The Belial War

by R. D. Brady

  He plunged a needle into her arm.

  “No!” Jake yelled, surging against the agents holding him. He was shoved back down to the ground, and that was the last thing Laney saw as the world turned black.

  Chapter 106

  Concrete walls, a concrete shelf to sleep on, and a toilet in the corner were all the amenities of the cell Laney woke up in. With a groan, she looked at the ceiling through slits in her eyelids. She wasn’t sure how long she had been out, but her head was pounding.

  She took an inventory, starting at her toes and making her way up. Nothing seemed to be damaged or even bruised.

  Guess I still have my abilities. The lights winked in the room. Yup, still there. Whatever they had given her must have been some sort of sedative. She had a feeling it was supposed to have her knocked out for longer or they’d have given her another dose, because right now, she could rip through the door with her strength or a good strong blast of wind.

  But being she did not want to be a fugitive for the rest of her life, she figured she’d wait and see what the plan was. Matt and Nancy were no doubt working to get them freed. She just needed to wait.

  Thirty minutes later, her patience was running thin. She needed to be back in Baltimore. Jake had said Jen was in trouble. She didn’t know if Drake had gotten away with Cain and Cleo. There was so much she needed to be doing. People she needed to check on. She rolled her hands into fists.

  Come on, Matt. Get me out of here.

  Thirty minutes turned into an hour, and then two. No one came to check on her. No one walked by. In fact, she hadn’t seen a single sign of life since she’d woken up.

  Laney gave up her pacing and finally lay down on the uncomfortable bench. The toll of the last few hours and days was catching up with her. Flinging her arm over her eyes to block out the fluorescent lighting, she closed her eyes. Just a few minutes.

  A buzz rang through her cell, jarring her from sleep. She opened her eyes, wiping them and the side of her mouth.

  “Only guilty people sleep in a jail cell.”

  Laney turned toward the clear cell wall. Jessup Hankton Ianson III from Homeland Security stood there glaring at her.

  Great. She sat up. “So do people who just fought off an immortal woman after surviving a missile attack on the plane she was flying in.”

  “You always have an answer, don’t you?”

  Laney sighed. “What do you want, Ianson?”

  He nodded at the guard next to him, who slid open a drawer in the wall. Curious, Laney walked over. A small vial lay there.

  “Drink that,” Ianson ordered.

  Laney laughed. “No.”

  Ianson’s face turned red, the veins prominent on his forehead. “I am speaking on behalf of the United States government. You have been ordered to drink that.”

  “Yeah,” Laney drawled, “that’s a firm no on that order.”

  “You will not be let out of this cell until you—”

  “Look, I have stayed in your cell, waiting for someone to come along and ask me some questions. I have been playing nice. So either ask me some questions, or I’m out of here.”

  Ianson crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re not getting out until you take that sedative.”

  The lights flickered in the hall. “I think we’ve already covered the fact that I don’t take orders from you. Ask your questions.”

  “I won’t let—”

  A tingle ran over Laney’s skin.

  “Ianson.”

  Laney turned as Bruce Heller from the CIA strode down the hall toward her cell, Maldonado and Matt following him.

  Ianson turned his glare from Laney to Heller. “This doesn’t concern you, Bruce.”

  Heller held up a piece of paper. “According to the President, it does. The CIA has been given the authority to conduct this interrogation.”

  Laney tried to swallow down her smile at Ianson’s expression. And that’s the first time in history that hearing the CIA was now in charge of their interrogation was actually a relief to anyone.

  Matt stepped to the wall. “You all right?”

  “I’m fine. How’s Jake?”

  “He was released a few minutes ago with the thanks of a grateful nation.”

  “The bomb shelter?”

  Matt grimaced. “Thirteen people were shot, none life threatening. But Jen . . . Jen lost the baby.”

  Laney closed her eyes. Oh no. God damn you, Elisabeta. Laney wanted to kill her all over again. She opened her eyes to see Heller and Ianson arguing a little away from her cell. Finally, Ianson stormed off.

  Heller stepped up to the wall, ignoring Ianson’s histrionics. “Dr. McPhearson, I was hoping you could answer a few questions before you leave.”

  Laney studied the CIA director. She didn’t trust him. She wanted nothing more than to get out of here. But she figured she owed the government some sort of explanation. “I am willing to answer some questions.”

  Heller smiled. “Wonderful.”

  Chapter 107

  Baltimore, Maryland

  It took Laney another two hours of questions from Heller before she’d been able to get out of D.C. She’d just gotten back to the estate an hour ago. She’d gone straight to the bunker to visit her uncle and Max and hug about three dozen people. Then she’d gone for a quick shower and change of clothes before heading to Henry’s house.

  Drake walked with her, his hand clasped in hers. “You haven’t taken the mortus again.”

  “Not yet,” Laney said.

  “Why not?”

  Laney hesitated. She had planned on taking it immediately after Elisabeta was neutralized, but the government’s response to the events in D.C. had rattled her. And Heller had been a little too interested in the formula. He’d even asked for a blood sample, a request Laney had declined. He had been polite, but behind his eyes, she knew he was interested, very interested. And the idea of making herself weaker right now made her nervous. Plus she did not want any vials of Omni around, just in case.

  “It’s just not the right time.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Whatever the government is planning, we’ll handle it.”

  “I know.”

  Her skin tingled as Henry stepped out of the house. His face was drawn with dark circles under red-rimmed eyes. Laney slipped from under Drake’s arm and hurried forward. She wrapped her arms around him.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  Chapter 108

  Washington, D.C.

  The White House was still on high alert hours after the coronation. It would be on high alert for the next few days, or even weeks, until they could be sure the threat had been neutralized. Armed guards lined the way leading to the Oval Office. The President had refused to go back into the bunker. She wanted to show that America’s leadership was in charge.

  But they all knew that was not true. American leadership had not saved them. Delaney McPhearson had. Bruce Heller had watched the incident with rapt attention from his office. McPhearson’s powers were extraordinary. All the strength, healing, and speed of a Fallen but with the ability to control the weather. Those lightning strikes had been things of beauty.

  What I wouldn’t pay to have a few people with her abilities on my payroll.

  The President’s aide hurried from his chair as Bruce stepped into the outer office. “She’s expecting you.” He opened the door to the Oval.

  The President whirled around from where she had been pacing. “Finally.”

  Heller inclined his head. “Madam President.”

  The President waved him toward the couches. “Tell me about McPhearson.”

  Heller gave her a rundown of the questioning as he took a seat.

  “Do you believe her?” the President asked when he was done speaking.

  Heller paused. “She didn’t lie, but she did not admit everything. She’s hiding something. I’m guessing quite a lot of somethings.”

  The President nodded. “I think I may know what that is. This
was sent to us after Elisabeta’s death. We have to assume it went out to other governments as well.”

  She picked up a remote and pressed play. The TV above the fireplace came to life.

  Elisabeta smiled on screen. “Well, it seems the unimaginable has happened and I am dead. Or perhaps someone has merely managed to hack into my system.”

  She sighed. “If it is the former, then what I am about to say will be of great interest to you. If it is the latter, I will track you and your family down and make you my pets.” She was silent for a moment. “Anyway, if I am gone, the only way that is possible is if Delaney McPhearson made herself immortal. The only way for her to have done that is through a substance known as the Omni, mixed with a little extra something special.

  “The Omni also bestows strength, speed, and healing upon the recipient. I took the last known dose. But Delaney McPhearson must have done the same. Imagine that, an individual who could grant the powers of the Fallen upon anyone she chose. Wouldn’t that be something?” The recording ended.

  The President turned to Heller. “What do you think? Is she telling the truth?”

  “I believe she is. McPhearson is unique, even amongst the Fallen. Her abilities are greater than any of the others.”

  “Did McPhearson mention this Omni?”

  “No.”

  “Can McPhearson be trusted?”

  Heller studied the President. She looked haggard but also intense. She knew that the last few days had made her look weak in the eyes of the country. She was looking for any and all threats to her position. Heller chose his words carefully. “I do not believe she has any aspirations to rule. She seems to act based upon what her conscience tells her is the right thing to do.”

  “Will she hand over the information we need on the Omni?”

  Heller shook his head. “No. I believe she knows about it and intentionally kept that information to herself. I would say she does not trust the U.S. government with that information.” On one level, he thought that was wise, but on another, it could place the United States in a very vulnerable position should another country discover the Omni.

  “I will not allow the United States to be under the thumb of a foreign power.”

  “Yes, Madam President. I believe we may have some people who can help us with this dilemma.”

  Chapter 109

  Baltimore, Maryland

  Laney stopped outside Jen’s room, partly to try and steel herself. She didn’t want Jen to see how worried she was about her. She also didn’t want Jen to feel as if she needed to comfort her. She stopped when she heard voices and peeked her head in. Danny had pulled a chair up to the bed.

  He sat there, his back to the doorway, his voice shaking. “I’m sorry, Jen. I should have done—”

  Jen gripped Danny’s hand. “Hey, you saved me. The baby . . . that just wasn’t meant to be. Not this time.”

  Danny’s head hung low as he nodded, wiping at his eyes.

  Jen’s heartbroken gaze caught sight of Laney, who wiped her own heartbreak from her face and stepped inside. “Hey.”

  Danny hastily wiped at his eyes. “Hey. Didn’t see you there.”

  “Just got here. I saw Lou and Rolly outside. They were looking for you.”

  Danny glanced at Jen, who nodded. “Go ahead.”

  Danny walked over and hugged Laney before sliding past her for the door, fresh tears in his eyes.

  Laney watched him go, her heart heavy. She turned back to Jen, who was still watching the empty doorway. “He blames himself for the baby. I told him not to, but . . .” Jen shrugged.

  Laney moved to the bed, sitting down gingerly, facing Jen. “I’m so sorry.”

  Jen nodded, not meeting her gaze. “I never pictured myself as a mom. I mean, I didn’t exactly have the best childhood, you know?”

  Laney nodded, but she knew Jen wasn’t looking for a verbal response.

  “When I first found out I was pregnant, I was shocked.” She gave a small laugh as tears appeared in her eyes. Laney took her hand. Jen gripped it tightly. “I took five pregnancy tests. They all said positive, but I still didn’t believe it. I mean, Henry and I were always so careful.”

  She took a shuddering breath. “Then the doctor confirmed it. I walked out of that office in a daze. I practically walked into traffic. Then I sat in my car in the parking garage. I must have sat there for forty-five minutes. I just kept thinking it wasn’t possible.

  “But then, then I began to picture this little kid with these violet eyes and dark hair. And I prayed he or she would have Henry’s brain and my guts.” Jen wiped at the tears that traced down her cheeks but then gave up as the tears kept coming.

  Jen took a long stuttering breath. “I never wanted kids, Laney . . . but I really wanted this one.”

  Laney pulled Jen to her as Jen’s shoulders shook and sobs wracked her frame. Tears trailed down Laney’s cheeks at her friend’s pain. Elisabeta had done this. And as angry as Laney was, right now all she felt was the horrible loss.

  Laney struggled, trying to come up with something to say but then just gave up that attempt. After all, sometimes when a pain was this deep, there was nothing you could say to make it better. All you could do was be there to share it.

  Epilogue

  Washington, D.C.

  David Okafor stepped off the elevator and strode down the concrete hallway. He was fifteen stories below the White House. The bunker was only to be used in emergencies. The fact that the President had chosen this location for the meeting only highlighted the top-secret nature of it.

  His job usually did not involve invitations to meet with the President. In fact, before he was sent on most of his missions, he was given the same warning: If you are caught, the U.S. government will disavow any knowledge of you or your actions. He didn’t even think the President was aware of his team’s existence. So the fact that he was here, without any sort of indication as to what this meeting was about, had piqued his interest.

  Of course, given the events of the last few days, he had a pretty good idea what the overall topic was going to be. He just wasn’t sure what direction the response was going to head.

  Two Marines snapped to attention as he approached. David gave them a nod and strode through the doors as the soldiers pulled them open. Fourteen people looked up from the table, including the President, who sat at its head. Okafor knew all of them at least by sight, but one he knew well—his mentor, Bruce Heller from the CIA. He did not acknowledge him, and Heller kept his face blank. From her seat at the head of the table, the President nodded.

  “Mr. Okafor.”

  “Madam President.” David pulled out a chair and took a seat. “My apologies for being late.”

  “It’s all right. Continue, doctor.”

  The woman displayed on the large screen to the left of the table nodded. “As I was saying, we were able to retrieve the formula from the Ruggio lab in New Mexico that created the cats. We believe we will be able to replicate the process in as little as two months.”

  Surprise filtered through him. He didn’t realize the President had already gone down that road. He’d seen some of those cats in action. They were formidable: strength, speed, and intelligence. That intelligence, if it could be trained . . .

  “How long will it take the cats to reach maturity?”

  “We believe two years. The process could be sped up, but we believe that is inadvisable until we fully understand everything about the cats’ nature.”

  “Do you believe the cats will be able to be trained?” the President asked.

  “We have one of the cats in custody. So far, it has been unresponsive to our efforts. But we believe if we are able to raise one from birth, we will have much more positive results. Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts with the captured leopard.”

  “Good. Keep me updated.”

  “Yes, Madam President.” The screen went black.

  The President turned back to the table. “Now that we are all here, let’s be
gin the more critical aspect of this meeting.”

  Elaine Vaughn from the Department of the Interior frowned. “Secretary Harrigan is not joining us?”

  “No. And the secretary is not to be included in the task force moving forward. The only people cleared for this conversation are in this room.”

  David frowned. Harrigan was out? What had happened?

  The President pushed back from the table. “I don’t need to tell you how the events of the last few weeks have shaken this country, this world, to its core.”

  David glanced around the table, seeing the same concern on everyone else’s face that he knew was on his. Enhanced human beings who were almost impossible to stop. And there were possibly thousands of them.

  The President continued, her voice grave. “The threat they pose to our nation’s security is beyond any other threat facing the United States government. The threat they pose to the world is beyond any other threat. I have no doubt my counterparts across the globe are having this same conversation with their government leaders. And they will also be looking for ways to protect against the abilities of the Fallen or take advantage of these enhanced humans for their own gain.”

  David nodded. He had been thinking along the same lines. If they could figure out how to enhance the abilities of their own troops, it would change every conflict they were in. If they didn’t, and other countries managed to, it would also change those conflicts—to the detriment of the United States.

  “So now we need to figure out where we go from here.” The President fell silent.

  David glanced around the room before speaking. “Madam President, I’m not sure I understand exactly what you are asking for.”

  The President glanced around the table before her gaze fell back on David. “I’m asking for a risk assessment on the threat these so called Fallen pose. I’m also asking for suggestions as to how their abilities can be incorporated into our defenses.” She paused. “But most importantly, I am looking for a way to control the Fallen population, both through policy means and more permanent approaches. Is that clear enough for you, Mr. Okafor?”