Winter's Storm: Retribution (Winter's Saga #2)

by Karen Luellen

  As Creed was pulling out of the parking lot, Meg rolled over in her cot, repositioned her pillow and draped her leg over Maze.

  5 Fifteen-Year-Old with a Driver’s Permit

  “Cole, you coming?” Alik yelled up the stairs. “Your dad’s already in the car.”

  “Yeah, I just…darn it. Hey, have you seen my magic thumb?” Cole yelled back, sounding out of breath and frustrated.

  “Your what?”

  “My thumb! I can’t find it anywhere and that’s one of their favorites,” Cole moaned.

  “You can borrow mine. Come on. We’re gonna be late and you know how upset they get when we’re late. Remember last time,” Alik gave Cole a look as he met him at the bottom of the stairs, thumb-less.

  “I know. They drew us pictures of frown-y faces. It was depressing as heck.”

  The boys hurried out the front door, jumped down the steps and jogged to the car. Cole tapped on the driver’s side window.

  “Dad, can I drive, please?” he yelled through the glass miming the request as if his dad didn’t already know what his son wanted.

  Dr. Andrews rolled his eyes at his teenager. Ever since he got his driver’s permit three days ago, Cole had not let up about wanting “practice time” behind the wheel.

  “Fine, but this time, please drive the speed limit. I don’t want to get pulled over for obstructing traffic because you’re going so blasted slow,” Dr. Andrews teased as he got out of the car and walked around to the passenger seat.

  “Dad! What are you saying to me? You want me to speed? Do you know the statistics on speeding and fatalities? Safety first, old man,” Cole teased back.

  “Good grief,” the doctor groaned.

  Changing the subject to take his mind off of Cole’s one mile per hour attempt at reverse down the driveway, the doctor asked, “Alik, is it your turn for Mom Watch?”

  “I relieve Evan at noon,” Alik responded cringing at the trash bin they were inches away from hitting.

  “Hope everyone had a good night up at the hospital,” Cole mumbled.

  “Less talking, more driving,” his dad said, only half teasing. “I’m sure everything’s fine up there. My staff has strict orders to contact me directly if there is any change in our patient.”

  “Mom’s not recovering as fast as I thought she would,” Alik confided.

  Dr. Andrews nodded softly, “She’s not a metahuman with rapid healing abilities like you, Alik. And she’s not as young as she used to be. Her body is doing the best it can to heal. She just needs time.”

  “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, sir. I’m just worried. We’re sitting ducks right now. Williams could…yellow light.”

  “Williams could what?” Cole asked

  “Yellow light! RED!” Alik yelled, pushing himself back in his seat.

  “STOP!” Dr. Andrews yelled to Cole.

  Four seconds of squealing tires later, they were stopped a little too far into the intersection and car horns were already honking.

  “Sorry, ‘bout that,” Cole blushed.

  “Son,” Dr. Andrews said calmly.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Slowly back the car up.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “So, you were saying, Alik?” Dr. Andrews asked, trying to act calm about the whole teenager-behind-the-wheel thing.

  “Um…I was just saying how worried I am about Williams sending a henchman or five to come finish what he started. This time, he may send another metasoldier like the one that got to Meg. Even with us standing guard, if he sent meta assassins, chances are very good they’ll accomplish their task. They may even come after you two.”

  “Is that why Mom Watch schedules one of you kids to stay at the house with Cole and me every night? Because you are worried we’re in danger, too?” Dr. Andrews asked.

  Alik just shrugged, trying not to worry the doctor. The truth was that was exactly why the kids had arranged the schedule the way they did. They didn’t want the doctor or Cole to be defenseless if the house was attacked. It was hard not to feel responsible for everyone’s safety.

  “After what happened, your worries are valid. I’m just not sure what to do about it,” the doctor said thoughtfully. “Let me call Greg to see if he has any new information or suggestions. Maybe he knows something that will make our options more clear.”

  Alik stayed silent, as was his way, brooding over all that could take place.

  “Listen, I don’t want anything to happen to your mother either. I want us all safe, and I’ll do everything I can to keep it that way. We’ll figure this out. Somehow.”

  And with that Cole pulled safely into his father’s reserved parking spot at the hospital. “Is the love-fest over? Can we go entertain the sick kids with our magic tricks now?” he chirped a little over anxiously.

  Alik gave his friend a sideways look and thought, not for the first time, how difficult it must be for Cole knowing everyone else was expected to protect him because he would be helpless against a metahuman.

  I guess if I were him, I’d change the subject, too, Alik thought to himself.

  6 Cafeteria Food

  Morning shook the fog from my mind. Did last night really happen? Did I take Maze for a walk and run into a guy outside last night? A guy who wouldn’t get the hint that I wanted nothing to do with him? A guy with handsome blue eyes and a wide, dreamy smile?

  Yeah, that’s it. It had to be a dream.

  Who in their right mind would go by the name ‘Creed?’ I thought to myself smugly. Good grief. That was a soap opera name, not a real guy’s name.

  Still groggy, I let the morning sun from the hospital window warm my face. I slowly batted my eyes open and turned to watch my mother breathe. Her chest rose and fell faintly, but definitely.

  “Evan, wake up,” I whispered so as not to disturb mom. Evan mumbled in response. “Evan, it’s seven o’clock, and I’m starved. Do you wanna go get breakfast, or do you want me to?” Her littlest brother mumbled more and rolled over on his way-too-small cot.

  He sure was cute when he was sleeping. That sandy blond hair falling in wisps over his long eyelashes just made him look so sweet—like he used to when he was a little boy. His birthday was fast approaching, though. He was nearly thirteen-years-old. Where did my baby brother go? I reached out and touched his unruly hair away from his eyes. Maybe I should just let him sleep.

  “Okay, kiddo. I’ll go fetch breakfast for us. You sleep,” I whispered to him.

  “Maze, you coming?” I looked over at my loyal coyote fast asleep at the foot of my cot. He opened his eyes just a crack and blinked once before letting his sleepy lids fall back closed.

  “Okay, you guys. I’ll bring back food. Just don’t complain if I didn’t grab your favorites,” I whispered to the room full of sleeping family.

  After a quick kiss to my mom’s cheek, I turned and stepped out of the hospital room, and listened for the door to lock automatically behind me.

  The hospital’s cafeteria was located in the basement. It usually had the standard stuff with one “daily special” posted on an old-fashioned green chalk board. Today’s turquoise chalk proudly announced, “Sausage and Eggs with Flour Tortillas, Beans and Salsa!”

  Now, that sounds delicious! I thought to myself. I haven’t had good Mexican food since I left our Texas ranch. Not wanting to get my hopes too high, I placed my order. “Three daily specials, three milks and six biscuits to go, please.” I said to the cook behind the cafeteria-like counter.

  “Ah, a girl after my own heart and a hearty appetite, too!” the cook chirped happily. I just smiled back, not wanting to explain that I’d just ordered for myself, my bottomless pit of a brother, and my sixty-pound coyote.

  “Wow, you must be hungry,” a vaguely familiar voice laughed beside me.

  I turned and saw the blue eyes from my dreams; only, this wasn’t a dream. We were standing side-by-side in the hospital cafeteria line under glaring florescent lights. He was real, and the immediate magnetism
I felt was enough to knock me silent.

  “I’ll have two orders of the special, please,” he called over to the cook. He glanced at me and added, “To go.”

  “You seem to be making a habit of doing that,” I said trying to regain my composure.

  “Doing what?”

  “Sneaking up on me.”

  “I almost didn’t recognize you without your fur coat,” he teased, referring to Maze no doubt.

  “I almost didn’t recognize you in the light of day,” I tried to counter smartly, but came across smug instead.

  “You never told me your name last night,” he said under his breath.

  “I told you the name of my ferocious coyote. That should be enough.” I could feel his sleeve brush my arm, barely grazing the fine hair, sending sparks to my tummy. Self-consciously, I scooted my plastic orange tray further away from him.

  “I only have a passing interest in your coyote; it’s you I want to know.” His voice was barely audible above the noise of the room. I had to force myself to concentrate on breathing because the room was getting very thick and my senses were feeling overwhelmed. The sounds of the clanking pots and pans, food sizzling in pats of butter, scraping of griddles by metal spatulas, voices murmuring, laughing, talking all around me.

  “That’ll be $30.35, miss,” a female voice said. “Miss?”

  I shook my head in a feeble attempt to clear it. “Oh, yes, of course,” I answered stupidly while shuffling through my small purse for mom’s credit card.

  “Ours are together,” Creed responded smoothly and passed the somewhat impatient cashier a hundred dollar bill. The cashier looked over at Creed with a wide smile and even wider eyes.

  A little breathless, she said, “Your change, sir.”

  Well, good. At least it wasn’t just me. This guy was more than just a little attractive. Any girl with a pulse could see how handsome this guy looked. Something about his eyes was mesmerizing. Note to self, Meg: Try not to look into his eyes.

  “That was very nice of you,” I said awkwardly.

  “Don’t think anything of it. Hey, I know we ordered to go,” casually taking my bags of food from me, “but would you be willing to sit with me for a while?”

  I stared at the cardboard drink holder in my hands, trying not to look up into his eyes. “I really have to get breakfast up to my family,” I said a little too hurriedly.

  “Of course,” Creed’s voice dropped a pitch. I could hear his disappointment. “Will I see you again?”

  “Well, my mom’s really sick. I don’t think we’ll be leaving the hospital any time soon,” I said. “What about you? Who are you visiting here?”

  “I was visiting a friend who was in an accident, but he’s being discharged today. I don’t imagine I’ll be hanging out on the hospital’s front lawn at 3am anymore.” As he was speaking he’d been leading me away from the crowded dining room toward the elevators.

  “I’m glad your friend is well enough to go home,” I said trying to think of a way to keep him with me for a few moments more. Something about the way he moved made me want to move right with him. I didn’t mean to. I felt him leading me, but I couldn’t resist.

  He leaned up against the wall next to the elevator, still holding the bags of food all in one hand. I stood facing him foolishly holding the tray of milk. He didn’t speak for a moment, waiting instead for me to look up at him. I knew that’s what he was doing. I bit my lower lip, torn between my instincts and my urges. My eyes studied the steady pulse in his throat for a moment before I gave in and dove into his pools of blue.

  “I need to see you again,” he simply said.

  I tried to think clearly, but his scent was intoxicating. “Noon,” my mouth formed the words, but my head was screaming, slow down you dolt!

  “Where?” he smiled.

  “On the lawn,” my mouth was moving of its own volition.

  “I’ll be there,” he said smiling that dazzling smile he showed me last night. He leaned over and pressed the up button for me. Immediately, the doors opened. He stepped in briefly to hand me my bags of breakfast, allowing our fingers to touch. I had to look away for a moment as he exited the small space. The doors began closing with a “ding” and there he was, lifting a huge masculine hand to gently wave goodbye.

  It didn’t register till I got to my mom’s room and was unlocking the door by typing the code into the lock that I didn’t remember pushing the elevator button. It stopped on the floor I needed, the seventh, but I hadn’t pushed the button.

  Did Creed?

  How would he have known what floor my family was on? Worry lines creased my forehead as I thought of the possibilities. No, I must have hit the button myself, and just don’t remember doing it. My mind was a little preoccupied just then, to put it mildly. It’s okay to like a nice guy, Meg. I told myself. Especially a hottie with dreamy eyes! Don’t be so paranoid!

  7 Changing of the Guards

  “Breakfast is served,” I called over to Evan who was carefully folding up the cots and blankets.

  “Excellent, I’m famished, and it smells delicious.” He walked over to the makeshift breakfast table and sat down with me. Maze was licking his chops waiting for his plateful of food, too.

  “Okay, Maze. Here go you buddy. Don’t eat too fast, or you’ll get hiccups like you did last time,” I teased my friend while placing his plate on the floor at my feet.

  “Wow, this is awesome. I sure have been missing authentic Mexican food,” Evan said with his mouth full of eggs.

  “Mmm,” I swallowed, “me, too.”

  “Wish mom could eat with us. She’d love this,” Evan stopped and looked over lovingly at his mom who was still lying in bed. Her jaw was wired shut as it healed because it had been so horribly shattered.

  “She’ll be eating with us soon enough,” I said trying to cheer up my little brother. “Then she’ll make you eat asparagus with breakfast.”

  “Yeah, that never did make sense to me,” Evan smiled.

  “Mom loves to force vegetables down our throats,” I smiled at the memory. “But I love her for always wanting us to be healthy.”

  “Me, too,” Evan poked his fork into his rice and began pushing pieces around his plate.

  In an effort to get his mind off of mom, I asked, “So, what are you going to do with yourself when Alik comes to relieve your duty?”

  “I dunno. I’ve been really interested in the hospital’s library. Dr. Andrews has been allowing me special access to all the medical books and journals. I’ve been so fascinated with medicine; the more I read, the more I want to know,” Evan’s eyes lit up brightly as he spoke of study the way regular kids his age brightened at the thought of going to an amusement park.

  “Very cool, Ev,” I said sincerely. “Maybe you could become a doctor someday?” I loved the thought of my brilliant little brother helping people.

  Evan shrugged humbly, “I dunno. I really just want to figure out how to get mom better faster. And maybe, figure out what happened to us to make us so different from all the other metas.” He grinned adorably, “Strictly selfish reasons, really.”

  “I think you’d make a wonderful doctor, Evan. Maybe we should look into getting you accepted to a university so you could begin pre-med classes?” I asked casually after finishing my last bite of rice.

  “First thing first, Meggie,” he said in an absolutely serious tone, “we’ve got to take care of some unfinished business.”

  “Right,” I said clearing my plate. “We need to talk with Alik and get a plan in motion. Sometimes, I feel like Williams could walk through that door any minute and put a bullet through mom’s head.” I shivered at the thought.

  “Naw, he wouldn’t get his own hands dirty. That’s not his style. He’d send a meta to finish the job. That’s who we have to look out for: Some guy who looks completely out of place here; probably tall, muscular and extremely clever. He’s done with regular hired henchmen. He’d send a meta like the one who attacked you in his of
fice,” Evan’s eyes were too busy watching Maze chase his now empty paper plate around the floor licking every last morsel off to see Meg’s face pale.

  “Of course,” she whispered thoughtfully rubbing the scar on her thigh. “That’s exactly how he’d do it, isn’t it?”

  “That’s how I would do it if I were him,” Evan leaned down and grabbed Maze’s empty plate before he started to rip it up and eat the pieces, as he’s been known to do. The old goat!

  “Of course, there is still the matter of our blood. He wanted to study us to figure out what he stumbled upon that worked so well in the serum we were given. He probably still wants us. Blood samples only last for an hour or two before the fragile molecular compounds start to change and/or lose their blueprints,” Evan was thinking out loud now. He was casually discussing the ideas that had scared the apple fritters out of me ever since this whole thing came to light.

  Ugh, again I’m amazed at how nonchalant he could be in the face of scary stuff like, oh I dunno, becoming lab rats again, mom getting off-ed right in front of us, watching a madman use us as his weapons of mass destruction by cloning us and turning the clones into mindless drones to do his bidding, you know…all the stuff that wicked, scary books and movies love to throw in their plots. How can Evan just casually speculate and project these very real scenarios and outcomes?

  “Hum, but you know, he doesn’t need all three of us,” Evan stopped talking and looked pensively over at me. “Just one of us would probably suffice for his purposes.”

  As if my face wasn’t pale enough, I felt myself go perfectly still at my brother’s words. I stared at him, unblinking for a full minute, feeling all the terror of the last few weeks wash over me with a completely different slant on what could have happened.

  “Breathe, Meg,” Evan ordered. “Meg, come on. Don’t freak out on me. All of this is just me throwing around ideas—you know, hypotheticals. I could be completely wrong. Who knows what is logical in the mind of a madman?”