Grim Vengeance

by Jennifer Reinfried

  Charlie grimaced. “Ah, yes. Duncan won’t answer his phone.”

  “Well, keep trying. How long does your sedative work?”

  “He’ll be awake by morning. Awake and angry.”

  “Nothing I can’t handle.” Jaxon tilted his head to one side. “Seems like we’re holing up here for a bit.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Shawn’s consciousness dragged forward, bringing him out of a deep sleep. He opened his eyes. He stared at the ceiling above him, drawing in deep breaths. Movement to his left drew his attention as Mari rolled onto her back, still asleep. Shawn looked away and sat up. He dragged a hand through his hair. Rubbed his eyes. Stared at his palms. I still can’t believe I can see. Look at all the lines in my skin. All the wrinkles. The fingerprints, even. The callouses. I haven’t even had a chance to stop and just...just look at everything.

  Weary, he cleared his throat and stood. After relieving himself he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a grey long-sleeved shirt. Shawn slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him with a quiet ka-thunk.

  He took a long breath in before turning and walking down the short hallway. He snagged a banana that was beginning to develop a few brown spots on its skin. Peeling it and taking a bite, he opened the back door and peered outside.

  All was still. The cool spring air smelled fresh and clear, a wonderful change to the stuffiness inside. Tearing off a chunk of banana with his fingers and popping it into his mouth, Shawn headed for the lake.

  The ground was uneven and lumpy beneath his scuffed tennis shoes, with patches of grass already growing in some spots and dirt showing in others. Leaves were beginning to bud on the branches of nearby trees. Birds flitted across the sky and Shawn watched them with wonder. They’re so small, yet so fast. Look at them go. He took another bite of his breakfast, staring up. His foot snagged on the side of a clump of grass, and he stumbled, arms shooting out to the sides. “Whoops.” Shawn’s breath fogged out in a barely visible puff in the chilly morning. Startled, he laughed, watching another small cloud escape from his lips. He grinned. Stuffing the final piece of banana in his mouth and tossing the peel aside, he began to jog.

  The woods flew by on either side of him, and his hair bounced against his neck and temples. He picked up speed, marveling at the glint of the sun in the water ahead. Moments before he reached the lake’s shore, he banked to the right, now nearly at a full sprint, running around the body of water. A smile stretched his lips, and he pumped his arms. Faster and faster he went, leaping over large stones with ease, flying through the air and landing in a roll. Tucking his head and shoulder, he popped back up to his feet each time. He feinted this way and that, spinning around a bush and letting out a whoop. I forgot how amazing it feels to run. To use my speed. To just enjoy life as it is now.

  Shawn careened around the large lake, lapping it once, twice, three times, picking up even more speed for his fourth time around. He breathed evenly and easily, without a burn in his lungs or legs.

  Grinning, he ducked his head and prepared to jump above a tree stump nearby when Emma appeared before him. Shawn choked on a yelp and came to an eventual stop, kicking up dirt and clumps of grass. He stared at the her a few yards away, dressed in sweats and a man’s t-shirt. She stared back at Shawn with an expression of shocked amusement.

  “God, you’re fast.”

  God, you’re beautiful. He blinked at the intrusive thought and shoved it away. “You scared the hell out of me.” He scratched the back of his head.

  “Sorry.” She laughed. “I was just out for a walk.”

  “Been out here long? I didn’t know you were up.”

  “I’ve been...having trouble sleeping.”

  “Ah. I’m sorry.” Shawn glanced back at the cabin which was nearly hidden by the trees. “Isaac up?”

  “He wasn’t when I left.” Emma shrugged.

  An awkward silence fell between them. Birds chirped in the distance. Leaves on the surrounding trees rustled in a slight breeze. Shawn wiped a smudge of dirt off the back of his hand and glanced over at the lake. His stomach flipped when he thought about how her lips felt against his. How painful it had been to hear about Cassie’s murder. How Jaxon accused Emma of being the one who killed her. How she felt beneath him. How scared she had been in Boston. How she was risking her life instead of running off with Isaac, intent on being at their sides when they faced Jaxon. He swallowed. “I don’t want you to think I hate you,” Shawn blurted, startling himself.

  She stared at him, lips parted slightly.

  “I just.” He shrugged. “I’m just...”

  “I know.” Emma looked away. “What I did to you was awful. And don’t say I didn’t know about how my power would affect you. Yes, I wasn’t aware of it until after, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t take the job. Eagerly.”

  Her words were clear and soft, but they still brought a pain to his heart as more memories came flooding back, including words that flashed through his mind in Jaxon’s voice. She’s a plant. Works for Vance. She’s fake.

  “I wanted to find out who hurt my boss,” Emma continued. “I wanted to earn respect, get better work in the only world I knew. And for that I was willing to hurt someone else. Hurt you.” She looked up, blue eyes brimming with tears. She gazed at him with sorrow and regret. “I’m so sorry, Shawn. I’m so, so sorry.”

  “Hey.” Shawn frowned and went to her. He couldn’t help it. Just her presence alone warmed him inside, brought a sensation of calm. Pulling her close, he buried his face into her hair on side of her neck and inhaled. “I forgive you.”

  Emma shuddered in his arms and let out a soft sob against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him to her. “I’m so sorry,” she muttered again, words muffled by his shirt.

  Shawn shifted back and looked down at her, heart breaking at the hurt on her face. He stroked a thumb along her jaw. “It took me a bit to come to terms with it, but I know you didn’t want to hurt me. Or Jax, or Cassie. I know it was Alex’s doing.”

  “But if it weren’t for me—”

  “Someone else would have been sent in your place. And it could have been much, much worse.”

  She smiled, eyes gazing into his. “If I could go back in time and change it all, I would in a heartbeat.”

  “I know.” A sudden urge to kiss her washed over him. No. That isn’t...I can’t... He swallowed again.

  “Thank you, Shawn.” Emma wiped at her eyes but didn’t step away. “I really do care about you.”

  “I care about you, too.” To hell with it all.

  He kissed her.

  Emma put her hands on his chest and pushed him away just as someone scoffed, startling them both.

  Isaac glared at them from a few yards away, eyes hard, hands clenched at his side. He stalked forward. “You’re kidding me, right?”

  Shawn released Emma and stepped forward. “I—”

  Pain shot through his face as Isaac’s fist connected with his jaw. He stumbled back a step, bringing his arms up, but he wasn’t fast enough. Isaac hit him again, this time beneath his left eye. Shawn grunted and reached forward, snagging the man’s wrists in both hands. Anger shot through him. He clenched his teeth and squeezed. No. This is your own fault. He hesitated, staring at Isaac, then released him and took a step back.

  Immediately, another fist attacked his face, but Shawn didn’t flinch away. He let Isaac hit him again and again, didn’t even protest when he was hit in the stomach, simply groaned and doubled over, hair falling into his eyes.

  “Will you fucking stop?” Emma yelled.

  Isaac ignored her and continued his assault on Shawn, whose face throbbed in time with his elevated heart rate.

  “That’s enough. Shawn, stop him.”

  Glancing up at her, they locked eyes.

  “Stop him,” she commanded again.

  Fueled into movement, Shawn’s arm shot forward and wrapped around Isaac’s throat. Stepping forward in quick strides, he tripped him,
slamming his back into the ground. Isaac’s eyes widened, and he pulled at Shawn’s fingers.

  “That’s enough,” Shawn said in a low voice. “You hurt me. Now we’re even.” Shocked at the venom in his own voice, he released Isaac, watching him gasp in air and massage his neck, staring daggers.

  Emma went to Isaac but was stopped by a simple glare. “Don’t.” He stood carefully. “Just stay the hell away from me right now.”

  She stared at him for a long moment, misery on her face.

  Without another word, Isaac stalked away.

  —-

  Jaxon leaned against the outside wall of Lab 15 near the entrance, closing his eyes and sighing. He let the sun warm his face, tilting his head back. There was a soft rustling sound to his left, and he straightened, eyes darting around for an intruder. The noise came again, louder this time, like something making its way through the overgrowth that surrounded the building. Jaxon licked his lips and reached out with his mind just as a small rabbit appeared near a tree a few yards away. He sighed and fell back against the wall once more, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

  -You know, this is getting out of hand, even for you.-

  Jaxon winced at his father’s voice but didn’t take his eyes off the rabbit. Its little nose twitched back and forth. Hopping forward a few paces, it paused to nibble at something on the ground.

  -Your brother...-

  “We’ll get a hold of Duncan, and Shawn will no doubt follow. His sense of righteousness will bring him. He won’t let innocent kids die.”

  -And here you sit like a fucking predator, just waiting for him to be lured into a trap.-

  “Your point? We’ve been through this. I’ve come too far to give up now.” Jaxon let out an irritated breath.

  -You can always stop before you do something you regret. Well, more things you regret.-

  “I regret nothing.”

  -Not even killing me?-

  A dull pang of guilt surfaced, but Jaxon smothered it. “Not even that.” He stepped away from the wall, startling the rabbit. It stared in his direction but didn’t run off.

  -What are you going to do to him?-

  “Whatever I feel like doing. Whatever he deserves. Just like the criminals he’s with. I’ll be sure to take my time with them, though. Make sure they suffer before I send them to hell.”

  -You do realize some people are born into lives we ourselves don’t understand, right?-

  “Don’t give me that shit again. I’ve had enough. I wish you had an off button.”

  -Sigh.-

  Jaxon blinked. “Did...did you just say sigh instead of actually sighing?”

  -You never hear it when I actually sigh. I don’t think you can. But I really wanted you to know that you’re pissing me the hell off right now. So yeah, I did.-

  He shook his head. “Whatever, Dad. Keep quiet. If you keep annoying me I’ll...”

  -You’ll what? Kill me again? Don’t think it works like that, son.-

  Jaxon let out a low groan but said nothing.

  -Shawn’s caught up in a fight he did nothing to start.-

  “Will you shut up, Dad?” His voice carried, sending the rabbit into a flurry of hops. Using his mind and anger that flowed through him, Jaxon reached out with his power and snatched the animal mid-leap. It let out a strangled squeal. “Goddammit, just be quiet. All right?”

  -Oh, look. What, you’re going to murder a little bunny? I bet you’ll feel so much better about yourself.-

  Jaxon gritted his teeth and suppressed a scream. He beat the side of his head with one palm. “Get out of my fucking mind, you asshole. Get out.”

  -I’m not going anywhere, and you know it. I’m stuck and just as depressed about it as you are. You think I enjoy watching the son I raised and care about bring pain and death to everyone around him? Hmm? Do you think I like seeing you crumble under the pressure of life? Do you think I WANT TO? Because believe me, Jax, I don’t. I want nothing more than to get the fuck out of your head, but no. I can’t. So now I get to watch you murder innocent people and little bunnies and children until you finally get taken out, because you fucking will. You’re going to get yourself killed. You’re going to LOSE.-

  Jaxon swallowed and slowly released his hold on the rabbit, lowering it to the ground. The moment it no longer felt his mind’s grip, it raced off into the brush, disappearing with a flurry of dirt and leaves.

  “Please, Dad. Stop.” He rubbed his temples.

  -I won’t. You know I won’t. I can’t. I’m not going to see my son—-

  “I was created, Bruce.” Jaxon nearly spat his father’s name. “I am not your son.”

  The silence in his mind was sudden and heavy. It rang in his ears, threatening to crush his soul, bring him to his knees. Turning back to Lab 15’s entrance, he stormed through the door, down the hall, and straight up to Charlie, who was checking on the still-unconscious Ivan Vance.

  “You look cranky.” Charlie shut and locked the door to the closet where the Russian was being held. “Well, more than usual.”

  Ignoring his partner’s irritating insult, Jaxon crossed his arms. “Why isn’t Duncan answering your call?”

  “Probably because I threatened him once already, before going to Vance’s bunker. He’s just assuming it’s another angry call from yours truly.” He rubbed his jaw and shook his head. “I could get Claire to call from one of the lab’s phones.”

  “No.” Jaxon pulled out his cell. “Give me the number. Bet you five bucks he answers on the first ring.”

  —-

  Isaac stood a few yards away from the cabin, staring at the placid waters of the lake. The air was cool but warming rapidly to the sun’s rays. Dew sparkled on the grass that had already begun to grow in patches. He ignored it all, trying to swallow the hard lump that formed in his throat ever since he stepped out of the woods to see Emma in Shawn’s arms. The moment he had kissed her, a spike of pain shot through his heart so great it felt as if he couldn’t breathe.

  There’s no way that was to keep her hold on him secure. That was something else.

  She pushed him away, he argued with himself.

  With a low growl, he walked forward, unsure of where he was going or what he was about to do.

  This is too much. I can’t deal with her giving lovey-dovey eyes to him and Lucas just to keep them from killing us on top of the shit that went down with Vance and the threat of Jaxon finding us, all while the Synths train together. What the fuck am I even doing here? I did my part. I tried to get Vance to help us. Fuck that premonition. I can’t do this anymore.

  His fists were clenched so tight that pain pricked his palms and an ache throbbed in his knuckles. He wanted to hit someone, wanted to strangle someone, wanted to hurt someone. He found himself striding around the lake to the left. Eyes downcast, watching his feet kick up debris and dirt and grass in small clumps. Snarling, he picked up a rock and chucked it, listening to it plop into the water.

  “You all right?”

  He turned to see Duncan approaching.

  “Just venting some frustration. I didn’t hear you.”

  “All good.”

  Isaac sighed and ran a hand through his hair, anger spiking again. He continued to walk around the lake.

  “You off to throw more rocks?”

  He chuckled. “Maybe.”

  Isaac ran a hand over his face. “Look, there’s no need to—”

  Duncan twitched and reached into his pocket, pulling out a buzzing cell phone. His face changed as he stared at the screen. “Son of a bitch,” he mumbled.

  “What is it?”

  Duncan pressed a button and brought the cell to his ear. “Jaxon.”

  Just the sound of their enemy’s name brought a chill to Isaac’s stomach. It crept up his spine and settled in the back of his throat.

  “Claire? Claire?” Duncan’s eyes went wide. “What the hell?”

  At the tone of Duncan’s voice Isaac, went rigid. Something’s wrong. Who’s Claire? He w
atched the other man slap a hand over his mouth, and Isaac’s heartbeat doubled in time. The sound of a door opening drew his attention to the cabin where Emma was standing on the back porch. He ignored her.

  “Oh, God. Don’t you fucking hurt her.” Duncan began to pace back and forth, steps quick. “Don’t you dare hurt her. You can—” His movement stopped, his hand dropped limp at his side. “No...you fucking monster...”

  Isaac pointed at Emma. “Go get everyone,” he said harshly. “Now.”

  She turned and sprinted, slamming through the door. He heard a shout, and moments later, she was running back, Synths in tow.

  “It’s Jaxon,” Aaron said as he arrived at Duncan’s side. “He and Charlie have his wife,” he continued. Emma sucked in a breath.

  “What?” Shawn’s hands clenched into fists. His face, showing signs of swelling and bruising where Isaac had hit him, shifted into a mask of anger. “Where? How?”

  The mind reader’s eyes glazed over as he listened to Duncan’s thoughts. He swallowed. “There’s another lab. She works there. They have her hostage, her and...oh, hell.”

  “And what?” Emma demanded.

  Before Aaron could reply, Duncan screamed and threw his phone. It rustled along the ground and came to rest in a bush. Everyone stared at him.

  “We’re going to Nevada. Now.” He stalked away, but Isaac jogged after him.

  “You know damn well it’s a trap.”

  “Of course it is. But they brought my wife into it. They’re going to kill her.” Duncan stopped and rounded on him. “Do you understand that? They’re going to kill her, and they’re going to kill the new Synths.” He turned, and his eyes found Emma’s. “They’re just kids. Little kids. Barely a year old.” His voice caught and hitched.

  “Then we go.” She held his gaze. “Trap or no trap, we go.”

  “How the hell do we stop them?” Lucas grimaced, his eyes hard. “With Charlie’s power, we’d be going up against two Jaxons.”

  “Uh, hello? I’m clearly the answer.” Mari crossed her arms. “We go in all together. Touching. The moment anything goes wrong, I freeze. Go up to them, and when I release time, Shawn and Lucas can use their strength to easily snap their necks.”