The Unseen Trilogy (15 page)

I retreated as far back as I could get, both in the room and in my mind. Bracing myself for whatever she might give me, I tensed and waited. And waited. And waited. She sat back, sweat beading on her forehead, despite the steady temperature in the room.

A satisfied grin spread across her face. “Very impressive indeed, Mackenzie.”

“What?”

“I have just attempted to invade your mind. I tried repeatedly, using several different methods, and nothing worked. Your defenses are already stronger than those of many Unseen.”

“Already?”

“Smart readers are always honing their defenses, learning how to fortify them against stronger readers. Their training doesn’t stop.”

I nodded, wondering just how far I could go with my abilities.

“That is the question of the day, isn’t it?”

“More like the question of the month.”

She smiled, and it softened her features. Suddenly, she looked like someone I could be friends with, not my hard-as-nails glorified drill instructor. “Yes, well. Tomorrow, we will not be training, so you will get the break you wanted.”

“Really? That’s awesome. I was thinking of going to see my friend Maddie.”

“No, I didn’t mean you could shirk your responsibilities to the Unseen. I meant you wouldn’t be training with me. Nothing more, nothing less.”

I frowned. “So, what am I going to do instead?”

“You will be meeting with David first thing.”

My frown deepened. “David? Why?”

“He frequently meets with the trainees to discuss their progress. There’s nothing to be worried about.” Her attempt at comfort only made me more concerned.

She stood, signaling that we were finished. “One more thing. Now that you have them, keep your defenses up at all times. Even around Owen. The more you can keep to yourself, the better.”

“Oh, don’t you worry. They’ll be at their strongest around Owen.”

The smile returned to her face. “Good girl.” Once again, she left before I could respond.

Owen came in before I could collect myself enough to follow Tracy out. “Are you coming?” He paused for a second. “It’s very quiet in here.”

I decided to play it coy. “Is it?”

His eyes narrowed. “You’ve blocked me out!” Closing the distance between us, he lifted me off the ground. “That’s amazing! Good for you!”

Caught off guard by his reaction, I tried to catch up. “Thanks,” I said, lacking his enthusiasm.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just didn’t think you’d be this excited about not knowing every time I swoon over you.”

He put me down and smoothed his shirt. “Well, that’s true. I am at a disadvantage now.”

“I prefer to think of it as leveling the playing field.”

He smacked my butt on our way out of the training room. “I’ll show you how to level the playing field.”

I squealed and ran away, Owen trailing behind me.

Mitchell appeared at the entrance to the stairway, looking a little more human all the time. His skin was slowly getting peachier, and his eyes weren’t quite so sunken. He no longer looked like the Grim Reaper was standing over his shoulder, and that was a step in the right direction if you asked me.

He avoided eye contact with me as we approached. We came to a halt in front of him, both of us a little out of breath. “Good to see you up and around, Mitchell,” I said.

He nodded, though he was clearly uncomfortable with talking about his excursion.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Fine.” His one-word answer was followed by a long silence that stretched awkwardly throughout the gym.

Owen cleared his throat. “Where are you headed?”

“Down to David’s office to finish debriefing.”

Owen nodded once. “Come find us when you’re done. We’ll probably be watching a movie or something.”

He nodded, and then he turned his gaze to me, almost in spite of himself. A small smile found its way to his mouth. “Hey, I can’t hear you.” A glint of excitement lit his tired eyes.

“Yup. Tracy’s been pushing me hard.”

He nodded once, struggling to find the right response. “Well, good work.” I could tell the sentiment was genuine, and somehow, it meant more to me than some of the other congratulations I’d received.

“Thanks.” I so badly wanted to put him at ease, to know more about him, to be his friend. But I sure as heck didn’t know how.

Owen came to our rescue again. “Well, you better get in there. David doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

He nodded and walked toward David’s office.

“Good luck!” I called after him, but he didn’t respond.

We turned and started walking up the stairs. “He seems to be doing better, right?” I asked.

“Yeah, he is.”

I looked over at Owen, but he was staring straight ahead. Clearly, I wasn’t going to get any more information on the subject.

“So…” I hesitated. I wanted to ask him about my meeting with David tomorrow, but I wasn’t sure he’d give me any information. But it was on my mind, so I pressed forward. “I’m supposed to have a meeting with David tomorrow morning instead of training.”

“Oh.” He didn’t hide the surprise in his voice. “I suppose that makes sense. You’ve hit all the marks you’re supposed to hit before having a meeting with David.”

“I take it you had a meeting with him too?”

“Yeah, after I learned to defend myself. But I’d been here for months, not weeks.”

“Yes, well, you’ve already established yourself as a slow learner.” He playfully shoved me. “Tracy said it was just a status update sort of meeting, but it feels like more than that to me. I’m uneasy about it.”

He looked at the steps rather than at me. “There’s nothing to be uneasy about.” It came out quickly and sort of barbed. I could tell he was hiding something. It was a sensation that had become all too familiar.

I gazed at him from the corner of my eyes. “Clearly.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “There isn’t. You should quit being suspicious of us all the time. We’re not trying to kill you or whatever else you have cooked up in your head.”

“If that’s true, then why not tell me the big secret you’re all hiding? Or is it secrets, plural?”

He looked at me for just a moment, and I thought he might spill right then and there, but instead, he turned and kept walking. By then, we were on the landing for the common room.

I stopped before going in. “Is that what this meeting is about? The secrets? Will I finally get some answers?” I couldn’t help but be excited about the chance to finally learn exactly what I’d gotten myself into.

He was halfway into the common room when he turned to close the distance between us. He leaned in close, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me. He was so close that I could feel his breath on my face.

He didn’t close his eyes like he would if he was leaning in for a kiss. Instead, he looked straight at me, his eyes drilling into me as if he could see into my soul. “You might get the answers you’re looking for tomorrow, and you might not.” His voice was so low I could feel it in my chest. “All I care about is what you do after your meeting.”

“What would I do after my meeting?” I knew there was hidden meaning behind his words, and I wanted him to be the one to spell it out for me.

A sad look flashed in his eyes, but he shrugged his shoulders and it was gone. “What else would you do? Spend time with me.” He leaned away, grabbed my hand, and pulled me toward the common area. “Now, let’s go watch a movie and enjoy our evening.”

What on Earth was that about?
I wondered. I replayed his words in my head,
You might get the answers you’re looking for tomorrow, and you might not. All I care about is what you do after your meeting.
And then there was the way he’d held me so close, almost as if he were afraid he might lose me.
All I care about is what you do after your meeting.
What in God’s name could David possibly tell me that would tear Owen and me apart?

It was troubling enough to keep me from concentrating on the movie. I’d been so excited about getting answers that I hadn’t thought of the possible consequences of what David might tell me. I’d just assumed he would sing my praises and give me some cushy spot with the Unseen. But what if that wasn’t what happened tomorrow? What if he told me something I didn’t want to hear?

I frowned and looked to Owen. He might no longer be able to read my thoughts, but he could still read
me
. We both retreated to the library, heading immediately for the piano.

“You can finish the movie if you’d like,” I said.

“I’d prefer to sit next to you.”

“Suit yourself,” I said, losing myself in the music, momentarily banishing my troubles.

That night, when the music was gone, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, counting the popcorn pieces that glimmered down at me. I tried to fathom what David could possibly tell me that would make me want to leave. Coming up empty, I rolled over and tried to get some sleep, but I couldn’t. Something nagged at the back of my mind. Something Tracy had once said.

A rather deadly asset…

The words floated in my mind as I drifted off to sleep.

I had no idea what time I finally drifted off, but when my alarm went off, I wasn’t ready. I slapped at it, knocking my phone to the ground. The sound only got louder due to lack of attention, which made my flailing to reach the damn thing more pronounced.

Eventually, I gave in and got out of bed. Retrieving my phone from the floor, I said, “You win this round,” and silenced the alarm, which was blasting by then. I was sleeping so deeply, I had trouble bringing the numbers on the clock into focus, let alone comprehend what they meant. Then it all came rushing back to me. David, Owen, Tracy, Mitchell, the Unseen, a deadly asset…

I got up and rushed to the bathroom, attempting to brush my teeth and tame my hair at the same time. There was still plenty of time, but the sooner I got there, the sooner I might get my answers. I might not like what I learned, but I couldn’t be in this limbo stage anymore.

Being an adult was about asking questions and making the best you could from the answers you got, which was exactly what I intended to do.

Owen was waiting for me when I pulled up, but we didn’t speak. The air was thick with things unsaid between the two of us. Silence reigned all the way to David’s office.

As we stood in front of the boss’ door, he stared at me, his eyes pleading. “Good luck,” he said.

“Thanks.”

We stood face-to-face for a heartbeat. I searched his eyes, wondering what secrets lived behind them and how many would be unlocked for me today.

The desire to have his lips on mine overwhelmed me, and I leaned forward. The small action was all he needed, and he claimed my mouth. His kiss was so passionate. I could tell he feared it might be the last time.

When he finally released me, my head spun, and I took a step back, slightly off balance.

“I hope you find your way back to me.”

“I will, Owen.” I tried to sound strong and confident, despite my racing heart and mind.

He only nodded in response, and I turned to knock on David’s door.

“Yes, come in,” he called out.

I watched Owen as I shut the door behind me.

“Hello, Mackenzie. I didn’t hear you out there. Very impressive. Please, have a seat.” He gestured to the seat across from him.

“So, what have I been called to the principal’s office for this time?”

He chuckled. “Nothing bad. This is just a progress report and sort of an informational meeting, as I’m guessing Tracy explained.”

“Explained is a loose term for what she did.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” he said through a smile. “Mackenzie, you are the most gifted reader I’ve ever come across, myself included. Tracy told me what you did with the guide at the caverns. That’s very impressive. In fact, it’s a skill you should have had to learn. But you just used what you already knew and inferred what to do next. You have the opportunity to take this as far as you’d like. Your abilities will open more doors to you than are available to the rest of us.”

“Opportunities like what?”

He continued talking without acknowledging my question. “Never in the history of the organization has someone gone through their training as quickly and skillfully as you. In fact, I’ve been trying to read you this entire time, and I haven’t been able hear a single thought.”

He watched as a sly smile played on my face. Of course, I had realized what he was doing. I could feel him trying to chip away at my defenses without any luck.

“Yes. You should be proud of being able to keep the boss out of your head. Less than a handful of the Unseen are capable of that. All of them have been with me for quite some time.” He paused. “Well, all of them save for you.”

“Perhaps I will just ask you this, since I can’t get the information myself. What is your plan moving forward, Mackenzie?”

“My plan?”

“How do you see yourself fitting in here with us?”

Great. An interview question I was entirely unprepared for. Get ready for an epic fail in 3… 2… 1… “I don’t really know, to be honest. Everyone has so many secrets. And although Tracy is training me, I’m still very much an outsider. Until I’m truly one of you, I don’t have any idea how I can contribute or fit in.” There. That was easy enough.

He sat back in his chair. “Mackenzie, do you want to be a member of the Unseen? Would you like to join us?”

Confusion took hold. “I’m sorry; I thought I already had joined you.”

He hesitated and brought his folded hands to his mouth, as if searching for the right words. “Mackenzie, I’m going to tell you a story. It’s about a young family. The parents aren’t much older than you are, and they have two young children, both still in diapers. The parents are rare by today’s standards. They love each other very much, and they love their children even more. They spend time with both of them, read to them, nurture them, and fawn over them. But one day, the oldest is killed. He’s shot in the backseat of their car while the mother is driving home from the grocery store.”

He paused to let the horror of that scenario sink in. “At first, the shooting is deemed an accident. A random act of violence that was the direct result of the family being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A bullet meant for someone else tragically found the two-and-a-half-year-old boy.”

Tears threatened my eyes. Why was I getting so emotional? This wasn’t true.
Get a hold of yourself.
I cleared my throat and waited for him to continue.

“But as police investigate, it’s uncovered that the child was targeted, the shooting was deliberate, and the murder of a toddler had occurred.”

“But why?”

“Why is not the correct question.”

“So, what is?”

“If you had the power to stop it, to save the child, to keep the family whole, would you do it?”

“I—”

He cut me off. “Before you answer, think about what saving the child might mean. Would you be willing to take a life? To kill the shooter?”

Without thinking, I responded, “Yes. If it would save the child.”

“What if the shooter had a family of his own? A child the same age waiting for him to come home? A child who would wait forever because you took his daddy away?”

My head spun. How could I possibly value one life over another? But after a moment, I said, “Perhaps the shooter was a bad influence on the child and removing him from the kid’s life was for the best.” I couldn’t believe I’d said such a thing. I thought about how keenly I’d felt the absence of my own parents, immediately regretting what I’d said. “I don’t mean that,” I said in a quiet voice. “A child should have their father. No matter what.”

A pained expression crossed his face. “Yes, I agree.” It was so quiet, I wondered if I’d imagined him saying that.

Silence hung in the room. I didn’t know what to say, and David seemed to be struggling for words as well.

Eventually, he broke the silence. “Mackenzie, if you commit to the Unseen, these are the types of situations you will be faced with.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I realize this must be very shocking to you.”

“No, go back to the killing part. You want me to do what to who?”

“Maybe I should start over. The Unseen is a counterterrorist group working with the government.”

“What exactly does that mean? You’re murderers who are excused for your crimes?”

“No, we’re not murderers.”

“I’m sorry, do you kill people or not?” My anger was building. They’d all lied to me, from start to finish. Every last one of them.

“Well, yes, but we also save hundreds and thousands of lives every year with the work we do.”

The tears I’d held back earlier spilled over. I’d never been betrayed like this before. These people knew everything about me, and the fact that I had been wrong to trust them slapped me in the face so hard it stung. “You’re the one who just got done telling me that everyone has a family. Everyone is a son, brother, father, husband. Why the hell would you tell me that if you’re trying to get me to be some sort of assassin?”

“Because you need to be able to face this from all the different angles. You must make your final decision knowing exactly what you’re getting into.”

I got to my feet, glaring at him. “I am
not
a killer. And you were wrong to think I ever could be.” I stormed out of his office, tears flowing freely.