The Guardians (MORE Trilogy) (29 page)

“They sent me back to Missouri. Told me to keep an eye on Ava and I’d be called on when I was needed.”
 

Ava fought a chill at his words, realizing that Caleb hadn’t really been
Caleb
for longer than she’d thought—before she’d even noticed the changes.
 

“They sent me on a few missions, I suppose to see if I really was trustworthy, if the tampering had stuck. Then I went with them to free Borré.”

“Why?” Ava said the word, but everyone was wondering.

“Somehow, Borré brought Rogues together—dozens of them—making promises of taking over the Council. Taking over the world, basically,” he said wryly. “Big words about how we’re superior to the humans. How they’ve screwed up the world on their own and it’s time for us to take control. This was years ago, before you were born,” he told Ava.

Ava shuddered, remembering Caleb saying those very same words and believing them.

“As you said, Borré is a scientist, and he began experimenting with genetic engineering on our own people. Like so many megalomaniacs before him, he wanted to create the perfect specimen. Race superior to Race. And use them to overthrow the Council.

“Among the Rogues, they’re called The Twelve,” he said, not meeting Ava’s eyes at first. “Borré’s followers hid them among humans, using psychic blocks and genetic manipulation to keep their identity secret from the Council . . . from the Protectors. It’s why they have no Veil,” he said, and Ava’s blood froze. “He made them look human. He needed them to
be
human, as far as the Council was concerned. Until the time was right for them to emerge.”

“I know of The Twelve,” Emma said quietly. “I heard the Rogues talking about them once when they didn’t know I was listening. They said Borré chose the most gifted Race women to serve as mothers of The Twelve. He himself was the father.”

Ava swallowed and tried to get her mouth to form the words. “And you—and you think
 . . .
” She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Yes.” Caleb’s hand was firm and reassuring around hers, grounding her as he said the words she dreaded hearing. “Elias Borré is your biological father. And I’m afraid, he wants you back.”

Hours later, when they were once again curled up together in bed, Caleb whispered, “Are you all right?”

Ava wasn’t sure. She’d sat, numb, through the rest of the debriefing, trying to comprehend the awful truth that she was the product of some maniac’s plan to take over the world, and that maniac was, in fact, her biological father.
 

“No,” she said finally. “I really don’t think I am.”

He rubbed her back gently, his warm palm comforting, and she tucked her head under his chin. “It’s only where you came from, Ava,” he said. “It’s not who you are.”

“It’s still a lot to take in,” she said. “I mean, what do they want from me? And why take you?”

He sighed. “They thought I could get you to join Borré,” he said. “If not, at least get you away from Tiernan so they could . . . compel you.”

“Using Emma?”

He nodded. “But then you helped Emma escape, so the mission changed. We—
they
needed both of you.”

“But why me?” she said again still unable to take it all in. “Sure, I have the whole telekinetic thing, but that’s about it. I’m not even as strong as you.”

Caleb huffed a little in indignation.
 

“You know what I mean.”

He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I don’t know the details,” he said. “But you definitely have something they want. It only confirms to me that there’s still more to you than meets the eye.” He kissed her again. “Not that I ever had any doubt.”

Ava snorted. “Sweet talker.”
 

Caleb yawned, unable to hold it back.
 

“Go to sleep,” she told him. “We can talk more tomorrow.”

“You sure?” His voice was already heavy with exhaustion.

She stroked his hair. “I’m fine. Go to sleep.” After a moment, she leaned in and whispered against his cheek, “I love you.”

“Mmm . . . you, too.” And he was out like a light.

Ava, however, wasn’t so lucky. She lay there for what felt like hours, unable to slow her racing mind. When a quiet knock sounded at the door, she slipped out of bed, surprised to find Emma on the other side.

“Got a minute?” she asked. “I thought we could go outside. Take a walk and talk?”

They made their way out of the building, and followed the same path to the park that Ava had walked with Gideon the day before. Ava felt peaceful for the first time in weeks, and simply allowed herself a moment to enjoy the feeling. Emma seemed to be content to walk in silence, breathing deeply in the cool night air.
 

When they got to the park, Emma took a seat on one of the swings and motioned for Ava to take the other one. With a smile, she said, “I’d like to help you.”

Ava dragged her feet in the gravel under the swing. “That’s what you said. Help me how?”

“Lift the rest of your psychic block. Put things right, like I did for Caleb.”
 

Ava froze, her fingers gripping the cold metal chain. “You agree with Caleb. You think it’s still there.” She’d thought she’d destroyed it months ago at the Rogue lair; she’d felt it crumble down. It was how she had saved Caleb. How she’d killed Arthur. She shivered at the memory.

“Yeah, at least bits and pieces of one,” Emma said. “I can’t believe I didn’t feel it before—of course, you kind of warned me against swimming around in your head.” She grinned. “But it’s there. It’s weak, broken in places, but it’s there.”

Ava let the swing move again, Emma’s words sinking in as she pushed slowly back and forth. “And you can . . . you can remove it? All the way?”

Emma was silent for a moment, and Ava glanced at her. She had her eyes closed, breathing deeply, and Ava could feel her prodding—a flicker of a touch in her mind before she pulled away.

“I can,” Emma said.
 

“Will it—” Ava swallowed, remembering Caleb’s screams of pain. “Will it hurt?”

“Not if you help me,” Emma replied, reaching out to touch her hand. “Caleb fought me. That’s why
 . . .
” She looked away, swallowing thickly. “I didn’t want to hurt him.”

Ava felt uneasy; the idea of anyone messing with her mind didn’t sit well with her—especially not someone who’d until recently been working with the Rogues. Still . . .

“What will happen when it’s gone?” she asked.
 

Emma shrugged. “I’m not sure. I can’t tell exactly what it’s designed to block.”

“Maybe my strength . . . my speed?” Ava couldn’t ignore a rush of excitement at the idea.

“Could be. Or maybe more psychic gifts?” Emma bit her lip. “Or, it’s possible nothing will happen. No way to know for sure until it’s gone.”

A nervous thrill ran through Ava—half eager, half terrified.
 

“It’s up to you,” Emma said.

“I think
 . . .
” Ava twisted the swing until she faced Emma head on. “I think I’d like you to try.”

Emma’s face lit up with a sunny smile. “Great! Okay, close your eyes—”

“Wait a second. You want to do it right now?”

Emma’s smile fell a little. “Well, yeah. Don’t you?”

“I figured you’d need to prepare or something.” Nerves fluttered in Ava’s stomach.
 

“I don’t. Do you?” Emma cocked a brow, a smile teasing at her lips.

“No,” Ava replied defensively. “I can do it. I’m . . . I’m ready.” Tiernan was going to kill her for doing this on her own. Not to mention Caleb. Still, she squared her shoulders and closed her eyes. “Now what?”

Emma turned to face her, reaching out to lay her hands gently on Ava’s head, fingers spread wide. “Try to relax,” she said, breathing deeply to demonstrate. “And when you feel me, don’t fight me. It’ll go against your instincts, but let me in. I’ll try to show you the block, and you can help me remove it.”

“But how—”

“Just breathe,” Emma said, her voice barely a whisper. “Stay calm. You’ll feel it.”

Ava concentrated on breathing deep and slow, willing her muscles to relax and her pulse to slow. After a moment, she felt Emma’s gift and gasped at the intrusion, her gift flaring up in defense.

“Shhhh
 . . .
” Emma murmured. “Don’t fight it.”

Ava exhaled slowly, corralling her gift, almost reassuring it. She felt Emma prodding in her mind, a quiet pressure—not unpleasant, but a little unsettling.
 

“There,” Emma said. “Do you feel it?”

“No, I—I don’t know
 . . .
”

“I’m going to try and lift it now. Help me if you can.”

Ava felt what she could only describe as a pull . . . then a push . . . deep within her mind. “I can feel it.”

“Use your gift,” Emma whispered, tension evident in her voice. “See if you can help me.”

Ava called on her power, feeling it well within her, almost eager to follow her directions. She focused on the point in her consciousness where she could feel the block and urged her gift to work with Emma’s.

“That’s it,” Emma said. “Keep going.”

Ava’s jaw clenched as she concentrated, the harsh breaths from both girls cutting through the air around them.
 

“Almost there,” Emma whispered.

With a rush, Ava felt it lift and disappear. Her gift swelled, consuming her wholly for the first time, and she fell forward off the swing and landed on her hands and knees in the gravel.
 

Emma dropped to her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Are you all right?”
 

Ava nodded, breathing heavily, her gift sparking along her skin—along every nerve ending. She’d thought it remarkable before, but now . . . now it rushed through her, thickening her blood, filling her with sizzling energy.

“It’s just . . . so
much
.” She tried to catch her breath, overwhelmed.

Emma helped her up, got her situated back in the swing, and knelt before her. “Try and breathe through it,” she said. “It’s part of you, but it’s been held back for so long. You have to get used to it.”

Ava nodded again, closing her eyes and trying to get hold of her heaving breaths.

“Don’t hold it back,” Emma said. “Let it be. Just . . . let it be.”

“You’re quoting the Beatles now?” Ava gasped out.

“Who?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She opened her eyes and stopped fighting. Instead of pushing back, she let her gift swell and felt it reaching out, beyond her skin—beyond her body. She watched in awe as the gravel all around the swing set began to float, higher and higher. Her necklace warmed against her skin and started to hum with vibrations.

“That’s it.” Emma smiled encouragingly. “That’s it.”

Ava let it go . . . the gravel floating and swirling around them, forming intricate patterns—spirals and stars—smaller pebbles orbiting larger ones. She laughed, her gift reaching further, larger rocks lifting into the air, the swing set itself shaking, tugging against its moorings.

“Now, try and bring it down,” Emma said quietly. “You’re not fighting
against
it. It’s you. It’s like putting down a pencil when you’re done writing.”

Ava nodded, letting the gift wrap around her, withdrawing to within the boundaries of her skin once again. The swing set settled, and slowly the rocks . . . then the pebbles lowered to the earth, the last settling into place with a quiet plink as the necklace stilled, its warmth lingering comfortingly.

“Wow,” Ava said, voice cracking. She cleared her throat with a choked giggle. “Wow, that was amazing!”

Emma’s smile fell, her brow creasing in concern.
 

“What?” Ava asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Your nose.”

Ava reached up with a trembling hand to touch it, surprised when her fingers came away red and wet. “I’m bleeding.”

Emma fumbled in her coat pocket, pulled out a crumpled tissue, and pressed it to Ava’s nose. “Just an aftereffect of lifting the block,” she said in an attempt to reassure Ava. “You’ve been through a lot. It’s only natural.”