by Regan Black
He tested, found their link wide open again and knew she was indeed seeing herself on that sidewalk outside the Field when the map box was stolen. Feeling her emotions with it now made his stomach roil, just like the first time he'd seen that damned security tape. The whole incident proved his point about her vulnerability – though he wouldn't mention it right now.
He'd told her the truth while she struggled in the infirmary. He hadn't done anything for her that night. He'd been oblivious, thanks to her tactic of shutting him out and the distraction of Lorine's research. He started to tell her all over again, but she interrupted him.
"I know I scared you. It was the ultimate failure. I'd proved Daddy right."
"Pardon me? You were attacked, blindsided." He sighed. "Hell, Cali. We've been through this."
"Shhh. I know." She laid her fingers over his lips. "I know. I don't really want to revisit it. You just have to know I'm grateful, okay? It was a low point. My lowest really, but I'm over it now."
"You just want your dirk back."
She smirked. "That's not all I want."
He skimmed his hand over her curves, drew her closer. "I bet we can come to terms." His lips nibbled on hers, teasing, waiting for the invitation. He wasn't disappointed, except she kept it light when he would've taken it deeper, taken her, right there in the cool autumn air.
"Terms," she said, determination all over her face.
He struggled to get the blood back up to his brain long enough to listen effectively. "Talk."
"I'll show you how I shut you out." She pressed a hand to his heart when the leaves dropped and he started to sit up. "I'll show you when we're done with Kristoff. I'd rather not detach for that. I'd rather stay closer. I think it would make us stronger as we go forward."
"I disagree. We'd both be more vulnerable." He didn't want to admit fear pushed him away from the risk. "Detached we could be more effective. No distractions in our heads."
"Or hearts," she murmured. She closed her eyes as if she couldn't bear the sight of him and he felt a distinct ache in his head. "You should forget about detaching from me. At least until we have the whole battle plan."
Her precise monotone sounded as dry as the automated prison recording. Before they'd dumped him into the hole where he couldn't hear anything. Then she kissed him, rendering him senseless.
"Speaking of detachment," he said when they stopped to breathe.
"I wasn't."
He didn't know how she did it, how she made him smile in the shadow of such dire circumstances, but he rolled them over, cuffing her wrists over her head with one hand. Her eyes sparkled, sending a wave of sensual heat rippling through him. He sent the leaves back into motion as he rolled his hips into the cradle of her thighs, distracting both of them. Then he thoroughly plundered her mouth.
It seemed he felt her more here and now than he had just last night. He couldn't imagine this total distraction, this all-consuming desire would be an asset anywhere – except moments like this. He could feel her reactions impact his senses inside and out, mentally and physically. It was the most incredible, fascinating effect and he didn't ever want to stop.
With the leaves still dancing around them like a mobile canopy of coppers they were both lost to the glory of sensations and sighs.
"Oh! Umm. Excuse me."
The leaves dropped. Nathan jerked back, annoyed by more of Daniel's bad timing, but he used his body to block the nephew's view. "What is it?" he asked, glancing at Cali only to feel his irritation spiked to a new high. She looked ashamed, with her eyes down as she straightened her hair and clothing.
"Umm. We got another email from your sister," Daniel replied.
Nathan noticed the boy's odd expression was less judgment, more sadness. He didn't count it as much improvement. He hopped to his feet and offered his hand to Cali. Naturally, she refused. He considered a little mental nudge, but she beat him to it.
"Later."
He nodded, falling into step behind them as they aimed back up the trail to the cabin. His mind was racing through the possibilities that awaited them. He hoped there was real news for a change. The fresh air and sunshine helped, the sex sure didn't hurt, but he was way beyond theories and feeling a desperate need to get back into action.
Daniel brought them up to speed with the latest emails from Petra about Kristoff's threat.
"Monument Valley it is," she whispered. He considered it a victory when she reached for his hand without thinking about Daniel's opinion. "We can't let him do this. I want his head on a platter."
"Your wish is my only desire," he growled with soul deep sincerity. "Will you be able to go back there?"
"Can't wait! It's my turn."
Daniel transferred the emails and file from Petra to an electronic notebook. "Aunt Cali, I think we should talk while we drive. It'll be tough to make his deadline."
Nathan held out his hand and wiggled his fingers for the e-pad. He scrolled through.
"What is it," Cali asked, trying to read over his shoulder. "That smile is scary."
Nathan dropped every pretense and hoping – just this once – there was an active connection to Kristoff, he let the lethal excitement flow freely. Maybe the bastard would get the message and slip back under the rock he came from.
"It's Gideon," he said, swiveling the e-pad for Cali. "He's got a lead on transport and supplies." He glanced up, meeting Cali's intense gaze. "Get your things. Our flight leaves in less than an hour."
Cali shot him a confident, battle ready smile of her own. "The only things I need, you have."
Her dirk and sword, of course.
"Hidden in the car." Nathan winked at her and said, "Then let's get on with it."
ELEVEN
Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can? Sun Tzu
Cali was amazed at the efficiency of Petra's team. She knew they were a family and Petra wouldn't consider herself the leader, but that was how Cali thought of them. The dynamics were clear to her as they proceeded. One step leading to the next, closing in on her moment of vengeance for the lives lost and the unprecedented suffering.
She'd considered notifying her mother, Daniel had access she was sure, but she didn't want to risk their safety. Instead, she changed her clothes, cleaned her weapons and barely had time to close up the cabin.
A helicopter, piloted by Gideon, dropped from the sky just fifty minutes after Nathan reunited her with her dirk and short sword. The flight was brief as they joined everyone at Kristoff's recently vacated hideout in southern Illinois. When they landed, she introduced Daniel to the people she knew, and made new acquaintances from the men Gideon added to their team.
She was feeling a little lost. Everyone had something to occupy them, but her head was in Monument Valley. She'd never thought to return, but if she had to go back, to walk in those ghastly footsteps, she wanted it like this, with her head, heart and soul dedicated to the battle rather than swamped by grief.
Gideon and the Commandant were conferring, heads close, over unmarked crates. She assumed it was weaponry and ammunition. Nathan had spoken to his sister before disappearing into the compound, looking for evidence of things she didn't want to contemplate.
Daniel hovered near Gideon. Not surprising. He truly was one of the best marksmen the Gairden clan had seen in recent generations. The boy had surely capitalized on the opportunity to soak up every bit of information from his father and uncles – until he'd lost them.
Unable to stop herself, she'd asked Nathan to keep him away from the center of whatever action they were headed for. It seemed her nephew was content with that as long as he had his pick of deadly, long range weapons.
Petra and Jaden had filled her in about what they'd found – or rather not found – at this place. No one believed Kristoff spent much time here since the lab was so basic. According to the analysts on the Commandant's payroll, the lab might have been producing 'juice' but nothing more complex. The space was too bare and the storerooms had been empty for
awhile.
"I'm surprised they didn't torch it on their way out," Jaden said, not for the first time, rejoining Cali. Together they watched as Petra walked the perimeter once more, trying to pick up any psychic remnants the juiced soldiers may have left behind.
Cali couldn't take the prolonged silence. "Why would he send the video of this place? There has to be more to this. He wants us – me – in the valley."
"A challenge, maybe?" Jaden replied uncertainly. "He knows we'd involve the Commandant, who would provide us with manpower and any experts we might need."
"He has to know we won't just let him come back here again."
"So it's a form of bragging?"
But Cali shook her head. "It's a ruse."
"To what end?"
"Maybe he gains something if we miss the deadline." Cali had been wondering about this stop since Daniel first shared the video. "Who has numbers on the soldiers Kristoff culled for his private force?"
"Impossible to know." Jaden shrugged. "That's why Nathan went undercover. Kristoff was a professional body snatcher. He cheated the system, falsified records, and otherwise made it impossible to know the actual numbers."
"The map box was here," she muttered.
"Pardon?"
"Just thinking." Cali was sure the box had been here, but she didn't have proof and could hardly articulate how she knew. "Nathan? Have you found anything?"
She waited, but he didn't answer, so she spoke to Jaden. "Discipline or not, I don't think we're up against as many as he showed us."
"Because," Jaden prompted.
Cali had plenty of experience living with men and they made an impact on their surroundings, no matter their training, especially if they'd gotten comfortable in that environment. She was about to share that when Petra walked over, brows drawn, mouth tight.
"It doesn't fit," she said, echoing Cali's thoughts. She paused for a sip from her water bottle. "Either the men are zombies – which don't exist – or they weren't really here."
"None at all?" Jaden asked, incredulous.
"Well, a few men were here, of course. There's physical evidence for that. But there's only enough psychic signature for a dozen or so…"
"Cali thinks it was all for show."
She had the usual, overexposed and naked feeling as Petra studied her. She didn't breathe until Pet spoke again.
"I believe Cali's right. But wouldn't he think that such a display of force would discourage us from visiting?"
"We're here, aren't we?"
Petra shot her sister a harsh glare. "Obviously. With far more resources…"
It seemed to click in every head at once…they'd overcommitted and might be in grave danger right now.
Jaden yelled to Brian, while Cali and Petra connected to their men on a mental plane. Everyone surged into motion, backing away to clear the area. It was almost anticlimactic standing near the two military buses waiting for the building to self destruct.
Nervous laughter and grumbling made the rounds of the fifty plus soldiers, but Cali shivered with an adrenaline rush. Nathan wasn't with them. He was still inside.
"Nathan!" When he didn't answer, fury erupted. He'd done his ridiculous detachment. Oh, she wished him to the devil.
Except a very real devil of a man had set this all in motion. Instinct had her looking more closely at the compound set up, looking for the angles Kristoff used to fake his mobilization video. They were surely being monitored as they stood here, foolishly waiting on his whim.
If the current theories were on target, Kristoff knew she and Nathan were close and he wanted her alive, though not out of any sort of compassion.
She was damned tired of being a puppet on Kristoff's string. Blanking her mind, she edged away from the crowd, focused solely on her goal. Into the building. Find Nathan. Drag the man away from his own stubborn stupidity.
One more stride and she'd have enough of a head start.
Then she bolted, ignoring the shouts behind her.
Cali threw herself through the main door, letting it slam behind her. "Nathan!" she called, her voice dangerously sweet. If he had any sense, he'd restore their link and heed her warning.
"He's watching us," she added.
"What the hell?" Nathan exploded. "You shouldn't be here."
She followed his voice to an office just off the main door. "Same goes," she shot back.
He ignored her, continuing to scan documents spread across a work table. "What have you found?" No answer. She tried logic. "We need to get on the road if we're going to make the deadline." Stubborn, stubborn man. "Talk to me."
"Later."
She yanked a chair around and plopped into it. "Fair enough. Just listen then." She pulled her dirk free and toyed with it. "You're a jerk and you're making a mistake shutting me out. For instance, I wouldn't have to waste the energy to track you down if you'd just stay connected."
"All that crap about staying out of your head, now I am, and you're still not happy."
He should've slapped her. It would've hurt less. She put the dirk away so she wouldn't flay him. Standing she said, "I don't know what you've found, but good luck with it. If we both survive look me up when you're done."
She left the office, left him behind. If Kristoff meant to destroy the compound, he had ample opportunity and Nathan had proven himself a survivor. It was time she did the same. It's not like they had a future together whether they survived tomorrow or not. They had individual agendas they needed to address individually.
At the door, she pushed and tugged, but it wouldn't budge. "Nathan," she growled.
"If you leave, you'll never speak to me again."
Maybe he wasn't so stupid. But she was a fool for the relief washing over her.
"Come look."
She would've turned on her own, but Nathan's power sped her up. "Let me go," she snapped. "I'm coming."
He met her at the office door, his apologies echoing from his lips and in her head. "He left these behind."
Notes, she saw, not surprised. Until she saw the dates. "This is impossible."
"No. Your nephew was right and wrong. He's negotiated, but not for sex. Immortality." Nathan shifted the papers with his mind, and a stack of aged, yellowed sheets came to hover in front of her. "He wanted me to find this stash."
"Why?" she whispered, staring. These were notes from the greatest scientists and physicians in history. "Oh, God. We have to stop him."
"I promise we will." His voice was flat and the vow deadly.
"Do you have what you need?" He nodded. "Then let's get busy."
"Wait. One more thing." He kissed her. "What's here will help me – us – tomorrow."
She smiled up at him. "Apology accepted."
When they exited, together, they jogged back to the buses. Seeing Daniel, she signaled him over. He seemed relieved to see her, but reluctant to leave Gideon's side.
"What, Aunt Cali?" At Nathan's glare, he amended, "I mean, yes, ma'am?"
"Think about your history classes. What is gained by getting us to over commit as we are here?" She wanted to capitalize on this teaching moment. Strategy was her particular skill and she had another generation to prepare.
"It leaves something else vulnerable," he answered with a small frown.
"Yes. And?"
"It can cause chaos, while giving the trickster more time and information." His eyes lit with understanding. "He knew we'd come, he's watching our progress. Assessing our numbers."
"We're too predictable. Too compassionate," Jaden snapped. "This was all a set up so he can prepare." She smacked her thigh. "He's looking to make it easier to kill us." She glared at Brian. "Damn, I'm getting slow."
"Not by my count," Brian countered.
Cali and Daniel nodded, picking up on the primary concern. "They didn't overwhelm my family in Monument Valley," Cali said. "They capitalized on our humanity. This is a mind game. Coming here connects us to the men we must get through to reclaim the map box."
"Oh,
to hell with this." Jaden stormed to the nearest bus and squawked the loudspeaker to life. "Load up people. We've got a deadline to meet and demons to slay."
* * *
"A prisoner of war is a man who tries to kill you and fails, and then asks you not to kill him." Winston Churchill's words haunted Cali. As the bus rolled closer to her home, the site of her family's tragedy, she knew there would be no prisoners taken today. Kristoff, with or without his goddess, had to die. The men he'd enslaved with his performance enhancing 'juice' would stand before him and on his orders they would fall as innocent casualties of this private war.
She kept trying to lay that blame on Kristoff, and found it impossible. She might know how to kill, but she'd been raised with the morals to save innocent lives. What were those soldiers if not innocent? They'd only given their best and their good efforts and intentions had been warped by the cruelty of a mad, power hungry scientist.
"All things work for good." Her father's favorite phrase, but she didn't see how to apply it to the coming battle. There was more to it than positive thinking, she was sure. She tried to quiet her mind, to let the mystery solve itself, but all she could see was the horror that would be unleashed if her blood illuminated the secrets hidden on the maps.
Cali moved off alone, trying to meditate in preparation of the coming conflict. It was a lost cause. She felt like the planning and discussions had left something vital out. It niggled at her, wanting her attention, but she couldn't bring it into focus. Helpless not to, she glanced at Nathan, who was honoring her waspish demand for space, and tried again to open her mind and review everything she'd been taught, and more importantly, everything her brothers had been taught.
With a sigh, Cali gave up on meditation and crossed the aisle to sit with Nathan. He'd become as much a source of renewal as anything. More probably.
"What do you think?" She whispered so she wouldn't wake the others. "Tell me we win."
His eyes were dark, inscrutable in the low light. His lips didn't move as his answer echoed in her head. "I think you should've listened to me."