After he changed, he snagged a toolbox from a maintenance supply closet. He hid his clothes in the chest and headed up the nearby stairwell. He’d only gone up a couple of stairs when Emma’s terror slammed into his chest.
Emma?
He stopped on the landing and waited for a response, calling again in panic. Emma!
I’m fine. Just give me a minute.
Her fear eased and Will allowed himself to take a breath. Maybe she’d been startled. He almost convinced himself until her fear seeped through again. Where was she? Concentrating on their connection, he could tell that she was above him somewhere. He started climbing the stairs, waiting for her to tell him what happened. After several minutes, she hadn’t answered, but her anxiety persisted.
Emma. What’s going on?
She hesitated before answering. I found Alex.
The way she said it made him think she wasn’t watching Alex from the distance. Are you upstairs? I’m coming to get you.
NO! Her panic returned stronger than before. Alex has men posted to watch for you.
Will’s stomach knotted. He’s keeping you prisoner.
She paused. No. I’m here on my own. Alex found me in the hall outside his suite and invited me in. I told him that I came to see if he could help me get Jake back.
And what did he say?
He seemed upset that Raphael had him. But more upset when I told him that you wanted to kill Jake.
Sweat beaded on Will’s forehead. He knew that was all part of the plan but it made him nauseated to hear her say it anyway. Did he buy it?
I think so but he wanted to know where you were. Since we’ve joined he’s suspicious that I’m not with you, but he seemed to buy my reason. I told him you sided with Marcus and want to rule the world with him. But Alex says that you wouldn’t let me go that easily and you’d come to get me. So he’s posted guards at the door and other places to protect me from you.
Will’s hand clenched around the toolbox handle. Alex is right about one thing. I’m coming to get you.
No! I’m in with Alex now, which is what you wanted. Right? Just wait until after the fundraiser dinner and I’ll tell you when it’s safe to come.
Will didn’t like the idea of leaving her in Alex’s suite, but he had to admit that she was right. This was going better than he could have hoped. And that worried him. Okay, but the first sign of trouble and I’m coming to get you.
I’m counting on that.
Be careful, Emma.
I’m fine. He’s been well-behaved and he’s left me alone while he gets ready for his dinner.
What room are you in?
She didn’t answer for several seconds. I think I’m in 2146.
You think?
I wasn’t exactly paying attention to the number on the door when Alex invited me in.
Will sighed. That was the difference between the two of them, further proof he was an idiot to let her do this. He would not only know the room number but the location of the air vents, the supply closet, and the fire hose. Can you find out for sure? Check the phone?
There is no phone.
Fear mixed with Will’s dread. He’s not protecting you, Emma. He’s keeping you prisoner.
I’m not an idiot. I’m willing to see this through for a bit to get more information from him.
While it went against Will’s instinct, it seemed the smartest thing to do. Okay, but if he acts like he’s going to hurt you, just touch him.
I’m not sure that works anymore.
He paused. What are you talking about?
He insinuated it didn’t work. Maybe it’s because you and I joined.
He told you that to make you think you’d lost your upper hand. He’s bluffing, Emma. You should have just touched him.
I want him to trust me.
You really think he’s going to trust you?
He’s not going to if I’m trying to touch him.
I don’t like the idea of you being with him for so long. Tell him you have to leave.
He’s going down to his dinner. I considered telling him that I need to get my things from my room, but I don’t want to lead his men there. You know I’ll be followed.
Will ran his fingers through his hair. Yeah, you’re right. But he’ll think it suspicious if you don’t want to get your things.
I’ll snoop around after he leaves and see if I can find anything.
Be careful, Emma.
You too.
She was in. That was the plan, even if it was hours earlier than expected. The guards by the door didn’t surprise him. He’d figured he w ould encounter them when he found Alex. But if he had to dispose of them now, Alex and his security team would be alerted to his presence. Emma needed to stay.
***
Jake knelt on the cracked pavement and vomited into a puddle. A puddle of rain he’d just created. He’d held in his nausea as long as he could, but this city was worse than last. There were more people. More kids hurt by Raphael’s earthquake. And because of the wind in his storm. Jake tried to close his eyes, but Aiden burned his arm and forced him to watch.
There had been so much blood.
He threw up again, but there was nothing left to heave out. His stomach clenched in spasms, and tears stung his eyes. His wet clothes clung to his body and he shivered uncontrollably in spite of the heat.
“Get up, Jake. We need to go.” Aiden’s voice was cold and distant.
Hatred exploded in Jake’s head. He hated Aiden. Hated Raphael. Hated Will. If it weren’t for Will, Mommy would be here saving him.
Mommy! he screamed in his head.
Nothing.
He choked back a sob.
“Calling your mother is a waste of time. I told you that Will forced her to choose. He blocked her from you.”
“No.” Jake pushed the word through his gritted teeth. His body ignited, heat building until he was sure he’d burst into flames.
“Jake.”
Aiden’s voice angered him even more, but he added it to the energy growing inside him. The power he’d used to make the storm was nothing compared to this.
Raphael slowly backed away, fear in his eyes.
The smile left Aiden’s face and his tone softened. “I know this is hard for you, Jake. But your mother is coming. I promise you that. In fact, I expect that she’ll make the connection tonight and find you tomorrow.”
Jake’s mouth dropped open and his anger oozed from tiny pinpoints all over his body.
“Come with me. I’ll take you to Antonia and she’ll make some of those pancakes you like so much.” Aiden leaned over and held out a hand.
Jake released his energy in a violent wave. The trees in its path burst into flames. Cars exploded. The asphalt in the road bubbled and the grass turned black.
Aiden knelt down, his hand still extended. “It’s okay, Jake. Let’s go see Antonia.”
Was this a trick?
A warm smile covered Aiden’s face.
Jake reached for him, expecting pain or a jolt of some kind. Instead, Aiden gently pulled Jake to his feet. “I’ve pushed you too hard, too soon. But it’s almost over.”
They walked through the rubble, Aiden still holding Jake’s hand.
Raphael fell into step beside them. “Aiden, we have to talk.”
“Later.”
“No. Now.”
Aiden’s hand burned Jake’s before he dropped it and turned to Raphael.
Sirens blared in the distance, and people outside of the damaged area continued to scream and run from the destruction.
“We don’t have time for a discussion, Raphael. Unless you feel like confronting humans.”
Raphael snorted. “I don’t give a fuck about the humans. So they discover it was us now or later. It makes me no nevermind. But we need to discuss Jake. Now.”
“This can wait, Raphael.”
“No. It can’t. Do you realize that you have only begun to tap into that boy’s power? What he just did—”
“Was nothing.” Aiden looked down at Jake. “Why don’t you go wait for me in the car?”
Jake hesitated.
“Now, Jacob.” No-nonsense Aiden was back.
He turned around and took slow steps to the car. Raphael and Aiden lowered their voices but he heard snatches.
“You’re wasting his power…”
“…what I’m doing…”
“…strength is fire...”
Their voices faded as a man opened the back door and let Jake in. The air-conditioned car seemed wrong. Like it was a different world. There was the nightmare outside, full of death and blood and evil. But inside was just as bad. It was cold and sterile and empty.
Just like Jake.
Chapter Sixteen
Will had searched several floors and found scant security. After some conversations with hotel employees, he’d discovered the twenty-first floor was off limits to everyone, including the staff. All food and amenities were carried to the room by security.
While he had powers at his disposal, he wasn’t sure he wanted to rely on them to deal with Alex’s men. He was much more comfortable with guns and bare hands. Funny how he’d been encouraging Emma to rely on her powers, yet he couldn’t do the same. He was going to have to get over his reluctance or he’d be a dead man in a week.
After checking the pool maintenance room, he took a short cut next to the indoor pool, passing a fully clothed man who sat in a lounge chair. The man turned to Will and grinned.
“Marcus.”
“I figured I’d find you here.”
Will was about to ask him why, until he glanced at the pool.
“Have you always been drawn to water, Will?”
“Don’t we have more important things to discuss?”
“Such as?”
“Such as the fact that Raphael has Jake and they destroyed half of Little Rock.”
Marcus scowled. “It’s nothing. You need to focus on other things.”
“It wasn’t nothing to Emma. Or Jake, I’m sure. How did Raphael get him? What’s his purpose?”
“What do you think?”
Will sat in the chair next to Marcus. “To get to Emma.”
“And it’s working, I take it.”
“Of course.”
“Are you here to kill Alex?”
Marcus asked so matter-of-factly, he took Will by surprise. “And if I was?”
“I’d say it was a smart decision. Eliminate as much competition as possible before the battle to ensure you and Emma make it to the final round.”
Will’s chest tightened. “Is that Raphael’s goal? To kill Emma? Jake would never go along with that.” But it made sense, especially if killing Emma killed Will in the process.
“I’m sure Jake has no idea. Jake is a pawn.” Marcus turned to him. “Where’s Emma now?”
Will hesitated. How much should he tell him?
“I’m not your enemy, Will. What purpose would it serve for me to have created you, only to betray you?”
“Why don’t you ask Aiden?
“I understand your distrust and appreciate it. It helped make you a decorated soldier. But I’m nothing like Aiden. You and I are on the same side, Will.”
Will had to admit he could use the help, but could he really trust Marcus? “Emma is upstairs with Alex.”
“Interesting.” Marcus was silent for a moment. “I wished this could have all unfolded differently. I wish I could have told you who you were years ago.”
Will stared at his folded hands. “Would it have made any difference? Emma only found out about a month ago. I’m just a few weeks behind. What’s strange is I’ve managed to accomplish in days what has taken her weeks.”
“Your power is more pure than hers.” His voice softened. “Do you know why I chose you?”
Will shook his head and released a bitter laugh. “That’s an interesting choice of words. I thought this was all about genetics. And destiny.”
“True. You are who you are because of genetics, but I assure you that you and I aren’t anything like Aiden and Emmanuella. Don’t you wonder why you’re my first child?”
Will turned to look at Marcus. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why am I the first?”
“Because of your mother.”
Will expected Marcus to tell him revenge or destiny or a whole cosmic host of reasons. He hadn’t expected that.
“There was something about her. Something special. In thousands of years, I’d never felt what I felt with your mother. I loved her. I still do.”
The stone on Will’s ring swirled as sorrow washed through him. “She’s dying.”
“Will…” Marcus looked into the pool, his voice turning to a whisper. “She died last week. I was with her at the end.”
Will’s grief exploded in his head and he choked on a sob. He knew his mother wouldn’t last long after he saw her, but hearing the confirmation still caught him by surprise.
“When she became pregnant with you I knew I couldn’t stay with her.” Marcus rubbed the side of his index finger. “I knew I couldn’t raise you. She had no idea who I really was and she never would have believed me if I told her. How would I explain the fact that I never aged?”
“You could have tried. You were a coward. Instead, she ended up with the Colonel, the bastard.” Will snorted. “I guess I was the bastard.”
“Will.” Marcus cleared his throat and leaned forward. “That was my fault too. After I discovered your mother was pregnant, that’s when I approached Aiden and told him I was ready to initiate the final round. Maybe I couldn’t raise you and provide for you that way, but I could give you an inheritance.”
The revelation caught Will off guard. Marcus hadn’t created Will for the game. Instead he’d changed the game to accommodate his son. Still, Will wanted no part of his inheritance. “This? Are you shitting me?”
“It wasn’t supposed to be this difficult.”
“What the fuck, Marcus? How could it not be this difficult?”
“It was supposed to be you and me against Aiden. My plan was for you and Emmanuella to join for practical purposes and then we could use her and her power against Aiden. She was just another piece in the game.”
Anger rose until Will’s ears burned. “Emma is not a pawn.”
“I see that now, and it’s a huge complication. I told you, Emmanuella had never fallen for her protector before. I didn’t expect it.”
“Maybe because she’s not Emmanuella. She’s Emma.”
“Fair enough. But the bottom line is your end goal. I know what Emma’s end goal is, which Aiden is counting on to weaken you. I’m asking you to rethink yours.”
“What the fuck does that mean? Do you expect me to throw Emma and Jake to the side because my real daddy shows up?”
Marcus leaned closer. “No, Will. It means I need you to think logically. This is about more than you or me or Emma or even Jake. This is about the fate of the world. What do you think is going to happen if Raphael gets more control than he already has after years of exile as a human? Or Alex? What do you think Aiden will do if his power increases?”
Will’s breath came in short bursts. “I will not let anything happen to Emma or Jake. I’d rather die myself than let that happen.”
Marcus covered Will’s hand with his own. “I know. I felt like that with your mother.”
“So you deserted her and she married the Colonel. If you really loved her you wouldn’t have let that happen. He treated her like garbage.”
Releasing a heavy sigh, Marcus’s grip tightened. “I encouraged her to marry him.”
Will clenched his fists to keep from punching his father. “You fucking bastard.”
“I knew he was destined to be a great soldier. I hoped he would be a good influence for you. I needed you to be a warrior.”
“What the hell do you want me to say to that? Thanks?”
“No, Will. I watched over you as you grew and I realized he wasn’t the father to you that I’d hoped for. But there was no do
ubt that he did influence you. You’re a great soldier with good instincts. They’ll serve you well.”
“You watched me and never thought to visit Mom? Or see me?”
“How could I explain that I looked exactly the same as I had twenty years ago?”
“Plastic surgery? Good genetics?”
“The longer I waited the more impossible it became.”
“You tell yourself whatever you need to, to make yourself feel better.” Will stood. He didn’t want to hear any more. “What do you want? Obviously, you’re here for a reason.”
“You need to trust your instincts.” Marcus rose to his feet and put a hand on Will’s arm. “Emma’s not a soldier. She’s a mother. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you need to trust your instincts and not hers. You’re the one capable of saving you all—and the world. Not Emma. You may have to go against her wishes and force her to do your bidding.”
“Even if I were to believe that, she’ll never go along with it.”
“You are bonded, Will, and you are the stronger of the two of you. You can influence Emma to do what you want her to do. You can use her power to accomplish what you need to do.”
Ice rushed through Will’s veins. “Why are you telling me this?”
“You need to be prepared. Your love for her is already a handicap. You need to know your options.”
Will shrugged off Marcus’s hand. “I’ve heard enough.”
“Just remember what I said. All I ask is that you make your decisions based on your military expertise and logic, not your emotions. You know that’s the best advice anyone could give you.”
Will released his anger into the pool, the water rushing up and breaking the glass walls. The roar of the water filled the room and half the pool ended up in the adjoining courtyard. Marcus stood to the side with his lips pressed together.
Shoving the hallway door open, Will tried to pretend his rage was a result of Marcus’s bad advice.
It was easier than acknowledging that Marcus was right.
***
Alex emerged from the bedroom, knotting a tie around his neck. “You’re still here.” He sounded amused.
Redemption (The Chosen #4) Page 16