The Cure (23 page)

“Which would be hard to do if there are sensing Emporium Unbounded around.”

Dimitri nodded. “There are drawbacks. But all our abilities stem from our brains, even the ones that seem purely physical, so theoretically, a sensing Unbounded should be able to access the abilities of others. If only partially.”

“You think I used Mari’s ability to bring her to me?” I only wished I could be so strong. “I think I’d know if I did something like that.”

 He shrugged. “Or it could have been all her.”

Had I been thinking of Mari when we’d boarded the plane? It didn’t really matter because no way was my range that far. She must have acted on her own.

“Now that Mari’s on her way to recovery,” Dimitri continued, “I think the way to keep her safe is to explain it to her and warn her to be careful. We have no idea what distance or other limitations apply, but it will likely hold to the rules of physics.” He chuckled and added, “Or physics as people like Cort understand it. Once we get home, he’ll be able to set up some short experiments to teach her the basics. He’ll be in heaven with so much new information to record.”

I stifled a laugh. “That’s an understatement. Just wait until he learns about Oliver.”

“What about Oliver?”

I shook my head. “Later.” There was much we’d have to leave for later, including the most important conversation Dimitri and I would ever have. “I’d better go before Keene takes off without me and gets himself killed.”

Dimitri nodded. “Go.”

I was both glad and sad that he didn’t warn me to be careful. Did it mean he trusted me, or that I was just one more Renegade to him, equal in importance to all the rest?

Why did I need more?

I went back to the Jeep to find everyone who was going with us inside except Mari. I was glad the vehicle didn’t have a top or I might get claustrophobic. Pulling on a lightweight jacket from my bag, I zipped it all the way up. Though the night wasn’t chilly, it was definitely colder now without the sun, and the wind hitting us in the Jeep was bound to lower the temperature further.

Jace appeared at my elbow. “Take care.” My brother’s voice sounded excited, as though anticipating the fighting that would come.

I knew it was in his nature, that his ability ached to be used, but I also remembered how he’d thrown up after seeing the dead Hunters, and that worried me. Yet he’d more than held his own in last night’s violent battle with the Emporium and also during our encounter with the bandits.

“You, too.” It was difficult to leave him. For the first time I wished, however briefly, that he hadn’t Changed, that he was still living an ordinary life away from so much danger.

We left it at that. Jace and I had always been close; we didn’t need more. Definitely no last minute pleas to be careful—we both knew that neither of us was likely to be overly cautious, so there was no point.

Cort put away a magnifying glass he was using to study the machete and handed it to me. “It’s been several hundred years since I’ve seen one of these. The last time was in Jerusalem. It’s very rare. I’m not sure how one would appear here, though, or what the connection might be.”

“What’s it made of?”

He shook his head. “I couldn’t tell then when I tested it, and I still don’t know. Not even the pattern in the metal is familiar.” That was part of his scientific ability, to see and understand how things acted on an atomic level. “With the equipment we have today, I might be able to learn more.”

I grinned. “Maybe you’ll prove Ava’s theory of aliens being responsible for the Unbounded gene.”

“I doubt it. What I can tell you is that there’s a legend that goes along with these blades. They can only freely be given to a new owner. If one is stolen or taken by force, it will eventually turn on its holder.”

I shuddered, thinking of the man I’d sliced. In his case it had been true.

“Good thing that old man gave it to you,” Keene said from the Jeep. “Now would you get in so we can go?”

Cort rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t put too much stock in legends. They often have origin in a bottle of cheap wine.” Always the gentleman, he helped me into the Jeep.

Dimitri arrived carrying a blanket-wrapped Mari and settled her between me and Benito. Mari stirred only slightly as her head sank onto my lap. “Let her sleep as long as possible.”

Cort held his fist out to Keene in farewell. Keene met it solemnly before starting the engine. I waved goodbye.

We didn’t see Ritter as we left, though I sensed a life force hidden among the trees less than half a mile later. The thoughts were tight and dark, with no readable emotions, but I knew it was him.

W
ITHOUT THE SATELLITES
,
WE HAD
to rely on a compass and the Jeep headlights to find our way, backtracking several times when the road petered out or became impassable. Dr. Hertenstein turned out to be a great help, especially as the rainforest thinned and he recognized his surroundings. “We’ll meet the main road soon,” he said. “But there’s a fork up ahead, if we’re on the path I think we are.”

“Good.” Keene sounded tense, and I couldn’t blame him.

His tenseness was why I hadn’t told him we were being followed by an animal, who came closer every time we slowed to a crawl. Whether out of curiosity or because we looked like prey, I couldn’t say, but I kept my reloaded Sig close. As we navigated the crater-sized potholes near the fork, I sensed the creature again and reached out my mind, probing—finding an awareness driven by instinct, a consciousness so foreign that it seemed more alien to my experience than the jungle around us. More alien but somehow regal. I didn’t want to have to kill it. I wished there were a way to communicate with the animal. One more thing to research.

Shortly later, we found the main road. “I hope it’s not too far,” Keene said. “We filled up partway from the gas containers in the Pinz, but all that backtracking cost us.”

“We’re not too far away now,” Hertenstein answered. “Maybe forty-five minutes.”

Keene sped up. “We should have enough gas then.”

Mari was stirring finally, and I switched my attention to her. Now that we were going faster, it was unlikely we could be attacked by some large animal, or even by bandits. I hadn’t sensed any human life forces since we’d left the others, not even the darker signals put out by the natives we’d met.

Mari lifted her head and gazed around, slowly taking in her surroundings. Her long hair twirled in the wind, though the silky strands didn’t seem to tangle. “Where’s Dimitri?” There was a touch of panic to her tone.

“He stayed back with the others. They’re following the people who kidnapped one of our scientists. But you don’t need Dimitri now. You’re strong enough on your own.”

She couldn’t remember much of anything, so I filled her in on what had happened since the attack at the palace. Benito watched us with one eye, his head resting on the side of the Jeep, his stolen fedora clutched in one hand. I lowered my voice. I didn’t really trust him yet, and the way he kept looking at my hand, nearly healed now, unsettled me. I’d have to get Keene to remove the stitches when we stopped.

“Look,” I told Mari, “you seem to have a very unusual ability. Do you remember how you found yourself in—” I broke off. I had been going to say “the trailer,” but maybe bringing up her husband’s death wasn’t exactly the best idea right now. “In the plane?” I finished.

She shook her head. “Not really. Well, sort of. I was looking for you, and there you were. It’s kind of like remembering a dream. How did I get there?”

“You’re what’s called a shifter. I think it has something to do with the way you can calculate all those numbers without a machine. Somehow you’re moving through space. Teleporting. But try not to do it again until we experiment with your ability. That way you can make sure you don’t end up somewhere dangerous.” I didn’t add that there was no one who could really teach her, that Cort would be using ancient documents and logic to make calculations. Then again, logic and numbers were things Mari understood.

Wonder filled her eyes. “That’s so cool.” She sounded like her old self again—no, more self-possessed. Her Unbounded genes were taking over, remaking her.

The wind pushed my hair forward and I pulled it back from my mouth with a smile. “Yeah. It is cool.” I fumbled for the knife I’d restored to the sheath on my calf. “Do you think you can cut these stitches?”

W
E REACHED
P
ALENQUE SHORTLY BEFORE
nine. The city of approximately forty thousand was busy this Friday night, especially the closer we got to the hotel district near the interior.

“There are about seventy or so hotels in the city,” Hertenstein said. “They even have a small airport, though where you landed is much closer to our lab.”

“So all these people are what, tourists?” Mari gestured to the groups walking along the sidewalk.

He nodded. “We’re not far from the Palenque ruins. Same name as this city, different place. So a lot of people visit the area. Tourism is a big part of the economy.”

“I had no idea,” I said.

“Not many do.” Hertenstein frowned. “Unfortunately, tourism has added to the deforestation that’s been going on in the rainforests, though it’s certainly not the biggest cause. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see black howler monkeys sneaking into Palenque to find food.”

No monkey in sight at the moment, only a bunch of people walking around with cameras hanging from their necks. “So where will we find the senator?” I asked.

Keene pulled over and took out his phone. “He’s at a hotel called Misión Palenque. I have the address somewhere. We’ll stop for gas and ask for directions.”

After filling up the tank at a remarkably modern gas station, we drove to Misión Palenque. According to the guidebook we’d purchased, the hotel featured a main building with several wings branching off like the spokes on a wagon wheel. Luscious trees and dense vegetation filled the space between the spokes, and I found myself searching the darkness for signs of Hertenstein’s black howler monkeys.

“So what’s the plan?” I looked down at my jeans, spotted with dirt and blood and smeared with green stains from the jungle. I didn’t want to think about what was on my top and was glad to have it covered by my black jacket. “We’ll have to clean up a bit. If we go searching for the senator looking like this, his security will tackle us and throw us in a Mexican jail. Especially this late.”

Keene’s gaze wandered down my body a bit slowly for my comfort, and then passed to his own clothes. “The night has barely begun for the tourists, and my bet is the senator is still at dinner. But you get a room while I go visit his room to make sure.”

“No way,” I said. “You’re not going alone.”

He contemplated me for a few seconds. “Keeping an eye on me?”

“I’m your backup. Remember, he’s got at least one Unbounded with him. And knowing who that is, there are probably more.” I hoped my voice didn’t portray my own nervousness at seeing Tom again. I didn’t love him anymore, but two months didn’t erase all the memories.

“Okay, we’ll get a room first. The others can wait there for us.”

Mari was my biggest concern, but while I didn’t want to leave her alone, I certainly didn’t want to drag her on our visit to the senator either. My eyes went to Hertenstein. He seemed responsible enough to keep an eye on both her and Benito. He’d said he knew how to use a gun.

“Benito can get the room,” I said. “We’ll be less noticeable that way.”

Benito nodded. “I will need a credit card.”

“Of course,” Keene said dryly.

I fished in my bag for a card, choosing one with a generic business name. “Just one room,” I said. “We won’t be here long and anything else will raise suspicion.” Finally the man was doing something to contribute. I wondered if we could get some new clothes for him, or at least send his out to be washed. He still reeked, though the smell had been slightly better since the plane, where he’d removed his old coat. “I’ll go with you into the lobby.”

“Better let Hertenstein go,” Keene said. “In case the senator’s aide happens to be there.”