Project Maigo(43)

I sigh, slowly and carefully, managing the intensity of the pain. “So, what’s the damage?”

“Two broken ribs. A scratched lung. They said it was very nearly punctured. And a lot of internal bruising, but no bleeding. You hit your head pretty good when you fell in the chopper.”

“I thought I jumped.”

“If you jumped, it was the most pitiful jump I’ve ever seen. Like this guy—” she nods to my neighbor, “—doing hurdles.”

The image of the old guy tumbling through a line of hurdles brings a smile to my face. I nearly laugh, but tamp it down with the memory of pain. Collins smirks at my struggle. “Jerk,” I say.

“So, have you picked out a ring yet?” she asks.

I involuntarily convulse with surprise, which sends lightning bolts of anguish through my body.

Collins covers her mouth, laughing at my pain.

“Asshole!” I say, smiling despite the pain. When the pain subsides, my thoughts turn back to my last memories. “What happened to Endo?”

She motions to the wall behind me. “Next room over. He’s...in a coma.”

This sobers me up quickly. I still loathe the man, but I clearly recall him saving my life.

“They haven’t figured out why yet, but I think—”

I know where she’s going. “The neural implant.”

She nods. “Lessi thinks it overloaded his mind. That with time he’ll be fine.”

“‘Lessi?’”

“We’ve had time to get to know each other.” Collins looks at the wall like she can see through it. “She cares about him. Though I don’t think their relationship is anything but professional. She’s still here, though. Says a lot.”

I reach out and take Collins’s hand. “Yeah, it does. Should I give you the ring now?”

Collins gasps and leans back, eyes wide, hand to her mouth. When I laugh, it hurts like hell, but it’s worth it. Vengeance is mine. I’m Nemesis with a sense of humor. When I’ve recovered once more, I set my mind to more serious things. “Cooper and Watson?”

“Fine,” she says. “Monitoring the coast and overseeing the evacuation’s end.”

“I meant the baby.”

Collins smiles like it’s the sweetest thing in the whole wide world. “Yes, all three of them are okay.”

“What about Zoomb?” I ask. “Any word on their prototype?”

“I haven’t asked,” she says. “The small version on Gordon nearly killed Endo. I can’t imagine what would happen if—”

“But it worked,” I say. “He controlled Gordon.”

Any good humor she had a moment ago, melts away. “And almost died.”

“Gordon was resisting,” I point out. “Maigo—”

“Is a monster!” Collins stands, hands on hips. “She destroys cities. Kills mercilessly. If you go inside that mind, you might never come back.”

“She also saved my life. Twice.”

“And nearly killed you in the process.”

“If me being in a coma for a while is the price I pay for saving thousands or even millions of people, so be it.”

Collins stares at me. She knows I’m right. It sucks, but I’m right.

“I hate you,” she finally says, and sits back down. “But not until you’re better.”

“Or until she makes another appearance. Speaking of which, maintain evacuation protocols. If I’m still here...”

“Right. Shit.” She takes out her phone and stands. “I’ll be right back.”

As she leaves the room, phony laughter pulls my eyes back to the TV. Estelle is in her nightgown. I roll my eyes toward my aged neighbor. “Hey buddy, just so you know, Nemesis eats people who aren’t nice to me.”

He stays calm, leaning back in his bed. “Yeah, well, you haven’t met my wife.”

We share a smile. Peace made.

If Nemesis is anything like the old guy, this mind-meld thing will be a snap.

I take a breath and let it out slowly. Yep, I’m screwed.





23



Gordon woke slowly, a lingering dream about his childhood home fading, as he became aware of his surroundings. He was in bed. A heavy blanket covered him. Protected him. Nightmares couldn’t reach him here. Since the operation that gave him a new, more powerful heart, Gordon’s body had undergone significant changes, but so had his mind. Powerful nightmares filled his sleep. That’s what he believed them to be at first. But he knew better. They were glimpses into the past. Into her past...and his. Millennia of strife. Of war. Hate. All of it calling to him in his dreams. Fueling his bloodlust.

But here, warm and safe, he...