Avenged (Altered #2)(56)

It didn’t make sense.

“Some super smart research person Martins has talked to”—Seth snorted, making his opinion of smart researchers clear—“thinks Kitty’s powers are about controlling neurological pathways. This research person thinks that Kitty can hear what passes through those pathways. And she can put things along those pathways, too. Controlling the thoughts others have.”

“Can she?” The new voice cut through the air like a gunshot, stopping their conversation.

Seth, Blue, and Luke turned to the door. Parker and Jack stood there, takeout containers in hand. They’d gone to the cafeteria to get food over an hour ago. The place had to have been closed. It was almost midnight. The pair had been using any excuse to slink off together since they’d arrived at Fort Bragg yesterday.

In Mexico, Luke had felt like an outsider. He’d thought it was because he didn’t like Solvimine, and Parker clearly had no problem with what had been done to them. But here, there was no way for him to pretend that Parker wasn’t up to something or that Jack wasn’t involved somehow.

He didn’t know what it was, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d find out too late.

Seth’s gaze closed. He didn’t trust Parker, either. “Yes. She can.”

“That’s interesting.” Parker stared above them, the way Luke had seen Parker do before, when he was trapped in his head and the rest of them had become invisible to him. Jack watched Parker, one side of his mouth turned up.

Not good.

Seth didn’t seem happy about it, either. “Martins wants us there. In Wyoming.”

“Why?” Blue’s forehead crinkled.

“Fields. He’s still there.” Seth held her eyes. “He’s planning to sell the drug to a Middle Eastern terrorist.”

“What?” Luke dug a hand in his hair, the other propped on his hip. If the drug hit the black market, there was no telling where the research could go. “That can’t happen.”

“No shit.” Seth went on. “And, Fields has used the drug on a whole bunch of soldiers already. There are at least ten.” He smirked. “We’re going to even the odds.”

“Like to fight? With the Army?”Luke laughed. “No way. We aren’t enlisted. We aren’t even cleared medically yet. They don’t trust us.” Hell, he didn’t even trust them. He’d already proven that he couldn’t be trusted with his new gifts, hadn’t he? He’d accidentally killed a guy because he couldn’t hack this new power.

“Not technically with the Army. Our part of the extraction isn’t authorized.”

“Wait.” Blue lifted her hands. “Martins wants us to go without permission?”

“Yes. Fields is going to transfer the drug and his research to this terrorist tonight. Martins knows the Army won’t approve our involvement, but he thinks we’re the best chance to stop the transaction and get Kitty away from there. Personally, I agree. I don’t think that the military is prepared to fight against a battalion of changed soldiers. I also think they’re going to sit around arguing about it so long that it’ll be too late.” Seth rubbed his jaw. “If we want to save Kitty and stop this exchange, we need to go.”

“I agree,” Parker piped in from the door. He set his takeout down and tucked his hands behind his back.

This wasn’t good. Luke stepped next to Seth. In the middle of the living area, with the television playing some stupid reality show, the battle lines were drawn. Him, Seth, and Blue versus Jack and Parker.

“You should stay here,” he told Parker. He didn’t expand. In fact, if Parker was on their side, he’d be a great asset. But if he wasn’t, he’d make a formidable opponent. He was telekinetic and shared Kitty’s mind-reading ability. Jack tensed, his fists flexing.

“Why is that, Mr. Kincaid?”

“You know why.” Luke inhaled. “Because I don’t trust you.”

“Touché.” Parker smiled. “But I know Fields. I spent time with him, remember? That’s the reason you have been able to study Solvimine. I know how Fields thinks. In fact, I know more about him than any of you do. I also possess the same gift as Miss Laughton. I’d imagine my experience would help Major Martins immensely.”

Everything he said was true. Yet it didn’t sit right in his gut. “I still think you should stay.”

“Noted, Mr. Kincaid.” Parker turned his attention to Seth. “If you believe Mr. Kincaid, know that I will alert the authorities to Major Martins plans.”

“Excuse me?” Seth’s eyes narrowed.

“I will expose your intentions if you do not permit Mr. Barnett and me to accompany you to Wyoming.”

Luke believed it. Parker smiled, pretended politeness, but he didn’t doubt the man would do whatever was necessary to advance his own agenda.

He only wished he could figure out what that was.

Seth glared at Parker. “You’re blackmailing us.”

“I am.”

“I don’t trust you, either.”

“Noted.” Parker glanced around, as if he didn’t give two shits what any of them thought of him. “So, how did Martins plan to get us out of here?”

There was a pause, as if Seth was trying to figure out another solution. He sighed before he nodded, clearly unhappy with his lack of options. “We’re supposed to get on one of the Army transports in two hours.”