“I wanted to thank you for the notice. It was pivotal in my ability to capture him. He nearly slipped out of our grasp, but conscientious planning took care of him. We were right to fear his talents before. He is just as powerful as we thought. But now, he works for me.” Tiburon beamed at him.
“Doing what?”
“Whatever I want.”
“I’m surprised.”
“By what? Surprised that we caught him?”
“Well, yes, but I am more surprised that he is willing to work for you. You should consider the possibility that you are being manipulated.”
Tiburon laughed. “Knowing me as well as you do, I wonder that such a thing would occur to you. He is well under my thumb, you can rest assured. I am touched, however at your concern for me. You have proven yourself once again to be a faithful son of the Family.”
Heron had nodded, accepting the compliment. Tiburon was right. He had been a faithful son. What the man didn’t know was that Heron was preparing to make some changes. He was beginning to think the Family needed its sons to grow up and take the place of a few of the less worthy fathers.
Chapter 18
“I can hear my mother’s voice in your memories,” the boy said. “How do you know her?”
“I’m not sure. Who is she?”
“Here it is.”
There was no image, no memory, just the smoky voice in the dark. “We can’t have my son’s father dying, now can we? Fight, Scythe. You have not yet traveled all your life’s path.”
“I don’t remember that.”
It was here.
He awoke, reeling from the host of excited voices that whirled around the room. His head, for the first time in weeks, wasn’t clouded over and he didn’t feel as weak as he normally did. He opened his eyes to see the head doctor, his nurse and some six other people referring to the main display, checking his machines, and conferring with each other animatedly.
His nurse turned, startled, and checked her datapad, “You are awake early.”
“Well, it is hard to get a good rest with all this racket.”
She blinked at his atypically forward response and then nodded, “You are quite the celebrity around here. The virus mutated and everyone wants to check you out.”
“What does that mean?”
“The mutation? It means the virus has changed and is acting differently; it has only happened once before. The subject had to be terminated, I’m afraid, due to the nature of the symptoms. We’re waiting to see how your halfbreed body reacts.”
“I know what a mutation is. I’m asking…”
They both turned their attention to the doctor who came over to the side of the bed, pushed Scythe’s head back and pulled on his eyelid to flash a light in his eye.
“Pupils are...” He stopped when Scythe yanked his head back and shot him a nasty look. “Ah, energy levels are up to at least normal. Expected to exceed normal levels shortly. We are going to have to get the bed fitted with the full body harness.”
Dr. Mendus walked in, and several people rushed over to her and started talking all at once.
One short woman in a lab coat said, “Welcome back! Good timing, on your part.”
His old doctor acknowledged them briefly before heading to Scythe’s bed.
She smiled and said smugly, “I told them you were a special case. We should have expected this.”
“Expected what?” Scythe challenged, enjoying the way his blood was boiling. He was enjoying feeling anything for the first time in a while. His teeth took turns clenching and grinding together in his mouth.
She grinned wider at his reaction, “Expected you to be the one to show us the way to the next stage of our research. Now we can look in another direction: making ourselves some powerful little halfbreed soldiers.”
Scythe stared at her, horrified by the casual way she accepted her own depravity.
Dismissing Scythe, she turned to the doctor, saying, “If the first is any indication, then he’ll be even more resistant to infection, his cells will regenerate faster, at least twice as fast as his Kin counterparts, his muscle mass will increase...”
“Yes, yes, but will we be able to duplicate it? And what about the mental instability? We need to monitor that very closely; the last one was a disaster.” He headed towards the door.
Dr. Mendus announced, “Ok, everyone, meeting in ten.” She smiled proudly at Scythe and followed the other scientists out the door.
The memory slowed and then stopped, like the door that hung just inches from closing.
“This is a bad place.”
“Yeah. This would be a really good time to stop this whole business and let you make your own memories.” Scythe shook his head, trying to clear away the disorientation he was always feeling now. How long had he been here?
“That is not an option for me anymore.”
“This memory thing is...” Why couldn’t he gather his thoughts? Scythe looked at himself, and held onto the fact that the young man wasn’t him. “Look, what is your name, anyway?”
“You haven’t given it to me yet.”
“Oh, no, I’m not doing that. There is no way I’m your father, because you aren’t related to me in any way. You’re not Human or Kin. I don’t even know what you are.”
“We are the People, Father, and we are related, in every way that is important.” When Scythe didn’t answer, he continued with a grin, “You could call me Scythe, or Junior.”
“No stinking way.”
“My given name is Edillian, but when I am done here, I want you to give me a name, for my birth. This...is a great honor...for you.” He shifted uncomfortably.
“Edillian? I’ve never heard of that name before.”
“It is an old name.”
“Ed, I don’t know who your mother is, but I don’t remember her.”
“No, I guess you don’t.”
-----------
Alright, might as well get started, she thought, turning and picking up the bait. Since he was sleeping, she had to take care of that real quick. Right on the fat thigh...under the diaper, of course.
“Oh, now honey, don’t fuss,” Helaine crooned and made little kissy noises. She had to speak up to be heard above the crying. Heavens, this one was a screamer. “That’s okay. Here. Let’s go for a walk.”
She stood up, making sure to hold him lightly so that he would jostle around a bit. He was a cuddler, so it was a sure thing. He started to wail. Such a good boy.
“Now, Jonah. Shhhh. That’s okay honey.” She walked to the back of the car, and, when he started to calm down, shook him a little more and then headed to the front. “There, there. Momma’s here.” She kissed his cheek and then blew forcefully in his ear.
She stopped at the front, patting his back and shifting her weight from side to side. She smiled apologetically at the pretty young woman in front of her. “I’m really sorry about this.”
She could tell right away that her work was done. The girl was fixated on Jonah, quickly closing her computer and putting it away in a cheap, old backpack. “Oh, don’t worry about it. It doesn’t bother me a bit. Poor thing.”
“Yeah, I think he might have a little cold. You know, a little sinus infection. His nose keeps dripping.” Helaine tried to remember what else her friend, who was always complaining about her kids, usually said. In fact, ever since she had started having kids, that’s all that the woman talked about...her sick kids and their million problems. Visiting her was like taking contraceptives on steroids. She wouldn’t even let her boyfriend touch her for one or two days afterwards.
“If it’s a sinus infection, you need to see the doctor. Does he have a fever?”
“Here, you check,” Helaine said, casting the child out in front of her.
The woman touched his forehead and then cheeks with the back of her hand gently. Because he was flying free again, Jonah upped his crying to a steady scream. His face was getting really red.
“No fever. He’s only a bit
warm because of the fussing.” She looked like she wanted to say something else, probably about the way Helaine was holding him out in the air, but decided against it.
“Ah, let me check in my bag. Here, could you hold him?”
She hesitated for a few seconds, looking behind her to the exit through which the man with her had gone off in a huff. He was supposed to be her boyfriend, according to the information in the brief, but Helaine knew five minutes in that there was no chance of it. They acted more like coworkers that didn’t get along, which, if anything, made things easier, since he hopefully wouldn’t be overly motivated to find her once she disappeared.
Finally the woman said, reaching up and pulling Jonah into her arms, “Alright, just for a minute.”
Yeah, right. The bait stopped crying immediately and just stared at her, hiccuping periodically.
“Your name is Jonah?” The sweetest voice imaginable asked him. It had the same tone as before, same general sound, but somehow it had become as soft as a caress when it was directed at the boy.
Helaine was pretending to look for some mother thing in the garishly decorated, light blue diaper bag hanging at her shoulder, “How did you know?”
“Oh, I heard you talking to him earlier, sorry.”
“Oh, yeah, sorry. I know it’s a bit late to have a baby crying...I tried to stop him…Now where is that…” Her hand passed the gun and the restraining ties. It was a good thing baby bags were so big, so they could hold all the necessities.
“He could be teething. He’s about the right age and that causes dripping, too. Here, open up, honey.” She pressed her finger gently on the corner of his mouth and he opened it right up for her. “Yep, there’s one coming in right there. Ouch. The gums are swelling up pretty good around it. Do you have gel for that?”
“No.” She tried to look like she thought she was a terrible mom, “Do you think I should? Where do I get it?”
“Any drugstore would have it. I think it might help the pain.” She lifted him up and held him against her chest tightly. “He likes to be hugged, doesn’t he?”
Jonah stuck his thumb in his mouth and looked like he was getting ready to go back to sleep. “Uh, yeah, he loves to snuggle. Mind if I sit down for a minute?”
“Sure,” she said with a quick glance to the back again, “for a minute.”
“Thanks, and thanks for taking him,” Helaine leaned back, closing her eyes. “I haven’t had a break in a while.”
“I love children, and I haven’t had a chance to be around any for a bit, so don’t thank me. I should thank you.”
“I’m Helaine, by the way.”
“Oh, yeah, nice to meet you.” When Helaine waited expectantly, she added, “My name is Neida.”
“Nice to meet you. That’s a strange name.Where is it from?”
“Um, I don’t want to be rude, but do you mind if I don’t give out personal information? It’s just that my father is very strict about traveling…”
“I am so sorry! I was being rude. Please excuse me.”
“It’s no problem, just...thanks. Well, he’s about asleep.” She frowned and started to run her hand over him softly. “There’s something…”
Helaine watched, a tiny alarm beginning to sound inside of her as the woman’s fingers moved to right where Jonah would be sporting a bruise tomorrow. Neida wasn’t even looking at him; instead, she stared forward blankly and her head was tilted as if she were listening.
“I think he might be injured right here,” she said, pressing ever so lightly on his hip and then nodding to herself. Jonah only stirred slightly, made one peeping noise and then continued to suck on his thumb.
“I’ll check it later when I change him.” Something told her it was about time to pull back. She had already achieved the first step anyway. No need to push it...
The woman nodded absently. Then, in reaction to nothing Helaine could detect, she jerked in her seat, gasping, and then turned her head to stare at Helaine. Her friendly kindness was replaced with startled disbelief.
Definitely not good. Helaine reached for the baby, “Well, he seems okay now…”
Neida moved back, holding the child protectively. “This...isn’t your baby.”
Helaine swallowed, thinking quickly. “No, I’m just babysitting. I’m bringing him, actually, to his mother at the next stop.”
“Why? And why did you call yourself his momma?” She was filled with suspicion now, and something like anger was creeping forward to join it.
“Now you are being invasive. Hand him over, Karin.” Shit, Helaine cursed herself. The name came out of nowhere. What a rookie mistake.
Karin jumped up and looked around quickly, clasping Jonah to herself. She used one hand to sling her backpack onto her shoulder, transferred the baby to the other arm and pulled the backpack all the way on. She glanced at her partner’s bag, which was sitting on the overhead rack, before demanding, “Why are you following me?”
“You planning on kidnapping that baby?” Helaine let her voice carry through the car and it hooked the attention of a few of the nearest passengers.
Karin glanced at them and then back at Helaine. She accused, “You’re not his mother. He doesn’t even like you. Where is his real mother?”
“I’m his babysitter for now, and it doesn’t matter who he likes. You better hand him back or I’m going to start making a scene.”
When the woman didn’t move, Helaine added, “Where are you going to go? You’re on a train. I tell you what...come back to my cabin and we’ll talk.”
“You’ve followed me just to talk? I don’t think so.”
“No? Then hand him to me and we’ll go our separate ways.”
“You hurt him to make him cry, to get my attention.”
She said it like it was some great sin, and not something that he was already over.
“So? I wanted to talk to you, but you won’t talk, so we’re done. You decide how you want to do this: with or without the help of security. I’m guessing you don’t want to involve them, Neida, oh, I mean, Karin.”
Something happened then that surprised Helaine. She looked down at the baby, hugged him closer and then said, “Fine, I’ll go with you, but I’m not giving him over until I see his mother.”
Intel on affection for boyfriend: load of crap. Intel on affection for children: right on the money.
“Sure. Let’s go.”
“Hold on.” She grabbed the bag from the upper shelf with her free hand and then stepped back to let Helaine lead the way. She glanced again at the rear door and then followed Helaine through the front.
Chapter 19
Scythe pulled his mind out of the Human in front of him and then plunged the knife in. He didn’t even hesitate, didn’t even consider for a minute if it was the right thing to do. In fact, he’d been rushing the interrogation just so that he could get to that part.
He’d been hurrying because Howard Thorne was an evil man. Scythe had only been in the man’s mind a few minutes–no, less than that–before he realized it. The longer he was there, the more of the man’s greed and lust he soaked up. As he experienced the disgusting memories, it became obvious to him that this was a man that deserved to die. Nothing was off limits for him, if it got him what he wanted. The things that he enjoyed, the sensations that gave him pleasure were...wicked.
He stabbed him again reflexively when the residual image of what they had done to the family of a man that had opposed them appeared again in front of him.
“I think you got him,” Smoke said from behind. “Let go of him. We’re leaving.”
Scythe realized that he was still holding Thorne’s shirt and his hand was gripping his blade tightly for another strike. He let go of the fifth Scere L’Eler’s Human representative they had tracked down in their hunt to find those responsible for the Young family’s disappearance. He made an effort to slow down his breathing and stood up, backing away from the man who still had not stopped jerking.
“I’m taking
the rest, Scythe,” Smoke said seriously, and it was obvious he would not tolerate an argument.
“Okay,” Scythe said. He knew he was supposed to feel bad, or something like that, for killing a person, but he didn’t. He didn’t feel anything but glad that the bastard was about to die.
Thorne never felt bad either. He liked it.
Scythe shook his head, bringing the back of his hand up to his forehead to wipe off the sweat, but stopping before he got blood on himself. He stared at the knife.
The image wouldn’t leave him alone. Except, instead of seeing the children he didn’t know, he saw little Mercy’s body crumpled on the floor. Instead of a stranger’s crying wife, he saw Faith or Lena, and, over it all, he felt Thorne’s enjoyment.
Smoke took the blade from his hand and cleaned it off. Scythe continued to look at his hands.
He had to find a way to escape, because it hurt. The whole situation made his insides burn so badly that he thought he couldn’t possibly make it another day. But he didn’t have a choice. He had to keep going until he found them.
The hours had ticked by and they still hadn’t discovered where his friends could be or even if they were still alive. Keyrin was right. It had to be harder than finding them dead, to wonder and not know if they lived or died or suffered.
Cool was what he needed. He tried to pull out his cold cloak to hold the rest away, so that he could work better.
He turned around and looked at Grant who was frowning down at Thorne. “Perhaps we should consider breaking for a bit…”
“No. The next one is Deanna Whilling. We have the address. Her, and then Cho.”
“Cho will be tough. I’ll have to get a team on the preparations for that one.” He pulled out his phone and initiated a call. “Let’s hope that we find something before then.”
Scythe and Smoke led the way to the exit. Grant followed with the rest of their small team. Scythe knew that Smoke was just as worried as he was about their missing friends, maybe more, because he was pursuing Lena in the hopes that she would take him as her husband. He noticed that the Blade was still in control of himself. He was still able to function; he didn’t let his fears get in the way. Scythe was determined to be more like his brother in arms.
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