Shadow Moon, page 20
Sammie and I went after Tom with everything we had. Swinging fists, bared claws and snapping teeth. He was bigger, but we were more motivated. Amid swirling papers and flying books, a blizzard of my own making, we were fighting for our freedom.
As we rolled around the floor, I heard Angela’s panicky voice, calling for help. Time was running out. With one last desperate effort, I jerked free of Tom, struggled to my feet and lunged for the door, Sammie on my tail. It flew open, and I ran into the arms of a security guard. An arc of blue fire shot out of the moonstone and zapped the guy in the chest.
He jumped away from me with a yelp of pain. One down. Too bad there were five more guys just as big behind him. In the next instant, I was face down on the floor with a knee in my back. Then, I felt the prick of a needle and my world went dark.
Chapter Thirty-Two
I was swimming through a sea of cotton. Thick. Suffocating. I had no idea why, but I had to reach the other side. Gradually, I became aware of my surroundings. The familiar smell of Barb’s disinfectant. The scratchy texture of the wool blanket on my bed. A blur of voices.
I was back in my room, lying on my bed.
Keeping my eyes tightly closed, I tried to figure out who was in my room. I recognized the voices of Ackerman and Redgrave. I listened for Revelle. No Revelle. As my senses returned, I decided it would be in my best interest to pretend I was still out and do a little eavesdropping. Truthfully, it wasn’t hard to fake. The drug they’d used gave me a pounding headache and queasy stomach.
Ackerman and Redgrave were carrying on a hushed conversation, probably trying to figure out how to get the moonstone off me while I was unconscious. I knew I still wore it. I could feel its warmth against my skin.
I tried to hear what Tom and Angela were saying, but they spoke in soft, urgent whispers. I fought it, but sleep carried me away. I didn’t wake up again until I heard someone approaching the bed. Light footsteps. Had to be Ackerman. The footsteps halted. I felt her presence. Heard her breathing. I hoped the moonstone was still touching the silver cross in zap mode. In my tussle with Tom, I’d been slammed into the floor and even flipped upside down. It was a miracle the moonstone was still around my neck.
Ackerman moved closer. Her breath tickled my face. It was all I could do not to turn away. A thumb and finger grasped my left eyelid and pried it open. Ackerman’s ashen face floated above mine like disembodied spirit. I couldn’t hold back a little gasp of surprise.
“She’s awake, Tom.”
I opened my other eye. Tom Redgrave approached my bed warily, stopping well out of reach. I turned my head and checked him out. His glasses were held together with tape and sat crooked on his face, probably because his nose was swollen and had a big bend in it. A purple bruise blossomed beneath his puffy right eye, and his left cheek sported three long scratches where I’d raked him with my fingernails.
I’m not a violent person, but I gave myself an imaginary high five. I was pretty sure Tom wouldn’t be scrapping with teenage girls in the near future.
He folded his arms across his chest and looked down at me. When he spoke, his voice was soft, and he sounded unsure of himself. “Allie Emerson, what the hell are you?”
Even with a drug hangover, I could tell something in his manner had changed. He’d underestimated me, and I’d almost escaped. It wasn’t fear I saw in Redgrave’s one good eye. It was grudging respect. At that moment I realized the dynamics had changed. My little power surge in the library made three so-called federal agents fear for their lives. What could I do if I tried?
Something deep within me stirred and fluttered to life. Something I hadn’t felt since I’d been brought to this awful place. Hope.
Yes, I’d earned my captors’ respect, but I soon discovered respect is a double-edged sword. Later that day, I was locked inside a stripped-down room, seated on a chair nailed to the floor. No pictures on the wall. Bare tile floor. Closed circuit cameras were mounted in the corners. No windows and, for sure, no books. After having his ass kicked by a couple of teenage girls, Tom was taking no chances.
Angela and Tom weren’t in the room. It was wired for sound and their questions came through speakers built into the walls. Hidden microphones picked up my answers. My TKP-induced firestorm was uppermost on their minds. But, I’d made a decision. They’d have to pay for my answers with some answers of their own.
Angela began. “Can we talk about what happened earlier?”
“Sure. But first, I have some questions for you.” A long silence ensued while ESP mulled over my request.
Finally, Tom said. “Go ahead.”
“How did you know I was travelling on the interstate? Has someone been following me?”
“Yes.”
There had to be more. “And . . . ?
“And we put a tap on your phone.”
I mumbled swear words under my breath.
Angela chirped, “Our turn. How did you summon the TKP earlier today? Did you use the moonstone?”
I was just as puzzled by the event as they were. When I’d used TKP previously, I did exactly that. I summoned it. I had to focus on the object and was never quite sure if it would work. Before I got the moonstone, I’d used telekinetic power to stop a charging bull. Since acquiring the moonstone, I’d used TKP a bunch of times. Had the moonstone enhanced the TKP? I honestly didn’t know.
Therefore, I answered truthfully. “I didn’t summon it. I saw Chris Revelle, and it just happened.”
Tom: “So it was triggered by your emotions?”
First, I had another question: “Do you know where my mother is?”
“No.”
I thought about what they’d asked me. “When I realized you’d brought in a Trimark to question me, you might say I was a tad bit upset. His name isn’t Chuck Radcliffe. It’s Chris Revelle, and he wants the moonstone, just like you guys do.”
Angela: “We would not hire a Trimark to question you.”
“Oh, really? Check his blood type. He’s not wholly human. Betcha didn’t know that.”
Another long silence before they asked, “Will you allow us to test your powers without the moonstone?”
I countered with, “When do you guys plan on letting me go?”
When they didn’t answer, I realized I’d pitched them a deal breaker. I said, “Okay, here’s what I’ll do. You want Revelle to question me? Fine. Send him in. Hey, Revelle, are you out there?”
“I’m here.”
“Guess what, Revelle. I’ve got more power in my little finger than you’ve got in your whole evil Trimark body. So bring it!”
Yeah, I got a little carried away, but what did I have to lose? Revelle had dived under the desk and hidden during the TKP storm. I knew I could take him. Deep down inside, he was a coward.
Five minutes later, Revelle walked into the room. Since there was no furniture, he leaned against one wall. I was ready for him. No fear.
“Hello, Allie. I’m here to put your mind at ease. I’m not the man you know as Chris Revelle.”
“Right, Chuck,” I said, heavy on the sarcasm. “You’re the ‘go to’ guy for ESP. They want answers and you make sure they get ’em. What’s the plan?”
His expression hardened, and I saw flashes of the real Chris Revelle. “Let’s just say it involves a lie detector, a shock machine and your little friend, Sammie. If you tell the truth, no problem.”
Empowered by my newfound confidence, I jumped out of my nailed-down chair and strode over to him. I stopped when we were toe-to-toe. “You don’t scare me, Revelle. Try to shock Sammie, and I’ll turn it back on you, times ten.”
Revelle blinked rapidly. “You can’t do that.”
Could I? Maybe yes. Maybe no. The trick was to act like I could. “Wanna put money on it?”
Apparently not. His gaze shifted to the left and back again. He blustered, “We’ll see about that.”
“Can’t wait.”
Revelle sidled out of the room, and I started breathing again. Fifteen minutes of silence followed. Finally, I got fed up and yelled, “Hey, what’s going on?”
The door opened. Rickie and Dickie walked in, took hold of my arms and marched me back to my room. As Rickie released my arm, he gave a nasty chuckle. “You gotta date with the answer man tomorrow. I think you and your friend will find it shocking.”
I’d had it up to my eyeballs with Rickie’s stupid remarks. Instead of ignoring him like I usually did, I stepped closer and stared into his beady eyes. “Guess you didn’t hear what happened in the library earlier.”
“Yeah, I heard. Big effin’ deal, but I’m tougher than Tom. You wanna go a few rounds with me?”
“I don’t need to use physical violence. Not when I can do this.” I focused on his ball cap and blew it off his big, square shaved head.
“Hey!” Rickie yelled, scrambling after his cap. He grabbed it and stormed out of the room without a backward glance.
Dickie lifted a ham-sized fist. I bumped it with mine.
After Dickie left, I was alone for hours. No tests. No questions. The walls began to close in. I paced the length of the small room, trying not to think about tomorrow, Revelle and his shock machine. I knew he’d enjoy inflicting pain. Sammie was scared to death. If Revelle shocked her, would I cave?
Would I be so scared that I’d be unable to use my power against Revelle? Could I even do what I’d threatened?
Chapter Thirty-Three
My thoughts were making me crazy.
I desperately needed to talk to Sammie. I’d been in the bathroom a dozen times. Nothing but silence on the other side of the wall. When I felt my confidence slipping away, I knew it was time for action. We had to escape, and it had to be tonight. I returned to the bathroom, opened my packets of salt, pepper and sugar and poured them into a paper cup. I folded the top of the paper cup and stuffed it into my pocket.
My plan hinged on Barb showing up as usual, delivering my dinner. She had keys. Dickie also had keys and would come in later to pick up my dinner tray. But I didn’t want to get Dickie in trouble. He was a good guy. Barb, with no observable human qualities, was the obvious target. Yeah, I still had principles.
I’d ruled out TKP, even though I’d been seriously awesome in the library incident. Too iffy. It was just as easy to throw the stuff in Barb’s face. Also, due to an oversight by Tom or Angela, I had another weapon. Somebody had neglected to nail my chair down. Yay!
Time dragged on. When my growling stomach told me it was dinner time, I got ready. A few minutes later, I heard a key in the lock. Barb slipped through the door with my dinner tray and snapped the keys onto her belt loop.
“Gee, Barb,” I said. “I hate to bother you, but my toilet is backing up. Do you have a plunger?”
Barb’s mouth twisted in disgust. She slammed the tray down on the table and walked into the bathroom. Yes! I stood in the doorway with my back to the cameras and dumped the seasonings into my palm. I prayed Kevin was slacking off.
Barb lifted the lid to the toilet and peered in. I crowded in behind her. She mumbled something under her breath and turned to face me.
I threw salt, pepper and sugar directly into her angry eyes.
“Son of a bitch!” She stumbled backward, her legs hitting the toilet, and she crashed to the floor. While she scrubbed at her eyes, I snagged the keys and dashed out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me.
Fumbling with the keys, I grabbed the chair and headed for the door. Six keys on the key ring, one obviously for a car. The other five looked exactly alike.
“Come on, come on!” I muttered. I was shaking so hard, I had to use two hands to insert each key in the lock. Barb was swearing and banging around in the bathroom. Time was running out. As I inserted the final key, Barb burst from the bathroom, snorting like a charging bull. I grabbed the chair and threw it hard at the center of her body. She went down with a howl of rage.
Barb was scrambling to her feet as I turned the key in the lock. It clicked open. I grabbed the keys, slipped through the door and slammed it in Barb’s’s face. As I turned left toward Sammie’s room, I heard Barb pounding on the door and cussing a blue streak.
Luck was with me when I jammed the key in the door to Sammie’s room. The first one I tried got me in. Sammie stood a few feet from the door in a half crouch.
“Allie! What’s happening? I heard a bunch of yelling.”
I grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the room. “We’re so outta here!”
I turned right and sprinted down the hall, Sammie on my heels. I’d been blindfolded when I arrived, so had no idea which way to go. So I’d turned away from the lab and testing rooms, hoping to find an exit.
Operating in pure panic mode, we tore down the hall until we reached an intersecting corridor. We flattened our bodies against the wall. Sweat dripped in my eyes, and my heart thudded painfully in my chest. I peered around the corner.
“Damn!” I muttered. “Which way is out?”
Sammie leaned over my shoulder to take a look. “Nothing but offices to the left.”
We both looked right.
“There,” Sammie said. “Is that a red exit light at the end of the hall?”
I used my sleeve to wipe the sweat from my eyes. Yes. Most definitely an exit sign. “Let’s go!” I hissed.
We crept around the corner and took off, arms and legs pumping like mad, running for freedom.
That’s when the siren went off.
Sitting on the edge of my bed. Fists clenched. Fuming with rage.
We’d been so close. A few more seconds and we’d have made it to the door. One of the guards who dragged me back to my room had said, “Girl, even if you’d managed to make it through the door, you had zero chance of getting through the gate. The whole place is surrounded by a ten-foot fence topped with razor wire.”
I chose not to believe him. He was just trying to discourage me from making another attempt. And I would try again. Next time, I’d use magic. I touched the moonstone. It lay hot and throbbing against my chest, as if agreeing with me. Yes, my mistake. I hadn’t used magic.
Allie Emerson: down but not out.
My untouched dinner tray was still on the table. The chair, of course, had been removed. I knew I should eat to keep up my strength, but the thought of food made my stomach do flip-flops. Overcome with weariness, I stretched out on the bed and turned my face to the wall.
Do not cry, Allie. Stay strong.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the hawk feather. I’d vowed to keep it until I located the girl, the one everybody kept telling me I should find. Unless Anne Marie Scott was waiting for me in Peacock Flats, my mission had failed. Of course, there was also another problem. I was locked up.
Your mother will be the first. Then your father. After you watch them die, you will be next.
“Ryker,” I murmured aloud, stroking the feather’s silky length. “If you can hear me, I could use a little of your faery magic right now.”
An hour passed. I heard the door open and close but didn’t bother to look. Had to be Dickie coming for my dinner tray.
“Hey, you didn’t eat your dinner.” Rickie, not Dickie.
“Not hungry.”
The sound of footsteps crossing the room. The flapping of wings. The pungent odor of mint. A hand touching my shoulder. “Nevertheless, little miss, you need to eat.”
I stiffened, still staring at the wall. Afraid to look. Afraid to hope.
The hand on my shoulder tightened along with a whispered command. “You must react as though I am your captor. I believe you call him Rickie. If I am to accomplish the task of removing you from this odious place, you will do as I say. To all others, I will look and sound like Rickie. You must remember that as we proceed.”
Although my heart was leaping with joy, I forced myself to move slowly. I yawned, stretched and sat up. Even though I knew I would see Teagan, complete with pointy teeth and crow, standing by the bed, I couldn’t hold back a cry of delight. I immediately turned it into a sob.
Through hiccups of fake despair, I stammered, “I guess . . . you heard . . . what happened earlier.”
Teagan nodded. “Yes, and I’ve been ordered to take you to the observation room.”
Observation room? What was scary faery Teagan up to? Not that it mattered. At that point, I’d have gone to hell and back with him. He gripped my arm just as Rickie would and led me from the room.
Once we were in the hall, out of camera range, I stopped. “What’s going on? Where’s Rickie?”
He pulled me forward. “Later, little miss. We must get to the room with the skylight. The moon is directly overhead. Time is of the essence since a full eclipse is about to occur.”
The room with the skylight. The moon overhead. Me, stopping time so we could get out of this hellhole. Allie Action Plan all the way. I loved it!
But first things first. I dug in my heels until Teagan stopped. “We have to get Sammie.”
Teagan frowned. “Who, may I ask, is Sammie?”
“She’s my friend. I’m not leaving without her.”
Teagan rolled his eyes. Jack, the crow, opened his mouth and hissed his disapproval.
“Where is this person?” Teagan said.
I pointed at Sammie’s door. “This was her room, but they may have moved her. We tried to escape and got caught.”
Teagan opened Sammie’s door. She wasn’t there. My heart sank. He took my arm and began dragging me down the hall. “We have no time to waste.”
I refused to move. “Not without Sammie.”
Teagan wasn’t happy, but began unlocking doors. We found Sammie across the hall, five doors down. She took one look at Teagan and gasped in horror. “What the hell is that?”
I turned on Teagan. “I thought you said everybody else would see you as Rickie.”
Teagan folded his arms across his chest and gave Sammie a visual examination. The crow cocked his head to one side and did the same. Teagan said, “She can see the real me because she’s fae. You didn’t tell me she was fae.”
