New plan.
“We can’t get to your car, Syd, so we’ll pile into the Hummer. I hope you didn’t leave anything valuable inside.”
“I didn’t know her brother and sister were going to come by,” she defended.
Cali seemed to wake up from her shocked stupor. “Neither did I,” she shot back.
Sydney ignored the comment. “Felix, the car’s registered in my name. It has all my information inside the glove compartment. I have to move it.”
“No time,” he told her. He hated to do this to Sydney, but the less they were connected to whatever it was Collette was involved with, the better. He wasn’t so much worried about the police finding them, but rather whoever Collette was working with finding them.
They stopped a few yards short of his Hummer, and he turned to Sydney’s car.
Sydney eyed him up and down. Realization dawned. “Felix, don’t you dare, I just bought that this spring.”
The back of his neck began to prickle. He focused on her car. Fatigue beat at the edges of his awareness, warning him that he’d already used his powers a lot that day.
He waved his hand.
Her car blipped out of existence. There one second, gone the next.
“You bastard,” Sydney hissed at him. “You owe me big.” Her face was deadly. The expression was almost comical on her sun-tanned face. She’d get over it. Sydney couldn’t stay mad at someone for longer than five minutes. Her incessant cheerfulness always overrode her anger.
When they reached his Hummer, he gave Cali a gentle nudge, signaling her to go around to the passenger seat. Sydney was already crawling into the back.
Once in the safety of his own car, he could breathe a little easier. Cali hesitated before getting in completely, a noise escaping her throat once she closed the door.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
Her eyes widened and a flush spread across her cheeks. “Fine.” She stared out the window, arms crossed.
He wanted to press her for more details. Wanted to know if she had the same urge as he did to reach out and touch her. The setting sun flickered in through the car window, casting her in shadows. It exaggerated her dark hair and eyes. The mascara along her eyelashes seemed to glitter.
Sydney poked her head up between the two seats. “Hey Romeo,” she burst into his thoughts quietly. “We going to get a move on or what?”
Cali turned.
He’d been caught but she didn’t look away timidly. Her chin rose and her eyes narrowed.
Looks like she’s finally breaking through the shock.
“You hustle me out of my parents’ house to stare at me in a car?”
A smile split his lips.
Oh, yeah, he thought. This is going to be fun.
Chapter 4
Cali stared out the car window, trying to ignore her body’s hypersensitivity to Felix and where he was in proximity to her. The scent of the ocean and freshly baked bread still lingered inside the Hummer, teasing her. The smell was positively intoxicating and she hadn’t been able to help the moan of appreciation she’d let slip when she’d first entered the vehicle.
Felix had caught her red-handed, but she’d stared him down until he’d had to look away to start the car.
She’d let him think what he wanted. She was here for answers. She already knew they wouldn’t hurt her, and she had to admit she was damn curious how Felix could make things disappear while that other woman, Collette, seemed able to make anything she wanted to appear. Not to mention her own inner turmoil as to what had been happening to her.
Did she believe them when they told her she could manipulate sound?
Yes.
No, she lied to herself.
She was going along to get answers. If she was in danger then it would seem idiotic to leave without any knowledge as to why. Someone was after her. Felix had come to help her. Felix had powers. Collette had powers. She had powers. What other explanation was there when she’d blacked out earlier? That prickling at the back of her neck … it hadn’t been natural.
Questions consumed her, and she leaned her head back against the headrest to ease the ache that was starting.
There was only one way to get what you wanted. You had to chase after it.
Well, this was her, chasing it.
Buildings blurred past as they continued along the freeway. Their “getaway” was anything but fast-paced and exciting. Felix had pulled away from her parent’s house as if he hadn’t a care in the world. Now he kept his white H2 going at a steady five miles per hour above the speed limit as they headed westward, farther out toward the coast.
The freeway exit they took wasn’t all that far from where Cali lived. The surprises kept on coming when they pulled into a small shopping plaza and parked outside a veterinary clinic.
Cali leaned forward to get a better look out the windshield. She tried to figure out the reason behind them stopping but none of the establishments popped out as offering getaway type necessities. There was the vet, a pizza place, laundry, groomers, and a dental office.
“Why are we stopping?”
“Welcome, Cali” — Sydney poked her head between the two front seats to say with much pride in her voice — “to our unofficial headquarters.”
“This?” Cali couldn’t help but blurt.
Felix shot her a cocky grin from behind Sydney. “Watch what you say about Sydney’s baby.”
“What’s wrong with my clinic?”
Felix got out of the car, smothering a laugh.
Despite Sydney’s petite size, she had a level stare that made Cali squirm. She didn’t want to insult her.
Beneath those perfectly arched golden brows her eyes glittered with amusement as she waited for Cali’s answer.
“Nothing’s wrong with it. I was expecting something” — she floundered — “bigger.”
The mirth behind Sydney’s eyes faded.
Oops.
Felix saved her by opening the passenger door. Cali would have fallen out if she hadn’t been belted in. She quickly undid the clasp and climbed out of the car, ignoring the hand Felix offered.
No touching, she told herself. No matter how badly you want to.
Felix dropped his hand and disguised his disappointment by leaning in to study Sydney. Both his eyebrows rose into his hairline. “Wow. What’d you say to her?”
Embarrassment flushed Cali’s cheeks. “Nothing.”
Sydney squeezed through the gap between the front seats to exit through the passenger side. “She called my clinic small,” she said indignantly.
“Ouch.” Felix bumped his shoulder against Cali’s. “I told you to watch what you said to her.”
Her shoulder tingled where he’d touched her. She glared at him.
Sydney didn’t waste any more time on them as she went straight to the front door. She tried the handle but it was locked. She took out her keys, and still the door wouldn’t open.
Cali tried to see through the glass. “Are you sure this is your clinic?” she asked skeptically.
Sydney narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “You’re Felix’s Mirror Mate all right,” she mumbled. “Yes, this is my place,” she spoke up, exasperated. “Joel must have Locked it.” She pounded on the door.
A few seconds later a man appeared. For a moment Cali thought they really did have the wrong place, but a smile broke out on his face and he put his hand against the clear door. There was a faint click, though his hand never moved from the glass, and then Sydney was opening the door.
She rose onto her toes to kiss him. “Any trouble?”
“I should be asking you the same question.” The man’s navy blue eyes glittered with affection before they turned to Cali. “You must be the Silencer. I’m Joel Kegler, Locksmith.”
She gave him the once over. He had at least three inches on her. He had thick, mahogany brown hair that looked a bit too long and in need of a haircut. His skin was a nice, golden brown from obvious sun exposure like Sydney’s,
but what caught Cali’s eye were his hands. They were covered with scars, some going all the way up his forearms.
“Oh, these.” He caught her staring. “I used to work on cars with my old man when I was little. Let me tell you, hot oil burns, and steel cuts mighty deeply.”
“And now you’re a locksmith?” That seemed like a rather strange transition.
He flashed a bright set of straight teeth. “Actually, I’m a computer technician. I was referring to my power.” His brow furrowed at her expression.
Another person who claimed to have powers? If they weren’t a military branch, then what the hell were they? Some kind of club? Super heroes anonymous?
“You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”
Felix came up behind her. She could feel the heat coming off him. Her skin felt too tight for her body. She wanted to step away but there was nowhere to retreat. Joel and Sydney blocked her path.
“We’re here to explain things to her,” said Felix.
“And keep her safe,” said Sydney.
“You can explain things later. I want to know what the hell happened out there,” a voice called from behind the counter on her right.
Seated at the reception desk, a woman shuffled through some papers. She had hazel eyes and oak-brown hair that was cut in a popular pixie fashion. There was a faint scar on the bottom left of her lip indicating that at one time she’d had her lip pierced. Her nametag read Niella Souveray. Their eyes met. “You look exactly as I Dreamed.”
As far as introductions went, this had to be the strangest. This was the woman who’d had a vision about her? Cali had one question — why her?
Niella’s interest in her was fleeting as she directed her attention to Felix. “Well? I take it you got there in time, but that tells me next to nothing. What are we up against?” There was something haunted behind her eyes, something that told Cali that Niella had an idea of what they were up against but didn’t want to believe it.
A shudder ran through her.
Felix’s hesitation was slight. “We ran into Collette.” His voice was low, rough.
Niella pushed out from behind the desk, giving Cali a glimpse of her wheelchair.
She was paralyzed?
Niella wheeled herself into the middle of the lobby. Felix’s answer wasn’t what she had expected. Her face clouded and all she said was, “Huh.”
“‘Huh?’ That’s all you have to say? If this isn’t coming to you as a shock then why the hell didn’t you tell me there would be people with powers there? That Collette would be there?”
Joel stepped forward. “Easy, Felix. Niella didn’t tell you because she didn’t know.”
Niella’s jaw tensed. “I don’t need defending because I’m a damn cripple,” she bit out at Joel.
The retort was like a slap to the face, and for a moment Joel looked at a loss for what to say. His expression hardened, and he opened his mouth then shut it again. “My defense had nothing to do with the fact that you’re in a wheelchair,” he said at last. He turned from her to walk over to the far wall where a row of seats was assembled before large stacks of dog food.
Aren’t they one big happy family? Cali thought.
Niella ignored Joel and the awkward silence that followed. “I didn’t tell you, Felix, because I didn’t Dream Collette.” She closed her eyes, her brow wrinkling. “There was someone else.”
Felix crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Who? ’Cause whoever they are, they’d have to be pretty desperate to stage a kidnapping in the middle of the damn day.”
Niella shook her head and opened her eyes. “A man. That’s all I’ve got. Who else was there besides Collette? A man?” The rest of them shuffled their way farther into the lobby so they were no longer clustered around the entrance.
Felix stayed by Cali’s side and gave a shrug. “Two of them, but there was nothing special about them. Does this man that you’ve seen have powers?”
“I’m not sure. It’s hard to tell.” There was more to it. Cali could read it on Niella’s face, but the Dreamer didn’t say anything more. Cali didn’t know if she was grateful that there was nothing else to discuss regarding her would-be captor, or if she should be worried.
“How’d you end up stopping Collette?” Niella asked.
Felix wrapped an arm casually around Cali’s shoulders. She tensed on instinct. “Cali Tasered the hell out of her.”
The corners of Niella’s mouth curled into a quick smile before the smile faded. “Good to know at least one of you can handle yourself.”
Cali found herself smiling. Despite Niella’s strange moods, she could picture the two of them getting along.
Felix dropped his arm from around Cali to place his palm over his heart. “Your words wound me, Ell. But you know, for driving in there half blind, we didn’t do too badly.”
Whatever tension there was left in the room slipped away.
“All right,” Sydney intervened, “you guys may have nothing else to do, but I still have to finish up for the day. Niella, were you able to reschedule the remaining appointments when I had to leave?”
“Every one.”
Sydney started to move around the large main lobby. It was filled with bags and bags of dog food. Leashes hung on the wall to the left, flea treatments close by. Toys, treats, and everything Cali could think a new pet owner would need surrounded the perimeter. Sydney made her way toward a large bag of food that was already opened and badly resealed. “Good. The last appointments that I had to bail on, did you give them their complimentary food bag — Ah!” She screamed, jumping back to knock into Joel.
Niella quickly rolled out of the way as Felix rushed over, Cali right behind him.
“Gadget!” Felix cried scooping up a fat gray rat.
Sydney squealed.
Cali’s brow rose. “Aren’t you supposed to love animals?”
“I do. All animals except rats.” She pointed to the cute plump rodent in Felix’s hands. “I told you to keep him out of here.”
“I swear, Syd, I try, but he’s got a mind of his own. I have no idea how he got here.” He brought the rat up to his face and brushed his cheek against it affectionately.
Sydney cringed at the display of affection.
An odd rush of warmth came over Cali before it was interrupted by her purse vibrating against her side. Startled, she started to dig through her things until she found her cell phone. Glancing at the ID, she stepped out of the clinic before anyone could say anything, answering the call.
“Hey, Jared.” She tried for nonchalance.
“Cali!” Her brother’s voice came barreling through the phone. “Are you okay? I’ve called you a million times. Where are you? Are you hurt?” Cali flinched at the concern laced through his voice. How was she supposed to tell him she was fine, never better?
Don’t worry about me, bro. I came across this super group with powers. Oh by the way, apparently I’m one of them and someone is after me. Nothing to worry about.
Yeah, right.
The door to the clinic opened, and she felt more than saw Felix come out.
And did I forget to mention that I’m completely addicted to a strange man I’ve never met before?
Jared would love that. While she’d grown apart from her siblings over the years, her brother did have a surprisingly annoying protective streak when it came to her dating life.
Trying and failing to ignore Felix’s presence, she turned her back to him to gaze out into the street. Night had fallen, the street lights revealing yellow blots of cracked pavement.
“Cali?” Jared asked, bringing her attention back to him. “Hello? Are you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here,” she bit out.
Felix drew closer, her body hyperaware of his location.
“I’m fine,” she forced out of her clenched teeth.
“Where are you?”
“I’m … with a friend.”
“Cali … ” He sounded conflicted. “Your car was parked outs
ide Mom and Dad’s. There were strange people inside when Garnet and I dropped by to pick up the mail for them — ”
She cut him off. “Pick up the mail for them? Why’d you have to do that?”
A moment of silence. “Didn’t you know? Mom and Dad went on vacation a week ago.”
Her mouth gaped. “No. Why didn’t anyone tell me?” She really shouldn’t have been all that surprised. The distance between her and her family wasn’t some small gap that could be bridged with a quick phone call. She’d gone months without speaking to them. She hadn’t wanted to. She had to prove she could make it on her own first. She had to show them her passion wasn’t a waste of time and effort. That she wasn’t the screw up they thought she’d be.
“Cali, you haven’t contacted any of us in months,” Jared said, as if he were explaining something to a small child. “You moved out and then fell off the radar. We had no idea what you were up to or what you were getting involved with.”
Getting involved with?
“What — ?”
But he cut her off as if she hadn’t even spoken. “If you were in trouble, why didn’t you come to any of us? We thought you’d gotten over this, but apparently we were wrong. Now they know where Mom and Dad live. I guess we should count ourselves lucky they weren’t home, but I mean seriously, Cali?”
She couldn’t take it anymore. “Just what do you think happened?” He thought she’d planned this? Had known about it?
There was an exacerbated sigh from the other end of the phone. “Drugs, Cali. That’s what I think happened. You got pulled into the wrong crowd again. By the looks of those guys I’d say they were after money.” She could practically see his head shaking, “And you brought them to Mom and Dad’s. Why? Were you going to ask for money? Were you going to steal from them?”
Cali’s cheeks flushed with a combination of embarrassment, anger, and shame. She clamped her mouth shut, afraid of what she might yell at him. All those years ago, and that was still all they saw? A druggie? She’d never been one. She’d been a dumb seventeen year old who’d made the wrong choice in a boyfriend and had been left to the cops at an under-aged party when she’d been drunk, high, and given the date-rape drug.
Guild of Truth 01 - Silent as the Grave Page 4