by Sydney Addae
Seconds later, Thomas nodded. “Accepted. Listen until the end and then ask questions.”
<<<>>>
The next hour and a half, Noah listened to an unbelievable story of how all of them had either been sold into slavery or captured by force. Used as human guinea-pigs for weird experiments locked away in a lab someplace south of Russia. They underwent multiple operations which were the source of their mutations.
If they didn’t die on the operating table they were given a week at most to recover and then experimented on again and again. It was a story of madness, misery, and hopelessness. Hundreds died and were discarded as trash. Baron Lords turned the other eye often selling children to the Liege for profit.
These guys barely escaped with their lives. Noah’s stomach tightened with nausea. He couldn’t look at Mia, instead, he took her trembling hand and continued staring at Thomas as he continued speaking. Noah heard the pain of loss of those came to this country and died over the years. No, for decades. They arrived after the civil war, watched the growth of this country and used their gifts to survive.
His initial reaction had been disbelief. But the methodical manner in which Thomas told the story, plus the complete lack of deceit made him slowly accept the impossible. “That’s the bulk of it,” Thomas said. “Anybody got more to add?”
No one said anything.
“The FBI thing?” Noah asked.
“A prop from our client, that happens from time to time. He’s really pissed but understands the game has changed with the Senator being involved. I refunded his money minus our expenses,” Thomas said.
“Is that what you do? Hire out for jobs like that?” Noah looked at Mia first and then Thomas.
“Sometimes, but we have to make some decisions regarding how we’re going forward.” Thomas looked at the others. “Mia sensed change in the air, she’s been getting things lately and was right. We’ll get to that in a few.” He looked at Noah with an air of expectancy.
“How is it no one knows about you? How do they find you for jobs?” The idea that they remained hidden in this country for decades blew his mind. With satellites and new technology, it didn’t seem possible.
Thomas pursed his lips for a few moments. “When we arrived in this country, we headed west where there weren’t many people. We were too weird for the Indians they left us alone. Initially, we thought of moving into the Smokey Mountains but decided against it. One of our people had the ability to manipulate land, earth. Another could make anything grow from the ground, illusions, bend nature. Between us, we were able to create a place large enough to comfortably house us several feet below ground without being seen or disturbed. We burrowed in, fortified our new home and fought to survive.”
Fascinated, Noah asked. “He tapped into water sources in the earth?”
“Yes, and fixed it in a way we always have water as well as a few hot springs. Jeri was truly gifted, an artist in his own way. The temperature here is always perfect, we’re not bothered by atmospheric issues, uncontaminated water and he created a way to filter the sunlight into his below-ground greenhouse to grow fresh vegetables and some types of fruit. Back then meat was everywhere. Now we order from the butcher and hit one of the warehouses once or twice a month.”
Thomas and a few others smiled in tribute to their deceased friend. “Jeri was a genius.”
“Most definitely.” Noah looked around at the architectural masterpiece.
“Through the years we purchased new furniture, spruced the place up, added security, that kind of thing. But structurally the place is the same as he built it.”
Impressed, Noah looked around at the high sweeping ceilings, smooth walls, and colorful fabrics. Comfortable, he thought. “Are there more people like me who mutated recently? In this decade?”
“There may be. How did your mutation happen?” Thomas asked.
Noah thought about it for a few seconds. “Honestly I don’t know. This last tour was a bitch. Surprise attack. Six of us returning to base. Never should’ve happened. We were outgunned. Firepower came from several directions. I remember getting hit, passing out. Woke up, saw body parts of my team everywhere. I lost it. Later I was told I died on the operating table and was resuscitated. They sent me stateside to recover. I’d only had my new rank for eight months and wanted to go back. But the dreams got worse. Couldn’t tell the difference between what was real and fake. I would go places, see and talk to people who told me weird shit. I’d be rambling trying to make sense of everything. Didn’t take long to be discharged, mental disability.” He shook his head. “Fucking mist.” He looked at the others around the table. “When I walk through dreams, this mist attacks me, like I’m dinner or something. Have you ever heard of something like that?”
“Let’s first address when your abilities started. Before or after you died on the operating table?” Thomas asked.
Noah opened his mouth, recalled they all mutated after several operations and went still. “After.”
Thomas nodded. “Fragment was lodged in your brain?”
Chilled by the similarities, Noah nodded. Mia rubbed the top of his hand.
“Do you know if you were resuscitated in the field or in the States?” Thomas asked.
Noah thought back. “In the field.” He nodded. “Definitely before I was shipped back.”
“Based on what I’ve recently learned I’d say your mutation occurred when you were resuscitated. It’s very possible that the same chemicals that changed us, changed you. The mist is something you’ve got to master, it’s yours to use. And to answer your last question regarding if there are more of you, yes.”
Speechless, Noah stared at Thomas for a few moments and then looked at Mia. If he didn’t know for certain he was awake, he’d think he was locked in a nightmare or dream-walking again. He pinched his thigh just in case. Yeah, he was wide awake and learning shit he saw on TV. “Ryder and Ryan? They’ve got something, but were vague,” he said.
“I don’t know them and can’t answer that,” Thomas said. “We have one hour before we meet with Hawke and his team for examinations,” Thomas said. “Noah, will you come with us? You’re an important piece of this ever-widening puzzle and we need as much information as possible to prepare.”
Noah looked at Mia and then at Thomas. “What kind of examinations?” He hadn’t agreed to have anyone poking on him.
“Physicals and some blood work. In order to have access to the library of information they have on the Liege, I agreed that we would share information. The physicals are a part of it.”
Noah looked at Mia. “Did you know about this?”
“Not until just now,” she said.
“You’re okay with it?” he asked her.
She didn’t say anything for a few moments and then looked at him. “We’ve never fully known or understood our bodies, what’s good or harmful. People I loved died because we didn’t know what to do or if there was anything that could be done.” She nodded, met his gaze. “I’m okay with it.”
“Alright, I’m okay too.” Noah looked at the others and then Thomas as he pushed away from the table.
“We’ll take two vans,” Thomas said standing. “It’ll take about 40 minutes to get there, any questions you have, feel free to ask Hawke or his team. They’ve been really helpful.” He looked at Lizzy.
She nodded. “One of the things I want to know is what kind of shot he gave me. Definite miracle worker.”
Thomas agreed. “I’m thinking we’ll turn one of the rooms into an infirmary, bring in some of the same equipment they use in their clinic so we have it whenever we need it for repairs.”
The others nodded and Noah wondered if he was the only one who thought the use of the word repair was odd.
CHAPTER 21
THE WYOMING CLINIC was a huge three-story, brick and glass building at the end of a strip mall owned by the Pack. There weren’t many cars in the parking lot out front when they parked.
A tall, tanned female with dark gr
een eyes and wide smile met them as they left the vans. “Hello, I am Trina, your guide. Please follow me.” They were shuffled through an underground entrance and stepped into decontamination units much more sophisticated than the ones used at their complex.
“Remain still, this will only take a few minutes,” she said while pressing keys on a panel.
Mia glanced at Noah and smiled. Back at the complex, his heart-beat had been off the charts, especially when Thomas told their history. She knew Noah didn’t immediately accept it. Who would? But he hadn’t run off screaming or left her behind.
The Liege was the stuff nightmares were made of. Monsters children feared in the dark. She knew the second he believed and accepted the truth of who he was. No one had to tell him he was different, he knew that. Just knowing he wasn’t alone, that others experienced something similar and he could have a decent life, well, it was what they all wanted.
Coming to this country, they worked odd jobs until Marok took a mercenary job. The pay had been phenomenal and an excellent way for them to sharpen their skills, They invested their money, lived off the land and eventually placed large sums in offshore accounts. Each member received an equal portion of the interest to do whatever they wanted and while not billionaires, over the years they shared millions.
Noah’s declarations regarding her and their budding relationship made her heart sing. To say she didn’t have much experience with romantic relationships was quite the understatement. Fear of the Liege kept them in the shadows, amongst themselves. Survival trumped everything, even personal relationships. As the youngest who had been raped, it took a very long time before she allowed anyone to her bed. Even then it rarely happened.
When Max shook Noah’s hand, he hadn’t blinked or winced when asked questions. Not once had he acted inferior or impressed. Granted, he didn’t know what any of them could do, but she doubted it would make much difference.
Noah was a keeper and she thanked God he was here with her. He said he wanted to be on her team, well, she wanted to be on his.
Once they all went through decontamination, they were given white robes and matching flat sandals to wear. Mia looked at Noah, looking yummy all dressed in white and winked.
He smiled as they followed their guide to a huge elevator. She wiggled back until she stood in front of him and leaned her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms loosely around her. All eight of them fit inside and remained silent as they rode upward.
Filled with hope, Mia had so many questions but understood the need to wait. Goosebumps raced across her skin as they exited the elevator and were sent into different rooms.
Separated, Mia sat on the chair, took several deep breaths to calm her rising fear and focused.
Raw emotions buffeted her. The last person in this room had been in a lot of pain. She frowned as she struggled to follow the thinning emotional vibrations and failed. The thick walls prevented her from picking up anything beyond the room which wasn’t good. She didn’t need this.
Accustomed to contact in some form with the others she stood, wrapped her arms around her waist and paced.
Another female entered with a smile. “Hello, I’m Rina. Please sit here so I can take your blood sample.”
Mia took the seat, extended her arm and looked at the opposite wall. This wasn’t her favorite part of physicals.
“Have you been in to see the others yet?” Mia asked.
“Each one of you has your own tech. Hawke believed it would be faster that way. As soon as I label these, I’ll take them to the lab for processing. You’ll have answers soon.” She smiled again, easing Mia’s concerns.
“Thank you,” Mia said after the swab was removed from her mouth.
“You’re welcome. Hawke will be in to see you soon.” She left with the blood and saliva samples.
Mia stared at the floor, then the wall and then the ceiling. No matter how hard she tried to relax, she couldn’t. How were the others doing? Noah? She didn’t want to lose anyone else. More to the point she had questions about the women in their group. No one had ever used birth control and there were zero pregnancies. Were they sterile? Had the Liege stolen the only chance she would have at being a mother? Her heart slammed into her chest at the thought. “Please God, don’t let them steal that from me too.”
Walking back and forth, she bit down on the edges of her nail and thought about how to frame her questions regarding the changes she noticed in her powers. The compulsion and empathetic abilities seemed stronger. Thomas was right, she picked up changes before he had, which was different. Listening to the bartender at such a great distance was a change too.
Deep into thought she hadn’t realized the door opened until a cool breeze from the hall hit the back of her neck. Turning she looked up and froze. Goodness, he was huge. Bigger than Thomas which she didn’t think was possible.
“Hello Mia, I’m Hawke.” He remained utterly still just inside the door until she calmed down.
She cleared her throat. “Hello, Hawke. How are you?”
He smiled, and it changed the landscape of his face. According to Thomas, Hawke had undergone more surgeries than all of them combined. He was the Liege’s poster child of mutations on steroids.
He stepped inside, Rina was behind him and closed the door before stepping to the side. “Please stand over there.” Hawke pointed to a small white platform in the corner.
Trina assisted her and flipped a switch. The platformed hummed.
Warmth rose swiftly through the soles of Mia’s feet to the top of her head, then down her arms and back to her feet as if it was a fast moving train on a specific course. It took less than a minute.
Hawke stared at the pad in his hand before looking at her. “Overall, you’re in good health, Mia. Your energy levels are higher than all the others except Noah. What have you been doing that they haven’t?”
Heat flew to her face. She opened her mouth and snapped it shut. “Noah and I are a couple.”
He looked at her as if there should be more. “Sex? That’s all you’ve done?”
Now she was confused. “That’s all I can think of.”
He nodded and tapped the tablet. “Do you have any personal questions regarding your health for me. I will be speaking to all of you as a group about the Liege serums and where you are with that.” He stared down at her.
“Yes, there is one thing.” She told him about being raped right after she started her menses, the pregnancy, and the delivery. “Will I be able to have children? Or is my womb dead? Did they destroy that too?”
He looked at the tablet, tapped it a few times. “I don’t know the answer to that, but I will look into it for you.”
She exhaled with a nod. A part of her believed her child was dead or wouldn’t know her if they crossed the street together. Still, she couldn’t put out that flicker of hope that they would meet each other one day so she could explain she hadn’t abandoned the child and had wished things had been different.
Back then she had no choice in the matter. Things were different now and if she could have a child, she wanted one.
Trina brought Mia’s clothes into the room and left her to dress. “When you’re done, I’ll take you to the meeting room.”
Mia looked at the woman and smiled. “Thank you.” She had no idea why she was so nervous her hands shook. She couldn’t pull in calm thoughts or slow down her heart.
Before calling out to Trina, Mia sat in a lotus position on the floor, closed her eyes and found her center. She breathed in deep and released it slowly. It didn’t take long but at the tap on the door, she unfolded and stood.
Just outside in the hall, Noah stood with Trina. His serious gaze asked if she was okay.
She nodded with a slight smile and took his hand as they followed the two techs down the hall into a mid-sized meeting room. A huge monitor took up most of one wall. Chairs were situated around a long table so that they faced the monitor and each other easily.
Hawke sat in a chair at the head
of the table with his back to the monitor. He glanced at her and Noah when they arrived. The door closed behind them, leaving the members of their team alone with Hawke. He leaned back in the chair and looked at Thomas. “I’ll start at the beginning since we have similar pasts.”
Thomas nodded.
“I was given to the Liege when I was two or three summers, suffered through numerous operations.” He held up his arm and pointed to the changed bones. “Titanium steel replaced my humerus, radius and ulna bones.” He pointed to his legs. “Also both femurs.”
Mia gasped and held onto Noah’s hand tighter.
“Camera behind my eye, that’s long gone. And a computer chip to control it all. It took a lot of surgeries before the metal fused correctly to the bone and I could see out of my eye. I refused to be dominated, controlled, which called for several more surgeries to ensure the computer chip worked in my brain, and eventually gave those bastards the control they wanted.” He paused and ran his hand over his chin before looking at them again. “I told you that so you would know I understand what you went through. I’ve met others who’ve survived the horrors of the Liege compound and many of them will never be able to live normally.” He paused. “I’m not saying you’re lucky or that I am, just stating the facts.”
Mia exhaled and looked at the others.
Max looked ill and Tip stared at the floor. Thomas and Mali stared at Hawke, while Lizzy met Mia’s gaze with a small sigh. The Liege was the common denominator for everyone, except Noah, in this room. Time blunted the cruel memories, but nothing could destroy them.
“Once my mate rescued me from the Liege compound, my Alpha, La Patron, commissioned us to destroy the main lab and any of the others we discovered while on the Continent. He and a few other Alphas searched and destroyed the labs here in the States. Every time we destroyed a lab, we took their notes, databases, inventory, and equipment. We have a warehoused library on the Liege.”
Max and Tip looked up at him again.
“They came to the States to continue their experiments and were destroyed,” Hawke said.