Shattered Innocence

Unveiling Secrets

Lily's hands shake as she grips the mug and takes a sip. Her face is still pale, and she's in shock. Her eyes go to Nora, as if she's worried she will disappear. I know the feeling. She sits in silence on the sofa. I'm opposite her on the other one, and Yuri is stretched out next to me, still glaring at her.

I know that feeling too. He's still angry at the woman who hurt our Nora, but she was a child, and she didn't know better. Then I remember how adamantly she fought her, and how she didn't even believe her for a moment, and that anger does not fully dissipate.

Nora might love her, but that leaves her open to getting hurt, so we will protect her from everyone, even her sister. Nikolay blocks the door, as if worried she will run again.

Ivan watches her worriedly before looking at Nora with open admiration. Mikhail is tapping his fingers in the corner, clearly wanting to be at the computer but staying for Nora, who hurries back in and wraps a blanket around Lily, protecting her yet again. But did she ever protect Nora? No.

After five more minutes of silence, Lily lets out a breath, places the cup down, and turns to her sister. "I need to know everything."

"There is a lot. Ask whatever you want. I have no secrets." Nora sits opposite her sister on the sofa, one leg bent up with her arm thrown over the back. She appears casual, but I see the tremble of nerves and the tightness of her body. I wish I could lessen what she's feeling.

"Do not harm her more than you already have." I lean forward, and Lily jerks her gaze to me. "Remember, Nora still has to live with this, so do not make it worse just to settle your curiosity."

"Zack." Nora sighs, but I shake my head. "No, I don't care if she is your sister. She doesn't have our loyalty; you do. We will protect you, even from her." I want her to realize how serious I am, and the smile that curls up her lips steals my breath.

"Then let's start with who they are," Lily says, nodding in understanding at me, so I settle back. If she takes this too far, she's gone. Nora hesitates and looks at us, so I incline my head, telling her to let her in on the secret.

"The other children." She blows out a breath. "I wasn't the only child Father experimented on. He had children all around the world, from different walks of life, but they had one thing in common—no one cared if we were hurt or missing."

"But why?" Lily asks.

"He wanted to expand the human mind," Nora repeats before she shakes her head. "But the truth is, he used us, experimented on us, for his own gain. For research. He liked playing God. There were more, but they didn't make it. For the last few years, I've been on the run to avoid him and his clutches, just trying to survive and keep you safe, but with his death, a chain of events was set into motion. They found me"—she grins at us—"and chased me down to prove who they were. Together, we are going to stop his research once and for all."

"But he's dead. It's stopped," Lily protests.

"No, it hasn't. It's still happening. Children are still being hurt, and we are going to put an end to that. We are going to destroy it all, and his name will go down in the history books for what he truly was. That's why we are here, in his lab, looking for our next location, our next research facility."

Lily looks shocked and seems to be absorbing it before she looks around. "He hurt you all too?" I incline my head. Nikolay grunts and Ivan offers a gentle, "Yes." Mikhail just looks away, and Yuri snorts.

"Quick on the uptake." He looks at Nora, his eyes softening. Later on, I need to address where they were and why they came out looking rumpled. Jealousy roars through me before I seal it up.

"Are you sure she's your sister, Nora?" Lily blinks.

"Nora?" she repeats. Nora flips Yuri off, but he just laughs. "Questions, Lily," Nora reminds her.

"Right." Lily sits up, flicking off nonexistent lint, and I see the calculation in her gaze. She's now the scientist, not the scared child. For the next hour, Nora answers question after question about science, their father's co-workers, the experiments, and everything and anything in between.

I butt in when it gets too hard for her, and Lily deftly avoids those conversations. That's when I realize something else. She recognizes the signs of PTSD and abuse now, and she seems to know how to deal with them. Strange. Why didn't she notice them before? Or was she purposely blinding herself to them with her hatred?

Lily finally sits back, drained of questions and looking exhausted. "I just can't believe"—she shakes her head—"that he did this, that he got away with it. That I never noticed."

"He was good at playing the perfect, doting father," Nora comforts her, easing her guilt when she shouldn't. Lily was a kid, that's true, but so was Nora.

"So what now?" Lily asks.

"Now?" Nora repeats in confusion. "Now nothing, you go back to your life—"

"I can't do that." She sits up, forcing Nora to blink. "I can't. I need to help. I need to make this right. Our father—he was a monster; you're right. We need to stop what they are doing."

"We?" I repeat, looking her over. "You have no skills that are of use to us, and everything you know is from us. You don't know the locations or anything of use. You aren't as fast, strong, or capable as us. Go back to your life."

"No." She meets my eyes, and I see a spark of Nora there. "I will make this right. I will protect my sister."

"Lily," Nora starts, but I lean forward, a tiny spark of respect starting to form for the younger woman. She might not have known then, but she does now, and she's choosing to help us.

"I can read my father's research. I worked with him for years—not on this, but I can read it. I can help," Lily reasons. "Please, let me make this right."

I can see Nora doesn't want her involved in this and wants to protect her, but she deserves the same rights as us.

"Fine, you can help with the research, but that is all, understand?" She nods quickly, determination on her face. "I can help." She seems to be telling herself that.

"You won't get in the way, do you understand?" I demand, and she nods again. I see fear in her eyes as she looks at us. Good, she should fear us because her sister is quickly becoming our whole world, and we won't lose her, and anyone who stands in the way of that or jeopardizes that won't have our mercy.

"What kind of scientist are you?"

"I work with the brain." She blushes. "Mainly the effects of war and PTSD. I work with veterans...," she trails off. "Ironic, I know."

Tell me about it. Nora looks at her sister with nothing but pride as I sit back.

"Ivan, show her to the lab." He turns to face me, not looking at her. "I won't work with her there," he snaps.

"Ivan, please." Nora stands, going over to him.

"No, Nora," he retorts. "She hurt you. She didn't believe you. I won't."

Lily looks like she's about to cry, but we all watch as Nora stops before Mikhail, and their heads bend together. They whisper before she sighs and looks back at me, defeat in her expression. "Fine. Lily, you will take the research to your room here." Lily nods, looking at Ivan in shock before bowing her head, shame in her expression.

I stand, and Ivan slips from the room. I follow him before nodding at the others. I need to talk to him. He's hurting, and he's protective of Nora, but I can't let him get lost in his grief again. Not like with Bass.

"Nora." I look back at her, silently communicating for a moment before speaking. "Look after them for a moment."

I narrow my eyes on Nikolay and Yuri. "Do not kill her sister; it would hurt her." It's the only thing that would appeal to them. I know that.

If I'd said it was wrong, they would have laughed. If I'd argued she didn't know, they wouldn't care. They will do nothing to hurt Nora, however, and I see my order hit its mark, even as Lily pales, realizing she's surrounded by killers.

"Now, back to our mission. We have information to find, so let's not waste time." I slip from the room, intent on protecting my family. Including Nora.