“Does he bring you flowers?”
I glanced away.
“Let’s dance.” Tobey leaned over the jut box, pressing buttons. A piano and violin ballet played around the pub. “Lisa.” He smiled.
I curtsied, grasping his palm.
Tobey led me around the room in some strange waltz. He hummed along to the melody, never taking his eyes off me. My cheeks burned. His arms tightened around me, pressing me against his chest. Sure he was slender but his muscles twitched.
“Does Alex treat you like this?”
It was difficult to breathe. His eyes, the way his lips parted and how his hands felt as they caressed me.
“Tobey!” Charles shouted. He raced inside the pub, slamming against my back.
“What Charles?”
“Francisco—he’s escaped.”
DONNA—
“We’re halfway there…”
“We’re halfway there, Michael,” Donna said. She dropped Rat. “Rat says it’s just down the road, a half a mile or so.”
“You’re pale,” Michael said. “What’s wrong?”
“I feel like I have a fever. We can’t get sick, right?”
“No, Donna.” He grabbed her by the arms. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t feel my legs.”
“What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
“Get us to the Iron Works Center. You know, the old—”
“I know what it is. What are you doing? Can you walk?”
“I told you, I can’t feel my feet anymore. They won’t move. What’s wrong with me?”
“Come here.” He picked her up in his arms. “Rat, show us the way.”
“I feel really hot.”
“Hang in there. Don’t close your eyes. Stay awake.”
“Donna, stay with me.” Michael glanced at Rat. “Let’s hurry.”
Rat growled, flicking his tail. Michael held Donna tight, stomping through the parking lot.
LISA—
The hunt for Francisco…
Tobey and Charles raced out of the pub. I stood alone with the bartender. He was tall and full of piercings. His eyes, a pale green and he had a tattoo that said C I N. Michael. I did miss him. What was I doing dancing with the enemy? Tobey was smooth. He didn’t care about me. I was a science project. I needed to keep myself in check, especially now that Francisco was missing.
My fingers twitched. Piano keys pounded in my ears. A few guys sat down at the bar across the way. My heart beat slowly. Had I turned Francisco invisible? Was that even possible?
I took a seat at the bar furthest from the guys. They glared. Why didn’t anyone smile around here?
Dark violin accompanied deep bass. More and more men marched in, taking seats at the bar. Some ordered shots, others beer. My skin itched. The only thing the guys had in common was the fact that they were staring.
Maybe it was because I was the only girl in the place. Did I have something on my face? Were they Dr. John’s henchmen waiting for the “okay” to off me? I couldn’t breathe. I was surrounded by serial killers. How was I going to get out of this place alive?
Sure Tobey and Charles weren’t so bad. Even Kimi didn’t bother me. She was like a more evil version of Ally. The trouble was, as nice as they seemed—I wasn’t here on my own initiative. They’d captured me. Why couldn’t I get that through my thick head? Did they have a spell cast on me or something? It was as if I was watching darker, wicked versions of my favorite people.
Tobey was a better Alex in so many ways. He knew how to treat a girl, what to say and what not to say. But Alex never kidnapped me. Well… maybe they weren’t so different after all. Alex did change me, trapping me forever in the Lynn district. That was bad. Only, it hadn’t felt much like a trap until today.
Charles reminded me of Michael. He made you laugh, charmed you, and didn’t miss a beat. Michael would never let someone take me away. Charles and Michael may have been the life of the party but, Michael still possessed loyalty. If you needed him—he was always there. Charles followed whatever Tobey said even when he didn’t want to.
Kimi and Ally were catlike, dark souled and ready to start trouble at each and every opportunity. Ally, at least, I knew and understood. Was Kimi pure wickedness or more like Ally?
How did I fit in? Who was I? Why had Anna created two groups with such similar personalities? Did being fulgurites turn you into devious creatures? Was it because Tobey, Charles and Kimi were older, that they were more corrupted?
“Who are you?” One of the guys finally asked.
I jumped. I’d forgotten they were there with me.
“She’s with Tobey,” the bartender said. “Leave her alone.”
“Where am I?” I said. The guys looked away simultaneously.
I motioned for the bartender. He stood across from me with his lips pressed tight together. “Can you direct me to Tobey?” I leaned over the counter. “I need to see if he’s okay.”
“You have to stay here,” The bartender said. “Go play an arcade game or something.”
“Are you like me?”
“I am.”
“Why are you so much older than us?” He was only maybe twenty six or a young thirty.
“I’ve been around a long time. I’m from the original beginning. I was her guardian.”
“Are beginnings always girls?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He shrugged, popping a cap off a beer. “You’ll have to ask Anna about that. I don’t know the reasons.” He leaned close and whispered in my ear. “You need to get out of here—and fast.”
“How?”
He frowned, walking away.
“Lisa?” Kimi stood in the doorway. “You’ve got more visitors coming. Come look.”
I followed her out of the pub, noticing the outside of the door said level three. We walked down another hall filled with black and white photos. They were of Tobey, Kimi and Charles with Anna. Were they a family? The photos showed them through the past few hundred years. Eventually, the pictures were in color and only of Charles and Kimi.
“What happened to your family?” I asked Kimi.
“Let’s call it differences of opinion.”
Did that mean they were torn? Was Tobey and Anna at odds? I noticed Charles was very protective of Kimi. They were still close. Would my new family divide, too?
“Go up to the tower.” Kimi pointed to a ladder nailed into the wall. “There’s a peep hole to the outside world. I want you to see this.”
I climbed the metal bars. At the top was a scope from the late 60’s. It reminded me of one of those submarines. Maybe we were submersed in water. Who knew with these people…
When I peered through the glass, my heart sank. Michael walked through the small wooded area with Donna passed out in his arms. “It’s Donna and Michael! They’ve come for me!”
“They’ve broken the treaty and are going to die.”
I nearly slipped down the ladder.
“I just wanted you to know that they did come for you.” She helped me down at the bottom. “They do care about you.”
“Why are you going to kill them? That’s stupid. I want to go home. Why can’t you convince this Dr. John to let me go? You’re not as mean as you try to make yourself out to be.”
Kimi pouted. “I really just wanted to make you cry.”
“Liar,” I said. “You know you’re a hurt little girl—just like Ally.”
“I’m nothing like Ally!” She shot back. “She’s a manipulate jerk. It’s because of her that my dad—”
“Wait, your dad?” I couldn’t believe my ears. Who was her father? What was I missing?
“Forget I said that. You ask too many questions. It’s time you got put back where you belong. Come on.”
“Are you sticking me in the jail again?”
She ignored me, stomping forward. “Don’t make me force you.”
“I need to speak to Anna, anyway.”
“Stay away from
my mother. She’s not what you think. You’re too easy to manipulate. If you’re not careful, she’ll destroy you.”
“Thanks for the warning, Kimi. Anna already said the same thing to me.”
Kimi glanced back. “Really?”
“She said I shouldn’t worry about my loyalty to her because it was very possible that she’d just turn on me once she got what she wanted from me.”
“Interesting.”
“I’m telling you this because I know that out of everyone here, you’re the only one that isn’t evil.”
“Charles.”
“Charles, what?”
“He’s my father.”
“Does that mean he’s Anna’s husband?”
“They’ve been together since the moment they met. He was an explorer in the 1600’s. They met and it was just the two of them, until I came along.”
“How does Tobey fit into the picture?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Kimi didn’t respond.
“Kimi, please.”
“I need you to know who Charles is. Something tells me that you’re different.”
“Help my friends,” I said. “Please Kimi. You can’t let Dr. John kill them.”
“There’s nothing I can do.”
“Yes, you’ve got more pull than you let on.”
“No.” She sighed. “That’s where you’re wrong. Besides, we’re here.”
She punched the keypad. The large door squealed. I saw Anna and Pig together in the same cell still. She had even more spots on her skin. Would she die? Was I going to be covered in those things, too? Or, did Dr. John have quicker options for my demise?
“Your cell is empty. Do you see that?” Kimi asked.
I nodded. “Where’s Francisco?”
“Yes, Lisa, where is he?” Tobey entered the prison. His arms were folded across his chest. Kimi opened the cell. “Get in.”
“Why? I’m not a threat,” I said. Something touched my arm. Was it Francisco? Had he really become invisible? I glanced at Anna. She nodded, hiding her face.
“How’d you do it?” Tobey asked me. “What’s your secret? I can’t let you out of this cell because I can’t test you. You won’t show any powers to me but somehow our greatest enemy has escaped.”
“Francisco is not your enemy just because he disobeyed you.”
Tobey inched closer. His fingers gripped my shirt. “He’s a bad guy.”
“No,” I said.
“Tobey, Michael and Donna are outside. They want permission to enter.” Charles announced. “Have you found Francisco?”
“Dr. John is not going to like this.” Tobey exclaimed. His hands covered his face. “This place has turned to utter chaos—on my watch.”
“What are your orders on Michael and Donna?” Charles asked.
“Where is Francisco?” Kimi asked.
“Don’t hurt my friends!” I shouted.
Tobey’s grip on my shirt tightened. I could feel his frustration. “Bring them to us.”
“Don’t kill them?” Charles asked.
“No, bring them to me.”
I couldn’t believe my luck.
“Something’s wrong with Donna. Michael is carrying her here,” Kimi told him. “Do you think it has to do with Lisa?”
Tobey’s eyes perked. “Maybe we should pay Alex a visit.”
DONNA AND MICHAEL ARRIVE
Charles carried Donna into the cell, placing her on the floor by my feet. I bent over her. “Donna!” I cried. “What’s wrong with you?”
Instead of blue blood I saw a golden glow swimming around where her veins should’ve been. “Michael!” I fell into his arms. His body trembled but he squeezed me tight. “What’s happening to her?”
“Something strange is going on at home,” Michael said. “When we left, Alex was on the floor in his house, sick as a dog. Donna was fine until we were halfway here. She passed out on me twice already. Why’s everybody getting sick? Why are you here? What is this place?”
“I was taken hostage,” I whispered. “They’re all mental.”
“I can hear you,” Tobey said. “If we were really cruel we would’ve killed your intruders.”
“Killed us?” Michael repeated.
Tobey nodded. His arms folded, he spoke sternly. “We have a treaty with C I N. No members of that clan are allowed here. The penalty is death.”
“We’re the warehouse kids—a separate group,” Michael said.
“It’s no point debating with that guy.” I laughed. “He’s another Alex, only better at everything.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Tobey frowned.
“Can I please go home? I need to see Alex. If he’s sick it’s my fault. We need to be with each other.”
“No. You have to see Dr. John first. Do you want him to show up in C I N?”
“Tobey, please.” I fell to my knees. “I need Alex. What’s the worst thing that could happen? We go, I see him, and we come back here before my meeting with this doctor.”
“I’m up in the pub hitting on you and in the same breath, you want me to take you back to the guy I’m trying to take you from?”
“Please, Tobey.”
He let out an aggravated sigh. “Charles, can you carry this Donna girl?”
“Sure.”
“Kimi, keep Michael close.”
“Lisa, come with me.”
THE IRON WORKS STATE PARK
Tobey led us through another corridor and up cement steps that seemed to go on forever. Wooden double doors for basements sat above our heads. He unlocked the chains and pushed the doors ajar. Sun seeped in blinding us. I squinted, crawling out. Where were we?
Once my eyes focused, I realized I stood in the middle of a slitting mill. There was also a mansion that looked to be from the 1600’s and a forge furnace. Were we under some sort of historical landmark?
“What is this place?” I asked. Was that a chicken coop? What was it with fulgurites and poultry?
“The Saugus Iron Works National Site. Welcome to our undercover lair.” Charles teased. Pig growled, kicking dirt behind him. I laughed. “I hate your dog,” he said.
Donna shifted in his arms. “Is she awake?” I leaned over her. Tobey took out a set of keys. He clicked the remote. A Jeep Cherokee flashed its lights. “A car? Why’d you make me walk all the way here, Charles?”
He shrugged. “Seemed like more fun.”
Tobey frowned. “This is going to be a tight fit.”
“Want me to drive the de-virginator?” Charles grinned.
Tobey rolled his eyes. “No.”
ALEX—
The Good-bye Secret…
It was hard to breathe. My chest felt heavy and my arms were complete stones. I felt them hollowing themselves. There wasn’t any feeling left in my fingers. I struggled to look back at my sister. Ally’s head was pressed against mine. We looked up at our living room ceiling.
Ally took shallow breaths. “I’m sorry, Alex.”
“What for?”
“I did this to us.”
“No, we struck Lisa together. How could you have known this would happen? I didn’t even think we had enough fulgurite power left to make a beginning.”
“I’m not talking about Lisa.”
“What do you mean, then?”
“If we die, it’ll be because of my past treachery.”
“What did you do that was so horrible?
Ally sighed. “Hold my hand, Alex.”
My eyes watered. “I can’t.”
“It always hurts, but you never minded holding my hand before.”
“I mean, I can’t. My hands—they’re stone.”
Ally’s body shook. She sobbed. “I’m so sorry!”
“What’d you do, Ally?”
“We’re going to die, Alex, and I still don’t want to tell you. Is that messed up, or what?”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re my sister. The
re’s nothing you could do to change that.”
Ally let out a soft cry. “I’m a horrible person. If you only knew what I was capable of.”
“Tell me,” I said.
“I’ve always loved you,” she said. I could feel her tremble. I’d never thought about whether or not I loved her. She was my sister and I’m sure deep down inside I did but I somehow only felt obligation. “Do you love me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Why do I doubt it?”
“Who knows, maybe it’s because we’ve been through so much together already and have grown tired.”
“I think it’s me. I’m cursed, Alex.”
“How are you any more cursed than I am?”
Ally cried.
“Do you remember when we were kids and had that tree house?”
“You never let my best friend come inside with us.”
“No,” I admitted. “We were attached at the hip—you and I.”
“I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. I just wanted to be closer to you.”
“What could you possibly have done that would be unforgivable at this moment?”
Ally rolled onto her side. Her breath in my ear, she parted her lips, ready to speak. “I—”
Oxygen flowed through my veins like a rushing river heading down a rock mass. Energy infiltrated me. It was like when someone shakes your hand and has one of those buzzers on them. My body shook, I gagged and jerked forward. My fingers, numb, struggled to bend.
“What’s happening to us?” Ally shrieked, arching forward. “This is insufferable!”
“My stones are going away.”
“I’m going numb again. I can’t feel pain anymore. I thought—”
The front door burst open. Lisa stood in the doorway with Dr. John. I closed my eyes. I couldn’t look. Lisa held Dr. John’s hand—the same way she used to hold mine.
“Alex is alive!” Lisa said. She ran towards me, dropping on her knees. “Are you alright? You’ve got the same spots Anna has.” She turned her attention to Ally.” “Are you okay, Ally? Can you sit up? Donna was sick until we arrived at the house. I think I wished you guys to be linked.” Lisa leaned close and whispered. “Is that possible?”
The C I N Series Bundled Page 30