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  "Not that comes to mind—" he paused with his own lightbulb moment. "She looked like her picture."

  Seeing the perplexed faces of those around him, Rolph expanded his thought.

  “The Deena I saw in the street looked exactly like Deena in the picture I have behind the counter at the shop.” He turned his eyes on his wife. "The school picture from earlier this year." He was much more animated as he looked at each of us in turn. "Down to the hair and clothes." His high of emotions plunged into the depths as he realized that he was hurt because he had brought a picture to his business, and someone had used it against him.

  "Stop that," I admonished. "This is no one's fault but the bastard who is trying to hurt people. You cannot take his success as your failure." I nearly vibrated with conviction by the end of my speech. Somewhere along the way, I stopped talking about our current predicament and tunneled into my own darkness.

  I was sick of feeling like I did something wrong. Like I was a burden with my telepathy. I didn't want this man to feel like that. I didn't want anyone to feel like an outsider. Yet, wasn't that what we all were? Every last man, woman, and child forced to reside in Minefield and other towns like it. Outsiders.

  The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. The melodies piping into my eardrums were fuel to my fire, and I raged.

  I startled when a hand landed gently on my shoulder, the fire extinguishing in a rush of exhalation.

  You are not alone, Nat.

  Holden.

  You have a gift. A gift that, I for one, am more than grateful you have.

  I had turned to look at him and softened at his words. I wanted to throw my arms around him and never let go but figured now was probably not the best time for such things, so I settled for a small smile of appreciation. I could really get used to having him around.

  I turned to the commander. "I have what we need."

  "Good." The word was clipped and decisive. Commander James wanted our perpetrator caught, and yesterday at that. A flash of something in his mind caught my attention before he quickly masked it with righteous anger for the Duggans. I cocked my head as I studied our good commander. That thought, that one piece of thought, could change everything we knew.

  CHAPTER 15

  STUFFING MY DANGLING EARBUD back into my ear, I looked to exit the hospital room as quickly as I could without seeming rude. I just wanted to get out of the mental clog of so much anguish. Luckily, this section was fairly empty and my music was enough to keep the crazy at bay.

  Once outside of the room, I leaned against the outer wall in the corridor. I closed my eyes and thought about the fragment of an idea I had gleaned from Commander James and breathed in the idea of freedom. Unfortunately, there was no freedom in what I breathed here. Instead, I was assaulted by the cloying combination of solvents, blood, and fear. Blowing out the insidious air, I pried my eyes open when I felt my father's presence in front of me. I knew his stare without looking. I knew his thoughts without having to hear them.

  "Yes, Dad. I was there," I intoned as I once again removed one earbud. I just want to get lost in my music for a few…

  "Wh–"

  "Yes, he was manipulated," I sighed heavily, feeling the weight of this problem come to rest on my shoulders. "I don't know how much I can share," I shook my head slightly and fully opened my eyes to look into the concerned gaze of Doctor Connor Dae. "I'm good," I assured him shakily, as my heart continued to thunder in my chest. Then, again with more conviction. I would be all right, but not until we stopped this man.

  My dad's eyes mirrored my own conviction. He knew what I was thinking and approved. There was brightness to his eyes now, they shone more green than brown, and were piercing in their intensity.

  "Use your gifts to help keep people safe, kiddo." He chucked me lightly on the chin, then turned on his heel and went farther down the hall of patient rooms, disappearing through a door. After watching his escape, I ached to do the same, though I wished to leave the hospital entirely.

  I jumped as Holden again laid a hand on my shoulder. He was good at sneaking up on me when I was unprepared and must have exited the Duggan's recovery room while I was distracted watching my father amble onward. What good was this gift if I could still be unaware? No, Nat, you need to make yourself aware.

  I needed to get into training, to understand how I could help the team and what my limitations were. I needed to tread carefully though where my healing was concerned. I bet not everyone would take that one in stride, and being the envy of all sides was a very dangerous circle to be centered in.

  You all right?

  I nodded over-enthusiastically and pulled a hand through the hair that had detached from my ponytail, currently plastered to the side of my face. I knew the motion was not only futile in expelling the unwanted strands from my face, it was also a nervous tell, which Holden picked up on. I bit my lower lip and stared at Holden's chin in order to find time to formulate a reply.

  "I have a lot on my mind right now," totally the truth, "I need to get training so I won't be a burden in the hunt for our bad guy."

  We need to focus on how to best evade an aggressor.

  "I need to be able to handle myself and be helpful," I seethed. "Don't tell me I have to run away."

  Holden scooted right up in my face, ducking and hunching so we were eye to eye. Hands gripping my upper arms forcefully, or rather, with more pressure than he had ever previously bestowed upon my body, kept me from turning away. I stared back defiantly, watching as his crystal blue eyes bled to mercury silver. His worry etched into his thoughts ran rampant.

  I lifted my hands inside the circle his arms created and pushed outward, breaking the hold he had on me. His eyes blazed with concerned intensity while mine blazed in fury, but he let me retreat. My temper rose hot and fast, fueled by the feelings of helplessness I had felt previously. I backed up and rose on my toes, jabbing a finger into Holden's muscled chest, which tightened in response to our argument, much like his jaw.

  I prepared to let him have both barrels. His eyes were no longer silver, his thoughts no longer on my safety, for once. My head was buzzing with enough of my own emotion-fueled thoughts that I couldn't hear more than a buzz of anything else.

  "Don't," jab "tell me," jab "that I will not be defending myself," jab "that you expect me to run away." I pretty much growled the last. "I need to learn how to handle not only myself but aggressors. If you won't teach me, I'm quite sure I can find another mentor."

  Holden and I were locked in our standoff, neither willing to relinquish their position, when Commander James clanged through the door and into our stare down. His thoughts were able to penetrate my fog as they were presented as a picture, the same scene he had just walked into—Holden and I raging with chests heaving and fists clenching. My hair was once again plastered to my face, and my eyes fevered with intensity, blazing a glittering turquoise. Holden was wondering why I showed so much more emotion than the Sages he’d shadowed or observed before. Crap. I needed to lock this down before I made him curious as to how else I was different.

  "I'm not sure what has you both so riled up, but it makes your Primal side show, Nat. Simmer down and walk with me."

  Holden and I fell into step behind the commander, though we maintained a distance we hadn't until that moment. I seethed but pushed the dangling earbud into its home and proceeded to let the music bring me back from the ledge. Man, this anger is rough.

  I waved at May on our way to the elevator but didn't acknowledge anyone else. The happy, upbeat tunes proved to be useful in backing me out of my own damaging thoughts, in addition to drowning out unwanted thoughts of others. This is not the best day of my life, but tomorrow could be.

  The tension which clogged the air in the confines of the elevator, slowly dissipated as the beat infiltrated my anger. I bobbed my head, keeping time. The tension popped like a bubble just as the elevator doors opened, spilling the three of us into the dreariness of the waiting room. I didn't waste time mak
ing my move to get out of the hospital, nearly running to the exit.

  Pushing out into the night, I stopped once again to breathe in the shadowy breeze. Air free of disinfectant, but heavy with rain. It smelled damp and acrid with tar. The wet smell the asphalt exuded was noxious, and I was thankful the smell was only slightly present. I just wanted to go home and sleep. This had been one hell of a day and I was so ready for it to be over.

  I turned toward the hospital entrance and watched Holden and his uncle exit at a much more leisurely pace than I had. I used my brilliant powers of deduction to draw the conclusion that they were in discussion as I watched Holden sign. I was glad they were still far enough from me that my earbuds were effective. I was enjoying the songs too much to go back into reality and participate just yet.

  "You have alerted Doctor Parmore to your departure, yes?" Commander James intoned as he and Holden came to a stop in front of me, pulling the music from one ear with a knowing grin. "Existing employment?" the question was punctuated with eyebrows raised in question.

  "Ah, yes. I already gave notice," I nodded and played with the dangling headphone, twisting the cord around my fingers. "Hopefully forever," I muttered sullenly.

  "Good, then tomorrow after classes will be the official beginning to your time with the EEA." He turned to Holden and continued. "C'mon, let's get you home. You begin teaching tomorrow."

  That perked my ire once again and I piped up before they could get too far away. "I don't know that Holden is the best person to see to my training." I didn't have to cut my eyes his way, though I did, to know that he was upset that I felt that way. His mental tirade was joined by the commander's questioning one. "I don't think Holden will teach me all I want to know to be effective. I think he worries about me too much," I cut my eyes to him again and softened my tone, "but I need to be out in the field. I need to be proactive in my pursuit of the people who intend harm. I am stronger, like you said, Commander. I can handle it."

  Both men watched me for what seemed like minutes, their wheels turning. Both mulling over my words and finding truth in them. Damn him, he needed to get over it so he could help me. "You want me at my best, I should know the ins and outs so I can be the best asset I can, right?" I knew Commander James would back me, I just didn't know if he would force Holden, or if I would be working with someone else.

  "Well, it's late," Commander James broke in. "We'll discuss things further tomorrow. The whole team will be there, so you'll get to meet everyone." He grabbed Holden's arm and began dragging him away, toward where I assumed his car would be found. "See you tomorrow, Nathalee."

  Goodnight, Nathalee.

  I muttered my reply but they were out of earshot. I pulled the key to my father's car out of my pocket and headed in the direction I had parked. The street lamps lit the ground with halos of light well enough that I didn't have to guess where I had left the car. The lot was fairly full even though it was after dark. The emergency portion of the hospital seemed to always have patients—we were good at getting hurt or sick.

  Once at the car, I pressed the button to unlock the doors and grabbed at the handle. The dark blue vehicle looked black except where the light touched it as I yanked open the door and bent to get into the seat. I was so preoccupied I almost missed the other voice.

  I looked around, searching for the person I knew to be around, but found no one. The darkness would hinder me and aid them if they wanted to stay hidden. I sat in the driver's seat and pulled the door closed. As I turned the key in the ignition, I removed my remaining earphone and rolled down the window slightly, hoping it would boost my "hearing."

  What I got was a mental image of myself as I sat in the car, face hidden by wisps of escaping multi-hued hair and hands gripping the wheel. I recognized it. The mental signature was none other than that of our illusionist.

  He was here, and he was watching me.

  CHAPTER 16

  FROM THE PICTURE HE painted, I had a pretty good idea of where he was, but I couldn’t see anything. It wasn’t an area with abundant lighting and the shadows swallowed up anything not in the intermittent bubbles of florescence. I didn't know if he would be able to follow so I didn't want to go home, didn't want to give him any additional information about me. I couldn't lead him to my mother. Instead, I drove to The Corner Bean.

  I idled at the curb, facing the spot where Rolph Duggan had been struck. The street was open and most reminders of the incident removed. I knew the blood would still be there when morning came, even if I couldn't see it now. I turned the key and unbuckled my seatbelt. Preparing to exit the vehicle, I took a moment to scan the area with my gift. I continued out and toward the coffee shop when I didn't hear anything alarming.

  Looking both ways, I crossed the street at a jog and approached the door of my favorite place on Main, only to notice the closed sign in the dark window. I really thought The Corner Bean stayed open later into the night, so I walked closer to the posted piece of paper to read it. The air left my body as if I had received a punch to the gut when I comprehended its contents. The small makeshift sign read: We're sorry for the inconvenience but due to a family emergency, The Corner Bean will be closed until we are able to make arrangements. Thank you for your understanding during this trying time.

  That's when it hit me. Rolph Duggan was one half of the Primal husband and wife pair who had enhanced smell and taste and were able to make the amazing concoctions I considered a staple of my diet. I was sure Jade would agree. The proprietors of The Corner Bean.

  Jade. Oh geez, I needed to let her know what had happened today. I pulled out my phone, extremely outdated though it was, and hit the speed dial for Jade as I walked back to the car. Most of Main was still open and older rock music permeated the air from the sports bar down the road, something about wayward sons. Laughter could be heard from within, but not many were on the streets.

  Sages usually turned away from noisy, raucous, public displays they felt to be barbaric. Primals on the other hand, they lived for it. Ninnies within the town usually joined in, so the establishments which catered to such usually did a good business.

  The phone connected on the third ring, and Jade's sarcastic greeting chimed in my ear.

  "Oh, my dearest friend, Nat! To what do I owe this pleasure?" I could just picture her bowing mockingly as she delivered the lines, and a smile graced my face.

  "I love you, girl, you know that?"

  "Yeah, I know that. So what's up, friend? Why the late-night call?" Man, she was chipper this evening, which was perfect for what I needed. She must have smoothed things out with her parents.

  "Have you talked to Commander James at all today?"

  "Uh, yeah. He just called a few minutes ago to let me know there's a meeting for the whole team tomorrow." She snickered "Like a meet 'n' greet. Sounds fun, doesn't it? Can you imagine how it's going to be having all of us, Sage, Primal, and NE all in one little conference room?" She was nearly hyperventilating with laughter as she continued. "The Primals are going to puff up like peacocks, the Sages are going to shrink in on themselves until intellect is called upon and the ninnies are going to be feeling like they're the ones entitled to everything."

  "Geez, Jade," I wheezed through my laughter, "please elaborate!"

  "We are going to be in a world of mental and emotional hurt tomorrow, my friend."

  Those words sobered me, and I wiped my eyes of their moisture while leaning my head back against the headrest of the worn seat and closed my eyes. "Yeah, it's going to be rough." I blew out a frustrated breath. "Today was worse though, Jade."

  All the lightness in Jade's tone vanished as she asked, "What happened?"

  "Our illusionist, the one we realized was the cause of the incident where you met Commander James and Dane?" I rolled my eyes as I heard Jade's sigh at the mention of Dane. She could swoon another time, I needed her to know about today's incident. "Well, it seems he's not done. I was walking to the barn from The Corner Bean—"

  “Yum…"
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br />   "Yeah, and I watched as a man ran out into traffic and was hit by a car." I paused at Jade's intake of breath.

  "Oh my God, Nat! Is everyone all right?" I definitely had her attention now.

  "No, but the man's alive. He’s Primal which saved his life, though he definitely is going to need a long recovery time. He broke his pelvis and dislocated his right shoulder, had major whiplash and hit his head on the street and slid a good ways."

  "But he's alive? And expected to recover, that's good." I knew she would be nodding at her statement.

  "I just found out that he is one of the owners of The Corner Bean." I let the sentence hang and was met by silence, "They've closed the coffee shop until they get things settled."

  "No." That was a statement. "No, that is not okay. It is not okay that someone is playing games with others’ lives, and definitely not okay that said game is keeping me from my coffee!" Jade was serious about her coffee, obviously.

  "I'm sure they'll get it back up and running in no time. There were so many bouquets in his recovery room that I'm positive they’ll be able to get things sorted quickly. Many people care about them." I remembered the sheer number of bright bunches covering the sterile room and added, "They're loved."

  The drive home was uneventful after hanging up with Jade, though I tooled around town and about every Sage street I knew, just in case I was being followed by my ill-intentioned watcher.

  It was late enough when I arrived that my mother was already shut up in her room for the night. I trudged through the house toward my room to grab what I needed to get ready for bed myself, then headed to the bathroom for a much needed shower. I had changed and run a rag over myself when Holden and I had arrived here after the incident, but I needed to be clean. I needed to wash away the dirt and blood I still envisioned on my body and in my hair. As per routine, I found a song I thought would help me unwind and pressed play on the speaker, then started the water flow.