Power Trip(42)

Peter wiggled his fingers and raised the wand. “I can make you give them to me.”

Could he? Was the wand powered by talent? Since she was a neutral, it might not affect her. But memories of Cal’s smoking flesh made her hesitate. By the same logic, if Peter blew a hole in her, the Doc might not be able to heal her. “What is that thing?”

“So curious and yet so blind. Do you have any idea what anybody else at Genecorp is working on?” Only what’s on the flash drive in my pocket, asshole.

He stepped closer and she struck, whipping her leg up, then down, hitting his wrist with her instep. The weapon clattered to the floor. He staggered after it.

She dropped the backpack and leapt after him, using her momentum to power another kick. Her foot slammed into his ribs just as he got a hold of the weapon. He spun and raised the wand. “It’s set on stun—but you are making me want to hurt you. Your talent cannot protect you from this.”

She moved her hand toward her pocket, playing for time. She saw a flicker of movement in the dark hallway behind Peter. Relief washed through her as Cal emerged from the hall, holding a finger to his lips. Cal could handle Peter…unless Peter was a neutral too.

“We’re family, huh?” she asked. “Then what’s your talent?”

Peter’s lips twisted in a bitter grin. “Memory control. I lead an army of amnesiac scientists—all except you, of course. You just wouldn’t cooperate. But that’s how I found you, so I guess it’s a mixed blessing.” His smile turned smug. “Father is very interested in exploring your gift.”

“Good to know.” Audrey jumped to the side as Cal wrapped his hands around Peter’s neck.





Cal let his electrons surge. Energy bounced back at him. Surprised, he increased the charge.

Something cold touched his hand and he saw red, then felt the equivalent of being slammed face-first into a brick wall. His body went numb and he felt heavy, unable to move, barely able to breathe. Over the guy’s shoulder, he saw Audrey run toward them. Energy cracked from his body, a furious burst of fear. God, if the weapon did this to him, what would it do to her?

Her body spun faster than he could follow. The toe of her shoe brushed his cheek and he heard a solid thunk. For a split second, she stood balanced on one leg. Then she lowered her foot to the floor and they began to fall.

“Jesus Christ,” he heard her say.

Cal landed on top. He focused on pulling air into his lungs.

“Don’t touch me,” he whispered, when he had air enough to speak. He gathered electrons in his core and sent them spinning into his deadened limbs. After a second, he could roll over. He stared up at her. “That was some kick. Remind me not to piss you off.”

Cal looked at the man sprawled next to him, then pushed up on one arm, slowly getting his knees under his body. He felt like he was swimming through cement. Gingerly, he tugged the silver weapon out of the guy’s hand and examined it.

The smooth cylinder of gleaming metal fit naturally in his hand. He felt queasy, as if the thing hurt him merely by existing. He looked for a safety, but couldn’t find it and had to hope for the best as he shoved it into his jacket pocket. “Did you break his neck?” he asked.

“I don’t think so.”

He placed his fingers on the guy’s carotid and felt a pulse. “Not dead.”

“Then I wish I’d kicked him harder. Are you okay?” she asked, when he finally made it to his feet.

“I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.” They both looked down at the guy. “So who is he?”

“My boss. Peter Woodrow. The director of cytogenetics.”

He sent more energy into his extremities, since it seemed to be chasing away the heaviness. “Does he have an office?” Audrey pointed at the open door in the hall. “Get Jake, okay?” He could barely stand—there was no way he could carry Woodrow. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and left the room.

The guy was still out cold when Audrey returned with her brother. “Did you fill him in?” Cal asked.

She nodded.

Jake easily lifted the guy into a shoulder carry. They followed her down the hall into the only office he hadn’t explored. Damn, he wished he’d started with that one. Jake lowered Woodrow into the chair behind the desk and slapped his cheeks until he began to twitch and blink.

Jake bent to look into his eyes. “You fell asleep in your office. You did not see Audrey Fallon today. You won’t remember anything that happened after dark. Go back to sleep.” Woodrow shut his eyes.

“That was easy,” Jake said. They both glared at him. “What?” he asked. Then Jake pointed at the desk. “Is that your laptop?”