Even though Dr. Spencer had said Troop was to meet her alone, she knew there was at least one other person in the proximity. She’d heard a sharp inhale coming from behind the recycle bins a few yards away from Troop.
“You can come out,” she said, directing her voice towards the bins. “I know you’re there.”
Pierce heard some muted rustling, but no one stepped out from behind the recycling bins. She shrugged, knowing she could take on two people by herself.
Her eyes flitted back to Troop. There was a look of disbelief on his face that quickly turned to…happiness?
“Kristi, I can’t believe it’s you,” Troop breathed out, reaching a hand towards her.
Pierce swatted the offending hand away. In two seconds flat, she had him pinned against the brick wall, the tip of her titanium knife against his throat. Troop’s expression quickly changed from joy to shock. He swallowed hard, making the tender skin of his neck press against the blade.
Pierce leaned close to his ear and spoke in a soft and steely voice. “First of all, my name is Pierce. Second of all, I don’t like people invading my personal space.”
“Are you feeling alright?” Troop choked out. “You’re not acting normal.”
She let out a sharp laugh then spun around, keeping the knife still aimed at the boy’s throat. Pierce had sensed, rather than heard, something sailing through the air in her direction. It was a cat. A leopard, to be more precise.
Pierce made a split-second decision, switching her attention from Troop to the attacking leopard. I can catch him easily if he decides to make a break for it, she thought.
She darted to the left, evading the feline for the moment. Two more figures melted out from the dark. One was a tall girl, about her age, with dirty blond hair pulled back into a tight braid. The other was an older man; he wore heavy combat boots and thick leather gloves despite the fact it was at least seventy-degrees.
“Ghost!” the girl called. “Don’t kill!”
“Where’s my father?” Troop demanded.
Pierce kicked the leopard hard, sending the creature sprawling down the street. Then she faced Troop, surprised he hadn’t run away. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
“I was supposed to meet Clemont Spencer—my father.”
The girl and the man were hurrying towards them; both had a gun drawn in their hands. The man pointed the mouth of his handgun at Pierce’s chest.
“Give it up now. I don’t know what you’re playing at, but you’re clearly out numbered.” He jerked his chin up, motioning for her to surrender.
“Not a chance.” Pierce rushed towards them, savoring the surprised look that crossed their faces.
Before they could even register what was happening, she had disarmed both of them. Now she had the upper hand. Pierce diverted her focus back onto Troop. He appeared to be in a state of shock.
A quick slit to the throat should do the trick, Pierce thought. And then I’ll have to take care of the two others. Can’t leave traces.
She made her way to Troop, her footsteps light and silent. When she was no more than two feet away from him, Troop finally snapped out of his stupor and said, “Why are you here?”
“To kill you,” Pierce replied coolly.
She raised the knife, prepared to make a quick slash. Her eyes raised and met his. Her hand faltered. His eyes. They’re just like Dr. Spencer’s.
A glimmer of hope sparkled in his emerald eyes. “Do you remember me now?”
“Your eyes remind me—”
Something heavy slammed into Pierce’s back, making her stagger. Stupid stupid stupid. I let myself get distracted. The leopard had recovered from the kick Pierce had given it earlier.
Pierce tried to throw off the cat, but it sunk its claws deep into her flesh. She bit back a scream of pain. The claws embedded themselves deeper into her shoulders, sending a fiery sensation across her back. She heard the footsteps of the two backups come to her side. With a final heave, Pierce managed to dislodge the leopard. She gave it a forceful slam to its head.
The leopard collapsed into a heap. It raised its head weakly, betrayal written all over its face. Then it lowered its head and moved no more.
Pierce froze. The look of hurt she saw in the leopard’s eyes struck something deep inside her. Don’t be silly. Animals can’t have emotions, she thought. And I’m not supposed to have emotions either. Emotions make me weak.
As if to prove her point, Pierce felt someone kick her to the ground. She’d been too distracted by the leopard. She tried to jump to her feet, but someone was pinning her down, straddling her against the hard pavement. It was the girl.
“Troop, Paul, give me a hand,” the girl said.
The man came over and immobilized Pierce’s thrashing legs, holding her still.
Pierce’s heart thudded wildly in her chest. How did everything go wrong? How did I screw this simple task up? How did the three of them beat me?
Pain exploded in her head and light danced before her eyes as someone struck her temple. The last thing Pierce thought before blacking out was, If animals don’t have feelings and I don’t have feelings, does that make me an animal?
