Current Impressions (37 page)

Eyes widening in panic, Evan tensed to fight
until the figure stepped out of the shadows. Professor Nolan pulled
him close and frantically whispered, “We need to talk. There’s not
much time.” His eyes flitted to another doorway across the room.
“He may return to see what’s taking you so long.”

“What happened to you?” Evan asked. The
professor looked terrible. His lips, swollen and bloody, cracked
when he talked, displaying a mouth with several teeth missing. His
eyes, mere slits between black and blue lumps, fought to stay open.
Someone or something attacked him with no mercy.

“No time for that. Be careful, Evan. You do
not realize how powerful Ken is.” He squeezed Evan’s arm almost
painfully. “Watch your back at all times.”

“You’re not coming with us?”

Ted chuckled. It turned to a painful cough.
When he wiped his mouth with his sleeve, it left a bloody smear.
“I’m no use to him now. He’ll leave me here.”

Evan thought fast. Could he trust Ted? He
needed to. He wasn’t sure he’d have time to get Meara a message.
“Meara will be coming for me,” he said.

Ted’s eyebrows lifted. It looked
excruciating on his broken face. “Does she have a death wish?”

Smiling wistfully, Evan said, “No, just
misplaced bravery. I need you to give her something.” He took the
folded napkin from his pocket and placed it in the professor’s
malformed hand. Was no bone left unbroken?

Ted didn’t ask what it was. He placed it in
his pocket. “Consider it done.”

Footsteps sounded in the distance, making
him flinch. “Go. Don’t tell anyone you spoke with me.” He placed a
shaking hand on Evan’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you’re involved in
this.”

Evan didn’t know what else to say besides,
“Me, too.”

****

He hurried up the stairs and into a flurry
of activity on the main floor. People he’d never seen were running
to and fro, mainly carrying paintings or other pieces of art. Ken
wasn’t lying. They really were leaving.

He climbed the stairs to the second floor,
wondering why they were leaving now. Ken poisoned Kieran almost two
weeks ago. If the Selkies were going to attack, wouldn’t they have
done it by now?

His room was untouched. That was a relief.
His suitcase and duffel bag were still under the bed. He pulled
them out and began to throw his things inside. As he packed, a
million questions flew through his mind. Where were they going?
Would they take the boat or car? Who was all going? Ted wasn’t, but
what about Stonewall and Dr. Tenuis?

Lost in thought, Evan didn’t hear the
footsteps approaching until it was too late. When the cloth covered
his face, he tried to fight. It was a wasted effort. Everything
went black.

“I’ll check it out in the morning.”

My dad stood and crossed to the door,
dismissing us. Too bad I wasn’t ready to go.

“
You’ll
check it out?” I said. “What
about me? Evan’s my boyfriend. I have a right to come along.”

Behind my dad, Kieran had been shaking his
head frantically. He winced at the end of my outburst. A glance at
my dad’s face told me I’d taken it too far. He was furious.

“You will stay here and do as I say. You’ve
been a Selkie for less than three months. What qualifies you to go
on a mission against an enemy we haven’t even identified yet?”

“But—”

“You’re staying. That’s final!” He grabbed
my arm in one hand and pulled me to the door. “Kieran, you’re to
keep an eye on her.”

“David—”

Whatever Kieran was going to say, he stopped
when he saw my dad’s face. Sighing, he took hold of my other arm. I
moved from Dad’s grasp to his. Was I just a pawn? A possession?
When would I be taken seriously and allowed to fight?

I yanked my arm from Kieran’s grip. Lifting
my chin, I stepped into the hall. “I can walk on my own two feet. I
don’t need an escort.”

“Meara, wait!”

I stopped at my dad’s voice. Those two words
were full of remorse. Blinking back tears of frustration and anger,
I gave in, looked over my shoulder, and met his eyes. “Yes?”

“I’ll do everything I can to rescue Evan,”
he said. “I’ll send two of our best guards to scope things
out.”

It wasn’t enough, but it was something.
“Thank you,” I said.

He nodded and closed the door behind us.

My heart beat frantically in my chest as I
moved down the hall. Kieran followed close behind. I knew that
without turning.

You’re going.
His voice was smug, his
words a statement, not a question.

I hurried down the steps.
Wouldn’t
you?

I would, and I will.
His hand fell on
my shoulder and squeezed.
Promise to your father or not, I won’t
let you go alone.

I reached up and squeezed his hand.

He continued,
Aren’t you worried about
what we’ll run into?

I’m more worried about running into my
dad,
I responded automatically. My dad would never forgive me
if I let myself get hurt. If I died, well, it was no longer my
concern then, was it?

When are we leaving?

Midnight
, I decided.
Dad will be
watching me for the next couple of hours.

You’re right.
Kieran chuckled.

We’ll meet at the cove
. I continued
to mindspeak. There was no telling who might be listening in the
halls. Kieran knew it, too.
I don’t want to draw unnecessary
attention by meeting in one of our rooms.

Afraid of the rumors,
he teased.
Poor Arren’s heart will be broken.

Arren. The concert. Did he realize I missed
it? Sure, Arren and his friends were teens like me, but they
slipped from my mind with ease. We were so different, and well, I
was a little preoccupied. I rolled my eyes as Kieran continued to
laugh.

“Midnight,” I said, slipping into my
room.

The next few hours felt like torture. Lying
still in the dark room, I tried to appear to be sleeping while
adrenaline coursed through my veins. I wanted to run, swim, and
fight. Do anything but lay on my bed with my eyes closed. I noted
the clicks every time my door opened and closed, fighting the
curiosity to open my eyes and see who was there, checking on me.
Instead, I willed every muscle to relax and took slow, deep
breaths.

Between the door checks, I monitored the
lighting. The moon was near full, just days away, and my room was
washed in moonlight. Now that I could track the cycle and the time,
I wondered how it was so difficult for me before. The Selkie ways
were coming easier to me with each passing day.

The subtle shift of the light told me it was
close to midnight, and I hadn’t been checked on in at least an
hour. My dad must have finally decided I was asleep and not going
anywhere.

Stretching my arms and legs, I listened. The
halls were quiet. This was my moment. With no time to waste, I
moved my pillows to look like a body, pulled the blankets into
place, and transported to the beach.

Kieran faced the sea, the moonlight
bleaching his blond hair to silver white. “You’re sure you want to
do this?” he asked without turning around.

I didn’t hesitate. “Positive.”

He gave a curt nod, and the air shifted. In
seal form, he slid into the water. I followed quickly behind,
transforming in motion. The waves glided over my back. We dove deep
into the cool calm.

What’s your plan?
he asked.

I used the hours in bed to consider my
options. Only one made any sense. After all, there were only two of
us. Reconnaissance.

We’ll scope the grounds and go from
there.

He didn’t speak, but I knew he was pleased.
What did he think I would do? Confront them? That would be
suicide.

As we neared the shore, I warned.
Watch
for our guards. I don’t know if they’re still here.

On it.
He slid out of the water into
an area of the cove shadowed by the cliff. He disappeared from
view. I waited in the water for his report. I didn’t have to wait
long.

The cove’s clear.
He motioned to the
staircase.
I’m heading up.

I changed form, adding a black shirt and
pants, along with black running shoes. Better to be prepared. As a
last precaution, I conjured my dagger and slid it into my back
pocket.

I climbed hurriedly. Kieran was almost at
the top. While I was certain he could defend himself, I wanted to
be there to back him up. It was my responsibility to ensure his
safety. He came on this expedition because of me.

Just below the landing, Kieran turned and
looked down. He pointed to the pier, and I looked. The moon lit the
landscape, and one thing was clear. Their boat was gone.

I ran up the last couple of steps to his
side. If the boat was missing, the odds were that they were gone
already, too. We couldn’t make any risky moves, yet I felt braver
than I had minutes ago. Bravery mixed with disappointment. The
chances of finding Evan here were slim at best.

We crossed the yard, crouching low to avoid
any motion lights or cameras. Most of the yard lights were off. A
few security lights cast a glow to certain areas. We avoided them
and hung in the shadows.

Kieran tried the back door. The handled
turned and, with a noiseless shove, he opened it. We looked at each
other in surprise. Was it a trap? It seemed too easy.

He wanted to scope things out first, but I
wouldn’t let him. I entered on his heels, closing the door behind
me. The house was dark, but Selkie eyes adjusted fast. Within
seconds, I could see everything in detail.

We passed the kitchen on the right. The room
was untouched, the counters clean and uncluttered. Pans hung from
the ceiling, and a fresh vase of flowers sat on the counter. The
dining room was next on the left. Like the kitchen, it was in
pristine condition. If they left, they didn’t take the time to pack
up the house.

Kieran entered the living room and stopped.
I wondered why until I noticed the fireplace. The large oil
painting was missing. Only the nails hung on the wall.

Some things had been packed. The precious
ones, apparently.

Where do you suppose the basement is?
I continued to talk to Kieran through telepathy. Someone could be
in the house. It was too soon to throw away precautions.

There was another hall past the
kitchen,
Kieran noted.
I say we try there first.

Good thinking.
I went to move ahead.
He stopped me with his hand, gave me a look, and took the lead.
With a sigh, I followed him back down the hall, through the
kitchen, and into the back hallway. There was a door on either end
of the short hallway.

You try that one.
I pointed to the
door on the left.
I’ll try the other.

Kieran grimaced, but he moved to the door. I
pulled mine open and smiled. The steps lead down. Without waiting,
I took the lead.

I moved fast with little noise. The area
around the base of the stairs was dark, but light flickered beneath
a closed door.

Meara, please.
Kieran’s voice held
reproach.
Let me go first.

I stepped to the side and waited for him to
open the door. I was dying to know what was in that room. My heart
hammered in my chest, nerves causing the blood in my ears to pound
like waves. Was Evan still here in the cell?

The lit room held one desk covered in oddly
shaped tools. A wooden chair rested in the middle of the room, the
seat and rungs stained black. The floor surrounding the chair was
painted a deep crimson. My head swam when I put it all together.
Torture. Did they torture Evan?

Kieran stilled. Then I heard it, too.
Rattled breaths drifting from the room next door.

“I can hear you,” the voice whispered. Weak
and filled with pain, I didn’t recognize it. “I can’t and won’t
hurt you. Show yourselves.”

What’s your decision
? Kieran’s eyes
bore into mine.

I could be leading us to our deaths, but I
needed answers.
We go in.

The room was large, most of the space taken
up by a four-sided cell. The bars hummed, warning us that it was
electrified. The cell was sparse—a bucket and a cot covered in
bloody rags. The rags moved, and I gasped. It was a man, beaten
almost beyond recognition. My eyes filled with tears. Almost beyond
recognition. I knew him. It was Evan’s professor, Ted Nolan.

“Where’s Evan?” I cried.

“He said you would come. Brave and foolish
is a dangerous combination.” Ted sat up on shaky arms. He grinned.
Someone who was missing several prominent teeth should not grin. It
was creepy. Bloody spittle dripped from the corner of his mouth. He
gently dabbed a sleeve to his chin. “Excuse my appearance. It’s
been a rough week.”

I felt Kieran at my side. He’d yet to say or
do anything, but he was on full alert.