“No matter how much affection you lavish on her.”
“Correct. A normal infant recognizes its mother, to some extent. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Lara can spot you from far away.”
“Are you saying she misses me?”
“Yes.”
“How does she display this . . . lack?”
“That is irrelevant.”
As Susan spoke, I couldn’t help but recall her treatment of Dr. David Leonard when he had collapsed on the floor of the morgue. On the surface she had done everything right. She had examined his chest for a possible heart attack and had noted his blue color. Then she had called for the doctors upstairs.
Yet, while waiting for the doctors to arrive, she had taken his dying hands and placed them over her heart and closed her eyes like she was swooning with . . . pleasure? Had I imagined that? It sure as hell had not looked like concern.
Susan spoke of the Lapras as being an organization that was logically constructed. It rewarded power and effectiveness. It had no interest in weakness. But I had to wonder if there was more to it than that. Had this strange woman walked so far along the dark path that she actually enjoyed the pain she caused?
“Did you stop breast-feeding my daughter?” I asked.
“You’re asking if I hired a wet nurse. No, none was available that I could trust. Unfortunately, to this day Lara still has trouble with formula.”
I hesitated. “Is she colicky?”
“Yes. She often screams in pain.”
“Then give her back to me!”
“Agree to my terms and you can have her.”
“Your terms. I have already heard a version of them from Kari. Why did you kidnap her baby, by the way?”
“Huck has an impressive number of witch genes. He’s still Jimmy’s son. In the future he may make a formidable employee.”
“Liar. You could have waited to take him. But you wanted to use Huck to put pressure on me through Jimmy.”
Susan shrugged. “The strategy might still work, even if you are aware of it.”
Leaning forward, I pointed a finger at her. “You can’t treat people like objects and expect them to react in a positive manner. In this whole talk, you haven’t told me one thing that would make me want to join the Lapras.”
“Join us and you can have anything you want.”
“With my genes, and without your help, I can already have anything I want.”
“Will the Tar let you indulge your desires so freely?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.
“The Tar have rules. Follow them and you must follow their rules. They won’t let you run off and do whatever you want.”
“The Tar are committed to free will,” I said.
“Bullshit,” Russell muttered, playing his role well.
I turned to him. “Explain.”
He looked to Susan for approval to continue and she nodded. He spoke in a condescending tone. “Their main directive is that no witch can use his or her power to take advantage of your average human being.”
I nodded. “That sounds reasonable.”
“But we were born superior!” he said. “We were meant to live superior lives. That’s not simply a philosophy. It’s natural selection. Mankind evolved, and with their large brains they eventually took over this planet. In the same way, with our superior genes, it’s natural that we should rule mankind.”
“You sound like a Nazi,” I said.
Susan spoke. “If the Tar and the Lapra organizations didn’t exist, those who possess witch genes would still control the world. What’s happening is inevitable. That’s why all these arguments are fruitless. A new order has arrived. It’s not going to magically disappear.”
“If all this is inevitable, then why do you need Lara?”
“I need nothing,” she said. “Lara may simply help me speed up a process that is already well under way. Now, I’ve granted you the courtesy of this meeting because I thought I could talk some sense into you. If I’m wasting my time, and you’re in love with the Tar doctrine, then please tell me now.”
“So you can kill me and get it over with?”
Susan shrugged. “Perhaps it will come to that. Lara wants you back but are you really the best one to act as her mother? I warn you, that has yet to be determined.”
The threat was unmistakable. “I don’t understand.”
“You will before you leave here.”
“You promised I could see her,” I said.
“You may.” Susan reached in her pocket, took out a cell, and pushed a single button. She didn’t speak. Two minutes later there was a knock on the door and Frank entered, carrying a tiny infant in his huge hands.
I don’t remember leaping to my feet and crossing the room but I must have done so because in an instant Lara was in my arms. My love for her then was too big to express in words. Yet I must use words to say how I felt, and the nearest phrase I can find to convey my emotions is that it killed me to hold her. It was like the I that Jessie/Jessica was formed around was washed away by a tidal wave of love. I didn’t need to exist because she existed. It was then I understood how a mother could die a million deaths to protect her child.
Her hair was more red than mine. A month old and she had so many curls! Her hair reached almost to her eyes. God, her eyes, they were glorious. They were as Kendor had said, an enchanting aquamarine, just like the lake water at the Paleo sacred spot. They were so bright, like her smile.
Lara cooed and giggled and tried to grab me. I had to sit down before I let myself bury my face in her body. I was afraid I would faint. Her fingers reached out and tugged on mine and I felt waves of pleasure race through every nerve in my body.
The only thing that confused me was how damp her skin was. Like she had just come from a warm bath. Then I realized I was crying all over her. I wiped at her chubby cheeks with the hem of my blouse.
“Are you satisfied?” Susan asked.
“Yes,” I whispered.
“You can live with her in a house in the desert. A beautiful home in a lovely spot. You can have friends visit, I don’t care how many. James can live with you if you want, that’s up to you two. All I ask in return is that you take care of Lara and have no more contact with the Tar.” Susan paused. “Does that sound fair?”
My bliss was suddenly shaken by dread.
“I can’t make a decision right now,” I said.
“Fine. I don’t want your decision to be a hasty one. Sleep on it.” Susan gestured to Frank, who moved my way.
I cringed. “What are you doing?”
“Taking Lara back,” Susan said.
“She just got here! You let Kari play with Huck for hours!”
“Kari’s a fool who needs hours to make contact. Once more, you and Lara have bonded and that’s all that’s necessary at this point.” Frank had stopped above me and had his hands out. Susan added, “You don’t want him to use force. She might get hurt.”
Trembling, I handed over my daughter, and the second she was out of my hands, Lara began to wail. A wave appeared to go through the room. I couldn’t see it but I felt it. It was an invisible pulse that made everything in the room blur slightly. The ground seemed to shake and I had the sensation that the earth itself was responding to the stress of the moment. Lara was angry at those who were tearing us apart and this wave . . . why, it was directed at Susan and Frank!
I noticed Frank had trouble exiting the room. He stumbled twice. He was having trouble breathing. Susan also was affected. As if to ward off the rush of a sudden migraine, she put her hands to her head.
It took several minutes after Lara had left the room for the effects of the wave to completely diminish. By then Susan was furious. The reason was obvious. She hadn’t wanted me to know what Lara was capable of.
“Your daughter will be controlled, one way or the other,” Susan said in a cold voice. She didn’t have to add that if I failed to help them, then they would use other methods t
o restrain her, and those ways would be painful.
“She’s just a baby,” I pleaded.
“She’s not just a baby.” Susan stiffened. “Are my conditions clear?”
“Will you release Huck to Kari and Jimmy as well?”
“Yes.”
“Will I be free to raise Lara until she’s an adult?”
“Why not?” Susan replied. She hadn’t really answered my question.
I felt myself losing control. I felt battered by the waves of emotion pouring through me. For the first time since entering the room, I humbled myself before Susan.
“Up until Lara was born,” I said, “I didn’t even know about the Tar. They entered my life suddenly. If they find out where I’m living with Lara, who’s to say they won’t try to contact me?”
“As long as you notify me immediately of any such contact, then I won’t hold you to blame. But if I discover you’re secretly working with their Council . . .”
Susan didn’t finish. She didn’t have to.
“I’ll die,” I said.
“You’ll both die if you continue to prove troublesome. Let me make myself absolutely clear. I’m willing to work with you and Lara up to a point. But if she continues to repeat what you experienced tonight, then I’ll destroy you both and focus on my own genetics program.” Susan paused. “Any more questions?”
“One. How did I end up on your dissection table?”
“You want to know how we knew you were in the meat locker.”
“Yes.”
Susan nodded toward Russell. “He told us.”
I was stunned. Could it be true?
Russell nodded. “I only appear to work for the Council.” He chuckled. “The fools.”
I stood, backing away from him. Was this more of his act? To convince the Lapras that he was one of them? He sounded so convincing. Reaching inside, desperate for my intuition to give me some direction, I felt only bewilderment. Yet a cold truth suddenly pierced my heart, one that deepened my confusion.
“You murdered the men outside the meat locker!” I gasped. “The ones who were watching over me to make sure I survived!”
Russell grinned. “Good old Joe and Barry. Felt sort of bad about them. But what’s a guy to do?”
“You . . . you scum!” I cried.
Russell was amused. “That’s not what you thought last night when you were tearing off my clothes.”
“I’ve been told Russell has been an immense help to us over the last hundred years,” Susan said. “We’re considering granting him a place in our Order.”
Russell frowned. “I thought that was a done deal.”
Susan shook her head. “The impatience of youth. All our other members are at least three centuries old. Aren’t you a little young to be given such an important position?”
“Judge me by my accomplishments, not my age,” Russell said. “After all, wasn’t I the one who brought you Jessica?”
“True. But are you certain you can do what it takes to be a member of our Order?” Susan asked.
“I can do anything,” he replied.
Susan stared at him a long time before responding. “There’s a reason you’ve never been here before.”
“What is it?”
Susan stood and gestured to the circular space at the far side of the living area. Specifically, she pointed to two instruments hanging on the wall. I had not paid them any heed before. One was a sword. Not being an expert in blades, I couldn’t say when and where it had been created. Because it was fully sheathed in leather, I could only assume how sharp it was.
The second weapon, if that’s what it was, appeared to be a long wooden stick. At first I thought it was bamboo, but a closer look revealed a lack of partitions or internal chambers. The stick was either hollow or solid, I couldn’t tell, but without touching it, I sensed the wood was hard, perhaps even petrified.
“Both of you came here tonight wanting something,” Susan said. “You, Jessica, want your daughter back. I have made you an offer as to how you can fulfill that desire, but I must add one final condition. Before I hand Lara over to you, I have to know you’re strong enough to be her mother. Do you understand?”
“I understand enough to know that your definition of strength is not the same as mine,” I replied.
“True. But since I’m the one who is to decide the fate of your daughter, my definition is the only one that matters.” She paused. “Having a high number of witch genes doesn’t guarantee real power. I’ve seen witches with three genes defeat those with six because their will demanded that they win. It burned with desire, and fire.” Susan came close to me and pointed to my solar plexus. It was as if she could read my mind. “Do you know why they call it the solar plexus?” she asked.
I remembered lying dead on a cold morgue slab.
Then suddenly coming to life, when attacked.
“No,” I said.
“Because it’s the center of the fire of life. In India they call that center the seat of Agni, which means ‘fire.’ In China it’s the source of Chi, or life energy. In ancient Egypt it was where Ra, the sun god, was worshipped in the human body. The tradition doesn’t matter, they were all saying the same thing. When the fire burns bright, so does one’s life.”
“Why the lecture?” I asked.
Susan ignored me and turned to Russell. “To join the Order takes more than loyalty and the accomplishment of difficult deeds. You, too, must demonstrate this fire by showing how deep is your will to win, and your desire to live.”
“I’ve never heard I had to fight another witch to become a member of the Order,” Russell said.
Susan smiled faintly. “That’s because those who failed the test are no longer with us. And those who passed the test are wise enough not to talk about it.” She looked back and forth between us. “Only one of you will leave this room alive.”
“I’m confused,” Russell said. “I was told she was important.”
“She is. But only if she’s capable of killing you.”
Russell stiffened. “I’ve served the Lapras since I was born.”
Susan nodded. “Because of your loyalty, I’ll let you choose whatever weapon you prefer.”
Russell gestured to me. “At least find me a witch worth killing. Two days ago she wasn’t even connected.”
Susan turned away and spoke over her shoulder. “Then your place in the Order is all but assured,” she said.
“I’d prefer to fight an equal,” Russell said, and the fact he was arguing against killing me made me wonder if I was wrong about him all over again.
“Don’t underestimate Jessica,” Susan said as she took a seat on a sofa from where she had a clear view of the black circle. “She’s a mother fighting for her child. Few creatures in nature are more dangerous. Plus she has plenty of witch genes. They may be buried deep, but you know how the fear of death can force them to the surface.”
Russell considered, then bowed in Susan’s direction. “Very well, I choose the sword,” he said.
I erupted. “Like you give a damn that it’s going to be an unfair fight!” I cried.
Russell shrugged and strolled toward the sword. “I didn’t come here to lose my head,” he said.
“You’re a hypocrite and a traitor,” I swore. My fear increased dramatically. This was really happening. I couldn’t talk my way out of it. One of us was going to die, for real—it didn’t matter which world we were in.
“And you’re as good as dead,” he replied as he lifted the protective leather and unsheathed the sword.
“Consider, Jessica,” Susan said. “The blade is three feet long and heavy. The staff is six feet long and hard as stone. You’ll have double the reach and should be able to block his every blow.” She gestured for me to collect my weapon. “And don’t be bitter. In the morgue, I warned you this time would come.”
It was a bitter memory that brought her words back to me.
“You were lucky this time. . . . But don’t think for a second
that you’re in control.”
“I should have killed you before I left that hospital,” I said as I crossed the black circle and retrieved the stick, or what Susan called the staff. It was indeed as hard as petrified wood, although it appeared to have been coated with amber, which had dried and given it an extra gripping quality. It felt remarkably light in my hands. I balanced it in the middle, hoping that would make it easier to block a blow from either side.
Russell, meanwhile, was loosening up, stretching his muscles, cutting the air with his sword. He was fast; his repeated slashes seemed to dissect the oxygen molecules. His blade sang and there wasn’t a trace of hesitation in his movements.
I knew I’d be a fool to hope for his sympathy.
He removed his jacket and kicked off his shoes and socks. I wondered if I should do likewise. Yet I had not dressed fancy for the meeting. I had on my favorite Nikes—the rubber soles seemed to grip the black floor.
Susan spoke from the couch. “Prepare yourself. There’s only one rule. You’re to stay in the circle until your opponent is dead.” She paused. “Begin!”
Immediately Russell began to circle, forcing me to move to my left when I would have preferred to go right. His expression was focused, he didn’t look scared.
Yet he took me seriously. The first blow he attempted was what I knew to be a “killing blow.” He swung straight for the top of my skull, and I would have died if I hadn’t blocked it.
But my newfound strength, my reflexes, they were fully available to me. My instinct was working as well. Without thinking, my hands leaped farther apart so that when the blade fell on me, inches from my head, there was plenty of room on my staff to repel the blow.
I half expected his sword to get stuck in my staff but the wood cleanly blocked the blow. That fact seemed to surprise Russell. For an instant he let the blade linger atop the staff. Taking advantage of his hesitation, I lashed out with my left foot and struck his right rib cage.
I heard a distinct crack. He gasped.
“Lara’s not going to lose her mother,” I swore. “Nothing else matters.”