Josephine touches my shoulder. “Are you sure you can wake him? His mind is… so empty.”
Her last words fall in a soft whisper. I tense at the horror in her voice. A shiver courses through me at the prospect of entering his mind and encountering the emptiness there. Death would be a fate far better than lying here unconscious. Thankfully, I don’t need to enter his mind.
I leave her side to sit in the chair by the bed. “I know where to find him.”
“I hope this isn’t a mistake.”
“Me, too, but I don’t see any other choice.”
I lean against the back of my chair and close my eyes. Instead of reaching for Icarus’s mind, I slip into my own. The cool breeze ruffles my hair and sneaks through my clothing. My skin prickles as a shiver racks my spine. I open my eyes and force my legs to move across the grass. When I arrive at the edge, I peer down the hole. Beyond the layers of stairs, the pool appears like a sheet of black ice. My feet urge me to take my time climbing down the stairs.
My jaw sets in determination as I take a few steps back. I fill my lungs with air and run toward the edge. As my feet leave the ground, the sky above me crackles with thunder. My dress floats up around me, and my stomach rises to my chest. The stairs shift in unison, sliding away from me and melting into the walls. My body breaks the water’s surface, and cool liquid creeps over my head. Instinctively, I kick my legs out beneath me. Bubbles seep from my lips as panic seizes me.
Breathe. You’re not dying.
I relax my limbs and let my body sink to the bottom. My shoes hit the ground, and a white light spears through the water, forcing my eyes to squeeze shut. I raise my hands, blocking the whiteness, and fall to the floor as the water vanishes around me. Droplets fall from my clothes, creating a puddle around my feet. My lungs expand with air as I draw in desperate breaths. Squinting through my lashes, I examine the space around me. Nothing but white. I push up to my feet and wipe the wet strands from my face. Did I do it wrong?
“Looking for me?”
I spin around at the sound of Icarus’s voice. He lies on his back with his legs crossed and his arms folded beneath his head. His clothes, dry and unruffled, contrast with my saturated blouse and skirt. My face twists into a scowl. How dare he look so calm and relaxed when my life is crumbling? He keeps his eyes closed as I stomp toward him. I halt at his side and cross my arms over my chest. Water droplets drip from my hair and fall onto his face.
One eye cracks open. “Do you mind? You’re dripping all over me.”
“I don’t care.”
I lift my skirt, gathering the drenched fabric between my hands, twisting and squeezing the liquid out. Icarus jerks his head to the side and rolls to his feet. He strokes the front of his suit and tugs on the end of his sleeves. The hollows of his cheeks shift as he clenches his jaw. Within a second, his expression morphs into benevolent charm.
Dropping my skirt, I inch a few steps to my left. “Don’t you ever tire of wearing that mask?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re referring to.” He steps to his left as well, so we end up circling one another. “What I’d like to know is why you locked me in here. Inside your subconscious, of all places.”
His words grate on my ears, and I bristle at the question. But I refuse to let him know that I failed, that it was never what I intended.
I narrow my eyes and lift my chin. “I didn’t come here to answer questions. I came here to discuss a mutual problem.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Alright, Moira. We’ll play it your way. What’s this problem we share?”
I pause before letting my next words slip into the air.
“Scott is alive.”
He straightens his spine and halts. “Impossible.”
His surprise brings a smug smile to my face.
“I thought so, too. He’s taken over the Legislature building and the police station. The Elite and police are locked up in prison, as we speak.”
A vein at his temple pulses. “Ah, I see. And you’re upset because he’s locked your lover up. I don’t see how that’s my problem.”
My grin widens as I deliver another blow. “How about the fact your followers are now following Scott’s commands. They think he’s the Phoenix. You’re not in the least bit angry they’ve betrayed you? And what about Scott? All this time, you thought he was dead. All this time, you’ve put your energy into your plan, and he’s ruined it all and accomplished more in one day.”
He lifts his shoulders into a shrug. “Still not my problem.”
“Quit the act, Icarus. I know you. Your ego can’t stand the blow.”
“I don’t exactly have a choice, considering you locked me up in here.”
I take a step toward him. “I’ll set you free if you help me.”
“You can’t keep me in here forever, Moira.”
My lips quirk upwards, mimicking his expression. “I won’t need to. I’m standing by your body right now. Refuse me, and I’ll kill you.”
He swivels around, concealing his expression. But even with his face hidden, his annoyance seeps out into the space between us. Without his mental barriers, his thoughts flutter around him, unguarded and exposed. His own pawns have turned their back on him. Scott has taken credit for his work and has accomplished more. And, worst of all, his life rests in my hands. With one word, I can end him.
“This is my subconscious, Icarus. You can’t hide your emotions and thoughts. And now you know exactly how I felt when you dangled my life in front of me.” I let my victory colour my voice. “Time is ticking away. What will it be?”
“What do you need my help with?”
To an inexperienced ear, his words drip defeat. Yet, his soft voice contains precision and a hint of mischief. He won’t bow down until he comes up with an escape. Fine by me. All I need is for him to accept, and then I’ll deal with him after.
My voice hardens as fortitude binds my excitement and anger into a single purpose. “I need you to help me defeat Scott.”
“Why me?”
My nose twitches up as I fight a scowl. It’s the question I’ve been dreading to answer.
“Because as much as I hate to admit it, I’m not powerful enough. I can’t confront Scott and his followers alone.”
His voice lowers into a soft whisper. “You’ve always underestimated yourself.”
My brows narrow, and my mouth parts open. I snap my jaw closed and lift my chin, waiting for his answer. I won’t take his bait.
He turns around to face me. “Alright. I’ll help you.”
“You betray your word, and you’re dead.” I step close enough that my skirt brushes his trousers. “Do you hear me?”
“Of course.”
“And after we defeat Scott, you will leave me and the detective alone. You won’t use persuasion on either one of us, nor will you try to have us killed. I’m not your pawn. And I’m not your lover. Give me your word.”
His left eye twitches, and his nostrils flare. “You have my word.”
I narrow my eyes and scrutinize his features, searching for the truth buried beneath his anger. When I pry a little deeper, I discover the honesty in his words. I still don’t trust him, but he doesn’t need to know that. I’ve won his compliance, which is all I need at the moment. My brows smooth over, and an amicable smile graces my lips. I hold out my hand, the tip of my fingers touching his shirt. He eyes me for a moment and presses closer with his mind. My grin widens when he fails to penetrate my barrier. His expression shifts into admiration, and he takes my hand.
Our palms connect, and the white room vanishes. Water closes in on us, the force threatening to tear us apart. My grip tightens, as does his. I gather a deep breath a second before my head submerges. Darkness clouds my vision, but I know which direction I need to move. I bend my knees and push against the ground with my feet. The thrust propels me upward, and I kick my legs and manoeuvre my free arm. He swims beside me, and together, we break the surface. I release his hand and claw
my way onto a staircase. He follows behind me, but disappears from my landscape.
As soon as I slip out, I open my eyes. On the bed, Icarus’s lids flutter as he struggles to open his. My body slumps against the chair as relief courses through me. It feels good to have him out of my mind, even if it means he’s awake. Josephine steps up beside me, and her nervousness tightens my spine. I shove the emotion back, resisting anxiety’s pull. We can’t afford doubt. My muscles ache, yearning for a stretch, but I resist the urge.
“We don’t have much time.” I push myself up to my feet. “I need you to move now.”
Icarus stares up at the ceiling, a small crease forming between his brows. At the sound of my voice, he turns to regard me. But the sight of Josephine catches his eye.
His gaze slides up to her face. “What an unexpected surprise.”
Josephine crosses her arms over her chest. “You heard Moira. Get up.”
He reins in his emotions and shoves the blanket off. Deep creases line his suit from lying in bed for a couple of days. He props up onto one elbow and swings his feet over the edge of the bed. When he finally rises to a sitting position, he stares down at his bare feet. Realization dawns on me, and I rise from my seat. I open the door and enter one of the constables’ mind. Icarus clears his throat, interrupting me from planting a seed of persuasion. He lifts his gaze from the constable’s shoes and shakes his head. His eyes shift to the other constable.
I release the constable’s mind and enter his partner’s. Remove your shoes.
He obeys. His balance shifts, and his body teeters until he plants both feet back on the ground. I pick up the shoes and send them flying in Icarus’s direction. He catches one, while the other lands beside him.
The constable with his shoes still on blinks at Icarus. “Sir, you’re awake. Would you like me to tell the other Elite members?”
“No, that’s fine.” Icarus’s voice smooths into honey. “I need you both to stay here and not contact anyone. I also need you both to hand me your revolvers.”
“Of course, sir.”
They both reach for their waists and unhook their weapons.
“Thank you.” He takes both guns and hands one to me. “Are you ready?”
I nod and follow him out of the room. The two constables remain by the door, obedient to Icarus’s command. Josephine slips past them and steps up beside me. Despite her silence, her thoughts speak clearly through the emotions emanating from her. Suspicion weaves into the air, enhancing my own distrust. I let my mistrust colour the atmosphere, but rein in my thoughts, keeping them beneath the water’s surface. Just enough to let her know I don’t trust him, too.
A nurse approaches us, her mouth poised for questions. But, not even a second later, she turns around and walks away. Icarus strolls down the hallway with confidence. His affected manner fools everyone around us, everyone except me and Josephine. The stiffness in his joints prohibits him from moving with his usual fluidity. When we step outside of the hospital, I slink toward his mind. I brush against his barrier, tasting the emotions clinging to the wall.
He swivels around and grounds out his words through a wince. “I’m fine.”
“You better not be lying, because you’re useless to me if you’re weak.”
His golden eyes flash with anger. “I assure you, I’m not weak.”
“Good.” I hold out my hand. “Now hand me the revolver.”
“You’re going to leave me defenceless?”
“You already have the weapon you need.” My lips curve into a devious smile. “Your mind.”
We stare at one another, a silent battle for control. I plant my feet on the ground and prepare for the moment when he enters my mind. As a precaution, I aim my revolver at his chest. Annoyance flickers across his face, yet he doesn’t attempt to use persuasion on me. He doesn’t even bother to slip into my mind. The taste of victory sweetens my tongue.
After a long pause, he finally holds the weapon out to me. “I gave you my word, Moira. We’ll play by your rules.”
Without lowering the gun, I address Josephine. “Please take the revolver from Icarus.”
She grasps the weapon, and the tension in my shoulders eases.
He slips his hands into his pockets. “So where is Scott?”
“I have something I need to do first before we can meet Scott.” I flick my gun to the left, gesturing for him to walk. “Shall we?”
His curiosity colours the air in a burst of violet.
“Where are we going?”
A smug smile tilts my lips upwards. “My rules, remember? Now move.”
His gaze flicks down to the revolver before he turns around, his movements slowed by reluctance. I bite my lip and try to straighten my face, but my excitement seeks release. An exhilarating rush courses through me at the knowledge that Icarus is now under my command. I tamper down on my glee and shake the smile from my face.
With my eyes trained on the man walking in front of me, a single thought flutters across the water’s surface. Time to align all of my pawns.
20
I peek around the corner, searching for any sign of Scott’s blockers. The same two men stand in front of the Pleasure House, guarding the doors. Their gazes sweep the street, but miss me.
I slip into each of their minds and burrow my command. You don’t see me or the two people behind me.
With my eyes still on the blockers, I tap Josephine’s arm and step around the corner. She and Icarus follow me as I head down the sidewalk toward the prison’s escape door. My gaze flicks to the right. The two blockers eye everything but me, as if I were invisible. I snap my head forward and quicken my pace. When I arrive at the door, I slip my hand between my breasts and snatch the key. I unlock the door and let Josephine and Icarus enter first. When I close the door and lock it behind me, darkness closes around us.
Icarus whispers close to my ear, his voice punctuated with aggravation. “Why are you taking me to the prison?”
“I already told you, I have something I need to take care of first.”
I scurry away from him, grateful that the darkness hides my reaction. With my foot, I search the ground for the other door. My shoe hits the latch, and I drop to my knees. Josephine kneels beside me and opens the door. She lowers onto the ladder and vanishes. I turn my head in his direction, prepared to snap a command. A puff of frustration leaves his nose, yet he lowers down into the hole. After counting to twenty in my head, I slip down and close the door above my head.
When my feet touch the earth, I reach out for the wall. “Follow me and keep quiet.”
Farther down the hall, the sounds of men arguing echoes in the dark. At first, I mistake the voices, assuming they belong to Scott’s blockers. But as soon as their words pierce my ears, I realize my error. Inside my mind, the water stirs at the sound of Keenan’s voice. Along with the detective, the voices of the Chief and several other men echo down the hall. With each step I take, their irritation and fear increases in presence. The air thickens with their desperation, nearly suffocating me with its potency. They fall silent the moment I approach their cells.
One rises in the silence. “Who’s there?”
“Shut up, you fool! It might be one of them.”
“Who else would be down here?”
I keep my voice low, but loud enough so they can hear me. “Alright, everyone, be quiet unless you want the blockers upstairs to hear you.”
A familiar voice responds. “Moira?”
“Hello, Chief.” The corners of my mouth twitch upward. “I’m here to set you all free.”
A harsh whisper cuts through my words. “She lies! She helped them lock us up. She can’t be trusted.”
“You can trust me, or you can rot in prison. Either way, it’s your choice. I’ve brought Mr. Hayes with me. He and I have struck a deal. Are you going to defy the Chief Elite Member’s orders?”
The same voice responds. “Mr. Hayes? I thought he had fallen ill.”
Icarus speaks up, his
voice closer than I’d like. “I’m feeling quite well. Thank you. I suggest you all listen to Moira if you want to live.”
Silence descends, yet their thoughts churn in their minds. Their emotions clamour over one another. Suspicion. Anger. Fear. And a bud of hope. If only I could alter their moods like Evan. A sharp pain pricks my chest. Is Evan still alive? I shake my head, loosening the thoughts of him from my mind. I focus back on the men inside the cells, listening for their whispered voices as they discuss amongst themselves.
Finally, one of them speaks. “What deal?”
“I help you get rid of Scott, and you let my people go free.”
A moment of peace ensues, followed by a flurry of profanities mixed with choked laughter.
The same man speaks again. “Impossible. They’ve committed a crime. We can’t let them go unpunished.”
I step close to the cell and place my hands on the bars. Outrage boils over and coats everything around me. For a moment, I’m tempted to turn back and leave. They don’t deserve freedom. They deserve to suffer as I have. A ripple disturbs the water’s surface, and thoughts sneak up to the front of my mind. I want the freedom to live. Not as the other empaths see fit. And not under the Elite’s control. It’s time I take control over my own life. I draw in a calming breath and remind myself of what I stand to gain.
Quiet, but deadly words slip from between my lips. “You’ve all committed crimes that go unpunished, because you’re the ones who make the rules. And don’t forget, I can easily use persuasion on you. Or I can let Scott kill you all.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Yes. You can’t control us anymore. You can either refuse to accept and die. Or you can accept the inevitable and we all live. Make your decision now.”
I release the bars and step away, crossing my arms over my chest, waiting for their verdict.
The Chief clears his throat. “I think we should listen to Moira.”
“And let every empath go free?”
“What other choice do we have?”
Rise of the Phoenix Page 25