Hathor Legacy: Burn (14 page)

Then it hit her.

As the screams continued to pierce the air, energy hit her like a knife jabbing her over and over. People were dying. It was like what she'd read at the Service House when she'd walked through. Pain and fear mixed together, being released as the victims succumbed to the smoke.

Hot, acrid air burned her throat. It hurt to cough now. The screams were dying down, and all she heard was the overpowering roar of the fire. Unrelenting in its force, destroying everything in its path.

Pressing her face against the cool stone, she felt like she was floating between awareness and nothingness. She wanted to hold on and she wanted to let go.

"Jonathan," she whispered. "Jonathan."

And then, it was over.

*****

Jon's meeting with Matt had taken barely an hour. The older man had given him information that was valuable, but what would he do with it? It's not like he had any proof of Ron's trafficking. He hoped that Nadira could use the information in her investigation. Even if no one would speak up, she had something to follow up on.

He stepped inside the glass-enclosed lift and looked out over the lobby as he descended. Matt had been allowed to keep all his property, except his house in the North. That has been taken back by Novacorp after the security forces had raided it.

As the lift touched down, he felt a sharp pain at the top of his head. Running his hand through his hair, he rubbed the spot. What was that? It felt like he'd been hit with something. But he hadn't. Brushing a curl back off his forehead, he stepped out into the lobby. Dizzy, he staggered a bit before he got his balance back. What was wrong with him?

The holo appeared in front of him, her gold eyes shining. "Mr. Keel. Do you require a transport?"

"Ah, yeah, I'll need one."

"Step outside please and it will be at the curb shortly." The i
mage disappeared.

Out in the sunlight he shielded his eyes. Why did he feel so funny? His body felt like he was moving through heavy mud.

Down at the curb, a shiny black transport pulled up and stopped. Heading down the stairs, he almost lost his balance at the bottom step. Catching himself, he straightened up and walked over to the vehicle. The doors slid back and he climbed in, dropping down on the seat.

Damn. What was going on? Everything was spinning and his heart was pounding. Did Matt do something to him? He hadn't had anything to eat or drink, so that wasn't likely.

"Your destination, sir?" The autodriver queried.

"Um…I…" Where was he going again? Oh, right. He was going to stop by the complex construction site. "Entertainments District."

"A specific location in the Entertainments District, sir?"

"No, just drive through. I'll tell you when to pull over." He gripped the edge of the seat cushions. Damn, he couldn't remember the block number of the site. He could see if from the boulevard, though. When he got there he'd stop the transport.

As the vehicle pulled into the busy traffic lanes, Jon settled back against the cushions. The dizziness was passing at least. Maybe he was hungry. That had to be it. He just needed a real meal and not all that green stuff Nadira liked to eat.

"Jonathan."

"Huh?" He looked around, knowing that he was alone in the transport. He'd heard a voice. It was Nadira's. What the hell was going on? On occasion he heard Nadira's thoughts in his head like they were his own. But he'd never heard her voice like this before.

She was trying to contact him. That had to be it. Something was wrong.

The transport entered the District and immediately the noise level outside the vehicle increased. Sounds of music competed with blaring advertisements, enticing visitors to spend their credits. On the corner, a huge vid screen, as high as a ten-level building towered over him.

Through the clear roof of the transport, he saw a red bar flashing at the bottom of the screen with the words: "Alert: High Security." Above the words, he saw four faces displayed. It was Lt. Lin and the team that had been with her that night at the burned house.

Big, block letters scrolled at the top. "Security Officers Killed." Jonathan climbed up on the seat to stare at the screen as the tran
sport continued to trundle along the boulevard.

They were dead. Had Nadira been with them? Was she dead too? No. He would've felt it. He would've known.

"Stop the transport. Pull over now!"

Jonathan had to wait until the vehicle crossed over the traffic lanes and eased into a spot at the busy curb. Damn it, why wasn't the door opening?

As soon as it did, he climbed out and ran back to the sign. Looking up at it, the faces were distorted, stretched out. No mention of Nadira or any other Guardian.

Damn. Why were personal coms restricted? Now he had no way to get in touch with her. Other than their connection, and now even that was failing him. Turning around, he tried to get his bea
rings. He could find a public com and call the apartment. If she wasn't there, he'd go to the Admin Building. Then where?

A black-garbed security officer approached him. Only the lower half of her face was visible under her shiny helmet. "Citizen, ID yourself, please." The officer held up a clear glass tablet.

He must've looked suspicious just standing there turning around like an idiot. Jon pressed his palm down on the glass, and then lifted it. His stats scrolled across the screen.

The officer looked at it, or at least he figured she must be. He couldn't make out her eyes through the helmet visor.

"Do you require assistance, Mr. Keel?" she asked.

"I'm looking for a public com."

"Up ahead." She pointed to a flat building on the next block. "But it might be closed. Security has shut down the street next to it."

"Why? What happened?"

"Didn't you see the alert? There was an explosion at a warehouse in the District. Four security officers and some others were trapped inside. They're all dead."

19
Let it Go

The first sounds she heard were steady beeps. Next she heard a conversation. It was too far away for her to make out the words, but she could tell there were three different voices. One woman and two men.

Nadira slowly opened her eyes, squinting as the room swam around her. She was lying in a bed. But where? She must be in the medi-evac. That explained it. The beeping was coming from the life functions monitor over her bed. The conversation continued on the other side of the room, the people shrouded in darkness.

The warehouse. That was the last thing she remembered.

"Who are you?" she called out, but it was little more than a croak. It didn't matter though, because no one acknowledged it.

Wrapped up in their conversation, the three people across the room didn't look in her direction. Maybe she could try again to get their attention.

"The Sentry Leader is in here, sir." A woman wearing light blue coveralls came into the room, followed by a man wearing a corporate brown suit. Nadira inclined her head to get a better look and recognized who it was.

Mikal stopped short when he saw her, his mouth gaping. When their eyes met, he stumbled back against the door. Unable to stop his own movement, he tripped over his own feet as the door continued to swing back and slam against the wall.

The three shadowy figures stopped talking and jerked their heads in her direction. One of them rushed towards her and into the light.

"Nadira! Are you all right?" Jonathan ran over to the side of the bed and gathered her into his arms.

"Mr. Keel, please." The medic who'd led Mikal into the room sped over to Jonathan and tried to pull him away. "She needs her rest. You're alarming her."

"Get off me! I'm not alarming her," Jonathan protested.

The beeping over Nadira's bed increased as her heart ha
mmered in her chest. "Let him alone," she rasped.

"Guardians must have rest to recover." The medic continued struggling with him, but she was losing the battle.

"It's all right." An older woman with shoulder-length, blonde hair and wearing white coveralls stepped out of the shadows. "She's in no danger. You can leave us now."

"Yes, Doctor
Brooks." The medic gave Jon a sharp look, which he returned in kind, as he sat on the edge of her bed.

"Jonathan, what happened?" Nadira asked. "How did I get here?"

"That's what I want to know," Mikal said, as he approached. "Why wasn't I informed?"

"You were. That's why I called you here." Brant stepped fo
rward.

"But you didn't tell me Nadira was injured," Mikal replied, rubbing his forehead. "What happened here?"

"Four city security officers were ambushed and killed," Brant replied. "Novacorp will require answers. You must tell Elder Dakar to convene a meeting of the Elders."

"Sentry Leader you know that Elder Dakar has been ill for se
veral days now." Mikal's voice was shaking. "We can launch a full investigation as soon as he is recovered."

"What are you waiting for? Launch it now!" Jonathan barked. "You're not much of an assistant, are you?"

"Don't let your personal feelings interfere with Guardian affairs," Mikal replied. "This has nothing to do with you."

"Mr. Keel," Brant began, "I assure you an investigation will be underway before Nadira leaves this room."

"Sentry Nadira, you have only minor physical injuries and your life signs are stable," Doctor Brooks said. "But after the energy you're expended, I'd prefer you to stay the night so we can monitor you."

"I think we should call a healer just to be sure," Brant su
ggested.

"Is it that serious?" Mikal glanced at Nadira, and then drew Brant and the Doctor aside.

Jonathan grasped her hand and rubbed his thumb over her wrist. "How do you feel?" he asked.

"Exhausted. How did I get here?"

"Brant will fill you in." He inclined his head in Mikal's direction and lowered his voice. "Matt gave me some information. I'll tell you when we're alone."

"Please excuse us for a few moments," Brant addressed the Doctor.

"Of course, Sentry Leader."

Brant waited for her to leave before he spoke. "Nadira, I'll have to ask you a few questions. Or if you prefer, you can permit me to read your thoughts."

"I can answer."

"Why did you go to the warehouse?" Brant asked.

"After I questioned Varyn Renzi, Sgt. Tragg got a call from Lt. Lin. The Lieutenant said she got a tip that the arsonists would be at the warehouse. Nadira shifted to address Mikal. "She said she heard it from you."

"I--I--I don't know what you're talking about," Mikal sputtered. "I asked her to give me a status, and I would inform Dakar of what she found there. I never gave her a tip about arsonists."

"Who are you protecting?" Jonathan asked, his grip tightening on Nadira's hand.

"How dare you accuse me or Elder Dakar. You don't have the right to discuss Guardian business!" Mikal snapped.

"Silence!" Brant ordered, his voice steady. "Nadira, when Lt. Lin called, did she mention any names or details?"

"I didn't speak to her directly. Sgt. Tragg only said she got a tip. Nothing else."

"That is unfortunate. I am surprised she would take such a risk without a larger security detail," the Sentry Leader said, as he absently scratched his ear. "Obviously, they were overcome before they could call for assistance."

"There's no way Lt. Lin knew they what she was walking into," Jon said. "She thought she could trust the information she got."

"True, but still, precautions should've been taken." Brant folded his arms across his chest. "What happened when you arrived at the warehouse, Nadira?"

"When I went in, the door closed and I couldn't open it. Then people came at me. I had to fight back. Then this woman tried to use a one of the stunners they use in the mines. She set the place on fire. I heard people screaming..."

"You didn't have to go there, Nadira. You're not a security officer," Brant admonished.

"What?" Jonathan thundered. "Now you're blaming her?"

"Mr. Keel," Brant said. "There is no blame here. I only wanted to know why she went."

"What's wrong with you? Why question Nadira? Why aren't you going after these people? I don't understand it," Jonathan said.

"That's obvious," Mikal spat.

Jonathan got off the bed. The only thing keeping him from bol
ting over to where Mikal was standing, was Nadira's firm grip on his hand. Clutching it with both of hers, she refused to let go.

"Mikal. Perhaps you should go tell Elder Dakar what ha
ppened," Brant suggested.

"Are you dismissing me, Sentry Leader?" Mikal asked. "I have the right to be here as Elder Dakar's representative."

"Is that what you call yourself? Then do your damned job," Jonathan spat.

Again he tried to pull away, and again she continued to hold on to him. His emotions were still bubbling like water coming to a boil. No, he was past the boiling point by now.

"You can leave us now, Mikal," Brant said. "Contact me later after you have spoken to the Elder."

"Yes, go do something useful," Jon said.

Mikal scowled at him and left the room.

"No one else survived. They found sixteen bodies, including the four officers."

The Sentry Leader closed the door and returned to Nadira's bedside. "Workers in the next building smelled smoke. They broke in and found you."

"Brant, what happens now?" she asked.

"Other than Sgt. Tragg and the doctor who treated you, no one knows you were at the warehouse. I've asked security not to add it to their report. I think they'll comply, at least for now," he replied.

"Why are you doing that?" she asked.

"The citizens trust that security and the Guardians will keep them safe. If that trust is destroyed, it will be difficult to restore it. It's bad enough the officers were killed. We don't want to make things worse by informing the public that Guardians are under attack as well. I'm sure the City Manager has left me several messages regarding this latest outrage." Brant rubbed his balding head. "Nadira, I don't think you should return to your apartment until you are stronger."

"Why would someone come after me?" she asked.

Brant sighed. "I'm not saying anyone will. But you were working on the investigation from the beginning. Perhaps it would be better if you stayed in a location with more security."

"That's a good idea," Jonathan said. "I have a place in mind."

"I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Keel." Brant's tight smile remained on his lips for only a few seconds. "I must go now. When you're discharged tomorrow, let me know where you'll be staying."

He nodded to them both and left them alone.

"Jonathan." She drew him down to kiss her. "I couldn't help Lt. Lin and the others. I tried, but there were too many people coming at me."

"You called me. I heard your voice," he said. "I knew som
ething was wrong." Jonathan rubbed his face against hers.

"I want to get out of here." Nadira pulled back the covers. She was wearing some sort of baggy, dark blue smock. "Where are my clothes?"

"The doctor says you should stay until tomorrow. So, you're staying."

"I'm fine," she insisted.

"You're not."

"Jonathan…" She gave him a look that should've made him back off. It was hard enough being stuck here, but now everyone was treating her like she couldn't take care of herself.

"It's just one night," he said, as he kicked off his boots. "I'll stay until you go to sleep." He pulled back the covers and slid into bed next to her.

"What are you doing?" She scooted over to give him room. "This bed isn't made for two."

"Even better." He settled himself on his side, and then pulled the covers over her.  "Lori Zakry told me I have an apartment in the Palatine, courtesy of Novacorp. We'll stay there."

"Jon, I'm not hiding," she protested. "Besides, there's no reason for anyone to be after me."

"They've got lots of security. We'll stay until you're feeling stronger."

"What about my things? My clothing?" As much as she unde
rstood his intent, she wanted familiar surroundings.

"You'll have everything you need." He smoothed her hair off her face and kissed her forehead.

"Jon, Varyn let me read her thoughts. They forced her to…an exec paid to watch her be…" Nadira shuddered. Would she ever get that experience out of her mind? It felt like it had happened to her. "It was done to break her. Stop her from fighting back. That's what they did to all of them."

"Who did it? Could you tell?" Jonathan asked.

"No. I didn't recognize anyone from what I saw. She's blocked a lot out, which makes sense. Even seeing her thoughts didn't bring up the faces of the people who brought her here, or the people who started the fire."

Nadira tried to sit up, but her arms ached so much they couldn't support her. Instead they wobbled and she was forced to drop back down against the pillows.

"Relax. You're not going anywhere." Jonathan propped himself up on his elbow and pulled the covers back over her.

She looked up into his grey eyes. What she saw there wasn't what she was expecting. But it wasn't just concern for her that had etched the dark circles under them, there was something else.

"You look tired," she said, as she ran the tip of her finger along his face, following the line of his squared jaw. Stubble pricked and tickled her skin, encouraging her to continue her exploration. After reading Varyn and being attacked in the warehouse, she'd shut down her awareness, just so she could block out her emotions. If she allowed herself to feel something now, she'd have to feel it all, and she wasn't sure she was ready for that.

Jon captured her hand and pressed it to his lips. "I didn't know how to find you. A security officer told me about the warehouse fire. When I got there, they told me to check the medi-evac. I heard you calling me."

Had she? She couldn't remember now. In fact a lot of the attack was hazy, without clear definition, like waking up and trying to remember a dream. "I couldn't save them. I tried and I couldn't." Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision and making her feel ashamed.

Emotions were to be controlled at all times. That's how Zina had trained her, and that's what she had always fallen back on. But now, it wasn't working.

"Let it go," Jonathan said. "It's all right."

"No." She shifted and turned her back to him. "Stop. Just go. Come back in the morning." She wasn't ready yet. If she let it out now, she'd never be able to stop.

Burying her face in the pillow, she moved as far as she could to the edge of the bed, hoping Jon would take the hint and leave her alone. But he didn't. His arm went around her and pulled her close to him. Spooning himself against her back, he hugged her tight.

"Let it go," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "I'm not going anywhere."