“Watch this one, will ya? Don’t let her wander off again.” Darius got her settled and left them alone.
“I do not like getting shot.”
“Yeah it sucks, especially the scars.”
“Scars?”
“I guess you didn’t know. I forget—”
“How much I don’t know? Yeah, yeah, that’s my theme song.”
“I guess you probably hear that more than you’d like.” Liam smiled ruefully. “Magnetic related injuries leave scars, and that’s a nasty looking gunshot you’ve got there, Allie. I received these mementoes when I was about your age.” He lifted his shirt to reveal tracks of lashes across his back.
“I guess I was destined to be disfigured,” she sighed. “But what am I going to tell Vince?”
“You’re not going to tell Vince anything because your boyfriend has no business anywhere near that…area,” he said gruffly.
“It’s almost summer, Liam. Bathing suits?” she smiled patiently.
“Kahlynn’s not dating till she’s forty.” He scowled.
“When did you bond me?”
“During our first conversation the night before the games. Scared the hell out of me.” He chuckled.
“Is that normal?”
“Definitely not. Especially for me, but it just sort of happened. And might I add, it took you long enough to reciprocate. It can be uncomfortable, and emotionally painful when a family bond is only one sided.”
“Sorry.” She grinned sheepishly.
“We’re here and it looks like Nae’s waiting for you.” The boat scraped against the sandy lake bottom. “Brace yourself, she’s frantic.”
“Allie!” Naeemah ran along the dock to meet them. “Oh, Allie-girl!” she sobbed, flinging her arms around her. “Your poor face! What did they do to you?”
“She’d be fine if you’d stop mauling her,” Aidan said.
“Why are you both covered in blood? What happened?” She anxiously checked Aidan for injuries.
“I got shot,” Allie explained, “but Gen removed the bullet. I’m fine, Naeemah, just tired, hungry and very happy to see you,” she said tearfully.
“You performed surgery? In the car?”
“Your son insisted.” Imogen frowned. “It was awful.” She shuddered.
“Why would you put her through that! Why would you put yourself through that?” Naeemah smacked him on the back of the head.
“Would you all please stop hitting me?” he sighed in exasperation. “I couldn’t let her slip away. Anything is better than that.”
Speaking from experience?
You don’t want that in your head, Lex. Not tonight.
“We’ll be leaving now, Ma,” Darius said as he and Scott headed back to the boat.
“I want to be on the mainland when his plane lands,” Liam added.
“Liam! Please be careful!” Allie was afraid to let him out of her sight.
“I promise, little one.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek, pressing his forehead against hers. “You are as much my sister as if we were born of the same blood. Never forget that,” he murmured, turning to go.
“The others are waiting for you,” Naeemah said. “Please keep us informed.” She turned toward the cabin.
“Allie?” Emma cried when they neared the porch. “What did they do to you?” She burst into fresh tears. “This is monstrous, even for them.”
“I’m okay, please don’t cry.” Allie choked on her own tears. She felt a huge surge of guilt. “It should have been me!” she sobbed.
“Alexis Ann Mareé Carmichael, don’t you ever say that! My son is strong and capable, and he will come home! This is not your fault!” She glowered so fiercely, Allie uttered a quick “yes ma’am” before she could blink.
<><><>
CHAPTER
FORTY-THREE
“I’m so glad you’re home, Red,” Gregg said gruffly. “I know you’ve been through hell, but I’m afraid there’s more work to be done before we can rest.”
“At least let them eat,” Ming said as she came in bearing a huge tray of pizza, chips, cookies and Coke. They dove in without restraint and for the first time Allie didn’t care who was watching.
After her fourth slice, she felt her strength returning. She felt even better when Ming led her into the bathroom to change into clean clothes.
“Gregg, let’s deal with this mess so we can do something!” Daniel’s outburst echoed throughout the cabin. He was a disheveled mess; his hair more gray than Allie remembered. The vacant look in his eyes nearly broke her heart.
“Before we do anything, we need to know exactly what happened,” Gregg said.
“It was my fault,” Sasha blurted.
“The dove!” Allie finally put it all together and quickly explained.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t think anyone would know what I was doing.” Sasha hung her head in shame.
“Sweetheart, we’ve taught you better than that,” Gregg reproached. “We must always assume our every move is under a microscope. Most people would not understand what you were doing, but the Coalition knows how to see the extraordinary things we do.”
“It’s not your fault, Sash, it’s mine,” Allie said. “I’ve been dreaming about it for weeks. I just didn’t make the connection until it was too late.”
Lex? Aidan reached for her aching hands.
They locked us in a dirt cellar. She shrugged. I freaked.
“No one is responsible for this,” Gregg insisted, “but we’ll do our best to bring Quinn home. We’ve sent everyone we can spare to help Liam and the boys track him down, but you all need to understand…we may never see him again.” His voice shook with emotion. “We were lucky to get our Allie back.”
“Obviously they followed you all afternoon,” he continued, “but what happened at the dance? How did they get their hands on you?”
Allie rushed through a hasty explanation of how she ended up in the dark alley alone.
“And what in God’s name could possibly have made you so bloody stupid?” He clenched his fists.
Best make it quick. Aidan grimaced.
“Well…Vince and I were in the gardens and I decided to stay for a moment alone, but when I started back inside—”
“This really is my fault!” Sasha clutched her hair in remorse. “Quinn and I were by the garden entrance…together. Allie must have seen us and didn’t want to interrupt. I-I’m so sorry, Daniel!”
“I know you love my son, sweetheart. No one blames you—any of you.” He managed a smile for Allie.
“I just thought I would go around front to give them some privacy,” Allie continued.
“You know better than to go off on your own like that! I don’t buy it, Red,” Gregg growled. “How were you so distracted you didn’t even notice the bletherin Coalition was following you?”
So much for our little secret, Aidan sighed.
“I was walking and, um, talking to Aidan...so I didn’t see them until it was too late.”
“Talking to Aidan?”
“Yeah. We can do that telepathy thing pretty well.” She quailed.
“You blatantly kept your progress from us?” He turned on his son.
“I was able to see what was going on with Allie through our connection,” Aidan went on confidently. “I reacted quickly, instructing Graham to stay with Chloe so neither of them could become a target. I immediately grabbed Sasha and Quinn from the gardens since I knew exactly where they were. I sent Quinn around front to slip into the alley unseen, while Sasha and I came from the back to box them in and contain the situation. Unfortunately, Vince saw us all leaving and followed. I tried to get rid of him, but the other two Coalition showed up. In the commotion, shots were fired and Vince took a pretty bad hit to the chest. I told Sasha to make a run for it to lure them back to the front, knowing she would easily outrun them, but they ignored her in favor of Allie. I stayed behind with Vince. I couldn’t just let him die. I blocked Allie so she wouldn’t freak.”
“I took one of them down just when Quinn arrived,” Allie continued. “He helped me get him under control and had my back while I faced the woman. We heard the gunfire and I saw through Aidan’s block. Vince was badly injured and I-I just…I just lost it,” she whispered tearfully. “I screamed for Aidan and distracted Quinn. The guy managed to collar him just as one of the others arrived and slammed into me with a baseball bat. They had a collar on me before I could catch my breath. I-I know it won’t bring him back, but—I’m so sorry!” She burst into fresh tears.
Gregg knelt beside her and grasped her hands. “Sweetheart, this is not your fault. It can happen to the best of us.”
“You did everything right, son,” he added, catching Aidan’s gaze. “I’m proud of you both. But what happened after they captured you?”
For the next hour, Allie relayed the details of how she and Quinn were whisked away by their captors. She described the unprovoked beatings they received throughout the night. She shivered, pulling her sweater tightly around her as she recalled Lane’s particular brand of cruelty.
She felt Aidan’s spike of rage and she flushed in shame.
Did he do more than touch you? A tortured growl escaped his throat.
No. Quinn stopped him. He almost broke the guy’s neck. They beat him with a bat as punishment.
I’ll kill the bastard! He shot to his feet.
Liam beat you to it. Although I had the chance to do it myself…
“How did we never realize they could do this?” Naeemah whispered in awe.
“We were careful to hide it,” Aidan sighed, returning to his seat.
“This connection. It’s very…it’s private!” Allie snapped, trying to convey a feeling she had no words to describe.
“It is an intimate gift,” Emma said. “I can understand how you would want to protect it. Even from us.”
“Tell me everything you can about this Livia woman,” Gregg asked, steering them back on track.
“She was more interested in me.” Allie frowned. “I’m not sure why, but she was looking for someone. The others thought I might be the one she was after.”
“Did she give any indication why she was so interested in you specifically?” Gregg asked in frustration.
“She saw my necklace in the photo and wanted to know how I got it. But it has to be some kind of mistake.”
“Let me see that necklace?”
Allie handed him the glittering pendant and watched as he examined the strange, black stones. He traced the serpentine lines of pewter looping around the pendent and an eerie light of recognition shone in his eyes. As he raised them to meet hers, she saw fear in those amber eyes.
“Lily gave this to you?” He carefully fingered the chain.
“Yes, a long time ago. It’s been in our family for years. I wear it all the time.”
“It has to be a mistake.” He exhaled softly, returning to his seat. “I cannot imagine why an heirloom necklace from a mortal family would interest this woman. We’ll have to do some digging to find out who she is. We need to get to the bottom of why she might be interested in something so trivial.”
“How did you get the collars off?” he asked in a rush. Allie knew he was hiding something and she wanted to ask, but with the slightest of nods, he warned her to keep silent.
“Livia ordered them removed so she could test us.”
“Alright, Red. I know you desperately need your rest, but I cannot let you go to bed looking like that. It pains me.”
“I’m fine, Gregg. I just need a few good meals and I’ll bounce back. Besides, I don’t think I could sleep now, anyway. Not when so many decisions need to be made. I want to help.”
“I wonder if there is anything we can do to speed her healing along?” Gregg asked.
“I don’t want Aidan to push himself more than he already has,” Naeemah said. “He’s nearly as spent as Allie.”
“I don’t mind trying,” he offered, “but I don’t know how much help I’ll be.”
“I was thinking of experimenting with Allie’s gift of lending strength. I wonder if it’s possible for you to pull energy from a third party?” Gregg asked.
“You want to use me as a circuit?” She considered the possibility of channeling energy from one of the adults to Aidan. It might give him the stamina he would need to heal her injuries. “It’s brilliant!”
“Do you think you can do it?”
“It seems plausible.”
Don’t push yourself, Allie.
I think I can do it.
“I’ll be the guinea pig,” Jin offered.
Aidan stifled a huge yawn, and Allie wasn’t sure it was worth it.
I’m fine, baby. He smiled, reaching for her battered hand as Jin gingerly clasped her other. She sat back, closing her eyes in concentration. She’d never focused much attention on this ability because it always worked intuitively whenever she was in need of it. Within moments, she felt Jin’s immense strength coupled with Aidan’s overwhelming fatigue. Allie focused her attention on what was needed and felt a coil of warmth pooling in the palm of her hand. It coursed up her arm, flooding her body, revitalizing her as she pulled and guided the amazing flow into Aidan’s body. He gasped audibly, trembling in awe.
She felt the shattered, broken bones of her face slide smoothly back into place. Her connection with Aidan allowed her to see his gift at work, and she was stunned by his power.
Even with Jin’s added stamina, the exertion of healing weakened Aidan considerably.
You should rest.
I’ll be fine.
She could feel his comforting touch coursing through her hands, giving her instant relief. When she looked down, her fingernails returned.
That looked incredibly painful. He kissed her fingertips.
Thank you, she murmured. He continued working to ease the pain of her bruised and broken body. She couldn’t take the guilt anymore. She broke into sobs, severing the connection between Jin and Aidan.
“Stop!”
“What’s wrong?”
“They crushed his skull with a bat! No one’s going to heal Quinn. I shouldn’t get the easy way out!”
“Come here, kid.” Jin pulled her into his arms. “I know my grandson, and he would want you to take whatever relief you could get. And he wouldn’t want you to blame yourself.”
Aidan tried to pull her hands back, but she refused.
I can’t bear it, Aidan! I won’t!
At least let me heal your black eyes?
“No! I’m done! What happens now, Gregg?” she demanded, sniffing back her tears. “What are we doing to get him back? How do we know others won’t come for us? How can we be sure it’s safe to go home? How can I know my parents and Vince are safe from the Coalition?” She fired her questions at the room.
“Daniel and I took care of your parents and Vince earlier this evening,” Imogen said. “Lily and Carson are here…er…resting comfortably until we can figure out what to tell them. Vince thinks you guys were mugged and you’re recovering at another hospital,” she explained. “Nadira and Seamas are guarding him on the off chance that the Coalition shows up.”
“Gen!” Allie hobbled over to hug her. “Thank you!”
“Liam, George and the boys will be working with some of our most trusted lieutenants to contain this situation,” Gregg continued. “Our only focus will be on finding Quinn and discovering what we can about this Livia woman and what her agenda could possibly be.”
“Otherwise, we can only go on with our lives as normally as we can, with the absence of one,” he added sadly. “I do not think we are working with the official Coalition here, but I’m afraid we cannot go home—at least not until I know it’s safe to return. You will all finish school in three months, but you will do so as study abroad students. After everyone has rested, we will leave for Aide and Hélène’s home in New York for a few days. Now, Allie, it’s time for you to get some rest. We’ll fill you in on everything in the morning.”
“Screw that! I can rest later!”
With a nod to Naeemah, Gregg ignored her outburst.
“Come with me now, Allie,” Naeemah said in her haunting melodic voice.
She found herself slowly rising from her seat to obey, but resisted the mindless urge.
“No.”
“You’re going to make me work for this, aren’t you? Come with me, Allie-girl,” she said in that creepy singsong voice.
“I—I don’t think I want to.” Still, she reached to grasp Naeemah’s hand.
“You will rest and recover while we deal with other matters,” she sang softly, leading Allie down the hall.
“Crap…okay.” Her resistance crumbled.
“You will sleep now,” Naeemah chanted, pulling the covers up around her.
<><><>
Scoot over, Lex, Aidan whispered, climbing in beside her. No nightmares tonight.
Her eyes snapped open. The sky was just beginning to lighten. She’d slept only a short while.
I imagine we’re done with bad dreams for now, she yawned.
I don’t want to risk it tonight. He wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled against his chest.
I was so scared I lost you, he murmured. Please stop beating yourself up about Quinn.
It should have been me! I messed up. The dreams were a warning and I didn’t see it!
We’re young, we’re still learning. I didn’t see it, either. We couldn’t have known it was a premonition. We’ll find him. And if we don’t, he’s strong; he’ll take care of himself.
I hesitated, just like you all knew I would! Allie’s face crumbled under the weight of her guilt. I had him! she sobbed. I should have killed him for touching me! Then he wouldn’t have shot me. The others wouldn’t have been distracted and Quinn would still be here!
You don’t know that. Killing isn’t done lightly. Any of us would have tried to avoid it.
I had him and I just let him go!
You did everything right! Stop blaming yourself.
I have to take my training more seriously. I have to stop thinking like a mortal.
Don’t stop being you, Lex.
I can’t stand fighting, and I hate weapons. It’s one thing to hesitate when I’m protecting myself, but it’s another when my actions, or lack of, hurts our family.
Emerge: The Awakening Page 29