The elevator pinged and the doors opened wide, receiving a weary glance and frown from the receptionist who saw nothing but an empty elevator. The group exited, allowing the doors to close behind them, and the receptionist shook her head returning to her work.
The group snuck past the desk and down a new corridor, finally coming across another three signs. One pointed to the labs, another to the offices, and a third to the morgue.
‘Jackpot.’ Gemma whispered.
The group took the corridor on the right and followed it to the end where doors stood along each side of the walls.
‘Which one do we go through?’ Logan asked, glancing around.
A door opened unexpectedly and voiced floated out into the hall. The group pressed themselves up against the walls to allow the two women to pass.
‘I can’t make sense of it. It’s like the body has been dead for… ever. The lungs are underdeveloped, as if they’ve never been used, and the heart… well, it’s unlike any heart I’ve ever seen.’ The second woman, in her early thirties with dark long hair and almond eyes, was telling the first woman.
Gemma grit her teeth at the realisation that the Enchanted could be at risk of exposure and shot her friends a concerned look.
‘We’ll have to run more tests. See what kind of joke this killer is playing at.’ The first woman, dark skinned and tall, responded.
‘We haven’t got much time, those guys from the city will be coming to collect the body tomorrow for their investigation.’ The second woman said as the two ladies rounded the corner, escaping from view.
‘Quick, they came from that door.’ Robin said, already reaching for the handle.
Cold air and the strong smell of disinfectant hit them the moment they entered the room. The body of one of the victims was laying on a bench and Gemma wasn’t prepared for what she saw. The girl’s entire form was covered in thick, black burns deep in the skin and her face was completely disfigured, though if Gemma had to guess, she’d say the girl, woman, was in her late twenties.
‘She’s an Enchanted.’ Mitch murmured.
Gemma realised something, something she hadn’t pieced together before. ‘Do you think all the victims are Enchanted?’
Mitch looked from the girl to Gemma. ‘Yes.’
Gemma shivered.
‘So Enchanted are definitely being targeted.’ Grace said.
‘But what for?’ Logan asked, stepping closer to the body to study her face.
‘We need to copy some of these markings down. If we can find their meaning then hopefully we’ll have some answers.’ Mitch said quietly.
Robin tore a off sheet of paper from the notepad laying on a bench close by, snatched up a pen and set to work drawing as many markings as he could.
Gemma glances away from the body. ‘Poor girl.’
‘That’s enough Robin, we’ll have to go. We can’t risk pushing the Charm any longer. I can feel it weighing on me already.’
Robin nodded and the group left the hospital, their spirits lower than they had been when they’d entered.
~
Laura shoved the past events from her mind, knowing that she needed to focus on what was most important, which was finding Kane. After a hot meal, warm shower and short rest, she began to feel a little better.
Drew woke her at ten, though she couldn’t remember having fallen asleep, and they made their way down to the pub below where they were staying. They wore their caps low, ensuring to hide their face’s, and settled down in the corner of the room, watching carefully and listening intently.
‘Any drinks?’ A young girl in a short dress and apron asked as she approached the table.
‘Two hot chocolates please,’ Drew said without glancing up, though Laura saw the way the girl eyed him.
‘I guess you’re use to that.’ Laura said with a scoff when the girl left to fulfil their order.
‘Why? Jealous?’
Laura laughed, ‘don’t be ridiculous.’
‘And why would I be used to it?’ Drew inquired, raising an eyebrow at her.
‘Oh stop it, you know.’ She said.
‘I really don’t Ace, please, enlighten me.’
Laura sighed, ‘nope. Doesn’t matter.’
He grinned at her, and she knew he was just playing. She also knew he was attempting to lighten her mood, and she had to admit, friendly banter with him always seemed to do just that.
They quietened, listening in on the conversations happening around them, hoping to hear something unusual. It wasn’t until twelve a ’clock when they’d finished two drinks each that a drunken stranger finally provided what they needed.
‘Smithy! Another beer!’ A man with a thick southern accent and bushy beard shouted across the bar.
‘Coming right up Laz.’
The man named Laz caught the beer that was slid down the bar to him and settled back in his seat with his mates.
‘You hear about Savanna lately?’ Laz asked.
‘Nah, most towns been quiet with all those bodies turning up around the desert.’ Laz’s friend replied, crossing his arms.
Laura’s ears pricked up and she gestured to Drew. He was already listening.
‘-and turned up the whole place searching for this bloke. Sent the entire town into a panic.’ Laz was saying.
‘No soldiers can do that.’ His friend scoffed in disbelief.
‘Well they did, searched the shops and houses, didn’t leave a stone unturned.’
‘Did they find him?’
‘Nup. Nothing, as far as Jimmy knows.’
‘Who were they?’
‘Dunno, Jimmy reckons they’re from the secret services or something. Dressed up in real flash uniforms, some were even wearing Armor, thick stuff like they use to wear back in the old days.’
Laura met Drew’s eyes. Tomorrow, they would leave for Savanna.
Chapter Sixteen
On The Trail
The sand felt as though it was embedded in Laura’s hair, within her clothes, and chaffing against her skin inside her boots. She was uncomfortable and in desperate need for a shower, however it wasn’t until after two days of hard riding through back roads and desert, only stopping in small towns to refuel and gather supplies, that they finally struck luck, discovering a small oasis.
‘Oh thank god.’ Laura sighed as Drew switched the bike off and wheeled it in under the trees. She was hot, bothered, and exhausted. ‘I didn’t realise taking the back roads would add so much time to our trip.’
‘Better safe than sorry.’ Drew replied wearily.
Laura deposited her bag under one of the trees and set to removing her helmet and thicker clothing, relieved to once again feel the air against her skin. She stripped down to her tank top and ducked behind a tree to put her shorts on, then waded into the lake.
The water was cool, refreshing, and clear. She made her way to the centre where her feet could just touch the bottom, laid back in the water, closed her eyes and savoured the feeling. There was a splash behind her and as she stood up she saw Drew striding through the water towards her wearing nothing but shorts.
She sucked in her gasp and spun away so she wouldn’t be caught staring. All she could think was that Drew obviously worked out. It’s part of the job. She reasoned. He can’t help that he looks- oh God you’re pathetic.
She rubbed her eyes fiercely and scolded herself for being immature, then turned back around. She was relieved to find Drew wasn’t looking at her, but rather at the clear water lapping around his waist. He was taller than her, so by the time he’d made it to the centre the water was only to his shoulders.
‘Man, we needed this. I didn’t realise how hot it was.’ He said, then dove under the water, returning to the surface moments later.
Laura’s lips parted at the sight of Drew running his fingers through his wet hair, water dripping down his face. He was handsome, she’d always known that, but it was something she subconsciously ignored, for there’d always been more important matt
ers at hand.
Drew’s eyes opened, blazing emerald in the evening sun, and he grinned, tossing her a bar of soap.
‘Here.’
Laura gasped, catching it. ‘I thought we didn’t bring this stuff? Not enough room?’
He shrugged, ‘I stole it from the Inn we stayed at.’
Laura sighed, ‘of course.’
‘Hey, if you don’t want it…’ Drew said, reaching for the soap.
Laura snatched it to her body and swam away from him, ‘no way, it’s mine!’
She’d used over half the bar by the time she’d washed her hair and skin, and felt a little bad as she glanced back at Drew who was floating in the water, eyes closed.
‘Do you want to use this?’ She asked, swimming across the lake to him.
He stood up, ‘yeah, guess I better.’
‘There’s no guessing about it. You smell worse than I did.’ She said with a wry smile.
‘Sure Ace, sure.’
Laura ducked below the water, taking to swimming around the lake, simply enjoying how refreshed she felt. She soon realised she’d done a full circle, because there was Drew, under the water, waving madly at her. The water stung her eyes a little but she rolled them and waved back, then resurfaced.
‘I lost the soap.’ Drew told her.
‘What?!’
‘There wasn’t much left anyway.’
Laura shook her head and laid back in the water, eyes studying the bright oranges, reds and purples of the sky. They were silent for a while, however eventually Laura stood, for she could feel something was on Drew’s mind.
‘What’s wrong?’
Drew didn’t answer immediately, but rather studied her face before choosing his words. ‘I understand there’s a lot happening at the moment…’ he trailed off, and her breath caught. ‘But… you must know how I feel you, don’t you? And there are times when I wonder if perhaps you feel the same way… but I know there’s more too it.’
She glanced away quickly, butterflies flitting through her stomach, cheeks growing hot. She hadn’t expected him to ask outright. She wasn’t ready to hear the words; wasn’t ready to think about her feelings, the feelings she knew were growing stronger regardless of her attempts at ignoring them.
‘I mean, I respect that you have a lot to focus on right now. We all do. And I won’t ever ask anything more from you unless I know you want it. But…’
‘Drew-’
‘I can feel it, there’s something you’re not telling me.’
Frustration boiled inside Laura, but not at Drew; at herself. Why couldn’t she just be open and tell him? It frightened her, that’s why. She’d never been able to talk about her thoughts, her feelings, with anyone in the past. She’d never had the kind of feelings that were presently taking over her mind, her heart, either. She felt the water move around her as Drew appeared by her side, and their heads bobbed above the water as she spun slowly to face him.
‘You saw what I did to James. I…’ she choked, ‘I couldn’t control it. I couldn’t stop it if I wanted to. It was like something else had taken over my mind and…’ she shook her head, ‘I don’t know, just filled me with immense hate. It was like I was no longer in control of my body, like a demon had taken over and was intent on killing. I couldn’t feel anything, see anything but my goal, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.’
Her eyes flickered to Drew, ashamed, but despite the look of confusion on his face, he was listening; he was hearing her, and that gave her the strength to continue.
‘I’m afraid I’ll hurt people. Especially people I care about.’ She added. ‘I can barely live with the deaths I’ve caused already, and they were terrible people who would have been happy to kill me. If I were to hurt someone I cared about, I could not live with myself. I don’t know this… power, I don’t understand it, and until I do, I think I need to be careful. I healed you that time, remember? It just happened, I couldn’t control it. And I could have just as easily hurt you.’
Laura sucked in a breath, braving a look back at Drew. The confusion was gone, replaced with realisation and kindness.
‘I’ve been thinking about that,’ Drew said softly, and Laura felt her heart beat faster, afraid to hear what he was going to say. ‘Laura, every time you’ve used your power it’s been a result of extreme emotion. That time you healed me, we’d just fought off an army of bats. Emotions were running high and your caring nature wanted to ensure everyone came out alive. The second time, with Gemma, was the same. You wanted her to live and with James torturing her, she wasn’t going to.’
Laura’s eyes dropped to her fidgeting hands. ‘Gemma thought that too. But what if it’s not? What if it’s just a coincidence and next time it happens I…’
Drew reached out, taking her hands under the water, holding them firmly and calming her instantly.
‘You’re a strong person, Ace. I mean that. You can control it. You just need to learn to ground yourself. Find something that will return you to the surface no matter what. With practice, you’ll get better. We’ll learn as much as we can about your gift so that you can do just that.’
Laura finally raised her eyes to his. ‘Is it really a gift? Because I’m starting to believe it to be curse.’
Drew smiled kindly at her. ‘We’ll figure it out, Ace. And I’ll be there with you the whole way.’
‘I appreciate that.’ She told him quietly.
He watched her a moment longer, then nodded towards their bags, grinning. ‘Come on, lets dry off while the sun’s still out, then I’ll cook us a grand dinner.’
~
The Sargent exited through the portal, waiting patiently as the world grew clearer around him and the small desert town came into fruition. He recalled the place from not long before, when he’d shown up searching for something, and someone. He’d been unsuccessful then, however circumstances had changed; he had more information. He knew the man he sought after would have returned and it was time to reign him in; the Wizard who knew much and fought little.
‘You know what to do.’ He told his followers; three Wicked who’d been by his side for many years.
They were disguised as Force Members, and made their way through the streets of the desert town, heading for one home in particular. It took them hours to find it, it was more difficult to recognise than they expected. The Sargent stepped back to lean on his cane, and watched the three Wicked proceed to knock on the door. A short, dishevelled man opened it and peered out, then slammed the door shut again.
‘Go away! I told you, I know nothing!’
‘You have two choices. Come with us calmly and no one gets hurt. Or, we’ll bring you with us using whatever force necessary.’ The Sargent called.
The frightened Wizard peeked back through the door, locking eyes with The Sargent. His mouth parted slightly, and The Sargent could still see both fear and recognition in his face.
‘You…’ he whispered.
The Sargent stepped forward out of the shadows, ‘yes. Now I suggest you choose wisely, Kane.’
~
‘I have something to tell you.’ Drew said, and Laura glanced at him over the flickering flames of the fire in wonder.
‘Unless Grace already has.’
Drew saw the realisation dawn on Laura’s face immediately, and she shook her head. ‘No she hasn’t. You don’t have to Drew. I know it’s personal. I don’t want you to relive something so painful.’
‘I need to.’ Drew responded, determined.
His past was a huge part of who he had become, and after hearing Laura open up about her own fears, he felt it was only fair for him to share his history with her. He wanted her to know; wanted her to understand him better; wanted her to see how much he cared.
Laura moved closer to him, ‘then I’m listening.’
Drew turned his gaze to the flames, recalling the memories from so many years ago. Then, allowing himself to become lost in his words, he began to tell his story.
‘My parents
were members of the Force. They worked in Corin under Mr Stark. He was actually a close family friend.’
Laura gasped.
‘You wouldn’t guess it now,’ he added.
‘No, you wouldn’t.’
‘Well, like I said, he was a close family friend. My cousin, Gavin, lived with us too. He was my Uncles son, however his parents split when he was born. His Mother disappeared and his Father passed away when he turned six, so he came to live with us. He was a year older than Grace and I, and we quickly became good friends. Our family never had any troubles, never faced any issues or close deaths, considering my parents line of work. I guess you could say we lived a pretty good life. Grace and I did well in school, as did Gavin. We were expected to join the Force like our parent, we always did well in the ground missions and live action tests, so I guess we had bright futures.’ Drew paused, his heart beating faster as the memories washed over him.
‘Well, not long after Grace and I turned fourteen, everything changed. Gavin had been unwell, so decided to stay home from school one day. My Mother chose to remain home from work too to take care of him.
When we came home, Gavin was dead. Poisoned. The place was crawling with Healers, Force Members, and the like. We couldn’t understand why it had happened, we found no trace of poison in the house, and we hadn’t been anywhere the day before. And then our Father returned home early, unwell. He heard about Gavin, and immediately feared the worse. The healers checked him over and found traces of the same poison in his system, however not enough to kill him. The rest of us were found to be free of the poison, to everyone’s relief. The healers took Gavin’s body away, and left us to grieve, but that night Wicked came. Three of them, and they were better trained than any Wicked my parents had encountered.
Father was still recovering from the poison and was weak, and Mother was unprepared and shook after the day’s events. They didn’t stand a chance. Grace and I woke to the sound of clashing swords and snuck into the hallway in time to see two Wicked pinning our parent’s arms behind their backs, forcing them to their knees. The third Wicked held a sword to my Mothers throat.’ Drew had to stop for a moment, and he felt breathless despite not requiring the air.
The Sacrifice (Wicked Book 2) Page 19