Shards: Book One of the Anderian Series

Chapter 36: Into the Lion's Den

Thirty hours.

That's how long I followed the bond, stopping only a few times to relieve myself and fill up with gas. When I nearly drove the car into a ditch, I pulled off on a side nearly obscured by trees. There, I closed my eyes, promising myself I would sleep for an hour or two.

I slept ten and hated myself for it. For being too weak and too human. The only reason I didn't break down and cry very uncharacteristic tears was because for the first time since escaping that god awful house, I could feel currents of energy swirling about me, though even without my gloves, none of them threatened to pull me under into an echo. There was an odd echo in the backseat of my stolen car I made a note to avoid—just in case.

The bond pulsed. I turned onto a narrow lane, and it immediately flared brightly in warning. Putting the car in park, I surveyed the road ahead, wishing I'd stolen something a little more rugged. Mostly ice and gravel, the road—more of a path, really—was flat for about a quarter of a mile, but then it transitioned sharply to a steep incline that wound to the right and disappeared out of my line of sight.

"Shit."

Everything beyond this point would be mountainous terrain, which meant I would likely have to hike. The only saving grace was I was sure I was close, and perhaps approaching on foot was smarter than driving. Wherever Cian was being held, there would be guards, and I needed the element of surprise if I had any chance of getting him out of there. Mind made up, I backed up and pointed the car toward the town I'd just driven through.

Two hours later, I had a hiking backpack filled with supplies, and I'd traded my stolen outfit for properly insulated clothes and boots. The gun stayed with me, tucked in the waistband of my pants. I'd been thinking about enraged Andariens when I stole it, but now, as I kept within the tree line, I thought it more likely I might use it on a hungry, wild animal first.

Lungs and legs burning, I topped the hill, and as I suspected, the road continued upward. It was safer to stay in the woods, but as the terrain grew steeper and more rocky, I knew it would force me to climb, and without experience or a partner, it wasn't a risk I was willing to take. If I kept to the edge of the road butting up against the wooded area, I could easily jump behind a tree or bush.

"Please, for the love of everything, let wherever you are be around the next damn corner," I huffed an hour later as I came around another curve only to find more road stretching ahead with nothing but wilderness on one side and an ever-increasing drop off on the other. Hands on my knees, I sucked in air and mentally prepared myself to continue.

Since leaving the police force, I hadn't been as dedicated to keeping in shape as before, but I didn't think it had gotten this bad. The rational part of me whispered I was hardly recovered from multiple near-death experiences, and at this altitude, the oxygen was not as plentiful, but the louder voice, the one growing with every passing minute, shouted it was because I was a pitiful human.

"Fuck you," I hissed, shaking away the hopelessness.

One foot in front of the other. I focused on that, and when I crested the next hill, I swallowed a euphoric shout. The road not only leveled out, but several yards ahead, there was a driveway. And beyond that, built on a gray outcrop so that it almost looked as if it was part of the mountain, was an enormous concrete house. House being a term I used loosely.

Instead of rushing ahead like I wanted to, I hung back and studied the surroundings. A large metal gate blocked the drive, and on either side of the gate were cameras. Mechanical whirring buzzed as one turned in response to a squirrel bounding across the road. So, motion sensitive... Not shocking.

But on the positive side, there were no guards posted. Not here, at least. Something told me this was the kind of place they didn't worry about people breaking into. Getting out once you were in, however... Well, if Cian hadn't escaped yet, this would not be a cakewalk, but I believed we could do it together.

Gravel crunching beneath tires sounded behind me, followed by the rumble of an engine. In my rush to hide, I tripped over my own feet and pitched backward, landing on the backpack and flailing like a flipped over turtle. The camera spun toward me at once, and the glow of the headlights from the approaching vehicle landing on me like a spotlight.

Instinct and desperation took over. I snatched at the light energy, and... I wasn't sure what I did. I bent it. The camera stayed pinned on me for several long seconds, then returned to its front facing position.

Gravel spun off the car's tire, striking me in the cheek as it came to a sudden stop. A car door opened and slammed. Heavy steps approached.

"What the fuck, Prewitt? Get back in the car?"

Staying as motionless as possible, I sneaked a glance at the car. The speaker hung out the passenger window, staring at his companion with irritation. Prewitt flipped him the bird and searched the forest, his eyes sweeping over me several times before he finally turned back to the vehicle.

"I told you. I fucking saw something. A girl."

"Is she invisible? Because there's nothing there. Get your shit together."

"Don't joke about her being invisible. I've told you I've seen shit here. The Synod is capable of anything."

Icy fear slithered down my spine. Their argument faded once Prewitt got back in the vehicle, and his partner rolled up the window. They swiped a card at the gate, and it opened with a shrill beep. Only once it closed and their taillights were a red glare in the distance did I release my hold on the energy.

Pressing a hand into my stomach, I tried not to vomit. I couldn't even celebrate my victory using my abilities to turn myself invisible. Not now. Not here.

After everything, I was exactly where they wanted me.