Search (SEEK book 1)

Laurel Gorge

Blood pumping like a gong in my ear, I blink. It's a trick—it has to be. Then I think maybe the girl at the cosmetics counter who did my makeup slipped contacts in without me noticing and I stick my finger in my eye.

"Ouch!" I gasp, wiping running mascara off my cheek.

"Will that be all Miss Monroe?" The bodiless voice from the GPS asks.

"What?" I ask stupidly, forgetting I'd called OnStar.

She repeats the question twice before I'm able to coherently form words.

"Oh, yeah, yeah. Yes, that's all, thanks." I hang up.

With the gearshift still in reverse, the car sits idle. I'm unable to coax my gaze from the mirror and drive away. I've been in front of mirrors all day and haven't noticed, but then I was trying to avoid my horrifying transformation.

When was the last time I really looked at myself? I stare at the mirror.

Sometimes I'd hunt for endless days, three or four straight. In my downtime on the compound I'd eat, work out, and send emails to my family in Destin from "college." That was it. I had no time to think about my appearance, which explains Harnel's explicit instructions that I stop here, but it doesn't explain my eyes changing.

A honking car startles me back to reality. "Get back to work, Agent," I order the alien in the rearview mirror. My eye-color dilemma will have to wait for now. I have more pressing matters to deal with, like how I'm going to avoid killing my target.

I weave through the congested mall traffic and out onto Highway 64 going over the details from Jonathan Steed's information. I already knew he was a self-made millionaire, but I didn't know that he'd dropped out of his Ivy League college right after dropping out of high-school. Then he joins the Brotherhood. And again, quits. And now he's hiding out at some fishing lodge in the backwoods of Kentucky.

My conclusion is that Jonathan Steed is one lucky, very bright quitter with commitment issues. That makes my job slightly harder. But I remind myself that all I have to do in order to complete this mission is get Steed to SEEK. Whether or not he sticks around after that is someone else's problem.

***

Laurel Gorge Lodge on Anthony Boggs Lane is concealed behind towering firs. When I pull into guest parking my suspicions are confirmed. Jonathan Steed's silver Beamer is there in plain view, sticking out like diamonds in a coal mine. His New York license plate reads: "ICUCK." I get it immediately; I see you SEEK.

"Subtle." I lick my lips, shaking my head. "That's quite a message from a man who has the Khayal doing his dirty work. How could anyone work with Khayal? It's sick."

I grouse the whole time I stuff ridiculous shopping bags in my duffle and sling it over my shoulder. My new heels jab me in the back.

The last time I stood on stilts it was homecoming sophomore year. But I try to appear confident in my tight new jeans, navy sweater and ruffled blouse, feeling way-too sophisticated. Though, the image is probably ruined by my army green seabag anyway.

I pass a four tiered fountain under the cedar entry and almost walk right out of the peep-toe wedges. After carefully navigating the parking lot and courtyard, I reach the entrance. It takes me two tugs to yank open the reclaimed-timber door. I tumble into the rustic lobby with no grace at all. A young girl in a headband watches me curiously from the split-log reception desk.

"Welcome to Laurel Gorge," she drawls, failing to hide her amusement.

"Reservation for Ashley Monroe," I answer quickly, giving her my best impression of southern-belle charm.