Death Wish (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #5)(82)

Panic seeped from Juliet. She wasn’t as calm and cool as her superior. “Sir, surely there is some way we can reach a compromise.”

I gestured for Falon to release the agents from his hold. He resisted at first, giving me a strange look I couldn’t read, but then he freed them.

A few men pointed their guns at him. That was pointless. A bullet wouldn’t harm an angel. Surely, the FPA wasn’t so poorly informed. Men that frightened so easily when faced with the supernatural should not be trying to police it.

“Trust me, Ms. O’Brien,” Agent Briggs directed his comment to me. “You wouldn’t want him now. Cut your losses and move on.”

I lunged at Briggs, finding myself immobile as Shaz held me back. “What did you do to him?” I shouted, my voice echoing throughout the vast hall.

Though the top floor held far less ghost activity than the rest, I felt a surge of electricity crackle around me as several spirits drew close, lured by my outburst. They didn’t scare me now. All I could think about was what had happened to Kale.

Agent Briggs smiled the smile of a man that fears nothing. Bastard. “He’s still alive. If such a thing can be said about a vampire. His sanity isn’t holding up as well as his body during the interrogation process, I’m afraid.”

“Where is he? I want to see him.” Seething, I felt the power wash over me with my anger. I knew when my eyes changed color; I could feel the rise of vampire power within me. The hovering ghosts pressed closer, and I lashed out at them with a push of energy to drive them back.

Briggs rested his hand on the butt of his gun in warning. “You’re not stepping foot inside this facility without being cuffed.”

“Fine.” I held my wrists up in offering. “Cuff me.”

Briggs gestured for Juliet to do the honors. She looked uneasy as she pulled a set of cuffs from her back pocket and approached me.

“Don’t be a damn fool,” Falon snapped. “Sinclair is on his own from here on out.”

I ignored him. Nobody was asking him to stay. He was here on Shya’s orders. Not my problem. Shaz released me, but he stood ready to grab me again if necessary.

“I’m sorry, Lexi,” Juliet whispered as she locked the magic-enforced cuffs onto my wrists. “I have to.”

“In case you’re thinking about pulling anymore tricks,” Briggs warned. “I should inform you that I have men on the ground with your two lady friends. Let’s all be on our best behavior so we can all go home alive. Shall we?”

The FPA had another way in and out of the building. Of course. I was willing to bet it involved more powered elevators and less poltergeist activity. I should have left Arys with Jez and Brogan. I knew both ladies could hold their own, but it was my fault that they had to now. If anything happened to either of them, I’d be coming back for Briggs.

The cuffs locked into place, and my eyes widened. They acted as a metaphysical mirror, reflecting my power back at me. To use it would only bounce it back at me. So, they weren’t such idiot humans after all. Impressive. And, a little frightening.

Briggs waited until the agents had covered my companions and me on every side before turning to lead the way down the hall to where the light was brightest. “I’ll show you that Sinclair is still alive. Then, I’ll have you escorted out. Unless of course you are really willing to negotiate?”

“You had to get me in cuffs to spit that out?” I sneered. “Can’t help but notice I’m the only one wearing them.”

Briggs pointed at Falon and Shaz each in turn. “He can’t be held by them, and he’s not a threat that a gun can’t take care of. Humor me, Ms. O’Brien.”

The agent oozed confidence though remained respectfully wary. He was likely a man that was damn good at his job. Devoted to the cause, whatever that was. I suppose I should have been honored the FPA found me threatening enough to require precautions, but I was just a little disappointed that I wasn’t as threatening as Falon, one they could not hold.

I followed along like a cooperative little wolf as Briggs took us to a door marked Sector One. Inside was a large office complete with a wall of monitors and a lengthy desk filled with computers manned by various agents. They didn’t so much as glance up at our entry.

I scanned the monitors mounted on the wall, finding shots of various parts of the hospital. Every entry and several main halls on other floors were covered. The stairwells were curiously without coverage. A blind spot. Somewhat careless of the FPA, but I’d retain that info for later should I need it.

They had watched our arrival obviously, waiting for us to blunder our way through the haunted maze below. Meanwhile they’d been sending men down to Jez and Brogan. Big Brother had been one step ahead. Like usual. The fact that my sister was one of them really made it sting.

Beyond the control room lay a hall to the right and one straight ahead. We turned to the right and passed several small personal offices before reaching a series of several larger rooms. I was willing to bet the rooms were soundproofed.

“So,” I said, feigning casual. “Why the top floor? Is there a particular reason? Seems like secret ops is more of a basement thing.”

Briggs ignored me, striding along like a man on a mission. Juliet dropped back to walk beside me. She kept a carefully neutral expression, but I could feel her discomfort.