Zeph: Nephilim Code, #3

Chapter One

What are you going to do about it?

I heard Edward’s voice as I pulled my shirt over my head on the way down the stairs. Obviously, we couldn’t get through one morning without him losing his temper.

Ben was awake and sitting at the table with his gloved hands around a mug. Awake was good. Gloved hands, not so much.

We’re not, he answered Edward.

What the hell do you mean ‘you’re not’?

The way Edward was leaning across the table like he wanted to grab Ben sent my hackles up.

That’s not what we do. Another team will be sent in.

Another...? I want in on that team.

What’s going on? I walked in and checked the coffeemaker’s water level before flicking it on.

Edward was giving me feedback on what happened in Mount Gambier.

Sure sounded like it. I didn’t hold back on the sarcasm.

Get me on that team, Ben.

I didn’t like the way Edward was giving orders.

I’ll do my best.

Let’s hope your best is good enough.

How’s Kate? Ben suddenly asked.

Surprisingly, Edward’s aggressive posture eased and he leaned back into the chair. Sleeping. In fact, sleeping a lot. That can’t be good, right?

It’s not unexpected, Ben told him quietly. She’ll need time. And patience from you.

I snorted as I spooned cocoa into a mug. Fat chance.

Zeph. Ben frowned at me.

What?

Edward flexed his shoulders, almost as if he was forcing himself to relax. That was new.

Ben’s attention went back to him. It’s not something I can heal. You know that, right?

Yeah. Edward rose to his feet. Just let me know when I’m heading out.

I took my mug of hot chocolate over to the table and sat in the chair Edward vacated. Edward’s leaving? Great.

Ben leaned back. When are you going to drop this animosity?

I’m leaning toward never.

Ben gave me that slow lift of his eyebrows thing he did when he thought I was being unreasonable.

He’s a Huber, Ben. I don’t trust him. He’s the reason we’re not living normal lives.

Edward is?

You know what I mean.

You can’t blame children for the sins of their fathers.

I can when the sins influence the children.

Edward has done nothing to suggest he’s sipped from the Kool-Aid.

No, but it doesn’t mean he hasn’t bathed in it.

They’re giving him a package.

What? If I’d been holding my hot chocolate, I would have dropped it. Hiding a Huber in a world of humans. That’ll be fun.

Ben took a sip of his coffee and smiled as he lowered his cup. I glanced behind me in the direction of his gaze.

Morning, Nova. I’d never seen her hair out before. Looked good.

Morning, Zeph. I saw Edward. Did you talk to him? Nova sat next to Ben.

Yeah.

And?

He doesn’t know.

That’s frustrating.

What’s frustrating? I asked, trying to follow the conversation.

Nova tilted her head. The thing last night, with Morgan. I’m not certain, but I’m pretty sure that was Viola’s hold.

Which one is Viola again?

The one wearing grey in the photos. She controls with her voice.

I only had a vague memory of who wore what in the photographs Nova brought back with her from Lauder’s little adventure, but the ability I remembered.

Why would Edward be control—?

He doesn’t know, Ben answered before I finished.

Or he’s not telling, I muttered.

I need you to take Morgan to the hospital today.

Surprised, it took a second to figure out why Ben would need that. Oh, right. Shoulder. He couldn’t heal right now.

Sure.

And I need you to back down with Edward.

Why would I do that?

There’s Kate, Nova told me.

And Fallyn’s his sister.

That sideswiped me. Whoa. Seriously?

Yeah, so he doesn’t need it from you too.

He’s a big boy. I’m sure he can take as good as he gets. And are you going to tell him to ease up on everyone else, or is he the only special one right now?

I’m just asking for a few days. Until I can sort everything out.

Fine, but I’m not doing it for him.

Ben smiled. Whatever helps you sleep.

*****

Straddling the chair, I waited for Morgan. I hadn’t had much experience with human hospitals, but I wasn’t keen on the pale blue or the painted murals of cartoon children effervescing with false cheer and their animal buddies bearing equally false smiles.

With the dark patchy green chairs and the cold grey linoleum, it looked like a bad dream’s funhouse. Particularly with that one light flickering across the room and the whispered tones of the staff, punctuated by the sounds from their intercom system and beeping machinery.

Glancing at my watch, I groaned. Four hours. She’d been taken past the reception just under an hour ago. Surely, she should be back by now. Spinning the chair back to its place by the wall, I began to pace. I could feel the ache in my joints. I would have to fly soon or risk coming across as an arthritic old man.

Finally, Morgan came out with her arm in a looped foam sling. In her borrowed shirt and jeans, with that pixie-short haircut, she looked about sixteen.

Dislocated only. They put it back in and gave me a prescription for painkillers.

Is there a drugstore around here?

Pharmacy, first floor. The blue smocked nurse behind the counter pointed to the elevator.

Thanks.

I let Morgan lead. She didn’t initiate conversation the entire way, which was fine by me. I was trying to ease the sharp electric spears of pain starting to zap from my joints outward. My right hand and ribcage were the worst this time. I pulled open the door to the hospital drugstore and winced as pain flared in my shoulder, elbow, and wrist.

You okay?

Don’t Apath, I reminded her softly.

Sorry.

And I’m fine.

Okay.

I followed her in, and nearly walked into her as she stopped suddenly. Whoa, you need brake lights.

Sorry, sir. You know what? I can cope without these. We can go.

What are you? Some martyr? If the doc says painkillers, you’ll get painkillers.

I’m fine, sir. Really.

Counter. I pointed.

Sir—

And don’t call me ‘sir’.

Sorry, si—sorry.

And I’ve known you a day and a half, and already I’ve decided you say ‘sorry’ far too often.

I don’t have any way to pay.

Don’t worry about it.

But...

I placed my hand gently on her back and guided her to the counter. While we waited for the pharmacist to fill the script, I wondered if she realized she stood in an ‘at ease’ pose, albeit a one-handed one.

Are you sure you’re okay, si—Mr. Angelis?

Zeph, and I’m fine. Why?

You keep fidgeting.

I stopped flexing my hand and attempted shallow breaths. If she could stand still, so could I. Except, I couldn’t. Not when I felt like this.

Just ready to get out of here.

Yes, sir.

I paced the minimal two-shelf aisles while we waited. Morgan, on the other hand, stood like a statue. It was tempting to cheer when the store buzzer finally went off and we could collect her box of pills. So pills came in boxes over here. Interesting.

I’ll pay you back, she promised as I handed over my credit card.

Don’t worry about it.

They track credit cards.

The cashier gave Morgan a quick glance, but I was pretty sure she would have overheard stranger conversations.

Probably, I agreed with a smile. But the Angelis Banking Fund is pretty secure.

She grabbed the box of pills as I paid. Across the hall, I spotted a bathroom and dragged Morgan inside.

What are you doing?

This is easier than trying to find our way back to the front doors.

What is?

Close your eyes.

Her shoulders slumped. I don’t like flying.

I’ve got you.

I still don’t like it.

All I needed was a touch and I could carry someone, but I didn’t complain that she wrapped her good arm around my back and hugged into me as I triggered the cloud of air, and felt it uncurl. She moaned into my chest when I stepped up and felt the shift pull at me. I grinned as the magnetic thrum of the Earth threads coursed through my body and slowly eased all the aches and pains. Flying was fun. It was freedom. One day, I would convince Morgan of that.

We made it back in good time, but something wasn’t right.

Is that...?

Apath, I confirmed.

Order and response. It’s an Active team.

I thought for a second. Morgan may have had training and could probably hold her own, but she was injured. I flew over to the escape unit and became visible as I landed. Camouflaged netting in amongst three shipping containers, hidden in the trees, sheltered the two Jeeps and the Range Rover. There was a large movement space between them. Even I couldn’t see it from the air, and I knew it was there.

Stay here. The others know to assemble here if they can.

Morgan stumbled as we touched the ground, but didn’t complain or argue.

Zeph. Morgan. Are you okay?

I glanced over to the nearest vehicle, where Kate was opening the door and scrambling out.

Yeah. What do you know?

The alarm sounded and Edward brought me here. He’s gone back. Kate removed her comm from her ear. Here.

Taking the comm, I fit it as I disappeared and took off. I knew the drill. Retrieval detail. I had to find Ben. He’d be the target.

Jovan reporting. Where is Darvell? I asked the silent comm.

I saw Edward below me. He was facing off against a big guy, and a girl with brown hair. I’d seen both of them from the photos Nova had brought back after her ordeal with Lauder. Felix was the big guy, and he was basically brute strength personified. The girl was the one who controlled with her voice. As I descended, I saw that Felix had Odel.

This was where it was going to get sticky. I needed to be solid so I could touch Odel and Edward, but getting in the middle of a fight like that was a deadly scenario. Even a mild punch could take me out, and there was nothing mild about Felix.

I touched Edward first. He swore, but didn’t pull away.

Odel, I told him.

His reaction was fast. Within a second, he’d reached across the distance and touched the teen. As much as I didn’t like the idea that Edward could take my ability, it did come in handy.

We were flying away before Felix regained his equilibrium.

Edward swore again as he jerked backward in the sky. Frowning, he turned back.

I don’t think so, he muttered as he shielded his eyes and glared toward the ground.

Reaching out his hand, I saw a flash of pale blue light leave his fingertips. I couldn’t see it after that, but moments later, the ‘V’ girl went flying backwards, landing in a crumpled heap. I didn’t want to know whose ability Edward had stolen for that.

Where’s Ben?

Medic room last I knew, Edward told me as he tapped his comm. I think something is jamming these things. I can’t get through to anyone.

That was bad news.

Get to the surveillance room. Edward looked down at the unmoving Odel in his arms. Take him to the escape unit. I’ll try to find Ben.

Ben is my responsibility.

Don’t argue. Drop him off then come find me.

With that, Edward let go of Odel and left my invisibility before disappearing into his own. I had to grab the teen before he became visible and fell out of the sky. I didn’t normally swear, but right then, I came close. Stopping short, I spun and took off. Edward was the most insufferable...

Deliberately, I took a calming breath.

Odel lolled on the cloud of air, and I didn’t like that he was so still. At least he had a pulse. I appeared the second I touched the ground. Telling the girls to check on Odel, I gave him over to them and went to find Edward.

There was a guy near the surveillance room completely tangled in writhing rope. I gave him a cursory glance as I headed inside. Edward was studying the screen.

Did you do that? I thumbed toward the door.

Yeah. The shield works on abilities too.

I had no idea what that meant, but I let it go. Where’s Ben?

Two red triangles. Someone is impersonating him. One in the medic room and one on the track.

Where’s Nova?

Kitchen.

Not helpful.

You head to the track. I’ll get Nova and take her to the medic room. She’ll see if it’s an imposter.

You can’t? I mean with her ability.

Ran out.

And how do we tell each other which one is real?

Edward snorted and gave me a disdainful look. Apath.

We don’t —

Today, you do.

Chapter Two

The track where I’d seen Ben’s triangle was empty. I flew over a few times, but I couldn’t see anything. Dropping closer to the ground, I inspected the dirt for a sign of a struggle or an indication that he might still be there, but covered by a Nephilim ability of some kind.

Tire tracks.

I followed them.

Seeing a flash and hearing an almighty bang, I picked up speed. A white van was on its side and flames were dancing around it. Gabe was approaching with a fireball in his hand. The door of the van opened and a thousand glints of sunlight rose from it. Gabe threw his fireball. It impacted the sunlight glints and exploded in the shape of a man. The flames sizzled and extinguished in steam as the sunlight glints dropped from the side of the van to the ground. Gabe went flying backward and landed against a tree. The impact would have killed me, or at least broken my back, but Gabe just shook himself off and stood. The entire front of his shoulder was covered in ice, which melted within seconds.

Long time.

I glanced back at the sunlight glints and saw they had become a man in one of Lauder’s red and black uniforms. He was standing with blue light in his hand. Now I knew who Edward had taken the ability from.

Let him go, Julius, Gabe demanded.

What? No ‘hello’? No ‘you’re looking good after all this time’?

Gabe threw a fireball at Julius, who reacted by throwing the blue light. I couldn’t track its course until blue and orange collided in an implosion that cracked like thunder. It pushed me backward in the air, and I could feel the force of it like the taste of the sky before a storm.

While Gabe had Julius occupied, I headed for the van. Even ghosted, I could feel the heat of the metal as I passed through. Other than the dead passenger in the front seat, there was no one. There were empty seats and a rack of shelving that had lost all its contents in the rollover. I walked through the rack and stopped short. I’d suddenly entered a dark cavity. Backtracking, I tucked myself up and unghosted so I could touch the shelving.

Bad mistake.

Yanking my hand back, I hissed against the pain of the burn. Stripping off my shirt, I used it as protection against the metal as I tested the shelving around the cavity. I was still hovering inside the vehicle, so I didn’t touch anything by accident, and I kept getting pushed around every time there was a thunder crack.

Finally, I found a latch and wrenched it open. The released heat was like an oven. Ben was strapped to a bed inside the cavity. Well, at least someone who looked like Ben. Carefully, I touched him. He was as cold as ice. That didn’t make sense. Unwrapping my hand, I touched his hand. And waited. There was no familiar flare of warmth from his healing ability.

Jovan, we don’t have Darvell. Edward’s Apath startled me.

Obviously, one of us was wrong. I lost my touch on the Ben-lookalike as another crack of thunder sounded and forced me to the side. I ghosted just in time to slide through the side of the van rather than into it.

There was only one thing to do.

Where are you?

Where I said we’d be.

Returning to the inside of the van, I unghosted long enough to touch the lookalike and take us both out of there.

Gabe and Julius looked exhausted, but they were still lobbing balls at each other. I ducked under the fireball, but the blue light went straight through me. It was like falling into ice-water. It took me a minute or two to regain my ability to move, and when I could, I headed directly for Gabe. Pausing overhead, I waited for a break in ball-tossing before reaching down, touching him, and bringing him onto the cloud of air with us.

You got Ben. Good.

I let it slide for now. We’d find out soon enough if I had or not.

Who was that?

Julius Whitlam.

Slowly, I turned to look at Gabe. Relation?

Brother.

Bummer.

Gabe snorted.

Lauder had a lot to answer for. He was ripping families apart. My family was likely the only one left that didn’t have members on both sides of the argument. As far as I was aware, not a single Angelis agreed with the genetically superior idea. I wasn’t so stupid as to believe that stance would last