Drift: The Renegades Saga: Book Two

by E. M. Whittaker

After several coughs, Aviere covered her nose and rummaged through the large handbag. “Good to know… I’m not the only one… having a rotten evening, Neuro.” She grinned when she came across a breathing mask, but frowned when she realized it had oxygen attached to it. “Goddammit!”

  “What the bloody hell are you doing inside the Port of Baltimore, Mye?”

  Aviere broke into another coughing spell as she sprinted back toward the pyres. “Sample. Aquarius. Burning bodies. Have to—”

  “Six feet past the cruise ship, Google Maps shows there’s a storage unit. Get there and hide inside. In addition, there are multiple pyres. I’m not sure why, but I can call—”

  Peters’s words sounded like bees buzzing through Aviere’s ears as she searched the area, forcing her quivering legs to continue moving toward the Ferrari. She deciphered one or two words—something about six feet—but the rest remained forgotten.

  There has to be shelter somewhere! I can’t use a portable oxygen mask near fire! If only I’d carried the self-contained breathing unit with me… but that’s inside—shit!

  The Poisoner tripped over a metal pipe as she raced through the port, shrieking when she sailed over the metal wharf. Before she landed, Aviere tossed her purse on top of the wharf.

  Her iPhone landed on the edge as she plunged into the Patapsco River, whimpering when water flooded her ears. Aviere pushed herself above the water and her eyes widened in fear, deepening their normal shade of cerulean to an almost navy color at the floating trash surrounding her. She shoved plastic six-pack rings away and scrunched her nose when she inhaled ammonia from the colony of dead fish bobbing nearby.

  Christ, even the ecosystem is affected by Donahue’s greed. Goddammit, I lost my glasses again!

  “When Peters said move six feet, he didn’t mean tumble into the Patapsco River, Mye.”

  Of course, the earpiece isn’t broken. Neuro probably started ordering waterproof and commercial grade equipment from Sanderson. Not a bad thing—except in circumstances like this.

  Forgetting about her unfavorable conditions, Aviere glowered as she waded toward the dock she’d slipped from. “I didn’t try falling, Travis! And how—”

  “Peters tracked you. You’re lucky he did. You’re always getting into trouble.”

  Aviere grumbled as she felt her leather-clad fingers squelch with water. After two tries, Aviere stopped, moaning at Travis as he stooped at the edge of the dock with his hand extended. Standing behind him was Limere, snorting at her current situation.

  However, Aviere spotted a large black duffel bag over his shoulder and released an appreciative sigh as she took Travis’s hand, flinching at another squelch inside her glove.

  “Sis, it never fails. You’re lucky Jet had a change of clothes in the trunk.”

  “Never mind the clothes, Dalara. Mye’s guns are useless since they’re full of polluted water.”

  Aviere bit her lip at the mention of her brother’s last name, exercising self-restraint to keep Travis above water. Once he helped her on the wharf, the Poisoner emptied her gloves, shivering at the sudden change in temperature. She picked plastic from her soaked brunette hair and screamed after finding the bones of a dead fish along with the garbage.

  After emptying the dirty water from her boots, a petulant look crossed her face before she shuddered again.

  “Limere, hand me my clothes, please. They better be something fashionable.” As she hugged her arms for warmth, Aviere raised an eyebrow at Travis’s sunglasses. “What’s with the shades? Aren’t they Neuro’s?”

  “Double auras. God knows someone needs to be competent if you’re tripping over everything.”

  “And here I missed it,” Aviere grumbled, pouting afterward. “Just don’t break them. I’ll get blamed somehow, and Ray-Bans are pricey.”

  “Oh yeah.” She didn’t miss the smile spreading across Travis’s face. “Seven hundred bucks. I’ll lend you mine if you need to rely on feline vision in public again, Mye.”

  Aviere snickered before a cold chill overtook her. When her body stopped trembling, she turned to her brother. “Limere, my clothes—before I freeze to death.”

  “Sis, you might prefer to change away from the agent. Don’t believe he’s into watching you strip, even if you leave your skivvies on.”

  “I can see the lace bra outline through the sky-blue blouse. Just maintain the forcefield so she can breathe. I don’t need Mye dying while changing out of wet clothing.”

  Aviere’s eyes settled on Travis as she snatched the duffel bag from Limere, twisting sideways to conceal the blush creeping up on her cheeks. “Start guessing my bra size and we’ll have issues.”

  “Even when in dire situations, you make things humorous, Mye. The first time you screwed up, you jammed your gun and an assassin shot you. The second time, you played hero and received two shots in the arm as souvenirs.” Amusement played at her partner’s voice as he continued in a teasing tone. “Now, you’re wearing a waterlogged sky-blue blouse, glaring daggers at me with two useless guns underneath the river. Never mind almost dying of smoke inhalation inside a magically-reinforced domed metal pier.”

  The Beretta was on her person, but when Aviere reached behind her, she wailed, bare hands touching the space where the Smith and Wesson once rested inside her waistband.

  “Of course, you saved the damn iPhone instead of the Smith and Wesson, Mye. Always the iPhone, never the practical stuff.”

  “Guns are replaceable,” she said, teeth chattering while shaking in place. “The Beretta’s salvageable, but the ammunition isn’t. I’ll make new cartridges. However, forgive me for saving my wedding photos and the honeymoon pictures from Hawaii.”

  “You… saved your phone for sentimental photographs?”

  “Yes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, agent, I’m leaving. I’d like to change before I freeze to death or die of smoke inhalation.”

  Only after Aviere stormed away did she catch the difference in air quality. The hurried footsteps behind her made Aviere groan before turning to Limere. “I can get dressed on my own.”

  “Agent man broke speed limits and stole your neurotic human’s car to rescue you, Sis.” He turned the red baseball cap sideways before directing a crooked finger in the opposite direction. “Think the human’s still livid.”

  Aviere’s growl reverberated deep inside her throat at Travis’s snippy attitude. It changed after registering Limere’s statement and then she snickered.

  “Hellcat, the gun’s not important. We’ll get you another one. Find Aquarius and your sample… and stay with Travis. God knows you’re on your third life.”

  “Peters—”

  “Your friends are holding me hostage in Travis’s apartment and I’m worried the werewolf will snap my neck if he finds out you died.”

  “Tell Joseph I’m fine,” Aviere said, gritting her teeth. “Hold off calling Sanderson or your federal buddies until I search for the sample.”

  “Okay, but Randolph left with several pissy men, proclaiming that if his brewer dies, permanent sobriety won’t be acceptable. At least Maurice is pleasant company. Not too sure about Greene, though.”

  Aviere removed the earpiece and crushed it in her hand, wishing the sludgy water drowned out Peters’s whiny voice the moment she sank into the Patapsco River.

  Afterward, she hung her head, dreading a meeting face-to-face with her sober best friend.

  Fifteen minutes later, after Aviere changed behind a closed warehouse, the Poisoner pouted at how her favorite skintight bodice seemed loose against her frame.

  She examined her nylon leggings before brushing her now cold, bare fingers against the laced-up sides, satisfied when she found nothing had ripped. Her back cracked when she extended her arms above her head. After bending her upper body down to lace up her steel-toed combat boots, Aviere stared inside the duffel bag, glaring at the utility belt and the Walther CCP.

  I don’t want to use Gunther’s gun, but the Beretta is out of commission. Travis is s
our over the Smith and Wesson, and I require a decent weapon against Summer Watson. Silver bullets are in the utility belt… but I’m not dealing with a werewolf.

  She brushed past the metal belt as she knelt on the ground, wriggling her butt while searching through the bag. When she found a set of short, black leather driving gloves, Aviere cheered, then hissed once she realized what they were.

  Goddammit, I can’t hide tools inside driving gloves! I don’t want to seem like a superhero with this bulky belt. Hmm.

  “Sis, you’re a cross between—”

  “Say any comic book characters and I’ll shoot you,” she warned, grabbing the Walther CCP. “Where’s the holster to this goddamn thing, anyway?”

  “I didn’t check inside the bag. But careful what you say—agent man’s powers are growing. His hearing range has doubled since you met him.”

  Aviere nodded before returning her attention to the bag, intent on finding the concealed gun’s holster. “I busted their wonderful earpiece, so we can chat in private. So, tell me what happened the other night between us, Limere.”

  She snagged the leather holster from the bag. In the fresh-aired forcefield, Aviere’s nose registered a pungent skunky scent before Limere’s footsteps shuffled backward. The Poisoner smirked as she pictured his thumbs looping through his belt loop while thrusting his hands into his pockets.

  When she fastened the holster to her waist, Aviere hummed in approval.

  The utility belt rested in the middle of the bag, as if reminding Aviere of her careless mistake twenty minutes before.

  The hell with it, Vi. Just get this over with.

  The Poisoner rolled her eyes as she fastened the belt around her slender waist, inspecting each pocket to take inventory of her weaponry. After a quick sweep, she spun around, crossed her arms over her chest and spoke, ignoring the blurred standoffish look on her brother’s face.

  There goes another set of glasses. Not even two weeks old, and they’re swimming with the fishes.

  “Sis, you should invest in contacts. Might be pricey with shifter eyes, but—”

  “Limere, you understand why I’m here better than Travis or Neuro. I can’t let Aquarius live if she’s their new carrier.”

  “Summer’s been infected by Chelsea.”

  Aviere smiled at Limere’s snarling and imagined a time when canines would have been hanging over his lower lip. “Sometimes, I wish you hadn’t traded shifting for magic. You didn’t need to.”

  “You wouldn’t understand, Sis.”

  “Just like you don’t get me,” she said, watching him move his right arm in a circular motion. “However, we can argue for years. It doesn’t change the situation. Aquarius is a victim, no matter her circumstances. We promised when Ma died to keep my condition a secret.”

  “Just because you hate Summer doesn’t mean she deserves this,” Limere interjected. “Besides, she’s known for years. I needed to discuss my concerns with somebody.”

  “Limere—”

  “Besides, your agents know. What’s preventing you from icing them?”

  Aviere waved the dreaded silver bracelet and grunted at the LED timer. “This.”

  “I understand Travis, but the human’s expendable.”

  She smirked when Limere snorted. “I’ll deal with Agent Neuro when the time is right. However, you’re skirting the real issue. Summer’s a concern, but you’re hiding secrets—dark ones, which we can’t save you from.”

  “Yeah, but telling you isn’t a good idea.”

  Aviere slammed a boot into the ground. “I’m aware of the other night.” She pointed to her ear. “I picked up things. It’d be nice if we addressed it instead of others slipping us pieces of information. I’m supposed to trust you as my second, not wonder if you’ll betray me.”

  “I’m aware someone’s playing us, Aviere.”

  The Poisoner scowled when Limere’s stance changed from slouching in place to ramrod straight with serious, icy-blue eyes. He scratched his neck and flicked dandruff off the black athletic muscle shirt. After drawing a deep breath and pushing his shoulders back, he continued.

  “To be honest, I had doubts when you started asserting yourself. So did Reese, but I think he’s coming around and understands it’s something we have to do.”

  “I hope so,” Aviere answered. “God knows I’m tired of arguing with him about this.”

  “However, certain parties will undermine your efforts, despite our newfound credibility. This is one of those instances.”

  “Stop with the flowery speeches and make your point.”

  “I enacted my contingency plan. I’m not naïve. But if I’m gone, you and Reese need somebody in your pocket.”

  She raised a finger, opened her mouth, caught Travis’s familiar exasperated sigh as he approached them, and stopped before waving her hand at Limere to continue his statement.

  “Summer’s been mine for a long time, Aviere. You might not approve of her, but she’s cognizant of your condition and trained with me, like Celene. She agreed—after bitching, mind you—but she knows you are important to me. Additionally, without a viable test subject, we can’t evaluate the altered drug or create a remedy for other victims. Her regenerative properties can help combat their experimental drugs.”

  You moron, Aviere chastised, curbing the impulse to strangle Limere. You wouldn’t sacrifice Aquarius after you trained her. What is your motive? Are you destroying your crew, after all?

  Aviere’s teasing smile contrasted with her narrowed eyes. “I didn’t have to kill Aquarius, after all. She signed her death warrant with this agreement.”

  “I figured you’d disagree with me, but—”

  “My diseased blood mutates all regenerative properties in any species, no matter their form.”

  “Summer lived through—”

  “Limere, even my blood failed testing this concoction. They’ve changed its genetic makeup completely.”

  As a stunned silence created tension, Aviere grabbed her handbag and stake, casting a sympathetic glance toward Travis’s pissy expression. She sifted through her crowded purse before thrusting a set of papers in Limere’s direction. Once he snatched the papers, Aviere pointed toward the humid port, then moved an index finger across the domed area.

  As he crumpled the papers in his hand, the scent became pungent, subduing Travis’s aftershave. She sniffed, sighing as her brother’s scent became a harsh blend of marijuana, sweat, and fear.

  “Depending on what species they infect, they either melt, explode, or suffocate once the poison sucks all oxygen from the healthy red blood cells. That’s what Da’s toxicology reports stated, so I ran numerous tests to try replicating the victim’s deaths for a positive result. Every single one failed—including all the samples I received.”

  Despite Limere’s wide blue eyes, Aviere straightened her posture, cracking her lower spine and neck. Once she peered at Limere, one eye drifted to Travis.

  The Poisoner expected silence, but a hushed question came from her partner.

  “Mye… how dangerous is your blood?”

  “Enough to come alone for the cartel’s sample,” she said. “If I had one viable subject, I’d consider letting Aquarius live. But, since all the tests failed, I came to kill her myself.”

  She raised her upper lip at Travis’s disapproving stare before returning her attention to Limere.

  One hand settled on her hip as he shuffled his feet, staring at the ground.

  “Limere…”

  “She’s still sane, Sis.” Soft-spoken, Limere’s voice trembled as he met her eyes. “She’s lucid and hasn’t killed anyone. Vampires hate fire, so she wouldn’t set up these pyres. Hell, she’s wearing hoodies and baggy clothing to deal with the sunset. She has since high school.”

  Limere, you could have risen in rank, had you avoided being softhearted. Your loyalty will destroy you, brother.

  “Nonetheless, she’s a liability. We’ve lost good men before.”

  “She’s my on
ly goddamn friend, Aviere.”

  “Aquarius is a biological weapon. Either you can rectify this, or I can. Your choice.”

  From behind, Aviere sensed Travis’s hand reaching for his gun. Before he drew it, Aviere thrust her arm out behind her, locking it in place. Despite her action, the safety clicked.

  “Travis, we can’t afford mistakes or hospital stays, remember?”

  “Dalara has a point. At least consider Aquarius, Mye. We need to learn what Chelsea and Donahue are planning, and why they involved mages for distributing their homemade biological weapon.”

  The peridot, despite the muggy weather, felt heavy in her palm as the Poisoner clenched it, staring at her brother’s anguished expression. She ached to reach for his shoulder, but stopped herself, steeling her eyes against any tender emotion.

  No. Limere created this dilemma—he’s cleaning it up. I’ve tolerated his mistakes for too long. Our family will remain cannon fodder if Limere’s mistakes haunt us. They’re bleeding into my job. I cannot allow this to continue.

  “Mye, I don’t care for your expression. Don’t blow me off.”

  “There are other methods,” Aviere argued as she wrapped an arm around her abdomen. “I will leave with a workable sample. Sanderson’s pressing for evidence, and we have to show him something by morning.”

  “The sample’s not the issue, Mye. You’re asking—”

  “Aquarius is Limere’s subordinate. He understands what needs to happen.”

  “You’re fighting the same thing, and Dalara’s yours, Mye.”

  The air whooshed from Aviere’s lungs at Travis’s statement. As if on command, her body trembled. Her cerulean eyes shifted to sky blue as Aviere turned her head and faced the impassive agent.

  Aviere’s lips widened with a malicious smile when Travis stepped back three steps, then spat when the pungent alcohol inside the aftershave sharpened through her nose. A howl emitted before a low snarl once she smelled rancid odors different from the burning pyres.

  “I can detect your magic now. Interesting.” She crouched and waved a hand toward her partner. “If you think you can beat us, I welcome you to try. However, if you have doubts about your abilities and lack confidence, you won’t win.”