I had to look away as grief tore through me, why did I feel like I was saying goodbye?
‘No.’ I said. ‘I’m not letting you go.’
‘Illarion.’ She whispered my name. ‘It’s going to be okay, I promise.’
***
Elena was the first person to step through the door. This debrief was going to be hell. I gripped my cell phone like a lifeline, ready to run as soon as the hospital called with any updates on Ace’s condition. And with any luck, I wouldn’t be arrested again.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t say they’d be so lenient for the others. While we were seated here, I caught the empty spaces, enough seats for eight more.
Aurel and another agent followed suit, taking a seat opposite me, both avoiding making eye contact.
Finally, Raymond came in with Alex, Peyton and Matt, his eyes darting around from corner to corner taking in the high-tech set-up the Agency lived for. I averted my eyes and focused on Elena.
A few moments later, Josh walked in with James.
Raymond’s attention went to Alex and then shook his head, ‘This is an entirely different conversation, for another time. For now, our directive is Agent Hart.’
Keeping his eyes on Raymond, Matt held on to every word he said.
‘We’ve sedated Agent Hart and she will remain in isolation until we’re certain that the Darkness won’t consume her again.’
‘There is strictly no access, no visitation—’ Elena held out her hand, stopping me when I opened my mouth to protest. ‘She will be assessed by a team of medical staff who will then assess when she can receive visitors.’
Aurel kept his eyes down the entire time.
‘While I understand that the situation was out of hand, I absolutely do not condone the actions taken by Agent Arcos.’
He remained deathly still, his face paling.
‘The bullet missed her heart by millimeters.’ Elena addressed us, throwing a glare in Aurel’s direction. ‘This kind of risk is not acceptable, not against our own.’
Elena let out an even breath and folded her hands over her lap.
‘And the blatant disregard for the orders I gave you, Agent Arcos, are inexcusable. You cleared the use of live rounds without approval from the board.’
He looked away.
‘While we assess what to do with you, you’re to stand down and hand over all active operations. Am I clear?’
‘Yes, Acting Director.’
‘Good.’ Elena turned to Alex. ‘Now, since we have former Special Agent Westen in our presence, we might as well utilize him. After you complete your evaluation with Raymond, I’ll be assigning you to the tech team. You’re going to help us with the information you have on Project Adam.’
He nodded when Aurel glanced up at him, almost daring to question Elena. I threw him a quick look and when his eyes found mine, remorse flashed across them.
‘Now.’ Elena pressed both palms flat against the table and bowed her head letting out a long breath. ‘What in God’s name happened?’
Since no one spoke up and the tension in the room was building faster than I could take, I cleared my throat and turned my attention to her.
‘I’m not repeating myself.’ I said simply. ‘I’ve tried that, I’ve done everything by the book, all the time, my entire God damn life, but this…’ I stared Aurel down.
‘Are you done?’ Raymond asked sternly.
‘Yes.’ I replied dryly.
‘You’re convinced this wasn’t an effect of the Darkness?’
‘I’m certain of it.’ I replied, turning my attention to Elena. ‘She’s not sick. He’s killing her.’
Alex cleared his throat. ‘If I can add something,’ he said without waiting for Raymond to say a word. ‘Ace doesn’t bullshit, I worked with her in the worst of conditions, we slept in mud, tread through shit, got shot at…I worked with her when she was a kid, when we were both learning how to shoot a gun and climb a wall, I know her, and I know what my contacts have said. And with all due respect, you’re all fucking blind if you can’t see it.’
‘Enough.’ Raymond stopped him.
‘All I’m saying is, it’s your right to choose what you believe, just make sure you believe the right thing.’
The weight of those words silenced everyone, he was right. I cast my eyes downward and shook my head.
‘Can you give us a minute?’ Elena said, it wasn’t a request.
Alex, Aurel and Raymond cleared out, Matt and Peyton, on the other hand looked like they had something to say. But, when I shook my head silently, they left.
‘Can we get you anything?’ Josh asked as both he and James reached us.
‘No, thank you. We’re fine here.’
They left and we were alone.
Elena walked over to me and sat on the table folding her arms across her chest.
‘Is Dalca really back?’
‘Are you asking because you want to know if I’m crazy too?’
‘Illarion…’
‘Don’t bother—'
‘Don’t you shit me Illarion, I nearly lost my niece today. Is Dalca back?’ She asked again and her authoritative tone stunned me into silence.
‘Yes.’ I said.
‘Okay.’ She studied me. ‘What do you propose?’
‘Let me take her to my house. It’s secure.’
‘I can’t approve that, Illarion.’
‘When they start treatment, it will kill her.’
‘I’m sorry Illarion, the board won’t agree to it, I can’t sway everyone.’
‘She’ll die.’
Her lips pursed into a tight line. ‘I didn’t say I wouldn’t try. But she’s considered extremely dangerous now. She’s a weapon. You have to understand how this looks to everyone.’
‘I know how it looks, Elena. How do you think it looks to me?’ I asked, standing. ‘Everyone we trust has turned their back on her. I won’t.’
She bowed her head, pressing a comforting hand to my shoulder. ‘Don’t do anything stupid, Illarion. Please. I don’t want to lose you two to this.’
‘You’ve already lost us.’ I said firmly. ‘Make no mistake, my loyalty lies with her.’
***
Ace
It had been three long days since they brought me into this god-awful room, stark white with zero décor. Not even a vase with get well flowers.
I let out a long breath and tugged at the cuffs. They were solid, there was no way I’d break through them, not only were they steel, they were engraved with Celestial Markings. That was the kicker—even if I could manage some sort of strength after I’d been depleted of it, I couldn’t break through the wards they held.
After all the solitary time, I was going crazy, for real. I was alone and bored save for the few nurses and the doctor who stopped by. But even they weren’t any relief, they did only what was necessary and spent only the necessary amount of time with me.
Occasionally Dalca would visit me in my head and eventually through a massive amount of strain, I’d push him out. It wasn’t lost on me though, the longer I stayed locked up in here, under these wards, the weaker my defenses got and the stronger he became.
As the evening came to a close on the fourth day, the room was plunged into darkness.
I craned my neck as much as I could to see what was happening and, just like every other time I tried to make out anything more than the stark white walls, I came up empty.
Celestial symbols lined the ceiling, obviously stifling my abilities, I sank back into the bed.
A noise just outside the door drew my attention and with it my heart sped up. A few, agonizing moments later, the door opened, and my breath caught.
‘We need to hurry.’ Illarion whispered, rushing over to me in two quick strides. ‘We don’t have much time.’
‘What are you doing?’ I whispered back, raising my hand up as far as it would go to give him better access to the lock.
‘I’m getting you out.’
My heart hammered in my chest w
ith each second. ‘This isn’t going to end well.’
‘They’re wasting time.’ He breathed, pulling me up and out of the bed. ‘I spoke with Matt; his source has reported more mysterious Sensitive deaths out in Nevada.’
He worked quickly pulling me to my feet.
‘They’re making progress.’
‘They are, and the longer we waste time here, the more time they have to finish it.’
‘All they’ll need then will be my blood.’
‘And if they get that, it won’t matter if the recruits find the antidote’ He tightened his hold around me. ‘Are you okay? Can you walk?’
The wound in my chest had healed, mostly, but the motion still hurt.
‘Yeah, I’m good.’
He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead before leading us out into the dark corridor, his gun raised out in front of us.
‘What did you do?’ My eyes scanned the dark hallway, at least three unconscious guards lay against the walls.
‘What I had to.’
My eyes widened. ‘Ila…’
‘I didn’t kill them.’ He said looking at me. ‘But I wouldn’t have hesitated to.’
Oh God. I hurried beside him, holding down the white hospital gown.
‘I told you long ago, Ace. I will protect you, no matter the cost.’
My mouth grew dry. ‘They’ll hunt you for this.’
‘Let them.’
We neared a corner and Illarion slowed us down, he moved his body in front of mine, shielding me from anyone should they surprise us. He pressed his finger to his lips and then motioned that he could make out two agents down the hall.
I remained silent, letting him take over. He slipped out of the shadows, ran low and blitz attacked the first, silencing him when he rammed the butt of the gun into the base of his skull, the other reached for his walkie but Illarion quickly threw his weight around him, wrapping his arm in a choke hold.
For a few, painfully long seconds, the agent struggled until he went limp and Illarion lowered him to the ground.
He waved over when we were clear, carefully wrapping his arm around my waist and we were moving again.
We weaved through endless corridors and dizzying hallways, the Agency prison was a maze, I didn’t even know this many hallways and rooms existed beneath the pristine hospital and Agency base above ground.
They’d made no attempts to hide the fact that this was hidden for a reason, to keep the prisoners as isolated and as withdrawn as possible. And a cold chill settled over me when I realized that I had almost become one of its forgotten occupants.
As we neared a double door with an illuminated exit sign, we stopped. Illarion helped me to the wall and turned me, pressing his hand to my hip.
‘We have a fifteen second window.’
‘How?’
‘Josh.’
I smiled.
‘We’re going to make it.’ He promised me, grazing my cheek. Quickly, he looked down at his watch and pressed the timer. ‘Get ready to move.’
As the silent timer counted down, Illarion wrapped his arm around me again and held his gun out with the other readying us to move.
When the watch hit zero, he pushed the door open and we ran. Up ahead I spotted the exit, it was a loading bay behind the building.
We were almost there. So close.
My heart raced with exhilaration to be free, to be out in the fresh air, away from this place.
When we neared, the doors opened revealing that it was night but what caught my attention were the two agents waiting between the door and our escape.
My heart dropped. No.
Illarion wasn’t slowing though, and panic set in.
Bracing myself for the attack, I grit my teeth and searched inside me for the Darkness.
But nothing came, no shooting, no warnings, instead they motioned for us to hurry. Illarion nodded his acknowledgement and the two agents helped me up into the waiting van. As the agents parted and the two occupants revealed themselves, I smiled. Peyton and Riley. I couldn’t believe it.
‘It’s good to see you, Riley.’ I laughed.
‘You too, kid. Glad to see you’re staying out of trouble.’
‘Always.’ I chuckled.
The agent closest to me handed me the bags I’d loaded in Illarion’s car days ago.
Peyton pulled the door shut and locked it in place.
‘Thank you.’ I smiled.
She returned the gesture and handed me a bottle of water before she settled in.
The van pulled out, tires screeching along the driveway and Illarion moved to sit beside me.
A long, relieved breath left my lips. I was free.
***
Illarion and Riley caught up on all that had taken place while Matt kept trying to occupy me with small talk while I cringed with pain each time the van went over a larger bump.
Peyton scooted closer to me and handed me a couple of pills.
‘Tramadol.’ She said softly when I looked down at her hand.
‘Thank you.’
‘No problem.’ She smiled, ‘I did some research and spoke to a Sensitive accredited doc, she said tramadol takes less time to burn out of your system so it should help the pain.’
‘You’re a legend.’
‘I’ll take it.’ She laughed. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Sore.’ I said truthfully. ‘The wound is healed, but the Serum does a real hack job on your insides.’
She grimaced. ‘When does that go away?’
‘No idea.’
Matt moved closer to me and gently nudged my shoulder. ‘I’ve been keeping in touch with my contact back in DC, those new deaths that were reported seem to have been a different kind of attack.’
‘Different how?’
‘It seemed to have originated from the water.’
‘So they’re experimenting on different ways to administer it?’
‘It would seem so,’ Matt nodded. ‘So far, that’s all we’ve got, I’ve got him combing the web for things that haven’t been reported on.’
‘Okay, good, thank you Matt.’
‘No prob. You two need to get a move on with this, while we keep searching for the thugs who got away with the info.’
‘You’re heading back out?’ I asked.
When Matt didn’t answer, Riley did. ‘We have to, Ace. You two are safer without us, and we’re going to be more efficient moving in the dark on our own.’
‘He’s right,’ Alex said sadly. ‘This is where we have to part ways, we’re going to be flashing beacons to the non-Sensitives.’
Illarion squeezed my knee.
‘What about you?’ I looked at Alex.
‘I need to take Clair and get out of town, I don’t know how much got out after Aurel fucked us. I’m not okay with letting her get involved.’
‘Of course,’ a heavy feeling spread through me. ‘You’ve all risked so much for me, so much I can never thank you for.’
Peyton took my hand in hers and smiled. ‘I’m only sorry we didn’t get to be friends before all of this.’
‘Me too.’ I smiled.
‘We’re here.’ The driver announced.
Riley got out first, followed by Peyton who did a sweep of the area and returned to the van with a go ahead.
Illarion took the bag from my hand and got out first helping me down as each step pulled on the muscles in my chest.
‘Damn, this hurts like a bitch.’
Peyton winced when I stumbled for a moment and leaned onto her for support. Her mind shot off in all directions and the one thing I managed to grasp was her guilt—apparently, she’d been given my real file and she’d read up on the events that took place at the Alabama house and subsequently everything that came after.
Giving her as much reassurance as I could, I gently squeezed her arm and smiled. ‘I’m fine, Melina. It’s okay, we’re good.’
Matt gave me a quick hug and promised that he’d call me as soon and he and the others r
eached DC.
And when Alex stepped up to me, Illarion moved away giving us a moment.
‘At least this time I’ll get to say goodbye.’ I whispered.
‘Don’t say that.’
‘Hey,’ I smiled. ‘I’m kidding.’
‘No, you’re not.’ He forced my eyes to his. ‘You don’t think you’re going to walk away from this.’
Something deep inside me pulled on my heart. Alex’s piercing eyes welled with tears and I knew that I couldn’t fool him.
‘You’re not a quitter, Sergeant, you never were. Don’t you start now.’
‘I’ll be fine, Corporal.’ I nodded, keeping a brave front. ‘Now go, get Clair and get to safety.’
He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead and then he left.
As he walked away from me, his heart heavy like mine I swore that I’d never felt such pain, so many friends, so many lives had been changed because of me.
‘Take care. And we’ll be in touch.’ Riley said to Illarion, breaking me from my thoughts.
‘Thank you again,’ Illarion shook his hand. ‘We owe you our lives.’
‘Just save the world,’ he said lightly, ‘And we’ll call it even.’
I chuckled as they all piled in and watched as the van disappeared down the tree lined drive.
‘Josh and James are taking them to a safehouse where they’ll split off, then they’re heading back to the Agency.’ Illarion explained. ‘From in here, we should be able to keep decoding the information Sergei sent me and with any luck, we’ll get a solid lead and we can get going from here.’
I tipped my chin up to the moon-lit horizon and embraced the gentle breeze caressing my cheek.
‘What about Daniel?’
‘Daniel’s in the wind. It wasn’t safe to stay at the Agency.’
I nodded. ‘Do you think we’ll make it?’
‘What?’
‘Us.’ I said, turning to him, ‘Do you think we’ll survive?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you really?’
He ran a hand over his hair.
‘Because I see so much that can go wrong and it scares me, Ila. Alex and Clair, Josh and James, the FBI guys.’
‘Hey,’ he stopped me. ‘They’re all trained to stay off the grid, lie low.’
‘We’re not all going to make it.’ I said. ‘And I just want you to know, that if it’s me…’
Jack of Hart- Wild Card Page 42