Helix

by Mary Ting

  “Could we do something first?” I shivered, the cool damp air caressing me. The comfort of freedom, not the perfect temperature at ISAN.

  “I’m guessing you want to talk to Zen.”

  I stroked his cheek, traced the length of his nose, and glided my finger along his bottom lip. For a moment, I lost myself to him.

  “Yes. I should speak to him first before I eat.”

  “I’ll be waiting for you right outside the door. Unless you want me to come, too. Together. We do this together. The good and the bad. Whatever it takes.”

  “Yes. Whatever it takes.”

  I’d finally made it home.

  No more ISAN. No more Helix. No more protein drinks. ISAN didn’t own me anymore. I was free. And in due time, ISAN would fall.

  Rhett

  I had to steady my anger, steady the rage threatening to burst out of my chest. Ava needed me to be collected. I needed to be the voice of reason. I couldn’t let this torrential crazy confluence of emotions override me.

  So much to swallow. Information overload. Dismay. For all of us, especially those who had their memories replaced: Ava, Reyna, Brooke, and Tamara. And I wasn’t sure about Oz.

  A part of me felt betrayed by Zen. Why hadn’t he told me he’d sent Tamara to look after Ava? Did he not trust me? Or was he hiding something? Zen had given me no reason not to trust him. Perhaps I wouldn’t have told anyone either, to keep Tamara’s identity safe.

  I should be grateful for what he had done, even though it wasn’t to ease my mind. He’d done it for Ava’s father.

  After Ava felt ready to leave the room, we strolled toward Zen’s office.

  “You don’t have to wait for me. I’ll be okay. I’ll find you when I’m done.” Ava smiled and entered, but I lingered after the door closed.

  I couldn’t leave. I wanted to be in the room with her, to be there for her. Whatever the outcome, it wouldn’t be easy. I had experienced firsthand when I’d found out Mitch was my half-brother—news I hadn’t handled well—and neither had he.

  As time ticked away, I stared at the peeling plaster. I even got on the ground and wrote Ava’s name on the dirt with my finger. Gazing upward, I counted the solar panels on the makeshift ceiling. Then I rose and pressed my head on the rocky structure, counting.

  Counting some more.

  What was taking so long?

  “Rhett.”

  Cleo.

  I twisted to see her behind me.

  “Ava. She ... um ...” She cleared her throat softly. “She okay?”

  “Yeah. She went to see your father.”

  For Cleo to ask about Ava must require the equanimity of a saint. Things would be fine between us. I hoped she would find a way to ensure we were friends. For that, I felt grateful.

  Her eyes widened. “Oh. Anyway, more news about girls with superpowers is popping up. I already told my father before the meeting. My father has sent a search party for them. If we could find others like them, they could help us with the war against ISAN. And of course, we would help them understand their physical changes.”

  I released a pent-up breath. “It’s a good start. I’ll be right there to help Zen.”

  I’d thought we would have time to help others, like these girls, who needed more guidance, but I was wrong. How many more were out there, finally realizing what they could do?

  “Okay, then. I’ll let him know after he’s finished with Ava and I’ll catch you later.” She pivoted on her heel and left.

  I whirled at the sound of metal clanking. I wanted to snatch the pocket knife away from Tamara, though I did admire the way she flipped it.

  “What do you want?” I eyed the object in her hand.

  “Oh, sorry.” She swung her arm behind her back. “It helps me to steady my nerves.”

  I immediately regretted my brash tone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  “It’s okay. We’re all on edge. I wanted to let you know that I sense things before they happen. I can’t predict the future. I only feel.”

  “You can do this without Helix?”

  “Yes.”

  Amazing.

  “How long have you known?”

  Tamara leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. “I’ve always known but never told anyone, not even Zen. I didn’t want anyone to think I was a freak. Though, I did think it was strange when injected with HelixB77, my power was the same. And when I drank the protein drink, it suppressed my ability. So, everything Zen said is true.”

  I shifted on my feet, tiny pebbles rubbing under my shoe. “I wish it wasn’t. Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

  I didn’t mean to be rude, but I also didn’t want to stand here. Waiting for Ava to come out to tell me who her twin was drove me insane.

  “No. I mean yes. There’s more. Something’s wrong. I didn’t tell Ava, but I feel cold around her. Something powerful and strong is coming.” She leaned closer to me. “Be very careful, Rhett. Or death will find her.”

  The undeniable fear in her eyes and in her tone made me believe her. At her last words, every part of my insides turned glacial. Wordlessly, I backed away.

  Winning over Ava was one battle. That was just the beginning. A war was coming, sooner than I hoped, and death would find her.

  Tamara’s words were just a warning, not a premonition. A warning, that was all.

  “Thanks for the heads-up.” It was all I could say, a bit annoyed. I didn’t need to hear that.

  Just as I turned to leave, the sound of the door opening got my attention.

  Ava came pouring out of Zen’s office. Her face tight, and the dark vitality in her eyes indicated whatever she had been told was not what she wanted to hear.

  I had expected her to be smiling, or excited, but none of that happened.

  I reached for her. “Ava ... who?” The anticipation killed me, and the way she clutched her stomach put a bitter taste in my mouth.

  “I never thought ... Can we talk somewhere private?” She gnawed on her bottom lip.

  I coiled my arms around her waist. Whatever got Ava all riled up, she would get through it. I would be there for her.

  Ava was here. She was safe. We were together now. No ISAN or memories lost between us. We would prevail.

  Acknowledgements

  It takes a village to publish a book, starting with the editors: Jessica Nelson—for having to edit my crazy draft. Thank you for not leaving me. Holly Atkinson—for tightening my book and making it the best it can be. Jonas Saul—for your professional input. Katie Harder-Schauer, Cheree Castellanos, Cindy Honig- Fong, Karen Hrdlicka, and Jane Soohoo—for beta reading and for all your support.

  To my family, for listening to me ramble on and on about the characters I love and allowing me to bounce ideas and thoughts.

  To Italia, what can I say to this amazing goddess. ISAN wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you for EVERYTHING. To Alexandrea Weis, my bestie, you mean the world to me. Thank you for lending me your ears and bouncing ideas. Both of you have been my strength, and my fuel to keep writing.

  To Liana Gardner, I just adore you. You are always there when I need you, emergency or not. Thank you for enduring my panic moments, keeping me grounded, and for taking good care of me.

  To Justin Paul, thank you for an awesome cover of Helix. Thank you for bringing Ava and the world of ISAN to life.

  To my publisher, Vesuvian Books, anything is possible with you. I am forever grateful.

  About the Author

  Mary Ting is an international bestselling, award-winning author. She writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers around the world. Her books span a wide range of genres, and her storytelling talents have earned a devoted legion of fans, as well as garnered critical praise.

  Becoming an author happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she had in high school. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, Mary re
tired from teaching after twenty years. She also had the privileged of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.

  Mary resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two little dogs, Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry.

  www.ISAN.Agency

  www.TangledTalesofTing.com