Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(8)

“I’m not coming to the vigil, Gen.” She dropped her duffel bag onto the floor and kicked it under her bed. It seemed she was wrong about the family leaving her alone, but she wasn't in the mood for Gen's sistering.

“I'm not here about the vigil. Mom and Gregg need to see you in their office. It’s important.”

“Dad’s here? When did he arrive?”

“A few hours ago.” Imogen looked worried.

“What’s wrong? Is it Quinn?”

“No, this isn’t about Quinn. It’s the Senate. They’re here and it’s not good, sweetie. Clean this up before Mom sees it.” She gestured at the photos and maps covering the surface of her bedroom wall. “Be quick about it. We don’t have much time.”

“Now you’re scaring me.” Sasha pulled a drape over the wall to conceal her investigation.

“They’re here for you, Sash.”

“Here for me?” What could the Senate possibly want with me? But her father’s old worries suddenly seemed more than just his over protective parenting. Gregg had always suspected the Senate would use her for her gifts someday, but this was much too soon.

“Let’s go.” Imogen grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs to the common room and across the courtyard. Naeemah’s office was on the opposite side of the huge villa they’d rented for the summer. Far enough away that any visiting Immortals would not be able to sense how many lived under Naeemah’s care.

Sasha heard her father’s voice long before they arrived at the office.

“We've been over this, Sloane. You’re not taking over my daughter's training and that is final,” Gregg said.

“And the Senate has been patient with you both, but Sasha is old enough now to handle the superior training we can offer kids like her.”

“What?” Sasha came to a dead stop, looking at her sister for confirmation.

Gen gave her arm a gentle squeeze as she led her into their mother's office.

Sasha held her head high as she stepped into the room. She was the daughter of two influential Immortals and the granddaughter of an Egyptian pharaoh. She would not show weakness. She would not show fear. But Sasha’s heart felt like ice in her chest.

Having the Senate take over her training had always been her greatest fear. Aidan was the rock star of the family—more powerful than just about anyone she'd ever met. Allie was right on his heels. But Sasha was a close third or fourth in that race. The Senate didn't know her brother or Allie existed—a fact neither of them even realized. Aidan came to the McBrien family as an infant. Gregg found him just after a storm when he was working in Ireland. Because their new son was so powerful, Gregg and Naeemah made the decision not to register him with the Senate—for this exact reason.

But Sasha wasn't so lucky. She came to the McBrien family when she was nearly five years old. For the first few years of her life, she’d lived in a mortal orphanage in Haiti. Her adoption was a public record and on file with the Senate. There was no hiding her existence. As far as the Senate knew, Sasha was likely the most promising Immortal of her generation.

“Mom, what is this all about?” Sasha’s voice came out calm and formal. Regal, like her mother.

“Have a seat, Sasha. We will explain," Naeemah said.

“I’m not sure we can stop this from happening, sweetheart,” Gregg said as he took her in his arms. She hadn’t seen him in weeks. He was supposed to be in Cleveland. “We will be with you the whole way. They’ve agreed to let Imogen come with you.” He gave her a level look but panic coiled in Sasha’s chest.

“Go? Where am I going?” She sank into the seat her mother offered. All of her carefully laid plans started to crumble as she turned her attention to the two Senate representatives who had come to collect her. Sasha eyed the handsome young Indian soldier. He was about Imogen’s age, maybe younger. Tall like Sasha, with a slim build. He was attractive, but in an unexpected way. Except for the livid tattoo marring his left cheek.

“Just give it to me straight.” She was all but certain they were after her target ability. Sasha never missed a shot. No matter what, if she aimed while using her gift, she hit the mark. The ultimate recipe for the perfect sniper, a role Gregg had always prepared her for, but she never dreamed it would happen so soon.

“Jayesh Basu is an old friend,” Naeemah said. “You can trust him. I’m trusting him with my young daughter’s safety and I know he will not disappoint me. Right, Jayesh?” Naeemah gave him her scariest look. Sasha had been on the receiving end of that look more than a few times and it never failed to scare her into total obedience.

“Of course, Naeemah. Your daughter’s safety will be our number one priority.” His words were meant to be soothing, but his tone said he wasn’t thrilled to be here either.

“Anyone care to tell me what this is all about, or should I take a guess? I’m sure I won’t need more than one.”

“You’re right, dear,” the other Senate rep said in the most patronizing tone she could possibly muster. "It should come as no surprise to anyone here that the Senate has taken a special interest in your training."

“Please don’t call me dear.” Sasha shook her head in disgust. These people were taking her away from her plans. I should have left for Atlanta yesterday.