Never Underestimate Destiny

Part 33

At a signal from Zan and Max, the two groups surged into the two entrances of the large conference room with arms outstretched, but stopped in surprise when they saw what was inside.

Facing them was Lonnie, a fully – healed Rath, Nicholas and a dozen Skin soldiers.

Nicholas smiled. "You're here finally," he quipped. "It's about time."

Liz quickly scanned the Skins, surprised that any of them had survived after Tess' fireball in the school. Or maybe, she wondered, they were different Skins. They certainly looked the worse for wear. They were all peeling horribly, large clumps of skin hanging from them, making them look like an army of zombies.

"Nicholas," Isabel hissed. "But how..." She trailed off looking at Lonnie. "We just saw..."

An arrogant grin raised the corners of Lonnie mouth. "You're so stupid," she snarled. "You think you're so good with that little power of yours, but you've never been up against someone who really knows how to use their powers."

She laughed, looking only at Isabel. "It was too easy. I knew when you were in my head. I showed you exactly what I wanted you to see every step of the way; my unsuccessful healing of Rath, the phone conversations with Nicholas where he refused to help, and poor Rath getting weaker every day and on death's door."

Lonnie shook her head. "I was stalling, waiting for Nicholas to arrive. Then I led you right to us."

While Lonnie talked, Zan and Max communicated silently, coordinating a retreat.

"There are too many of them," Max said.

Zan agreed. "We have to get out of here."

"I'll cover us while you try to distract them to give the others time to get out," Max said.

Max inched forward while Zan moved slightly to the side and when they were in position they both yelled. "RUN!"

Max raised his shield and Zan sent out a burst of energy that filled the room. Two of the Skin soldiers who were standing closer to them went flying when Zan's power touched them, but no one else moved. Max wondered why no one was trying to stop them, but figured they were caught off guard.

It took a couple of seconds for the rest of the group to realize what was happening but Liz and Michael pushed Isabel, Tess and Ava toward the door.

But they all stopped, recoiling as more Skin troops filled the corridors where they had entered, blocking their escape. The Skins moved forward, forcing the group back into the room and stood in the doorways.

Max and Zan gathered the group together on one side of the room, against the wall, and Max let his shield drop to save his energy.

Nicholas chuckled, "There's no escape," he said with a smile. "You are completely outnumbered, and no little tricks will work this time. We're ready for you."

He motioned to the room around them. "Since you refused the invitation to the summit, we'll just have to have it here instead, although it will be in less pleasant circumstances."

"Of course we refused," Max said. "The summit was a trap."

"Of course it was," Nicholas agreed. "But we would have discredited you in front of the other ruling families first," he said with a shrug. "And the manner of your deaths would depend on if you took the deal Kivar offered. But now..." He trailed off.

"What do you want?" Max snarled at Nicholas.

Nicholas took a few steps closer. "The same thing I wanted last time, the Granolith."