The Forbidden Trilogy

by Kimberly Kinrade

  He almost had it, but he needed to do a few more experiments before he became his own patient, and the most powerful paranormal to ever live.

  The girl who stood before him would make an excellent test subject, but he needed her to do this first.

  Snot and tears leaked down her puffy red face.

  Disgusting.

  Another convulsion from the body.

  "Do it. Now."

  The girl nodded and sobbed again, but did as she was told.

  Chapter 65 – Serena

  Serena tried to swallow her tears and keep her sobs buried deep in her chest, but her heart hurt so bad.

  Angel hid under the bed, but Serena knew her cat wouldn't leave her. That was the only thing that kept her from falling to the ground in a heap of sadness.

  The bad men had taken her from her new home, the place her mom had taken her to when her dad disappeared.

  Serena knew her dad's job was dangerous, but she never thought he would die and not come back to her. She missed her dad so much, and now her mom....

  ***

  "Serena, run!" Mom screamed as the bad men grabbed her.

  It happened so fast, it didn't seem real. One loud bang and her mom slumped on the floor like a doll.

  Serena cried and ran to her. "Mom, Mom, get up!" She banged on her chest and covered the hole in it with her hand to stop the blood.

  "No, Mom, don't leave me. Come back. No!"

  But she didn't come back. She stared at Serena with big dead doll eyes.

  Serena opened herself to her power and let the white light flow into her. She would save her mom. She would bring her back.

  Then the bad men grabbed Serena and said she couldn't use her power. They took her away from her mom, too far away. Her power couldn't work that far.

  Angel ran up to her and meowed in sadness. Serena lifted her up, staining the cat's white fur red. She pretended it was marker, and that her mom would come in and get mad at her for making a mess, and Serena would clean it up and be so happy.

  But it wasn't marker, and her mom didn't come.

  The bad men... they would hurt Angel, she knew. So she lied. "I can only use my powers with my cat. If you take her, my powers won't work."

  They were stupid. They didn't know, so they let her keep her Angel.

  Of course, they wanted her powers. Mom and Dad had said she could never ever tell anyone about what she could do, because then someone might try to hurt her.

  Someone must have told.

  Mom and Dad were dead, and she'd be dead soon too. Would they wait for her in Heaven? Would Angel come too?

  ***

  Serena wished she was in Heaven, and not here with these horrible men. The baddest man of all stood tall, and when he smiled she could tell that he didn't have a soul. He would never get into Heaven.

  At least her parents were safe now. But she wasn't, and neither was Angel.

  She'd have to use her powers, and she could die if she did what the evil man asked. But she would die if she didn't try.

  First, she had to slow down her heart. It felt like a crazy hummingbird was trying to peck its way out of her chest. Her dad used to take her to watch the birds. They'd had such fun taking pictures and drawing sketches of them.

  No, she couldn't think of her dad, or her mom—only her power. Otherwise it wouldn't work.

  She focused and breathed and let her body get really still.

  When the warm light flowed into her, she smiled. In that moment, no matter what happened, everything was connected, and it would be okay. She let that peace settle into her, and her hands got so hot she had to let it out before it burned her up.

  She hovered her hands over the person dying on the bed. In Serena's mind, there was no male or female, only a glowing body of light, but this person's light was nearly gone.

  She didn't know if she could light it up again, but she did her best. Light and power poured out of her like fresh orange juice into a crystal glass.

  The soul in need sucked up her light and heat, but it didn't help. It was like pouring it down the drain.

  A wave of dizziness hit her and she pulled her hands back in fear.

  The evil man's voice cut through her haze. "Don't stop."

  She pictured him eating Angel's heart, and put her hands back out. More light drained from her. More heat and energy sucked into the person beneath her.

  More and more and more.

  Serena could feel her own life force draining to keep up the healing.

  She heard someone cry out.

  Then her world faded to black and... nothing.

  Chapter 66 – Steele

  The body on the bed moaned and cried out. All signs of injury had faded away—or at least most signs. Enough for Mr. Steele's purposes.

  On the floor, the girl lay inert, her chest still.

  The para-power she wielded could prove valuable in the future, and he prided himself on keeping all of his tools in the best possible shape. "Take her to the doctor and make sure she is given the best care possible. I want her alive. Are we clear?"

  If only he could remove the side effects of her healing power, he might take it for himself. He cursed the scientists, who took too long. If his son had lived longer, if he'd been able to keep the best parts of The Seeker's powers and leave the rest, he could find all of the kids he needed and he wouldn't be in this position.

  The guards nodded while one lifted her in his arms and left the room. The cat darted out from under the bed and followed them.

  Mr. Steele focused his attention on the body and waited with the patience of a man who had no conscience.

  When its eyes opened in panic, Mr. Steele dove into its mind.

  Implanting false memories required careful attention to detail. The memory had to align with the rest of the subject's experiences. To manipulate someone into action based on a false memory required even more skill and care—something he prided himself on.

  First, he rummaged through his mind in search of a memory of equal importance that he could sacrifice—another kink in his power, which he intended to fix once he perfected his formula. Eventually, he'd be able to implant memories without payment with his own, and erase memories without carrying them around in his own mind. Mr. Steele relished the promised freedom. While he didn't have to suffer the indignities of any emotions attached to memories, he did not enjoy the experience of other people's lives in his mind.

  He had no idea how his daughter, Sam, could stand to read minds all day long. To be exposed to so much... humanness.

  Once he selected his memory, he held it in the Sphere of Transfer, as he called it. Then, he began to remake the memory into what he wanted his subject to believe was its own.

  The art of memory making required his full focus. He tweaked smells and sounds, adjusted what stood out and what faded into the background. When the memory was nearly perfect, he added the missing piece, the part that was hardest for him to create, as he had no experience of his own from which to draw.

  He had to add emotion.

  It took two hours to get it just right. Once the memory was ready, he pushed it out of the sphere and into the subject's mind, allowing it to find its place amongst the other memories organically.

  If Mr. Steele had done his job right, and of course he had, this memory would compel his subject to bring him his granddaughter when she was born.

  That child's cerebrospinal flu would contain the purest, most powerful para-powers he'd ever created, and those powers would be his.

  Chapter 67 – Sam

  I stand in a white gown made of silk and lace and look over a canyon with no way to cross. My feet are perched on the edge, toes hanging over the deep abyss of red and gold with clouds billowing below me.

  In this world of dreams, I consider jumping and letting the clouds catch me in a puffy bed of cotton, but I don't.

  A force pulls at me. On the other side of the canyon a girl reaches for me.

  Her silky auburn hair floats
behind her in the wind. Though she is far away, my eyes zoom in on her like binoculars, and I can see each heart-breaking tear as it slides down her cheek.

  Her voice breaks through the clouds and sends them scattering like scared mice. "Please, help me."

  "Where are you? What happened?"

  Something pulls her from behind, pulls her away from me. She cries out again. "Please!"

  "What's your name?"

  One last cry and she is gone, but her last word hangs on the wind. "Serena."

  I fall to my knees and sob. Serena, Gar's gifted daughter. Her father had died trying to save me and now I must repay the debt. I must save Serena.

  My dream changes and I sit in a dark attic, chained to a bed. No! I don't want to be here. No!

  The Seeker, my brother—his memories pull at me. His powers flow in me and crash into my mind, straining and cracking me.

  He knew how to find Serena before he died. And now his father, our father, knows.

  I must save her.

  I need to wake up.

  The dream locks its teeth into me like a rabid bulldog, but I fight it and push away.

  Harder. Fight harder.

  The dream teeth tear through my flesh, and still I push.

  Like getting stabbed in the stomach, carved apart from the inside. Pain pins me to my unconscious world like a bug stuck on a board as part of a collection.

  It rips me apart. My body is turned inside out and something spills from my body and onto my bed.

  ***

  I jerked awake in my bed, flushed with sweat and stinking of fear, but the pain of my dreams continued to torture me. Gasping and wracked in pain, I hollered for someone, anyone to help.

  Who would come? Drake? He wouldn't come. Drake had left me and our baby and wouldn't be back. I thought I'd accepted that, moved on without him, prepared myself for life as a single mother. Now, with the moment of birth so close, my mind latched onto thoughts of him, and I hated myself for still needing him—hated that I felt so alone.

  Luke and Lucy were on assignment. How I wished Lucy were here. "Someone, help! Please. I'm having my baby."

  Susie burst through the door to my bedroom and surveyed the scene. We both looked down toward what must be the stain of fluid between my legs, but my expanded stomach blocked my view.

  Tears fell down my cheeks as I locked eyes with her. "My water broke?"

  She nodded. "Looks like Ana is coming early."

  I shook my head and closed my legs tight, as if I could keep her safe in my belly by force of will alone. "Lucy needs to be here. And... and Drake."

  Her blue eyes widened in sympathy. "I know you're scared, honey, but I'll be with you the whole time. I promise."

  A flush of calm flowed through me. The scent of snicker doodles baking filled the air, and I surrendered to feelings of safety and happiness.

  Father Patrick had brought Susie to us when we first moved into the Washington mansion and started a new school for kids with para-powers. Susie, a former nun and a doctor, had her own para-powers, though she didn't call them that.

  I clutched the peace she brought and held it close to me. "Thank you."

  "You're welcome. It's important to stay calm, for you and the baby. Okay?"

  I nodded.

  "I'm going to get some help and get you to the clinic so we can see how you're both doing. I'll be back in just a second."

  She left me alone with my thoughts, and memories of my dreams. My powers had grown since our rescue and escape from Rent-A-Kid. Whatever the Seeker had done to me or given to me before he died, I could now sense other paranormals and locate them—sort of.

  I wasn't very good yet, and we'd only found two kids in the last few months using my gifts, but those gifts were growing. Mostly, it happened by accident—in dreams, like the one I'd just had.

  Another contraction rocked my body. I practiced my breathing and rode it out, like a wave, as Drake would say.

  Drake.

  I couldn't bear to think of him, and I couldn't bear not to think of him. Carrying his child created a bond between us. He'd become a part of me in a very visceral way, sharing his thoughts and memories, talking to him through my mind, then finally touching him, kissing him, feeling him in my arms. In trying to save Mary, I'd destroyed his powers and destroyed us. His presence once filled something inside me, but now a giant hole pierced my heart—and not in some poetic, metaphorical way. The pain ate through me like hungry piranhas; it kept me up at night, and made caring about anything a chore beyond my ability to complete.

  For all that, it hadn't made a damn bit of difference. Mary had still died.

  I'd forced myself through the motions for what seemed an eternity, but time marched on whether I wanted it to or not, and I found myself smiling again, laughing again, enjoying my art again. I'd even applied to a local college for the fall. It had been almost three months since the night Drake left, and my heart had started to heal, but going into labor cracked open that freshly healed wound in my soul.

  I existed within myself alone. I thought Poe wrote that in something, but maybe not.

  Whoever wrote it, they nailed my feelings exactly. Before, I existed within myself, but never alone. Now, despite the thoughts of others swirling around my head, nothing ever penetrated into me.

  I was alone.

  ***

  Susie waited for me in my room, as I came out dressed in clean pajamas and feeling much better. Sometimes a good cry helped ease the heaviness. Now that my mind had cleared of sleep, and my emotions settled from the dream of Serena, it seemed I could do this, even alone. And really, I wasn't so alone. Many people had stepped up to help me prepare for school and motherhood—more support than most mothers would ever have, for which I was grateful.

  She draped a blue robe over my shoulders. "Ready?"

  "Yes." No. Maybe. How about terrified? A human being was about to push herself out of me. How ready could I possibly be for that?

  But the baby didn't care if I was ready or not. She was ready, and nothing else mattered.

  We walked down the halls of our new home. It was early still, and the other students and staff woke up slowly, reluctantly greeting a new day. They stumbled out of their rooms to use the bathroom and get ready for classes.

  Greg and Gary were the first to see me and make the connection. Gary smiled and squeezed my hand. "We'll come by soon and check on you."

  Their new puppy, an Italian Greyhound named Eddie who liked watermelon and was a huge hit with everyone, ran playfully between their legs. He nipped at my heels, begging for a rub, but I couldn't bend down to accommodate. Greg noticed my discomfort and lifted the pup to me.

  I rubbed the little guy's belly. "He's adorable. Can I keep him?" Everybody asked them the same question, and they always laughed and shook their heads. I handed Eddie back and picked up on thoughts from Gary that worried me. "Is Mr. Jock still giving you a hard time, Greg?"

  He looked away and Gary scowled, so yes. Didn't need to read minds to see that one.

  "I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?" Before they could answer a contraction stole my voice. I doubled over in pain and hands gripped my arms to keep me from falling.

  Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

  An eternity passed and finally I could stand again.

  Greg smiled at me. "I think you have enough to handle right now. Don’t worry about me. I'll be fine."

  I couldn't help but worry. They had been instrumental in helping Luke and Lucy lead the rebellion to destroy what used to be my home. Greg could manipulate any surveillance system, and Gary could control metal—coveted para-powers to be sure, but not enough to keep them safe from narrow-minded bullies.

  They each hugged me and I continued my walk of fame down the halls.

  A few others whispered heartfelt comforts as we passed. Robyn saw us and came over to hug me. "You're going to do great!" Her green eyes shone with sincerity. "I'll be there to help as soon as I get something to eat. I'm dying for some chic
ken nuggets."

  For breakfast? Well, not for me to judge.

  She'd been a rock the last few months, helping in so many ways.

  It seemed this walk to the clinic would be my coming out party, in a manner of speaking. By the time we arrived, everyone in school knew the baby was coming.

  Brad walked down the hall quickly, and stopped to hug me. "I just heard. Got here as quickly as I could. You okay?"

  I didn't know how to answer that. Brad had been Drake's best friend their whole lives, and had helped us both when we escaped the Rent-A-Kid's evil baby-making clinic. He'd been indispensible as a friend, and a huge support to our cause with his blog, which grew in popularity daily. Still, I wanted his best friend, not him. He knew it too, but did his best to be there for me and the baby during this whole ordeal. "Yeah, I'm okay. And I'm so glad you're here. Just... you know, cover your eyes if bits are exposed." I cringed at the thought of people, even Susie, seeing so... much of me.

  He chuckled and put his arm around me. "I'll make sure no one looks."

  We walked to the clinic together, and I tried to smile as more well-wishers passed by, but their thoughts swirled through my mind. They were worried about me and the baby, and more than a few wondered if the baby would even be normal.

  No one knew what to expect when Ana arrived. She was a mystery to everyone, but to me... I didn't even know. She was just mine. Mine to love and protect and raise. Mine.

  But she should have been ours. Oh, Drake.

  I set aside all thoughts of him as Susie led me to the bed I'd be using for the labor. After a full exam, she smiled. "You're eight centimeters dilated, Sam. She's coming soon."

  That meant... well, yeah, that meant things down there were preparing for a baby to push through. Oh boy!

  Where the hell are Luke and Lucy? I need them!

  Chapter 68 – Lucy

  The sun beat down on Lucy's face, hot and bright. Something stung her cheek and she slapped herself without meaning to. That woke her up. In a panic, she opened her eyes and looked around.

  Where am I?

  Memories trickled into her... the dark water rushing to meet them. Fear, panic.