Piercing The Fold (9 page)

Ezra has no responsibilities for me prior to and on our trip to Nevada. Everything has been taken care of. The packing of the apartment, the dismissal from my job, my withdrawal from the university.
Mr. Ezra Kahn has everything under control.

Within three days, we are in route to the training facility known simply as “the facility”. I am still adjusting to the new direction my life has taken. I keep replaying all the events leading up to today to see if I could have identified any of this earlier on through my father, mother, friends, and Ezra. I am so exhausted, but sleep is the last thing on my mind since I learned about my purpose as a guardian for Dobria. On the plane, I am able to doze, but not a real deep sleep. I think I am afraid to fall too far into sleep, especially with my track record of dreaming lately. My audience might not approve. On the other hand, Ezra does not have a problem sleeping. As soon as we get on the plane, he is out. I look at him, still in awe that my professor had more to do with my life than merely instructing me in a class on a huge university campus. He is more tangible to me now as I look at him peacefully sleeping.

Man, I wish I could do that!

The trip is a mere three hours. By the time we begin our descent, Ezra comes out of his self-induced coma. Ezra looks at me, scratches his head, and rubs his eyes. “Get some sleep?”

I look at him with a heavy-eyed stare of envy. “No such luck.”

We depart from the plane to a waiting car and driver.

As we drive away, Ezra yawns and looks over at me. “Once we get settled, you really need to get some rest.”

The drive is long and uneventful as far as the scenery goes.

I ask, “Where is that exactly?”

Ezra says, “At the facility, everything is subterranean. Training rooms, debriefing room, cafeteria, and suite-type rooms. The list goes on.”

I am curious. “How massive is this subterranean facility?”

Ezra answers without blinking. “About a ten-mile radius. Decent size for the amount of staff and trainees and mentors we have on the property.”

I question, “How often do you train new guardians?”

Ezra responds, “Once every year. We usually have four or five in each class and one mentor for each. Unless there are casualties.”

Ezra eyes me, waiting for the next concern on my mind.

“Jesca, the casualty ratio is significantly low. Our training is rigorous, and we make sure the new guardians are confident in their abilities before being sent to their territories. It is when they are in their territories and are ‘influenced’ that their judgment can be clouded.”

Ezra growls at the fact that he probably has said too much and has opened up a whole swarm of questioning for me.

I hear his fear.

“Ezra, I’m not going to hit you with a swarm of questions. Just don’t hold back anymore when you do tell me things. Okay?”

Ezra exhales and nods. He smiles at me. “Try to get some rest, Jes.”

I smile back and turn on my side to face my window. I shut my eyes, but not to sleep. I wonder what to expect at the facility. Is it like a huge cave underground with a bunch of connecting caverns that span out like spider legs? Is it going to look primitive and dungeon like? I feel so lost and vulnerable all of a sudden. Like a student attending a new school.

Who am I kidding? This is nothing like school. I have no idea what I am getting myself into. I am leaving all my trust in my adoptive parents and my professor. It makes me livid, edgy, and ready to burst at the seams. I don’t like not knowing my surroundings and my next step. It makes me extra defensive, too. Defensive enough to mentally block anyone from getting into my head, particularly Ezra. I had plenty of time to practice, imagining a huge wall around me blocking Ezra from getting in. I think he knows I have done this, which has added to his frustration.

The monotonous speed of the car is hypnotic. When the sound of the speed shifts down, my eyes pop open, and I sit up to look around. Ezra is already poised and turning his iPod off.

I look out my window to see a small, run-down gas station in the middle of nowhere. It looks vacant. The metallic sign shifts in the dry wind, Willy’s Gas and Repair. I lean over to look out Ezra’s window. All I can see is miles of dry, orange and brown desert. My anxiety spikes briefly.

Ezra feels it and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Jesca, it’s all right. We are fine. This is the safest place in the world for you right now.”

Instantly I feel peace and ease from his simple touch and gesture.

I take a deep breath in and release the small bit of anxiety.

The driver exits the car and walks briskly into the gas station. Within seconds, the garage door begins to rise. The driver moves swiftly back to the car, gets in, and pulls us into the garage. As soon as the car is in the darkness of the building, the driver gets out and walks to what looks like a security system panel. He punches a few buttons, and the garage door begins to close, snuffing out the little bit of light that remains in the building. The driver is back in the car in seconds. The car jolts downward. I grab for the door handle, and Ezra grabs my other arm. “It’s all right.”

I let go of the handle and stare out the window in observance. We are descending. It is like an elevator, but quick and smooth. One more jolt of the car and we are on solid ground and moving forward. The sides of the underground tunnel seem to be lined with metal. I guess that is to reinforce the structure of the tunnel. It reminds me of a tunnel you would travel in when passing through mountains, just narrower. It is very well lit with street-like lamps along the tunnel. The tunnel opens to a parking lot area. Not huge, but big enough for about six or seven cars. There are four other cars parked. Four black Ford Tauruses. Our black Taurus joins the rest.

Ezra says, “All right. Home sweet home. Let’s go.”

I open my door and take a deep breath, wondering how the air would feel, smell, and taste down here. The air is cold and crisp, nothing stagnant about it. Winter in Vegas can get cold. We are more than 100 feet below ground, I imagine, so it is bound to be colder than the surface. I am taking in my surroundings when I realize Ezra is already walking to a set of metal doors with our bags.

He yells back, “You coming?”

I jog over to help him with the bags. Ezra stops at the doors and waits.

I look at him curiously. “What are we doing? Are we going to ring a doorbell, or is there a secret knock or something?”

He points up at the camera to our right. “Just waiting for them to answer.”

A loud click, then Ezra reaches for the handle and opens one of the metal doors. He holds the door for me. I reluctantly enter and wait inside of the doorway for him. Ezra starts down a long, brightly lit hallway. White walls with nothing on them all around us. No doors, just the long passageway. The passage goes on for a while. Our steps become synchronized as our shoes touch the ground, and then squeak. Our bags shift in unison with the sound of our feet.

We come to an elevator. Without pressing a button, the door slides open. Ezra enters, and I quickly follow. We drop slowly in an even further descent.

How deep into the earth were we going?

Ezra says, “The farther off the grid and hidden by Earth’s natural electromagnetic field core, the better off we are when it comes to Sondian trackers. Remember, they are after us as much as we are after them.”

I look at him with surprise.

Did he just answer my thought directly? So he can read my thoughts. I’m glad I practiced putting up my wall in the car. I’m going to need it.

Ezra says, “Yes, I did read your thoughts, Jesca. What? You thought you were the only one with cool abilities?” He smiles and keeps walking.

I snort. “I wouldn’t say cool abilities.”

“Believe me. You’ll have a different opinion after a few sessions in the field.”

“The field?”

Ezra says, “Mock missions. Can’t wait to see what you can do.”

This brings on some anxiety and pressure. “Great, I’m glad I fascinate you!”

We come to a stop. The door slides open, and Ezra leads the way into the entry. A very nice entry, I might add. Ezra puts his bags down and walks toward one of the three corridors, where quite a bit of talking is taking place.

Ezra is ahead of me, entering the corridor. “We’re here. Sorry, we were delayed. Is everyone else here? Hey, Luke.”

My curiosity moves me to the corridor Ezra just entered. I stand in the doorway, taking in the atmosphere before entering. It is amazingly warm and comforting. There is a burning fire in the hearth, three oversized leather chairs, and two leather sofas, all facing each other. It is a huge contrast to the sterile tunnel, hallways, and elevator we just left behind.

Ezra moves towards a group of people. “Jake, Siobhan, Luke.”

I assume these are the other mentors. And I’m guessing their guardian in training is the person sitting next to each of them. The people that Ezra did not address look just as vulnerable as me. This brings me some much needed comfort, knowing that I am not alone.

Siobhan looks at me, then Ezra. “So this is Anna’s girl.”

Ezra replies, “Yes, this is Jesca Gershon.”

He left off the Sera?
I don’t mind, but make a mental note to ask him why later.

Everyone is looking at me like I might have some magical response.

“Hi,” is all I can muster.

Jake jumps in. “Well, this is a perfect time for introductions from the green peas!”

I can tell that Jake is going to be the lively one of the bunch. He is just a tad shorter than Ezra’s tall six feet. Jake is built bigger than Ezra, though, more muscular. He has dark hair and dark brown eyes. He wears a sweatshirt and jeans with combat boots.

“I’m Jake, as you already know. I am Nicholas’ mentor.”

Nicholas looks up at us with a head nod acknowledging us. “Hey, I’m Nick.”

He looks like he could be Jake’s twin with his similar features and build. Only difference is the color of his eyes—blue.

Siobhan stands; she’s very tall, slender, and has auburn hair. She is dressed in a black tank and black combat pants. She looks very Lara Croft Tomb Raider. She pulls up the girl to her right from a seated position and holds her up as if she were a ragdoll. “This is Angela. She is just a bit nervous, so she won’t talk very much.”

Immediately, Angela spews a chain of unintelligible sounds that must be words, but are clustered so continuously I can’t decipher them.

Siobhan immediately reaches over and covers her mouth with her hand. She looks into Angela’s eyes. “Angela. Slow down.”

Siobhan looks at us. “Just nerves.”

Siobhan uncovers Angela’s mouth cautiously, fearful of what she might say I’m sure.

Angela sighs. “Hi.”

Angela has straight, light blond hair, is very thin, and has these big blue eyes that look too large for her face. Angela seems to be unlike what I would consider a “guardian”, but who am I to judge.

The third mentor stands.

“I’m Luke. I am Nathaniel’s mentor. I look forward to learning more about each of you.” He seems so pleasant and welcoming. I really feel like he is looking forward to getting to know us. Luke has a tan complexion and black hair. His eyes contrast his skin; they are a light honey color.

Nathaniel stands up; he is taller than Ezra. He is slender, but muscular. He brushes his wavy, brown hair back with his hand as he looks at each of us. His eyes are a light green color. They remind me of the forest back home.

He says, “Hi. You all can call just call me Nate. Nate Sera.” He smiles and sits back down.

That smile.

My trancelike stare is broken when I hear the last name. I look at Ezra. So this is why he didn’t give my adoptive name. I wonder how Nate is related to my adopted parents.
Is he a nephew?

Ezra leans over to me. “Yes, a nephew. Don’t feel awkward about staring; you aren’t related.”

He winks at me. I feel my cheeks flush, and I turn away from Ezra quickly with frustration and a hint of embarrassment.

Damn it.

I keep forgetting to put up that big mental wall when I don’t want him to hear my thoughts.

I look around the room and wonder if they feel like me. Trying to keep the skewed reality straight in our heads.

I guard my thoughts now. I can’t home in on which of them, if not more than one, is telepathic. Then it occurs to me. They are probably just as guarded with their thoughts as I am.

Enough with the introductions. I am ready to get this show on the road.

I jump in with an all-business attitude. “When can we start the debriefing?”

The mentors look at each other.

Siobhan starts, “We can start now. We thought we would wait until after lunch originally. Give you all a bit to settle in.”

Nate speaks up. “I agree with Jesca. I think it is safe to say that we all want answers. I mean, we can’t get around the elephant in the room. You’re just prolonging it.”

Angela and Nick both nod in agreement.

Ezra claps his hands together. “All right, let’s head to the debriefing room. Follow me.”

We all file out following Ezra down a hallway across from the living room with the fireplace we initially met in. The walls in the hallway look muted, with no decorations or wall hangings. We pass one door on the left and one on the right. We come to a T in the hallway. Ezra turns right, and we all follow. I glance down a hallway to the left and notice a handful of doors.

It must be our rooms.

Ezra speaks up as we walk. “We will give you a complete tour of the facility after the debriefing.”

I mumble, “Thanks, Ezra.”

He yells back in a singsong way. “You’re welcome, Jes.”

Nate catches up to me. He is wearing a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt. “Why is he talking that way?”

Quickly I put my mental wall up.

I look up at him.
He is so good looking.

Nate smiles down at me.

He has a really great smile.

I quickly look straight ahead and give a half smile. “It is his special way of addressing me.”