A groan escapes me as a deep ache blooms in my chest, the pain spreading outward to afflict the rest of my body. It might be the last time I find myself in this house.
14
As I finish the last button on my blouse, a knock resounds in my room. I jolt away from the mirror and stare at the door. My first thought strays to an image of Mrs. Whitmore standing on the other side, one of the reasons why I’ve been dawdling. Her disapproving stare taunts me. Another face appears in my head. Keenan, the main reason I refuse to exit my room. After last night, I don’t know how to face him. The idea of being subjected to his aloof demeanour chills me to the core.
Another knock, followed by Keenan’s voice. “Moira, it’s me.”
I step away from my reflection and let him in.
His gaze flicks away from my face. “I’ve informed Mrs. Whitmore I will be having guests this morning and to not disturb us. Breakfast awaits us in the dining room.”
He turns and descends the stairs, his aggravation trailing after him. I stare at the empty space, with my heart racing up to my throat. When his footsteps fade, I leave my room and follow him downstairs, my body displacing the red mist. He sits and hides his face behind a newspaper. Two full plates rest at each end of the table, an inviting bouquet. I approach the other end and sit. Steam rises from my dish, tantalizing me, and my stomach growls at the sight. I lift my fork and shovel food into my mouth.
Across from me, Keenan lowers the newspaper and takes a bite of his food. “I’ve called the Dream House this morning and arranged for Evan to arrive shortly.”
I swallow and mutter beneath my breath. “Thank you.”
“And you think this will work?”
My shoulders lift into a shrug. “Only one way to find out.”
He presses his lips together. His lack of response pushes me over the edge. Anger swells inside, setting every nerve on fire. I tap my heel against the chair, restless, and glare across the table. A part of me realizes I have no right to be upset, yet his previous words spin in my head. He once said he loved me, but his behaviour thus far means he must have changed his mind, as easily as one changes outfits.
I clutch the utensil in my hand, and the truth I’ve been dreading rushes out. “So that’s it.”
He stares at me, and his eyebrows rise high on his forehead.
“Will you call me Del Mar from now on?”
My voice drips with bitterness.
“No.” The word hangs in the air as he pauses. “I need time to think.”
“Well, don’t let me interfere with that.”
I smack my palms on the table, spilling coffee in the process, and rise to my feet. The chair catches on the carpet and tilts, crashing to the hardwood floor. Ignoring the mess, I stomp out of the room. My head screams and accuses me of behaving like a petulant child. An apology should fall from my lips, yet the words fail to come. Instead, fury sears my tongue. I turn into the parlour room and sulk on the sofa.
Several minutes pass by before someone knocks on the front door. My head snaps up, and I stand. Before I can move, Keenan strolls by and greets the guest. His voice carries through the hall, along with another familiar one. I flop back onto my seat and wait for the men to join me. Keenan steps into the room, followed by Evan. The sight of Evan, unharmed and not locked in prison, fills me with relief.
He offers me a smile, but his voice lowers with distrust. “Moira, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
I turn to address Keenan. “Do you mind stepping out so Evan and I can speak in private?”
My words come out harsher than I intended.
“I do mind.” He pins me with his sharp gaze. “If I’m going to help you, then I need to be aware of everything.”
The last word punctuates the air and contains all of the emotions and thoughts he refuses to reveal. Despite my so-called good intentions, I’ve betrayed his trust, a transgression not so easily forgiven. Instead of confiding in him, I had chosen to withhold the truth. My previous outrage subsides, draining my body of the urge to fight. I swallow the lump of fear and avert my gaze. I’m no better than Icarus. The moment Keenan discovers the whole truth, he’ll never forgive me. And I’m selfish. I want to be forgiven. I need him to let me back into his life.
Evan shifts in the uncomfortable silence. “Alright, so why am I here?”
I speak before Keenan can answer, choosing my words with caution so as not to incriminate Evan. “As you know, I was imprisoned and accused of being the Phoenix. But I’m not. Mr. Hayes is. I tried to attack him yesterday, which is what you and Alyssa unknowingly helped me do. But Mr. Hayes wasn’t at the Legislature building. Jonathan was. He’s dead now.”
His eyes widen, and his surprise creates a yellow halo above his head.
Lowering my voice, I continue. “The Detective was able to clear my name by convincing everyone that Jonathan was the Phoenix. But that still leaves the real Phoenix alive and free to persuade any one of us.”
His brow lifts. “You never quit, do you?”
“I can’t, not if I want to live.” My gaze flicks to Keenan, and I amend my words. “The Phoenix needs to account for his crimes.”
Evan glances at Keenan. “Wait. If you know Mr. Hayes is an empath and the Phoenix, then why don’t you arrest him?”
“Because I have no way of ensuring everyone’s safety.” He pins Evan with his stare. “He could use persuasion on the constables and flee. Not to mention Daniel is still out there. They could have some plan in place in case either one of them is arrested.”
“Then what do you want me to do?”
I adjust my position and gesture to the space beside me. Evan eyes my hand for a silent moment before he lowers onto the sofa. He shifts his torso, tilting away from Keenan, so we’re face to face. His gaze swings between my different-coloured eyes. I feel like a fool asking him, considering I’ve only heard rumours from Scott, but whispers are typically based on truth.
I keep my voice low, even though Keenan can hear me. “Scott once told me there are some dream weavers who can lock someone in a dream. Is this true?”
A dangerous question to ask him, especially in front of Keenan. Admission would mean execution to those who could perform such an act, yet I hope Keenan will let it slide if it guarantees the Phoenix’s capture. He fixes his gaze on me, and his horror slinks toward us. Evan twists around, and his hesitancy bleeds into the room, mixing with the black tendrils floating in the air.
I rest a hand on Evan’s arm. “The detective won’t tell anyone. Tell him, Keenan.”
A muscle in Keenan’s jaw twitches, but he nods. “You have my word.”
“I appreciate that.” Evan turns back to me, his expression still guarded. “Are you sure this is the only way?”
“I’m positive. Icarus’s inner thoughts and memories are impenetrable. But his mind isn’t completely locked away, because he has built a landscape around it that resembles the minds of non-empaths. I figured we’d build a dream around it. Do you think that would work?”
“I don’t know, Moira. You’re asking a lot.”
I nod and lower my eyes, hearing the unspoken words in his voice. There’s an undeclared rule between empaths: never expose your kind. Not only have I revealed his powers to Keenan, but I’ve also asked him to betray another empath. And for what? All so I can live while the Elite continue to enslave my kind. Whereas Evan and the other empaths remain slaves. I’ve offered him no incentive. Why should he help me? Doubt spreads through my veins and fuses to my heart.
A sigh of reluctance seeps from between Evan’s lips. “Fine, I’ll do it. I don’t know anyone who can lock someone in a dream, not that they’d confide in me. I’m not even sure I know how, but I’ve been practicing.”
My brows rise high on my forehead in admiration. What else has he been practicing? I turn my attention on Keenan and assess his reaction. He sits in his seat, tapping the side of his chair. Tension weaves around him, causing his shoulders to lift and his eyes to narrow. His
gaze burns a hole in the floor as the gears inside his mind turn with a feverish speed.
I clear my throat. “You know this means that Evan will have to use his powers on you.”
He snaps his gaze up, and a thread of terror slips beneath his control.
“Relax, Keenan. The only thing he’ll do is calm you so that none of your other emotions give us away.”
“I’m fully capable of controlling myself.”
One corner of my mouth twitches upwards into a slanted smile. “I know you are, but we can’t risk Mr. Hayes picking up on your unease and excitement.”
He nods, the movement heavy with reluctance. “And what if you don’t succeed?”
I straighten in my seat. “Then you come in and arrest him.”
“Moira—”
“Your pessimism isn’t appreciated, Detective. Besides, we don’t have any other choice. Either we try it this way, or we expose him for who he is. Which one is it?”
When he remains quiet, I continue. “Good. We need to draw Icarus somewhere I can be alone with him, but also where we have witnesses. Since the Elite believe Jonathan to be the Phoenix, I was thinking I could be brought into the police station. You or the Chief would call Mr. Hayes to inform him I’ve been found. I know Mr. Hayes. He won’t be able to resist coming to see me. He’ll want to confront me about my escape and Jonathan’s death.”
He’ll want to kill me.
Doubt forms a thick ring over Evan’s head and weighs his tone down. “And what if he doesn’t come?”
“Then we find another way.”
“Have it your way, Moira.” Keenan rises to his feet and walks out into the foyer. “We better leave now.”
I force the determination of my previous words to outweigh the unease stirring inside. The knowledge that Jonathan is dead gives me comfort. If we can get rid of one of them, then we can eliminate them all. I stand, but Evan grabs my arm and halts my progress.
He whispers low so the detective can’t hear. “You owe me.”
His light tone contrasts with the severity behind his eyes. I nod, having no intention of disagreeing. Perhaps the Elite will offer him his freedom, as well, considering all the help he’s given and is about to give to eradicate the Phoenix. And, if not, I will personally see to it that they do.
His words remind me of the day before.
“What happened to you yesterday? Alyssa and I came out only to find you gone.”
He lifts his shoulders in a dismissive shrug. “The constables brought me in for questioning, but don’t worry about it.”
My brows narrow, and my mouth opens to ask more questions. But Evan walks off before I can speak. When I enter the foyer, I snag my coat off the hook and slip it on. Keenan opens the front door and ushers me and Evan outside. I stifle the urge to sit in the back of the vehicle, away from the detective. The uncertainty of his feelings fills me with dread. Once the engine starts, my foot bounces in anticipation. Regardless of whether or not Evan and I succeed, Mr. Hayes will meet his end today.
When we arrive at the police station, I turn to the detective. I narrow my brows and examine him as a question burns through me. Just how far does his sense of duty run? He’s already agreed to withhold information from the Elite by keeping Icarus’s identity a secret. But I know his loyalty to the police runs deeper.
I keep my voice calm, hoping the softness of my tone will alleviate the strictness of my words. “You can’t tell the Chief of what we’re about to do.”
He turns his head slowly and pins me with his stare.
“You’re asking me to lie to the Chief of Police.”
“I’m not asking. It’s best if he doesn’t know anything. The more people who know of our plan, the quicker Mr. Hayes will suspect we’re up to something. You have to trust me on this.”
He tightens his grip on the wheel. “Anything else?”
“Yes, one last thing.” I pause and lower my voice. “Does the Chief know you and Rick helped me escape prison?”
“He does.”
I squash the surprise rising within and turn to leave the vehicle, but his voice stops me.
“I’ll need that key back, Moira.”
“Of course, but I don’t have it on me at the moment.”
I twist away before he can detect my lie. The key lies between my breasts, where I’ve kept it since this morning. The metal presses against my chest, a small discomfort for the security it provides. I have no intention of ever returning it to the police, not when I’ve been locked in Braxton’s prison twice now. Keeping the key is a precaution, my freedom if I ever wake in that filthy place again.
Keenan exits the vehicle without another word. I feign interest in a couple strolling down the street while Evan sidles up beside me. Keenan strolls toward the station’s door and opens it, and Evan and I trail after him. With the belief that Jonathan was the Phoenix and is now dead, the constables relax in their seats, and a gold mist fills the station. All eyes fall on us the moment we enter the building. The constables skim over the detective, familiar with his presence, but linger on Evan. Once they notice me, the atmosphere in the room changes. The air thickens with silence as the chatter dies, and their suspicion weaves a dark cloud above them, tainting the haze of their success. They stare at me, some accusing and some uncertain, not knowing what to make of me.
I dust off the gathering hostility and search for a familiar face. Finally, I find him. Rick sits at his desk with a wide grin on his face. He gives me a boyish wave and rises to his feet. My heart jumps at the sight of him, but the reminder of my previous behaviour tampers my joy. Shame stabs my chest.
He strolls over to us, oblivious to the tension in the room. “I’m glad to see you two.”
“It’s great to be here.” I offer him a warm smile. “And how is Christine?”
“She’s well. Now that everything is back to normal, we can finally set a date for our wedding.”
I open my mouth, but Keenan cuts me off before I can speak.
“I’m glad to hear that, Jamieson. But if you don’t mind, Moira and I have something important to discuss with the Chief.”
“Yes, of course.” Red creeps up and stains his cheeks. “I’ll leave you to it. Just keep an eye out for my invitation.”
“I look forward to receiving it.” Keenan turns around to face Evan, and his voice lowers. “Wait for me in my office.”
Evan nods and walks toward the door on the right just as Rick returns to his desk. A ball of nerves twists in my belly as I watch Evan walk away. The sensation stirs confusion in my head, and I remind myself I have no reason to be anxious. Even Rick’s happiness fails to comfort me. While Keenan and I walk toward the back of the station, everyone’s attention follows us. We shouldn’t have come here, but we can’t turn back now. Keenan knocks and opens the door to the Chief’s office.
The Chief lifts his gaze. “Ah, Keenan, there you are. Please, come in.”
I shuffle in and sit down beside the detective.
The Chief’s furry brows inch up on his forehead. “Moira, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Well, I figured it was time I came back, considering how I left.”
“I always thought you were innocent, and I’m glad the case is finally over. We can put all that in the past and move on.”
A grateful smile graces my lips, but an image of Icarus weighs it down. If only I could move on, an option not available to me yet with Icarus still on the loose.
“I appreciate that.”
“You know what that means, don’t you?” The Chief shifts his beady eyes to Keenan before returning on me. “You’re free now. Well, as free as an empath can be. You have yet to discuss the terms with the Elite, but I’d like you to consider working with us. The police, I mean. I believe you’d be a great asset for further investigations. I know some of us would love to have you here.”
Again, his eyes dart to Keenan.
I glance sideways at the man sitting beside me. Doubt spears through my che
st, snipping away at my hope before it has a chance to grow. Before, I would have agreed with the Chief. But, after last night, I’m no longer certain. He might not want me here if he doesn’t forgive me. And, frankly, I’m not sure I’d want to stay.
Heated breath escapes my lungs in a puff of exasperation. “Thank you, Chief. I promise to consider your offer.”
“Fantastic! I should call the Chief Elite Member and inform him you’re here. The man has been rather adamant to find you. Ah, that reminds me.” He turns to Keenan. “Do you mind sending out a few constables to the Memory House? I haven’t been able to contact Mr. Johnson all morning.”
Keenan nods. “Of course.”
The Chief dismisses us with a quick gesture of his hand. When we exit, Keenan pulls Rick and Constable Smith aside. I sigh and walk away to find Evan. A few constables watch me as I enter the detective’s office, and the door closes behind me with a gratifying thud. I lift my head and smooth the scowl from my face before it overtakes it.
Evan meets my gaze. “Is everything falling into place?”
“Yes, now we have to wait.” I sit in the empty seat beside him and lower my voice. “Listen, I haven’t had a chance to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to repay you. I’ll speak to the Elite and let them know you helped.”
His expression softens as a genuine smile pulls at his lips. “I know you will, and I have a feeling we’ll both be getting what we want fairly soon.”
My brows furrow as a thick web of confusion ensnares me. Questions rise, but the door opens and closes with a faint click, interrupting us. Keenan walks past us and sits behind his desk, the creak of his chair echoing in the silence. He pulls out a cigarette from his case and lights the end. Smoke slithers up in a lazy dance, obscuring his face.
Rise of the Phoenix Page 18