Ava slid into the back seat, cradling Caleb’s head in her lap, while Tiernan climbed in the passenger seat.
He turned to Rafe as he pulled a U-turn and headed back to the road. “What about the others?” he asked.
Rafe stepped on the gas. “Katherine contacted Madeleine. They’re sending a clean-up crew and transportation. Should be taken care of quickly.”
Ava stroked Caleb’s hair gently, and eyed Tiernan. The huge man still made her nervous, but she had to face the fact that he came with Caleb to rescue her. While she didn’t exactly trust him, perhaps she didn’t have to fear him. She still didn’t feel ready to surrender the gun, however. And to their credit, none of them asked her to.
Ava cleared her throat. “Will your doctors . . . will they be able to help Caleb?” she asked.
Rafe shot a curious glance at her through the rearview mirror, and another at Tiernan. “Didn’t you tell her?” he asked.
Tiernan shrugged.
“Caleb will be fine,” he said. “He’ll hurt like crazy for a while, but once he sees a doctor to get that bullet out, he’ll be fine.”
“But he lost so much blood.” She looked down at his pale, listless face. His breaths came short and shallow.
Rafe laughed slightly. “It’s not the first time, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. We heal very fast, Ava. Only a bullet straight through the brain or the heart can do any lasting damage.”
Ava frowned skeptically, and Tiernan gave an exasperated sigh. He shoved the left sleeve of his T-shirt up. “See?” he asked.
Ava stared, unsure of what she was supposed to see, then her eyes widened in surprise. “Your burn. It’s . . . gone!”
Tiernan lowered his sleeve and arched a brow. “Like I said. We heal fast.”
18
The halls outside the Council chamber were packed with spectators, but the crowd parted as Ava walked toward the large doors to face her future. News had evidently spread quickly after the Rogue attack, and the citizens of New Elysia were curious to see what all the fuss was about.
Ava still wasn’t quite sure.
On the ride back to the city, Tiernan and Rafe had filled her in on the fight outside the Rogue house where she’d been held. The Rogues had a telekinetic on their side, as well as a pyrokinetic—someone who could manipulate fire and heat objects—even air—until they burst into flames. The idea shocked Ava. It sounded like something out of a comic book, but she figured that had become her life; superheroes and villains with extraordinary powers.
Although she still wasn’t quite certain exactly who were the heroes and who were the villains. She had established a kind of uneasy truce with Tiernan and Katherine—at least to the extent that she had finally let go of the gun.
In the end, the Protectors’ teamwork training worked to their advantage. With a couple of sonic grenades, a Protector named Allison with the ability to produce hallucinations, and a well-placed shove to a damaged tree, the pyrokinetic was no longer a threat. After that, it had been quick work to deal with the rest of the Rogues.
As for Caleb . . .
She smiled at him as he held the door open so they could approach the Council. Once a doctor had removed the bullet, it had only been a few hours before he regained consciousness. Except for a few moments spent answering questions about what had happened with Arthur, she never left Caleb’s side, even sleeping in a chair in his room, despite his insistence that he was fine. Fortunately, the Council waited until the following morning to call them to appear. Caleb still moved a bit slowly, but he assured Ava he was definitely on the mend.
The five members sat, stoic and unmoving, as Caleb and Ava strode down the center aisle. Protectors lined the walls on either side of her, and Ava recognized several from the fight at the Rogue house. She nodded slightly at Tiernan. His eyes remained focused straight ahead, but she thought his lips might have curved just a little.
Maybe not.
She wasn’t sure why the Council had ordered the chambers cleared. Caleb said not to read too much into it; since her situation was so unique, the Council most likely wanted to keep a lid on things until it issued its ruling.
He didn’t say it, but Ava knew he was humoring her. The Council knew what she’d done to the Rogue and probably wanted to keep the townspeople safe from the monster.
They made their way through the gate at the front of the room and took their places in front of the Council table.
Caleb’s knuckles brushed the back of Ava’s hand and she looked up to see him smiling reassuringly. “It’ll be okay,” he whispered.
Madeleine cleared her throat, long fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. “Before we address the results of your testing, Miss Michaels, there is another matter the Council must deal with.”
She stood, imperious and intimidating. “Caleb Foster,” she said. “You stand accused of violating the Protector’s Code and conduct not in the best interest of the Council or the Race.”
He stiffened, shoulders squared.
Ava opened her mouth to speak in his defense, but Madeleine cut her off. “However, your willingness to sacrifice yourself in service to the Race in this instance weighs heavily in your favor. This, combined with your exemplary service in the past, leads us to postpone judgment at this time.
“For the moment, at least, you remain a Protector of the Race,” she said.
Caleb cleared his throat. “Thank you.”
She nodded curtly and sat down. “As for you, Miss Michaels, I’m afraid this meeting is a bit anti-climactic. I’ve been informed you’re aware of the results of your testing.”
Ava swallowed thickly. “Yes.”
“And that those tests indicate you are indeed a full-blooded member of the First Race?”
Ava nodded. “Yes.”
“This is a unique situation,” she proclaimed. “Never before have we encountered a Race member raised in the human world, cut off from his or her abilities.”
“I . . . uh . . . I seemed to have accessed those abilities.”
Madeleine leaned forward, her palms on the table. “Yes. We’ve received a full report of the events at the Rogue lair. What happened explained some . . . abnormalities in your test results.”
“Abnormalities?”
Madeleine turned, nodding to a man standing off to the side of the table. Ava recognized him as one of the doctors who’d conducted her testing.
He stepped forward, consulting an electronic pad. “We detected an abnormal reading during your scans,” he said. “None of us had ever seen anything like it, but, after hearing your description of what happened, we could only conclude that you’d been fitted with some type of block.”
“A block?” Ava’s eyes narrowed in confusion.
“A psychic block, to put a finer point on it,” he explained. “Somehow, for some reason, it was installed shortly after your birth. It effectively blocked access to your Race gifts.” With a nervous glance toward Madeleine, he added, “We’ve seen similar technology before, but the extent of this block is unprecedented. It’s really quite impressive.”
“Um. Thanks?”
“Evidently, the intense emotional pressure of yesterday’s events enabled you to fracture the block, or at least bypass it.”
Ava remembered the feeling of clarity—the rush of insight she’d felt just moments before she’d tossed Arthur down the stairs.
She still couldn’t quite believe she’d done that. Or that she’d killed him.
Ava shuddered. It wasn’t something she was proud of, but she couldn’t deny the fact that in the same situation, she’d do it again.
With a nod toward the Council, the doctor left the room, and Madeleine addressed her again, “Obviously, your gift is impressive, and demands intensive training—”
“Why?”
“Why?” Madeleine arched a brow. “To ensure you have proper control—”
“No,” Ava said. “I mean why the block? Why was I basically hidden from you and put out into the wo
rld? Why were the Rogues after me? Why did Arthur seem to think I had some great destiny to help the cause?”
Madeleine exchanged a significant look with the other Council members before replying, “At this time, we don’t know.”
“Perfect,” Ava muttered.
Caleb nudged her with an elbow. “But the Council is investigating, right?” he asked. “Ava deserves to get those answers.”
Madeleine straightened. “We agree. And the Council will investigate this matter thoroughly. However, our primary concern is the threat Miss Michaels presents.”
“Threat?” Ava repeated, stunned.
“She is no threat,” Caleb stated firmly. “What happened yesterday was done in my defense!”
“Nevertheless,” Madeleine countered, eyes flashing. “She took a life. And she either intended to kill with her gift, or she lacks the control to prevent it. In either case, it is the Council’s decision that Miss Michaels be detained until she is properly trained.”
“ ‘Detained?’ ” Ava gasped. “You mean imprisoned.”
“I assure you our facility is quite comfortable,” Madeleine replied. “You will be afforded every courtesy and respect. You will want for nothing.”
“Except freedom.”
Madeleine sighed, and as Ava looked down the table, she noticed none of the Council members met her eyes.
“It’s for your own good, as well as the good of others,” the Council leader proclaimed.
But Ava knew it was more than that. She knew enough about politics to understand that she was being used as a pawn. There was a reason she’d been hidden in the human world, a reason the Rogues were so desperate to get hold of her. The Council knew that, and they wanted to keep her close until they could figure out why. Human or Race, in the end, it always came back to who had the power. And if the Council had her, they had the power in this bizarre game.
Ava didn’t want to play anymore.
A cell, no matter how comfortable, was still a cell. And Ava was tired of feeling as if she had no control over her life. So she looked the Race leader in the eye and said one simple word.
“No.”
Caleb’s mouth dropped open, although whether it was in shock or admiration, he couldn’t decide. Ava stood beside him, shoulders squared and unblinking as she faced off against the Council. His mother’s eyes flashed, and he knew her response to Ava’s declaration would not be a gentle one.
“Please,” he said, holding up a hand, the other pressed unconsciously against his ribs, still a little sore from his injury. “Ava poses no threat to humans or to the Race. She acted in self-defense in killing the Rogue—or at least in my defense. He was going to kill me.
“I know her,” he continued, stepping forward. “She’s not a violent person. She would never hurt someone without valid reason.”
“And who’s to determine that reason?” his mother snapped. “Her? You? She has no loyalty to the Race!”
“And why should she?” he retorted. “We’ve done nothing but uproot her from her life, forcing her to hide in the shadows—”
“That was your doing, not ours!” Madeleine slapped her hands on the table, jumping to her feet. “You were to bring her to us!”
“Please!” Ava interjected, uncomfortable at pitting mother against son. “There’s no need for this.”
Madeleine calmed, taking her seat.
“If I may.” Andreas smoothly took over the conversation as he casually leaned back, his fingers tented before his lips. “Miss Michaels, how exactly do you propose we handle this rather unique situation?”
Ava shrugged. “I go home. I go back to my life. I never mention the Race or any of this to any other living soul.
“I don’t pose a threat to anyone,” she said. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just want to live my life.”
Andreas laughed. “So you think we should let you walk out of here? Just like that?”
Caleb straightened, edging closer to Ava’s side. “I could watch over her.”
“You?” Andreas shook his head. “I believe you’ve proven you’re not exactly trustworthy where this one is concerned. No, detention is the only answer.”
Rafe cleared his throat. “Perhaps we might explore other avenues.”
Then everyone began to speak at once.
“. . . are no other avenues. The girl must be watched!”
“. . . training is essential.”
“We’ve no idea when the Rogues might attack again . . .”
“. . . can’t be held prisoner. She’s a member of the Race and has rights.”
“Enough!” Madeleine barked. “The time for discussion is over. I call for the vote. Should the girl be detained or not? Naomi?”
The kind-eyed Council member smiled at Ava as she said, “No.”
“Kaeden?”
The bald man stared at her, golden eyes hard. “Yes.”
“Andreas?”
“The threat must be contained,” he said simply. “I vote yes.”
“Rafael?”
He hesitated only briefly. “No.”
Caleb could feel Ava’s tension beside him and subtly reached for her hand, twining her fingers with his. He hated to admit it, but her fate was sealed. His mother held the last vote.
Madeleine stood to her full height. “Although I feel for your situation, Miss Michaels, my first duty must always be to the Race. Your actions to save my s—” Her gaze shifted a moment before hardening once more. “. . . your Protector, although understandable, prove your abilities could endanger those around you if you are not properly trained. Not only would this put the Race at risk, but also human lives. This is unacceptable. Therefore, for the time being, I am ordering that you be taken into custody to undergo extensive training in the use of your abilities.”
“For the time being?” Ava said quietly. “What does that mean?”
“As long as the Council deems it necessary to ensure you pose no threat.” She turned to the Protectors lining the walls of the Council chamber. “Escort Miss Michaels to the detention facility,” she said.
Caleb stepped in front of Ava. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I can make sure she gets there safely.”
Madeleine glared at him. “I don’t think so.”
A wave of fury swept through Caleb, and his fists balled at his side. He eyed the Protectors closing in around him, wondering how in the world he’d thought they could escape. He’d somehow held on to the hope that his mother might trust him one last time and let him be the one to take Ava away.
Apparently, his chances had run out.
Caleb reached for his power in a last ditch effort to sway the Protectors, or at least delay them long enough for them to escape. He knew it was futile. They’d all been trained—as he had—to withstand mental coercion. Still, he accessed it, the electricity humming along his nerve endings as he sent them a command to stand down. To stop. To wait.
Anything.
But they continued toward Ava, faces grim and determined. Even Tiernan, who flashed him a look that might have been a bit apologetic, didn’t falter in his steps.
Just as he was about to grab Ava and shift—somewhere, anywhere—a shock shot up his arm, and Caleb jolted in surprise, his fingers tightening reflexively around Ava’s hand.
“What was that?” he murmured.
She released his hand, saying only, “Stand back.”
Caleb’s eyes darted from her to the approaching Protectors. “What are you going to do?”
“Get us out of here.”
And with that, the Protectors all froze in place, then—one by one—they flew through the air until they slammed back against the wall, a few inches below the ceiling. None of them struggled, and Caleb quickly realized they couldn’t move. More than a dozen fully-trained warriors hung helpless, arms and legs splayed against the polished wood walls. He turned startled eyes on Ava.
“How . . . ?” But she wasn’t looking at him. Instead, she glared at Madeleine. At a flash of
movement to the left, he saw Tiernan float into the middle of the room over their heads, then slowly rotate until he hung upside down.
“How’s that for control?” Ava asked archly. Tiernan glared at Ava as he twirled around—upright again—and floated slowly back to his position against the wall.
Caleb braced himself, preparing for a mental attack—a shift from James, a hallucination from Allison, a surge of emotional manipulation, a blast of ice, something—but nothing happened. Somehow, the paralysis Ava had created extended beyond the physical to their mental abilities as well. He’d never seen anything like it.
“Release them!” Madeleine shouted.
“I don’t take orders from you.” Ava smiled, stepping up to lean forward against the table. “And I’m not staying here.”
In a blur of movement, Kaeden vaulted the table, muscles flexing as he landed before them with a quiet thud. He shoved Caleb aside and reached for Ava, golden eyes hard and teeth bared in fury.
As if he’d slammed into an invisible brick wall, he jerked to a stop with a loud grunt and fell back onto the table. He tried to get up, struggling against unseen bonds, unable to move. “We can’t allow—” he snarled at Ava.
“It wasn’t a request,” Ava snapped, moving to loom over him, holding him fast without breaking a sweat. “I’m going home.” She turned her gaze to the rest of the Council, finally coming to rest on Madeleine. “I won’t expose you. I won’t hurt anyone. But I’m not staying here.”
Madeleine swallowed, and she raised a trembling hand to smooth her hair. “You won’t be protected out there,” she warned. “The Rogues could still come after you. The fact that a group of them was working together does not bode well. It’s never happened before, and there’s nothing to say there aren’t more of them.”
“I can take care of myself.”
Madeleine raised a brow. “Perhaps. But you’ll be on your own, Miss Michaels. Don’t expect us to come to your rescue.”
Ava smiled humorlessly. “Don’t worry. I won’t.” She turned to walk down the aisle to the door, Caleb by her side. She turned back at the last moment, tilting her head slightly, and the Protectors slid to the floor.
Magic and Shadows: A Collection of YA Fantasy and Paranormal Romances Page 25