Winter's Awakening: The Metahumans Emerge (Winter's Saga #1) (7 page)

Michelle’s voice had an edge to it. I didn’t get a good vibe from her at all. She certainly didn’t come rushing downstairs to meet us, or even to say hello to her stepson, Cole. Warm and fuzzy, she wasn’t. I wondered what else she wasn’t.

Chapter 17 Sleep

The sheets sounded crisp when I pulled the covers down on the bed. I had never slept in a bed besides my own, and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to relax enough to nod off here. I crawled under the covers and sat up looking around the room assigned to me.

Above the headboard of the bed hung a large quilt showing off an early American pattern all in pastel pinks, greens, blues and beiges. The goose-down comforter on the bed was covered by another quilt of equal detail and colors but a different pattern. There were teddy bears piled neatly on the long dresser to my right, and across from where I sat was a large window with a decorative arch above it. To my left was a walk-in closet.

This room was obviously used as storage for Michelle’s baskets, bears and quilts. I wouldn’t have been surprised at all if I opened that closet and found it stacked ceiling to floor with more of the same.

The room smelled of cinnamon and vanilla and nutmeg. For the first few minutes, I found the scent interesting and maybe even nice. But now, an hour later, it’s an overwhelmingly pungent odor. I’m sure it was a potpourri of some kind, but it was incredibly strong as I lay back on the too firm pillow. What did she do, make her own scented oils in this room? It’s as though the oils saturated the bedding. Ugh.

Yeah, it was going to be tricky falling asleep here.

But I should be thankful that this family came to help me and my brothers. My mother always raised us to be thankful for what we have and not even look at what we don’t have. “We are blessed,” she would often remind us when we were acting a little bratty.

Right about now, I was trying very hard to maintain my composure by counting my blessings, because if I let myself just sit and think about all that happened to me in the past forty-eight hours, I’m sure I would burst into tears. And what good would that do anyone? The boys need to see me as strong and confident—not a whimpering baby.

I made myself lie back down and position the pillows as best as I could. I must have drifted off because the next thing I remember was waking to sound of voices yelling.

Chapter 18 Something Wicked This Way Comes

He stretched his legs, first his right, then the left. Working his way up his body, he next stretched his back by sitting up straight and twisting first right then left. Now his arms he lifted above his head and stretched his triceps then rolled his shoulders. He tipped his head up first, then let it slowly roll to the right listening to the ever present crack, crack, cracking from the stiffness, then he continued the roll around to the front, then left (more cracking). He shook his head quickly trying to wake his face. It had been a long night with very little activity to report.

Their source had given them excellent information. The doctor and the children had arrived at Kansas City International on time. They drove directly to this address. They spent the evening indoors, except for the girl who took the dog to the backyard for a while, then left him outside while she returned inside. Nothing extraordinary happened there. It looked like the family was asleep by 11pm. There has been no activity since.

Being assigned to stakeouts wasn’t his favorite activity, but it was often the precursor to what he enjoyed the most. A strangled smile cut across his scarred face. He was thinking about what he’d like to do to that little girl before he turned her over to his boss.

Oh, yeah…this was going to be fun.

Chapter 19 Meg the Meglodon

The boys were already awake. I could hear them outside. Of course, they were yelling so loudly, I’m sure the whole neighborhood could hear them. Ugh. I threw on blue jeans and a T-shirt, amazed to note that I’d barely disturbed the bedding. Despite it smelling like a potpourri shop, I must have slept like a rock.

I was about to run down the stairs but hesitated and headed right back to the bathroom. First things, first. However loud they were being, a girl’s got to brush her teeth!

Okay, so I wasn’t just a brush the teeth kinda girl, I had to floss, too. Flossing is super important, I think. It has always felt more like a massage to my gums than a chore to me. So floss first, then brush, then go tackle the two little noisemaking goof-balls outside. Nice, short to-do list.

“Hey there, Meglodon,” quipped Evan smartly. A meglodon was a giant shark that lived in prehistoric times, for those of you who didn’t know. Evan likes to turn my name into obnoxious words like, “Megabyte” or “Megalomaniac.” You get the idea. He obviously wanted a butt-whoopin’ this morning.

I heard a snicker behind me and turned to see Cole. He stood more than six feet tall and was casually leaning his shoulder against one of the beams supporting the upstairs patio. He was wearing blue jeans and a green rugby shirt. I hadn’t noticed last night, but wow, his eyes were strikingly handsome. His dark lashes stood in stark contrast to his light green eyes. They were the color of my favorite apples. And now, those beautiful eyes were watching me.

“What are you guys doing out here?” I asked, turning my back to Cole and focusing on the brothers.

“We’re just sparring. Evan and I just started practicing our kata. Of course, that just got us warmed up.” Alik’s face was flush with exercise and his eyes glistened mischievously. “But it’s always more fun sparring with three.” That was all the warning he gave me before he assumed fighting position and sent his fist flying toward my face.

Mom would always tell us when you’re upset or worried, karate was a healthy escape. She taught us in the classical Japanese karate style insisting, the other forms of martial arts had their place, but for children the purest, most honorable and disciplined form was core. This was exactly what I needed—a good hour of hand-to-hand combat with my brothers.

I easily blocked Alik’s punch and delivered a double to his chest in response. Evan moved into position and the three of us maneuvered into a loose triangle watching every move the other made.

Now, it didn’t matter that we were standing on thick Kansas grass being watched by any number of people. We weren’t thinking about our missing mom, or what was going to happen to us. All that mattered now was the battle, just the way we were taught. We were grinning like dorks with the pure joy of it.

Evan’s move toward Alik was smooth and fluid. His timing was perfect, and the quick roundhouse had Alik sprawled on the grass. He landed expertly, letting his body absorb the impact and used the momentum to spring back to his feet. I spun and served Evan a side kick to the chest. Evan was usually so good at maintaining his balance, but this time he stumbled back. He corrected himself just in time to block a striking punch from Alik. We all repositioned into our triangle and moved without a signal into a choreographed fight.

Throughout our years, we had created several fights. Mom didn’t want us killing each other when we practiced, so she had us plan our moves. We were taught to, say punch with full strength but stand so the punch didn’t connect with full force. The idea was to hit, but not injure during these sparing sessions. We finished one choreographed fight and started another without missing a beat.

It was exhilarating to stretch my muscles—to move with purpose and speed. My hair, pulled back in ponytail at the nape of my neck swung freely with every turn. I was having so much fun fighting, my cheeks hurt from smiling by the time we had our fill. And though I was doubled over breathing deeply, I felt peace, for the first time in two days.

“That was awesome!” Cole had been watching the entire time.

My face turned three shades of red. Oh my goodness, I was so engrossed in the fight, I completely zoned out the fact that Cole Andrews was right there.

“How did you learn to fight like that? The way you punched and he ducked and you kicked and he blocked and—”

If I weren’t so embarrassed, I would have stopped and watched how his smile created one dimple in his right cheek. As it was, I turned and sprinted back inside the house leaving the boys to bask in all the compliments.

I was surrounded by my brothers and my soldier/scientist mom my whole life. It never occurred to me until now how I must look to anyone when I fought. The sheer joy I felt when I was in battle mode was its own reward. But just now…ugh.

I bolted up the stairs, turned and locked the door behind me, grabbed a towel and hit the showers. Maybe by the time I get back downstairs everyone will just forget the backyard skirmish. One can only hope.

Chapter 20 Okay, Now What?

By the time I came downstairs, the boys were finished with breakfast and sitting with Cole in front of the television. Cartoon characters danced on the screen and from the look on Alik and Evan’s faces, it was the most remarkable thing they’d ever seen. Their jaws hung slack and their eyes were glassed over. Good grief! No wonder mom didn’t allow television. I could almost hear their brain cells shriveling up. They didn’t even notice me as I walked past the living room into the kitchen. Dr. and Mrs. Andrews were sitting at the breakfast table drinking coffee and talking in hushed voices. They stopped when they saw me.

“Well, hello Meg. I’m Michelle—so good to finally meet you.” Michelle smiled with her perfectly straight teeth and waited patiently for me to respond with like pleasantries. I supposed I ought to comply, though I didn’t feel her sincerity at all. Matter of fact, my hair was standing on the back of my neck.

“Hello, Michelle. Thank you for allowing my brothers and me to stay at your home while we find our mom.” No matter what I sensed, or what I overheard last night, I needed to keep the peace.

“Well, I understand it’s not just you and your brothers, but you have a pet coyote too? How unusual!” I remembered with clarity how disgusted she sounded last night when she found out about Maze.

“Yes, ma’am. Maze slept outside last night and is still there. I’m sure he won’t be any trouble to you. He’s harmless, really.” I made excuses for Maze not for my sake, but because I didn’t like how Michelle treated Dr. Andrews when she was angry and I didn’t want to be the cause of her venom.

“Well, we’ll give him a chance, won’t we,” she forced a smile and patted her husband on the arm in strangely controlling way.

“Are you hungry, Meg? Looks like you and your brothers worked up quite an appetite with all the—exercise this morning. That was amazing, by the way.” Dr. Andrews didn’t stop to wait for an answer before he put a plate of pancakes, bananas and a glass of milk in front of me. He motioned to the syrup as he waited for me to respond.

“Oh, you saw that, huh? Yeah, the boys and I practice like that all the time back at the ranch. Mom taught us.” My pancakes looked delicious so once they were properly covered in syrup, I dug in. With my mouth full of food, the adults got the hint that I was done talking about the fight club on the lawn.

After a big swig of milk, I changed the subject. “So, what’s the plan? Where are we going to start looking?”

“First, there is no ‘we.’ I will look for your mother myself and you’ll stay safely here. And second, the plan is for me to locate sources and see what they’ve found. I’ve had people working on this since you called me yesterday. When we get it narrowed down, I’ll fly to wherever the hottest tip leads me and take up the search myself.” He said all this with earnestness in his voice. I could truly feel the sincerity behind his words so I didn’t want to disrespect him with what I needed to say.

“With all due respect sir, Alik, Evan and I are no safer here than we were back at the ranch. The reason I agreed to come with you was because you have connections we don’t. Just the fact that you’re an adult opens doors behind which valuable information can be found. I understand your concern, but you have to believe me when I say there is no other way. The boys and I are a unit. We work together. Mom trained us to fight and defend. We won’t weigh you down; on the contrary, we may help you.”

The doctor stared into my eyes as if trying to read the depth of my resolve. I saw worry and uncertainty shadow his face. But after several moments, I also noticed his jaw tighten and set. He was decided.

“Margo taught you well. This morning’s demonstration outside proved that. She also taught you to have a mind of your own. She would want you to be safe, but you’re probably right about being in danger here, too. If she’s where I think she is, she didn’t go willingly and those people are even more interested in finding you and your brothers. Let me make those phone calls and see where we are. When I go, you three will come with me. Okay?”

“I’m coming too, dad.” Cole and the boys were standing at the far entrance to the kitchen. They had been listening to us.

“There is no way I’m going to allow you to come. On top of it being ridiculous to involve you, you can’t miss school.”

“I’m already involved dad, because you are involved. You’re all I’ve got left. Mom would understand. She would have wanted us to stick together.”

I glanced over at Michelle to take in her reaction at the mention of Cole’s mother. She was pursing her lips together like she had just licked a lemon. That just confirmed my thoughts. No wonder, Cole didn’t feel close to Michelle. She was a cold and uncompromising woman. How on earth did this sweet widowed doctor end up marrying her? I’ll never understand some people.