Replica(80)

“Minutes,” Ivan said. “Seven, from what I’ve read.”

“There’s no sign of Stravinsky’s men,” Lea murmured. “So it’s been longer than seven minutes. The toxin isn’t a problem. It’s the residents. Or what they’ve become.”

“The canisters appear to be ready,” Antonio said, keeping his eyes on me. “The antidote is slightly different from the toxin. The toxin only has to be in the air you breath, but the antidote needs to be sprayed on the infected person’s skin.” He paused, making sure he still had my attention. “But from the looks of the canisters, you have to be close for the nozzle to reach. I’m guessing within ten to fifteen feet.”

“Close enough they can attack you,” Lea said in a dry tone. “We need to come up with an alternate plan to deal with the creatures if we can’t cure them. And we need to be prepared to execute it immediately. We give the antidote a few seconds, and if it doesn’t work, we eliminate the problem.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “The antidote might need more than a few seconds. It might need minutes. Or hours. Or even days,” I pleaded. “You can’t make a snap decision like that.”

“Even though Stravinsky and his people have bigger problems, he’s so invested he’s probably going to send his people back to check on the results of his experiment,” Lea countered. Her matter-of-fact tone was a sharp contrast to my impassioned one. “Not to mention we don’t have hours or days. We have a half hour max to get in and get out before the sun rises. This needs to be quick and decisive. Either the antidote works or it doesn’t. One thing is certain: no monster will be left alive when we leave.”

Her words hung heavy in the air as her gaze held mine.

“You will do as I say, Rachel.”

Tendrils from her words slipped into my brain, curling around my will, and I found myself wanting to nod and agree with her. I shook violently as rage mushroomed inside me. “You’re pulling your servant bullshit mumbo jumbo on me?” I demanded through gritted teeth. “How fucking dare you!”

“I’m protecting you.”

“By taking away my free will?” I shouted, taking several steps back. “I am not a child!”

“Then stop acting like one.” Lea’s tone was cold. “I am handling this in a professional manner. You are not.”

I pointed to the village. “There are children in there, Lea. Defenseless children. Babies.” I stood straighter, throwing back my shoulders. “I refuse to be cold and calculated about killing innocent children. I refuse to kill them at all.” I swung my finger to point at her. “So you better stay the fuck out of my head, got it?”

She studied me for a moment before nodding. “Then let’s get going.”

“Not cool, Lea,” I heard Ivan say as he leaned over her.

Antonio moved directly in front of her. “When this is done, you will release her.”

Lea gave him a look that would have made lesser men run for their lives, but he stood his ground, his eyes full of danger and defiance. “This does not concern you,” she insisted.

“If you are a Cazador, you know the tales. She is the one. She must be free of you.”

“The tales are nonsense. Fairy tales.”

“What if they’re not? What if they are true?”

They both turned to study me, a new interest filling their eyes.

A slow grin spread across Lea’s face as she turned back to him. “What makes you so sure you are the one?” She chuckled. “If your theory is true, then it must mean I am the one. I am the one who is bound to her.”

Antonio looked like he wanted to strangle her.

This conversation irritated the hell out of me. They were talking cryptic nonsense about me as though I wasn’t even there. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

Antonio cocked his head, giving his full attention to Lea. “Because I am a true Cazador. You are like a ghost that doesn’t realize it is no longer alive. You are the very creature you seek and destroy. She needs a real Cazador to help her complete her mission.”

“I agree with Rachel,” Ivan said, his voice hard. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

Lea remained still for two agonizing seconds before turning and grabbing a canister of antidote from the truck. “It is nothing we will discuss now.” She shot a glance at Antonio. “We need to keep our focus on this village.” She handed the canister to me. “You and Antonio spray any villagers you see. Ivan and I are the protectors.”

I shuddered, knowing what she would do as my protector. “Let’s go.”