The Forbidden Trilogy(112)

His eyes didn't waver from Mary's body. "Nowhere important. Nowhere with such a view."

Lucy raised her hand to slap him but Mary grabbed it. "My thrall will only work if he's focused on me. Now, can we go? I'm bored."

Disappointment surged through Lucy. How would they save the other kids and shut down Rent-A-Kid for good? She wished they'd had more time to plan this out.

They led Mr. Black to the command center right next to the break room. Two guards stopped them at the gate. "Sir, you know we are not permitted to allow unauthorized personnel back here."

Gary flicked a finger, and the soldier dropped his gun. Mary used the distraction to whisper in Mr. Black's ear.

The thumping of Lucy's heart could be heard in other countries. Their entire plan hinged on getting into the command center. If Mary couldn't get Mr. Black to do what she wanted.... Lucy didn't want to think about that scenario.

Mr. Black addressed the men. "I have been instructed to interrogate these students in a secure location. The Seeker himself issued these orders. Do you dare question him?"

The Seeker's name had the intended effect. The guards stepped back and allowed them through.

"Take a break, boys. This is top secret, and I need you out on patrol making sure no other kids create problems."

They entered the control room and discovered a third guard still on duty. When he saw Mr. Black, he snapped to attention.

Lucy cursed herself for not getting better intel on this location. She raised an eyebrow at Mary, who nodded and leaned into Mr. Black again, rubbing her body against his just enough to entice him.

The guard in the room stared slack-jawed at the scene in front of him. No one moved for several long moments as they waited for the guard to follow the command. He adjusted his gun, setting everyone there on high alert. "Sir? What's going on? Do you need help with these students?"

"No, I just need time alone with them to ask some questions."

He looked from Mr. Black to Mary, then back again. With skepticism in his voice he asked, "Are you sure, sir?"

Mr. Black's arrogance still claimed the stage, even under Mary's spell. "Yes, I'm sure. Do you dare question me?"

Lucy remained still and waited to see how this would play out. The guard headed to the door as if to leave, but moved his gun a fraction of an inch toward the group.

It was enough for Lucy.

She whipped Mr. Black's pistol out of its holster and knocked out the guard with a blow to the head.

Gary backed up and covered his mouth. "Holy crap. Did you kill him?"

"No. He's just unconscious. Neil, you're up."

Neil had the unique ability to mimic any sound at all, including any human voice. He got on the radio and, in the voice of Mr. Black, spoke to the guards. "Units One, Two and Three, there's been a schedule change. Please report to the main headquarters for further instructions."

Neil went down the list of snipers, guards and patrol units, until he'd sent everyone to the main headquarters, where another team would set fire to the building and trap them in. Once they'd eliminated that threat, Gary could use his metal power to tear apart the gates, and those who wanted could escape in the chaos.

"Neil and Gary, go get the others. Mary, keep Mr. Black happy." Lucy didn't want to think about what that would entail.

Lucy took control of the main computers and permanently looped the cameras so Greg could take a break. With their abilities fading in and out, they needed to do as many things without powers as possible.

Luke arrived a few minutes later with a team ready to collect supplies and initiate phase two.

A metal case on one wall housed weapons and other fancy equipment. Luke called to Gary. "You ready?"

Gary held up his hands and pushed them apart as if he was swimming. As he did, the metal on the doors pried themselves apart. Luke smiled and handed out guns and earpieces to the team leaders.

Lucy walked over to Luke. "Guns? Really? I'm not sure that's such a great idea."

Gary cocked his weapon and practiced levitating it with his powers. "We need them, especially if our powers give out or the guards fight us. Not all of us can beat them up. We have this one chance to escape, and we can't blow it."

Luke shrugged. "I don't disagree with the kid, Sis. We're not inviting these guys out for a tea party, we're inciting a rebellion. We need weapons."

"All right. Luke, you and your team start a fire in the main HQ where all the guards are. Man, you've got to love the military mindset of obeying orders without question. Gary, you back him up and attack any guards that try to escape."

When everyone had cleared out, Lucy pulled up a chair next to Mr. Black and his lap-warmer, Mary.

"I need him to tell me where the other facilities are."