Tiernan laughed, but it was Caleb who spoke. “Probably best not to push yourself until we figure out the headaches and nosebleeds,” he said. She knew what he wasn’t saying. They had no idea if there was any lasting damage, or if there would be.
“Not to mention the little fact that I’m still wanted for murder,” she said with a grimace, shoving her plate away.
“I think it’s safe to assume the Rogues are behind that as well.”
“But why? What could they possibly hope to gain?”
He shrugged. “Pretty simple, actually. To limit your options. You can’t go home. You won’t go to the Council. Reveal the Colony to the Protector”—he eyed Tiernan— “or to the Council, and you have no place here as well. You have nowhere to go but to them.”
“But I’m not going to reveal the Colony’s location,” Tiernan said, leaning back in his chair. “I suppose they didn’t account for that.”
“Which means the plan isn’t foolproof,” Caleb said. “They are ahead of us, though. From what Emma said, I think they may already hold the key to what’s happening to Ava, physically.”
“Well, we better figure it out soon,” Tiernan said before swallowing the last of his sandwich and washing it down with coffee. “We’re going to need Ava to go up against the Rogues. Especially if there are more of her out there.”
“Not more of her,” Gideon said, taking the seat across from Ava. “Others like her.”
Caleb nodded and shared knowledge from his time with the Rogues. “Borré is the father of all of them, but they all have different mothers. Each woman was carefully screened and chosen for her unique gifts in an effort to pass those gifts on to the offspring.”
“So he created an army of superior Race, each with different abilities?” Tiernan asked.
Gideon nodded. “It makes sense. They’d work together, each having a role in his plan.”
Ava groaned, her head falling forward to clunk on the table and narrowly missing her plate. “It’s so ridiculous. Like a comic book. He made a Justice League, only with villains.”
“You’re not a villain,” Caleb said.
“So not the point.” She stood up, throwing her hands in the air. “Don’t you get it? This was all part of his insane plan. Every single bit of it—us finding the Rogue lair . . .” She shot a glance at Tiernan. “Getting Emma . . . that’s why it was so easy, you know? The whole mess with Caleb and Borré’s escape—probably even Borré getting captured in the first place! He’s played us like pawns in his little game, and I’m sick of it!” She collapsed back into the chair at the thought of Officer Simmons. “People have died—are dying—and all because of some twisted plan to manipulate me.”
“It didn’t work.” Caleb reached for her hand.
“Regardless,” Gideon said, “it looks like the time has come for them to collect these . . . Twelve . . . and put their plan in motion. The good part is—”
“There’s a good part?” Ava knew she sounded like a child. She didn’t care.
Gideon shook his head slightly. “The good part is that Ava’s shown us The Twelve aren’t puppets. They have to either be lured to the cause or compelled—which would be difficult to do if they’re all as strong as Ava. Perhaps that’s something Borré hadn’t counted on.”
“Which means,” Tiernan said, sitting back in his chair and tugging at his lip briefly, “that if we can get to some of them first, we might have a weapon against Borré’s plan.”
“But how are we supposed to find them, let alone convince them to join us?” Ava asked.
They were all silent for a long moment, exchanging significant glances.
Ava’s stomach sank. “Oh no,” she said slowly. “You can’t really think—”
“It’s the only way, Ava. They have far more tools at their disposal,” Caleb said, reaching for her hand under the table.
She turned wide eyes on Gideon. “And you agree? After everything, you want to go to the Council with this? They’ll lock you up and throw away the key!”
“Not if we do things right,” Tiernan interjected. “I can help ease the way. And I’ll get Katherine in on it, too. She can be very convincing.”
Caleb tried to reassure her. “Rafe will help.”
“And Andreas,” Tiernan said.
Caleb looked a bit surprised at that but didn’t comment.
“But what about . . .” Ava’s eyes trailed to Gideon, who was watching her, his expression unreadable.
“Madeleine will do what’s best for the Race,” he said quietly. “She always does. We’ll just have to convince her that working with us is the best option. The only option.”
Ava’s heart ached for the Guardian leader. After what he’d revealed about his relationship with Madeleine, Ava could only imagine what it would be like for him to face her again.
But if he could do it . . .
“All right,” she said, nodding firmly. “Okay. I’m in.”
Emma Reiko made her way to a nondescript house in the suburbs of Seattle, ignoring the driver she’d compelled to give her a lift once she’d made it out of the Canadian wilderness. He hummed along with the radio, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, and the girl huffed in irritation, tempted to push him to drive across the country once he dropped her off, just for the fun of it.
Humans really were so annoying. But his car was comfortable and fast. And with her gift, speeding tickets weren’t a concern, so all in all, it was worth putting up with him.
“Turn right at the next corner.” She checked her reflection in the visor mirror before snapping it back into place. “Third house on the left.”
He pulled to a stop in the driveway and got out of the car, running around to the other side to open Emma’s door.
She got out, nodding at him and earning a dreamy smile for her efforts.
So. Annoying.
“On your way, now,” she told him, touching his forehead as she toyed with his mind. “You never saw me or this place, all right?”
The man nodded, dazed, and got back into the sports car. The engine roared loudly and the tiles squealed as he drove away.
Emma looked up at the house, knowing what was waiting for her and that it wouldn’t be pleasant.
Things had not gone as planned with Ava, not at all. And her father was not going to be happy about what Emma had done. He’d ordered her to get close to Ava—earn her trust and in time, convince her to return home. Not to try and compel her unless as a last resort. And she was supposed to run it by him first.
But what was Emma supposed to have done? The Rogues had failed miserably in their attempt to take Ava, and once Emma had spilled the beans about how she’d tampered with Caleb—which she’d had to do or they would have left her at some safe house, thank you very much—she had no choice but to reverse the effects. Not that he was important anyway. Ava was the important one, and gaining her trust was Emma’s primary mission.
A mission she’d undeniably failed.
Emma took a deep breath and started up the walk. There was no putting it off any longer. It was time to face the music. The thought brought a wry smile to her lips as she heard the familiar strains of classical piano through the door.
Emma raised a hand to knock, but the door flew open before she could touch it. Father did enjoy theatrics, on occasion. She walked in, following the quiet music down a hallway to the back of the house.
Father sat at the piano, his eyes closed as he played one of his favorite pieces.
Rachmaninov, Emma thought, although she couldn’t be sure. Her tastes trended toward more current artists.
She stood in the doorway, waiting, as he finished the piece, the notes hanging in the air for a moment before he lowered his hands and turned on the stool to face her.
“Well, you’ve certainly made a mess of things, haven’t you?” he asked, eyes glittering in the lamplight. His right was black, like Emma’s; the other, gold, like Ava’s. His hair was brown and wavy, not like either of them, and Em
ma often wondered which of her siblings had inherited that trait.
“I’m sorry, Father,” she said quietly. “I only did what I thought was necessary.”
“Yes, but that’s not really your job, is it?” His voice was calm.
Emma knew better than to be reassured by the fact he didn’t seem angry. “No, Father.”
“You were to get close to your sister. Form a friendship. Earn her trust.”
“Yes, Father.”
“And you tried to move too fast, in the end, pushing her away.” He stood, crossing to Emma, his tall frame looming over hers. “Did any of your work hold?”
Emma swallowed thickly, her eyes on the toes of her shoes. “I don’t know.”
“No. It. Didn’t.”
She looked up in surprise before thinking better of it.
“Yes, I know,” he said shortly as her gaze dropped again. “Of course I know. I have eyes and ears everywhere, dear daughter. Nothing escapes my attention. Your sister shook off your compulsion like it was nothing.” He reached out, his finger sweeping slowly down a lock of hair before tucking it behind her ear. The finger continued down her cheek and hooked under her chin, lifting her face until she met his gaze.
“This is why you must follow my instructions,” he said kindly, his thumb stroking her cheek. “Everything we’re doing is according to a very detailed plan. Each step must be followed in order as part of a carefully controlled timeline. If you go off on your own . . .” His grip tightened on her chin painfully, and tears formed in Emma’s eyes. “You run the risk of ruining everything we’ve worked for. Do you understand?”
She tried to nod, but he held her tight. “Yes, Father,” she whispered, tears of shame trickling down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Father.”
“I know you are, dear girl.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and released her. “This is a setback, but not one we cannot overcome.” A wayward curl had fallen forward over his brow, and he swept it back to lie smoothly with the rest. Her father always liked things in order.
“I still have faith your sister will join us, but we need to move forward to bring home the others.” He looked deep into her eyes. “Are you up for the task?”
She nodded, desperate to get back in his good graces. “Of course, Father. You know I am.”
“Good.” He touched her cheek again, a soft smile on his face. “That’s good.” His smile fell. “Unfortunately, I cannot allow such disobedience to go unpunished.”
Emma swallowed nervously, her stomach twisting in fear, but she held his gaze. Father did not tolerate cowardice. “I understand.”
“It’s for you own good. So you remember next time and don’t repeat the same mistake.”
“I know, Father.” She closed her eyes as his palms pressed against her hair. The dull throb of a headache began behind her eyes, radiating outward and growing in intensity.
“I love you, Emma.”
“I love you, too, Father,” she whispered before the pain stabbed through her and forced a scream from her lips.
Eventually, she blacked out, awakening some time later curled up on the carpet with dried blood on her mouth and the last remnants of the headache fading away.
Her father sat at the piano playing Beethoven—or maybe it was Bach—and humming along with the melody.
Caleb tracked Ava down at the park in the center of the Guardian living quarters. She sat on a bench, watching a group of children on the swings, a soft smile on her face as she toyed with her necklace. He sat down next her, pulling her hand into his lap and interlacing their fingers before placing a soft kiss to the tip of her thumb. His gift settled with her near, and he wondered how he’d survived such a long separation.
“How’d it go?” she asked.
Caleb had been talking strategy with Gideon, Tiernan, and Tyra. He’d been surprised when Ava had opted out, saying she needed some time to herself. She’d never been one to sit back and let others make decisions, but she’d been through a lot.
“Fine,” he said. “I think we actually have a plan. Which is saying something, considering the personalities involved.”
She smirked. “Meaning you’re all stubborn as mules.”
“Hey!” He laughed. “Takes one to know one.”
She shrugged but didn’t deny it. “Are they going to relocate the Colony?”
Caleb frowned. He and his father hadn’t seen eye to eye on that one. “Gideon doesn’t think it’s necessary, at least not yet. He’ll leave Tyra and a contingent here to guard the civilians when we go to New Elysia. He seems to think once we form an alliance the Colony will be welcome there.”
“You don’t agree?”
“I think he’s putting a lot of faith in the Council. I’m just not certain it’s warranted.” He waved a hand toward the children. “I also don’t like leaving innocent people here when the Rogues know where they are.”
“I don’t think the Colony is in danger,” Ava said quietly. “The Council is their target. If anything, they’d want the Guardians on their side.”
“So you think they’ll be back, just not to attack?”
“Eventually,” she said. “But I’m thinking they’ll need some time to regroup. I don’t think Emma expected to be going back empty-handed.” They sat in comfortable silence for a while, and Ava drew in a heavy breath. “I’ve been thinking . . .”
“Always a dangerous proposition.” She elbowed him, but her smile grew, which was his intention in the first place, so he took it as a little victory.
“I was thinking,” she said with a mock glare. “About this testing Gideon wants to do.”
“Yeah,” Caleb said slowly.
“I’ll do whatever he thinks is necessary. I trust him, you know.” She glanced at Caleb as if expecting him to argue the point, but he didn’t. “But if they don’t figure it out—”
“They’ll figure it out,” he said quickly. “If not Gideon, then the Council doctors—”
She held up a hand. “If they don’t. If they can’t. And if it comes down to it, and the Rogues attack . . .”
Caleb didn’t like the way this conversation was heading. “Ava—”
“I want to fight,” she said firmly. “Especially after what Emma did—” She shook her head as if to eliminate the memory. “If they take control, they’ll do it to others. It’s not right, Caleb.”
“I know, but—”
“There’s no ‘but,’ ” she said. “If it comes down to it, I’ll use what I have to stop them. And I’m asking you not to try and stop me.”
“As if I could.” He played it off like a joke, but he hadn’t answered, and Ava knew it.
“You could,” she said softly. “Between you and Tiernan and Gideon and, God forbid, Adam, you could stop me. You would if you thought it was dangerous for me. You know you would.”
Caleb couldn’t disagree. The thought had crossed his mind.
“I know it’s a lot to ask,” she said, turning back to watch the children, her thumb rubbing little circles on the back of his hand. “I know what it will do to you if . . . if something happens to me.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to you.” The thought filled Caleb with sick dread. His gift spiked, instinctively wanting to protect, and by Ava’s quiet sigh, he knew she felt it.
“Please,” she said, turning to look into his eyes and take his face in her hands. “I need you to promise me. I’ll do anything—whatever you and Gideon think is necessary. All the tests. Answer all the questions. I don’t care. But in return, I need you to promise that you won’t stop me if I’m needed.”
Caleb fought the rush of anxiety at her words, tears pricking at his eyes as he looked into hers. But in that moment, he couldn’t deny her.
“I’ll try,” he said, choking on the words as he covered her hands with his. “That’s all I can promise right now. I’ll try. I swear.”
Ava studied him for a long moment and then nodded, realizing that was the best she was going to get. She scooted closer to him a
nd rested her head on his shoulder.
“It’s strange,” she said. “To think I have all these . . . siblings out there. And I don’t even know them.”
Caleb knew what she didn’t say: and I might have to kill them. He tightened his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close.
“And my parents,” she said quietly. “I have to explain all this to them somehow. I have to make sure they’re safe.”
“We’ll keep them safe,” he told her, the words quiet, reverent—a vow. “You have a lot of people on your side here, Ava. No one’s going to let anything happen to them.”
She nodded, leaning into his warmth, and he hoped he could keep that promise.
Eventually, the children went home and the sun slid below the horizon. Caleb pulled Ava to her feet and linked their fingers as they walked back toward the common room for dinner. They stopped on the path before the building came in sight, and Caleb surrendered to an urgent need to pull her close and wrap his arms around her waist. She sighed into the touch, tangling her fingers in his hair as he squeezed her a little tighter.
After a long moment, he pulled back. “No matter what,” he said firmly. “No matter what happens, we’ll get through this. I’m not leaving you again. We’ll face this together, and we’re going to make it. I know it.”
Ava nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I know.”
“And I want . . .” He swallowed thickly, sure but nervous all the same. “I want us . . . together. Forever, Ava.”
She froze. “What are you saying? Do you mean . . .”
He nodded, as certain about this as he was about anything. “I’ve been afraid, Ava. For a lot of reasons. And I want to explain them all so you know just what you’re getting into here. But I want you to know that I’m in this for the long haul. And for us, that’s a really long haul . . .” He laughed, running a hand through his hair. He was rambling, and he couldn’t stop. “And I know it’s a lot to ask—”
Nothing else came out of his mouth, because Ava chose that moment to pop up on her tiptoes—and a little bit higher, thanks to her gift—to plant a soft kiss on his mouth.
The MORE Trilogy Page 48