by T. G. Ayer
I was definitely losing my touch if everything made me jump.
But I could be excused, considering I recognized what this man was. A MindMelder like Darcy.
Shit.
They were messing with Saleem’s mind, which was just about the worst news I’d received, probably bad enough to rival having found out he’d been trapped here the first place.
I blinked hard and focused, drifting around the man to stand closer to Saleem. Somehow, I had to find out more about what they intended to do to Saleem, but I didn’t believe for a second that it was going to be that easy.
Saleem let out a scream, a low keening cry that brought tears to my eyes, that twisted my gut with pain, enough that I felt the need to double over and suck in a deep breath. Instead, I shifted to Saleem’s back, drawing as close as was safe, hoping he’d know I was there with him.
Saleem stiffened as I brushed my fingers against his arm. He didn’t react, other than the one movement, and for a moment, I wondered if I were going to have to come up with another plan.
Then Saleem let out a harsh laugh, “I hope you know you’re wasting your time.”
“That’s what you think, your highness,” the woman said, her voice deep and husky, almost seductive. “You don’t know how talented Ward is. He can wipe your memories and replace them with something else entirely, and you’d never even know it.”
“Shut up, you idiot. It would be wise not to tell him who we are.”
The woman snorted, then studied her fingernails which were painted a shocking neon green. “Not like he’s going to remember.”
Ward didn’t reply. Was he possibly unsure that they were going to succeed in wiping Saleem’s mind clean?
Ward leaned over Saleem again, fingers drifting along Saleem’s temples the way a lover would.
A new voice rang out within the room. “What we would prefer is for him to remember. I’d prefer him compliant as opposed to being an automaton.”
The woman scowled. “An auto-what-now?”
I barely registered the words as I studied the newcomer. I’d seen his face before. The man in charge of Saleem’s torture and mental abuse, was none other than Barnes, or rather Agent Jones of Division 7.
I wasn’t entirely sure I was surprised. Nothing was as it seemed in our lives, and as I hovered in the astral plane, I wondered what would happen next that would be capable of surprising me. I wasn’t sure there was anything left.
Jones stood straight-backed as he watched over Ward, who remained focused on Saleem, a dark scowl on concentration marring his features. I was tempted to mess with them, but I knew that alerting them to my presence would only endanger Saleem further, and likely make it more difficult for me to return with the team.
I shifted closer to Saleem and reached for his fingers, allowing my fingers to partially solidify, entwining them with Saleem’s. He let out a sigh and squeezed back, then abruptly let go.
I drifted away, reluctant to leave, yet knowing I had to go.
Time was running short and not only was Saleem’s life in danger, but so was his mind, his memories of his past, of me and of Logan and Kai. And of his mother.
Heart heavy, I returned to the astral plane and transitioned back into my body. It was time I paid a visit to a queen.
Chapter 26
I rested only a few minutes before I headed off to visit Saleem’s mother, the trip to her prison having become so familiar that I arrived faster than usual and was grateful for the low-stress transition.
“To what do I owe the honor of this visit?” asked Queen Aisha, a strange edge to her tone as she spoke using her astral voice. She sat in front of a large easel, a paintbrush held within slim fingers, the bristles heavy with a deep ochre, as she paused.
I rolled my eyes as I hovered within the room, remaining on the astral plane where the djinn queen was quite able to see me. “Sorry, it’s been a while. Things have been a little crazy in the outside world.”
“I’d say pull up a chair and give me the details but…well…hover and give me the details.” Aisha remained facing her painting, a landscape in blues and reds, depicting a mountain range of shimmering black stone.
I lifted a brow, keenly aware that she’d actually expressed an interest in my life. But I shook my head. “That’s all a bit irrelevant. I just spoke to Saleem, and things are not looking good for him.”
Aisha took a deep breath and dabbed the brush on a palette set on a small table beside her. “What’s that supposed to mean, child,” she asked as she drew the brush in short fluid strokes, quickly forming a short line of trees. “I will need you to be a little more specific.”
“Your son. He went back to Mithras.”
She didn’t even blink at my revelation. “That’s a good thing I believe.” More trees formed at the tip of her brush, soon covered with leaves of deep copper and gold.
“You believe wrong,” I said, coldly. “As soon as he arrived, he was taken prisoner. Actually, you have it rather soft compared to what he’s going through right this minute.” The pain of what I’d seen Saleem endure filtered into my voice, transformed into bitter anger.
Aisha got to her feet, her green-and-gold floor-length gown glistening in the lights of the lanterns that were scattered around the room. She rested her brush on the palette and reached for a rag to wipe off her fingers.
“What do you mean?” she asked softly, a ripple of fear making her voice quiver.
“He’s being tortured, both physically and mentally,” I said. When she frowned I elaborated. “While the soles of his feet are being whipped with a cat ‘o nine-tails, his mind is slowly being rewritten so he can be a more compliant ruler.”
Aisha’s face went white as she sucked in a gasp, the paint-stained rag now twisted within her fingers. “The silly boy.”
My eyes narrowed. “The silly boy? Is that all you can say? Saleem returned to Mithras to make sure his brother was okay. To make sure your kingdom and you’re people were not in danger. Does that make him a silly boy?” I asked coldly.
“No. It doesn’t. It’s just he got himself caught. He should have known better.” She hadn’t moved a muscle.
“Rizwan betrayed him. And besides, it’s not as though you knew any better. You were caught too, weren’t you?” I asked. Seemed I’d lost the ability to care if I were rude or disrespectful to the queen.
She didn’t appear to mind. “Riz betrayed his brother?” she asked, her tone revealing that she already knew the answer.
“It seems as though he’s been controlled. That’s what Saleem thought when he first contacted me. But having seen what the MindMelder is trying to do to him, I can understand what happened to Rizwan to make him betray his brother.” I tried to keep my tone neutral despite the anger that simmered within me whenever I thought about Rizwan, his cold arrogance, the puffs of noxious smoke he exhaled in much the same way as he’d dealt out his dishonesty and betrayal of his family.
“You’re defending him?” Aisha asked, one elegant eyebrow curving in amusement.
I shrugged. “Not really. I’m just telling it like it is. He must have been under their control for a long time. It makes sense. Saleem did say Rizwan was weak.”
My jaw dropped as I realized what I’d just said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—” My feelings toward Saleem’s brother were stronger than I’d expected, harder to contain.
“Don’t apologize child. I’m not the kind of mother who will deny the faults of her children. Rizwan was never the type of boy who would be kind. His was soft, malleable, and impressionable. Too often he would fail to understand that loyalty to his brother was above all else.”
“Don’t tell me...he’d tell on Saleem?” I could just imagine that, the envious younger kid, eager to snatch away any of his brother’s glory.
Aisha nodded. “He would. Regardless of the reasons, he’d spill the beans and either spoil a special surprise or get Saleem in trouble.”
“Saleem was pissed?” I asked with a smile.
<
br /> “Surprisingly, no. Saleem was the most passionate advocate in support of his brother’s lack of guile.”
“Seems more like lack of spine to me.”
“You’re are quite astute. And I wasn’t blind to it. I didn’t shield him from the consequences of his inability to be trustworthy, I wanted him to learn how wrong his way of thinking was, but I’m afraid I never succeeded.” My stomach twisted as I felt a little ill at Aisha’s words. Now I understand the anger Rizwan possessed, even nurtured, against his mother.
I took a deep breath. “I hate to be rude, but can I just point out that you remained here in this fake prison because you were afraid for your children, but regardless they are now both in trouble.”
“I am aware.” She flung the rag toward the table, and turned to face the landscape.
I wanted to ask if it were a place in Mithras or something she’d merely made up, but I had to focus. “So you’ll come with me?” I asked quickly. “We need to break him out before they break him entirely. And believe me, from what I just saw, they aren’t too far away from succeeding.”
Aisha’s spine stiffened, and she shook her head, her expression serene. “I’m afraid I cannot help you. I just cannot risk it.”
I breathed slowly, aware that my temper was rising. “What is it you are afraid of?” I asked, my voice a fraction louder. “They have already turned Rizwan. They’re close to destroying Saleem. I can’t imagine you can be aware of this and still do nothing. We need you with us. Your abilities will be such a huge ass—”
“No, Melisande. As much as I would like to join you, the risk is too great. The threat hanging over my family is too great.”
I let out a cold laugh. “I never pegged you for a coward.”
Aisha’s eyelids flickered at my words, but she simply sighed and sat on the nearest wingback chair, painting forgotten. “I understand if you must believe that, but I cannot risk their lives with my own impetuous actions. Yes, they have control of Rizwan, but they have not yet killed him. And yes, Saleem is likely in the worst throes of pain, of which I am most familiar. But I cannot take that chance.”
“What are they threatening you with?” I asked softly. “Will they kill them?”
Aisha’s lips thinned. “I cannot discuss it. There is too much at risk.”
“They can’t hear us can they?” I asked. “We’ve had a number of conversations so far, and you’ve never intimated that it was risky. Is there a chance that they can access the astral plane? Do they have an astral projector? Even if they did, I’d have been able to tell if someone was here with us.” I shook my head. “No, I’m not sure why you won’t just come clean, but I can’t accept that you, as a mother, would just sit back and watch as your son is tortured. You know what’s sad?”
Aisha looked up, a question in her gaze.
“I really liked you. Admired you. You’re everything a woman should aspire to be—strong, independent, powerful, courageous.” I let out a sigh. “I just don’t understand what’s holding you back.”
Still, Aisha remained silent, and I gritted my teeth. I’d done about as much as I could in trying to convince the woman to come with us. She was too damned stubborn, and I knew when I’d hit a wall.
Plus, I didn’t want to push it too far and end up pissing the queen off. It was probably a bad thing to make a powerful queen angry.
I hesitated, then began my retreat. “I’m sorry,” I said, “if I offended you. I just…”
“No need to apologize, Mel. I can see that you care a great deal and I can ask for nothing more. I only wish that I could grant you your wish.”
I snickered at that, and the djinn queen smiled in return.
“I’ll go now. There’s a lot to get done before we leave.”
I hesitated, hoping she’d changed her mind at the last minute, but Aisha merely glanced over at me and nodded.
I returned to my physical form, frustrated and confused.
Chapter 27
“Ugh, the woman is so damned frustrating,” I muttered under my breath as I rose from the bed.
It looked like I was on my own in accessing the djinn realm.
So far, I had refrained from attempting to access the djinn plane because of Saleem’s window.
I knew that the Veil to Mithras had to be protected in some way, ensuring that its citizens could not leave without permission. It would mean that entering the realm without taking extra care could easily trip any alarms that may have been set.
And I was pretty certain there would be alarms. Whoever was now in control of Mithras certainly would not appreciate unexpected visitors.
All in all, any attempt at accessing the realm would need to be done as close as possible to when we were ready to leave.
So, despite the desire to not wait any longer, I steeled myself, repeating Saleem’s words in my mind.
He must have a good reason why he needed me to come at a specific time. A reason important enough that he’d prefer to endure the agony of torture and mind-manipulation while he waited until his window.
And, in the meantime, I still had work to do. So, on the subject of MindMelders, I had to ensure we had one of our own at the ready to counter the effects of Ward’s damage.
I typed up a text to Kai to ask her to call Darcy in on the mission and was about to send it when I paused. I had to speak to Darcy in person. Every member of the team had to be invested in this mission wholeheartedly, and though Darcy was Kai’s friend—and though I’d met her on a few occasions—I didn’t yet know her well enough to lead her into a mission which could end in death for any one of us.
From what I’d just seen of Ward and his ruthlessness, and of Agent Jones, I wasn’t going to kid myself, or anyone else, that the mission would be easy or safe.
I headed down to the kitchen, dialing Darcy’s number but as I descended the stairs, I was met with a busy signal. In the end, I sent her a short text saying I needed to speak to her and that it was 7 out of 10 urgent.
Ten minutes later, I was puttering about the kitchen, preparing a bacon and egg toast when my phone rang—Darcy returning my call.
“Hey, Mel. What’s up?”
“Hey, sorry to pounce on you like this, but it’s kind of important.”
“Yeah. When I saw level 7, I assumed it was more like a level 11, and you were trying not to panic.”
I let out a laugh. Already she knew me so well. “Ok, you got me there. I need your help on a mission, but I’m going to lay it on the line here…this isn’t exactly a safe op. We don’t really know what we’re heading into and I’m expecting to have to fight our way in and out.”
“Okay, you have me officially worried.”
I let out a soft sigh. “I’ll understand if this is a no, Darcy. But I have to ask if you can be available to the team when we get back. We’re going to need Saleem’s mind unfucked.”
Darcy let out a loud belly laugh, and it took a few seconds before she was able to formulate a coherent sentence. “If it’s that bad, I’m all yours. And for the record, I wasn’t saying no.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. What I was saying is you have me sufficiently concerned that I know for sure that I’m going to help you as much as I possibly can.”
I was stunned, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure what to say in reply. Then I cleared my throat. “Thanks, Darcy. I’m just waiting on Kai to get back to me, and I’ll call a pre-mission meet-up to go over a few details.”
“Works for me. Oh, and where exactly are we going?”
“We’re going to Mithras.”
“We’re crossing the Veil?” she asked, hesitant now.
“Is that going to be a problem,” I asked, wondering how it would affect Darcy.
“No, not at all. I was just wondering if you had the means required.”
“I’m a jumper. It shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Normally I’d agree with you, but I’ve heard chatter—In fact, I know for a fact that the portals through the Veil that a
ccess Mithras were sealed off a while back. I saw it on some top-secret memo that I really shouldn’t have seen.”
I chuckled. “I guess I should also add that this mission will likely mean we will come into direct battle with Omega operatives. In fact, I crossed paths not too long ago with a guy named Ward. You know him?”
A tense silence emanated from the other end of the line, and I frowned. “Darcy? You okay?”
She cleared her throat. “Sorry. You said you ran into Ward?”
“Yeah. He was a little occupied at the time—raping the mind of someone who is very important to me. It took everything in me to not rip the asshole apart.”
“Well, apparently Ward is capable of overcoming death too, so you would have been wasting your time.”
“Eh?” I scowled, getting the sense that there was so much more to this story than Darcy was saying. “You sure this Ward creep is supposed to be dead?
“Yep. Entirely sure. I was the one who killed him.” Her tone was emotionless, but as she sighed, I caught a tinge of fear filtering through.
“You okay?” I asked softly. “I hope I didn’t upset you. And if you and this Ward asshole have problems then maybe it’s best you don’t come with us.”
“No, I’m fine. If Ward is doing any damage, I’ll be only too glad to unravel it.”
“Ok, I’ll message when we are ready to prepare. Oh, and you will update me on all I need to know about Ward, right?” After I received only silence from Darcy, I said, “He is going to be a key opponent, and we all need to understand this strengths and weaknesses. And given that I do have his identity, I could likely find out some of what I need to know from Sentinel and the Elite, but ideally, I’d like to hear it from you.”
Darcy let out a hollow laugh. “Of course. I apologize. It was a little hard for me to hear that I’d failed to kill him. I’ve been living happily this past year thinking he was out of my life for good and to find out that I failed…” Darcy took a deep breath, “…well…it doesn’t really matter though. What’s important is we extract Saleem safely.”