Revenge

by T K Eldridge

  “Wow, that must’ve been something else,” Evelyn said, voice soft. “What…”

  Just as she started to speak, a wave of something passed through them. Both gasped as Emlen wrapped her arms around her belly, curled forward instinctively to protect her child.

  They were both silent, eyes wide as they stare at each other, then Emlen’s eyes widened more. “I can hear them. B..both of them.”

  “Both of whom?” Evelyn asked.

  “Both of my babies. I’m carrying twins. A boy and a girl. I can hear their thoughts.”

  “What the hell was that?” Evelyn said.

  “I don’t know, but we need to get downstairs and find out.”

  Both women rose unsteadily from their seat and made their way to the elevator and back down to the function hall. Raised voices and chaos had spilled out into the hall. Some people cried, others stood around in shock. The two women pushed past people that stumbled and sobbed, headed to the table where their men had been before they left. Secret service agents clustered around Edmund and Patrick while Cullen stood on his chair, gaze on the crowd by the door. He waved as he spotted them, then climbed down, headed for them through the mass of bodies. Cullen wrapped his arms around Em.

  “I was worried about you. Something happened,” Cullen said.

  “We felt it. Two floors up, in Thomas and Evelyn’s room. I…” Emlen started to explain, then stopped as the voices around her rose in a crescendo. She slapped her hands over her ears and the sound didn’t stop. Em could see Cullen’s lips moving, but couldn’t hear him through the roar of voices in her head. Soon, the noise grew to be too much and Emlen fainted in Cullen’s arms. He lifted her up and carried her out of the hall as Evelyn slipped him her room key and told him to bring her there. She went to get Thomas and the others while Cullen got Em out of the chaos.

  * * *

  Peter watched the monitors, furious that the devices hadn’t worked like he had been told they would. “Bring Jonas to me,” he ordered, eyes dark with fury. Two of the men left and returned minutes later with Jonas between them. A skinny young man with a mop of blond hair and brown eyes magnified by thick lenses in dark frames.

  “Jonas,” Peter said, chair turned to greet them. “It seems your devices did not work as planned. What have you got to say for yourself?”

  “Did someone bring back one of the devices after it was used?” Jonas asked.

  Peter turned and nodded to one of the men who brought a plastic bag to Jonas. The young man took the bag and stepped away from his escort to a nearby table. He spilled the contents onto the surface and closed his eyes, took a few slow breaths, and held his hands over the device. It looked like a sensor of some kind; square, black, about three inches across – innocuous and common. A frown settled on Jonas’ face and he grunted before he opened his eyes. “Something tampered with them. A kind of electrical magic charge. It changed them. I don’t know exactly what it changed them into, but I can find out.”

  Peter narrowed his gaze, then turned back to the cameras. “Maybe there’s an answer in the video. Go see what you can find.” He waved a hand dismissively and Jonas snatched up the device and left the room. Using the control on his chair, Peter inched closer to the monitors and backed up the videos before the event began, and started watching. The hotel was supposed to be full of bodies and rubble. Panic and confusion were good, but not sufficient. He had to figure out what had gone wrong.

  Chapter 13

  Emlen stirred her tea, gaze on the view of the fields and ocean beyond the window. Her other hand rested on the slight swell of her belly as she listened to her babies’ thoughts. They were, for the most part, random snippets of emotion and sensation, but Em could tell they liked certain types of music, voices and motion. They enjoyed calming music, got excited when Cullen would be nearby and speaking, and always fell asleep when she was in a car, or when she stood next to the dishwasher as it was running.

  The days since the event at the summit reception had been confusing. It seemed that whatever had happened, had awakened Emlen’s latent telepathy gift and her fainting spell had been a result of being overwhelmed by too many mental voices. The day after it had happened, Aine’s grandmother, Cathleen, had come by and helped her learn shielding so she could shut out the noise and filter the voices.

  However, Emlen wasn’t the only one affected. There were still scorch marks on the dining room wall where Cullen had discovered a raised temper brought a flash of lightning to his fingertips and nearly started a fire. Connor had shorted out the electrical system in his car and fried his phone after a particularly heated conversation. Now, both men were outside with Edmund and Patrick, working on their new skills. Edmund’s mild telekinetic gift had become much stronger and Patrick’s gift with potions was now matched by an elemental skill with water. It seemed that anyone who had a magical bloodline or gift at the event, had either received a power boost or a new skill. Thomas was now a strong telepath as well as getting a boost to his empathy. He could read people up to fifty yards away now, instead of having to be within arm’s reach. Evelyn’s elemental water skill was now paired with a growing skill in earth elements. The gardens around the manse had benefited over the past few days as she experimented with her new talents.

  Em rose from her seat and put the half-finished tea on the kitchen counter. She felt restless and edgy, and she really just wanted to go home to Boston. There were three more days left of the summit and then they would all go home. Connor would come back to Boston with them for a weekend visit before he headed to New York to work with Thomas on the new PLEA contracts and the investigation into Peter Wolfe. The techs had been examining the devices found at the hotel and there were enough similarities to the ones at the PLEA office attack that they assumed Wolfe was behind the incident. Nothing concrete to take to a judge, but they had enough to prove to themselves it was Wolfe.

  As she stood by the side window and watched, Edmund used his telekinetics to toss a clay disk into the air and it was either blasted with water from Patrick or a bolt of lightning from Connor or Cullen. All four were gaining impressive control over their new gifts, even with the joking and laughing that went on when the water and lightning hit the disk at the same time and sparks flew like fireworks.

  Emlen’s attention shifted when Aine stepped into the room. “Hey Em, you all set?”

  The two were going to Cathleen’s cottage today to do the ritual to try and break the curse. Em nodded. “I’ve got the potion in my purse and the spell written out, ready to go. Are you sure your grandma can help with this?”

  “Yes, I’m sure,” Aine replied. “I’m not going to put you or the babies at risk. I also called Mira, as you suggested, and she walked Grams and I through the whole thing, so we’re good. Come on, I’ve got the biscuits she wanted and she’ll have the tea on for after.”

  “Alright, let me just tell the guys we’re headed out. I’ll be taking Liam and Joe as guards today,” Em said and opened the side door to step out to the yard. Instead of yelling, she mentally sent to Cullen, “Headed to Cathleen’s now. Taking Liam and Joe. I’ll call when we’re done.”

  Cullen turned and waved to her, then blew her a kiss before ducking a spray of water from Patrick. Laughter followed Em back inside as she grabbed her purse and joined Aine out at her car. The two guards followed in one of the SUVs even though it was less than a mile to the cottage. Considering Wolfe knew where they lived, they weren’t taking any chances on safety.

  Cathleen’s cottage was of field stone with window trim and door in bright red and a roof that looked as though it should be thatched instead of shingled. Wild roses and herbs grew in chaotic profusion over stone walls and spilling from garden beds. Neat stone paths led to the front door or around the side to the kitchen entry – which is where Aine took Em. The autumn chill in the air made the warmth of the wood-fired cook stove welcome when they stepped inside. Wide plank floors and herbs hung from the beamed ceiling showed the age of the house, but the shiny b
lack modern appliances reminded one of the current century.

  “Grams, I brought the biscuits…and Emlen,” Aine called into the house.

  “I’ll be right there,” Cathleen called back. “Make yourselves at home.”

  They sat by the stove in a pair of mismatched upholstered chairs, leaving the rocker for Cathleen. Em’s fingers twisted the strap of her purse as nerves roared through her. “I trust Mira, and I trust you, but I’m scared. What if it doesn’t work? What if it harms the babies? What if I’m making a mistake?”

  “What if you don’t do it and it does work?” Cathleen said as she entered the room. “You told me before, you would do anything to make the lives of your children better, yes? This is one of those things. Worst case, it doesn’t work. There is no harm that the potion can cause, nor the magic. The ingredients are not dangerous for a pregnant woman, and the magic is subtle and strong.”

  Emlen let out a breath. “You’re right. I’m just freaking out over nothing.” She opened her purse and handed the vial to Cathleen, then the paper with the spell on it.

  “Are we doing it in the circle?” Aine asked.

  “No, no need. The magic is contained in the potion. The spell is just to activate it. Em drinks the potion, we all recite the spell and that’s it,” Cathleen replied.

  “And we won’t even know if it worked until my kids are born. Then Mira can check and see if the curse is still in their blood,” Emlen said.

  “She can’t check yours?” Aine said.

  “No, not really. I don’t have any siblings to activate the curse, so it would be hard to tell.” Emlen thought for a moment about the little boy Elise had been carrying when she was killed.

  “Well, ladies. Let’s get on with it then,” Cathleen said.

  Aine and Cathleen stood on either side of the chair Emlen sat in, each holding copies of the spell. Em opened the vial and took a breath before downing the potion. Once the bottle was empty, Cathleen handed Em her copy and the three started to read in unison. Emlen’s mouth tasted like flowers, herbs and something oily, but she still managed to repeat the spell three times with the others. Once they were done, they looked at each other. Emlen shrugged. “I can’t tell if it worked or not, but I could really use some water to wash this taste out of my mouth.”

  Cathleen chuckled and headed to the stove. “I’ve had the kettle on for tea and I made some fresh lemonade. Both will go well with the biscuits Aine brought.”

  “Lemonade, please,” Emlen said. “I’m done with tea for the day. Had two cups already this morning.”

  “Tea for me, please, Grams,” Aine said. “I’ll put the biscuits on a plate.”

  A selection of cookies and the drinks were put on the table as they took their seats. “Thank you for helping me with this,” Emlen told them both. “I just hope it works. Mira is beyond gifted and worked hard to get this potion and spell.” A hand rested on her belly. “I would like to know that these two and any siblings they have will have a solid chance at having families and surviving adulthood. It’s scary to think I could have missed this if I had a sibling or two.”

  “I was lucky. I had nine pregnancies and seven healthy births. Even without a curse, motherhood has risks and heartache,” Cathleen said, pouring lemonade and tea for them.

  “My Mom was a twin,” Aine explained. “Her twin sister died shortly after birth. And there was a stillbirth, right, Grams?”

  Cathleen nodded. “My second child was stillborn at eight months. He stopped moving and I went into labor a couple of days later. He’s buried with his sister and my husband up beside the church.”

  Emlen reached out a hand to rest on Cathleen’s arm. “Then I’m even more grateful for your help. I’m sure it’s not easy, bringing all that back up.”

  “Oh, it’s not that, child,” Cathleen said. “The pain of their loss has dulled over the years. I still wonder what kind of people they might have become, but it’s not as heart-wrenching as it once was.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. I am already so attached to these two. I can’t fathom what it would be like to lose them, even now,” Emlen said.

  They talked about children, magic, and the differences between Ireland and America, made promises to visit each other and then Emlen left, leaving Aine with her grandmother. She got into the SUV with the guards and leaned back with a sigh.

  “How’d it go, ma’am?” Liam asked.

  “We’ll find out in a few months, I guess. Can’t tell until the kids are born, then Mira can check and see if the curse is present.”

  “Well, here’s hoping all ends well,” Liam said.

  “Here’s hoping,” Emlen replied.

  * * *

  Cullen and Connor were sitting in the side garden at a table, bottles of water in their hands.

  “Well, this is a twist we weren’t expecting, huh?” Connor said. “I guess we should’ve expected some kind of magic to show up, but wouldn’t it have been when we were kids?”

  “Maybe it sort of did,” Cullen replied. “I mean, remember how we used to always give each other shocks and we didn’t even have to rub our socks on the carpet?”

  Connor snorted laughter. “Yeah, Mom yelled at us for blowing light bulbs all the time and popping fuses. Then we grew out of it or something.”

  Cullen just stared at him, then arched a brow, “Or something.”

  Realization spread across Connor’s face. “Ohh.”

  “Yeah, oh,” Cullen replied. “We probably shut it down ourselves. It wasn’t hugely powerful, and we didn’t know, so it phased out as we grew. At least, that’s what Edmund was saying.”

  “How weird is it that we’re friends with – and you’re now related to – the President of the United States? And his husband?” Connor shook his head, chuckling. “And the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is making potions for your wife and twin babies?”

  “Gawd, I know. Twins. What the hell am I going to do with twins?”

  “Raise them as well as our parents raised us.”

  “At least I have an amazing woman at my side to help me, like Dad did. That makes me a lot less terrified. Not much, but a bit less terrified.”

  Connor laughed and toasted his brother with his water bottle. A few minutes of silence, then Connor spoke up once more. “Cull, what are you going to do when we get back to Boston?”

  “Help Em set up the house for the babies and keep doing what I can for PLEA.”

  “Well, I have a job for you in Boston. If you want it. But…you’ll need to carry a gun.” Connor watched his brother’s face as he spoke.

  “No,” Cullen said. “I won’t ever carry again.”

  “Cull, I need…”

  “No, Connor. Stop. You know why I can’t.”

  “No, I know why you won’t, but I still think you’re wrong. You weren’t responsible for Hendry’s death.”

  “You weren’t there, Connor. You don’t know.”

  “I know that you were well-trained and skilled as an officer. You told me what happened and I don’t see how you could have done more. There were two of you and five of them. They had assault weapons and you two had Glocks. The firepower alone counted against you. Add in the ambush and you’re just lucky you didn’t die with him. Look, Cullen, you can second-guess and what-if yourself into insanity all day long, but it isn’t going to change the facts. Hendry took several rounds across his thighs, hitting both femoral arteries. Even if a paramedic had been in the back seat with you, he would have bled out before you could get him to help.”

  “Shut up, Connor. I’m done talking about it. I’m not carrying again on the job and I’m not going to be a cop again.”

  “I’m not asking you to be a cop, Cullen. I’m asking you to be my partner in PLEA. My co-President. But in order to be a member of PLEA, you need to carry a gun and keep up your training. What would you do if someone came after Emlen or your children? Chase them with a baseball bat? Mace? A taser? Come on, man. Be reasonable! I mean, seriously, Cullen. You se
em to actively go against your training and instincts, acting less and less like a trained cop as time goes on.”

  Cullen went still when Connor brought up Em and the babies. He hadn’t thought about all of the aspects of his decision. In his heart, he knew he’d always put his wife and children first, but what if he couldn’t?

  “Connor, what if I can’t carry? What if I hold a gun and can’t fire it? What if I lose Em or the babies because I freeze up?”

  “Cull, you refused the psychotherapist. I think it’s time to actually talk to one. The one that we have with PLEA is fantastic, and understands magic users too. They can help you work through this.” Connor paused a moment and then spoke quietly. “They helped me.”

  Cullen looked up at his brother. “What?”

  “They helped me. When I saw you at the hospital, covered in blood, I almost quit the force too. I couldn’t process what I would have done if I had lost you that night. You took a bullet in the shoulder and you were damned lucky it didn’t kill you. I hugged you, and spent the rest of the night staring at your blood on my hands. I wouldn’t wash it off for hours. I kept thinking it was the last time I would have touched you.”

  “Jeezus, Connor. I had no idea.”

  “And I wanted it that way. You had enough to deal with. You didn’t need to be dealing with my mental breakdown on top of it all. Jeanine is the therapist I saw back then and it turns out she was part of the Garda. So when everything was being transitioned, I asked her if she’d come work for PLEA and she did.”