Master Unchained (Stealth Guardians Book 2) (29 page)

“Withdrawal symptoms,” Hamish murmured.

“Can she see us?” Tessa whispered back.

Hamish nodded.

“Step back, all of you. I’ll take care of her,” Tessa said. To her relief, the three Stealth Guardians honored her request and retreated toward the wooden ladder that led up to the entrance.

Tiffany’s frightened gaze shot to Tessa. Tessa moved closer and slid her knee onto the bed, crawling toward her sister.

“Don’t be afraid, Tiffany. I’m here to help you.”

Her twin let out a sob and chewed on her fingernails, her gaze nervously darting around the cabin, then back to Tessa. Her eyes seemed to focus, and it appeared that only now did Tiffany really see her. A gasp escaped her sister’s throat.

“No, no…” she whimpered. “No, I’m not crazy. No more.” She sobbed. “Oh God, I’m never using again… no, no, please…”

Tessa crawled closer. “Tiffany, I’m Tessa. I’m your sister. Your twin sister. I’m here to help you.”

“Sister…” she murmured as if she didn’t understand.

“Yes, your twin sister. See, we both look the same. I’ll take care of you now. You’re safe.”

Tiffany’s eyes were glued to Tessa’s face. She shook her head, but then she stretched out her hand. “My twin… my sister?”

Tessa reached for Tiffany’s hand and brought it to her own cheek. “Yes, I’m your sister, and you’ll never have to be afraid again.”

A sob tore from Tiffany’s chest, and she suddenly threw her arms around Tessa. “I’m so scared. Help me. I want to stop. Please. I want to live.”

Tessa choked back her own tears and stroked her hand over Tiffany’s hair. “I’m here for you. Everything will be fine. Nobody is gonna hurt you anymore.”

When she felt Tiffany sag against her, she looked over her shoulder and met eyes with Hamish. “We need to get her to a hospital.”

Hamish shook his head. “She’s better off in a rehab facility. They’ll get her clean, if that’s what she wants.”

Tessa nodded in agreement. “I know someone who can help us with that.”

~ ~ ~

And hour later, the van was pulling up outside a clinic. Hamish was driving. Enya and Aiden were returning to the compound and Sean and Jay to their respective assignments, after making sure no demons were in the vicinity.

“We’re here,” Tessa murmured to Tiffany, who was clinging to her on the back bench, still shaking from the withdrawal. And most likely from fear as well.

Tiffany hadn’t said much. All Tessa had been able to get out of her was that she’d broken into the boat to find refuge after she’d woken up in an alley, not knowing how she’d gotten there.

Hamish now pointed to a person waiting on the sidewalk in front of the building. “There’s Gabriella.” He looked over his shoulder. “Are you sure about this?”

Tessa nodded. “She’s offered to help. Her center isn’t open yet because of the incident, but she sits on the board of this one. We need her. Getting a place in a good rehab facility in this city is virtually impossible. The wait lists are too long. We can’t wait. Tiffany needs help now.”

Hamish nodded. “Okay, if you trust her.”

Tessa smiled. “You said yourself that your colleagues don’t believe she’s involved in the incident at the center.”

He sighed, then switched off the engine. “I’ll help you with Tiffany.” He got out of the car and waved at Gabriella, who instantly approached.

Hamish slid the side door of the van open and reached his hand in. Tiffany instantly shrank back. “It’s okay, Tiffany, we’re at a safe place now.” He moved to the side so she could see Gabriella. “This nice lady will help us get you settled into a cozy, bright room. And your sister will be with you until you’re ready to rest a bit, okay?”

Gabriella smiled gently. “Come on, honey, it’s almost dinner time. I hear they’re serving a wonderful roast tonight. And cherry pie for dessert.” Her voice sounded like that of a fairy godmother.

Tessa gave her a grateful smile. “That sounds delicious, don’t you think, Tiffany? I’m getting hungry. Shall we go in?”

Tiffany cast her a hesitant look. Then she nodded slowly. With Gabriella’s and Hamish’s help, they got her out of the car and into the building.

Gabriella guided them down a long corridor. She walked next to Tessa and leaned in. “I never believed the news reports. I knew there had to be an explanation. I’m so glad you called me.”

Tessa smiled. “I’m so grateful that you were able to arrange this place for us on such short notice.”

She made a dismissive hand movement. “You’ve helped the center so much. This is the least I can do in return.”

Tessa squeezed Gabriella’s arm. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

She shook her head. “I’m just so surprised. I mean, I didn’t realize you had a sister, let alone an identical twin.”

“Nobody knew.” Well, nobody but her parents, the adoption agency, and apparently the demons. “I just found out myself. But now that I know, I want to make sure she gets all the care she needs.”

“Your sister will be cared for by the best professionals here, I promise you that. In a few months she’ll be a well-adjusted young woman just like yourself.”

They reached a busy nurse’s station, where they stopped. Gabriella approached the counter.

“Oh, Ms. VanSant, we got your call. I’ve set everything up. The doctor will be with you in about five minutes to examine the patient,” the nurse behind the desk said with a smile.

“Examine?” Tiffany echoed and clung to Tessa.

Gabriella turned to her with a smile. “Just so we can make sure you’re okay. You might be a little dehydrated and feverish. It won’t take long. And then you can rest and eat something.”

“It’s alright, Tiffany, I’ll stay with you,” Tessa said.

The nurse behind the counter pointed to a seating area. “Please take a seat. I’ll call you shortly.” Then she reached for a clipboard. “And I’ll need the person responsible for the patient to fill in a few forms.”

Tessa took the clipboard. “I’ll take care of that.”

As they all sat down, she suddenly felt Hamish’s hand on her arm. She met his gaze, and he pointed to a TV that hung on the wall. It was mute, but the closed captioning was switched on.

Poppy stood in front of the steps of City Hall, dressed in a chic pant suit and wearing wide-rimmed sunglasses, as she read a statement from a piece of paper. Tessa followed along by reading the captions.

“…that these allegations will be dealt with in due time. Ms. Wallace asks that you be patient as she clears up these misunderstandings. We will release a statement that will answer all your questions within the next twenty-four hours. Thank you.”

Poppy turned on her heel, ignoring the microphones that were being shoved in her face, asking for more details, and dove back into the building.

Tessa sighed and exchanged a look with Hamish.

“Everything will turn out alright now,” he said.

“I don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done.”

There was a twinkle in his eyes. “I do,” he murmured, leaning in so only she could hear it.

She felt her face flush.

Hamish grinned. “But first, let’s take care of your sister.”

42

It was almost midnight when Hamish returned to the compound, Tessa by his side. He put his arm around her waist as they walked toward his quarters, realizing how exhausted she must be after spending the last few hours at the rehab clinic.

“You were very patient with your sister,” he praised her.

Her smile was tired, but genuine. “She needs family. I’m going to talk to my parents to ask if she can live with them after she’s out of rehab. Only until she’s back on her feet. Maybe I can find her a job, get her some training, I don’t know. Something. I want her to have a chance at a good life.”

“One thing at a time, lass. It will take a few months before she’s out of rehab. Based on what the doctor was able to get out of her, she’s been using drugs for a long time. It’s not an addiction that’s easy to kick. We need to be patient.” But he was proud of Tessa for standing by her sister’s side, supporting her. “You did good today. When Tiffany looks at you, I can see hope in her eyes. We’ll get through this.”

“We?”

He opened the door to his quarters, and they entered. “Yes, we. I’ll be here to support you in this.”

“Even though you have no obligation to do so?”

He let the door close and put his hand under her chin, tipping it up. He looked deep into her lavender-colored eyes, the ones he’d grown to love and that he would grow to love even more. “You have no obligation to take care of your sister either, yet you didn’t hesitate for even a second when you realized she needed you. I’m very proud of you.”

“She’s my flesh and blood. Finally I feel like something that’s been missing has been given back to me. She’s a part of me, even though I don’t remember her. I’ll have to get to know her again.”

Hamish ran his hand through her hair. “I know this might not be the right time to talk to you about this, but you’ll have to go public about her. And soon. Tomorrow. Or you’re handing the election to Gunn.”

Tessa sighed. “She’s so vulnerable. I don’t want to parade her in front of the press. She needs some privacy now. So she can heal. Who knows what she remembers about the demons getting to her.”

“Probably not much, which is good. There will be no need for her to ever find out about the demons.” He took a breath. “And I wish I could give you both the time you need, but the truth needs to come out while it can still make a difference. The election is in three days. We have to act before it’s too late.”

“I wish I could sit with my sister until the election is over and be there for her, rather than having to make a statement to the press.”

“Hmm.” He contemplated her words. “Maybe you won’t have to make a statement.”

She looked at him, confused. “But I thought you just said the truth has to come out before it’s too late.”

“I did. But I have an idea.”

“What idea?”

“Do you remember Meredith Durant?”

“The journalist who first published the picture?”

He nodded. “We’ll send her an anonymous message telling her if she really wants to get the scoop on Tessa Wallace, she’ll need to go to the rehab clinic in Bolton Hill tomorrow at eleven o’clock. She’ll be expecting to find you there as a patient. Instead you’ll be visiting your sister. I’ll make sure the staff look the other way so she can sneak in. We’ll make sure you and your twin sister are in an area where Meredith Durant can take photos without being noticed. She won’t be able to stop herself from publishing such a huge story. Think of the career boost she’ll get out of being the reporter who found out the truth about Councilwoman Wallace. Your sister won’t have to endure any questions. And you won’t have to make any statements. You’ll be the woman who was only protecting her twin sister.”

“You’re sure that’ll work?”

“Trust me. I’ve met enough journalists to know what they’re after: an exclusive. She’ll jump at the chance. By early evening tomorrow, Miss Durant will have published the story to their online edition, and the next morning, it’ll be at every newsstand. It’ll give the voters enough time before the polls open in three days to realize that you’re still their best choice for mayor.”

“And what do
I
do in the meantime?”

“You take care of your sister. Stay out of the public eye. Enya and I will be with you whenever you leave the compound to visit your sister. And come Election Day, it’ll be too late for Gunn or the demons to do anything else.” And once they realized they’d lost, the demons would focus their attention on an easier target. While the danger would never truly be over, Hamish would always be by Tessa’s side. Zoltan would have to realize that and direct his energy toward more attainable goals.

Finally, Tessa nodded. “Okay, we’ll do it your way. Tomorrow.”

He kissed her, knowing it was the best solution.

~ ~ ~

Everything had played out exactly how he’d planned it.

They’d returned to the compound after a long visit with Tiffany, who was still suffering from withdrawal symptoms. She’d been complaining about severe cramps and nausea, and had even thrown up while Tessa comforted her. Hamish had watched from a distance how Tiffany’s lithe body was wracked by fevers and chills, how muscle spasms made her movements unpredictable. But he also saw Tessa’s compassion in action. She walked the walk. If she treated her constituents the same way as her sister, this city would be in good hands once she became mayor.

And by the looks of it, nothing stood in her way now.

With Tessa by his side, Hamish entered the kitchen of the compound where Leila was cooking aided by Wesley. The rest of the gang, minus Logan, was lounging in front of the TV.

Hamish approached the witch and offered him his hand. “I haven’t had a chance yet to thank you for your help.”

Wesley grinned and shook his hand. “Pleasure. I’m glad you guys found Tessa’s sister. I hope she pulls through alright.”

“She’s in good hands,” Hamish confirmed. “I’m sorry I was suspicious of you at first.”

Wesley shrugged. “It’s all water under the bridge. I hope this means we can talk about an alliance between Scanguards and the Stealth Guardians.”

“I’ll send a message to our ruling body just as soon as things have settled down a little,” Hamish promised. The least Wesley deserved was a hearing with the Council of Nine. He’d earned it.

When Manus sidled up to them, Hamish asked, “Hey, anything on Gunn?”

Manus grinned. “When the news about Tessa’s twin broke about an hour ago, he was livid! That man has a temper, I tell you. He was screaming bloody murder. I had to get out of the way so I wouldn’t get hit by the vase he tossed at the wall. I sure was glad when Logan relieved me.” He reached for the whiskey bottle on the counter and poured himself a glass.

“Did you get the impression that he’ll try anything else before the election?” Hamish asked, glancing past him to where Tessa leaned against the wall, staring at her ringing cell phone as if contemplating whether to answer it or not.

“He’ll have to or he’s finished. I mean it’s still early—the TV stations are just now picking up the story, but it’s already all over the Internet. Just wait until every voter in Baltimore reads about it…” Manus chuckled. “That reporter practically turned Tessa into a saint. I mean, I’m not saying she isn’t, but I don’t think I’ve read such a positive news story since the mayor’s death.”