Frozen Desires (Asylums for Magical Threats) (32 page)

Even for an Elemental Master, drug cartels were definitely on the ‘don’t fuck with’ list of enemies.

They entered the shack. Inside there were three backpacks sitting on a table, with a few cupboards off

to one side. Diego pulled his head out of one of the cupboards and produced two handguns. He motioned

toward them. “Take these, and I’ll get you some extra bullets.”

Marco took one, handed it to Cam, and then took the other. He decided that since Diego needed their

help, he was going to ask him for details. “Did you do something to anger these people? Or do we just have the bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Diego strapped on his own pair of guns and said, “Some of our people tried to run the drug traffickers

further north, away from some nearby villages. My guess is that’s why they’re here.”

Cam frowned. “But I thought most of the drug activity was further north, near the border with

Colombia?”

Diego moved toward the packs on the table. “They’ve started coming a little more south to avoid the

authorities and rival cartels. We’d hoped their presence was temporary, but apparently they’re back.”

Marco strapped on his own pack. “So where are we heading now?”

“We’re going to meet up with Eduardo. He lives hidden in the jungle—both for safety and because of

his preference—but we’re just going to have to hustle. Once we reach his place, we’ll be safe.”

No doubt because this Eduardo was indeed a Talent, and he had abilities that would make even Marco’s

abilities look like child’s play. Or at least so went the stories.

Cam clicked the strap around her waist and looked back to Diego. “To have our best chance of

surviving, from here on out, you tell us everything.”

Diego nodded. “But if you betray me or try to back stab me, my colleagues will deal with you.”

Cam nodded. “Fine. Now that we’ve finished with the threats, let’s go.”

She went to the door and looked out to make sure the coast was clear.

He fought a smile. Even with only half-knowing the situation, Cam had jumped in to take charge. He

looked over at Diego, and Marco could tell the man was less than amused, so he slapped him on the arm.

“Forget whatever preconceptions you have about female soldiers. Cam would probably kick your ass in any type of drill or challenge. Believe me when I say that you want her on your side.”

Cam motioned for them to head out, and he heard Diego mumble a less than enthusiastic response

before they followed her.

Gio was inside his quarters with Evans when the screen beeped with an incoming call. He reached over

and touched the screen. Liang’s face appeared. “Hello, Mr. Sinclair, Dr. Evans. I’ve evaluated your report.”

Gio forced himself to act nonchalant. “Ah, I was wondering if you’d made a decision.”

Liang nodded. “Well, Dr. Evans was quite thorough, and while I appreciate the details, it took some time

to wade through.”

Evans moved so that he’d be visible to Liang. “And did you have any questions, Mr. Liang?”

“No. You set out all of the possible scenarios, and provided sound solutions. I think bringing the two

latent abilities you mentioned into this facility won’t cause any extra danger to my staff or the inmates here.”

Gio jumped in before Evans could say anything. “So when can we arrange to bring in the new

inmates?”

“Well, security measures need to be installed, and we’ll have to do some new training; provided you and

Dr. Evans help with that, I’d say a week, maybe two.”

Gio nodded. “We’ll help in any way we can. My father will be glad to hear of your decision.”

Liang replied, “Yes, I’ve already talked with your father. He mentioned for you to call him to help

arrange the details. Once he gets the all clear from the AMT Oversight Committee, he’ll let me know. That

will be the last major hurdle to admitting the new type of inmates.”

Gio didn’t like that Liang had talked to his father behind his back, but there was nothing he could do

about it. He’d just have to play the part, and see if he could fool James Sinclair into thinking Gio was

sincere. Since he’d only be communicating with his father via phone and teleconference, it might just be

possible.

Liang started speaking again. “In the meantime, I want Dr. Evans to assist some of the other scientists

here to see if any of them would be able to help him with the tests he laid out in his report.”

Evans glanced at Gio, and then to Liang. “If you could have someone make a list of those who might

suit, I’ll start making the rounds.”

“Good, good.” Liang said. “Mr. Sinclair can fill you in on what they do here, as your clearance has been

boosted, Dr. Evans. I’ll have one of the lead researchers meet with you tomorrow.”

Evans nodded. “Yes, sir.”

The screen went blank and Gio turned to face Evans. They’d checked for bugs earlier and knew the

room was clean, so Gio spoke frankly. “As dedicated as you are to eradicating elemental magic, I’m not sure you’re going to like what they’re doing here, Evans.”

Evans raised an eyebrow. “Tell me anyway, because I’d rather be prepared.”

Gio took a deep breath. “You know the experiments they’ve been conducting inside the other AMT

facilities?”

“Yes.”

“Well, they’re doing the same thing here, except to children.”

Evans blinked. “What?”

He hadn’t planned on telling Evans his plans so soon, but with him meeting with the researchers

tomorrow, the sooner Gio got Evans on his side, the better. That way Evans could go into this with his eyes wide open—and get Gio the information he needed.

He turned fully toward the other man and explained about how the children born inside the AMT

prisons were shipped to this facility at eight weeks of age. Evans stayed silent a moment before he replied.

“I’m going to put aside for a minute how wrong that is and simply ask why this matters to you?”

“I believe in the law. Imprisoning first-born
Feiru
at the age of magical maturity is fine because a law was created to help protect them and others from the dangers of their elemental magic. But to experiment on the first-borns, and not protect them as the law states, is wrong.” In a rare show of emotion, Gio clenched a fist. “Not only that, non-first-born children—even if they are born inside an AMT—should be adopted out

to parents who want a child. But since I suspect the AMT Oversight Committee doesn’t want anyone to find

out how they’re breeding first-borns inside their compounds, they will continue to keep the children locked away for life.”

Evans put his hand out. “So you’re planning to find a way to let the children free and stop the

experiments?” Evans shook his head. “That will never happen. Even if I wanted to stop what was

happening to the children, I still believe finding a way to eradicate elemental magic is the only way the

Feiru
can survive in the future. If the AMT system was dismantled and elemental magic exposed, humans would either use the first-borns for their wars, or find a way to make us second-class citizens.”

“I don’t want to dismantle the AMT system. I just want to make it function as it was intended—to help

protect the first-borns from harm.”

He could see Evans was teetering, so Gio decided to make the final push. “Dr. Evans, I believe we can

find a way to continue conducting experiments in a humane manner, with volunteers. Shouldn’t we give

first-borns the choice of living secluded away for life with their peers on one hand, or the option to rid them of their elemental abilities on the other?” He leaned forward. “Just think, if the rogue first-born who’d killed your fiancée had had a choice, she might still be alive.”

Evans went still. After a few minutes he replied, his voice low and even. “If you want my help, you’ll

never bring Leyna up ever again, is that understood?”

He believed Evans would act on that threat, too. While Evans wasn’t a warrior, neither was Gio. That

didn’t mean they couldn’t be powerful in their own right.

He nodded. “But just remember, if you tell anyone about my plans, I will share your little secret. You are unique, Dr. Evans, and many a person would value your healing abilities.”

As soon as he’d said the words, Gio realized how much he was starting to sound like his adopted father,

James Sinclair. But he pushed that thought aside. He wasn’t fighting for his own gain; he was fighting for law and order.

Evans said, “I don’t think hanging that threat over my head is going to work, Sinclair. I’m sure daddy

dearest would love to hear what you’re planning behind his back.”

“I had expected as much from someone as intelligent as you’re reputed to be.” Gio leaned back in his

chair and crossed a leg over his knee. “Threats and blackmail aside, I need an answer now, Evans. Are you

with me or do I need to find someone else to help me?”

Evans crossed his arms over his chest. “So, what did you have in mind, Giovanni Sinclair? How are two

people supposed to fix a corrupted system as large as the AMT?”

“I’m still working on that bit. For now, your goal is to make sure we can stay at this facility for as long as possible while I look for a way to force the AMT Oversight Committee’s hand.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

“I need to find a way to blackmail them.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Once they were out of the cabin, Cam let Diego take the lead. She had no idea where they were going,

but she had wanted to make a point. Despite the act she’d put on inside the jeep, she could handle herself.

She’d overheard Marco’s compliments—in English, luckily—and was still glowing on the inside. Unlike

other people, his words had been genuine, not laced with judgmental bullshit. If they ever got alone again, she was going to reward him with her mouth.

A noise to the left snapped her back to their surroundings. Diego made a halt sign with his hand, and

motioned for Cam and Marco to take the left side while he’d take the right.

This close to the equator, the foliage was thick on the ground. While no doubt someone could track

them if they tried, she and Marco moved with as little sound as possible. They needed the element of

surprise.

Soon they reached the edge of a pool of water, about fifteen feet across. It didn’t look that deep, and as she scanned the surface, she didn’t see any telltale signs that someone was hiding under the water.

Diego peeked his head out from the tree cover and motioned for them to continue along the edge. She

and Marco retreated a few feet from the shore to use the coverage of the trees and started moving again.

They were nearly to the top of the pool when rain started to fall. She tapped Marco’s arm and pointed

up toward the sky, but he shook his head. He wasn’t responsible for it.

Well, at least the rain would help hide the sounds of their approach.

Another few feet, and Cam started to get the feeling that someone was watching them. But since the tops

of the trees were so thick, they’d never be able to spot someone hiding up there. All they could do was

remain alert.

She pointed to the west, signaling Marco to stand at the ready. He gave a slight nod, and they pressed

on. They finally reached the far edge of the pool, but she didn’t see any sign of Diego.

Maybe he’d abandoned them, or maybe he’d been captured. Either way, they needed to hide.

Just as she gave the signal to retreat into the trees, the water in the pool started to move. A foot-wide

column rose from the surface and barreled toward them.

Before Cam could even suggest it, Marco created an ice shield just in time to stop the water from

crushing them.

The water started pounding on the shield as if a person were knocking. Trusting Marco to protect them,

she scanned the surroundings for any sign of the elemental water user. However, because the light was

fading fast, she could only make out the trees and the pool of water.

When the water started banging harder against Marco’s ice shield, she noticed Diego making a beeline

straight for them. Unsure if he’d drawn them into a trap, Cam extended the claws on one hand and cocked

the gun in the other.

Marco must’ve noticed Diego running because the ice shield extended all the way toward the ground. In

an effort to make it under before the ice touched the ground, Diego dove and rolled toward them.

But Marco was fast, and Diego didn’t make it in time.

Diego started knocking on the ice shield and said, “You need to get down and find some cover.”

Cam never broke eye contact with Diego. “Why?”

“We’re trying to save your asses. The cartel is coming.”

“Then why leave us without a word?”

“Because I didn’t have a choice.”

Cam kept her sights trained on Diego, but directed her question to Marco. “What do you think?”

As his answer, Marco melted the ice toward the bottom. Once Diego jumped up off the ground, the

water stopped pounding the top of the shield and quietly retreated.

Diego motioned for them to move, and Marco melted the last of his shield before he said to Diego, “You go in front to prove its safe.”

“Fine.”

After about ten feet, Diego laid down on the ground inside some bushes, on his stomach, and Marco

and Cam followed suit.

As the minutes ticked by, she started to wonder if this was a trap. Even when she heard voices, she

didn’t know whether it was the cartel lackeys or Diego’s people. She kept her claws out, ready to use her

super-speed if needed.

A high-powered light shone through the trees, moving around the area where they’d been standing

minutes before. There was some more shouting before two men walked into the light and studied the