Just the same . . . Nicole and Lizzie couldn’t escape with Sasha out there. The girls would need to do something about him, and soon.
She glanced at Lizzie, hoping her friend would figure out quickly what she was doing.
“Hello?” Nicole whispered loud enough for Sasha to hear. She’d lead him into the darkness, then attack.
He jerked, immediately facing the dark room where the girls hid. “Nicole, is that you?”
Nicole waited for him to enter the room, gathering her magic. The first thing she did was silence him. He made choking noises. He wouldn’t be able to call for help.
Suddenly, she realized Lizzie wasn’t near her anymore. Sasha was still making his way into the room, cautiously, hands up, as if he didn’t plan to do her any harm. Like that was believable.
He stepped into a bit of moonlight, and Nicole nearly gasped at the expression of extreme hatred on his face. The man who’d been so nice to her before showed so much loathing now that she no longer wondered at his ability to destroy innocent people. He glared in her general direction, obviously still not knowing where she was. She backed away, hoping he’d follow at his current slow pace.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she cursed herself for not turning the vibrate option off.
An evil grin crossed Sasha’s face. He crouched, preparing to jump.
Suddenly, Lizzie sprang into the strip of moonlight, shrieking, holding a fire extinguisher over her head. She swung it hard, connecting with Sasha’s temple. Good girl.
He fell to the ground and didn’t move.
“He won’t be out long,” Nicole said. “Help me get Josh and Sarah.”
She pried at the glass, but it didn’t give. The boxes were flush to each other and attached very securely to the table.
Nicole wrung her hands, unwilling to leave Austin’s siblings behind, but not knowing what to do.
“We’re not going to be able to take them with us,” Lizzie said.
Nicole glanced at her best friend, feeling tears prick the back of her eyes. “But we can’t leave them like this.”
Lizzie nodded, her gaze straying to Sasha, who was still out cold. She looked at Nicole again. “We’ll destroy the boxes, then burn the heads. They’re not wet inside and it shouldn’t be hard to light them on fire.”
Nicole cringed at the idea of burning the victims, but realized it wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. They’d finally be at peace.
Speaking of peace . . . Nicole was positive the families of these people would like some of that.
Asking Lizzie to stand guard over Sasha with the fire extinguisher, Nicole pulled her phone from her pocket, turned the camera light on, then began recording. She quickly went around the room, focusing the camera on the boxes and the labels with each box, and saying the names of each person out loud, just in case the words weren’t legible in her recording. Her hands were shaking pretty badly.
It didn’t take longer than a minute. Still recording, Nicole propped her phone on a shelf at the other end of the room, hoping the video would catch enough of what she and Lizzie were about to do, even without light.
Then the girls smashed the glass boxes, using Lizzie’s fire extinguisher. Nicole did her best to silence the sound, hoping it wouldn’t attract any attention. She was positive someone would be coming back to check in with Sasha soon.
A weird smell permeated the room—some sort of chemical that had probably been used to preserve the heads.
Lizzie started a fire in her hand. It was so bright in the near-blackness, Nicole had to blink several times, shielding her face.
The first head went up in flames quickly—it had a lot of hair on it. But Lizzie struggled with the next one, and Nicole cringed as her friend held the flame to the man’s face. Eventually, it caught fire—possibly from the leftover chemicals—and Lizzie was able to move on.
The smell of burnt flesh soon filled the air.
While Lizzie continued, Nicole kept her eyes on Sasha. The room was light enough now from the fire that it wasn’t hard to see him. She had no desire to hit him over the head again if he woke up.
His eyes were just starting to flutter when Lizzie finished. Nicole grabbed her phone and the two rushed from the room and to the front doors.
They were locked. The girls’ cards did nothing. Obviously, their security clearance had been revoked.
Aware of Sasha trying to get to his feet, calling after them, Nicole gathered her magic and pulled wind from the surrounding rooms, pressing it against the glass doors. They bulged, but didn’t break.
The lights came back on, flooding the hall, blinding Nicole momentarily. Someone had flipped the power switches.
Sasha saw Nicole and Lizzie struggling at the doors. He jumped to his feet, narrowly missing hitting his shoulder on the table with the still-burning heads.
Lizzie pounded on the doors.
Someone shouted at them from the other end of the hall.
Finally, realizing her magic needed a little help, Nicole grabbed a vase of fresh flowers from a table near the doors and threw it as hard as she could at the glass while pushing with her magic.
It worked. The glass exploded outward, spraying the driveway with shards.
Nicole and Lizzie dashed through the metal frames with Sasha lurching after them. He tripped on the bottom of the door, grasping at Nicole’s ankle as she raced forward.
Nicole stumbled, but caught herself in time.
She and Lizzie ran down the drive. She looked over her shoulder—Sasha was being helped up while several men poured out of Headquarters, rushing toward them.
Sasha yelled something at the men and suddenly, they were pulling guns out of their vests.
Oh, crap.
Just then, Raul’s car sped down the road toward them. It spun around, facing the other way, and a back door flung open.
Lizzie was ahead of Nicole. She jumped into the car head first, pulling herself into a ball, getting out of Nicole’s way.
Just as Nicole ducked into the car, several guns went off behind them. The window on Nicole’s open door shattered. A tire went flat.
Raul tore off, his driving a bit wobbly with the flat tire, but faster than the men on foot. Nicole was still trying to pull the door shut when the gunshots faded behind them. Raul flung the car around a corner and the door shut of its own accord, nearly slamming Nicole’s hand in the frame.
The ride was bumpy and Nicole worried for Raul’s tire rim. He didn’t seem to notice the bumps, though. He was hunched over the steering wheel, an intense expression on his face. The other man was also silent, brooding, staring out the windshield.
They only drove a mile before Raul pulled off the road. Nicole thought it was because he wanted to change the tire, but instead, he popped the trunk and shouted for the girls to get out.
Was he deserting them?
No, apparently not. The other man also exited the car. He and Raul carried the girls’ luggage down a dirt road to another car, which the man unlocked with a beep. They piled the suitcases in the trunk, then got into the car.
Lizzie and Nicole glanced at each other, but didn’t hesitate.
The stranger drove this time, with Raul up front with him.
The man pulled onto the main road. Nicole looked back and saw several headlights. The man was watching through the rearview mirror and sped up considerably as he realized they were being chased.
Nicole gripped the armrest as the road twisted through the forest. A moment later, they entered the streets of Snagov.
After running a few traffic lights, the man pulled off the road and turned the car and lights off.
“Get down,” he said.
Everyone obeyed him.
Nicole and Lizzie crouched next to each other on the floor of the car. Nicole could see the fear in Lizzie’s eyes—fear she was sure mirrored in her own.
It was one thing to watch car chases on TV or movies, but it was quite another to experience it herself.
Nicole’s legs were cramping when the man finally sighed. It must have been at least ten minutes. “All right. We’re fine.”
Nicole slowly pulled herself up, her legs on fire with the sudden increase of blood. She clambered back into her seat, putting her seatbelt on.
The man looked at her and Lizzie. “Sorry I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Mack. I’m from Ireland.”
Nicole could already tell that from the lilt in his voice. “How did you know what to tell us to do at Tarian Headquarters?” she asked.
“I’m in security,” he said. “Raul and I work together frequently. I would’ve been there from the start had I not been three hours away when Raul called. I’ve hacked into Tarian systems before. Glad I was able to help tonight.”
Mack turned back to the wheel and focused on driving. They filled the car with gas, then got onto a highway and headed toward Moldova.
The drive was long—just as Coolidge had said it would be. Nicole and Lizzie tried to sleep, but Nicole couldn’t rest. She hoped Esteban and the others were okay.
When they were nearing the airport, Nicole asked, “Can we call Headquarters again?” she asked. “I want to know if the Aretes we left behind are okay.”
Raul tossed his phone into the backseat. “The second-to-last number I dialed will get you into the lab. If no one answers, Mack will hack in again and find another number to call. They’ll probably have the power up again by now.”
“It was on when we left,” Nicole said, waking the phone up. She dialed the number and held the cell to her ear.
It was answered moments later. “Your favorite prisoner,” Esteban said in a sing-songy voice.
“Esteban?” Nicole said, slumping in relief. “You’re all okay?”
“Oh! Hi. Yes, we’re fine. We’re barricaded in the lab. Alexandru’s men keep attempting to break in, but we’re destroying anyone who gets close.”
That was a visual Nicole didn’t need. “Has anyone else called?”
“Definitely, yes. Alexandru several times. He’s quite upset.” Esteban was obviously grinning—his voice was chipper and happy. Nicole could tell this was the most fun he’d had in a long time. She was glad his last days would be spent in this position instead of the one he’d been in when she’d found him.
“How are you all feeling?”
“As well as can be expected. The morphine is working wonders.”
“Oh, that’s great to hear.”
“And we found more. I suspect we’ll be quite happy until we die.”
“Do you think you’ve been infected by more diseases?”
“Probably . . . but apparently none that are fast-acting. I don’t think I’ll die any sooner than I need to.”
Nicole fell silent, not wanting to think about what would happen if all the Aretes there passed away before the diseases were dead and the Tarians got in.
“Here comes another Tarian,” Esteban said. “I’ve work to do until my turn to sleep comes up. Glad to hear you made it out okay.”
They ended the call and Nicole returned Raul’s phone, then relayed the information she’d learned to Lizzie and the men.
“I hope they survive long enough,” Lizzie said, voicing Nicole’s concerns.
“I know. Me too.” Nicole leaned back in the seat, staring out the window, but unable to focus on anything that passed.
They pulled up to the airport and went through security to Raul’s plane. Mack came with them, and Nicole and Lizzie were shown to a private room on the plane, where they were finally able to sleep.
Chapter Eight
Lizzie shook Nicole awake. “Hey,” she said. “We’re in Seattle now. Raul wants to talk to us.”
Nicole dragged herself from the bed. It hadn’t been very comfortable and she was stiff and sore. She dug her purse from her suitcase, wanting to have it with her in case she needed any of her personal documents. She followed Lizzie to the main area of the plane and several tables and soft benches. Raul sat at one of these and motioned for her to join him.
“I’m happy I was able to help,” he said, his dark eyes watching Nicole closely. He cleared his throat. “But I’m a businessman, and Coolidge promised payment for my services. I require forty thousand American dollars.”
Nicole nearly choked. That was a lot of money for just a car ride and plane trip! But she didn’t complain. “I’ll get it to you. Give me your information.”
Raul nodded and slid a sheet of paper across the table. “You’ll find everything you need here,” he said.
Nicole slipped the paper inside her purse next to the container of platinum.
Coolidge and Hayla were waiting outside the airport, dark rings under their eyes and wearing wrinkly clothing. Coolidge paced back and forth, and Nicole suddenly realized she hadn’t called him to let him know they were okay. Her face burned with shame for her insensitivity. He probably hadn’t slept a wink since she’d talked to him!
The moment Hayla spotted the girls, she squealed, running to them and throwing her arms around them. Coolidge’s shoulders slumped. He was obviously relieved.
“We’ve been worried sick,” Hayla said. “If Raul hadn’t called, we would’ve come to find you ourselves.”
Oh, Raul. Nicole glanced back to thank him for keeping Coolidge updated, but he wasn’t there. He’d probably stayed on the plane. She didn’t blame him—things had been pretty stressful.
The Coolidges walked Nicole and Lizzie to Nicole’s car, and the girls told them everything that had happened.
“We need to get you to the hospital,” Hayla said. “Just in case either of you were infected with anything.”
Coolidge raised his eyebrows. “Those were super bugs. If the girls had been infected, they would definitely be showing symptoms by now. Besides, from what they learned, no medicine could help them.”
“I’d still feel better knowing,” Hayla said.
Nicole and Lizzie only wanted to go home, but they agreed to get checked out on the way. Hayla drove Nicole’s car, insisting Nicole was too tired and shouldn’t do it herself.
The stop at the hospital took several hours, but Nicole and Lizzie were both released clean and infection free. That really was a relief.
Coolidge met them at their apartment. “I’m going to keep an around-the-clock guard at this place until things with the Tarians simmer down. There’s no reason to have you in even more danger than you’ve already been in.”
Nicole and Lizzie agreed. Coolidge and Hayla followed them inside, where Nicole handed over the platinum.
Coolidge shook his head, staring at the container. “They’ve obviously been following my actions. I’m going to need to be a lot more careful with my suppliers from now on.” He glanced at Nicole and Lizzie. “Thanks for getting this. I’m especially grateful for what we’ve learned. We’ll need to keep an eye on Romania during the coming months just in case.”
Coolidge and his wife left soon after, with Coolidge promising to make a new blocker for Austin as soon as possible.
Nicole and Lizzie decided to watch a movie in Nicole’s room on top of her queen-sized bed. They didn’t want to be alone yet after the excitement of the weekend.
Nicole fell asleep only ten minutes after the movie had started.
***
The next several days flew by as Nicole, Austin, and Coolidge arranged for the transportation of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment. It was all headed to Idaho Falls, where it would stay until Dave Young finished deciding where in Salmon to have it delivered.
Even though the news reports the Tarians put out were upsetting and caused a lot of turmoil, they did do one thing—they advertised the fact that Aretes also needed help. Floods of people, including officials from the other Arete universities, began contacting Coolidge and Professor Nielsen, who devised a way to organize the volunteers.
Professor Nielsen took over the first half of the list of major cities that would be attacked, and Coolidge took over the second half. They made sure eac
h location would have enough Silvers and Aretes to defend against the Tarians. Coolidge updated his students, ensuring they were preparing emotionally for what was to come.
He and Professor Nielsen also decided to have Silvers congregate at other cities, too, just in case the Tarians changed their plans again.
Soon, there were hundreds of Aretes at every location, and well over a thousand ready and waiting to head to Idaho. Coolidge was having everyone meet in Idaho Falls, which was better equipped than Salmon to handle a large influx of visitors. He started appointing captains over ten Aretes and generals over a hundred.
Regular humans also began pouring in, offering assistance. Coolidge organized them similarly to how he’d organized the Aretes. He was more hesitant to accept their help, though, as they didn’t have magical powers and wouldn’t be able to defend themselves against monsters from other dimensions. Finally, he decided to send them to help with the large cities—on Nicole’s dime—instead of having them go to Salmon. Only magical people would fight there, where it would be the most dangerous.
People who’d been on the fence previously now willingly joined. But Nicole realized this would go both ways—those who hadn’t decided where to lend their support would also be joining the Tarians. She only hoped that enough were joining with the Aretes to turn the tide in their favor.
Once Coolidge had a better idea of how many people to expect, he started renting buses that would transport everyone from Idaho Falls to Salmon.
Chapter Nine
Finally, all the preparations they could possibly do had been done, and it was time to leave.
Nicole stared at all of the outdoor clothes she’d piled on her bed, not knowing just what she’d need. Coolidge had suggested solid hiking boots and long jeans—which made sense, considering the bugs they’d run across while on Copperhead Peak—but beyond that, she was clueless. She’d never faced Great Ones before or destroyed an embryonic manipulator.
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