd been in training for this, or completing these types of missions, their whole lives.
Lucy didn't back down as Morrison struggled between towing the company line and blowing the mission, versus giving her what she wanted. She wished she could borrow Sam's power for just a moment and read the guy's mind.
Sam. Is she okay? Is the baby okay? Lucy couldn't afford too many thoughts for her best friend. She had to focus on the mission, and on getting home safely, so that she could be there for the birth. If she wasn't already too late.
Morrison stood and walked to the back of the plane. "You coming?"
Score! She winked at Luke, who grinned like a fool, and followed Morrison to a locked bathroom.
"You've got him locked up in there?" She hoped it wasn't like in the movies—the captive sitting on the toilet without pants, chained to the plumbing. Not that she wanted the guy crapping his pants, but she didn't need to see his junk, either.
Morrison waved his hand around and laid on the sarcasm. "Do you see many options for a secure containment here?"
"Guess not. He's got clothes on, right?"
The agent rolled his eyes and opened the bathroom door to reveal a bald man with tribal black tattoos over his head and around his eyes—fully clothed—on the toilet. His hands and feet were handcuffed together and a rope around his waist secured him to the plumbing. His black eyes bore into hers over a silver strip of duct tape.
Lucy reached over and yanked it off, pulling more than a few whiskers from his short black beard and mustache. She spoke before Morrison could throw a fit. "I can't question him if he can't talk. Now, if you'll excuse us, I don't think we have room for a party in here."
She shouldn't push so many of Morrison's buttons, but it was just too easy—an ...entertaining distraction.
Morrison left and Luke took his place. He gave her the look, the one that said, "Shut up, Sis, I'm not leaving you alone with this guy."
Luke had her back, and there was no one in the world she trusted more.
Time to get this party started. "Hello, and welcome to the hostage tour. I'm Lucy, your tour guide. And this is Luke. What's your name?"
Her attempt at levity fell flat on the man whose eyes looked dead.
"Beleth." His voice came out like black oil, low and deep.
Lucy knew enough mythology to know that name. "Beleth... that's the name of a demon or fallen angel. What? Parents didn't like you?"
The power of the large man, a block of solid muscle, surrounded Lucy and pushed against her almost viscerally. It wasn't a para-power, just his physical presence and energy holding her in its grip. She tried to shake it by baiting him. To no avail.
"Okay, no chit chat. Fine by me. Look, we can help you. We can offer you security, freedom, even protection, if you help us free those kids. I just need to know what we're up against. Who's guarding them? How many? Does anyone have para-powers? What's the best way in? That kind of thing. Just information. You don't need to do anything else."
Drake would have been mighty useful about then. He could just compel the guy to tell them everything, if he hadn't been stripped of his powers and then abandoned Sam and their baby. Damn him.
Beleth didn't twitch a muscle as he spoke, his face and body as solid and still as granite. "You're a fool if you think that you can stop what is happening, if you think you can stop paranormals—those gifted with power. We won't let you destroy us."
Lucy listened with her own power and knew he believed everything he was saying. To him, it was the truth. "My brother and I both have para-powers, and yet we're working with IPI to help these kids. Would I be working with them if they were trying to destroy paranormals? We're trying to help, to give people a fair life, to give them freedom. The children in that facility don't deserve to be kept prisoner and used."
A pocket of turbulence shook the plane and jerked Lucy from her feet. Before she could crash into the wall of the small bathroom, Luke used his para-power to solidify the air around her and catch her.
Once steady, she smiled at him. "Thanks, Bro. Owe ya one. Guess we're getting some weather. Great."
Beleth seemed unaffected, and continued speaking in his commanding voice. "What will happen to them once they are free? Will you release them into a world that would reject them as freaks and use them to test and experiment on? And what will happen to the powerless? Children with no control will create chaos everywhere they go. Some have powers that are benign and harmless, but what of those who are dangerous? Can you imagine the headlines? Angry ten-year-old sets fire to entire class. Overactive toddler freezes her teacher to death. Three-year-old throws temper tantrum and destroys an entire apartment complex. You really want to be responsible for that kind of damage?"
The Seeker had given Lucy a similar speech before they revolted and broke free of Rent-A-Kid. Before he'd died saving Sam. He, like Beleth, truly believed that paranormals needed guidance and protection, for the safety of everyone. Lucy didn't disagree with the premi
se, merely their methods. They'd impregnated her best friend without her consent, and experimented with genetics, not to mention drugging them into compliance.
Luke shifted behind her until he stood next to her—a cozy arrangement in the cramped quarters. He spoke to Beleth. "They will be protected, and given a new home. They won't be a threat to themselves or others and they won't be used and experimented on. We will protect them."
Beleth's laugh came out bitter and harsh. "So that's it? Those kids are just trading one facility for another. IPI just wants them for their own experiments. With you, they'll be lab rats. With us, they have purpose, a greater mission in life. We do what we must, and make the hard choices for the greater good of our kind. You're being used and you don't even know it."
Lucy's blood pressure spiked as she thought of all the ways Rent-A-Kid had manipulated them. "Your organization ruined my best friend's life. You killed our mother, killed one of our guards, and destroyed so many lives I can't even count. People, good people, are dead because of your 'greater good.' How dare you claim that you're better than IPI or anyone else. How dare you stand behind some grand purpose to justify the abuse you perpetrate. The ends, even if I agreed with them, do not justify the means you use to obtain them." She stepped closer, fighting the urge to beat the crap out of this guy.
He finally moved his head, just enough to stare into her eyes. "Those deaths mean nothing compared to what we fight for."
Her hand flew at him as if powered by its own force. Her palm stung at the force of the slap. His head didn't even budge at the force, nor did his skin show signs of the impact. He remained unflappable, and Lucy burned with anger.
In the same cold voice, Beleth spoke. "Aren't you the reckless one? Certain times call for being still. If you can't quench the flames that burn within you, they will consume you."
Is this guy seriously giving me Zen advice? Whatever. If he wouldn't give her the information she needed, they'd do it the hard way.
They'd had tougher assignments. Like their recent Russian adventure—genetic experiments, shootings, and... Adam. He'd been one of their mutations—part man, part beast, but the heart of a true friend. He'd run into a spray of bullets to save her.
The Forbidden Trilogy Page 37
