by Polly Iyer
“It’s not like that.”
“I suppose the cancer story was a lie, too, and that you have all the makings of a sex god to impregnate these young girls.”
“No,” he said emphatically. “That part was true. Almost.”
“What is the truth?” Diana asked, not shrinking from his apologetic gaze.
“The cancer part but not the castration.”
Diana got up and walked to the window. She wanted to scream but instead drew back the drapes and stared out into the abyss. A dark night in a dark world. No lights, no moon. Maybe she was on another planet. Mars, perhaps. Or Venus. Or a sick combination of both.
“Jesus. What a fool I am.”
“Yes, Jesus, who turned his back on me and cast me into hell.”
A slow bubbling concoction of shame and anger percolated inside. Lucier had been right all along. She’d been hoodwinked by a sad story, by the intellectual brilliance of a madman. “Hell is what you made it, Edward.”
“Let me ask you, Diana. Could you love a man like me? Could you look beyond the abortion between my legs? Could you?”
He waited. When she didn’t respond, he said, “As I thought.”
She spun around to say something trite about love being in the eye of the beholder, but the words got lost in the sight before her. Edward Slater stood naked from the waist down, his pants draped at his feet. She gasped and backed against the window.
“Shocking, isn’t it?” he said.
Tears flooded in her eyes. She managed to stagger to the bed before passing out.
* * * * *
His words echoed in her head from a far off place, becoming louder now, understandable. She had to readjust to the time and place. When she did, she wanted to go back to the never-never land from which she had awakened.
“Again,” he said, “I’m sorry.”
Diana heard his words and opened her eyes. Slater hovered over her.
“That was cruel,” he said.
He held a glass of water to her lips. She steadied his hand and sipped. It was the first time he let her touch him. He needn’t have worried about setting off a psychic connection. He passed nothing to her, not even a blink of a vision. Where Edward Slater was concerned, she had lost her abilities. In fact, what she saw in the light of reality was far worse than any image he could have instilled through his touch.
“What have you done with Ernie?” she asked.
“He’s safe. For now.”
She allowed herself a monumental sigh of relief. He’s alive. God had heard her prayer. “What do you mean, for now? Where is he?”
“Being well taken care of. We bound him at first, but he’s not now.”
Her high tumbled as reality sank in. She had jeopardized the life of the man she loved by being who she was―Diana, Goddess of the Moon. “Let him go. I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll be your goddamn goddess.”
“Now see? That’s the kind of love I’m talking about. You’d do anything for him, even turn yourself into a love machine, wouldn’t you?”
Diana stared into Slater’s steel-gray eyes that once had radiated kindness and warmth but now projected a cold arrogance. “Yes,” she said, never flinching from his gaze. “Even that. Just let him go. He doesn’t know where we are. If I’m right, he couldn’t find this place with all the resources of the police department and the FBI put together. Please, Edward.”
“I can’t do that. He knows too much, knows who we all are. We’re not quite ready to change locations, although we may soon have to.”
“He’ll never say anything as long as you have me. He’d never put my life in danger.”
Slater put the glass of water on the bedside table, then brushed a curl from Diana’s forehead. She steeled herself against shivering at his touch, but she failed miserably and cringed.
Smiling, he said, “Do I disgust you that much?”
“No,” she lied, and bit back the threatening nausea. Maybe this was a game after all, she reasoned, and playing was her way out. “You did fascinate me, Edward. Right from the beginning, even before I knew what you went through. The richness of your mind, your philosophy. Then, when I learned more about you, you became more fascinating. How you fought your way back to the living. I bought your story.” A tear escaped from the corner of her eye. She didn’t know why.
“Yes, I knew we shared an intellectual bond, and I think you were physically attracted to me―before you knew.”
“Intellectually, yes, but not physically, although I thought…think you’re an attractive man. I won’t lie to make you believe there was anything more. I’m in love with Ernie, and that will never change.”
“Pity. You still fascinate me. From the first time we met. You’re unlike anyone, Diana. Beautiful, intelligent, compassionate. Of course, I realize when you learned about me, you felt sympathy, as did those few who knew. But I could make you ecstatically happy. I know how to do things that pleasure a woman in ways she can’t imagine.”
He gently caressed her cheek, leaving a burning trail from his touch.
She took a deep breath and forced herself still. A cringe at that moment could ruin everything. “Let Ernie go first.”
A momentary frown crossed Slater’s face, then he smiled. “I haven’t told you how very beautiful you look tonight.” He ran a finger along her neckline. “Feminine. Ruffles suit you. You dress too simply, almost mannishly, with your jeans and man-tailored shirts. This is definitely more attractive.”
“If you want me, release Ernie. I’ll do anything you want―after I know he’s safe.”
Slater got up. His tone changed. “You’re not in a bargaining position.”
She couldn’t let Lucier’s life slip away. “I don’t love you, Edward, but I can learn. We have things in common. Like you said, an intellectual bond. We can develop our relationship into something more.”
“Don’t patronize me, Diana,” Slater snapped. “I’m not a stupid man.”
“Then you know I’m not patronizing you. If you don’t let him go, you’ll need to drug me, because I’ll never do anything willingly. That would spoil what we could have.”
“Our drugs will make you beg to do whatever we want just to get your next fix, and they won’t affect the fetus. You’ll forget all about your cop lover.”
His words instilled in Diana a fear she’d never known. Her insides quaked at the thought, because she believed him.
He sat next to her on the bed. “You’ll want to love me, Diana.” He brushed his finger back and forth inside her bottom lip. When she jerked her head away, he said, “You’ll need to.”
His gaze dropped from her eyes to her chest, and started to unbutton the top button of her dress. She got up. “Sit, Diana, and don’t move unless I tell you to.”
She stood defiant.
“Sit,” he commanded in a stern tone she hadn’t heard before.
This wasn’t the time to start trouble, so she sat.
He unbuttoned the top of her dress and eyed the oversized bra. “I see we miscalculated.” He slipped the straps off her shoulders, and the bra fell, exposing her small breasts. He touched the tip of her nipple. “Like a china doll, so tiny.”
Diana thought back to the night in the cabin and what that psychopath had done to her. Put yourself in another place, Diana. Go to your fantasy tropical paradise, with the sun soaking into your salty skin.
“No, dammit! Not this time.” She pulled up her dress and slid off the bed. “Hook me on drugs. Do anything you want, but you’ll never own me. Not until you release Ernie. Let him go, and I’ll be yours.”
Slater looked as if he’d been slapped, and Diana saw the conflicted, tortured being whose vulnerability made her believe him in the first place. But the man was also a monster―a twisted Jekyll and Hyde.
“You’ll be who we want you to be,” he said, his voice as calm and reasonable as if he were talking to a child. “Who I want you to be, because I’m the one who wanted you here. Phillip too, but for different reas
ons.” Slater stood, his eyes steady on her. “You’ll reproduce, willingly or not. In addition, you’ll provide eggs to be planted in surrogates. Your psychic abilities will pass to your offspring. Not to all of them, of course, but surely to some.” He pinched her chin. “And you will be mine.”
Slater’s cold determination almost stopped Diana’s heart. She harnessed her voice from some place deep inside her and quivered when she spoke. “It doesn’t work that way. I didn’t inherit my gift from anyone. I’m a freak of nature. The percentage of passing on any ability I have is infinitesimal.”
“Percentages change with volume.” Slater smirked and left the room.
Diana shook as he locked the door behind him. Hurrying to the bathroom, she emptied her stomach of the wonderful dinner she enjoyed only an hour before.
Chapter Forty- Five
The Disciple
Maia watched Seth sleep. He passed out almost immediately. She didn’t know what kind of pills Anat gave her, but if she ever needed something to sleep, she wanted those. She’d put two in Seth’s coffee, just like Anat said, and hoped they’d keep him out for hours. Still, Maia couldn’t take any chances. After she removed his key ring, she fastened both his wrists to the bed with the pair of handcuffs he kept in the room. That’d teach Seth to practice kinky sex. The titillating thought caused a brief distraction.
Stop! She couldn’t let the memory of their lovemaking keep her from the plan. Focusing, she cut off three pieces of masking tape, also supplied by Anat, and fastened them across Seth’s mouth. She fumbled to find the master key that would open most of the doors in the compound. Before she tried them, she ran back and kissed Seth’s cheek.
“Sorry, love,” she whispered.
Half a dozen keys hung on Seth’s chain. The key on the fourth try turned the lock. She marked the key with a small piece of tape so she wouldn’t have to hunt for it again. She glanced back at the sleeping figure, resisting the urge to undo what she’d already done. The plan must go forward, for her children. For all the children, and for the two people who shouldn’t be here whose lives were in jeopardy. She cracked the door and listened. It was after midnight. Low light illuminated the quiet hallway.
Anat’s suite was clear across the vast compound. One thing in Maia’s favor: no one expected any mischief from her. She scanned the corridors, checking for cameras. None in this guest wing. Visitors wouldn’t approve of someone watching their every move, especially those special men, and women too, Silas or Phillip lured into their fold with promises of sex and wealth in exchange for their superior genetic material. Maia marveled at how many were willing. Did they agree before they knew they were selling their souls? In the end, did it matter to them? She cringed at the thought while she hustled down the hall and out the back door.
After waiting for her eyes to adjust to the dark, she went over Anat’s directions. The compound resembled a small town, cross-hatched with narrow paved streets. The road she’d take avoided them, in favor of a path at the edge of the forest. Lights went out at midnight, leaving the area black as coal. Only leaders and guards had the authority to breach curfew. Maia saw no one.
Anat gave her specific directions to Cal’s building, situated on the border of the inner compound. Maia wasn’t sure she could follow them in the dark. They’d constructed new buildings since her last visit which challenged her sense of direction.
Go to the end of your building, turn left onto the path, and go until you can’t go any farther.
She’d never heard such silence. Was she being watched? Were there hidden cameras?
When you get to the end, a narrow road branches to the right. Take it.
There. She almost missed it in the dark.
Go for about three quarters of a mile.
Maia made her way carefully along the dirt path. She tripped on a fallen branch, swore, and kicked it out of the way.
You’ll be behind three buildings at the end of the road. Cal’s is the farthest.
Things had changed. As the group multiplied and the complex grew, the younger children lived in dormitories, like they would at sleep-away camp, always with an older member who acted as leader. Cal lived separately on the outskirts of the compound. He had free rein during the day but was locked in at night. What did they think he’d do? She found the master key, turned the latch, and slipped inside.
Up the stairs. End of the hall. On the right.
Maia had failed to ask if Cal expected her. Was he even awake? She opened the door just enough to slip through. Classical music played softly in the background. She moved into the apartment. Cal sat in bed reading, oblivious that someone had entered his domain. It gave Maia a chance to look around. His residence was much like her sister’s: a two-room suite with a large balcony. Crammed bookcases lined the walls; a computer sat on the desk.
When he saw her, Cal hopped from the bed, wearing nothing but cotton drawstring pants. “There are no microphones,” he said, “so no need to tiptoe.” Though still thin, sinewy muscle replaced the softness she remembered, and he was more handsome than ever. He sauntered toward her and wrapped her in his arms, whispering in her ear.
“I hoped you were coming.” Moving back, he said, “You heard about Diana Racine and the cop?”
“Yes.”
“Bad enough they’re kidnapping babies; this may wind up being murder. They can’t let either of them go.”
“How do you know everything, Cal?”
“I come and go as I please,” he said, “except at night. The group isn’t threatened by me, so no one has his guard up.” He focused on her. “They think I’m a wimp. They think I’m a lot of things I’m not, and that’s exactly the way I want it. Plus, I don’t see any sense in resisting unless it’s a means to an end.” He moved back to the bedroom. “I need to get dressed. If I’d known for sure you were coming, I’d have been ready, but I honestly doubted Anat could talk you into this.”
“I wasn’t sure myself.” She followed him. “If you can go wherever you want, why do you live out here all alone?”
“Being away from everyone else has its advantages.”
Cal changed in front of her without inhibition. She guessed he retained some of the group’s teachings. The body is a temple to be worshiped, and one should never feel embarrassment. Maia always thought the temple bit corny, but the philosophy had been drummed into her too.
He pulled on a pair of faded jeans and shrugged into a T-shirt. “This place is huge and growing until recently. I’m not sure why things are at a standstill, but I’ve got an idea. Not that it matters now. We need to get out of here, and the only way is by plane. One thing I do know―we’re in the middle of fucking nowhere.” He grabbed the keys from Maia. “Come on.” He locked his door from the outside and checked the halls. “You came in the service entrance, didn’t you?”
Maia nodded.
“Good girl. Now all we have to do is get to Anat without being seen.”
“I thought everyone was asleep by twelve.”
“The big guys can do whatever they want.” Cal took Maia’s hand. “Follow me. I know where they’re keeping the Racine woman and have a pretty good idea where the cop is.”
“You’ve been paying attention.”
“Hasn’t done any good until tonight,” he said. “Stay close.” He stopped short. “Are you sure Seth will be knocked out for a couple of hours?”
“More like till morning, and is he ever going to be pissed.”
“Tough shit.” He gazed at Maia apologetically. “Sorry. I forgot you and Seth were more than egg and sperm. He’s better than most.”
Maia wondered what Cal meant, but she didn’t want to ask right now. She felt guilty enough. This man taking charge, showing no fear, was not who Anat described. More was going on than what they confided in her. Was she being used in some way? Too late to ask questions.
Cal led her down the stairs, stopping to check every time they came to an intersection. “I thought no one else was in the building.”
>
“They use these buildings for mating. If something’s going on, I always―shh.” He pushed Maia back against the wall. “Someone is checking the perimeter,” he whispered. “He usually makes his rounds earlier. Damn, why is he late tonight of all nights?”
Mating. Sounded like the birds and bees or animals in season. The group was expanding. Last time she saw more women from outside the family. Maia felt sick. They had upped production. Cal uttered an obscenity.
He held her back until the coast was clear, then they crept silently down the hall to a back exit. Cal opened it. They kept to the side of the building. Now that they were outside the building, Maia didn’t have a clue where she was. She’d be lost without Cal.
“Anat’s building is near the river,” he said.
“I know. Her balcony hangs high over it. A sheer drop.”
“Her only escape is to jump over and kill herself―something she’d never do now that she has Chloe.”
Maia struggled to keep up. “That’s a coward’s way out, not Anat’s. She’s too strong.”
Cal turned. “She certainly is. One amazing woman.” He latched onto her hand. “Come on. We’ve got more than a mile to go, and there’s a new moon. Dark as pitch.”
They hugged the backside of the building and headed toward the woods. As they were about to clear the paved area and veer onto the path, Cal pulled her down behind a line of shrubbery. He pointed ahead.
Two men came out of the last building. One second earlier and Maia and Cal would have been standing right in front of them. She’d never seen the big guy before, but she recognized Edward Slater. “What’s he doing here?” she whispered.
Cal’s face paled noticeably, even in the dim light. His body went rigid, and his upper lip curled in distaste. “Didn’t you know? His so-called mission is the conduit to recruit the surrogates. He also convinced everyone to bring Diana Racine here. He and Phillip. Slater is Phillip’s grandfather’s prime disciple.”