Aurora Rising (21 page)

A thud landed beside her, and she turned her head in time to see the pyro send a ball of fire toward Bass. Fire burst against the shield she got up, followed by pops and sparks from laser pistols. Bass turned and staggered a step as he started to change direction back to her.

“
Go,”
Rori roared in his head as more fire balls burst just short of him. “
You have to go
.”

The indecision was strong from Bass, but at another volley of sparks flaring off the shield in front of him, he turned and broke for the foliage. Behind Rori, iron hands clamped down on the back of her head. She struggled to keep her focus on Bass. He was almost to the trees. A man, realizing his laser was useless, bolted after him. Rori shifted the shield, shrinking it down to a stumbling block that caught the man just below the shin, sending him tumbling as Bass disappeared from view.

Rori was moving the shield back behind him when a sharp blow hit the back of her head followed by her face being shoved into the grass, breaking her line of sight. The shield dissolved and things faded. For a moment, Rori felt herself losing consciousness and welcomed it but at the last second, was jerked back by a rough shake.

“Creed’s not going to be happy with you,” the voice growled in her ear. “And I wouldn’t get any hopes up. Even if he avoids our security, it’s almost dark, and there are a lot of animals that will be comin’ out to hunt. He won’t be seein’ mornin’.”

The instant the restraints were clicked down on Rori’s wrists, the tainted waves washed over her so strong it dropped her to the ground. Once more her body heaved as if it could rid itself of the unsavory touches. It eased slightly as the man on her back stood but returned when he reached down, grabbing her arm to pull her up. It was agony being drawn over the balustrade. To give herself strength, she focused on the thick foliage that swallowed the light like it had Bass.

Fortunately, the lift they led her to was only a couple dozen meters away, and only two men followed her inside. Once the doors closed, they released her arm. Weakly, Rori slumped against the wall and fought the nauseating effects.

“How hard did you hit her?”

“Not that hard.”

“Creed’s going to go ballistic if she’s injured.”

The words filtered into Rori’s mind just as the doors slid open. Rori groaned when the man gripped her arm to haul her upright.

“Maybe we better have her checked out to be safe.” The other man, though larger in stature, seemed nervous.

“It wasn’t that hard,” the man defended himself, though the way he shifted his body, his nervousness was as plain as if she was reading it.

It wasn’t hard for Rori to pull off a groan and stagger her steps since her legs really didn’t want to hold her.

“You might be right,” the one holding her said. “Let’s put her in her room and find Phallip.”

It took all Rori’s concentration on the route to memorize it. Fortunately, there were only two turns and fourteen steps down the next hall before they halted long enough for the guard to deactivate the lock. As soon as the door opened, she was pushed into a small room where she was dropped on a small bed.

To her relief the restraints were removed. Immediately, her head began to clear and her senses eased. She didn’t let on, slumping back in mock unconsciousness.

Rori remained still even after the door closed, cutting off all light. She heard the lock sound, but didn’t mind. She just wanted to drink in the calm across her senses and take time to think.

Her thoughts went immediately to Bass. She wondered if he’d made it free, and how he would handle the night predators. She didn’t doubt they were there, though they were close to town. As a seeker, she’d been on enough searches to know a lot could happen, even close to civilization. If his hands were free there would be no problem, but they weren’t. And beside the restraints on his talent, his hands were trapped behind his back, impeding his movements. Still, Bass was well trained in survival. He was quick, agile and smart.

Rori repeated the thought in her mind, but it didn’t alleviate her worry. Knowing there wasn’t any more she could do, she moved on to her own dilemma. She wasn’t any more certain of her own fate. One thing she did know, she was not going to be Drasc Creed’s empress. That meant she had to be smart, too.

Overplaying and using her reaction to the tainted talents was useful. She was free from restraints. And, if she could get out of the room, there might be things she could do to escape. The most important was reaching Keyen. She tried not to think of it as impossible. She’d done the impossible before when it was called for, and it was called for now. Her life, Bass’s, the council’s, and possibly the world all relied on stopping Drasc and his crew.

Rori was so locked in thought she jumped when the door swooshed open. Light spilled into the room, back lighting the figures standing in the doorway making them look like demons. Fear shot through her before she could tamp it down.

“Come on.”

The words reached her, bringing with it the recognition of the voice. The Block was back. She could now make out the outline.

“Get up,” he ordered as she’d failed to move.

Shakily, she stood. Her unsteadiness, only partly necessary must have been convincing because the tall, thinner shadow stepped into the room and caught her arm to steady her. Rori started to pull away, but his words halted her.

“I told you we needed to have her checked out.”

“Just get her going. We leave in a couple hours,” the Block grumbled.

“It’s not my fault Phallip was tied up until now.”

Rori let herself be led from the room, wondering how much time had passed. If going by the fatigue of her body, she figured it was late. Just two portals down she was taken into a room not much different from the med-lab at Guardian headquarters, but instead of an Areathea type medic, there was a small bald man, with beady eyes and a twitchy nose. She couldn’t help wonder what it was with all the rodent types around there.

“Sit down,” the rodent, who she guessed must be Medic Phallip wheezed.

When she failed to move, the guard gave her a push toward the exam table. Another shove had her bumping into it. Before Rori could even get the protest out, she was boosted up, and Phallip came to stand before her. Rori got a taste of tainted talent as he studied her and realized two things. One, the room wasn’t shielded, and two, he’d been experimenting on himself, though he wasn’t as off as others. Still, she had to suppress a shiver as his senses ran over her. Rori pressed for a blank feel around herself.

His nose twitched and his talent crested then receded. “Impressive. You are hard to read. So strong. You are everything they said, aren’t you? I can’t wait to study you.” He rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Rori shivered again as she watched the action.

He pursed his lips, nodded, and started to move around her. Rori followed him with her eyes but stopped when she noticed the woman step out of the adjoining room. The hypno, Rori felt a flash of fear that exploded when she felt the mental numbing attack.

Immediately, she blocked it, and too late, realized it was just a diversion. From behind her, a dark cloth dropped over her head, cutting off her vision. Rori spun, striking out with her hand. She caught Phallip in a glancing blow before he could move away. The next instant, hands grabbed her from behind, pinning her arms to her sides. The mental attack surged. Rori felt the woman’s glee and strengthened her shield.

“Get her strapped down.” Phallip wheezed. “It’s obvious she’s fine. But, I’d like to have her ready to do the exam in the morning while you’re all gone. Creed is anxious to know when he can plan his wedding night.”

At the words, Rori almost lost focus on her shield as she doubled her struggling. It was the snicker Phallip added on the end that made her fury burst. She directed the extra energy into the shield, breaking the attack.

Rori heard a satisfying shriek from the woman as she was forced down on the table. She tried to pull free and claw at the men, but her arm was pinned down and a restraint was clicked into place. The pressure was double on her other arm. Rori made a grabbed for the hood but before she could come close her free hand was locked down with a final sickening click.

“Now dear, don’t worry.” She heard Phallip coo. At first, she thought he was talking to her until his next words. “She’s the top of the range. It will just take a little more adjusting, but over time, you’ll win out.”

Rori’s objection was cut off when she felt straps being clamped down over her legs.

“There that should hold her,” one of the guards spoke.

Someone tugged on the bands. “Excellent.” The wheezing came again. “Now, I suggest we get some rest. Tomorrow is a most auspicious day.”

Rori heard the Medic rub his hands together again and pulled at her bonds.

“What about her?” the Hypno asked.

Rori felt the venom behind the words and realized again her talent was still not blocked.

“As they said, that will hold her. Her talent will be of no use in helping her get free,” Phallip answered.

“You’re certain?” Doubt came from the woman.

“Positive, I have a copy of all her testing. Her empathy and shielding abilities can do nothing against those straps, especially, without her eyesight to focus.

Rori was again left alone in darkness but this time it was due to the hood over her head. She tried thrashing her head from side to side but couldn’t dislodge it. She turned her attention to the restraints, pulling first at them, then trying to slide her hands out until her wrists were raw and started to bleed. Even with the added slickness of her blood, she couldn’t break free. Exhausted, she fell still. Her mind drifted in fear and frustration until fatigue took over, and she fell asleep.

***

Keyen pushed a leaf the size of his torso aside and held it for Cassie and Sansa to follow. They moved almost silently through the thick foliage. He knew Tankin and Ultin were about a hundred meters to his left, not far from the cliff trail.

Keyen paused to focus on the IPI’s image, checking their progress. They were just outside the perimeter of Creed’s complex. It had taken them two hours, working their way around security and through the foliage to reach that point but they were finally in position.

Soon it would be time to move. He felt no relief in the thought. Rori and Bass had been taken over twelve hours ago. The knowledge ate at him. Not much longer he promised to himself.

At least the council had agreed to meet early to start the debate about if there was enough proof to sanction them going in. And, if they didn’t, well, they were going anyway. That had already been decided between them.

“Keyen,” Cassie’s voice was barely a whisper but he heard it plainly.

“What is it?” He turned to her.

“I’m picking up something,” she said.

“Visual.” He studied his own screen, logging movements of different large sources that could be animals or humans.

“No, it’s a feeling. Like…” she broke off, and Keyen knew she was reaching out with her talent. “I’m not reaching Bass, but I feel like … I’m feeling him.”

“Where?” He glanced at Cassie, getting the direction she indicated then back to the image on the IPI. It didn’t take long to detect a large body in the trees only about twenty meters to the right and ahead of them. He couldn’t make out what it was because it was hunched against a cluster of trees. Keyen weighed the option of shifting closer to the estate.

“Let’s check it out, carefully.” Keyen studied the grid for any alarms, picked a path and moved forward with Cassie and Sansa fanned out on either side of him. He was only two meters away before he could make out the shadowed form visually in the near darkness. He held up a hand for the women to stop and crept forward. He was almost on him when the figure dropped on his back and kicked out. Ready for an attack, Keyen block it easily. Coming down, he pinned the man, pulling his arm back for a punch. He caught himself barely in time.

“Bass,” he let out, relaxing his hold.

On the ground, his friend sagged in relief. “What took you so long? I was starting to attract a lot of attention from unwelcome neighbors. I don’t know how much longer I could have evaded them.”

“Bass.” Cassie popped through the undergrowth and dove at him.

Bass groaned as he rolled back on the ground with her hugging him.

“Binders,” Bass whispered and sat up with her aiding him.

“Let’s see.” Keyen shifted behind him and focused a small light, then his talent. When he got no reaction, he pushed for more power. A full minute passed before they popped open and fell away.

“Thanks.” Bass brought his hands in front of him and started rubbing his wrists then his arms.

“Where’s Rori?” Keyen couldn’t hold back the question.

“They still have her. We tried to make a break for it, but Rori didn’t get free. I didn’t want to leave her.” Self-recrimination came strong in the darkness.

Keyen felt his own heart burn with wanting her, but kept it from his voice. “It’s all right.”

“I stayed around the area in case I could help her. But with the binders on, I’ve just been playing hide and seek with them.”

“I know you did your best. Tell us what happened.” Keyen placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing down in reassurance.

Bass just started to give an outline when Ultin and Tankin joined them.

“Rori was right,” Keyen said, “there was no choice.”

“I know. Creed would have used me against her,” Bass continued. “The man’s crazy. He plans to take over the world, and he wants Rori for his empress. His word.”

“Raebent hues,” Keyen let out.

“Thought you’d feel that way,” Bass said. “It looks like he did kidnap others. He’s been looking for his perfect mate, but he’s decided Rori’s the one. He has Edda, one of the med-techs, feeding him info.”

“Tank,” Keyen barked.

“I’m on it.” He was already establishing a link to Hiymm. After reporting the new events, he told him about Edda. Hiymm joined in, listening to what else Bass had to report.

“I think they were too busy to spend much time looking for me because they are planning on hitting the council soon. It sounded like first thing in the morning.” Bass glanced to where the sky was beginning to lighten. The others followed his gaze.

As if reading their thoughts, Hiymm answered. “He knows we’re meeting early. I was just headed over there now.” Whatever he was going to say next was lost in a low rumble that echoed through the trees, sending all the wildlife into nervous chatter then dead silence.