The Mind Keepers (The Mind Readers) by Lori Brighton
“That’s it.” Cameron headed toward the car, more determined than ever. So much for talking her out of going. “We are leaving, and we are going to try and save Maddox.” She paused at the passenger side and looked my way. “Are you coming along or staying behind?”
Chapter 3
“You sure we’re expected?” Lewis asked as we drove up the long driveway to the ancient farmhouse where I’d spent many a childhood summers.
There was only one light shining from the living room. I leaned forward between the front seats and glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Ten. Late, but not that bad considering mind readers tended to be night owls. We could concentrate better when most of the country was asleep. But not even the stables were lit. Nothing. A shiver of apprehension whispered a warning.
“Yeah, I called ahead.” This morning Helen had answered. Her usual cheerful self, she had been thrilled we’d be stopping by. I’d had to listen to her talk for a good ten minutes about my mother and how sorry she was about her death, when I’d wanted to do nothing more than to forget. But I’d gritted my teeth and beared it.
“I think my grandma and I actually came here years ago,” Cameron said, gazing out the window onto the dark rolling fields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
“Not surprising. It’s been a base camp since before the Civil War.” I hadn’t been here in at least three years. The homecoming was bittersweet. But mostly just bitter. Mom and I had visited here some three years ago. I’d always liked the warm and inviting old farm house. I could see the horses in the pasture, their large eyes glistening under the moonlight.
“Just relax, Nora. Horses can sense your nervousness.” Mom’s voice whispered through my memory. The day I’d learned to ride. So many days spent here.
“Looks like they’re still up,” Lewis said, stopping in front of the stone house.
For a brief moment we just sat there, unwilling to leave the safety of the car. Finally Cameron glanced at Lewis, and even though it was too dark to see her face, I could sense her unease. I felt the same odd sensation they both felt. Something was wrong.
Lewis shoved open the car door and stood. Cameron and I followed. The night was silent, the house too far from Gettysburg to attract the noise from tourists, although we could see the glow of the town in the distance. It was dark here. So dark the only light was from the stars above and the lamplight from the living room through the curtains.
I shut my door and started toward the front stoop, Lewis and Cameron following. My pulse pounded under my skin, pleading with me to be careful. But I couldn’t run. If something was truly wrong, I needed to help. These people were friends—more like family—and I’d already lost so many.
“Wait,” Lewis whispered.
We paused, the horses beyond the fence neighing softly. We weren’t the only ones uneasy. Somehow I could sense the animals’ anxiety, a tingling sensation that raised the fine hairs on my arms. “Something’s wrong,” I admitted.
Lewis nodded. “I’m going around back.”
“Be careful, Captain America, I have a feeling we’re walking into a trap,” I whispered.
I could tell Cameron wasn’t happy about him playing hero, but she kept her mouth shut and followed me up the shallow stone steps to the front door. We were all walking into danger. We knew it, but we had no choice. I waited until Lewis’ soft footsteps faded as he headed around back.
“Ready?” I didn’t wait for Cameron’s response, afraid she’d talk me out of it, but knocked once…twice.
Moments later we heard footsteps. Cameron and I stood stiffly by, waiting. When the door swung open, it took me a moment to recognize the guy. Cameron was quicker.
“Jake?” She laughed and threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. “Oh my God, I never thought I’d see you again. I thought you were dead!”
I stepped inside and closed the door behind us. A quick glance around the foyer said we were alone. I reached out with my senses and could feel no one. Odd. I could have sworn…
“Yeah, me neither,” he muttered.
And then I noticed the way his gaze shifted, looking everywhere but at us. Yep, definitely something wrong. I moved slowly into the foyer, my shoes tapping against the wooden floorboards, and glanced into the living room. Same place but it was empty. No one but Jake. Warning bells rang.
Suddenly I knew the flush on Jake’s face wasn’t embarrassment, but guilt. “Hey, Nora, right?” He lifted his lips into a forced smile. “I think we met years ago.”
Two could play this game, and I was a heck of a lot better at lying than he seemed to be. “Yeah, good to see you.” I forced myself to stay relaxed. I sure as hell didn’t want him to suspect anything. “Where is everyone else?”
“There was a meeting at Sam’s. You know him? In Pittsburgh.”
“Oh, wow.” I stuck my hands into my back jean pockets and strolled toward the living room. A fire had been going only thirty minutes or so ago if the glowing embers were any indication. It was warm enough outside not to need one, which meant whoever had lit it had done so for ambience. In other words, probably not something a teenage boy would do.
“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck, watching me warily. “They should be back in a couple days. I stayed behind to meet you guys.”
I smiled even though my face felt brittle. “I smell Helen’s famous beef stew.”
He nodded. “Yeah, she put it on the stove before leaving this morning. You guys hungry?”
“Definitely.” I talked to cover up Cameron’s suspicious silence. She’d caught on quicker than I’d expected her to, and the devastation in her gaze was obvious. I prayed she could keep it together. I loved her, but she’d never be the assassin I’d become. She was too damn emotional.
“How’d you escape?” Cameron asked, her voice surprisingly calm. “I thought for sure you were…”
She didn’t finish although we all knew what she was going to say… dead.
“Wasn’t easy.” He moved back a few steps, his gaze darting to the hall. It was a quick glance, and most people wouldn’t have found anything suspicious in it. I wasn’t most people.
Maybe he was looking toward the kitchen because we were talking about food, or maybe, just maybe he was expecting someone. My bet was the latter.
“But I know you’re probably tired.” His gaze swung back to us. “You guys want something to eat?” He looked oddly hopeful. I knew in that moment that he needed to get us in the kitchen for some reason, and I doubted it was for a home-cooked meal.
“Yeah.” Cameron glanced at me, wariness in her hazel gaze. I swore I could actually sense her anxiety, pulsing and thrumming around me. Could he? “Sure.”
“The kitchen?” He was shifting like a kid who had to pee. The jerk really wanted us in the back of the house. I tentatively reached out with my mind, searching for others. I could feel nothing or no one. Was it because I was overly suspicious and no one was there, or was it because they were blocking their thoughts either with their powers or with an implanted chip? Cameron was staring at Jake so hard, I thought she might drill a hole into his head with her mere powers.
Don’t try to read him, I sent the thought to her. She’d insisted on practicing sending messages to each other only we could hear, honing our sisterly bond. I’d humored her at the time, but now I was glad she’d insisted. Don’t want him to know we’re suspicious.
She gave me a quick nod as we followed him toward the back of the house. Do you really think the family’s in Pittsburgh?
No, I think they’re dead, I replied.
She didn’t respond, but I could see the color drain from her face. Hell, I hoped she held it together. But then again, Cameron had been through hell the last year or so; she was tougher than she looked. I could rely on her to watch my back. I had to.
My unease rose as we moved toward the kitchen. Call it instinct, call it past experience, but I knew they’d been murdered. Dead. And we would be too if we didn?
“You guys just staying one night?” he asked, trying to make small talk as we moved down a narrow hall, musty with age and the energy of those who had once lived here.
“Yeah,” Cameron replied. “Then headed to Savannah.”
Of course, it was a lie. We’d decided early on that only the three of us would know the truth. Only the three of us could be trusted. Thank God life had taught us to be suspicious.
Can you get ahold of Lewis? I asked Cameron, knowing she and Lewis could send each other thoughts as well.
No.
Crap. That wasn’t good at all. Not only would we be down one man, but there was no way Cameron would leave without him. Which meant we were stuck here, to fight it out. We moved into the kitchen, a large area with slate floor and a stone fireplace where I’d spent many nights with friends and good food, laughter and family.
“Have a seat.” Jake headed toward the stainless steel stove. “Is it just the two of you?”
He knew. He knew that Lewis was here. There was no point in lying. If we tried to fib, he’d know that we didn’t trust him with the truth. “No, actually.”
Cameron slid me a hard glance, wondering why I was throwing her boyfriend into the fire. If looks could kill.
Trust me.
I tossed my jacket to the back of the chair. “Lewis is here too. He went around back. Thought he heard something.”
“Oh,” he smiled, looking relieved. “Okay.” He actually pulled two bowls from the cupboard and dished us up. “Long drive, huh?” He set the bowls of stew upon the table. “You’re headed to Savannah?”
We settled at the rustic table, the wooden top dented with age. How many people had sat around this table sharing meals? “Yep,” I said.
Jake stood in the corner, his gaze flickering toward the back door, either watching for Lewis or for the men Jake was working for. Hell, how many were there? I took in a deep breath and reached out. At first I felt nothing, then suddenly the softest tingling sensation branched through my body, as if I’d touched a live wire.
You feel that? Cameron’s voice whispered through my mind.
I slid her a glance. Yeah, I felt it. But why? What did it mean?
“Will Lewis want something to eat?” Jake asked, his voice sounding so far away that I barely noticed him.
I could sense them, whoever was out there. I could sense their energy, and so could Cameron. But how could I? It was something I’d never felt before.
“Yeah, he’d probably like a bowl or two.” Cameron lifted her spoon and took a bite. I followed her lead. The stew tasted like saw dust, wet saw dust. I forced myself to swallow the lump. It stuck for a moment in the middle of my throat, before sliding down. I didn’t know what the hell the plan was and neither did Cameron. We were screwed until Jake made the first move. I focused on that tingling sensation attempting to figure out how many there were. Crap, if Lewis wasn’t alive Cameron, would never forgive me.
Where the hell are they?
The thought whispered through my mind, shocking me. It took me a moment to realize that Cameron hadn’t thought the words. Good God, was it coming from Jake? Slowly, I lifted my gaze, watching him through my lashes. He leaned against the counter and glanced nervously toward the windows, then the door.
I have no choice. I have no choice. They’ll kill my brothers. He cracked his knuckles as he paced the kitchen, his movements agitated and nervous. Sweat glistened across his forehead, his body trembling. The guy was about to lose it.
Cameron glanced my way, and I wondered if she could hear his thoughts as well. “You okay?” I asked casually.
“Just tired.” He gave me a hesitant smile, then paced to the windows. Even if we could talk him into switching to our side, I doubted he’d be much help in his state.
Cameron and I were both eating mechanically, neither of us tasting the food, both of us waiting to see what would happen next. I wondered briefly if this was the last meal Helen had made, heck, maybe the last meal I’d eat. My anger grew, flaring, burning under my skin. It wasn’t fair, damn it all.
Just when I was about to act, Jake suddenly straightened, his gaze flickering to the back door.
They’re coming, Cameron’s voice whispered through my mind. I can sense their energy.
As the source, it wasn’t surprising that she could sense their powers. But why could I as well?
I didn’t have time to dwell. When the door burst open, Cameron and I surged to our feet. I reached for the pistol in the back of my waistband. But as Lewis was shoved inside, his arms up in a show of surrender, I pulled back. I knew the furious look upon his face had more to do with being caught than actually worrying about our situation. Could Cameron, with her powers, take on all four men who followed Lewis inside?
The four cowards behind Lewis wore camo and black masks and carried rifles. Even if I could shoot one of them, it wouldn’t matter. I couldn’t take them all, and I couldn’t chance that Lewis would be injured in the crossfire. I glanced at Jake, contemplating taking him hostage. But I knew they didn’t care if he lived or died; he was useless. These were not mind readers but S.P.I. agents, the very group who threatened to destroy our lives. The very group Maddox worked for, or had until he’d apparently turned on them. The very group who had tortured me. They had no souls.
“In the living room!” one man barked, pointing his rifle at me.
I felt Cameron’s energy shift and sent her a warning glance not to argue. Reluctantly she followed me as I turned and made my way toward the front of the house. There would be a moment to act. We had to keep our cool. I could sense the chips implanted in their brains to protect their thoughts from people like us. But what they didn’t know was that Cameron was a carrier of the very source of energy that fed us our powers. She had more ability than the typical mind reader, and hopefully we could use that to our benefit.
You think you can break through their chips? I asked her as she came up beside me.
I could sense Lewis, Jake and the S.P.I. team behind us. The hall ended, and we stepped into the living room, a place where, as a child, I’d sat before the huge stone fireplace and listened to stories from older mind readers. I almost stumbled to a halt when I noticed three more agents waiting for us, guns raised in the middle of the room where I’d once felt so safe and secure. Hell. This wasn’t going to be easy.
Seven? Cameron mentally voiced her outrage. Only way I can get through their chips is if you and Lewis merge your energy to mine.
Will that work?
She slid me a glance. We can only hope.
Not the reassurance I was asking for, but what did we have to lose? Go out fighting, or just give up? I’d rather go out fighting. Divide and conquer. Lewis ready?
Yeah, Cameron said. I’ll go after the four in the back, you do as much damage as you can to the three in front. Lewis will take on Jake and help where needed.
I most likely wasn’t going to be able to break into their minds, but I could physically fight as well as any man. Hell, better. I stared into their masked faces, feeling no emotion. They were nothing but bodies to me, no souls. I could kill these agents for Helen and her family so easily.
“Come on Nora, hit me like you mean it,” Maddox’s voice seeped through my memory. “Don’t be a typical girl.”
He’d made me angry, so annoyed that I hadn’t held back. Even though I’d been pretending to be helpless when he’d decided to teach me self-defense, I swung around and did a roundhouse kick to his chest. He went stumbling back, his shocked gaze going to me. I’d surprised him when he was rarely ever surprised by a girl.
I blinked innocently up at him. “Sorry, must be from the aerobics kickboxing class I’m taking.”
“On your knees!” one of the men barked, jerking me from the memory.
They were going to shoot us in the back of the head. I knew it as sure as I’d known th
On three, Cameron’s voice whispered through my mind. One, two, three!
I opened my mind and poured my energy forward. It was as if a tornado struck, a force so powerful that it shook us, maybe even shook the house. I felt as if a thousand asteroids were bombarding my body. Vaguely I was aware of more S.P.I. agents rushing in through the back hall. So many I lost count.
I wasn’t sure if it was a physical force or mental, but it didn’t matter because it felt the same. A body hit me, jerking me from the whirlwind of energy. Suddenly I was back in the living room, being pinned to the ground. How I’d gotten there, I had no idea. I lifted my knee, slamming it into the man’s groin. He grunted and moved back just enough that I could lift up and slam the heel of my hand into his nose. Blood burst from his nostrils, soaking the knit ski mask he wore. His grunt of pain combined with the others’. They were falling like dominos. Cameron stood in the center of the room, three men on the ground out cold around her.
“Nora, watch out!” Lewis yelled.
I spun around just in time to see another agent coming at me. I didn’t think but automatically reached out with my mind, tossing my energy forward. It burned, flowing through me and exploding. I expected it to bounce back—it didn’t. It sank into the man’s head like his brain was made of mud…slowly but heavily. He cried out, arched back and collapsed to the ground. For a stunned moment, I merely stood there while two other men fell around me, as if their lives had been connected to his. It all happened so quickly, that it was a blur.
“Nora?” Cameron touched my arm, jerking me back into the present moment. I spun around to face her. More than seven agents lay unmoving upon the floor. Some were unconscious, some might have been dead.
“What happened?” I gasped. “Did you kill them all?”