Enders(73)

Brockman stared down at me, arms folded like a pompous dictator. Now that I had control of my body again, I moved toward the open stairway. A guard stepped out of the shadow, blocking the way.

A microphone in Brockman’s room amplified his voice. “So, it turns out you are very easy to control.”

“Where’s my father?”

“You’ll get to see him very soon,” he said with a smile. “In fact, I’m dying to have you see him. But first, let’s talk a little. You are a very special girl, Callie Woodland. And of course you are the only M.A.D. Oh, if only we had more of you.”

“But you don’t,” I said. “And you don’t really have me.”

“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong.” He looked past me. “And you know who else we have?”

He nodded to someone behind him, there in his office, someone I couldn’t see. Two guards stepped forward, wrestling another person between them. Michael. His hands were cuffed behind his back. He pulled away from them and lunged toward the glass.

“Don’t hurt him,” I told Brockman.

“I don’t think there will be any need to,” Brockman said. “Because you’ll be doing exactly what we want you to do.”

He motioned for the guards to pull Michael away, out of sight.

“What do you want from me?” I asked.

“I have several prominent guests staying here from various countries. Now that you have arrived, we’re going to hold a special demonstration of the technology. And then we’ll have a little auction.”

My pulse raced.

“You’re going to sell us like slaves?” I asked.

“No one is going to hurt you. They’ll want to take very good care of their investment.”

“So you’re all about the money? You’re not even doing this because you believe in something?”

“People will do anything for money.” He examined his fingernails. “Don’t you know that by now?”

I hated him. He was as cruel as Hyden had said. It killed me to see so much of Hyden—his facial features, voice, even little mannerisms—in this despicable excuse for a human being. Why did the good people like my mother die and scum like him survive?

“My son is obviously infatuated with you, and I can see why. You have everything—brains, looks, courage, and the only killer neurochip.”

He turned and walked down the open stairway until he was on my level. He came closer.

“Yes, you are exquisite. The bidders will be excited to see you. They have been notified of your arrival and are getting ready.”

A guard whispered in Brockman’s ear.

“Wonderful. Bring him in.”

Another guard escorted Hyden into the atrium. Brockman looked at Hyden from head to toe. “You’re looking fit. Good to see you without that silly disguise. Now that you’re here, I can demonstrate this to both of you.”

Brockman pressed a spot behind his ear while staring at me. I felt that awful sensation come over me, from my toes on up to the top of my head. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t make an expression, no way to let Hyden know what was going on.

But I’m sure he guessed, because his face reddened.

“Stop this,” he said to his father. “Leave her alone.”

I saw my body turn toward Hyden, my arm lift, and my hand slap him hard across the face. Brockman broke out in a huge grin.

“I just love controlling Metals,” he said. “And it’s even better with you, Callie, because you’re aware of it. Such an intimate, sharing experience. Makes me tingle all over.”

Hyden glared at his father and leapt toward him, punching him hard in the jaw. Brockman was caught by surprise, and Hyden grabbed his shoulders and took him to the floor, attacking him. Rage, it appeared, was the cure for his condition. The guards jumped in and pulled him off his father.

I regained my control the moment Hyden hit him.

“Hyden!” I shouted.

Hyden was on the floor with one guard holding him down. Brockman grabbed the ZipTaser from the other guard and turned it on Hyden. The blue light arched to Hyden’s body. Hyden shook and let out one piercing scream.

“Stop!” I said.

Brockman shut off the ZipTaser. It had done its job. Hyden was unable to move, on the floor in extreme agony. Then he went completely silent. Was he all right?

I knelt by Hyden. “Hyden.” Without thinking, I unbuttoned the top of his shirt and slipped my hand in to feel his heart.

It was beating.

Then I stared down at my hand, realizing my mistake. Hyden opened his eyes, his lids heavy from the trauma of the ZipTaser, and looked at my hand. He gave me an almost imperceptible smile.