When Lightning Burns [COMPLETED]

Chapter 22: The Big One

           

They had found it. The main compound. Finally.

Julie felt all keyed up. Not like with dancing, where it was a rush for each performance, a high after a lot of hard work and practices. This was an unknown—dangerous, a spine–tingling uncertainty that added a spice to her life.

Lindell and Ash had come to help. They were all driving in a minivan to the location, just outside Washington D.C.

"Was it the information I gave you?" Julie asked Luke.

"Yes," Luke hesitated. "And also from that guy who tried to kidnap Kara. He said he overheard someone say that the homebase was outside Washington. And this is the only one listed on the files."

"Oh." Julie sat back in the seat. She wasn't as excited now. This may end up being nothing. "Whatever happened to him? Is he—"

Luke smirked. Really? Rory and Luke had killed him.

Rory shook his head. "No, we didn't kill him. I can tell that's what you're thinking. Geez, you're more bloodthirsty than I thought."

She raised an eyebrow at him as if to say, See? You don't know me.

He ignored her. "After we had a little fun, I took away most of his memories and edited some of his...tendencies. If he even thinks about women...well, it isn't a good thing."

Julie bit her lip. Good. She wasn't sure what they did to him before wiping his memories, but she wasn't ready to just go around killing people.

Lindell and Ash spoke quietly in the front. She sat in the very back with Ike. He was pretty quiet. She guessed that being the only wizard among Fey was daunting. But he was used to it.

"So are you going to help Ethan and Kara after the baby is born?"

Ike looked at her. "They want me to move in with them as Kara's and the baby's bodyguard."

"Are you?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it is safer than running around with Luke. Besides, he may not need me anymore. I guess it's a good place to work if I want to live a long life. Not sure if I care, to be honest. What am I going to do with all those years stretching out in front of me? "

Julie scrunched her eyebrows together. "What? Why?"

Oh.

He stared at her and shook his head. She glanced up. Rory and Luke both stared out their windows.

It was dark outside, the sun setting behind the trees lining the road. Going at night, when the majority of workers were gone, was the best time, according to Luke and Ike. She put her head against the glass in the car and closed her eyes.

Julie blinked as the car stopped. She must have dozed off. All she could see were trees lining the road. They had pulled off to the side. She stretched. "Where are we?"

"About a mile away," Ike said quietly next to her. "We can't drive up to this one. Fortunately we get to take a fun hike through the woods in the dark." He angled his head to look up. "With no moon. Oh, and no flashlights."

"What?" Julie put her arms down, frowning at him.

"Yeah, you slept through that fun conversation," Ike said. "Ash and Lindell think it may be more than humans here. They won't say why, but that's why they haven't told the council about this. So...yay."

Julie gulped. She knew they'd suspected this in the past, but if they were convinced they were walking into a facility that may be under more than human control, it might mean a fight.