Varick's Quest (Devya's Children Book 4)

by Gilbert,Julie C.

  Mr. Jones turned to fight Varick, but I made him sleep. I tried to do the same to Mr. Clark, but his brain was on high alert, making it difficult for me to get a good hold. I ended up tapping Malia’s Gift so Mr. Clark would freeze long enough for Danielle to grab his gun. The dread he felt at losing the weapon let me drop him into a light sleep.

  Normally, I ain’t good with doing several things at once with my Gift, but Nadia musta been working through me to keep Dr. Lanier from killing Dr. Carnasis. Her hands were still tied behind her and Mr. Clark’s shove had knocked her to the sand near Dr. Lanier. I considered trying to make Dr. Lanier sleep, but Malia, Nadia, and I were already straining our Gifts to keep him from pulling that trigger. We stalled long enough for Danielle to free Dr. Carnasis and move her out of the way before Dr. Lanier fired. Varick then slapped the gun away with his bo staff and smacked Dr. Lanier in the chest.

  Dr. Carnasis came to check on me. Thinking everything was over, I waited for her to wake me up, but she only placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned close to talk to me.

  “Jillian, Dustin and Cora will be arriving shortly. We either have to leave this instant or brace for another unpleasant confrontation. Nadia has a plan, but she’ll need your help. If you can wake up naturally, do so, but I can’t give you the counter agent to the sedative without interfering with your ability to help her.”

  Danielle chose that moment to ask Dr. Carnasis about waking me, so my Second Momma explained everything she had just told me. Danielle asked why I needed to keep working, but I think her answer came from Nadia, not my Second Momma.

  While I had a moment to collect myself, I changed my perspective to check on everyone. Dr. Devya still stood on one of the lower decks. His lack of movement made me double check if he was real, and sure enough, I discovered his image and presence were slightly separated. That meant his body was in the house, but Nadia had created the figure on the back deck. The bad guys, besides Dr. Lanier, sat tied up near the house. Dr. Lanier stayed basically where he’d fallen. Varick had tied his hands to his feet and now busily piled up sand around Danielle. I couldn’t figure a good reason for that but trusted one would be revealed soon. Dr. Carnasis paced the small section of beach around me.

  As the faint sound of slamming doors reached us, Varick moved the wheelchair carrying me closer to the beach house.

  “Follow Nadia’s lead, and don’t be afraid if you can’t see me. I’ll be close.” He kissed my forehead and vanished. It’s a darn good thing he warned me about that or I woulda been very afraid.

  Jillian, please awaken Dr. Lanier.

  I didn’t think that was a great idea, but I followed Nadia’s lead as asked. A few seconds of tapping Malia’s sense of cold woke Dr. Lanier quick as stepping on a dog’s tail. He shivered ’cause I overdid the cold by a second. Given how mean he’d been to Danielle and me the last few days, I didn’t feel too guilty. Anyway, Dr. Lanier was wide awake by the time Dustin and Cora reached a decent chatting distance.

  Everybody conscious exchanged tentative glances. I couldn’t see Dr. Carnasis, but I figured she may have vanished like Varick. Danielle stood a short distance from Nadia’s projection. The image impressed me ’cause Nadia smiled warmly and even took a small step forward. Making everybody believe the sand shifted with that simple step musta taken some powerful painting on Nadia’s part.

  I thought we’d head for pleasantries, but the very happy look on Dr. Lanier’s face made me nervous.

  Seeing the expression, Danielle frowned, and demanded, “What’s that look mean?”

  “My fortunes are changing,” replied Dr. Lanier.

  “Say what you must, Dustin,” encouraged Nadia.

  “You have to let him go.” Dustin sounded a tad whiny.

  “Come again?” Danielle questioned.

  “You have—”

  “We heard your words, Dustin, but we do not understand them,” Nadia explained.

  To that point, Cora’s puzzled expression said she was constantly playing catchup. Now, she gripped Dustin’s right shoulder.

  “What bargain did you make with that man?”

  “Seven years of service for your comfort and safety, madam,” Dr. Lanier boasted. Evil glee shone in his eyes as he watched Cora’s reaction.

  She stared at him like he was in need of a good smack and she would enjoy delivering one.

  Danielle grunted.

  “You have a strange definition of comfort and safety.”

  “She never came to harm in my care,” said Dr. Lanier.

  “Release Dustin from his obligations, and we will set your people free. You may then go in peace as long as you agree to cease your obsession with us.” Nadia’s projection clasped her hands in front of her body.

  Dr. Lanier set his snakelike gaze on Nadia.

  “I will release the boy from his verbal bonds if you agree to take his place. I will even leave my other offers on the table. Keep the doctor and the Dreamer.”

  “You can’t have Nadia,” Dr. Devya said irritably. “Get that through your head.”

  “Pity, then you can’t have Dustin,” mumbled Dr. Lanier. “Boy, go kill the girl standing next to Nadia.”

  Dustin stumbled a step toward Danielle before Cora wrapped her arms around him and heaved him to a stop.

  “Let go, mum! I have to do what he says or he’ll hurt you next time!” He wrenched his body every which way to loosen Cora’s hold.

  “Stop fighting me, Dustin!” Cora cried, falling to her knees and tightening her arms. When he went limp, she flipped him around and hugged him. “There won’t be a next time.”

  Both of ’em were crying, but Dustin still protested.

  “I gave my word. Like Nadia did. She promised to stay with Father to protect others. I promised to stay with Dr. Lanier to protect you. Don’t you understand?”

  “I do, but murder’s a far cry from protection,” Cora argued, still clutching Dustin.

  “Dr. Lanier is not like Father,” Nadia pointed out. “He broke his word to you by almost killing your mum in an experiment with Jillian. She can show you the memory if you wish.”

  Seizing the hope that offered, Cora pulled Dustin out to arm’s length.

  “That’s right. Dr. Lanier had me placed in a burning building. Surely you can see he’s not worthy of your word.”

  Dustin nodded numbly as multiple emotions flickered across his face. Dr. Lanier sensed the change even though he only saw Dustin’s back. He yelled his frustration and rocked on the sand, trying to wrench his hands free of the plastic ties. The rest of us nearly sagged to the sand with relief.

  Another cry split the peaceful air that tried to surround us. At first, I mistook the challenging shout as another noise coming from Dr. Lanier, but a young man sprinted from under the deck, splashing water and flinging wet sand as he went. The young man launched himself at Nadia and sailed right through the projection. Danielle yelped and leapt back to avoid getting tackled.

  Varick appeared and stepped between Danielle and the newcomer. The young man smiled, drew a long knife out of a black boot, and climbed to his feet. Varick fell into a defensive stance. They froze like that for a long second then charged each other. The young man slashed wildly at Varick, opening a long cut across my brother’s forearm. The move left him unbalanced enough for Varick to catch the hand holding the knife. They grunted and growled as they struggled with the knife between ’em.

  Like it was a car wreck, everybody watched.

  Nadia’s urgent voice broke into my thoughts.

  Can you touch Ethan’s mind?

  It took me a second to connect the name with the young man attacking Varick. During that time, they kept up their fierce match to control the knife. I reached with my Gift to find their presences and found ’em in a tangled mess. Suddenly, the fighters popped apart. I pounced on Ethan’s essence and felt it slip away like grease.

  When I reported to Nadia, she shot me the mental equivalent of a frustrated sigh and replied.

 
I was afraid that might happen. Do what you can to strengthen Varick through Malia.

  Danielle tried to keep out of the way, but the roiling ball of fighting boys bowled her over. Her hard landing sent up a shower of sand and punched the breath right out of her.

  Ethan and Varick traded a few punches, but the blows didn’t do much ’cause most of their energy remained locked in the knife-claiming contest. Sometimes the knife dipped dangerously close to Varick, and sometimes it tipped the other way towards Ethan. Tapping Malia’s Gift for Varick, I transferred a sense of energy and strength to him, trying to make him forget the fatigue weighing his limbs down.

  As I thought they’d both collapse from the strain, Ethan gave a huge shove, pushing Varick back a step. With the two seconds of breathing space that bought him, Ethan fell upon Danielle who had almost reached a sitting position. The force of his landing undid her hard work. He looped his left arm around her stomach, pulled her partway across his lap, and pressed the knife against her left side. Upon first glance, it seemed like he held her in a loving embrace.

  Desperate, I reached for Ethan’s mind, only to have it slip away again.

  “Checkmate,” cheered Dr. Lanier. “Enough games, Minder. Drop the illusions and reveal yourself or Ethan will kill her.”

  Scary silence fell until Nadia surrendered.

  “All right. Please wait a moment.”

  The images of Nadia and Dr. Devya vanished. Danielle’s face flickered like a faulty light then changed to that of Dr. Carnasis. If I’d had my body, my reaction woulda been similar to Dr. Lanier whose eyes bulged like somebody squeezed him real hard.

  Jillian, this is not going well. Stand by to force Dr. Lanier under. I think he means to end this poorly.

  Varick kept his body poised to resume the fight, but he didn’t dare move a muscle with Ethan’s knife kissing Dr. Carnasis’s side.

  For her part, my Second Momma had closed her eyes and quietly addressed Ethan.

  “We can help you. This isn’t what you want to do.”

  “Shut up,” Ethan snapped.

  Nadia stepped onto the deck where she’d previously made Dr. Devya’s illusion stand. She wore the exact outfit her projection had shown. The only difference was that the real Nadia looked far wearier than the projection. Leaning heavily on the railing, Nadia stared down at Dr. Lanier.

  “Why do you seek me so ardently? You have seen what I can do. Are these tricks worth killing for?”

  “Yes, Minder. I would kill a hundred souls if—”

  I have heard enough. Each of Nadia’s words rang with regret. Take him down.

  Ready for the order, I forced Dr. Lanier into a deep sleep. As he slumped, Ethan and Varick shouted. Dr. Carnasis’s cry joined a split second later as Ethan’s knife bit into her side. Varick was on ’em instantly. With Ethan’s arms full, Varick had a clear shot at his head. The blow whipped Ethan’s head back and drove him unconscious.

  Danielle rushed up as Varick gently picked up my Second Momma and carried her to a blanket Nadia had thrown onto the sand.

  “Tie him up,” Varick ordered, nodding toward Ethan.

  Relief at having something to do argued with a desire to stay and worry, but Danielle recognized the danger Ethan presented so she moved toward the wheelchair to do as Varick asked.

  Jillian! Jillian!

  I’m not sure how many times Nadia called before I focused on her words. Once Nadia knew she had my attention, she hurried to explain.

  Dr. Carnasis’s life is in your hands. Carry her to a deep sleep then come with me. We must gather the information to save her. I have Michio preparing it now, but you must retrieve and deliver the knowledge.

  Chapter 36:

  Transfer of Knowledge

  ITEM 220: Jillian’s 110th post-kidnapping journal entry

  Item Source: Jillian Blairington

  Still following Nadia’s lead, I pulled my Second Momma into a deep, dark sleep and cast my mind north toward home. With Nadia and Malia’s help, I had no problem using my Gift on Michio. He was waiting for me, thanks to a warning from Nadia. Soon, avatars for Michio, Nadia, and me stood in a plain room I rapidly formed within my little brother’s dream.

  “Hi, Nadia!” Michio yelled, waving with both hands.

  “Hello, Michio,” Nadia replied. She swept him up into a twirling hug then set him on his feet again. “Do you have the codes?”

  “Uh-huh,” Michio said, nodding so hard his whole body rocked back and forth. He moved his left hand across his body like somebody scattering breadcrumbs for birds. The white walls filled with equations, symbols, and codes I couldn’t understand. “Healing codes!”

  “Thank you. That is all we require right now. I will keep you informed of her condition.” Even as Nadia bid Michio farewell, her eyes scanned the letters and symbols along the walls.

  Conjuring a glass vial, Nadia plucked select pieces out and directed ’em to flow into the tube. Sometimes, she would flick her fingers left, right, up, or down, and the symbols along the wall would shift to make room for different parts of the code. At one point, Nadia held the vial like one would hold a microphone out to somebody they’re interviewing. A huge chunk of the letters and symbols peeled off the wall, condensed down, and disappeared into the glass container. Finally, she covered the vial with her right hand. When she lifted her hand away, a thick black plug stayed behind. Nadia made the whole vial float over to me.

  “What now?” I asked, staring at the floating piece of glass. Instinctively, I shaped the dream time to almost stand still so I’d have time to question Nadia.

  “Carry these thoughts to Dr. Carnasis then slowly let her awaken so I may instruct her on their use,” Nadia explained patiently.

  “Why’d ya have me make her sleep in the first place?”

  Nadia didn’t look like she wanted to reply, but she musta decided answering would be quicker than arguing.

  “She was losing too much blood, and the sleep keeps her from pain.”

  “Won’t waking her cause the pain to return?”

  A compassionate expression settled over Nadia.

  “Yes, but the nanomachines she injected into her body to assume my features must be reprogrammed to become healing agents.”

  “Teach me how to do that. I can work while she’s sleeping.”

  “Very well, we will work within the dream, but hurry.”

  Grabbing the important vial, I returned to my own head then moved my awareness over to my Second Momma. Varick and Danielle held her limp hands. Nadia slept a few feet away. Even Dr. Devya watched anxiously from the same deck Nadia had positioned his image before. I could tell he wasn’t a projection this time ’cause he was leaking all sorts of emotions.

  Shifting myself down a few sleep levels, I sought my Second Momma’s dreams. At first, I couldn’t find any ’cause I’d put her way under, but soon, I raised her to a good level. As she started dreaming about hot needles poking her side, I entered and made the needles disappear.

  I opened the vial by imagining the plug disappearing. The code rose up like smoke. Nadia had me stop the code before it could float away completely. At her suggestion, I formed an avatar for her. She reached up into the code cloud and absorbed the knowledge.

  “I now carry the healing code, but the hard part still belongs to you. First, you must replicate—copy—this avatar hundreds and thousands of times. Second, you must direct us to the nanomachines within Dr. Carnasis. That will not be easy. They may number in the thousands, but the number of cells in her body tops billions.”

  Squashing the urge to ask more questions, I concentrated on multiplying the avatar containing the healing instructions. The idea of searching billions of cells to find a few thousand didn’t sit well. The solution came to me based once again on Nana’s saying about simplicity and cleverness. The nanomachines were foreign agents within my Second Momma’s body, so I had each of the Nadia avatars hitch a ride on one of the white blood cells. Once located, the avatars brought the nanomachine
s back to a central holding place I created and manually reprogrammed ’em.

  The healing woulda gone much smoother if we had Michio or Aiden present, but Nadia and I fumbled our way through the process. When we were ready, I woke Nadia long enough for her to tell Varick to remove the knife. They had left it in to minimize the blood flow. Upon Nadia’s return, we directed the nanomachines as they repaired organs, muscles, bones, and skin.

  I’m not sure how much real time passed ’cause I forgot to set a clock, but we spent a lot of dream time patching my Second Momma together. The knife had nicked her bottom left rib going in and gotten dragged across enough of her body to do a lot of damage. I thought our only task would be to rebuild, but we also had to direct some nanomachines in hunting microbes that came in on the knife.

  The experience gave me a much greater respect for Aiden and Michio’s Gifts ’cause they coulda done the work in a small fraction of the time it took us. Nadia and I only made the machines mind the instructions, but Michio had written ’em upon Nadia’s request in a matter of minutes.

  When we had the work well in hand, I fired questions at Nadia again.

  “Why was Dr. Carnasis disguised as Danielle? How’d she do that anyway? Where was Danielle hiding?”

  A Nadia avatar paused to talk to my representative so it wouldn’t seem like her voice came from nowhere.

  “I tapped your Gift long enough to have Danielle sleep lightly on some nearby sand then had Varick push sand over her. The rest I filled in with an illusion.”

  “Why bother?”

  “I sensed Ethan soon after Dustin and Cora’s arrival, and I guessed he might target Danielle because she was familiar to him. I asked Dr. Carnasis if she would stand in for Danielle and she agreed.”

  “How’d ya get Danielle to accept that plan?” Letting somebody else face danger seemed the sort of thing Danielle would take as gracefully as an elephant on ice skates.

  Following my thoughts, Nadia grinned.

  “I can be very persuasive when the need arises.”