BerkleytitlesbyNaliniSingh
Psy-ChangelingSeries
SLAVETOSENSATION
VISIONSOFHEAT
CARESSEDBYICE
MINETOPOSSESS
HOSTAGETOPLEASURE
BRANDEDBYFIRE
BLAZEOFMEMORY
BONDSOFJUSTICE
PLAYOFPASSION
KISSOFSNOW
TANGLEOFNEED
HEARTOFOBSIDIAN
GuildHunterSeries
ANGELS’BLOOD
ARCHANGEL’SKISS
ARCHANGEL’SCONSORT
ARCHANGEL’SBLADE
ARCHANGEL’SSTORM
Anthologies
ANENCHANTEDSEASON
(withMaggieShayne,ErinMcCarthy,andJeanJohnson)
THEMAGICALCHRISTMASCAT
(withLoraLeigh,ErinMcCarthy,andLindaWinsteadJones)
MUSTLOVEHELLHOUNDS
(withCharlaineHarris,IlonaAndrews,andMeljeanBrook)
BURNINGUP
(withAngelaKnight,VirginiaKantra,andMeljeanBrook)
ANGELSOFDARKNESS
(withIlonaAndrews,MeljeanBrook,andSharonShinn)
ANGELS’FLIGHT
WILDINVITATION
Specials
ANGELS’PAWN
ANGELS’DANCE
HeartofObsidian
NALINISINGH
THEBERKLEYPUBLISHINGGROUP
PublishedbythePenguinGroup
PenguinGroup(USA)Inc.
375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,USA
USA|Canada|UK|Ireland|Australia|NewZealand|India|SouthAfrica|China
PenguinBooksLtd.,RegisteredOffices:80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,England
FormoreinformationaboutthePenguinGroup,visitpenguin.com.
ThisbookisanoriginalpublicationofTheBerkleyPublishingGroup.
Copyright?2013byNaliniSingh.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproduced,scanned,ordistributedinanyprintedorelectronicformwithoutpermission.Pleasedonotparticipateinorencouragepiracyofcopyrightedmaterialsinviolationoftheauthor’srights.Purchaseonlyauthorizededitions.
BerkleySensationBooksarepublishedbyTheBerkleyPublishingGroup.
BERKLEYSENSATION?isaregisteredtrademarkofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.
The“B”designisatrademarkofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.
eBookISBN:978-1-101-60519-6
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Singh,Nalini,1977–
Heartofobsidian/NaliniSingh.—Firstedition.
pagescm
ISBN978-0-425-26399-0(alk.paper)
1.Fantasyfiction.I.Title.
PR9639.4.S566H432013
823′.92—dc232013007937
FIRSTEDITION:June2013
JacketartbyTonyMauro.JackethandletteringbyRonZinn.
JacketdesignbyGeorgeLong.
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentseitheraretheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,businessestablishments,events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partywebsitesortheircontent.
Contents
BerkleyTitlesbyNaliniSingh
TitlePage
Copyright
DarkestPartofNight
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
PurePsy
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
PurePsy
Chapter28
PurePsy
Chapter29
Chapter30
Chapter31
Chapter32
Chapter33
Chapter34
Chapter35
Chapter36
Chapter37
Chapter38
PurePsy
Chapter39
Chapter40
Chapter41
Chapter42
Chapter43
Chapter44
Chapter45
Chapter46
Dawn
DarkestPartofNight
INTHEYEAR1979,thePsyracemadethedecisiontoembraceSilenceandconditionallemotionoutoftheiryoung;tobecomewithouthopeordespair,angerorfear,sorroworjoy.
Mothersandfatherssentencedtheirchildrentolivesoficycontroloutofasoul-deeplovethosechildrenwouldneverfeelinreturn.TheytoldtheirbabiesthatSilencewasapreciousgift,thatitwouldsavethemfromthemadnessandviolencethatsooftencameintertwinedwiththestaggeringbeautyoftheirpsychicabilities.
WithoutSilence,saidaleadingphilosopheroftheday,wewillcannibalizeourselvesinastormofbloodanddeathandinsanity,untilthePsyracebecomesnothingbutaterriblememory.
In1979,Silencewasabeaconofhope…but1979wasmorethanahundredyearsago.
ThosefirstchildrenarelongdeadandthePsyNethasbeenrockedbytheinitialvolleyofacivilwarthatmightyettearitapart,takingthechangelingsandhumanswithit.AcivilwarthathasawakenedawhisperingunderstandinginthepopulaceabouttheuglyironyofSilence:increatingasocietythatrewardslackofemotion,thePsyhavecreatedfertilegroundfortheriseofpsychopathicpersonalitiestotheleadershipoftheirrace.
Anindividualwhofeelsnothingis,afterall,theperfectgraduateofSilence
Ruthless.Cold-blooded.Withoutmercy…withoutconscience.
Chapter1
KALEBKRYCHEK,CARDINALtelekineticandamannoonewantedtomeetaloneonadarknight,hadbeensearchingforhisquarryforsevenyears,threeweeks,andtwodays.Evenwhileheslept,hismindhadcontinuedtohuntthroughthesprawlingpsychicnetworkthatwastheheartbeatandthecageofthePsyrace.Notforaday,notforasecond,hadheforgottenhissearch,forgottenwhatthey’dtakenfromhim.
Everyoneinvolvedwouldpay.He’dmakecertainofit.
Rightnow,however,hehaddifferentpriorities,hissearchcomplete,histargethuddledinacornerofasmall,windowlessroominhisisolatedhomeontheoutskirtsofMoscow.Crouchingdowninfrontofher,heheldoutaglassofwater.“Drink.”
Herresponsewastocrushherselfimpossiblyfurtherintothecornerandtightenherarmsaroundthekneesshehuggedtoherchest.She’dspentthehoursincehe’dretrievedherfromherprisonrockingtoandfroinbrittlesilence.Herhairwasatangledrats’nestaroundherface,herupperarmsbearingbothfreshscratchesandmarksofoldergouges.
Shewasstillabarefivefeet,twoinches…orsohejudged.She’dbeeninahuddledpositionpre-teleport,hadonlycurledfurtherintohershellinthepastsixtyminutes.Hereyes—abluesodeeptheyweremidnight—refusedtomeethis,skitteringawayifheenteredherlineofsight.
Nowsheduckedherhead,themattedwaist-lengthstrandsthatshould’vebeenarichblackinterwovenwithunexpectedstrandsofred-gold,dullandgreasyaroundherdown-bentface.Thatfacewasallboneunderpallidskinofpalestbrown,thenailsonherhandsgnawedtothequickyetembeddedwithdriedbloodthatsaidshe’dusedthestubstoviciouslyscratcheitherherownskinoranother’s,perhapsboth.
Atlast,heunderstoodwhytheNetMindandDarkMind,thetwinentitiesthatkneweverycornerofthevastpsychicnetworkthatconnectedallPsyontheplanetbutfortherenegades,hadbeenunabletofindher—regardlessofhowmanytimeshe’dmadetherequestorhowmuchinformationhe’dgiventheminanefforttonarrowthescopeofthesearch.Kalebhadbeeninsidehermindduringretrieval,hadneededtobetocompletetheteleport,andeventhen,hewouldn’thaveknownitwasherifhehadn’thadincontrovertibleevidencetothecontrary.Thepersonshe’dbeenwasgone.
Whetherwhatremainedwasanythingmorethanabrokenshellwasyetanunansweredquestion.
“DrinkorI’llleaveyoutowallowinyourfilth.”
Heusedwordsthatwould’veoncecausedhertoreact—buthedidn’tknowifthatpartofherexistedanylonger.Thefilehe’dsometiculouslyputtogetherovertheyears,thefilehe’dstudieduntilhecouldrecitethecontentsinhissleep,wasgoingtobeuseless.Shewasnolongerthatgirlwithherhairbrushedstraightandshiny,andmidnighteyesthatseemedtoseefarbeyondtheskin
“Perhapsyouenjoysmellinglikesomethingfromthegarbage.”
Therockingincreased.
LogicsaidheneededtogetaPsy-Medspecialistinhereasfastaspossible.ButKalebknewhewasn’tgoingtodothat.Hetrustedvery,veryfewpeople,andhetrustednoonewhenitcametoher.Sincehiscurrentapproachwasn’tbearingtheresultshewanted,heshiftedfocuswiththeeaseofamanwhohadnoemotionalattachmenttoadecision.
“Yourlipsarecrackedandit’sclearyouhaven’thadenoughfluidsforatleasttwenty-fourhours.”Inthesplitsecondthathe’dteleportedintothewhite-on-whiteroomwhereshe’dbeenheld,theoverheadlightcuttinginitstorturousbrightness,he’dseenthebottlesthrownatthewall,theliquidsoakedintothefloor.
Hisinitialassumptionhadbeenthatthepainfulbrightnesswasanormalpartofherexistence,butitmayhavebeenapunishment,hercaptorsattemptingtobreakherwill.Thatitwasn’talreadybroken…yes,itsaidsomethingaboutthewomanwhorefusedtointeractwithhimonanylevel.
“Ifyouwantedtokillyourself,”hesaid,watchingforeventhemostminorresponsetothebrutalwords,“thereareeasierwaysthandyingofthirst.Oraren’tyouintelligentenoughtoworkthatout?”
Therockingacceleratedfurther.
“Icanaseasilypinyoutothewallandforcethewaterdownyourthroat.Iwon’tevenneedtotouchyou.”
Shehissedathim,darkblueorbsglintingbehindthetangledmassofherhair
Hedidn’tmove,didn’tbetrayanyreactiontothefactthatshe’drespondedinsomefashionatlast,evenifitwasnonverbal.“Drinkit.Iwon’taskagain.”
Stillsheresisted.Unexpected.Hermindmightbebroken,butitwasn’t—hadneverbeen—unintelligent.No,herintellectwassopiercing,herteachershadstruggledtokeepupwithher.Shehadtobeawarethatrefusinghimwasn’tanoption.Thepowerofacardinaltelekineticwasvast.Hecouldcrackeveryboneinherbodywithafleetingthought,crushthosebonesintodustifhesochose.Evenifshenolongerunderstoodthat,she’dexperiencedhisstrengthwhenheteleportedherfromhercellandtohishome;shehadtocomprehendherprecarioussituation.
Hereyesflickedtotheglassinhishand,teethbitingdownonherbadlycrackedlowerlip.Yetshedidn’treachforthewatershesopatentlyneeded.Why?
Hetookamomenttothink,considerthecircumstancesinwhichhe’dfoundher.“It’snotdrugged,”hesaid,talkingtoafacethatheldnorecognition,nosignthatsherememberedtheirfinalblood-soakedencounter,anencounterwhereshe’dscreamedforsolongandinsuchagonyshe’dcauseddamagetoherthroatthatwould’veneededmedicalattentiontorepair.
“Infusedwiththemineralsandvitaminsthatyouneed,”hecontinued,“butnotdrugged.You’renousetomeinacoma.”Holdinghergazewhenitfinallyconnectedwithhis,hetookahealthyswallowofthewater,thenheldouttheglass.
Itwassnatchedfromhimasecondlater.He’dteleportedinanotherfullglassfromthekitchenbeforeshefinishedthefirst.Sheemptiedthemboth.Gettingridoftheglasswithanegligibleuseofhistelekinesis,herosefromhiscrouchedpositioninfrontofher.“Doyouwanttoeatfirstorshower?”
Shestaredupathim,eyesnarrowed.
“Fine,I’llmakethedecisionforyou.”Hebroughtinaplateoffresh,uncutfruit,aswellasathicksliceofbreadspreadwithbutterandhoney.Itwasn’tthekindoffoodheate—likemostPsy,helivedonnutritionbars,forSilencethrivedintheabsenceofsensation,andtastewasapowerfulone.
Hisguest’sSilence,however,hadbeenshatteredalifetimeago.Sensationmightwellbethekeytobringingherbackfromthementalwastelandwhereshe’dretreated,herpersonalityandabilitiesentombed.Teleportinginaknife,heslicedthebreadintofoursmallerpieces,then,goingdownonhishaunches,heldtheplateouttoher.Shestaredforoveraminutebeforeselectingapiecenotinthequickjabhe’dexpected,butwithmeasureddeliberation.
So,hercaptorshadn’tstarvedher.She’dchosennottoeat.
Ittooknoefforttoreachoutwithhismind,setthewatertoboilinthekitchen,prepareamugofteajusthotenoughthatshecouldsipit.Hedumpedthreeteaspoonsofsugarinthemugbeforebringingitinforher.Thistime,shedidn’thesitate,cuddlingthemugtoherchest.
Heat.
Realizingshewascold,headjustedthethermostattofurtherwarmupthealreadywarmroom.Shedidn’treactexcepttotakeanotherquarterofthebread.Assheatewithslowneatness,hehadthesensehewasbeingevaluated.Itwould’vebeeneasytojumptotheconclusionthatshewasn’tasbrokenassheappeared,thatthiswasallacleveract,butthefleetingmomentshe’dspentinhermindtoldafardifferentstory.
She’dbeensplinteredfromtheinsideout.
Theintelligencethatjudgedhimatthisinstantwasmoreakintotheprimalhindbrainthatexistedwithineverycivilizedbeing,thepartthatknewhowtoidentifypredatorfromprey,dangerfromsafety.Itwasn’ttheleveloffunctionheneededfromher,butitwasbetterthantotalcatatoniaoractualphysicalbraindamage.
Herbrainwasfine.Itwashermindthatwasbroken.
Pickingupanapple,hewenttocutit,buthereyesflickedlefttothegrapes.Hedidn’tsayaword,simplyputdowntheappleandturnedtheplatesothegrapeswereclosetoherhand.Sheatefour,tookasipoftea,andstopped.
Halfasliceofbread,fourgrapes,twoglassesofwater,andasipoftea.
Itwasabetterresultthanhemighthaveinitiallypredicted.
“I’llleavethishereforyou,”hesaid,risingtoputtheplateonthesmalltableonthefarsideofthebed.“Ifyouwantmore,orsomethingdifferent,you’llhavetogetitfromthekitchenyourself.”
Thatgotherattention.
Thesubtlerockingthathadrestartedwhenherosetohisfeetstopped,andheknewshewaslistening.HehadreadPsy-MedJournalsinpreparationfortheeventualitythatshewasbrokenwhenhefoundher,hadevensatinremotelyoncountlesslecturesonthesubject,butwherethespecialistsrecommendedquiet,calm,gentleinteraction,heknewtheprimitivemindbehindthoseeyesofmidnightbluewouldseerightthroughsuchanact.
Hewasthemonsterthatstalkednightmare,andtheybothknewit.
“Youcanmovearoundthehouseasyouplease,”hetoldher,calculatinghowmanyyearsithadbeensinceshe’dbeenallowedanykindoffreedom.Theentirespanofhercaptivity?Ifso,inthishecouldunderstandtheimpactonherpsychebetterthananystrangerwithpsycho-medicaltraining.
“Thereasonthisroomhasnowindows,”hesaid,answeringthequestionshehadn’tasked,butthathadtobeatthesurfaceofherconsciousness,“wastonegatethepossibilityofpaniconyourpartatbeingremovedfromaclosedenvironment.”
Hershouldersstiffened.Perhaps,hethought,therewasmorethanananimalmindpresentwithinthefragileshellofherbody.Perhaps.“Ifyoupreferanotherroom,chooseit.Fornow,thebathroomisthroughthere.”Hepointedtothedoorontheothersideofthebed,havingdeliberatelychosenthesmallestsuiteinthehouseforthesamereasonhe’dgivenforthelackofwindows.
He’dbuiltthesuiteforher,forthisexactpossibility.
Itwasimpossibletopredicthowshemightreacttothewide-openvistathatencircledthehouse.Hehadnoneighborswithinscreamingdistance…further.Theonesidenotboundedbygrassyfieldshousedtheterrace—anditwasflushupagainstajaggedgorge.Aterrace,herealizedallatonce,thathadnorailingsandcouldbereachedbyanynumberofroomsinthehouse,includingthebedroomacrossfromthisone.
Hewasalreadyretrievingthesuppliestofixthatoversightashespoke.“Ifyouwishtocontinuetosmelllikeapigsty,that’syourchoice.However,whenIgetsickofthestink,I’llsimplyteleportyouintotheshower,clothesandall,andturnonthewaterwhilepouringliquidsoapoveryourhead.”
Therockinghadstoppedtotallybynow.
“Therearecivilianclothesforyouinthecloset.”Noteverypiecewouldfitheremaciatedframe,butshe’dhaveenoughforthetimebeing.“Ifyou’reattachedtoyourinstitutionaluniform”—awhitesmock,whitepants,bothfilthy—“there’sacleansetinthedresser.”He’dsourceditafewminutesagofromamedicalfacilitythatwouldnevernoticethelack.
Thewomaninthecornerremainedmutinouslysilent.
Turning,hewalkedtothedoor,hisfingersplayingoverthetinyplatinumstarinhispocket.“It’saftermidnight.Sleepifyouwish—ifnot,thehouseisyourstoexplore.I’llbeontheterrace.”Heleftwithoutfurtherwords.Thischessgamewasthemostimportantofhislife,eachmoveascriticalasthenext.Thosewho’dheldhercaptivehadtreatedherasonemightadumbanimal,butshewasnotthat.No,shewasfarmoregiftedaprize.Onehewoulddonothingtojeopardize.
Ashewouldmakenofinaldecisions.
Notyet.Notuntilheknewhowmuchofherthey’dbroken.
***
KALEBcould’vebuiltthebarrierbetweentheterraceandthegorgeusinghistelekineticabilities,buthestripped,changedintothinblacksweatpantsdesignedtokeepthebodycool,andtookonthetaskmanually.AsaTk,energywashislifeblood,butrightnow,hehadanexcessofit—notonthepsychicplane,butonthephysical.
Hadhebeenhumanorchangeling,thesuddenspikeinhisenergylevelsmight’vebeenputdowntoexcitementinachievingthegoalthathadbeenhisdrivingforceforsevenyears,inhavingherinhishomeandwithinreach.Buthewasn’tamemberoftheemotionalraces.HewasPsyandhewasSilent,hisemotionsconditionedoutofhimwhenhe’dbeenachild.HispathtothatSilencehadbeenerraticattimes,buttheendresultwasthedevelopmentofacoollyrationalmindthatheldnoshadowoffearorhope,anguishorexcitement.
Hehadoncehadalargestructuralflawinhisconditioning,abone-deepfractureinhisSilence,butthathadbeeninanotherlife.Thefracturehadsealedtoadamantinehardness,theweakspotmorphingintothestrongestpartofhisSilence,butheknewthatbehindthestone,thefaultremained.
Thedayitnolongerdid…itwasbetterfortheworldifthatdidn’tcometopass.
Wipingthesweatoffhisbrowwithhisforearm,heturnedupthevoltageontheoutdoorlightsandbegantodrillinthescrewsthatwouldensurethemetalbarrierhewasputtinginplacewouldn’tcollapseeveninamajorearthtremor.Hehadn’tsearchedsolongforhisquarrytoloseherthroughalackofpreparation.
Evenasheconcentratedonthetask,hekeptanearopenforhisguest.Somewouldsay“prisoner”wasthemoreaptterm,butthewordsdidn’tmatter.Onlythefactthatshewasinhisgrasp.
CRASH!
Drillabandoned,he’dteleportedintoherroombeforeheconsciouslyprocessedtheviolenceofsound.
Chapter2
THEDRESSERMIRRORagainstthewalloppositethebathroomdoorlaysmashed,shardsofglassonthecarpet,onthebed,onherasshesathunchedinthecenterofthatbed.Asmearedstreakofwetredslicedhercheekfromwhereasplinterhadflowndirectlyather,butsheappearedotherwiseuninjured.
Notfarfromthemirrorlaythebrokenpiecesofthemugshe’dusedtoshattertheglass,thespilledteaarustystainonthedresseritselfandonthepalerugthatcoveredthepolishedwoodofthefloor.
Kalebdidn’taskforthereasonbehindherbehavior.“Staystill.”Gatheringupthelargerfragmentsofglass,heteleportedthemoutintothewastereceptacle.Heknewateleporterwhocouldtakeblooditselfoutofcarpet,butKaleb’sabilityworkedonalargerscale.Hecouldcauseanearthquakethatwoulddevouracity,ripanairjetoutoftheskywithhismind,evencreateatidalwave—whathecouldnotdowaspickupeverytinysliverofglass.
“Youcan’tstayinthisroom,”hesaid.“Notuntilit’sbeencleaned.”
Sheshiftedtopressherbackagainsttheheadboardinsilentrebellion.Sinceforcinghercompliancewouldruncountertohisintentiontowinhertrust,hereworkedthesituation,cameupwithanotherviablesolution.“Holdon.”
Hisguestletoutasurprisedgasp,grabbingatthesheetsastheentirebedliftedafootoffthefloor.Holdingitandtheotherfurniturealoft,KalebusedhisTktorollupthethickrugthatrantheentirelengthoftheroomandcoveredninetypercentofthefloor.Thereappearedtobenoshardsontheflooritself,buthewalkedaroundtheroomtomakecertainbeforereturningtohispositionbythedoor,therolled-uprugathisfeet.
Gaugingtheimpactofthestainscausedbythetea,heaccessedavisualfilehemadecertaintokeepup-to-dateand,usingtheimageasalock,teleportedtherugstraightintotheincineratoroftheregion’scentralwasteprocessingandrecyclingplant.
NeitherhisDNAnorherscouldbepermittedtofallintothewronghands.
Hehadherliftedoffthesheetsandthebeddingrolledupandinthesameincineratorbeforesherealizedwhatwashappening.Placingherbackonthenow-strippedbed,hebroughtinasparerugfromthestoragespaceunderthehouseandrolleditout.“Trynottodamagethisone,”hesaidasheresettledthebed.“It’shand-knottedsilk.”
Avividblueswirledwithcreamandahintofindigo,he’dboughtitfiveyearsago,whenhiscompaniesfirststartedturningprofitsthatwentwellbeyondwhateventhemostconservativeindividualwouldconsiderahealthysafetymargin.“Isthereanythingelseyou’dliketodestroy?DoitnowsoIcancatchtheshrapnel.”
Thewomanonthebedstaredathim,beforedoingsomethinghehadn’tanticipated.Shepickedupthesmallvaseonthebedsidetableandthrewitatsomethingabovehishead.Heducked,turningjustintimetostoptheprojectilefromimpactingwiththetinysensorlightthatgaveawaythepositionofthefirealarm.
Asthevasehoveredinfrontoftheblinkingredlight,hebegantocomprehendtheveryrationalreasonbehindherapparentlyirrationalact.“It’snotacamera.Andthemirrorwasjustamirror.”Evenashespoke,heunderstoodthatshewasn’tgoingtobelievehim.Thealarmwouldbeinpiecestheinstanthewalkedoutthedoor,evenifshehadtouseeveryprojectileintheroomtosmashit.
Returningthevasetothetable,hereacheduptoremovethealarmfromthewall,hisheight—unlikehers—morethansufficientforthetask.Theremovalwouldn’tcompromisehersafety;he’dmakecertainofthatfact.Taskcomplete,hegotridofthedeviceandoncemorefacedthewomanwhohadn’ttakenhereyesoffhimsincehe’dappearedinthebedroom.“Anythingelse?”
Hergazewenttotherecessedceilinglight.
“Itakethatout,”hesaid,“andyou’llbeinthedark.”
Nochangeinherfocus.
Sincethebattlewasn’tacrucialoneinthiswar,he’portedinasmalltablelampfromanotherpartofthehouse.“Gooverthat.”
Shetookhertimedoingso,butwhensheturneditonratherthanattempttodestroyit,hejudgedhersatisfiedthatitwasn’triggedwithsurveillanceequipment.Dismantlingtheceilinglight,hescannedtheroomforanythingelsethatmightreadassuspicioustohermind.Nothingstoodout,andgiventheareasonwhichshe’dfocused,itwaslikelyshe’dalreadycheckedthewallsandvisuallyexaminedtheceiling.
Categoricallynotamindfunctioningontheanimallevelalone,regardlessofwhathe’dseenofhertwistedmentalpathways.
Walkingintothebathroomonthatthought,heremovedboththelightandaceiling-mountedheatlamp,replacingthemwithatall,freestandingwaterprooflampshecouldtakeapartifnecessary.Themirrorwent,too,andheremovedthefinegrilleontheairflowsystemsoshecouldseetherewasnothingbeyondbutasilentfanmeanttomitigatecondensation.
Bythetimehereturnedtotheterrace,hisskinhadcooled,butitheatedupquicklyenough,eveninthelightbreezecomingoffthetreesontheothersideofthegorge.Witheachscrewhedrilledintoplace,heconsideredtheroomwhereshe’dbeenheld,theprobableresponseofhercaptorswhenthey’dlostthefeedfromhercelltosuddenstatic.Itwould’velastedmereseconds,leftthemstaringattheimageofanemptyroomafteritcleared.
Thestaticwasausefultoolhe’ddiscoveredasateenwhileexperimentingwithhisabilities.Thesheerstrengthofhistelekinesismeantheputoutalow-level“hum”thatwasn’tdiscernibletohumanoidears,butthatmadeanimalsuneasyandmessedwithtechnology.Hehaditundercontrolnow,ofcourse.Theonlytimehepermittedthehumtoescapehisshieldswaswhenheneededtoobfuscatehispresenceinfrontofacameraortootherwisedisrupttechnologicalsurveillance.ItwasanaspectofhisabilitiesknowntoonlyoneotherlivingindividualasidefromKaleb.
Nevertheless,giventhespeedoftheteleport,hisguest’scaptorswouldsuspecttheinvolvementofahigh-levelTk,andtherewereveryfewoftheminthepool,butnoonewouldknowithadbeenKaleb.Notuntilhewasready.
Andthentheywouldbegformercy.
Eventhemostpowerful,mostSilentbeggedintheend,theconditioningcrackinginthefaceofascrabblingpanicthatblindedthemtothefactKalebhadnomercyinhim.
Thefinalscrewinplace,hepackeduphisequipmentandteleporteditaway.Itwasoddtoseetheterracesurroundedbymetalrailings—theyallowedaviewoutfrombetweenthebarsbutnoentrytotheblackmawofthegorge.Notevenhisguestwasthinenoughtofitinthespacesbetweenthebars.
Sir.
ThepolitetelepathicknockbelongedtoSilver,hisaideandamemberofthequietlyinfluentialMercantfamily.
Heopenedthetelepathicchannel.Whatisit?Hedidn’tremindherthathe’daskednottobedisturbed—Silverwouldn’tbegoingagainsthisexpressordersunlessitwasnecessary.
There’sbeenanattackagainstasmallthinktankinKhartoum.Thethinktankhadjustannouncedtheparametersofitsnextresearchproject:thebenefitstoPsyofgreaterpoliticalcooperationandsocialinteractionwithhumansandchangelings.
So,hethought,thenextvolleyhadbeenshotinthecivilwarthatloomedoverthePsyNet.Howmanydead?
Alltenofthoseinthebuildingatthetime.Apoisonousgasintroducedintotheirairsupply.
HasPurePsyclaimedresponsibility?Theradicalpro-SilencegrouphadgonequietintheaftermathofitsdecisivedefeatintheCaliforniaregionatthehandsofaforcecomprisedoftheSnowDancerwolvesandtheDarkRiverleopards,aswellasPsywholookedtothetwoCouncilorsinthearea—NikitaDuncanandAnthonyKyriakus—forguidance.Thehumans,too,hadjoinedintheresistancetoPurePsy’sattempttoseizecontrolofthegreaterSanFranciscoandSierraNevadaregion,leadingtoanalliancethatcrossedracialboundariesPurePsywantedtomaintainatallcosts.
Suchamotiveseemedtoruncountertothegroup’savowedfocusonthePsyNet,butunderlyingPurePsy’soutwardly“rational”rhetoricwasthebeliefthatthePsyweresuperiortotheotherraces,thatiftheirpeoplewouldonlysealthecracksthathadbeguntoappearinthefoundationsoftheSilenceProtocol,theywouldonceagainbethemostpowerfulraceontheplanet.
AnyattempttobetterintegratethePsypopulacewiththehumansandchangelingswasthusseennotonlyasanattackagainsttheProtocol,butasathreattothegeneticsuperiorityofthePsyrace.Itwasanunsoundpremise.KalebknewthePsywereasflawedasthehumansorchangelings—he’dcomeofageinroomsripewiththescentofcongealingblood,screamsechoinginhisears;heknewthedarkunderbellyoftheirracehadsimplybeenburied,noterased.
Confirmed,Silversaidafterashortdelay.PurePsyhastakenresponsibilityforthepoisoning,andtheclaimwaspublic.Shesenthimavisual,hertelepathystrongenoughthatitwascrisp,clear.
ThesideofthebuildingownedbythethinktankhadbeenemblazonedwiththeimageofastarwiththeletterPatthecenter.ThePwaswhite,theareaarounditblack.BelowwerethewordsAbsolutioninPurity,JOINUS
Thisisnew,hesaidtoSilver.
Yes.It’sthefirstappearanceofthisdecal.
Adecal.ThatexplainedhowthePurePsyoperativeshadbeenabletoputitupsofast.Hewonderedifthereligiousundertonewasintentional.Vasquez,thefacelessmanattheheadofPurePsysinceCouncilorHenryScott’sdemise,mightbeafanatic,buthewasasmartfanatic,asevidencedbythefactthatnoonehadbeenabletodigupanyverifiabledetailsabouthisphysicalappearance.Now,evenashedecriedthosewhoseSilencewasfractured,whobelievedemotionwasnottheenemyofthePsyrace,heusedanemotivecalltoarms.
Clever.
Orpsychotic.
Whyhasn’tthisnewshittheNet?Kalebmighthavebeendistractedoverthepastfewhours,buthismindcontinuedtoscanthepathwaysoftheNet,andhe’dheardnothingofwhatwasasignificantactofaggression.
Badtiming,answeredSilver’smentalvoice.PurePsyoperativesmust’vefinishedputtingupthedecalsecondsbeforeanEnforcementvehiclecruiseddownthestreetandspottedit.Theofficersbecamesuspicious,checkedthebuilding,anddiscoveredthebodies.
Asaresult,theexternalprocessingisbeingcompletedwhilethecitysleeps,thedecalremoved.TheonlyreasonIhavethedataisbecauseofacousinhighinEnforcementCommandinthecountry—they’vemanagedtoblackouttheincidentasfarasthemediaareconcerned.
ThefailuretogainNetwideexposurewouldonlyincitePurePsytofurtheractsoflethalviolence.Isyourcontactanyclosertoinfiltratingtheinnercircle?WhilePurePsywasdoinganexcellentjobofcreatingtheinstabilityheneededforhiscurrentendgame,thegroupwasarogueelement.Kalebpreferredironcontrolinallthings.
No.Vasquezisvery,verycareful.
ContinuetomonitorthesituationinKhartoumKeepmeupdated.
Yes,sir.
Hearingatinysoundathisbackasheclosedthetelepathiclink,hewalkedtotherailinginsteadofturning,hiseyesontheimpenetrabledepthsofthegorge.
Thelightswentoffasecondlater,leavingtheterracelitonlybythestars,themoonatfulldarktonight.
Barefeetpaddingonthewoodoftheterrace,awhisperofscent,cleanandfresh,aflutterofgreenasshecametostandbesidehim—thoughsheleftagoodthreemetersofdistancebetweenthem.DressedinagreenT-shirtandsoftgraypajamapants,she’dclearlywashedherhair,butithungtangledandknottedaroundherface,hidingherprofilefromhimassheclosedherfingersaroundthebars,squeezingthecoldofthemetalsohardherskinturnedghostlywhite.
“It’sonlyaprison,”hesaid,“solongasyouaren’tincontrolofyourmind.”Ifhedroppedtheshieldsinwhichhe’dencasedher,shebecamevulnerabletoeventheweakestoftheirbrethren,hermindshornofitsprotectivecoating.“RebuildyourshieldsandI’llsetyoufree.”
Itwasalie.
Hewouldneverlethergo.
Chapter3
ITWASDIFFERENThere,theharsh,cuttinglightthathadhurthereyesuntilherheadthrobbednowhereinevidence.Everythingwassoftandunobtrusive.No,noteverything.Notthemanwhohadbroughthertothisplace.Hewashard.
Likeblackice.
Hespoketoherinavoicethatmadeherskinprickle,saidwordsthatsometimesmadesenseandsometimesbecamelostbythetimetheyreachedherthroughthetwistedlabyrinthofhermind.She’dcreatedthatlabyrinth,sheknewthat.Whatshedidn’tknowwaswhy.Whywouldshesabotageherownmind?Whywouldsheconsciouslyhobbleherownabilities?
Thelabyrinthwaswhythey’dkeptherinthatwhiteroomforsolongshecouldn’trememberthebeginninganymore,couldn’tthinkofthelasttimeshe’dtrulybeenabletosleep.Theglarehadbeatendownonherlikeavicioushammer,evenifshecurledupintoaballandhidherfaceinherarms.Herjailershadpromisedtoturnoffthelightsifshewouldunravelthelabyrinthandbeusefulagain,dothingsforthem.
Mindclearingforafractionofaminuteasthelabyrinthreset,sherealizedsheshould’vebeenexecutedwhenitbecameobviousshehadnointentionofcooperating.Thatshe’dbeenpermittedtolivetoldherthatwhateveritwasshecoulddo,itwasimportantandpowerfulenoughtokeephersafe,ifonlyhalf-alive,trapped,andchained.Herlastattempt—
Thelabyrinthtwisted,changingshapeasitdidathousandtimesaday,andherthoughtswarpedoutofallcomprehension,shreddingthegossamerweaveofreasonandmemory.Fingerstighteningontheironbarsoftherailingthatkeptherfromfallingintotheblackabyssontheotherside,shebreathedthroughthechange,blinkingawaythespotsoflightfrominfrontofhereyes.Butthespotsdidn’tfade,anditwaswithasenseofdawningwonderthatsherealizedthosedotswerethestarsinthenightsky.
Theyglitteredandshimmereduntilshereachedoutahand,wantingtotouch.Buttheyweretoofaraway…andinherhand,sheheldabook.Startled,shealmostdroppedtheunexpecteditem,butthecushionofsolidairaroundherhandtoldherthemanofblackicewouldn’thaveallowedthebooktoplummetintotheabyss.
Shecouldn’treadthewordsonthecoverinthedark,didn’tknowifshecouldreadwordsatall.Butdrawingtheslendervolumebackthroughthebars,shehelditagainstherchestasifitwereatreasure,andwhenshewascertainhewasn’twatchingher,shechancedalookattheman.
Hewasn’tliketheguardsinthewhiteplacefullofpainfullightthathadbeenherprison.They’dhurther,butthisman,hecouldslitherthroatandnotblink.Sheknewthatwiththesamepartofherbrainthathadbirthedthelabyrinth,thepartdrivenbytherelentlesswilltosurvive.Itcarednothingforthequalityofherlife,onlythatsheremainalive.Thatbrutalpragmatismwaswhyshe’dlivedlongenoughtobehereunderthestarsbesideamanwhopossessedeyesofthesamestarlight,icywhiteonabackgroundofblacksilk.
Cardinal,whisperedahiddenpocketofmemory,hiseyesarethoseofacardinal
Shek—
Thelabyrinthtwistedagain,wrenchingthethoughtoutofshapeandturninghermindintoakaleidoscope;amillionvividimagessplinteredandspununtilnothingmadesenseandbeautywasacreationofshatteredglass.Attimes,shegaveintoherfascinationforthekaleidoscopeforuntoldhours,allowingittotakeherawayintoaninnerworldwheretheacutewhitelightdidn’thurtandhermindwasn’tacrabwithoutashell,softandvulnerableandexposed.Sohorriblyexposed.Ithurt
But…shehadashellnow.
Frowning,shepokedapsychicfingerattheadamantineblackshieldaroundhermind.Nogive.None.Intrigued,shestrokedherfingersalongtheinnersurfaceandfoundthatit“tasted”ofblackice.Ofhim.Thedangerous,beautifulmanwiththehardvoicewho’dstolenherfromtheplacewheretheywouldn’tlethersleep,wheretheydemandedshedothingsthatwouldbleedawayherverybeing
Thesamemanwhohadputherinaplacewithbars.
Itwasthelastcoherentthoughtshehadbeforethelabyrinthresetoncemore,tearingwordsandsentencesintoconfettithatdazzledhersensesandblankedouttherealityaroundher.
***
KALEBwatchedhisguestleavetheterracetwohoursaftershe’darrived.Exceptforwhenshe’dreachedoutintothenightandhe’dtakentheriskofgivingherthebook,she’dstoodmotionless,hereyesliftedtothestars.ItcouldbethatpartofherrememberedthestarlitnightthatwasthePsyNet,asvisualizedbythevastmajorityofthepopulace,eachPsymindasparkinthedarkness,orperhapsshe’dbeenhypnotizedbytheopennessoftheskyafterhavingspentsomanyyearsinacage.
Thesoundofmetalstraining.
Twisting,hesawoneoftheheavyironbarshadbentalmostinhalf.Hefixeditwithaglancingthoughtbeforewalkingintohisbedroomviatheslidingdoorsthatopeneddirectlyontotheleftsideoftheterrace.Hisroomwaslocatedacrossfromhers,meaninghe’dbeabletokeepanearopenforhereveninsleep.
Ittookonlyafewminutestoshoweroffthesweat.
Lyingdowninbedafterdryingoff,thesheetscrispagainsthisnakedskin,hesethismindforexactlyfivehoursofsleep.Hecouldsurviveforlongperiodsonless,butfivehourswastheoptimalamountofrestheneededtorechargehisphysicalandpsychicbatteries.Theentirehousewasalreadylockedandalarmed,but,settingapsychicalarmthatwouldgoofftheinstantshemadeanynoise,hewenttosleep.
Hedreamed.
Dreamsdenotedasublevelfailureinhisconditioning,butKalebhadlongagolearnedtocompensateforthosefailures,thoughhecouldn’tcontrolhissubconscious.However,thedreamswerenolongerasall-encompassingasthey’dbeeninhisteens—then,he’doftenwokensostressedithadtakenhimatleastanhourtoregainhisconcentration.Asanadult,hewokealertandwithfullmemoryofeveryaspectofthenighttimevisionsconjuredbyhissubconscious.
Psy-Medwoulddrawsomeinterestingconclusionsfromhisdreams,hethoughtthenextmorningashedressedinwork-readysuitpantsofblackalongwithawhiteshirt,leavingthecollaropenforthetimebeing;butasnoneoftheirnumberwouldeverbeinvitedinsidehismind,thatwasamootpoint.
Thedooracrossfromhisownwasclosedwhenheexitedthebedroom,andhedidn’tdisturbhisguest’srest—hehadallthepatienceintheworldnowthathehadherunderhisroof.Enteringthekitchen,hecametoanabrupthalt.Shewascurledupinachairinthesun-drenchedbreakfast“nook”he’dembeddedintothedesignduringthecustombuildbyseveralhumancorporations—thoughhe’dneverplannedonusingit.
Thehumanshadseennothingwrongwithfeaturesthatwould’vealertedaPsyarchitecttothefactthatsomethingwasnotquiterightwiththehouse,notwhenitwasmeantforKalebKrychek,consideredoneofthemostSilentindividualsintheNet.Asitwas,thehumanshaddoneastellarjob,andwitheachfirmprivytoonlyastrictlylimitedsliceoftheconstructionprocess,withKalebhimselfhavingputinthefinalsecurityfeatures,theyhadnoknowledgeoftheadvancedsystemsthatprotectedit.
Ashisguesthadnoknowledgeofthepsychicalarmhe’dset—yetithadn’tactivated,inspiteofthefactshe’dleftherroom.Hecheckedthealarm,foundhe’dmadeabasicmiscalculation.Becausehewasthesourceofhershields,andthoughhismindwasseparatedfromhersbyanimpenetrablefirewall,hisconsciousnessconsideredherapartofhim.Resettingtheparameterssothemistakewouldn’tberepeated,hewalkedtothecounterand,after’portinginbreakfastpastriesfromthekitchenofahighlysuccessfulhotelheowned,preparedacupofhotchocolate.
Hehadnevertastedthesweetliquidhimself,buthe’ddonehisresearchonsensationsandtastesthatwereconsideredtooffer“comfort”intheemotionalraces.Giventhecurrentstateofmindandphysicalhealthofthewomanwhosatinthesunshine,suchitemsmightbeeffectiveinbreachingthewallofherdistrust.
Walkingovertoplacethemuginfrontofher,heasked,“Areyouhungry?”
Darkblueeyespeeredathimfrombehindthetangledbutcleanstrandsofherhair,andhehadthedisconcertingsensationshewaslookingrightthroughhisshields.Notthatitmattered—shealreadyknewhisdarkestsecret,hadtastedtheironrichscentofitasshescreamed.
Breakingtheeyecontactwithasuddenshiftofherhead,shebentclosertothehotchocolate.Assheexaminedit,hemixedupthenutrientdrinkhepreferredasbreakfast,andmentallywentoverhisschedulefortheday.WhetherhetooktheupcomingcommmeetinghereorathiscentralMoscowofficemadenodifferencetotheeventualoutcome—Kalebwouldcomeoutontop.Healwaysdid.
Failurewasnotanoption.
Rightthen,thewomanforwhomhe’dsearchedforsevenyearsslidoutofherchairtowalktowardhim.Whenshestoppedameteraway,hesteppedback,sayingnothingasshereachedforthefoodhe’dteleportedin,theremote’portasimplematter:thatparticularhotelkitchenwasrunbyachefwholikedeverythingexactlyinitsplace,includingthebasketsoffreshpastriesindividuallywrappedindistinctivepapersleeves.Kaleb’simagefileofthekitchengavehimalocationlock,thepapersleevesadetaillockwithinthatspecificlocation.Now,hewatchedashisguestchoseawarmapricotDanish,putitneatlyonasaucer,andtookitbacktoherseat.
He’dexpectedhertoeatthepastry,butshereturnedtothecounter,pickedupanotherDanish—blackberry—putitonasecondsaucer,andtookitbacktothetable.Itwasn’tuntilsheplaceditontheothersideofthetableandpushedthehotchocolatetothemiddlethatherealizedhewasbeinginvitedtobreakfast.
Lenik,hesaid,waitingonlylongenoughforSilver’ssubordinatetoopenthetelepathicpathwaybeforesaying,reschedulemymeetingwithImkorp.
Sir.They’realreadyunsteadyabouttheagreement.
They’llwait.Kalebheldthepowerinthenegotiation,afactofwhichhe’dbehappytoremindtheImkorpCEOshouldhehaveforgotten.
I’llcontactthemimmediately.
Thatdone,Kalebpouredhimselfaglassofwaterandtookittothetable.“Thankyou,”hesaid,pushingthemugbacktoher,“butthat’sforyou.”
Shecontinuedtoexaminehim,asudden,incisiveintelligenceinthedeep,deepblueofheririsesthathadhisinstinctsonfullalert.“Whoareyou?”Thewordswerearasp,asifshehadn’tusedhervocalcordsformonths…oryears.
“KalebKrychek.”
Apause.“KalebKrychek.”Bendingherheadafterrepeatinghisnameinthesameflattonehe’dgivenit,shepickedupherDanishandbitin.Whenshestaredathim,heechoedtheaction.
Thetastewasaviolentinsulttotastebudsaccustomedtoflavorlessnutritionbarsanddrinksdesignedtodeliverthenecessarycaloriesandminerals,withtheoccasionalblandmealthrownintobalancehisdiet,butheswallowedthebitehe’dtakenofthepastry,drinkingsomewatertowashitdown.Seeminglysatisfiedwiththat,thesmallwomanontheothersideofthetablecontinuedtoeatherownDanishinneat,precisebitesuntiltheentirethingwasgone.
Good.She’seating.
She’dalwayshadaslenderandgracefulbody,asbefitthedancershe’dbeen,butshenolongercarriedthesupplemusclethatscreamedhealthregardlessoflowbodyweight.Herframewasnowfragile,hershoulderbonesprotrudingthroughthegreenT-shirtshecontinuedtowear,hercheekssunken.Whenheteleportedtheremainderofthetrayontothetable,shestaredatitwithconsideringeyesbeforechoosingabananamuffin.
Takingabutterknifefromthetray,shecutthemuffinintwoandputhalfonhisplate.“Thankyou,”hesaidagainandtookabiteofthesoft,too-sweetitemtopacifyher.
Sheateherhalfofthemuffinanddrankmostofherhotchocolatebeforespeakingagain.“KalebKrychek.That’salongname.”
“YoucancallmeKaleb,”hesaid,andtheywerewordshe’dspokentoherbefore,whenshehadn’tunderstoodwhathewas,whysheshouldrunfromhim.
“Ihaveyourshell,Kaleb.”
Heprocessedherwords,couldmakenosenseofthem.“Doyou?”
“It’sblackandhard.”
“You’retalkingaboutthementalshieldI’veputoveryou.”Hefinishedhiswater.“Itwasnecessary.Yourmindwasexposed.”Naked,vulnerable—afactunacceptabletohimoneverylevel.“TheobsidianshieldconcealsalltraceofyoufromtheNet.”
Openconcernonherface,shewhispered,“Areyouexposednow?”
Herempathydidn’tsurprisehim;itwaswhathadledtohertorture.“No,”hesaid,“Ihavethecapacitytomaintaindualshieldswithoutproblem.”HewasthemostpowerfulPsyintheNet,ofthathehadnodoubt,hispsychicstrengthenoughtodestroytheveryfabricoftheirrace—ortocontrolit.Astowhichhechosetodo…itdependedonher.
Ifshedemandedvengeance,he’dturntheworldbloodred.
Shereachedforhisabandonedmuffin,cutoffapiece,andateit.“Canyouseeme?”
“Yourthoughtsareyourown.”Hehadn’tinvadedhermindpastthatinstantofcontactrequiredfortheteleport.
Piercingintelligenceagain.“DoessharingyourshellmeanIcanseeyoursecrets?”
“No.Youdon’twanttoseeinsidemymind.”Itwasawarning.“TherumorintheNetisthatIcandrivepeopleinsane.”
Noterror,nofear,justunwaveringattentionthatsaidsheheardfarmorethanhesaid.“Canyou?”
“Yes.”Hewantedtoaskherwhatshesawwhenshelookedathim,whetherthenightmarewasapparenttothosemidnighteyes.“Untiltheyseephantomsandhearterriblevoices,untiltheycannolongerexistintherationalworldandbecomebrokenfacsimilesofwhotheyoncewere.”
“Why?”
“BecauseIcan.”
Chapter4
SHEHEARDHISanswer,thismanasunreadableasacobraabouttostrike,hisvoiceraisingeverytinyhaironherbody,butsheknewhewasn’ttellingherallofit.Thereasonforhercertainty,andfortheinexplicableviolenceofemotionthatdrovehertostripawayhisicyfacade,wasnotanythingshecouldarticulate.Onefact,however,wassuddenlycrystallineinitsclarityinthisinstantwhenshecouldthink,couldreason—sheneededherabilitiesagainstthecoldstrengthofhim
Therewasnootherwayshe’dsurvive.
Unlikethosewhohadkeptherinacagewhiletheyattemptedtobreakher,thecardinalacrossfromherwouldn’tbeforcedtoahaltbythelabyrinth.He’ddig,godeeper,dragheroutofhidingwithviciousdetermination.Hewouldberuthlessinhispursuit,brutalinhispurpose.Nothingandnoonewouldstophim—leastofallaPsywhohadhobbledhergreateststrength.
Drinkingtherich,sweetliquidhe’dgivenherinagestureofcaresheknewhadtobecalculatedtoearnhertrust,she—
Thelabyrinthtwisted.
However,thistime,shetwistedwithit,unwillingtolosehertrainofthought.Thefoodinherbelly,thewarmthofthechocolateinherthroat,thefreshbiteofscentthatwasKaleb’snewlyshoweredbody…differentfromtheclean,masculinesweatshe’dsmelledthepreviousnightashisskingleamedinthemoonlight…itallservedtoconvinceherthatthiswasn’tahallucination.
Kalebcouldneverbeahallucination—hegaveoffasenseofpowerthatwasanear-gravitationalforce,asilentreminderofthestrengththatlivedinhisveins,astrengththathadtakenherfromherprisontothishousethatmightbeanotherprison,intheblinkofaneye.No,shecouldn’tsurvivehiminhercurrentcondition,herpsycheinpieces,herabilitybarricadedbehindatangledmazesointricate,noneofhercaptorshadevercomeclosetonavigatingit.
“Icreatedakeytounlockthelabyrinth,”shemurmured.
Hewentutterly,absolutelystill,asculpturecarvedincleanlines.“Where?”
“Insidemymind.”Shespokemoretoherselfthantohimasthelabyrinthcontinuedtoaltershape,butinawaythatnolongershreddedherthoughts…asithadn’ttrulydonesinceshewokefromthefirsttruehoursofsleepshe’dhadforaneon.Herthoughtshadbeenlucidforoveranhour,hersenseofself,ofmemory,becomingevermorecoherent.
Andsheunderstoodwhatshe’ddone.
Therewasnomanualwaytounlockhermindandreversethecreationofthelabyrinth.Notevenshecouldundotheintricatetapestryofthepsychictraponcommand.Torture,bribes,mentalforce—theyhadonlyservedtostrengthenthetwistedforestthatprotectedher.Hercaptorscould’vebeatenhertodeath,could’veburnedheralive,anditwould’vegainedthemnothing.
Theonlywaytoreversetheruinouseffectsofherowncreationwasforhertobeputintoanenvironmenthersubconsciousrecognizedas“safe.”
Itwasimpossiblethatthissituationfitthoseparameters—themalewithhairofjet-blackwhosmelledoficeandpineinawaythatmadeherwanttorubherfaceagainsthisskin,andwhoseeyesnevermovedoffher,wasclearlynotsafeinanyway,shape,orform.Hewasapredator:he’dtoldherofhisabilitytocausemadness,displayinghisutterlackofremorseincommittingsuchaheinousact.More,hismotivesinappropriatingherfromherformerprisonwereworsethanopaque.
Yetthelabyrinthcontinuedtounstitchitself,hermindbrushingoffcobwebaftercobwebasshecameoutofherlonghibernation,splinteredmemoriesmergingintoamoth-eatenstream.SowhenKaleb’seyeswentpitch-blackwithoutwarning,shehadtheknowledgetounderstandhehadtobeusingagreatdealofpower…andsincehewasapower,thatmeantsomethingvery,verybadwasabouttohappenorhadalreadydoneso.“Kaleb.”
***
THEpsychicsurgeimpactedKaleb’smindwiththeforceofaslammingblow.
Thevelocityofthewavemadeitdeadlyclearthedamagethathadproduceditwascatastrophic.Lockingdownthehousewithasingletelekineticcommand,heshotoutintothePsyNettoseehundredsofthousandsofmindsflickeringinawaythatdenotedstunnedshockatthesuddeninsult.
ItwastheonevulnerabilityofthePsy,theirneedforthebiofeedbackprovidedbythepsychicnetworkthatconnectedtheirrace.ThatconnectionmeantPsycouldgoanywhereintheworldonthepsychicplane,couldsharedatawithaneasetheotherracescouldn’timagine.Italsomeanttheycouldn’tescapethedevastatingaftershocksofafataleventthathadhappenedonanothercontinent—inacitycalledPerth,Australia.
Acityhe’dnowreached.
TheblackfabricofthePsyNet,themindswithinitflashingredinpanicastheirconditioningshatteredwiththeonsetofagonizingpain,wascrumplinginwardhere,inapatternhe’dwitnessedonlyoncebefore.Hundredshaddiedthen—men,women,children—butCapeDorset’spopulationwasminusculeincomparisontoPerth’s.
Throwingoutaprotectivetelepathicshieldtheinstanthewascloseenough,hehaltedthecollapse.Andknewthatthousandswerealreadydead,theirmindsseveredfromtheNetatimplosioninabrutalpunchofpainthatwould’veendedthelivesofchildrenatonce.Theadultswould’velivedafewsecondslonger,thetoughestlastingperhapsaminute.
TheanchornetworkinPerthhasbeencompromised,hecommunicatedtotheleaderoftheArrows,covertoperativeswhowerethemosthighlytrainedanddangerousintheworld.Initiatesecondarybackup.Thatbackupsystem,putquietlyinplaceafterPurePsybegantotargettheanchors,thelinchpinswhokepttheNetfromcollapsing,wasstillaworkinprogress.
Initiated,Adenrepliedwithinasplitsecond.I’llassistwiththeshield.
Unnecessary.Kalebcouldsealupthebreachonhisown.Findouthowthiswasdone.Thetelekineticbehindtheearliermurderswasdead,guttedbyachangelingduringanotherattemptedkilling.Everyotheranchorintheworldhadbeennotified,andthemajoritywerenowinhiding,theirlocationsknowntoonlyaselectfewineachregion.
TherearereportsoffiresinseveralpartsofPerth,Adensaidafterashortpause.VasicandIareteleportingtotheaffectedarea.
SuturingthebleedinggashinthepsychicfabricoftheNetwithmeasuredefficiency,Kalebspoketothemindswhoseliveshungbyathreadheheldinhisgrasp.ThisisCouncilorKalebKrychek,hesaid,usinghisnow-defuncttitlebecauseitwouldfostercalm.Iamintheprocessofstabilizingthisregion.Youaresafe.
Simple.Matter-of-fact.Effective.
Noneofthesepeoplewouldeverforgetwhoitwasthathadcometotheiraidwhentheirworldturnedtohell.
***
ADENlookedacrosstheroadatthepileofburnedtimbersbelchingblacksmokeinthenoonsunshine,thebeamsglowingdarkredfromthefirethatcontinuedtolickattheremainsofwhatmust’vebeenasmallcottage.Oneofhispeopleintheregionhadjustconfirmedthecottagehadbeenhometoananchor,regardlessofthefactthatitwasinasuburbanareawhenthemajorityofanchorswereknowntoprefersolitude.
Ithadbeenthoughtthelocalitywouldprovidebettercamouflage.
Eyesonthedestructionthatboresilenttestamenttothefailureofthestrategy,hesaid,“Whatdidyouusetofacilitatetheteleport?”tothemanwho’dbroughthimtothelocation.
Vasicnoddedatthegatheringofneighborsinthedistance,manywithsleekcamera-enabledphonesintheirhands.“Oneofthemislive-broadcastingandpannedthearea.Isawthisbuilding.”
“Itwasagoodchoice.”Thewhitewashedwoodenchurchwheretheystoodsatacrosstheroadfromtheburninghouse.Itprovidedbothprivacyandanexcellentvantagepoint.“Thisappearstohavebeenabruteattack.”Nofinesse,nothingbuttheintenttotakealifeonwhichhingedthelivesofthousandsofothers
“AccelerantandaMolotovcocktailtosetitoff,ifI’mreadingthesignsright.”
“Cheapandeffective.”Adenconsideredthemechanicsoftheattack.“It’stheaccelerantthat’stheissue—howdidtheygetenoughofitonthehousetotrapthetargetinside?”Glimpsingasmallsignonthemailboxofoneoftheneighboringhomes,hehadhisanswer.“Gas.Theytamperedwiththegaslines,somehowinitiatedaleak—gasalsoexplainsthelocalizedexplosionreportedbyneighbors.Victimcould’vealreadybeendeadbythetimethefirestarted.”
“Doable…especiallyifPurePsyhadabelieverintheutilitycompany.”Vasic’scoolgazetookinthefirecrew’sattemptstocontaintheravenousflames,andsuddenlytheretardantwasdoingamuchmoreeffectivejob.
“Don’twasteyourpower,”Adensaid,awarehispartnerhadusedhiskineticenergytofighttheenergyofthefire.“Allofthenearbyhomeshavebeenevacuatedandweneedtocheckouttheothersites.”
Vasicglancedatthecomputronicgauntletthathadbecomepartofhisarm,fusingintohisverycellsinanexperimentalprocesstotestbiocompatiblehardware.Thereweresignificantrisksintheprocedure,andAdenhadadvisedVasicagainstit,buttheothermalehadmadethedecisionthatifsomeoneinthesquadneededtotestit,itshouldbehim.
Vasicwasn’ttooconcernedabouthisfuturelifespan.
“Ihaveimagelocksforallofthem,”hesaidnow.
“Go.”
Eachsiteprovedidenticaltothefirst—aflamingandcollapsedbuilding.Intwocases,thefirehadconsumedanumberofneighboringhouses,theinfernospreadingbeforethecrewscouldreachthescene,thoughtheirresponsetimesprovedtohavebeenimpeccableinspiteofthesheernumberofsimultaneoustargets.Thelikelihoodofgasandtheviolenceofthefiresalsomeanttherewasnochanceofsurvivors—littlechanceofevenfindingabodystillinonepieceinside.
Outsidewasanotherstory.Amanidentifiedasaworkerwithagasutilityhadbeendiscoveredinthecul-de-sacinfrontofoneofthesites,hisbodyflungviolentlyoutwardbytheforceoftheblastwhenthehouseexploded.“Hedidn’tclearthescenefastenough,”Adensaid.“Orhemadeamistake.”
“Hewasonlyapawn.”
“Yes.”
AsVasicagainusedhistelekineticabilitiestosubtlyassistthefirefightersatthemostdangerouslocation—thefireonlyastreetawayfromahospice,thepatientstoounwelltobeevacuated—AdenmadehisreporttotheformerCouncilorwhohadalmostcompletelysealedthetearintheNetusingavasttelepathicabilitythatmarkedhimasanimpossibledualcardinal.
Theregionhassufferedasignificantinformationleak,hesaid.Thelocationsofatleasthalfoftheanchorsandtheirfailsafenetworkswerefatallycompromised.PurePsycouldn’thavereachedthismanypeopleatonetimewithoutaspecificroadmap.Nochanceofsurvivors.
Trackdowntheindividualresponsibleandmakeanexampleofhimorher.
AdenandtheArrowshadalignedthemselveswithKrychek,butitwasunderstoodthattheywouldnotblindlyfollowhisorders.ThemembersofthesquadhadlearnedtheirlessonaftertheirexperienceatthehandsofMingLeBon,understoodthatloyaltywasacoineasilyspentoutsidetheirown.ItwasonlybecauseofKaleb’strackrecordofneverturningonthosewhohadofferedhimtheirloyaltythattheyhadchosentoworkwithhim.Trustwasadifferentmatter.
Thisparticularorder,however,didn’trequiremuchthought.I’malreadyworkingonit.Adenhadnoethicalproblemwithassassinatingthetraitorinabloody,publicwaythatwouldmaketheconsequencesofbetrayalclear,notwhenoneofthemurderedanchorsprovedtohavelivedahundredmetersfromanurseryschoolusedbyPsyparents.AllofthosechildrenhadbeenconnectedtothePsyNetintheregionthathadimploded.Allofthosechildrenweredead.
PSYNETBEACON:BREAKINGNEWS
*PsyNetcollapseinPerth,Australia,causedbyattackonlocalanchornetwork.PurePsyclaimsresponsibility.Eightthousandconfirmedfatalitiesandrising.CouncilorKalebKrychekabletosealthebreach,allowinganchorsfromnearbyregionstobuttresstheweakenedsection.
DONOTVENTUREINTOCOLLAPSEZONE.REPEAT.DONOTVENTUREINTOCOLLAPSEZONE.ANCHORNETWORKISSTRETCHEDTHINANDCANNOTSUPPORTADDITIONALMINDS.
Thisfeedwillcontinuetobeupdatedasfurthernewsbecomesavailable.*
PSYNETBEACON:CURRENTEDITION
LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR
Iwriteinregardtoyourcorrespondent’srecentextendedessayinrelationtotheviolenceinCalifornia.IhavebeenasupporterofPurePsysinceitwasfirstformed.IbelieveSilenceisthereasonforthesurvivalofourraceandthatwithoutit,wewould’velongsunkintomurderousdepravity.
However,Inowfindmyselfconflicted.Iagreewithyourcorrespondent’sargumentthatviolencesuchasthatmountedbyPurePsyagainstthechangelingsrunscountertotheaimofPurityespousedbythegroupandisindirectviolationofthefoundingtenetsofSilence.
IthasleftmeinapositionwhereIdonotknowifIamanylongerasupporterofPurePsy.IremainverymuchaproponentofthetruththatSilenceisthereasonforthesurvivalofourrace.
Yourssincerely,
Namewithheldbyrequest
(Prague)
Yourcorrespondent’sreportingwasextremelybiasedinpitchingthebattleasbeingagainstthechangelings.
Thetruth,aseveryintelligentmindintheNetrealizes,isthattheviolencewasunfortunatelymandatedbythecoterieofdefectorsintheregionwhoactasagitatorsinattractingandencouragingotherstobreakconditioning.Thiscannotbepermittedtocontinue,andI,forone,aminfullsupportofPurePsy’sactionsinthisregard.
E.Miller
(MexicoCity)
Iwouldliketocongratulateyouonyourcontinuingunflinchingandcriticalcoverageofrecentevents.PurePsy’sintimidationtacticsarenowamatterofpublicrecord,anditistoyourcorrespondent’screditthathedidnotgiveintosuchthreats—threatsthat,ashesays,strikeattheveryheartoftheprotocolPurePsysaysitseekstouphold.
C.Prasad
(Nairobi)
Chapter5
KALEB’STHOUGHTSTOOKaninstanttonormalizewhenhereturnedtohisbody.Itwasapredictableresultoftheamountofpowerhe’dexpendedtosealthebreachwhilecontinuingtofunctiononabasiclevelinMoscow—tothepointwherehewasnevervulnerabletoaphysicalorpsychicattack.
Blinkingtocleardryeyes,hereachedfortheglassofwaterbesidehishand,theglasspositionedbesideseveralnutritionbars.NoneofithadbeenonthetablewhenheenteredtheNet.“Thankyou,”hesaidandbegantomethodicallyeathiswaythroughthetastelessitemsoffood,hisenergylevelsalreadynearlybacktopeakefficiency.MostPsycouldn’trecoverasquickly,butKalebhadlongbeenawarethathewasn’t“normal”inanyway,hisDNAholdingathousandsecrets.
Finishingthethirdnutritionbar,helookedacrossatthewomanforwhomhemightyetcauseamassacrethat’dmaketodaylooklikethemerestincident.Andsawthatshe’dchangedinafundamentalway—herbackwasnolongerbent,herheadnolongerducked.Rather,shesatstraightup,herhairtuckedbehindherears,thedarkblueofhereyesfocusedonhimwithavividintelligencethathadalwaystestedhisown.
Ifhehadn’thadsuchgranitecontroloverhisbodyandmind,hisheartbeatmight’veaccelerated,hisbreathingmighthaveturnedragged.Shewascomingback.“Thelabyrinth,”hesaidthroughtheprimalscreaminsidehim,“you’venavigatedit?”
“Therewasnoneed.Ithasdissolved.”
Herresponsewasunexpected—themindhe’dglimpsedduringteleporthadbeensochaoticamessthatitseemedimpossiblethestrandshaduntangledthemselves.“Haveyouregainedyourmemoriesandabilities?”Doyouremember?
“Myabilities,yes.Theentiretyofmymemories,no.”Shefoldedherarmsonthetableandhesawagainhowthintheywere,howfragileherbody.
Rising,hemixedupanutrientdrinkflavoredwithherfavorite,cherry.Sheaccepteditandtookasip.Eyeswidening,shetookanother.“Cherry.”Asighheavywithpleasure.“Thankyou.”
Hegaveacurtnodbeforeretakinghisseat.
“Thedurationofthelabyrinth,”shesaid,hervoicestillhuskyfromdisuse,“mayhavecausedpermanentdamagetomymemorycenters.IwasveryyoungwhenIcreatedit,notyetfullytrained,andtheconstructionwasrough.”
Sixteen.That’showoldshe’dbeenwhenshehaddisappeared.“Whatisyourname?”heasked,everycellinhisbodymotionlessashewaitedforheranswer,waitedtoseehowmuchofherhadcomeback.
Midnightbluecaughthisown,hisimagereflectedintheopaquedepths.“SaharaKyriakus,ofthePsyClanNightStar.”
***
SAHARA’SrevelationincitednovisiblechangeinKaleb’sexpression,noteventheflickerofaneyelash.HisSilence,shethought,takinganothersipofthecherry-flavoreddrinkhe’dgivenher,mustbepristine.Whollyunlikeherown.Yetherresponses…sheknewtheyweren’tquiteright,weren’tquiterational,givenherprecarioussituation.
Iam,sherealizedwithinherstrangecalm,notyettrulyawake.
“WhatdoyouknowaboutNightStar?”thedangerousmanacrossfromheraskedinthatchill-as-frostvoicethatresonatedinsideherinawayshecouldn’tunderstand—asifsheheardthingsinithedidn’tsay,knewhiminwaysthatwereimpossible.Eveninhercurrentstate,sherecognizedthatamanlikeKalebKrychekwouldtrustnoonewithhissecrets.
Andifsomeonehadthemisfortunetodiscoverthem?
Thatpersonwouldnotlivelongenoughtosharethediscovery.Withhisblackhair,cardinaleyes,andhonedphysique,Kalebmightbealmostshockinglyhandsome,butthebeautywasnothingbutamaskforthedeadlymindwithin.Theknowledgeshould’vemadeherafraid,butshefoundherselffightingthestrangestcompulsiontocry,hereyesburningastheeeriecalmthreatenedtosplinter.
“NightStarisanF-Psyclan,”shesaid,hervoiceroughfromtheeffortittooktoholdthoseunfathomabletearsatbay—forastrangerwhomightwellendherlifewhenherealizedshehadnointentionofcooperatingwithhimanymorethanshehadwithherpreviouscaptors.“ButIdonotcarrythePsyClan’snameasmylast,asIamnotaforeseer,donotseewhatwillbe.”
“No.”TheblacksilkofKaleb’shairglintedinthemorningsunlight,andshehadthedisorientingsensethatshe’dbeenhereinthismomentbefore,sittingacrossfromthismanwhilethesunplayedoverhishair.“Youseethepast.”
FightingherwaythroughthestickythreadsofawebseductiveinitsinsistenceshetrustKaleb,shefellbackonfactsburnedintoherlong-termmemory.“SaharaKyriakus,ClanNightStar,custodialparentLeonKyriakus—Gradient7.7M-PsywithrecessiveFgenes.
“BiologicalmotherDanielaGarcía,Gradient8.2telepath,partofasmallbuthighlyregardedfamilygroupbasedoutofCuba.”Herskintone,shethoughtashereyesfellonherarm,cameasaresultofthemixofmaternalandpaternalDNA,wouldturnadeepgoldenbrownwithfurtherexposuretothesun.
“DanielaGarcíaalsopossessesmarkersforrecessiveFabilities,thelatterthereasonshewasconsideredagoodgeneticmatchformyfather.”ForeseersranintheNightStarfamilytree,andtheclandideverythingitcouldtomaintainthatlucrativeline.“WhileIamnotaforeseer,Iamplacedinthesamedesignation,subdesignationB.”
ConsideredarareoffshootoftheFability,backsight,hermindrecited,boreenoughsimilaritiestothekindoftelepathyutilizedbyJusticePsythattherewascontinuingdebatewithinacademiccirclesastoitsproperplacement.ThemostsignificantdifferencebetweenthetwodesignationswasthatunliketheJ-Psy,thoseinsubdesignationBdidnotgointoalivingmindandretrieveaparticularmemory.
Rather,theycouldbehitbyflashesaboutthepastwithoutwarning,independentoftheirphysicalproximitytothelocationsorindividualsinvolved—though,liketheirFbrethren,aBcould“prime”hermindtoseekknowledgeaboutaparticularpastevent.AndsimilarlytoaJ,theycouldprojecttheentirepieceofbacksighttoanothermind.Asaresult,oneoftheiruseswasthatattimes,theycouldactaswitnessestoeventsthatleftnosurvivors.SubdesignationBhadalsobeenconsultedinsituationswherecriticaldatahadbeenlostduetoasuddeninjuryoraccident.
“Testing,”sheaddedasthefactscontinuedtoscrollinhermind,“putsmeat8.1ontheGradient.”
Kalebnudgedherforgottenglassandwaiteduntilshe’ddrunkhalfofthecherry-flavoredsupplementbeforesaying,“Thosewereyourstatsatsixteen,butyouhadn’tplateauedandbeenassignedyourpermanentpositionontheGradient.I’dguessyou’renowbetween9.5and9.7.”
“Isthatwhyyouwantme?”sheasked,thetearsinsideherformingintoanachingknot.“Formybacksight?”
Thecleanlineofhisjawcaughthereyeashespoke,herfingersspreadingonthetable.“IhavenouseorneedofaB.”
Hiswordsgaveherpause,hermindonthedangerousshadowabilitythatexistedbelowherbacksightand,unbeknownsttothosewhohadtestedher,wasthetruereasonforherpositionontheGradient.Herbacksightwas,atmost,onlya3onthescaleusedtomeasurepsychicability.However,theerrordidn’tspeaktotheskillsofthetestingstaffbuttothestealthynatureofwhatexistedinsideher—totheextentthatsheherselfhadn’tbecomeawareofituntilshewastwelve.Andthen,she’dlearnedtohideit,becauseitmadeheratarget.
“Ifyoudon’tneedmybacksight,”shesaidtoKaleb,“thenwhyamIhere?”Regardlessofherquestion,shewasdeadcertainheknewwhatshecoulddo—therecouldbenootherreasonhe’dgonetosuchlengthstofindandcaptureher
Theblackdepthsofhiseyesdevoidofstarsoncemore,anendlessnightthatthreatenedtosuckherunder,herosetohisfeetand,placinghishandsonthetable,leanedtowardheruntilshecould’vereachedoutandrunherfingersalonghisfreshlyshavenjaw.“Youarehere,”hesaidinatonethatmadeherheartthumpwildlyagainstherribs,“becauseyoubelongtome.”
***
TENminuteslater,Saharasatontheedgeofthebedthatwasherown,Kaleb’swordsgleamingagainstthewallofhermind.Theymadeaslittlesensenowastheyhadwhenhe’dspokenthem.Onething,however,waspatent.
Shewasnotfreetoleavethishouse.NeitherwasshefreetoenterthePsyNet
Consideringthosefactsintheabnormalcalmthatinsulatedherfromherperiloussituation,shedecidedshedidn’twanttodoeitheratpresent.TheinstantsheslippedoutsidetheobsidianofKaleb’smentalprotection,sheexposedhernaked,vulnerablemind.Further,shehadnoideaofwhereshe’dgo,whatshe’ddouponescapinghim.Asprovenbythehazydistancebetweenherandheremotions—untilitfeltasifshewerelookingoutattheworldthroughawallofwater—hermindremainedbruised,herthinkingprocessesflawed.
NightStar.
Anoptionforsanctuary,except,withherfragmentedmemorycenters,shehadnowayofknowingifherclanhadn’tinfactworkedhandinglovewithhercaptorstoharnessherabilitytotheirownends,givingheruptosoul-destroyingloneliness.Theguardsinherprisonhadn’tseenherasanindividual,hadn’tevenseenherasasentientbeing.She’dsimplybeenatask,namelessandwithoutidentity.
Hadoneshownhereventhesmallestkindness,wouldthelabyrinthhavebeguntounravel?Saharawouldneverknow,becausetheinstanttheindividualinchargeofherincarcerationhaddiscoveredthelabyrinth—toolatetohalttheprocess—hernormalguards,whooccasionallyspoketoher,hadbeenreplacedbymenandwomensoicilySilentithadneveroccurredtothemtodeviatefromtheirassignedduties…whetherthosedutiesweretoforce-feedherortostriphertotheskinwhileloweringtheroomtemperaturetofreezing.
Kaleb,incontrast,hadthusfardonenothingtocauseherharm.He’dgivenherprivacy,freeaccesstocleanclothingandashower,aswellasfoodthatmadehertastebudssingandherparchedsoulshudder.NeitherhadhecommentedonorchallengedherbrokenSilence.Itwouldbestupidandprematuretoleavehisprotectionuntilshewasinabettermentalstate,abletojudgefriendfromfoe.
AsforKalebhimself…theresponseshearousedinherwereraw,disturbing,painful.Evennow,theknotoftearslayrigidagainstherbreastbone,asifsimplywaitingforhertosurrendertoanemotionthatwaswhollywithoutreason.TocryforKaleb,shewouldhavetoknowhim,andhewasastranger…whoknewsheadoredcherry-flavoreddrinksandthatshefeltthecoldmoreacutelythanmostpeople.Ithadn’tescapedhernoticethattheentiresprawlofthehousewasnowatatemperatureshefoundmostcomfortable.
Takingadeepbreathinanefforttofightthecompulsiontogotohim,todemandanswerstoquestionsshecouldn’tarticulate,shepickedupthebookhe’dgivenherthepreviousnightanddecidedtowalktotheterrace.Thesunshine,thecoolautumnwind,shecraveditagainstherskin…asshecravedcontactwithanotherlivingbeing,herbodystarvedforfarmorethanfood.
Herthoughtsscatteredwhenshecaughtthefleetingreflectionofawomanwithatangleddarkmane.Blinking,shestaredatthewindow,butitwasn’tthebestmirrorandonlyservedtofrustrate.Sinceherroomhadnomirrors—avaguememoryofshatteredglass,shardsslicingafine,brightlineacrosshercheek—shewalkedbackdownthecorridorandenteredtheroomacrossfromherown.
Theclean,freshscentofsoapandaftershavethatheldahintofpine.
SinceKalebhadleftthedooropen,shedecideditwasn’toff-limitsandcontinueddeeperinside,placingthebookonthebedwhilesheexplored.Barrenofanythingbutthebedandasmallbedsidetable,theclosetbuiltintothewalloppositetheslidingdoorsthatledoutontotheterrace,theroomwasmilitaryneat,notasinglepieceofclothingorotherephemerascatteredaround.
Thebathroomwasthesame,Kaleb’spersonalgroominggearstoredefficientlyinsidethemirroredcabinetabovethegranitecountertopthathousedthesink.Fascinated,shepickeduphisaftershave,drewinthescentthatmadeherskinache,thenexaminedtheslickblackdeviceheusedtoshave,unabletoimaginetheice-edgedmanwhoconsideredherhisdoingsuchanintimateact.
Touchingherhandtoherownjaw,shethoughtbacktowhenhe’dleanedoverherinthekitchen.Ithadtakeneveryounceofherwillnottobrushherfingersoverthehardanglesofhisface.
Ithadbeensolong.
Sheshookoffthebone-piercingthought,knowingittobeacreationofherdamagedmind.AcardinalTkwouldhavehadnoreasontobeinthecircumferenceofherlifeasagirl—NightStarwasfamouslyinsular,andTksweretrainedinspecialschoolsforreasonsofsafety.No,shehadnevertouchedKalebKrychek,regardlessofwhatmightbetermedthebirthofadangerouslyobsessivecompulsiontowardthemanwhowaseffectivelyherjailer.
Puttingtheshaverbackinitsspot,herfingerslingeringlongerthantheyshouldhave,sheclosedthecabinetdoors…andlookedatwhoshe’dbecome.Atsixteen,she’dhadalittlemorefatinhercheeks,asoftercurvetoherjaw.Rightnow,shewasallbone.Herincreasedcalorieintakewouldensureareturntoahealthierappearance—butnottotheextentthatshe’dcarrythebabyfatinhercheeksagain.Thefinerlineofherfacewasanaturalresultofadulthoodandshelikedit.
Herhair,however…
Takingatangledhunk,shebroughtittohernose,caughtthescentofcitrusandsomethingsofter.So,shehadn’timaginedtakingashowerandscrubbingherhairthreetimesover.Cleanthoughitwas,itwasalsoknottedtothepointofmakingherappearamadwoman—
“Thatwasthegoal.”Thelabyrinthhadbeenonlypartofherplantohideherselffromthosewhowouldturnherintoatrainedanimalpoisedtoperformoncommand.“It’snotnecessaryanylonger,”shewhisperedandclawedbackanotherpieceofherself.
Chapter6
ITTOOKSERIOUSconcentration,herarmsachingbytheend,butherhairhungstraightandthickdownherbackanhourlater,asshemadeherwaythroughthehouseagain.Peekinginsidethelargeroomsituatedrightbesidethemaindoorstotheterrace,shesawKalebsittingatadesk.Infrontofhimwasatransparent—fromherpointofview—computerscreenapparentlyfunctioningincommmode.
Steel—platinum?—cufflinksathiswristsandatieofchromeblueathisthroatnow,asharpcontrasttohiswhiteshirt,hewasfocusedonsomeoneontheothersideofthescreen,buthecurledhisfingerstoherina“comein”motion.Drawntowardhimonalevelthatthreatenedtooverpowerherabilitytoreason,untilitfeltasiftheywereconnectedbyaninvisiblethread,shewalkedin
Hisdeskwasahunkofhighlypolishedwood,theedgesjagged,asiftherootsofaforestgianthadbeencutinslicesthensmoothed,theflowinglineswithintellingthestoryofcenturiespast.Itwasbeautiful,andnotwhatshemighthaveexpectedofhim…buttherewassomethingintheprimalnatureofthechoicethatsuitedhim.Asdidthebitterlycleansurfaceofthedesk,unmarredbyevenasinglepenorpieceofpaper.
Thewallsoppositethatdeskheldshelvesthathousedanumberofexpensivehard-copybooksonamyriadofsubjects,fromchangelingsocietytophysicstoconstructionmanualsandgeologicalresearch,withanumberofseparatevolumesdealingwithearthquakesandvolcanoes.
Shecouldunderstandtheeclecticcollectioncompiledbyanintelligentmind,couldevencomprehendthereasonacardinalTkmightbeinterestedinthemovementofthetectonicplates—thoughtheideathathemighthavethatmuchpowermadeherheartstutter—buthereandthereontheshelvessatthingsjarringintheirincongruity.LikeapolishedbluepebblebesidethebookonSouthAmericanvolcanoes.Lapislazuli,sheidentifiedafterrubbingthepebblebetweenherfingertips.
Onanothershelfsatsomethingasinexplicable:aflatpieceofwoodcarvedwithhisnameandthespindlyimageofatree.Theworkmanshipwasrough,nothinguniqueaboutthewooditself.Notfarfromit,andslippedinbetweenathicktextbookonearthquakesandoneonunderseacurrents,wasatinyvolumeofpoetry.Itwassothin,sheonlysawitbychance,andfromthelookofthespine,shecouldtellitwascheaplybound,inraggedcondition,unliketheotherbooksontheshelves.
Curious,shetookasecondlookattheshelvesandfoundseveralmoreunexpectedvolumeshiddeninplainsight.Allwereofrelativelyflimsyconstruction,andtheycontainedeverythingfromfurtherpoetrytoplaystoareprintofanineteenth-centuryclassicwrittenbyahuman.Thentherewasatwistedpieceofmetalthatwasn’tidentifiableasanythinginparticular,exceptthathermindkepttellingherithadoncebeenpartofabullettrain.
Shakingofftheoddsenseofknowing,shefocusedoncemoreonthecardinalcurrentlyrippinghisopponenttoshredswithcold-bloodedprecision,takinginthedarkhaircutwithbrutalneatness,thecleanlinesofhisface,hisskintannedenoughthathecouldn’tspendallhistimeindoors,thoseincredibleeyes.Butinspiteofhisbeauty,hewasharshlymasculine,hiseveryactionmarkinghimasquintessentiallyandfascinatinglymale.
Herbreathhitched,herfingersworryingthelapislazulipebbleshe’dneverreturnedtotheshelf.Forcingherselftoreturnit,becauseshewantedtostealit,captivatedbythefeelandshapeofit,sheattemptednottostareatKaleb.Themajorityofherguardshadbeenmale—andanumberhadundoubtedlybeenchosenbecauseoftheirlooksinanefforttomanipulateheryouthandsplinteredSilence.Notoncehadsheforgottenthefactthattheywereathreattoherveryexistence.
Andyetshesawprimalbeautyinthismerciless,nodoubtmanipulative,andbitinglyintelligentmalewhoclearlylivedforpower,forcontrol—allthingshershadowabilitywouldmakeitruthlesslysimpleforhimtoacquire.TheindividualwhocontrolledSaharaKyriakuscouldcontrolthePsyNet,andKalebKrychek,herearstoldher,wasthekindofruthlessmanwhowoulduseeveryadvantageathisdisposalwhenitcametothedanceofpower.
Disturbedbythatrealizationonanelementallevel,anacheinherchest,shewalkedtowardtheopenglassdoorstotherightofhisdesk.Itwasinstincttostayoutofthelineofsightoftheaggressive-voicedmanontheotherendofthecommwho,itwasclear,wasabouttolosetheskirmish.Fornow,itwasbettersheremainaghostintheeyesoftheworld.
Thepolishedwoodoftheterracewassmoothbeneathherfeet,thesunalanguidcaressagainstherskin.Tiltingherfaceupward,shedrankitin,herskingreedyforthekissofheat,oflight.
You’llburn.
Startledbythecoolwordsthathadtraveledalongatelepathicpathwayshehadn’tbeenawareshe’dopened,shetwistedherheadtolookinsidethestudy.Themanwhocontinuedtobothintrigueandconfuseherhadhiseyesonthecommscreen,stillinvolvedinabusinessnegotiationthatwasmoreakintoadeadlyplayofrazors,eachworddesignedtoinflictmaximumdamage.Slidingthedoorsshut,shepaddedtothesunloungerinthefarcorner,anitemthathadn’tbeenthereearlierthismorning,andsatwithherlegsstretchedoutonthecushionedfabric,toesreachingforthesun.
Alargeoutdoorumbrellastoodaboveherasecondlater,shadingherfacewhileleavingherfeetexposed.Stopdoingthat,shesaidalongthatsametelepathicchannel,anditdidn’tfeelnew,didn’tfeelawkward.No,itfeltasifthepathwaywascarvedintohermind,thegrooveworninovercountlessyears.Asifshe’dknownKaleblongerthanshe’dknownherself.It’sshowingoff.
Apausethatmight’veindicatedsurprisebeforeasmalltableappearedatherelbow.Onitsataplateofcookiesandalongglassfilledwithwhatturnedouttobemangonectar.Drawnbythecookies,sheatetwodifferentkindsandtookasipofthethick,refreshingdrinkbeforepointedlyignoringherbeautifulcaptorandopeningthebookinherlap.
Itwasamathtextbook.
Suchphysicalbooks,sheremembered,werenolongerpartoftheeducationsystem,butthisonehadbeenwellused.Employingblackink,someonehadwritteninconciseexplanationsoftheequationsandcorrectedthefrustratedmistakes—linescrossedout,rewritten—madebyawriterwhousedblueink.
Ithurthertotouchtheblackwriting,madeherthroatthicken,sosheshutthebook.
Thetextureofthecover,thetearononecorner,thestampthatdenotedthebookhadcomefromaused-goodsdealer,eachwassofamiliaritwaslikehearingmusicjustfarenoughawaythatitwasimpossibletoidentifythetune.Touchingherfingerstothefadedstamp,sheimaginedwhatshemightseeweresheaPs-Psy,bornwiththeabilitytosensememoriesleftbehindonphysicalobjects.
***
HANDSinthepocketsofhispants,Kalebstoodattheglassdoorstotheterrace,lookingthroughthemtothewomanwhosatonthelounger,herfeetbaredtothestill-warmsunofearlyfallandherfingersstrokingthecoverofthetextbookhe’doriginallyfoundinajunkstorethatsolddubious“antiques.”Asevidencedbyhertartreplyafewminutesago,therewasnofearinher,nosenseofpanicatbeinginhiscontrol.
Heknewthatlackwasamomentarylull—thiswomanwhospoketohimwithoutconcernandwhoseemedtobeshockedorunsettledbynothingwasnottherealSaharaKyriakus.No,shewasasleepwalkerwhosetaskitwastoreadySahara’sbodyandmindforthetruewaking.
Shewouldn’tbecalmoncethathappened,wouldn’tlookathimwithdarkblueeyesuntaintedbyfear.Then,she’deitheruseherabilityagainsthim—orshe’drun,terrorinhereveryjaggedbreath.Whichwaswhyhe’dretrievedthedirtysmockshe’dthrowninthelaundryandvacuumsealedittopreserveherscent.Hewouldneverusehismindtoleashhers,buthewouldtrackherthroughrain,hail,fireitself.Neveragainwasanyone,evenSaharaherself,takingherfromhim.
!!!
HethrewuphisstrongestshieldsatthewordlesswarningfromtheNetMindandDarkMindboth,connectingwiththetwinneosentienceatthesametime.Whathasoccurred?Thiswasn’tanotheranchorcollapse,notwiththeroaringforceoftheshockwavethathadjustpassed—asifithadgatheredmomentumacrosstheentirebreadthoftheNet.
Imagesofcrumblinghouses,rippedwalls,atorndressfellintohismind,ataspeedthattoldhimthetwinneosentiencethatwasbornoftheNetwasconfusedandinpain.Grabbingholdofeachimage,heseparatedthem,foundthecommondenominator.Allofthedamagehadbeencausedbyrot,fungus,mildew.
Showme.
EnteringthepsychicnetworkthatwasasfamiliartohimasthestreetsofMoscow,hecloakedhimselfandshottothelocationthey’dpinpointed…exceptitwasnolongerthere.
Theregionwasblack,butthatwastheonlysimilarityithadtotherestofthePsyNet.Thisblacknessnotonlyheldnostars,iteffectivelyrepelledlight.ThoughhewasimmunetotherotthatwascrawlingthroughpartsofthenetworkthatconnectedmillionsofPsyaroundtheworld,seepinginsidiouslyintothemindsofthepopulation,hetookcareapproachingthepulsingemptiness.
Haltingattheveryedge,hesentanexploratorytendrilofpsychicenergyintotheblackness.Thenothingnesssuckeditin,andifKalebhadn’talreadycutthetendrilloose,itwould’vecontinuedsuckinguntilitstoleeverydropofenergyfromhismindandbodyboth.Deathwould’vebeenanexcruciatinglypainfulprocess.
Canyougothere?heaskedtheNetMind.
Asenseofdesolation,ofterriblepainfromthehalfofthetwinneosentiencethatwasrecognizedbythepopulaceandconsideredthelibrarianandguardianofthePsyNet.Itonlycommunicated,however,withavery,veryshortlistofpeople.AnditcommunicatedwithnoonelikeitdidwithKaleb.
Hisconnectionwiththeancient,yetchildlikeneosentience,anditstwisted,brokentwin,hadbeenformedinachill,isolatedchildhoodcomposedofphysicalpainandmentaltorturethathadshapedhimintothemanhe’dbecome.Foralongtime,theNetMindandtheDarkMindhadbeenhisonlyfriends.
Henolongerthoughtoftheminthatway,hadn’tdonesosincehewasaboyofnineorten.ThoughchronologicallyfarolderthanKaleb,havingcomeintobeingatthedawnofthePsyNet,theywereyetyoung,childrentohisadult.
WheretheNetMindwasaninnocent,theDarkMindwasakintoanignored,abusedchildwhosoughtonlytobullyandabuseothers,knowingnootherwayinwhichtointeract.InKaleb,ithadfoundacceptance,adarknessthatwelcomedthemalignantviolenceandangeratthecoreofitsbeing.
Andyou?heaskedthatdarktwin.
Itslidsinuouslyintotheblackness,rollinginitlikeacat.
Initiateabarricade,heorderedtheNetMindastheDarkMindslidbacktotwineaffectionatelyaroundhim,itstouchcoldasthedeathKalebhadmetedoutmorethanonce.Ensureawidebufferzone.Idon’twantanyonecomingincontactwiththis.
ImagesofbuildingblockscascadedintohismindandherealizedtheNetMindwasalreadyworkingonthebarricade.Good,hesaid,givingitthepraiseitneeded.
Shiftingpositiononcethetwinneosentienceturnedtowarditstask,theDarkMindchoosingtoassisttheNetMindforreasonsofitsown,KaleblocatedthemindofSubject8-91.ThemalewasinfectedwiththesamediseasethathadjustdevouredachunkoftheNetand,thus,wasmeanttoactasKaleb’scontrolastotheprogressionofthatdisease,his“canaryinacoalmine.”
Somewouldtermthatacruelty,but8-91wastoofargonetobehelped—andhewasexpendable,hiscontributiontotheworldnegligible.Hewascontributingfarmore,helpinghisfellowcitizens,byactingasabarometerforthisdiseasewithoutaname.
Subject8-91,however,remainedalive,functional,andwithnoawarenessofthediseasethathadeatenintohisfrontalcortex.Clearly,theinfectionadvancedatadifferentrateinanindividualthanitdidinthepsychicfabricthatconnectedninety-nine-point-ninepercentofPsyontheplanet.
Kaleb’scellphonerang.
He’dbeenexpectingthecall.“Nikita,”hesaid,droppingoutoftheNettospeaktothewomanwhohadbeenaCouncilorbeforetheCouncilimploded,andwhonowheldpowerinaregionthathadbecomeafocalpointforthosewhoseSilencewasfractured.
“Iassume,”shesaid,“you’reawareoftheshockwavethatjustrolledthroughtheNet?”
“I’veseenthecause.Oneminute.”Hangingup,hesteppedouttocheckonSahara,sawthatshe’dfallenasleep,herhairasilkenpoolofblackasshelaycurledonherside.Itwasn’tasvividandasglossyasitshouldbe,buthesawthepromise.YetshewasnowhereneartotheSaharashewasmeanttobe—tiny,herskintoopale,shelookedasifshe’ddisappearanysecond.
Reachingout,heliftedasinglestrandofhair,rubbeditbetweenhisfingertips.Real,verymuchso.Andsafeinthehomehe’dturnedintoanimpregnablevault.
Resettingtheperimeteralarmstoremotealert,andchangingtheangleofthesunumbrellasothatshewasfullyprotected,hepulledonhissuitjacket,thoughtofNikitaDuncan’shigh-riseofficeinSanFrancisco,andwasthere,hismindmakingthetransitionwithaspeedandanaccuracythatthedeadCouncilorSantanoEnriquehadonceconsideredatoolforhisexclusiveuse.
“Noonehasanyexplanations,”Nikitasaidtohimthesecondheappeared,hervoiceasbusinesslikeastheskirt-suitshewore,thelightsofSanFranciscobrightinthemidnightdarknessbehindher.“Yetyousaidyou’veseenthecause.”
Hesawnoreasonnottosharethetruth—itwasonethatwouldbecomeapparentsoonenoughifhistheoryaboutwhatwashappeningprovedcorrect.“PartoftheNethasceasedtoexist.”
“Anotheranchorattack?”ThebluntedgeofNikita’shairsweptoverherjawassheleanedonherdesk,handsflatontheglassandalmond-shapedeyessteadywithanicyintelligencethathadledtoherpositionasoneofthewealthiestwomenintheworld.“I’veheardnoreports—”
“No.TheNetitselfhasdisintegrated.”
Nikitastaredathim,barelycontainingajerkwhenthecommpanelonthewallchimedanincomingcall.“It’sAnthony,”shesaid,touchingthediscreetpadbuiltintoherdesktoacceptthecallandbringtheothermanintotheirconversation.
KalebconsideredwhatAnthonyKyriakuswoulddoifheknewthathisniecewascurrentlyinKaleb’scare.LikelyunleashthefullforceofNightStar’spowerinanattempttoretrieveher—Sahara’sclanhadbeensearchingforherwithquiet,relentlesspersistencesinceherdisappearance.Kalebknewthatbecausehe’dhadtotakecaretoskirttheirtrackersmorethanonce,andbecausehe’dhackedintotheirfiles.Hadtheypinpointedherlocationbeforehedid,hewould’veappropriatedandusedthatinformationwithoutcompunction—Saharabelongedtohim,nooneelse.
“TheoutbreakatSunshineStation,”hesaidafterNikitahadbroughtAnthonyup-to-date.“Doyourecallthedetails?”
“Ofcourse.”Anthony’sreplywasimmediate.“Onehundredandforty-oneliveslosttoasuddenpsychosis—theyattackedoneanotherinbrutal,bloodyways.”
NikitapickedupthenarrativewithaflawlesseasethattoldKalebthetwowereintelepathiccommunication.“TheoutbreakwasdeemedtohavebeenanindicationofcriticalproblemswiththeProtocol,aswastheincidentatthesciencestationinRussia.”Apause.“Youshowedmea‘sick’sectionoftheNetonce.Itwassmall,hidden—you’resayingthepsychosiswascausedbythisinfection?Thatit’sgrownbigenoughtocreatesuchamassivedisturbanceintheNet?”
Kalebwasn’tsurprisedNikitahadmadetheconnection—mentalviruseswereherspecialty,afterall.“Yes.”Connectedtothepsychicnetworkfrombirth,therewasnowayforthoseofhisracetoavoidthevirus—everymillisecondofthebiofeedbacktheyneededtolivecarriedapotentiallylethalpayload.“Itappearstheinfectionhasbeguntoattackitsprimaryhost.”
ThePsyNetwasvast,couldtakeaconsiderablebeating,butitwasn’tindestructible.“Tonight’sdamage,”hecontinued,“causednofatalities,butonlybecauseitwaslocalizedintheregionthatwould’vesupportedthemindsatSunshine.”Andthatstationwasabandoned,anicymonumenttodeath,bloodsplatterfrozenonthewallsandmealsabandonedhalf-eaten,nolivingbeingswithinmiles.
“Wecan’tallowtheinfectiontohitapopulatedzone,”Nikitasaid,cuttingtothepointasalways.“IfithasthesameimpactitdidatSunshine,we’dbelookingatamassacre.”
Atautsilence,andKalebknewtheywereallthinkingofaSanFranciscooraMoscowoverrunwithPsywhohadgivenintomurderousinsanity.Mindless,theircellsfactoriesforthevirus,they’dkillanythingintheirpath,hacktheirfellowcitizenstopieces,paintthestreetsinblood.
Chapter7
ANTHONYWASTHEonewhospoke.“Canthevirusbecontained?”
“TheNetMindisbuildingabarricadetoensurepeopledon’tventureintotheinfectedarea,butIdon’tbelieveit’llholdagainstthevirusitself.”Kalebhadatheoryabouta“cure,”butitwasn’toneheplannedtosharewitheitherNikitaorAnthonyuntilhehadallthepiecesinplaceforhistakeoveroftheNet.
“You,”hesaidtoNikita,“mayhavecertainusefulinsights.”She’dneverconfirmedherabilitywithmentalviruses,buteveryoneinthisconversationknewitexisted.
Tohercredit,shegaveacurtnod.“I’lldoareconnaissancetonight.”
“Ifit’stakenthislongtoeatuptheregionoftheNetthatservedSunshine,”Anthonysaid,thesilverathistemplesglintinginthelightonhisdesk,“itmustbeaslow-movingdisease.”
“Indicationsareit’sgrownstronger,butnotfaster,”Kalebconfirmed.“Wecan’taffordnottostudyit,butthePurePsythreatisfarmoreimmediate.”
NikitasharedaglancewithAnthonyasKalebfinishedspeaking,anditwasasilentcommunicationthatKalebknewinvolvednotelepathy.Onceagain,hewonderedexactlyhowcloselythetwohadbeguntoworktogether.Notthatitmattered.WhileNikitaandAnthonywereextremelystrong,withamassivecombinedeconomicandfinancialreach,theycouldn’tstopKaleb.Noonecould.
Notnow.
Twoyearsago,perhaps.However—andthankstotheleopardandwolfchangelingsinNikita’sregion,thoughtheywouldneverknowtherolethey’dplayedinhislife—hispowerhadmaturedtoitsfullpotentialintheinterim.Thescopeofitmighthavedrivenanothermanmad;itwastoKaleb’sadvantagethathe’dhadhisbrushwithmadnessasachildandsurvived.
Whetherornothewassanewasanotherquestion.
“Ifyou’llexcuseme,”hesaidbeforeNikitaorAnthonycouldrespondtohispointaboutPurePsy,“Ihaveanothermattertoattendto.”Heleftwithoutwaitingforaresponse.MingandTatianahadcontactedhimviathePsyNet,andhe’dsharedthesameinformationhehadwithNikitaandAnthony.AsforthesuspiciouslyquietShoshannaScott,hehadanextremelyreliablespyinherranks.
Therewasnoreasontowasteanyfurthertimeontheex-Councilors.
Saharawasstillasleepwhenhereturnedtotheterrace,herbreathingeven.Hewasabouttoturnonhisheelandleavewhenhereyesflutteredopen,thedeepblueseemingtolookstraightthroughhimandtothevicioussecretsthatmarkedhimaskintotheDarkMind.
“Iopenedthebook,”shesaid,uncurlingherlegswiththealmostfelinegraceshe’ddevelopedasateen,aftertakingdancelessonsostensiblytobuildhermusclestrengthandsenseofbalance.
Allperfectlysatisfactoryreasons.Alllies.Saharahadsimplylovedtodance
“Ihatemath.”
Slidingoffhisjacketathersleepymurmur,he’portedittohisoffice,thenundidhiscuffsandbegantorollthemup,slippingthecufflinksintoapocket.Itwashisleftforearmthatborethemark—thescar—anditwasamarkheneededhertoseenowthathermindwasnolongerconfused,asithadbeenthenightbefore.Hehadtoknowifsheremembered.
“Mathwasneveryourbestsubject,”hesaidwhenhereyeslingeredonthescarwithoutrecognition.“Butatlastcount,youspoketenlanguageswithanative’sfluency.French,Spanish,Hindi,MandarinChinese,Swahili,Arabic,andHungarian,tonameafew.”
“DoIreally?”sheasked,asparkinhereyeassheshiftedontheloungerinsilentinvitation.
Takingit,hesatontheedgewithhisbacktoherandhisarmsbracedonhisknees…andherememberedthesevenyearshehadwaitedforhertocomeback,thecountlessdayshe’dstoodonthisterracestaringdownatthegorgeastherationalpartofhismindtriedtoconvincetheobsessivemadnessthatlivedinhimofherlikelydeath.
Thegorge,deepandwithoutend,hadn’texisteduntilthefirsttimehe’dimaginedhererasedfromexistence.“You’rerested?”
“Mmm.”Sittingupwiththatwordlessresponse,sheleanedhersideagainsthisback,theheatofherbrandinghimthroughthefinecottonofhisshirt.
Kalebwentmotionless,touchsorareinhislifeastobeanullity.
“Mybody,”shewhispered,onehandcomingtorestonhisshoulder,“itaches,it’ssohungryforcontactwithanotherlivingbeing.”
Kalebforcedhismusclestorelaxonebyone.Hertrustwascritical—andifthiswaswhatittooktogainit,he’dhandlethesensoryoverload.“Thechangelings,”hesaidquietly,“haveaconceptcalledskinprivileges.”
Herfingersbrushedhisnape,sendinganear-painfulcurrentoverhisskinashisbodystruggledtoprocesstheshockinglevelofinput.“Howdoyouknowthat?”Huskywords,herarmslidingaroundhiswaist.
Noonehadheldhimfor…aneon.“I,”hesaid,fightingtokeephistoneeven,“havecertaincontacts.”Thefactwas,he’dmadeitapointtodiscovertheinnerworkingsofachangelingpack—informationwaspowerandpowerwascontrol.
Handflexingagainsthisabdomen,shesaid,“Skinprivileges…tellmeaboutthem.”
“Atthemostbasiclevel,thetermreferstorulesthatregulatehowmuchcontactonechangelingcanhavewithanother,”hesaid,barelytrustinghimselftoexplorethefinebonesofherwrist,herskinsosoft.“They’reatactilerace,butpermissiontotouchisneverassumed.Itisconsideredagiftandaprivilege.”TheconceptresonatedwithKalebinawaynochangelingwouldeverunderstand.
Saharawasquietforseveralminutes,herbreathingtheonlysoundintheuniverse.“Doyoushareskinprivilegeswithanyone?”sheaskedatlast,droppingherhandontohisthigh,wristturnedupward,asifinvitinghimtostrokethevulnerableunderside.
Thighmusclesrigid,Kalebcurledhisfingersintohispalm,flexedthem…andranhisthumboverthedelicateveinshecouldseethroughherskin.“Idid,”hetoldher,speakingofapastonlyoneotherlivingbeingknewexisted.“Alongtimeago.”
Saharadrewadesignonhisshoulderbladewithherfingertipbeforesmoothingherhanddownhisbackinacaressthatsentrockstumblingintothegorge.“YoubreachedSilence.”
HedisciplinedhisTkatoncebutdidn’treleaseherwrist.“Yes.”Thecostofhisbreachhadbeenaslowriverofhotredthathadsoakedthecheaphotelsheets,thesmellofscorchedfleshscentingtheair.Itwasamemoryembeddedintoeverycellofhisbody,ofaneventthat,whensherememberedit,wouldmakeSahararealizeexactlywhohewasbeneaththesuitsandtheveneerofcivilization.
Whenthetimecame,abettermanwouldlethergo.ButKalebwasn’tabetterman.He’dbringherbackagainandagain.Nomatterherterror.Untilherabilityrosetothesurfaceinarawpsychicsurge.“Youmustbehungry.”Hereleasedherwrist,thecold,hardtruthcausingthepartofhimthatlivedinthedarknesstogoasadamantineastheshieldhe’dplacedoverher.“Areyoureadytoeatsomethingelse?”
“CanIhavemoreofthemangonectar?”Saharacontinuedtocaresshisback,andheknewitwasanillusionarytrust,bornofashatteredmind.
Turningslightlyafterteleportinginthedrinkshe’drequested,heunscrewedthelidandpouredthethickliquidintoanewglass.“Youneedsolids,too.”
Saharadidn’targuewhenhebroughtinfood,thensatwithherwhilesheateasmuchasshecouldstomach.Itwasabirdlikeportion,butawareshe’ddobetterwithsmallmealsscatteredthroughouttheday,hedidn’tmakeanycomment.Whenshepassedhimanappleandaknife,hecutitforher,andheatethepieceshegavehim.
Itwasaquiet,unexpectedinterlude,partofacalmthatlastedforthesevendaysthatfollowed—aweekinwhichSaharasleptoftenanddeeply;atenutritional,designed-to-be-appetizingmealsthatKalebmadesurewerealwaysavailable;gentlyexercisedherbodyinstretchesheknewshe’dlearnedasadancerevenifshedidn’t;andtalkedtohimwithoutfear.
Hemadesurehewashomealmosttheentiretyofthetimewhenshewasawake,takingcareofotherbusiness,includingmeetingswiththeArrows,whilesheslept.IthadbecomeclearthattheindividualbehindthePerthleakhadhadexperthelpinhidinghistrail,butKalebhadnodoubtstheArrowswouldlocatehim—orher.
Kalebhadotherpriorities.
Nowandthen,Saharawouldfindhimontheterraceandleanherbodyagainsthisastheyspoke.Awarethiswasatransitoryinstantthatwouldsoonbeerasedbyapastscoredinagonizingscreams,hemadenoefforttoavoidher.Whenshedidn’tpresshimformoreinformationaboutherselforthesituation,heunderstoodthathersubconsciouscontinuedtoinsulateherfromrealityinordertogivehertimetoheal.
Everythingchangedontheeighthday.
***
SAHARAwenttobedwiththerememberedfeelofKaleb’smuscledbodyagainstherown,astheystoodtalkingunderthestars,andwokewithascreamstuckinherthroat,herheartbeatinghardenoughthatitthreatenedtopunchthroughhersternum.Frightenedonthedeepestlevel,shesearchedfranticallyforalight,desperatetoknowwhatwasbeingdonetoher.
Herscrabblingfingerssomehowhitthetouchsensoronthelamponthebedsidetable,andsoftwarmthspilledintotheroom.Abeautifulsilkcarpet,wallspaintedagentlecream,amirrorlessdresserwithahairbrushonthesurface,andalargebedcoveredwithacomforterpatternedwithtinyroses.Notacell,butsheknewinherbonesitwasstillaprison.Evenifhercaptorletherwanderthehallsasshepleased.
“KalebKrychek.”
“Youbelongtome.”
“Drink.”
Awarmwallofmuscleunderherpalm.
Swallowingatthewaterfallofmemory,shepushedoffthesheetsandstumbledtothebathroom.Herfingersshookasshethrewwateronherfaceandwipeditdry,andshehadtogriptheedgeofthesinkforseverallongminutestostabilizeherselfenoughthatshecouldthink.Thecalmhazeinwhichshe’dexistedsinceKalebbroughtherherehadwellandtrulytornapart,shredsofitflutteringinthenauseatingwaveofherfear.
Howcouldshehavebeensoserene?TouchingKalebKrychekasifheweresimplyaman?Hewasn’t.Eveninherincarceration,shehadn’tbeentotallycutofffromnewsoftheoutsideworld—theguardshadtalkedtoeachother,ifnottoher,andhermindhadcataloguedthatoverheardinformationinthebrief,secretperiodsoflucidityshe’dbuiltintothelabyrinth.
KalebKrychek,CouncilorKalebKrychek,wasatelekineticsopowerful,itwasrumoredhecouldsinkcities,possiblycrackthecrustoftheplanetitself.Amalewithamindhe’dconfirmedcouldcausetruemadnessinhersifhesochose,onewhowaswhisperedtokillwiththesameeaseandlackofconcernasanothermanmightdrawbreath.
Onthesink,herbonespushedwhiteagainstskinthathadbarelybeguntobegildedbythesunaftersomanyyearsinthedark.
“IheardhewasSantano’sprotégé.”
Accordingtothelong-termmemoriesshecouldaccessatthisinstant,SantanoEnriquewasaCouncilor,butsheknewnothingabouthimbeyondthat.YetthetoneofthevoicessherecalledtoldherthiswasanimportantfactaboutKaleb.
Drinkingsomewater,shetookadeepbreathandtriedtofigureouthernextmove.
Atleastthere’shope.
Thethoughtwasaglowinherheart.Forsolong,therehadn’tbeenevenapossibilityofhope,hermindrippedopenwithsuchbrutaluglinessthatshe’dhadtocurlupwithinherselftosurvive.Thestrippinghadbeeninretaliationforhercreationofthelabyrinth,butSaharawasn’tsorry.Withoutthelabyrinth,she’dbeworsethanoneoftheso-calledrehabilitated,herpersonalityerased,hermindthatofanautomatonwhodidexactlyasherjailersordered.
Theshield.
Breathinginandoutatthementalreminder,sheopenedherpsychiceyetotheobsidianshieldthatprotectedhermind.Thatbeautiful,indestructiblecreationwasn’thers,couldneverbehers.ItbelongedtoKaleb.Ifsheattemptedtoescapehim,hemightwellcollapseitinpunishment.
Herstomachroiledattheideaofbeingsonakedandhelplessoncemore,panicthreateningtoseizehersenses,butshegrittedherteeth,forcedherselftothinkthesamewayshe’ddoneasascaredteenageratthemercyofstrangerswhowantedonlytouseheruntilshewasnothingandnoone.Theremightbegapsinhermemory,hugechunkslosttothetwistsofthelabyrinth,butsomethingswerehardwired.Sheknewhowtobuildshields,haddonesosincechildhood.
AndKalebwouldneverhurtme.
Ignoringthethoughtthathadtobeaproductofherconfusionoverhisapparentcareofher,shebegantoweaveherownshieldsbelowhis.Whenherealizedshehadnointentionofgivinghimwhathewantedandwithdrewhisprotection—
Hewon’thurtme.He’dneverhurtme.
Tremblingatthethoughtsthatcouldwellmeanshehadn’tcomeoutofthelabyrinthsane,shedecidedtoshower,inthehopethewaterwouldcalmher.Itdid,onethoughtarrowingthroughthepanic.
Ihavethetoolstoescape.
Chapter8
HERSTOMACHREVOLTEDviolentlyattheideaofusingthosetoolsagainstKaleb,butthereminderthatshewasn’thelplessgavehersomethingtoclingto.Nolongerwassheadruggedsixteen-year-oldwitherraticcontroloverhermind;shewasawoman,asurvivor.Dressed,shetiedbackherhairandopenedherdoor,takingcaretobequiet.FromthewayKalebneverhadanytroublelocatingher,hehadtobekeepingtrackofherinsomefashion…perhapsthroughaTrojaninhermind.
Bileburningherthroat,shescrambledtocheckherneuralpathwaysfortheconstructthatcouldgiveonetelepathabackdoorintoanother’smind.Nothingobviousjumpedoutather,butKalebwastoopowerfulnottoknowhowtohidesuchaleash—andregardlessofhersubconscious’sdeterminationtotrusthim,hewasamanwholivedforpower.Evenasthelatterthoughtcrossedhermind,another,morerationalpartremindedherthatnosuchconstruct—nomatterhowsubtle—couldcircumventtheuniquenaturalsafeguardsbornofherability.
Hermindsimplycouldnotbecompromisedbyoutsideforces.
Addedtothat,ifKalebhadwishedtoknowherthoughts,fragmentedthoughthey’dbeen,hecould’veeasilyrifledthroughtheminthedayssincehe’dtakenher.Thequietpsychicrecordersshe’dhiddeninsidehermindlongbeforethelabyrinthtoldherhehadn’t.Ratherthanrelief,therealizationmadeherbloodchill—becauseitleftonlyonereasonwhyhewantedherunderhiscontrol.
Andshe’dnevertestedherabilityagainstamanwithshieldsofobsidian.
Hereverybreathjagged,herheartoutofsync,shesteppedoutofherroomtoseethedoortohisownopen.Notchancingalookinsideincasehewasstillwithin,shepaddeddownthehallwaytothekitchen,thegentlelightcominginthroughthewindowtellingherthesunhadjustrisen.Oncethere,sheforcedherselftoeat—shehadtorebuildherstrength.Butherhandshookasshepickedupabreakfastbagelsofreshitwasstillwarm,thepapersleevearounditbearingtheelegantsilhouetteofwhatappearedtobealuxuryhotel.
Mosttelekineticshoardedtheirstrengthforonlythemostnecessaryuse,butKaleb…thatlevelofpowerwasbeyondscary.Exceptaninsanepartofhercontinuedtofightherconsciousmind,continuedtoseehimassafeandasoff-limitstothesingledevastatingweaponshehadinherarsenal.Theirrationalityofitfrightenedher,madeherdistrustfulofherownjudgment—howcoulditbeotherwisewhenitwascleartoanyonewithaworkingbrainthatamansodeepinSilencewouldonlyever“help”anotherbeingifitwastohisadvantage?
Thebagelstuckinherthroat,butsheswalloweditdownusingthefortifiednutrientdrinkshe’dlocatedinthecoolerandmadeamentalnotetoeatagaininanhour,beforetakingadeepbreathandheadingtowardKaleb’sstudy.
Itwasempty.
Palmsdamp,hergazewenttothecomputerpanelonhisdesk.Thetransparentscreenwasraisedupfromitsrestingpositionflatonthedesk,andwhensheshiftedherangleofsight,shecouldseenewsreportsscrollingacrossit,sothepasswordhadbeencleared.
Aflickerofmovement.
Jerking,shelookedthroughtheglassdoorstoseeKalebontheterrace.Dressedonlyinapairoflongblackathleticpants,hisfeetbare,hisskingleamedgoldenunderthesunlightashewentthroughtheelegantlydeadlypatternsofamartialartshecouldn’tnamebutknewinstinctivelywasnothingacivilianshouldknow.
Except,ofcourse,Kalebwasnocivilian.
Herfingerscurledintoherhandsasshewatchedhim,thefluidityandgraceofhisbodydoingnothingtomaskthefactthatthebeautifulmovementscouldquicklyturnlethal.Itwashypnotic,thewayhemoved,theflexandreleaseofhismusclescompellingonaviscerallevel,untilshefoundherselfleaningagainsttheFrenchdoors,herpalmsspreadontheglass.
Thecoldwasashock,snappingherbacktoarealityinwhichshewasaprisonerwhoappearedtohaveformedanunhealthyanddangerousattachmenttothemanwhowashernewjailer—whenshe’dsurvivedyearsincaptivitywithoutfallingvictimtothepsychologicaltrapthatmadeprisonersfeelsympathetictowardtheircaptors.YettwodayswithKalebandthelabyrinthhadunraveled.Notonlythat,butshe’dcuddledagainstthatlethallyhonedbody,caressedhimwithlong,slowstrokes.
Andfelt…happy.
Throatdryandskinhot,sheshotonelastlookatthemaleontheterracebeforeslidingintohischair.FearcrawledupherspineasshebroughtuptheInternet,andshecouldn’tstopfromglancingoverhershouldertocheckthatheremainedoutside.Hedid,hishairgleamingblue-blackinthesoftlightoftherisingsun.
Thesearchboxblinkedather.
Bitingdownonherlowerlip,sheenterednotKaleb’sname,butthatofhisapparentmentor,SantanoEnrique.Hadanyoneaskedhertoexplainwhyshe’ddoneso,shewouldn’thavebeenabletogivethemananswer—herchoicewasdrivenbyrawinstinct,the“feel”ofEnrique’snameasshetypeditoutontheinfraredkeyboardcausingachurningsicknessinherabdomen.
Searchresultsscrolledacrossthescreen.Clickingthetophit,shefoundherselfatanewssite.CouncilorEnriquewasdead.Thedetails,reproducedfromanofficialCouncilrelease,appearedinnocuousenou—
“Areyoufindingwhatyouneed?”
Herbloodrancold.
Whenthemanwhostoodnexttothedeskputonehandonthebackofthechairshe’dappropriated,andtheotherpalm-downbesidethecomputer,shefoundherselftornbetweentheurgetorun…andtoleanherheadagainstthedarkheatofhisbody,breathedeepofthecleanmalesweatthatmadehisskinglimmer.HermadnesswhereKalebwasconcernedwasclearlydeep-rootedandwithoutreason.
“Ah,”hesaid,readingthearticleshe’dpulledup.“SoyouheardaboutSantano.”
Once,onanatureshow,she’dseenalionplayingwithagazelle,allowingitspreytobelieveitwasabouttoescape,allthewhilediggingitsclawsdeeperintothehelplessanimal.Sheknewshewasthegazellerightnow,justassheknewtherewasnopointinattemptingtohideherfear—shewasn’tthataccomplishedaliar.
However,neitherwasshegoingtositfrozenandallowhimtotormenther;she’dcreatedthelabyrinthtoescapeherpreviouscaptors,andwhileshehadnointentionordesiretoentombhermindinthatwayagain,shewouldfindanotherwaytooutwithim,tosurvive.
“Sahara!I’llcomeforyou!Survive!Surviveforme!”
Theechoofthatprimalpromisehadruninacontinuousloopinhermindforthedurationofhercaptivity.Saharadidn’thavethememoryoftheeventorthetimewhentheoriginalwordshadbeenspoken,didn’tknowtheidentityofthespeaker,butsheknewonething:herdeathwouldmeanmore,farmore,thanthesimpleextinguishingofalife.
Somemightsaythebeliefwasadelusionalonehermindhadcreatedtosurviveanightmare—andperhapsitwas—butithadhelpedhernavigatethepiercinglonelinessofthepastsevenyears.Itwouldhelpherweatherthis,too.
“Whatareyougoingtodotome?”sheasked,proudhervoicedidn’ttremble
Cardinaleyesdevoidofstarsmetherowngaze,Kaleb’shairuncharacteristicallytousled.“Giveyouyourownorganizer.”Apaper-thintabletcomputerlandedonthedeskaninstantlater.“Ineedthisscreenforacommconferenceintwentyminutes.”
Withthat,hereachedoutandenteredaURLintothebrowser—anobscureonetohereyes,createdasitwasofastringofnumbers.“That’lltellyouwhatyouneedtoknowaboutSantano.”Pushingoffthedesk,hewalkedtothedoor.“Remember,Ineedthatscreeninnineteenminutes.”
Shestaredafterhiminopenmoutheddisbeliefuntilshecouldnolongerhearhisfootsteps.Hermindtriedtofindsomekindofreasoninhisresponse,wasstymiedbytheinexplicabilityofit.Kalebhadtoknowfullwellthatinformationwaspower,andyethe’dhandedherthekeytoit.
Rubbingherfingertipsoverhertemplesinavainefforttocleartheconfusion,sheturnedherattentiontothepagehe’dbroughtup—andfoundherselfonasiterunbyaself-termedconspiracytheorist.TheotherwiseanonymousowneridentifiedhimselfasPsy,andgiventheamountofinformationonthesite,hewasonecleverenoughtohidehistracksfromtheCouncil’senforcers—becausethetopicshecoveredweremorethantaboo.
Skimmingpasttherecententries,whichstatedtheCouncilwasnolongerinexistence,regardlessofthelackofanofficialannouncement,shefoundthesearchboxandoncemoretypedinEnrique’sname…tobedirectedtoasinglecontinuouspagethatheldupdateafterupdate.Themostrecentonewasdatedjustovertwoyearsagoandstatedsimply:KalebKrycheknowonCouncil.AcknowledgedprotégéofSantanoEnrique—noevidencefororagainsttheorythatheassistedS.E.inthetorturemurders.
Astabbingpaininherchest,acrytrappedbehindherhand.Scrollingtothebottomofthepage,shebegantoreadupfromtheoldestentry.
Accordingtotheauthor,SantanoEnriquehadbeenthatrarestofanchors,onewho’dnotonlyembracedpoliticsinsteadofisolation,butthrivedinthecutthroatworldoftheCouncil.He’dalsobeenaserialkillerresponsibleforthetorturemurdersofanumberofyoungchangelingwomen.Hehadn’tdiedofnaturalcauses,asreportedinthemainstreammedia.He’dbeenexecutedbytheDarkRiverleopardsandtheSnowDancerwolvesinagruesomefashion,amessagetotheremainderoftheCouncilleftstapledtohistongue.
“Youhavefivemoreminutes.”
Snappingupherhead,shesawKalebinthedoorway.Hishairwasdampbutneatlycombed,hisshirtadeepblue,hispantscharcoal,thebeltblack—thesameshadeashisshoes.Heheldaglassofthenutrientdrinkinhishand.
Whateverhe’dlearnedathismentor’sknee,itcouldbenothinggood.Andyetthecompulsiontogotohimthunderedinherblood,makingherdistrustherownmind—regardlessofthefactsheknewshewasimmunetomindcontrolonthatlevel.Asnoonecouldcompromisehermind,neithercouldanyonecontrolher,notwithoutherbeingawareoftheinterference.
Still,herstomachtwisted,hernailsdiggingintothesoftnessofherpalms.
“HowcouldanyoneoutsidetheCouncilknowallthesedetails?”shesaid,surprisedthewordscameoutsoundingcalmandrationalwhenherbodyandmindcontinuedtofightabattleshecouldn’texplain.“Eitherhe’sdelusionalorhehasasource.”
Kalebsippedathisdrink,nevertakinghiseyesoffher.“Whatdoyouthink?”
“Hisaccusationsaresooutlandish,theymightwellbethetruth.Asource.”
“Likely.”Finishingthedrink,heteleportedtheglassaway.“Heiscorrectinallparticulars.”
Herfingerstrembledasshepickeduptheorganizer,notingabsentlythatitwasfarthinnerandlighterthanhadbeenthenormsevenyearsbefore.“SantanoEnriquewasinsane?”Evenassheaskedthequestion,shewasthinkingaboutthestatementshe’djustreadthatsaidKalebhadeffectivelybeeninEnrique’s“care”sincehewasfiveyearsofage.Itwouldbethegreatestfallacytoassumetheexperiencehadn’twarpedhisdevelopment,turninghimintoamirrorofthemanwhohadbeenthepaternalfigureinhislife.
Kalebslidhishandsintothepocketsofhissuitpants,nothinginhimspeakingoftheboyhe’dbeen—aboywhohadgrownupwithamonster.“That,”hesaid,“isamatterofopinion.SomewouldsayhewasaperfectcreationofSilence.Totallywithoutemotion,withoutempathy.Tohim,themurderswereinterestingexperiments.”
***
KALEBsawtheslicksheenoffearinSahara’seyesassherosefromhischair,herhairclippedbacktoexposeafacethathadnodeceitinit.Hewonderedifshewasevencapableofthegamesheplayedonadailybasis,usingtruthsandliesinterchangeablytoachievehisaims.
Thoughshelefttheroomwithouttakinghereyesoffhim,heknewshehadn’tregainedthetotalityofhermemories—shewasn’tafraidenough,thewarinessinhergeneralizedandnotspecifictohim.
Helethergo,notpointingoutthatifhewantedtohurtherrightthisinstant,therewasnothingintheworldshecoulddotostophim.Herboneswouldsnaplikematchsticksshouldheunleashthemerestfractionofhistelekineticstrength,herbloodpouringoutofherinapulseofdarkestscarlet.Asithadoncebefore,tosoakintothesheetsonthebedinthatcheaphotelroomthathadburnedtoblackcindersbuthadn’tescapedEnforcement’seye,thankstothegamesSantanolikedtoplay.
Waitingseveralminutestogiveherguardachancetogodown,hewalkedtotheopendoorstoseethatshe’dtakenacross-leggedpositiononthesunlounger.Theumbrella,unnecessaryatthistimeofday,remainedclosed,theglossyblackofherhairglowingwithhintsofred-goldinthedawnlight.
Thosestrandswereunusualbutnottotallyunpredictable,giventhegeneticmixofmaternalandpaternalDNA.Hermother’shaircolorwasasoftblack,whileherfather’swasthatofwetclay,theotherwiserecessivetraitforredhairstrongintheKyriakusfamilytree.ItwasSahara’spsychicprofilethathadcomeoutoftheblue,rareasthatofadualcardinal.
ToKaleb’sknowledge,SaharawastheonlyindividualintheNetwithherspecificability—onesocovetedhercaptorshadn’texecutedherdespitethelabyrinth.
SaharaKyriakusheldwithinherthepotentialtomakeamanintoanemperor.
PurePsy
IFTHEREWASoneindividualintheNetwhohadVasquez’srespect,itwasKalebKrychek.ThecardinalTkhadprovenhisSilencewithhiscool,calculatedascensiontotheCouncil,eliminatinganyonewhostoodinhisway,anddoingsowithastealthandanintelligencethatmeantnoneoftheexecutionshadeverbeenconnectedtohim
Henry,too,hadspokenwelloftheyoungerman,buthe’dbeenunsureabouttrustingKalebwiththeinnerworkingsofPurePsy.“Krychek’sprioritiesarenotourown,”thenow-deadleaderofPurePsyhadsaid.“Hewantstotaketotal,unquestionedcontroloftheNet,ofthatI’mcertain.”
ThatgoalhadclashedwithPurePsy’s—forwhereKrychekwantedtoutilizesuchcontroltoincreasehispower,PurePsywantedtouseitforthebettermentofthePsyrace.However,thesituationhadchangedsinceHenry’soriginaldecisionnottoinviteKrychekintotheirinnercircle,themostcriticalbeingHenry’sassassination.
TheorganizationwouldneedastrongmanatthehelmwhenitrosetopowerandKrychekfitthebilltoperfection.Hisinvolvementwouldalsoservetocalmthepopulace,maintainingcontinuitywiththepreviousCouncil.
VasquezhadnoissuewithgivinguphiscurrentpositiontoKalebforafunctionmoresuitedtohistraining.Heknewhewasn’tmeantforleadership.Hewasageneralwiththecapacityforabsoluteloyaltytohischosenleader.Krychek,bycontrast,tookordersfromnoone.Exactlyasitshouldbeforthemanatthetopofthefoodchain.
Together,theywouldmaketheperfectteam.
Chapter9
SAHARAUNDERSTOODTHEorganizerKalebhadgivenhercouldwellbesetuptotransmitheractivitiestohim,butitseemedcounterintuitivesincehecould’vewithheldthedeviceinthefirstplace.Thentherewasthefactthathermindremainednaked,forallintentsandpurposes,hershieldsnascent,andyethe’dmadenoefforttointrude,donenotasinglethingtomakeherfeelhunted.
“Worryingabouthismotivationswon’tchangethings,”shemutteredtoherselfandbegantopullupthemajornewssites.
Itsurprisedher,howmuchinformationshefoundonPsy-affiliatedsites—informationthatwould’vebeenembargoedunderthreatofseverepunishmentbytheCouncilatthetimeofherkidnapping.FascinatedbythereferencestoanarmedconflictthathadinvolvedCouncilorHenryScottandagroupnamedPurePsyagainstthechangelings,shereadarticleafterarticle.
Whatstartledherevenmorethantheideaofanopenconflictweretheopinionpieces.
TheSilenceProtocolhascometodefineusasarace,readoneanonymouspieceinahuman-runnewsoutlet,butisthisthelegacywewanttoleave?Dowenothavethestrengthtofaceourdemonsratherthanstiflingthemandpretendingthatmeanstheynolongerexist,allthewhileknowingthatevilwalksamongstus?
Shovingahandthroughherhairatwordsthatwould’veledtoaswiftrehabilitationordersevenyearsago,thewriter’smindandpersonalitystrippedtoleavehimbarelyfunctionalenoughformeniallabor,shecontinuedtoread,absorbingeverythingwiththehungerofamindthathadbeenstarvedofknowledgeforyears.
However,compelledthoughshewasbythepoliticalchangesthathadtakenplaceduringthattime,thesubjectthatfascinatedhermostwasKalebKrychek.ButsettingasidetheconspiracysiteKalebhimselfhadshownher,searchesonhimbroughtuponlybusinessandpublicCouncilbiographicaldata,theonlynon-Councilbiographybeingonahuman-runpublicencyclopedia:
KALEBKRYCHEK
Summary:Anunexpectedcardinaltelekineticbornoftwolow-Gradientparentswhoserecessivegenescombinedwithpowerfulresultsinthefetus.TrainedandmonitoredbySantanoEnriquefromagefive.1
Madefirstmillionsatagetwenty-threeafterbackinghigh-riskprojectthatledtoamajorbreakthroughincommscreentech.AscendedtoCouncilatagetwenty-seven.
ResidentinMoscow.
Continuetofullarticle
1.Citationneeded
Afterreadingthroughtheentirebiography,whichinsinuatedthatKalebhadrisentohiscurrentpositionbyeliminatingeveryonewhostoodinhispath—timelynaturaldeaths,peopledroppingoutofnegotiationswithoutwarning,unexplaineddisappearances—butofferednoproofoftheallegations,Saharareturnedtotheconspiracysite.There,shereadthathewasrumoredtobeabletocausemadness,afacthe’dalreadyconfirmed,andthatwhilehehadpubliclycleanhands,hewasn’taversetodoinghisowndirtywork.
ThoughKrychekistheyoungestmemberoftheCouncil,statedanupdatemadeayearago,heisthemostruthlessanddangerous.NooneelseevercomesoutthewinnerinanynegotiationinwhichKrychekshowsaninterest.
Sixmonthsago,AgroGravturneddownanofferbytheCouncilor.However,theCEOhadasuddenchangeofhearttwodayslater.Atnopointdidheexplainhisreversal—butitisnotablethatheremovedhisdaughtersfromboardingschoolatthesametime,infavorofhometutoring.
Herhandshookagainandsobadlythatshehadtoputdownthetabletbeforeshedroppedit.Insideherchest,herheartracedatamanicpace,asherheadspun,herbodynolongerunderhercontrol.Panicking,sheswungherlegsoverthesideoftheloungerandtriedtostandup,onlytocollapsebackdown,herbonestheconsistencyofrubber,andherheartbeatwasinhermouthnow,herbreathstuckinherchest,shardsofbrokenmirrorsstabbingatherthroatandasuffocatingblacknesscreepingintotheedgesofhervision.
“Breathe.”Itwasaruthlesscommand,aninsistenthandpushingherheadbetweenherknees.
Shewent,hersightlimitedtotwotinypinpricksoflight.
Asenseofmovement,Kaleb’sbodycrouchingdowninfrontofher.“Inandout.”
Sheclungtothesteadyrhythmofthewordsherepeatedinacalm,temperedvoice,herchestexpandinganddeflatinguntiltheblackbegantorecedeandheliftedhishandfromhernape.
Raisingherhead,shedrankthewaterhegaveherbeforemeetingtheeyesofthismanwhomighttrulybetheworstmonsterofthemall.Thatcardinalgazewaspureblackagain,nolightinthedarkness,andforsomereason,thesightmadeherwanttosobasifherheartwasbroken,theknotoftearsinsideherapainfultightness.
“Thankyou,”shesaid,barelymanagingtoreinintheviolentneedtomournsomethingthathadneverbelongedtoher.“I’veneverhadapanicattackbefore.”
Hestayedinhiscrouchedposition,lookingupatherwiththathard,beautifulfaceshehadthehauntingsenseshe’dseenmany,manytimesbefore,excepthedidn’tappearinasingleoneofherreturningmemories.Perhapsbecausehermindwasplayingtricksonher…orperhapsbecausetheirmeetinghadbeentoouglytoremember.
Kalebhad,afterall,beenprotégétoaserialkiller,afactshecouldnotallowherselftoforget.SantanoEnriquehadpreferredchangelingvictims,butwhowastosayKalebhadn’tstuckwithwomenofhisownrace?
Kalebwillneverhurtme.
Againthatvoicefromdeepwithinherpsyche,thatcompulsiontotrustthatsangtothetearslockedinherchest.
“Evenwhentheytookyou?”Kalebasked,andthoughshecouldn’tforgetwhatshe’dreadabouthim,neithercouldshestopherselffrombrushingherfingerslightlyoverthewarmhardnessofhisjaw.
Hewentmotionless,butdidn’tstopher.
It’sbeensoverylong.
Holdingthemysteriousthoughtinside,shesaid,“Iwasafraid,”andwaitedtoseeifhewouldreacttotheevidencethatherSilencehadalwaysbeenproblematic,buthesimplycontinuedtowatchher.
“Afraid,”shesaidagain.“Inawaythatmadeeverythinginsidemeturncold,butIdidn’tpanic.Notlikethis.”Sayingthewordsmadeherrealizethatfarmorethanherbodyhadturnedfragileintheyearsshe’dbeenkeptlikeaperforminganimalinacage.“I’mbroken.”
Nochangeinhisexpression.“Doyoubelievethatmakesyouirreversiblyflawed?”
Frowning,shecurledherfingersintoherpalmwhentheywould’vereachedforhimagain.“Thatdoesn’tmakesense.IfI’mbroken,I’mflawed.”
“Thatisoneinterpretation.”Withthatenigmaticstatement,herosetohisfeet,amaleofsuchice-cutbeautythathewasmoreakintoastatuethanliving,breathingflesh.
Andyethewasflesh—herfingertipsheldtheechoofthewarmthofhisskin,herbodyrememberedthestrengthofhisbackfromwhenshe’dleanedagainsthimonthisverylounger…anditachedforfurthercontact,reasoncollidingagainstaneedborninmemoriesshecouldn’taccess,andthatmightnotevenexistbeyondtherealmoftheimagination.
“It’snearcertain,”hesaid,“thatyou’resufferingfrompost-traumaticstressdisorder.”
Wantingtotestherself,shestood,too.Herlegstrembled,butheld.“Ishouldprobablyhavespecialisthelp,”shemurmured,simplytoseehowhewouldrespond,thismanwholetherwanderthehouseatwill,whoprotectedhermind,whogaveherthetoolstogainknowledgeabouttheworld—butwhoalarmedthedoorssoshecouldn’tleave.
“WouldyouliketospeaktosomeonefromPsy-Med?”
Startled,shestaredathim.“IfIsayyes?”
“I’llmakesureyouhaveaccesstothebestspecialistsintheworld.”
Shecouldn’tjudgehim,sherealizedwithasenseofdespairoutofallproportiontothetopicofconversationandthefleetingtimeshe’dknownhim.HegaveoffnoneofthephysicalorvocalcluesthatevenotherPsydid,hiscontrolhonedtoanimpossibleedge.“How?Bytakingsomeoneelsecaptive?”
Asteadylook.“Noonespeaksmysecrets.”
Suckinginabreathatthesheer,terrifyingemotionlessnessofhisstatement,sheshookherhead.“Idon’twanttheterrorofanotherlivingbeing”—Silentornot—“onmyconscience.”
Hisstillnesswassuddenlysoabsolute,she’dhavebelievedherselfaloneifshehadn’tbeenabletoseehiminfrontofher.“Thereareotherways.”
Shewanteddesperatelytobelievehewasattemptingtocompromise,thathewasn’tthecold-bloodedmurdererthearticleshadmadehimouttobe.Theviciousdepthofherneedscaredhertothebone—shedidn’tneedaspecialisttotellherthecompulsionshefelttowardKalebwasunhealthyandcouldturndeadly.
“I’mnotreadyyet.”Afteryearsofhavinghermindsplayedopen,shecouldn’tbeartheideaofanyoneelseattemptingtodivinehersecrets.“AllIwant,”shewhisperedtoherjailer,“istobefree.”
Kaleb’slashescamedown,theworldfragmentedforasinglesplitsecond,andthenshewasstandingontheshimmeringblacksandsofawindsweptbeach,notanotherbeinginsightforwhatappearedtobemilesineverydirection;therollingsanddunestoherrighthometohardygrassesthatwavedinthebreeze.Onherotherside,waterdancedgentlytoshore,leavinggracefulripplesinthesand,theseafoamwildlaceentangledwithtinyshellsthatsparkledundertheyellow-orangesunlightoflateafternoon.
“Isthisreal?”shewhispered,afraidhe’dcreatedanillusioninsidehermind,onesodetailedshecouldevenfeelthesalt-lacedwindagainstherlips.
“Painisthebestindicatorofwhethersomethingisanillusionorreality.”
Sherecognizedthewordsfromachildhoodlesson,onetaughttoallPsychildren.
Reachingup,shepinchedthesensitivefleshatthebackofherarm,winced.Thenshesmiledand,turning,kickedoffhershoestocurlherfeetintothesun-warmedgrainsthatweren’ttrulyblackatall,butanamalgamofcolorsthatshimmeredinthelight.
Sheknewthiswasn’tfreedom,notwhenKalebstoodbythenearestdune,silentandwatchful,buttoagirlwho’dcometowomanhoodinacage,itwasenoughforthissunshine-drenchedinstant.Shewouldenjoythebeautifulnowandworryaboutthefutureafterdrinkingofhappiness.
Runningforward,shespreadherarmsandspunaroundincircles,theskyashatteringblueoverhead,thesun’scaresslanguidagainstherskin,thesandsugar-finebetweenhertoes.Shelaughedandlaughed,andwhenshewasfinallytoodizzytospinanymore,shecollapsedontheheatedsoftnessofthesandtoseethatKalebhadtakenaseatatthefootofadune,hisarmsbracedlooselyonhisknees,hisno-doubtexpensivesuitutterlyoutofplaceinthiswildernessuntouchedbythehandofman.
Andyet…hefit.
Itwasnothingshecould’veeverpredicted,butKalebKrychekfithereinthiswildplace,wheretheseaheldthepromiseoffuryeveninthecalmandthewindstrokedpossessivelythroughthegrasses,tuggingatherhair,hisown.Heappearedasmuchapartofthelandscapeasthedunesandthewater…andasisolated,asalone.
Frowningwhensherealizedhereyeswerelingeringonhim,herthoughtsoncemorecirclingbacktohercaptor,shegotupandstartedtowalktowardthecliffsinthedistance.Theystayedremotethoughshemust’vewalkedforanhour,butthepeaceofthewater,thelapofthewaves,thesaltinhereverybreath,itwasbettertherapythananyinvasivePsy-Medexam.
Shestoppedonlywhenherbodyprotestedtheunaccustomedlevelofexercise.Lookingback,shecouldseeKalebwaitingwithapatiencethatsomehowdidnothingtomutethepowerofhim,butsheknewshecouldn’tmakeitbacktohim,herbodyalmostatitslimit.Herheart,however,wasn’tyetfullenough,herskinstillsoakinginthisdramatic,hauntingpartoftheworldfarfromthemorningskiesofMoscow.
Tuckingbackaflyawaystrandofhair,shesatdownonthesand,herarmsaroundherkneesinanechoofKaleb’sposition,hermindinturnsfrustratedandfascinatedbytheenigmaofhim.Therewassomethingnotquiterightaboutthiscaptivity,somethingnotquiterightaboutKaleb’sbehavior.She’dbeenimprisonedforoversevenyears,knewthedifferencebetweenacageand…whateverthiswas.
“Youbelongtome.”
Anunambiguousstatementofownershipthattoldherhe’dcomeafterherifsheattemptedtoescape.Yetsofar,he’dgivenhereveryotherthingshe’drequested.Itcouldbeacleverploymeanttocauseexactlytheconfusionthathadhersooffbalance,butthatdidn’texplainwhyherownmindwassplitintwoonthesubjectofKalebKrychek.
Evennow,shefoughtthewrenchingneedtogotohim,touchherskintohis.
Solong,ithadbeensolong.
Accessingthetelepathicchannelbetweenthem,achannelthathadbeenopenonhisendsincehe’dfoundher,shestretchedoutahandintothedarkness.Wouldyouliketositwithme?Itdisturbedhertoseehimsoalone.
Hewasseatedbesideherasecondlater,hiseyesontheheavierwavesrollingintoshoreasthetidebegantocomein,thefoamkissingthesandameterinfrontoftheirfeet.“Youlikethesea.”
“Ialwayshave,”shesaid,abletofeeltheheatofhisbiggerbodyinspiteoftheinchesthatseparatedthem.“WhenIwasfirstputinacell,Iusedtoimaginethemotionandthebreadthoftheseatokeepmyselfcalm.”
Kaleb’seyesonherprofile,potentasatouch.“Youremembereverythingabouttheyearsyouwereheldcaptive?”
“No,”shewhispered,refusingtoturn,uncertainshecouldresisttheneedthatdrewhertohim,“therearegaps.”Almost,shetoldhimabouttheirreversibledamagedonebeforethelabyrinth,whenshehadn’tunderstoodthecostdemandedbyherability.
“Andbefore?”heasked.“Doyourecallthefirstsixteenyearsofyourlife?”
“Notallofit.”However,shehadthesensethatthosemissingpiecesweren’tpermanent.“I’llrememberwhenI’mread—”ShebrokeoffasKalebrosetohisfeetwithoutwarning,reachingdowntopullherupatthesametime.
Theywerebackontheterracebeforeshecoulddomorethantakeabreath.Gasping,sheswayed,would’vestumbledifhehadn’tsteadiedher.“Kaleb?Whatisit?”sheasked,grippingathisupperarms.
Buthewasalreadygone,leavingherholdingontoair.
Chapter10
KALEBFOUNDHIMSELFsurroundedbychaos,screamsshatteringtheearlymorninghushinCopenhagen.Therescueworkerswho’dalreadymadeittothesceneshoutedforpeopletoclearthearea,theirDanishrapid,firecrewsrushingtostifletheflames.However,nooneapproachedKalebwherehestoodinfrontoftheapartmentbuildingthathadcollapsedinononesidefromtheforceoftheexplosivedevice,cloudsofdustlingeringintheairasflamesblewoutwindowstoshowerbystanderswithsplintersthatslicedandcut.
Thebuildingwasanordinaryone,filledwithordinarypeople—butforonething.Itwas—hadbeen?—hometoascholarworkingonathesisthatchallengedtheAdelajas’originaltheoriesandproofsonthevalueofSilence.Thescholar’sfocushadbeenonthewell-disguiseddisappearanceoftheAdelajas’twinsons,knownasthe“firsts,”onwhichthecouplehadbasedtheirentiretheorythatconditioningemotionoutofthePsywouldsavethemfromtheinsanityandviolencethatthreatenedtodestroytheirrace.
KalebknewthatbecausetheNetMindandDarkMindtoldhimeverythingthatmightimpacttheNet—asthey’dtoldhimofthisexplosion—butifthiswasaPurePsyattack,thenthefanaticalgrouphadfarbettersourcesofinformation,andmorepowerfulsympathizers,thanhe’dguessed.
“Help!Please!”
Glancinguptolocatethesourceofthethinscream,repeatedinDanishandagaininEnglish,hesawawomanwithaninfantcradledagainstherchestinoneoftheseventh-floorroomsthathadn’tcollapsedintheinitialblast.Judgingfromthethickgraysmokespiralingaroundher,heknewsheandthechildwouldbedeadinminutes.
Ittooknothoughttoteleportuptobringmotherandchildtosafety,thewoman’scoughingdrawingtheattentionofthemedics,thoughitwasthechildshethrustatthemwithfranticcries.Wrappingbothsurvivorsinablanket,themedicsbegantochecktheirdistressedpatientsforsmokeinhalation.
“I’lltakethisside,”hesaidtotheteleporterwho’darrivedasecondbeforeinresponsetoKaleb’sdirectrequestthattheArrowsrenderassistance.“Therearepeopletrappedinroomswecan’tseefromhere.”
Vasicnoddedanddisappearedtothebackofthebuilding.Hispartner,Aden,wasalreadyorganizingtheparamedics,includingArrowmedics,withmilitaryprecision.Itwasthefirsttimeinlivingmemorythatthelethalsquadofassassins,theirblackuniformsmarkingthemassomeoftheNet’smostdangerousmenandwomen,hadsopubliclysteppedintoofferhumanitarianassistance.
LeavingAdentomanagethemanpowersothattherightpeoplewerehandlingtherighttasks,Kalebzeroedinonthenexttrappedsurvivor.Aslongashehadaviablevisuallock,hecouldgettothem.
***
UNSETTLEDbyKaleb’ssuddendeparture,Saharadecidedtowalkthroughthehousewhileshegotherthoughtsinorder.Assheknewwellbynow,itwasn’tthespartancubepeoplemightexpectofacardinalTk.Instead,itflowedfromleveltolevel,eachdividedfromtheotherbyasinglewidestep,withthelowestfeaturingasmallinternalkoipondfilledwithbrightorangefishandsurroundedbyfoliagethatthrivedinthewarmthcreatedbymultipleskylightsthatoccasionallyopenedtoletinthecooleroutsideair.Thetemperatureintheponditself,sherealizedtoday,wasregulatedbyaseparatesystem,toensureitremainedcomfortableforitsinhabitants.
Itmadehersohappy,thatpond,hereyesspillingoverwithemotion.“Sillygirl,”shewhispered,wipingawaythetearstokneelbesidethejaggedstonethatborderedthewater,emotionthickinherheart.
Thisplace…thisentirehome,itfeltsofamiliar,sosafe.
Itwasalong,peacefultimelaterthatshecontinuedherwalkthroughtheairy,light-drenchedroomsandwidehallways.Yet,regardlessofitsgeneroususeofspace,thehousewasn’tsobigthatitfeltimpersonal.No,itwasahome,withahundredtinydetailsthatdenotedthoughthadbeenputintothedesign,witheveryroombutforalimitedfewhavingwidefloor-to-ceilingwindows.
Thewindowsontheleveljustupfromthepondhadbeencoatedinsomethingtoprotectthebooksthatlinedtheshelves,hundredsofpreciousvolumessittingneatlyinalphabeticalorder.Thebentspinesandworncoverstoldherthebookshadbeenread—orused.Manyofthemwerenonfiction,thesubjectsaseclecticasthoseinKaleb’sstudy.
Abeautifulroom,therugonthefloorrubyredandcreamywhite,thechairscomfortable…andyetitfeltunfinished.SheknewinherbonesthatwhileKalebmightusethebooks,heneversatinhere.Ashedidn’tsitinthebreakfastarea,orusethelivingroom.Hemightsleepinhisbed,buthisstudywasthesingleroominthehousethatseemedtobearanyimprintoftheintelligent,lethal,fascinatingmanwhowashercaptor.
Takingthewidestepuptothenextlevel,shelookedoutthroughthewindowstoseeahauntingvistaofemptygrasslands.“Asbeautifulanddangerousandlonelyasyou,”shewhispered,hermindfilledwiththeimageofKalebagainstthebackdropofthedunes.
Skinsuddenlychilled,shewrappedherarmsaroundherselfandreturnedtothesunshineontheterrace.Itwasanautomaticacttocheckthenewssitesonherorganizer,hermindracingtofillinthegapsaboutthispresentthattoherwasanunknownfuture.
BREAKINGNEWS!BombBlastinCopenhagen—CasualtiesRising
Immediatelysearchingforlivecoverage,sheclickedonacommfeedfrontedbyahumanreporter,sadnessandshockintertwininginsideheratthecarnagevisiblebehindtheponytailedblonde:brokenbricks,fallentimbers,thickblacksmokefromwhatmustbeasecondaryfire,dirtyandbleedingvictimssittingshell-shockedontheroad,medicalblanketsaroundtheirshoulders.
“…amazing!I’veneverseenanythinglikeit!”
Thereporter’sinappropriateexcitementhadSaharafrowning…justasKalebappearedinfrontofamedicalvanwithachildinhisarms,hisshirtcoveredwithsoot,streaksofblackonhisface.Hewasgoneasecondlater,thescreamingtoddlersafelypassedtoaparamedic.
“Asmostofyouwillrecognize,thatwasCouncilorKalebKrychek,”thereportersaidoutofframeashercameramanscannedforthenextteleport.“He,withthehelpofanumberofunnamedTksdressedinwhatappeartobeblackcombatuniforms,hasensuredthatthecostofthistragicandunprovokedactofviolencewillremainlimitedtothosewhodiedintheinitialblast.”
Thecamerazoomedinonthesideofthebuildingthathadcollapsed.“AccordingtounconfirmedreportscomingoutofAustralia,”thereportercontinued,“thisisthesecondtimeinthepasttwoweeksthatCouncilorKrychekhasbeeninvolvedinamajorrescue.”
Thecamerahaltedontheseatedformofawomanwrappedinablanket,afieldbandageonherrighthand.“Ma’am”—soft,sensitive—“youwererescuedbytheCouncilor,wereyounot?”
“Yes.”Saharacaughtthetremblingofthewoman’sfingersbeforeshehidbothhandsintheblanket.“I’dbedeadnowifnotforhim.”
“YouarePsy,butdidyouhaveanyreasontohopefortelekineticassistance,particularlyfromCouncilorKrychekhimself?”
Tuggingtheblanketmoretightlyaroundherself,thewomanshookherhead.“Councilorsdon’twastetheirtimeonsuch‘small’incidents…buthedid,andIdon’tthinkanyoneinthiscitywilleverforgetit.”
Saharafroze.
WhatKalebhaddonetoday,actionsthathadthereporterhailinghimasahero,didn’tlineupwitheitherhisreputationorhisunmistakablelustforpower—unlesshewasruthlessenoughtohaveplannedtheentireexercise.
No,no,no.
Ignoringtheshakenvoiceinhermind,shescannedmorereports,sawthatPurePsyhadclaimedresponsibilityfortheattack,butthatknowledgedidnothingtomelttheiceinherveins.
WhatbetterpartnerforamanwidelybelievedtobeaimingforatotaltakeoveroftheNetthanagroupwhoseeveryactionledtofurthercracksinthestructureofPsysociety?Cracksthatleftplentyofroomfora“hero”tostepinandcleanupthemess.
Asfortheliveslost,they’dbewrittenoffascollateraldamage.
***
KALEBreturnedhomewithoutspeakingtothenewsmedia.Itwasn’tnecessary—heknewwordofhisactionshadgoneviralacrosstheworld,theimagesofhimwithsurvivoraftersurvivorinhisarmsfarmorepowerfulthananythinghecould’vesaid.Unbuttoninghisshirtashewalkeddownthecorridortohisbedroom,heenteredtofindSaharasittingontheedgeofhisbed.
Shejerkeduptoherfeet,hereyesgoingtohischest,backup,coloronhercheekbones.“I’msorry,Ididn’tthink.Iwaswaitingforyou.”
Thelatterwordswereapunchtothesolarplexus,anechoacrosstime,buttastingthefearbeneathherembarrassment,hekepthisdistance.“WecanspeakafterIshower.”Smokeandgritcoatedhiseverybreath.
Thecoloronhercheeksstillhot,shesaid,“Ofcourse,”andslippedout.
Closingthedoor,hestrippedandsteppedunderthepoundingsprayoftheshowertowashoffthescentofsmokeandflamethatseemedembeddedinhisverycells.Thebombhadbeenexpertlyplacedtodomaximumdamage,theresultingfireabonusforPurePsy.Atleastahundredandfiveconfirmeddead,withfifty-sevenunaccountedfor.
Chancesweregoodthatapercentageofthemissinghadalreadyleftforworkandwouldgetintouchwiththeauthoritiesasthenewsspread,buttherewasalsoahighchancethatthere’dbeenpeopleinsidewhoweren’tonthebuildingmanifest.Untiltheforensicteamswereabletogetintoscourthebuildingforvictims,thefinaldeathtollcouldnotbepredictedwithanycertainty.
Scrubbingathisbodyandhairuntilthewaterranclear,hegotout,driedhimselfoff.Itwasashewasabouttoputonasuitinpreparationforthemeetingshe’dhadSilverpostponethatherememberedthewaySahara’sgazehadfixedonhisbarechest,herbreathhitchingasherskinheated.
Heknewhehadaphysicallyattractivebody—changelingandhumanfemaleshadmadethatclearwiththesilentinvitationstheysenthimonaregularbasis.Noneofthemeverapproached,realizingwhoandwhathewas,buthe’dknownthatshouldhedecidetoacceptoneofthoseinvitations,hewouldn’theartheword“no.”Hisverycoldnessseemedalureforcertainwomen,andthoughhehadpausedtoconsideriftheywouldscreaminterrorwhenfacedwiththerealityofhim,hehadnevertestedthetheory.
Tohim,hisbodywasatool,andthewomenwho’dsenttheinvitationshadnothingtoofferhimthatwould’vemadeitworthhiswhiletoputthattooltointimateuse.Saharawasn’toneofthosenamelesswomenwithaheatintheireyesthatremindedhimofthefeverinSantanoEnrique’satthemomentofthekill.Giventhatlinktobloodandtorture,Kalebwasn’tcertainhewouldn’thavesnappedthewomen’sfragileneckshadheacceptedtheirinvitations.
Thatwasn’tevergoingtobeanissuewithSahara.Shefellintoauniquecategoryofherown.More,heneededhertobondwithhim.Andregardlessofthefactthatphysicalcontactcausedhimacutediscomfort,andsexwouldrequirehimtopushhimselfinsideSahara’sbody,theprimalactwasknowntocreateabondfarstrongerthananychain.Asifthesweatandheatofsexmeldedthecoupletogether.
Hishandflexed,clenched,hisbodyhardeninginresponsetoimageshewasn’tconsciouslyawareofforming.Itwasaproblematicdevelopment.Whilehisbodywasinprimecondition,thefactwas,heshouldn’thaveresponded—thathe’ddonesowithsuchfaintprovocationspoketodeepissueswithhiscontrolthathe’dhavetofixbeforehelaidhandsonSahara.
Asitwas,anysuchthoughtswerepremature.Saharawasn’tyetatapointwherehecouldinitiatethemostintimatelevelofphysicalbonding.Fornow,he’duseherattractiontohisbodytokeepheroffbalance,allowittoeatintothefearthatcoloredhereyeswhenevershelookedathim…afearthatmadehisTkwrenchatthereins,readytobreakfreeanddestroyeverythingaroundthem.
Discardingtheshirthe’dpickedup,hepulledononlyapairofthelightweightblackpantsheworewhilerunning,hisupperbodybare.Hiseyecaughtonthemarkonhisleftforearmashethrewthetowelovertherailinginthebathroom.ThoughSaharahadseenitmultipletimesbynow,shehadn’taskedaboutit.
Shewould.Itwasinevitable.
Asinevitableaswhathadtakenplacesevenyearsago,whathehaddone.Aboywhogrewupwithamonsterhadnochoicebuttobecomeanothermonsterjusttosurvive.Redemptionwasanimpossibility,amiragefleckedwithblood.
Saharaknewthatbetterthananyotherpersonontheplanet.
***
SAHARAmadeittothekitchenbeforecollapsingagainstoneofthewallsforalong,shudderingminute,herheartinherthroat.She’dgonetoKaleb’sroomwithsomevagueideaofconfrontinghimwithhersuspicionsabouthisinvolvementwithPurePsywhilehewastired,hisguardpresumablylowered.
Thenhe’dwalkedinandherneuronshadgonehaywire.Thesightofhimwithhisshirtunbuttonedtothewaisthadbeenanelectrickisstoherbody,aphysicalresponsesodeep,itwasasifithadhadyearstotakeshape,notsimplyamatterofdays.Andwhilethesightofhismuscledchestandabdomenhaddriedupherthroat,madeherskinburn,itwastheintimacyimpliedbyseeinghimhalf-dressedthathadherheartstutteringinthemosterraticofrhythms.
Fistingherhandagainstherstomachinavainattempttocontrolthestrangeflutteringsensationwithin,sheforcedherselftomoveandpreparethenutrientdrinkhepreferred,aswellasacupofhotchocolateforherself.Thesweetdrinkhadrapidlybecomesomethingsheassociatedwithcare,withsafety.
ThefactthatKalebhadgivenittoherthefirsttimewasn’tlostonher.
Afterasecond’sthought,shemadeseveralsandwichesusingahigh-caloriespreadshefoundinthecooler,andputtheplateonthetable,alongwithfourbarsofdarkchocolate.AlloftheitemsweredesignedspecificallyforPsy,thetastesmuted,andwouldhelpKalebrefuelhisbodyafterthemassiveamountofenergyhe’djustexpended.
Thetaskwascompletealltoosoon,leavinghergrapplingwiththesameclawingdesirethathadgrippedherbythethroatinthebedroom.“I’munsteady,”shewhispered,herskinachingwithasenseofacuteanticipation.“Myjudgmentisimpaired.IwassixteenwhenIwascaptured.”
“Averymaturesixteen,”saidafamiliarmasculinevoicefromthedoorway.“Youmadeameal.Thankyou.”
Shecouldn’tlookawayfromhim,hisskinasungoldthatbeliedthecoollackofexpressiononhisface.Ifhe’dkepthisdistance,shemighthaveresistedthetemptationthathadbeenridinghersincethebedroom…buthecrossedovertoher,didn’tsayawordwhensheranherfingersoverthetensilewarmthofhim,hernipplestightpointsagainstthethinfabricofhersleevelesslilacshirt.
Hisownhandwasbig,warmagainsthercheekashecuppedherjaw.“Don’tbeafraidofme,Sahara.”Bendinghishead,hespokewithhislipsagainsthers,thecontactignitingathousandtinylightningstrikesinherblood.“I’dlinethestreetswithbodiesbeforeI’deverhurtyou.”
Chapter11
I’DLINETHEstreetswithbodiesbeforeI’deverhurtyou.
Theviolenceofhispromisetoreapartthemistycloudaroundhermind,madeherawareofhowintimatelyshe’dpressedherselfagainsthim,hisbodypushingintoherabdomeninawaythatscreamedofbrokenconditioning.Buthiseyes,thosecardinaleyes,theywerewatchful,calculating.
Jerkingaway,shestumbledintoaseatatthetable.“What’shappening?”Thewhisperedquestionwasforherself,heractionsinexplicabletoherrationalmind.This,afterall,wasthemanshesuspectedofbeingunconscionableenoughtoparticipateinaplottocommitmassmurderinordertogainastrangleholdonpower.Andyet,evennow,shehungeredtogotohim,totouch,tocaress,toholdandbeheld.
Kalebbracedhimselfagainstthetablewithonehand,reachingoutwiththeotherasiftotuckherhairbehindherears.Haltingwhensheflinched,hesaid,“Thedoorisalwaysopen,”hisvoicecausingthetinyhairsathernapetoriseinacombinationofcrushingneed,confusion,andfear.
Watchinghimashewenttotakeaseatontheothersideofthetable,hiseverymovementimbuedwiththelethaleleganceofamanwhohelddeathinthepalmofhishand,shesuddenlyrememberedwhathe’dsaidbeforethemadnessthatwashercravingforhimhadclawedthroughhersenses.“Howdoyouknow,”sheasked,voicehuskywiththedesirethatevennowlingeredjustbelowthesurfaceofherskin,“thatIwasamaturesixteen-year-old?”
Aslightpausethatcouldbeexplainedbythefacthe’djusttakenabiteofoneofthesandwichesshe’dprepared.“YourPsy-Medreports,”hesaidafterswallowing,“indicateyouwereatalevelofpsychologicaldevelopmentclosertothatofayoungwomanthanagirl.”
Cuppingherhandsaroundthemugofhotchocolate,thoughherpalmscriedoutforlivingheat,shesaid,“You’relyingtome,”socertainithurt.
“Iwouldneverlietoyou.”Eyesofstarlessnightlockedwithherown.
Breathcatching,sheheldthatcardinalgazesobrutalwithpowershecouldn’timaginehowheremainedsane.“Thenyou’renottellingmethewholetruth.”
Noanswer,hisfacewithoutexpression,asculpturegildedgoldbythesunlight.
“Howaboutyou?”Shesippedatherhotchocolateinavainefforttowarmtheincreasingcoldwithin,herbodyachingwithadeepsenseoflossforwhichshehadnoname.“Wereyoueverachild?”Everwithouttheviciousrestraintthatturnedhimintoamanoficeevenashisbodyburned?
“Ofcourse.”Atonelessresponse.
Onethatdidn’tanswerthequestion.“YouknowwhatImean.”
Hedrankhalfofthenutrientdrink,ateanothersandwichbeforespeakingagain.“Childhoodisanimpossibilitywhenyouhavethepotentialtokillanyoneinyourpath.”
Theunvarnishedhonestyofhiswordshadherhaltingwithhermughalfwaytohermouth,herheartadrumbeat,asudden“push”atthebackofhermind—asifsomethingimportantwasstrugglingtobreakfree.“WhendidSantanoEnrique…takeyou?”sheasked,anditwasn’tthequestionshe’dmeanttoask,hersubconsciousseizingthereinsfromhergrasp.
“Ifirstremembermeetinghimatthree.”Nothinginhisvoiceorfacegaveanyhintthathewasdisturbedatdiscussingthemurderouspsychopathwho’dbeenhistrainer.“ThatwaswhenIwasplacedinafacilitymeantforpotentiallydangerouschildren;mostwereearmarkedfortheArrowSquad.”
SaharahadseensomethingabouttheArrowsontheconspiracysite.“They’reacovertunitofhighlytrainedsoldiersandassassins?”Athisnod,shesaid,“IreadthattheywereformedattheinceptionofSilence,andthattheircentralaimisthecontinuanceoftheProtocol.”
TobeanArrow,ithadbeenstated,istobeSilent.Thesquadiscomposedofmenandwomenwiththemostviolentanddangerouspsychicabilitiesontheplanet,psychicabilitiesthatcannotbepermittedtoslipoutoftheirconsciouscontrol.
“TheArrowskeeptheirowncounsel,”Kalebsaidinresponsetoherquestion,“buttherearesignsthey’rereassessingtheirgoalsinlightofthecurrentsituationintheNet.”
Evenwithhermemoriesinfragmentsandherknowledgeoftheworldyetshallow,SaharaunderstoodthatKalebandtheArrowshadtobelinkedinsomeform.TherewasnowaythemostpowerfulcardinalTkintheworldwouldn’thavecometotheattentionofthesquad—andviceversa—particularlygivenhischildhood.“Yougrewupwiththem.”
Tohersurprise,Kalebshookhishead.“Ionlyspentfouryearsinthefacility.SantanomovedmetoaseparatelocationwhenIturnedsevenanditbecamecleartheferocityofmyabilitiesmademeathreattothesafetyoftheotherchildren.”
Thatmadenosense—allofthosechildrenhadtohavebeendangerous.Andyetthemonsterhadtakenonlyone…bringingKaleb,aloneandvulnerable,intoanightmare.Horrorchokingupherthroat,sheclutchedatstraws.“Yourparents—theycamewithyou?”Psydidnotabandontheiryoung,forchildrenwereageneticlegacy.
“IneversawthemafterIwasplacedintheArrowfacility.”Blackiceineveryword.“Theywereunequippedtocopewithacardinaloffspringandwerehandsomelycompensatedforrenouncinganyfutureclaimonme.Itwould’vemadenofinancialsenseforSantanototrainmeifhedidn’thaveownershipofmyskills.”
Herheartweptforhim,thisdangerousmanwho’doncebeenasmallboy.Ifhewasamonsternow,thentheseedshadbeensowninhischildhood—nochildshouldhavetogrowupknowinghe’dbeensoldbecausehewastoomuchtroubletohandle.Hemust’vebeensoscaredtobeleftbehindatthefacility,soconfused,beforethecoldtruthwashammeredintohimbyinstructorswhohadnoreasontobekind.
Tobeawaresoyoungthathewasunwanted,togrowupwithnoonewhowashisown,eveninthecoldwayoftheirrace…thescarswould’vebeenbrutal.BecausewhilelovewasanathemainthePsyNet,family—orattheveryleast—geneticloyaltywaspartofthebedrockoftheirrace.
Swallowingherfeelings,knowingtheywouldnotbewelcome,shesaid,“Whyaren’tyouanArrow?”Thewordscameoutunexpectedlytaut,untilsherealizedshe’dstoppedbreathingundertheintensityoftheeyecontactshecouldn’tremembermakingandyetthatheldhercaptive.
“Santanohadotherplansforme.”Withthatflatstatement,heatehiswaythroughthelastsandwichwiththemethodicalpaceofamanforwhomtastemeantnothing,foodonlyasourceoffuel;thenheunwrappedachocolatebar.“Whydon’tyouask?”
“What?”Ittookefforttokeephervoiceevenwhenaslow-burningfuryragedwithinherveins,herangerdirectedatthepeoplewhohadbroughtastrong,giftedchildintothisworld,thenabdicatedallresponsibilityforhim.
“ExactlyhowmuchofaprotégéIwastomytrainer.”
Frostdiggingintoherheart,jaggedandbrittle.“BecauseI’mnotreadyfortheanswer.”Shemightsuspecthimofthemostterriblecrimes,butifheadmittedtohelpingthedeadCouncilortorturethenmurderhisvictims,itmightsnapthefragileclawholdshehadonreality.
Kaleb’sexpressiondidn’talter,andyetshehadthehauntingsenseshe’dgiventhewronganswer,thatshe’dhurthiminsomeinexplicableway.Anothersignofthemadnessthathadherbodyachingforhisnomatterwhathemight’vedone,howmanymorallineshemighthavecrossed,howmuchbloodhehadonhishands.
Flexingherownhandonthetableuntilherfingertipsbrushedhis,hereyesseeingheractionsbuthermindrepudiatingherorderstowithdraw,shewhispered,“Whyareyouholdingme?”
Closinghishandoverhers,thetannedskinofhisshoulderswarminthesunlightpouringthroughthewindow,hesaid,“Becauseyoubelongtome.”
Sheshiveredatthedarkpossessioninthewords,inthoseeyesofobsidian.“AsthosechangelingwomenbelongedtoEnrique?”Thewordsspilledout,bloodyraininthesunshine.
Shiftinghisholdtocupherhand,liftherpalmtohislips,hepressedakisstothecenterthatmadeherwombclench.“No.”Ahardanswer,allrazor-sharpedges.“Theynevergavethemselvestohim.”
Herbreathcaught.“DidI?”Curlingherfingersintoherpalm,shepulledbackherhand.“Givemyselftoyou?”She’dbeensixteen,herconditioningneverquiteright,buttheideathatshe’dbrokenthebiggesttabooofherraceandsharedherbodywithhimhadeverythinginherrespondinginaviolentnegative.
Yetthewaysheburnedforhim,itspokeofanattractionthathadhadyearstoferment,tocometomaturity.Attwenty-twotohersixteen,powerfulanddangerous,hewould’vebeenshockinglyattractivetohersenses…ashewasnow.Theideaofthosestronghandsonherflesh,possessiveandcaressing,itmadeperspirationglimmeronherskin,evenassheacceptedthatshouldhehavetakenadvantageofateenagegirl,itwouldbeanunforgivableactoftrespass.
“I,”hesaid,risingtomovearoundandcuphercheekwithhishandashehadatthestart,“amavirgin.”
Ofeverythinghecould’vesaid,thatwastheleastexpected.Throatdry,sheshookherhead.“Thatdoesn’tanswerthequestionIasked.”Didn’ttellherwhohewastoher,whohe’dbeen…ifhe’dbeenanythingatall.Thisrawattractioncouldwellbenothingbutacopingmechanismformulatedbyherfracturedpsyche,somethingKalebwassmartenoughtousetohisadvantage.NoonebecameaCounciloratagetwenty-sevenwithouthavingapiercinglevelofintelligence.He’dusehersusceptibilitytohisbodyasruthlesslyashe’duseanyotheradvantage,thephysicalcontacthepermittedapttobeacalculatedploy.
“WhateverItellyou,”hesaid,rubbinghisthumboverherlowerlipbeforereleasingher,“you’lldisbelieve.Youdon’ttrustme.”Withthatbluntcomment,heheadedforthedoor.“Ihavetofinalizesomedocuments,butwecangoforawalklaterifyoufeelrestedfromthismorning.”
Startledbytheabruptchangeinthesituation,shenodded,hereyeslingeringonthemuscledsweepofhisbackasheleftwithoutfurtherwords.“This,”shewhispereddesperatelytoherself,“isapredictablepsychologicalresponsetothefactheholdsmeinhispower.”Hermind,however,flatlyrejectedthathypothesis.Asproof,itofferedmemoriesfromthestartofheroriginalcaptivity,whenshe’dstillbeeninasmallsuiteofroomsratherthanacell.
She’dhadonemainguardthosefirstmonths.He’dneverharmedherinanyway,madesureshehadextrablankets,readingmaterial,educationalgamestoensureherminddidn’tstagnate—thoughithadbeendulledbythedrugstheyputinherfood.Tallandblond,withaquilinefeaturesandsharpgreeneyes,he’dbeenclassicallyhandsomeand,atnineteen,onlythreeyearshersenior.
He’dnodoubtbeenchosenbecauseofhisprojectedappealtoascaredteenagegirlwithsuspectconditioning,butnever,notonce,hadsheforgottenthathewasherjailer,hisaimtokeephercontentinherprettycage.Shecertainlyhadn’tcravedhistouch,hadinfactactivelyavoidedevenaccidentalcontact.Inhelpingtostealherfreedom,he’dnegatedeveryotheractofapparentkindness.
NoneofthatseemedtomatterwithKaleb.
Herbodyached,hersensesdrinkinginthelingeringfreshnessofhisaftershaveuntilitwasallshecouldscent,untiltheneedtogotoKaleb,thisstrangerwrappedindarknessandpaintedbloodred,wasastrangleholdaroundherthroat.Allshewantedtodowasstripherselftotheskinandwrapherselfaroundhimsoclosethatnothingcouldeverseparatethemagain.
Mad,shethought,faceflushing,I’mtrulygoingmad.
Shiversaftertheheat,arushoftearsburningthebacksofhereyes,astaccatoheartbeatthatwasinhermouth,inherears,aroaringrush.BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!Theworldbegantocrumbleattheedgesundertherageofsound,thewallsliquefyingintopoolsofgleamingwhite,theflooradazzlingkaleidoscope.
Stumblingoutofthechair,herbalancelostinthetremblingmiragethatwastheworld,shebangedintothecounterinherattempttogettothedoor,toescapetheinsanityeatingawayathersenses.“Ineedtobreathe.”Herthroatwasstrangling,theairtoothicktodrawintoherlungs.
Thedoorshiftedjustasshereachedit,breakingintopiecessplatteredwithstickyred.Andsuddenly,hermindwasfilledwiththescentofiron,hotandrich,athinfemininescreamechoinginherearsasamanwithcardinaleyesslicedabladeintoherflesh,thebloodwellingoverthesidesofthewoundtorundownherbruisedandtornskininariverofwarmththatmadehimlaugh.
Andlaugh.
Chapter12
STOP!YOU’REHURTINGme!Stop!
Thescared,pain-drenchedwordscrashedintoKaleb’smindinwhathadtobeanunconscioustelepathiccry.Cuttingoffhisaudio-onlydiscussionwithbrutalabruptness,hismentalstatetoounsteadyforateleport,heranintothekitchentoseeSaharaclawingatthedoor,herhairhangingaroundherdown-bentfaceandherfingersbloody,herfingernailsbrokenandtorn.
No!
“Sahara.”Grippinghershoulders,heturnedheraroundtofacehim,thecontactinitiatingthesamedangerousresponseithadearlier;hisTkshovedathisskin,wantingtopunchout,tobreakandshatterandsavage.Ashehadthen,hechokeditintovicioussubmission.“Lookatme.”
Sheflinchedatthecoldcommand,hereyeswild,skittering.Thoseofatrappedcreature.Hisbreathingaccelerated,hisbloodboilingunderhisskinashismindcloudedinawaythatcouldbelethal.Shiftinghisgriptoherrightwrist,hepulledhernow-rigidformtothealarmpanelbesidethedoor.
Whileshestoodmuteandbarelybreathingbesidehim,heinputthevoicecode,thenliftedherhandtoplaceherpalmonthescanner.“SaharaKyriakus,fullandunrestrictedauthorization.”
Aquerypoppeduponthesmallscreenbelowthepalmplate.AuthorizationtoincludeKrychekpropertiesoutsidecurrentlocation?
“Yes.”Neveragainwouldshebelockedinacage.
Thecomputronicshummed,agreenglowlightingupthepanelasSahara’spalmwasscanned.Authorizationsuccessful,scrolledthemessageasecondlater.
Droppingherhand,hepushedopenthedoor.Sheremainedwherehe’dlefther,thatpanicked,trappedexpressionslowlyreplacedbyoneherecognizedasfear.Scanningtheareaforathreat,hesawonlyemptyfieldsthatsprawledtoadramaticbluehorizon.Hekeptthemthatwaytoensurehisenemieshadnoplacetohide,shouldtheymanagetoskirttheperimetersecurity,buttoheritlikelyseemedanendlessblue-greensea.
Notleavinghersidebutstayingsilenttogivehertimetobecomeusedtothevistafreeofwallsandfences,hewetatowelusinghisTkandusedittowipeoffthebloodfromherhandstorevealshehadn’tdoneasmuchdamageashe’dfirstbelieved.Still,hecoatedthetornandbruisedsectionswithasalvebeforeshiftingintoherlineofsightuntilshecouldnolongeravoidhispresence
“Isawthings,”shewhispered,thedark,darkblueofhereyesdrowninginconfusion,“andnowIcan’tremember.”Hauntingvulnerability,herskintranslucentinthelight.“AmIgoingmad,Kaleb?”
Hecouldguessthememoriesshe’dglimpsed,andfromherresponse,itwasclearhermindwasinnowayreadytohandletheuglytruth.Thrustinghishandsintoherhairtoholdherhead,thecontactarcingthroughhisnerves,hesaid,“No,”histonecoollymatter-of-factbecausesheneededhimtobesaneatthisinstant.“AccordingtoPsy-Medreports,flashbacksandblackoutsarecommonoccurrencesinpatientssufferingfromPTSD.”Forsomeitneverended,thescarstoodeep,buthehadnointentionofsharingthatfactwithSahara.
Takingashudderingbreath,another,sheshiftedhergazetothewide-opendoorway.“Nolocks?”
“None.”He’dmadeanear-fatalerrorinnotdisengagingthemtheinstantshecametofullconsciousness.“You’reanintelligentwoman.Youknowyouputyourselfatriskifyouleavethesecuredperimeter.However,thatperimeterextendsamileineverydirection.”He’dboughtoutallremainingpropertieswithinthatcircumferencesixmonthsago,soonafterdiscoveringSaharawasalive.“You’resafeinsidethatzone.”
Throatmovingassheswallowed,Saharareachedouttofistherhandinthefinecottonoftheshirthe’dputonafterleavingthekitchen.“Whoareyou?”
“Acaretaker,”hesaid,anditwasatruth,ifnoteverything.
Frownlinesonherbrow,herfingersflexingandclenchingagainsthischestinawaythatchallengedhisalreadyunsteadycontrol.“Ofthishouse?”
“Yes.”Itwasananchor,aphysicalsymbolofhissearch,ofher.
“Whoownsit?”
“Youdo.”He’dhaditbuiltaccordingtospecificationsshe’doutlinedatfifteen,watchedoveritalltheyearsofhercaptivity,usinglethalforcetorepelanyonewhomeantitharm.“Welcomehome.”
PSYNETBEACON:BREAKINGNEWS
*Copenhagensituationcontained.Onehundredandfiveconfirmeddead,withnumberexpectedtoriseoncesiteisclearedforexcavationbyforensicteams.
CouncilorKalebKrychek,andateamofunnamedoperativesrumoredtobefromtheArrowSquad,responsibleforninety-fivepercentofrescues.Noneaccessibleforcomment.
Thisfeedwillcontinuetobeupdatedasfurthernewsbecomesavailable.*
PSYNETBEACON:CURRENTEDITION
LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR
Yourrecentop-edpieceabouttherumoreddisintegrationoftheCouncilsinksthishighlyregardednewsbulletintothelevelofahumantabloid.
Suchsensationalismcanonlyleadtoconfusionanddestabilizationatatimewhenitisintegralweremaincalmandrational.
BeassuredIwillbetakingmycomplainttotheNewsMediaOversightCommittee.
R.Vrruti
(Turin)
BravototheBeaconforfinallystatingwhatmanyinthepopulacesuspecttobetrue.IfthePsyNetistosurviveintheabsenceoftheCouncil,anewrulingordermustbeanointed.
PurePsyareclearlysettingthemselvesupasachoice,buttheirmindlessattacksagainsttheanchorsaside,theirrecentlosstothecobbled-upforcesintheCaliforniaregiondoesnotbathetheirmartialabilitiesinacompetentlight.Anditisclearthatinthecurrentclimate,ournewleadershipmustbewillingandcapableofusingforcetoensurethepeaceandSilencesonecessarytooursurvival.
Namewithheldbyrequest
(SiouxFalls)
IftheCouncilisinfactnolongerinexistence,thenwaramongtheformerCouncilorsisnotapossibility,aspertheop-ed,butaninevitability.
AstheyaresomeofthemostpowerfulPsyintheworld,itiscertainthateachwillseektogaincontrolofapieceoftheNet.Civilianswoulddowelltostayoutoftheirway—collateraldamageisapttobeinthehundredsofthousands.
K.Ichikawa
(Fukuoka)
Chapter13
WELCOMEHOME.
“Howcanthisbemyhouse?”Saharawhispered,hotlyconsciousofthemuscledplanesofKaleb’schestbeneathherpalm.“Iwassixteenatthetimeofmykidnapping.”Tellingherselfnottogiveintothecravingthatlivedineverycellofherbody,acravingthathadjustledherintoaterrifyingfallintoblackness,shetookadeepbreath…butdidn’tletgo.Instead,shespreadherpalmoverthecottonofhisshirtand,tippingbackherhead,lookedintothepitch-blackofhisgaze.
“Itwasagift,”wasthefrankyetunfathomableanswer.“Foryournineteenthbirthday.”
Saharahadnoneedtoaskhimwhohadgivenhersuchalovelyhomeasagift,ahomethatseemedtohavebeenpluckedoutofherverythoughts.Herheartahugenessinherchest,shesaid,“Tellme,”awareofavastgulfbeneathherfeet,astormofknowledgethatpushedathermindbutcouldn’tpenetrate.“Tellmeyouaren’tevil.”Please.
Kaleb’sthumbsmovedagainsthertemples.“I’msorry.”
Shakingherheadinamuterefusaltoacceptwhathewastryingtotellher,sheliftedtremblingfingerstohisjaw.“Whathaveyoudone?”
“Toomuchthatcanneverbeundone.”
Cryinginearnestnowforamanshedidn’tknow,andyetwhowasinthemostsecretpartofherheart,shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandheldon,justheldon,allthewhileknowingthathemightalreadyhaveslippedoutofhergrasp.
Hisarmscamearoundher,lockedtight,hisbreathharshagainstherear.“I’msorry,”hesaidagain,voiceroughassandpaperandbodyrigid,asifhe’dclenchedeverymusclehepossessed.
“It’sokay,”shesaidthroughhersobs.“It’sokay.”Cuppinghisnape,shemurmuredthewordsoverandover,havingnoconsciousknowledgeofwhyshedidso—butawareinherbonesthatwhilehemightbethedangerousoneintheroom,rightthisinstant,shewasthestrongone.“It’sokay,Kaleb.I’mhere.”
AndIwon’tletitbetoolate.
Thesilentvowaglowingbrandonherheart,shewasstaringatthewindowoverthebreakfastnookwhenitfractureddiagonallydownthemiddlewithaloudcrack.Theunexpectedsoundnudgedlooseanothermemory,onethathadherstrugglingoutofhishold.“I’mhurtingyou!”
Silence,sherememberedtoolate,wasbuiltonasystemofpunishmentforincorrectbehavior,andwhileherconditioningmighthavebeenshatteredoutofexistence,Kaleblivedwithinit.Forhimtotouchher,holdher,wastolayhimselfopentoanexcruciatingbacklashofpainthathadhimwipingawayadropofbloodfromhisnose,thecolorscarletonthesleeveofhisshirt.
“No,it’s—”Whateveritwashemight’vesaidwaslostastherewasaflickeratthecornerofhereyethatwrenchedhisattentionsideways.
***
KALEBdidn’trecognizethethicklymuscledmanwho’dteleportedintotheroom.
Flingingtheintrudertothewall,hepinnedtheothermantherewithatelekineticgriponhisthroat,sweepingouthisshieldsatthesametimetochokeoffthemale’smindsohecouldn’tsendanytelepathicmessages.Theabilitytostiflecommunicationonthatlevelwasn’tonepossessedbymosttelepaths;Kalebhadlearneditfromamonster.“Identifyyourself.”
Theman’smud-coloredeyeswenttoSahara,bloodbeginningtobubbleoutofhismouthasheclawedattheinvisiblehandthathadcutoffhisairway.WhenKalebturnedhisattentiontoSahara,heglimpsedasickeningfearthathadhertakingatremblingstepbackward,herhandsinbloodlessfistsathersides.“Thismanhurtyou?”
Aswallow,ajerkynod,onehandrubbingabsentlyovertheupperpartofherotherarm.Andheknewthatarmhadbeenbroken.Slammingtheintruder’sheadagainstthewalloncemore,hewalkedovertofinishtheexecutionbymanuallygrippingthemalebytheneckandbeginningtosqueezethelifeoutofhim.Eyesawashwithpanicbeggedforhimtostop,neverrealizingthatsomethingswereunforgivable.
Saharacametosuddenlifebehindhim.“Kaleb,stop.”
ThemanhangingonthewallinfrontofKalebwasnowunconscious,mostofhisbonesshatteredfromthewayKalebhadthrownhimagainstthewall,bloodpouringoutofhisears,hisnose,hismouth.
“Kaleb!”Saharacried,hearinganotherbonesnapinthebodyofthemanwhohadoncetorturedheruntilshe’dgonesodeepintothelabyrinth,she’dfeltnopain,notouch,nothing,thenumbnessabsolute.
ThelookonKaleb’sfacewhenheturnedchilledherblood.Hewasinaplaceofsuchdarkness,ithadnotevenahintoflight.“No,”shewhispered.“No.”Hauntedbythedepthofhisfury,andterrifiedatthepricehe’dpay,shedaredputherhandonhisforearm.
“Go.”Acold,hardcommand.“Getoutofthisroom.”
“Notuntilyoucomewithme.”Shewouldnotabandonhim,absolvingherselfofallresponsibility.
Thedarknessglidedthroughhiseyes,alivingentity.“Suchsoftbonesyouhave,Sahara,soeasytobreak.”
Itwasmeanttoscareher.Itdid.Oh,itdid.“Tellmewhy.Whykillthisman?Whatreasoncouldbegoodenoughforthistorture?”shewhisperedasheallowedtheintrudertorisetoconsciousnessbeforetighteninghisholdagain.
Heraisedahand,andshebarelystoppedherselffromflinching,deadlycertaintheactionwouldpushhimoverthefineedgeonwhichhecurrentlystood.Buthedidn’thurther,hisfingerbreathtakinglygentleashetracedthecurveofhercheekbone.“Thiswasbrokenonce.”
Aflickeringmontageofsnapshots,thehazyyearswhenshe’dbeenpumpedfullofdrugsandputinenvironsdesignedtoshatterherspirit:
—blackness,aroomwithoutlightorair
—beingtreatedwithafalsesolicitousness
—thesoundofbonebreaking,andpain,suchterriblepainwhenshedidn’tretreatintotheheartofthelabyrinthfastenough
—lightsevenbrighterthanthewhiteroomfromwhereKalebhadtakenher
—cruelcoldonhernakedbody
“I…IthinkIremember.”Nomattertheuglinessofthememories,shecouldn’tmoveaway,couldn’tbreakthispainful,intenseconnectionthattiedhertothedeadlyTkwitheyesofobsidian.
Kalebtracedhercheekboneagain.“Heusedabatononyou.”Awhispersosoft,itwasacreationofpurestrage.“Heshatteredyourcheekbone,leftyouunconscious.Thememoryisattheforefrontofhismind.Ionlyhadtopunchthroughthefirstlevelofhisshieldstogettoit.Apityhismindisnowdestroyed,hisothermemoriesshredded.”
Nausearoiledinherstomach,floodedhermouthatthedetachedremotenessofthatlastsentence.“No,”shesaid,theechoesofthepastdulledbythepharmaceuticalsthey’ddosedherwithatthetime,butthenowterrible.“No,Kaleb.Hewasnoone,justaguard.Therewere—”Shecaughtherselfbeforeshemadeahorribleerror.
Thecardinalwithonehandcrushinganotherman’sairwaykepttracinghercheekbonewithhisfreehand.“Others.Therewereothers.They’llalldie,onebyone.”Thenheturned,takingonelookatthelimpmaninhisgrasp,anditended.
Theguard’snecksnapped,hisbodyfallingtothefloor,adiscardedbitoftrash.
Saharafoughttheurgetothrowup,tobackaway.“Why?”sheaskedagain,ashiveringcoldinherchest.“Whytakevengeanceforme?”
Hishanddroppedoffhercheek,hiseyescontinuingtoroilwithasinuousdarknessthatspokeofhiddenplacesofmadnessanddeath.“Hewantedtostealyou.”Andyoubelongtome.
Asharppaininherchestatthedangerouslypossessivetelepathiccoda,thecoldescalatingtoturnherbloodtoice…becauseevenfacedwiththebloody,brokenrealityofwhohewas,shewantedonlytolayherfaceagainstKaleb’schest,wrapherarmsaroundhim,andforgettheworld.Neverhadshefeltassafe,asreal,aswhenshe’dheldontohim,thepeaceinheracontradictorytempestofemotion.Itwasasifhewereherownpersonalmadness.
Swallowingtowetathroatasdryasbone,shetriedtofocusonsomethingpractical,somethingthatdidn’tmakeherquestionhersanity.“Howdidheevenfindme?”
“HisTkwaslikemine;hecouldlockontopeopleaswellasplaces.”Kaleb’stonemadeitclearhe’dtakenthatinformationfromtheguard’sbruisedandbleedingmindbeforethatmindcrumpledunderthepressureofthebrute-forceintrusion.“However,hewasmuchweakerontheGradient,withaseverelylimitedteleportrange.Itmeanshehadhelptrackingyoutothisimmediatearea.”
Teleportinginascanner,hebegantorunitoverherbodybeforeshe’dconnectedthedots.Theslimblackdevicemadeahigh-pitchedbeepingsoundwhenhepasseditoverherlowerback.“Ineedtopushupyourshirt.”
Shegaveashakynodandwaited,skinclammyandpulseoddlymuted,asifherhearingweredamaged,theworldheardthroughawallofwater.
“There’satrackerembeddedunderyourskinhere”—alighttouchtotherightofherspinalcolumnjustbeforeitcurvedintohersweats—“aboutthesizeofagrainofrice.”
“Theytaggedmelikeananimal.”Itcameoutaharshwhisper,thenumbnessthatinsulatedherfromtherealityoftheviolationholdingbyawire-thinfilament.“Likeapieceofproperty.”
“Wait.”Droppinghershirtbackdown,Kalebcontinuedtoscanherbody.
Hefoundfivetrackers.Five.
“Theyaren’tdifficulttoremove.”Blackicecoatedtherageshe’dearlierglimpsed.“Ishould’vecheckedfortrackerswhenIfirstbroughtyouhome.Wecould’vetakenthemoutbeforetheTkwascloseenoughtogetalockonyou.”
“Doitnow,”sheordered,thewatercrashingaroundherinaroarofpainandangerandrevulsion.“Iwantthemoutnow!”Hervoicebroke.“Getthemout!Getth—”
Kalebsqueezedhernape.“I’llhavethemoutinthenextfiveminutes.”
Hisassurancewasenoughforhertoholdontotheshredsofhersanity…becauseKalebneverbrokehispromises.
“Sahara!I’llcomeforyou!Survive!Surviveforme!”
OfcourseitwasKalebwhohadspokenthosewordstoher,madethatvow.Shewasthatimportanttonooneelse.Whythatwastrue,andwhenhe’dmadethepromise,thosewerequestionsshecouldn’tanswer,butatthisinstantitmatterednothing.Notwhen,havingledherintohisbedroom,heplacedhishandonherhairandsaid,“LiedownonyourstomachanddampenyourpainreceptorswhileI’portinasterilemedicalkit.”
Climbingontothebed,shedidasdirected.
“I’musingalaserscalpel,”hesaid,pushinguphershirtagaintomakeafinecutinherflesh.Hishandwaswarmandstrongagainstherskinwherehebracedhimself,hiskneesoneithersideofherbodyashestraddledher.“Youmayfeelthetweezersgoingin.”
Acoldpushthatburned,thennothing.
“Isitout?”sheasked,skincontinuingtocrawlattheideaofwhatshe’dhadinsideherallthistime.
“Yes.”Pressingasmallthin-skinbandageoverthewound,heaskedhertoflipover,thenmovedontothenextone.Placedjustunderherrighthip,itreallyhurtwhenheusedthetweezers,thewhimperescapingherlips.Itwasstrange.Sherememberednever,evercryingwhenthey’dhurthersomuchduringhercaptivity,butherewithKaleb,herlowerliptrembled,hereyesburned.Asifallherdefenseshadfallen.
Kalebpaused,headjerkingup.“Sahara”—awhipinhisvoice—“whyhaven’tyoudoneasIaskedanddampenedyourpainreceptors?”
“Idon’trememberhow,”sheadmitted,fingersflexingandclenchingonthesheets.“I’musedtoretreatingintothelabyrinthtoescapepain.Pleasegetitout.Please,Kaleb.”
“Ihaveit.”Pullingthesecondtrackerloosetohermuffledsob,hetelepathedasetofstep-by-stepinstructionsabouthowtotemporarilynumbherpainreceptors.“Try—Ican’tgiveyouanypainmedicationwithoutitimpactingyourpsychicstate.”
Itwashardtoconcentrate,butshemadeafumblingattempt,managedtolowerthepainafraction.
“I’mnotdestroyingthetrackingdevices,”Kalebsaid,headbentasheconcentratedonmarkingtheexactlocationofthethirdbug,whichhadbeeninsertedunderherrightarmpit—alocationshewould’veneverthoughttocheck.
“Why?”Itmadeherskincrawltothinktheymightremaininthehouse.
“I’mteleportingeachtoadifferenthard-to-reachlocationaroundtheworld.”
Herhorrorabatedunderthecoldreasoningapparentinhisvoice.“That’ssmart,”shesaidashepulledoutthetinypieceoftechnology.“It’llconfusethem.”Focusinghereyesonhischestsoasnottoseewhatheheldinhishand,shemadeaconsciousattempttokeepherbreathingeven.
Thefourthbugwasimplantedbetweentwoofhertoes.Butthefifth…“I’lldoit,”shesaid,gorgerisingattheknowledgethatshe’dbeensothoroughlyviolated.Thatitmust’vebeendonebyamedicalteammadeitnolessrepugnant.
“Youcan’t.It’stoodeepinsideyou.”Puttingdownthemedicaltools,Kalebretrievedthescannerhe’doriginallyusedtodetectthebugs.“IfIcanseeitinenoughdetail,Imaybeabletogetitout.”
Saharabitdownhardonherlowerlipashefocusedthescanneronhernavel…lower.Itwassuchanuglythingthey’ddonetoherthatshecouldn’tquitebringherselftothinkaboutit.Instead,shekeptherattentiononherlethal,enigmaticcaptor,hissilkyblackhairslidingoverhisforeheadashesaid,“Holdthescannerinthisposition.”
Shereacheddownwithoutlookingtodoso.
“Ihaveit.”Kaleb’seyeslockedwithherown,theconnectionpainfullyintimate.“I’llhavetotearitoutthroughyourflesh,butthedamagewillbeminorasit’sembeddedrelativelyclosetothesurfaceoftheskin.It’llhurt.”
“It’sokay,”shesaid,tighteninghergriponthescanner.“I’mready.”
Kaleb’sjawclenchedatthegaspthatescapedher.“It’soutandburiedinsideamountaindeepintheheartofSnowDancerwolfterritory,whereonlytheverystupidwouldattempttotrespass.”
Herskinfeltsuddenlyclammy.“Thankyou.”
“Thewoundshouldhealonitsownwithinthenexttwodays,”hesaid,tuggingthescannerfromherbonewhitegriptoplaceitonthebedsidetable,“butifyoufeelsomethingiswrong,IcanhaveyouinfrontofanM-Psyinseconds.”
“Itdoesn’treallyhurtanymore.”Shiverswrackingherframe,shecurledintoherself.“Otherswillcomeeventually,”shemanagedtosaythroughherchatteringteeth.“Whentheycross-checktheirreadingswiththeTk’sreport,they’llrealizethetrackerswereallinoneplacehere.”
Chapter14
KALEBLAYDOWNinfrontofher,tuggingherclose.
Sheresisted,thoughherskinachedforcontact.“Thishurtsyou.”
“No.”Hishandclosedoverherthroatinadarkpossessivenessthatwasparadoxicallycalming.“Icanturnoffthedissonance.”
Thewordsmadenosense,andthentheydid,herstomachdropping.Ifhecouldswitchthepaincontrolsonandoffatwill,therewasnorestraintonhistelekineticstrength.Itmadehimbeyondlethal.“Impossible,”shewhispered,hereyessearchinghisexpressionforsomesignthatshe’dmisunderstood.“Youwouldn’thavesurvivedtoadulthoodwithoutthedissonance.”ItwaswhatkeptpowerfuloffensivePsyfrominadvertentlycausingharmtothemselvesorothers.
“Achildcanlearnmanythings.”Hegavehernochancetorespondtothatflatstatement,beforesaying,“Noonewillcomeforyou.Beforehisbraincollapsedinward,IlearnedtheTkhadn’tshareddatabecausehewantedtouseyourrecoverytoincreasehisstatus.”
Thecoldruthlessnessofhimcontinuedtoshockher,andyetsheallowedhimatherthroat,herpulsebeginningtobeatintimetohis.“Thetrackers?”
“Thedevicesonlybroadcastwithinaradiusequaltothatofalargecity.NooneelsecametowardthispartofRussia.”
Soshewassafe.Assafeasshecouldbewithacardinalwhohadtakenalifewithoutremorseandwithacalculatedcrueltydesignedtoprolongsuffering.Thatshehadn’trunscreaminginhorror,butintohisarms,madeherconsiderifhercaptivityhadcausedfarmoredamagethansherealized.Thiscompulsive,brutalattractionthathadheropeningthetopbuttonsofhisshirttosplayherfingersonhisskinhadtobeacreationofhernodoubtpowerfulsurvivalinstinct.Whatbetterwaytosurvivethantomakehercaptorbelieveherinhisthrall?
Theabhorrentthoughtsslammeduphardagainsttherawemotionsthathadtornherapartinthekitchenasthey’dhadaconversationthathadbeenmissingsomanyparts,thewordsunspokenfarmorepainfulthanthosethey’dsaidaloud.Nothingsodeep,sopainfullypassionate,soold,couldbetheworkofamindbentonsurvivalalone.
Yet,regardlessofthemysteriousemotionaltiethatboundhertoacardinalTkwhocouldbeasculptureinSilenceoneminuteanddrivenbyblackestragethenext,thefactwas,heappearedinnotasingleoneofherreturningmemories.Eithershehadneverbeforemethimandshewasgoingmad,ortheirpreviousmeetinghadbeensohorrific,hermindprotectedherfromitevennow…keptherfromrealizingthatshewasatthemercyofamangroomedtoadulthoodbyapsychopathicmurderer.
“DidyouhelpEnriquemurderhisvictims?”sheasked,thewordstornoutofher.
Kaleb’seyesswirledwithablacknessthatseemeddeeperthanebonyasheshiftedpositionsothathewaslookingdownather,hishandstillatherthroat.“I,”hesaid,brushinghisthumbovertheflutterofherpulse,“wasthereforeverysecondoftheirtortureanddeaths.”
***
HOURSaftershe’dfinallyrunfromKaleb,herstomachconvulsingasshefoughttheurgetoretch,Saharalayinafetalpositioninherownbed,beneaththreeblanketsthatdidnothingtonegatethefrigidcoldinherchest,inherbones.Sheshould’vebeenlongasleep,butshecouldn’tgetKaleb’svoiceoutofherhead.
Iwasthereforeverysecondoftheirtortureanddeaths.
Thewayhe’dsaidit,itwassimple,absolutefact.Noroomfornegotiationorsubtlety.Evenifhehadn’tactivelyhelped—andsheknewthatwasavainhope,nomatterhowmuchshewantedittobetrue—he’dknownwhatEnriquewasdoinglongbeforeithadcometotheattentionofthechangelingswhohadeventuallyexecutedtheCouncilor.She’dneverblametheinnocentchildKalebhadoncebeen,buthe’dkeptthissilenceevenafterhebecameanadultwithfullaccesstohistelekineticstrength;he’dprotectedhismentor,histeacher.
“Loyaltyiseverything.”
Afuryofbacksightspunintohermindontheheelsofthatdistortedvocalecho,andasalwayswhenhermindsawthepast,shewasanuninvolvedbystander…exceptthistime,thesubjectofhervisionwasayoungerversionofherself.Herjust-above-the-knee-lengthtunicasedategrayoveraneatwhiteshirt,blackballetflatsonherfeet,shewalkeddownaleafyavenueshadedwithcherryblossomtreesinfullbloom,thelighttingedasoftpinkbythedelicateflowers.
Sahararecognizedtheuniformasthatofherjuniorhighschool.Fromthewayshe’ddoneherhair—asingleneatbraidthatreachedthemiddleofhershoulders—aswellasthetypeofsatchelsheworeoverhershoulderandthebruiseonherarm,sheknewshewasfifteenandonherwayhomeafteravigorousgameofbaseballinherlast-periodphysicalhealthclass.
Oneofherschoolmateshadthrownfortheplate,caughtheronthearminsteadassheslidhome.He’dbeenveryapologetic,butSaharahadbeentruthfulwhensheassuredhimshewasfine.Simplybecause,asaPsy,shehadslightlyweakerphysiologythanhumansorchangelings,didn’tmeanshewaseasilybreakable,orthatshecouldn’ttakethenormalwearandtearoflife.Asitwasthebodythatsupportedthemind,physicalexercisewasaroutinepartofeveryPsystudent’slife.
ItwastheofficialreasonwhySaharatookdanceclassesthreetimesaweek.
“Memory,”Saharawhisperedinabedfarfromtheschoolwhereshe’donceplayedbaseball,understandingthefragmentofbacksighthadseguedintoaheretohiddenmemory.
Asshewalkedonthatfar-offday,shetookineverythingaroundher,fromthefallingpetalsofsoftpinktotheoccasionalhover-capablecarontheroad.She’dalwayslikedthedappledshadecreatedbytheheavilybloomingtrees,thoughtoadmitthatwouldhavebeentosentenceherselftocorrectiveconditioning,soshe’dhiddenthefractureinheralreadyunsoundSilenceandcontinuedtotakepleasureinthemyriadhuesofspring.
Thefactwas,shewastemperamentallyunsuitedtotheProtocol.Itjustcouldn’tsinkitshooksintoher,nomatterhowhardshetried.Andshehadtried.Asasmallchild,she’dwantedtobelikeeveryoneelse,hadbeendiligentinpracticinghermentalexercises.Thelatterhadhadsomeeffect—she’dbeenabletopassforSilent,thoughshehadalwaysthoughtFaithsuspected.
Faith!Redhair.Cardinaleyes.Hergiftedcousinwhohadkepthersecret.
Fifteen-year-oldSaharanoddedhelloatapassinghumanclassmatewhenhewavedtoherfromhisbicycle.Suchactionswerepermissibleinordertomaintainsocialharmony,butthetruthwas,Saharaenjoyedinteractingwithdifferenttypesofpeople.Itwaswhyshe’dchosentoattendaschoolthatwasn’tspecificallygearedtowardPsy,thoughwhenshe’dmadetherequesttotheheadofherfamilyunit,she’dfocusedontheschool’sworld-classforeign-languagesprogram.
Shewasn’ttheonlyPsystudent,theschool’sacademictrackabrilliantone,buttheywereadefiniteminority.ItgaveSaharacountlessopportunitiestomixwithpeoplewholivedoutsideSilence.Thegirlshelikedbestinherclasswasagiftedhumanpianist.ThemusicMagdalenacouldcreatecarriedahauntingpassionthatwentbeyondnotesandkeys.
Saharaalsohadachangelingclassmatewhocoulddothingsonthesportsfieldsthatshould’vebeenimpossible.ThoughSahara’smindwasscalpelsharp,hereducationalworkloadfarmoreadvancedthanthatoftherestofherclass,herfingerscouldn’tcreatemusicthatmadethesoulsoar,herbodycouldn’tmovewiththegraceofachangeling’s.Butthatdidn’tmatterwhenshedanced.Itfeltlikeflying.
Thatwaswhoshewasasshewalkedhomefromschoolthatday—flawed,happy,smartenoughtoknowthatintelligencewasn’teverything—andwhoshewaswhenshechosetoturnofftheroadinfavorofapaththroughaquietpark.Nootherstudentswalkedhere,buttherewasbirdsongintheair,sunshineinthesky.Shefeltnoconcern,wasutterlyconfidentofhersafety,andexcited.
Soexcited!
***
SAHARAsatupinbedasthememorydissolved,leavingherwithasingleluminouspieceofknowledgethattoreapartherearlierdoubtsabouthermentalhealth.HerandKaleb’srelationshipmightbeathingofdarkness,butithadn’tcomeintobeingbecauseshewassickanddamagedandstrugglingtosurvive.
ShehadmetKalebbefore.Alongtimeago.
Notonce.
Manytimes.
Everyyearonherbirthday,he’dwaitedforherinahiddencurveofthatpathway,and…
Hereyeswentwide.Pushingofftheblankets,shewenttotherightsideofthebed,liftedupthemattress,andpulledoutthesmalltreasureshe’dconcealedthereoutofhabit,she’dbeenprotectingitforsolong.She’dgonesopsychoticwhenaguardtriedtotakeitfromherasapunishmentthathe’dbeenfired—becauseSahara’shysteriahadleftheruselesstohercaptorsfordays.
She’dstillbeencooperatingtoacertainpointatthatstage,inthehopethatshecouldlullthemintoafalsesenseofsecurity.Thatplanhadfailed,butafterthemaniaofherreaction,noonehadeveragaintriedtotakehertreasurefromher,evenduringtheworstpunishments—asiftheywereafraidoffatallybreakingher.Still,she’dstoppedwearingit,hidingitinknotsshecreatedinherclothing.
Now,itglitteredinthelamplight,acharmbraceletofshiningplatinum.
“Thirteen,”shewhisperedandtouchedthekeysheknewwasmeanttorepresenttheendlesschoicesopentoher.
“Fourteen.”Anopenbook.Thatwastheyearherabilityforlanguageshadbecomeapparent,FrenchaseasyforhertounderstandanduseasCantoneseandHungarian—aslongasshewastaughtbyafluentspeakerofthelanguage,ratherthanusingcomputronicaids.Intriguedteachershadtheorizedshehadsometypeofunheard-ofpsychicabilitythatallowedhertounconsciouslyabsorblanguagesfromthosearoundher,neverrealizinghowclosetheyskatedtotheperiloustruth.
“Fifteen.”Atinyglobethatrepresentedherdreamofseeingtheworld.
“Sixteen.”Shetouchedwonderingfingerstothedancerwholeapedintothevoidwithabandon,herarmsraisedaboveherhead,purejoyinherexpression.
Four,onlyfour.
Allfromthemanwhonowheldhercaptive.
Shesatontheedgeofthebed,thebrightmetalwarminherpalm,thecharmsofexquisiteworkmanship.Itwasthekindofgiftthatcouldbetakeninmanyways,themajorityofthemtroubling,givenKaleb’sconnectiontoSantanoEnrique,aswellasthesix-yearagegapbetweenKalebandSahara.Itmatterednothingnowthattheywerebothadults,butatthestart,Kalebwould’vebeennineteentoherthirteen.
Except…forherthebraceletwasassociatedwithhopeandarare,incandescentjoy.Therewasnohintofataint,noneoftheuglinessthatmightmeanKalebhadbeengroomingherasafuturevictim.Eventheideamadeherstomachrevolt,asifshe’ddoneaterribleinsulttosomethingindescribablyprecious.
Kalebwouldneverhurtme.
Closingherfingersoverthelovelypresentgiventoherbyafamiliarstrangerwreathedinshadows,Sahararealizedshehadachoicetomake:totrustintheemotionsengenderedbythisbracelet—abraceletshe’dguardedandtreasuredforsevenlong,agonizinglylonelyyears,ortolistentothecoldlyrationalpartofherthatremindedherKalebhadwalkedhandinhandwithamurderousmonstersincechildhood.
***
INspiteofthelatehour,hewasworkingathisdesk,hisdarkhairpristine,hissteelgrayshirtunwrinkledintheslightlyyellow-tingedlightfromthetablelampthatprovidedtheonlyilluminationintheroom.Lookingupwhenshecamein,theroilingdarknessshe’dglimpsedinthebedroomyetvisibleinhiseyes,hesaid,“Yes?”
Thedeadcalmofhisvoicehadherhesitating,thedecisionshe’dmadeapainfulhopeshecouldn’tbeartohavecrushed.
“Sahara,”hesaidathersilence,“ifyou’rehereforareason,speak.Ifyou’renot,leave.”
Swallowingatthecoldwarningthattoldhernottopushhim,shetookaseatinthechairontheothersideofhisdesk.Hewatchedherwiththeunblinkinggazeofapredatorsodeadly,theworldhadneverseenanythinglikehim.“Where”—shewetathroatgonedryasadesertsun—“wherearetherest?”
Hiseyesdidn’tmoveoffher.
Tremblingwithin,sheliftedherfistedhandinfrontofher.Platinumshimmeredinthegoldenlightasherfingersfellopen.Amomentofabsolute,endlesssilence,andthenKalebblinkedandthestarswerebackinhiseyes.
Notbreakingtheeyecontactthatthreatenedtobrandherfromtheinsideout,helaidhisrighthandpalm-uponhisdesk.Sevencharmslayonhisskinbetweenoneheartbeatandthenext.Bitingbacktearsasthemostsecretpartofherkeenedinjoy,sheleanedcloser,handrising.
Hedrewthecharmsaway.
Angerflashed,hotandraw.“They’remine.”
“That’snothowitworks.”
Scowling,andwantingthecharms,shesatbackinthechairashestoodandmovedaroundthetablewiththatdeadlygracethatalwaysdrewhereye,herbodytautwithaveryadulttension.Breathshallow,sheslippedthebraceletoverherwrist,snickedtheclaspintoplace,andheldoutherarmtowardhim.“Now.”
Leaningagainstthedeskinfrontofher,heliftedhishandandasinglecharmappearedbetweenhisfingertips.“Seventeen.”
“Acompass.”Tofindmywayhome.Heartbreaking,shelookedherfillofhimashefinishedhookingthecharmontothebracelet,andagain,sheaskedherselfwhohewastoher.Whohadhebeentoher,thisbeautifulmanwhomightbesodeeplydamagedastobeforeverbroken?
Chapter15
HEGLANCEDUP,alockofhairfallingacrosshisforehead,midnightdarkagainsthisgoldenskin.Forafleetinginstant,shesawtheboyhe’doncebeen,allsilkyhairandquieteyes,andsheknewthememorywastrue.HerandKaleb,whateveritwasthattiedthemtogether,ithadbegunlongbeforeshewasthirteen,begunwhentheywerebothchildren.
“Hurry,”shewhispered,helplessasherotherhandrosetopushthaterrantlockoffhisforehead.
Hedidn’tmoveaway,didn’trepudiatehertouch.“Eighteen.”Asecondcharmappearedbetweenhisfingers.
Shetwistedherheadthiswayandthattotrytoseewhatitwasashehookeditintoplace,buthedeliberatelyblockedhersight.Shesawthereasonwhywhenhestraightened.“Anunsheathedblade.”Whathehadbecomethedayshevanished.
“Nineteen.”Hebegantohookthecharmonbeforeshesawthetelekineticfetch.
Asmallhome.
Therockthatwasherheartgrewheavier.“Twenty.”
“Twenty.”Thisone,helethersee.
Atinyheartformedofadeepbluestone,soverybeautifulitmadeherbreathreleaseinasigh.“Sapphire?”
“Tanzanite.”Hiseyesmethers.“Rare.Unique.”
Afrozenheart,shethought,herwonderswirledwithahauntingsorrow.Hisheartorhers?
“Twenty-one.”
Anhourglass.
“Twenty-two.”
Afragmentofjaggedobsidian,edgessmoothedonlyenoughnottocutherskin.
“Twenty-three.”
Asingle,perfectstar.
Frowning,shelookedupathim.“Idon’tunderstand.”
Hehookedthecharmintoplace.“Onlythisstarmatters.”Histhumbbrushingoverherinnerwrist.“Shoulditbeerased,nootherhastherighttolive.”
“I’dlinethestreetswithbodiesbeforeI’deverhurtyou.”
Awaveofblackrushedthroughherinanightmareofunderstanding.“What’stwenty-four?”shemanagedtoaskthroughtheroar,curlingherwristclosetoherchest.
“Asyetundecided.”
“IknowwhatIwant.”Thisbattlewasoneshehadtowin,notonlyforthefutureoftheworld,butforherself,forKaleb,forwhattheymighthavebeen…whattheycouldbe.
Awaitingsilencefromthemanwhowould’veannihilatedanentirecivilizationinvengeanceforher,endingthelivesofmillions,innocentsandsinnersalike.
“Asheathfortheblade,”shewhispered.
Thestarsfadedintoblack.“Thatmightnotbepossible.”
Itcan’tbetoolate,shethoughtagain.Sherefusedtoletitbetoolate,refusedtobelievehewasforevergone,thedamagepermanent.“Iwantjewelsonthesheath,brightandcolorful.”Andhopeful.
“It’llrequireconsiderablework,”hesaidsoftly,theobsidianofhisgazeholdingherown,“mightevenbeanimpossibletask.”
“Areyousurrendering,then?”Itwasaquestionassoft.“Walkingaway?”
Kaleb’sresponseheldapossessivenessthatmightyetkeepheraprisoner.“Iwillneverwalkawayfromyou.”
***
KALEBdidn’tgotobedafterSaharalefthisofficefollowinganinteractionhehadn’teverthoughtwouldcometopass,notgivenwhatshe’dlearnedofhim,andtheinjuriesdonetoherintheyearsofcaptivity.Heshould’veknownnottoattempttopredictorjudgeher—SaharaKyriakushadalwayshadanunexpectedandstubbornwill.Nootherwomancould’vesurvivedsevenyearsinhellandcomeoutofitwiththestrengthtochallengeKaleb.
Hewaitedanhourtogivehertimetofallintodeepsleep,beforegettingupandrollingdownthesleevesofhisshirttodoupthecuffs.Pickinguphisjacketfromwhereithungbehindthestudydoor,heshruggedintoit.Hischoiceofclothingwasanothermask—itgavepeopleacertainimpressionofhim,animpressionheintendedtousetonighttoensureSahara’sfuturesafety.
Noonewaseveragaintakingherfromhim.
Ready,hediscoveredhimselfunabletoleavebeforemakingdeadcertainshewassafeandundisturbedinherrest.Ifhelosthernow,aftershe’dreturnedtohimatlast,eyesofmidnightblueholdingafragiletrusthe’dneveragainexpectedtosee,therewouldnolongerbeanyquestionabouthissanityorlackofit.Theworldhadnoknowledgeofthedelicatehandsthathelditsfate.
Hemadesuretopositionhimselfintheshadowsbythedoorwhenheteleportedintoherroom,notwantingtoscareherifshewasn’tlostinsleep.FearinSahara’seyes,he’dlearnedwhenshe’drunfromhimearlier,burnedworsethananyacidSantanohadpouredonhimwhenhe’dbeenaboy.Itwasdangerous,thatpain,coulddrowntheworldinblood,butSaharahadbeenthefirst,wouldalwaysbethedeepest,fractureinhisconditioning.
Itwasatruthaspureandasinescapableasthewind.
Theroomwaspitch-black,buthiseyeshadlearnedtoadaptinthedarknessofhischildhood,andhehadnotroubleseeingher.Riskinggoingcloserwhenherbreathingprovedquietandsteady,hesawherfacewasturnedsidewaysonthepillowasshelayonherback,theblackstrandsofherhairsilkyandthickacrosstheEgyptiancottonofthepillowcase.
Itwasthebestmoneycouldbuy.He’dmadecertainofit.
Handrising,healmosttouchedthesleep-warmcurveofhercheekbeforerealizingitwouldwakeher…scareher.Hecouldn’triskthat.Notnow,whenshe’drememberedjustenoughtotrusthimonabasiclevelbutnotenoughtobrandhimthemonsterheknewhimselftobe.
“YouarewhatImadeyou.Thereisnothingelse.”
Visionsofblood,brightandhot,sprayingacrosshisretinas,heteleportedoutandmanuallycheckedeverydoorandwindow.Reroutingtheperimeteralarmstofeedintohiscellphoneoncehewassatisfiedthehousewassecure,hemadesurethesirenremainedactive.Ifabreachdidoccur,hedidn’twantSaharacaughtunprepared.Thefilletingknifeshe’dhiddenunderherpillowwouldworkfineasaweaponifhewasdelayedbyasecondortwo,especiallysincehe’dquietlysharpenedituntilitwouldtakeonlyasingleswipetoseverthecarotidorjugular.
Securitycheckcomplete,helookedinamirrortoconfirmhismaskremainedinplace,haircombedneatlyandsuitjacketbuttoned,beforeaccessinghisTktobuildtheframeworkforateleportmorecomplexthanhisusualsplit-secondshifts.AsthesearchforSaharahadthrownintodarkfocus,hisabilitytolockontopeoplewasn’tfoolproof.Iftheindividualinquestiondidn’tknowwhoshewas,theattemptwouldfail.ItwasnocoincidencetheenemyTkhadfoundSaharaaftershecameoutofthelabyrinth.
AsmallnumberoftelepathsintheNet—notnecessarilythestrongest,butthemostintelligent—hadfiguredoutthatweakness,too.IfKalebhadtoguess,he’dsaythatwashowtheentireLaurenfamily,nowpartoftheSnowDancerwolfpack,hadensuredthesuccessoftheirdefection.
Tonight,hehadtolocateanotherindividualwhounderstoodtelepathiccamouflage:TatianaRika-Smythe,fellowex-Councilorandawomanwhoknewhowtolayfalsetrailssocomplex,ithadtakenhimyearstonavigatethetwistedpathwaysandretrieveSahara…anddaystounraveltheblueprintsofthepsychicvaultthathadconcealedSahara’smind,hiddenherfromhim.
He’dtakentheblueprintsapartpiecebypiece,andthemorehesaw,themorehe’drecognizedTatiana’smeticulousbrandofpsychicconstruction.“Doyouknowthenameofthepersonwhoheldyoucaptive?”he’daskedSaharaearlierthatnight,asshesatcurledupinthechairacrossfromhim,thestarfinallyonthebraceletwhereitbelonged.“Theoneincharge.”
Ashakeofherhead.“Iwasalwaysblindfolded,mypsychicsensesleashed,andmyhandstiedwhenshecametovisit.”
She.
Anothernailinthecoffin,butitwasn’tenough.Thefactthathe’didentifiedthemanhe’dexecutedtodayasbeingattachedtooneofTatiana’sshellcompanieswasevenmorepersuasive,butKalebneededtobecertainbeyondanydoubtbeforehemetedoutthispunishment.Baitingthetrap,however,requiredonlyalittleeffort.
Tatianahadbeenvery,verycarefulaboutprotectingthelocationofherbolt-hole,whichwaswhyKalebhadconcentratedhisattentiononherfinances.Asexpected,shehadamultilayeredandprofitableempire.He’dlongagostrippedawaythephantomcorporationsthatownedherassetspertheofficialrecords,thensectionedthepropertiesintobusinessandpersonal.
He’dknownherhiddenbaseofoperationswouldbeinthosefiles—Tatiana’sbiggestweaknesswasthatshecouldn’tletgoofanythingsheowned,noteventoashellcompanyofwhichshehadfullcontrol.Digdeepenoughandhernamealwaysturnedupasthetrueowner.Thatdiggingrequiredconsiderablepatience—andwhenitcametopunishingthosewhohadkeptSaharafromhim,Kalebhadanendlessamount.
Australiahadflashedupmultipletimesinhisinitialsearch,buthe’ddisregardeditasTatianahadpreviouslyretreatedtoaremotepartofthatcountry.Itwouldbeunlikehertochoosethesamelocationtwice.OnlylaterhadheconsideredthefactthatTatianawasintelligentandcunningenoughtoplayeveryonebydoingexactlythat.Ifnotthesameexactplaceasherpreviousheadquarters,thencloseenoughtoitthatshe’dhaveaccesstotheinfrastructureshe’dalreadyputinplace.
Afterthat,ithadn’ttakenhimlongtodiscoverthehiddenpropertytwomilesfromherknownbase.Gettinganimagehecoulduseforateleportlockhadcosthimoverahundredthousanddollars,butthemanhe’dturnedinheremployhadcomethrough.Usingthatimageto’porthimselftothefringeoftheproperty,hisTkstrengthunshielded,hescannedtheareabathedinthemistygrayofearlymorning.
Asinglelightburnedintheapparentlyordinarycottagesetinthemidstofahugeplotofland,thehousesurroundedbysparsenativefoliage.Hesawfootprintsthatsuggestedanimalshadpassednearhiscurrentposition—kangaroosfromtheshape—buttheareaclosertothehousewasapttobealarmedandsetwithboobytraps.
Retrievingthehigh-poweredbinocularshe’dslidintohispocket,hefocusedonthesinglesquareoflightuntilTatianarosetogetsomething,crossingthewindow,thenback.Targetconfirmed,heworkedwiththebinocularsuntilthefocuswassharpenoughtopickupaveryspecificknotpatterninthepinepanelingoppositethewindow.
ItwastimetoexactpaymentforsevenyearsofSahara’slife.
Sinceperceptionwasofteneverythingwhenitcametothedanceofpower,heslidawaythebinoculars.HewantedTatianatoknowhecouldfindherwherevershewent;wantedhertotastefear,acridandacidic.
Hewantedhertobegforherlife.
Seatedbehindthedeskinfrontofwhichheappeared,Tatianahadagunpointedathisheadbeforehefinishedtheteleport,buthe’dlongagoworkedouthowtocompensateforthesplit-secondvulnerabilitythatcamewithenteringanunknownsituation.Heavoidedthelaserfirewithafluidshift,thenknockedthegunoutofherhand,blockinghervicioustelepathicstrikeatthesametime.
“Anunfriendlywelcomeforacolleaguewhowishestotalkbusiness,”hesaidtothebrunette,undoingthebuttonsonhissuitjacketbeforetakingaseatinthechaironhissideofthedesk.
ThoughTatiana’shazel-greeneyesremainedflatwithsuspicion,shedidn’tattempttogoforanotherweapon.“Whatareyoudoinghere,Kaleb?Wedidn’thaveameetingscheduled.”
“IcameacrossanitemIthoughtmightbeofparticularinteresttoyou.”
Relaxingintotheblackleatherofherchairinashowofindifference,Tatianapickedupandtappedastylusagainsttheelectronicblotterinfrontofher.“Really?”
Kalebsmiledanditwasacalculatedact.He’dlearnedtomimicthefacialmovementtoplacatethehumansandchangelingswithwhomhedidbusiness,butknewfullwellthatithadtheoppositeeffectonthoseofhisownrace.“Whysuchaviolentwelcome?”heasked,shouldersrelaxedandarmlyinglooselyalongthearmrest.
“Iwasn’tconsciousthislocationhadbeencompromised,”shesaidwithjustenoughofahesitationthatheknewithadbeenasdeliberateashisownactions.
Tatiana,hethought,wouldnotpauseatplayingwoundedpreyifitgotherwhatshewanted.“Ah.”
“Howdidyoupenetratemydefenses?”
“I’mateleport-capableTk,Tatiana,”hesaidwithagentlenessthatwasathreat.“DoyouhonestlybelieveanysecuritycouldkeepmeoutifIwantedtogetintoalocation,inthePsyNetorout?”
Aflickerofcomprehension,flawlessolive-tonedskintighteningovertherazor-sharpbladesofhercheekbones,butitwasn’tenough.Heneededabsoluteandcategoricalconfirmationofherguilt,becausethispunishmentwouldfitthecrimeinwaysTatianacouldn’tcomprehend.
“So,”shesaid,continuingtotapthestylusinanunsteadyrhythmheguessedwasmeanttodistracthim—becausePsydidnotmakesuch“unconscious”nervousmovements,“thebusinessyouhavetodiscuss.”
Hesmiledagain.“Ithinkyouknow.”
“Thiswillbeaninterminablenegotiationifyoudon’tputthingsonthetable.”
Yes,Tatianawasclever,butKalebhadexpectedthedemand.“Ihaveinmypossession,”hemurmured,“anitemthatmaybelongtoyou.ItwasretrievedbyanArrow”—aliewithjustenoughofapossibilityoftruththatshewouldn’tquestionit—“afterhebecamesuspiciousofasectionoftheNetthatwasblockedofffornorationalreason.”
“Really?”Athoughtfulpause.“Whatmakesyoubelievethisitemisofanyvaluetome?”
“Yourtelepathicworkisunmistakableinitscomplexityanddexterity.”
“Youflatterme.”
“Thetruthisnotflattery.”
Tatianarespondedwithasmileaspracticedandasfalseashisown.“I’veheardthatyou’redoingbusinesswithNikitaandAnthonyaswell.”
Heshrugged,themovementanotheronehe’dcopiedfromthemoreemotionalraces,andansweredwiththeabsolutetruth.“Itmakeslogicalsensetocreateandutilizemultiplestrategicpartnerships.Unlikethechangelings,wedonotblood-allyourselvestooneanother;fidelityisunderstoodtobeafluidconcept.”Bysome.
“That,”Tatianasaid,puttingdownthestylus,“iswhywe’dmakeanunbeatableteam.NeitheroneofushasanyflawsinourSilence.”
Kalebthoughtofthewomanwhosleptinthehousehe’dbuiltforher,ofthemanwithabrokenneckwhohadburnedtoashinacrematoriumincineratorhoursago,andknewhisSilencewasfarmorecomplexthanTatianacouldimagine.“Iinsistonloyaltyinmypartners,”hesaid.“Idonotbelieveyoucapableofit.”EvenNikita,ruthlessasshewas,wouldnotstabhiminthebackaslongashekepthisendoftheirbargain.
“I’veneverhadapartnerwhodeservedloyalty,”Tatianaresponded.“You,however,would.”
“Nowyouflatterme.”
“Truthisthebestdefense.”Thestylusinhergraspagain,tap-tapping.“Whatdoyouwantinexchangefortheitem?”
Chapter16
“NOTHINGYOUCAN’Tafford,”Kalebsaid,hisbloodcalmandascoldasdeathashegaveTatianamoreropewithwhichtohangherself.“Apieceofinformation.”
Shewaited.
“Iwanttoknowwhyyouhadtheiteminsuchasecurelockupinthefirstplace.”Noprivacy,noair,blindinglight.“Backsightisn’t,afterall,aparticularlyusefulability.”
“Backsight?You’velostme.”
Clever,soclever,nottofallforhistrap.“Exactly.”Asifmakingadecision,herose,doingupthebuttonsonhisjacketashedidso.“ItappearsIwasmistaken.Theitemisn’tyours—thereisonlyoneindividuallefttowhomitcouldbelong.”
Tatianacontinuedtomaintainherrelaxedpose,buthesawthefinelinesformatthecornersofhereyes.“Who?”
“Anthony,ofcourse,”hesaid,wellawareTatianautilizedNightStar’sforecastingservicesonaregularbasistoincreasethefinancialstatusofherempire.Shecouldnotaffordtobeblacklisted.NotonlywoulditputherataseveredisadvantageinthePsyfinancialworld,buthercurrentinvestmentswoulddiveinvalueoncethenewsleaked.AndNightStar—Anthony—wouldmakecertainitdid.TheF-Psyclanunderstoodloyalty,too,inawayTatiananeverwould.
Thetappingpaused,thetendonsinTatiana’shandstandingoutagainstherskin.“No.”
“No?”
Eyesconnectingwithhis,chipsofagate,shenoddedatthechair.“Perhapswecandobusinessafterall.”
“I’mgladtohearit.”Hesatdown,waited.
Tatianatookhertimeinreplying.“IacquiredtheitemintendingtouseitasahostageshouldNightStareverattempttoblacklistme,butitwasneverneeded.”
Alie,butthatdidn’tmatter.Whatmatteredwastheconfirmation.
Tatianagaspedasshewasshovedbackward,herchaircrashingtothefloorasinvisiblemanaclespinnedhertothewall,herfeetatleastahalfmeterofftheground.Onesleekblackpumplandedonthecarpetwithadullthud,whiletheotherdrummedagainstthewallasshestruggledtobreakfree.
Hehadn’texpectedsuchuselesspanicfromTatiana.
Putimmediatelyonalertbyheruncharacteristiclackofcontrol,helookedintohismind—andsawtheinsidioustendrilthathadalreadypenetratedthefirstthreelayersofhisshields.Slammingoutwardwithviolentforce,hesealedupthesurgicalholesshe’dcreatedasadropofblood,darkandviscous,drippedoutofhernose.
“Verysmart.”He’dmadeanear-fatalerrorinthegripoftheblackragethatlivedbelowtheshellofhisSilence.Anotherhalfaminuteandshe’dhavebeeninsidehismind.
“Whatdoyouwant?”shesaidwhenherrusefailedtodistracthim,herbodynowmotionlessandhervoicefrigid.
“Iwanttoknowwhyyoutookher,”herepeated,relaxingintothechairwithoutevertakingoneeyeoffhisshields.
“She’smalfunctioning,ofnousetoyou.”
Kalebsighed.“That’snotthequestionIasked.”
“Youcan’tkillme,”Tatianasaidinthatsameicilycomposedtone.“RegardlessoftherumorsoftheCouncil’sdemise,thepsychicshockwavecausedbythedeathofanotherCouncilorwillcausetheNettodestabilizetoadangerousextent,especiallygiventhecurrentviolence.”
“Yes,that’strue.”AndKalebhadn’tyetdecidedifhewantedtheNettofractureonthatlevel.“Butthereareworsethingsthandeath.”Withthat,heusedhistelekinesistodislocateherleftkneethesamewaySahara’shadoncebeendislocated,accordingtotheinformationcaughtbythescannerwhenhe’dinspectedherfortrackingdevices.
“Iapologize,”hesaidafterTatianastoppedscreaming.“Wherewerewe?Ibelieveyouwereabouttoanswermyquestion.”
“Shewasgiventome,”Tatianagasped,herleftkneebeginningtoswellup.
“Andwhowasyourgenerousbenefactor?”
“Youknow.”
Hedidn’tbothertowarnherthistime,simplydislocatedherleftshoulderexactlyasSahara’shadbeenthreeyearsago.Thatpieceofinformationhe’dgainedwhenhepulverizedthemindofthepatheticexcuseforamalehe’dexecutedinthekitchen.Hislackofrestrainthadcosthimalargeamountofusefuldata;theguard’smindhadbrokensplitsecondsafterKalebsmashedthroughhisshields,leavingKalebaveryshortwindowinwhichtosweepupinformation,buthefoundhefeltnoremorse.
Ashedidn’tnow,watchingTatiana’sheadlollforward.She’dblackedout.“Weak,”hesaid,havingstayedconsciousthroughfarworseasaseven-year-old.Hegaveheraminute,andwhenshedidn’tawaken,pickeduptheglassofwateronherdeskwithoutmovingfromhispositioninthechairandthrewthecontentsintoherface.
Shecametowithawhimperingjerk,wetstrandsofhairstickingtoherskinandaglintoffearinhereye.HerSilencemighthavebeenpristineuntilthismoment,herwillruthless,butforallherdeadlycunningandstrength,TatianaRika-Smythehadn’tbeentrainedasKalebhadbeen.Shedidn’tknowhowtoholdontotheconditioning—oraconvincingreproductionofit—inthefaceofexcruciatingpain,withnoendinsight.
Shiveringfromtheonsetofshock,sheraspedout,“SantanoEnriquegavehertome.”
Heranswerwasnosurprise,butKalebhadneededtohearitfromhermouth.“Why?”
“Wewere…partnersofakind.Herespectedmyambition,andIrespectedthefacthe’dcutmythroatifIeverturnedthatambitioninhisdirection.Wetrustedeachother.”
Itwastheugliestdefinitionoftrusthe’deverheard.“Didyouknowshewasminewhenyoutookher?”
Tatianashookherhead.“No.Ididn’tthinkheallowedyoutopickvictims.”
No,itwasn’tthenthatSantanohadneededhim.“Whatareyoudoing,Tatiana?”Heshiftedthemajorityofhisattentiontohisownmindasseveralalarmsactivatedatonceandfoundasecondary,near-invisibletelepathicwormsecondsawayfrompenetratinghisfinalshield.
Hisrebuffthistimemadebloodvesselsburstinhereyes,butshehissedoutabreath,holdinghisgazewiththecrimsonofherown.“Youaren’tunbeatable.Ialmosthadyou.”
“Almostisnevergoodenoughwithsomeonelikeme,youknowthat.”Shuttingherupbyconstrictingherdiaphragmtothepointthatshehadtoshuntallherconcentrationtowardthetaskofdrawinginenoughairtosurvive,heleanedbackinthechairandsaid,“Younevershouldhavetakenwhatwasmine.”
Despiteherdiminishedoxygensupply,Tatianabegantostruggleinearnest,strikingathimwithaggressivetelepathicblowsasvehiclesrunningdarkscreamedtoahaltoutside.“Callinginreinforcements?Tut-tut.”Withthat,hewalkedunhurriedlyaroundthedeskandteleportedthembothout.
Theblacknessinsidetheoldcementbunkerwasbrokenuponlybyasinglelong-lifebulbhangingfromarustychainintheceiling.Thedulllightdidn’tpenetratetheshadowsthatgatheredindeeppocketsaroundthecircularroom,butitwasenoughtoilluminatetheyellowedandstainedconcretebeneaththesteeltableonwhichhedumpedTatiana’sbody,theshoestillonherfootclankingagainstthemetal.
Steppingback,hewatchedherstruggleupintoasittingpositionandlookcarefullyaround.Nofeignedemotion,nothingbutthefrostywillofawomanwhohadalwaysbeenabletonegotiateormanipulateherwayoutoftrouble.Itwasanadmirabletrait,oneKalebappreciatedforthewayitwouldextendandintensifyhertorture.
Tatianawouldspendcountlesshoursplottingescape,onlytorealizeherhellwaspermanent.
“Whatisthisplace?”sheasked.
“Youdon’tknow?”Hewaitedforhertodiscoverwhathe’ddone.
Itonlytookherasecond.“Whycan’tIaccessthePsyNet?”sheaskedinatoneanoctavehigherthanhernormalvoice,thefirsttruehintofpanicshe’dbetrayed.“Youhaveashieldoverme.”
“Ihaveotherusesformyabilities.TheDarkMind,however,findsitfuntoplaywithamindwhoseSilencepromisestocrackslowlyandwithgreatpain.”IthadsuckedTatianaintoitself,blockingouteverything,includinghertelepathicchannels,inendlessnothingness.Ifitthenbegantofeedoffherensuingterror,firstshe’dgoslowly,insidiouslyinsane,thenshe’dfallintoacomawhereterrorwouldcontinuetobehersolecompanion,andfromthere,deathwouldn’tbefarbehind.
Thatlittlehabitof“eating”peoplewasonetendencyoftheDarkMindKalebhadneverbeenabletostem—sohe’ddirecteditatthosewhodeservedaslow,maddeningdeath.Kalebdidhisownkillingwhenitcametopowerandpolitics,buthehadnocompunctioninsettingtheDarkMindlooseontheothervermin.Thelastonehadbeenawould-bepedophilewithacollectionofphotographsthatshouldhaveneverexisted,amanwhohadjustgainedajobasanursery-schoolteacher.
However,theDarkMindknewnottofeedoffTatiana.ShewasKaleb’s,andthedarkneosentiencewasdelightedtohelphimholdher.Kaleb,afterall,understoodthecrueltyandrageandmalevolencethathadcreatedit…becausehe’dbeencreatedofthesameuglycomponents.“TheDarkMind,”hetoldTatiana,“willkeepyouisolatedinthatblackcocoonaslongasIplease.”
“IfIdisappearfromtheNet,”Tatianasaid,notunderstandingthattherewasnothingshecouldsaythatwouldalterherfate,“it’llhavethesameeffectasmydeath.Theresultingshockwave—”
“Tatiana,Tatiana.”Heshookhishead.“YoudisappearedfromtheNetwhenyoucreatedsuchbeautifulshieldstoconcealyourlocation.”Shehadmadeitsoeasyforhim.“SoonafterIleave,yoursecurityteamwillreceiveasharplywordednoteorderingthemtodoafullsecurityaudit,sincetheyfailedtheirrecent‘test.’”
Again,shehadpavedthewayforherownimprisonment—shewassoparanoidaboutherenemiesthatsherarelyusedtelepathythesedays,preferringtocommunicateviasecuree-mail.“Asforyourcompanies,aslongastheycontinuetoreceiveinstructionsfrom‘you,’noonewillbeanythewiser.”
Tatiana’shandgrippedtheedgeofthemetaltablehardenoughtomakeherbonespushagainstherskin.“Kaleb,Ididn’tknowshewasyours.”
“That’sirrelevant.”Ragerolledthroughhisbloodstreaminapitilesswave,coldandunforgiving.“Youstilldamagedhertothepointwhereshemayneverfullycomeback.”Saharahadscreamedinthatbloodybedduringtheirlastmeeting,butshehadneverbegged,somehowmanagedtostaywhole.ThenhadcomeTatiana,andacaptivitythathadforcedSaharatoentombherselftosurvive.
“Whatdoesitmattertoyou,ifyouintendtokillheranyway?”Tatianaasked,adesperationinhertonethatwastooraggedtobefeigned.
PsychicisolationhadawayofdoingthattoPsy.Saharahadlivedthesamenightmareforsevenyears.“Myintentmakesnodifferencetoyourculpability.”
Strollingaroundthecircularroom,heglancedatthefoodstorestomakesureshehadenoughtosurviveon.Themedicalsupplieswerebasic,butshe’dbeabletodosomefirstaid.He’dbeenverycarefulabouttheinjurieshe’ddoneher—noneofitwaslifethreatening,andshecouldfixthedislocationsherself.
Itwasn’tdifficult.Kalebhadlearnedtodosoasaboy.
Tatianafollowedhimwithhereyes.“You’renotplanningtoleavemehere.”Swingingherlegsoffthesideofthetablethathadchannelsoneithersidemeantforbloodandotherbodilyfluids,shebitdownonherlowerlip,herleftkneegrotesquelyswollen.“Kaleb,youcan’t.You’renotSantanoEnrique.”
“Aren’tI?”Hesmiledagain.“Thefoodwilllastforsixmonthsifyoudon’tgorge.Ihopeyouenjoytheaccommodations.”
“Wait!Wait!Whatisthisplace?”
Closingthedistancebetweenthem,heleanedintowhisperthetruthinherear.“It’sSantano’soldestplayroom,ofcourse.”Aroomnooneelseknewexisted,thestainsonthefloorcreatedbythebloodofcountlessvictimsKalebhadwatchedscreamandpleadandbreak.
***
HAVINGwokenearlytofindKaleb’sdoorclosed,Saharadressedinjeanspairedwithafloatyrose-coloredtop,madeherselfahotdrink,thenpaddeddowntovisitthekoi,beforecurlingupinherfavoritearmchairinthelivingroom.Shelovedthewaythepalegoldmorningsunshinemadetheroomglow,thegrasslandsbeyondshimmeringwithlight,untiltheyweren’tdesolatebutachinglybeautiful.
HerintenthadbeentoreadfurtherarticlesonhercousinFaith’sspectaculardefectionfromthePsyNet,butthelightkepthittingthebraceletsheworeonherrightwrist,andeachtimeitdid,she’dthinkofamankissedbydarkness,ofthesinglestarandahistoryshecouldn’tremember.ShewasrubbingherfingeroverthefinalplatinumcharmwhenKalebwalkedintotheroom.Dressedinthesamebusinesssuitshe’dseenhiminlastnight,itwasclearhehadn’tbeenasleepasshe’dassumed.
Herfirstthoughtwasthathewasadangerouslyseductivepredatorinaflawlesslycutmask.Hersecondwasthatsomethingwasvery,verywrong.“Kaleb,whatisit?”Puttingasideherorganizer,sheshovedasidethelapblanketshe’dfoundfoldedonthebackofthearmchairandrantohim.Hisexpressionwasasremoteandasinscrutableasalways,andyetherbloodrancold,thetinyhairsonherbodystandingupinalarm.
“Kaleb,please.”Desperationhadherdaringtotouchthefingertipsofbothhandstohischeeks.“Whathaveyoudone?”Itcameoutanearwhisper.
“Nothingthatdidn’tneedtobedone.”Closinghishandsaroundherwrists,hetuggedherowngentlyoffhisfaceandtohersides,wherehebrokecontact.“Youdon’twanttotouchmerightnow.”
“Why?”Therewasawildnessinsideofher,ascreaming,panickedgirlwhosaidshehadtofixthis,fixhim,thoughsheknew,sheknewthatshecouldn’tturnbacktime,couldn’tundothatwhichhadmadehimintothisshardofobsidian.“Areyouafraidwhateveryou’vedonewillruboffonme?”
“DoyouthinkI’msorry?”Hegaveherasmilethatwaslazyandperfect…andhorrifying.“I’mnotandIneverwillbe.”
Chapter17
WALKINGAROUNDHERtremblingform,hemovedtothewindowsthatoverlookedthegrasslands.“WhyareyousocertainI’vedoneanythingatall?”
Saharaswallowedaroundthechillingfearincitedbyhisotherness.Hehadalwaysbeenlethal,butnowitwasasifhe’dgonesofarintotheabyssthathe’dbecomealiving,breathingpartofit.Atthisinstant,shewasn’tcertaintheintelligencebehindthoseeyesofdarkestnightwasanythingshecouldcomprehend,socoldastobeinhuman.“Ijustam,”shesaidatlast,thegut-deepknowledgerisingfromthehiddenpartofherinwhichlivedthegirlshe’doncebeen.“Talktome.”
“Perhapsyourbacksighthasevolved,”hesaid,histonegentle…andheavywiththesameblackrageshe’dwitnessedinthekitchenwhenheexecutedtheguard.“YourcousinFaith’svisionsarenowapparentlynolongerlimitedtobusiness.”
Unabletobearseeinghimallalonebythewindow,thoughhescaredherdowntoherbonesrightnow,shewalkedtostandcloseenoughthattheirclothingbrushed.“Faith,”shesaid,pickinguponthetopiche’draisedsimplytokeepthelineofcommunicationopen,“helpedmerefineandbuildmyfirewalls.”SuchshieldingwouldbecriticalshouldshesetfootinthePsyNet.
“UnusualforacardinalF.”
“Whenshewasmuchyounger,theM-Psyinchargeofherbelievedcontactwithanotherchildmighthelpdevelopherlaggingspeech.”DelayedspeechwascommonintheFdesignation,butFaithhadbeenthreebeforeshesaidherfirstword.“Iwasyoungerthanher,buttheychosemebecauseIwassovocal.”
“Andperhapsbecauseachildclosertoheragemayhaveresentedtheextratrainingandattentionmandatedbyhercardinalstatus.”
“Yes.”Saharahadbeentoomuchinaweofhercardinalcousin,withherprettyredhair,tofeelanysuchenvy.“Shewasolderthanheryears,herSilencefaultless,butshewasneverunkindtome—shemademefeelimportant.”Strictlysupervisedatalltimes,theyhadneverhadthefreedomtobecomefriends,butSaharahadfeltthepromiseofit.“Iwassadwhenherpowerspikedafterelevenmonthsandfurthercontactwasdeemeddisruptiveandunhealthyforhermentalstate.”
ThejustificationwasoneSaharahadbeentooyoungtodoubt.Clearly,however,sinceFaithhadendedupmatetoajaguarchangeling,apredatorwithverysharpteeth,shewasinnowayfragile.“DidourPsyClanbetrayherformoney?”HadtheylockedFaithuptomilkherofvisions,andthemillionsthosevisionsbroughtintothefamily’scoffers?
“Unknown.”Kalebturnedatlast,hisgazecrashingwithherown.
Thepowerthatburnedintheblackdepthswasstaggering,anear-physicalforce.
“Igrewupwithacardinal,”shewhispered,suddenlyconsciousofhowtightlyheusuallyshieldedhimself.“You’remore.”Itshould’vebeenimpossible:tobeacardinalwastobeoffthescale,butshe’dneverfeltsuchpower.
Theforceofitwasterrifying.Evenmoresowasthefactthatherneedforhimhadinnowaybeendiminishedbythedarknessthatencasedhim.Itmadeherconsiderexactlyhowmuchshe’daccept,howmuchshe’dforgive,howfarshe’dwalkintotheabyssforthisdeadlyTkwhohadaclaimonhersodeep,reasonhadnothingtodowithit.
“Iwasthereforeverysecondoftheirtortureanddeaths.”
Chestapainfultightness,shebroketheagonizingintimacyoftheeyecontactandtookwhatfeltlikeherfirstclearbreathinhours.Whensheglancedbackathim,hewaslookingoutthroughthewindowoncemore,hisalonenessanopaqueshield.Andsheknewthatifshechosetowalkawayandignorethis,hewouldn’tstopher.Kalebwasusedtoansweringtonoone,buttheflipsideofthatwasthathehadnoonewhocaredifheevercamehome.
“Tellme,”shewhispered,hearttwistingwiththetumultofheremotions,becausetheideaofaworldwithoutKalebinitignitedapanicthatobliteratedherfearofwhathewas,toreplaceitwithnerve-shreddinghorror.“Whatyoudid.”
Hiseyes,blackasamoonlessnight,remainedontheemptygrasslands.“Why?”
Nodenial.Itstruckherthathewasfartoointelligentforthattohavebeenamistake.“Becauseyousaidyou’dneverlietome.”Thewordscamefromthatgirl,theonewhohadgrittedherteethandclawedherwaytothesurfaceofSahara’smind,andwhoheldwithinherthesecretsofthepastthatlinkedSaharatoKaleb.
Hisheadsnappedtowardher.“Ialsotoldyounottotrustme.”
Saharaleanedhershoulderagainstthewindow,herbodyturnedtowardhis.“Ifnotyou,thenwho?”Asenseofdéjàvu,asifshe’dsaidthewordsbefore,asifthey’dalreadyhadthisconversation.“Youpromised.”Withthosewhisperedwords,shegaveintothemadnessandbrushedbackthesilkenblackstrandsthathadfallenacrosshisforehead,thefleetingcontactbreakingherheart.
Thistime,hedidn’tpushheraway.Buttheblackice,itremainedashespoke.“Iwenttohaveadiscussionwiththewomanwhoheldyoucaptive.”
Itwasthelastthingshe’dexpectedhimtosay.“Who?”Arasped-outquestion,hergutroilingatthememoryofherhourswiththestrangerwhohadurgedherto“cooperate”inagentletonethatwasanuglycounterpointtothetorturebeinginflictedonherflesh.
“TatianaRika-Smythe.”
ThenamemeantverylittletoSaharaexceptforwhatshe’dreadinrecentnewsarticles.She’dbeenateenatthetimeofherabduction,hadhadlittleinterestintheCouncilandthepolitickingofthoseaspiringforit.“Itmakessense,”shesaid,feelingnotrage,butanauseatingsenseofrevulsion.“Asmuchasanyoneelsehungryforpower.”
Kalebreachedouttotouchatinyscaronherleftcheekbone,theimpactlightninginherveins.“Youdidn’thavethiswhenyouweresixteen.”
“What?”Raisingherhand,sheclosedherfingersaroundthestrongbonesofhiswrist.“No.Imust’vebeenaroundeighteenwhen…youknowwhathappened.”
“Yes.”Aflatstatement,hishandcuppingherjaw.“Theyhurtyou.”
Sahara’sskullechoedwiththesoundofbonesbreakingasKalebflungherformerguardagainstthekitchenwall,apotentreminderofthedeadlypossessivenessthatdroveKaleb’sactionswhereshewasconcerned.“What,”sheaskedagain,“didyoudotoTatiana?”Itwouldn’t,sheknew,havebeentherelativelyquickdeathhe’dmetedouttotheguard.
Kalebstrokedtheforgottenscarwithhisthumboncemorebeforedroppinghishand,hiswristslidingoutofhergrasp.“She’sinahole,”hesaid.“I’llmakesureshespendsalifetimeinthathole.Itseemsafittingpunishment.”
Saharawrappedherarmsaroundherself,rubbingatherfleshinavainefforttowarmitup.“HaveyoucutherofffromthePsyNet?”
“Whatusewouldthepunishmentbeotherwise?”Nohesitation,nogive,nochangeinhistoneorexpression.
Saharawantedtosmashherfistedhandsagainsttheinvisibleblackice,evenknowingthatitwastoohardtoshatter,thattheeffortwouldonlybloodyherhandsandleavehimuntouched.“She’llgomad.”Underalltherhetoricandthelies,onetruthremained—thatthePsywerenottheleast,butthemostsocialofallthreeraces.Asachangelingwolfneededhispack,thoseofherraceneededtheconnectionandstimulationofapsychicnetworkpeopledbyotherminds.“Wearen’tbuiltforsuchisolation.”
“Yousurvived.”Angersocold,itmasqueradedaspureSilence.
“Iwasn’tcompletelycutoff,nottothatextreme.”ShehadnoloyaltytoTatiana,didn’tcareiftheotherwomanlivedordied,butthiswascostingKalebapieceofhissoul,andhecouldn’taffordtogiveawayanymore.“Icouldalwaysheartheguardstalkingtooneanother,ifnottome.Itwasenoughtoremindmetheworldexisted.”
ThedarknessprowledinKaleb’seyes,alivingentity.“I’llmakesuretovisithereverythreeorfourmonths.Thatshouldevenoutthefield.”
***
KALEBsawthetormentinSahara’sexpressionandknewthatwhateverTatianahadordereddonetoherduringtheyearsshe’dspentincaptivity,ithadn’tdestroyedherconscience.Itwasnotunexpected.Thathadalwaysbeenthedifferencethatkeptthemonoppositesidesofthelinethatseparateddarkfromlight,goodfromevil—hisabilitytofeelempathy,feelanything,hadbeeneradicatedbeforeitcouldevertakeroot,withasingle,limitedexception.
“I,”hemurmured,“canneverpermitherfreedom.Shewouldfindawaytoharmyou.”
Sahara’seyeswerehauntedwhentheymethis.“AmIsoimportanttoyou?”
“Yes,”hesaid.“You’reeverything.”Theentirereasonforhisexistence.
AsingleteartraileddownSahara’scheek.“Whycan’tIrememberyou?”
“You’renotstrongenoughyet.”Forthehorror,thepain,therealizationofthebetrayalthathadsplatteredbloodaroundacheaphotelroomwhenshe’dbeenagirlonthebrinkofwomanhood.
Strokingherfingersalonghisjaw,shesaid,“Comeback,Kaleb,”andsteppedcloser,movingherhandstohislapelstopushtheunbuttonedsuitjacketoffhisshoulders.“Walkoutofthedark.”
Hecouldcracktheearth’scrustforherifshewanted,causetheRingofFiretoigniteandtheworldtotremble,buthecouldnotgiveherthisonethingsheasked.Thedarknesswasinsidehimnow,partoftheverycellsofhisbody,asindelibleasthelifethathadshapedhim.
Sheheardhissilencebutdidn’tputdistancebetweenthem,didn’tcry.Instead,shebrushedawaytheremnantsofherearliertearsand,undoingthesilkofhistie,sliditoutfromaroundhisnecktodropittothefloorwithhisjacket.Whenherfingersbegantoworkonthebuttonsofhisshirt,heremovedhiscufflinksandthrewthemonanearbytable.
Theclinkingsoundastheylandedhadherlashesrising,theincrediblemidnightblueofhereyesdrenchedwithemotion.Butsheheldherwordsstill,loweringhergazetopullhisshirtoutfromhispantsandfinishunbuttoningit.Hestoodmotionless,eachflickerofcontactashocktohissenses,butitwasapainhecraved—untilher,hehadbelievedhimselfimmunetotheneedforskin-to-skincontact,contactthatdefinedintimacyforthehumansandchangelings.
Nowheknewhisneedwasmoreviciousthantheirscouldeverbe.
Shruggingoffhisshirtatthepushofherfingers,hehissedoutabreathwhenshewrappedherarmsaroundhiswaisttolayhercheekagainsthischest.Whenshewould’vepulledback,heputahandtothebackofherheadandsaid,“No.I’vedisabledthedissonance.”
ThankstoSantano’segoandarrogance,Kaleb,adeadlydualcardinal,hadneverbeenfullyindoctrinatedwiththeprogrammingthatdealtoutpainfulpunishmentforanyhintofemotion.Designednotonlytobolstertheindividual’sSilence,buttosuppressanyresponsethatmighttriggeracatastrophiclackofpsychiccontrol,thebrutalityofthepunishmentwastiedtotheintensityofthebreach.GiventheexperiencesKalebhadundergoneasaboy,theresultingdissonancewould’vekilledhim.SoSantanohadleashedhisabilitiesthroughtheapplicationofanotherkindofpain.
Nowtheonlyrestraintonhisabilitieswastheonehe’dputinplace.
Assessingtherisks,hespreadhisfingersintheheavysilkofSahara’shair,wrappinghisotherarmaroundhershoulderstoholdhertohim.Herbreathwassoftoverhisskin,herbodythinbutnolongersofragileastobeeasilybreakable,herwarmthareminderthatshewasaliveandwithhim.
Itwasn’tenough,thebondbetweenthemnascentatbest.Shemightwearhisbracelet,butsheremainedwary,hereyeswatchful—heneededhercommittedtohimbeforesherememberedtheuglytruththatconnectedthem.
Tuggingbackherheadwiththehandhehadinherhair,hewrappedhisotheronegentlyaroundherthroatand,lookingintohereyes,leaneddowntobrushhislipsacrossherown.Itwasacalculatedact,hiseverysenseconcentratedonSahara,onjudgingherresponsesinordertoofferthecorrectfeedback.
“Kaleb.”Agasp,herfingernailsbitingintothefleshofhisback.
***
SAHARAacheddeepinside,anditwasn’tanachethathadinanywayabatedsinceshe’dwalkedoutofthelabyrinth.No,ithadonlygrowndeeper,daybyday.Today,she’dtouchedKalebinalast-ditchattempttobringhimbackfromthedarkplacewherehe’dgone,butnowthathisskinbrushedagainstherown,shehungeredformore.This,inspiteofthefactthatthedarknessremainedinhisgaze,theinhumanintelligenceofhimwatchingherwitheyesofobsidian.
Itwasmadnesstopermitthistocontinue,tomakeherselfevermorevulnerabletoamanshemightneverunderstand,butreasonhadlongslippedoutofhergrasp.Pressingherhandtohischeek,sheclosedhereyesandpartedherlipsunderhisinaninstinctiveinvitationthatheacceptedwithouthesitation,onehandgentleatherthroat,theothertightinherhairasthetasteofhim—hot,male,inexorablydark—infiltratedhereverysense.
Thecaressfeltraw,unpracticed,butnolessaddictingforit.Therealizationthathe’ddonethisactwithnoother,thatitwasasnewapleasuretohimasitwastoher,washeroininherbloodstream,ashockingpunchofsensation,theworldastudyinpassionatered.Stretchingherbodyupward,herweightbalancedonhertoes,shekissedhimwithawilddesperationthatlackedanysenseoffinesse.
Itdidn’tmatter.
Kalebtookwhatshegaveanddemandedmore,untilherheartricochetedinaharddrumbeatagainstherribsandairwassomethingshegaspedinbetweenindulgingintheheatedrecklessnessofthekiss.AkissthathadherpressedbetweenthecoolglassofthewindowandthehardridgesofKaleb’sbody,oneofhishandsstillatherthroat.
Thephysicalreminderofhisdeadlypossessivenessdidnothingtothrowcoldwaterontheconflagrationthatthreatenedtoconsumethemboth.Kalebwasn’tcoldnow,hisskinhotenoughtoburn,thearmhe’dbracedoverherheadtrappingherinaprisonshehadnodesiretoescape.Thrustingherhandsintohishair,sheheldhimtoher,sinkingherteethintohislowerlipinaferalactofpassionthatshould’veshockedher.
Itdidn’t.Notinthemadness.
Hishandtightenedthebarestfractiononherthroatbeforeheechoedtheact,andshewantedtoscreamattheelectricburntheprimalcaressignitedoverherbody.Toomuch,thiswastoomuchtoosoon,butshecouldn’tstop,couldn’tbeartolethimgo.Thesoundofsomethingcrashingtothekitchentilesmadeherjerkback,chestheaving.“Kaleb?”
“It’snothing.”Hismouthwasonhersagainthenextsecond,themuscledwidthofhisshouldershidingtherestoftheroomfromherview…butshefeltitwhensomethinghitthewallwithenoughviolencetomakethehousevibrate.
Wrenchingawayhermouth,sheshovedathischest.
Hedidn’tbudge,thelookonhisfaceleavingheruncertainifhewasrationalinanyway,hiseyesgleamingablacksodeep,she’dneverseenitinnature.Onlyinthedarkest,mosttwistedrecessesofthelabyrinth.
Chapter18
“KALEB,SOMETHINGISwrong.”
Hisexpressiondidn’talter,theflushofpassiononhischeekbonesandtheperspirationthatglimmeredonhisshouldersinthemorningsunlightdoingnothingtosoftenthehardnessofhim.Eventhehairshe’dmussedwithherfingersonlymadehimappearmoredangerous,apredatorwho’dremovedhismasktorevealtheharshtruth.
Breathstillshortandshallow,shepressedherfingerstohislipswhenhewould’veclaimedhermouthagain,theaddictiveheatofhimpressedupagainstherbreasts.Ittookalevelofself-controlthatwasstaggeringinitsintensity—thisman,hecouldmakeherhisslave,herbodyhistocommand.“Kaleb.”
Strokinghisthumboverherpulseoncemore,hefinallyreleasedherandturnedtofacetheroom.Saharalookedaroundhim,felthereyeswiden.
Theroomwastrashed.
Ithadbeenthesofasmashingintotheoppositewallthathadfinallybrokenthroughthedesirethathadhadthembothinitsgrip.Thepieceoffurniturehadcreatedaholeinthatwall,butthatwasn’ttheworstofit.Everysinglewindowintheroom,asidefromtheoneonwhichshe’dleaned,wasspiderwebbedwithfracturessodeepitfeltasifabreathwouldcausetheshardstofall,whilethefloorwasrippled,andalargetablelayinsplintersnearthewidedoorwayintothekitchen,asifithadbeenthrownatthedoorwayandnotmadeitthrough.
“Akiss,”shewhispered,staringatKaleb’sprofileashetookinthedamagedonebyhistelekineticstrengthwithaclinicaleye.“Onekiss.”
Kaleb,hisupperbodygildedbythesunlight,angledhisfacetowardher.“I’llhavetorefinemyshields—theyfailedagainsttheintensityofthecontact.”
Saharareleasedashudderingbreath,herbreastsheavyandalmostpainful.“AreyousafeonthePsyNet?”Ifhisshieldsfailedonthementalplane,hismindwouldbecomeasvulnerableashershadbeenbeforehe’dextendedhisshieldstoprotecther.“Ifanyofwhatwe’reexperiencingleaks—”
“There’sbeennobreach.”Apausebeforeheshiftedtofaceher,oneofhishandslightlycuppingthesideofherjaw,hiseyesablackinferno.“Iwantmore.”
Caughtoffguardattherealizationthathisarousalhadn’tbeentemperedbytheinterruption,Sahara’slipspartedinagasp.Kalebtookthesilentinvitation,hismouthonhersashepressedherbacktotheglass,hiserectionpushingintoherabdomeninharddemand.Moaning,shesuckedonhistongueashishandcameuptocoverherbreast…andtheworldturnedtoshardsofglass,thewindowsexplodinginaglitteringshowerofdeadlysnow.
***
KALEBhadSaharaoutontheterracebeforeshecouldbehitbyasinglesplinterofglass.Hereyeshuge,shewatchedtheglasscollideinthemiddleoftheroombeforetheshardsfelltothefloorinanoddlymusicalcrash.Ignoringthesight,Kalebfoundhisgazelockedontheslickwetnessofherlips.
Asinglethoughtandhecouldhavetheminthebedroom,couldhavehernaked,theskin-to-skincontacttotal.
“You’rebleeding.”Sahara’sfingertipsskatedoverhisshoulders,wherehe’dbeenhitbyafewstraysplinters.
Blood.Shehadbledmorethanhe’dthoughtpossible.
Thecoldwhisperofmemorysucceededindoingwhattheglasshadn’t,remindinghimofthedamagethatcouldbedonebyanout-of-controlTk.Forcinghisfingerstoreleaseherarms,heturnedawaytolookoutthroughthebarsoftherailingandintothegorge,theaircoolagainsthisskin,thesunnotyetatfullstrength.
Witheachbreathcameanotherpieceofreason.BothhisPsyNetandpersonalshielding,hesawwhenhecheckedonthem,wereoverhalf-gone.Theyhadn’tcollapsed—theyhadexplodedonebyone,goingoutwardfromhiscore.Notafatalfailure,threeofhisoutershieldsholdingfirm…butclose.Closerthanhe’dcomesincehewasachild.
Afewmoreminutesandhisabilitieswould’vegonerogue.
“Thisisdangerous.”Saharacametostandbesidehim,butshedidn’tattempttotouch,leavingenoughdistancebetweenthemtopreventaccidentalcontact.“Forbothofus.”
Alreadyrebuildinghisshields,Kalebreachedouttogriptheironbars,hisarmsspreadwide.“Youwereneveratrisk.”Theobsidianshieldhe’dplacedaroundherwasimpregnable.
Thatveryimpermeabilitywasthereasonhecouldn’tgoobsidianhimself.ItwouldleavehimcutofffromthedatastreamsoftheNet,adeadlyblindness.Now,hisrenewedshieldsfracturedbeforereachingmaximumstrength,Sahara’sproximityproblematic.Fixinganisolatedlocationinhismind,hesaid,“I’llreturninanhour,”andteleportedout.
***
SAHARAdidn’tattempttostopKaleb,theglitterofglasswhensheturnedtolookintothelivingroomproofenoughofwhyheneededtodistancehimselffromher.Staringatthesunlightasitwasrefractedbytheshards,creatingbeautyoutofdestruction,sheleanedherbackagainsttheironbarsthatencircledtheterrace
“Youwereneveratrisk.”
“Wasn’tI?”shewhispered,thinkingofthemadnessofhersurrender.Evenafterrecognizinghowfarhewalkedinthedarkness,evenafterhearingthechillinhumanityinhisvoice,evenafterseeingthecalculationinhisgazebeforehekissedher,shehadgivenintotherageofneedthatlivedinsideher.
Andinhim.
Kalebmayhavebegunthekisswithacalculatedmotive—buthehadbeenherpartnerinthemadnessbytheend,hisbodyasarousedasherown,hismindasenslavedashers.Fingerstrembling,shepushedbackherhairandtookaseatonthelounger,hereyestrainedonthesmoothwoodenplanksthatmadeuptheterrace.Itwasn’thealthy,thisobsessiveneedshehadforKaleb,notwhenhertrustinhimwasbornofapastshecouldn’tconsciouslyremember.
Evenmore,whenshedidn’tknowwhoshewas,whoshe’dbecome
ShewasstilltherewhenKalebreturned,walkingontotheterracethroughthedoorsofhisstudy.Itwasclearhe’dshowered,washingoffthebloodandsweatboth.Hishairwasinplace,hissuitpantsacrispblack,thesamecolorasthesilktieathisthroat,afreshwhiteshirtcoveringhisupperbody.Hehadn’tfoldedbackthesleevesasheoftendidathome.Instead,cufflinksglintedathiswrists.
Themaskwasbackinplace.
“I’veorganizeddamagerepair,”hesaidtoher,slidinghishandsintothepocketsofhispants.“I’llneedtorelocateyouforafewhourstomorrowtogivethehumancrewtimetogettheworkdone.”
Sahara,herbodyinakindofshockattherawnessofwhathadpassed,triedtofindsomehintofthesameinKalebandfailed.“Aren’tyouafraidthey’llsellinformationaboutyourhome?”
“No.”Itwassaidwiththebrutalconfidenceofamanwhoknewhescaredpeoplefarmorethancouldbealleviatedbyanymonetaryincentive.
Thetinyhairsonherarmsroseinshiveringwarning,thoughthesunshoneoverhead.“Ican’tthinkhere,”shesaid,theglintingshardsofglasscontinuingtocatchhereye,thebarsaroundtheterracesuddenlystifling.“Thebeach.Willyoutakemetothebeach?”
Shekickedoffhershoestheinstanttheyarrivedattheisolatedstretchofwater,theendlesshorizonunlockingthechainsaroundherribs.Suckingingulpsoftheseaair,sherolledupherjeansandwadedintotheshallows,herthoughtscalmingandsettlingwitheachlapofthewavesagainsthershins.Itwasalongtimelater,herdecisionmade,thatshecametositbesidehimonthesun-warmedsand,takingcaretomakecertaintheirbodiesdidn’ttouch.
Asshe’dlearnedinthehouse,theicethatencasedKalebwasn’tindestructible.Andifhecrashedthroughitagain,she’dfallwithhim.Regardlessofherreasoned,rationalthoughts,onethingshe’dacceptedasshestoodinthewater:Kalebwasanaddictionsovisceral,shecouldneverhopetocontrolit.Notwhilethepastthatconnectedthemremainedasmudgedmirage.
“Iwanttoaskyouforsomething,”shesaidquietly.“Butfirst,Ineedyoutotellmewhat’shappeninginthePsyNet.”Itwascriticalshehavethatinformationifshewastoenterthepsychicnetworkonherowninthenearfuture.
***
KALEBhadbeenprimedtodealwiththefalloutfromhissignificantlossofcontrol,butthiswasonequestionhehadn’texpected.However,hedidn’tevenconsidershieldingherfromthetruth.Sahara’sstrengthwasindisputable—shehadsurvivedsevenyearsofcaptivityand,beforethat,she’dsurvivedamonsterandhisapprentice.
“It’sbeingattackedontwofronts,”hesaid,thewallsofhismindscrollingwithimagesofachippedbladeasitsankintosoftfeminineflesh.“PurePsyisthefirstandobviousaggressor,butthemoredangerousone,longterm,isadiseasethat’scausingthepsychicfabricoftheNettorotanddie.”
Seeingherinterest,hegaveherthefulldetails,beforeadding,“InaPsyhost,infectionleadstomentaldegradation,includingoutbreaksofviolenceand,eventually,death.”
Expressive,herfacehidnothingassheworkedthroughtheramifications.“It’sus,”shesaid,herintelligenceasacuteasithadalwaysbeen.“TheNetiscreatedoutofthemindsofourrace,andwe’rebrokenonafundamentallevel.”Sadnesslingeredinthemidnightblue.“Ifit’saNetwideproblem,itmustbemanifestinginmoresubtlewayseveninareasthatappearfreeofinfection.”
Shehadunderstoodinasingleminutewhatothershadnotseenaftermonthsofexposure,evenpeoplewhoshouldknowbetter.“Therearethosewhoarebecomingmoreandmoreinnocent”—almostchildlike—“whileothersareturningtwistedanddarktotheextentthattheirfuturerampageswilleclipsetheinsanityandserialkillingthatmadeSilenceseemthebetterchoice.”
Saharahuggedherarmsaroundherraisedknees.“That’sbad,butnotasbadaswhattheinfectionisdoingtothepsychicfabricoftheNet.”
Kalebsaidnothing,hisattentiononthescentofherhairasthewindsweptthestrandsacrossherfaceandoverhisarm.
“Iftherotcreatesenoughpointsofweakness,”shewhispered,“theNetwillfragmentandeventuallycollapse.Everyonewilldie.”
“Itwon’tfragment,won’tcollapse.”Ifitdid,Saharawoulddieandthatwasunacceptable.“Ihavethepowertoensureitmaintainsitsintegrity.”
SaharahadalreadybeguntounderstandwhatdroveKaleb.“Youplantoseizetotalcontrol.”Sheknewsheshouldbehorrified—Kalebwasanavatarofdarkness,innowaytherightmantotrustwiththefateofanentirepeople.Butshecouldn’targuewithhisreasoning;hispowerwasvast.Hemightbetheonlyonecapableofsavingtheirracefromthedayofreckoningcomingevernearerwitheveryinfection,everyinchofrot.“Whatwillyoudowithit?”
“Thathasyettobedecided.”
Beadsofcoldsweatrolleddownherspine,andsuddenlythedeclarationofpossessionshe’dtakenasasignofanobsessionthatcouldentombthembothinblackicewassomethingelsealtogether.“That’swhyyouwantme,isn’tit?”shesaid,herpainsodeep,ithadnoname,noending.“YouknowwhatIcando.”
Kalebstaredoutoverthewater,hisprofilelimnedbythesun.“I’vealwaysknownwhatyoucoulddo.”Hadbeenawareofthevastpotentiallockedwithinherslenderframesinceshewasachild.“Iwon’tuseyouorhurtyou.”Thepromisewasonehe’dmadelongago,oneshecouldnolongerremember…thoughshe’dkeptherownpromise.
Saharahadnocomprehensionofthepowershewielded,oftheempireshe’ddestroyforher,thebloodhe’dspill.Allshesawwasthemonsterhe’dbecome.“Iwouldneverhurtyou.”Everymanhadabreakingpoint,andSaharawashis—andthoughheknewhisdeclarationtobethewrongmoveonthechessboard,hertrustinhimwavering,hecouldnolongerstandthewarinessofher.
Sahara’seyeswereofinfinitedepthwhenshelookedathim,theclarityofhergazeseemingtostripawaythemaskuntilshesawtheuglytruthofhisbecoming.“Iwanttogohome,”shesaid,“toTahoe.Tomyfather.”
Everymuscleinhisbodywentrigid.“I’vetoldyou,youbelongtome.”Shewastheonlypersonintheworldwhodid,andhewouldneversurrenderhisclaim.
Notunlessanduntilshedidtheonethingthatwouldforeverseparatethem.
“Youalsopromisedmeyou’dneverhurtme.”Itwasaquietreminderofthevowhe’djustremade.“This—us—I’mbeingsubsumedinit.”Acridfear,thelineofherjawtautassheturnedhergazetothewater.“Ican’tbecomewhoI’mmeanttobeinyourshadow.I’mafraidofwakinguponedayandfindingthere’snothingleftinsidemebutthisfuriousneedforyouthatwrenchesawaymysanity.”
Thecoldvoidinhim,thepartthatspoketotheDarkMindandfoundsatisfactioninTatiana’sterror,sawinherconfession—inthememoryofthewayshe’dheldhimtoher,bothofthemoutofcontrol—asubmissionthatgavehimthepowertobendhertohiswill.Ifheheldherlongenough,Saharawouldbehisineveryway.Buteventhepartthatwasthevoid,mercilessandwithoutconscience,knewonething:thewomanwhoremainedwouldnolongerbeSahara,hermurderaquietsuffocation.
“ThereisnoguaranteeNightStarwillbesafeforyou,”hesaid,thewavescrashingtoshorewithincreasingforceashistelekinesisthreatenedtoslipitsbonds.“YouhadyoursuspicionsaboutwhattheydidtoFaith.”
“Myfather,Irememberhimnow.”Sheblinkedagainstthesprayofawavethatslammedtothesandwithenoughforcetoreachthemboth.“He’snotjustaname,wasneverjustageneticdonor.Hewould’vemissedme.”
Seeingtheflecksofwateronhisshirt,Kalebwasremindedoftheshardsofglassthatcarpetedthelivingroom.“YourfatherisSilent.”Ashespoke,heswitchedonthedissonanceatthehighestlevel,wrackinghisbodywithanerve-shreddingpainthatheboreinexpressionlessquiet.HecouldnotrisklosinglethalcontrolwhileSaharasatnexttohim,askingtowalkaway.ThepainitselfdidnothingtohalttheTk—no,itwassimplyareminderthathecouldnever,everletgo.
Ifhestruckoutandendedher,hewouldbecomeanightmareintruth.
“HemightbeSilent,”Saharasaid,hermindfilledwithimagesofabigmanwhohadpickedherupanddustedheroffaftercountlesschildhoodaccidents,“butIwasmoretohimthanabiologicallegacy.”Infrontofher,thewavesremainedaggressivebutnolongerviolent,andsheknewtheTkbesideherhadfoundtheblackiceagain.Passionateangerbubbledbelowherskin,herhatreddirectedattheveryremotenessthatmightmakehimopentoreason.
“Myfathertreatedmewithcare”—shetightenedhergriparoundherownwriststostopfromreachingforKaleb—“evenwhenmyonlyknowngiftwasbacksightatalevelfarbelowmystandingontheGradient.HeneveroncemademefeelasifIwereadisappointment.Mywholelife,IknewIwasimportanttohim.”
GlancingatKalebwhenheremainedsilent,thewindwhippingherhairoffherface,shesaid,“Didhesearchforme?”
Kaleb’seyesremainedonthewater,hisgazethatblacknesssoabsolute,shecouldn’timaginewhathesaw.“Yes.LeonKyriakushasledtheNightStarsearchsincethedayofyourdisappearance,tothepresentday.”
Hopestruggledtolifeinsideher.“Tatianais…outofthepicture”—tighteningherstomachmusclestocontaintheroilinginherabdomen—“andthereisnoreasontobelieveanyoneinmyfamilywaseversympathetictoher.NightStarisaverytight-knitclan.”They’dhadtobe.Foresightwasnotagiftthatallowedforthesurvivaloftheindividualwithoutthesupportofthegroup.“EveniftheydidselloutFaith”—ithurttothinkthat—“itshowsaprofitmotive.Thereisnopossibleeconomicadvantageingivingupmyabilitytoanother.”
NoresponsefromthedeadlyTkwhoconsideredherhispossession.
“Iwanttogohome,Kaleb,”shesaidagain,andwatchedthewavesturnmurderous.
Chapter19
SAHARATHOUGHTTHEsightmagnificent,thecrashingthunderofthewateradarkmusic.Therewasnofearinherbloodbecause,foolishthoughitmightbe,shebelievedhimwhenhesaidhewouldn’thurther,thisfascinatingandlethalmalehersubconscioussawassafe,andwhoheldthepowertoenslaveherbody.Therewasahauntinghardnesstohisbeauty,asifhehadbeencarvedofpureiron,butthatonlymadethetemptationworse—becauseheburnedforher,asheburnedfornoother.
“Iwanttositinmyfather’skitchen,”shewhispered,tastingthesaltofthespraythrownupbythewaves,“andIwanttosleepinthebedthatwasmine.”Shewasnolongertheteenagerwhohadoncesharedthesmall,neathousewithherfather,butthatteenageselfwastheonlytemplateshehadforwhoshemight’vebeen.Itwasherstartingpoint.
Kaleb’sresponsewasscalpelsharpandascold.“Yourshieldsarepaper-thin.”
“Yes.”Wantingdesperatelytoholdhim,toscreamattheinjusticeofwhathadbeendonetothemboth,shetightenedhergriponherownwristsuntilherhandsthreatenedtogonumb.“I’llneedhelptohidemybrokenSilence,aswellasmyvulnerabilities.”
“Areyouaskingmetohelpyou?”
Itwasaridiculousrequestofthismanwhohadconfessedtohavingbeenanapprenticetoaserialmurderer,andwhohadkeptherprisonerinahomefarfromcivilization,andyetshesaid,“Yes.”
Heartthuddingattheriskshetook,butnolongerabletofightthehungerforcontact,shetouchedherfingerstohisforearm,directlyabovethemarkthatwaslessascarandmoreabrand,thefineandslightlydampcottonofhisshirtnotthickenoughtoconcealtheraisedridgesshetracedwithherfingertips.
Shewantedtoaskhimaboutthatmarkuntilithurt,buteverytimeshewenttoopenhermouthonthequestion,herheartbegantopoundloudenoughtodrownoutallothersound,herthroatlinedwithgritsohardandrough,itthreatenedtocut.Itwasakeytothepast,thatterriblebrand,butitwasakeyhermindwasn’tyetreadytoturn.
“Youcanreachme,takeme,atanytime.”Itwasasimplefact,hispowervast,andoneshecouldnotignore,evenasshefoughtforherfreedom.
Herownpowerwasasvast…butirrationalthoughherdecisionmightbe,itwasoneshewouldnotuseonKaleb.“AllI’masking,”shesaidasthatsilentrepudiationsanginherblood,“isthatyougivemetimetobecomewhoI’mmeanttobe.”Insteadofthisfracturedfacsimile.“Ithurtstobesobroken.”
***
KALEBhadspentsevenyearssearchingforherwithruthlessfocus,andnowsheaskedhimtosetherfree.Onceagain,thevoid,thepartofhimthatheknewwasperilouslyunbalanced,heldincheckonlythroughthepowerofhiswill,respondedwithaprimalnegative.
Mine.Sheismine.
Nooneelsehadanyrighttoher.
Thatunbalancedpart,however,wasalsoinsanelyprotectivewhereSaharawasconcerned,andithadalreadyacceptedthattoholdherwouldbetobreakher.Hehadtolethergo.Hergratefulness,therational,manipulativepartofhismindmurmured,wouldservetostrengthentheembryonicnewbondbetweenthem.Already,she’daskedforhishelp—ifheplayedthisright,shewouldalwaysturnfirsttohim.
Asforhersafety,NightStarwassafeenough.ThePsyClanmightlockupitsmad,butitdidsoinserenesurroundingsmeanttoofferthefragmentedforeseerssomequalityoflife,completewitharotationofcaretakersthatmeanttheywereneverlostinisolationandneveratriskofharmingthemselves.AnthonyKyriakus,theheadoftheclan,understoodloyalty—noNightStar,eventheirmostfamousdefector,hadeverbeenpubliclyhungouttodry.Assuch,Sahara’sbrokenSilencewouldbenotedin-houseandkeptscrupulouslyoutofpublicview.
“I’llcontinuetoshieldyou.”Hisownpowerwasenormous,butasTatianahaddiscovered,healsohadtheresourcesoftheNetMindandDarkMindathisdisposal.“Noonewillbeabletoenteryourmind.”
Saharanodded,herprofiledelicateagainstthebackgroundofthewindsweptdunes.Alone,desolate.Inawaythathehadn’tconsidered,andonethatmightbecausingherexcruciatingpain.“AreyouhavingtroublewiththecontinuedseparationfromthePsyNet?”heasked,consciousthattoreleaseherfromhisshieldswhileherownwerepaper-thinwouldbetopaintatargetonherback.
PurePsywouldtermheranabominationinherbrokenSilence,andthenthereweretheotherpredators.If,however,theseparationwasstarvinghermindasTatiana’scagehaddone,he’dquitesimplyeliminateanyonewhoposedathreat.Soonenough,peoplewouldcometounderstandthattoattempttoharmSaharawastosigntheirdeathwarrant.
“No,”shesaid,playingtheshimmeringblacksandthroughherfingerswiththeconcentrationofsomeoneforwhomsuchsensationhadbeenoutofreachforaneon.“It’ssaferandhealthierformetoremaininsideyourshieldsuntilmyownareatfullstrength.”Asmiledirectedathim,onethatheldanopenanddeeptenderness.“AndI’mnotalone—you’rethere,butyouneverintrude,nevertakewhatisn’tyourstotake.”
Eveninthedarkestpartofhispsyche,thepartcoveredinbloodanddeath,herecoiledattheideaofviolatingher.“I’llmaintaintheshieldsuntilyousayotherwise.”
Saharawatchedhimwiththoseeyesofbluemidnight,andhewonderedifshecouldseetheuglinessthathadshapedhisstance.Itwasbetterforherifshedidn’t.Somememoriescouldn’tbeerased,somedepravitiestoosickeningtoforget.Kalebhadsurvivedbyslicingawayhiscapacityforempathy,forpity.
Saharawasn’tbuilttomakethesamechoice,andsothememorieswouldeatheralive.“Don’t,”hesaid.“You’llregretit.”
“Iwouldnever,”wasthesoftanswer.“Iwouldnever.”
Somepartofher,hethoughtonceagain,rememberedthepromiseshe’dmadehimbeforethenightaknifeslidoverandintoherfleshandbloodsmearedhisskin.AndSaharahadneveroncebrokenapromiseshe’dmadehim.Hewastheonewho’ddonethat,hisbetrayalunforgivable.
Continuingtomaintaintheintimacyoftheeyecontact,hergazeholdingahauntingsadnessthatheknewwasforhim,Saharatouchedherfingerstohisjawinafeatherlightcaress,butwhenshespoke,itwastosay,“Tatianamayhavesharedthetruthaboutmewithothers—anotherreasonformetoavoidthePsyNetfornow.”
“Icouldtakeyoutoher.”SubjectTatianatothepoweroftheverygiftshe’dtorturedSaharainanattempttoharness.“Youcandowhateveryouliketoher.”
“Ineverwanttotouchthatwomaninanyway,evenonthepsychicplane.She’sevil.”Quick,jaggedwordsthickwithrevulsion.“Shealwaysspoketomeinsuchacool,cogentway,butitwasherorderstheguardsfollowedwhenthey—”Shecutherselfoffwithvicioussuddenness,theedgesofherwordstornraw.
“I’llfindoutwhatwasdonetoyou,”hesaid,knowingshe’dstoppedherselfbecauseofhim,becauseofwhathe’ddonetoTatianaandtotheguardwhohaddaredenterhishomewiththeintentoftakingSahara.“Whetheryoutellmeornot.”
Saharasetherjaw,herexpressionnolongerhauntedbutfierce.“Iwon’tpushyoudeeperintothedarkness.”
Hedidn’ttellheritwastoolate,thatithadbeentoolatethefirsttimethey’dmet.BecauseSaharahadn’twantedtobelievehimthen,andshewouldn’twanttobelievehimnow.Thatwaswhoshewas,ashewasamanwhohadnocompunctioncommittingmurderwhenitwasnecessary.
Shiftinghisgazetothewind-lashedwavesthunderingtoshore,hesaid,“I’lltakeyouhome.”Herosetohisfeetandaccessedhismemorybankstolocateanimagehe’dupdatedthreeweeksbefore.Retrievalwassimple—amentaltrickthatcamenaturallytomosttelekinetics—andanimageofatreetrunkwithanidiosyncraticpatternofknotholeswasattheforefrontofhismindasecondlater.
“Wait,”hesaidtoSaharawhenshegottoherfeet,and,activatingthelow-levelhumofhisability,hedidatest’port.HeappearedinthenightdarknessbesidethetreeatthebackofLeonKyriakus’shomebetweenonethoughtandthenext,thetreelargeenoughtoprovideconcealmentforaTkwhoshouldhaveneversetfootonthisland.Buthehad,andinsodoing,he’dalteredthecourseofSahara’slife,coloringitinsufferingandisolation.
Thewell-kepthouseattheedgeoftheNightStarcompoundappearedquiet,butalightglowedintheroomheknewtobeLeon’sstudy.
ReturningtoSahara,hesaid,“Areyouready?”asthevoidscreameditsdenialofwhathewasabouttodo,themadnessthreateningtosuckhimunder.
Adeepbreathbeforesheslidherhandintohis.“I’llbeabletoreachyou?”Thequestionwasquiet,herhandclenchingonhis.
“Atwill.”Histelepathywasagonizinglystrong,wouldamplifyherownabilitiestoallowthemtospeakastheywished.“Ifyoufeelatriskatanystage,justcall.I’llcome.”Hewouldalwayscometohercall.
Anunexpecteduncertainty,herthroatmovingassheswallowed.“WhatiftheclandisownsmebecauseofmybrokenSilence?”
“Theydidn’tdisownFaith,andit’shighlyunlikelythey’lldosowhenitcomestoafamilymemberthey’vebeensearchingforforsevenyears.”Whenherbreathtrembled,hesaid,“AsinglewordandI’llgetyouout.”Itwaskeepinghisdistancethatmightyetproveanimpossibility.
Pulseflutteringinherthroat,shenodded.“Let’sgo.”
Hemadetheteleportwiththatslenderhandcurledaroundhis,theconnectioncausinghisalreadyrawnerveendingstobleed.Thoughhe’dplannedonusingsextobondSaharaclosertohim,hehadn’trealizedthebrutalimpactintimatetouch—extendedtouchofanykind—wouldhaveonhimwhenitwasSaharawhoseskinslidagainsthis,Saharawhosetastewasadruginhissystem.Toeveryoneelse,hewouldappearasstableasalways.Hewasn’t.AndthatcouldbedevastatingwhenitinvolvedKaleb’slevelofpower.
Sahara’sfingersflexedinhishold,causinganothertinyrupture,anotherspikeinthedissonancehe’dinitiated.“Ineverthoughttocheckifhestillliveshere.Thisunitismeantforaparentandchild,notamanalone.”
“Hedoes.”KalebknewLeonKyriakushadneverstoppedwaitingforhisonlydaughtertocomehome.Hehadn’tpausedforasuitableperiod,thenorganizedanotherfertilizationandconceptioncontracttoreplacehisgeneticlegacy.Hehadn’tclearedoutherroomandthrownawayherbelongings.Andhehadn’teverstoppedsearchingforher.
Havingnoexperienceofparentalloyalty,ithadtakenKalebyearstoacceptthatLeonwouldnevergiveuponhischild—andhewouldcertainlyneverhandherovertoKaleb,shoulditbeLeonwholocatedherfirst.Notwithoutabloodyfight.SuchfidelitywassomethingKalebrespected,andhe’dhadeveryintentionofpermittingLeontoseehisdaughter—aftershehadbondedtoKalebinawaythatcouldnotbeseveredbyanypoweronthisEarth.
Theonethinghehadn’tfactoredintohisstrategywasthatSaharawasthegreatest,deepestfractureinhispsyche.Hewoulddothingsforherhe’ddofornooneelse,butwhilehe’demptytheskyforhersoshecouldspreadherwings,fly,hewouldnotsetherfree.Shebelongedtohim,wouldalwaysbelongtohim.“Yourfather,”headded,“leavesanelectronickeyforyouinthesmallhollowbelowthelaststep.”
Wetinthedeepblueeyeshe’dwaitedsevenlongyearstoseeagain,Saharatookasteptowardthehouse,halted.“Youwon’tleavemeyet?”
Hesteppedforwardinsilentanswer.
***
ASSahararaisedherhandtoknockonthedoor,however,Kaleb’spalmbrokecontactwithherown.Shefeltstunninglymoorless,herheartachingwithasenseoflossbeyondallproportiontotheact,butsheknewhe’dmadetherightchoice.Herfatherwasabouttofindhiskidnappeddaughteronhisdoorstep.Anyfurthersourceofstresswouldbeuntenable.
Asoundfrominsidethatsentherheartintoherthroat.Kaleb.
CallandI’llcome.Always.
Thedooropenedtospillgoldenlightontoherfeet,ontheheelsofapromisethatfeltetchedinstone,themanontheothersideastallandaswideasinhermemory—herfatherhadneverhadthebodyofthestereotypicalPsy.Helookedmoreakintotheold-fashionedlumberjacksshe’dseenonthecommonce,hisfacesquare,andhishairadeepauburn…thoughitnowboremorethanafewstrandsofsilver.
New,too,werethedeepgroovesthatmarkedthesidesofhismouthandspreadoutfromthecornersofhiseyes.Thoseeyeswereidenticaltoherown,ageneticaccidentthatmadetheirfamilialconnectionunmistakable.Asshelookedintothem,herthroatthick,sheexpectedtoglimpseconfusion.Ithadbeensevenyears,afterall,andshenolongerappearedthegirlshe’dbeenatsixteen.
“Sahara.”Blindingrecognitionbeforehedraggedherintohisarms,holdingonsotightshecouldn’tbreathe.Herheartsplinteredwithlove.No,shewouldn’tbedisowned,notbythismanwhoheldherasifshewereatreasure,thescentofhimaminglingoftheclinicwherehetreatedthechildrenoftheclanandthesmuggledcoffeehedrankinsecret.
Itwasthescentofhome.
“It’syou.”Voicehoarse,herelaxedhisholdenoughthathecouldlookintoherface.“It’syou.”
“Hello,Father.”Sheletthetearsfall,theknotchokingupherthroatmakinghervoicenearsoundless.“I’mnotthesameasIwas.”
“You’rehome.That’swhatmatters.Andyourfather,”hemurmured,asheeninhisowneyes,“isnotthesameashewas,either.Losingachildaltersamaninwaysthatcanneverbeundone.”
Tearsturningintosobs,sheclungtohim,asshecouldn’tclingtotheyearsforeverlost.Shedidn’tknowhowlongtheystoodthere,butwhenhepulledherintothehouse,Saharaturnedtosaygood-byetoKaleb…exceptthenightstooddesolateandalone,thedeadlytelekineticwho’dbroughtherhomegoneasifhe’dneverexisted.
Chapter20
ADENWASINVenice,havingcompletedadiscussionwiththeleaderoftherebelArrowcellinthecity,whenhiscellphonerangwithanincomingcallfromKalebKrychek.
“WhatprogresshaveyoumadeindiscoveringtheidentityoftheindividualbehindtheleakinPerth?”Kalebasked,anditwasaquestionAdenhadexpectedearlier.However,andbutforhisrecentrescueefforts,Kalebhadbeenuncharacteristicallyquietoverthepasttwomonths.
“Considerable,”Adenreplied,thinkingofalltheArrowtailsthecardinalTkhadeludedinthosemonthsasheslippedinandoutofdistantpartsofthePsyNet.“HisnameisAllanDawesandthirty-sixhoursago,justaswewereclosingin,hedisappearedbothfromhisphysicallifeandfromthePsyNet.It’scertainhe’sbeinghiddenbytelepathswithmoreadvancedtrainingwithinPurePsy.”Itwouldn’tsavethemiddle-agedmale,simplydelaytheinevitable.
Kaleb’sresponsemadeitclearhehadthesameexpectation.“I’mchangingmyearlierorder.Bringhimtome.IwanttohaveapersonaldiscussionwithMr.Dawes.”
“I’llarrangethetransferoncehe’sinthecustodyofthesquad.”Hangingup,Adenrelayedtherequesttohispartner.
“YouthinkKalebmaybeworkingwithPurePsy,”Vasicsaid,hiseyesonthecanalnotfarinfrontofthem,thewaterabrokenmirrorasaresultoftheearlymorningrainthatfellinhardsheets.
Protectedfromthedownpourbytheoverhangofthebuildingwheretheystood,Adenslidawayhiscellphone.“Krychekisdrivenbypower,”hesaid,havingneverhadanyillusionsabouttheothermale’smotivations.“IfPurePsysucceedsintotallydestabilizingthecurrentpowerstructure,it’llleaveavacuumonlyKrychekwillbestrongenoughtofill.”
Vasicwassilentforalongtime,thesoundoftherainhittingthecanalwatermutedthunder.“Krychek,”hesaidatlast,“hasthestrengthtowrenchcontroloftheNetonhisown.”
“Butthen,”Adenpointedout,“he’dhavetofighttoholdontoit.Farbettertocometoleadershipasasavior,ahero.”
Vasicnodded.“Wewatchhim.Evenadualcardinalcanbekilledifitprovesnecessary.”
Adenknewthatifthatdecisionwereevermade,they’dhaveonlyasingleshotattakingKrychekunawares.Failurewouldmeandeathfortheentiresquad.“Wewatchhim,”heagreedastherainslantedtohitthegroundathisfeet,flickingdropletsontohisregulationblackcombatboots.
Chapter21
SAHARACOULDN’THAVEbettertimedherreturn.
Sleepwasoutofthequestionforeitherherorherfatherthatnight,bothofthemunabletoletoneanotheroutoftheirsight.
“Ihaveascheduleddayofftodayfrommydutiesatthemedicalcenter,”herfathertoldherthenextmorning.“Noonewillcomelooking.”
Bysilentagreement,theystayedinside,puttingoffthemomentthey’dhavetospeaktoAnthony—herpaternaluncleandtheheadofNightStar.Thoughtheydiscussedamyriadofsubjects,herfatherdidn’taskprobingquestions,didn’tforcehertospeakofthingsshedidn’twanttospeakabout.
Hewassimplyhappytohaveherhome.
Theytalkedoffamily,andofthechangesintheworldthathadledtotheclansettingstartlingnewprotocolsinplacewhenitcametothegiftedandtroubledFdesignation.“Faith’sdefectiontaughtusthatwewerewrongtofollowtheruleshandeddowntousaftertheinceptionofSilence.”
Voicesomber,hedrankasipofthenutrientdrinkhe’dmixedforthemboth.“Asamedic,IgenuinelybelievedtheactionswetookloweredtheriskofmentaldegradationfortheFs.SodidAnthony.It’swhyhepermittedFaithtobetrainedasshewas.Tofindoutthatwemighthavebeendrivingher,drivingalloftheFs,towardthemadnessweintendedtothwart…itshookthefoundationsofthefamily.”
Saharatrustedherfatherinthisasshe’dtrustnooneelse—hewasatruehealeratheart,hadlongagoadoptedthehumanoathof“firstdonoharm,”theplaquewiththecompletepledgehanginginhisoffice.“I’vemissedsomuch,”shesaid,angerbrightandnewawakeninginherblood.“Hadsomuchstolenfromme.”
“Youhavealifetimeaheadofyou,”herfathersaid,closinghishandoverherown.“Youalsohaveafather,andaPsyClanwhowillbackyoueverystepoftheway.”
Herfather,sherealized,hereyesonthefreckledcreamofhisskinagainstherown,hadalwaysmadecasualcontact,especiallyafterthediscoveryofhershadowability.Neverhadhetreatedherasaleper,andinsodoing,he’dhelpedhermaintainhersenseofhumanity.Kaleb,too,sherealizedwithasenseofwonder,hadneverrepudiatedhertouch,thoughhe’dalwaysbeenawareoftherisksheposed.
“Don’t.You’llregretit.”
“Iwouldnever.”
Heranswerhadn’tchanged,wouldneverchange,butexaminedinthecoldlightofday,theunadulteratedemotionalfuryofherrefusalwasamystery.Notonce—notonce—hadshebeentemptedtouseherabilityonhim,thoughitwould’vefundamentallyalteredthebalanceofpower.Eventheideaofitmadeherfeelnauseated.
“Yourmemories,”herfathersaid,cuttingthroughthevisceralreaction.“Howdamagedarethey?Therearemedicaltelepathswhomaybe—”
“No,”sheinterrupted.“Idon’twantanyoneinsidemyhead.”Atherfather’simmediatenodofunderstanding,sheadded,“AndIhavealmosteverything.”Itwasalie,buthowcouldshetellhimthatthebiggest,mostimportantpiecewasmissing?
ApiecenamedKaleb.
Itwashourslaterthattheygaveintotirednessatlast.Enteringherbedroom,SaharafoundaboxofclothingKalebhadclearly’portedin,alongwithacellphoneencodedwithhisdirectlines.
“Thankyou,”shewhispered.
ChangingintoalooseT-shirtthathappenedtobeatthetopofthebox,sheslippedintoheroldsinglebed.Herrestwasdreamless,andshewokethenextmorningreadytofacetheclan.Soonassheandherfatherhadbothbreakfasted,theyheadedtoAnthony’soffice.ThecentralNightStarcompound,thehomesbuilttoblendintotheirsurroundings,hadalwayshadlargerareasofopenandgreenspacethanwasusualinPsycomplexes,butthoseareashadbeenfurtherexpandedduringhertimeincaptivity,anumberofleafytreesprovidingdappledshade.
Eyeswidenedwhentheylandedonher,theshocktoogreattosuppress,butnooneattemptedtostoptheirprogress.Whentheyreachedtheoffice,Anthony’sassistant,anolderwomanSahararecognizedfrombeforeherabduction,wavedtheminwithoutquestions.TheheadofthePsyClan,blackhairsilveredatthetemples,camearoundhisdeskastheyentered,hisgazedirect,unwavering.
“Leon.”Anodtoacknowledgehisyoungerhalfbrotherbeforehereturnedhisattentiontoher.“Sahara.Youlookwell.”
Yes,shedid.Thankstothecareofthemostdeadlycardinalontheplanet,herfacewasn’tgaunt,herbodyslenderbuthealthy.Sheknew,however,thatherphysicalhealthwasn’tatthetopofAnthony’slistofpriorities.“Idon’tknow,”shesaid,“ifmyrescuerembeddedanytreacheroustendenciesinme,butIbelievenot.”Kalebdidn’tneedtocontrolherinthatfashion.And—“MyabilitymeansIwould’vebeenawareofanysuchattemptsatmentalcoercion.”
“Doesyourrescuerhaveaname?”
Shetoldhim,havinginformedherfatheraheadoftime.
“Isee.”Walkingbackaroundthedesk,Anthonyretookhisseat,wavingforthemtodothesame.“AccordingtothePsyNet,youdon’texist.”
“Good.”Herfather’sresponsewasfierce.“Itmeansshe’ssafefromanyfurtherattemptstoabductandcageher,evenifitisKrychekdoingtheprotecting.”
“Agreed.”Anthonyleanedbackintheblackleatherofhischair.“Doyouknowtheidentityoftheindividualorindividualsbehindyourcaptivity?”
Saharahadn’tdiscussedthiswithKalebbutsawnoreasonwhyhe’dwantthetruthkeptsecret—anditwasthetruth,ofthatshehadnodoubt.Kalebdidnotlietoher.“TatianaRika-Smythe.”
NosurpriseinAnthony’sexpression,nothingbutthepenetratingintellectofamanattheheadofoneofthemostinfluentialfamiliesintheNet.“DidKalebmentionwhyherescuedyou?”
Saharahesitated…andthenshelied.“Itwasachallenge,andNightStarnowoweshimasignificantfavor.”WhatwasbetweenherandKalebwasbetweenherandKaleb.She’dallownooneelsetointerferewiththeraw,passionaterelationshipformedofhiddenmemoriesandthecharmbraceletsheworeconcealedunderhersimplewhiteshirt,atalismanofstrengthfromamanwhomightbehergreatest,deepestweakness.“Thepsychiccostoftheexercise,hedecided,wouldbeworththegain.”
FromthewayAnthony’seyes,arichbrown,lingeredonher,heknewshewashidingsomething,butSaharadidn’tflinch.Secret,thegirlshe’dbeenwhispered.Secret.
“ThesecondarybenefitofyourlackofvisibilityintheNet,”Anthonysaidintotheheavyquiet,“isthatyoursplinteredSilenceremainshiddenfromthepro-Silencelobby.”
Fingerstrembling,shegrippedthearmsofherchair.“Areyouplanningtoordermetoundergoaprogramofreconditioning?”Noonewaseveragaingoingtoattempttomoldhermindtotheirliking,andifthatwaswhatAnthonyplanned,shehadtoknow.
“No.”Herfather’sgazelockedwithhishalfbrother’s,hisloyaltiesclear.“NoonetouchesSahara’smind.”
Anthony’sresponsewasacalm“Yes.It’stoolateforthat,”buthiseyescontinuedtowatchher.“Kalebmaynothaveattempedtohackyourmind;however,Tatianahadyouforanextendedperiod.Howcertainareyouthatyouhaven’tbeencompromised?”
“Absolutely,”Saharasaidwithouthesitation,consciousAnthonywouldcontinuetokeepaneyeonherregardless.ThatwaspartofhismandateastheheadofthePsyClanandshedidn’tresenthimforit.Shealsoknewhe’dfindnothingofconcern—evenbeforethelabyrinthbecameabarrierofchaosTatianacouldn’tnavigate,Sahara’suniquenaturalsafeguardshadactedasanimpenetrablefirewallagainstanyattemptsatmentalmanipulation.
“It’swhy,”Saharasaid,herstomachtwisting,“Tatianaresortedtosuchunsubtlemethodsasrippingmyshieldsaparttoleavemythoughtsexposedandinflictingphysicaltorture.”Bythen,Saharahadalreadycreatedthelabyrinth;ithadnotonlyhelpedherprotecthersecretsandsenseofselfwhenhermindwastornopen,ithadgivenheraplacetogowherenothinghurt,negatingthedangerthatshe’dbreakunderthepsychicandphysicaltorture,cooperate,simplytoavoidthepain.
“You’reright,”Anthonysaid,somewhattohersurprise.“Tatiananeverusesopenforceifshecanutilizeatelepathicwormorothersimilarmethods.”Pausingabeat,headded,“You’resafeinsidethefamilywhenitcomestoyourbrokenSilence.Asfortheoutsideworld,I’dsuggestcaution.Learntopretendandpretendwell.”Thewordswerecoollypractical,themessageunexpectedinspiteofwhatshe’dlearnedabouttheeventsthathadshapedtheclanintheyearssinceshe’dlastsatinthisoffice.
“Onemorething,Sahara,”Anthonysaidasshewaswalkingoutthedoorahalfhourlater,“Kalebmighthaverescuedyou,butdon’tmakethemistakeoftrustinghim.He’sneverdoneaselflessactinhislife—andhe’smorethanmanipulativeenoughtosetyoufreeaspartofhisstrategytowinyourloyalty.”
UnspokenwerethewordsthatthepersonwhohadSahara’sloyaltywouldalsohaveaccesstoherability:anabilitysoquietandsoterrifyingthatnooneandnothingcouldstandinitspath,andyetonethatleftnotasingletrace.Nobodies,noanger,noembersofrebellion.TheperfectweaponforamanwhowantedtoseizecontroloftheNet.
***
ANTHONYspentseveralminutesconsideringhisnextmoveafterthedoorclosedbehindSaharaandLeon.Thoughhe’djoinedinthesearchforhisnieceonmultipleoccasionsashisdutiespermitted,thelastasrecentlyastwomonthsago,he’dknownthechancesoflocatingherwerelow.Shewasfartoovaluableaprizeforhercaptorstobeinanywaycareless.
Nownotonlyhadshebeenlocated,butreturned.DespitethewarningAnthonyhadgivenSahara,itwasnearcertainKalebhadn’tunderstoodthepowerheheldinhisgrasp,orhe’dneverhavegivenherup.UnlikeNikita,however,AnthonyhadlearnednottoascribemotivestothecardinalTkthatcouldn’tbebackedupbycold,hardfact.Kalebplayedpoliticalgameswiththeskillandeaseofamanwho’dbegungroominghimselfforthepositionlongbeforeadulthood.
Intheend,theonlyviablechoicewastoopenalineofdialogueandseeifhecoulddivinethetruereasonbehindtheotherman’sactions.Onethingwascategorical—itwasn’tbecausetracingherwasachallengethatKalebhadbegunhuntingSaharainthefirstplace.AmanwithKaleb’slustforpowerdidnotwastehisenergies.
Inputtingtheotherman’scodeintothecomm,hewaited.
Kaleb’sfaceappearedon-screenalmostimmediately,theglassofthewallbehindhimpresentingaviewofMoscowAnthonyhadseenonmultipleoccasions.Thedistinctiveonion-shapeddomesofthecathedralinthedistanceglowedinthelightssetuptohighlightthestructure,theMoscownightsmudgedwithwhatappearedtobelightrain.“Anthony,I’vebeenexpectingyourcall.”
“Iseemtooweyouthanksforreturningamemberofmyclan.”Anthonypreferrednottobebeholdentoanyone,andwhenitcametoKalebKrychek,theobligationwasonehewantedclearedasfastaspossible.“NightStarwishestodischargethedebt.”
“IassumeyouknowfromwhomIretrievedSahara?”thecardinalTksaidinsteadofmakingademand.
Anthonynodded.“Theclanwilltakecareofthatmatter.”Tatianawasverygoodatgoingunderwhenshedidn’twishtobefound,butNightStarcoulddestroywhatmatteredmosttoher—money,power,status—withouteverlayingafingeronher.“Deathisn’talwaysthemostfittingpunishment.”Itwastooquick,overtoosoon—andTatianahadstolenmorethansevenyearsofnotjustonelife,buttwo:Leonhadneverbeenthesameafterhisdaughter’sdisappearance.AndSaharawasaKyriakuschild,aNightStar.NothingandnoonewaspermittedtoharmAnthony’sfamilyandwalkawayunscathed.
“Onthatpoint,Ihavenoargument,”Kalebsaid,hisexpressionagraywallofSilence.“However,youshouldknowTatianaisnolongerathreattoSahara.Ihadcertain…issuesofmyowntodiscusswithher.”
“Isee.”EvenifTatianawasdeadorotherwiseoutofthepicture,itdidnothingtoalterAnthony’sresolvetoobliterateherempire,crushingandpubliclyhumiliatingherintheprocess.NightStarhadalwaysbeenaquietpower;itwastimetheNetlearnedexactlyhowfarthey’dgotoprotectandavengetheirown.“Wasyourdiscussionproductive?”
Kalebangledhisheadinanunusualmomentofdistraction.“Iapologize,”hesaidwhenhisgazereturnedtoAnthony.“I’vejusthadareportfromtheArrowsthatmayinterestyou.”
“PerthorCopenhagen?”
“Perth.Theconspiratorbehindthefatalinformationleak,previouslyidentifiedasAllanDawes,hasbeentracedtoArgentina.Retrievalisexpectedwithinthenextforty-eighthours.”
“Andthen?”
“He’llbecomeanexampletootherswhobelieveassistingPurePsyisinanywayagoodcareermove.”
Anthonydidn’tflinchfromthecold-bloodedresponse.He’dseenthecarnageinPerth,hadwatchedarecordingofhisdaughterconvulsefromtheviciousforceofhervisionsminutesbeforethefirstfires.Faith’sforesighthadbeenspecificenoughthatthey’dgottenwordouttothecity,successfullysavingcountlesslives,buttheyhadn’tbeenfastenoughtosaveeveryone,andheknewtheresultinglosseshadleftFaithdistraught.
“Wemust,”hesaid,“becarefulnottocreatemartyrsoftheinsurgents.”
“YouthinkthatmightbeVasquez’splan—tosolidifythesenseofalienationandfearthatdriveshismembershipunderthePurePsyrhetoric?”Kalebleanedbackinhisofficechair,hisattentionnevershiftingoffthescreen.“Iassumeyouknowabouthim.”
Anthonygaveanod,thenameoftheotherwiseanonymousmanatthehelmofthepro-Silenceorganizationhavingcometohimthroughhissprawlingnetworkofcontacts.“Heisextremelyintelligent,andthisway,wedotheworkforhim.”
Kalebconsideredthepoint.“You’reright—itmaynotbeworthapublicexecution.I’llhandleitquietly.Hisdisappearancewillmakethepointaswell.”
AnthonythoughtofeverythingelseKalebhadbeen“handling”latelyandknewthecardinalwasfar,farmoredangerousthanVasquezwouldeverbe,butrightnow,hehadtoworkwithKaleb.Becausetheothermalehadn’tyetturnedmurderousonthescaleofPurePsy…thoughAnthony’ssuspicionsonthatpointwerestartingtoincrease.
Hadhe,forexample,justbeenledbythenosewhenitcametoAllanDawes?ItwaspossibleKalebhadneverintendedtoexecutetheman,butnowhe’dmadeAnthonycomplicitinthedecision.“IfyourequireassistanceinthematterofDawes,”hesaid,hisreservationsaboutKaleb’spossibleinvolvementwithPurePsynotyetcritical,“NightStarispreparedtostepin.”
Kalebinclinedhisheadinsilentacceptance.“YouunderstandthatdoesnotwipethedebtinthematterofSaharaKyriakus.”
“Ofcourse.”
“Iwouldratherhaveyouasanallythannot,”Kalebsaid,“sothereisnoreasontobeconcernedI’llaskfortheimpossible.Atthisstage,allIwantisyourpublicbacking.”
“YouwantNightStartosupportyourbidtotakeovertheNet?”
“Considerthealternatives,Anthony.”Kalebcontinuedtospeakinthesametonehealwaysused,ice-coldandcomposed.“EitherPurePsyripstheNetapartorourfellowformerCouncilorsattempttosetupfiefdomswhilefightingtoeliminateoneanotherandus.Theensuingwarswilldevastateourrace.”
Anthonyknewthattobetrue.WhatKalebwasn’tsayingwasthatnooneknewwhatthecardinalwoulddowiththeNetoncehehaditinhisgrasp.“Ican’tbackyouoncurrentfacts,”heresponded.“Iwill,however,makenoopenmoveagainstyoubeforefirstgivingyouawarning.”Itwasamajorconcession.
TheTkontheothersideofthecommgaveaslightnodbeforesigningoff.ItwasfareasieracapitulationthanAnthonyhadexpectedanditmadehimevenmorecharyofKaleb’smotives.Theproblemwas,KalebKrychekwasthemostopaqueindividualintheNet.Anthony’sforeseers,wheninstructedtohoneinonthecardinaltelekinetic,sawonlyadestructive,roilingdarkness.
“Nothing,”oneF-Psyhadgasped,shiveringsohardherteethclattered.“WhenIlookintothefuturewithKrychekasafocus,allIseeisthedeath…ofeverything.”
PSYNETBEACON:CURRENTEDITION
LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR
StarredLetter
IrefertothecovertviraldiscussionprofiledintheBeacon’spreviousedition,todowiththefutureviabilityoftheSilenceProtocol.
Ibelievethefactthatsuchdiscussionswereableto—andcontinueto—takeplace,withoutthemindsoftheindividualsinvolvedbeingshutdownbytheapplicationofembeddedpaincontrols,speakstocriticalproblemsinthestructuralintegrityoftheProtocol.Eventwoyearsago,suchatopicwould’vebeenstifledbeforeitevergrewtothepointwhereitwascirclingtheglobeinclandestinechatroomsandin-persondiscussions.
WhilePurePsy’stenetsarefanaticalintheextreme,hiddenintheirrhetoricmaybeacriticalpoint:thatthisfreedomisnotnecessarilyafacttocelebrate.OurracechoseSilencebecauseourmindsskewtowardinsanityandviolencewithoutsuchstrictures.Thisisnotmyopinion,butafactwrittenintoourhistoryinblood.
Ahundredyearsago,wewereonthevergeoftotalannihilation,ouryoungmurderedintheirthousandsbyotherPsy,whilehundredsofthousandsmoresankintothesplinteredworldscreatedbybrokenminds.Weweremoreviolentthanthechangelingswhosephysicalitywenowdeemmakesthemalesserrace,andmoreviciousthanthehumanswe’vecometoconsiderourinferiors.
Yetonceagain,itisour“superior”racethatisonthevergeofacataclysm.
I,forone,donotwishtoliveintheworldofthepast,butitcannotbedeniedthatSilencehaslostitswayinthelasttenyears.SomewhisperitwasneveraseffectiveassuccessiveCouncilswould’vehadusbelieve,thatthedefectivemembersofthepopulationweresimplyeliminatedbeforetheybecameaproblem.Others,aswe’veseen,arewillingtocommitmurdertoSilenceusall.
Whoisright?Whoiswrong?Ihavenoanswers—allIknowisthatwestandatacrossroads.Thedecisionswemakewilleithersaveus,orendus.
ProfessorEricTuivala
Anthropologist
(NewZealand)
Chapter22
SAHARASATUPinthenarrowsinglebedthatwasherown,unabletofallasleepasshehadthepreviousnight.Pushingoffthesheets,shepaddedtothewindowtostareoutatthelandscapedgardensbelow,thebladesofgrasskissedsilverbythemoonlight.Shefeltdisconnected,outofsyncwiththeworld…asifthiswereadreamcreatedinthedepthsofthelabyrinth,herbodytrappedinthehellholewhereshe’dspentsomanyyears.
ItwasacertaintythatshewasbeingfoolishinherrefusaltotalktoaPsy-Medspecialist,butevennow,withhersensesconfusedandhermindstrugglingtoholdontotheworld,herfearofmentalviolationwasworsethanherfearofmadness.Pressingherfingerstotheglass,shetriedtousethesmoothcoldnessasananchor,buttheglassmeltedbeneathherfingertips,theworldtwistingsidewaysinasmearofsilverandblack,asherconsciousnessattemptedandfailedtoholdontowhatwas.
Clawingherwaytosomesemblanceofreason,shefoundasliverofhopeinthememoryofamanwhohadpromisedherhewouldalwayscometohercall.Kaleb.Ineedyou.Sheknewwithoutadoubtthatrealitywouldn’twaverwithhimhere.Hewastoopowerfulaforce,speakingtopartsofhershedidn’tknowexisteduntilhewasintheroom.
Hestoodbesideheraheartbeatlater,dressedinblacksuitpantsandacrispwhiteshirt,notie,thecollaropentoexposethestrongcolumnofhisthroat.Thecufflinksathiswristscaughtthemoonlightasheslidhishandsintohispockets,andtheworldrighteditself,onlyforherbreathtocatch,herbodyrecognizinghis.
“Whyareyouawake?”heasked.
Thoughhewasn’ttouchingher,theheatofhimbrandedherthroughtheT-shirtsheworeontopofapairofgraysweatpants.“Ineedtobedoingsomething,”shesaid,strugglingtoexplainthefrustrationthathadherunabletosleep.
“IknowI’mnotfunctionalenoughtogooutintotheworld,butIfeelasifmyskinwillburstifIjuststayhere.”Shakingwiththeclawingferocityoftheangerandhelplessnessinsideher,sheclosedtheinchesbetweenthemandbegantounbuttonhisshirt,herskinafever.Ifshedrownedherselfinsensation,inKaleb,itwouldholdtheotheremotionsatbay.Nothingelseexistedwhen—
“Sahara.”Kaleb’shandsclosedoverherwrists.“Putonclothessuitablefortemperaturesinthehigherelevations,”hesaid,eyespitch-black.“I’llbebackinfiveminutes.”
Saharadidn’tstoptoreason,toconsiderthefactthatshewasabouttogooffintothedarknesswithamanwhowasthedarkness.Shesimplystripped,pulledonjeans,athinlong-sleevedmohairtop,andaheavyzip-uphoodedsweatshirt.Slippingherfeetintosocks,she’djustfinishedtyinghersneakerswhenKalebreappeared.
He’dchangedintoblackcargopantsandablackT-shirt,hisfeetinscuffedbootsthatappearedwornin.Lookingherupanddown,henodded—andthentheyweren’tinherroomanylonger,butatthefootofanimposingrockfaceunderahugesilvermoonthatcastaspotlightoverthefirsthatsprawledadarkgreenseaineverydirection,majesticagainstabackdropofsnowcappedmountainsfamiliartoanyoneinthisregion.“We’reintheSierraNevada.”Changeling-wolfterritory.
“Yes.We’llremaininasatelliteshadowaslongaswedon’tmovepastthetreeline.”
“Thelivepatrols?”TheSnowDancerpackwasrumoredtokillintrudersfirstandaskquestionsofthecorpses.
“I’mscanningforanymindsinthevicinity,butthewolvesrarelypatrolthissection—there’snowheretogofromthispointwheresentrieswon’tspotanintruder.”Pullingoutsomethingfromoneofthepocketsofhiscargos,hehelditout.
Half-gloves.Leather.Toprotectherpalmsfromtherock.Exhilarationburstingthroughherbloodstream,sheslippedthemon,thenmovedtotherockface,tookagriponthefirsthandhold,andbegantoclimb.Finally,finallyshefeltaliveagain!
Thewindwasquietandgentleagainstherface,therockhardunderherfingertips,thechillnightairsocleanandpureitalmosthurt.Drawingitin,shefoundanotherhold,thenanother,andwhenherfootslipped,said,“No!”tohaltKaleb’shelp,andgotherselfoutofthesituationonherown.
Heartthuddingandsweatpouringdownhertemples,ittookheroveranhourtoclimbapunyincrementofthejaggedrockface,butshelaughedinunadulterateddelightasshepulledherselftoaseatonaslightoutcrop.“Myarmsarecrying!”
Kaleblookedupfromthefootoftherock.Takespractice.
Asshewatched,hebegantoclimb,hisbodymovingwithsuchfluidityshecouldn’tseparatemovefrommove.Sheknewwithoutaskingthathewasn’tusinghistelekinesis—Tksweregenerallyphysicallyadept,aknownsideeffectoftheirability.ButKalebwasbetterthanadept.Heclimbedwithawildgracethathypnotized.
Stunnedatthelethalbeautyofhim,shewatchedinsilenceuntilhewasalmostlosttohersight.Comeback.Shewasfrightened,thoughsheknewhewasaTk,wouldneverdieinafall.Butthefear,itwassoprofound,itclenchedbonyfingersaroundherheartandsqueezed.Asifshehadwitnessedhimfallonce,knewhecouldbehurt.Kaleb,Ican’tseeyou.
Hereappearedintoviewsecondslater,backtrackingwiththatsamehypnoticgrace.Haltingbesideher,hehuggedtherockwithaone-handedgrip,hisfeetonawhisper-thinledge,themusclesofhisarmhardanddefined.Withhisfreehand,hedrankfromabottleofwaterhe’dhadinanotherpocket,beforepassingittoher.
Shetookadrink…andthecobwebsfellawayfromhermemoriesofthefirstnightshe’dspentwithhim.He’dgivenherwaterthen,too.“WasIreallythatbad?”sheasked.“YousaidIsmelledlikeapigsty.”Thethoughtembarrassedhernowasithadn’tthen.
“Iwasattemptingtoincitearesponse.”Takingbackthebottlewiththatmatter-of-factresponse,heheldoutahand.“Canyouclimbbackdown?”
Saharaconsideredthejellylikestateofherlimbsandforcedherselftoberealistic.“Idon’tthinkso.”Asecondlater,shefoundherselfontheground.
Lyingonherbackonthesoftgrass,shewatchedhimclimbdowntolandonhisfeetbesideher,strongandmuscledanddangerous.Whenheturnedandmethergaze,herthighsclenched,asheenofperspirationbreakingoutoverherskinthathadnothingtodowiththeclimbandeverythingtodowithahungerthatwasnolongerthedesperationshe’dfeltinherbedroom,butahotter,deeperache.
Ithadbeensolong.
Breathturningshallow,shepartedherlips.“Kaleb.”
***
KALEBhadintendedtokeephisdistancefromSaharauntilhewasdeadsurehisshieldswereadamantine.Exceptnowshelookedathimwithdesirearedflushonhercheekbones,herchestrisingandfallinginarapidrhythm,anditwasasirencalltohisownbody.Shehadnocomprehensionofthepowershewielded,didn’tunderstandthatwhenhetoldherhe’dlinethestreetswithbodiesforher,hemeanteveryword.
AsfarasSaharaKyriakuswasconcerned,hewasaweaponshecouldpointinanydirectionshechose.Therewasnothinghewouldn’tdoforher…exceptlethergo.
“Kaleb,”shewhisperedagain.“I’vemissedyou.”
Hebroke.
Grippingherwriststogetherashecamedownoverher,hepinnedthemaboveherhead.“Youcan’ttouchme.”Herfingerscurledathislow-voicedorder,buttherewasnopanic,herlipssoftundertheharddemandofhismouth,herthighsspreadingtocradlehim.
Evenasslenderassheremained,therewasnodoubtingherfemininity.Gentlecurvesunderhisfreehand,herbreastscrushedagainsthischest,lipsplumpandwet.UntilSahara,hehadn’tunderstoodwhymenmurderedtopossessawoman.Nowtherageofitwasablackfireinhisblood,adeadlyinfernothatwouldengulftheworldshouldanyonedaretakeherfromhimagain.
Whenshebegantostruggleunderhisweight,hetightenedhisholdonthedelicatebonesofherwristsbeforehecouldreinintheviolentlypossessiveresponse.Openinghishandasecondlater,hewaitedforhernextmove.Shoulditbearejection,he’dgiveeveryindicationofacceptingit,thenstrategizehisnextplay—Saharawasasphysicallysusceptibletohimashewastoher,anditwasanadvantagehe’dusewithouthesitation.
“I’mtoohot.”Withthatcomplaint,shereachedbetweenthemtounziphersweatshirtandtwistedtogetitoff.Itleftherdressedonlyinawarmbutthinwhitetopthathuggedthemoundsofherbreasts,thecurveofherwaist.
“Don’t,”hesaid,whenshewould’veputherhandsonhim.“Wedon’twantthatrockfacecomingdownoverus.”
Droppingherarmstothelushgreengrass,Sahara’seyeswenttothehugeslabofrockathisback.“You’renotexaggerating,areyou?”
“No.”Hehadnoneedtoexaggerate.
Asubtlemovementofherthroatassheswallowed.Hefolloweditwithhisgaze,awareofherpulsegaininginspeed,herbreathhitching.“I’llkeepmyhandstomyself,”shepromised,voicerough.“Butyoucan’tlookatmelikethat.”
Grippingherjawinsilentanswer,hebracedhimselfwithhisfreearmbesideherhead,andthenhebrandedhermouthwithhisown.Youaremine.Itwasastatementtelepathedalongtheprivatepathwaythathadformedyearsago.Minetotouch.Minetolookat.Mine.Releasingherjaw,hestrokedhishanddownherthroattocloseoverherbreast.
Saharashuddered.
Abletofeelthepebbledhardnessofhernippleunderhispalm,hetookcareinlearningtheshapeofher.Agasp,herbodyattemptingtoshiftrestlesslyunderhis.Sensitive,extremelyso.Filingawaythepieceofknowledge,herubbedhisthumboverhernippleandshealmosttwistedoutfromunderhim,breakingthekisstosoboutabreath.“Please,please.More.”
KalebfelthisclosestPsyNetshieldfallinacrashthatalmosttookoutthesecond.Buthewasn’tdangeroustoher.Notyet.“I’llgiveyouanythingyouwant.”Holdinghergaze,heslippedhishandunderthebottomofhertoptospreaditonherabdomen.Itquiveredunderhistouch,herteethsinkingintoherlowerlip.
“That’sformetodo,”hesaidinaquietrebukethathadhersuckinginabreath.
Hismouthwasonhersaninstantlater,histeethbitingdownonherlowerlipafractiontoohard.Backarchingupfromtheground,shebrokethekiss…onlytoreturnforanother,hertonguestrokingagainsthiswithanintimacythatwentstraighttotherock-harderectionpressingagainstthezipperofhispants.Asifshewerelickinghertonguealongtherigidlengthofhispenisandnotinsidehismouth.
Thistime,itwasKalebwhobrokethekiss.“No,”hesaidwhenshewould’veinitiatedanotherkiss.
Chestheaving,Saharalickedherlips,andhehadtolookawaybeforehebrokehisownrulesandaskedhertoputherhandsonthepainfulhardnessbetweenhisthighs,tosqueezeandstrokehisnakedflesh.Hefocusedinsteadonhisexplorationofherbody.Herpulseflutteredunderhishandwhenhemovedittolieoverherribs,themoonlightshimmeringonherskin.Alittlefurtherup,hefoundlace,fineandsilky.
“Itwasinthebox,”Saharawhisperedonahitchedbreath.“Thankyou.”
Thefactsheworehisgiftagainstherskinpleasedhim,butitwasn’tenough
Removinghishand,toherfrustrated“No,”hepusheduphertoptobareherbreaststothenight…tohim.
Herbodywentutterlymotionless.
Doyouwantmetostop?heforcedhimselftoask,thefurytopossessaturbulentstorminsidehim.Belowthatwasanoldandviciousrage,incitedbythesightofthefinesilveryscarsthatmarkedherfleshandthatshelikelynolongernoticed.Hedid.He’dbeentherewheneachandeverycutwasmade,rememberedexactlyhowdeepeachwoundhadbeen,knewhowmuchmedicalattentionshemust’veneededtoheal.
“No.”Herskingleamingwiththefinestlayerofperspiration,herbreastsrisingandfallingasifininvitation,Sahara’svoicepulledhimoutoftheblood-soakedpast.“No,don’tstop,Kaleb.”
Wrenchinghisangerundercontrol,andslammingdownice-coldshieldsaroundtheviolentsurgeofarousalprovokedbythesoundofhisnameonherlips,heconcentratedonthecreamyfleshcuppedindelicatepinklace.Itwasn’twhathewanted.Pullingfirstatonecup,thentheother,hepushedthelacedownuntiltheheavyweightofherbreastsspilledfree,thesoftpinkprovidingaframeforthelushcurvesthatmeltedtheblackicearoundhispoundingerectionasifitdidn’texist.
***
SAHARAdughernailsintotheearthinanefforttofighttheurgetobegforKaleb’stouchashewatchedherwiththoseeyesofmadness.Itshould’vescaredher,thepossessivedarknessshesawinthem,andperhapspartofherwasterrified,butnotenoughtobackaway,notenoughtoendthisrawwaveofsensation,vividandwildandalive.
Shiftingposition,Kalebstraddledher.Thenextinstant,heplacedhishandsunderherupperback,liftedherslightly,andputhislipsaroundoneachingnipple.Sheshovedafistagainsthermouthtostifleherscream,thewetsuctionofhismouthashotlyeroticasthehardstrengthofhisgrip.
Hemovedtoherneglectedbreastwithoutwarning,thenightaircoolonthewetofherothernipple.Whimpering,shetwistedunderhim,buttherewasnowayforhertogaincontactwiththehardridgeofhiserection,hiskneesplantedoneithersideofherthighs.Teethscrapedherhighlysensitivenippleaninstantlater,makingherbitedownonherfist.Stop!It’stoomuch!
Kalebreleasedhernipple,hislipswet,hiseyessodarktheywereakintoblackpearls,ashimmerofmidnightcolorintheirdepths.“Areyoucertain?”
Thequietquestionraisedeveryhaironherbody.
Notinfear.Intheblindingrealizationofhowtightaleashhehadonhimself.
DearGod.Whatwouldhedotoherifheslippedthatleash?
Thedampfoldsbetweenherthighsgrewslickwithameltingheat.Squeezingthosethighsinavainefforttofindrelief,sheremovedherfistfromhermouthandwhispered,“No.Icantakemore.”Wantedmore.Wantedeverything.
Notaskingasecondtime,Kaleblookeddownatherbreasts,hishairfallingacrosshisforehead.Slidingahandfromunderherback,hegrippedonebreastwithafirmnessthatfeltlikeabrandandloweredhismouthtoherfleshagain.Hermindwentred,herbackarchingasiftothrustherbreastfartherintohismouth.Kaleb,Ineed—
Tellme.Anotherscrapeofteeththatscatteredherneurons,hernailsclawingtheearth,crushedgrassunderherpalms.
Touchme,please.Ican’t—
Here?Hecuppedherbetweenthethighsinarawintimacy,pushingupwiththeheelofhishand.
Andtheworldsplintered.
***
SAHARAopenedhereyestofindKalebstillstraddlingherbody,hertopshovedupherchestandthecupsofherbrapusheddowntoexposeherbreasts.TheTkontopofherhadhisgazeonherbaredflesh,theintensityofhisfocussuchthatitcausedherpleasure-laxmusclestotwingeinrenewedarousal.
Asshewatched,hereachedoutandfixedherbra,hisfingersbrushinghernipples.Suckinginabreath,herabdomentaut,shestayedsilentashetuggeddownhertop.Hiseveryactionwascareful,thatofamanwhoknewhecouldbepushedofftheedgeandintotheabysswithasinglewrongmove.
“Teeth,”hesaidinthatsamefrigidtoneshe’dheardearlier,“arenotalwaysusedinsexualplay.”
Sahara’schestroseandfellinashallowrhythm.“No?”
“Itisamatterofpreference,accordingtothepapersI’vereadonintimacy.”Lashesrising,obsidianeyeslookingintoherown,theblackfireinthemashotashisvoicewascold.“Whatisyourpreference?”
“Yes.”Theconfessionfeltasintimateaswhathe’djustdonetoherbody.“Withyou.”
Hisexpressionalteredtoahardnessthatmadeitclearwhoandwhathewas,hisarmscomingdownoneithersideofherasheloweredhisfaceuntiltheirbreathskissed.“Itwill,”hesaidinasilkenwhisper,“onlyeverbewithme.”
Chapter23
TWENTYMINUTESLATER,Kalebreturnedtotherockface,Saharanowsafeinherbedroom.Shehadn’trunfromhimevenafterhe’dexposedhismurderouspossessivenesswhereshewasconcerned.Butthen,theybothknewshehadthepowertostophim,theonlyindividualintheNetwhocould.
“Ifyoueverdoit,”he’dsaidwhenshetouchedherfingerstohischeekinatendergood-bye,“makesureyougoallthewayandendme.”ShouldhebeleftbreathingafterSahara’spowerslicedthroughhim,takingtheonlythingthatmattered,he’dbecomethemonsterSantanohadgroomedhimtobe.“Serialkiller,massmurderer,there’snotanamefortheevilthatlivesinsideme.”
Jawsetandeyesfierce,she’dshakenherhead.“Iwon’tletthedarknesshaveyou.”
Herpromiseechoinginhishead,heclimbedwithsingle-mindedfocus,hismusclesstrainingtoholdhimtothewallashefoughttoovercomethephysicalfrustrationthatwasapulsinggriparoundhiserection.Itwasn’tuntilhalfwaythroughthethirdascentthathecouldthinkagain,hismindcoldlyrational.
HiscampaigntowinSahara’strust,hethought,wasprogressingaccordingtoplan.She’dnotonlycalledhimwhenshefeltunderthreat,she’dinvitedphysicalcontact.Thefactthatphysicalcontactwascausingseveredamagetohisshieldsandhisthinkingprocesseswasasideeffecthe’dhavetohandle.Backingoffwasnotanoption—hermemorieswerebecomingmorelucidwitheachpassingday,herpsychehealingataratethatspoketoaremorselessinternalstrength.
Soonshewouldbereadytorememberhim,andwhyhersubconscioushadblockedhimfromherconsciousmindinthefirstplace.Thereweresomethingsnoonecouldtake,somebetrayalstooreprehensibletoforgive.
“No!Don’t!Kaleb,stop!”
Scrapingtheskinoffhispalmashelungedforagrip,heblewoutaharshbreathandcontinuedtoclimbuntilitwasonlythecoldstoneandthenextgripthatmattered.Andstillheheardherscreamingathimtostop.
***
ITwasthecreakthatwokeSaharainthepitch-darkearlymorninghours,intrudingonhazydreamsofaboyshecouldn’tquitesee.
Snappingtofullalertnesswiththespeedandsilenceofsomeonewho’dbeenatthemercyofothersfortoolong,shenonethelesskepthereyesclosed,listeningwitheverycellinherbody.Itwasatrickshe’dlearnedduringheryearsofconfinement,awaytogatherinformationwhiletheguardsthoughtherasleep.
Sheflickedhereyesopenonlyonceshewassuretheintruderwasn’tintheroom.Herattentionlockedonthedoor,herpulseadrumbeat.Releasingaquietbreath,shelistened…andjustbarelyheardthestealthymovementsofsomeoneattemptingtodisengagethelockshe’dflickedonfornoreasonbutthatshewasobsessedwithherprivacy.
Father?
Noresponsealongtheoldtelepathicpathwaytohercall,nothingbutadullsilencethatmadeenragedfearripplethroughherblood.Reachingunderthebed,sheretrievedthebutcher’sknifeshe’dstolenfromanunusedsetofkitchentoolsherfatherhadbeengivenbyapatientwhowasanF,andassuch,receivedgoodsfrombusinessesasamatterofcourse.Theideaofeveragainbeingcaughtunarmedandvulnerablewasherworstnightmare.
Pushingoffthesheetswithcare,sheshovedthepillowsunderneathtocreatetheillusionofapersonandpulledthesheetsbackup,justasthelocksnickedopen.Heartthuddingandeyesontheknobasitbegantoturn,shepaddedacrossthefloortopressherbacktothewall.Shekneweveryinchofthishouse,herfeetsilentontheoldwoodthathadgiventheintruderaway.
Whenthedooropened,shewaitedonlylongenoughtomakesureshehadn’tmadeamistake,thatitwasn’therfather,beforeshestruck.Itmighthavebeencleanertouseherability,butSaharahadnointentionofgettinganyclosertothestrangerthanshehadtobebeforehewasimmobilized.Allindicationswerethatnoonehadanyeffectivemeansofdefenseagainstherability;however,shewasn’tgoingtobetherlifeonthatassumptionsosoonafterleavingthelabyrinth.
Screamingasthebutcher’sknifeburieditselfbetweenhisshoulderblades,thedarkly-cladintruderspunaround,reachingforherwithhisarmsandnodoubthismind.Shefeltnothingofthetelepathicassaultinsidetheobsidianshieldsthatprotectedher,andittooklittleskilltoavoidhishands,hisbalancedestroyedbytheblowshe’dstruck,theheavybladelodgedinhisback.
Theman’sfeetskiddedinhisownbloodrightasshecaughtaflickeratthecornerofhereye,andsuddenlytheunknownmalewasthrownacrosstheroom.
“Wait!”shescreamedaninstantbeforehisbackhitthewall,realizingKalebhadtohavedetectedtheattemptedattackonhershields.
Themanfrozeinmidair,blooddrippingtothefloorinfatdroplets.
“Don’tkillhim.Weneedtoknowwhosenthim.”Saharawenttostepcloser,butshewastooslow.
“Done.”Theintruder’sbodyslammedintothewall,thebladethuddinghomeagainsthisbreastbonewithasickeningcrunchasitallbutcuthiminhalf.Hecrumpledtothefloor,bloodpouringoutofhismouth.
Herstomachmighthavelurchedatthesightatanyothertime,butshewasalreadyrunningoutofherroomandintotheonedownthehallway.“Father!”LeonKryiakus’sbigbodylaylimpbesidehisbed,anecklaceofstickyredwreathinghisthroat.“No,no.Pleaseno.Father,please.”Fingerstrembling,shesearchedforapulse.“Kaleb!He’salive!”
“Move.”Gatheringherfather’sbodyinhisarmswithtelekineticease,Kalebteleportedoutwiththeterseinstructiontokeephertelepathicpathwaysopen
Hereturnedlessthanthreeminuteslater,tofindherseatedonthebed,staringatthesmearofbloodonthecarpet.Shesnappedupherhead.“Ishe—”
“Yourfather’sinemergencysurgery,watchedoverbyatemporaryguardfromoneofmyunitsinthearea.I’venotifiedAnthony,andNightStar’speoplewillbeatthehospitalwithinthenexthalfhour.”
Handshaking,Saharawenttothrustitthroughherhairwhentheiron-richscentofbloodhithernostrils.Herfuryreignitedassherealizeditwasherfather’sbloodonherfingers.ShovingpastKalebtotheattachedbathroom,shewasheditoffwithjaggedactionsbeforewipingherhandsclean.“Iwanttogotohim.”
“You’djustbewaitingoutsidesurgery,”Kalebsaidwithgrimpragmatism.“Mymanknowstocontactyoushouldtherebeachangeinyourfather’scondition.”
Shecouldn’tbeartheideaofherfatherslippingawayjustwhenshe’dfoundhimagain.“Iwant—”
“Thehospitalhasmultipleexitsandentrances;theriskofsomeonegettingtoyouismuchhigher.”Hardwords,nohintoftenderness.“YouknowLeonwouldn’twantyouinthelineoffire.”
Conscioushewasright,sheforcedherselftothinkpastadrenaline-fueledangertangledwithgut-wrenchingworryandwalkedbacktoherownroom—andtothebodyofthemanwhohadnearlytakenherfather’slife.“Whowashe?”
“Afreelanceoperative,notaparticularlyadeptoneorLeonwouldbedeadandyou’dbeinhisgrasp.”
“Youtorehismindopen?Youknowthatcompromisesdata,”shesaid,turningonhiminafury.“Thatwasirresponsibleandreckless.”
Ashrugasfalseandasremoteashiseyeswerenot.“Iofferedhimaquickdeathinexchangefortheinformation,”Kalebsaid,asifspeakingofabusinessnegotiation.“Hekepthisendofthebargain;Ikeptmine.”Eyesofstarlessnightpinnedhertothespot.“Itappearsyouhaveabountyonyou.”
“What?Who?Tatiana?”Theotherwomanwasinnopositiontogiveorders,butshehadpeoplewhomightwelldosoforher.
Kalebshookhisheadandspokethelastnameshehadeverexpectedtohear.“SantanoEnrique.”
Iceinherblood,chokingupherthroat.“He’sdead,”sheforcedpastthesudden,overwhelmingrage.
“Itappearshehasrisenfromtheashes.”Kalebtuckedherhairbehindherear.“Hewasinvolvedinyourabduction.”
Saharaknewsheshouldfollowthatthread,shouldaskhimexactlywhyaserialkillerwithapredilectionforchangelingvictimshadturnedhisattentiontoher,andwhetherKalebhadhadanythingtodowithit,butshecouldn’t.Theideaofbringingupthetopicmadeherstomachhurt,herbreathstickinherthroatNotyet.Notyet.Shewasn’treadytoknow,wasn’tstrongenoughtofacethedarktruth.
IfKalebhadbetrayedher,theknowledgewouldbreakher.
“Thebounty,”hesaidwhensheremainedsilent,“must’vebeenafail-safeincaseofyourescape.”Haltingatthesoundofthefrontdooropening,hewaiteduntilAnthonysteppedintotheroom.
TheheadofherclanexaminedthedeadbountyhunterwithanimpassiveexpressionbeforeshiftinghisattentiontoKaleb.“Iassumeyougottheinformationweneedbeforeyouexecutedhim?”
KalebtoldAnthonythesamethinghe’dtoldSahara.Anthony’sresponsewas,“Noteventhemostbumblingbountyhunterwouldhuntatargetforadeadman.Paymentiseverything.”
“Santanomayhavebeenapsychopath,buthewasasmartone.Theconsiderablefeeforthisbountyisheldintrustbyacertainmercenaryorganization.TobepaidondeliveryofSaharaKyriakus—deadoralive—toeitherSantanoorthecurrentheadofhisoperations.”
“Santanokepthisinterestinyouquiet,”AnthonysaidtoSaharaandhiddeninthewordswasaquestion.“Ineversuspectedhimofinvolvementinyourabduction.”
Shespreadherhands,notsharingthefactthatEnrique’sprotégéhadapparentlyalwaysbeenawareofherability.
“NightStarhasaleak,”Kalebsaidatthesametime.
“I’llhandlethatsituation.”
Kalebinclinedhisheadinsilentagreement—Anthonyhadcomebyhisreputationhonestly.UnlikecertainothersintheNet,theothermandidnotmindgettinghishandsdirty.Andifhefailedtotakecareofthematter,Kalebwoulddoso.He’dpermitnothreattoSaharatoexist,muchlessliveandbreathe.
“Youneedtomoveimmediatelyintoasafehouse.”
Sahara’sbackwentstiffatAnthony’sstatement,hermusclesrigid.“No.Iwon’tbecagedagain.”
“Thereisnootheroption,”Anthonyresponded.“Aslongasthebountyexists,youstayatarget.”
“Areyoucertainasafehousewillprovideanybetterprotection?”KalebhadnointentionofallowingSaharatogoanywhereasidefromthehomehe’dbuiltforherinMoscow.“Thishunter,ineptandyoung,managedtoevadeyourperimeterguards.”
“Thatwillbeinvestigated.”Aflint-hardpromise.“Oursafehousesarefortresses.”
Sahara,handsfisted,shookherhead.“No.”Backingawayfromthemuntilherspinehitthewall,shebegantobumpherfistsagainstit.“No.No.No.”
Recognizingthedanger,KalebreactedbeforeAnthonycouldfigureoutwhatwashappening.“Nosafehouse,nocage,”hesaid,cuppingherfaceandforcinghertomeethisgazeuntilshestoppedbumpingherfistsagainstthewall,thoughshecontinuedtorockbackandforth.
Yourisklosingherifyoupushthis,he’pathedtoAnthonyashereleasedher.Hermindisn’tfullyhealed.ItwaswhyKalebhadscaredinformationfromtheintruderinsteadofpermittinghertoexerciseherability.
Ican’tleaveherunprotected.
Icanprotecther.
“Socanthecats.”
KalebwasstilltryingtodigestthatwhollyunexpectedstatementwhenAnthonyshiftedtoenterSahara’slineofsight.“I’msendingyoutoFaith.”
Sahara’sbodystoppedmoving,eyesofmidnightblueshiftingtoAnthony.“Faith?”
“Eventhebestbountyhunterintheworldwon’tthinktolookforyouinthemidstofachangelingpack.”
“TheconnectionwithFaith,”Saharabegan,herintelligenceplainlypushingpastthevisceralreactionthathadsenthertumblingbackintoherpersonalhell.
Anthonyshookhishead.“NooneexpectedNightStartojettisonthemostpowerfulF-Psyontheplanet,regardlessofherpersonalchoices.Thatwasbusinessandexpected.Thisisfamily.”
KalebknewAnthonywasn’tsayingeverything,buthecouldguess.NightStarhadbeenvery,verycarefultomaintainalineofdemarcationbetweenitsbusinessdealingswithFaithandherlackofstatusasamemberofthefamily—inpublicatleast.Privatelywasanothermatter:Anthonyremainedinregular,directcontactwithhisdaughter.
ThelattersuspicionwasoneithadtakenKalebayeartoconfirm.
“You’rereadytotrustthechangelingswithSahara’slife?”TheonlyreasonhewaswillingtoconsidertheproposalwasbecauseofSahara’sresponsetothementionofhercousin—andbecauseheknewAnthonywasrightabouttheprospectofanybountyhunterventuringontoDarkRiverland.
“Iftheyacceptherasfamily,theleopardswillcloseranks.WithFaithcertaintovouchforher,aswellasSahara’sbrokenSilence,thereisnoreasontoassumetheywon’ttreatherasoneoftheirown.”Anthony’snextwordsweredirectedatSahara.“You’llbesafewithintheirborders,andyou’llhavetheforestedpartoftheirterritorytoroam.”
Thatterritoryisvast,Kalebadded,sendingSaharaanumberoftelepathicimages.You’llbeasfreeasanyleopardchangeling,solongasyoudon’tgointoacity.
DeepblueeyesmethisbeforemovingtoAnthony.“Yes.”
“I’llclearitwiththeDarkRiveralpha.”AnthonyglancedatKaleb.“Youseemtobetreatingmyterritoryasyourown.”Itwasawarning.
Kalebslidhishandsintothepocketsofhispants.“WouldyouratherIletherdie?”hesaidaloud,evenashespoketoSaharaalongtheirprivatetelepathicchannel.Whydidn’tyoucallme?
Ihaditundercontrol.Iamagrownwoman.
Anthony’sstareboreintohimontheheelsofSahara’startreply,butKalebhadn’tbeenintimidatedbyanyoneforalongtime.“IcantransferSaharatoleopardterritory.”
“Thankyoubutthatwon’tbenecessary.”
“Verywell.”HelookedtoSahara.Theknifewasanicetouch.
Herscowlfadedintoafrown.SomeoneoncetoldmeImustalwaysbeprepared.Idon’trememberwhoitwas,butitwassoundadvice.
Ifonly,Kalebthought,she’dfolloweditwhenshewassixteen.Butthen,SantanohadbeenacardinalTk,anadultmalewhofoundpleasureinthepainofyoungwomenwhocouldn’tfightback.Saharahadneverstoodachance.
Chapter24
SAHARAKNEWTHEblack-garbedmanwhostoodbesideherastheclocktickedoverfoura.m.wasanArrow.Shealsoknewhewasateleporter,onewithcoldgrayeyesandacomputronicgauntletonhisleftforearm.YetregardlessofthesinglesilverstarontheshoulderofhiscombatuniformthatsaidhewasalignedtoKaleb,AnthonytrustedthemaletotransporthertoDarkRiverterritory.
“I’vebeensenttheimageforthetransfer.”TheArrowlookedupfromthesmallscreenbuiltintothegauntlet.“Areyouready?”
SaharahadneveroncehesitatedwithKaleb,butshehadtotakeadeepbreathbeforenoddingwhenitcametothisArrowwithhissteelyeyesthatseemedasdistantaslightonastorm-darkhorizon.IfKalebwasattimesencasedinblackice,thismanwasaschillasfrost,hisSilencemetallicinitsperfection.
Hewas,however,asfastasKaleb—andsincehewasn’tacardinal,hehadtobeoneoftheextremelyraretrueteleporters,designationTk,subdesignationV.WhilethoseofsubdesignationVweretelekinetics,withtheattendantabilitiesdependingontheirlevelofpower,itwassaidtheycameoutofthewombwiththeabilityto’port,nopracticeorstudynecessary,thetalentindependentoftheirstandingontheGradient.
Asagirl,she’donceheardthatTk-VchildrenwereGPSchippedasbabies.Saharadidn’tknowifthatwastrue,oronlyastorymadeupbyyoungPsywhohadnevermetanyonefromthenear-mythicalsubdesignationV,butitmadesense.Likealltelekineticscapableofteleportation,theyhadtohavesteel-trapgeographicmemories.Soababyoratoddlercouldconceivablyteleporthimselftoarandomlocationhe’dglimpsedfromacar,forexample,thenbecometoodistressedtoteleportbackhome.
Nowtheteleporter,amanshesimplycouldn’timagineasachild,glancedaroundthepine-needle-carpetedclearingmadedistinctivebytworoyalbluescarveshungfromthickbranches.HeinclinedhisheadatthewomanwithhairofscarletsilkwhorantowardSahara,thenwasgone.
“Sahara.It’sreallyyou!”Cheeksstainedwithtears,thelovelywomancuppedSahara’sface,hersmileluminousthroughthewet.“IthoughtI’dneverseeyouagain.”
“Faith.”Itwasawhisperasshetookinthewomanherremote,composedcousinhadbecome.Aliveandstunninglyvibrant.“You’resobeautiful.”
AstartledlightinthecardinalstarlightofFaith’seyesbeforeshegaveasmallcryandremovedherhands.“Forgiveme.Ididn’t—”
“It’sallright.”Saharatooktheslenderhandsthathadtouchedherwithanunhiddenaffectionthatmadeherthroatthicken,broughtthembacktohercheeks.“MySilenceisfarmorethanbroken.”
WrappingherarmstightaroundSahara,hercousinwhispered,“Ineverforgotyou,”intoaquietfilledwiththemusicofathousandleavesrustlinginapassingwind.“Father…itwasn’tuntilaftermydefectionthathetoldmeaboutyourabduction,andthatthefamilyhadneverstoppedsearchingforyou.”
ReturningFaith’sembrace,emotionburninghereyes,Saharasaid,“Iknowyoutriedtofindme,too,throughyourvisions.”Itwassomethingherownfatherhadsharedwithherthatfirstdaythey’dspenttogether.
AshakybreathasFaithdrewback.“I’msosorryaboutLeon.Hewaskindtomewheneverourpathscrossed.”
“He’sstrong,he’llbeokay.”Sahararefusedtobelieveinanyotheroutcome.“Hedidn’tgiveuponme,andIwon’tgiveuponhim.”Afuturewithoutherfather’sbig,solidpresenceinherlifewasincomprehensible.
“Ifithelps,”Faithsaid,“whenIlookintothefuturewithLeonasafocus,Iconstantlyseehiminhisclinic,talkingtoapatient,orathisdesk.Ifeelnosadness,nosenseofloss.”
Saharasqueezedhercousin’shand.“Thankyou.”TohearthatfromthemostgiftedF-Psyintheworldwasnosmallthing,theglimmerofhopeonesheheldontowithbothhands.“I’msorry,too,”shesaidsoftly,“aboutMarine.”Faith’syoungersisterhadbeenacardinaltelepath,herstudiesrarelycrossingwithSahara’s,butthey’dbeencousinsallthesame.
SadnessinFaith’seyes,herfingersbrushingSahara’scheek.“Marinelivedanextraordinarylife,didthingsIonlyfoundoutaboutafterIwasnolongerinthePsyNet.Shelefthermark.”Unhiddenpride,awaterloggedsmile.“Iliketothinkshewould’vecheeredandsaid‘Finally!’whenhertoe-the-linesisterrebelledatlast.”
Sahara’srespondingsmilewasjustasshaky.“I’msohappyyoumadeitout,Faith,thatyouhavealifefullofjoy.Thankyouforinvitingmeintoit.”
“YoucanstayforeverasfarasI’mconcerned.”Tenderwarmthineveryword.“Wecanfinallybefriendsaswealwayswantedtobe.”
Saharawantednothingmorethantoaccepttheofferofsanctuaryandjustbe,butshecouldn’tdoitunderfalsepretenses.“Imaybedangeroustoyourpack.KalebKrychekcanfindmeatanytime.”
ThewarmwelcomeinFaith’sexpressiondidn’tfalter.“We’vealreadythoughtofthat.Factis,ifFatherisrightandKalebisateleporterwhocanlockontopeopleratherthansimplyplaces,hecanfindanyofus.”SmoothingSahara’shair,shecontinued.“Still,he’snevershownanyaggressiontowardthepack,andyou’refamily.Ifhedoesturnhostile,we’llhandleit.”
EvenasSahara’sheartwarmedatFaith’sprotectiveness,anotherpartofherwhisperedthatKalebhadnofamily,noonetocallhisown,noonewhowouldwelcomehimwiththeunconditionallovewithwhichFaithhadwelcomedher.“But,”shesaidthroughadeepsenseofdesolationmixedwithangerattheparentswhohadgivenupadefenselessboytoamonster,“youwillputmeawayfromyourvulnerable?”Kalebmightnotharmher,butshecouldn’tpromisethesamewhenitcametoothers.
“Yes.”Faith’seyesweregentleasshesaid,“Don’tworry,Sahara.We’vebeenplayingthesegamesalongtime.”Itwasthefirmreassuranceofanoldersister.“Youraerieisclosetoourplace,butfarenoughawaytoaffordyouyourprivacy.”
“Ihavemyownaerie?”Theideaofahouseinthetreetopsmadethedamagedgirlinsidehergaspinwonder.
“Yes,butonlyifyoupreferitthatway,”Faithassuredher.
“IthinkI’dlikemyownplace.”ItfeltdisloyaltosaythatwhenKalebhadbuiltheragraceful,light-drenchedhomethatsangtohersoul—butthathomewasn’twhatsheneededatthismoment,wasn’taplacewhereshecouldstretchherlong-stuntedwings.
Kalebwastooprotective…toomuchanaddiction.
Herbreastsachedatthememoryofhowhe’dtouchedher,hiseyesanobsidianstorm.Everytimehecamenearher,shewantedtodanceinthestorm.Evennow,sofarfromhim,thepineintheairremindedherofhimwitheverybreathshetook.“Didyourmatecomewithyou?”sheaskedFaith,makingtheconsciousdecisiontoturnherconcentrationawayfromthecardinalwho’dkissedherunderawolfmoon.
Faith’sfaceglowed.“Vaughn.”
Atallmanwithamberhaircaughtneatlyinaqueueatthenapeofhisneckandeyesofneargoldappearedoutoftheshadows.“It’sgoodtomeetyouatlast,Sahara.”Quietanddeep,hisvoicewashoneyoverherskin.
“I’msohappytomeetyou,too,”shesaid,fascinatedbythewayhemovedashepulleddownthescarvesthathadactedasmarkersfortheteleport;she’dnevermistakehimforeitherPsyorhuman.
“He’smagnificent,isn’the?”Faithwhispered,lipstoherear.
“Yes.”Butnomatterhisgoldenbeauty,hedidn’tmakeherskinburn,herheartbeatoutofrhythm,andhersoulhurt.
“Let’sgetyouhome,”hercousin’smatesaid,throwingoneofthescarvesaroundFaith’sneck,theotheraroundSahara’s.
Theknitwassoftagainstherskinandthepineneedlesthickunderneathherfeetastheybegantowalk.Saharatriedtotakeineverythingatonce,untilVaughnteasedhergentlyaboutspinningherheadoffherneck.Likingthisjaguarwhowashercousin’s,Saharamadeafaceathimthatcausedhischeekstocreaseinfelineamusement,andcontinuedtodrinkinthewildnessaroundher.
Whensheturnedhergazeupward,itwastoseeastunningskystilldottedwithcountlessstars…buthereyeskeptbeingdrawntoastarsituatedawayfromtheothers,lonelyandhardandbright.
Thecanopyclosedoverheadaminutelater,hidingthestarfromsight.Itwasn’tlongafterwardthatshestoodinfrontofatreesoimmense,shecouldn’tseeallofit.“Oh.”Runningtothebottomoftheforestgiant,shestaredupattheneatlittlehouseperchedamongthebranches.Itwasconnectedtoasecondhousebyapathwayalongawidebranch.
Light,yellowandrich,spilledfromthewindowsofboth.
“Wholivesthere?”sheasked,pointingtothesecondone.
“Noone,”Faithsaid,handlinkedtoVaughn’s.“It’sforwhenyouwantustostayover.”
“Aguesttreehouse!”Delighted,shesenttheimageofheraerietothemanwhowasthatlonelystar,icehardandcold,theactcomingfromthesamepartofherthathadturnedtohimwhentheworldskewedsideways,findingachingpleasureinhistouch,unrivaledsafetyinhisarms.Andsheknewhewastoodeepinsideher,meanttoomuchforhertokeeparationaldistance,thatitwouldbefutiletotry.Look!
Ahesitationbeforethedarkmusicofhisvoiceflowedintohermind,wrappingaroundhersensestocurlhertoes.Youlikeit?
Yes,Saharasaidand,thoughsheknewitwasfoolishwithamanaspowerfulasKaleb,feltasifshe’dwoundedhim.Thehouseyoubuilt,shewhisperedinagentleconfession,itsingstomeinwaysIdon’tunderstand,butI’mnotreadyforityet,notwholeenough.
Vaughnlungedupthetreewithdangerousfelinegraceassheaddedthatlast,clawsslicingoutofhishandsandfeettoanchorhimtothetrunk.Eyeswide,shewatchedhimclimbtoarolled-upropeladderatthetopwithoutcausinganythingmorethansurfacescratchesonthetrunk.
“Ican’tdothat,”shesaidwhenhejumpedbackdownafterfreeingtheladder,cat-quietinspiteofthemuscledstrengthofhisbody.
Asharpgrin,thejaguarwhowashisotherhalfinhiseyes.“Youdon’thaveto.”Reachingintohispocketafterretractinghisclaws,hepulledoutasmallgadget.“It’saremotetobringtheladderdownandrollitbackup.”
Faithslappedhermateplayfullyontheshoulder.“Whydidn’tyoujustusetheremoteinthefirstplace?”
Thechangelingmalegavehismatealonglook,eyeswildgold.“Red,ifyouexpectmetousearemotetogetupatree,weneedtohaveaserioustalk.”
Saharabitbackalaughattheaffrontinhisexpression.“Thankyoufortheremote.I’mverymuchnotinsulted.”
“YoucanthankDorian—he’sanotheroneofthesentinels,”Vaughnsaid,tuckingagrinningFaithtohisside.“Hecameupwiththisawhileago,butcouldn’tgetanyonetouseit.Ithinkafewpackmateseventhreatenedtoexcommunicatehim.”
“Predatorychangelingpride,”Faithsaidinastagewhisper,“isasensitivething.”
ThelaughingteasehadVaughnfistinghishandinFaith’shairtopullherintoakissasplayfulasitwassensual,thefingersofhisfreehandgrippingherjaw.ThesightmadeSaharahungerforamanasdarkasVaughnwasgolden;amanasremoteandcontainedashercousin’smatewaswildandaffectionate.
Puttingherhandsontheropeladder,shereachedforKaleb,thisTkwhohadaclaimonherdeeperthanmemory.I’mabouttoentertheaerie.Ittookafewstepstogetusedtothemotionoftheflexibleladder,butherbodysoonlearnedtherhythmandshewaspullingherselfupontothelandinghalfaminutelater.
Theaerieprovedtobeasinglelargeroom,withatidykitchenareatotherightassheentered,andtheshowerandotherfacilitiestuckedawayinthebackbehindslidingdoorsofgleamingpine.Abedmadeupwithaprettycomforterinsoftpinkandwhitesattothebackleftandonthewindowledgebesideitwasasmallbasketfilledwithchocolates.Everyfeatureshecheckedwasecologicallysound,theaeriealivingpartoftheforest.
“Howdidyoupreparethissofast?”Saharaaskedashercousinfollowedherinside.“There’sfoodinthecupboards,anewsetoftoiletriesinthebathroom,freshtowels.”Itfeltwarm,welcoming.
“Boththeseaeriesarenew,builtinanticipationofyoungermembersofthepackwantingtheirownspaceinthecomingyear,”hercousinsaid.“Inthemeantime,wekeepthemreadyforguestsofthepack.VaughnandIjusthadtostockthefood,andthatwaseasyenoughsinceweallkeepextrasuppliesthesedays,withthegrowingunrest.”
Hercousin’sreferencetotheturbulencerockingtheworldhadSaharathinkingofKalebagain,ofthegamesheplayedwitharuthlesseasethatmadehimasmuchapredatorasthejaguarlounginginthedoorway.
Ajaguarwhosaid,“There’sabigfamilyofwildcatsinthearea.Lynx,too.Theymightcomebytoscopeyouout.”
“Ihopetheydovisit.”Excitementbubbledinherblood.“Ican’timagineseeingthemupclose.”
“Thosemightbefamouslastwords.Catsareincurablycurious—you’llhavemorewildvisitorsthanyouknowwhattodowith.”Vaughnpausedbeforeadding,“Iguaranteenonewillmakeanyaggressivemoves,notwithwhatI’mguessingisKrychek’sscentalloveryou.”
SaharasuckedinabreathandmetVaughn’sincisivegaze,suddenlyconscioushe’dintuitedtheintimatenatureofherrelationshipwithKaleb.“There’ssomethingbadinhisscent?”sheasked,apainfulknotinherabdomen.
“No,Sahara.There’ssomethingverydangerousinit.”
***
ITwasanhourlater,theskiesgraying,thatSaharasaidgood-byetoFaithandVaughn.“I’llbefineonmyown,Ipromise,”shereassuredhercousinwhenFaithhesitatedonthelanding.“Ihaveyourcommandcellcodesifanythinggoeswrong.”
Faith’slipscurvedinaruefulsmile.“Sorry,IknowI’mbeingoverprotective.IpromiseI’llleaveyoube.”
“Restandheal,”Vaughnsaid,brushingthebackofhisknucklesoverSahara’scheekinanunexpectedcaress.“You’resafehere.”
Saharawatchedthemleavefromthedoorway,thinkinghowvery,veryluckyshewasinherfamily.ShehadexpectedaninterrogationaboutKaleb,butFaithhadaskedonlyifKalebwascoercingherinanyway.AcceptingSahara’snegativeresponse,hercousinhadpromisednottotellAnthonyaboutherrelationshipwithKaleb,thoughFaithandVaughnwouldhavetoalerttheDarkRiveralpha.
“DoyouknowwhatwedidtoSantanoEnrique?”Vaughnhadasked,expressiongrim.
Athernod,he’dsaid,“Krychek’snamecameupinourinvestigationsafterweexecutedthatsickbastard—wedidn’tgoafterhimbecausetherewasnoindicationhe’deverbeennearthevictimsweknowabout,butthatdoesn’tmakehiminnocent.Bedamncareful.Andifheeverhurtsyouinanyway,youruntome.”
“Iwasthereforeverysecondoftheirtortureanddeaths.”
Kaleb’sgruesomeconfessioncircledinhermind,andsheknewthesanethingwouldbetotellVaughnandFaith,butshedidn’t.Becausedeepinside,shesimplydidnotbelievehimcapableofsuchheinousacts,thegirlinsidehermutinousandunyieldinginherrebellion.Maybethatwasasignofherescalatingobsession,butshewasn’tyetreadytogiveuponhim,andonthedarker,ugliertruthshesensedbelowthewordshe’dspoken.
Soshekepthersilence,andahalfhouraftertheothersleft,said,Wouldyouliketoseemytreehouse?
Areyouinvitingme?
Yes.
Whenheappearedafootfromher,dressedinblacksuitpantsandadarkgrayshirt,shefeltasifshe’dfoundamissingpieceofherself.“It’salmosttimeforbreakfast.Willyouhavesomethingwithme?”Itwasagrowingneedshehad,tocareforhim.
Nooneelseeverhadoreverwould.
“I’veeaten,”hesaid,makingnomovetoavoidthefingersshecurvedoverhisshoulder,justbrushingthetendonsofhisneck.“Butyoushouldhavemorenutrition.”
Perhapsitwasthefactthatshestoodinanaeriefarfromeverythingshe’dknown,asilentindicationofinnerstrengththatbeliedhernearbreakdownwhenAnthonyhadmentionedasafehouse.Perhapsitwasthatshefoughttheterroroflosingherfatherwitheverybreath,timemorepreciousthandiamonds.PerhapsitwasthewayKalebdidn’trepudiatehertouch,regardlessofthefactthatheknewexactlywhatitcouldcosthim.
Or…perhapsitwasbecauseherheartwasheavywithatrutheveryoneelseseemedtoforget—thatthisdeadlymanhadbeenadefenselesschildwhentakenbySantanoEnrique—butsheknewthetimeforavoidancewasover.Iftheyweretomovebeyondthehauntingfragilityofthebondthatconnectedthem,shehadtodareaskthequestionshe’dlongleftunspoken.“DidyouchoosetowitnessorparticipateinthemurderscommittedbySantanoEnrique?”
Chapter25
NOANSWER.
Sahara’smind,however,wasn’tsoreticent,herquestionactivatingahiddenkeytounlockasecretmentalvault.Memoriesswirledwithin,confusedandcloudedbytimeandthemistakesmadeduringstoragebythescaredgirlshe’dbeen:agirlwho,inadesperateattempttosavethemostimportantpiecesofherselffromtheravagesofthelabyrinth,hadlockedthevaultnotwithwords…butwithemotion.
Thepersonalkeymeantnooneelsecouldviolatehermemories,destroywhatsheheldmostprecious.ButitalsomeantthatshouldKalebhaveneverfoundher,shouldtheyhavenevermetagain,thatpartofherwouldhavebeenforeverlost.Ahugeriskbuiltonthesamewildfaiththathadkepthergoingforsevenhellishyears.
“Sahara!I’llcomeforyou!Survive!Surviveforme!”
Itwouldtaketime—days,maybeweeks—tounravelthepieces,toreconstructwhathaddegraded,butonememorywascrystalline:ayoungerKaleb—seventeen?eighteen?—bleedingfromhisnose,histeethclenchedasfinebloodvesselsburstinhiseyesandatrickleofwineredrolleddownhisjawfromhisear.
“Iknowthatmonsterhurtyou,”shesaid,herangerahugenessinsideher.“I’vealwaysknownthat.”Itwasapieceofknowledgesovisceral,shecouldn’timaginehowshehadsuppresseditforsolong.“Ialsoknewyoucouldn’ttalkaboutit.”Itwashisattempttodosothathadledtotheagonizingpunishmentthatsentdarkredswimmingacrosstheblackofhiseyes.“Areyoufreetoanswermyquestion?”
Kalebbrokecontacttowalkoutsideandtotheedgeofthelanding,theforestthemistygrayofveryearlymorning,foglickingalongthegroundandsendingtendrilsupintothetrees.Thesoftnesswould’vegiventheentiresceneasenseofunreality,ofadreamthatsmudgedhardedgesawayintonothing,butforthejaggedobsidianofthemanwhostoodstaringoutintothegray.
Hissilencewassolongandsodeepthatthewhispersoftheforestsurroundedtheminaheavycocoon,leavingthemtheonlytwobeingsinauniversethathelditsbreath.
“Men,”hesaidatlast,bodyasmotionlessasstoneandvoicewithoutinflection,“aren’tsupposedtoberaped.”
Rageroaredthroughher.“Hedidthat?”No,no,notherKaleb.Tobehurtinthatway,tobesubjugated,itwould’vedestroyedthisstrongman
“Notinthewaytheworldthinksofit,”Kalebsaidinthatdeadtoneshe’dneverbeforeheardfromhim.“Hewasn’tinterestedinsoilinghisbodywithsuchbasecontact.”
ButSantanoEnriquehadbeenacardinalTkattheheightofhispowers,whileKalebhadbeenaboy.“Heusedhisabilitiestoviolateyou,”shesaid,keepingafuriousreinonherangerandhurtforhim.
“Yes.”Achillsound,echoingwithemptiness.“Hewasinsidemeeveryday,everynight.Icouldneverescape,neverknowwhenhe’dshovedeeper,forcemetodothingswithmybodywhilemymindfoughtitselfintomadnesstoescape.”
Saharathoughtoftheuglinessoftheviolationwhenhershieldshadbeenstripped,andimaginedherselfachildwithnolabyrinthtouseasprotection…andnohope.Shehadalwaysknownsomeonewascomingforher,evenifshehadlockedawayhisnametoprotectit.Kalebhadhadnooneandnothingtoholdonto,hisparentshavingturnedtheirbacksonthechildthey’dbroughtintotheworld.
Herhatredforthemacoldburn,shetookKaleb’shand.
Hisfingersdidn’tcurvearoundhers,hiseyesadead,coldblacklookingoutintonothingness.“Iwashisonlyaudienceforaverylongtime.Thefirsttimewasfourmonthsaftermyseventhbirthday—abelatedgift,hesaid.”
Saharabitdownhardonherlowerlip.She’dknown.Assoonasshe’dreadaboutwhatSantanoEnriquehaddone,somepartofherhadknown,beenunabletobeartoconnectthedots.
“Iwasn’tstrongthen.”Thatsamedeadvoice.“Iwent…away,buthebroughtmeback.Santanoalwaysbroughtmeback.”
Horrorinherveins,shepartedherlips,butKalebcontinuedbeforeshecouldsayanything.“Icouldn’tkillhim,couldn’tstophim.NomatterhowoldandpowerfulIbecame,Icouldn’tstophim.”Therewasragenow,deadlyandbladesharp,ofastrengththathadbeenbuildingfordecades.“Ihadtowatchwhileheslithisvictims’throatsaftertorturingeachoneforhours,days.
“Inthefinalyears,hefoundamusementintelepathinghisatrocitiestome;itwashiswayoftellingmethatwhileImighthavebecomestrongenoughtolockhimoutofmymindoneveryotherlevel,Icouldneverescapehimorthecompulsionhe’dplantedinme.Iwasapowerfulbusinessman,afearedcardinal,andIcouldn’tevenspeakofwhathewasdoing,muchlessraiseafingeragainsthim.”
Thelastviolation,shethought.Theworstviolation.Eventhelowliestanimalhadtherighttofightback,regardlessofthesizeofitsopponent.
“Itwasn’tuntilafterhisdeaththatIwasfinallyabletobreakthecompulsion—andthatwaswhenIdiscoveredhe’dhadasingleremainingconduitintomymind,atinydoorwaythatallowedhimtodojustonething:reinforcethecompulsiontokeephissecretsandnevercausehimharm.”Ragesodeepitwasaquiet,deadlything.“Eventhen,whenIthoughtIwasfinallyfree,hewasinsideme.”
Angerandpaincausticinherveins,shewoveherfingersintohisandshiftedintohislineofsight.“I’msosorry,Kaleb.”Thewordsweren’tenough,wouldneverbeenoughforwhathehadsurvived.
“Don’tbe.”Acalmstatement,hisfingersstillnotrespondingtohertouch.“HemademewhatIam.”
Fearoverwhelmedeveryotheremotion.“Youarenothiscreation.Youmadeyourself.”Hedidn’tanswerher.Shewonderedifheevenheard.“Kaleb.”
“WhenIwassixteenyearsold,hesaiditwastimeIbecameaman.”Theragehadbeentemperedbyablackcoldnessthatwasworsethantheice,farmoredangerousthantheobsidian.“Shewasaswanchangelingonlyafewyearsolderthanme,herhairwhiteassnow—thebloodwhenIslitherthroatturneditscarlet.”
Herheartthudded,hardraininsideherchest,butSaharaknewwhathewasdoing,andshewouldn’tpermithimtodoit.Breakingtheconnectionwithhisunresponsivefingers,sheplacedherhandsoneithersideofhisface.“Didyouputthatknifetoherthroatofyourownvolition?”
Theblacknesscontinuedtocrawloverhisirises,tochillhisskin.“Doesitmatter?Imurderedherwhileshebeggedforherlife.”
“Yes,”shewhispered,holdingontothismanwhosawhimselfasamonster.“Itmatters.”
Kaleb’sanswerwasasickeningportraitofEnrique’sevil.“He’dhadfreeaccesstomesinceIwasthreeyearsold,myshieldsembryonic;plentyoftimetobuildcountlessbackdoorsandswitchesinmymind.Thatnight,hereachedinand…tookeverything,whilemakingcertainIremainedalertandawareofhisactions.”Chillemptiness.“ItgavehimpleasuretoknowIwasscreaminginsidewhileheusedmybodytocarveherup.Minewasthelastfaceshesaw,myhandtheonethatdrovetheknifeintoherfleshoverandover.”
“Enough,”Saharasnapped,terrifiedthathewasgoingawayashe’ddoneasachild.“Youcomebacktome.”Blinkingawaytears,sherefusedtoreleasehisgaze.“Thatwasn’tyou,Kaleb.Youknowthat.Mindcontroltakesawayvolitionandintentandwill.”Itmadethevictimaflesh-and-bloodmarionette.
Kaleb’slashescamedownandwhentheyliftedbackup,nothinghadchanged,herKalebburiedunderthebloodofaninnocentwomanwhohadneverknownthattheboyshesawwasanothervictim,nothermurderer.
“No,”Saharasaidand,risinguponthetipsofhertoes,pressedhermouthtohis.
Kalebalwaysreactedtoher…butnottoday.Hislipsremainedcold,hishandsbyhissides.Refusingtocedevictorytotheserialkillerforwhomshehopedhellwasaviciousreality,sheputonehandonhisnapeand,continuingtocuphischeekwiththeother,kissedhimwithaslowsweetnessthatwasaninvitation,acoaxing.
Comeback,shetelepathed.Ineedyou
Hisfingersbrushedherhips,hishandsrisingtopressflatonherback.Oneofhishandswoveintoherhairaminutelater,theotherpushingupunderthethinblackofhercardigantosplayonskin.Anendlesskiss,theirbodiespressedimpossiblyclose.
Notbreakingtheintimateconnection,Kalebliftedherupinhisarmsandcarriedherinside.Thecomforterwassoftagainstherbackwhenhelaidherdown,hisbodyamuscled,heavyweightthatmadehermoan,hislipsonherthroatawetheat.“Kaleb.Kaleb,Kaleb.”Thegaspedchantwasaremindertohimofwhohewas—notSantanoEnrique’screation,butKaleb,whotouchedherwithaprimalpassionandwhoalwayskepthispromises.
Sinkingherteethintohislowerlipwhenhekissedhiswayupherthroatandbacktohermouth,shereleasedhimafteraquickbite.Andwhenshelookedup,itwastoseeKaleb’seyeslookingdownintoherown.Therewerenostars,buttheobsidianwassheenedwithmidnightcolors,beautifulandmysterious.
Herfingersclenchedonthemuscledheatofhisback,thefinecottonofhisshirtcrumplingunderhertouch.“Youcameback.”
Closinghishandaroundherthroat,hestrokedgently,hismouthdemandingonherown.Shespreadherthighstoaccommodatehisbody,hercoreslickandsoft.Whenhetuggedathercardigan,shereacheddownandpulleditoffoverherheadtothrowittothefloor.Itleftherdressedinabraofdelicatelace,herbreastsstrainingatthecups.
Kalebreleasedherthroattolookdownatherbreasts…andherbrastrapstoreinhalf,thecenterofthebrarippingtohavethepieceoflingeriefallingoffherbody.Itwasthefirsttimehe’dusedhisTkinsuchanintimateway,andhershockedsurpriseturnedintopurepleasurewhen—stillholdinghergaze—heranhisfingerslightlyoverhernipple.
Thistime,hisnamewhisperedfromherlipsinasoftmoan.
Lookingup,hishairfallingacrosshisforehead,heclosedhishandoverherbreastandsettledhisweightmoreheavilyonher.Thenhekissedher.Untilhernailsdugintohisbackandshewassowetbetweenherthighsthathermuskperfumedtheair.Throughitall,hepettedandstrokedherupperbodywithahotlypossessivehandthatmadeitclearKalebKrychekconsideredherhis.
Andstill,hedidn’tsayaword.
***
SAHARAunderhishands,softandsilkyandresponsive.Sahara’stouchonhisback,hertasteinhismouth,thescentofherarousaladrug.Saharawhosaidhisnameasifitmeanteverything.SaharawhowasandhadalwaysbeenthebiggestfractureinhisSilence.“Sahara.”
Thedeepblueofhereyesshimmeredwithemotionhecouldn’tread,herfingersbrushinghislipsthenherowninasilentinvitationhehadnointentionofrefusing.Hermouthopenedatthefirsttouchofhis,herbodyarchedandherthighslockedaroundhim.HewascagedbySaharaanditwasthemostpainfullypleasurableconfinementofhislife.
Grippingthebackofherneck,hetastedhersodeep,she’dneverforgetthetasteofhim.Mine,hethought,youaremine.
Whenherhandswenttothebuttonsofhisshirt,heletheropenthemtothewaist,slideherhandsinside…pressherlipstohisskininasweet,hotkissthatsplinteredthesecondtolastofhisoutershields,thecracksgoingoutwardinaspiderwebthatcouldcollapseatanyinstant.Thepartofhimthatlivedinthevoid,acreaturewithoutreasonorboundaries,roaredwithblackrageatbeingdeniedagain,butthatpart—possessiveandviolentandofhissoul—woulddieforSaharainaheartbeat,anditknewhecouldcrushherribcage,collapseherlungsifhelosthisgriponhisabilities.
Wrenchinghimselfupontohiselbows,hedrewinharshbreathsandmadeafutileefforttoreconstructtheshields.ImpossiblewithSaharasosoftandsensualaroundhim,acceptinghimthoughsheknewthebloodthatcoatedhishands,stainedhissoul.Perhaps,thetwisted,brokenmessinthevoidsaid,perhapsshewon’tturnawayoncesheremembersthehotelroomandthepainandthescreams.
“Howbadareyourshields?”Tendernessinhereyes.
“Bad.”AfractionmoresensationandtherawnessofhisemotionswouldnotonlybeexposedonthePsyNet,histelekineticandtelepathicabilitieswouldsliptheleash.ButwhenSaharawould’verelaxedherlegsfromaroundhim,hereachedbacktoholdherinplace,hishandflexingonherthigh.
Shetightenedhergrip.“Obsidian,Kaleb.Didyougoobsidian?”
“No.”Theobsidianshieldsmightbeimpenetrableandunbreakable,butasSaharaknew,theywerealsoabsolute.“I’llbecutofffromtheflowofinformationinthePsyNetfortheduration.”HehadneverdisconnectedfromtheNettothatextent,hadthousandsofpiecesofdataflowingintohismindatanysecond.
Saharatracedhislipswithherfingertip,thelightestofcaresses.“Ifyou’renotfilteringNetdata,canyoudivertthatenergyintomaintainingagriponyourabilities?”
Kalebdidthecalculations,nodded.“It’llbringtheriskofacatastrophicbreachdowntotwenty-fivepercent.”Notgreatodds,butnotbad,either,notwithKaleb’scontrol.
“Isthereevenahintofanythingmajoronthehorizon?”
“No.”
“Canyoustillbereachedviaatelepathiccall?”
“Yes.”
Slidingherhandoverhisnape,thecharmsonherbraceletcoolagainsthisskin,shewhispered,“ThenletthePsyNettakecareofitselfforanhourortwo,andtakecareofmeinstead.”
Hedidn’thavetochoose;therewasonlyoneoption.
“Nothere.”Hecouldn’tbecertainofthesecurity.
Saharagaspedasthey’portedintohisbed…thenpushedasidehisshirtandleaneduptoplaceherlipsontheskinshe’dbared.SlammingdowntheobsidianshieldsfedofhistelepathyandaugmentedwiththekineticenergyofhisTk,hepushedupSahara’slegtomakemoreroomforhimselfbetweenherthighs—andreleasedtheleash.
Chapter26
KALEBTUGGEDSAHARAupwithagripinherhair,takinghermouthwithaslow,concentratedfurythatmadeitclearshewasnowthesolefocusofallthatmercilesspowerandattentionandwill.Moaningintothekiss,shesurrendered,openingherselftoanythingandeverythinghewanted.
Buttonstoreasherippedoffhisshirt,andthenthenakedheatofhischestwascrushingherbreasts.Aslightshiftandheclosedoneofhishandsoverherleftbreast,fondlingandsqueezingwithunhiddenpossessionashistongueraspedoverherown,hismouthslantingtocreatetheperfectfit.
Fingernailsdiggingintotheheavymuscleofhisback,shemethimkissforkiss.
MyKaleb,mine.
Histhumbrubbedoverhernipple,hisfingersstrongandsureonherflesh,hisholdthatofamandeadcertainofhiswelcome.Whenhebrokethekisstoplumpupherbreastinhishandbeforesuckingthetoppartofitintohismouth,shecriedoutandattemptedtogetimpossiblycloser,thehotsuctionadazzlingpulseofsensation.Releasingherthrobbingfleshaftershewashalfwaytomadness,helookeddownattheshiningwetnessofherskin,hernipplefurledintoatight,beggingpointthathepluckedwithhisfingertips.
Herwombclenched.
Runninghermouthdownhisthroat,herneedforhimaferalthing,shemadeavocalcomplaintwhenheliftedhisbodyoffhers.Ahotlook,astrongmalehandinherhairashebrandedherwithhiskiss,thendrewbackagaintoripopenthezipperofherjeans,pullthemoff.Hisbeltbucklebitintoherabdomenwhenhereturnedtohermouth,hiserectionanaggressivedemandagainstherthatmadeherwanttosquirm.
Excepthewasdeliciouslyheavy,pinningherinplace.Nooneelsewouldshehavetrustedinsuchapositionofpower,noonebutthemostdangerousmanintheworld.Unabletogetenoughofhiskiss,oftheconnectionthatwasafistpunchingthroughherdiaphragmtogripherheart,shelockedheranklestightatthebaseofhisspineandspreadherfingersonhisupperback.
“Iwanttokisseveryinchofyourback,”shemanagedtosaybetweenkisses.
“Later.”Thrustinghishandintotherearofherpanties,hecuppedherlowercurves,takingherstartledcryintohismouth,hisvoiceadangerous,seductivebladeinhermind.Softandsmoothandmine.Alwaysmine.
Suckingindesperatebreathswhenhesetherlipsfreetokisshiswayalongherthroatbeforecomingbackuptoclaimhermouthoncemore,sheranhernailsdownhisback.Itwasharderthanshe’dintended,hismouthandhandsdoingthingstoherthatleftherdevastated,themarksoneshe’dwearforadayatleast.
Breakingthekiss,hethrewbackhishead.
Whenthoseobsidianeyesmethersagain,theywerematchedbyasmilethatheldnothingcalculatedaboutit—itwaslethal…inawaythatmadeherbodyrisetowardhis.ButhewasalreadymovingwiththepowerfulgraceofacardinalTk,kissinghiswaydownherbodytotearoffherpanties,pushherthighsapart,andrubhisjawagainsttheultrasensitiveinnersurfaceofherthighs.
“Kaleb!”Hermindexplodedoutwardtoslamupagainsthisshields,herbodybowing.“Don’tstop,”shebegged.“Don’t—”Asoundlesscry,hersynapsesfried,hismouthhotanddemandingonherdampflesh,hishandsalittleroughonherthighsasheheldthemapart.
Saharaknewaboutthemechanicsofsex,thoughtheSilentdidn’tindulgeintheacteitherforprocreationorforpleasure,butneverinhereducationhadshebeentaughtthattherewerelevelsofintimacyeveninsex.This,whatKalebwasdoingtoher,itwasnothingshe’deverimagined,andoh,butshelikedit.
Archingintohismouthashelickedather,histongueexploringherwithathoroughattentiontodetailthatmadeitclearhe’dbeasrelentlessinbedashewasineveryotheraspectoflife,sheheldhimtoherwithonehandintheheavysilkofhishair.Thathandclenchedwithoutherconsciousvolitionwhenhewould’veshiftedhisattentionfromtheslippery,throbbingnubattheapexofherthighs.
Liftinghishead,hiseyesastormofmidnight,theshadowofthatlethalsmileonhislips,hesaid,“Doesthatfeelgood?”
Hertoescurled.
Nodding,sheheldherbreathashedippedhishead…andgaveherwhatshewanted,fixinghismouthonherclitorisandsuckinghard,hishandsclampedonherinnerthighstokeepherspreadforhim.Everysooften,he’dmovehisthumbsonthedelicate,sensitiveflesh,addingtothetumultofsensationthathadhergrippingatthesheets,thenatthemuscledwarmthofhisshoulders.
Evenasshesobbedherecstasy,hernerveendingsshreddedwiththesweet,hotpainofsexualpleasure,hisvoicewasadarkcaressinhermind.Harder?Softer?Likethis?Ordoyoupreferthis?Eachquestionwasaccompaniedbyaneroticdemonstration,herbodyherlover’sinstrument.Whataboutthis?Strongwhiteteethgrazingtheswollenfleshofherclitoris…thenpressingdownthebarestfraction.
Pleasurewrackedher,leftheraruin.
Risingtokneelaboveherquiveringbody,hecurvedhishandaroundherthroatinanactofpossessionthathadbecomedarklyfamiliar,andbenttohermouth.Thetasteonhislipswasherown,anditwasanintimacythatshould’vebeenshocking,butnothingwasshocking,nothingwastaboowhenitcametothemaninherbed.
Aslavetohim,herbodysoftwithpleasure,shesaid,Letmedothesethingstoyou.
Hishandreleasingherthroatonlytocloseoveritagain.Wemayhavetobuilduptothat.Evenobsidianwon’tholdifyouputyourmouthonme.Notyet.
Theblackvelvetofhistonemadehershiver,herbodyundulatingtowardhimonafreshwaveofneed.Shehadwaitedsolongforthis,forhim,andnowherfleshwasravenous,hersoulgreedy.Please.
Tellmewhatyouneed.Hemovedhishandfromherthroattobetweenherlegs.
Saharaflinchedashisthumbbrushedherclitoris,herfingernailsdiggingintohisupperarms.It’stoosensitive.Therealizationfrustratedher—itfeltsogoodwhenhetouchedhertherethatshewantedonlytoexperiencethesensationsagain.Buttherewassomethingshewantedevenmore.
“Youshouldknowthispleasure,too,”shewhisperedasheputhispalmoverherdampflesh,theroughwarmthofhimasubtlecaress.“Teachmewhatfeelsgoodonyourbody.”Sheachedtokissandpethimashewasdoingher,burnedtoseethosecardinaleyesdrenchedinthesamestormthathadsuckedherunder.
Watchingyouorgasmgivesmeextremepleasure,wasKaleb’sunvarnishedanswerashislipssoughthersoncemore.Feelingyoustickyanddampagainstmytongue,myfingers,yourbodysoftundermine,yourarousednipplesrubbingagainstmychest,that’swhatfeelsgood.
Sahara’sbreathturnedjagged,herbreastsrisingandfallingasshefoughtnottodrownundertheeroticonslaught.Untilthisinstant,shehadn’tknownwordscouldbeassensual,asarousing,astouch.EvenmoresowhensheknewKalebwasn’tsayingthewordswiththatintent—hewassimplystatingfacts,herpleasurehisown.
Hetappedherclitorisagain.Stillsensitive?
Yes,shemanagedtoanswerthroughtheacutebiteofsensation.
Let’strythisinstead.Breakingthekisstofocushisattentionloweronherbody,hisexpressionsteelyinitsintensity,hepushedatthetightnessofherentrancewithhisfinger,andwhensheshivered,handsfallingtofistinthesheets,workedthatfingerslowlyinside.Yes?Hairtumbledoverhisforehead,helookedup,theireyeslocking.
Somuchpower,shethought,suchunyieldingcontrol.Itshould’vemadeherfeelatavastdisadvantage.Itdidn’t.BecausethiswasKaleb.“Yes.”Amoanofdiscoveryasheslidhisfingerout,thenpusheditbackinjustasslow.“Yes,please.”
Asecondfinger,andallatonceshe’dhadenough,herwombcontractingwithanemptinessthathurt.Shemightnoteverhavedonethisactbefore,butinstincttoldherwhatexperiencedidn’t.“You,”shesaid,anditwasanorder.“Ineedyou.”OnlyKaleb.
Hisrespondingkisswasanakeddemand,histonguelickingdeep.“Spreadyourlegswider,”hecommandedwhenhereleasedhermouth,withdrawinghishandandrisingtoridhimselfoftherestofhisclothingatlast—torevealabodythatmadeherfemininecoreclench.
Gloriouslynaked,hiserectionheavy,hesettledbetweenthelegsshe’dspreadforhim,oneofhishandsonherthigh,theotherpalm-downbesideherhead.Theirgazeslockedagainashebegantopushinsideherwiththeblunttipofhispenis,herhandonhisnape,herbodyslickandreadybutstillsotightagainstthethickintrusionofhim.Apainfulkindofburninghadherhissingoutabreath,butbelowthatwasaneedthatwanted,hungered.
Areyouhurting?
Iwantthishurt.
SweatdrippeddownKaleb’stemple,hisjawabrutalline,buthemaintainedtheslow,inexorablepushofhisbodyuntilhiserectionwasburiedtothehiltinsideher.Sahara.Passion-flushedcheekbonesandeyesstormywithsomuchpoweritwasakintolookingintotheheartofathunderstorm.
Ifeel…perfect.Tightandfulltothepointthatitwasalmostpainandexactlywhereshewasmeanttobe.
Whenheshudderedandpulledoutaninch,shecriedout,thefrictionofhisrock-hardpenisagainsthersensitizedfleshaneroticshock.Kalebthrustbackin,onlytorepeatthewithdrawalandreentry,thehandonherthighshiftingtoherhiptopinherinplaceashedippedhisheadtokissherbreasts,suckingononeofhernipplesbeforereleasingitthroughhisteeth.
Thecaressmadeherinternalmusclesflutteraroundhim.Hisbodyturnedrigid,thetendonsofhisneckstandingoutstarklyagainsthisskin,theveinsonhisarmspulsingashismuscleswenttaut.ButKalebhadlearnedcontrolinaviciouscrucible—hedidn’tbreakevenundertheintensityofthesensations.Kissingheragainasshehookedoneofherlegsoverhiship,hepulledoutalltheway,thenpushedbackinwithruthlesspatience.
Writhingbeneathhim,theabrasionofherbreastsagainsthischestasensualcounterpointtotheharshpossessionofhiminsideher,shemoanedintothekiss.Heswallowedthesoundandoncemorerepeatedtheslow,completewithdrawalandreturn,stretchingherswollentissuesuntilherclitoristhrobbed.Slickasshewas,herbodylubricatingitselfinripplingwavesofpassion,hissizemadetakinghimaneffort—ahotlyeroticeffortthathadherbreakingoffthekisstoissueabreathlessfemininedemand.“Faster.”
Areyousure?Hisfingersdugintoherhip.
“Yes!”Grippingathisback,sheattemptedtoarchherbodytowardhim…buthewasalreadypullingout.
Onlytoslambackin.Hard.
Saharascreamed,herbodyclenchingaroundKaleb’sinanorgasmthatfeltasifitwouldtearhertopieces…andthatwaswhenKaleb’scontrolsnapped.Therewasnothingpracticedaboutthewayhepoundeddeepintoheroverandoveragain,nothingrestrainedaboutthewayhewrenchedherheadtothesidetokissandsuckatherthroat,nothingcalculatedaboutthewayhebentherthighupwardthenpusheditwidetofacilitateadeepertaking.
Itwasprimitive;itwasrough;itwasspectacular.
Comingsohardaroundhimthatherthoughtswerenothingmorethansplinters,sheheldontighttothesweat-slickmuscleofhisbody,hisheartbeatingadrumthatmatchedherownandhisfingersalmostbruisinglytightonthebottomofthethighhe’dpushedup.Kaleb,myKaleb.Itwasaclaimpassionateandpossessiveaspleasuretoreherapart.
Kalebcameinviolentsilence,hisbreathharshagainstherearandhisbodyrigid.Thehotwetofhispossessionashissemenpulsedinsidehermadehereroticallyabusedmusclesspasmagain,clenchingtightaroundhim.Jerking,heraisedhishead,eyesofobsidianholdingherownashedrewbackonefinaltime,thenthrustdeeppastherclenchingmuscles.
“Mine.Youaremine.”
TheywerethelastwordsSaharaheardbeforeKaleb’skisstoreherapart,hisbodylockedwithherownastheyfell.
Chapter27
“WE’VESHAREDDNA,”Kalebmurmuredtothewomanwholayinhisarmsafterward,knowingheshould’vetoldhertheuglytruthbeforethis,hisonlyexcusebeingthathehadn’tbelievedshewasanywhereclosetoacceptinghiminsideherbody.“Theremaybeconsequences.”
“No.”Sahararaisedherheadfromhischest,eyessmudgedwithlingeringechoesofpleasure.“ImadeadiscreetvisittoanotheroneoftheM-Psyintheclinicwhenmyfather”—ahitchedbreath—“wentintocheckonapatientyesterdayafternoon.I’veknownthemedicsincechildhood,andshemadethenecessarychangesinmybodychemistrywithoutanyintrusivequestions.”Herfingersrisingtotracehislips.“Iknewthiswasinevitable.”
“Good.It’sbetterifmyDNAisn’tpassedon.”
“Why?You’resmart,beautiful,powerful.”
“I’malsomentallyunstableandmayhavetendenciestowardcriminalinsanity.”
Thesoftnessfadedfromherexpression.“Kaleb,IrefusetocallanythingyoudidunderEnrique’scoercionachoice.Thatwashisinsanity.”Flat,absolute,daringhimtoarguewithher.“I’mnotwithoutintelligence.Iknowyou’vehurtpeopleasanadult,butIalsoknowyouwouldhavedonesowitharationalmotive,”shesaid,seeinghimwithaclaritythatwasarazor.
“Power,control,money,you’dalwayshavehadareasonforyouractions,whetherornotthoseactionswerejustifiable.”Hardwords,andyetherhandremainedspreadoverhisheart.“Thecriminallyinsanedon’thaveanyrationalreasonsfortheiractions—whatEnriquedid?Hefoundasickpleasureinit.Didyou?”
“No,buttheseedlivesinme.”Nothingcouldalterthepitilessbiologicalfactofit.“ThatnightafterIkilledtheswan,”hesaid,speakingthetruthforthefirsttimeinhislife,“Santanotoldmethatthepaternalnameonmybirthcertificateisalie.”
UnwillingtobelieveanythingtheotherTksaid,KalebhadwaiteduntilhewaswealthyenoughtomakearrangementsforanonymousDNAtests,hisintenttodisproveSantano’swords.“Iconfirmedthefraudasanadult.”Ithadtakenhimtencyclesoftestingtoacceptthetruthofhistaintedblood.
Strugglingupontoherelbowbesidehim,Saharapushedbackherhair,afrownmarringherbrow.“Howcanthatbe?DNAiscross-checkedatbirthtomakesureofgeneticlines.”
“Moneyandpowercanalteranything.”
HewatchedSaharadigestwhathe’dsaid,sawtheinstantofrealization.“SantanoEnrique,”sheexhaled.“Thatbastardwasyourfather?”
“Ingenetics.”KalebwouldclaimnothingmoreofEnriquethanhehadto.“Hehadatheoryabouthowtocreatehigh-Gradientoffspring.Hedidn’t,however,wantthatchildconnectedtohimincasetheexperimentfailed.”SantanoEnriquecouldnothaveaweakchild,couldnotbeanythinglessthanperfectineveryway.
“Sometimeaftermybirth,hemadethedecisiontocontinuethesubterfuge—mostlybecauseitgavehimadifferentkindofaccesstome.”AparentwhotreatedhischildwithcruelbrutalitywouldbelookedataskanceintheNet,butatrainerwasactivelyencouragedtodosointhecaseofanoffensiveability.DisciplinewaseverythingwhenitcametoacardinalTkchild—withoutit,evenaninfantcouldkill.
“Themanonyourbirthcertificate?”Saharabrushedhishairoffhisforehead.“Yourmother?”
“Boughtoff,thenquietlymurderedwhileIwasstillaminor.”Hefeltnothingatthethoughtofthepeoplewhohadraisedhimtillhewasthree,thenabandonedhimtoSantanoEnrique.“Low-Gradientastheywere,noonenoticed.”
“Surely,”Saharasaid,“thereweresuspicionsofacardinalbornoftwolow-GradientPsy.”
“Santanochosetwopeoplewiththenecessaryrecessivegenestomakesuchabirthararebuttruepossibility.”Hespreadhisfingersonherlowerback,herskindelicateandwarm,butwithapromiseofsleekmusclebeneath,asifherbodywererememberingthedancershe’doncebeen…thedancerwhosefleshhadtornunderaknifewithachippedblade.“Icarryhiminmyverycells.”
Sahara’sjawsetinastubbornlinefamiliartohimfromherchildhood.“Youmaycarryhisgenes,”shesaid,“butyouarenotandneverwillbeEnrique’sson.”Apassionatenegationthatvibratedwithcoldfury.“Ifyouwere,youwouldn’tfindpleasureintouchingmewithcare,onlyincausingmepain.”Pressingherfingerstohislips,sheshookherhead.“You’reKaleb.Thatisyouridentity.”
***
Ahalfhourlater,SaharawasintenselyawareofKalebwatchingwithsilenteyesasshemovedaroundhiskitchen,puttingtogetheramealforthemboth,theendsofthewhiteshirtshe’dborrowedfromhimbrushingherthighs.Certainpartsofherbodytwingedwitheverymovement,asilentreminderoftheuninhibitedintimacythey’dsharedintheprivacyofhisbed.
Kaleb,dressedonlyinapairofblacksweatpants,theridgedmuscleofhischestshadowedintheearlyeveninglightinthispartoftheworld,wasayounggod,aGreekstatuecometolife.Strongandgorgeousandremote.
Excepthewasn’tremote,wasn’tcold.Notforher.Neverforher.
He’dobtainedthemostrecentupdateonherfatherminutesbeforeandhadofferedtotakehertothehospital.TheonlyreasonSaharahadforcedherselftowaitwasthatLeonKyriakusremainedinisolation,hisimmunesystemweakenedasaresultofahostileinfectioncausedbythedirtyknifethebountyhunterhadused.Shedidn’twanttoriskintroducingafatalcontaminantintohissysteminherneedtoseehimaliveandwell.
“Hisprognosisisgood,”Kalebhadsaid,scanningthemedicalreportwhenhereyeswateredtoomuchtodoso.“Theinjurywassevere,andhisrecoverywillbeslow,butwiththeinfectioncaughtintime,thereisnocauseforconcern.”
Toanyoneelse,thewordsmighthavesoundedcallous,unfeelingofthefearthattwistedhergut,buttoher,theysoundedlikehonesty.Kalebhadneveronceliedtoher,andifhesaidherfatherwasgoingtomakeit,hewas.AndwhenLeonwoke,hewouldbedisappointedinherif,inherworry,she’dfailedtodotheonethinghe’daskedofherthenightthey’dtalkedtilldawn.
“Liveyourlife,Sahara.Liveitasbigandwithasmuchcolorasyoucanstandtobear.Don’tletanyoneoranything—thefamily,Silence,theweightofyourability,evenmyneedtokeepyouclose—confineyouagain.”
Sosheblinkedawaytheincipienttears,lookedintotheruthlessfaceofthemanwhomadeeverythinginherignite—joy,pleasure,fear,anger,terror,hope—andtookthenextsteponherroadtoanextraordinarylife.
“Ineedtoaskyousomething,”shesaid,pickingupaspoontomixthenutrientdrinkheinsistedonhavinginplaceofanythingwithmoretaste.She’dtriedtoswallowthequestion,butitwassouringherstomach,makingherjittery,andhe’dnoticed.
Asilentlookthattoldhertoask.
“Whereexactlydidyoulearnwhatwejustdid?”Itcameoutedgierthanshe’dintended.
“Withthewayourbodiesrespondtooneanother,preparationseemedprudent.”
“Isee.”Thespoonhittheinsidesoftheglass,hermotionsjagged.
Shiftingtoleanonthecounternexttoher,Kalebcuppedherjaw.Whensherefusedtolookathim,herubbedhisthumboverherlowerlip.“IresearchedsexualintimacythesamewayIresearcheverythingelse.Methodicallyandinintricatedetail.”
Saharagrabbedattheedgeofthecounterashermindwasdelugedbyatelepathiccascadeoferoticimages,limbsentangledandfingersdiggingintoflesh.Eyeswide,shemethis.“Howdidyou…?”
“Sex,”hesaid,rubbinghisthumboverherlowerlipagain,“issomethingtheotherracesfindendlesslyfascinating.Sourcingtheimages,literature,andrecordingswaschild’splay.AsimpleInternetsearchbroughtupmillionsofhits.”
Cheeksburningfromsomeofwhathadtumbledintohermind,Saharasaid,“Whataboutputtingtheoryintopractice?”Ifhe’dsharedhisbodywithanyoneelseinanyway,herangerwouldbeasviolentasherpain.Herfragmentedmemories,hislustforpowerandlackofamoralcompass,noneofitmatteredonthismostelementallevel.
Here,hebelongedtoher.
“Practicalapplication,”hesaidinthatcool,calmKalebvoice,“would’vebeenapointlessexercise,giventhehighlikelihoodIwouldkillanyonewhodaredtouchmeinsuchaway.”Anotherbrush,hiseyesfocusedonherlips.“Withyou,however,Ifullyunderstandthehumanandchangelingpreoccupationwithsex.”Thistimetheimagehesentherwould’vebuckledherkneesifshehadn’thadthesupportofatelekinetic.
Thesnapshotwasofher,asshe’dbeeninhisbednotlongago,herthighsspreadandherbackarched,thepointofviewthatofthemanwho’dhadbothhishandsontheinnersurfacesofherthighsatthetime.Accurateineverydetail,downtotheperspirationthatglimmeredonherskinandtheslicknessbetweenherthighs,itshowcasedthesteel-trapmemoryofthecardinalTkwhowasnowherlover.
“That,”sherasped,“isunfair.Idon’thavethesameammunition.”
Kaleb’sexpressiondidn’talter,histonedidn’twarm,butthewordshespokewereverymuchnotofSilence.“I’llsendyousomevideofiles.”Thenhebenthisheadandtoldhertheyshouldpracticekissing,voiceaschillasfrost…andeyeslickedwithblackfire.
Itwasalongtimelater,thetwoofthembackinheraerie,thathereachedintothepocketofhisblacksuit—hisshirtadarkforestgreenshe’dchosenoutofhiscloset—andpulledoutasmalljewelrybox.“Thisisforyou.”
Itwasn’therbirthday,butSaharaknewtheboxheldacharm.“Tomarkmyreturn?”sheaskedsoftly.
“Yes.”Openingit,heretrievedthecharm.“Incaseyourfatherdidn’tgetachancetotellyou,therewasatransferintoyouraccountyesterday—taggedastheincomefromaninvestmenthemadeforyouwhenyouwereachild,tomatureonyourtwenty-thirdbirthday.”Apause.“Itwasmeanttomatureateighteen,givingyouindependentfundsforeducation,butLeonkeptextendingthedate.”
Saharaswallowedtheknotinherthroat.Onceagain,heroutwardlydistantloverhaddemonstratedhisconsciousnessofheremotionalneedsbytellingherafactothersmighthaveomitted.Holdingoutherwrist,shesaid,“Didyougetmeasheathfortheblade?”Thecharmbraceletglowedluminousinthesunlightcomingthroughthewindow.
“It’stoosoonfortheworktohavebeencompleted.”Hisfingersclosedaroundherwrist,histhumbovertheflutterofherpulse.“You’llhavetowaitfornextyear.”
Nextyear.
Ifshe’dbeenstanding,shemighthavestaggeredundertheforceofherrelief.“Andthesinglestar?”
Eyesofinkyblackholdingherown,thewordshespokeonlyafractionoftheirconversation.“Itappearsitdidnotsufferfataldamage.”
Suchaprecariousequilibrium.Somanylivesbalancedonhersanitywhenhermindremainedinchaos.“Letmesee,”shewhisperedtothismanwhowould’velaidwastetotheworldinvengeanceforher.
Asbefore,shetriedtocraneherneck,triedtopeek,butheblockedherview,hiswideshouldersangledtoshowthenapeofhisneckbeneaththeneatblackofhishair.
Liftingherfreehand,shejustbarelytouchedskin.Amomentofmotionlessness,thennothingbutmasculinewarmth,hisfingersholdingherwristasheresettledthebraceletandletherseethenewestcharm.
Aneagleinflight,wingsspreadtotheirgreatestlength.
Freedom.
PurePsy
PSYUNIFORMLYCREMATEDtheirdead.Itwasthemosteffectivewaytodisposeofacorpse,andthoseofVasquez’sracehadnoneedforagravewheretheycouldmourn.However,Vasquezhadn’tcrematedCouncilorHenryScott’sravagedbody.He’dhadHenryburiedinanisolatedlocationdeepintheTatraMountainsinEurope.
Hehadn’tdoneitbecauseheneededemotionalabsolution.HisSilencewasPure.No,he’dburiedhismurderedleadersohecouldreportbacktoHenry.He’ddonesoawarethatmanywouldconsidersuchcommunicationanirrationalact,butwithHenrygone,VasqueztrustednoonewithhisplansforPurePsy.Hefeltmore…stablespeakingtotherestingplaceofhislostleaderthaninsidehisownmind.
Itmightbe,hethoughtnow,lookingdownatthegravecoveredbyafinelayerofnewgrass,thehumansandchangelingshadapointonthisoneaspectofthings.Vasquezhadnoargumentwithacceptingtheotherraceshadcertainqualitiesandstrengthsthatmightbeusefultohisown—however,theywerenot,andhadneverbeen,theequalofPsy.
Hiswastheracewiththeabilitytoaffecttheverymindsoftheotherraces.Psycouldenslavethosemindsiftheysochose,crushingtheautonomyofhumanfamiliesandchangelingpackstoerasetheirsocietyitself.Assuch,theemotionalracescouldnotbepermittedtoascendtothepointwheretheybelievedthemselvestherightfulrulersoftheplanet.
Itwasalsotruethatthefaultforthebaselessconceitrecentlyevidencedbyhumansandchangelingsalikedidn’tliewiththem.ThatresponsibilitybelongedtotheweakonesinthePsyNet,theoneswhohadallowedtheinferiorracestoclawtheirwaytoapowertheycouldnothopetounderstand.Inthis,HenryhadbeenwronginhisdecisiontoattacktheSnowDancerandDarkRiverpackssodirectly.
“Theyareanimals,”hesaidquietly,hisrespectforhisleadersteadfasteveninthisdisagreement.“Theydonotknowthedepthofthewatersinwhichtheyplay.”Andthehumans?Weak.Defenselessasbabies.“Wecanenterhumanmindsatwill,altertheveryrealityoftheirexistence.”
Silencewashisonlyanswer,buthefeltthepeaceofknowinghewasonthetruepath.“Ourrightfulplaceisasthecaretakersofthelesserraces,notasaggressors.Illdisciplinemustbepunished,ofcourse,butonlytobreakthemofbadhabits.”Bloodneednotbespilledwhenthemindcouldbetaughttofearpain.“Intime,theywillbecomewhattheyhavealwaysbeenmeanttobe—ourobedientservants,whoknowweonlywantthatwhichisbestforthem.”
Beforethatstateofgracecouldcometopass,however,Vasquezfirsthadtoredressthecurrentpowerimbalanceintheworld.Todothat,hehadtodestroywhathadbecomeadefectiveanddecayingrulingstructure,givinghisracethegiftofbeingabletobeginanew.
Humansandchangelingshadbeenandwouldcontinuetobecaughtinthecrossfireastheirbettersstruggledfordominance,butthatcouldn’tbehelped.ThiswasawarforthesurvivalofthePsyrace.“Collateraldamage,”hesaid,thinkingoftheoperationthatwasabouttoputPurePsyandtheneedforSilenceoneveryone’slipsfromoneendoftheglobetotheother,“isinevitable.”
Chapter28
HAVINGRESTEDFORafewhoursafteranightthathadbegunwithanexhilaratingclimb,wasshatteredbyanenemyintruder,andendedinKaleb’sarms,Saharawokejustaftertwointheafternoon.ThefirstthingshedidwascallAnthonyforanupdateonherfather,tobetoldheremainedinisolationbutthatthedoctorswereincreasinglyconfidentofhisrecovery.Kalebconfirmedthatstatuswhenshetouchedhismind…anditstruckherthatthoughAnthonywasherblood,itwasherdangerouslovershetrustednottolietoher.
Thankyou,shesaid,almostabletoseehimintheMoscowofficewherehesaidhewasfinalizingaprojectinspiteofthelatehourthere,abeautifulmaninahandmadesuitwhomightaswellbeaknifeblade;amansocomplex,sheknewsheunderstoodonlythebarestpieces;amanwhohadsurvivedhellasachildandcomeoutofitashadowyenigma.
Hebelongedtoherinawayshecouldn’tarticulate,thebondbetweenthemunbreakable,butSaharahadnoillusionsaboutKaleb.Thescarsofalifetimetiedtoamonstercouldneverbeerased—andnoone,notevenshe,couldpredictthedecisionsthosescarswouldleadhimtomake.Youneedtorest,shesaid,apainfultendernessinsideher.Becausenomatterwhatelsehewas,hewashersfirst.
Soon.
Blackiceinhermind,butthatnolongerscaredher.HisicycontrolwasasmuchapartofKalebasthedarkpossessionofhiskiss,andSaharaunderstoodtheneedforit.
Theexternaldamage?sheasked,pulseracingatthememoryofhershockwhenshe’dlookedabsentlyoutthekitchenwindowafterthey’dsharedtheirbodies—toseehugegashesinthelandscapeasfarastheeyecouldsee,asiftheearthhadbeencrackedlikeanegg.
Limitedtoafive-hundred-meterradiusaroundthehouse.Ifixedthecracksafter’portingyoutoDarkRiverterritory.
Saharaknewsheshouldbeworriedaboutthefactthatshe’dbeeninbedwithamanwho’dcausedthatkindofdamagewithamomentaryand,accordingtohim,minorlossoftelekineticcontrolduringintimacy,butshefeltherlipskickupatthecorners.Soweliterallymadetheearthmove?
Aslightpause,beforeKalebsaid,Isuggestwedon’tengageinsexinpopulatedareas.
Thecoolcommentmadeherburstintolaughter.
Centeredbytheshortinterplay,sheateasmall,healthymeal,mindfulshecouldn’tbecomecomplacentaboutherphysicalhealth,thenclimbeddowntheropeladdertowalkthroughhernewsurroundings.Herintent,however,wasnottoexplore,buttoutilizethesun-dappledpeacetomendthetearsinherpsyche.Asaresult,shewassoonlostinthevaultoftangledmemoriesthatheldthebrokenpiecesofher.
“Youlooklikeyouneedacupcake.”
Saharajumped,havingheardnofootsteps,notevenawhisperthatsomeonewasinthevicinity.
“Sorry,didn’tmeantosneakuponyou,”saidthetallwomanwithhairofaredmoregoldenthanFaith’s,thestrandspulledbackinatightFrenchbraid.Dressedinjeans,boots,andaT-shirt,shedidinfacthaveapink-frostedcupcakeinherhand.“Iwasgoingtoeatthisone,too,”thewomanconfided,“butI’vealreadyhadthreeandmyhipsarestartingtogroaninprotest.”
Saharasawnothingbutsupplemuscleonthosehips.“Thankyou,”shesaid,takingtheunexpectedgift.“Areyouoneoftheguards?”Thewoman’swalkidentifiedherasafelinechangeling.
“Name’sMercy.DarkRiversentinel—it’smyjobtomakesureyourperimeterremainssecureatalltimes.”Sheputahandontheslightcurveofherabdomeninanabsentmove,herwatchfuleyesontheforestaroundthem.
“You’recarryingachild,”Saharablurtedout,realizingtoolateitwasrudetoraisesopersonalatopic.
“Accordingtoyourcousin,”Mercysaiddryly,andwithnoindicationofhavingtakenoffense,“Imightbecarryinghalfadozen.Faithrefusestotellmeifshesawtripletsorquads,andI’mnotaskingbeyondthat—notsureeithermyormymate’ssanitycantakeit.”Agrin.“Thepupcubswillnodoubtkicktheknowledgeintomewhenthey’reready.”
“Pupcubs?”
Theotherwomanlaughed.“That’salongstoryinvolvingaverysexybrown-eyedwolfandfartoomuchhardliquor.”
Hesitantbuthopeful,Saharasmiled.“Ihavetime.”ShelikedMercy,andunlikewhenshe’dbeenagirl,shedidn’thavetokeepherdistancefromsomeoneshewantedasafriend.
Overthenexthour,astheywalkedthroughthewildgreenofthetrees,Mercyspokeofherpassionatecourtshipwiththewolfsheclearlyadoredandwhowasthefatherofthe“pupcubs”inherwomb.Againandagain,Sahara’seyefellonthecharmsKalebhadgivenher…andshebegantodigdeeperintothevaultforthefragmentedstoryofherowncourtship.
***
ITwasfifteenminutespasttwointhemorninginMoscowwhenKaleblaydowntorest.He’donlybeenasleeptwentyminuteswhenhewaswokenbyapieceofrawdatathatsetoffhissubconsciousalarms.HefeltnosenseofsurpriseatopeninghiseyestodiscoverthatPurePsyhadattackedauniversityheavilyattendedbyPsy,duetoitslocationinthecenterofthebusycitythatwasDenver.
Theworld-classcampuswasfamousforitsprogressivestudentsandfaculty.Discussionaboutcurrenteventshadtohavebeenrife.Andwiththatmanybrightmindsinoneplace,nodoubtsideshadbeentaken.IfKalebhadtoguess,he’dsaythemajorityhaddecidedagainstPurePsy—butaminorityhaddisagreedandoneormorehadnodoubtreportedthe“disloyalty”tothefanaticalgroup.
Pullingoncargopants,along-sleevedT-shirt,andcombatboots,heteleportedintothechaos,identifiedtheindividualinchargeofevacuatingthecollapsedbuildings,andmadehimself—andtheArrowswhohad’portedinathisrequest—knownasreadytoassist.Forreasonsyetunidentified,PurePsyhadn’tusedfirebombsthistime,leavingamuchhigherchanceofsurvivors.
Theshort,plump,silver-hairedhumanfemalerunningtheshowdidn’tblinkattheirarrivalandbegantousetheirskillswithaquick-thinkingclaritythatmeantnooneattemptedtousurpherposition.“Quadranttwo,attwoo’clock,”shesaidwhenhecheckedinafterhelpingtostabilizeabuildingthathadthreatenedtocollapseontopofinjuredandimmobilesurvivors.“Equipment’spickingupbreathing.”
Ayoungermanwhomovedwiththefluidgraceofachangeling,theuniversitylogoonhisT-shirttornbutnotbloody,ranupthesectionbeforeKalebcouldbegintoshiftthepiecesofoldplascrete.“Wait.”Heheldoutahand,hisskintawnybrownintheafternoonlight.“Icanscentthem.”
KalebcontainedhisTk.Whilehecouldsenseanumberofminds,theirpainandpanicblanketedthearea,makingitimpossibletopinpointspecificlocations.
Movingcarefullyoverthebrokensection,thechangelingnoddedatKaleb,hiseyestheamber-greenofalargepredator,possiblyoneofthereclusivetigers.“Here.”
Kalebmovedthejaggedplascretewithcare.Trappedunderneathwasatallhumanstudentwhoappearedtohaveabrokenclavicleandankle.Kalebshookhisheadwhenthechangelingboy—andhewasaboy,notmorethannineteen—would’veliftedherout.“I’vealertedtheparamedics.Sheneedscareincaseofspinalinjuries.”
ThenextliverecoverywasofapairofPsystudents,bothwithseverecrushinjuries.Threemorefollowed.Everyoneelsewasdead—includinganolderchangelingwhoselabcoatidentifiedherasaprofessor,andwhoseeyestheboyclosedwithtremblingfingertipsthathadbecometippedwithclaws.
“Confirmnofurtherheatsignatures!”calledthehumanscientistwho’dbeenscanningthewreckagewithspecializedradarequipment.
Thechangelingboy,hisfacedrawn,nodded.“Thescentsareconfused…butallIscentnearbyisdeath.”
Kalebscannedforlivemindsintheimmediatevicinity,foundnone.“It’stimetocheckin,getanewassignment.”
TwoPsyparamedicsranpastrightthen,headingforthenextquadrant,ahumandoctoralreadyonthescene,achangelingnurseathiselbow.Kalebhadn’teverseensuchcooperationbetweenthethreeraces—andhewasn’ttheonlyonewhonoticed.Journalistsfromaroundtheworldinterviewedtherescuedwhocouldtalk,bystanderswho’dsurvivedtheinitialblast,rescuersbenchedbecauseofexhaustion,anyonewho’dsitstillforafewminutes.
Kaleb,youmustbeexhausted.Accordingtothenewsreports,youhaven’tstoppedsinceyouarrived.
Hewasalmostexpectingthetelepathicmessage.Myenergyreservesarehigherthanthatofmostcardinals.Thefactwas,hedidn’tknowhowlonghecouldgoforasanadult,hadneverbeenpushedtothepointwherehe’dflatlined.
Haveyoueaten?
Yes.Ifhisbodyfailed,itwouldn’tmatterifhispsychicreservesremainedhigh.I’minnodangerofoverload.Howisyourfather?
Holdingstrong.
Heexpectedhertoretreatashecontinuedtowork,butshestayedwithhimthroughout,thetelepathicpathwayopenbutquiet.
NoonebutSaharahadevercaredenoughabouthimtoworry.
Itwasn’tuntilalmosttwentyhourslaterthatKalebstoppedworking.Accordingtotheequipment,therewerenofurthersignsthatanyonehadsurvived,andthechangelingshadbeenovertheareamultipletimeswiththesameresults.Becauseofthenumberofrescuepersonnelinthearea,Psytelepathicscansweren’tasuseful,butthey’dbeendone,too.
“Nofurtherchanceofsurvivors,”wastherulingbythesilver-hairedfemalewhohadn’ttakenabreakthroughout.“Thankyou.Allofyou.Gohomenow,andrest.It’stimeforthebodyrecoveryteamstotakeover.”
Physicallyspentinawayhehadn’tbeenforlongerthanhecouldremember,Kalebconsideredhisnextmove.Thecooperationtodayhadcomeintheaftermathofaterribletragedy—itwouldnotholdifPurePsycontinuedtoattackraciallymixedtargets,particularlyifthosetargetsfocusedontheyoung.
ThemajorityofpeopleunderstoodthebloodshedstemmedfromaradicalfringeofthePsypopulation,butaccordingtothemediareportsflowingthroughthePsyNet,asmallelementwasbeginningtobelievedifferently:thatthePsyweresacrificingsomeoftheirowninordertohidetheirtrueaim—tokilllargenumbersofhumansandchangelings,settingthestageforaworldwidetakeoverbytheirrace.
Ifthatelementreactedtoprotecttheirownbyviolentactionagainstthosetheyconsideredtheenemy,thecivilwarinthePsyNetcouldtipoverintoatrueglobalwar.Thecarnagewouldresultinabrokenworld,itspeopledemoralizedandwithouthope.
Theperfecttimeforanewemperortocometopower.
PurePsy
VASQUEZWATCHEDTHEnewsfeedswithagrowingsenseofunease.Thesituationwasevenworsethanhe’dbelieved:Psyjournalistswerenotonlypraisingtheskillsofandtheassistanceprovidedbythelesserracesintheaftermathoftheuniversitystrike,theywerecallingitabrightnewdawnininterracialcooperation.
Ifthiscontinued,hispeoplewouldsoonbegintoseetheanimalemotionsofthechangelingsandhumansinapositivelight,andthetraitorsintheNetwouldhaveanotherweaponintheirfighttotoppleSilence.Thatcouldnotbepermittedtohappen—andPurePsy’snextstrikewouldmakecertainofit,splinteringallhopeofcooperationinamiasmaofdistrust.
Theuniversityhithadbeennothing,adecoytodistractthosewhohuntedVasquezandhisfaithfulsoldiers.PurePsy’struemessagewasyettobeheard,wouldbewrittenintheskiesindeadlyflame,theomegasitegoingdowninthehistoryoftheworld.
AnArrowwasrumoredtobesniffingaroundthatsite,anditwasaconcern,butnotenoughtomakeVasquezauthorizeapremature“go.”ThefactthatalargenumberofTkshadbeentiredoutbytheuniversityoperationplayedaweightierroleinhisdeliberations,butintheend,hedecidedonpatience.
Ifhedetonatednow,withthefinalpreparationsnotquiteinplace,heriskeddoingagraveinjusticetohundredsofhoursofpainstakingwork.Hispeopledeservedtowitnessthegloryofwhattheycouldachieve—andintheend,itdidnotmatterifeverysingleTkintheworldrespondedtothenextstrike:itcouldnotbestopped,couldnotbeminimized.
“Wewill,”hesaidtothememoryofhislostleader,“ariseanewfromtheashesoftheworld.”
Chapter29
THIRTYMINUTESAFTERtheheadoftherescueteamattheuniversityannouncednohopeoffurthersurvivors,SaharafelttheprickleatthebackofherneckthatwasKaleb’spresence.He’dshoweredandchangedfromtheclothingshe’dseenonthecommandworecamouflageblackpants,hisT-shirtanolivegreen.
Nothingonhisfacebetrayedtheexhaustionhehadtobefeeling,butSaharahadstayedupwithhimthroughthebrutalhours,wasn’tfooled.“Youneedtobeasleep,”shesaid,grabbinghishandandtugginghimtoherbed.“Ican’tbelieveyouwerestupidenoughtowasteenergy’portingtome.”
WhenshereachedforthebottomofhisT-shirt,intendingtopullitoffsohecouldsleepmorecomfortably,stronghandsclosedoverherwrists.“Wouldyouliketosleepwithme?”
Saharawentmotionlessatthecoolquestion.KalebKrychek,sheknewwithoutasking,trustednoonebesidehimwhilehewasasvulnerableasheeverbecame.“Yes,”shewhispered.“I’mtired,too.”
Toherfrustration,heagainusedenergyheshould’vebeenconservingto’portthemtothenight-swathedMoscowhouse,butshedidn’targue.Hewouldn’tbeabletolowerhisguardenoughtogetrealrestanywhereelse.GrabbingtheT-shirthestrippedoff,sheremovedherownclothingandpulledthesoftfabricoverherhead.
Itwasstillwarmfromhisbody,thescentofpineandKalebintheweave.Shiveringintactilepleasure,SaharadecidedshewouldalwaysstealhisT-shirts.She’dundoneherbraidandcrawledintobedwhenshespiedhimleavingtheroom.“Kaleb?”
“I’llbebackafterIcheckthesecuritysystem.”
Unsurprised,shedrewthesheetoverher.Kaleb’sbodyburnedsohot,she’dneednothingelse.Shewashalf-asleepwhenhereturned.Comingtothebed,hetouchedthearchofhercheekbone.“You’reonmysideofthebed.”Itwasaquietreprimand.
Saharasmiled,sleepyandcontent,rollingovertosurrenderthespotthatputhimbetweenherandtheterracesliders.“Allsecure?”sheasked,deadcertainnothingandnoonewouldeverhurtherwithKalebinthevicinity.
“Yes.”Hisweightinthebed,butnotouch.
Theacheforskin-to-skincontactwasadullthrobineverycellofherbody,butshebitdownonherlowerliptostifletherequestonthetipofhertongue.Kaleb’spowerreserveshadtobeatminimalbynow,whichmeanthisshieldingcapacity—
Hecurvedhisbodybehindherown,onearmslidingunderherhead,theotheraroundherwaist,ashisthighpushedbetweenherown.
“Yourshields—”
“Intact.I’monlyphysicallytired.Mypsychicreservesarefull.”
Impossible,Saharathought,butsensinghisbodybegintoshutdownwiththesameicydisciplineheusedineveryotheraspectofhislifebarone,shekepthersilenceandfellintothesofthushofsleepsecondsbehindKaleb.
***
KALEBwokefirst,todiscoverhishandunderSahara’sT-shirt,hisfingerscurvedoverthewarmheavinessofoneofherbreasts.Leavingitexactlywhereitwas,theeroticweightadeeppleasure,hequicklyscannedtheinformationthathadfilteredintohismindwhileheslept;heforwardedtwoitemsofbusinessforhisaidetohandle,whiletakingnoteoftheincreasingdisquietintheNet.
Nothingrequiredhisurgentattention.
Slammingdowntheobsidianshields,hegotridofthesheet,thenkickedoffhissweatpantstopresshisnakednessagainstthelace-coveredcurvesofSahara’slowerbody,theT-shirtbunchedupatherwaist.Itmadehersighinhersleepandwigglecloser.Nudgingasidethesilkenblackstrandsatherneck,hepressedhislipstohersensitivethroat,abdomentighteningwhenherthighssqueezeddownhis.
Hehadwatchedvideosofpeoplecopulatinginthisposition,analyzedthemechanicsofit,whileseeingnoreasontopickitoveranyother.Nowherealizedthereweretwoverygoodreasons—itgavethemalefreeaccesstothefemaleandneartotalcontrolofthesexualact.
Kaleblikedcontrolinallthings.
“Sahara.”Agrazeofteethonherneckthatmadehershiver.“Wakeup.”
Shestretchedsinuouslyagainsthim,bodypliant,nofearorsurpriseinherattheirintimateentanglement…onlyanincreasingdampnessinthelacethatpressedagainsthisthigh.“Howdoesthiswork?”Itwasasleepyquestion,herfootliftingtoruboverthebackofhiscalf.
Kalebrifledthroughhisimagefilestofindonethatshowedherexactlywhathewanted.“Likethis.”
SaharawhimperedbutpulledofftheT-shirtinsilentacquiescence.Throwingitaside,shebrushedherhairoffherface,thencurledherarmoverhershoulderuntilherfingersbrushedhisnape,thecharmsonherbraceletcoolagainsthisskin.Itleftherentirebodyexposedforhimtotouch,forhimtopossess,herbreastsliftedlushandhighonherchestforhisprivateviewing.Hisbodyrock-hard,hestrokedonehandoverthesweetlysensitiveskinofherthighbeforepullingitupandbacktohookoverhisown,hisfingerspressingintothedelicateflesh.
Hisotherhandhecurledgentlyaroundherthroat.
“Areyouready?”heasked,thoughhecouldfeelhermoltenstickinessagainsthisthigh.
“Yes.”
“Showme.”
“I—how?”
“Useyourownfingers.”
Colorpulsedunderherskin.
“Notaboos,noruleshere,”hesaid,wantingherwithhimthrougheverystepofthiseroticexploration.“Thisisourplace,ourtime.”Finallyitwastheirtime.
Saharawetherlips,eyesofmidnightbluedrenchedinpassion.“Ourbed.”
Squeezingthebaseofhispeniswithatelekineticring,hereinedinthedrivingurgetothrustinsideher.“AndmySahara.”Alwayshis.
Saharashiveredandmovedherhanddowntheconcaveslopeofherstomachtosplayherfingersoverhernavel.Whenshehesitated,hekissedherthroatagain.“Notaboos.”
Herhandventuredlower,thetipsofherfingersdisappearingunderthecreamylaceofherpanties.Breathturningshallowatthevisualstimulithathiteverysingleoneofhispleasurecenters,hewatchedherhandmoveunderthelaceasshestrokedherself.Hisabdomenwasrigid,hischesttight,thepleasurealmostpainbythetimeshewithdrewherfingers,thedigitsslickandshiny.
“Makemeyours,Kaleb.”
Thethroatyrequest,fallingfromlipsplumpandwet,snappedtheringofblackice.Slippinghishandunderherthighafterrepositioninghisown,hespreadherfurtherand,tearingawayherpantieswithanegligibleuseofhisTk,pushedinsideher.Shewastight.Hewasslow,deliberate.Moaning,Saharadughernailsintohisnape,herbreastsflushed,hernippleslushbeadshewantedtorollagainsthistongue.
Sincehecouldn’tindulgeinthelatter,hecoveredoneofherbreastswithatelekinetichand,strokingdowntosqueezehernipple.Sheclenchedaroundhim,herwetnessmolten.IttookKaleb’sbrainamicrosecondtomaketheconnection.Givingherneglectedbreastthesametreatment,herubbedatherclitoriswithaphantomfinger,whileneverfalteringintheslow,steadyrhythmofsexualintercoursethathadhistesticlesdrawnuptightagainsthisbody,thepainexquisite.
Sensingherbodybegintotighten,hepartedherlabiausingtelekinesisandsqueezedherclitoris.
“Kaleb!”Saharaconvulsedaroundhiserection,herentirebodyshakingwiththestrengthofherorgasm.
Kalebhadintendedtocontinuetheslowpacethatwasanexerciseineroticcontrol,buthisbrainshort-circuitedatthepossessiveclenchingofSahara’sintimatemuscles.Pushingherontoherfront,herfaceturnedsidewaysonthepillow,hefistedonehandtightlyinherhairandslammedintoherinabrutallydeepandfastrhythm,herbodytightandslickandofthewomanwhowasandhadalwaysbeenhis.Itfeltlikemadness,creepingredonthehorizon.
Hurtingher,thepartofhimthatlivedinthevoidscreamed,I’mhurtingher!
Hismuscleslocked,hismindtryingtoforcehisbodytopulloutofherandfailing.Hedidn’twanttobreaktherawnessoftheconnection,herskinassweat-slickashisown,herbodyahot,silkenfist.“I’mhurtingyou,”hemanagedtogroundout.
“No,you’renot!”Punchingherfistonthepillow,Saharaundulatedherlowerbodytowardhim.Move!
Thefemininedemandwastheonlythingheneededtohear.Poundingintoher,hesawherfingersclenchtightonthesheets,herlipspartonabreathlesscry,andthenshewascomingaroundhimoncemore,thepulsesharder,moreviciouslypossessive.Caughtintheviseofherpleasure,hisbackarchedaswhitelightningtorethroughhisspine.
Thebedslammedbacktotheground.
Hard.
Sodideveryotheritemintheroom.
***
SAHARAwasattemptingtogaspinairwhenafragmentofmemoryuntangleditselffromthevault.
“Didyoustealthis?”
“No.Iearnedit.”
Herbracelet,she’dbeentalkingofherbraceletwiththemanwhosemuscledbodycoveredherback,bothofthembreathingasifthey’drunamarathon.Never,shethought,hadsheaskedhimwhathe’ddonetoearnit;thatwasn’tachoiceshehadanyintentionofaltering.WhateverpriceKalebhadpaidfortheplatinumthatencircledherwrist,hehaddonesoforher,andshewouldhonorit.
Hischestslidingagainstherback,Kalebpushedupafraction.Canyoubreathe?
No,butithasnothingtodowithyourweight.Comeback.Fingersflexingasheobeyed,shereleasedashudderingexhaleandtriedtoshapewordswithhermouth.Ittookheratleasttwominutes.“Iwanttodothatagain.”
“I’mnotsureourbodiescantakeit.”
Theicytonemadehertoescurl—sheknewfullwellheonlywentthatcoldwithherwhenhewasfightingtoleashhimself.Thenhekissedherneckandsheknewhe’dlostthefight.Tohershock,theydidmanagetohavesexagain,heronherfront,Kaleb’schestrubbingoverherback,thoughheusedhisTktolessenthepressureofhisweight.Thistime,itwasslowanddeepfromstarttofinish.
“Itfeelslikeafull-bodykiss,”shewhisperedasherinnermusclesbegantoclenchinaquieterbutnolesspotentpleasure.
Lipsatherthroat,Kalebrockedherthroughtheorgasm,thenfilledherinaburstofliquidheat.
Theywerebothdrenchedinsweatandstickywithsex,butSaharahadnointentionofmoving.Infact,shewasn’tcertainherboneshadn’tmelted.SoitwasaswellherloverwasacardinalTkwhocould’portthemintotheshower.
***
SHOWEREDanddressedinfreshjeansandasoftpinkcardiganfromtheclosetshehadinheroriginalroom,SaharawenthuntinginthekitchenwhileKalebdressedinpreparationforacommmeeting.Thecharcoalgraysuitteamedwithasteelblueshirtandcharcoaltiewasoneofherfavorites.Therewassomethingincrediblysexyaboutamansolethalthatcivilizeddressonlyservedtohighlightthedanger,notlessenit.
Discoveringastashoffrozenmealshemust’vestockedforuseafterahigh-calorieburn,sheputseveralinthethermaldeviceinthecorner.TheflavorswouldbeblandbythestandardsoutsidethePsyNet,butrightnow,shecouldeatasmallmammal.Stomachflutteringatthereminderofexactlyhowshe’dusedupthekilojoules,shewaspouringpipinghotpastaintoadishwhenKalebwalkedin,thefingersofhisrighthandslottinginhisleftcufflink.
Haircombedandtieknotted,notraceofpassioninhisexpression,hewasKalebKrychek,cardinalTkandformerCouncilor,oncemore.Thetransformationwassocompletethatitshookher,makingherconsciousofthelevelatwhichhecouldcompartmentalize—andleavingherwiththetroublingquestionofexactlyhowmuchofhimselfheevershowedher.
Thenhetouchedhisfingertothearchofhercheekbone,andthefearsplintered,becauseonlyherKalebtouchedherinthatway.
Sittingdowntoeat,neitheroneofthemspokeuntilthey’dalmostcompletedthemeal.
“Myfatherjustcameoutofisolation,”shesaid,havingreceivedtheupdatewhileshewasheatingupthemeals,reliefashudderingemotioninsideher.“Anthonycalled.”
“Icantakeyoutohim.”
“Yourmeeting?”
Aslightpause.“Myaideisreschedulingitnow.”
Saharawasn’ttheleastsurprisedthatKalebhadputherfirst.Healwaysdid.“Thankyou,”shesaidthroughthepainfulburnofatendernessshewasn’tcertainhe’deveraccept.“But”—shemetthoseincrediblenight-skyeyes—“Ineedtoaskyouaquestionfirst.”
Kalebdosedherwaterwithavitaminandmineraltablet.“Ask.”
“Howcouldyoupossiblynothavebeenwipedoutbywhatyoudidattheuniversity?”Cardinalsmightbegifted,buttheirabilitieswerestillfinite.“Youhadenoughenergyleftoverto’portusbothtotheothersideoftheworld.”
Waitinguntilshe’ddrunkhalfherfortifiedwater,hesaid,“DoyouknowabouttheAmplificationEffect?”
Sheshookherheadand,becauseshedidn’tlikethedistanceinhisexpression,reachedouttotangleherfingerswithhis.
“Pertheeffect,”hesaid,notrepudiatingthetouch,“anindividualwithtwomidlevelabilities,forexample4.7intelepathyand3.9inpsychometry,cansometimesuseonetoamplifythestrengthoftheother,pushingthemselvesintothe8orhigherrange.”Hepausedtofinishahigh-energynutrientbar.“Noonehaseverconsiderediftheeffectwouldholdtrueifanindividualhadtwocardinal-levelabilities.”
Saharacouldn’timaginethestormofhispower.Tobeacardinalwastobeoffthescale.Tobeadualcardinalwasincomprehensible.“Whathappensifyouamplify?”
“Mydual-cardinalstatusalreadymakesmestrongerthanothercardinals,byanunknownfactor.”Noarrogance,onlycoldfact.“Ibelievetheremustbealowlevelofunconsciousamplificationtakingplaceatalltimes.That’swhymyabilitiesdidn’tflatlineattheuniversity,andhave,infact,neverflatlined.”
Teleportingawaythewrapperofthenutrientbar,hesaid,“Asaveryyoungchild,Ionceliftedthewreckageofabullettrainoffatrappedsurvivor—evenacardinalchildshouldn’thavebeencapableofthat.”
Saharastruggledtounderstandwhathewassaying.“Haveyoueverconsciouslyamplifiedyourabilities?”
“Asatest,yes.Amplificationimpactsmytelekinesis,notmytelepathy.Icouldconceivablyreachtheearth’scorewiththeresultingpower,destroytheplanetfromtheinsideout.”
Shehadnowords,notforalongtime,herfingerstwinedwiththoseofamanwhoheldthefateoftheworldinhisgrasp.“Kaleb?”
Hedidn’tanswer,butsheknewsheheldhisattention.
“Promisemesomething.”
“Yes?”
“Thatyouwon’tdestroytheNet.”Ifhestruckout,sheknewitwouldn’tbeagainstthehumansorthechangelings,butagainsthisownkind;againsttheoneswhohadtakenher—andalmostbrokenhim.
“Itoldyou,”herespondedinthesamecoollypragmatictonehe’dusedfortheentiretyoftheirconversation.“I’vedecidedagainstit.”
“That’snotwhatIasked.”Sheheldtheobsidianofhisgaze.“IwantyoutopromisetoneverdestroytheNet.”Nomatterwhathappenedordidn’thappentoher.
Apausefilledwithathousandunspokenwords…andthewordshedidspeak,theymadethetinyhairsonthebackofherneckrise.“Somethingsneedtobebrokentobecomestronger.”
Chapter30
“DOYOUTHINK,”shewhispered,“thatholdstrueforme?”
Hewentvery,verystill.“No.Youshould’veneverbeenhurt.”
Somethinginthosewords,inthedeadrageofhistone,madehermindopenthedoorwaytoasecondvaulthiddeninsidethefirst.Sheenteredandflinched,aseaofviscousredspreadingacrossheririses.Herbreathcaughtinherthroat,dotsswaminfrontofhereyes…andSahararealizedshe’dstoppedbreathing,herheartlosingitsrhythm.
Ahandonthebackofherneck,amanwitheyesofobsidianonhishaunchesinfrontofherchair.“It’sgone,done.He’sdead.”
He’sdead.
Herlungsexpandedinarushofair,hersubconsciousunderstanding—revelingin—hiswords,evenifherconsciousminddidnot.Hercheststillhurt,shardsofglassinherveinsasshereachedouttotouchthehardlineofhisjaw.“Somethingbadhappenedtome,didn’tit?”Worsethanthecaptivity,worsethanthetortureaftershecreatedthelabyrinth.
Kalebknewhe’dmadeamajortacticalerror.Buthe’dpromisedSaharahe’dneverlietoher,sohesaid,“Yes,”andwaited.
“I’mnotreadyyet.”Herhandfelltohisshoulder.“Notstrongenoughyet.ButIwillbesoon.”
Hehadnodoubtsaboutthat.“Doyouwanttogotoyourfathernow?”heasked,wantinghermindofftheonesubjectthatheldthepotentialtodestroythebondbetweenthem.
Ifsheran,hehopedshewoulddoashe’daskedandmakesureshedidn’tleavehimalive.BecausewithoutSahara,theworldwouldlearnwhatachildbecamewhenhistrainerwovenightmaresintohismind—ofknivesslicingintoflesh,ofwomenbeggingfortheirlives—thenputthebladeintohishand.
“Thisismylegacy.YouwillcontinuewhatIhavebegun.”
“Kaleb.”Sahara’sfingersinhishair,hereyesseeingtoodeep.“Don’tleavemeagain.Don’tgoaway.”
She’dsaidthosewordstohimbefore.Andhisanswer,itwasthesame.“Iwon’t.I’llalwaysbehere.Foryou.”Onlyforher.
Hereyesmysteriouswiththoughtsunvoiced,shesteppedintohisarmswhenherose,herholdfierce.Itwasthegreatestofironiesthattheonlypersonwhohadeverheldhimasifhematteredwastheonepersonwhodidnotneedtoholdhimatall.IfSaharacalled,hewouldcome.
Always.
“Letmetakeyoutoyourfather.”UsingLeonKyriakusasthelock,hecompletedthetransfer.
TheycameinbesidethebedwhereSahara’sfatherlaysurroundedbycomplexmachinesthatregulatedhisbodywhilehehealed.Facecrumpling,SaharaleftKaleb’sarmstotaketheolderman’shand,sinkingintoachairplacedbesidethebed.“Father.”
EyeonthesmallwindowthatallowedtheNightStarguardonwatchoutsidetolookinonoccasion,Kalebshiftedoutofview,positioninghimselfagainstthewallbesidetheold-fashionedinward-openingdoor.Ifthefemale—whomheidentifiedfromthebackasahigh-leveltelepathskilledinmentalcombat,herpetitesizedistinctiveamongAnthony’smosttrustedsecuritypeople—hadspottedhimduringthe’port,Kalebwould’vedealtwithit.Sinceshehadn’t,therewasnocausetoaddfurtherstresstothesituation.
Theguardprovedherselfbyopeningthedoorthirtysecondslater,theebonyofherskindulledbythepaneofglassthatlaybetweenherandKaleb.ClearlyrecognizingSahara,thearmedwomandidn’tdisputeherrighttobethere,butasked,“Theteleporterwhobroughtyou?”
“Ihavedirecttelepathicaccesstohim.He’lltakemebackwhenit’stime.”
Satisfiedwiththesoft-voicedanswer,theguardclosedthedoorbehindherselfandtookuphersentinelpositiononcemore.Kalebstayedintheshadows,thinkingaboutthecomplexityofthelieSaharahadtold—whichwasn’talieatall,simplyastatementthatinvitedtheguardtodrawtheconclusionthattheteleporterhaddepartedthepremises.
Sahara,withherintellectandhertalentforshapinglanguagetoserveherneeds,wasmuchfurtheralonginherrecoverythansherealized.Todayshe’dshiedfromthebloodiestofthememoriesthatconnectedthem,buttheclockwastickingdownatrapidspeed.Bodyandspirit,mindandheart,itwasunlikelytobelongbeforeshefacedthepastwiththesamestubbornwillthatshehadsurvivedit.
Hehadknownitwouldcomedowntothis,toadayoffinalreckoning.
Whathedidn’tknowwasiftheywouldsurviveit.
***
SAHARAspentthemajorityofthenexttwodaysatherfather’sbedside,Vasic’portingherinandout.TheArrowdidthetaskwithquickefficiency,buthemadeSaharauncomfortable,hisSilenceacoldgrayfrost.Kaleb,however,threatenedtocausetoomuchfrictionwithherfamily,andrightnow,shewantedthefocusonherfather;he’dwokenupatlast,wasabletospeak.
Aswell,Kalebhadacriticalitemonhisagenda—huntingPurePsy.
Saharahuggedherarmsaroundherselfasshestoodonthelandingoutsideheraerie,lookingoutintothefallingdarkofnightattheendofthesecondday.Sheshould’velongsinceaskedthequestionthatcontinuedtohaunther:JusthowfarwouldKalebgotoseizecontroloftheNet?
Itmadehersicktoevenconsiderthathe’dworkwithPurePsy,butifshelookedatthesituationthroughthefilterofcold,hardlogic,thepartnershipmadeperfectsense.
“Somethingsneedtobebrokentobecomestronger.”
Thefanaticalgrouphadproveditselfskilledatdestruction,andasevidencedbythesinglestaronherbracelet,KalebhadnoloyaltytothePsyNet.
None.
Shecouldn’tblamehimforit—howcouldanyoneexpectachildtohavefaithinasystemthathadlefthimatthemercyofamonster?Nowthattormentedchildwasadeadlyman,andthoughSaharalovedhiminwaysthattoreathersoul,theachingresonanceofoldemotiontanglingwiththestarkbeautyofthefragilenewtrustthathadgrownbetweenthem,shealsounderstoodhischoicesmightbeuntenable.
Yetwhenhecametoherthatnight,shecouldn’tbeartoaskthequestion.Ifshewaswrong,itwouldwoundhim—andthewoundwouldbealltheworsebecausehe’dencaseitinblackiceandrefusetoacknowledgethedamage.Ifshewasright,itwouldforcehertoactinawaysheneverwantedtoact.ToeraseKalebfromtheworld…No,shedidn’thavethestrengthtofacethatchoice.
Alittlemoretime,shebargainedwithherself.Onlyafewmoredays.PurePsywillneedtoregroupafteramajoroperationliketheuniversitystrike.Ihavetimeyettolovehim.
“I’vedrainedthebountyaccount,”hetoldherfromhispositionleaningagainsttheouterwalloftheaerie,histieoffandhiswhiteshirtunbuttonedatthecollar.“Theinformationwillhavealreadybeguntoleak.You’resafe.”
Hisprotectivenessstabbedatherheart.Ifhehadcrossedtheline,ifshehadtouseherabilitytoendhim,itwouldbreakher.Andthistime,shewouldn’tcomeback.“ThatmeansIcanleavetheforest,”shesaidaroundtherockinherthroat.“Nooneinthewiderworldhasanyreasontorecognizeme.”
Kalebslippedoneofhishandsintotheinsidepocketofhissuitjacket,thecharcoalfabricsittingperfectlyonshouldersthatmightyetbearthemarksshe’dmadeonhisbodytwodaysbefore.“Ameansofdefense,”hesaid,havingretrievedasleeklittlegun.“Thisisconsideredoneofthemostdangerousweaponsintheworld,becauseevenachildcanpointandshootandhithistarget.”Showingherthecontrols,hehandeditover.“Makesurethesafetyisonatalltimesunlessyouwanttodebilitateorkill.”
Saharaforcedherselftohandlethedeadlypiece,knowinghewasright.Herabilitywouldn’tprotectherifanaggressorshotatherfromadistance.“IexpectedyoutoattempttostopmefromleavingtheprotectivezoneinsideDarkRiverland.”
“Itoldyou,Sahara,Iwillneverhurtyou.”
Fingerstrembling,sheplacedherfreehandoverhisheart.“Thankyouforkeepingyourpromise,forcomingforme.”
Hisresponsewastotuckherhairbehindherear,theactionaspossessiveasitwasgentle,hisfacesodarklyhandsomeastostealherbreath.Nomanshouldbeashard,asbeautifulasherKaleb.
“There’ssomethingelse,”shesaid,voicehusky.“Youcanreleasemefromyourshields—minearenowoperational.”
Kalebstilled,theprimalcreaturethatlivedinthevoidrigidinitsattempttomaintaincontrol.“YourSilenceisbroken.You’llbecomeatargetforPurePsytheinstantyoureappearintheNet.”Hewouldneverpermithertobesovulnerable.
Sahara’shandspreadonhisheart.“Takealookatmyshields.”
HedidsoandbeheldamindsoSilent,ithadnoteventhefinestofhairlinefractures.Intrigued,heexamineditfromeveryangleandcouldfindnoerrorsthatmightgiveheraway,nothingthatwouldmakeanyonetakeasecondlook,thelietoldwithflawlessskill.
“Thisisn’tyourwork.”Saharawasgiftedinmanythings,butadvancedshieldmechanicsofthiscomplexitywasahighlyspecializedfieldthatrequiredyearsofpractice.“SaschaDuncan,”hesaid,andsawfromSahara’swide-eyedsurprisethathewasright.
CouncilorNikitaDuncan’sdaughterwasnotonlyadefectorandmatedtothealphaofDarkRiver,shewasthebestshieldtechnicianKalebhadeverseen.Hehadacquiredsomeofhismostusefultricksbycovertlymonitoringherwhileshe’dbeenpartoftheNet.
“She’senhancedhertechnique.”Unexpected,giventhatSaschaDuncanwasinfamouslynolongerintheNet—orperhapsnot.ThisregionhadseenasignificantriseinthenumberofPsywithfracturedorsuspectconditioning.Thoseindividualswouldneedawaytohideinplainsight.
Leaningtohisright,Saharaputthegunonthewindowledge,andhecouldtellshewasuncomfortablewiththeweapon.Aslongassheuseditwhennecessary,thatdidn’tmatter.
“It’snotashieldbutashell,”shetoldhim,herhandslidingtohiswaistasshestraightened,“itssolefunctiontomaskmybrokenSilence.Mynaturalprotectiveshieldsarehiddenbeneath,andthey’retougherthanmostpeople’s.Theyalwayswere.”
Yes,hernaturalshieldswereformidable,asideeffectofherability—butshe’dbeensixteenandalreadycompromisedbyseveretraumawhentakencaptive,whileTatianahadbeenanadultinfullcontrolofherscalpel-sharptelepathy.Aninequitablecontestfromthestart.“Totalrestoration?”
Anodthatsentherhairslidingoverthehandhe’dcurvedaroundthesideoftheslendercolumnofherneck,thestrandscoolandheavy.“Yes,fasterthanIpredicted.Ithelpedthatnoonewastearingawaynewgrowthbeforeitcouldtakeroot.”
KalebdecidedheneededtoincreasethemiseryofTatiana’spunishment.Perhaphe’dintroduceinsectsintoherenvironment.Itwasamazinghowmuchterrorsuchsmallcreaturescouldcause.
“Whatareyouthinking?”Sahara’seyesweresuddenlyacute,asifshe’dglimpsedthedarknessthatlivedinhim.
Hetoldher,feltherflinch.“Imanagedtokillalltheinsects,”hesaid,thinkingofthetiny,lightlessclosetinwhichhe’doncespentthreedaysfornoreasonbutthatSantanowantedtoremindKalebwhoheldthepower,“andIwasonlyten.”
“No.”Saharacuppedhisface,herowngrimwithanangerheknewwasn’tdirectedathim.“Youdonotdothis,youdonotbecomethatmonster’slegacy.”
“Youaremylegacy.”
“Tatianaisevil,”shecontinuedoverthechillsoundofmemory,“andshe’lldomoreevilifshe’sfree,soIwon’targueagainstherimprisonment,butnotorture.Notofthephysicalkindandnotofthemental.You’restrongenoughtotieuphermindwithoutisolatingitasyou’vedonenow.”
Kalebthoughtofthesevenyearshe’dbeenaloneinthedark,ofthehorrorofasixteen-year-oldgirlforcedtoimprisonherownmindtosurvive,andsaid,“I’llconsiderit.”IndeferencetoSahara’srequest,hewouldn’ttortureTatianaashe’dbeendeliberating,butsevenyearswouldhavetopassbeforehe’dreviewthestateofhermentalimprisonment.
Saharashookherhead,herexpressionfierce.“DoyouthinkIdon’tseeyou?”
“Iknowyoudo.”Itwasthegreatest,mostinexplicablegiftofhislifethatshesawhimanddidn’tturnaway.“Thisonething,”hesaid,“Iwon’tgiveyou.Thisvengeanceisminetoexact.”
Saharapressedalingeringkisstohisjaw,asingletearescapingherclosedeyelids.“Whatwouldwehavebecomeifwe’dbeenfree?”
Kalebdidn’tknowtheanswertothatwhisperedquestion,couldn’timagineanexistenceotherthantheonethathadshapedhim,buttherewasonerequesthecouldhonor.
Chapter31
THEOBSIDIANSHIELDSaroundSahara’smindslidawaytoleaveherexposedtothePsyNet.Shehadn’tbeenonthepsychicplaneforsolongthatthesheervastnessofthementalnetworkmadeherpulseroar,hermouthdry.
Sahara.Starlesseyesconnectingwithherownasherlidsflewopen.Icanreinitiatemyprotectionifyouaren’tready.
No.Shetookatremblingbreath,herhandspreadingonthetensilemuscleofhischest.It’soverwhelming…butit’salsofreedom.
Freedomcanbeintoxicating.Becareful.
Youwon’tabandonme?
Thistelepathicchannelwillneverbeclosed.“Slowandeasy,”hesaidaloud,hisfingersplayingwiththeeaglecharmonherbracelet.“Youneedtostrengthenyourwingsbeforeyoucanfly.”
Holdingontohim,shelookedintotheNetagain,eachmindaglitteringpointoflightinthepsychicnetworkthatconnectedmillionsofPsyaroundtheworld.Inthespacesinbetweenflowedfinesilverstreams—datasharedbythoseminds—untilthelandscapewasaseaofsparklingsilver,thewavesebbingandflowinginabeautythatclosedherthroat.
Anotherstrandofmemoryworkedlooseofthevault.
“Whydoeseveryonecallitastarscape?”Shefrowned.“Thatdoesn’tmakeanysense.”
“’Pathmeanimageofwhatyousee,”Kalebsaid,hisfaceyoung,thelineofhisjawnotyetrefinedtomasculinehardness.
Saharadidso,herfeethangingoffthehighbranchofthetreeatthebackoftheNightStarcompound.
WhenKalebturnedtoher,hiseyesheldawonderthatwassorareitmadehergomotionless.“Idon’tseewhatyousee.Idon’tthinkanyonedoes.”
“Doyouwanttotravelthroughit?”Kalebasked,andthefinethreadofherpastwoveintoapresentwherethatbeautifulboywithahealinggashonhischeekhadbecomeapowerfulman,hishandspreadprotectivelyonherlowerback.
“CanIdosoanonymously?”sheasked,evenasasectionofhermindcontinuedtodisentanglethememoriesinsideher,desperatetounravelthemysteryofKalebbeforesheaskedthequestionnopartofherwantedtoask.“TatianaandEnriquebothprobablyhoardedthetruthaboutme,butjustincase.”
Asetoftelepathicinstructionsflowedintohermind,andtwominuteslater,shedrewwhatwaseffectivelyacloakaroundherroamingmindandsteppedoutintothePsyNet.
Wouldyouliketoseesomethinginteresting?Kalebaskedalmostanhourlater.
Drunkonthepleasureofbeingfreeonthepsychicplane,Saharahadtobecarefulnottosurfthedatastreamswithtoomuchabandon,lestshegiveherselfaway.Yes!
Canyouseeme?
Yes.Hiscloakedpresencewasashadowshecouldbarelymakeoutthroughthepsychicfilterhe’dinstructedhertobuildintoherowncloak.Nowhetookherdeep,toapartoftheNetdevoidofstars,butnolessaliveforit,thesilverthickandcalm,asifsheandKalebstoodinabay.
Delighted,shedippedafingerintheseaandcameawaywithstreamersofinformationwrappedaroundherpsychicskin.Thefilamentswavedasifinabreeze,eachonearandompieceofdata.Astonishedbythesight,shesentKalebasnapshot.Icouldn’tdothisbefore!
Outsidetheaerie,hishandclenchedonthebackofhertop,thefabricafinegreenknit.It’sbeenalongtimesinceIsawtheNetthroughyoureyes.
Shenuzzledathisthroat,herarmsaroundhisbodyunderhisjacket.Thisplaceiswonderful.Dippingherfingersintothesilverwateronthepsychicplane,shescoopedupshimmeringhandfulsofdatawithajoyouslaugh,throwingthemuptocreateasparklingrain.Thankyouforshowingme.
Thisisn’tit.Takinghertothecenterofthebay,heheldoutapsychichand.YouhavetoconnectsoIcangetyouthrough.
Sheacceptedtheconnectionwithouthesitation,andtheyslippedthroughafissureintheNetshecouldn’tsee,tocomeoutintoastunningblackness—thedatainthispartoftheNetwassoheavilycompressedthatithadbecomeafacetedjewel.
“ThisiseffectivelythebackupdriveofthePsyNet,”Kalebsaid,switchingfromtelepathytopsychicspeechwithaconfidencethattoldhernothingwouldleakfromthisplace.“IftheNeteverfails,thedatacanbereintegratedtowithintwenty-fourhoursoftheterminalevent.”
Fascinated,sheattemptedtoconcentrateonasingleminusculeblockofdata,butitwasofsuchcomplexityastobeimpossibletocomprehend.“Howdidyoufindthis?”
“TheNetMindshowedme.”Hebroughthertothecenterofthedataarchiveandtoaspherethatgleamedwithaconstantlyshiftingslickofcolor,aniridescentmiragethatremindedherofthemidnightcolorsshesawinhiseyeswhenheletgooftheleash.“ThisistherestartbuttonfortheNet,meanttosanitizeitfromthecore.”
Horrorcrackedblackfracturesinherwonder.“Whydoesthatevenexist?”
“BecauseIcreatedit.”
***
KALEBdisconnectedfromtheNetonSahara’sheels,herfaceastrainedwhitewhereshelookedupathim.“That’showyouplannedtokilleveryone.”
“Originally,”hesaid.“Ilaterwroteinanalgorithmtosparethoseundertheageofsixteen.”He’dneverhadachildhood;Saharahadcometowomanhoodinacage.Itseemedfittingtosparethechildrentheyhadneverhadachancetobe.
Saharashookherheadinamuterefusaltoacceptwhathewould’vedone.
“Itwasintendedasalastoption.”Tobeinitiatedonlyiftheyhadstolenherfromhimforever.“SeizingcontroloftheNetwillbeintenselymoresatisfying.”
“You’rethewrongpersontobeinchargeofsomanylives,”Saharasaid,herarmsstilllockedaroundhisbody.“YouhavenoallegiancetotheNet.”
Kalebwasinnowayinsultedbyherjudgment.Heknewwhathewas,knewthathisexperienceatEnrique’shandhadpermanentlywarpedthefabricofhispersonality.But—“Myallegianceisyours,andyouneedtheNettothrive.”
Huge,darkeyes,oneofherhandscomingaroundtolieonhisheartagain.“Whatareyoudoingtome,Kaleb?”
“Someone,”hesaid,closinghishandoverherown,“hastomaketheruthlessdecisionsortheNetwilldieanyway.”Heshowedherimagesoftherottingplaceswherenothingcouldsurvive,remindedheroftheinfectionthathadtakenholdinthepsychicfabricthatconnectedeveryPsyontheplanetbutfortherenegades.“Ourraceisonthevergeofextinction.”
Sahara’sfingersflexed,herexpressionsomber.“Ourpeoplehavevoluntarilycrippledthemselves.OfcoursethatdamagewillbereflectedintheNet.Theonlythingthatmightreversethe—”Hereyeswidened.“You’replanningthefallofSilence.”
“Itcan’tfallforall,butforthemajorityitmust.”Ifitdidn’tandtherotcontinuedtogrow,thepoisonousbiofeedbackwouldequalaslowdeathformillionsuponmillions.
“Asuddenfallwillcausemassivepsychicshock,”Saharaargued.“Thousandsuponthousandscoulddie.”
“Acceptablecollateraldamage.”Kalebhadnoproblemwithlosingaquarterorevenhalfofthepopulation.“Thosewhoremainwillbethestrongest,mostresilient.”
Saharashookherhead.“Youcan’tmeanthat.”
“It’sapracticalsolution.Slicingoffthediseasedandtheweakwillmeanourracehasastrongerfoundationonwhichtogrow.”
“Ifallintothatcategory.”Afierceresponsethatspoketothesteelthatranthroughherbody.“I’mweakyet,stillbrokeninsomanyways.”
Heknewwhatshewastryingtodo,but—“Idon’thaveempathy,Sahara.Ican’tfeelforthosewhoaregoingtodie.Itwouldbeakintoaskingafalcontotakeflightwhenhiswingshadlongbeenhackedoff.”
Herememberedthebone-shakingfearhe’dfeltasathree-year-oldthrownintothehellthatwasSantanoEnrique’s“training.”Healsorememberedthedayhe’dembracedthefullweightoftheconditioning.Bettertofeelnothing,hehadthoughtwithacalmunnaturalfortheboyhe’dbeen,thantoscreaminhorroreveryminuteofhisexistence.
“You,”hesaid,“arethesingleexceptiontothatrule.”Theoldest,deepest,mostbeautifulflawinhisSilence.“Withoutyou,Iwouldbeamonster.”
***
SAHARAlayinbedhoursafterKaleblefthertomeetwiththeArrows,thecalmwayhe’dtoldherofhislackofempathycollidingwithherfearsabouthispossiblecollusionwithPurePsytoleaveherscaredinawaythatwentsodeep,itwasinherverycells.Notofhim.Forhim.ForherKaleb,whohadnever,everletherdown.
Itdidn’tmatterthatshedidn’thavethememoriestosupportthattruth—sheknewitthesamewaysheknewtheskywasblueandtherainwet,afactsoabsoluteitwasbeyondquestion.
“Iwillfightforyou.”
Withthatdeterminedvow,shesatupandpushedthewindowopentolookoutintothenight-cloakedforest,theheavydarknessasimpenetrableasKaleb’seyeswhenhewantedthemtobe.Washeright?Hadhiscapacityforempathybeendestroyedduringthenightmareofhischildhood?Shewantedtodisbelievehim,toassumeitwassimplyburieddeep,butthenshethoughtofthedamagedonetoherbyTatiana,and,hearthurting,consideredthechoicesavulnerableboymayhavemadetosurvive…andacceptedhemightbetellingtheabsolutetruth.
Evenasshestruggledwiththatrealization,partofhermindcontinuedtotugstrandsofmemoryfreefromthevault…andsuddenlyanentirechunkofherpastcameloosewithoutwarning.
Shewascuttingthroughtheparkagain,herschoolsatchelbanginglightlyagainstherhip.Thereweretwoyoungerstudentsaheadofher,bothonbicycles,buttheydisappearedaroundthecornerasecondlater.Saharatwistedtofiddlewiththestrapofhersatchel,heraimtoconfirmtherewasnoonebehindher,either.
Thepathwaywasempty.
Pickingupherpace,shewaiteduntilshewasinthesinglesurveillanceblindspotalongthisroute,thenslippedoffthepathandintothebushes.Ittookherhalfaminuteofrapidwalkingtoreachthegroveoftreestotherightofthepath.Noonewouldcallitaforest,butthesmallwoodwasthickenoughtoprovidecover.Moreimportant,itwasoutofrangeofthesecuritycameras.
Saharadidn’tthinkanyonewatchedthecamerastwenty-four/seven.Theirmainpurposewastoactasadeterrentagainstantisocialbehavior.If,however,someoneeverbecamesuspiciousofheractionstotheextentoftrackinghermovements,thatindividualwouldfindexactlynothing.She’darrivehomeviaanotherroute,makingitappearasifshe’ddecidedtowalkofftheapprovedroute.Afactthatwouldgetherasternlectureaboutsafetybutcarrynootherconsequences.
“Whereareyou?”shewhisperedwhenshereachedthetreethatwastheirs.Withouthimtotakeherhome,shecouldonlywaitforelevenminutes.Thatwasthesafewindowwherenoonewouldmissher.Ifhewaslate—
Butno,therehewas.
Havingteleportednearanothertree,hewalkedtowardher,hiseyesabrilliantcardinalstarlightthatshesawinherdreams,hisbodytallandofayoungman,nottheboyshe’dknownoverhalfherlife.Hewasharderthanher,ruthlessinawaysheknewshe’dneverbe,andthefactthathewasalmosttwenty-twotohernear-sixteenhadnothingtodowithit.He’dbeenthesamewaysixyearsago.
Here,however,theywereequals,andbeneaththedisturbingcoldnesssheglimpsedinhimtoooftennow,hewasstillherKaleb.TheonewhoseSilenceappearedaspristineasherownwhilehidingachaosofemotionsoviolent,sheknewhecouldbebeyonddangerousshouldhiscontroleverslip.Butnevertoher.Notevertoher.
Droppinghersatchel,sheranintohisarms.Hisownlockedaroundher,squeezingsotight,shecouldbarelybreathe.“It’sallright,”shewhispered,herhandsinhishair.“It’sallright.”Overandoveragain,shesaidthosewords,attemptingtocomfortthemanshelovedwhenlovewasacrimethatcouldgetthembothsentencedtolivingdeath.
Yetevenasshespoke,sheknewitwasn’tallright,thatthereasonforhishurtwasatraphecouldn’tescape—andherbeautifulKalebhadneverbeenmeantforacage.Itterrifiedherthathe’dgotoofarinthemaddeningfighttogetoutandshe’dneveragainfeelthesteelofhisarmsaroundher.“I’mhere.I’mhere.”
Hejustheldher,inthatwayhehadofdoingduringtheworsttimes.Shehadnoneedtohearthedetailstoknowthathe’dhadtobecomeevenharder,morepitilesssimplytosurvive.Ifitkeptoninthisway,shethought,herKalebwouldonedaybelostbehindawallofblackice.Angrypainhadhertighteningherhold,herforbiddenemotionshiddenbehindshieldsKalebhadautomaticallyaugmentedtoprotectherfromexposureonthePsyNet.He’dbeendoingitforyears,eversincehefirstrealizedherSilencesimplywasn’tsticking,thepsychictasteofhimasfamiliartoherasherown.
Neveroncehadhefailedtoprotecther.Butshecoulddonothingtostophimfrombeinghurtoverandoveragain,thehelplessnessafuryinsideher.“I’mhere.”Sheheldoneventighter,refusingtosurrenderhimtotheuglinessthatwasSantanoEnrique.Iftheblackicedidform,shewouldshatteritwithherbarehands.Hewasnevergoingtoshutherout,shuthimselfawayinthedarkness.Saharawouldn’tallowit.
Todayheheldherforalmosttheentiretyoftheirstolentimetogether,andthenhesteppedback.“Youshouldn’tmeetmeanymore.”Nostarsintheblack,hisvoicedeadinitstonelessness.“I’llhurtyou.”
Itwasathoughtsoincomprehensible,shedidn’tknowwhyhe’dsaidit,whyhe’dwoundhimselfinthatway.“You’dneverhurtme.”
“Don’tbesocertain.”
Chapter32
SAHARAFELLOUTofthememorytofindhercheekswetandherhandsfistedtobloodlessseverity,angerajaggedbladeinherchest.Shehadlovedhim.Somuch.Enoughtodefyherfamily.Enoughtochancethepsychicbrainwipeofrehabilitation.Enoughtofightforhimevenwhenhewarnedheroff.
Shehadlovedhimuntilitwasthedefiningfactofherexistence.
Life,shethought,rubbingherhandoverherheart,hadcomefullcircle.Becauseasthegirlshe’dbeenhadlovedhim,sodidthewomanshe’dbecome,herheartbrandedwithhisname.Nomatterwhatthefutureheld,theterriblechoiceshemightyethavetomake,nooneelsewouldeverbetoherwhatKaleb—
Anotherunravelingofmemory,draggingherfurtherbackintothepast.
“PleaseshowKalebaroundthegrounds,Sahara.”AnthonynoddedattheboywhosatstraightbackedandexpressionlessinachairbesideamanSaharadislikedonsight.Sheknewnottosaythat,however.Shewasonlyseven,herSilencebrittle,soshewouldn’tbeinbigtroubleforblurtingoutherimmediateandviolentdistaste,butshe’dstillbeintrouble,probablyhavetodotwicehernormalquotaofmentalexercises.
Bettertokeephermouthshut.
Themanshedidn’tlikeshotheraglanceoutofcardinaleyesthatweren’tprettyliketheboy’s,butflat,dead.“Thatchild,”hesaid,dismissingherasifshewereapieceoffurniture,“istooyoungtoprovideconversationthatwillinanywayinterestKaleb.Hecanremain.”
“Idon’tconductbusinesswithchildrenpresent,”AnthonyrespondedinacalmtonethatSaharaknewmeantherunclewasn’tabouttochangehismind.“Wecanscheduleanotherappointmentnextmonthtodiscusstheforecastingservicesrequiredbyyourcompany.”
Steeplinghisfingers,thenot-nicemanturnedhisheadtowardtheboywhosenamewasKaleb.“Go.Behaveyourself.”
ToSahara,thewordssoundedlikeathreat.
WalkingwithKalebaroundthegrounds,Saharapointedoutthethingsherfatherhadtoldhershemustpointouttoaguest.“Suchindependentsocialinteractionwithnon–familymembersisanimportantpartofyoureducation,”he’dsaid.“IfyourbacksighteventuallyleadsyoutoacareerinJustice,you’llneedtointeractwithawiderangeofpersonalities,bothPsyandnot.I’vetoldAnthonyyou’rereadytoactasaguideforthoseofyourageandslightlyolder.”
SaharawasprettysuretheboycalledKalebfelloutsidethatagegroup,butAnthonyprobablydidn’thaveanychoicebuttousehersincetheolderchildrenwouldn’tgetoutofschoolforanotherhour.
ShewastellingKalebaboutthehydroponicgardenwhensheglancedupandsawfinelinesradiatingoutfromhiseyes,bracketinghismouth.“Myfather’sanM,”shesaid.“Wecangoseehim.”
Kalebstaredatherwitheyesthathadlosttheirstars.“Why?”
Saharawassurehehadahurtsomewhere,butsheknewitwasn’tpolitetosaythingslikethattosomeoneshedidn’tknow.Soshesaid,“Hehasinterestingscannersinhisoffice.”
“I’veseenmedicalscannersbefore.”
FiguringKalebwantedtoseehisownmedicandnotastranger,Saharasaid,“Okay,”andkeptgoing…onlyshedidn’twalkasfast,andshedidn’ttakehimuptheslopetotherecreationcenterthegrown-upsusedforexercise.Iftheywentthere,themanagerwouldwantKalebtotrythenewmachines,andshedidn’tthinkheshouldwhilehewashurt.
“There’sfishinthepond,”shesaid,afterthey’dcoveredalltheareasvisitorswerepermittedtoview.“Doyouwanttosee?”
Kalebfollowedherinsilence,buthewentdownononekneetowatchtheorangefishinthepondinthecenteroftheparkwithintheNightStarcompound.“Whywasthiscreated?”
Saharabarelystoppedhershrugintime.Someoneofherage,she’dbeentoldmultipletimes,should’vealreadyconqueredthehabit.“IheardFathersayitwasan‘approvedmeditationaid,’”sheparrotedwithoutquiteunderstandingthewords.“TheF-Psywholivehereuseit.”HercousinFaithdidn’tliveinthecompound.Shehadaseparatehouse,likeallthereallystrongforeseers.
“AreyouanF?”
“Notreally.I’msubdesignationB.ThatmeansIhavebacksight.”Itwasn’tasinterestingasbeinganF,butSaharathoughtshemightlikecatchingbadpeopleforJustice.“Whatareyou?”
“ATk.”
Excited—thoughshetriednottoletitshow,incasehetoldonher—shesaid,“Canyoudoanytricks?”OneofthetelepathsinherclasshadjustatinybitofTkandshecouldwriteontheelectronicboardwithoutmovingfromherseatintheclass;theteachersmadeherdothatsoshe’dpracticehertelekinesis
Kalebdidn’tsayanythingandittookSaharaafewsecondstorealizeshewasn’ttouchingthegroundanymore,herbodyfloatingseveralinchesoffthegrass.Eyeswide,shestoodup,herfeetonnothing,then,checkingtomakesurenoonewaswatching,jumpedupanddownwithouteverhittingtheground.
“Thatwaswonderful,”shewhisperedwhenhesetherdown,thenfeltbadshe’dforgottenabouthispain.“I’msorry.Didithurtyoutodothat?”
Shakinghishead,Kalebplayedafingerthroughthewaterofthepond,makingthelazyfishpretendtomove.“YourSilenceisflawedforyouragegroup.”
Suddenlyawareshe’dforgottentofakeSilencebecausehewasniceevenifhedidn’ttalkalot,Saharabitdownonherlowerlip.“Areyougoingtotellonme?”
“No.”
Andheneverhad,Saharathought,sittingonacornerofherbed,herbackbracedagainstthewallandherarmswrappedaroundherkneesasshethoughtoftheboywithsuchhauntingpaininhiseyes.Instead,he’dtaughtherhowtobemorecareful…andhe’dvisitedher.
“Hello.”
Surprised,Saharalookedupfromthewidestumpwhereshesat.Nooneevercamethisway,herhomebackingontoastandoftreesthatendedattheperimeterfence.Prettycardinaleyesinanexpressionlessfacemetherown.
“Hi!”Knowingherfatherwasbusyinhisstudyontheothersideofthehouse,sheputdownthedatapadthatheldherdespisedmathhomework.“Isthatmanhereagain?”Shehesitated,thensaidwhatwasinherheart,sinceKalebhadkepthiswordandnotreportedherterribleSilence.“Idon’tlikehim.”
Kalebshookhishead.“Icametoseeyou.”Apause.“Idon’tknowanyotherchildrenwhotalktome.”
“Thatmustbelonely.”Shebrokeoffhalfhernutritionbar,helditout.“IknowyouprobablythinkI’mababy,butyoucanbemyfriendifyoulike.”Shiftingonthestumpwhenheacceptedthesnack,shemadeaspaceforhim.
“Idon’tthinkyou’reababy.”Hetookaseatbesideher.“Ithinkyou’resmartandyouseethingsotherpeopledon’t.”Thistime,thepausewaslonger,hisgazefocusedonsomethingshecouldn’tsee.“Idon’tlikehim,either.”
Anotherthreadpullingfreeofthevaultalmostbeforeshe’dassimilatedthelast,anothermemory,thisonetingedwithlaughter.
Saharapokedouthertongueatthedatapadonherlap.ShemightbeelevenandmuchbetteratpretendingtobeSilentinpublic,butshestillhatedmath.She’dtriedtotellherteachersnottoputherintoacceleratedlessonswhenitcametothisonesubject,buttheykeptpointingoutthefactthatherIQscoresplacedherlearningcapacityinthegiftedrange.Accordingtothem,allshehadtodowastryharder.“Hah!”
WhenKalebappearedbesidethestumpwhereshealwaysdidherhomework,shesmiledinrelief.“IhavetofinishthisbyFriday,”shetoldhim.“OrI’llbeputintoanafter-schoolmathtutorial.”Itwasn’tthetutorialpartthathorrifiedher—itwasthethoughtofdoingevenmoremath!
“Here.”Hetookaseatbesideher,agreenishbruisebelowthecurveofhisleftcheekbone.
Saharakickedherheelbackintothestumptoforceherselfnottoaskaboutthebruise,theimpactpainfulonherbareskin.Sheknewtheanswertoherquestionandsheknewtherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutit,theknowledgebubblingacidinherstomach.“What’sthis?”Puttingasideherdatapadandtighteningherabdomenagainstthefutilesurgeofanger,shetookthehard-copybookheheldout.
“You’reatactilelearner,”hesaid,assheopenedthepagestoseethatitwasamathtextbook.“Ithoughtthismighthelpyouremembertheequationsbetter.”Reachingintoapocket,heputtwoinkpensbetweenthem.
“Whydon’tyoujusttellmetheanswers?”sheaskedbrightly.“Thenwecantalkaboutmuchmoreinterestingthings.”
Kalebsimplylookedatherwiththosebeautifulstarlighteyesthatweretoooftenanemptyblackthesedays,holdinganumbnessthatmadeherchesthurt.
Sighing,buthappybecausehehadn’tgoneawayagain,shepickedupthebluepenandbegantodotheequationsonthefirstpage,makingsuretowritedownherentirepainstakingprocess.Whenshewasdone,Kalebwentoverherwork,showingherwhereshe’dmadeerrorsoflogicsoshewouldn’tmakethesameonesagain.
“Canyouwritedownthecorrectprocesses,too?”sheaskedhim.“IcanusethemasstudyaidswhileIdomyhomework.”Nomatterwhattheteacherstried,SaharaneverlearnedaswellatschoolasshedidwithKalebwhenitcametomath.Heknewexactlyhowtoexplainthingstoher.
Nodding,hewentdownthepagewithablackpen,hiswritingstrongandneat.“Didyouhaveadancelessontoday?”
Shesaid,“Yes,”thenranovertothesideofthehousetopeekatthewindowtoherfather’sstudy.Hewasstillthere,workingonapaperforthePsy-MedJournal.Smiling,sheranbacktoKaleb.“Ilearnedanewstep.”Bubblesofhappinessinherblood.“Wanttosee?”
Closingthemathtextbook,hesetitonthestumpandnodded.Then,asthebirdsflewhometotheirnestsandtheskyturnedaduskyorange,shedanced,thegrasssoftbeneathherbarefeetandKalebherquietaudience.
Sahara’sheartwarmedattheinnocenceofthememory,atherabsolutetrustintheboy-becoming-a-manwhohadunderstoodthatforher,dancingwaslikebreathing,theirfriendshipironstrong.Ithadonlygrownstrongerastheyearspassed,butKalebhadhadtobesocareful—Enriquehadhimonaverytightpsychicleash,buttheolderhegrew,thebetterhebecameatslippingthatleashforsmallperiodsoftime.
Secret,everythinghadbeensecret.
Herstomachclenchedwithoutwarningatthewhisperedthought,bilecoatingherthroat.
Staggeringoutofbed,shemadeittothebathroombeforefallingtoherhandsandkneestoretch,herabdomenandthroathurtingfromtheforceoftheconvulsiveshuddersthattorethroughherbodytoleavehershiveringonthefloor.Whenshecouldmoveagain,shecleanedupthemess,brushedherteeth,thenshoweredunderared-hotspraybeforewrappingatowelaroundherbodyandwalkingtositbackdownonthebed.
Dropletsofwatertrickledoverherneckandbetweenherbreasts,butshemadenomovetomopthemup,hermindonherfragmentedpast.Itdidn’ttakeageniusintellecttorealizethebadthingthathadhappenedtoherwassomehowconnectedtoKaleb,aneventhermindcontinuedtorebelagainstremembering,regardlessofhowhardshetried.
Allitgotherwasthepromiseofanotherepisodeliketheoneshe’djustsuffered.
Frustratedbutconsciousshecouldn’texpectabsoluterecallallatonce,shegaveupthefruitlessexerciseaftertwentyminutesandgotup.Pullingonunderwear,apairofjeans,andaV-neckedcashmerepulloverinanazureblueshadethatFaithhadgiftedher,thetextureexquisiteagainstherskin,shedriedandbraidedherhair.
Hernexttaskwastocheckonherfather.Hearingthathewasinanatural,deepsleephadhersmilingaftershedisconnectedthecommlink.Shecould’vegoneforawalkunderthemoonlight,butwhatshereallyneededwastobeclosetoKaleb,herheartchilledbythemalevolencethathoveredoverher.
Isyourmeetingover?sheaskedovertheextraordinarilypureconnectionthatspokeofhistelepathicstrength.
Yes.I’mworkingfromthehouse—whatdoyouneed?
Swallowingatthequestionthatsaidsomuchaboutwhathefeltforher,shesentheranswer.Tocometoyou.
Kalebappearedbyhersideaninstantlater,dressedinthesamesuithe’dbeenwearingearlier,minusthejacket,hiscollaropenandsleevesrolledup.“Issomethingwrong?”
“No.”Steppingintohisarms,sheheldontight.“Canwesitontheterrace?”
Skinhotthroughthefinefabricofhisshirt,hetookherhomeandsatdownintheloungerwithherbetweenhislegs,herbodycurledupagainsthimundertheearlyafternoonsunlightonthissideoftheworld.Ittooktimeforthemasculineheatofhimtomelttheice,forherbodytostretchoutuntilshelaywithherbacktohischest,hisarmsaroundherandoneofhislegsbentslightlyatthekneeoutsideherown.
“Youmademefloatbesidethekoipond.”
Tensioninfiltratedhismusclesatherquietwords.“Youremembered.”
“Yes.”Shecurledherhandaroundhisbiceps.“Howwemet,howyoucametovisitme.”
“Doyou,”hesaid,thetensionfading,“rememberwhatyouaskedmetodoonyourfifteenthbirthday?”
Saharawenttoshakeherheadbutthememorywassuddenlythere,asifithadsimplybeenwaitingforhertonotice.
Chapter33
SAHARA’SLAUGHWASsunlightinhisveins.“Iaskedyoutokissme.Andyousaidno!”Tippingupherhead,shepretendedtoscowlathim.“Ifinallyhadtomakethefirstmove.”
“Inmydefense,Iwastwenty-onetoyourfifteen.Itwould’vebeeninappropriate.”Strokinghishandaroundherthroat,heangledherheadsohecouldtasteherlips.Thatshe’dcometohimafterwhathe’dtoldherattheaerie,itwasamiracle.Thefactthathermindcontinuedtowithholdthebloodytruthfromherwasanother.
“Ittookmeayeartobuildupthecourage,”shemurmuredagainsthismouth,lipscurvedandfingerslacedbehindhisneck.
“Yourdetermination,”hesaid,pushingupthesoftnessofherpullovertoplacehishandsonthesilkenwarmthofherabdomen,“hasneverbeenanythinglessthansteely.”She’dcaughthimashebentoverherwristtoaffixthedancercharmtoherbracelet.He’dbeensostartledattheshockinglyintimatecontact,hehadn’tbrokenaway,andthetasteofSaharahadenteredhisbloodstream,abrandhe’dwearfortherestofhislife.
Colorhadpaintedhercheeksintheaftermath.“Sixteenandtwenty-twoisn’tasignificantgap.”Ithadbeenamutinousstatement.“FivemoreyearsandI’llbetwenty-one,andalegaladultwithfullrights.Wecanfileaconceptionandfertilizationcontract,andoncewehaveachild,wecanagreetojointparentingandlive—”
“Yes,”he’dsaid,interruptingtherushofwordsbecauseshehadnoneedtoconvincehimtoacceptatrustofwhichhewouldneverbedeserving,butthatheintendedtotakeandprotecttohislastbreath.
Adawningsmile.“We’llhaveahome,”she’dwhispered,“whereIcankissyouasoftenasIlike.”
Butthathadbeentheirfirst,theironlykiss.Twodayslater,Saharahadscreameduntilhervoicebroke,herbloodslickonherbrutalizedskin.
“I’msorry,”hesaid,thememoryonehe’dcarrytohisgrave,“thatI’mnotthemanyouremember.Toomanythingshappenedwhileyouweregone.”Ifshe’dbeenwithhimthroughthattime,thebrightlightinthenightmare,hemighthavebattledtoretainsomesliverofhis“humanity.”Buttheyhadstolenherfromhim,stolentheonlybeingintheuniverseaboutwhomhecared,andinsodoing,they’dchangedthecourseoftheworld.
Sahara’sfingerstightenedonhisarm.“You’remine.”Simple,quietwordsthatwereapunchtothechest.“Iwillfightforyou,today,tomorrow,andallthetomorrowstocome.”
Intheintensityofthesilencethatfollowedastheysimplyheldontooneanother,asiftomitigateaseparationthathadscarredthemboth,hesawhereyesclose,herbreathingeven.She’dfallenasleepinhisarms.Thefirsttimeshe’ddonethat,she’dbeenelevenyearsold,theirrelationshipafriendshipthathadbecomeintegraltohissanity.
Tiredfromherdancelessons,she’dleanedagainsthimastheysatinfrontofthestump,andthenextthingheknew,shewasfastasleep.Noonehadevershownhimsuchtrust.Hehadn’tdaredmovefortheentiretimehewasabletospendwithher,wakingherwiththegentlestoftelepathichailswhenitwastimeforhimtogo.
Hecouldstillrememberthesmudgyblueofhereyeswhenshe’dwakened,thewayshe’dacceptedhispresencewithoutsurpriseorfear.Asifthatwashisplace.Withher.Rubbingathereyes,she’dsaid,“Willyoucometomorrow?”
“Yes.”
He’dalwayssaidyestoher,tothegirlwhohadgivenhimasenseofbelonging,asenseofhome.Asshe’dgrownandrealizedwherehewentwhenhelefther,whatwasdonetohim,thoseeyeshadturnedbruised.Butneverhadsheturnedawayfromhim,nomatterhowbrokenhewaswhenhecametoher.
“I’lltell,”she’dsaidattwelve,herfaceset.“He’shurtingyouevenifyouwon’tsayhow,andIwon’tbequietaboutitanymore!”
“Youcan’t.There’snoevidence.”Santanohadmadecertainofthat.AndshouldaJ-PsybecalledintocheckKaleb’smemories—“I’llhaveafatalaccidentbeforeheallowsanyonecloseenoughtoexamineme.”
Tearsofrage,facered.“Ihatethatmonster!Ihatehim.”
Intheend,herloyaltyandloveforhimhadcosthereverything.“I’msorry,”hesaidagain,touchinghisfingerstothetinyscaronhercheekbone.“Noonewilleveragaincauseyouharm.”He’dalreadyexecutedthreeoftheguardswhohadhelpedtoimprisonandtortureher.
Allhadhiddenliketheratstheywerewhentheyunderstoodtheywerebeinghunted,butKalebwaspatient.He’dfindeachandeveryone.Andhe’dbreaktheirmindsbeforehebroketheirnecks.
***
THREEdayslater,Saharawavedgood-byetoherfatheronthecommandwatchedhimturnawaytogettowork.He’dbeendischargedadayearlierandwasalreadyintheclinicoffice,lookingoverpatientfilesindirectviolationoftheordersgivenhimbyhisownmedic.Therewasnodoubtwhereshe’dinheritedherwill—awillKalebhadteasedtoashatteringpointthepreviousnight.
Afterhe’dsatdistractinglyshirtlessbesideherassheviewedoneofhisresearchvideos.Everysooften,he’dlookedupfromhisdatapadtopointoutatechnicalaspectofwhatthenakedpeopleon-screenweredoing,hisvoicecoolandexpressionclinical.She’dlastedexactlyseventeenminutesbeforepouncingonhim.
Blushingathowveryunclinicalhe’dbeenwithher,sheturnedoffthecommandheadeddowntheropeladdertomeetFaithandMercyforashoppingtriptoSanFrancisco.Itwastimeforhertoexplorehernewlife,andtheideaofdoingitwithfriendswassweetlywonderful.Bothhercousinandthewitty,kindDarkRiversentinelhadbecomeanimportantpartofherlife,andsheintendedtonurturethatrelationship,comewhatmay.
“IneedtothinkaboutwhatI’mgoingtodo,”shesaidtothemintheSUV,turningslightlytoinvolveFaithinthediscussion.HercousinhadinsistedSaharatakethefrontpassengerseatwhenMercypickedthemup,sincethescenerywouldbenewtoher.“Withmylife,Imean.”
“Youdon’thavetodecidethatrightnow.”Faithfrownedoverhercarrycupofcoffee,thescentlusciousenoughtomakeSaharaquestionherowndislikeofthebitterliquid.“Ifanyone’searneddowntime,it’syou.”
“That’swhatIthought”—Saharamadeaface—“butthat’snotmypersonality.”Itneverhadbeen.“NowthatI’mhealthier,mybrain’sgoingahundredmilesanhour.”She’dalreadyinhaledmultipletextbooksonherfavoritesubjects.
Mercygrinned.“Leopards,astheysay,don’tchangetheirspots.”
Afterthelaughter,theyspokeofheroptions,whethershemightwanttogobacktoschoolorifshe’dprefertodosomethinglessacademicforawhile.Itwasavaluableconversation,onethatgaveherplentyoffoodforthought.
“IwasworriedI’dbeoverwhelmed,”sheconfesseduponarrivinginthebusycitybythewaterthatwasSanFrancisco,“butIlovethenoiseandthecolorandthepeople!”
Itwasacoupleofhourslater,astheywerewalkingintoasmallItalianrestaurantforlunch—afterstashingtheirshoppingintheSUV—thatthreethingshappenedinquicksuccession.SomeoneshotatFaithandmissed,thebulletsmashingawindow;MercyspuntocoverFaithwithpredatorygracewhileyellingatSaharatoduck;andbonyhandsgrippedSaharaaroundherupperarms.
Thentherestaurantwasgone,andshewasinwhatappearedtobeasmall,emptywarehouse,dustmotesdancinginthestreaksofsunlightslantingthroughtheoldwoodenboardsthatmadeupthewalls.
“Iassumeyou’reafterthebounty?”shesaidinacalmtoneinspiteofherracingheart,stiflingherfirstinstinct—whichwastocallKaleb.Sinceshewasn’tdeadorbleeding,itmeantthemanbehindher,hisglovedhandsalreadyoffherskin,wantedheralive,sotherewasachanceshecoulddefusethesituationwithoutviolence.
ThekidnappershiftedtofaceSahara.Hewasthinandrelativelyshort,onlytwoorthreeinchesaboveherinheight,buthenotonlymovedwithaneconomythatshoutedskill,hehadagleamingblacklaserpistolinhishand.“Thebountyisgone,”shesaidathiscontinuedsilence,herowngunsnugintheankleholstercoveredbyherjeans.
“Ihaveaprivateclient.”Curtwordsthataddedtotheimpressionofahonedprofessional.“Aslongasyoucooperate,Ihavenointentionofcausingyoubodilyharm.”
Glancingaroundthewarehouse,shespottedanoverturnedcrateameteraway.“MayIsit?”
Abrisknodas,keepingherinhislineofsight,hemovedtoapaper–thinportablecomputersetuponwhatappearedtobeacheapcardtable.
“Areyoucheckingtoseeifyourclienthaswiredthepayment?”
Noanswer.Butwhilehebelievedherdocileandresignedtoherfate,Saharawatchedhim.Itsoonbecameapparentthathewasmovingwithadeliberatecareshehadn’tnoticedatfirstglance.Themanwasweak,closetohislimit—eitherhe’dteleportedhertoalocationfaroutsidehisrange,orhe’dhadto’portseveraltimesinclosesuccessioninordertopullofftheshotatFaithfollowedbythegrab.
“How,”shesaid,workingthroughheroptions,“didyoulocateme?”
“Thatknowledgecan’tassistyounow.”
“I’dliketoknowwheremysecurityfailed.”True,exceptshedidn’tneedhimtotellher.“Anintellectualexercise.”
Aslightpausebefore,surprisingly,hegaveherananswer.“Accordingtomyemployer,itwascertainNightStarwouldputyouinasecurelocation.Therewasonlyanoutsidechanceyou’dbewithyourcousin,butIdecideditmeritedforty-eighthoursofmytime.SinceDarkRiver’sterritoryislarge,Ideterminedtosurveiltheparkinglotofthepack’scityHQwiththeintentionoftailingFaith.”
Chance,Saharathought,wasatrickybeast.“Luckiscertainlyonyoursidetoday.”Rising,shetookafewslowstepstowardhim,awareofhiseyestrackinghereverymove,hisfingerscurvedaroundthegunathisside.“MayI?”shesaidandnoddedatthewaterbottlebesidethecomputer.
“Here.”Hehandedittoher,confidentoftheprotectionaffordedbyhisgloves.
ThatwashismistakeandpartofwhatmadeSaharasodangerous.
Asplitsecondafterherfingersbrushedhis,thekidnapperhandedherhisgun,hiseyesblurrywithconfusion.“WhatamIdoinghere?”
“Yougotlost.”Weavinganewmemoryforhim,shesenthimtosleeponthefloor.Whenhewoke,itwouldbewitharecollectionofanaltercationthatrequiredhelielowforaweek.
Saharahatedtheideaofviolatinganyone’smind,butthisbountyhunterhadlosttheprotectionofferedbyherabhorrenceformentalinvasionwhenhedecidedtoabducther.Slippinginandoutofhismindasifitwereherown,sheloggedontohiscomputerusinghispasswordanderasedeverythingthatreferencedthedeal,whetherinhise-mailorinhisbankaccounts.Ithelpedthathewasorganized,hismindfilingthedataaboutherinadiscretesection,butitstilltooktime.
Ratherthanattemptingtooverwritetheharddrive,shedecidedtotakethecomputerwithher.Thatmeantanothermemoryinsertionwherethekidnapper’sphantomopponentinthisaltercationthrewthesmallbackpackcontaininghiscomputerunderapassingtruck,thepiecesthatremainedfitonlyfortherecycler.
Kaleb,shesaidafterward,consciousitwaspastmidnightinMoscow.Areyouawake?
Yes.Whatdoyouneed?
Foryounottokillsomeone.
Heappearedbesideherasecondlater,takinginthesituationwithasingleglance.“Whyshouldn’tIkillhim?”Anice-coldquestion.
“BecauseI’vehandledit.He’smoreusefultousalive.”Onceshe’dtouchedamind,Saharacouldslipbackinandtaketotalcontrolregardlessofdistanceortime,turningtheindividualintoaflesh-and-bloodpuppetwhohadnotevenasuspicionthathisdecisionsweren’thisown.
Theideaofdoingsuchathingrevoltedher,butthatdidn’tmeanitwasn’ttrue.Resultingfromanunknowngeneticmutationthatmeantithadnoofficialclassification,herabilitywasonethatwouldbethebogeymanofherraceshouldtheyknowabouther.NomindwassafefromSahara’s,noshieldimpenetrable,nooffensiveabilitycapableofstoppingherifshegotcloseenoughjustonce
Sheleftbehindnotraceofherinterference,thememoriessheimplantedasrealastruememories.Andshewasundetectablewhensheworked.Shouldshedesire,shecouldmakeaCouncilordancetohertune,aCEOsignoverhisproperties,amanslithisownthroatwhilesmiling.Andwhileshe’dneverhadcausetotesthowmanymindsshecouldcontrolatonetime,thetrustedNightStartelepathwho’dworkedwithhertounderstandherabilitywhenitfirstcametolight,hadpositedittobeinthetripledigits.
Itwastheugliestofabilitiestohaveforawomanwhoseownmindhadbeentornapart,butshehadcometotermswithitduringtheperiodsofluciditybuiltintothelabyrinth.Thedecisionsshe’dmadeandtherulesshe’dlaiddownforherselfallrevolvedaroundacentralquestion:Ifsheeverhadachild,couldshelookintothatchild’seyeswithoutfeelingashamedatwhatshehaddone?
Nothingaboutheractionstodaybreachedthattest.
“Whohiredhim?”Kalebasked,hisgazeonthekidnapper,thestarseclipsedbylethalblack.
“I’vehandledit,”sherepeatedratherthanrespondingtothequestionand,whenhedidn’tshifthisgaze,decidedtoplayhardball.“Ifyoudon’trespectmywishes,Isimplywon’tcallyounexttime.”
Thelineofhisjawremainedablade,butheturnedhisattentionoffthebountyhunter.“Who?”
“Accordingtohismemories,Tatiana.”
“Impossible.She’sexactlywhereIputher.”
“ThensomeoneinherorganizationsmartenoughtoworkoutwhatIcando,andcockyenoughtodeceiveandundercuthisboss.”Iftherumorsabouttheotherwoman’srisetopowerwerecorrect,ittrulywasacaseofwhatthehumanscalledkarma.
NotwastinganyfurthertimeorenergythinkingaboutTatiana,shelookedintothefaceofthecardinaltelekineticwhosheknewwashavingtoexerciseharshself-controlnottosendthemanattheirfeettoanearlygrave.“Let’sgohome,Kaleb,”shesaid,brushingherfingersoverhisjawinasilentreminderofwhohewastoher.
Chapter34
THEFIRSTTHINGshedidoncetheywereonthestarlitterraceinMoscowwasputdownthelaptop,borrowKaleb’sphone,havingforgottenherownattheaerie,andcallFaith.“I’msafe,”sheassuredhercousin.“You?Mercy?Herbabies?”
“We’refine.MercyatetheparamedicsalivewhenImadehergetacheckup,”Faithsaidwithanaffectionatelaugh.“ThenRileyturnedupandshedecidedtocooperatebecausehewascrazywithworry—butshewasright.Therewasn’tascratchonherand,inherexpertformerhellion-childopinion,thepupcubsenjoyedtheexcitement.”
Relieved,SaharacutFaithoffbeforehercousincouldaskforherexactwhereabouts,andpromisedtobehomebythetimenightfellinSanFrancisco.
“Youneedtoeat,”Kaleborderedwhenshereturnedthephone,pointingoutthehigh-densitynutritionbarsthathadappearedonthesmalltablebesidethelounger.“You’renothealthyenoughyettoaffordtomissmeals.”
“I’mstarving,”sheadmittedandtookaseatontheedgeofthelounger.Kickingoffhershoesandremovingtheankleholster,shepickeduponeofthenutritionbars.“Myabilitymightfeeleffortless,butitburnspsychicenergy.”Sodid’pathingtoKaleb,butshe’dalreadyworkedthatintohercalorierequirements.
Leaninghisbackagainsttherailing,Kalebdidn’tspeakuntilshe’dfinishedthebarandwasheditdownwithwater.“You’vebecomemoreconfidentaboutyourpower.”Hisexpressionwasshadowed,hisvoiceicywithapproval.“Ineveragreedwithyourdistasteforit.”
“Iwasyoung.”Shegrinnedwhenasecondnutritionbarfloatedpointedlyinfrontofherface.“Andyou’vealwaysbeenoverprotective.”Takingthebar,shetoreitopen.
“Youmattertome.”
Sosimple.Sohonest.Sopowerful.
Rubbingahandoverherheart,shesharedhersecretswiththeonepersonwhowouldneverbetrayoruseher.Thathewasthesamemanwhoplannedtocreateanempirethatspannedtheglobewasnocontradiction.“Myabilityhasmatured.”Ithadbeenerraticatsixteen,oneofthereasonsTatianahadbeenabletoimprisonhermind.Andonceimprisoned,Saharahadbeenunabletobreakout—itturnedoutshecouldgetthroughanyshieldexceptonecreatedaroundherownmind.
Itwashergreatestweakness,anaturalbalancetothepowershewielded.
Noonecouldsoeasilyentombhernow,butsevenyearsago,she’dbeenascaredgirlandTatianaapowerfuladulttelepathtrainedinpsychicaggression.Enrique,too,must’veplayedaroleinhermentalimprisonment—thenauseathatroiledinherstomachatthemerethoughtofhimwasproofenoughofthat.
“OnceIwastrappedinsidetheshieldsTatianacreated,”SaharatoldKaleb,“shesuffocatedmyability,too,exceptforshortperiodsof‘freedom’whenshewantedmetouseit.”Theotherwoman’saimhadbeentobreakSaharadownuntilshewasTatiana’spetandcouldbetrustednottouseherabilitiesagainsttheotherwoman.
“Buttheenforcedconcentrationofmypower,”shecontinued,“hadtheeffectofacceleratingmygrowthinawayTatiananeversuspected.”Saharahadhiddenthedevelopmentinthelabyrinth,awareTatianacouldn’tstandtheinsanechaos.“Inolongerhavetotouchskinfortheinitialcontact—Ijusthavetobeclose.”
“Thateliminatesadangerousvulnerability,”Kalebsaid,histonesoarctic,sheknewhewasthinkingabouttheuglythingthathadhappenedtoher.“Previously,ifsomeonemanagedtoincapacitateyourbody,itrenderedyouhelpless,solongashemadecertainnottoaccidentallytouchyourskin.”
Shivering,shehuggedherself.“Pleasesitbyme.Ican’tstandtoseeyoualoneinthedark.”
Hecametoher,butratherthansittingontheloungerbesideher,hesatdowninfrontofher,hisbackagainstherlegs.Spreadingherthighs,shetuggedhimcloser,herfingersweavingthroughthesilkofhishair.
“Iam,”hesaidquietly,“moreathomeinthedarkthanthelight.”
“Iknow.”Itwasapainfulwonder,tositwithhimunderadiamond-studdedskyandknowthathewashers.Forthismoment,thecivilwar,hisbrokenconscience,hersuspicionsoftheindefensiblelineshemighthavecrossed,noneofitmattered.Therewasonlythevelvetnightandtheprimalwarmthofhimsoclose.“It’sthealonenessIcan’tstand.”
Pickinguponeofthehandsshe’ddroppedtohisshoulders,hebroughtittohismouth,pressingatenderkisstothecenterofherpalm.“Icanfeelyouinsideme,always.”
Hereyesburning,sheleaneddowntowrapherarmsaroundhim,hercheekkissinghis.“Ididdiscoversomethingelsedeeplyproblematic,”shetoldhim.“Thetelepathwhohelpedmewithmytrainingdidn’trealizeit,andneitherdidI,possiblybecauseallmytestswereonwillingsubjects.”Sittingbackup,shebegantoplayherfingersthroughhishairagain.“ItakenoriskswhenIenteramind,riflethroughmemoriesandrearrangeorerasethem,orwhenIinsertnewones.”
Kalebranhishandalongthebackofhercalf.“That’snotwhyTatianawantedyou.Shecanpenetrateshieldsherself,thoughcomparedtoyourscalpel,she’sworkingwithahammerandchisel.”
“No,itwasthemindcontrol,ofcourse.”Tatianacoulddothat,too,butforheritmeantatwenty-four/sevencommitmentthatdrainedherpsychicandphysicalenergytothepointofleavingheraskeletalshell.Andthatwastocontrolasinglemind.“Sheplannedtousemetorisetogreaterandgreaterpower.”
Insidiousasherabilitywas,itmeantallthemorewhenKalebleanedbackintoherstrokinghands.Hehadneveronceflinchedfromheraftersheadmittedwhatshecoulddo.Allhe’dasked,sherememberedasherfingernailsscrapedgentlyoverhisscalp,wasthatshenevergoinsidehismind.
“Idon’twantyoutoseewhatI’vedone.”
Itwasapromisesoembeddedinherpsyche,shehadn’tbeentemptedtobreakitevenwhenshehadn’tknownherself,Kaleb’strustapreciousjewelthatcouldneverbereplicated.
“What,”hesaidnow,hiseyelashesthrowingshadowsontohischeeks,he’drelaxedsototally,“didyoudiscover?”
Acurlingwarmthdeepinsideher,Saharaleaneddowntopressasoft,sweetkisstohisjaw.“Intheearlydaysaftermyabduction,Tatianawoulddisguiseme,thenmanipulateasituationtogetmecloseenoughtoanindividualtotakeaninitialimprint.Thensometimelater,she’daskmetoslipintothatindividual’smindandmakethemdoasmallthing,sillyeven.”Sheswallowed.“Ijustifiedeachasbeingaharmlesstestinordertobuytime.”
Kaleb’seyesstayedshut,hishandslippingunderthehemofherjeanstoclosearoundherbareankle.“Youmadechoicesthatkeptyoualive.”Itwasclearhesawnoreasonforhertofeelguilty.
Rubbinghercheekagainsthisoncemore,shesaid,“WhatittookmetoolongtorealizewasthateachtimeIreturnedtoamindtocontrolit,Ilostapieceofme.”Andshehadnowayofcontrollingthememoriesthatwouldbeerased.“IfI’dcontinued,Iwould’veeventuallyendedupablankslate,aweaponforTatianatodirectatwill.”Shuddering,shetightenedherarmsaroundKaleb.
Hislasheslifted,eyesofstunningobsidianlookingintohers.“AreyoucertainaboutnottorturingTatiana?Icanbreakherforyou,makeherbeg.”
Saharaknewthattobeadeadlyseriousoffer.Atinypartofherwastempted—shewasn’tasaint,andTatianahadbrutalizedhertothepointwhereshe’dforgottenwhatitwastobeasentientbeing—butthetemptationwasnowherenearthedepthofherfeelingsforKaleb.Helivedinthedark,butshewouldn’tallowhimtobeswallowedbyit,wouldn’tusehimasTatianahadintendedtouseher.
“Notorture.”Sittingupagain,shebegantomassagehisshouldersforthesheerpleasureoftouchinghim.“Weneedtoconcentrateondiscoveringtheidentityofthepersonwhoorchestratedthekidnappingattempt.
“I’lltakecareofit.”
“Ihavetherightskillsettodiscoverthetruthwithoutanyonebeingthewiser,”shesaidinresponsetoKaleb’sflatstatement.“I’mcertainitmustbeoneoftheguards,sincenooneelsewascloseenoughtoworkoutwhatIcando—andIhavenoproblemswithinfiltratingtheirthoughts.”NotgiventheiractiveparticipationinTatiana’sevil.
“No.”
Saharaarguedwithrationalcalm,theninafurioustemper,butKalebwasimmovable.“Iwillnotpermityouanywherenearsomeonewhomightcauseyouharm.”
Makingincoherentsoundsoffrustration,shenonethelessadmittedthiswasonebattleshehadwellandtrulylost.Kalebwasnevergoingtobeamanshecouldcontrol,andshecouldn’texpecttowineveryargument—buttherewasonepointonwhichshehadnointentionofbudging.“Promisemeyouwon’treturntothewarehouseandexecutethebountyhunter.”
“Sinceyoucan’ttakecontrolofhimwithoutcausingpermanentdamagetoyourmemories,yourlineofreasoningabouthimbeingmoreusefulaliveisnolongervalid.”
Thatwaswhyshehadtogetapromise.“Forgetaboutthat.Idon’twanthisdeathonmyconscience.”
Asmallpause.“Iwon’tgobackandkillhimunlessheprovesarenewedthreat.”
“That,Icanaccept.”Herbreathcaughtashechangedpositionslightly,hisshouldersbrushingthesensitiveskinofherinnerthighs—justashiscellphonerang.
Answeringit,helistenedthensaid,“Time?”Aslightpause.“I’llbethere.”Heslidawaythephonewithoutfurtherwords.
“Ameeting?”sheasked,usingherhandstomassagetheheavymuscleofhisshouldersagain,havingsensedhispleasureintheactbeforethey’dbeguntoargue.“Itmustbeanimportantdealforanin-persondiscussion.”
“It’snotbusiness,”Kalebreplied,anglinghisnecktothesidesoSaharacouldreachatightspot.Nooneelsewouldheallowthisclosetohisjugular.ButSahara?“Harder,”hesaid,undoingtwomorebuttonsonhisshirtsoshecouldslideherhandsinsidetheopencollar.
“Likethis?”Itwasanintimatequestionassheexertedjusttherightpressure.
“Hmm.”Strokinghisthumboverthecurveofheranklebone,helethiseyelashesclose,hisbodylanguid.ItwasastateheonlyeverfoundwithSahara,andinallpreviousinstances,ithadbeenaftersex.
“There’sasmallbottleofoilonthebathroomcounterintheaerie,”Saharasaidsoftly,continuingtotouchhimwithasensualpossessivenessthatmadeeventhepartthatlivedinthevoid,darkandviolent,turnlazilyquiescent.“Itwaspartofthepackoftoiletriessetoutforme.Canyougetit?”
Catchingthedetailedtelepathicimageshesenttohim,ofthebottleandexactlywhereitwasinrelationtotherestofthebathroom,heretrieveditwithouteffort.Aninstantlater,ascentheidentifiedasvanilladriftedontotheair,Sahara’shandsnolongeronhisskin.“TakeoffyourshirtsoIdon’tgetoilonit.”
Kalebhadnodesiretomove,buthedidassheasked.Thefeelofherwarmhandsonhim,theoilmakingiteasierforhertoglideoverhisskin,digdeeperintohismuscles,washisreward.Tactilesensation,hethought,hadcertainaddictivequalities.ButonlywhenitwasSaharawhosethighsbracketedhisshoulders,Saharawhosevoicewasamurmurinthedarkasshetoldhimofthepleasureshefoundintouchinghim.
“Inyourreadingoncurrentevents,”hesaidseveralminuteslater,beforehisincreasingarousalcouldblurhissenses,“didyoucomeacrossreferencestoaninsurgentnamedtheGhost?”
“Youwanttotalkpoliticsnow,whenI’mdoingmybesttoseduceyou?”
Thehusky,laughingquestionhadhimtuggingatherarmuntilshegotthemessageandcamearoundtostraddlehim.“Youhavenoneedtoseduceme.”Hewashers.Always.“Theprocess,however,isenjoyable.”Truephysicalintimacy,hethought,hadfarmorenuancesthanhe’dpreviouslyunderstood,havingconflateditautomaticallywithsex.
Sahara’slipscurved.“I’lljustkeepgoing,then.”Aslowkissasproprietaryasthehandsshereturnedtohisshoulderswhenshedrewback.“Asforyourquestion…accordingtoseveralBeaconbackissues,”shesaid,athoughtfulcasttoherexpression,“priortotheCouncil’sdissolution,theGhostwasresponsibleforanumberofinformationleaksthatputtheCouncilorsintothepositionofhavingtoexplainthemselves.
“Hewasalso,”shesaid,runningherthumbsdownthetendonsinKaleb’sneck,“rumoredtobeinvolvedintheexplosionofalabthatwasallegedlyworkingonabioneuralchiptoforcepeopletobeSilent.”Saharashivered,clearlyhorrifiedbytheidea.“Myimpressionisthathe’sresponsibleforfomentingdissentintheNetagainsttheentireCouncilsuperstructure,fracturingtheirpowerbasefromtheinsideout—andthathisgoalisthefallofSilence.”
“Yes.”Kalebwasunsurprisedshe’dalreadymanagedtogathersomuchdata—SaharaKyriakushadbeenbornwithamindboththirstyforknowledgeandabletoprocessitathighspeeds.“TheGhostisadangerousindividualtoanyoneinpower.”
Sahara’shandswentmotionless,thedeepblueofhereyestroubled.“Kaleb,youcan’thurtthisperson.SomanyofyourgoalsalignwiththeGhost’s—thisrebelisfightingagainsttherotatthecoreofourrace,andsoareyou.Youcanworktogether.”
“Therecan’tbetwopowersintheNet,Sahara.”Itwouldonlyfractureanddividethepopulace.“TheGhosthasastayofexecutionforthepresent,buthistimeiscomingtoanend.”
Chapter35
SAHARASHOOKHERhead,hervoicegrim.“IfyouharmtheGhost,youriskincitinganotherwaveofrebellion,thistimedirectlyagainstyou.”
Again,shedisplayedhowwellsheknewhim,usinglogicratherthananyemotionalpleaforthesafetyandwell-beingoftheirrace,apleasheknewwouldfallondeafears.“Itwon’tcometothat.”ThedeathoftherebelwouldcauseanacuteandviolentdisturbanceinthefabricofthePsyNet,andthat,Kalebwouldnotpermit.NotwhentheNetwouldsoonbelongtohim.“TheGhostwillsimplyfadefromthelimelightatacertainnonnegotiablepoint.”
“Fade?”Sahara’sfingersdugintohismusclesasshecontinuedtocaresshimregardlessoftheirdiscord.“Kaleb,everythingI’vereadtellsmethisrebelhassurvivedyearsofbeinghunted.He’snotthetypetoquietlydisappear,evenifit’syougivingtheorder.”
“He’lllistentoreason.TheGhost’sactions,”hesaidoverSahara’sinarticulatesoundofdisbelief,“showhimtobeaneminentlyrationalindividual.”
“Really?”Itwasacommentrifewithdisagreement.“Puttingthataside,howdoyouevenproposetofindhim?He’sashadow.”
“Ialreadyknowhisidentity,andhavesincehemadehisfirstmove.”
Handsfistingonhisshoulders,Saharashookherhead.“Idon’tthinkhe’llfallinwithyourplans.ThisGhostseemstobejustasrelentlessanddrivenas—”Asuddenpause,hereyesnarrowing.“You,”shewhispered.“It’syou!”
“Ofcourseit’sme,”KalebsaidandtookthemockpunchSaharaaimedathisjaw,herskinsoftagainsthis.“NooneelsehasaccesstothedepthofdataattheGhost’sfingers,andtheabilitytobeanywhereintheworldinasplitsecond.”
Saharaattemptedtolookstern,butshewastoodelightedbythefactKalebhadjustplayedagamewithher—withcooleyesandanicytonethathadblindedhertowhathewastellingher.Hewasright:theGhostcouldbenoonebutthecardinalTkwhoheldher.Else,Kalebwould’veeliminatedhimlongbeforetherebelbecamesuchadangerousadversaryintheNet.Itwasatruthasinexorableasthestaggeringpowerathiscommand.
Theonequestionthatremainedandthatshewouldnotaskwaswhy
Sheknewtheanswer,knewitwaswritteninbloodandbornofthesadisticpainsurvivedbyagifted,scaredchildwho’dhadnoonetowhomhecouldturn.“Isthatwhatthecallwasabout?”sheaskedinstead,leashingherangerbecausethisnight,itwastheirs.Shewouldpermitnoechoofeviltotaintit.“Youhavefellowrebels?”
“Yes,”hesaid,tuggingherforwardforakiss.
Openinghermouthforhim,Saharadecidedfurtherdiscussioncouldwait.Rightnow,shewantedonlytodrowninthetasteofKaleb.Noothermalecouldevermatchthevisceralpassionhearousedinher,andshe’dmethershareduringhertimewithDarkRiver.Sensualandstrong,affectionateandtactile,theleopardmaleslaughedeasilyandconsideredplayanormalpartoflife.Thesoldierswhopatrolledherareawerefriendly,andanumberhadflirtedopenlywithher,would’vegonefurtherhadsheofferedanyencouragement.
Saharahadn’t—becauseitwasonlyKalebshewanted.“Iwasverysmartatsixteen,”shemurmured,leaningdowntokisshisthroat,thescentofvanillawarmedagainsthisskinandintertwinedwithhisownnaturalscentmakingherbreathcatch.“Iclaimedthesexiestmanintheworldasmyown.”Perhapshewasirrevocablydamaged,scarredtothepointthatshe’dhavetodestroythembothinordertosavetheirveryrace…butshewouldnottakethatstepuntilallhopewaslost,herKalebfatallyfracturedatthevicioushandsofalong-deadmadman.
“Iwanttofeelyourskinagainstmine,”hesaid,hisbodystilllanguorousinawayrareforKalebashetuggedoffherpulloverandgotridofherbra.
Then,asthestarsglitteredoverheadandtheworldspunanotherhourclosertowhatmightbeacatastrophicglobalwar,Saharakissedherlover.Pressedagainsttheridgedmuscleofhim,hishandsstrongagainstherback,shethrewbackherheadashewentforherthroat.Pleasurerippledthroughherinasultrywave,theshootingstarthatpassedacrosshervisionashimmershegrabbedontowithbothhands.
We’veearnedthis,earnedourfuture!Afiercecryinsilence.Justgiveusourtime.
Itwasthesimplestofwishes,butasKalebtookhermouthwiththerelentlessdemandofhisown,oneofhishandsrisingtocupthebackofherhead,sheknewitmightalsobeoneofthemostimpossible.
***
ANhourafterhe’dtakenherunderstarlight,herbodyaflowoffemininecurves,Kalebdidn’tfightSahara’sdecisiontoreturntotheaerie.Faithwasnodoubtwaitingforher,andKalebhadplansforthenightofwhichSaharawouldnotapprove.
Tatianawashuddledfeverishanddirtyintheholewherehe’dlefther,herhandsbandagedusingtherudimentarymedicalsupplies.Bloodonthewallsmadeitappearshe’dattemptedtoclimbherwayout,orperhapsshe’dlosthersenseofreasonandpoundedattheconcreteuntilitshreddedherfleshandtoreoffhernails.
Keepingavigilanteyeonhisshields,heleanedagainstthewallacrossfromher.“Ithoughtyoucouldusesomecompany.”
Eyesflatandviciousasasnake’slookedathim,Tatiana’sSilencebeginningtoflakeawayattheedges.Thatdisintegrationdidn’timpacthermind.“Youneedsomething.What’sthebargain?”
“Thereisnobargain.”Neverwouldbe.“You’lltellmewhatIwanttoknow,orI’llbreakaboneinyourbody.”Thisdidn’tcountastorturetoKaleb’smind—thatwouldbeifhewashurtingherfornoreasonbuttowatchherscream.“I’msuretheinfectionwon’ttakelongtosetin,inyourcurrentdampaccommodations.”
Fearcrawledoverherskin.Oh,shehiditwell,buttheonethinghe’dalwaysknownaboutTatianawasthatshewasabully.Andbulliesneverdidwellwhentheynolongerhadtheupperhand.Santanohadapparentlybeggedforhislifewhenthechangelingscameforhim.Oneday,Kalebwouldgainaccesstotherecordedfootagethepackshadoftheexecution,thenhe’dsitbackandwatchuntileveryinstantofSantano’stormentwasburnedintohismemorybanks.
“Whoelseinyourorganization,”hesaidtothewomanwhowasjustlikeSantanowhereitmattered,“didyoutrustwiththeknowledgeofSahara’sability?”
Atwistofherlips.“SomeoneelseishuntingSaharaKyriakus?It’llbeaneasycapture.She’salwaysbeenfartooweaktoactuallyuseherpowerasit’sdesignedtobeused.”
Kalebdidn’targue,didn’tnegotiate.Hesimplybrokethesmallestfingerofherrighthand.Screaming,Tatianacradledthehandtoherchest.“You’remad,”shegrittedoutaftershecouldtalkagain.“Trulymad.”
“WhatIam,”Kalebsaid,“isamanofmyword.Now,wouldyouliketoanswerthequestion?”
“Itrustednoone.”Rightthen,shewastheTatianatheNetknew,ruthless,amoral,andwillingtodowhateverittooktowin.“Iwould’vebeenafooltodoso,giventhetemptationathand—ifandwhenSahararegainedfulluseofherfaculties,asingleintelligentindividualcouldusehertotakeovertheentirePsyNet.WhywouldIrisksharingthatinformation?”
Truth,hejudged.“Whoinyouremployissmartenoughtoworkitout?”
“Therewasaguard,”Tatianasaid,herfingeralreadyswollen.“DavidSezer.HeshowedalittletoomuchinterestinSahara.Ihadhimreassignedafterhewascaughtinthecellwithheragainstmypersonaldirective.”
Kalebfeltthechilldarknessinhimstretchawake,drawingtheDarkMind’seagerpresence.“Thatseemsunusuallymagnanimousofyou.”Onthepsychicplane,he“stroked”theDarkMindintopatience—itwouldgettheviolenceforwhichithungered.
“IconcludedthathisSilencewasflawedandthathe’dbeenattractedbytheopportunitytoabuseavulnerablefemale.”
Thedarknessgrewicier.“Youdidn’tmakecertain?”
“ShieldpenetrationtakesenergyandDavidwasnooneimportant.Ashehadn’tmanagedtotouchSaharaandwasotherwiseuseful,Imadethedecisiontokeephimon.Hedid,however,comeintoaninheritanceayearagothatwouldgivehimthefinancialresourcestohireahunter.”Asneer.“IfhethinkshecanuseSahara,he’sdelusional.Evenpatheticallyweakassheis,thegirlisstrongerthanhim.”
KalebrifledthroughPsyNetdatabasesastheDarkMindcurledaroundhim.IttookhimashorttwominutestolocateoneDavidSezerattachedtoasecondarybranchoftheRika-Smythecorporation.“Didanyoneelsewith‘flawed’conditioninggetclosetoSahara?”Saharawassmall,herphysicalstrengthnowhereclosetothatofafull-grownmale’s—andshe’dbeendrugged,herabilitiessuppressedontopofthat.Easyprey.
“No.”
CatchingtheskitterinTatiana’seyes,hesnappedanotherfinger.Thereverberatingechoofherscreamhadnoimpactonhim.“Whohurther?”
Bentover,herbodywrackedbyshuddersasshethrewup,Tatianacouldn’timmediatelyanswer,buthewaspatient.“Wehadtogainhercooperation.”Avoicerawwithpainandfear.“Forcewasutilized.”
Hewouldnotkillher,nomattertheprovocation.Itwouldbefartoomerciful.“TellmewhereyoukeeptherecordsofSahara’scaptivity,andI’llleave,”hesaidinapleasanttoneheknewdisturbedpeopleonthedeepestlevel.“Otherwise,we’llbespendingseveralhourstogether.”Heteleportedinascalpel—shedidn’tknowofhispromisetoSahara,didn’tknowthathervictim’sconsciencewastheonlyreasonhewasn’ttorturingherrightthisinstant.“IlearnedmanythingsatSantano’sknee.”
Fearasheenofsweatonherface,shescrabbledbackwardintoacorner.“AvaultinthePsyNet.I’llhavetotelepaththelocationandpasscodes.”
Kalebsmiled,knowingshewasn’tasbrokenasshewasattemptingtoappear.“No,youwon’t.Talk.”
Tatianatalkedand,whenshewasdone,said,“YoutrulywereEnrique’sprotégé,weren’tyou?”inthetoneofsomeonemakingadiscovery.“Youhelpedhimbrutalizethechangelingfemaleshemurdered.”
Judgingshewasinnodangerofdyingfromtheslightfeverandherminorinjuries,heleftwithoutwastinganotherwordonher.Locatingthevaultwasn’taproblem,buthetookcareindownloadingthedata.Tatianadidn’tdisappointhim—theboobytrapswerecleverandmeanttobefatal.
Oncehehadthedata,heaskedtheNetMindtoeraseeveryothertraceofitfromexistence,includingtheautomaticcopyinthePsyNetbackupdrive—whichKalebhadnamedtheObsidianArchive.NooneelsewouldeverknowwhathadbeendonetoSaharaduringtheyearsTatianahadherinacage.Hewouldpermitnoonetolookatherwithpityintheireyeswhenshedeservedonlyprideforhercourageandstrength.
Thatdone,hebegantoreadthefiles,notingthenameofeveryindividualinvolvedinthesessionsmeanttobreakSahara’swill.Threeofthemhe’dalreadyexecutedaftertrackingthemthroughothermethods,andanotheronewasgoingslowlyandterriblymad,thankstoKaleb’ssecondaryability.TheremainingtwowereminorplayershetoldtheDarkMindtosuffocateinitsblacknessandconsume.
DavidSezerwastheonlyoneleft,andthebirdswerebeginningtosingoutsidewhenKalebdecideditwastimetopaytheothermaleapersonalvisit.Itwasthreehourslater,oncehe’dshoweredanddressedaftertakingcareofthatmatter,thathewenttomeetthetwopeopleotherthanSaharawhohadaclaimonhisloyalty.
Itwasnothingakintowhathefeltforher,butitwasenoughforhimtoteleportintothenightshadowofSanFrancisco,thecloudshidingthesicklemoonfromview.SlidingintothelastpewinthechurchwhereFatherXavierPerezwelcomedallwhocame,hespoketothebackoftheformerArrowwhosatinfrontofhim.Neverdidtheothermanlookathisface,butheknewitwastoKalebthathespoke.
“YouwanttodiscussPurePsy,”Kalebguessed.Thethreeofthem—Xavier,Judd,andKaleb—hadlongbeenboundbyamutualdesiretocollapsetherottenpowerstructureoftheNet,butwhereJuddandXavierwantedtosavetheinnocentsofallracescaughtupintherot,KalebhadfoughtonlyforSahara.
Thathehadsavedanumberoflivesduringtheirfight,helpedsomeofthoseinnocents,hadbeenaconsequenceratherthananaim.Thenagain,perhapsJuddandXavierhadhadadeeperimpactonhimthananyoneofthembelieved;afterall,hehadsparedthechildreninhisplantowipethePsyoffthefaceoftheplanetifhissearchforSaharaendedwiththeknowledgeofherdeath.
He’dtoldheraboutJudd,aboutXavier,andaboutthedetailsoftheirstrategicwar,inthequietminutesafterheandSaharahadhadsexunderthestarlitMoscowsky,hisheartbeatingintimewithhersasshelaywarmandsatedagainsthim.Theonlypersonwithwhomhehadeverunderstoodfriendshiphadseenthatinhisrelationshipwiththetwomen.Hehadacceptedherjudgment,knowingSaharacomprehendedfarmoreaboutemotionthanheeverwould.
“No,”Juddsaidnow.“NotPurePsy.IneedinformationonMing.”
KalebthoughtaboutwhyhisfellowrebelwouldneeddataontheformerCouncilor.“He’sbecometoobigathreattoSienna.”Judd’sniecemightbetheonlyindividualontheplanetasdangerousasKaleb,butsinceshehadnodesiretoimpingeonhisterritory,norheonhers,he’dleftheralone.
That,andhisloyaltytothefallenArrowinfrontofhim.
“Ming’sfixatedonher,”Juddconfirmed.“Shemanagedtohurthimthelasttimetheycameincontact,andMingneverforgetsathreat.”HeraisedahandinasilenthelloasXavierwalkeddownthecenterofthechurchtowardthem,whileKalebdrewbackintotheshadows.ItwassaferforXaviernottoknowhisidentity.
UnlikeJudd,thepriesthadneverbeentrainedtobelethal.
SlidingintothepewbesideJudd,Xaviersaid,“We’veworkedforabetterworldallthistime,believingtheuglinessthatwastheCouncilneededtobeexcisedfromtheNet,andnowitappearsthattheNetisfracturing,withfatalresults.Idonotwishtobatheinthebloodofinnocents.”
“Innocentswereneverourtargets,”Juddsaid,hisnextwordsdirectedatKaleb.“Hasthatchanged?”
“DoyourememberwhenyouaskedmeiftherewasonepersoninthePsyNetwhomatteredtome?”
“Yes.”
“ThatpersonhasaskedmenottodestroytheNet.”Likethescarsthatmarkedhim,therotwouldbenearlyimpossibletoeradicatewithoutfirstsanitizingthenetwork.Butheknewhecouldn’tdothatandstillhaveSaharalookathimthewayshe’ddoneontheterrace,asoftnesstoherthatmadehimbelievehemightunderstandhappiness.“Yourinnocentsaresafefromme.”
“I’mglad.”QuietwordsfromtheformerArrow.
“WouldyouhaveattemptedtoexecutemeifI’dansweredotherwise?”WhileJudd’sTkwasn’taspowerfulasKaleb’s,hewasfiercelyintelligent,mightjusthaveachievedhisaim.
“Yes,”camethebrutalanswer.“Itwould’vedestroyedapieceofmetoendyourlife,butIwould’vedoneit.”
Chapter36
KALEBFELTNOsenseofbetrayal;he’dknowntheanswerbeforeheaskedthequestion.Healsoknewtheothermanwould’vedoneeverythinginhispowertosaveKalebbeforeheattemptedtoassassinatehim.JuddhadsomehowsurvivedthecruellifeofanArrowwithhisconscience,ifnotintact,thennottotallydestroyed.
Notlongago,Kalebhadwatchedtheothermanlaughingwithhismateandconsideredsuchanexistencebeyondhisunderstandingorreach.EvenshouldhefindSahara,he’dbelievedhimselftoodamagedtogiveherwhatJuddgavehismate.Yettonight,Saharahadkissedhim,foughtwithhim,laughedthatfamiliarhuskylaughwhenhenotonlybent,butbrokeeverysingleoneofthemetalrailingsduringtheirslow,lazysexunderthestars.
IfJuddandXavierhadhelpedhimremainsaneenoughtogiveSaharawhatsheneeded,thenheowedthemadebtthatcouldneverbedischarged.“Ming,”hesaid,“isinFrance.
“Champagneregionasbefore,”headded,havingupdatedthedatathepreviousday,“thoughhe’sshiftedhisbaseofoperations.I’mintheprocessoftrackingthatbase,buthe’stacticallymindedandcareful.”Mingalsoknewhowtolaytrapswithblade-sharpteeth.
“Theconfirmationhe’sintheregionisenough.Wehavecertainsourcesinthearea.”
“Youcan’tkillhimyet.IneedtostabilizetheNetenoughthathisdeathwon’tcrippleit.”EvenwiththeCouncilinruins,eachoftheformerCouncilorsheldsomucheconomicandpsychicpowerthataviolentorsuddendeathcouldcauseadeadlyshockwave.
TherippleshadbeenminorwhenKalebassassinatedaCouncilorjustoverayearandahalfago,butthePsyNethadbeenstablethen,notteeteringonthebrinkofcollapse.Thebacklashfromthelosshadbeenabsorbedwithnomorethanafewminorincidents.“Ashockwaverightnowcouldbecatastrophic.”
“It’lltaketimetosetthingsup,”Juddsaid.“I’llgiveyouatwenty-minutewarningbeforewemove,soyoucanbeonalertforanystructuralweaknessesintheNet.”
“HowdoyouplantoreachMing?”
“ThesamewaythepacksreachedSantanoEnrique,”wasthecoolresponse.
Kalebknewhe’dgetnothingmore.AsKaleb’sfirstloyaltywastoSahara,Judd’swastohismateandthechangelingwolfpackhenowcalledfamily.ItwasameasureofthetrustthathadgrownbetweenthemthatKaleballowedthemattertorest.
Xavierspokeintothesilence.“WesitinahouseofGodandspeakofmurder.Whatdoesthatmakeus?”
“Menwhounderstandthatthereisevilintheworld,”Juddanswered.“ThedataIpassedon—didithelpyoutrackdownyourNina?”
Nina,Kalebknew,hadbeenXavier’slovebeforeaPsyattacktorethemapart.
Thepriest’sbreathshudderedoutofhischest.“Theinformationpointstoatinyvillageinthemountainsofmyhomeland.Iam…afraidtogothere.Imustgathermycouragetofacethetruth,andperhapsmyNina’shatred.”
Theyspokeofothermattersthen,Kalebleavinganhourlater,justbeforeJudd.WaitingintheshadowsuntiltheformerArrowwasoutofsight,hereturnedtothechurchtofindXavierwherehe’dlefthim.
“Iexpectedyou,”thepriestsaidwithoutturningaround.
Kalebtookaseatbehindtheothermale.“Didyou?”
“Amanwhohaslosthisonlyloveknowswhenhehearsthesamelossinanother’svoice.”Xaviershookhishead,thenearblackofhisskingildedgoldbythecandlelight.“HasyourNinareturned?Isshetheonewhoasksyoutohavemercyontheinnocent?”
“Yes.”Leaningforward,hecrossedhisarmsonthebackofXavier’spew.“Idon’tknowhowtoloveher.”Hewoulddieforher,killforher,buthedidnotunderstandtheemotionhehadalwayssensedsheneededfromhim,evenwhenshe’dbeenabright-eyedsixteen.
“Loveisthegreatestformofloyalty,onethatplacesthehappinessofthebelovedoverthatofthelover,”Xaviersaidwithapeacethatwasanintegralaspectofhim,eveninhisconfusion.“Andyouknowloyalty.”
“Iwill,”Kalebsaidasthecandlesburnedaroundthem,“thinkonwhatyou’vesaid.”Hepaused.“Xavier,IcantakeyoutoyourNina.”ItcouldbedonewithouttheothermaneverglimpsingKaleb’sface.
“Thankyou,friend.”Xavier’svoiceshook.“ButIthinkImustdothisthehardway.Imustearnher.”
Leavingthepriesttohisthoughts,KalebwenttoSaharaafterheexitedthechurch,simplytowatchhersleep.Toseehersafeandalive,theneedhehadtoensureherwell-beingonethatwouldneverfade.Andthoughhemadenotasound,thicklashesliftedtorevealeyesofsleepydarkblue.“Kaleb?”Scootingover,sheraisedtheblanketwithamumbledinvitation.“C’mere.’Scoldout.”
Hehadn’tmeanttostay,buthesleptthatnightinthearmsoftheonlypersonintheentireworldtowhomitmatteredifhewascold…andhethoughtthatperhapshemightunderstandnotonlylove,butjoy.
Maybeitwasthatthoughtthatignitedlong-dormantneuronsinhisbrain,butforthefirsttimeinoversevenyears,hedreamednotofbloodandpainandcruelty,butofthedayagirlwitheyesofdarkestbluehadforeveralteredthecourseofhisexistence.
***
HEsatmotionlessinthechairbesideSantano,hisfeetflatonthefloorandhiseyestrainedstraightahead.He’dalreadynotedeverythingaboutAnthonyKyriakus’soffice,particularlythetwodoorsandthelargewindowsthatspilledsunlightintotheroomandontohislegs.
Hehadnowindowslikethatinhisroomattheremotetrainingfacilitywherehelived,andlogicsaiditmadetheofficevulnerabletoattack,butthedesignalsohadgoodpoints.ThebiggestwasthatitgaveAnthonyanuninterruptedviewofthemaingatesthatguardedthesprawlingcompoundthathousedmostofthePsyClanNightStar.
InthereportsthatSantanohadgivenKalebtoreadaspartofhispoliticalstudies,itsaidthat“strongfamilialloyalty”wasacharacteristicNightStartrait.Kalebhadnofamily,hadn’tunderstoodtheconceptofloyaltythefirsttimehe’dreadaboutit—butafterresearchingit,he’drealizeditmeantbeingconnectedtosomeonewhowouldcareifhelivedordied,someonewhowouldfightforandwithhim,someonewhodidn’twanttohurthim.
Hehadneverexperiencedanyofthosethings.
“Shallwebegin?”SantanosaidtoAnthony,placingadatapadonthedeskbetweenthem.“Ibroughtacopyoftherelevantfiles.”
“Amoment.”Anthonyglancedatthesmallgirlwhostoodinthemaindoorway,herhandsclaspedneatlyinfrontofher.“PleaseshowKalebaroundthegrounds,Sahara.”
Kalebdidn’tmove,evenwhenAnthonynoddedathiminsilentpermission.HeknewSantanowouldn’tallowhimtointeractwithanyoneoutsideoftheTk’scontrol—Kalebdidn’thavetobeanadulttoknowitwasallpartofhistrainer’sstrategytobreakhimdown,erasehiswill.ItwasthesamereasontheotherTkhadburnedalargepartofKaleb’sbackminutesbeforetheyteleportedtotheNightStarcompound.
Ithadbeen—was—excruciatinglypainful,butKalebhadn’tmadeasound,hisexpressionimpassive.He’dlearnedlongagonevertoreact;thatonlyfedtheuglinessthatlivedinsideCouncilorSantanoEnrique,anuglinessnooneelseeverseemedtosee.
“Thatchild,”theothercardinalnowsaid,afteradismissivelookatthegirlinthedoorway,“istooyoungtoprovideconversationthatwillinanywayinterestKaleb.Hecanremain.”
KalebwaitedforAnthonytobackdown.Everyonedid.SantanowasaCouncilor,whileAnthonywasmerelytheheadofafamily.
ExceptAnthony,histoneasfirmashisgaze,said,“Idon’tconductbusinesswithchildrenpresent.Wecanscheduleanotherappointmentnextmonthtodiscusstheforecastingservicesrequiredbyyourcompany.”
Ratherthanrisingtomakeanimmediatedeparture,SantanosteepledhisfingersandturnedhisheadtowardKaleb.“Go.Behaveyourself.”AwrenchingtugonthepsychicleasharoundKaleb’smind,thecompulsionsthatkepthimsilentaboutSantano’sperversionsinfulleffect.
Ignoringtheadditionalpain,KalebwalkedtothedoorandintothecompoundwiththegirlcalledSahara.Theywereinthehydroponicvegetablegardenwhenshesuddenlysaid,“Myfather’sanM.Wecangoseehim.”
Kalebfroze.“Why?”
Sahara’sfaceheldanexpressionherecognizedasconcern,butshesaid,“Hehasinterestingscannersinhisoffice,”andheknewitforarusetogethimtothemedicalcenter.
“I’veseenmedicalscannersbefore.”Itwasananswerforcedoutbythecompulsions.
Searchinghisface,Saharafinallynodded,“Okay,”andcarriedon.
Itwasn’tuntiltenminuteslaterthatherealizedshe’dslowedthepaceandignoredatleastoneslope…becausesheknewhewaswounded.Nooneelsehadeverdoneanythingtohelphimandhedidn’tunderstandwhyshedid,whatsheexpectedtogain.
“There’sfishinthepond,”shesaidattheendofthetour.“Doyouwanttosee?”
Kalebnoddedtodelayhisreturntotheoffice…andtoextendhistimewiththisgirlwhosawhispainwhennooneelsedid.“Whywasthiscreated?”heaskedoncetheyreachedthelargepondborderedwithsmoothrocks.
Saharakneltdownbesidehimwithaslightbetrayingmovementofhershouldersthatsaidshe’dbeenabouttoshrug.“IheardFathersayitwasan‘approvedmeditationaid,’”shesaid,herkhaki-coloredpantswetbyadropletofwaterasshedippedherhandinthepondandswirled.“TheF-Psywholivehereuseit.”
“AreyouanF?”heasked,echoinghermovementsinthewater.
“Notreally.”Nothinginhersaidshewastroubledbyherlackofstatusinafamilysowell-knownforitsforeseers.“I’msubdesignationB.ThatmeansIhavebacksight.”
Flickingherhanddry,shelookedathimwitheyesofadeep,distinctivebluevividagainstthethickblackofhaircontainedintwoneatbraids.“Whatareyou?”
“ATk.”
Hercheeksflushedpink,hereyesshining.“Canyoudoanytricks?”
AccessingthepartofhistelekinesisthatSantanohadn’tstrangledwhenhewrenchedtheleash,KalebthoughtaboutwhatSaharamightconsideragoodtrickandliftedhersmallbodyofftheground.
Eyeswidewhensherealizedshewasfloating,shestoodupand,afterglancingfurtivelyaround,jumpedupanddownonthecushionofair,thesunsparkingoffhiddenstrandsofred-goldinherhair.Waitinguntilshe’dsatbackdownandwasstable,heloweredhergentlytothegrass.
“Thatwaswonderful,”shesaid,herlipscurvingintoasmilebeforeworrydarkenedherexpression.“I’msorry.Didithurtyoutodothat?”
Kalebshookhisheadattheunexpectedquestion.He’dlainbloodiedandbrokeninfrontofSantanoandhispetmedics,butnotonehadeverlookedathimlikeSaharawasdoing—asifhewasapersonandnotathing.“YourSilenceisflawedforyouragegroup,”hesaid,thewatercoolunderhisfingertipsasheswirleditagain.
Foldingherarms,Saharabitdownonherlowerlip.“Areyougoingtotellonme?”
“No.”Hehadnoloyaltytoanythingoranyone,nothingworthbetrayingthisgirlwhomadehimforgetshe’dbeenorderedtospendtimewithhim.
Whenshewavedsurreptitiouslyathimasheleft,hedecidedhehadtocomeback,hadtofindoutwhatshewoulddoifshewasfreetochoosewhetherornottotalktohim.
Ittookhimalmosttwoweekstoslipawayfromthetrainingfacility.HeusedSahara’sfaceasateleportlock,arrivinginthebackyardofasmallhometofindhersittingonawidestump.Herfeetwerebareandherbraidsmessy,afrownofconcentrationonherforeheadasshestaredatadatapad.
“Hello,”hesaid,andwaitedforhertoscreamthatanintruderhadbreachedthesecurityofthecompound.
Except…shebrokeoutintoahugesmile.“Hi!”Settingdownthedatapad,shesaid,“Isthatmanhereagain?”Hersmilefaded.“Idon’tlikehim.”
Kalebshookhishead,astrangesensationinhischestatnotbeingrejected.“Icametoseeyou.”Hethoughtaboutnotaddingthenextpart,butitseemedwrongtolietoSaharawhenshe’dtrustedhimwithherownthoughts.“Idon’tknowanyotherchildrenwhotalktome.”
“Thatmustbelonely.”Takingasquashednutritionbarfromherpocket,shebrokeitinhalfandheldoutapiecetowardhim.“IknowyouprobablythinkI’mababy,butyoucanbemyfriendifyoulike.”
Whenheacceptedtheoffering,sheshiftedonthestumptomakeaspaceforhim.
Takingtheseat,hesaid,“Idon’tthinkyou’reababy.Ithinkyou’resmartandyouseethingsotherpeopledon’t.”CountlessadultshadseenhimafterSantanotorturedhim,butnonehadevernoticedthathewashurt.Worse,nonehadeverseenSantanoforwhathewas.“Idon’tlikehim,either.”
Saharachewedonherhalfofthenutritionbarandbangedthebackofherfeetonthestump.“Oh,good.”
Hewasn’tawareofwhathewasabouttosayuntilthewordswereout.“Youhavetobemorecareful.”IfsomeonelikeSantanofoundouthowbadSahara’sSilencewasforheragegroup,they’dputherintointensiveconditioningandcrushherwithpainuntilherresponseswere“correct.”Untilshewasn’tSaharaanymore.“Yousmiledatme.”
“That’sbecauseIlikeyou.”Itwasastatementsoabsolute,hecouldn’tnotbelieve.
“IcanhelpmakeyourPsyNetshieldsstronger,”hesaid,asensationinsidehimthathethoughtmightbethebeginningofloyalty.“Soyou’renotexposedthere.”He’dhavetotakecare,buttheuglythingsSantanohadplantedinhismindonlyreportedbackifheusedtoomuchenergy.
“You’ddothat?Thanks,Kaleb!”Shethrewherarmsaroundhim.
Itwasthefirsttimehecouldeverrememberbeingheld.
Chapter37
SAHARAWOKETOfindKalebwatchingher,hiseyesofstarlight.“Whatareyouthinking?”sheaskedinanintimatewhisper,herlegstangledwithhisandoneofhisarmsactingasamuscularpillowforherhead.
Hetumbledhergentlyontoherback,hisbodypressingdownonhers.“Howyoutaughtmetoclimbtrees.”
Delightedattheidea,shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck.“WasIagoodteacher?”
“Yes,butyoukepttryingtotradeyourteachingskillsforanswerstoyourmathhomework.”
Thecoolcommentmadehergrinanddemandfurtherstoriesaboutherabortedcareerasanextortionist.Hegaveherwhatshedemanded—andshehopedthatthesewonderfulmemories,innocentandbright,weresafeinthevault,thatshe’dsoonbeabletoaccessthemherself.
“Youevenmadeaplaquetocommemoratemyfirstsuccessfulclimbofthebiggesttreeinthecompound,”Kalebadded.“It’sinmystudy.”
Saharafrowned.“Idon’t…”Laughingassherealizedwhathewastalkingabout,shenuzzledathisthroat.“Thepieceofwoodwithyourname?”
Fingersweavingintoherhair,heheldhertohim.“Youworkedonitforweeks,”hesaid,asanotherrelatedmemorytuggedfreeofthevault.
“Here.”
Kalebtookthesmall,batteredbookfromherhand.“What’sthis?”
“Poetry.”Saharasawfromhisexpressionthathehadnoideawhattomakeofthatandclaspedherhandsnervouslybehindherback.“Iknowthelinesseemnonsensical,buttheyalwaysmakemethink.”
Perhaps,shethought,herhearthurting,thesheerperplexingnatureoftherhymeswouldhelphimseethattheworldwasn’tsimplyfullofhorrorandpain,thattherewerestrangelywonderfulthings,too.Itworriedherhowmuchdarknessshesawcreepingintohimdaybyday,hourbyhour,andshe’dfighttheslowlossofherKalebanywayshecould.Evenifitwaswithwhimsicalpoemsaboutfantasticalcreatures.
“Thankyou,”hesaid,openingthecovertoseethehomemadebirthdaycardshe’dputinside.Hishandstreatedboththecardandthebookwithcare,asiftheywereprecious.Kalebalwaystreatedhergiftsasprecious.
“I’msorryit’snotinverygoodcondition.”She’dboughtitwithpartofherstationeryallowance,aftermanagingtofixabrokendatapadsoshedidn’thavetoreplaceit.
Kaleb’seyeswerefilledwithstarswhenhelookedather.“It’sperfect.EvenifIamcertainI’llbeasbadatunderstandingpoetryasyouareatmath.”
Thememoryfading,Saharasmiledatthedangerousmaninbedwithher.“DidyoureadthepoemsIgaveyou?”sheaskedsoftly,thankfultothegirlshe’dbeenforfightingforKalebwitheveryweaponinherarsenal,nomatterhowsmall.
“First,IhadtolearnFrench,”hesaid,tohershoutoflaughter.“Theywerestillincomprehensible.Itoldyouthat,andnexttime,yougavemeaseventeenth-centuryromance.”Hishairfellacrosshisforeheadashedippedhishead.“Youhadtodecipheritforme.”
Laughingevenharder,shecuppedhisface,theirforeheadstouching.Theytalkedforseveralmoreminutesaftershefinallycaughtherbreath,untilKalebhadtoleave—butnotbeforehegaveheramoltenkissthatwasapromise.Feelingasifherbodywereonebigsmile,shetidieduptheaerie,thencalledherfatherforachat.Ofcourse,hewasalreadyatthemedicalcenter.“Idon’tsupposeyou’llbegoinghomeearly,”shesaid,worriedhewasoverdoingit.
LeonKyriakusgaveherasteadylookoutofeyesofdeepblue.“No,butIhaveconfinedmyselftowritingacademicpapersintheafternoons.Doesthatmakeyouhappy?”
“Yes,”shesaid,nottheleastbitsorryforhoundinghimabouthishealth.
Aftershehungup,SaharadecideditwastimetogobackintoSanFrancisco.Sheintendedtobecarefulaboutit,butshehadearnedherfreedomandnobountyhunterwasgoingtostealthatfromher.Shealsowantedtorunsomeinformalteststogaugethedevelopment—orlack—ofherabilitywithlanguages.
CatchingaridewithMercywhentheotherwomanswungbyafteraroutineperimetercheck,sherubbedtheeaglecharmonherbracelet.
“NotthatIdon’tappreciatethecompany,”Mercysaidastheydroveout,“butwhydidn’tyouhopinwithVaughn?IsawhimleavingasIcamein.”
Blowingoutabreath,Saharafixedtheknittedcapthathidherhair.“He’sdevelopedadistinctiveprotectivestreakwhenitcomestome.”Therewasnowayhercousin’smatewould’veleftheraloneinthecity,anditwassomethingsheneededtodo,toprovetoherselfthatshecould.
Mercy,bycontrast,raisedaneyebrowwhenSaharaaskedtobedroppedoffnearFisherman’sWharf,butdidn’tattempttostopher.“Accordingtomyorders,we’remeanttoprovideasafeharbor,notimprisonyou.AndifthatgunIglimpsedatyourankle’swhatIthinkitis,you’resmartenoughnottoneedababysitter.
“Still,putthisnumberintoyourphone.”Shepassedoveracard.“Anytroublewhileyou’rethere,callthatandapackmatewillcomegetyou—ourcityHQisn’tfar.”Awrysmile.“Imeanincaseyoudon’tfeellikebeingteleportedbythescariestmanontheplanet.”
Saharawasstillsmilinganhourlater,hermindlingeringonthewaythatscarymanhadheldheragainsthisheartthroughoutthenight,whenshenoticedthegatheringcrowdinfrontofoneofthelargepubliccommscreensonPier39.Unlikewithasportsgameormusicalperformance,thegroupwasdeathlysilent.
Asinglelookshowedherwhy.
Anight-drapedHongKongwasburning,thesmokesothick,itwasaroilingcloudovertheglitteringsteelmetropolisthatwashometoamajorityPsypopulationandaminorityhumanone,theircombinednumbersneartofourmillion.
Withtheskyscraperssoclosetogether,andthefactthattheflamesseemedimpervioustothefire-retardantbuildingmaterialsusedinmostinner-cityareas,thedeathtollcouldbeinthehundredsofthousands.Horrified,sheliftedherhandtohermouth,justasanemblemflashedontheright-handsideofthescreen:ablackstarwithawhitePatitscenter.
“…whetherornotitisapurposefulecho,”thePsyreporterwasshoutingintothecamerainanefforttobeheardoverthecacophonyofrescuevehiclesandthevoraciousroaroftheflames.
Ontheothersideofthescreenflashedasinglesilverstar.
“ThesilverstarisCouncilorKalebKrychek’shighlyrecognizableemblem.Withtheirnewsymbol,PurePsyappearstobeissuingadirectchallengetothemanwhohasstoppedormitigatedanumberoftheirrecentattacks.
“Ourcontactsinfirerescuetellusthisfireisunlikeanythingthey’veseen.Theirnormalmethodsarehavingzeroeffect,andthesizeoftheblazemeansit’stoodangeroustobecontainedbyevenateamofTkswithoutCouncilorKrychek’sassistance.Heistheonlyindividualwhomayhavethepowertocontain,ifnotend,thisinferno.”
Sahara’sheartstoppedatthereporter’sfinalwords.
Theonequestionshehadn’tbeenabletoaskKalebnowburnedred-hotacrossheririses,asfearforhim—becausesheknewwithoutadoubtthathe’dsoonbeintheburningcityifhewasn’talready—mingledwithterrorforwhathemight’vedone.Shecouldn’tbeartothinkthathissoulwasthatpitiless,couldn’tbeartoacceptthatshewastoolate,herheartclenchingsohardwithinherchestthatitwasaphysicalpainthatthreatenedtobringhertoherknees…buttheonethingshecouldn’tavoid,couldn’trefusetohear,wastheevidenceofhisownwords.
“Idon’thaveempathy,Sahara.Ican’tfeelforthosewhoaregoingtodie.Itwouldbeakintoaskingafalcontotakeflightwhenhiswingshadlongbeenhackedoff.”
***
KALEBhadplannedtositoutthenextmajorPurePsyattack.Itwouldnotdoforpeopletobecomesuspiciousofhismotives.ThesituationinHongKong,however,threatenedtobesocataclysmicastorequireadrasticchangeofplans.
Orderinghisownteamsintheregiontorespond,aswellasgivingthesamecommandtoallavailabletelekineticArrows,hearrivedtodiscoverthatMing,theonlyotherformerCouncilorwithsignificantpersonalmilitarymight,hadappearedwithaTkteam.Aninterestingmoveforthetelepathwhoordinarilypreferredtokeephisfaceoutofthemedia,andonethatshowedMingwaslearningthiswarwouldnotbewonintheshadows.
Toobadhe’dalreadylostit.
Acknowledgingtheothermanwithanod,KalebturnedtoAden,theblastofheatfromthefireroaringablockawaycausingsweattobeadonhistemplesandplasterhislong-sleevedT-shirttohisback.Adenshovedbacksweat-damphairbeforehespoke.He’dalreadybeeninthecityforameetingwithothermembersofthesquadbasedintheregionandhadreactedquicklytohookhimselfintothecommunicationsnetwork.
“It’sobviousPurePsyhasasourceforhigh-grademilitary-specexplosivecharges,”theArrowtoldhimasthelastoftheTkscloseenoughto’portinwithoutexhaustingthemselvescompletedthetransfer.“Thisoperationhadtohavebeenputinplaceovermonths.Theentirecentralcoreofthecitywasminedtoblow,buttheinitialblastsonlydidminordamage—it’sthefirethat’stherealassault.”
KaleblookedattheimagesAdenhadobtainedofthedevastatedcitycenter.Theflamesburnedwhite-hotwithanabnormalgreentinge.“Fireretardant?”
“Noeffect.”Adentouchedhisfingertohisear.“Reportfromoneofthefirecrews—skydropsofwaterandretardantarebothfailing.”
Ming,havingexaminedthesameimages,said,“They’llcontinuetofail.Theseflamesaredistinctiveof‘scorch’charges,meantforuseinerasingisolatedtargetssurroundedbylargeareasofrockordesertorwater.Oncelit,thefirewillburnuntileverypossibleconsumableisgone.”
MeaningafteritengulfedHongKongIsland,itwouldsprawloutwardinanydirectionnotmarkedbyawaterboundary.“TheprimarybridgesandtunnelstoKowloon,”Kalebsaid,pointingtoateamoffourTks.“Collapsethem,thentakecareofthesecondaryaccessroutesandanyphysicallinkstooutlyingislands.”Theotherbridgesweren’tassturdy,withalesserriskthefirewouldcrawlacross,buttheyneededtogoaswell.
“Thesquad,”Adensaidasthefour-manteamleft,“isunawareofsuchaweapon.”
“Itwasdevelopedtwodecadesago,”Mingreplied,“andshelvedbecauseofitsferocity.Givenitslackofsubtlety,Ideemeditofnousetothesquad.”
Andthat,Kalebthought,waswhyMinghadlosttheArrows.Hehadtreatedthemnotasthehighlyintelligent,dangerousmenandwomentheywere,butashispersonalarmyofassassins.Ithadbeenafatalmistake.“Vasic,”KalebsaidtoAden’sthusfarsilentpartner,“didyoudoatelekinetictest?”Noteveryfirereactedthesamewaytotheirabilitytomanipulatethedestructiveenergies.
“Yes.It’saviableoption,but”—theteleporter’sgrayeyeslockedwithKaleb’s—“thesizeoftheblazemeansit’llbeunstoppablewithoutdirectinterventionbyaTkofyourstrength.”
Notansweringtheunaskedquestion,Kalebtookchargeoftheamassedtelekinetics.Noone,notevenMing,demurred.AsVasichadpointedout,Kalebcoulddothingstheycouldn’tevenasagroup.“Rescuemustbeasecondaryaim,”hesaid,anditwasaruthlessdecisionthatneededtobemade.“Ifwecanstifletheflames,thenon-Tkteamscangointoprovideassistance.”
“Thisisamapoftheareacurrentlyonfireorunderthreat,”Adensaid,puttingasmalldeviceontheroadwheretheystood.Atouchofhisfingerandaholographicmapsprangup.“Thecentralcoreisgone,nohopeofsurvivors.”
Ithadtobesignificantlyoverathousanddegreesinthatcore,Kalebthought.Noonecouldsurvivesuchaninfernowithoutspecialistequipmentandclothing,asinglebreathburningthethroatandlungstoash.
“Thisswathofhomes”—Adenmarkedoutaroughcirclearoundtheleadingedgeoftheflamesusingaholo-compatiblepen—“hasbeensuccessfullyevacuated.”
“Canwepushthefireinward?”Mingasked,puttinghishandstogetherasifaroundaneck.“Strangleitoffuel?”
Adenwastheonewhoanswered,thoughKalebguessedtheresponsewasVasic’s.“Notwiththecoreburningasviolentlyasitis—we’dconcentratetheentireenergyofthefireinonearea,riskcreatingamassivefirebomb.”
KalebagreedwithAden’sconclusion,whichleftasingleoption.“Wegooutward,”hesaidanddrewasecondroughcircleinsidethefirst,thereal-lifedistancebetweenthetwoapproximatelyfivehundredmeters.“Oneteaminsidethefire,thesecondintheevacuatedzone,theaimtocompressthefireinbetweenandsuffocateit.”Thelargesurfaceareaoftheringwouldmitigate,ifnoteliminate,theriskinconcentratingtheenergytothatextent.
“I’llgoinfirst,intothecore.”KalebshruggedintothefireproofgearVasichad’portedinforhim,theArrowsalreadysuitedup.“SoonasI’min,I’llpushthefireoutward.Yourtask”—hepointedtotheTkswho’dbepositionedintheevacuatedzone—“istomakesurethefirespreadsnofurther.Ming?”
Thetelepathnoddedastherestofthegroupstartedtogetintotheirgear.“I’llcoordinateexternalplacementstoensuretotalcoverage.”
“Easiestwayfortheinternalteamtogetinposition,”Adensaid,“istoruninthefivehundredmetersfromtheexternalring.”GettingnoargumentsfromhisArrowsagainstwhatwouldbeahellishrunthroughdeadlyflame,hecontinued.“OnceKalebhaspushedthefiretothispoint”—hetappedtheinnercircle—“youkeepitthere.Ifyoucan’tstifleit,thenyouletitburnout.Understood?”
Aseaofcurtnods.
“If,”Kalebadded,“youfeeltheringisabouttofail,Iwantyouallto’porttotheexternalperimetertomakesurethefiredoesn’tspread.I’llholdtheinternalsection.Otherwise,I’llassistinstiflingtheflamesassoonastheringisstable.”Glancingaroundtomakesurethemessagehadbeenheard,hesaid,“Getinposition.”
TheTksbeganto’portouttotheexternalpointsusingimagesprovidedbythefireandmedicalteamsworkingaroundthecity.
Kaleb,however,hadnoavailableimagetousetogetinsidetheblazingcore.WhichwaswhyAdenandVasicflewhimupinajet-chopper,hoveringrightoverthecenterofthefire.Usinghigh-definitionbinoculars,hecapturedaviablementalimageand’ported…justasthejet-chopperexplodedfromtheproximityoftheheat.
Aden?
We’refine.Vasicwasmonitoringthefueltank.
Consumedbythewhite-hotcore,theheatsoviolentastocreateadangerouslevelofwarmtheveninsidehisfiregear,Kalebkneltdownononekneeandspreadhisarmsoutward,palmspushingagainsttheflamesthatcrawledovereveryinchofhisbody.
Thesuitswon’tlasttheexpectedsixtyminutes,hetoldAden.Anyonecaughtinabackdraftwillhavefortyminutesmaximum.
I’llwarntheothers.
Asinglecalmbreathoftheairreservesbuiltintothesuit,hismindaseaofblackice…heunleashedtheforceofthepowerthatlivedinhim.
Chapter38
“INCREDIBLE.”
SaharaechoedtheanonymousgaspedjudgmentinfrozensilenceasthecommstationsuccessfullylinkedtoasatellitethathadzoomedinonHongKong,showingitsviewerswhatwashappeninginthemetropolis:theimpossible.Fromthenoxiouscorethatreportershadstatedwasburningatastaggeringfivethousanddegreesatleast,accordingtothemostrecentestimatesbyscientificexperts,theflameswerebeingpushedoutwardinaperfectsphere,whiletheraggededgeofthefireremainedstationary,asifheldinstasis.
Feargrippedherchest,iceinherveins,butshebitdownhardonherlowerliptofighttheurgetoreachouttothemansheknewhadbeeninthatcauldronofflameuntilheshoveditoutward.Todistracthimnowcouldmeanhisdeath.Instead,shewatchedaneventsophenomenaleventhenewsanchorshadgonequiet,theonlysoundsthatofthesealsinthebayandtheseagullsoverhead.
Theblacknessinsidetheconflagrationcontinuedtogrowasthefirewaspushedfartherandfartherawayfromthecore.Andthenitcametoahalt,aperfectringofflameinthecenteroftheislandthatburnedaviolentwhiteagainstthenightskyinthatpartoftheworld.
Fortwominutes,nothinghappened.
Thenthefirebegantocollapseinonitself,slowlybutsurely,asifitwerebeingcompressedbyinvisiblewalls.Exactlytwenty-sevenminuteslater,thelastflamewentout,theglitteringlightsoutsidethefirezonemakingthesmoking,darkenedcoresomuchmoreblatantascar.
Squeezingherarmsaroundherself,Saharawalkedawayfromthecommscreenandsurrenderedtoneedatlast,reachingoutacrossthevastdistancethatseparatedthem,andhopingKalebwouldpickupherpsychicsignalwithhisfargreaterreachashealwaysdid.Ifhedidn’t,iftherewasonlysilence…no,hewasfine.Hehadtobefine.Kaleb?Areyouallright?
***
ITtookKalebasecondtounderstandthequestion.
Noonehadcaredifhelivedordiedforoversevenyears,andhefoundhedidn’tknowwhattodowiththeknowledgethatSaharadid,asshe’dalwaysdone.Asifhislifewasworthsomethingquiteseparatefromhers.
Haltingwiththefiresuithangingoffhiships,hisupperbodydrenchedinsweat,hesaid,I’muninjured,allthewhileawarethatSaharawaswronginherbelief.Hislifewasonethatshould’veendedinthecradle,thegeneticlegacyinsidehimstifledlikethefirehadbeen,whilehewastooyoungtounderstandwhatitmadehim.
NowtheonlyvaluehehadwasinkeepingSaharasafe.
Youpromisedmeyou’dneverlietome,shesaid,thewordsholdingaweightofemotionhecouldfeeleventhroughthedistancethatseparatedthem.
Ineverhave.Itwastheoneuntaintedpointofhonorinhislife.Whatdoyouwanttoknow?
Thepausewaslong,herquestionapsychicwhisper.Didyouhelpcreatethisincident?
Theblackiceshuddered,fractured.No.
I’msorry.
Don’tbe.Itwasarationalquestiongivenmyhistory.
ButIhurtyou,andnoonehastherighttodothat.Fiercewords.Notevenme.
Anotherfractureintheice,thisonedeeper.PurePsydidreachouttome,butourgoalsdon’talign.HeglancedaroundattherubbleofHongKongIsland,thinkingofhowVasquezhadrefusedaface-to-facemeet,suspiciousofKaleb’smotives.He’dbeenrighttobe.Kalebwould’veexecutedtheothermanonsight.YouknowmystanceonSilence—andIhaveneverhadanythingagainstthehumansorchangelings.
TurningtotheleaderoftheArrowswhenAdenjoggedover,helistenedtothedamagereportandupdateonrescueefforts.“AmIneeded?”
AtAden’snod,heremovedthefiregearandthrewitonthepilewheretheArrowsweresheddingtheirown.HiscargopantswereassweatsoakedashisT-shirt,buttherewasnopointinchanging.Thefiremightbedead,buttheheathadn’tyetseepedoutoftheruinsofthecity.
Takecare,Kaleb.Akissagainsthismind.Itwouldbreakmyheartifyouwerehurt.
ThecitylaydevastatedaroundKalebashejoggedinthedirectionAdenhadpointedhim,yethesawonlythemidnightblueeyesofthewomanwho,asherearlierquestionproved,knewexactlywhathewascapableof,butclaimedhimallthesame.AlwaysSaharahadseenhim.Andalwaysshehadrefusedtowalkaway.
Thelasttime,ithadcosthersevenyearsofherlife.Thistime,he’dlaytheworlditselfatherfeet.I’llcometoyouwhenthisisover.
I’llbewaiting.
Thepromisekepthimgoingthroughthegrimhoursthatfollowed,hismaintasktoassistinmaintainingthestructuralintegrityofbuildingswhilerescuers,includingchangelingteamswhohadcomeinviawatercraft,combedthefloorsforsurvivors,theirheightenedsenseofsmellapricelessadvantage.Foreveryburnedandbarelyalivesurvivor,theyfoundtencorpses.
“Wesavedmillionsoflives,”Vasicsaidoncethefinaltelekinetictaskhadbeencompleted,“andyetitdoesn’tseemenoughwhenyouseethembringingoutcurled-upbodies,skinblackenedfromthefire.”
Kalebthoughtoftheashthatwasallthatremainedinthecore,nobodies,nobones.“VasquezintendedthistobeademonstrationofPurePsy’spower.”He’dstudiedtheleaderofthefringegroup,knewhowhismindworked.“That’swhyhedeliberatelychoseahigh-profileislandratherthanalargerlandmass.”
“Heknewwe’dcollapsethebridgesandthewaterwould’veactedasanaturalfirebreak,containingthefiretowithinHongKongIsland.”Vasicnodded.“Alogicalplan,butinsteadofprovingPurePsy’spower,hegaveyouastageonwhichtodemonstrateyours.”
Kalebwouldanswerquestions,justifyhisactionstoonlySahara.Ashe’dnotedearlier,however,Ming’smistakehadbeeninthinkingoftheArrowsashisservantsratherthanhispartners.“PurePsy,”hesaid,givingVasicanobliqueresponsetohisunaskedquestion,“mustbeextinguished.TellAdenthatisnolongertheArrows’toppriority,butthesquad’sonlyone.”
Vasic,hiseyesonthecharredandbrokenremnantsofaonce-tallskyscraper,said,“Killorcapture?”
“Kill.”TheArrowsmightbelieveKaleb’sintentwastogetridofthegroupafterthey’doutlivedtheirusefulness,butthatwasn’tasuppositionhecouldrefutewithanyexpectationofbeingbelieved.Thelethalsquadwoulddoitsowninvestigations,makeupitsownmind—theonethingtheywouldnolongerfind,ofcourse,wasevidenceofKaleb’splantoannihilatetheNet.
“MypersonalteamshavealreadytakencareofdestroyinganumberofPurePsy’smunitionsandsupplybases.”He’dinitiatedthesweepaftertheuniversitybombingandconsideredtheresultingactionssuccessful,butasthisstrikeshowed,thegroupwasmoreorganizedthananyonehadpreviouslyrealized.“Ineedthesquadtoputextremepressureontheirleadership.”
“Youthinkthey’llmakemistakes.”
“Everyonedoesifpushedhardenough.”Itwasalessonhe’dlearnedinacheaphotelroomoversevenyearsagoandneverforgotten.“I’vebeentrackingthreemembersoftheirleadershipacrosstheNetwiththeaimofunearthingVasquez—I’msendingyoutheinformationinatelepathicfile.Interrogateifpossible;otherwise,execute.”
“YourisklosingVasquez.”
“It’sbecomeobvioustomeoverthepastforty-eighthoursthathe’sbeenvery,verycarefulnottoconnecthimselfdirectlytoanyoneoftheseindividuals.I’dbeenintendingtopursueotheroptionsinanycase.”
“I’vepassedthefiletoAden,”Vasicsaid.“Theseoperativeswillbeeliminatedwithinthenextday.Wealsohaveleadsonfourothers.”
InnodoubtthattheArrowswouldtakecareofthatmatter,Kalebturnedhisattentiontosomethingelse.“Where’sMing?”
“Heleftminutesafterthefirewassuffocated.”Apause.“Mingknewaboutthescorchcharges,wheneventhesquaddidn’t.”
Kalebhadalreadyconsideredthatinterestingfact.“IfMingdidsupplyPurePsy,hehadtoknowIwouldbetheonlyonecapableofstoppingtheattack.”AndtheothermanwouldnevergiveKalebsuchahugeplatformonwhichtoshowcasehisstrength.
“PurePsymayhavegoneoffscript.Ming’steamcouldhavehandledasmallerfire.”
“Yes.”Kalebwatchedtwomencarryabodyoutofthenearestbuilding.Thedeadwhostillhadfleshontheirboneswerebeingrapidlyprocessed,elsethecitywouldbecomeahothouseforbacteriathatfedonnecrotizingflesh.
“Keepmeinformedofyourprogress,”Kalebsaidasanotherbodywasbroughtout.“I’llfunnelthroughthedataIunearth.”HewasalreadyscanningtheNetforanycluethatmightleadtothefacelessmanattheheadofthefanaticalgroup.ItwastimeVasquezlearnedthattherecouldonlybeonepowerintheNetandthepositionhadalreadybeenclaimed.
***
SAHARAknewKalebwouldn’tshowhispain,butshealsoknewshehadwoundedhim.Sowhenheappearedonherbalconyovertwenty-fourhoursafterhe’dleft,freshlyshoweredbutwithuncharacteristiclinesofstrainmarringhisfeatures,shewalkeduptohim,tookhisfaceinherhands,andsaid,“Forgiveme.”
“Youneverhavetoask.”Heclosedhishandsoverherwrists,hishairblue-blackinthemorningsunshine.“ThereisnothingyoucandothatIwon’tforgive.”
Saharawrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandheldontight.“Andthereisnothingyoucaneverdothatwillmakemeturnawayfromyou,”shewhispered.“Iloveyou,Kaleb.”Itwasaninexorable,beautifultruth.
“Youshouldn’tsaythat.”Kaleb’sarmscamearoundher,hisholdalmostpunishinglytight.“I’mcapableofterriblethings.Iwould’vekilledmillionsifIhadn’tfoundyou.”
“IcansaywhateverIlike.”Shepressedkissesalonghisjawtohismouth.“AndjustbecauseIloveyoudoesn’tmeanI’llcondonetheuntenable.”Lovinghimdidn’tmakeherblindtohisflaws.“Iwillcontinuetofighttopullyouintothelight.”
Kaleb’seyeswerethatbeautifulobsidiansheenedwithmidnightcolor.“Itmaybeabattlefortheages.”
Herlipscurvedinashakysmile.“That’sokay.SomeoneoncetoldmeI’mthemoststubbornindividualheknew.”
Hebentuntiltheirforeheadstouched.“Andyouwereonlynineatthetime.Iconsidermyselfwarned.”
Gentlycaressingthebackofhisneckwithherfingers,shespokewithherlipsonhis.“Idon’teveragainwanttoworryaboutsomethinglikethis.”Arawconfession.“Ineedyoutotellmeeverythingyou’reinvolvedin,soIdon’thavetowonder,don’thavetoguess.”
Kalebwassilentforseveralminutesbeforesaying,“Iplannedtohaveachangelingpacktrackyoubyscentifyouranfromme.”
Saharawidenedhereyesasasmiletuggedatherlips.“Howastonishing.Ididn’trealizeyouwerethatpossessive.”
Hedidn’trespondplayfullytoherteaseasoneoftheleopardmalesmighthave;hereactedasonlyKalebwould.“Itheorizedyourabilitymightbelimitedtothoseofourrace.”
“I’veneverhadreasontotestit,”shesaid,fascinatedalloveragainbythecomplexitiesofhismind,“soyoumayberight.”Continuingtocaresshisnape,shewaited,knowingthatsmallconfessionhadbeenatesttoseehowshe’dtaketherest.
“IdidsomethingtoTatianayou’renotgoingtobehappytohear.”
He’dpromisedhernotorture,andKalebdidn’tbreakhispromises…butthatleftallkindsofloopholesforanintelligenceasruthlessashis.“Tellme,”shesaid,acceptingthatthisrelationshipwasnevergoingtobesimple.“Tellmeeverything.”
Theyspokeforhours,inwhichhetoldheraboutTatianaandaboutmanyotherthings,includingthefactthathe’dkilledMarshallHyde,theseniormemberoftheCouncilatthetime.“Itwasaflawlessoperationthatnooneeverconnectedtome,”hesaid,holdingherclosewheretheysatontheflooroftheaeriewiththeirbacksagainstthebed.
“Whyhim?”Saharaasked,notshockedintheleast.Councilpoliticswasnotoriouslybloody,andKalebhadbecomeaCouncilorattwenty-seven.Noonedidthatwithoutbeingreadytoplaythegameincoldblood.“MingwouldseemthebettertargetifitwasabouttakingcontroloftheCouncil.”
“IthadnothingtodowiththefactthathewasaCouncilor.”Kaleb’svoicechilled.“MarshallknewwhatSantanowas,whathewasdoingtome,thatIwasnothingbutakindoftoyhehadcreatedasanexperiment.”
Hisfingersfistedinherhair.“Justmakecertainyourproclivitiesdon’taffectyourduties.That’swhatIheardMarshallsaytoEnriquewhenIwasseven;that’swhenIdecidedIwouldkillhimanddestroyhispreciousCouncil.Bestwaytodothatwastobecomeapartofit.”
“Ifheknewanddidnothing,”Saharasaid,soangryherbodyvibratedwithit,“itmadehimasculpableandasdepravedasEnrique.Iwould’vekilledhim,too.”
“No,”hesaid,“youwouldn’t.”
Saharashookherhead.“Forwhathedidtoyou?Yes.Iamfullycapableoferasingthememoriesofanyonethatmonstroustoleavethemawalkingdeadshell.Ididitonce,”shesaid,needinghimtounderstandthatshewasn’tlily-white.“Itwasaguardwho’dhurtmesomuch.”TheordersmayhavecomefromTatiana,butthemalehaddonehistaskwitharelishthatbetrayedtheuglytruthaboutSilence.“HecametoocloseandItookeverything,everymemory,everywish,everydream,leavinghimashellwithnopastandnofuture.”
“Iknow,”Kalebsaid,icyapprovalinhistone.“Tatianadocumentedtheincidentinherfiles.”
“ThenyouknowI’vewalkedinthedarkness,”shesaid,handfistingonhisheartandvoicefierce.“Iwon’teverjudgeyoufordoingthesame.”Noonehadanyrighttodothat.Noone
Theworldhadabdicatedthatprivilegewhenitabandonedachildtoamonster.“IwillfightyouendlesslyifIthinkyou’rewrong,”shesaid,takinghislipsinapassionate,possessivekiss,“butIwillneverjudgeyou.”
Thestarsreturnedtohiseyeswhenshedidn’tflinchfromhim,andhetoldheraboutsomethingthathadnothingtodowithhatred,butrathertheopposite—howtheGhosthadfirstmethisfellowrebelsJuddLaurenandXavierPerez.“JuddthinksIapproachedhimbecausehewasatrainedassassinwhohadalreadybeguntoquietlyrebelagainstthestatusquo,theperfectpartnerfortheGhost.”
“Thatwasn’tthereason?”Saharaasked,straddlinghisthighssoshecouldwatchhimashespoke.
“Itwasonlyaperipheralone.”Kalebputoneofhishandsonherownthigh,histhumbbrushingtheinnerseamofherjeans.“Therealonewasthatheneverforgothisfamily.Regardlessoftherisks,hedideverythinginhispowertoprotectthem.”
UnspokenwasatruthJuddcouldn’thaveknown—thatintheotherman’srefusaltogiveuponhisfamily,KalebhadseenanechoofhisownrelentlesshuntforSahara.“XavierwasJudd’sconnectionfirst,”hecontinued,“andIdidn’tseethepointofbringinghiminwhenJuddsuggestedit.Whatcouldahumanoffer,afterall?”
Compelledbythestoryofhowthesethreedisparatemen—cardinaltelekinetic,assassin,priest—hadcometogether,sheleanedforward,herarmsaroundhisneck.“Whatchangedyourmind?”
“TheGhosthadaconversationwithFatherXavierPerez.”Eyesofobsidianpotentwithmemory.“HeunderstandsevilbetterthananyotherpersonI’veeverknown.Wedisagreeinhowtoeliminateit,butwedonotdisagreethatitexists.”
“IhopeIcanonedaymeetthemboth,”Saharasaid,knowingsheowedJuddLaurenandXavierPerezinawaythetwomenwouldneverunderstand.They’dnotonlykeptherKalebfromwalkingalwaysalone,theyhadquestionedhischoices,andinsodoing,kepthimfrombecomingthedarknessthatlivedinhim.“Willyoucontinuetomaintainyourshadowidentity?”
“Itmaycomeinusefulonoccasion.”Hishandaroundherthroat,drawinghercloser.“TheGhostisaherotomanypeople,whileKalebKrychekisathreat.SoperhapstheGhostwillendorseKrychekafterasuitableperiod.”
Laughingatthecalculationonhisface,shebitdownonhislip.“Doyoueverthinkinstraightlines?”
“Onlywhenitcomestoyou.”
Itwasn’tuntilshewasabouttofallasleepinhisarmsthatsherealizedhe’ddeftlyavoidedgoinganywherenearoneparticularsubject,thesamesubjecthermindstillkeptfromher.Saharahadadarksuspicionsheknewwhatitwas—butgiventhereactionofherbodythelasttimeshe’dtriedtoaccessthatparticularmemory,shemadethedecisionnottoforcetheissue.
Itwas,shethoughtassleeptookherunder,goingtotakeeveryounceofherintelligencetodancewithKaleb.Spreadingherhandoverhisheart,shesmiledandthoughtofaphraseshe’dheardoneoftheDarkRiverguardsusewhenissuingafriendlychallengetoapackmate:Gameon.
PSYNETBEACON:BREAKINGNEWS
*HongKongfirecontained.Unknownnumberofcasualties—estimatesrangefromtwotothreehundredthousanddead.
**UPDATED**PurePsysendslettertoallmajorcommnetworks.Textasfollows.*
Wetaketotal,unmitigatedresponsibilityfortheHongKongstrike.Ithasneverbeenourintentiontohidewhatwedo—becausewhatwedoisnecessarytoawakenourpeopletotherealityofourruinedsociety.
OuractionscouldnothavebeensuccessfullycompletedhadtheworldbeenundertheleadershipofastrongCouncil.Itistheweakwholeadusnow,andthatweaknesswilldestroyusall.Silenceistheonlywaytocounterwhathasprovedtobeafatalflaw.
WithoutSilence,thisiswhowewillbe—apeoplewithoutprotectionorwill,apeoplewhocanbepickedoffbytheinferiorracesuntiltheworldisruledbysavages.Wewillnotpermitsuchafuturetocometopass.
ThisisacalltoarmstoallwhobelieveinSilence,inthesuperiorityofourrace.
Joinus.
PSYNETBEACON:LIVENETSTREAM
Theletterisnonsensicalgibberish.WhereintheProtocoldoesitmandatewholesaleslaughter?
Y.Schulz
(Munich)
Itisnotthe“inferiorraces”whomastermindedthisattack,butourown.Doesthatnotmakeusthesavages?
R.Gueye
(Riyadh)
Whatevertheiractions,onethingisincontestable:PurePsyisnotafraidtospeakthetruth.Wehavelostourplaceastheleadersoftheworldanditisthefaultofthoseatthetop.ThoughCouncilorKrychek,atleast,hasshownsignificantpower.SuchamancouldrulenotonlythePsyNetbuttheworld.Itismybeliefthat,together,CouncilorKrychekandPurePsywouldmakeaninvinciblerulingjunta.
K.Choi
(Kingston)
KalebKrychek’sactionsinassistingtosavelivesinHongKongaretobecommended.AsacardinalTk,hedidnothavetogetinvolved.Thathedidspeakshighlyofhisabilityandwillingnesstoprotectthepeoplehenodoubtseekstorule.
J.Jantunen
(Nadi)
ItisclearKalebKrychekisusingtheseunfortunateeventsinordertoconsolidatehispowerbase.Whichleadstothequestionofwhetherheis,infact,behindtheattacksandisthepuppetmasterwhomanipulatesPurePsy’sdestructivestrings.
Nonamegiven
(Hohhot)
Ourracecanstandtalltoday—whentheworsthappened,ourpeopledidnotflinch.KalebKrychekandhismenaretobecommended,asareMingLeBonandhisteam.
PurePsy,ontheotherhand,mustbeeradicated.Theyareapustuleonthefaceofoursociety.
B.Oliveira
(Santiago)
Anumberoftheindividualscladinblackwiththesinglestarontheirleftshoulderswhoassistedintheaftermathofthisattack,andseveralpreviousones,arerumoredtobepartoftheshadowyandpowerfulArrowSquad,ratherthansimplyKalebKrychek’spersonalforces.
Ifso,andiftheynowbelongtoKalebKrychek,healreadyhasthePsyNetwithinhisgrasp.Aswehaveseentoday,hecouldtakeitbysheerbruteforce.Thathehasn’tmakesmehypothesizeheseeksarationalsolution,andsuchthinkingissomethingIcansupport,inawayIcannotsupporttheirrationalviolenceofPurePsy.
T.Saowaluk
(Vancouver)
The“Pure”shouldbeburnedinthesamefiresasthosethatconsumedtheirvictims.Iftheyhavenoreasontohidetheiractions,whyaren’ttheystandinginfrontofus,willingtopubliclyowntheircause?
G.Barrie
(Tasiilaq)
PurePsy
“FOOLS.”VASQUEZDROPPEDoutofthePsyNetafterreadingasamplingofthethousandsuponthousandsofcitizenopinionsthathadcomeinsinceHongKongburned.
Thevastmajoritywerevirulentlyanti–PurePsy,whichonlywenttoshowtheextentofthedecaycorruptingtheirsociety.RatherthanseeinginPurePsytheirchanceforredemption,thepopulacesawonlywhattheirweakmindshadbeenprogrammedtosee—Psywhoweren’ttoeingtheline,weren’tbeingthesheeptheyweremeanttobe.
IthadreachedthepointthattheSilenceofhisfaithfulwasbeingquestioned.Thatcouldnotbepermit—
Sir!Thementalvoiceofoneofhistrusteddeputies,thetoneurgent.I’vewalkedintoatrap!Krychek’smenareclosingin.
Donotallowthemtotakeyou!Vasquezordered.Youknowtoomuch.
Iwon’tletyoudown,sir.
Twominuteslater,cameafinalmessage—AbsolutioninPurity—andthenthenothingnessthatindicatedthedeputyhadendedhisliferatherthanriskbetrayingthecause.
Vasquezdeletedtheman’snamefromhismentallist.Itwasthefourthnamehe’dcrossedoffinthepastthirty-sixhours,allbelongingtoindividualshighinthePurePsycommandstructure.Ifhe’dhadanydoubtthattheArrowshadbeenshotatPurePsy,ithadjustbeenerased.
Therewasadecisiontobemade,anditwasnotonehehadthoughttomakesosoon,buttheirenemiesweregettingtooclose.ForPurePsytoachieveitsgoals,itmustsurvivetocontinuethefight,becausewithoutPurePsy’sleadershiptoleadthePsyraceoutofthedarkness,theirpeoplewouldsoonbeextinct.
Sendingoutasimplecodeviaasingle-usecellphonethathedismantledstraightafterward,hemadehiswaytoacommunithewoulddestroyassoonasthiswasdone.Allofhissurvivingdeputiescalledinoneaftertheotherwithinthenextminute,eachutilizingasingle-usemobilecomm.Hecouldseetheirfaces,buttheycouldn’tseehimoroneanother,whichmeanttheycouldnotgiveuptheirfellowsoldiersifcaught.
Nonespoke,awaretheyhadonlyatwo-minutewindow.
“Wearebeinghunted,”hetoldthem.“Andourenemyisstrong.It’stimetoinitiatethePhoenixCode.”
Menandwomenalike,theygavebrisknods,andheknewthetaskwouldbedone.Thatwaswhyhehadhandpickedeachdeputy,chancedtrustingthemwithcriticalpartsofhisplan.Itwastheonlyoption.“Donotdelay.You’vealreadylostfourofyourbrethren.Youmustputyourpiecesinplayanddisappear.”
Knowingthecaliberoftheopponentsontheirtrail,heknewthatspeedalonewouldn’tbeenough.“I,togetherwithasmallteam,willpersonallyinstigateadiversiontoassistyou.Makeuseofit.”Itwasofconcernthattheplanforthediversionwasonehe’dhadtoputtogetherinhasteandwithoutthenecessaryreconnaissance,butthingsdidnotalwaysgoaccordingtoplaninawar.“Youhaveyourorders.”
“Sir.”
Chapter39
KALEBTELEPORTEDINTOhell.
Screamsechoedthroughtheair;dusty,bloodychildrenwithhuge,helplesseyessatinthedebris;firstresponderstriedtomakeorderoutofchaos.Buttherecouldbenoeasyorderoutofthis.Atfirstglance,itappearedPurePsy,thefanaticalgrouphavingalreadyclaimedresponsibility,hadlostanysenseofreason,anysenseoftheir“mission,”andattackednotargetthatcouldadvancetheircause.
TheWorldwideStudentCaucusinGenevawasaweeklongevent,heldforthebestandbrighteststudentsfromaroundtheworld,agesspanningtwelvetoeighteen.Supervisedandchallengedbyteacherswhowereexpertsintheirfields,theycametodiscussadvancesinscience,engineering,thearts,music,andmedicine.
Thecaucushadbeencreatedbytheeducationalbranchofalobbygroupbutnowreceivedfundingfromgovernmentsacrosstheworld.Everycountrysentatleastonestudent,manyonscholarshipsfundedbylargecorporationsthathopedtoonedayluresomeofthesebrightmindsintotheirworkforce.Noneofthosecorporations,however,werepermittedtoinfluencethecurriculumcarefullychosenbyanindependentbodyofeducators.KalebknewallthatbecauseSaharahadbeeninvitedtothecaucusatfourteen.
Deemedtoodivisiveinthequestforpureknowledge,thetwosubjectsnotontheagendawerepoliticsandreligion.TherecouldhavebeennoformaldiscussionherethatthreatenedPurePsy.Yet,accordingtofieldestimates,morethanaquarterofthestudentsandfacultyweredead,themajorityoftherestinjuredortrapped.
Theyweren’ttheonlycasualties—theblasthadcomeathalfpastnoon,whenhundredsofpeoplefromthenearbyofficetowershadbeeninrestaurantsinthepedestrianmallthatsurroundedtheconventioncenter,somewithsmallchildrenthey’dpickedupfromday-carecentersattachedtotheirplacesofwork.
Kalebwasalreadyshiftingdebristouncovertrappedsurvivorsashetookinthecarnage.Inthefirstfiveminutesheworked,heheardFrench,German,English,andRussian,aswellasanumberoflanguageshecouldn’tidentify…andrealizedthatPurePsyhadtargetedthecaucusforaveryrationalreason:tocreateanincitingincidentthatwouldaffecteverycountryontheplanet.
Ifthesituationwasn’timmediatelymanaged,someone,somewhere,wouldinterpretthisasapersonalattackandlaunchacounterstrikeagainstthePsy.Theensuingwarwouldengulfeverycountry,everyrace,everyindividual.Andwhenthedustfinallysettled,itwasthesurvivorswho’dcreatethenewworld.
“Somethingsneedtobebrokentobecomestronger.”
ThefactthatPurePsywasworkingfromthesameplaybookhehimselfhaddonewasnotlostonhim.ButKalebwouldallownoonetosowtheseedsofdestruction—notnow,whenSaharahadaskedhimtofindanotherwaytocreateabetterworld.Andchildren…childrenshouldalwaysbeofftheagenda.
Asheshould’vebeen.AsSaharashould’vebeen.
Aden,hesaid,havingsettheArrowonaparticulartask,doyouhavetheinformation?
I’veexaminedoneofthedevicesthatfailedtodetonate.It’sstandard—noimprovementstoextendrangeorcasualties.Placementofthedeviceswasalsohaphazard,elsewe’dbedealingwithtripleorquadruplethecasualties.
ItcouldbeasignofPurePsycrumblingunderthepressuretheArrowsandKalebhadputontheminthetwodayssincetheHongKongfireswerecontained,butitseemedtoofastaresult.Whywouldthegroupsacrificesuchahigh-visibilitytargetwithaclumsystrike?Adenwasright—donecorrectly,theentireconventioncentercould’vebeencollapsedonthedelegates,andwiththeconventionhavingbegunjustthedaybeforelast,PurePsywould’vehadfourmoredaystoputtheirplaninplace.
Wait,Adensaid.Initialdeathestimatesarebeingreviseddownwardbyasignificantdegree.Fiftypercentofthedelegateswereawayfromtheconventioncenterforascheduleddayofvisitstolaboratories,museums,andspecialistfirms.
Halftheirtargetsoutofrange?Itlefthundredsofpotentialcasualties,butPurePsyhadalwaysgoneformaximumdamage.Thiswastoobigamistake.AndgivenVasquez’sintelligenceandtraining,thatmeantitwasn’tamistake.Thisisadiversion,meanttooccupyourattentionwhiletheysetupsomethingbigger,hesaid,’portinganinjuredgirldirectlytothetriagestationatoneendoftheblastzone.Ineedtrackersnow.Theteamthatputthisinplacewillbeaskeletalonewithfewresources.Weneedtorunthemdown,andthistime,Iwantthemaliveforinterrogation.
I’mpullingAbbotandSione,Adenreplied.They’rethebesttrackersonthesquad.
Kalebagreedwiththatassessment,butfindingthePurePsystriketeamwasn’ttheonlyproblem.AlreadyreportsweretricklingintothePsyNetofordinaryPsybeingharassedincountriesaroundtheworld,ashotheadsscreamedforvengeanceforthebloodoftheiryoung,forgettingthatthePsyhadalsolostanumberoftheirownyoung.Ifhewastoheadoffaglobalwar,hehadtodosonow,andinsuchawaythatnoonewouldbeleftinanydoubtthatPurePsywasafringeelementanddidnotrepresentthePsyraceasawhole.
EnteringthePsyNet,heblastedamessagethatwouldbeheardineverycornerofthepsychicnetwork,carriedbytheviolentwaveofhispower
PUREPSYAREMASSMURDERERSWITHNOCLAIMTOSILENCEANDASOFTHISNOTICETHEMOSTWANTEDFUGITIVESINTHEWORLD.IFYOUKNOWOFANYONEWITHANAFFILIATIONTOPUREPSY,CONTACTAMEMBEROFCOUNCILORKALEBKRYCHEK’SPERSONALOFFICE.
THESENTENCEFORANYINVOLVEMENTINTHESEATTACKSWILLBEDEATH.THESENTENCEFORHARBORINGPUREPSYWILLBETOTALREHABILITATIONOFTHEENTIREFAMILYUNIT.THEREWILLBENOMERCYGRANTEDFORCRIMESTHATCANHAVENORATIONALEEITHERINSILENCEORINEMOTION.
Hestreamedliveimagesofthebrokenbodiesofthechildrenhecontinuedto’porttothemedicsortomorgues,andhestampedthetransmissionwithaglowingplatinumstarthatcouldnotbeduplicatedorerased.
IfPurePsywantedtochallengehim,theyhadtobepreparedtopaytheprice.
Silver,hesaid,droppingoutoftheNet.Alerttheoffices.
It’salreadyinprogress.Apause.Sir.MyfamilyissendingourtelekineticstoGenevainhigh-speedairjets,toactunderyourauthority.Theyarenotteleportcapable,buttheycantakeoversomeoftherescueworksotheArrowsandyourteamscanfocusonthehuntforthefugitives.
Understood.KalebsenttheinformationtoAdenwhilecontinuingtotalktoSilver.Moremedicalteamswillbeneeded.GenevasentalargegrouptoassistintreatingtheburnvictimsinHongKong,asdidanumberofothernearbyregions.Allofthosemedicswouldbeexhaustedandunabletoassisthere,evenifKalebdivertedTkstopickthemup.
Theproblem,ofcourse,wasthatalargepercentageoftheworld’sstrongestTkswerealsoexhaustedafterHongKong,leavingadangerousgap.Findoutwhohassparemedicscloseenoughtobeuseful,andgetthemhereanywayyoucan.
TheM-PsyUnionissendingmealist,Silveranswered.I’malsocoordinatingwithmajorchangelinggroupsandtheHumanAlliancetogetallusefulpersonneltoGeneva.
Ididn’trealizeyouhadacontactwithintheAlliance.
Idon’t—theirsecuritychiefjustmadethecontact.Apauseofseveralminutes.Sir,theAllianceheardaboutyourbroadcastandhavethrowntheirpublicsupportbehindthecalltoapprehendPurePsy.
Good.Itwouldamelioratetheworld’sgrowingangeriftheysawtheracesworkingtogethertohuntdowntheperpetrators.
Theyalsohavealargemedicalwarehouselessthananhour’sflightaway,Silvercontinued.Anairjetisalreadyintheairwithequipmentandnecessarydrugs.
SwitchingtelepathicchannelswhenhefeltSahara’stouch,helistenedasshesaid,Iheardyourmessage,andIcalledVaughntotellhim.Hesaysit’sbeingcommunicatedtoallgroupswithwhomthepackhasanykindofalink.
KalebknewhehadnoneedtoexplaintheimportanceofthatcommunicationgivenDarkRiver’sstrategicposition,nottoSahara,hisloverwithherbrilliantmind.
Thepackhasamaninthearea,sheaddedfiveminuteslater.He’sconfirmedthelocalchangelingtrackersarehappytoworkwithPsyteamstofindthebombers.Changelingrescueandhealing/medicalteamsshouldalsobereachingyouwithintwentyminutes.
Focusingonliftingamassivepieceoftheouterwallthathadfalleninward,hetookasecondtoreply.Silver’sdirectlineisinthecellphoneIgaveyou.Routeherintoallcommunicationsdealingwithrescueandmedicalsoshecancoordinateavailableresources.
I’llgetthenumber.Shedisappearedforaminutebeforereturning.Kaleb,theForgottenalsohavesomeoneintheareawhomightbeabletoassist.She’llcomeinwiththeDarkRivermaleandrequestsnooneattempttoshadowherassheworks.
TheForgotten,havingdroppedoutofthePsyNetattheinceptionofSilence,hadbeenmarryinghumansandmatingwithchangelingsforoverahundredyears.Asaresult,Kalebwaswellawaretheyhadsomeveryinterestingnewabilitiesintheirgeneticline,abilitiestheypreferredtokeepundertheradar.Noonewillinterferewithher.
Seeingabloodybutbreathingchildcurledupinacavityformedbypiecesofdebristhathadsavedhissmallbodyfrombeingcrushed,Kalebcalledoutforaparamedic.Aminutelater,andtwofeetdeeper,hefoundachildwhohadn’tbeenaslucky,hereyesstaringblindlyintodeath,gritacrossheririses.Goingdownononeknee,hebroughthereyelidsdowninanactthatheknewcamefromthevoiceinthevoid.
Allthewhile,hecouldfeelSaharatuckedagainsthismind,stayingwithhimasshe’ddoneattheuniversity,andintheaftermathoftheinfernothathadengulfedHongKongIsland.
Neveragain,hethought,wouldhebealoneinthedark.
***
SAHARA’SheartachedattheindefinableemotionshesensedfromKalebacrosstheirtelepathicbond.Hewouldspeaktoheraboutitwhenhewasready,ofthatshehadnotasingledoubtinhermind.Herdangerousloverwaslearningthatshe’dbecomeevenmorestubbornthanshe’dbeenatsixteen—shehadclaimedKalebandshewouldnotturnaway,nomatterwhat.
Nowshemetthecat-greeneyesoftheDarkRiveralpha.LucasHunterhadturnedupatheraeriesoonafterthenewsofthebombingwentlive,hiseyesglowingagainsttheearlymorningdarknessonthissideoftheworld.Thepack,he’dtoldher,hadnooneconnectedtotheNet,andsoshewastheirinformationsourcewhenitcametowhatwashappeningonthepsychicplane.
“I’mlinkinginwithKaleb’saide,Silver,”shesaid,andhenoddedatherfromwherehewastalkingonthephonewiththeleaderoftheForgotten,thefourslashinglinesontherightsideofhisfaceasilentreminderofthepredatorthatlivedbeneathhisskin.
Kaleb’sice-blondeaide,herhairinaflawlesstwist,wasexpectinghercall.“Dothegroupstowhichyouhaveaccess,”Silversaidwithoutfurtherado,“haveanytranslatorswillingtoassistthemedics?Wecancommthemin—withanumberoftheon-sitetranslatorsdeadorcriticallyinjured,therearen’tenoughtohelpthemedicsandkeepthesurvivorscalm.Multiplelanguagesneeded,someofthemesoteric.”
“I’matranslator,”Saharasaid.“Alllanguages.”Itseemedasafeenoughclaim,giventhetestsshe’dbeenrunningonherselfwhileoutandaboutinthecity.Anytimesheheardanunfamiliarlanguage,she’dlisten…andthenshe’dunderstand,withouteveractivatingherability.
Whateveritwasshecoulddo,itworkedonthesubconsciouslevel.“Aminorpsychicgift,”sheexplainedtoSilver.“Noofficialdesignation.”
Theaide’seyessharpened.“That’susefulenoughthatIcanjustifydivertingaTktopickyouup.”
“I’lltakeoverasliaison,”Lucassaid,enteringintothecommframesoSilvercouldseehim.“Giveusacoupleofminutestoorganizeanimageyourteleportercanuseasalock.”
Soonafterward,Saharawasinthetreesashortdistancefromheraerie,andLucaswastyingabrightlycoloredropearoundthetrunkofanotherwisenondescriptpine—justbecausethepackwantedtohelpdidn’tmeantheyintendedforastrangeTktohaveapermanentimagelockinsidetheirterritory.
Takingasnapshotwithhercellphone,shesentittoSilver,asLucassaid,“Goodluck,”hiseyesgrim.
VasicwastheTkwhoteleportedin—notsurprising,giventhedistance—andasaresult,shewasinGenevasecondslater.
“ThankGod,”themaninchargeofthefieldhospitalsaidwhenshetoldhimwhatshecoulddo.SlappingthesymboloftheRosettaStoneonhershoulder,hepointedherinthedirectionofaboyonastretcherabouttenfeetaway.“Obscuremothertongue.Hemusthavesomethingofoneofthemajorworldlanguages,buthe’slostitintheshock.”
IttookSaharahalfaminutetocomprehendwhattheboywassaying.“It’sokay,”shereassuredhimwhenhebegantocryattherealizationthatsheunderstoodhim.“You’renotaloneanymore.Now,youneedtotellthedoctorsomethingssoshecanhelpyou.”
Thatwasthefirstofmanysimilarconversationsshehadoverthehoursthatfollowed,asGenevawentfromlighttodark,thestarsbrightoverhead.Someonebroughtheramealwhenshebegantofade,andthatkepthergoinguntiltheearlymorninghours.Decidingtocrashforanhourtoheadoffacollapse,shecurledupononeofthecotssetupforrescuepersonnel.Haveyoueaten?sheaskedthecardinalTkwho,sheknew,wouldnotsleep.
I’vehadnutritionbarsdeliveredtomethroughouttheday.
Noone,shethought,wantedtoloseanyofthealreadydepletedtelekinetics—butKalebwasinaleagueofhisown.Takecarewiththestructuraldamage.Someoftheareasarereallyunstable.
Thoughhehadtoknowthatfarbetterthanher,hedidn’trejectherconcern.I’llbecareful.
Willyouwakemeinanhour?
Yes.Restnow.
***
“COUNCILOR.”
Turningatthevoice,Kalebfoundanolderwomanholdingabottleoftheenergydrinkhe’dbeendowningtwiceanhourtofuelhisbody.“Thankyou.”
“Icantakethebottleonceyou’redone.”Apoliteenoughoffer,buthereyesdidn’tmoveoffthebottleinhishand.
Kaleb’sinstinctswentonimmediateandhighalert.Pinningthewoman’sbodyinplaceusingtelekinesisandcompressingherjawtokeephersilent,heunscrewedthebottletotakeasniff.Nothingsmelledoff.Vasic,asecond.
TheArrowwalkedaroundthecornersoonafterward.I’mnearflameout.I’llneedtorestforthreehoursatleastbeforeIcancontinue.
Kalebnodded.“Canyouquicklytestthis?”
Holdinguphisleftarm,Vasicslidbackasmallscreenonthecomputronicgauntletfusedtohisbody.“Onedrop.”
Kalebplacedthesampleonthetestsurface.
Chapter40
“IT’SACOMPLEXpoison,”Vasicsaidinlessthanaminute,“would’veincapacitatedyoualmostimmediately.”Hiseyesshiftedtothewould-beassassin.“Atwhichpoint,shewould’vekilledyouwiththegarroteinherbracelet.”Removingthebracelet,hesnappedoutthethinmetalwiredesignedtocutoffatarget’sairsupplywithsilentefficiency.
“Whosentyou?”Kalebasked,releasingthewoman’sjawsoshecouldreply.
“Dowhatyouwill,CouncilorKrychek,”wastheicyresponse.“Mymindissettoimplodeatanyattemptatanintrusion.”
“Interesting.”HavingalreadytoldtheDarkMindtoentraphersoshecouldn’tconnecttoanyoneonthepsychicplane,hepinchedanervethatmadeherslumptotheground,thenorderedanotherofhismenonthescenetoblindfoldandtieherup.“Puthersomewhereoutoftheway.I’lldealwithherlater.”
He’portedthepoisonousdrinkintoabiohazardcontaineron-site,justasVasicsaid,“TheexplosivesusedatthissitehavebeentracedbacktoaCouncildepotinEuropeunderMing’scontrol.”
KalebhadalwaysbelievedMingtobethemartialmastermindbehindHenryScottduringthetimethenow-deadCouncilorheadedPurePsy,butthistypeofindiscriminateviolencedidn’tfitMing’smodusoperandi.NeitherdidPurePsy’sracialagenda.ItwasfartooirrationalandMingwasnothingifnotrational;thatwaspartofwhatmadehimsodangerous.
However,Mingwasalsofullycapableofplayingadeepgame,PurePsylikelynothingbutapawntohelpfurtheranagendaofwhichthefanaticalgroupknewnothing.“I’llhaveoneofmymentugthatthread,”hesaidtoVasic,“seewhatcomesofit.IwantthesquadtoremainonPurePsy.”
Itwasn’tuntilsixhourslater,havingdoneeverythinghecouldtoassistinthesearchforsurvivors,thatKalebhadtimetodealwiththewomanwhohadattemptedtopoisonhim.ButfirsthewantedtoseeSahara.Lockingonherimage,hefoundheraloneinthetentthathadfunctionedasacanteenforsurvivorsandthoseworkinginthefieldhospital.Shewastidyingupthedetritus,theareaquietandcalm.
Fromhistelepathicconversationswithherduringthepasthours,heknewthemajorityofthesurvivorswerenowinhospitalsinGenevaandnearbycities.Eachalsohadthesupportofatleastoneindividualfromhisorherowncountry,themultilingualrepresentativeshavingbeenflowninfromaroundtheworldonhigh-speedjetscourtesyofanairlinecontrolledbyNikitaDuncan.
Theex-Councilorwasn’tfamousforbeingahumanitarian,butshewassmartenoughtoknowtheactionwouldpaintherinapositivelightwhenthedustsettled.Itwasanintelligent,calculatedmoveworthyofthewomanwhohadlastedmorethanadecadeontheCouncil.Nikita,hethought,wouldalwaysfindawaytocomeoutaliveontheotherside.
AnthonyKyriakus,too,hadmadehismark.AnunidentifiedNightStarforeseerhadseenavisionoffurtherbombingsinLuxembourgandPariswithenoughspecificityforbothtobeaverted.“Itisunfortunatethatwecouldnotdothesameforotherrecenttragedies,”hadbeenthestatementoftheNightStarpressofficerwhenquestionedbymediaintheaftermath.“NonbusinessforesightisanewareaforNightStar,andwearelearningthatnotalleventscanbeforeseenoraverted.”
Somethings,KalebthoughtasSaharalookedupandsawhim,hadtobesurvived
“Kaleb!”Sheflewintohisarms.
Holdingherclose,herbreathwarmonhischeek,herbodyslenderbutstrongagainsthis,hefeltasifhe’dcomehome.Hedidn’tknowhowlongtheystoodlockedtogether,butwhentheydiddrawapart,hekepthispromisetonotwithholdanythingfromherandtoldherabouttheattemptedpoisoning.
Saharahissedoutabreath,eyesincandescentwithfury.“Takemetoher.”Noonehurtsyou
“Onlyaretrieval,Sahara,”hesaid,grippingherchin.“Nothingelse,nothingthatwillaffectyourmemories.”Ineedyoutorememberme.
“She’snotworthapieceofmylife.”Ascathingjudgment.“Nowtakemetoher.”
Thistime,hedidasordered.Saharadidn’tspeak,simplysteppedcloseenoughthatherhandwasaninchfromtheblindfoldedwoman’sface,thennoddedathim.He’portedthemdirectlytotheMoscowhouse.Shouldherlanguageskillsbeneededagain,he’dtakeherback,butthenonspecialistvolunteerswerecapableofhandlingthecleanup.
“ThatwomanisoneofMing’speople,”shesaid,headingintothekitchentogetthembothenergysupplements.“Alow-leveloperativewhowasinthearea.Itwasn’tawell-plannedoperation,butachanceopportunityMingdecidedtoutilize.”
“HeknowsI’monthevergeoftakingovertheNet.”
Saharastirredcherryflavoringintoherdrink,afterpassinghimanundoctoredglass.“Whatwillyoudotohim?”
“Nothing.”Seeingheropendisbelief,hetracedtheshapeofherupperlipwithhisfinger.“ThereareotherswhohavedeepergrievancesagainstMing.It’llbehandled.”
“Kaleb,youdon’ttrustanyoneexceptme…andyourtwofriends.”Saharanudgedathimtofinishhisdrink.“IsitthefallenArrowwhohasthepriorclaim?”
“NotJuddalone.He’ssimplytheonewithwhomIhaveaconnection.”Kalebputdownhisemptyglass.“I’dbeextremelysurprisedifMingdoesn’tenduptornapartbychangelingclawsandteeth.”
Saharahaltedwithherowndrinkhalfwaytohermouth.“Changelings?”
“Judd’snieceissomeoneMingwantsdeadorinhiscontrol.She’salsomatedtothealphaofSnowDancer,consideredthemostdangerouschangelingpackintheworld.”KalebtappedherglassuntilSaharaliftedittohermouth.“Manlikethatwon’trestuntilhe’seradicatedthethreatagainsthiswoman.”KalebwonderedifthewolfalphawouldbesurprisedtofindhehadsomethingincommonwithKalebKrychek.“Hungry?”
Saharawrinkledhernose.“Showerfirst.”
They’djustreachedthebedroomwhenhiscellphonerang.ItwasAdenontheotherend.“Vasquezisprovinghisintelligence,”weretheArrow’sopeningwords.“HisentireteamsplitupafterGenevaandscatteredindifferentdirections.Wecapturedone;twootherssuicidedwhencornered.Therearesignstwomoreremainatlarge.”
Animpressiveresult,buttheybothknewitwasn’tenough.“Vasquez?”
“Signspointtohimbeinghere,butheslippedaway.”ThoughAden’svoicebetrayednothing,hisfrustrationlevelhadtobehigh—intheicywayofanyArrowdeniedhistarget.“Interrogationofthecaptivedidyieldonepieceofdata;hewasassignedtotheLuxembourgsitewithamemberoftheteamwehaven’tyetcaptured.LuxembourgandParis,however,werealsobothmeanttobedistractions.”
“Theprisonerdidn’tknowwhyPurePsyneededthedistractions,didhe?”Vasquezwassmart,smartenoughtokeepinformationonaneed-to-knowbasis.
“No,”Adenconfirmed.“Butwhateveritis,it’shappeningsoon,andit’simportantenoughthatalieutenantwewereabouttocapturethrewherselfoffthesideofabuildingratherthansurrender.”
Noorganizationcouldaffordtoloseitsentireleadership,andnownotonlyhadVasquezriskedexposure,histoppeopleweresacrificingthemselvestoprotecttheirsecret.“Leavetheteamswhohaveliveleadsinthefield,”hesaidtoAden.“Iwantyoutorest,alongwitharapidresponseteam.WemovetheinstantVasquezsurfacesorPurePsymakesamove.”
“Agreed.”
Hangingup,herelayedtheinformationtoSahara.“Vasquezmighthavegoneunder,”hesaid,“buthisoptionsforsafeharborarelimitedandshrinkingbytheminute.”
Wewantedtoprotectourpeople.Wedidn’twantthebloodofchildrenonourhands.
ItwasarefrainKalebhadseenoverandoveragaininthereportsSilverhadforwardedhim,ofminorplayerswhohadeitherturnedthemselvesinafterhiswarningblastedthroughtheNetorbeenturnedinbyothers.“Thepopulaceisn’tsoSilent,”hesaid,watchingSaharapeeloffherT-shirt,“astonotbehorrifiedbythegrowingatrocities.”
ShedroppedtheT-shirttothefloorandkickedoffhershoes.“Itmakesmehope,”shesaidsoftly,“thatwehaveinsideusthecapacitytobuildabetterfuture.”
Kalebdidn’tunderstandhope,butheknewhewoulddoeverythinginhispowertogiveSaharathefuturethatwasafragiledreaminhereyesasshewalkedtowardhim,baretotheskin.Reachinghim,shetuggeduphislong-sleevedblackT-shirt,thenundidhisbelt.
“I’llwaitforyouintheshower,”shewhispered,pressingakisstothecenterofhischest.“Ithink,aftersomanyyears,noonecanbegrudgeusforstealingalittletime.”
Hiseyescaressedeveryinchofherasshewalkedawayfromhimwiththegraceofthedancershe’dalwaysbeen…andheknewshewashealinginthedeepestofways.Rippingofftherestofhisclothing,hesteppedintotheshowerbehindher,hishandsatherhips.Thehotwaterpoundedoverthem,butthebeatofhisheartwaslouder,deeper,stronger.
Bendinghisheadtoherneck,hekissedherthroat,hishandsrisingtocupherbreasts.Shearchedintohimwithashudder,herhandsslipperyonhisthighs,hisSaharawhohadneverturnedawayfromhim.Pickingupherarms,hebroughtthemaroundhisneck,thenpouredsomeoftheliquidsoapintohishands.Shemovedwithasinuoussensualityagainsthimasheslickedthesoapoverherskin,thefoamtricklingdownherlegs.
“Putyourhandsonthewall.”
Sheobeyedhisquietorderwithasmilethatwasatoncesultryandpossessive.“Haveyougoneobsidian?”Handsflatonthetile,shemoanedashestrokedthesoapoverherbackandontothecurvesofherbuttocks.
“Yes.”Hetookhistimewiththetask,beforegoingdownonhishaunchestorunthesoapoverherlegs.
Hiskisstoherinnerthighmadehergaspandturnaround.Tugginghimtohisfeet,sheletthesprayhitherbackandheldoutherhandforthesoap.“You’redirty,too.”
Somehow,thosesimplewordstookonafardifferentnuanceinthiscontext.Curvinghishandaroundherneck,hetookakissfromthosesoft,wetlips,hertonguehotinhismouthandherbodypressedagainsthiserection.Whenshebrokethekiss,itwastoclaspherhandsaroundthatpulsinghardness,herfirmgripaspossessiveashereyeshadbeen.
“I,”shewhispered,movingherhandsintightstrokesthathadhimgrittinghisteeth,“havebeendoingsomeresearchofmyown.”
Hismindthreatenedtoblankasshewentdowninfrontofhim,herbreastswet,herhandsspreadonhisthighs…andhermouthred-hotasshetookhiminsideher.Pleasureengulfedhiminatidalwave,darkandvicious,andheknewthistime,hisTkwouldn’tonlybetearingupthefieldsoutside.
***
TWENTYminutesandastormofwrackingpleasurelater,Saharapushedherdamphairoffherfacewhereshelayonherstomachintheirbedandranherhandoverthechestofthemanwholaybesideher,hisbreathingrough.“IjustcheckedthePsyNet,”shesaid,herownbreathingnotexactlyeven.“Thisregionjustexperiencedamedium-sizedearthquake.”
Kalebturnedhisheadonthepillow.“Itwaslocateddeepunderground,Imadesureofthat.Norealdamage.”
Itshould’vebeensurreal,lyinginbedwithamanwhohadjustcausedanearthquake,butthiswasKalebandhewashers.“Thepoorscientists,”shesaid,“aregoingtobescratchingtheirheadsoverthesuddenseismicactivityinthisregionoverthenextfewdecades.”
Kaleb’slipsdidn’tcurve,butshesawthewickedsmileinhiseyesashesaid,“Youtookmebysurprise.”
“Good.”Laxandsated,hermindontherageofhispower,shewenttoaskhimhowhe’dcontrolleditasachild,thenrealizedwhatshe’dbebringingintothisbed,thebloodandthehorrorandtheoneeventthey’dbothshiedfromfacing.Bodyandmind,shewasreadytohandleit,butnottoday,whenKalebappearedasyoungasshe’deverseenhim.
Instead,shedrewadesignonhisarmwithherfingerandsaid,“Food,thenrest.”Theafternoonsunmightbebrightbeyondtheterracesliders,butneitheroneofthemhadhadenoughsleepoverthepasttwodays.More,theyneededtomaintaintheirstrength.
Shedidn’thavetobeanFtoknowthewarwasn’tyetover.
***
KALEBwokeinthemiddleofthenighttoatelepathichailfromAden.AnindividualwebelievetobeVasquezhasbeentrackedtoCaliforniabyanArrowteamandindependentlybytheForgottentrackerandherchangelingpartner.PastexperiencemakesithighlyprobablethatSanFranciscoishisdestinationandhistarget.
Yes.ThecityhadbecomeafocalpointforPsywhowerefractured,makingitanathematoPurePsy.Evenmoreprovocativewasthefactthatthechangelings,humans,andPsyintheregionhadworkedtogethertorepelthelastattackbythefanaticalgroup.Sendmeallthedata.
Scanningitasitcamein,helookeddownatthewomanwhosleptwithherheadonhischest,herhairtumblingoverthearmhehadaroundherwaist.“Sahara.”
“Mmm.”Handflexingagainsthim,sheranherfootoverhisshinbeforesnugglingbackdowntosleep.
Hefeltsomethinginsidehimthatwassogentleitwaspainful,somethingthatawokeonlyforSahara.Maybeitwastheemotioncalledtenderness.Runninghishandupthelineofherspine,hecurveditoverhernape.“It’stimetogetup.”
“No.”Inspiteofthebad-temperedmumble,herlashesflickeredagainsthim.“Why?”
Hesawthelastofthesleepfadefromherfaceashetoldher.“But,”shesaid,sittingup,“fromeverythingI’veread,PurePsysufferedadecisivedefeatintheregionatatimewhentheyhadanarmy.Whywouldtheyriskareturnwithsucharagtagteam?”
“Therearetwooptions,”Kalebanswered,hiseyesonthebeautifulwomanwhosatnudebesidehiminasilentindicationofbone-deeptrust,thesheetspooledatherwaist.
“Thefirst”—hecurvedhishandaroundherhip—“isthatPurePsydoeshaveanarmywaitinginthewings,andthisisthemajorstrikethey’vebeenplanning.”Itwouldmakesense,thepreviousdefeatacauseofshameforthegroup.“However,I’vebeenkeepinganeyeontheregion,andtherearenosignsofanyoffensiveforceinoraroundthearea.”
“Sothatleavesthesecondoption.”Saharafrowned,herfingersrunningabsentlyovertheridgesofhisabdomen.“ThatVasquezwantstocauseasmuchchaosaspossibletocoverthisunknownotheraction?”
Kalebclenchedhisstomachmusclesasherhanddriftedlower.“Amanworkingalone,”hesaid,strokingthecurveofherhiponcebeforeheforcedhimselftogetoutofbed,“oronlywithasmallcovertteam,cancreateitonalargescale,especiallyifwetakeVasquez’strainingintoaccount.”
Pullingonapairofblacksweatpantsthathunglooselyonhiships,heconsideredthesituationandthenecessaryresponse.“WeneedtocornerVasquezinthecity,butenteringchangelingterritorywithoutaninvitationriskscreatingapoliticalsituation”—afactVasquezcouldbecountingontodelayanypursuit—“sowegetthatinvitation.I’llcontactJudd.”
Chapter41
“ANTHONY,”SAHARASAID,tuckingherhairbehindherears.“Icancallhim.He’llbeabletoadviseNikita—they’vebothmadeitclearPurePsyisunwelcomeintheirregion,andtheymayhaveon-the-grounddatayoucan’taccess.”
AtKaleb’snod,sheturnedtomakeanaudio-onlycallonthemobilecommbesidethebed,whileheusedhiscellphonetocontactJudd—andforthefirsttime,theirconversationwasnotbetweentheGhostandaformerArrow,butbetweenKalebKrychekandaSnowDancerlieutenant.Whentheothermanendedtheconversation,itwastospeaktohisalpha,aswellasgetwordtotheleopardalpha.“I’llcallyoubackinfiveminutes,”hesaidandhungup.
Intheinterim,KalebcontactedEnforcement’scentralcommandintheUnitedStatesandaskedthemtoissueupdatedbulletinstotheirofficersinCaliforniaandthesurroundingstates.“WarnthemnottoapproachifVasquezissighted,”Kalebsaid.“He’sahigh-leveltelepathtrainedinhand-to-handcombatandsniper-gradeshooting.”
“DoesthisrequestcomeviatheCouncil?”thecommissionerasked.
“No.TheCouncilisgone.Thiscomesdirectlyfromme—ItrustEnforcementhasnodifficultywiththat.”
“EnforcementhasnoissuecooperatinginthehuntforthecriminalAndreaVasquez.Futurecooperation,however,willdependonthecircumstances.”
“Verywell,Commissioner.”KalebhadsomanymolesinsideEnforcementhecouldgetanythinghewantedatamoment’snotice,buthesawnoreasonnottobecivil.
Hangingup,heglancedatSahara.“AnthonyisgettingintouchwithNikita,”shesaid,zippingupahoodedsweatshirtoverthejeansandT-shirtshe’dpulledon.“Hedidn’tsay,butI’mguessinghe’llalsoconnectwiththeothersintheregion,changelingandhuman.”Aquestioninglook.“Yourinvitation?”
Kalebbegantodress.“Pending.”Thefactwas,he’dbegoinginwithorwithoutit.Vasquezwastoobigathreattoleavetoeventhepacks’capablehands
Hisphonerangontheheelsofthatthought.“YouandtheArrowsarecleared,”Juddtoldhim.“StrategymeetingatDarkRiver’sChinatownHQ,twentyminutes.”
SincetheSnowDancerdenwassomedistancefromthatlocation,KalebguessedJuddandthewolfalphawouldbeteleportingtothemeeting.“I’llbethere.”Hangingup,hefinishedgettingintoclothingindistinguishablefromtheblackcombatuniformswornbytheArrowSquad,theclothingmadeofbulletproofmaterialthatwouldalsorepelacertainleveloflaserfire.
UnbeknownsttoSahara,allherjeans,aswellasthehoodedsweatshirtshewascurrentlywearing,hadthesamepropertiesasthecombatgear.Hehadn’tbeenabletoswapoutherT-shirtsandothertopsasyet,butoneofhiscompanieswascurrentlyworkingonasuperfineversionoftherougher,heaviercombatfabric.“Keepthatsweatshirtonthroughout,”hetoldher,andwhenshesmiledathim,herealizedshe’dalreadyfiguredoutwhathe’ddone.
Herintelligencehadalwaysbeenoneofthemostattractivethingsabouther.
“Canyougetmetoalocationlikethis?”sheaskedashetookaseatonthebedtoputonhisboots,sendinghimanimageofabusyconcourse,peoplemovingeverywhichway.“IthinkImightbeabletohelpgatherinformation.”
Whatshewasproposing,heunderstoodwhenshesenthimanotherimage,wouldbeakintostandinginthemiddleofthedatastreamsofthePsyNet,exceptonthephysicalplane.She’dpickuphundreds,thousandsofrandomthoughtsaspeoplepassedby.
“It’sgettingclosetocrossingamoralline,”shesaidwithasolemnexpression,“butitcouldmeansavingcountlesslives.AndsinceIhavenointentionofevertakingcontrolofthemindsthatbrushpastme,it’sadecisionIcanlivewith.”
“Areyousure?”Sahara’sconsciencewasapowerfulforce,onethatcouldcrushherfromtheinsideoutifshetookthewrongpath
Shenodded.“Imusthavethisabilityforareason—andthisconscience,too.Ihavetotrustinmyselfandmyintentiontodonoharm.”Blowingoutabreath,shesaid,“Itmightendupbeingafruitlessexerciseanyway.”
“Itstandsasmuchachanceofsuccessasanyother.”Vasquezwasamantrainedtobeashadow,andSanFranciscowasacityofmillions.“Youneedprotection.I’llorganizeanArrowescort.”Kalebwouldtrusthersafetytonoonehedidn’tthinkcapableofrepellingVasquez.
ButSahara,fingersworkingtoweaveherhairintoaneatbraid,shookherhead.“AnArrowwillstandoutinsuchachangeling-heavycity—theymaybetrainedincovertops,butthere’snodoubtthey’relethal,anditputspeopleinstinctivelyonedge.IsawthatinGeneva.”
Hegottohisfeet.“Youwantachangelingguard.”
“It’ssafer.PeoplewillassumeI’mahumanpackmate,”shepointedout.“Idon’tlook,act,orsoundlikethestereotypicalimageofPsy.”
Itwasacleverandmorethanplausibleargument.“Youriskexposingyourabilitiestothechangelings.”Themorepeoplewhoknew,thegreaterthechanceofaleak.
Saharawrappedanelastictiearoundtheendofherbraid.“Iwon’ttellthemwhatI’mdoing.I’llsayI’mputtingmyselfinprimepositiontohaveausefulflashofbacksight.”
Thepartofhimthatlivedinthevoid,possessiveandobsessivelyprotective,wantedtostateavocalnegativetoherplan…butparadoxically,thatsamepartwouldfighttothedeathforherfreedom.“Evenahintoftroubleandyoucallme.”
“Done.”Risingontiptoe,herhandsonhisshoulders,sheclaimedakiss,hergazetender.“Iwon’tunderestimateVasquez.”
Trustingherpromiseinawayhetrustednooneelse,hesaid,“AccordingtoAden’slatestreport,Vasquezisalreadyontheground.Thecentralskytrainstationisabetteroptionforyouthantheairport.”
***
FIFTEENminutesaftertheconversationwithKaleb,Saharaglancedattheamber-blondmalewhostoodwithher.Bothofthemleanedcasuallyagainstoneofthethickcolumnsthatranalongthecenterofthemassivestation,justanothertwoboredtravelerswaitingforalong-distanceconnection.Addingtothatimpressionweretheduffelbagsattheirfeet,thebatteredfabricthrownintoharshreliefbythebrightafternoonsunpouringthroughthemassiveskylights.
“You’retoogood-lookingforthis,”shesaidtoVaughn.Itwashappychancethathe’dalreadybeenatDarkRiverHQwhenshe’drequestedanescort.“Thatwomanalmostmissedherskytrain,shewassobusyeatingyouupwithherbig,browneyes.”Saharaflutteredherlashesasthehaplessbrunettehaddone.
Vaughnshotheranunsmilinglook,butshesawtheamusementthatprowledbehindit.“Gettowork,Ms.Kyriakus.”
“Ineedalittletimetogetmyzenon,asMercywouldsay.”Shenudgedhisarmwithhershoulder,comfortablewithhiminawayshewaswithveryfewmenasidefromKaleb.“WasitFaith?TheunnamedNightStarforeseerwhosawLuxembourgandParis?”
Asmallnod,Vaughn’slazilyfelinepostureattractinganotheradmiringglancetowhichheseemedoblivious,thoughsheknewthoseeyesofjaguar-goldmissednothing.AsKalebwouldprobablysnaptheneckofanyotherwomanwhotriedtotouchhimwithoutinvitation,sheknewVaughnwouldrespondwithclawsandteeth.Skinprivileges,shethought,werenottobeassumedlightlywithmenofthiscaliber.
“BetterforNightStartohandlethepressandimplytheFwasoneundertheircommand,”Vaughnadded,“thantodrawfurtherspecificattentiontoFaith.”Reachingout,hetuggedthefrontofherballcapalittlefurtherdown.
He’dgivenherthecapwhenhemetherandKalebinthedesertedservicecorridorKalebhadusedasateleportlock.Accordingtohim,thecap,brandedwiththelogoofthechampionlocalbaseballteam,wouldmakeherfarlessapttoattractattention,evenifshespenthoursinthestation.Sinceshe’dalreadyseenanumberofotherpeoplewiththesamecap,shecouldn’targue.
“How’sLeon?”
“Good.Reallygood.”Saharaspoketoherfathereverydayandhadalreadyplannedavisitinthecomingdays,nomatterwhat.Butfirst,shehadtodowhatshecouldtohelpstopanotherwaveofviolence.“Okay”—adeepbreath—“I’mready.”
Itwasthefirsttimeshe’dattemptedanythingofthismagnitude,andfromwhatshe’dheardoftelepathswhohadallowedtheirshieldstodropinsimilarsituations,shehadtobraceherselfforacrushingblastofnoiseasathousanddifferentmindscrashedintoherown.Ninety-ninepercentofindividuals,Psy,human,orchangeling,hada“public”mind,anupperlevelofinconsequentialthoughtthatwasrarelyshielded;thatwouldbebadenough,butSaharaintendedtoscanthenextlayerdown.
HereIgo,shesaidtotheTkwhowasherown.
Iwon’tletyoudrown.
Holdingontothatpromise,sheopenedhersensesthesmallestfraction,readytoshuteverythingdowntheinstantshehitoverload.Except—
Oh!
Itwasn’tthesameaswiththetelepaths.Herabilitywasunique,hermindcreatedtofilterdatafromothermindsinastreamlinedfashion.Thethoughtsofpassersbywereclearlydelineated,hermindvisualizingeachindividualasaseparate,understandablestrand…shimmeringsilverforPsy,ahaunting,luminousblueforhumans,andastunningwildgreenforchangelings.
ItwasamultihuedseaasextraordinarilybeautifulasthePsyNet.
Notfeelingtheleaststretched,sheexpandedhersensesbitbybitandhadtobitetheinsideofhercheektostifleherexcitement.Herreachwasn’tonlytwotothreeinchesaroundherbody.Itwasfar,farwider.Atfiftypercentstrength,shecouldunderstandthethoughtsofeveryindividualpassingwithinthewallsofthestation…includingthoseofthechangelingnexttoher,andchangelingshieldsweremeanttobeimpenetrable.
Whatshecaughtmadeherwanttogrin—Vaughnwashumminganonsensetuneclearlymeanttoobfuscatehisthoughts.Itworked,andittoldherFaithhadhersuspicionsaboutSahara’sabilities.Thatdidn’tworryher.Hercousinwouldneverbetrayher.Now,afterconsciouslyblockingVaughn’smind,shebegantoscananddiscardthoughtsataspeedthatturnedthestrandsintoasilver-bluejetstreamvibrantwithsparksofwildgreen.
***
KALEBdidn’tteleportinsideDarkRiver’sHQafterleavingSaharaandVaughnatthestation.Hewalkedthroughthedoorinagestureofgoodwillthathadhimreceivingacurtnodofwelcomefromtheleopardalpha.Thegreen-eyedmalewasaroundKaleb’sheight,withthesleek,muscularbuildsocommoninthefelinechangelings.
“Krychek.You’vebeatenAnthonyhere.”
TheheadofNightStarwalkedintwominuteslaterandLucasgesturedforthemtofollowhimintoalargemeetingroomdominatedbyanoval-shapedtablethatcurrentlyheldsevenpeople.KalebcaughtJudd’seye,notingtheothermansatbesidethewolfalpha,Hawke.NexttoHawkewasamaleKalebID’edasNathanRyder,DarkRiver’smostseniorlieutenant.
Nikitawasontheothersideofthetable,nexttoMaxShannon,hersecuritychief.AccordingtoKaleb’sinformants,Max’swife,Sophia,anex-Jwithahugenetworkofcontacts,hadalsoquietlybecomeoneofNikita’smosttrustedadvisers.HerrelianceonthecouplewasafactmanyinNikita’sorganizationstruggledtounderstand,sinceMaxandSophiawereapparentlyasofteninconflictwithNikitaastheywereinagreement.
Kalebunderstood.Hedidn’temploytheweak,either.
NowMaxShannoncaughthisgazeandnoddedinasilentthank-you.
Kalebthoughttotelltheothermantheirswasadebthemightonedaycollect,butdidn’tforthesamereasonhe’dhelpedsaveSophia’slifefromamadmanoverhalfayearago.Hehadn’tbeenabletohelptheonewomanwhowaseverythingtohim,hismindaplaceofangrydarkness,butinsavingSophia,hehadgained,ifnotredemption,thenaninstantofgraceinthedarkness.
Sahara,he’dthought,would’vebeenproudofhimforhisactionsthatday.
Acceptingthethankswiththeslightestinclineofhishead,heturnedhisattentiontoTeijan,alphaoftheRatsandheadofthebestspyorganizationintheregion.OppositethesharplydressedalphawasamanKalebcouldn’timmediatelyidentify,untilherealizedthecopper-skinnedmalehadcutoffhisformerlylonghair:AdamGarrettoftheWindHavenfalcons.
“Yourassistance,”hesaidtothefalconashetookaseat,“maybeinvaluableinpinpointingpossibletargets.”Afalconcouldflylowerthananyaircraft,followsuspiciousmovementsattheturnofawing.
“Mypeoplearealreadydoingsweeps,”Adamreplied,“workinginpartnershipwithteamsontheground.Nothingasyet.”
TheEnforcementvicecommissionerforthecityenteredtheroomrightthenandtookaseat.Themiddle-agedPsywoman,herskinanunusualpaperywhite,wasfollowedbyanelderlyhumanmaleofAsiandescentidentifiedasJimWong,representativeoftheshopkeepersinthewarrenofChinatown,theirreachextendingcitywidethroughanetworkoffamily,friends,andcustomers.AthisheelscameatallblackmaletheDarkRiveralphaintroducedastheliaisonfromtheHumanAlliance.
Thesilencewastaut,aspeoplewhowouldnevernormallytermoneanotheralliesfoundthemselvesfacingeachotheracrosstheglossywoodofthetable.Itwas,Kalebmused,asightthatwouldinflamePurePsy.
“Everyone’shere,”LucasHuntersaidaftershuttingthedoor,thesavagemarkingsonhisfaceechoedbythelookinhiseyes.“Let’sgetstraighttoit—weneedtonarrowdownthelistofpossibletargets.”
“Theofficesofthemayor,”thevicecommissionersuggested.
Kalebshookhishead.“Itdoesn’thaveasmuchshockvalueasaschool,anursery,orahospital.”PurePsywantedtocausepainandlossandangerthatwouldturnhumansandchangelingsagainstthePsy.“Vasquezintendstocauseawarthat’llleaveonlythe‘pure’standing.”
ItwasHawkewhonextspoke,hisiceblueeyesandsilver-goldhairthoseofthepredatorwithin—apredatorwhonowhadMinginhissights.“IhavetoagreewithKrychek,”thewolfalphasaid.“Butwe’vealreadyputallobviouslyvulnerableinstitutionsonhighalert,beefedupsecurity,andVasquezhadtohaverealizedthatwouldhappen.Ithinkhe’llgoforasoftertarget.”
“Hawke’sright.”TheRatalphaleanedforwardonthetable,hisdarkeyesquickandwatchful.“We’vepickedupnothingthatevenhintsPurePsy’smanagedtoinfiltrateSanFranciscoliketheydidHongKong—IhaveenoughfaithinmypeopletostatecategoricallythatVasquezisworkingwithoutafoundation.Whateverhe’splanning,it’sgoingtobequickanddirty.”
“ThescorchchargesusedinHongKong,”Juddsaid,evidencinghisconnections.“Evenalimitednumbercoulddoseriousdamagetothecity.”
“They’retoounstabletotransportwithoutpropercontainers:specifically,lead-linedboxes.”Kalebknewthatbecausehe’dmadeitapointtoaccessthehiddenfilesonthecharges.“AllsightingsoftheoperativewebelievetobeVasquezstatehe’smovingwithnothingbutasmallbackpack.Hecould,however,haveaccesstootherweaponryifhewassmartenoughtohideasmallcacheinthecityatsomestageinthepast—inapubliclockerhiredunderanothername,forexample.”Nothingthatwouldsetoffalarmbells,evenwiththepacks’tightsecurity.
“So”—LucasHunter’svoicewasgrimashespoke—“softtarget,highpossibilityofcasualties,intensepoliticalfallout,thosearetheparameters.”
“Airportsandskytrainstationsfit,”Nikitasaid,“andhavebeenalertedbymysecurityteam”—anodofconfirmationfromMax—“butthey’remoredifficulttomonitor,giventheconstantfoottraffic.”
Kaleb.Sahara’stelepathicvoicevibratedwithangerandfearcombined.Somethingisabouttohappenhere.Ijustcaughtathoughtabouttiming“thepurification”forrushhour.
Haveyouidentifiedtheindividualconcerned?
No.Itappearsthislevelofperceptiondoeshaveacost.Icanunderstandthethoughtsofeveryoneinthestation,butwithmysensesextendedtocoversuchalargearea,Ican’tshiftfocusfastenoughtozeroinonamindwhileaparticularthoughtisinprogress.However,whoeveritwaswasthinkingspecificallyaboutthelayoutofthestationandhowtoachieve“maximumstrategicimpact.”
Chapter42
“THECENTRALSKYTRAINstationisatarget,”Kalebsaidaloud,interruptingtheconversationinprogress.“Rushhourtoday.”
Nikitaturnedcooleyesinhisdirection.“Ifwefocusourresourcesonthewrongtargetortargets,weriskexposingothervulnerablelocations.”
“Theinformationishighlyreliable.”Heswitchedhisattentiontotheleopardalpha.“Doyouhaveenoughpeopletoquietlyevacuatetheschoolsandcheckthehospitalsforthreats?Wecan’trisktippingourhand.”
“It’salreadybeingdone.Anthony’sandNikita’steamsareworkingwiththepacksandMr.Wong’snetwork.”Lucasglanceddownthetable.“ViceCommissioner,isEnforcementsweepingtheshoppingmallsandmovietheaters?”
Shecheckedthedatapadinfrontofher.“Nothreatsdetectedasyet.Wecannot,however,cleartheselocationsandassistwiththecentralskytrainstation.”
“TheArrowsandIcanhandlethestation.”KalebhadalreadysenttheordertoAden’srapidresponseteam.
Thechangelingalphaslookedtooneanother,anunspokencommunicationpassingbetweenthem,beforeLucassaid,“Agreed,butwe’llgiveyousomeofourtrackers.Iftheattackisanythingchemicalbased,theymaybeabletocatchthescent.”
KalebknewthosetrackerswouldalsobekeepinganeyeonhimandtheArrows,butthatwastobeexpected.Accedingtothestipulationwithanod,hesaid,We’reonourway,tothewomanwhostoodinthecenterofwhatcouldbecomeadeathzone.
***
SAHARAspottedKalebenteringthestation,thoughhewaswearingabaseballcap,sunglasses,andaUCBerkeleysweatshirt.Niceoutfit,sheteased,immediatelyblockinghismindfromhercontinuingscans.
Myfaceiswell-known,butpeoplewillseewhattheyexpecttosee.
Andnoone,shethought,expectedtoseeKalebKrychekinacentralcityskytrainstation,muchlesswearinganoldsweatshirtandbatteredcap.
Listenforanyhintofalarm,hetoldher.TheArrowsarebetteratblendinginthanyourealize,butVasquezistrainedtospotcovertoperatives.
I’ll’paththeinstantIsenseanything.Shecouldnotfailinhertask.Ifthisbuildingwentdown,notonlywouldhundredsofinnocentpeopledie,Kalebmightdie.
Itwastenminuteslaterthatsheheardfromhimagain.Thechangelingsaren’tscentinganychemicalexplosives.Thebombsmaybesmallandwellhidden,orwemaybelookingatsomethingquieter;PurePsyhasbeenknowntousepoisongas.
Theconnectionbetweenthemopen,sheheardhimgivetelepathicordersforallairflowconduitstobechecked.I’mtakingthemainfans,hesaidtoher.They’reoutside,highonthebuilding,butIhavealineofsight.
Sweatdampenedherpalmsattheideahemightbeteleportingintodanger.Becareful.
Always.
Shehadtoforceherselftoremaininthealcovewhereshe’dbeenconcealedforthepasthalfhour.Whensheglancedoveratthejaguarwho’dkepthercompanythroughout,itwastocatchanimpatientlookonhisface.“I’msorryyouhavetobabysitme.Iknowyou’dratherbedoingsomethingelse.”
Tohersurprise,hislipscurved.“I’mnotimpatientaboutwatchingyou—I’mfrustratedbecauseIcan’tscentanythingthatmightgiveusaclue.”
It’stheair.Kaleb’svoiceslicedintohermind.Aconcentrateddoseofpoisonousgasattachedtotheconduitbelowoneofthemainfansandtimedtogooffatrushhour.
Sahara’sthroatwentdry,hermindseeingthebusystationgosilentaspeoplefellwheretheystood.Haveyouteleporteditout?
No.It’sverycleverlyrigged.There’sariskit’lldispersebeforetransportiscomplete.Ineedatech;thewolveshaveaskilledfemalewhocameinwiththeirtrackingteam—she’satDarkRiverHQhelpingcoordinateinformation.AskVaughntocontacther.
ThetechwasontheroofwithKalebsoonafterward,’portedtherebyadark-hairedtelekineticSaharahadn’tmet,butguessedtobeJuddLaurenfromwhatKalebhadtoldherofhisfriend’sallegiancetothewolves.Aminutelater,Vaughnreceivedacallandaskedhertofollowhimtothenearestsetofpublicrestrooms.
“Anyoneinthewomen’s?”heasked.
Peekingin,sheshookherhead.
Vaughnenteredandwentthroughitstallbystall.“Women’sWest2cleared,”hesaidintohiscellphonejustasanolderwomanwithredcheekspushedthroughthedoor.
“Excuseme.”Shesniffed.“Iknowyouyoungpeoplelikeyour‘unusualenvironments,’butreally.”Withthat,shebustledintooneofthestallsandslammedthemetaldoorwithaloudbang.
SaharakepthermouthshutuntilVaughnclearedthemen’srestroomandindicatedtheyhadtomoveontothenextset.“‘Unusualenvironments’?”shemurmured,doingherbesttoappearinnocent.“Didshemeantoimplysomethingsexual?Where,otherthanthebedroom,dopeopleexchangeintimateskinprivileges?”
“TalktoFaith.”
“She’snothere.”
“You’rejustlikeanannoyinglittlesister,youknowthat?”Asadnessinhisvoice,inhiseyes,thatwasoldandworn.“Alwaysaskingquestions.”
Seeingthesmilethatbalancedthesorrow,Saharadecidednottopullback.“So?”
Thesmilegrewwider,deepgroovesforminginhischeeks.“So,talktoFaith.”
Havingarrivedattheirdestination,Saharacheckedtomakesurethecoastwasclear.Exceptthistime,shepressedherhandagainstthedooronceinsidetomakesuretheydidn’tinadvertentlyshockanyoneelse.“You’recheckingforsmallincendiarydevices?”
Anod.“TheArrowsfoundoneattheotherendofthestation—cheapandeasytomake,smallrangebutbignoise.Vasquezmighthaveseededthestationwiththemtofoolpeopleintobelievingtheentireplacewasminedtoblow.”
“Todelayrescueeffortsoncepeoplebegantocollapsefromthegas.”Intelligentinthemostpsychopathicofways.
“Ye—”Vaughn’ssuddensilencetoldherhe’dfoundsomething.“StaybehindthewalluntilIgivetheallclear.”
Saharadidn’targue,wellawarethat,protectiveashe’dbecomeofher,Vaughnwouldn’tbeabletofocusifshefloutedhiscommand.Earlier,he’dthrustachocolatebarintoherhandwithanorderthatsheeatthewholething.“Psychicmusclesuseenergy,”he’dsaid.“Anddon’teventrytoargue.Faithdoesn’tgetawaywiththatandneitherwillyou.”
SaharahadtakengreatpleasureinpointingoutthathewasactingexactlylikeKaleb.Hisgrowlwould’veraisedeveryhaironherbodyifshehadn’tbeengrinningandeatingchocolateatthetime.
“Done,”hesaidnow,threeminutesafterhe’daskedhertostaybehindthewall.Placingtheremnantsofthedeviceintohisduffelbag,herose.“Let’sgo.”
Theyhadjuststeppedoutsidewhen—
“—mayhavebeencompromised.Pushgo!”
SaharawasspeakingtoKalebevenasthefinalwordechoedinhermind.Theyknow!Kaleb!Soclosetothepoison,he’dneversurvivetheexposure.
AminusculepausethatsentherheartintoherthroatbeforeKalebsaid,It’sallright.We’vedefusedthepoisonbomb.I’mintheprocessofteleportingthecontaineroutnow.
TherewerethreesmallboomsontheheelsofKaleb’swords,butthoughpeoplehesitated,lookingaroundforanswers,noonepanicked.Actingasplannedintheeventofapossiblepanicsituation,theArrowsduckedtheirheadsandmergedintotheflurryofpeopleinthestation,aschangelingteamsmovedintocordonoffthedamagedareas.
SinceVaughnwasoneofthosechangelings,sheheardhimfeedthecuriousastoryaboutteenagersplayingwithbannedfireworks.Theexplanationwasn’twhollybelieved,butthetravelers,regardlessofrace,relaxedassoonastheyrealizedthechangelingshadthesituationundercontrol.ItgaveSaharaaglimpseofexactlyhowmuchSanFranciscohadbecomeachangeling—specificallyleopard—city.
Intheend,thatwastheonlydamagedonethatday,butVasquez,facelessandunidentifiable,remainedinthewind.AcceptingKaleb’sofferofateleport,thechangelingtrackersusedthefaintscentfoundatthefantobegintheirhunt,eachchangelingaccompaniedbyanArrowwhocouldscanforandblockpossiblepsychicattacks.
Notstrongorfastenoughtokeepup,Saharadecidedtostayatthestation.“IncaseVasquezorhismendecidetocircleback,”shesaidtoKaleb.
Henodded,hiseyesconnectingwithVaughn’s.“Takecareofher.”
Thejaguarmale’srespondingnodwasquiet,thegrimlookhelaidonSaharaafterKalebleftnottheleastunexpected.“He’snotthekindofmanyouwanttobeinvolvedwith.”
Saharamadeafaceathim.“Thatwouldbemybusiness.”
“Sorry,doesn’tworklikethat.”Foldinghisarms,heleanedbackagainstthewall,eyesfullyjaguar.“You’refamilynow,littlesister.”
“Andlookhowsafeyouare,”shesaid,handsonherhips.“I’msorry,anyonewhoturnsintoapredatorycatwithbigteethandclawscan’texactlythrowstones.”
Vaughnnarrowedhiseyesather.“Iwillhurthimifheputsasinglebruiseonyou.”
“Youwon’thaveto,”Saharasaidsoftly.“He’dendhimselfbeforecausingmeharm.”Ashe’doncealmostdone…herbeautifulKalebwhohadbledsomuchshe’dthoughthe’ddopermanentdamagetohisbrain.
“No!Don’t!Kaleb,stop!”
***
ITwasalongdaythatmergedintoanevenlongernight.Kalebstayedwiththechangelingtrackers…andSaharastayedwithhim.She’dleftthestationwhenitbecamenight-quietandgonetoDarkRiver’sHQ,butremainedconnectedtoKalebonthetelepathicplane.Itwasaquietreminderthathemattered,thatsomeonewouldmisshimifhewasgone.
Aheadofhim,oneofthetrackers—awolfnamedDrew—heldupahand.KalebscannedtheareaandpinpointedanumberofPsymindsinthevicinity,buttherewasnothingtotellhimifonebelongedtotheindividualwho’dleftthescent,whetherithadbeenVasquezoroneofhisskeletonteam.Thenagunshotrangoutfromthefour-levelgaragetotheleftandhehadafarsmallerareatoscan.
Unabletoteleporttothelocationwithoutaclearvisual,herantoavehicleinfrontofthestructure,thenreachedforbothJuddandAdenwithhismind.Ineedcover
Go.Laserfireeruptedfromallsides,interspersedwiththehardersoundsofgunfire.
Icanbringinmorepeople,hesaidtoJuddoncehisbackhittheinsidewallofthegarage.Nohostilesonthislevel.
We’llstayouthere,drawhisattention.Lookslikeasingleshooter.
Kalebwasalreadymoving,takingextracaretoensurehisfootfallsdidn’techo.Hewasalmosttothefourthlevelwhentheworldwentsilent.Judd,update.
Hestoppedwithoutwarning.Mayhaverealizedyou’rethere.
Kalebincreasedhisspeed,awareVasquez—ifitwastheleaderofPurePsy,andnotoneofhissubordinates—hadtheskilltorappeldownthesideofthestructureandonceagaineludecapture.Thebulletcameoutofnowhere,glancingoffhisupperarm.Grittinghisteethagainstthebruisingpain,herolledbehindtheprotectivebulkofagleamingblackall-wheeldrive.
Kaleb!
Hedidn’tknowhowSaharahadsensedtheblow.Bulletprooffabricdiditsjob.I’mfine.Hisarmremainedfunctional.
Riskingalookaroundthecorner,hetwistedbackasanotherbulletsnappedpasthishead,butthequickglimpsecombinedwiththetrajectoryofthebulletgavehimwhatheneededtozeroinonthelocationoftheshooter.Herosetohishaunchesastheall-wheeldrivetookmultipleshotsfrombothaprojectileweaponandalaser,safetyglasscascadingaroundhim.Shakingitoff,hespreadhishands,palmsout,andshovedeverysinglecaronthislevelofthegarageforwardinalethalwavethatlefttheshooterwithnowheretogo.
ThegunswentwildastheshootertriedtotakeKalebdownandcutofftheflowofhistelekineticpower.Kalebeasilyavoidedthebullets…untilonericochetedoffametalsignonthewalltopunchintohisthighwithanimpactthattoldhimithadbeendesignedtopenetratebulletprooffabric.Itdid.TheviolentpainmighthaveinterruptedtheconcentrationofanotherTk,butKalebhadlearnedtoworkthroughworseasaboy.
Grittinghisteeth,heslammedthecarsintothebackwall,themetalscrapingalongthesidesoftheparkinggaragetoleavedeepgouges.Thencamesilence.Totalandpossiblydangerous.Sweepingoutwithhistelepathicsenses,hefoundalivingPsymind,butitwasflickering,forlackofabetterword,criticallyinjured.Hehadtoshiftthreecrushedcarstogettotheshooter,wholaycrumpledbetweenthewallandthetwistedhulksofmetal,hisgunscrushed,hislowerbodystickyandred,bonesinsplinters.
TheonlywayKalebcouldknowifthisphysicallyunremarkablemalewasVasquezwouldbetotearintohismind.Butevenwiththebloodpoolingaroundhislowerbody,thickanddark,themanhadalookinhiseyesthattoldKalebhismindwasapttoberiggedtocollapseifbreached.
Removingtheman’sknifeandanythingelsehecouldusetospeeduphisowndeath,Kaleb’portedtoSahara,aftersendingherawarningmessage,tuggedthehoodofhersweatshirtupoverherheadtoshadowherface,and’portedbackwithher.
Soundshadbeguntoechothroughthegaragebythetimetheyarrived,therestoftheteamdoingalevel-by-levelsweeptomakesuretherewasnooneelsehidinginthestructure.
“Noquestions?”thecriticallyinjuredmaleraspedontheirreturn,bloodbubblingoutofthecornersofhismouth.
Kaleb’slegwasbleedingbadlynow,theviscousliquidhavingsoakedintothetoughfabricofhispantsandtrickledintohisboot,buthewouldfinishthis.“You’reunlikelytoanswerthem.”
Theman’slashescamedown,settled,thenliftedtoshowhewasstillaliveandconscious.“Soyou’llstandthereandwatchmedie,notevenattemptaretraction?”Contemptinthosewords.
ItisAndreaVasquez,Saharasaidalongtheirfamiliartelepathicpathway.Butthiswasnothisfinalstrike.ThatiswhathecallsthePhoenixCode:he’ssplitPurePsyintomultiplecells,eachwiththegoalofcollapsingasmuchofthePsyNetaspossible,untilonlythe“pure”remain—hisbeliefsystem,aswellasthoseofhisfollowers,hasaltereduntiltheynowtrulythinkthatthosewhoare“pure”arestronger.Anyonewhodieswasthereforenotpure.
ThetautologyofthatbeliefdidmoretodisprovePurePsy’s“rational”rhetoricthananyreasonedargument.
Geneva,Saharacontinued,Luxembourg,Paris,SanFrancisco,theywereallintendedtogivehispeopletimetoscatterandhidedeep,onlytoariseanewoncethedusthassettled.WhiletheirgoaltoridtheNetoftheimpureisparamount,theirsecondaryaimistoinstigateaworldwidewarthatwilleliminatetheweakandthe“inferior.”
Hislegacy,ashethinksofit,isanorganizationwithsomanyheadsthatitwillbeimpossibletodecapitate:atruehydra.
Chapter43
VASQUEZ’SPLANWASallthemoreterribleforitssimplicity.ItwastoobadfortheleaderofPurePsythat,atlastcount,theArrowshadtakendownseventy-fivepercentofhislieutenantsandwerenowmovingontothenextlayer.Evenamultiheadedhydraneededsometypeofacommandstructure,andKalebhadnointentionofpermittingtheremaininglieutenantstosetupanykindofapowerbase.
Asfortheweakermembers—theymightbetroublesome,butonlytotheextentaninsectistoadragon.Eventually,they’dallbecrushed.
“Youwouldsentenceyourracetoannihilation,”hesaidtoVasquez,anditwasn’tajudgment.HowcoulditbewhenhehadonceconsidereddestroyingthePsyNet?No,itwasaquestion,oneVasquezunderstood.
“Wewillriseasthephoenixfromtheashes.Better,stronger,purer.”HiseyesmetKaleb’s,thescleraredwithburstbloodcells.“Youunderstand.”
“Yes.”Andbecausehedid,becausehesawinVasquezwhohemight’vebeenbutforSahara,hecroucheddowntogriptheotherman’shandsohedidnothavetogointodeathasaloneashe’dbeeninlife.NeitherdidhetellVasquezthattheplanhe’dsacrificedhimselftoputinplacewouldnevercometofruition.
Itwastheonlypeacehecouldoffer.
TheleaderofPurePsycoughedupbloodyfroth,hisvoicearawwhisperashisblood-slickfingerstightenedonKaleb’s.“ThePsyhavealwaysbeenmeanttorule.Whenitisover,wewillbetheonlypowerthatremains.”Afinalrattlinggasp,hiseyesfadingtostareoutintothenothingnessofdeath.
AndreaVasquezwasdeadandwithhim,hisdreamofaworldenslavedbythePsy
Closingtheman’seyelids,KalebrosetopullSaharaclose.“Wemayhavewonthisbattle,butnowcomesafarharderone—torebuildasocietythatissofundamentallybrokenithasbeguntocannibalizeitself.”
“Whichyouneedtobealivetodo,”camethefuriousresponse.“Thebulletprooffabricdiditsjob?”Shewasstaringathisthighassherepeatedhisearlierassurance.
OnlytoSaharawouldheexplainhimself.“Thatwasalatershot.”
Ignoringhim,shetwistedaroundasthefirstofthewiderteamclearedthelevel.“Juddcan—”
“No.”HeteleportedthemdirectlytoaprivatemedicalfacilitystaffedbythosewhowouldnotdarebetrayKaleb,notonlybecausehepaidthemverywell,butbecausetheagonizingpunishmentinvolvedshouldtheyspeakhissecretswouldinnowaybeworthit.
Pushingbackherhood,Saharabeganissuingorderstothemedics.Staystill,washersnappedtelepathiccommandtohimwhentheheadM-Psyreachedforascanner.
Kalebobeyed.
“Projectileweapon.Bullethasn’texited.”TheM-Psyputthescannerasidetopickupasurgicaltool.“Sir,youmaywishtodeadenyourpaincenters.”
Kalebhaddonethatwhenhewasshot.“Go.”
TheM-PsybegantoworkwithanefficiencythatwasasilenttestamentastowhyshewasinKaleb’semploy.Reachingout,SaharawentasiftobrushKaleb’shairoffhisforehead,thendroppedherhandafteraquicklookatthemedic.Sorry.
It’sallright.Thereisnoriskhere.
Bequiet.Foldingherarms,shestoodstiffandsilentandwatchfulasthemedicputtheretrievedbulletinatrayandusedanotherpieceofequipmenttospeedupthehealingprocess.
“Thisprocedureiscomplete,sir,”theM-Psysaidsometimelater.“Youmayhaveslighttendernessinthearea,butitshouldn’tlastmorethanadayorso.”Shelookedupafterputtingdownthetoolshe’dbeenusing.“Areyouwoundedanywhereelse?”
“Scanmyupperleftarm.”Itwaspossibletheimpactoftheglancingbullethadcausedinjuriesofwhichhewasunaware.
“Notearingorfractures,”theM-Psysaidafterthescanwascomplete,“butsignificantbruising.Icanworkonit—”
“No,that’sfine.”KalebbarelyfelttheinjuryandhewantedtobealonewithSahara.
“Yes,sir.”Removingherglovestoleavethemonthetray,themedicleftwithoutfurtherwords.
NotingfromSahara’sunchangedstancethatshewasinnomoodtotalk,heteleportedthemdirectlyintowhathadbecometheirbedroomattheMoscowhouse.He’dalreadydiscardedhistornanddirtysweatshirtintothesamemedicalincineratorhe’dsentthebloodiedequipmentthemedichadused,andnowrippedoffhislong-sleevedbulletprooftopinpreparationforashower,afterkickingoffhisbootsandsocks.
Notsayingaword,Saharapickeduphisarmtoexaminetheplacewherethefirstbullethadgrazedhim.Hisskinwasbeginningtoturnthemottledshadethatdenoteditwouldbeaheavybruise,butwasotherwiseundamaged.Shedidn’tsayanything.Instead,shereacheddowntopullasidethefabricofhiscargopantswherethemedichadslicedittoworkonthewound.
Delicateasair,herfingersdancedoverthespot.“Doesithurt?”
Astrangesensationwhisperedthroughhisveinsnowthatshe’dspokentohimagain.“No.Itwasn’tabadwound.”
Thelookshegavehimwasmurderous…buthesawherlowerliptremble.
Atlastheunderstood,realizedhe’dmadeherafraid.“I’msorry.”
Swallowing,sheroseontiptoetowrapherarmsaroundhisneck.Hebenttomakeiteasierforhertoholdhim,entrappingherinhisarms.“I’msorry,”hesaidagain,rememberingwhatithaddonetohimtoloseher,andseeinginherresponsethesamebone-numbingterror.
“Ifthebullethadhityourfemoralartery,you’dbedead.”Tremblingvoice,tearswetagainsthisskin.“Aquarterofaninchtothe—”
“No,”hesaid,needingtomakethisright.“Iwould’veteleportedimmediatelytothemedicsinthatcase.”Changinghishold,hecarriedhertothebedandsatdownwithherinhislap,uncaringofthedriedbloodonhispants.
Tighteningherhold,sheburiedherfaceagainsthim.Hedidn’tknowwhatelsetodo,howtocomforther,sohesimplyheldher,heldtheonlypersonintheworldwhohadevercriedforhim.
Thefirsttimehadbeensixmonthsaftertheirfirstmeeting,whenshe’dnoticedtheblue-blackbruisesononeofhisarmsafterhe’dforgottenaboutthemandpushedupthesleevesofhissweatshirt.Havingnoideawhattodo,he’dwarnedhershe’dbeintroubleifshewascaughtcrying,butnomatterwhathesaid,shekeptcryingsilenttearsandpattingathisarm.
“Ican’tfixyou.I’msorry.Ican’t.”
Shewaspattinghimlikethatagain,herhandgentlycaressingthehurtspotonhisupperarm.Sohesaidthesamethingthathadfinallystoppedhertearsthatday.“Pleasestopcrying.Ifyoudo,I’llmakeyoufly.”
“I’llmakeyoufly.”
MemorypoweredthroughSaharainasingleslammingpunch,andallatonce,shewassittingontheedgeofasmall,hiddenpondinthefarthestcorneroftheNightStargrounds,colorfulkoimovinglazilybeneaththeclearsurfaceandthetasteofsaltonherlips.
“What?”shewhisperedtotheboywhosatafootinfrontofher,hisarmtellingherastoryhisvoiceneverwould.
“See.”Heheldupthebeautifulbluepebbleshehadgivenhimafterfindingitinthesmallboxofstonesherfatherhadgivenherasaneducationaltool.He’dtoldhertolookupthepropertiesofthestones,butSaharahadalsoreadaboutthenonscientificmeanings.Lapislazuli,thetextshe’daccessedhadsaid,wasastonemeanttorepresentfriendship.
Nowthebluestonerosehighintotheair.“Likethat.”
Smiling,Saharacaughtthestone,wipingthebacksofherhandsoverhercheeks,andmemoryseguedintoreality.
Drawingbacktolookintoeyesgoneebony,shecuppedhisface.“Thatwasafunday,wasn’tit?”Hehadmadeherfly,aftertheystoleawayintoasecludedsectionwherenoonewouldseethem.
“Youwantedtositonthehighestbranchofthebiggestpineinthewoods.”
Saharalaughedthroughtheremnantsofhertears.“Youletme.”Delighted,she’dsatuptherewithoutacareintheworld,legshangingoffthesidesasshewavedtoKaleb.“IthinkyouwereterrifiedIwouldfalloff.”
“Imayhavebeen…uncertainofyourbalance.”
Sahara’slaughterfadedasothermemoriescameintoclearfocus,othertimeshe’dbeenhurtandtriedtohideitfromher.“How,”shewhispered,“didyoumanagetocontainallthatpowerasaboywithoutthepaincontrols?Whywasthemonsterneverafraidyou’dstrikeoutathim?”
Kalebwentmotionless,andshewantedtocallbackherwords,stiflethemasshe’ddonebefore,butsomesecretswerepoisonous,anditwastimetheyfacedthebloodynightthathadscarredthemboth.Andthatnightbeganinachildhoodthathadbeenanightmareofpainandlonelinessandhorror.
“Together,”shewhispered,tellinghimhewasn’taloneinthedarkness,wouldneverbealone.“Nowandforever.”
Eyesofimpenetrableblackinthatbeautifulface,buthisarmslippedaroundherwaist,hispalmwarmonherlowerbackeventhroughthesweatshirt.“Santanoplacedthetelepathicequivalentofachokingleashinmymind,”hesaidatlast.“Asacardinalhimself,hecouldconstrictthatleashatanytimetocutoffmypower.”
Saharakeptaviciousgriponheranger.“Youbrokeitasanadult?”
“Itwasmoreacaseoftheleashdisintegratingundertheforceofmystrengthasmyabilitiesmatured…butnotfastenough.”Hishandfistedonherback.“AndevenwhenIthoughtIwasfree,Iwasn’t;hecouldalwaysmakemewatch.”
Saharacoulderasethosememories,healhispainthatmuchatleast,butinsodoing,she’dforevertainttheindefinabletrustbetweenthem.“Hetriedtobreakyou,”shesaid,fierceinherpride,“butyoudidn’tonlysurvive,youthrivedtobecomeapowerunlikeanytheworldhaseverseen.”
Kissedbythepassionatefuryofthiswomanwholovedhimenoughtofighthisdemons,Kalebknewhehadtofinishthis,hadtotellhereverything.“Don’tyouwonderhowhefoundoutaboutyou?Whenweweresocareful?”WhenKalebhadbeendeadcertainhe’dbuiltasecretcompartmentinhismindthatSantanocouldn’treach.
Saharadidn’tflinch,didn’tturnaway.“Achildhasnoshieldsandhewasacardinal,”shesaid,thedeepblueofhereyesanendlessmidnight.“Thereisnoblame.”
“Youdon’tunderstand.”
“What?”Handoverhisheart,shesaid,“Thathedidtomewhathedidtosomanychangelingwomen?”
Hefroze,everycellashardasice.“Yes.”Withthatbrutalconfirmation,heputhergentlyaside,rose,andshovedopenthedoorsthatledtotheterrace.
Outside,theskywasblackwithrainheavyclouds,theairgray,thechillwindslappingagainsthisbareupperhalf.Walkingtothebrokenmetalrailings,hebegantoripthemoutwithmethodicalprecision,pilingtheremnantsinonecorneroftheterrace.HewasawareofSaharastandinginthedoorway,eyesonhim,butshedidn’tsayanythinguntilhe’dfinisheddemolishingthefencehe’dputinplace.
Steppingtotheveryedgeoftheterrace,hestaredoutintothedarkness.“ItturnedoutSantanoknewaboutyouforyears,”hesaid,thepaddingofherfeetonthewoodasshecrossedtohimhammerblowsagainsthisribs,“buthedidn’tinterfere.Helatertoldmeyoukeptmestable,soyouwereuseful.”Useful.ThemostbeautifulthinginhislifehadbeenusefultoCouncilorSantanoEnrique.“Becauseofme,heknewyouexisted.”
Sahara’shandonhisback.“Youwarnedmetobecareful,”shesaidwithaconfidencethattoldhimthememorywascrisp,clear.“YousaidIshouldnever,everbealonewiththatmonster.Kaleb,youwerebleedingsobadlythatday,Iwasafraidyou’dcauseseriousdamagetoyourbrain—youfoughtthecompulsionssohardforme.”
Kalebwatchedrockstumblingdownintothegorgeandknewhewasthecause,hisrageseekinganoutlet.“Itwasn’tenough.Notwhenhedugdeeperintomymindandrealizedyourtrueability—andhowquicklyyouwerelearningtodisciplineit.Itwasn’tsimplythatyoumightbecapableofseeingallhissecretsonedaysoon,butthatyouhadthecontactstobeheard.”
KalebhadbeggedEnriquenottotouchher,theonlytimeinhislifehehadeverbegged.He’dbeenwillingtogiveupthefinalraggedshredsofhissoulifthatwaswhatittook,butEnriquehadotherplans.“Hetoldmeitwastimeheremindedmethatheownedme.”
Saharawrappedherarmsaroundhimfrombehind.“Hewantedyoutohurtme.”
Chapter44
KALEBCONTINUEDTOstareoutintothedarkness,everymuscleinhisbodylockedtight,untilhewasmadeofstone.“You’verememberedeverythingaboutthatnight.”
“Almost,”shesaid,pressingakisstohisback.“It’sbeencomingtomeinpiecesoverthepasttwenty-fourhours.Ihavemostofitnow.”
“Whyaren’tyouafraidofmeifyouremember?Whyareyoustillhere?”
“Becauseyou’remine.”
Thestonefractured,hishandsrisingtocloseoverherown.“HeknewifIhurtyou,itwouldbreakthedefiancethatkeptmeKalebratherthanhiscreature.”
“Cuther.”Theknifebeingpushedintohishand.“You’relikeme,havealwaysbeenlikeme.Dowhatcomesnaturally.”
Saharatwistedaroundtofacehim,carelessofhersafety.Whenhepulledherfromtheedgewithasharprebuke,shesmiledandsaid,“Iknewyouwouldn’tletmefall.”Reachingforhisleftarmashertrustsmashedthestonetopieces,shetracedthemarkontheinsideofhisforearm.“It’salmostlikeabrand,”shemurmured.“Oraburnthatwasnevertreated,andthedesign,it’sfamiliar.”
“It’stheinsigniafromtheold-fashionedwallradiatorinthehotelroomSantanochoseforthatnight.”Hedaredtouchhisfreehandtoherhair,felttheiceinsidehimmeltwhensheturnedherfaceintothecaress,herlipspressingasweetkisstothecenterofhispalm.“Theroomwascheapandisolatedandhundredsofmilesfromyourhome.ItwasalsocoveredinDNAbythetimehefinished.That’swhyhesetitonfireafterwipingtheentireplacedownwithbleach.”
Meticulous,theotherTkhadbeentheworstcombinationofintelligenceanddeadlypathology.Thefirethatnightmight’vebeenoverlookedasvandalism…exceptafterSantanoteleportedSaharaawaytoasecretlocationwhilechokingoffKaleb’sabilitytogotoher,theleashyetholding,he’dteleportedinthebodyofachangelinggirlhe’dkilledthreeweeksearlierandkeptonice.
“Itamusesmetowatchtheratschasingtheirtail,”he’dsaidwiththearroganceofamanwhohadbeengettingawaywithmurderforyears,hisvictimsscatteredacrosseverycorneroftheworld.“Let’sthrowthemthisboneandseewhattheydowithit.”
Thefiredamagetothegirl’sbodyhadruledoutDNAidentification—Enforcementhadfinallyidentifiedherusingdentalrecords,thankstothededicationofthedetectiveincharge.ThatdetectivehadalsoconnectedthemurdertothoseoftwoofSantano’sothervictimsthroughthemarksleftonthebonebytheknifeSantanohadusedthatyear,andbecauseatthetime,themonsterhadbeen“experimenting”withdecapitation.
WhilethefactthatitwasSantanoEnriquewho’dbeenbehindthosethreemurderswasn’tpublicknowledge,enoughpeoplesuspectedhisinvolvementinthestill-unsolvedcrimesthattherewasapossibilitysomeone,someday,wouldmaketheconnectionbetweenthescaronKaleb’sarmandthatburned-outhotelroom.Theheavyironradiator,afterall,hadbeenoneofthefewpiecesthatsurvivedwithoutanymajordamage.Itsdistinctivenessmayhavebeenthereasonjournalistsrepeatedlyusedtheimagewhentalkingofthecrimes,theshothavingleakedfromEnforcementfiles.
ItwaswhyKalebneverbaredhisforearminpublic.
Hehadnoconcernwithbeingbrandedasapprenticetoaserialkiller.Whenhe’dfirstjoinedtheCouncil,itwouldhavebeenproblematicinlightofSantano’srecentexecution,could’veledtoachallengefromtheothers.He’dneededtobeontheCouncilthen.Thatnolongerapplied;nobodycouldtouchhim.NowhecaredonlyaboutwhatpublicexposurewoulddotoSahara.Noonehadanyright,evenunknowingly,topushthatnightmareinherface.
“I’llgetitremovedtomorrow,”hesaid,andknewitwastimetoadmithisfailure.“Icouldn’tdoituntilIfoundyou,untilIprotectedyouasIdidn’tthen.”She’dbeenhurtrightinfrontofhim,overandoveragain.
“Enriquedidsomethingtotheradiator,”Saharamurmured,herfingersgentleontheraisededgesoftheburn.“Withhiskineticenergy.Itglowedred-hot—”Herheadjerkedup.“Heheldyourarmagainstthatinsigniasolongthatyourarmstoppedworking,theburnwassodeep.”
“Itdidn’thurt.”Dullinghispainreceptors,hehadn’tmadeasound,notwillingtogiveSantanothesatisfaction.“Nothinghurtexceptbeingforcedtowatchhimcutyouandnotabletomovesomuchasamuscle.”Santanohadmadehimhelplesstocometotheaidoftheonepersonwhowashiseverything,theonepersonwhohadneveroncelethimdown,theonepersonwhothoughttherewassomethinggoodinhim.
Thathadbrokenhim…thenithadmadehimanightmare.
Itwasn’ttheresultSantanohadintended.
“Kaleb.”Saharakissedthemarkonhisforearm,herlipsbutterflysoft.“YouknowwhatIseewhenIseethis?Iseeamanwhofoughtsohardformethathescaredamonster.YouknowIwasmeanttodiethatnight.”
SaharacouldhearEnrique’svoicewhisperinginherear,uglyandexcitedashetoldherofhisplanstohaveKalebtakeherlife.ExceptKalebhadrefusedtobuckleunderthecompulsionsEnriquehadplantedinhim.“Youhithimwithatelekineticblow,hardenoughtocrashhimintothewall.”
“No,”Kalebsaidflatly.“Ididn’tdoanythingtostophim.”Hishandshookwhereittouchedherhair.“Ihurtyou—Icanstillhearyouscreamingatmetostop.”
“YouhurtEnrique,notme!”Saharagrabbedathisupperarms,unabletobearthathe’dbelievedsuchasoul-destroyinglieforsevenlongyears.“Youcameclosetokillinghim.”
Seeingtotalincomprehensionintheeyesofendlessblackthathadlosttheirbeautifulobsidiansheen,shecuppedhisfaceandsenthimtheimages—nuanced,real—fromhermemory.Havingbeenlockedinsidethevaultwithinthevaultwhereshe’dhiddenhersenseofselfinanefforttoprotectitfromtheravagesofthelabyrinth,thememorywaspristine,everydetailofthatnightmareroompickedoutinintricatedetail.
***
SAHARAtriednottoscreamasSantanoEnriquedughisbladeintotheuppercurveofherbreast,knowingherpainwassavagingKaleb.Themonsterhadpinnedhimagainstthewallusinginvisibletelekineticmanacles,forcedhisheadtowardthebedsohecouldn’tmissseeingEnriquetortureher.
Kalebcould’veclosedhiseyes,shutoutthehorror,buthedidn’t.She’dknownhewouldn’t,evenwhenshesilentlyimploredhimtolookaway.HerKalebwouldneverleaveheralonewithamonster.
Thescreambrokeoutofherinspiteofhereveryattempttocontainit,herbodyunabletofightthepainaftersomanycutsthatherskinwasaslickofredinthelightofthetwobedsidelampsthatspotlightedEnrique’sevil.Hewaitedforthescreamtofadebeforecontinuingtocut.“DoyouknowwhyIchosethisplace?Cheapasitis,theroomsareallsoundproofed—andeveniftheyweren’t,therearenootherguestsatthistimeofyear.”
Saharahadworkedthatoutlongbefore.“Pleasestop,”sheraspedout,herthroatraw.
Enriquedughisbladeindeeper.Hethoughtshewasbeggingforsurcease.Shewasn’t.HerwordswereforKaleb,herbeautiful,strongKalebwhoheldhergazewithaviolentsilencethatwasablackrage,hisowneyesbleedingashefoughttobreakthecompulsionthatleashedhispowers,foughttocometoher.
Sheknewhewasputtingdeadlypressureonhisbrain,buthewouldn’tlistentoher—andshecouldn’treachhimwithhermind,Enriquehavingdonesomethingtobothofthemtoblocktheirtelepathy.Hejustcontinuedtofightwithabrutalintensity,hisfaceamaskofblood.
“Stop,”shewhisperedagain,tryinginvaintoreachforhimwithhandsEnriquehadboundwithTk.“Don’t.”Shecouldn’tbeartoseehimhurtinghimself,couldn’tbeartothinkhemightdofataldamage.HowcouldsheexistinaworldwithoutKaleb?
“Beggingwilldoyounogood,”themonstersaid.Playinghishanddesultorilyoverherbrutalizedflesh,hisfingerssmearingwetbloodoverdried,Enriqueleanedinclose.Toher,hisbreathwasfetid,repulsiveashismind,ashewhispered,“Youmarkhisfinalriteofpassage.Itwillbethesweetestkillofhislife,ahighhe’llforeverattempttore-create.”
PainwrackedSahara,herheartbreakingfortheboybecomeamanwhohaddoneeverythinginhispowertokeephersafesincethedaythey’dmet.“It’sallright,”shewhisperedsolowthatEnriquedidn’thearashegotoffthebedandmovedtoKaleb.
ButKalebheard,heunderstood,hiseyesblackpoolsofnothingness,hardanddead,andofrage.
“It’sallright,Kaleb,”sherepeatedagain,butthosestone-hardeyesrepudiatedherwords,thebloodbeginningtodripfromhisearsashisbrainwascrushedbetweenthetwinforcesofhisincrediblewillandEnrique’smalevolence.
“Cuther,”Enriqueordered,thrustingthebloodyknifeintoKaleb’shandandforcinghisfingerstocloseovertheinstrumentofsomuchpain.“You’relikeme,havealwaysbeenlikeme.”AslylookoverhisshoulderatSaharabeforeheturnedbacktoKaleb.“Dowhatcomesnaturally.”
Kaleb’sfingersflexedinajaggedspasm,thebladefallingtothecarpetwithadullthud.
ThechangeinEnrique’sfaceoccurredwithinasplitsecond,theslynessreplacedbysomethingSaharaknewwaspureevil.Itlivedwithinthemonsteralways,washiddenbythefacadeoffaultlessSilence.Therewasnofacadenow,nobarrierbetweenKalebandtheuglinessthatwasSantanoEnriqueasthemonstersaid,“Youthinkyoucandefyme?”
SaharacriedoutasKalebwasslammeddowntohiskneessohardthebedvibratedfromtheimpact.Aninstantlater,hisshirt-cladarmwaspressedtotheold-fashionedradiatoronthewallnexttohim.Atfirst,shedidn’tunderstandwhatitwasshewasseeing….thentheradiatorglowedred-hot.
“No!Don’t!”shetriedtoscreamasthemetalmeltedthroughhisshirtandintohisflesh…andbloodbegantodripfromhisnose.“Kaleb,stop!”Hewaskillinghimselfinfrontofher.“Please,Kaleb.Please!”
Hervoicewasallbutgone,buthiseyeslockedwithherown,hisheadmovingintheslightestnegativeshake.Shedidn’tneedtelepathytounderstandhim,understandwhathewasaskinghertodo.Ofeverythingthathadhappenedthatnight,thiswasthehardest,butsheswallowedthetearsthatburnedhereyesuntiltheybecameapainfulknotinsideherchest,andshestoppedtalking.
IfKalebcouldbesilentasthescentofburnedfleshfilledtheair,andhisblooddrippedontothewhiteofhisshirt,thenshecouldkeephertearsfromfalling.SantanoEnriquemighthavedrawntheirblood,mighteventaketheirlives,butthemonsterwouldgetnomoreoftheirpain.ItbatteredandbruisedherheartwhenEnriquekickedKalebinthechestwithabootedfoot,hardenoughthatsomethingcrackedandKalebcoughedblood,butshekeptherfaceturnedtowardKalebsohewouldn’tbealone,andshedidn’tcry,evenashervisionbegantowaverfrombloodloss.
ThatwaswhenEnriqueglancedbackather…andtheradiatorstoppedglowing,Kaleb’sarmhanginglimplyathisside.“Sinceyou’verejectedmyoffer,”themonstersaid,“I’llhavethepleasureofendingyourSahara’slife—andthetime,itappears,mustbenow.She’sgrowingweakeranditwouldbesuchawasteifshedidn’tfeelherdeath.”Hepickeduptheknife.“Apityourlittlepartycouldnotcontinueforlonger.”
“Stop,”Kalebsaid,coughingupmorebloodtodrawinahard-wonbreath.“I’llgiveyouanythingyouwantifyousetherfree.Completeobedience,nodefiance.”
Hewasbargaininghissoulforherlife.Saharawantedtotellhimno,thatshewouldneveracceptthatbargain,butshewashavingtroubleformingwords.
“Everything?”Santanoasked.“Wouldyoucrawl?Becomemycompliantpet?”
Kalebansweredwithouthesitation.“Yes.”
Themonster’slaughwasaharshsoundthatscratchedhermind.“Howtouching.”WrenchingbackKaleb’sheadwithatelekinetichand,hesaid,“Butthistime,I’lldecline.Itoldyou—it’stimeyourememberedthatIownyou.”Shiftingonhisheel,Enriquefacedthebed.“I’llcutheruppiecebypiecewhileyouwatch.”AlookbackatKaleb.“It’llbemuchmoresatisfyingtobreakyoutothechokethantohaveyousubmit.”
Soweaknowthattheworldthreatenedtofadeinfrontofhereyes,Saharabitdownonhertonguetokeepherselffromunconsciousness.Thatmightequalaneasierdeath,butshewouldnotleaveKaleblikethis,wouldfighttothelastbeatofherheart,thelastgaspofairinherlungs.
Eyesstingingfromthepainoftheself-inflictedhurt,shebroughttheworldbackintosharpfocustoseeKalebstaringatEnriqueastheotherTkwalkedtothebed.ThetendonsinKaleb’sneckstoodoutinstarkrelief,thebonesinhisfacepushingwhiteagainstskin,thebloodytearsthatdroppedfromthecornersofhiseyesthickernow,moreviscousashebreathedinshallowgaspsthroughbrokenribs.
Reachingher,Enriquegotontothebed,carefulnottotouchherskin.“Ithink,”hemurmured,“I’llcutoffyourlipsfir—”
Theoldercardinalwassuddenlythrownacrosstheroomtosmashupagainstthedoor.Abonesnappedwithanaudiblecrack,andshethoughtitmight’vebeenhisulnacomingintocontactwiththedoorknob.Ashestruggledup,hewasslammedbackagain,hisheadthuddingagainstthewood,thesoundhardandwetatthesametime.
Hertelekineticbindingscamefree.
Soweakshecouldn’tfeelherlegs,shetriedtocrawloffthebed,thebraceletKalebhadgivenhercoatedinshadesofbloodyrustwhereitlaywarmagainstherskin.Ifshecouldtouchanypartofthemonster’sbodywithherown.
ButEnrique,hisshoulderhanginginawaythattoldherithadbeendislocatedorbroken,shovedouthisgoodhandandsuddenlyherbodywasbeingbentbackwardinhalf,hermusclesandboneswrenchedtothebreakingpoint.Herkneepopped,tendonstore,anddarknessbeckonedonthehorizon,herscreamasilentagony.
“Sahara!”
No,shewantedtosaytoKaleb,don’tlethimdistractyou!Butitwastoolate.SuckinginbreathsofjaggedglassasEnriquereleasedherbackontothebed,shewatchedinhorrorasKalebwasslammedupintotheceiling,thenbackdown,bothhislegsshatteringonimpactandbloodpouringoutofhismouth.Heconvulsedforahellishfivesecondsandwhenhestopped,sheknewthemonsterhadwonthebloodypsychicbattle,cagedherstrong,smart,beautifulKalebagain.
Shetriedtogotohim,butonlyherfingerstwitched,herheartbeatsosluggish,sheknewshewasdying.
“Don’t!”Kalebyelled,crawlingtoherinspiteofhisbrokenlegsandshatteredribs,inspiteofthefactthathiseyeswereaseaofredashefoughttheevilthingthemonsterhaddonetohismindandhisabilitytocometoher,hiseverymovementatestamenttohiswill.“Don’tyougiveup!”
Herfingersinchedtowardhisonalast,stubbornsurgeofstrength.“Iwon’t,”shepromisedinsilenceashervisionbegantofade.AnythingelsewouldhurthimandshewouldneverhurtherKaleb.“Iwon’t.”Theverytipsofhisfingersbrushedherownashegrippedtheedgeofthebed,hisbloodslidingagainstherown.
Thenshewasbeingliftedupandawayfromhimwithbrutetelekineticstrength,andthemonsterwassaying,“I’vechangedmymind,”throughharsh,whistlingbreaths.“IthinkI’llmakeherintomypetinyourstead.”
“Sahara!”Arageofsound.“I’llcomeforyou!Survive!Surviveforme!”
Theywerethelastwordssheheardbeforehermindwentblack.
Chapter45
“DIDYOUSEE?”sheasked.“Hewashavingtroublebreathing,Kaleb.Youbrokesomethinginsidehimandtheonlyreasonhewasabletograbcontrolwasthatyoutriedtoprotectme.”
Kalebdidn’trejecthermemories,butsaid,“Icanhearyouscream,feeltheknifeagainstmypalm,thebloodsmearedonmyfingertips,seeSantanopickingyouupandteleportingaway.There’snothinginbetween.”
“Youtoldmehehadbackdoorsintoyourmind,”Saharasaid,fightingforhimtobelievethetruth.“Hewasclearlyabletodosomethingtomakeyouforgetthemostimportantpartofthatnight.”
Continuingtoholdhisfacebetweenherpalms,shesaid,“Youscaredhim.”ShevividlyrememberedthetoneinEnrique’svoicethatnight,theshockthatanyonehadthepowertocausehimharm.“Thatistheonlyreasonhedecidedtoletmelive.”Withthosewords,sheunderstoodtheterrible,painfultruth.“Heusedmeasanextraleashtomakesureyoustayedinline,didn’the?Aslongasyoudidn’tfightthecompulsion,aslongasyouremainedhisaudience,hewouldn’tarrangeformydeath.”
Whenhedidn’tanswer,shetriedtoshakehim.“Talktome!”Butonthispoint,Kalebwouldn’topenhismouth.Shedidn’tneedhimto.Sheknew.Sheknew.“Youallowedthatmonstertorapeyourmindforyearstoprotectme—evenwhenyouhadtoknowitcouldallbefornothing,thatIcouldalreadybedead.”Dashingawaytearswithanimpatienthand,shesaid,“Howdareyousayyoudidn’tdoanything!Youdideverything.”
“Itwasn’tenough.”Finallyhiseyesmethersagain.“Youwereimprisonedandhurtuntilyouhadtoentombyourmindtosurvive.”Rageinhiseverybreath,hishandsfistinginherhair.“IwanttomutilateandtortureeverypersonontheplanetwhoinanywaysupportedSantanoorTatiana,breakthemuntiltheybegandcrawl.ThenIwanttotellthemit’llneverend.”
Saharadugherfingersintohisarms.“Youdonotdothis,”shesaid,anditwasanorder.“Youdonotletthatmonsterdestroythelifewearegoingtohavetogether.Youaremine,nothis.Youhavealwaysbeenmine.”
Theclaimingwassoabsolute,itdaredhimtofight.Kalebhadnointentionofdoingso.Shuddering,hecrushedhertohim.“Yes,”hesaid,battlingtheragebecauseifhegaveintoit,hewouldloseSahara.“I’myours.Iwillalwaysbeyours.”
Herlipsonhisjaw,onhischeek,herlovefierce.“Rememberthat.Eachaction,everyactionyoutake,ithasmynameonit.”
Whenhermouthtouchedhis,hegrippedherjawtokissherwithaviolencehemighthaveworriedwouldterrifyher,exceptthathernailswerediggingintohisnapeasshefoughttogetevencloser.Breakingthezipofhersweatshirt,hepusheditoff,tearingattheT-shirttobareherskin.Herbrametthesamefate.
“Kaleb,Kaleb,Kaleb.”Itwasahusky,addictinglitanyasshekissedhimwherevershecouldreach,herbreastsrubbingagainsthischest,uncaringofthesweatandthebloodthatmarkedhisbody.“Iwantyou.Iwantyousomuch.”
Hetoretherestofherclothingtoshredsusinghistelekinesis.Hisowndidn’tlastmuchlonger.Takinghertothepolishedwoodoftheterrace,heflippedthemsohewastheoneonthebottom.Sheroseonhim,agoddessanointedbytherainthathadbeguntofallinahushedwhisper,thehairthathadcascadedoverhishandswhenhepulledofftheelasticbandcool,sensualsilk.Handsbracedonhischest,thecharmsonherbraceletbrushinghisskin,sheroseoverhim,herbreastsslickwiththerainthatbeadedonhernipples.
“Imight,”shewhispered,“needalittlehelp.”Ashy,sultrysmilethatinvitedhimtoplaywithher.“Thismaybeoneofthemoreadvancedtechniques.”
Grippinghisstone-hardfleshwithonehand,heguidedherontohim,thescaldingheatofhermakinghisbackbow,therainseemingtoturntosteamwhenithithisskin.Saharamadeanintenselyfemininesoundofpleasureasshetookhimtothehilt,thecurvesofherbodysoftagainsthim,herbreathingchoppy.Whenhestrokedhishandsupoverherthighstocupherbuttocks,hisfingersdiggingintosilkenwetflesh,sheshiveredandbegantodrawherselfup.
Realizingherkneeswerepushingagainstthewoodoftheterrace,hegaveheratelekineticcushion,wantingherhere,underthestormysky.Hisloverdidn’tstopwhatshewasdoing,thesweet,tightslideofherbodyonhisanagonytowhichhewillinglysurrendered…fortwostrokes.Grippingherwaist,heheldherdown,grindinghisbodyagainstherdelicatefleshuntilsheclenchedconvulsivelyaroundthepartofhimsheheldpossessivelyinside,herpleasuremoltenhoney.
“Kaleb.”
Heflippedherontoherbackonthatbreathlessmoan,makingsureshenevertouchedthewood.Herlegslockedaroundhiships,herarmsaroundhisneck,herpassionaswildastherainthathadturnedhard,poundingagainsthisback.Takinghermouth,tastingherwithhistongue,hebrokethekisstothrustinandoutofherinadrivingrhythm,thewaterdrippingoffhislashestohithercheeks.
“Everything,Kaleb,”shegasped,hernailsthesweetestpainonhisshoulders,“givemeeverything.”
“Youhaveit.”Allhissecrets,anythingshewanted.Evenhisscarred,maimedheart.“Iloveyou.”
Eyesofdeep,deepbluelockingwithhis,asingletearrollingdownherface.“Iknow,”Saharasaid,herheartbreakingthathe’dsaidthewordsforher.Hurtandbrutalizedbeyondbelief,shownnotevenanounceofloveuntiltheymet,itwouldn’thavesurprisedherifhe’dbelievedhimselfincapableoftheemotion.
Sheknewhewasmorethancapableofit,feltitinhiseverybreath,hiseverytouch,hiseverypromise.Thatheknewhehadthecapacityforit…itwaseverything.“Tellmeagain.”
Botharmsunderherbody,hishandscurvedoverhershouldersasheheldherinplacefordeep,hardthruststhatmadeherintimatemusclesclenchinsheerpleasure,hepaused,hishairdarkagainsthisforehead,hiseyesholdingthecolorsoftwilight,andhisbodyasculptureofmalebeauty.“Iloveyou.Iwillalwaysloveyou.”
Lightning,jaggedanddangerousandbeautiful,flashedoverheadashebegantomoveagain,hismouthseekingherstolockthemtogether.Aroundthem,therainwasathunderingcocoon,theirsaprivateworld.Kissafterkiss,strokeafterstroke,theycouldn’tgetenough,wouldnevergetenough.
Hewassostrongandhotandoutofcontrol,oneofhishandsnowatherthroatinacaressthatherbodyinstantlyassociatedwitheroticpossession.Shefelttheorgasmapproaching,triedtofightitoffbecauseshewantedmoreofthis,didn’twantittoend,butitwastoolate,thepleasuretearingthroughthembothinawaveofsensationaswildasthelightningthatsplittheskies.
Onlythistime,itwasn’tlimitedtotheirbodies.Theirmindscollidedonthepsychicplane,theirthoughtscrashingtogetherinasplinteringofastonishingcolorthatmadehercrytearsthatbecamerainasshesawallthepiecesofhim.“Iloveyou,Kaleb.”
***
KALEB’ShandwastangledupinthewetheavinessofSahara’shairasshelayhalfon,halfoffhischest,theirlegsintertwinedandeveryinchofskinslickwithrain.Neitheroneofthemwantedtogoinside,inspiteofthecontinuingdownpour,buthe’dputaheavytelekineticshieldoverthemtoprotectSaharafromwhatwasinfacticycoldwater.
Insidetheshield,thetemperaturewasconsiderablyhigher,Kaleb’sabilitytocreateandmanipulatekineticenergybeingusedinawaymosttrainerswouldconsiderwasteful.Itwasn’t.NotifitkeptSaharawarm.
“Whatwasthat?”sheasked,chestrisingandfallingasherlungsstruggledtodraginair.“Attheend?”
“Ourmindsconnected.”Itwasanexperiencehe’dneverforget,Sahara’sloveandspiritanintensityoflightdeepinsidehim,acandleflamethatlitupthevoid.Damagedandtwistedandscarredbeyondallhopeofrepair,thepartofhimthatwasthevoidtouchedthecandleflameinwonder,astonishedthatitwasforhim.
Forhim.ForKaleb.
Thiswaspurity,thispainfullybeautifulthingSaharafeltforhim,anditwasatruthPurePsywouldnevercomprehend.But—“I’msorryforwhatyoumust’veseen.”
“Isawwild,dangerousbeauty.Isawdevotion.Isawyou.”Liftingherheadoffhischest,shefistedonehandagainstherheart.“Icanfeelyoudeepinside,amidnightstarsoimpossiblystrongandlovingandmine.”Hervoicetrembled.“I’msogladyou’remine.Iwon’teverletyougo.”
Thistime,itwasKalebwhosaid,“Iknow,”devastatedatbeingsowanted.“Youarejustalittlepossessive.”
Saharalaughed,hereyeswetas,insidehim,thecandleflamecontinuedtoburn,thelightawarm,enduringgold.Buttherewasmore.Onthepsychicplaneoutsidetheirminds,afinethreadofmidnight,distinguishablefromtheblackoftheNetonlybytheglitteringobsidianfacetsofit,hadwovenintimatelywithoneofgoldenlight,thetiegoingfromhismindtoSahara’s.“We’vebonded.”Look.
Sahara’seyesturnedinward,hersmileluminous.“Kaleb.”Laughinginopendelight,shepressedkissesalonghisjaw,haltingonlywhenthefingersofoneofherhandsbrushedthescaronhisforearm.“Areyoudeterminedtoerasethis?”
“Iwon’triskyou.”Hetelepathedherthereasonswhyastherainturnedslowlytoamistyhaze,theconnectionbetweentheirmindssoclearitwasbeyondevenhistelepathicstrength.“Andwhateveryouseeinit,I’llneverseethesame.”Forhim,itwouldalwaysbeareminderofthedayhe’dlosther.
“Allright.”Shimmeringdropletsonhereyelashes,starscaughtintransition.“Butwillyoureplaceitwithsomethingforme?”
“Anything.”Hisbodywashers.
Brushingherfingersoverhislips,shesaid,“Yougavemeaneagle.Iwanttogiveyouone,too.”Atenderkisspressedtothescar.“Iwantustoflytogether.”
“Yousawme,allofme,”hesaid,draggingheruptohismouth.“YouknowI’mnevergoingtobegood.”AfterseizingcontroloftheNet,he’ddowhateverittooktomaintainit.Nooneandnothingwaseveragaingoingtoimprisoneitheroneofthem.
“Agoodman,”shesaid,herlipsagainsthis,“wouldn’thavesurvivedwhatyoudid,wouldn’thavebeenabletofindme.Tofightevil,youhavetounderstandthedark.Webothdo.”
“You’llhavetobemyconscience.”Heknewhisflaws,andheknewthepartsofhimthatwereirrevocablybroken.“Mineisn’tgoingtogrowback.”
Pushingoffwetstrandsofhairfromhisforehead,Saharaheldhisgaze.“HaveIeverletanythingslide?Thatwon’tchange.”Aslowsmile.“Iintendtohaveathousandfightswithyou.”
HethoughtofalifetimeofhavingSahara’sstubbornwillinhislifeandknewthatshewashisrewardforsurviving.
“Kaleb?”Whenhemethergaze,shetouchedoneofthefinesilveryscarsonherownbody,andhisangerignitedanew,rageswirlinginhisveins.“No,”shewhisperedwithashakeofherhead.“Youdon’tthinkofhimwhenyouseethese.Youthinkofme.Afighter,asurvivor,yourlover.”Itwasanorder…andoneherealizedhewouldhavenohesitationinfollowing,themarksherbadgesofhonor.
Leaningup,hekissedoneonhershoulderasshe’dkissedthescaronhisarm.“Onlyyou,”hesaid,thevowafinalone.“Myfierce,intelligent,lovelySaharawhospitinamonster’seye.”
“Kaleb.”
Theywerelostinoneanotherintheminutesthatfollowed,touchingandcaressingandsimplybeingtogether.
“Ourbond,”hesaidafterward,“it’llbevisibleintheNetifIdroptheshieldIplacedoverit.”Ithadbeenaninstinctiveactfromhismind,theferalresponsetoprotectsomethingindescribablyprecious.“Twenty-fourhours—that’showlongIplantokeeptheshieldinplace.”
WorryshadowedSahara’ssmileandheknewsheunderstoodwhatheintendedtodo.“Arethepeopleready?”
“Somewillneverbeready,butit’stime.”ThediseaserottingthefabricoftheNetwasgrowingstronger,morevirulentwitheverypassinghour.“Theonlyotheroptionisaslowdeath.”
SaharathoughtofthedarkplacesKalebhadshownher,thedeadplaces,andknewhewasright.“YouneedthetimetospeaktotheArrows,don’tyou?”
“Yes.Ihavetofindoutifthey’llfightmeorsupportmewhenIannouncethefallofSilence.Idon’twanttoexecutemenandwomenwhoaremorelikemethananyothersintheNet,butIwillifnecessary.”
Ifthesquadfoughthim,Saharathought,theresultingconflictwouldbefarmoredevastatingthananythingPurePsyhaddone.“TheArrowsareintelligent;theymustseeSilenceisrottenatthecore.”
“It’sdifficulttofightoveracenturyofunyieldingtradition.”
Kaleb’swordshadSaharathinkingoftheteleporterwiththecoldgrayeyes.CouldamanlikeVasicexistinaworldwithoutSilence?Itmightbeanimpossibledemand.Herhearthurtforhim,forthechoiceshehadneverhad,andshewishedtherewasaneasyanswer,somewaytogivehimapathoutofthedarkness.
Thenthemidnightstarpulsedinsideher,anditwasasilentreminderthatlifewasn’teasy.Sometimes,itdemandedheart’sbloodandgavebackonlyunbearablepain.Sometimes,itbrokeyou.“Whenyou’rebroken,”shewhisperedtothemanwhowouldsavetheworldforher,“youcan’tseehope.Wemustbetheirhope.”
Kalebheldhercloseasshetuckedherheadunderhischin.“YouwantmetodroptheshieldingaroundourbondwhenItalktothem.”
“It’llbearisk,Iknow.Theycouldimmediatelyturnonus,but,Kaleb,thatcould’vebeenusinanotherlife.”TheideaofnevermeetingKaleb,neverlovinghim,madeherheartthudinapanickedrhythm.“You’reaslethalasanyArrow,butyoumadeitout.Letthemseethatlifeisn’tonlypainandsurvival.”
“Eveniftheyjoinus,wewon’tsaveallofthem.”Itwasagrimtruth.
“Then,”Saharasaid,thefingersofonehandlockingtightlywithKaleb’s,“wesavetheoneswecan.Together.”
“Always.”
Chapter46
ADENWASSTANDINGunderaheavydesertmoon,thedunesdesolatewavesofsilverandshadow,whenKalebappearedbesidehim.He’drealizedlongagothat,likeVasic,thecardinalcouldgotopeopleaswellasplaces,buttheothermanhadneverbeforebeensoconfrontationalabouthisability.Hehad,Adenthought,beencourtingtheArrows.
Clearly,thecourtshipwasover.
“Vasicispracticingtheweaponscapabilityofhisgauntlet?”Krychekasked,hiseyesonthechurned-upsandaroundAden’spartner,VasichavingchosenapositionmidwaydownthedunethatwasAden’swatchtower.
“Yes,”hesaid,andrefusedVasic’stelepathicofferofassistanceatthesametime.IfKrychekhadcomewithhostileintent,he’dhavestruckalready.“It’smeanttointegratewithhisbasetelekineticstrength,butthereareglitches.”
Vasicteleportedinandshotasmall,personallasermissileatatargetthey’dsetuponanotherduneahundredmetersaway.Itnotonlywenthaywire,itdoubledbacktowardtheteleporter.Notshowinganyindicationofbeingconcerned,Vasicpressedsomethingonthegauntletandthemissileexplodedinmidair.
“I’dsaytheglitchesaresignificant,”wasKaleb’scoolappraisal.“Heshouldn’thavebeenimplantedwiththedeviceifit’satthislevelofdevelopment.Itsusefulnessdoesn’tbalancetherisk.”
Adenfoundhimselfintheunusualpositionofbeingcaughtunprepared.BecauseKalebhadjustrepeatedAden’sownargumentwhenhe’dtriedtotalkVasicoutofvolunteeringfortheriskyprocedure.“Therewasnoway,”hesaidafteraslightpause,“forthescientiststoprogressfurtherwithoutimplantingitontoalivesubject.”
“Canitberemoved?”
“No,it’sfusedtoodeeplytohisbody.”AdenwatchedasVasiclaunchedanothermissile.“Youdidn’ttrackusdowntowatchVasictargetpractice,”hesaidasthismissiledidexactlywhatitwasmeanttodo,sandexplodinginasilvergeyser.
“Whyareyouhere?”Kalebaskedinsteadofansweringtheimpliedquestion.“There’snothingyoucandotostopanaccident.”
Adenhadnointentionofansweringwiththetruth.“I’mheretomonitorthetests,provideabackupaccountoftheresults.”
Kalebwasquietforalongtime,thetwoofthemwatchingthearcingblueflareofweaponsfireasVasictestedanothersettingonthegauntlet.Whenhespoke,Kalebagainsaidtheunexpected.“You’reheresothatifsomethinggoeswrong,Vasicdoesn’tdiealone.He’ssoclosetotheedge,youaren’tcertainhewon’tengineerafatalaccident.”
TherewereveryfewpeopleintheworldwhoknewVasicthatwell.KalebKrychekwasnotoneofthem,andyethe’dcometotherightconclusion.TurningtowardthemanwhowasdressedinblackcombatpantsandablackT-shirt,alargethin-skinbandageontheinsideofhisleftforearmandscuffedbootsonhisfeet,Adensaid,“Whatdoyouwant?”
Kalebshiftedtofacehim.“ToknowifI’mgoingtohavetoleaveyoudeadonthedesertsands.”
“Whatmakesyousocertainyoucould?”
ThewhitestarsinthecardinalTk’seyesgleamedashardasdiamonds.“Youcouldincapacitateorkillmeifyouhadtheelementofsurprise,butinbrutestrength,Ihavenoequal.”
“Vasichasalockonyourposition.”HispartnerhadtakenthatactiontheinstantKalebfirstappeared.“Hecanhaveaguntoyourheadinthespacebetweenonebreathandthenext.AndIamnomedic.”TheonlyreasonhetoldKalebthatwasbecausehewascertaintheothermanalreadyknewthetruenatureofhisabilities.
UnlikeMing,Kalebtooknothingatfacevalue,especiallynotafieldmedicwhoheldtheloyaltyoftheentiresquad.“TobecomplacentinthepresenceofacardinalTkofopaqueobjectivesandfluidallegiance,”Adenadded,“wouldbestupidintheextreme.”
“That’swhyI’drathernotkillyou,”wasKaleb’sresponse.“It’seasyenoughtofindatrainedassassin—anintelligentfightercapableofforesight,andflexibleenoughtoalterhisplansgiventhecircumstances,isafarmorerarething.”Shiftingonhisheel,thecardinalbegantowalkdownthedune.“There’ssomethingyourpartnerneedstosee.”
Adenfollowedinsilence,unabletopredictwhatKalebwoulddonext.WhenthecardinalaskedbothAdenandVasictomeethimonthePsyNet,theydidsowithoutargument.Oncethere,theothermansaid,“Ineedyoutostepinsidethefirstlayerofmyshields.”
Again,neitheroneofthemhesitated;Krychek’sshieldswerebyzantine,butAdenandVasicweremorethancapableofbreakingoutofthislayerwithoutproblems.AdenhadactuallybrokenintoitwhenthesquadhadfirstbeguntoconsidershiftingtheirloyaltytoKaleb—inastrictlylimitedsensethatmadeitcleartheArrowswerenoone’slapdogs.
Then,he’dseennothing,theoutermostlayerofKaleb’sshieldingnothingbutaredundancythatactedasanalarmbellincaseofincursion.Today,hesawapsychicbondthatwentfromKaleb’smindtoanotheronehedidn’trecognize,thecolorsofthebondfacetedobsidianandaradiantlightgold.
Force,coercion,manipulation,indicationsofpsychicfraud,hesearchedforanyhintofthatintheconnectionthatbrokeeveryruleofSilence,andfoundnothing.Itwasanorganicconstruct,growingfromtwomindsthathadreachedoutforoneanotheracrossthevoid,thelightembracingthedark,thedarkprotectivearoundthelight.
AlmostbeforeAdenunderstoodwhatitwashewasseeing,heandVasicwereshovedoutbyawaveofnakedpower,shieldsofimpenetrableobsidianslammingdownoverKaleb’smindandthatoftheunidentifiedother.
“You’reemotionallylinkedtosomeone,”Adensaidbackinthedesert,thrownenoughbywhathe’dseenthatthewordsspilledoutpasthisnormallyairtightguards.
Wasitreal?Vasicaskedatthesametime,asifdistrustfulofhisownperception.
Yes.
“Mytrueallegiance,”KalebsaidontheheelsofAden’stelepathicanswer,“hasneverbeenfluid.”
ItwasVasicwhonextspoke,thedesertwindsoquietaroundthemthatitdisturbednotasinglegrainofsand.“ThatbondcannotexistinaSilentworld.”
“No.”
Atlast,AdenunderstoodwhyKalebhadcometonight,whythecardinalneededtoknowifhewouldhavetodrenchthesandswiththeirblood.“TheArrows,”Adenbegan,“werecreatedatthedawnofSilence,ourmandatetoprotecttheProtocolatallcosts.”
Kalebsaidnothing,hisfacesoremote,itwasimpossibletobelievehehadthecapacitytobondwithanyone.
“ThefirstArrow,”Adencontinued,“wastoldthatSilencewasthePsyrace’sonlyhope,thatwithoutit,wewouldfallintomadnessandinsanityuntilourpeoplewerenothingbutaterriblememory.Zaidbelieved.Weallbelieved.”
“Itwasn’tatotallie.”Kaleb’sgazemetVasic’s.“Notallofuswouldhavesurvivedtoadulthood,ormaintainedakindofsanityatleast,withoutsomelevelofconditioning.”
“No,”Vasicsaid,“itwasn’t—isn’t—atotallie,butthecoreisrotten.”
“That’swhyitmustbeexcised.”AruthlessproclamationfromamanwhohadalwaysseemedtheembodimentoftheProtocol:cold,powerful,withouttiesofanykind.“Silencemustfall.WilltheArrowsfallwithit?”
“TheArrowSquad,”Adensaid,“mustalwaysexist.”ForthoselikeVasicandJudd—andKaleb.Theoneswhoweretoodangeroustoliveintheordinaryworld;theonestherestoftheirpeoplewouldfeariftheoutlierswerenotfirsttrainedtohidetheirlethalnature;theoneswhowouldalwaysbeneededtoprotecttheirpeople.“Itcannotfall.”
Kaleb’sanswerwasblunt.“Thenitmustadapt.”
ItwouldbethemostdifficultjourneyanyArrowhadevertaken,andAdenknewsomewouldsplinterbeforethiswasallover.But,hismenandwomenwereready.ThesquadhadknownitmightonedayhavetobreakfromSilence,fromtheNetitself—thoughthatNetwastheirlifeblood,apsychichometheyhadfoughttoprotectforoverahundredyears…evenasitkilledthem.
ArrowafterArrowhadbeenlostasaresultofdecisionsmadebythosewhosawthemasdisposable,perfectsoldierswhowerethrownouttheinstanttheybecametoofracturedtobeofuse.Thesquaddidn’twishtoabandontheirpeople,buttheyhadbeenwillingtodoso,todefect,toprotectthoseoftheirnumberwhoweren’tyetfatallydamaged.
HavingseenthelifeJuddhadmadeforhimself,Adenhadcautiouslyexpectedthat,giventhechance,theyoungerArrows—theonesstillontherightsideoftheabyss—mightbeabletobuildthesame:alifethatdidn’tinvolveonlydeathandisolationandanexistenceforeverintheshadows.YetifKalebKrychekhadbeenabletobondwithanotherlivingbeing…PerhapsAdenhadsoldhisArrowsshort.Perhapssalvationcouldcomeforeventhemostbrokenamongthem.
“We’lladapt,”Adensaid,theheavymoonstandingsentinelabove,“butonethingwillneverchange—we’llfollowonlythoseorderswithwhichweagree.”Thetimeforblindobedience,forfaithinaleaderwhowasnotoneoftheirown,hadpassed.“Andshouldyoueverbecomeathreattothesquad,we’llturnonyouwithouthesitation.”
“Iwouldexpectnothingless.”Kalebslidhishandsintothepocketsofhiscombatpants.“Youunderstandifthelattereverhappens,”headded,“I’llshownomercy.”
VasicsaidthewordsonAden’stongue.“TheArrowsexpectmercyfromnoone.”
Therewasnofurtherdiscussion,thebargainmade,thefutureirrevocablyaltered.
Lookingatthestreakoflightthatmarkedthepassageofanairjetinthestar-studdednightsky,Adenthoughtofthecoldatthataltitude.Icy,inimicaltolife.Butitwasinthatsamehostileenvironmentthatsnowflakesformedonthewindowsofslowercraft,creationsofdelicatefiligree…beautyborninthebitterestcold.
***
INthehoursthatfollowedKaleb’smeetingwiththeArrows,averyselectnumberofpeoplereceivedavisitfromKalebKrychek—andtwomenreceivedonefromtheGhost,theirmeetingplacethelasttwopewsofasmallSecondReformationchurch,thelightsturnedoffinthisonesection.NeitherJuddnorXavierwassurprisedatthenewsoftheupcomingrevolutionintheNet.
“Thewave,”Juddsaid,“hascrested.Toswimortodrown,thosearetheonlytwooptions.”
Xavier’swordswerequieter,heldmoreworry.“So,we’veachievedouraim—theCouncilisnomore,andSilenceisabouttofall.AndyetIthinkthetaskisjustbeginning.”Lookingupasaparishionerentered,Xavierrosetospeaktothefrail,elderlyman,whileKalebturnedhisfacedeeperintotheshadows.
“It’snotsafeforXaviertobeconnectedtoKalebKrychek,”Juddsaidoncethepriestwasfarenoughawaythathewouldn’toverhearthewords,“butnoonewillblinkaneyeatthefactthatJuddLaurenknowsanotherTk.Ifyouneedme,I’llbethere.”
“Thesameapplies.”Kalebdidn’tquiteunderstandhowhehadcometohavetheloyaltyofthesetwomen,butheknewhe’dguardtheirtrustwithhisown.“I’llmakesureXavierremainssafe.”Hepaused.“Ipaidaquietvisit”—unknown,unseen—“tothemountainvillagewherehisNinaismeanttobe.”ItwasanactthatwouldgainKalebnothing,buthethoughthehaddoneitoutoffriendship,tosaveXavierpainshoulditbeafalsetrail.
Judd’slaughwassoft.“SodidI.”
“ShallwetellXavier?”
“No,heleavesforthemountainstomorrow.Ithinksomethingsamanmustexperiencetobelieve.”
Kalebthoughtofthecandleflameinthevoid,ofabondbeautifulandunbreakable,andknewJuddspokethetruth.
***
WHENhereturnedhomeatlast,allthepiecesinplace,itwastofindSaharastandinginfrontofthehouse,hereyesongrasslandskissedbythepearlgraylightofthetimebeforetruedaylight,themiststilllickingtheground.Wearingaprettywhitetopandaflowingankle-lengthskirtofsummeryellowfleckedwithtinyflowersinmyriadshades,theskirtembellishedwithtwolayersofrufflescreatedofthefabric,shelookedlikeapieceofsunshineracingaheadofthedawn.
“Kaleb.”Sheranintohisarms.
“Whatareyoudoingouthere?”Hedidn’tspeakofthemeetingshe’dattended;she’dbeenwithhimeverywherebutthechurch—termingthatadiscussionwithfriends.ItwasSaharawhohadknownVasicwasclosetobroken;asforAden,she’dagreedwithKalebthatthetelepathwasamanwhocouldbecomeapowerfulallyiftheycouldearnhistrust.
“Iwaswaitingforyou.”Fingersweavingthroughhishair,shedrewhiminforakissthatremindedhimhewashersandnooneelse’s.
Thepast,shetoldhimwithhereverytouch,hadnoclaimoneitheroneofthem.
Breakingthekisswhenhewould’vedrawnhercloser,shesaid,“Don’ttemptme,”andnudgedhimtowardachairshemust’vebroughtfrominsidethehouse.“I’vebeenworkingonsomethingIwantyoutosee.Westillhavetime,don’twe?”
“Ahalfhour,”hesaid.“Butfirst”—heliftedhisarm,thebandagegone,theskinnolongerredthankstotwominuteswithanM-Psy—“Ihaditdoneafewhoursago.”ThesameMhadexcisedtheoriginalburnwithaskillthathadleftKalebwithonlythefaintestscarnowobscuredbyblackink.Asforthemedic,sinceshehadkepthersilenceinalltheyearsofheremploy,hehadnodoubtsshe’ddothesamenow.
Saharatracedtheinkwithatremblingfingerbeforeshebenttopressherlipstothetattoo,hertouchtender,hereyesdarkwithemotion.“I’vebrandedyou.”
“Youdidthatalongtimeago.”
“Idid,didn’tI?”Atearhekissedoffhercheek,oneofhishandscurvingaroundherthroat.
“Itoldyou,”shewhisperedagainsthislips,“Iwasverysmartatsixteen.Nowsit.”
Whenhedid,Saharasteppedback,stretchedoutherarms…andthenshewasdancing,herlimbsflowingwithagraceandabeautythatmadeitappearasifshehadwings.Hecouldn’tbreathe,wasn’tsurehisheartbeatuntilshestoppedandwentdownonherkneesinfrontofthechair,herhandsonhisthighs
“That’sallIhavesofar.”Itwasalaughingconfession.“IknowI’mrusty.”
Chestpainful,hesaid,“Youwerebeautiful.”Strongandwholeandaluminousrepudiationofeverythingthemonstershadtriedtodotothemboth.“Again.Please.”
Themistswirledaroundherinfragilestreamersasshegrantedhisrequest,herbodyseeminglyweightless.Whenhegaveheracushionofairashe’ddonewhenshe’dbeenagirl,hereyessparkledandsheflewhigher,herhairamidnightraindownherback,hisSaharaforwhomhewould’veburneddownanentirecivilization…exceptthatshe’daskedhimtosaveit.
“Kaleb!”Chestheaving,sheheldoutherhands,hervoicecoaxing.“Onedance.”
“Ican’tdance,”hesaid,evenasherosetowalktoher.
“I’llteachyou.”Takingoneofhishands,sheplaceditonherhip.“And”—aslenderhandonhisshoulder,thefingersoftheotherintertwinedwithhis—“Iwon’teventrytogetanswerstomathproblems.”
Kissinghersmileuntilitwasinhisblood,heprocessedhertelepathicinstructionswiththebrainofaTkforwhommovementwaslikebreathingandtookthefirststeps.Saharagaspedindelight,andthenshewasfluidlightninginhisarms,theirbodiesformingasingleunitastheymovedacrossthegrass.
Onthehorizon,thefirstraysofadazzlingdawnsplashedtheskywithcolor.
Dawn
ASDAWNBROKEonanewday,formerCouncilorKalebKrychek,hismindlinkedtoamysteriouswomanidentifiedasSaharaKyriakus,toldthePsyNetthatSilencewasnolongertheguidingprotocoloftheirrace.
TheArrows,theguardiansofSilenceforoveracentury,stoodbyhim.
TheraggedremnantsofPurePsy,scatteredacrosstheplanet,vowedtofightthefalltothedeath,todestroytheworldandseeditforabetterone.
HundredsofthousandsoffracturedPsywenttotheirknees,theirheartsbreakingatthefreedomtobewhattheyhadalwaysbeenmeanttobe.Othershuddledinconfusion,waitingforsomeonetotellthemwhattodo.Andtheweakest,theystrugglednottobreakunderawaveofchangethatthreatenedtodrown.
Therewillbethosewhoseektoexploitthistimeofchange,readthedecreethatblazedwithasingleplatinumstaratthetop,bracketedbytwosmalleremblemsrepresentingNikitaDuncanandAnthonyKyriakus,andunderlinedbyablackarrow,butwewillrespondwithdeadlyforceagainstanyone,regardlessofstatus,rank,orability,whoattemptstoseizecontrolofanypartoftheNet.
Ourpeoplehavesurvivedonecivilwar.Asecondwillnotbepermitted.
Thestatementofauthority,ofcontrol,wasabeaconnotonlytotheweakandtheconfused,buttothosewhohopedforabetterfuture.Itgavethemastructuretoclingto,theviolenceofKalebKrychek’spoweraparadoxicallystabilizingforce.Noone,whisperedmenandwomenfromoneendoftheglobetotheother,woulddarestandagainsthim.
Foranotherpeople,suchknowledgemighthavemadethemfearfortheirfreedom,butasbirdswhohavehadtheirwingsclippedcannotfly,nomatterhowwidethesky,apeopletrappedinbondageforoverahundredyearscannotbegiventotalfreedomwithoutafatalcost.Structure,power,discipline,thiswaswhattheyneeded,Kaleb’ssteelhandtheonlythingthathaltedadeadlywaveofshockfromendingthelivesofmillions.
Thetransitionwillnotbeeasy,endedthedecree,anditwillnotbewithoutcost.Butwearenotcowardstohidefromthepowersthatdefineus.WearePsyandwearecapableofgreatness.
Itistimetostepoutofthedark.
???
Foracompletelistofthisauthor’sbooksclickhereorvisitwww.penguin.com/singhchecklist
© Copyright Notice
The copyright of the article belongs to the author. Please do not reprint without permission.
THE END
No comments yet