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

by Gilbert,Julie C.

  Dr. Carnasis shook her head at that suggestion. She spent three slow breaths gathering her thoughts before trying to speak again.

  “Jillian, I’m sorry.” Seeing me start to protest, my Second Momma gestured for patience. Her eyes begged me to hear her out. “I don’t know if I can do this. I know you and Nadia worked so hard today, but I don’t know if I want to do this.”

  “Well, you’d best get that sentiment out of your system, Evie,” said Cora, kneeling on the other side of my Second Momma. She patted Dr. Carnasis’s left shoulder. “Here now, let’s have no more talk of that sort. You’re not getting off the hook that easily. I’m counting on you to help me start over my posh life across the pond.”

  “What pond?” I wondered.

  Cora look amused.

  “It’s an expression referring to the Atlantic Ocean.” She directed the explanation to me before focusing again on Dr. Carnasis. “Yanks. Don’t know why I love you lot. I’ll have some educating to do if you agree to come, but all that can wait. Finish your chat with your daughter. When Varick returns he can move you inside and we’ll have a go at the world’s problems.”

  When Cora left, I grabbed my Second Momma’s hand and hugged it close.

  “Ya can’t give up. It wouldn’t be right. We need ya.”

  “You don’t need me.”

  “Sure we do, Momma.” I paused to rework what I really wanted to say. “Lots of people are chasing us for whatever reasons.” I thought about something Nadia had said long ago. “We don’t need ya to fight over us. We need ya to fight for us.” I moved her hand so she could feel my heartbeats. “Sometimes the fight just comes down to living and living comes down to love.” I smiled and swallowed some tears. “Families are complicated. Ya helped make us. Can ya love us?”

  Closing her eyes and leaning her head back, my Second Momma smiled faintly, and said, “I already do.”

  Sensing she ought to rest, I got off the blanket and bunched up both sides to protect her from the wind. Nadia woke up and wanted to go for a walk. Cora called us to eat something first. I ate two slices of pizza and drank a bottle of water. Nadia ate less ’cause her body was still getting used to real food again after many weeks of nutrient drips.

  Our walk down the beach was awfully quiet for a spell. We went real slow and stopped often. Nadia leaned heavily on my arm, but I didn’t mind. The closeness was good for keeping warm.

  “It’s good to see ya,” I said. “In person, I mean. Guess you’re mighty glad to be awake. That silence was awful.”

  “I am sorry,” Nadia began.

  “Quit that,” I ordered. “Ya can’t apologize for everything, especially things outside your control.”

  “You are correct,” Nadia conceded. She released my arm long enough to pick up a shell and scoop up some wet sand. When our arms were linked again, Nadia held the shell in one hand and fingered the wet sand with her other hand. “Can it not be a general, shared sorrow?”

  I took a moment to re-catch the conversation thread ’cause she’d let some time lapse.

  “Nope, too gloomy. We haven’t much time together, and you ain’t spending it sad.”

  That earned a small laugh.

  “I needed to hear that, thank you.” Nadia released my arm again. Dropping the shell, she bent down and felt the sand with both hands, letting it glide between her fingers. “That feels amazing. Come join me.”

  We were near enough that every so often a wave would come close to soaking our shoes. Nadia wore thick boots, but I still had sneakers. I knelt beside her anyway ’cause I knew it was important to her. I’d forgotten she was still pretty new to beaches. The water felt like it wanted to freeze our hands solid, but Nadia didn’t mind. Finally, she rinsed her hands, and we continued our walk a ways before agreeing to return to the gray house. We spent most of the trip back lost in our own thoughts.

  I sensed the serious turn coming before Nadia said, “Jillian, much will change now, but I must go with Father. I will explain myself better later, but I wanted to tell you directly.”

  “You don’t need my permission.” I sounded grumpier than I wanted to, but she knew my feelings on that matter.

  “But I want your understanding.” Nadia suddenly stopped walking. “Father can be saved.”

  “From what?” I asked with my back facing her. Turning, I added, “He don’t seem to think he needs saving.”

  “Many things weigh down his soul,” Nadia said. “Bitterness, arrogance, stubbornness to name a few, and they might grow worse soon.”

  “What’s gonna change?”

  “Come inside and see.” Nadia climbed the stairs and entered the gray house.

  We found Dr. Devya, Cora, and my Second Momma in the family room deep in discussion. Dr. Carnasis was stretched out on the couch, and Cora perched on the couch arm near her feet.

  Dr. Devya stood in the center of the area rug looking highly upset.

  “How can you even say that after all we’ve accomplished?”

  “It’s very simple, Dean,” said Cora. “We’re moving on.”

  “You would abandon them?”

  “Not at all,” Cora denied. “This venture was Nadia’s idea. She believes the connections my parents have built over the years can be put to a higher service than making money. I believe she is quite right.”

  I shot my sister a questioning look which she ignored.

  “Dustin will go wherever I tell him to,” Dr. Devya warned.

  The words hit Cora hard, but she accepted them with a nod.

  “I know.”

  “Nadia will, too.” Dr. Devya fired the statement like an arrow aimed at both of ’em. “Isn’t that so?” He directed the question to my sister.

  “You know it is, Father,” replied Nadia, “but let them part in peace. Dr. Carnasis will need time to heal, and Cora has much work to do far from here. They have suffered much in the recent struggles. Let them go to safety overseas.”

  “You’re running away,” Dr. Devya accused.

  “No, Dean,” said my Second Momma softly. “We’re going to create a safe place for them.”

  “You’re talking nonsense,” growled Dr. Devya. “There’s so much work to do here! What good is it to prepare for a future they may not live to see? Help me rebuild Votive. Now that we know which strands will work, we can create hundreds like them.”

  “You wanna make more of us?” I asked, sort of horrified.

  Cora and my Second Momma glared at Dr. Devya.

  Nadia said, “Father, please. Try to remember what talk like that does to people who do not see the world as you do.”

  “You’re alone in this, Dean, because you’re wrong.” My Second Momma’s voice came out a little stronger than before. “Kari, Sean, and Jessie saw that much quicker than Cora and me, but you stand alone at last.”

  “So be it. I will rebuild the program myself if I have to,” Dr. Devya promised. “Nadia and Dustin can help. I don’t need you.” A twitch in his expression made the last statement a lie.

  “This is about power and proving yourself, not solving problems,” noted Cora. “We lost sight of the projects as people. We must come back to that idea and preserve what is already made.”

  “Release Nadia from that deal,” urged my Second Momma. “She can do more good if she’s truly free.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Dr. Carnasis, but I do not seek release.” Nadia turned to Dr. Devya, and said, “However, I would like to add a condition to our arrangement, Father.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “No more Dark Times. I cannot help those I must from a prison that deep.”

  I walked to Nadia and put an arm around her. I’m used to seeing her brave and upbeat. This vulnerable version of my sister frightened me.

  Dr. Devya let silence drag on for ten seconds before agreeing to the new term and adding one of his own.

  “I want you to teach Dustin.”

  Chapter 39:

  Collecting Lost Souls

&nb
sp; ITEM 223: Danielle’s sixty-fifth letter

  Item Source: Danielle Matheson

  Dear Dr. S.,

  The walk with Varick ended with me watching anxiously as he loaded Lanier, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Jones into the green minivan and drove off. When I asked why Tyra and Ethan weren’t taking the magical minivan ride, Varick mumbled something about asking Cora. Having nothing better to do, I entered the beach house to do just that, but Cora was busy making Evelyn comfortable on a white couch. I didn’t want to disturb them, but I asked about Jillian and Nadia. After being informed that they had gone for a walk, I set my other questions aside in favor of cold pizza and a long nap.

  When I awoke, I found everybody except Dustin crowded into the family room. I paused in the doorway from the kitchen not sure whether to proceed or leave them to the serious discussion I sensed I was interrupting. A quick smile from Varick convinced me to stay. He waved me over but I only stepped farther into the room, still analyzing the factions. On my left, Cora sat on the same couch holding Evelyn. Directly across from me, Tyra and Ethan had front row floor seats. To my right, Nadia and Jillian stood a half-step behind Devya who seemed exasperated.

  “Nadia’s right. It should be their choice.” Varick crossed his arms as if to rest his case.

  “They’re not capable of making rational decisions in the matter,” Devya argued.

  Tyra’s face held absolute fury, but Ethan’s features remained passive. Neither spoke, though they were obviously the conversation’s main course.

  “Think of what’s best for them.” The statement came from Cora, but I believe she barely beat Evelyn to it.

  “This is best for them,” Devya spat. “I have the facilities and, more importantly, I have the will to turn them into the soldiers they were meant to be.” His tone conveyed both contempt and disgust. “Even letting the Guardians train them would be less wasteful than your plan.”

  “Withdraw from the growth hormones and whatever else they’re on will be very difficult.” Evelyn’s words came out slowly, and her voice sounded strained. “They may never be suitable soldiers.”

  Tyra tensed.

  “We could kill every one of you with our bare hands.” As this was the second serious threat of violence today, I wondered how Tyra had pulled off the college kid persona for a few weeks.

  Cora sighed, and muttered, “That is going to quickly become tiresome.”

  “There’s more to being a soldier than killing.” Varick spoke gently to the homicidal girl.

  “What do you have to offer us?” Ethan directed the soft question to the room at large.

  Nadia fielded the question.

  “You have three options. Cora and Dr. Carnasis will soon depart for England. If you go with them, you will stay with private security until the worst of the withdrawal symptoms pass. Then, you may choose your own path.”

  Devya smoothly slipped in his sales pitch.

  “I can offer you quicker detoxification and a better use of your skills afterwards.”

  “What is the third option?” Ethan prompted.

  “My mother,” said Varick.

  Nodding quick agreement, Cora clarified, “Jessie or Kari could design something to ease the detoxification. We should have them try regardless of the destination.”

  Picking up on the lost expressions, Nadia explained for Tyra and Ethan’s benefit.

  “Varick and I have the same mother, a biochemist named Jessica Paladon. She and Dr. Karita Robinson are very good at designing cures and poisons. A remedy for your condition would be well within their abilities.”

  “We’re not sick,” Tyra muttered.

  “But you do need help,” Evelyn murmured.

  “Where would we go if we wanted them to treat us?” Suspicion soaked Ethan’s question.

  “The Guardians,” Devya answered.

  Varick cleared his throat.

  “Actually, Dr. Robinson may have cut ties with them.”

  The news clearly shocked Cora and Devya, but Evelyn took it well—or she didn’t have the energy to waste on surprise. Nothing surprises Nadia, and Jillian didn’t react, telling me she probably already knew.

  “You have two main options,” Nadia said, amending her earlier statement. “Go with Cora and Dr. Carnasis to England or come with Dr. Devya and me. I wish we could give you more time to consider, but a decision must be made soon. Some departures may be early tomorrow. Regardless of your choice, we will inquire about treatments to keep you comfortable.”

  After a few more rounds of similar debate, Tyra opted to tag along with Cora and Evelyn while Ethan chose to join Devya’s team. That’s probably for the best seeing as Evelyn is still pasty pale and laid out flat thanks to Ethan’s recent knife attack. The glances Ethan kept throwing Nadia’s way were rather obvious signs of interest in more than Devya’s work. Maybe I should tell him what Devya did to the last guy who liked Nadia. She’s been unconscious much of the previous year and a half, but I think Devya’s fit against Andrew cured her of ever introducing guys to daddy-dearest.

  The meeting broke up soon after Tyra and Ethan announced their choices. Neither faction appeared entirely pleased, but Cora excused herself to call Dr. Paladon and Dr. Robinson. Devya pulled up a chair to speak privately with Evelyn, and Varick attended to the two prisoners’ needs. Despite the deep desire to help the pair, nobody was crazy enough to cut their bindings while violent tendencies still swept over them occasionally. Nadia, Jillian, and I stepped onto an upper balcony for some fresh air.

  I was going to keep my stay short to give them time together, but Nadia said, “We would be delighted to have you stay, Danielle. I never formally thanked you for all you have done for Jillian and the rest of us.”

  “Yep, got myself kidnapped again. Don’t know how much help I was to the kid, but you’re welcome for what it’s worth.” I hugged Nadia and Jillian at the same time to let them know my cynicism wasn’t serious.

  “You have a comforting presence,” Nadia insisted.

  “I’m glad you were with me,” Jillian said. The slight hitch in her voice told me she felt guilty for the sentiment.

  “Hey, you know me. I’m always up for excitement.” Scenes from the last few days flitted through my mind, so I added, “But if you ever suggest rock climbing, I’ll feed you to Shorty.”

  Jillian chuckled because she knows my sweet, lazy black lab would apologize if she so much as stepped on an ant.

  “Will you share the memory with me?” Nadia whispered. “I do not wish to cause you pain, but a shared memory is stronger than one gleaned a different way. I would like a clear picture of the recent events for analysis and prevention.”

  “How do I share a memory with you?” I asked, automatically wondering how it would hurt.

  “Simply hold the memory in the forefront of your mind, relax, and allow me to create a brief connection,” Nadia instructed, holding her left hand out to me palm up.

  Closing my eyes, I grasped Nadia’s hand and tried to relax. Highlights from the past week swirled in my head: Ethan’s visit, the interview with Lanier, the drama he created for Jillian’s arrival, the sadistic training modules, my chats with Cora, and everything else that led to this endless day. I think I gave Nadia a lot more than she bargained for, but she voiced no complaints.

  Before releasing my hand, Nadia said, “That should be enough for now. Cora has finished contacting my mother and Dr. Robinson, so her phone is free as is Father’s. You should both call your parents.”

  My reaction probably mirrored Jillian’s rapid expression contortions. First came the shock, then guilt and horror, followed by quick shots of worry, irritation, and haste. Despite the disturbing mix, I had enough clarity to send Jillian after Cora’s phone. While I didn’t relish the thought of talking to Devya, I wanted him to have zero contact with Jillian.

  Nadia gracefully stepped aside as Jillian and I blitzed the door. She must have warned Devya because as soon as I entered the family room his phone sailed toward my head. I ca
ught it instinctively. Tossing thanks to both Nadia and Devya, I raced upstairs, found a free room, shut myself inside, and promptly froze.

  Staring blankly down at the cell phone, I tried to work past the sudden panic that gripped me. Large red digits on a clock declared the indecency of the hour, but common sense told me my parents needed to hear from me tonight. What could I say to them?

  Hi, folks, sorry for the wait. Hope you’re not dead from a heart attack. I’m fine now. Lots of love, Danielle.

  I needn’t have worried. My parents kept the conversation moving.

  Mom answered my call mid-way through the second ring.

  “Hello? Who is this?” The tension, worry, and weariness present in her tone cracked something in me.

  “Mom!” was all I managed before the burning sensation of unreleased sobs stopped me.

  “Craig! It’s her!” Mom shouted. Something thumped to the floor and a light clicked on. “Where are you, Danielle? Are you safe? Is Jillian with you? Can you talk? How—”

  “I’m okay, Mom. I’m okay.” Hot tears started flowing as I cut into my mother’s frantic stream of questions. “She’s here. We’re both safe. Is Katy all right?”

  “She’s fine, Deli,” said Dad, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s you we were worried about. When can you come home?”

  “Soon. Maybe tomorrow.”

  “What happened?” Mom asked. Her curiosity and dread came through loud and clear.

  I laughed.

  “It’s a long story.” I spent about forty minutes spilling my guts before a beep told me the battery wanted to quit. Winding the conversation to a close took some doing, but I didn’t want to lose the connection suddenly. “I’ve got to go. I love you. I’ll try to be home tomorrow. I promise.” I hung up before they could respond. It was cruel, but I couldn’t emotionally afford a long goodbye.

  The Lousy Daughter Who Forgot to Call Her Parents,

  Danielle Matheson.

  Chapter 40:

  Momma’s News

  ITEM 224: Jillian’s 112th post-kidnapping journal entry