Reid's Deliverance

by Nina Crespo

  Thane hit metal.

  A breath of relief whooshed out of Reid.

  “Jackpot.” Thane smiled as he dug around the silver case. He reached for DELILAH.

  “Wait.” Reid grabbed his arm. “Put on the gloves. When I grabbed the case from Dent’s car, the canisters were leaking. What’s inside of them burned my hand.”

  “I think we found the cause of what messed up your phase. Nanotech manipulates matter on a molecular level.”

  Realization dawned. “That probably explains what happened today after the accident. I knew I’d busted a rib, and the EMT’s said my shoulder needed to be stitched up. By the time I got to the hospital, I was fine. DELILAH must have healed my injuries, but it killed the other guys in Project Samson. Why not me?”

  “Your phase ability maybe, and because you’re too stubborn to die.” Thane put on the gloves and took out the case. His phone chimed a marimba tone. “That’s Celine.”

  “Aren’t you going to answer it?”

  “Nope. We need to get this done.” He chuckled wryly. “And I also need more time to prepare for what she’s going to say about you and Lauren.”

  No doubt Lauren had already called to tell her friend how he’d screwed up.

  Reid wrapped the case in the tarp they’d taken from the grill on the deck. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean to put you in the middle of me and Lauren or for Celine to give you grief.”

  “I know.” A slight smile tipped up Thane’s lips. “One things for sure. I won’t get any peace until you phase, but I can handle it. She’s worried about Lauren, that’s all. Celine and I are still solid.”

  Trust. Love. Would he and Lauren have had the same under different circumstances?

  Thane slid the case into the backpack. “You should reach out to Lauren before you leave.”

  “No. I shouldn’t. She won’t listen to me.”

  “You’re giving up.”

  “I don’t have a choice.” Reid slipped the pack on his shoulder. “I shouldn’t have let things get as far as they did. I made a mistake.” He jerked the strap tighter. “I have a job to do.” A fact he’d overlooked with his confession at the chapel. He couldn’t be in a relationship with anyone. Good thing he’d kept his mouth shut about her forgetting him once he’d phased. He’d already come across as a total ass. What was he going to do? Try to win her over again here or in the present? That’s why he never went back to any woman for more than one night together. Lauren was right. He needed to stay away from her. Period.

  Thane’s cell chimed. He glanced at the screen. “It’s Lauren. Doubt it’s me she wants to talk to.” He held out the phone. “Last chance.”

  Reid’s breastbone tingled. Chances were he’d see her again at The Song. She wouldn’t recall being mad at him, but he would. After what they’d shared, he didn’t want to remember anger as the last thing that existed between them.

  He answered. “Lauren, I’m not leaving until we straighten things out.”

  Silence.

  Had they lost the connection? “Lauren, did you hear me?”

  “Reid.” Her voice quivered. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” Tightness loosened in his chest. “I shouldn’t have insisted we talk at the hospital. I should have waited until we got home.” Home. He’d said it. She’d heard it. He couldn’t take it back, and he didn’t want to. “Tell me where you are.” He handed Thane the backpack. “I’ll come to you.”

  “No! Reid, you can’t. He forced me—” She screamed.

  Dread flashed over him. “Lauren.” His heart thundered. “Lauren, answer me.”

  “Sorry, Reid.” A deep male voice replaced Lauren’s. “She can’t talk right now.”

  Anger, fear, they coiled like tentacles around Reid and squeezed. “Who is this?”

  Thane’s gaze locked with Reid’s.

  “I’m Kell.”

  Reid willed his hands not to shake as he switched the call to speakerphone. “Kell, where’s Lauren?”

  “Safe for now.” Mocking arrogance laced the man’s tone. “You and I need to talk.”

  “We can talk about anything you want but not until you let Lauren go.”

  “Well, well. I did pick the right bargaining chip. Lauren claimed you weren’t interested in her.”

  Reid tried to swallow, but all the moisture had dried from his mouth. He’d left Lauren unprotected. He should have made sure she made it back to the cabin. “I’m the one you want. Tell me where you are and I’ll come to you.”

  “We’re at the cabin.”

  Shit. Had this maniac followed her home?

  “I’m on my way.” Phasing power threatened to burst from Reid’s pores. “But, Kell, if you hurt a hair on her head, put a mark on her skin, or do anything to make her scream again, I will hunt you to the ends of the Earth and end you.”

  Kell chuckled. “Ends of the Earth. I’ve been there and I don’t plan on going back. As far as ending me, someone already tried and it didn’t work. Lauren will be there, angel. See you at the cabin.”

  * * * *

  “He’s a fucking lunatic!” Reid paced along the tree line. “You heard it in his voice. This isn’t a straight-up trade. He’s not going to let her walk.”

  “Which is why you can’t phase in there like a wild man. We’re going after this bastard.” Restraint shaded the anger in Thane’s tone. “But we’re doing it with a solid plan. You’re phasing, so you can be there in seconds. We have time to work this through. Now think. Kell. Have you heard his name before? Does Lauren know who he is? Do you?”

  “Why the hell would I know him? I shouldn’t have left her alone. I should have picked up on him being around her and done something about it.”

  “You’re wasting time. Blaming yourself doesn’t help Lauren. Focusing on who this guy is will.”

  Reid met Thane’s hard gaze. He forced a calming breath and shoved away a vision of the things Kell could do to cause Lauren’s screams. “No, and Lauren’s never mentioned him. Aside from her, I’ve only been in contact with you and Celine.”

  “Is he associated with the mission?”

  “How could he be? The mission is six months in the future.”

  Thane’s mouth flattened to a grim line. He gripped Reid by the shoulders. “Could your memory be off about it? Are you sure you didn’t phase to this point in time for the mission?”

  “Yes, I’m fucking sure. I arrived on mission two years, six months, and eight days from the present at zero four hundred hours. Do I need to break it down any further? What do you want? Minutes? Seconds? Do you really think I’d show up purposely on this timeline and possibly jeopardize you and Celine?” All the things Reid had said to Thane before he’d left rolled in. Could he blame Thane if he did?

  “No. I don’t.” Thane gripped Reid’s shoulder. “But I had to eliminate the possibility. Do you have any idea why this guy may have fixated on you?”

  “No. We have to go. We’re wasting—” Lauren will be there…angel. Disbelief backed him up. He grasped the sides of his head. “He fucking called me angel. The hospital. The girl I saved. The deputy said Jenny called me angel.”

  Thane scowled. “You think he’s the one that took her?”

  “He came to talk to us in the waiting room. He took down Lauren’s name, phone, and address.”

  “Did it sound like him on the phone?”

  “No, but if he is involved, he could have an accomplice. Wait a minute. There was also a guy sitting there reading. Suit and tie. Clean cut. A wealthy executive-looking type. He had weird eyes. One blue. One brown. He was already there when I found Lauren in the waiting room.”

  “Okay. We have two possibles.” Thane unfastened an ankle holster with a subcompact. He handed it to Reid. “If it’s the deputy, he’s got training. Suit and tie is a wildcard. Either way, keep your head on a swivel.”

  Reid checked out the pistol. He’d gotten too comfortable. With two weapons in the cabin, he should have had one on him. The risk of carryi
ng without identification should not have outweighed Lauren’s safety. He secured the holster to his boot and covered it with his jeans. “What’s the ammo situation?”

  “Enough to get us in and out.”

  “You’re not coming.” He checked the knife sheathed on his other ankle. “This is on me. I caused this. I’ve already jeopardized Lauren. I’m not pulling you into it.” Reid breathed against a raw feeling in his chest. “You love Celine. You have to worry about taking care of her now. I get why you left the team. I want you to enjoy the life you planned.”

  Thane pulled a Glock from a holster hidden by his shirt. “You must think being away has made me stupid. Otherwise, you wouldn’t try to feed me bullshit. Just because I couldn’t let anything happen to Celine doesn’t mean I’m okay with you dying.” He checked the magazine and slammed it back in. “You’re not just going in for a trade. You’re gearing up for a fight. Sure, phasing is your ace in the hole, but you don’t know how many are out there. You need me to watch your back. We’re putting the canisters back in the ground, and I’m going with you. What’s the plan?” The stubborn glint in Thane’s eyes matched the set of his shoulders.

  Reid hunkered down and Thane joined him. Reid willed his erratic heartbeat to slow. Adrenaline during a fight gave him an edge, but too much of it would make him sloppy. Lauren’s life depended on him staying focused. Thane knew the drill. That’s why Thane had him working the plan. To help him stay centered on what he could control.

  Reid drew a rough map in the dirt with a stick. “This point is south. The cabin is here. Pond is east. Main road to the north. He’ll expect us to come from that direction. If I was him and I had backup, I’d station a perimeter with a focus on the high ground here and here. We phase a little higher up from that. Get a peek at things.”

  Thane pointed to the diagram of the cabin. “What’s the layout?”

  Reid went through the details of the rooms. “My bet is the loft. From up there, he’ll have a bird’s eye view of both doors and the main room. I’ll phase sweep the loft and living room. You take care of the bedrooms and hallway. ”

  “Agreed,” Thane said. “Once we get Lauren, rally point is the motel where Celine and I are staying. Lauren knows where. It’s outside of Mazree. Be there by sundown. If I’m not there by that time, get Lauren and Celine to a safe place. Celine won’t fight you.” Thane’s expression sobered as he studied the ground. “I’ll call her now and make sure she understands. Just make sure you finish the mission.”

  Thane called Celine.

  As Thane said his goodbye, Reid swallowed against tightness in his throat. They’d gone through situations like this too many times. The mission came first, but they took care of their own. He’d leave the present permanently to watch over Celine if something happened to Thane. Thane would complete the mission for Reid if he didn’t make it out. Even if it meant Thane had to phase to the present with the canisters.

  And possibly lose Celine forever.

  He’d wronged Thane by accusing him of abandoning the team. Stupidity. Selfishness. Take a pick. His ego had almost destroyed his friendship with Thane. His best friend. His brother.

  Reid and Thane materialized back-to-back in the woods near the cabin, weapons drawn. They listened. Waited. All clear.

  Thane signaled he’d move left to check the perimeter. His footfalls were undetectable as he disappeared in the trees.

  Reid circled the opposite direction. Leaves rustled in the wind. The cabin came into view. No movement. No sound. No vehicles. Fuck. Without their com sets, scopes, and the rest of their gear, they were going in blind. Reid completed a quick-phase of the perimeter. A faint energy-like buzz approached him. Thane. They materialized and took a knee.

  “You see anything?” Thane darted a glance at Reid.

  “Negative.” Reid’s unease mounted.

  What had Kell done with Lauren? He shook off the anxiety. Here. Now. That’s what mattered. A strong wind blew through the trees and swirled up a funnel of leaves by the shed. That sound. Not the breeze. A muffled cry?

  He tapped Thane. “The shed. I think I heard something. Cover me. I’m going inside.”

  Thane moved into position.

  Reid phased to the side of the shed. He pressed back to the wall. Thane materialized by the covered woodpile. If they didn’t find her there, they’d phase to the cabin. He inched toward the doors. A muffled moan carried through the vinyl-covered steel. His heart sped up. He signaled the countdown to Thane on his fingers. Three. Two. One. Reid phased inside. Lauren lay tied and gagged in the middle of floor. Energy waved into the room. Formidable. Slightly familiar. Not Thane or the others, but unmistakable in perception. A threat.

  Reid snatched her up. As they quick-phased, it was as if time and space flowed through him. His senses heightened. Every object and sound stood out visible and clear. In midflight, he felt the depth of Lauren’s fear. He held her close. I’ll keep you safe.

  As if she’d heard him, Lauren relaxed and gazed at him.

  What did she see? A burst of golden light or his face?

  A cold foreign energy sliced through him. Gravity rapidly sucked them down. His arms grew numb and his grip loosened from around her waist. He’d lost control of the phase. Was Thane right? Had the contents in the canisters screwed with his power? But he couldn’t drop Lauren. He had to get her away from Kell.

  A golden light barreled through the slow stream of time. Thane. Reid gathered his energy and flung her toward his best friend.

  Lauren screamed as she broke free of Reid. For her, it would feel as if he’d ripped a bandage from a large, open wound.

  Reid crashed through the roof of the shed. He hit solid ground. Air wheezed painfully in his chest. A metallic taste bubbled into his mouth. Thane’s phase signature dissipated. Tears wet Reid’s eyes. He’d fucked up her life and put her danger, but he’d saved her from Kell. Whatever happened to him didn’t matter. He’d freed Lauren.

  * * * *

  Lauren spiraled downward, out of control. Her skin burned. Her heart ached. What happened to Reid? A force slammed into her back. The twisting stopped. She soared. Within seconds, she landed. Warmth and hard muscle cushioned the impact. The strong arms banded around her waist loosened.

  “Lauren.” Thane’s chest rose and fell with harsh breaths. “Are you with me?”

  “Yes.” A spasm clenched her belly. “I’m going to be sick.”

  He rolled Lauren toward the toilet.

  Celine burst into the motel bathroom. “Oh, thank God you made it!” She held back Lauren’s hair. “You’ll be okay. It’s because of the quick-phase.”

  Heat flooded Lauren cheeks. Celine knew about the guys and she hadn’t said anything?

  Thane untied Lauren’s hands and helped her up. As the blood tingled back into her fingers, Thane’s golden-brown gaze rested on Celine. “Baby, do you trust me?”

  The love and concern in his eyes prompted pangs of longing in Lauren.

  Celine kissed him. “Of course I do.”

  Thane wrapped one arm around Celine. He wrapped his other arm around Lauren. “Hold tight.” He gave Lauren an apologetic look. “Sorry.”

  Chapter 16

  Lauren stood on shaky legs. The roller coaster of twirls and spins had gone on forever.

  A deep blue sky showcased snowcapped mountains and trees. A lush carpet of grass unfolded to a modern home. Sunlight reflected off of large glass panels in the center of the log and brick two-story. It complemented the picture-perfect landscape.

  Celine sat on the ground, mouth agape. “Where are we?”

  “We call it The Drift.” Thane helped Celine up. “It’s the ancient’s home.”

  Traveling through time faster than she could blink. Jumping around from one place to another. Lauren broke out in a sweat. She just wanted normal! Breathe. Just breathe. “Is this like a safe house or something?”

  Thane’s gaze landed on the house. “You could call it that, especially now. It’s separate f
rom any other dimension in time.”

  Apprehension tightened, spurring queasiness in Lauren. He wouldn’t casually reveal a secret like this. Something was wrong. “Is Reid on his way?”

  “This is our emergency fallback.” Thane’s mouth flattened into a grim line. “He knows this is the safest place for us to protect you.”

  Celine brushed dirt from her jeans and shirt. “Protect us from what?”

  “That’s what we need to figure out.”

  The front door to the house opened. A broad-shouldered man dressed in hiking boots, jeans, and a gray long-sleeved shirt emerged. In the next instant, he stood before them. A silvery golden light bathed his long, dark hair and bronze skin. His laser-sharp gaze focused on Thane. “Why are you here?”

  The way he snapped out the last word caused Lauren to flinch.

  “I don’t have time to get into it. We’ve got problems. Consider me reinstated.” They stared as if in silent communication.

  This must be Dalir. His anger seemed to melt into a questioning frown. “Go.”

  Thane disappeared.

  Dalir turned to Celine and Lauren. He’s an ancient warrior with powers. Reid’s remembered words sunk in. Lauren closed her mouth and gulped. Dalir didn’t look much older than Reid or Thane.

  “I am Dalir. You are safe.” He spun on his heel and stalked toward the house.

  She and Celine followed at a walk-jog pace.

  “What about Reid?” Lauren blurted out. “You have powers. Aren’t you going to help find him?”

  Celine’s eyes widened. She shook her head at Lauren, trying to get her to shut up.

  Forget about keeping secrets. They had to find Reid.

  Dalir paused in mid-stride. He turned to Lauren. “Who told you?”

  “Reid didn’t have a choice. I saw him time travel, phase, or whatever it is.”

  His jawline squared. Dalir flicked his gaze over Celine. “I’m assuming Thane didn’t keep his mouth shut, either?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Lauren’s control completely snapped. “I get you’re upset about us knowing, but there’s a whole pile of crazy crap happening that’s more important than your little secret. You think you’re having a bad day. Let me give you a taste of mine. I watched Reid almost get killed saving a woman. Then he tells me he can travel time and that pretty much equaled the end of our relationship. I get kidnapped by some sadist nutjob who threatened to slit my throat if I didn’t get in touch with Reid. Apparently, he’s got unfinished business with his asshole brother and thinks Reid can help him.” Hysteria trumped reason as she threw her hands in the air. “And courtesy of this so-called gift you passed along, I’ve experienced the equivalent of a roller coaster ride during the worst hurricane ever.” She stepped up to Dalir, rose on her toes, and poked his chest. “Yes! They told us. Embrace the suck, move on, and find Reid!”