Into the Fire

by Victoria Smith

  She tugged at his shirt, finally pulling it from his jeans and running her hands up his back. Her touch lingered on his most recent wound—a long, jagged cut from a saw blade. Then she found the bullet wound. She didn’t pull away in revulsion like the last woman he’d almost had sex with.

  “Take this off,” she said as she tugged on his shirt.

  “I’m really scarred.” Why was he so nervous?

  “We’re all scarred, Matt. It’s the hidden wounds we have to worry about because they take longer to heal, if they ever do. I probably have twice as many outer scars as you do.”

  “You can’t possibly.” He took off his shirt. “Prove it. Take it off.” He tugged the hem of her shirt.

  “Do, too.” She raised her shirt over her head. He stared at her breasts, forgetting about comparing scars until she brought his attention back by pointing to a length of puckered skin on her ribcage. “Got hit by a truck running from the patrols. It took three days to find a healer.”

  He followed a long, pink line that started at her neck and went who knew how far below her belt line. “You know, most women aren’t proud of having their body marked up.”

  “I know. It’s weird. All I can say is these wounds helped shape me, and they keep me focused on what I have to do.” She met his eyes.

  “Jenner did most of this to you?” Anger overrode the softer emotions. Her back was a patchwork of uneven skin.

  “Most of it, in some form or another. Either him personally or one of his goons. Not this one.” She pointed to the jagged line at the base of her neck. “Dead ex-boyfriend.”

  “What the hell happened?” It seemed like he’d tried to take her head off.

  “Sector police had been harassing him because of his motorcycle. They injected him with something. He went ballistic and started throwing things. I was handy. He threw me headfirst through a second-story window.” She sounded nonchalant, but her eyes were sad and serious.

  “How’d he die?” He was almost afraid to ask.

  “I killed him. I had no choice. After he was done trashing his apartment, he took off into the woods. By the time I found him, he was totally psychotic and close to death. It was a mercy killing.” She shrugged, the sheen in her eyes negating her attempt to pretend she felt nothing. “He was a shapeshifter. I think he had enough coherent thought to change into something I wouldn’t have trouble shooting, because he died as a hideous creature I’d never seen before. He never changed back.” She turned away.

  “I’m sorry. That blows.” Matt touched her arm, the spark of what started their scar comparison still there, but muted by her sadness. Matt was pretty sure nothing else would be happening between them right now.

  “It was a long time ago. Before . . . before a lot of things happened.” She traced the tree tattooed on his chest. “You win. I don’t have one of those.”

  “What? A chest? I think you do. And it’s nice, too.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her breasts again.

  “No, a tattoo, you dork. I want one, but, immune or not, I don’t trust anyone.” She got closer to take in the fine detail.

  “I have one on my back, too.” He turned, hearing her gasp. He wasn’t sure if it was because she liked his tattoo or if it was because his scars rivaled her own.

  “That’s fantastic.” She traced the woodland scene with her finger. “Why’d you get it?”

  “That one was my first. When I realized my affinity with nature it seemed like something I had to do. Like a recognition of my abilities or something. I got the tree when I finally mastered the skills.” He sucked in a breath as she continued to trace the many lines and details.

  If this wasn’t going to go any further, he had to step away now. When she kissed his tattoo and wrapped her arms around his waist, his body gave a little shout. His head knew that didn’t mean anything. Women were always doing weird shit like that to make you think you were going to get lucky when the idea had already fled their minds.

  He waited, determined to let her make the first move. When she pressed her lips against his neck, he figured that was it. Matt didn’t move as she kissed his throat. He finally turned, wrapping his arm around her back and pulling her close.

  “Aren’t you afraid your brother will come back?” he asked against her mouth.

  “He won’t. He closed us in. Theo likes you too much. He’s playing matchmaker. Besides, he’s already asleep.” Her voice wavered.

  “But he said no kissing.” He skimmed his hands up her sides.

  “Teasing. My brother might lack in some areas, but he’s very in tune to what he calls people’s hearts. Mostly I think it’s a curse. I can’t hide my feelings. I can only imagine what he would be capable of if he hadn’t gotten that damned serum.” She moaned, eliminating further conversation. “But don’t worry, he has no idea what we’re doing. He’s not that in tune.”

  She kissed him, her lips soft on his. He led her to the mattress, kissing her deeply before throwing a blanket over the bed. They didn’t have time, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t give her the gentleness and tenderness she deserved.

  Her body was perfection, scars and all. Matt traced her shoulder, and what probably was a knife wound, with his lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, making an impatient noise. He kissed her, wanting to make this last the rest of the night and knowing there was no way he could, wanting to give her more than one night on a mattress in a godforsaken basement.

  Jillian unbuttoned his pants and pushed them down as far as she could with her hands, before using her feet to take them the rest of the way off. The feel of her hands on him was like magic he’d never felt before. He paused, taking a deep breath to keep himself in check.

  Luke opened their connection. “Everything okay there?”

  “Yep. You? Olivia?”

  “All is well. On my way.”

  Matt severed the contact. Luke would be here soon. Time was running out. Matt focused on Jillian again, losing himself in her and wanting to stay there forever.

  Jillian rested her head against his. “Your reputation doesn’t lie.”

  He almost expected to find sarcasm and disgust on her face. The contented, confident smile eased the fear as she kissed him again.

  “It’s all lies.”

  “What is? That you know how to treat a woman?” She stretched against him, reigniting his need for her.

  “Yeah. For one, I know who’s saying that, and I never, ever slept with her.”

  “I wouldn’t call what we just did sleeping either.”

  “Okay. So, I never fucked her. Or any of the others, either.” He didn’t know why her comment pissed him off. He sat up and grabbed his pants.

  “I was only teasing.” She turned away.

  “Don’t cheapen this. Okay. Just don’t.” He grabbed the back of her head and kissed her hard. “I like you a lot. I know it’s only been a day or so since we met, but I feel a connection with you. And I like it.”

  Jillian blinked up at him, tears spiking her lashes. Matt realized why she’d brought up the reputation that had women groping him every time he showed up somewhere. She didn’t want this to have to mean anything.

  Too bad it did.

  Heavy thumps sounded overhead. They quickly dressed, each grabbing as many weapons as they could carry before Jillian opened the door. Theo met them right outside the door, shuffling nervously.

  “They’re here.”

  Chapter 9

  Luke burst through the door. The stunned faces and the smell of fear in the room at the bottom of the stairs stopped him in his tracks. Perhaps he should have been a little quieter and more sensitive with his entrance. He knew Jillian had her hands full and that she had serum kids. And he’d ignored it.

  Probably because even though Olivia could definitely take care of herself, he thought splitting up was the worst idea ever. There’d been no convincing her of that, once she’d made up her mind to go on ahead and find her family. He didn’t want to think about that, so he saved his ir
e for his brother. What the hell was Matt thinking?

  A leggy brunette entered the room, and Luke knew why Matt had ignored him. Especially since the scent of sex entered the room with them.

  “You’re early,” Matt said, glancing at his watch.

  “Is this Jillian?”

  Her face was red, too, but she nodded, raising her chin to meet his eyes in a silent challenge. Wildcat, that one. Luke was glad he didn’t have to tangle with her.

  “We were discussing strategy and gathering the fire power. She has a fucking arsenal that’ll blow your freaking mind, dude.” Matt talked a little too fast.

  “Strategy, huh? Clever. I’ve never heard it called that before. How long until we can head out?” He scanned the room, pleased at the state of readiness.

  “What’s it like out there?” Matt nodded toward the ceiling.

  “Clear for now. The patrols are about three miles away, heading north. If you’re ready, we should go.” The room erupted with activity.

  Jillian raised her hands, and all eyes turned to her. “We talked about this, remember? Everyone has a job.”

  A big, young man bounced up and down beside her, tugging her arm constantly. “Sissy. Sissy. Sissy.”

  She ignored him while she directed the vacant-faced woman to gather certain items, finally turning to him. “Yes, Theo?”

  “Can I get the guns? Can I? You said you’d tell me, and it’s time. Can I get them? Can I help? Can Theo shoot?”

  Jillian rubbed her eyes, finally turning to him. “You have to remember everything I taught you. And you have to listen to everything Matt or I say. This is important, Theo. Guns are not toys.”

  Luke was stunned. She was going to let him use a gun? He almost said something until Matt erupted into his brain. “Shut it, dude. I’ll explain later, but the kid is amazing. I’m not fucking joking.”

  “You’re crazy, but whatever.” Why was he so pissed off that his brother had gotten laid? It wasn’t like he hadn’t, himself.

  “Fuck off. We’re ready. Get off your damned high horse. And don’t worry about the kid. He’ll probably hate you anyway.” Matt laughed but didn’t face him.

  “Get your guns, Theo. We’re ready to rock and roll.” Matt hefted a bag over his shoulder.

  The huge kid took off, reappearing a few minutes later with several over-sized duffel bags draped over each shoulder and an ammunition belt strapped old western movie style over his massive chest. With another around his waist to complement the dual pistols strapped there.

  Shit. What the hell was Matt thinking? This wasn’t training day or make-the-kid-feel-special-by-letting-him-handle-the-guns sunshiny day. Luke glared at his brother, but he only clapped him on the shoulder.

  “Theo rides with Matt,” Theo said. There was no way Luke was arguing with Mr. Armed-to-the-Teeth.

  “Fine. You go in Matt’s truck. Jillian rides with me and everyone else.” He did a quick head count, glad he had enough room in the old van for everyone. “Once we get close to our destination, we’ll have to walk for a little bit.”

  Why did he sound like such an asshole? Blank faces stared back at him to make him wonder if he was speaking a foreign language. Jillian repeated his words and everyone nodded. Luke glared at her, too.

  “You’re a stranger. They don’t trust you yet. Plus, you’ve got such a mean face on.” She winked at Matt.

  He sighed. “I’m sorry. Can we load up now?”

  Jillian touched his arm on her way past him. “Olivia will be fine.”

  Her eyes softened and despite his worry, he relaxed a little. This whole caring about someone on a deeper level sucked. It was bad enough his brother panicked him on a daily basis, but now he had someone else to worry about, and now by extension, maybe two, no, three more. Luke wasn’t sure that was the best thing for him. But what the hell was he supposed to do about it now? Olivia could take care of herself. She’d been doing it long before he rescued her and so had Jillian.

  He somehow found a smile and shook each person’s hand as they passed. Jillian introduced him as Matt’s brother. They still eyed him warily, but he figured that was his own fault for coming in pissed off. He didn’t know how Matt had won these people over so quickly, but Luke was grateful he had. Getting them out of here would be next to impossible if his brother hadn’t poured on the charm.

  Jillian settled the last passenger in and crawled into the van beside him. Luke had no problem figuring out what Matt saw in her and was glad his brother seemed to have met his match. Though the caring part still sucked, Luke laughed as he started the engine.

  ~ ~ ~

  Olivia waited in the underbrush outside Jenner’s compound. Someone screeched in the second building. A woman. Not her mother. There was something around this place that dampened her abilities. She didn’t think it had been in place last time she was here, and it scared her more than she wanted to admit. She forced herself to wait. With the guards marching in the compound, this definitely was not the time to storm in. The screaming finally stopped, but Olivia couldn’t get enough of a sense of the woman to know if she was still alive. She fought nausea. The only thing she knew for sure was that the woman was not her mother. Dan would wait to really torture them until he made her watch—sadistic bastard. He’d have an excellent excuse for the things he’d done, though, as always.

  Olivia checked her Smith and Wesson, clicking the suppressor into place. A few more minutes and the midnight bell would ring. Wednesday would start. She wasn’t stupid enough to believe he’d leave the compound unguarded, regardless of his religious beliefs. She’d heard he operated on a minimal staff at night since traveling was illegal. Whether or not that was true remained to be seen. She’d have to be quick.

  The bell sounded, and the compound cleared. One guard remained at the shack. Two others marched through the central yard toward the main doors. Olivia rose and hit the camera lens with a freezing agent that was supposed to maintain the frame at the exact moment before the substance was sprayed. She leaned around to spray the second camera before squeezing through the partially opened gate.

  She wished one of them had been closer to her size, so she could have slipped on a uniform and taken his place. At least she would already be inside. Well, it didn’t matter. She was in now. The guard didn’t notice her as he raised binoculars toward the woods. She slipped around the side of the building, staying close to avoid detection by the cameras pointing at the fence.

  Sticking her head up, she peeked in the window where she thought she’d heard the screams. A dark-haired woman was slumped forward in a chair, her arms and legs tied. She was naked. Long, bloody wounds covered her back and legs. Olivia watched, waiting for her to take a breath. She didn’t.

  There was a man tied to a crude wooden table in the next room. For a minute Olivia thought the rail-thin man was her father, but when he raised his head, she knew he wasn’t. The tubes and wires attached to the man reminded her of some old sci-fi movie or of something out of terrible pages of history. How many people were being tortured here? What in the hell had she gotten herself into? Could she save them all? Or even any of them?

  She reached a half-sized door hidden behind a shrub and tall weeds. This hadn’t been on the map she’d studied. Silently dropping onto the dirt floor, she took a second to look around. The dungeon-like hole wasn’t what she expected. Hell, it wasn’t dungeon-like, it was a dungeon, complete with torture devices, jail cells, and open fires.

  The stench of unwashed bodies surrounded her as she slunk against the wall and searched for the stairs. Her parents wouldn’t be down here. Dan would believe he was taking care of them in luxury. Then she saw a boy huddling on the gravel floor of what equaled a dog’s cage. He was too thin, but was the right size. She scooted closer and tried to get into a position to see him clearly.

  Blond hair and blood covered his face. She realized the young man was her brother. They hadn’t been missing long enough for him to be in this condition, and yet, he was most definit
ely Marcus.

  “Marcus?” she whispered.

  He didn’t move. “Marcus James Randolph. Answer me.” Still no movement.

  She tried to reach her arm through the bars, but the opening wasn’t wide enough. She picked up a thin metal rod, not wanting to think about what it was used for, and poked it through the slats to gently touch him.

  He stiffened, but that was all.

  “Marcus. It’s Olivia.” She poked him again.

  Finally, he turned his head. His eyes were blank, but then he blinked as recognition finally shone on his face. “Am I dreaming?”

  “No. I’m here. Can you move closer? I have to be able to touch you to heal you.”

  “Don’t. Did something to me. Knew you’d come. Find you.” He took a shuddering breath.

  Damn. Things were far worse than she thought. She withdrew her fingers. “I’m going to get you out. I promise I’ll be back. I promise.”

  He nodded, looking much older than his seventeen years.

  “Where are Mom and Dad?”

  Marcus shook his head. “Upstairs. Uncle Dan said I’m not good enough to walk on his carpet. Go. I’ll be fine.”

  “Don’t go anywhere.”

  He grinned, slumping into the rough stones. Olivia saw the blood and the open wound on his side. It took everything she had to stick with the plan and not take him to safety first, especially when something moved – maggots or something worse. Damn it.

  She crept up the stairs, surprised when the door opened into a quiet, richly carpeted hall. No cameras were visible. Fighting the unease, she went to the left, going over the layout of the compound in her head. She’d memorized every detail, thanks to Luke. There was no way she was going to be lost in here again.

  The carpet changed to the stark white tile, signifying the medical wing. She would most likely to run into guards here. She paused to listen before running through the corridor. The hall branched into three different directions when the carpeting began again. She chose the middle corridor, thinking Jenner would want her parents unable to see outside.