The Alliance (17 page)

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

....................................

Chapter
44

There has not been an American child born in the past eight months. I am starting to see the grand commander's point regarding the necessity of continuing our race. The world is a much smaller place since the war and humans are a dying breed.

—­The journal of Isaac Ryland

Today had been disappointing to say the least. Rex was asleep in his home on Grant's property and Grant still didn't have the proof of his disobedience. Inflicting pain on Roderick was entertaining but hadn't accomplished much. Grant expected a phone call from Ian about his abuse of the foreign dignitaries or the missing French group, but none came. Grant smiled at the thought of the RAG agents treating the ­people as hostiles. Their trip would be less than pleasant.

After parting ways with Rex, Grant sat in his office. He studied everything he could about the French group and kept waiting for an update. He looked at Roderick's phone. This was still his best link to Mia. If Carter was back in the country Grant was certain the young man would check up on his father.

“Sir,” Brandon said.

Grant looked up from his desk to see his personal assistant in the doorway.

“Yes?” Grant asked.

“I've doubled the security as you requested,” Brandon said. “The men are taking shifts and using one of the houses on your property as a base. In my opinion it feels more like you're preparing for a military invasion than a wedding.”

“I did not ask your opinion, did I?” Grant asked.

“No, sir,” Brandon said. “I'm heading home, unless you need my ser­vices for anything else?”

“Did you schedule the appointment with the technology outfitter?” Grant asked.

“That has proved difficult,” Brandon said.

Grant let out a low groan.

“I am sorry, sir,” Brandon said. “But the man you suggested did not want to speak with me. He said you already have all the available security.”

Grant knew that was a lie. There was always something better available, being kept away from the public.

“I will handle it in the morning,” Grant said. “Go home.”

“Good night, sir,” Brandon said.

Grant did not acknowledge his butler. Instead he went back to the screen, showing the faces of all the foreign visitors.

There was something Grant was missing. He hated sitting at home when he should have been hunting Amelia. He'd had enough of waiting. He picked up his phone and was about to call for an update on Agent Barker's whereabouts when he saw it was three in the morning. It would be difficult to get fresh observations or even the men on the line. He would have to wait until tomorrow.

A yawn escaped Grant's mouth. He could use a night of sleep too. He was about to shut off the screen when he noticed the icon for his security system flashing. Grant clicked on the image and saw that part of his security array was down. Grant scanned the details. There was a system reboot in progress for part of the home. Grant continued to look for more information. The cameras in the kitchen and dining hall were offline.

Grant was aware that his systems needed to refresh themselves. He did remember a refresh being scheduled, but he doubted it would happen in the middle of the night. He clicked on the camera for the kitchen. It would be offline for another fifteen minutes. He continued clicking away at the keyboard until one of his newly installed cameras came up. This was one was planted inside Rex's home. Even though all of the lights were off Grant could see everything as if the sun were up. Things looked normal, undisturbed. Grant switched to Rex's bedroom.

There was the outline of a man sleeping in the bed. Grant zoomed in; sure enough, it was Rex, fast asleep. For a second Grant thought he was being paranoid, that maybe Brandon had scheduled the reboot of two unimportant rooms for early this morning. Right before Grant exited out his eyes caught a small light from under Rex's blanket. Grant zoomed in with the camera. It dimmed, but it looked like Rex's hand had reached down to cover the light.

A smile spread across Grant's face. Rex was doing this; there was some portable device in his bed. The man was far from asleep. Rex was working still. This was too early in the game. Besides, what could Rex want from the kitchen? This was obviously a test run. Grant wondered what the endgame was. The three most important rooms in the house were Grant's office, his laboratory in the basement, and Roderick Rowe's hospital room.

It occurred to Grant to head down to Rex's home and kill the man, but Grant wanted to find out his plans first and he was proving a fun distraction and an easy target. Besides, Grant was a patient man, and in order to deliver the necessary punishment he needed time to form a plan.

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

....................................

Chapter
45

I have been banished to a small cell, with no windows. I haven't seen or spoken to another person in weeks; at least that is how it feels. I write this knowing it will be taken from me and studied, but I would like to know what crime I am guilty of and how long I shall remain in solitude. I am not sure what the world has in store for me, but it must be better than this.

—­The diary of Megan Jean

The stairs made more noise than Mia remembered. When she had walked down them earlier today her head was filled with too many distractions, but now she wanted to focus on anything except where she was heading. Once she reached the top Mia turned to the left. The candle she was carrying flickered its light across the walls. At the far end of the long hallway was the door to her parents' room. After hearing her mother describe her father's condition Mia did not know what to expect. She told herself not to worry about a reunion. The only reason she was up here was to figure out a way to transport him.

Mia relaxed her shoulders and continued her walk down the hallway. She made it to the door. Mia knew she wouldn't have to speak with her father because he would be asleep. There was nothing to fear. She put her hand on the doorknob and the creak echoed across the hall as she pushed it open. The candle didn't do much to light the dark room, but Mia's sense of smell was overwhelmed. A putrid odor invaded her nostrils and she raised her free hand to cover her nose.

Mia's eyes went to the bed, but the sheets were pulled back and nobody was lying there. She stepped inside and examined the room further. It was destroyed. There were papers and piles of linens. Mia was looking at full plates of food lying on the floor along with half-­drunk bottles of alcohol when a voice startled her.

“Did you bring me my dinner?”

Mia almost dropped the candle.

“No,” Mia said.

Her father was at the window. He pulled back the drapes and moonlight came pouring in. Mr. Morrissey had always been on the heavy side, but now he looked like he had lost a third of his body weight. The excess skin hung off his face.

“Good,” he said. “You're trying to poison me anyway.”

Mia's father had yet to look away from the window; she didn't think he had noticed it was her, or if he had he didn't care.

“Why don't you get back in bed?” Mia asked.

“Because I am the man of the house,” her father said. “Why are all these ­people arriving? Are you throwing another party? I told you no more guests.”

The silence was burning Mia's ears. She knew there was nobody out there.

“I won't eat your food so you can't kill me,” he said. “And now you keep inviting others inside, but they won't kill me either. I am far too smart for their tactics.”

“Nobody is coming,” Mia said. “We're alone here.”

“What?” he asked. “I can see them, there are hundreds walking into our home. The home that I provided for you.”

Mia noticed her father's arm starting to shake.

“I won't die,” he said. “I will live forever.”

“Dying is part of life,” Mia said.

The words slipped off Mia's tongue when she pictured Flo lying on the floor. She stared down at the candle and mourned the loss of her mentor.

“Mia?” her father asked.

She looked up to see his eyes staring back into hers. He started to move toward her, dragging his left foot behind him. His eyes were wild and wide.

“But you're dead,” he said.

“I'm alive,” Mia said. She felt herself back away instinctively. “I'm here to help you.”

Tears started to well in her father's eyes. Mia had never seen him cry. His jaw started to quiver and his face relaxed.

“I have missed you so much,” he said. “My beautiful baby girl.”

He held out his arms. Mia was overwhelmed with emotion for the third time that day. She felt guilty for fearing her father and started to walk toward the ill man. Mia held the candle in her right hand and opened her arms to embrace him. He held her tight.

“You're a ghost,” he said. “You are here to take me to the other side? I'm not ready.”

Mia pulled away from his hug. She held the candle to her face. “I am as real as you are,” she said. “I am here to help you. We can't stay here any longer.”

Relief crossed the man's face. Mia had never imagined this nice of a homecoming. She felt awful for what her father had been through and hoped she could help him.

“Don't think you can trick me for a second,” he said.

His eyes dried up and a stern look crossed his face. Mia felt her smile fade away to confusion. She was about to ask what had gotten him upset when he spoke first.

“You will not take me to the other side,” he said.

He lunged at Mia and she stepped out of the way, but not fast enough to avoid his knocking the candle out of her hands on his way to the floor. She watched it roll across the floor and went to grab it before the flame caught anything, but Mia felt a hand grip her ankle. Mia fell hard against the wood floor as the candle continued to roll out of her reach.

She looked at her father. He was pushing himself upward.

“I will destroy you before you can destroy me,” he said.

“I want to help you,” Mia said.

She had to look away at the candle. It stopped rolling at the foot of the bed and Mia watched as the flames quickly went up the sheet hanging to the floor.

Mia didn't want to hurt him, but she was out of options. She lifted her free leg and with every ounce of strength she could muster kicked him in the shoulder. He let out a groan and fell down, releasing Mia in the process. She scrambled upward toward the bed, looking for anything she could use to snuff the flames.

“That was a nasty trick,” her father said.

Mia looked over and he was trying to stand back up again.

“I need your help,” Mia said. “We have to stop the flames.”

“You won't trick me again,” he said.

He tried to tackle Mia, but she moved and he fell onto the fire that was engulfing the bed. Fire surrounded the man. He started screaming, trying to shake his clothes away. Mia reached out for his hand, hoping to pull him up. Black smoke started to fill the air. A pair of hands gripped Mia's waist and pulled her away.

“No,” Mia said.

She squirmed to see who has behind her. It was Corinna. She was pulling Mia away from their father as he struggled against the flames. Another pile of papers caught fire and the smoke started burning Mia's eyes.

“I have to save him,” Mia yelled.

“It's too late,” Corinna said. “We have to get out of here.”

She couldn't see her father, only hear his screams. Mia continued to struggle as Corinna pulled her down the hallway. The bedroom was glowing red. She felt Corinna's grip slip away and Mia broke free. She started to run toward the flames. Before she made it to the bedroom a ball of fire sprang from the bedroom. Smoke made its way into the hall.

Corinna came back and grabbed Mia again.

“We have to get out of here,” Corinna said.

Mia didn't fight this time. She was shocked at how terrible the situation had turned out. Mia ran with her sister down the hall and to the stairs without looking back.

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

....................................

Chapter
46

I was paid a visit by the self-­proclaimed grand commander. He had one question for me. Would I try to run away again? My answer was yes and he closed the door and left. Next time I will know better.

—­The diary of Megan Jean

Mia and Corinna made it to the kitchen. Corinna grabbed the bag that was sitting on the counter.

“Where's Mother?” Mia asked.

“Outside,” Corinna said. “Getting the car ready.”

Mia looked at the counter and picked up the map Corinna had set out.

Corinna went to the back door and slid it open. Mia followed her, shut the door, and started running toward the barn, which had been converted into a garage. Mia's mother was standing, looking at the three cars. Mia went to the closest one and opened the driver's door.

“We'll take this one,” Mia said. “Throw the supplies in the trunk. Don't forget the gasoline. Do you have the keys?” Mia asked.

“Your father started to keep them inside after you stole the last car,” her mother said. “I grabbed all of them. I don't know which one is for which. Girls, why are your faces so red?”

“Throw me the keys,” Mia said.

Her mother tossed the ring at her and Mia grabbed them. She opened the driver's-­side door and slid inside the vehicle. Mia fumbled a bit and grabbed the first key. It didn't work. She continued to try. The passenger-­side door opened.

“Mia, what is going on?” her mother asked.

“Get in the car,” Mia said. “Tell Corinna to get in the back.”

“What about your father?” Mia's mother asked.

“Please just get in the car,” Mia said.

She tried the fourth key and the engine sprang to life.

“I won't leave him,” her mother said.

“He's dead,” Corinna said. “If you don't get in the car you will be soon.”

Mia heard Corinna slide into the backseat.

“What happened?” Her mother was frantic.

Mia opened the car door and stood up again. She needed to get her mother to focus.

“Please, Mom,” Mia said. “I don't want to lose you too. We have to get out of here.”

Whatever hesitation Mia's mother was feeling faded away and she slid into the front seat. Mia moved the car into reverse and started down the driveway.

“Both of you close your eyes,” Mia said.

Mia turned around and flew down the long drive. She could see the second story was starting to become a full blaze. Mia was grateful for Riley's driving lessons, which would allow her to get away from this place as soon as possible. Mia hit the gas and sped down toward the highway. She glanced to her right and saw her mother's eyes pinched shut, tears creeping out of the corners.

After several minutes Mia spoke.

“We're safe.”

“Safe from what?” Mia's mother asked. “What happened to your father?”

“He attacked me,” Mia said. “The candle fell and the room went up in flames.”

“Did you try to help him?” Mia's mother asked.

“Of course she did,” Corinna said. “What sort of thing is that to ask your daughter?”

“Corinna saved me,” Mia said. “I would have died too.”

Mia's emotions were changing nonstop. She had wanted to help her father, to save him from whatever he had become, but she realized he was too far gone.

Her mother didn't respond and Mia welcomed the silence. Mia had never planned for tonight to happen this way. She knew where they were headed but wasn't sure of the directions. Mia knew she had to stop and examine the map but wanted to put as much distance between them and the house as possible.

“Can either of you drive?” Mia asked.

“A little,” Corinna said.

“What about read a map?” Mia asked.

She was met with silence. Mia let out a sigh. Tonight was traumatic for her, but after everything she had been through Mia was growing used to loss. She felt her eyes start to well. Mia needed someone who understood her; Mia needed Andrew. She stuck her hand in the pocket of her sweatpants and pulled out the tiny phone. She couldn't call him yet, but as soon as they stopped it would be first on her list.

The gas light clicked on and Mia knew she had to pull over. This was the second time this had happened to Mia on this very road. If she had taken anything from that experience it was that no other cars would drive by at this time of night.

“Why are you stopping?” Corinna asked.

“I need to refill the gas tank,” Mia said.

The car came to a stop and Mia turned off the engine. The trip had been quiet so far. Mia glanced at her mother's tearstained face. Mia understood why she was upset. She reached out and grabbed on to her mother's shoulder.

“His pain is over now,” Mia said.

“This doesn't feel right,” she said. “I've never been this far from home without a man before.”

Mia wondered if her mother had ever been away from home without a man.

“You'll get used to it,” Corinna said.

It dawned on Mia that she had never gotten the story of Corinna's escape. She pictured her sister making her way across the country from the North Area, very similar to Mia and Andrew moving closer to freedom.

“Tell me about that night,” Mia said. “When you showed me the article. How did you get away from William?”

“It was easier than I thought,” Corinna said. “He was so angry with me for having a boy that outside of hitting me once in a while he kept his distance. One night, after he was particularly nasty, I walked outside. I kept thinking someone would chase after me, but nobody came.

“William's home wasn't too far away from my finishing school,” Corinna said. “The drive from home to school was engraved in my head, since we'd made it for holidays and summers. I stole a car and left.”

“You could drive?” Mia asked.

“A little,” Corinna said. “I'm lucky I didn't kill myself in an accident. I was driving so fast. My foot was glued to the pedal.”

“That was brave,” Mia said.

“And stupid,” Corinna said. “Obviously they noticed I was missing very soon, since they were only ten minutes behind me. I was lucky I didn't run out of gas; I didn't even know what that meant.”

“It was the same with me when I first drove,” Mia said. “Except I was going really slow instead of fast.”

Corinna gave a fake chuckle. This was hard for her to talk about.

“I owe you an apology,” Mia said. “You could have run away to Mexico, been free, but instead you came back to warn me. I should have assumed William had lied, you were alive, and looked for you when I left.”

“No,” Corinna said. “You thought I was dead. Besides, I wouldn't have begun to think about traveling to Mexico. I'm the big sister. It was my job to make sure you knew. I should have shown you that article the first time I brought it home.”

“Still, I'm sorry that—­”

“I don't accept your apology because one isn't necessary,” Corinna said. “And you're returning the favor now. That's all that matters.”

Mia thought about Flo's lessons. She had stressed letting go of anger; maybe that extended to regret too. Mia tried to let her guilt over abandoning Corinna wash away. She had to make it up to her now.

“Stay in the car,” Mia said.

She reached behind her and grabbed the gas can next to Corinna before stepping outside. Mia began filling up the tank and stuck her hand in her pocket. She didn't want to debate whether or not calling Andrew was appropriate, she just wanted to hear his voice and make sure he was all right. Mia found his name and sent the call. The line was quiet. Then a message sounded.

“The number you are dialing is not in ser­vice range. Please call again later.”

Mia hung up the phone. She wanted to hear his voice but would settle for knowing where he was. Mia went to the GPS option for Andrew's phone and the screen flashed an error message. Horror filled Mia's mind at what might have become of him.

“Mia, is everything okay?” Corinna asked.

Mia saw her sister walking out of the car.

“Everything is fine,” Mia said.

She repeated the phrase to herself. Mia knew she needed to believe that. Andrew was smart, and he had Carter and Zack. Mia had her mother and sister and the two of them weren't capable of taking care of themselves. That responsibility fell on Mia. Wherever Andrew was, he was safe, and Mia would find him as soon as she got these two settled.

The tank was filled now. Mia screwed the lid onto the can and opened the back door. Corinna took the remaining fuel and Mia went into the front seat. She turned on the light in the car and started looking at the map.

“What are you doing?” Corinna asked.

Mia traced her finger along the line signaling the highway. She looked southwest for a familiar name. The city of Schuyler ran under her finger and Mia studied the way.

“Looking for friends,” Mia said.

Once she was satisfied with the directions Mia flipped off the light. Her mother continued staring out the window when Mia brought the car back to life. Nobody asked another question as Mia got back on the highway. She focused on driving. It was necessary that they reach their destination by the time the sun rose.