The Ending Series: The Complete Series

by Lindsey Fairleigh

  I did, instantly. I want to tear out your throat with my teeth.

  “Good. One more little test.” Again his voice filled with the power of undeniable influence. “When I touch your broken arm, you will not make a noise.”

  I watched as his hand slowly neared my broken forearm, dreading the pain I knew would accompany his touch. When his fingertips pressed down on skin that was swollen and just starting to show hints of bruising, my lungs tried to force a scream, but the sound caught in my throat.

  “Wonderful,” General Herodson said. “Now listen very carefully. You will not talk to anyone telepathically, you will not try to escape, and you will answer all of my questions truthfully.” He offered me a fatherly smile and added, “And because I’m not a monster, you will not feel any more pain.”

  Blessed relief—the lack of pain—blanketed my body. The aches and throbs weren’t gone, exactly, but they were distant, almost like memories of pains long past. Freed from the burden of pain, I was able to notice the other people in the room. Mase was still dangling in front of me on trembling muscles, and Clara was skulking in a corner. There were even more guards lining the walls than had been there before, making me feel claustrophobic. The Truth Guard was back, along with the guard holding Camille and the man who could tell when Abilities were in use—who was still grasping Camille’s arm in an iron grip.

  “Better?” General Herodson asked.

  I nodded, grateful despite myself. I hate you. You are a monster.

  “Good. Now, tell me all about your little rebel friends on base. Who are they?”

  Compelled beyond personal restraint, I answered. “Mase and Camille, and Gabe.” Somehow, I hadn’t felt the need to provide Dr. Wesley’s name. Is it because she’s not my friend? Or is it because the neutralizer is still working, even a little?

  “Gabe? Gabriel McLaughlin?” General Herodson asked skeptically, frowning. “Why didn’t I see that coming?” He turned away from me and barked several hurried orders at the guards nearest the exit. Two of them rushed out of the room, practically slamming the door.

  I squeezed my eyes shut as the clang resounded in the room.

  “Eyes open, Danielle,” the General commanded, and I obeyed. He met my eyes, seeming to see inside me. “What about your other friends, the ones outside who are supposedly coming to rescue you? How many are there? What can they do? Where are they?”

  “I’m not sure how many are coming…maybe a couple, maybe a dozen or more.” I wanted to bite my tongue off to stop the words from tumbling out of my mouth. “They can do many things: walk, talk, jump, shoot gu—”

  “What are their Abilities?”

  I considered how to order their Abilities to hide the most dangerous, but then I realized that in his hands, they were all dangerous. “Visions, telepathy, changing the magnitude of others’ Abilities, something with electricity, empathy, mental healing, regeneration, lie detecting, sensing volatility, and some we’re unsure of. Oh, and I don’t know where they are.” I smiled.

  “Have you come across any other large groups of survivors?”

  “Yes.”

  He pressed his lips into a thin line. “Where?”

  “One near Lake Tahoe and the other on the California coast a little north of San Francisco.” Again, I’d been able to answer truthfully without revealing everything. He hadn’t asked for any names of towns, he’d just asked where.

  General Herodson sighed. “I see that there is already some resistance to my influence. Very well; I’ll have Clara search for the things I want to know while she’s erasing your memories.” Gone was the pretense of kindness, and his steel-gray eyes turned to ice. “Sometimes the T-R process requires several swipes of the hard drive. You should know that to test your obedience I’ll be ordering you to kill your sweetheart.”

  My heart skipped a beat. Does he have Jason? Oh God, no!

  The General backed up and looked at Mase. “An interesting choice. I wasn’t sure if Re-gens were still sexual creatures, but I know this one spent the night at your house and you seem quite concerned about his well-being, so I can only assume you two…it’s quite enlightening.” He’s going to order me to kill Mase…

  A thrashing and screaming Camille drew my attention. “You promised! You said you wouldn’t hurt either of them if I told you! You promised!” But Camille was as small as me—half the size of the soldier restraining her—and she hadn’t had any combat training. She didn’t stand a chance of breaking free. Hell, were I in her place, I wouldn’t have either. Wait…why isn’t she using her Ability to—

  “If you’re hoping she’ll mentally gut us all, don’t hold your breath,” General Herodson said, seeming to read my mind. He’d turned to watch Camille’s struggles as well. “Frank, the man holding her arm, has a very unique Ability. Not only can he sense when others are using their Abilities, but through touch, he can suppress others from using theirs.” He sighed, sounding wistful. “Unfortunately, Camille will also be disposed of when this ugly business is completed. She was useful, but…you can’t always get what you want.” Turning, he beckoned Clara from the corner. “Come, start the process. I’m tiring of this. I want to be done with it.”

  I watched Clara slink closer, watched her reach her slender fingers out to touch my temples. Her presence in my mind felt like an oil spill, toxic and clinging. Defensively, my Ability kicked in, and I sought out the nearest familiar mind.

  Ray was circling in the sky above the Colony, swooping and soaring along currents of wind. Slipping out of my mind and into hers was the most welcome relief imaginable.

  29

  ZOE

  MARCH 22, 1AE

  It was a couple hours past nightfall and we’d ridden nearly fifty miles. Our horses were worn out by the time we made it to the south end of Silver Spruce golf course. We hadn’t been willing to linger any closer to the Colony than necessary for fear of running into patrolling black-bands, so we’d settled for our tucked-away ghost town and exhausted horses instead.

  Thankfully, having known we would be leaving, we already had most of our belongings packed by the time Jason received Dani’s panicked communication. Tavis and Sam had decided to stay with our group, riding with us to Colorado Springs to rescue Dani, and then on to Durango to meet up with the others. Shadow was still healing and putting on weight, so he was ponied behind the brown mare I’d saddled up to ride on our journey.

  As soon as we reached the pond, the place where Dani was supposed to meet us, Carlos, Chris, and Jason dismounted and moved a few yards away from the rest of us. Carlos needed to focus on sending out an electromagnetic pulse strong enough to shut down the ever-stretching sea of electricity. We needed to signal to Dani that we’d arrived and were ready for her to make her escape, and the disorientation caused by the blackout would aid her breakout.

  Anxiously, I stood beside Jake, Harper, and Sanchez amidst the overgrown green, taking in what we could see of the infamous Colony. The very idea of its existence festered in my mind. The place seemed alive, radiant even. It had been months since I’d seen something so inexplicably awe-inspiring…and obscene. The longer I stared at it, the hotter the deep, septic hatred burning inside my gut became. Killing people? Kidnapping them? And for what purpose, exactly? I knew there was no acceptable reasoning behind it, and I wanted to hurt everyone responsible for causing so much pain and heart-wrenching grief—the doctor, maybe, or Gabe and the General.

  In fact, knowing the General was responsible for creating the two Re-gens that were with Dani made me restless. I’d witnessed how loyal Becca had been to her “Father,” how much she feared his wrath and how desperate she was to please him. What makes Dani’s Re-gens any different?

  But every time I thought of Dani stuck inside that glowing, mind-controlled encampment with the General, who wanted her Ability so badly he’d probably waste no expense to retain possession of her, I knew my only choice was to trust the Re-gens…and Gabe. I had to believe they would keep Dani safe and get her to the e
lectric fence in one piece. I had to believe that Camille would not only use her metal-controlling Ability to successfully cut through the deadly fence, but also to detain any guards who crossed their path, and that Mase really would use his superhuman strength and speed to fight off any who made it past Camille. And I had to believe that Gabe, using his knowledge of how the Colony worked, would get Dani out of there once and for all…that he wouldn’t betray us all again. I had to believe that together they would help keep Dani safe until we met them outside the fence, and I had to believe that tonight was the night we would all ride away and never look back. I sighed. God, I hope they know what they’re doing…

  Jake leaned into me, nudging my shoulder with his. Apparently my mental scowl was readable on my face, too.

  I shook my head in disbelief at the glowing city spread out before us, but quickly my determination resurfaced. We’re getting Dani out of that fucking hellhole.

  There weren’t walls lining the perimeter like those of a castle, nor were there machine gun stations atop battlements like I’d half expected; there was only a heavily charged electric fence. It’s not so impossible, I mused. Then again, I guessed the General didn’t need towers and tanks if he was mind-controlling everyone so expertly and had walking weapons at his beck and call.

  Dani had told us that guards weren’t scarce along the Colony’s border, and that they patrolled the roads and the buildings surrounding the base, watching and waiting for any possible dangers. The Colony was well equipped, to say the least—they had electricity, and from the intense aura of light around it, they had a lot of it. We didn’t stand a chance. At least, not without Carlos’s Ability.

  Unexpectedly, shooting and distant yelling echoed from inside the Colony, and my heart seemed to stop in momentary dread. What the hell’s going on? Is it Dani?

  I glanced over at Carlos’s shadowed form kneeling on the grass. Even in the darkness, I could tell he was shaking. Chris’s silhouette crouched on his right while Jason’s stood to Carlos’s left, each with a supportive hand on his shoulder. We were relying on the darkness and the weeping willows to shield us from any watchful eyes. Hearing another burst of gunfire, I grabbed Jake’s hand, clutching it tightly while I squeezed my eyes shut. Please work.

  As if Carlos himself had heard my plea, the humming sound of electricity faded. My eyes flew open in time to see a wave of darkness flowing away from us…away from Carlos.

  30

  DANI

  MARCH 22, 1AE

  I was Ray.

  It was moon-time. I spotted my prey again, flitting from branch to branch in a tree with budding leaves. It squawked once before launching itself into the air. I dove, striking at it as I crossed over its back, and watched it fall to the earth. Lazily, I sank through the air, landing beside my prey with a victorious cry. I tore into it, savoring its warm flesh.

  Sated, I extended my wings fully and launched back into the air immediately before she-who-flies-with-me withdrew.

  I slipped out of Ray, and like I was sloshing across an ocean of tar, crawled back into my own mind. Instantly, I regretted it. Despite the General’s power-laced command to not feel pain, a deep ache pulsed through my body, and the fact that I was still strapped to the damn concrete chair by shiny steel restraints wasn’t helping my comfort level.

  But…yes! I’m also still me! I’m not a T-R! I didn’t understand it, but somehow, fleeing into Ray’s mind had protected me from Clara’s Ability. Thank you, Ray!

  Opening my eyes, I glanced around the room. Camille was still there, standing with her wrists handcuffed in front of her and Frank at her side, suppressing her Ability through his touch. I could hear someone moving around behind me and figured it was Clara. Mase stood in the same place in front of me, his arms still extended over his head by heavy iron chains, and sweat streamed down his face and neck. General Herodson, on the other hand, was gone. The only other people in the room were two yellow-armbanded guards watchfully flanking the door. Where’d the General go? Why’d he take most of his people?

  “Where’s Herodson?” I croaked.

  At my question, Clara skipped around to the front of my seated prison, blocking only some of Mase’s massive body with her slender frame. “You’re awake! That’s a relief!” she exclaimed, sounding genuinely relieved. “General Herodson was super pissed. He thought I did something that broke your mind, but I knew I didn’t. You did something.” She balled her hands into fists and placed them on her hips in an exaggerated motion. “You made me look like a fool in front of him!” She glared at me. “What did you do?” I half expected her to stomp her foot in indignation.

  What did I do? “Ah…what?”

  Clara’s eyes narrowed to slits, and she moved closer to me, setting her hands beside my wrists on the wide cement armrests. She leaned in so far that she was almost close enough to kiss. I was tempted to spit in her face.

  Instead, I whispered, “You’re in my bubble.”

  Slowly, a sly grin turned up the ends of her mouth, making her eyes glint with malice. “You know, he won’t be back for a while. He has some crisis to deal with…something with those Re-gen freaks. But that doesn’t mean we can’t play while he’s gone. I may not be able to wipe your mind—yet—but there are other things we can do for fun.” Clara smiled sweetly. “And who says you’re the only one I can play with?”

  Turning, she took several steps in Mase’s direction and placed a hand on the side of his ribcage. Ever so slowly, she walked a circle around him, tracing her fingers along his sweat-soaked t-shirt. “A bit damp for my tastes, but he’s definitely burly enough.” When she was behind him, she reached her right hand around to his stomach and slipped it down to the waistband of his fatigues. “I bet I could have a lot of fun with him.” She traced a line along the coarse fabric, barely dipping her fingers lower.

  Mase jerked away from her touch as much as possible. His eyes were squeezed shut, and his face was locked in a strained grimace.

  I looked past the disturbing scene and met Camille’s eyes. They were wide, imploring with me to pay attention to her…to the words she was mouthing, slowly and deliberately: “Use your telepathy on me.” Her eyes widened further, demanding.

  Use my telepathy on her? But I can’t! The General commanded me not to…oh! He’d said I wasn’t allowed to use it to talk to anyone, but he hadn’t forbidden me from listening to—or, in Camille’s case, seeing—what other people were trying to tell me. She wanted me to connect our minds telepathically. I jerked my head in a single, minimal nod.

  “Don’t look at her!” Clara screeched. “She’s not a part of this. This is my game!”

  I shifted my gaze back to the psychotic blonde, settling a bland expression on my face. It was harder than it sounds. Her left hand was clutching Mase’s arm just above the elbow, her fingernails digging in deep enough that several thin streams of blood were sliding down his arm.

  I leeched all emotion from my voice, doing my best to look bored. “What do you want from me?”

  “I want you to watch…just watch, that’s all,” she cooed.

  Keeping my eyes locked on Clara’s, I reached out to Camille with my mind. I had to swallow a cry of relief. I could connect with her mind even if I couldn’t actually say anything because of the General’s damn command.

  I saw myself in Gabe’s empty lab, lying on the floor while he injected me with the neutralizer. And then I saw myself start screaming. Camille, peeking through the door from the hallway, dropped to her knees, clutching her head in her hands.

  I saw myself as I currently was, restrained and broken. The rest of the concrete prison was in place, guards and prisoners alike. Again, I saw myself start screaming, but only Frank, the man touching Camille’s arm suppressing her Ability over metals, seemed affected by my outpouring of power.

  I saw myself running down a dark corridor with Camille and Mase. We were free and fleeing together.

  Blinking, I refocused on Clara and Mase. Only seconds had passed since I
’d started receiving images from Camille’s mind, but Clara’s hand had dipped further into Mase’s pants. It wouldn’t be long until she’d violated him completely. With renewed determination, I focused on my Ability. Camille wanted me to use it like I had after receiving my one and only dose of the neutralizer and remembering all of the memories and pain of the last few months.

  Wait—she was there? I shook my head. Focus!

  But I’d had heartbreaking memories, an aching sense of loss, to fuel my scream the last time. None of that was as fresh now. All I had was…artificially dulled pain. Will that work?

  In a surreal moment, I stepped outside of myself, assessing my emotions. What else do I have to work with? Anger. Panic. Fear. I had an overabundance of fear. I was terrified of never escaping from the Colony, of being wiped clean and remade into someone else. And what if something happens to Zo and Jason? My gut-wrenching terror was so powerful that once I started screaming, I feared I might never be able to stop.

  But that was assuming it would work at all. I didn’t know if the General’s command not to use my Ability to talk to anyone telepathically would extend to mind-screaming.

  There’s only one way to find out.

  Shifting my attention to Frank, I opened my mouth and focused all of my mental power on my unrestrainable fear. I let it nourish me. Consume me. Transform me. I embraced it, and when I pushed the air out of my lungs, I used that fear to make my scream as mind-shredding as possible.

  Oh God! It felt like shooting a never-ending laser of pure telepathic power into Frank’s mind. I strained under the force of it, watching him convulse as blood leaked from his nose. Nobody else seemed to realize what was happening to him—nobody but Frank and Camille. Probably because everyone else was staring at me.