by A. P. Jensen
G-Ma’s cabin looks fine, but she isn’t here, Bam Bam reported in.
Angel had G-Ma, Maggie, Sunshine and a bunch of others. Why? He was using Maggie to keep the hostages useless and G-Ma and Sunshine could see into the future. Had the hostages been handpicked? Minutes passed as they searched for a trace of the Battalion or the hostages, but there was nothing.
The trek back to the planes was silent. Big Daddy was the first to reach the planes and he walked up to the Council guards who froze at the sight of him. Big Daddy tossed them aside as if they were stuffed animals and they sprawled in the snow. Gerald pulled out his gun when the Council guards started after him.
“Let him go,” Gerald said aloud. “His son is a hostage.”
“Who the hell are you?” one of the guards sneered.
“Back off,” Cain said as he came into the clearing. “We’re working with the Unmemorables.”
Bernt and Rich appeared through the snow. Bernt’s face was contorted with fury as he walked right up to Gerald and got in his face. The Unmemorables reached for their weapons.
“You gave us a false location,” Bernt hissed. “We wasted time and manpower coming here.”
“They were here not even an hour ago,” Gerald growled.
“Then whoever gave us this location is playing with us!” Bernt shouted. “Rich hasn’t Seen anything. How is it that the person who gave this location can talk to Delilah when she hasn’t contacted her own parents?”
Raven tensed and Bones and Jackie flanked her. The Unmemorables shifted subtly and Cain’s eyes narrowed as they began to spread out.
“You don’t need to know that,” Gerald said. “All you need to know is they were here not long ago. We were too late.”
“Late isn’t good enough!” Bernt bellowed. “My daughter’s blood is splattered everywhere in that cabin! She’s in the hands of that monster and . . . .”
“Enough, Bernt,” Rich cut in and limped forward. “I’d like to speak to your representative.”
“No,” Gerald said.
“We need to plan what happens next,” Rich said.
“What’s going to happen next is you take us back to Vegas, you take your guys off my property, and you go back to Texas,” Gerald said. “If we hear something, we’ll let you know and vice versa.”
“How do I know you’ll do that?” Rich asked coolly.
“How do I know you’ll do the same?” Gerald shot back.
Rich was silent for a long moment. “I’ll leave a man with you, you leave a man with me.”
“What man?”
Before Rich answered, Raven already knew and took a step back, shaking her head.
“Cain.”
Fucking shit, Jackie said.
Who wants to go? Gerald asked telepathically. Bones?
No, I stay with Raven, Bones replied.
Several of the Unmemorables turned to stare at him.
Fucking ridiculous bullshit, Gerald swore. Anyone? Who’s gonna stay in fucking Texas?
I’ll go, someone mumbled in a glum voice.
Several guys snickered.
Have fun, Chewie.
“Fine,” Gerald said aloud. “Let’s get out of here.”
They boarded the planes and resumed their original seats. Raven huddled into her jacket and shivered as the plane took off.
“Now what?” Jackie asked across the aisle.
Gerald glanced at her. “You think you can get in touch with the girl again?”
“S-she has to be away from Maggie and I have to be a-asleep. I think Angel figured it out,” she said through chattering teeth.
“What about Sunshine?” Bam Bam asked, turning in his seat again to look down at her.
“I-I don’t know how that works. It just happened,” she stammered.
“Your power allows you to inhabit other people bodies and see through their eyes,” Bones said.
She stared at him and since her voice shook, used the Unmemorable method instead. What?
“Delilah’s power only allows her to communicate through dreams, not have that person inside of her. If we can figure out how you connected to Delilah and Sunshine, maybe we’ll have a breakthrough if Angel gets careless.”
Angel doesn’t get careless, she said. Now that he knows, it’ll be impossible to break through.
“We have to keep trying,” Gerald said.
She nodded and leaned into Bones as she shuddered uncontrollably. I’ll try.
“The Battalion’s never had a headquarters. They’re scattered and cause havoc everywhere,” Bones said. “What’s Angel’s endgame?”
“He hates humans without power,” Ace said.
“What’s he want? The end of the world?” Bam Bam scoffed.
They all stared at one another. She had to do whatever it took to get them back, including becoming Sleeping Beauty until they got a lead.
When they landed back on the golf course at the Unmemorable mansion, it was still dark and she was dying to get off the plane. For the past forty-five minutes she had watched Jane lean into Cain and whisper in his ear. Jane had to be reading him Lord of the Rings or something because who could talk that much without needing a response? Even though Raven suspected Cain had gone to sleep or was ignoring Jane, she still felt as if her head was going to explode. A part of her wanted to go up to them and punch Cain in the face at the same time that she handed over her hair so he’d know what a jackass he was. The other part of her, the one that had gotten her this far in life, told her that she would never have a happily ever after so she should move on. She would survive even though her heart felt as if it were being stabbed repeatedly in her chest.
“Promise me you’ll give me more of your hair or blood if I start to forget,” he said after he chased her to California. “No matter what happens, we stay together, got it?” He told her that not even two days ago. She remembered the disgust in his voice when he said, “I gave up everything for you and you just keep showing me that you’re more like them than I ever wanted you to be.” She knew what that meant and it killed something inside of her.
When she walked off the plane, she stiffened when her arm was caught. She swung around and looked up at Rich. She wrenched away and grabbed her knife.
“Problems here, Grandpa?” Cain asked.
“No, jerk off,” Raven hissed.
Cain gave her a cool once-over that made her want to attack before he looked back at Rich. “This one’s hostile.”
He was talking about her as if she were a crazy lady they found in the jungle. The nasty taste of betrayal that created a burning a hole in her chest flared. She leapt at Cain, only to be jerked backward by Bones and Jackie who looped their arms through hers. Cain stared at her with an impassive, blank face. It was so painful that tears filled her eyes.
“I want to talk to them alone, Cain,” Rich said.
Cain obeyed instantly and walked away.
“Back to being a stupid robot,” Raven muttered while she tried to shove off her brother and cousin to wipe her eyes.
“Raven.”
She froze and so did Bones and Jackie. She whirled and faced Rich who was looking very unlike the confident, arrogant head of the Council. He fingered something between his gnarled hands and she felt a shock of recognition.
“You took my braid from Cain,” she said, dumbfounded.
Rich scowled. “Cain’s my best. I need him back.”
“So you erased his memory of her?” Jackie said in a disbelieving tone and released Raven. “Have at him. That’s low.”
Rich looked unusually abashed. “He’s not himself,” he blustered.
“That’s what happens when people fall in love,” Jackie said.
Raven was too stunned by the turn of events to do much more than stare at the braid that Rich was fingering like a rosary. “Why are you admitting this to me?”
Rich shuffled his feet. “Cain’s not doing a good job of recruiting the Unmemorables and he was more manageable when he was with Jane.” W
hen they all stared at him, he said defensively, “Jane loves him, you know.”
“And Raven loves him, too,” Jackie snapped.
“Then why hasn’t she reminded him who she is?” Rich asked.
There were many answers to that question, but none that she’d share with Rich. She crossed her arms and waited for him to continue.
“Anyway, I realize this thing with Angel is much bigger than I realized. He’s stronger and more organized than I anticipated and...”
“And?” Bones said coldly.
“He has Maggie and G-Ma,” Rich said and tipped back his hat. “I never thought he’d stoop that low.”
“He has no conscience,” Raven said quietly.
“Never did,” Rich said with a shake of his head and held out the braid. “My power’s not up to full strength. I know you were the one who connected with Delilah. I need you to do whatever it is you do to get them back. I need you focused.”
“How generous of you,” she drawled and walked away without taking her hair.
Raven? Bones called.
She was so over it. Deceit, manipulation, power . . . she wanted no part of it. She had a simple life before Cain and the Battalion. She cleaned restaurants and motels. It was a dirty job, but she liked hard work. She lived out of a suitcase and didn’t mind being on her own. It was all she knew. Now, within a month her life had been turned upside down. She was living in a world with magic, money, and monsters. Sunshine and Maggie were in the hands of a sadistic bastard and the only way forward was hoping she slid into their minds while she was asleep. Could her life get anymore bizarre?
She’d changed in the short time she and Cain had been together. Maybe they didn’t fit after all. If it wasn’t the Unmemorable curse pulling them down, it was their families, and if it wasn’t them, it was the Battalion. A normal life was a long shot for her, but Cain had a chance. As long as he was tied to her, his life would be a chaotic whirl of Unmemorables, whom he loathed. Maybe Rich was right. Maybe Cain and Jane were meant to be, and she and Cain weren’t.
Raven slammed the door to her bedroom and then the bathroom. She stripped out of her winter gear and turned the shower on full blast. She stayed in there for long minutes, letting the hot water beat over her. When she stepped out of the tub, she dressed in flannel pajamas and flopped on the bed. She was brushing her hair when there was a knock on the door.
“Come,” she said in a weary voice.
She wasn’t prepared when Cain stepped into the room. She stared at him, wondering if Bones or Jackie gave him the braid. She couldn’t read his face as he stood near the door.
“Someone said I have a bag in here,” Cain said.
She swallowed the wave of disappointment. “Uh, yeah, it’s by the window.”
Cain walked over to the duffel and paused when he saw it was open and his personal items were lined up on the windowsill.
“You have some things in the bathroom,” she said and closed her eyes against the sight of him.
“Did you and I switch rooms? Is that why my things are in here?” Cain asked.
“Yes,” she lied in a stifled voice.
Cain moved swiftly through the room and grabbed his things. She held her breath as he paused by the bed, but he said nothing before he left. She collapsed facedown on her pillow. It would be so easy to give him her hair and ask why he kissed Jane. If she hadn’t walked in on them, how far would it have gone? Rich’s plan to make Cain forget her couldn’t have worked better. Cain slid right back into his relationship with Jane. Was that where he was supposed to be while she stood in the shadows?
Raven slid under the covers and huddled into a ball. She pictured Sunshine, Maggie, Delilah, Marlie, and G-Ma, and hoped they were still alive.
“I’ll find you,” she whispered as she drifted off to sleep. “I promise.”
Chapter Eighteen
Her vision was blurry and someone’s raking sobs sounded loudly in her ears. Raven tried to blink. When her eyes didn’t obey, she felt a spurt of joy and terror when she realized she was in Delilah’s body again. Tears slipped from her eyes, revealing Angel who smiled.
“You’re here, aren’t you?” Angel asked in a gentle voice and stroked a finger down Delilah’s cheek.
Raven had the uncanny suspicion that Angel wasn’t talking to Delilah, but her. He couldn’t know...
“Raven, I can sense your presence. It’s intoxicating,” Angel whispered.
Let her go! Raven shouted, but her voice went unheard by Angel. She couldn’t control Delilah’s voice and the girl was sobbing so hard, Raven could barely hear him. Angel grew impatient with Delilah’s hysteria and gave her a vicious shake. Delilah quieted immediately.
“Maggie’s too smart for her own good,” Angel mused. “She’s a little spitfire and I love her, but she’ll ruin everything if I let her. Delilah and Marlie have also proved to be remarkably resourceful.”
Raven wanted to threaten and maim, but she couldn’t do a thing. All she could do was listen and watch in helpless rage.
“If you come to me, I’ll let little Delilah live,” Angel said.
Raven didn’t hesitate. Delilah, ask him where. She would make any bargain to spare their lives.
Delilah didn’t repeat her words. Angel searched Delilah’s eyes as if they were Raven’s. Delilah was strapped to a chair with rope. Angel crouched in front of her. They sat in a pool of light with everything around them cast in darkness.
“You think this is a bluff, Raven? Come to me and I’ll spare Delilah’s life. She’s so frightened, aren’t you, Delilah?”
When Delilah said nothing, Angel viciously slapped her across the face. Angel’s blue eyes remained as calm and unruffled as ever when he gripped Delilah’s hair in his hands and yanked her head back. Delilah squinted against the bright light.
“We’re meant to be together, Raven,” Angel breathed against Delilah’s lips. “I heard what you did the night of the attack. You’re remarkable, tailor-made for me, darling. I’ll spare the hostages if you come to me. There’s something between us. I know you can feel it.”
Delilah, Raven said hoarsely. Ask him where I need to meet him.
Delilah didn’t speak and Raven repeated her command urgently, but the girl didn’t respond.
“I know how to break the curse,” Angel said and eased even closer so his hypnotic blue eyes were all Raven could see. “I was there when G-Ma declared that prophecy. I wrote it down. The part of the prophecy that reveals how to break the curse, I have it. No one but me has ever seen it. The Unmemorables have been waiting for centuries for you, Raven. Only you can do it. What do you say? What are you willing to sacrifice for Delilah? For your family?”
I’ll sacrifice everything, she thought and focused on Delilah who was a shivering mess. She tried to comfort her, even while she tried to coax her into giving Angel her answer. Delilah, baby, I know you’re scared. It’s going to be okay. I’m coming for you. Ask Angel where I should meet him. Please, Delilah, ask him where and this will end.
Angel searched Delilah’s eyes. “Delilah, did Raven say anything?”
Delilah licked the blood off her lips. “She said, ‘Screw you.’”
Raven was so stunned by Delilah’s response that she said nothing for a moment. She watched Angel’s face harden into cruel lines and began to plead, even though she knew it was useless.
“Wrong answer, Raven. We’ll see each other soon.”
There was a gunshot and then excruciating pain. Delilah shrieked and writhed against the ropes binding her to the seat as a bullet lodged in her abdomen. The last thing Delilah saw before she died was Angel watching her with a detached expression, bloody gun in hand.
Chapter Nineteen
“You’re getting on my nerves, hussy.”
Raven’s eyes fluttered open as her hand drifted over her body, which felt as if every person on the planet had trampled over her. She let out a groan and focused on the man who stood beside the bed. Doc glared down at her with a grim
ace of disgust.
“Died in your sleep, stupid woman...” Doc snapped before he was pushed to the side.
Jackie leaned over her and clasped her face. His face was drawn with worry and he studied her eyes. “Raven, how do you feel?”
I died? she asked in a small voice.
“Bones heard you screaming in your sleep. He came in and your heart stopped beating. You’ve been in a coma for a week.”
The dream with Delilah crystalized in her mind with such force that she gasped. Her hands twisted in Jackie’s and even as she tried to speak, tears streamed down her face. Doc flung up his hands and slammed out of the bedroom. Jackie pulled her into a sitting position.
“Raven? What’s wrong?” Jackie asked.
His gentle voice broke her and she let out a keening sound that would have mortified her under any other circumstance. Why didn’t Delilah repeat what she said? She dropped her head on Jackie’s chest and his arms wrapped around her.
Angel knows Delilah’s been contacting me. He told me to give myself up and promised to let the hostages go. I told Delilah to tell him where, but she wouldn’t say what I told her to. Angel shot her. Christ, I was inside of her. I felt her die.
Jackie went rigid. She heard other voices chime in, but her body was reliving the pain and Delilah’s terror. She shuddered against Jackie.
“You’re ice cold,” Jackie said and held her tighter. “You’re gonna be okay.”
Her teeth chattered as she shook her head. She’s gone.
“We’ll get them back,” Jackie said soothingly.
“I could have ended this,” she stammered.
“You can’t give yourself up, Raven.”
More voices began to talk, but she didn’t care what they were saying. Delilah was dead. As Delilah’s last moments fired off in her mind, her hands contracted in the material of Jackie’s shirt. Delilah would never make out with Brandon (whoever that was) and her parents would never hold her again. Raven slid into unconsciousness with her tears soaking Jackie’s chest as he rocked her.
