Mindsiege (Mindspeak #2)(10)

I had no idea whether I was safe. “I’m okay.” I looked around at the still-blooming flowers and fought back tears. Where could I possibly go? A couple of hummingbirds flitted in front of me, drinking from a feeder. I remembered my first date with Jack. My life had already turned complicated, even then, with the death of my father. But Jack was the one calming force that had gotten me through it, insisting that we do things normal teenagers did.

“I’m sorry. I never should have left you.” Jack’s voice was quiet.

“Of course you should have. Are you at the school yet?”

“We’re in Midland.”

“What are you planning? Are you just going to drive right back into Wellington?”

“No. We’re meeting Cathy and Roger in town. Somewhere a little more public.”

“What do you hope will happen, Jack? That Mommy Dearest will hug you with open arms and tell you everything is going to be just fine?” I knew the sarcasm in my voice had to bite.

“Is that so much to ask?”

No, it wasn’t. “Just unrealistic.”

“Cathy needs us, Lexi. She’s never tried to hurt me.”

“Just like Jonas has never meant you harm?”

“Jonas has never hurt me. Quite the opposite, really.”

“What does that mean?”

“Jonas was the one who pulled us out of the car the night we were chased off the road. My car would have gone up in flames with you in it had it not been for Jonas.” Jack’s voice cracked a little. “He wouldn’t hurt us, Lexi.”

I squeezed the bridge of my nose. What Jack was telling me didn’t make sense. How could I tell him that Jonas wanted me to stab him with a huge knife just this morning? “What if Jonas pulled us out of the vehicle because he needed me for something?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, Jack,” I said, exasperated. “But your mistrust in me is starting to piss me off.”

Suddenly, as if summoned, Jonas’s presence slithered into my head. I could have told you he wouldn’t believe you, Lexi.

His voice made me jump. Shit! What do you want, Jonas?

Such language, Lexi. We’ll get to why I need you. First, get rid of Jack.

“Lexi, I trust you,” Jack said. “I just think we need more info.”

“Jack, I have to go.”

“Wait. You haven’t told me where you are. How will I find you?”

“Don’t worry about me. Call me later, when you’re done with your dear mother. And, Jack, be careful. Don’t let that woman inject you with something again.”

“I’m ready for her.”

Whatever that meant. Jack told me to be careful and hung up.

I stood and started to slide my phone in my back pocket, when Jonas mindspoke again. Turn it off, Lexi. They found you the first time because you texted Marci. They’re tracking you.

I jerked my head toward the parking lot, scared he was right. And there they were. Two suits climbed out of the SUV; one carried a strange-looking gun in his right hand. A gun with a silencer, maybe, or a tranquilizer gun.

That’s a taser, Jonas said.

I slid behind a row of shrubs and ducked down, but the two men walked in my direction. My heart sped up. I was about to make a run for it when Jonas thought to me, Stay where you are. Help is coming.

Jonas was here. And now I wondered if I should try my chances with the men in black. I started to stand, when a hand clamped down on my arm, stopping me. I turned my head. I was face to face with Jonas. He raised his other hand and placed a finger to his lips. Then he pointed at the men.

Georgia walked toward them and was telling them something. The gun was magically gone, tucked away. Georgia gestured to the gardens like she was some sort of tour guide.

Convince them to turn and leave, Lexi.

Why hadn’t I already thought of that? I had used my mindspeak for my own benefit most of my teen years, but for some reason I froze when I actually needed it.

I concentrated hard on the suits. Turn around and walk back to your vehicles. There’s nothing you want here. What you’re looking for is long gone.

Just like that, the suits took one last look around and returned to their truck. I pulled some napkins from my backpack and held them to each nostril. The blood was a little heavier than usual.

Jonas slipped his hand into mine and tugged. “Let’s go.”

I pulled my hand away. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

I watched Georgia make her way to us and tried to decide if she was friend or foe. Backing away from Jonas, my eyes darted from Jonas to Georgia. “How did you find me?”

A slow grin pulled the corners of Jonas’s lips up. “Lexi, Lexi, Lexi. You have so much to learn.”

“Meaning?” I crossed my arms.

“Meaning,” Georgia joined in, “Jonas, if he wants to, can find any of us at any time. As long as he recognizes what you’re seeing.” Georgia stood directly next to Jonas, united. “We better go. It won’t take long before they realized they were tricked.” Georgia looked at me expectantly.

I blotted my nose one last time. “It won’t take who long?”

“The IIA,” Georgia said, like it was every day we had International Intelligence Agency goons stalking us.