The Forbidden Trilogy(118)

"What if they're like the men who came after us, and we can't use our powers on them?"

"I'm going on the assumption that the Seeker can't control everyone all the time. It made sense he would protect the minds of those he sent after us, but he probably doesn't waste energy on every guard here. It's a risk we have to take."

Sam stood and stretched. Each day her stomach grew, the baby inside getting stronger and bigger. Drake caressed and kissed her belly before he rose to lead them into danger.

Dressed all in black, they blended into the night, but they couldn't silence the crunch of snow underfoot, no matter how stealthy they were.

Before they exposed themselves, Drake and Sam linked minds and took control of the two men on patrol.

Drake commanded them mentally. 'When we walk up to you, take us through the gates safely and show us to your leader, the one called Seeker. Alert no one else to our presence. Deflect any inquiry about us. Act as though we're captured, but defend us with your lives if it comes to that.'

The compulsion waned with the last statement as Drake felt Sam pull away, repulsed by the thought that these men might die for them.

They maintained their mental control and approached the guards. Drake stepped in front of Sam, to protect her if things went wrong.

The guards' glazed eyes stared at him, offering no resistance. Without waiting for further commands, they led Drake and Sam through the electrified gates and onto the school grounds. This early in the morning, few staff or students were up and about. They walked to the main office without conflict or question.

Uneasiness stirred in Drake. He'd hoped for easy, but this was too easy.

The guards guided them to a white door and turned to leave. Drake mentally stopped the guard closest to him and compelled him to give up his gun.

"Drake, what are you doing? We don't need guns. We aren't killing anyone."

'I'm not taking any chances, Sam. If we can't use powers on this guy, then bullets will have to do.'

With gun in hand, Drake turned the knob on the door. While still connected mentally to Sam, he sensed her scan the room. They found no trace of another mind.

The darkness temporarily blinded them. Drake felt Sam reach for his hand. "Something doesn't feel right."

A flick of a match startled them both. The soft illumination of a candle revealed the Seeker, dressed in a flowing white robe, with long, pale hair, sitting in a chair. His translucent skin and fragile body reminded Drake of a vampire.

The Seeker smiled at them and lit a few more candles. "You will have to forgive the low lighting. My eyes have become very sensitive as of late, and anything more than candlelight is simply intolerable."

Sam stepped forward from behind Drake. Her voice didn't quaver at all as she addressed their enemy. "You're the Seeker, then?"

"Of course. And you are Sam, and Drake. I cannot tell you how long I have been waiting to meet you both. You have no idea what this means to me, to have us all three here together. You have proven very clever at evading my men, and quite deadly, though they deserved it. They were never meant to harm you, only bring you in. No matter, the easiest solution was simply to lure you here of your own volition. And you have arrived just in time. This is so lovely."

He rose and glided with unnatural grace to light more candles around the room. A loveseat sat across from the Seeker's chair. "Please, sit. Let us discuss matters of great importance."

Sam sat on the edge of the couch, so Drake sat next to her, poised to attack at the smallest hint of provocation.

Sam cleared her throat. "We aren't here to talk. We're here to rescue our friends and all the other kids you're holding prisoner. And you're going to help us."

"Honestly, Sam, I am offended by the use of that word, 'rescue.' It implies such vulgarities. This is a place of safety and learning, a place where children with extraordinary powers can learn to use their gifts without fear. I cannot let them into the world where they would pose a threat to others, as well as themselves—not yet, anyway. It would be the epitome of irresponsibility to do so."

Drake aimed his gun at the Seeker. "We're not giving you a choice in this, freak. You will help us, or you will die."

The Seeker laughed and dismissed Drake as if he were a misbehaving child.

"Come forward, my pet. Let us show your friends who has the power here."

Drake turned in confusion as a woman walked out of the shadows.

Sam gasped. "Mary? What are you doing here?"

Mary didn't answer. Her lifeless eyes and stiff body seemed poised for another command, but held no free will.

Sam had told Drake about Mary, and he'd harbored little sympathy for the bully who had made her life miserable.

Sam's rage erupted. "What the hell have you done to her, you bastard? Release her right now. You're hurting her. Her mind—I can feel your powers eating it away."