Chapter 41

Allie flinched at the sound of screeching hinges and saw Lane peering down at them.

“Hey, Jake, they look a little too comfortable.” He pulled Allie to her feet. The sudden movement sent a wave of agony through her.

“Time for round two.” Jake reached for Quinn.

She resisted as long as she could, but the second beating was so much worse than the first.

Lane pawed at her through the tattered remains of her dress. It went on forever until he finally tossed her back into the cellar. She fell with a thud, gasping for breath. Quinn’s trembling hand caught hers, as much to give comfort as to receive it.

Allie’s eyes swelled shut, and she lost track of her injuries. She was weak and starving. Her hopes of rescue were fading fast.

“We have to run,” Quinn said. “We’re too weak to fight. When I give you the signal, run until you feel someone familiar. They’re out there. They have to be.”

“Wait. Who’s that?” Allie felt the presence of a powerful Immortal approaching.

“Livia’s Immortal?” Quinn said in disbelief.

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“We’re screwed.”

“Not necessarily,” Livia said softly from above. “Just don’t cause me any trouble.”

“Get on with it, Jon!” she snarled, her heels clacking on the aged wooden floor.

“Will you help us?” Quinn asked.

“Be patient and cooperative, and if you prove useful and loyal, you may find life with the Coalition isn’t quite the atrocity you’ve been raised to believe.”

Allie winced at the sudden brightness when Lane opened the door and hefted her to her feet. She promptly collapsed. Running was not an option.

Livia was a striking woman, slim with a hard edge. She looked at home in her well-worn fatigues, with a pair of magnetized weapons tucked at her waist. The hilt of a dagger peeked from her right boot. Her dark ebony hair was pulled back from her face, revealing the perfection of her olive complexion. Her silvery gray eyes were startlingly cold and distant. An almost forgotten memory flashed in Allie’s mind. She’d seen this woman once before in New Zealand. The next day, they’d moved to Sydney.

Livia is not to be feared, a familiar voice echoed in her mind. Never underestimate her, but do not fear her.

Navid? She knew now he was probably Immortal, but was he a telepath too? How could he speak to her through the effects of the collar?

Help me please! What do I do?

You must reach Aidan—his voice faltered as if it took a great effort to reach her.

Livia circled Allie and Quinn, staring at them with her cold calculating gray eyes. “You are a powerful girl.” She crouched beside Allie. “And that hair is so familiar.” She shook her head in confusion. “How did two such strong, young Immortals allow themselves to be captured?” She drew the wicked looking dagger from her boot.

“Bad luck.” Quinn eyed her warily.

“Tell me. How did you come to be in possession of this necklace?” Livia traced the point of her blade along the curve of Allie’s throat, lifting the glittering teardrop pendant.

“I-it’s my mother’s.”

“That’s not possible.” Livia stood to her considerable height. “Jon, take these collars off! I need to test them. You know very well it takes young ones longer to recover.”

“They’re both incredibly strong—the boy can disappear. I thought it best not to take any chances.”

“Disappear?” She smiled. “My father will certainly find you useful, young man. Separate them, and I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Liv, let’s get on with this and get out of here,” Jon argued.

“I won’t make any decisions until I know for certain.”

“Is this the girl?” he asked.

“Possibly. I won’t know until I test her.”

I’ve got at least a few hours to get this situation under control. Allie took a shaky breath. If we’re still here when she comes back, we’re screwed. Lane shoved her into a large room, leering as he took his time removing the heavy collar. As soon as the wretched thing was off, she limped away. Lane lounged in a chair by the door, watching her every move. The room had high ceilings, exposed beams, and one large window. If she could get up there for a better look, she’d have more information about their location.

“Relax, doll,” Lane drawled. “I’ll be right here until she gets back, so don’t think you can pull anything on me.”

Allie continued her pacing. She was no longer limping. She wouldn’t heal properly for hours yet—possibly days—but the pain was diminishing.

As she paced, she thought about Livia. An Immortal working for the Coalition of her own free will—in charge, no less! The whole situation went against everything she knew about them.

Allie’s power flared in her chest, but she just couldn’t grasp it.

Lane, bored with scrutinizing her every movement, lounged back and dozed.

She moved quickly. Gathering her skirt, she jumped, kicking her bare foot against the brick wall to propel her up to the rafters where she landed feet first. She paused only long enough to take in the scenery. The river was much closer than she thought, and a pungent briny scent hung in the air. There was a salt distribution center on the opposite bank. She dropped back to the floor, landing in a crouch before Lane even knew what she’d done. The simple task left her exhausted.

If Liam couldn’t find them, she knew she could guide Aidan here. If only she could reach him! Navid was right; it was their best chance. How he knew about Aidan or her gift, she’d have to contemplate later. She sat back in a corner and focused on their connection, but she only felt a haunting, echoing silence. As much as they complained about the lack of privacy, this link was part of them now, and she couldn’t give it up.

“Keep trying to reach your power, little girl,” Lane taunted. “You and I both know you’re too weak.”

Allie closed her eyes. Taking deep breaths, she concentrated on breaching the barrier that separated their minds. Finally, calmness eluded her completely, and in a fit of frustration, she screamed. She threw a mental temper tantrum in the corner of her mind that belonged to her best friend until something finally gave way. He was there in a whirl, their terrified thoughts mingling.

Allie!

We don’t have time! she shrieked in a combination of panic and euphoria.

Slow down and give me everything. Liam can’t find you. Something has him blocked.

She emphasized the importance of their brief window of opportunity and followed it with every thought she had since this whole nightmare began. Neither spoke as she flooded him with information, giving him everything he needed to find them. It was as easy as transferring files from one computer to another.

You’re somewhere near the Flats. We’ll be there soon!

Twenty long minutes passed until she could sense the familiar Immortals circling the building. Liam, George, Scott, and Darius were with Gregg, Jin Jing, and Daniel. She breathed a sigh of relief that none of the Complements were together tonight.

Scott won’t let me out of the car, but I’m close. Liam and Darius will come straight for you, but the others will focus on your captors.

Allie was distracted by the sound of metal ripping from hinges, and she knew her family had arrived.

Lane crossed the room and hauled her to her feet. “We’re leaving.” His eyes darted around fearfully.

While he was distracted, she pulled her sai from the sheath under her dress.

“Whoa, what you got there, girl?” He took careful aim. “It seems some friends of yours have arrived, but I promise I don’t have a problem shooting a girl who can’t die, so put those things away and come with me. You’re my ticket outta here.”

“I don’t think so.” Allie whirled into her best roundhouse, knocking the gun from his grasp. “How dare you touch me?” She crept closer, reaching for her solar gift, but not embracing it. “I should kill you!” She roared triumphantly when she saw something distinctly different in her gift and grasped hold of it successfully. She directed a flow of raw energy into Lane. He twitched violently as if electrocuted. His body jerked and sizzled, but she hesitated pushing her new weapon any further. Instead, she let him fall to the floor with a groan. His hair singed, and the soles of his boots melted.

“Allie!” Liam burst into the room with Darius in tow. The heavy wooden door splintered in their rush to get to her.

“Liam!” She lunged for him.

“God, Allie? What have they done to you?” Darius growled.

A loud crack sounded, and a searing pain ripped through her shoulder. She staggered against Liam, dazed by the gunshot.

Allie? What’s—Aidan’s terrified voice faded for a second time that night as she fell to the floor. Liam charged past her in a cold fury. The others rushed in at the sound of gunfire.

“That girl is my family!” He advanced on Lane. “Did you do this to her?” he demanded. When another shot fired, Liam barely grunted, completely nonplussed by the bullet in his arm.

Lane’s eyes widened in alarm as Liam continued his advance. “Hey, I-I shot you!”

“Why is her dress in shreds?” Liam snarled, a look of pained concentration on his face.

“I shot you!”

“Did you touch her? Did he touch you, Allie?” he asked, and her eyes filled with tears. “Big mistake.” He grabbed Lane by the throat.

Allie watched as the focused look fell from his face and Liam released his control, allowing his poison to crush his victim. Lane’s eyes bulged, the whites turning blood red. His mouth opened in a silent scream as he gurgled on the bloody foam oozing from his lips. His body seized violently from the lethal poison Liam projected at will. He dropped Lane in a shriveled heap, where he continued to convulse. She could see Liam’s power diminish when he could fight it no longer and the effects of the magnetic bullet finally hit him.

He turned to gather Allie in his arms. Lifting a trembling hand to her wound, she felt the magnetized bullet scrape her shoulder. It didn’t go all the way through, and the tiny shards were like blistering hot needles inside her. She almost fainted.

“It’s all right, little one. I’ve got you.”

A surge of emotion for Liam suddenly gripped her. “You’re my brother.” The realization hit her hard as the bond between them solidified.

“It’s about time you figured that out.” He let out a breath, as if in relief, and turned to join the others.

I have a brother? How did I not see it before?

“No!” Liam stumbled and nearly dropped her. “Not now!”

“It’s Livia, she’s back!” Allie choked as a terrible gut-wrenching wail pierced the night.

Still clutched in his arms, they rushed from the room where they found Jon and Ella safely under Gregg’s control. They lay with their hands and feet bound by his magnetic gift, but Jake was gone.

Daniel’s shriek cut right through Allie.

“Where are they, Liam?” Gregg asked, prepared for action.

“I’m afraid I won’t know until I get this bullet out of my arm. I’m so sorry, Daniel, Jin—I fought off the effects as long as I could. If I’d known…”

“Daniel, where’s Quinn?” Allie’s voice trembled. She felt lightheaded from the loss of blood.

“He’s gone.” His shoulders slumped in defeat.

“There was so much chaos,” Imogen said. “We heard the shots, and we all came running. The other guy just skated right past us with Quinn.”

“No,” Allie cried. “He’s not gone.”

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Gregg said. “It’s like Quinn used his gift against us.”

“Where’s my son?” Daniel roared, lunging for Jon, clutching his throat.

“Back down, my friend,” Gregg said gently.

“They are responsible for the loss of my son! You can’t tell me you wouldn’t crush this piece of filth if it was Aidan!”

“I would hope that if it were my child, my friend would talk me out of doing something I would regret.”

“We have to go, son,” Jin whispered. “Do what you have to do, and let’s go. Quinn needs us.”

“Aye, alter their memories, Daniel,” Gregg said. “I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do for Quinn right now, but we’ll regroup at the safe house and decide on a course of action.” He turned and left the room. Everyone was silently but clearly instructed to follow.

Before Allie could blink, Liam had her tucked in the back of an SUV wrapped in Aidan’s arms, speeding away from her prison.