Brothers in Stone (Stone Soldiers #2)

by Martin, C. E.

  Kenslir stood and turned back to the basilisk. He was angry.

  He reached down and grabbed the paralyzed animal by its snout. Holding it with one hand, he used his other to gouge out first one, then the other of the beast’s eyes.

  Kenslir laid the eyes on the floor beside Maria and sat down beside her. If he was going to be turned to dust at midnight by the Fountain’s cruel curse, at least he would die by his wife’s side.

  ***

  The transformation was starting. Jimmy could feel the intense pain the Colonel had warned him of—the pain of his muscles rapidly expanding, his skeleton wanting to contort into a new shape. Jimmy wanted to get up, to curl into a ball. But he couldn’t—his wrists and ankles were held in a place by steel manacles.

  The sun had set outside and the full moon was high in the sky, affecting him even here, three floors underground.

  The platform the convulsing Jimmy, Victor and Captain Smith was on suddenly moved. It lurched downward several inches, then began to lower more smoothly. Jimmy felt cool water on his feet, then his legs, as the platform lowered. The pain from the transformation into the werewolf subsided.

  Beside Victor, Dr. Parker reached up to the end of a long robotic arm hanging from the ceiling. She guided the arm, and its shoe box-sized end carefully over Victor’s face. “Open your eyes.”

  There was a pause, then Dr. Parker released the arm. It retracted upwards, driven by small electric motors, then swung to the right, over Jimmy.

  Dr. Crone reached up and grabbed the end of the arm and lowered it over Jimmy’s face. “Remember, stare straight ahead,” Dr. Crone cautioned.

  The box opened suddenly, spring-loaded panels retracting to reveal the contents.

  On the left, a human-looking eye, with a yellow iris was staring at Jimmy. The iris flared with yellow light. On the right, a more reptilian eye, with a vertical, slit-like pupil surrounded by an orange-yellow iris, also flared with yellow light.

  Jimmy inhaled deeply. He felt the cold chill sweep over his body, felt his skin stiffening, in a wave that radiated down from his head all the way to his toes. Jimmy had been petrified once before. He remembered the cold feeling of being turned to stone, the loss of warmth, of feeling. It was no different now. Except that he could still see.

  The metal box containing the Medusa eye and a basilisk eye retracted up, out of sight, swinging again to the right, toward Captain Smith.

  After several minutes, the platform moved again, raising up, out of the water. At least, Jimmy thought it was coming out of the water. He no longer had the sensation of being wet. He tried to wiggle his toes. They felt as though they were moving, but the sensation was muted, as though his feet were asleep.

  Dr. Crone moved into view. Jimmy realized he could turn his head. He looked down and saw Dr. Crone unbuckling the shackles around his wrists, then his ankles.

  From the edge of the pool, Keegan was talking to Colonel Kenslir. “Tell me again why I can’t do this?”

  “The eye of Medusa only works on men.”

  “Girl power?”

  “Magic. And not the sparkly happy stuff you see in Vegas.”

  Jimmy looked over to Captain Smith. The black man was now gray, the color of concrete, or granite. He was huge—bulging with stone muscles as large as Colonel Kenslir’s flesh ones.

  Jimmy turned to his right. Victor was stone now as well. While he didn’t have huge muscles like Captain Smith, he was far more muscular than when he had laid down on the stainless steel table, a scrawny, sickly-looking boy.

  Jimmy sat up slowly and looked down at himself. His arms were thicker, as were his legs. And they were gray stone. He rubbed his hand across his stomach. He barely felt it. His sense of touch was almost gone.

  Beside Colonel Kenslir, Agent Keegan was taking it all in. She suddenly reached over and squeezed Kenslir’s arm. “Why don’t you look like them?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  This was the one. Ketzkahtel was sure of it. He motioned for his brother to close the distance.

  Tezcahtlip, wearing the body of Master Sergeant Alanis again, accelerated the little Ford Focus, closing the gap between them and the red BMW ahead.

  The BMW was driving along the night time Miami highway steadily, right at the speed limit. It was being driven by Doctor Kristina Parker, exhausted after a long day at work and wanting to go straight home for a much deserved rest.

  Dr. Parker instead suddenly sat up straight in her seat. She clutched the steering wheel with all her might and her eyes rolled up in her head. The BMW began to drift to the right.

  Just as quickly as the seizure struck her, Dr. Parker relaxed. She loosened her grip on the wheel and put on her signal, then merged calmly into the right lane. Behind her Tezcahtlip and Ketzkahtel followed.

  Parker soon turned off the interstate, taking a road west, away from the ocean and Miami. She drove for many miles, then turned again, exiting the road and pulling into the lot of a small motel.

  She sat at the wheel, unmoving, until Tezcahtlip parked beside her.

  The brothers exited their car, Tezcahtlip walking to the door of the closest motel room. At this time of night, no one else was around.

  “Did you have to pick a woman?” Tezcahtlip said, angry. He fumbled with the key, then finally unlocked the door to the room.

  Ketzkahtel, wearing the form of the telepath Billy Dyer, was helping Dr. Parker from her car. She kept looking straight ahead, moving robotically.

  “We don’t have the time to be choosy. This is the first one we saw that had access to the Chamber.”

  Ketzkahtel led Dr. Parker into the motel room, passing by an angry Master Sergeant Alanis.

  “It just isn’t right,” Tezcahtlip said. He followed Ketzkahtel and Dr. Parker into the room then closed the door behind him.

  “Don’t be such a baby,” Ketzkahtel said. He stood Dr. Parker in the middle of the room, her back to the door.

  “You may be fine dressing as a woman, but I am not,” Tezcahtlip said. He stormed over toward Dr. Parker.

  “Wait,” Ketzkahtel said holding up a hand. “We need her clothes. Clean.”

  In her mind, Dr. Parker was witnessing all of it. It was like a dream, playing out before her. She could see, hear and even smell everything. But she couldn’t move. Not even her eyes. She was looking forward now. At her own reflection in the mirror hung on the wall beside the motel room’s bathroom.

  Why was Echo doing this? Dr. Parker thought to herself. She had heard the telepath had been reassigned, but now he was abducting her, along with his friend, to do God-only-knew what.

  Dr. Parker wanted to scream. For help, for Echo to stop. But she couldn’t.

  Instead, she began to undress.

  To her horror, Dr. Parker watched as she carefully stepped out of her dress shoes, then took off her jacket. She handed the jacket to Echo, who stood beside her, watching her. Next she undid the waistband of her slacks, then let them drop. She stepped out of the slacks, then bent over and carefully picked them up and handed them to Echo. Then she began to unbutton her blouse. Slowly. The telepath was toying with her.

  Once she had removed the garment, she handed it to Echo, who was grinning widely as he watched her.

  Dr. Parker wished she could close her eyes or turn her head—anything but continue to watch. But she was completely under Echo’s control. She reached back and undid her bra, and removed it. After handing the under garment to Echo, she then slid her panties slowly off and handed them over as well.

  Tezcahtlip walked up, standing on the other side of Dr. Parker. He looked her up and down, noting her large breasts and wide hips. “We should be using ones like this to rebuild our race.”

  “Later,” Ketzkahtel said. “We’ll have all the time in the world for that, later.”

  “And I have to do this now?”

  “You need time to go through the memories. Become familiar with them.”

  Dr. Parker was screaming in her head. The agony of anticipati
ng what she thought was about to happen to her was hell.

  Tezcahtlip stepped around in front of her. Dr. Parker thought this was it. She wished that Echo would at least let her close her eyes.

  “This is so unnatural,” Tezcahtlip said. “Her just standing here. I should have to chase her down, see the fear in her eyes.”

  “She’s afraid,” Ketzkahtel said, tapping his head. “In here.”

  Tezcahtlip leaned in close. Dr. Parker could feel his breath on her face. It smelled horrible. Like something dead.

  “She’s awake? She knows what’s going on?”

  “Yes—it makes it easier to move her around.”

  Dr. Parker wanted to be angry at the arrogance of the men. At Echo in particular, for using his power this way. But she couldn’t. She was too frightened.

  Tezcahtlip moved his hand closer, his fingers reaching out for her chest. The tips of his fingers just barely touched her, between her breasts. He poked gently, feeling her sternum, then slid his fingers down and poked again. He continued doing this, sliding slowly down her chest until he was below the sternum.

  She was sure this was it.

  But instead of molesting her, the Hispanic man punched her. Just below her chest bone.

  The blow was incredibly painful and unexpected. A burning pain filled her chest and she felt her heart convulse. Then she felt a weird sense of detachment.

  The Hispanic man stepped back and raised his hand up. His very bloody hand that was holding something.

  As her vision began to darken, Dr. Parker realized it was her heart. The Hispanic man put the heart to his lips and took a bite out of it.

  As she died, collapsing to the floor, Dr. Parker couldn’t decide if she should be relieved all the two men had done was kill her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Josie stepped out of her room, eager to start the day. She couldn’t wait to do her morning workout, grab breakfast then join Jimmy in the training room and see what his new stone body was capable of.

  Josie was now wearing a full body suit, that covered her from neck to ankles. It was made of heavy lycra, like surfers wore. She figured she’d need it for the long swim she wanted to try in the underground tunnel leading to Homestead. The Colonel had said she could swim it if she liked, and Josie liked challenges.

  She stopped in the hall for a moment, crouching down to tie a tennis shoe. The door to the next apartment down the hall from hers opened and Agent Keegan backed out.

  Josie’s eyes widened in surprise. With her back to Josie, locking her own door, it looked as though Keegan was naked.

  The petite Agent finished with her door and turned around, noticing Josie staring at her.

  Now Josie could see small, metallic purple patches on Keegan’s large breasts and another between her legs. They were only slightly larger than business cards and provided little-to-no coverage.

  Josie couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Was Keegan wearing stickers?

  “Good morning,” Keegan said walking closer. She strutted along, wearing her band-aid-like coverings and matching purple flip flops. She had a towel draped over one arm, and a book tucked under the other. Her hair was neatly combed, with a pair of large, oversized sunglasses pushed up on top of her head. She had makeup on and her fingernails and toenails were painted bright metallic purple to match the microscopic patches on the ends of her breasts.

  When Keegan finally reached her, Josie was able to see that the tiny patches of metallic fabric were actually held in place by clear plastic straps.

  Josie just could not believe what Keegan was wearing. She’d seen micro bikinis in Miami before, but Keegan’s was so small it made her look like a stripper. Every curve, line and muscle of her athletic body was on display. And the petite agent had plenty to display.

  Josie hoped the Colonel didn’t see. He would have a fit.

  “Going for a swim?” Keegan asked

  “Uh, yeah...” Josie said. She couldn’t think of any tactful way to say it. “Where’d you get that... bikini?”

  “This? The Colonel told me I could order new clothes, so I did. They were delivered late last night.”

  Josie tried not to look, but she couldn’t help it. There was nothing left to the imagination. Keegan was hanging out there for all to see. Josie wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing something like that in the privacy of her own quarters.

  “I’m just headed down to the pool myself,” Keegan continued. “Going to catch some sun and read.”

  “I’m not going to the pool,” Josie said. She realized there was one person in the building it would actually be worse for Keegan to be seen by right now. PJ. The telepath would probably have a heart attack.

  “Oh?”

  “There’s a tunnel in the basement—I’m going to swim it.”

  “A swimming tunnel?” Keegan had never heard of that before.

  “I thought I could use the challenge.”

  Keegan considered briefly. She wondered if that had been some kind of snide remark. She could tell Josie didn’t approve of her outfit—was she feeling superior to Keegan? “Mind if I tag along?”

  “I don’t think you’re dressed for it,” Josie said. She wouldn’t consider what Keegan was wearing as dressed at all. Keegan’s hands would provide far more coverage.

  “I’ll be fine. I can swim in this.” That settled it for Keegan, Josie’s whole remark about a challenge had been aimed at her. She’d show the girl. She’d been on the swim team in college.

  “I mean, it’s pretty cold down there.” Josie wondered if even walking would keep the three patches of purple in place. Maybe stickers would be better.

  “I’ll be fine. Lead the way.”

  Josie shook her head. She didn’t want to go anywhere with Keegan. She felt like she was going to get in trouble just talking to her in the hallway. She wondered if the little patches of purple were even legal to wear in public.

  “I don’t think the Colonel would approve of your outfit,” Josie finally said. There was no thinking about it. He would have a cow. Even PJ might think it was too much, or rather, far too little.

  Keegan raised her eyebrows. She ran a hand over the side of one exposed breast, and down her tight stomach. “Honey, the last thing I’d expect to hear from a man who saw me wearing this is a complaint.”

  ***

  Jimmy was tired of playing with toys. He’d been at it all night. He wasn’t physically tired—his new stone body didn’t get fatigued. But he wanted to take a break.

  He slowly moved the tiny blue cube between his thumb and forefinger and pressed it into place. The block splintered into shards of plastic. Another failure.

  Beside Jimmy, Victor smiled, but said nothing. He was almost done with his kit. He’d figured out how to put the small plastic building blocks together hours before. Jimmy was still having problems controlling his strength.

  “Jimmy, we’re running low on the Legos,” Kenslir said unhappily. He was standing across the table from Jimmy and Victor, arms crossed over his chest and frowning.

  They were all in a training room on the fourteenth floor. A room with no windows, only thick block walls.

  Jimmy pushed back from the table. “I can’t do this.”

  “Yes, you can,” Atlas said from behind him. “It just takes time to get used to our new strength and reduced tactile sensations.”

  Jimmy shook his head, wondering what tactile even meant. “I need a break. You’ve had us doing this all night.”

  “You don’t need a break,” Kenslir said, reaching forward. He picked up a new block and set it down in front of Jimmy. “You don’t get tired anymore. That’s the point of this exercise.”

  “Done!” Victor stood up, a big grin on his stone face. His teeth were gray stone now too. And his Lego house was completed. It was the third kit he’d finished.

  Jimmy was mad. But he didn’t feel mad. The hotness he normally felt wasn’t there. He knew he was mad, but it felt so different petrified.

  A
tlas walked around in front of the table. He was holding a carton of eggs in one hand.

  “Let’s try something else,” the Captain said. He held an egg out in his hand, offering it to Jimmy.

  Jimmy slowly reached for the egg. When his fingertips touched it, the shell crumpled and the egg broke in Atlas’ hand.

  “Again,” Kenslir said.

  Jimmy sighed. At least he could do that. Learning to breath, so he could talk, had only taken an hour. This whole manual dexterity thing was killing him.

  ***

  When they reached the underground dock, Keegan was impressed. She looked around and whistled as she took in the size of the chamber.

  “Where’s that tunnel go?”

  “I’m not sure I’m supposed to tell you,” Josie said. For that matter, now she wondered if she should have even brought Keegan down to the tunnel. She was very thankful no one had seen them on the way down.

  “No secrets anymore, dear,” Keegan said. She held up a plastic building ID card. “The Colonel gave me this last night. I’m now officially the FBI’s liaison to this operation.”

  Josie briefly wondered where Keegan had been holding the card. She hoped it had been her book. There was nowhere else Keegan could have kept it.

  Josie sat down on the dock, next to a ladder and began taking her shoes off. She tried one last time to get Keegan to change—the micro mini bikini was making Josie very uncomfortable. “I think there’s wetsuits in those lockers over there. Maybe you can find one that fits?”

  Keegan had just bent over and laid down her towel, glasses and book. “I’ll be fine. I told you, I can swim in this.”

  To prove her point, Keegan walked over to the ladder and climbed down. She slowly extended a leg, dipping her foot in the water.

  It was freezing cold. Which made sense, considering the water was constantly seeping out of the limestone bedrock.

  Keegan managed to keep her face calm. “I’ve swum in colder.”

  The blonde agent climbed down into the water. It came up to her chin. Josie wished the water wasn’t so clear, so she finally wouldn’t have to see so much of Keegan.