by R. D. Brady
“Come in!” Laney called as she started to gather up the dishes.
Henry stepped in, smiling at the sight of Laney by the sink. “She stops villains at night and does dishes in the morning.”
“Ha ha.”
Henry kissed her cheek, then snagged a Danish from the plate on the counter next to Laney. He leaned against the counter, his feet crossed at his ankles. “Where is everybody?”
“Cain, Patrick, and Tiger took Nyssa for a walk. Drake is grabbing a shower.”
“He’s not helping with the dishes?”
“He made the breakfast, so I volunteered to do the cleanup.” Laney placed the last of the dishes in the dish rack and wiped her hands on a towel. “So are you just swinging by to chat or is something up?”
“I heard back from Brett this morning.”
Laney tensed. They’d been playing back and forth with the governments for the last few days, trying to figure out where exactly they were supposed to renew Patrick’s green card. One day it was Scotland, then it was London. Then they weren’t sure. If Laney didn’t know any better, she’d swear they were stalling. “And?”
Henry let out a breath. “The final word came down this morning.”
“The final final? Or the final until an hour from now?”
“No, they’ve assured Brett this is it.”
“Okay, so where are we heading? Scotland or England?”
“Neither. They’re saying because Patrick works for the Church, he needs to renew his visa at the Vatican.”
Laney’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“I know. It makes no sense. But their argument is that being the Vatican is in fact its own country, they should be the one to issue the visa.”
The Vatican was the world’s smallest country at only two square miles. Officially, it had only 600 citizens, although millions visited it annually. It also had its own television and radio stations, post office, banking and postal system, and newspaper. It even had its own police and security force.
While Laney knew all of that, it didn’t change one basic fact. “But he’s not a citizen of the Vatican. He’s a citizen of Great Britain.”
“I know, but apparently a new executive order was put into effect yesterday. Fallen or their family members who work in the United States must receive approval through their country of origin and the country that is employing them.”
“That seems oddly specific,” Laney said dryly.
“Yeah. If I were the paranoid type, I’d say this is an obvious ploy to get Patrick to Rome.” Henry paused. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to tell them all where they can stick their new rules.”
Henry smiled. “Okay. So what are you actually going to do?”
Laney sighed. She really did not like any of this. She also didn’t like the mood of the country right now. She could feel the tide shifting against the Fallen. Somebody, she didn’t know who, had started pushing anti-Fallen stories on the news and had started a virulent anti-Fallen social media campaign. And she was worried that the incident with Jen, Noriko, and the girls the other day was only the tip of the iceberg. “I really don’t want to be out of the country right now. With everything that’s happening, I feel like I need to be here.”
“I can go for you.”
Laney looked at her brother, an overwhelming sense of gratitude welling up inside her at the fact that she had found him. “Thank you. But I owe my uncle. He’s been there for me my whole life. I have to go.”
“I understand. I’ll have a jet ready to go tomorrow morning. Hopefully you’ll only be on the ground in Rome for a few hours.”
Laney nodded but didn’t say anything because she had a feeling a storm was about to break. And she just couldn’t tell where she should be to help hold it back.
CHAPTER 21
Rome, Italy
The hallway was lined in priceless paintings. John’s steps echoed off marble tile that dated back to the sixteenth century. A fresco lined the ceiling, painstakingly uncovered thirty years ago when John had bought them home prior to becoming a priest. While John had divested most of his trappings of wealth, his home was the one thing he had never been able to let go. It had once belonged to a Doge who had spared no expense in its creation and decoration. John in turn had spared no expense in bringing it back to that original glory.
It was good to be home. He hurried down the hall to his office. His assistant stood up from behind his desk as John entered. Father Nikhil Longsly had been assigned to him by the Church. He was not part of the Brotherhood, although he did at times unwittingly do their bidding.
John strode across the room. “Well?”
“Father Patrick was informed that he needed to renew his passport here in Vatican City.”
John smiled. “Excellent.”
“Forgive me, Your Eminence, but I do not understand why he is coming here. As a British citizen and a U.S. green card holder, shouldn’t he resolve this issue in one of those countries?”
“The Fallen have changed many things, my son. Including bureaucracy.”
Nikhil frowned, his eyes still showing his confusion. “Uh, yes, Your Eminence.”
“Now, how about some lunch? I find myself famished.”
“Of course. I will see if the cook has prepared anything.” Nikhil headed for the door.
John accompanied him to the door. “Be sure to make a plate for yourself.” He clapped Nikhil on the shoulder as he stepped past John, then closed the door. He walked over to his desk, flipping through the papers Nikhil had been working on. Nothing of importance. He picked up the phone. Father Ezekiel answered on the first ring. “Yes?”
“Ezekiel.”
“Father Moretti, it is a great honor.” He dropped his voice. “All the preparations have been made.”
“Excellent. Where will it take place?”
“The Castel Sant’Angelo. It seemed a fitting location, given the mission.”
“Yes, indeed.” Castel Sant’Angelo, where those who dared to go against the Church were tried and dealt their punishment.
“My only concern is that the steps we have taken are not enough. The ring bearer—”
“—is a woman. Do not make her out to be more than she is. Yes, she has abilities, but our brothers are well matched for her.”
“And what of—”
John cut him off quickly. “Yes, he is another issue. He must not be harmed in any way.”
“I’m not sure I can guarantee that. What if he fights us?”
“Do not fight back. Do not let him leave with the ring bearer, but no harm is to come to God’s soldier.”
“Yes, yes, sir.” Ezekiel paused. “It is a great honor, sir, to be entrusted with this mission. To be alive at this time, to be part of God’s plan, it is very fulfilling.”
“Yes.” John nodded his head. “I could not agree more.”
John and Ezekiel spoke for a few more minutes, finalizing plans before John hung up. He sat back in his chair and pulled out his phone. He pulled up the picture from the coronation. Delaney McPhearson lying on the dais, soaked in blood, cradled in the arms of the man the world knew as Drake, Las Vegas entertainer. He zoomed in on the man’s face, the agony splashed across it.
He cares for her. That could be a problem. But he shook his head, clearing the thought. No. Once he learns who he is, once he remembers who he is, any feelings he has will be subsumed under his duty.
Yes, soon God’s soldier would be their best weapon in the fight against Delaney McPhearson.
CHAPTER 22
Baltimore, Maryland
A Dornier 328 jet raced down the runway and burst into the sky. Laney watched it with awe. She understood the mechanics of aviation, but that moment of takeoff always filled her with dread, hope, and a sense of magic. Hopefully they’d be flying back at this time tomorrow.
“Still watching the planes, I see.” Patrick came to stop next to her at the airport terminal’s window.
“I still can’t bel
ieve they can get up into the air.”
Patrick smiled. “I remember being with you and your mom at JFK, waiting for your dad to arrive home from a business trip. Your face was glued to the glass watching the airport personnel scurry around the tarmac. You even got into a little dance off with one of the guys loading suitcases onto a cart below.”
“I did?”
Patrick’s smile grew brighter. “It is one of the best memories I have from your childhood. It never fails to make me smile. You were wearing this bright green shirt with a unicorn on it and a pink tulle skirt. You were four.”
Laney smiled, not because she remembered the moment but because Patrick obviously relished the moment. An image of her adopted mother flitted through her mind. With all the talk about Victoria in recent years, she supposed people thought of her as her true mother. But Fiona Delaney had loved and raised Laney until she and Laney’s adopted father were taken from her when Laney was eight. She was the first person Laney thought of when she thought of her mother.
Patrick’s little stories about their time together brought her both a sense of connection and loss. How different would her life have been if her parents had never died? If Patrick hadn’t been the one who raised her for the majority of her childhood? If her parents had been alive when she realized she was the ring bearer? Would it have made it easier or would it have been harder? She turned back to the window. She didn’t often go off into the world of “what if,” but sometimes she had to wonder how different her life could have been.
Drake strode in through the terminal entrance. He smiled, heading to Laney and Patrick. “Good news—no bombs on board. The captain checks out, and all the radar systems are working.”
Laney wanted to roll her eyes at his overprotectiveness, but she was glad for it. She might survive another missile attack on a plane, but her uncle certainly wouldn’t.
“Radar systems?” Patrick asked.
“It’s nothing. Just after that little incident with Samyaza, Henry made sure that there were missile defense systems added to the private planes we use,” Laney said.
“‘Little incident’?” Patrick asked. “You mean when she blew your plane out of the sky?”
Drake placed his hands on the back of Patrick’s wheelchair. “That’s the one! Now how about I escort you to the plane while Laney deals with an uninvited guest.”
Laney frowned. “Uninvited guest? Who?”
Drake tilted his head back toward the terminal’s entrance as the doors slid open. Stanton Calloway stepped through, looking around the terminal for a moment before making a beeline for Laney, Patrick, and Drake.
Laney groaned. “Oh, come on.”
“Well, I think that’s our cue,” Patrick said. “Onward, Drake.”
“Thanks, thanks a lot,” Laney grouched as Drake pushed Patrick quickly toward the exit leading to the runway.
Laney turned to watch them through the glass as they made their way to the Chandler jet.
In the reflection of the glass, she saw Stanton stop behind her. “Ms. McPhearson.”
Laney gritted her teeth, not turning around. “Doctor.”
“The government has given you permission to leave the country.”
This time Laney did roll her eyes before turning around. “I know, Stanton. That’s why I’m here.”
“Yes, well. They wanted me to remind you that when you leave the United States, you are also leaving the protections of the United States behind. You will be expected to comport yourself within the legal restraints of the country you are visiting.”
“Yes, I am well aware.”
“Also, you will have no legal authority. The government has suspended your SIA credentials while you are out of the country.”
“What? Why?”
A smug smile crossed his face. “If they wanted you to know, they would have told you.”
Laney smiled back just as smugly. “So they didn’t tell you either, huh?”
Stanton’s tiny mouth shrunk even more as he pinched his lips. “You are expected to be a representative of the United States and acquiesce to any informational requests that might be made of you by the Vatican committee on the Fallen.”
Laney snorted. “No.”
Stanton glared. “The United States government has assured the Vatican you would cooperate.”
“Well, you really should have checked with me before you did that.”
“A representative will meet you. You are expected to answer—”
Laney held up a hand. “Let me stop you right there. I will answer questions when and if I choose to. Not when the United States government orders me to do so.”
Stanton narrowed his eyes. “You are making a mistake.”
A flippant retort was on the edge of her tongue, but she bit it back as she studied Stanton. There was more confidence in his tone today. A little extra something in his eyes. She stepped forward. “What do you know?”
Stanton took a step back. “More than you. You should do what the government says. You are after all, still a citizen. Unlike your uncle.” With that, he turned and headed for the exit.
Laney watched him go, a feeling of dread welling up in her stomach. That was a threat. The government had just delivered her a threat. But what the heck was it about? Answering the questions of the Vatican? Why would they care if she did that, especially being she hadn’t even answered their questions.
What am I missing?
A blur blew through the doors. Drake stood in front of her. “All aboard who’s going aboard.”
She kept her gaze on the door Stanton had exited through before turning to Drake. “Right. Let’s go.”
“Hey.” He grabbed a hold of her shoulders and tipped her chin up. “What’s going on? Did Stanton upset you?”
“No, not him.” She shook her head. “He warned me to not break any laws while out of the country, told me my SIA badge would be of no use.”
Drake shrugged. “So?”
“I don’t know. There was something about his tone. I feel like I’m missing something.”
“Is there anything you can do about it right now? Do you want to stay? I could accompany—”
“No, no. Uncle Patrick is the priority right now. We’ll go. Get his green card taken care of and be right back.”
Drake kissed the back of her hand. “I love how completely naive you are about the efficiency of government bureaucracies.”
She slipped her arm through his. “Come on, my notoriety must be good for at least getting through a little red tape.”
“You’re right. Twenty-four hours, probably less.”
She nodded as the doors slid open and they stepped outside. A cool wind blew back on them, making her shiver. She tried not to take it as an omen.
Twenty-four hours.
CHAPTER 23
Mary Jane stood over the crib. The girls had gone down for a nap, their hands clasped together in the crib. Tiger, Cleo, and Zane had swung by just before naptime. Now they were sprawled out on the floor of the girls’ room. The group of them napping together at either her or Cain’s house had become the new normal.
She backed silently out of the room. Her boys were down at Dom’s. Jen and Noriko had picked the girls up a few hours ago to take them back downtown. Jen wanted to cover the bad memories with good ones. And it seemed to have worked. Molly had called an hour ago, and she’d seemed really happy. Mary Jane hoped she’d pushed the ugliness from her brain. But Mary Jane had spent a few sleepless nights because of it. She headed down the stairs, hearing Jake on the phone.
“It’s okay. Do what you need to do. Everything’s quiet here.” He paused. “Okay, will do. Try to enjoy yourself.” He disconnected the call.
“Laney?” Mary Jane asked.
“Yeah. Apparently the Vatican, who has been desperate to speak with them for the last few months, has yet to meet with them.”
“Why not?”
Jake shrugged. “They don’t have a clear answer on that. But it has at least gi
ven them a chance to play tourist.”
Mary Jane smiled and then tried to cover a yawn.
Jake laughed, taking her hand and leading her to the couch. “Come on, Sleepy. Close your eyes for a little bit.”
Mary Jane curled up on the couch with Jake. Jake rubbed her arms. “I could get used to this.”
“Me too.”
Jake’s phone beeped. Mary Jane’s sounded from the kitchen at almost the same time. Jake grabbed his from the coffee table. “It’s a news alert. The President is making a statement . . . about the Fallen.”
Heart beginning to pound, Mary Jane grabbed the remote and turned the TV on, quickly switching to a twenty-four-hour news channel. Jerome Fontane was sitting at the news desk, his face serious.
“We will shortly go live to the White House, where President Rigley is preparing to deliver a statement on the enhanced individuals that the world learned about on the Day of Reckoning. Protests against the enhanced individuals have cropped across the world as people worry about the power imbalance between these much stronger humans.
“Pressure has been mounting on the President and other world governments to develop a policy regarding the Fallen. Reports from around the world suggest that most governments are keeping track of the Fallen within their borders. There has also been a marked spike in violence both committed by enhanced individuals and against them.”
Jake laced his fingers through Mary Jane’s. She held on tight. Cleo slunk into the room, sitting on the ground on Mary Jane’s other side. Mary Jane rested her other shaking hand on Cleo’s back. Mary Jane had been telling herself everything would be fine. That Molly would be fine. But in the back of her mind, she’d known this moment was coming.
Jerome paused. “I am receiving word that the President is about to issue her statement. We go live now to the White House press room.”
The screen image shifted to the familiar White House press room with its white walls and blue carpet. The podium at the front of the room was empty, but then there was a rustle of energy. President Rigley appeared from the doorway to the left of the screen before taking her position behind the podium.