“Be careful, Samara. It’s no longer safe to be outside.”
Sam arched an eyebrow at her mother’s uncharacteristic concern. “I’ll be fine. Amy and I are going together to the store. It’s right around the corner and it’ll take us five minutes. Ten at most. It’s still light outside, and you said yourself we’re still safe now.”
Her mother crossed her arms. “I could forbid you to leave.”
“You could,” Sam conceded. “But I’m an adult and you can’t order me around like you used to.”
“Is it wrong to care about my own daughter?”
Wrong? No. But odd? Yes. “I’ll be with Amy. We’ll be fine.”
“I worry about you, Samara.”
Sam resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “You’re about twenty years too late.”
Her mother sniffed and turned away. Sam left her in the hallway and sought Amy. She hadn’t been out of the house since her parents were taken, and Sam was determined to do something to put a smile on her face. Amy liked shopping.
It was bright outside. Sam lifted her face, basking in the sunlight.
Her first mistake was closing her eyes. Hands grabbed her, jerking her off her feet. Her eyes popped open. She kicked and thrashed, trying to get away.
She tried screaming, but a gloved hand slapped over her mouth, cutting off any noise. She struggled harder. As she fought, she saw her second mistake.
Trusting the wrong person.
A man dressed in a guard’s uniform was escorting Amy—his hand at her back, not quite touching—to the waiting vehicle. At the open door, Amy paused, looking back at Sam struggling against her captors. “Will she remember this?”
“No. We’ll give her memory serum. It’ll erase her memories. She’ll remember you, but not what you did,” the man said. “Unless you tell her. I suggest you don’t.”
Amy’s shoulders sagged. There was relief in her voice. “I won’t.”
The man nodded. “Good. You’ll be in the same cell as she is.”
“For how long? You know I’m willing to help interrogate her for information. If the memory-bringers lose their abilities, they’ll finally understand what it’s like to be me.”
“It’s not up to me,” he replied. “It’s up to the boss.”
Amy glanced back at her before climbing in the vehicle and disappearing from sight. The man turned, revealing his face. “Hurry up. We’ve got a long trip ahead of us and the boss wants us back before dark.”
A sting. The feeling of something piercing her skin, burning. Everything went black.
She was being shaken.
“Hey. You need to pull yourself out of the memory. We’ve got to move before you’re discovered.”
Her eyes flew open, her memory and present congealing into one horrifying realization. She scrambled away, her hood sliding off. Coop.
“You…” No. No, this couldn’t be happening. “You were part of my kidnapping.”
His eye twitched. “I was there, yes.”
Her knees trembled, the last remaining physical side effects of the memory working its way through her body, but she kept moving backward, facing him.
“You don’t understand. I—”
“What’s there to understand? You were there. You helped Amy. Amy did this. She helped you kidnap me. You were there.”
He thrust a hand through his hair. “Samara, we don’t have time to argue. You have to come with me.”
“No.” Sam squared her shoulders. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m going to escape and you’re not going to stop me.”
He advanced, snatching her arm before she could wrench away. “You don’t understand,” he repeated, pulling the hood over her head and dragging her down the hallway.
She yanked her arm, trying to pull away, but his grip was like a branding iron, hot and unyielding. She whimpered, twisting her body. “I can’t go back. You can’t make me.”
“I’m going to get you out of here, fool.” With a quick tug on her arm, he hoisted her over his shoulder.
“You’re part of this,” she hissed, pounding on his back. Anger surged. How dare he. There was no way she’d believe he was trying to help her escape. He’d helped put her here. Sam would’ve kicked him, too, but he continued holding her legs.
“Cooper.”
Sam froze with her fist in mid-air. Reed. She squeezed her eyes shut. Here was the end. Coop was going to hand her back over to Reed and it’d be over. She’d be back in her cell, at best.
She didn’t want to think about the worst.
“Captain Reed, sir.” Coop released his hold on her legs.
Fear made it difficult to breathe and balance on his shoulder at the same time.
“What are you doing outside the control room?”
“Thought I saw something out of the ordinary. Turned out to be nothing more than a guard I’d seen out of the corner of my eye.” He chuckled. “It can be hard to keep an eye on all those screens at once.”
Reed made a disgusted noise. “Get back to your post, Cooper. We’ve got the memory-bringer where we want her, and I don’t want you messing anything up.”
She felt Coop nod. “Yes, sir.”
“Dismissed.” A pair of boots squeaked away.
Coop patted her butt. “That was close, wasn’t it?”
Too many thoughts rattled through her brain. Coop had lied to Reed about what he’d seen. What was his angle? Reed had talked about the memory-bringer. Amy? Sam jerked her head. No. Amy was helping the Hunters because her memory-ability was so weak she was basically non-Gifted—and she hated them for it. Or she hated Sam enough.
Coop chuckled. “Told you that you didn’t understand. Now cooperate with me and I’ll get you out of here.”
She sputtered at his back. “I—”
“Hush. We can talk after my shift is over. Keep the suit on. When I left, a second guard took over the control room.” His tone turned amused. “I have a tendency to mess things up.”
“Like getting me in trouble?”
“Maybe I did that to separate you from the pack.” He paused. “We’re almost to the control room. Once we’re inside, I’m going to put you down. Find a spot to stay that’ll keep you out of anyone’s way. It’d be difficult to explain why someone is tripping over what appears to be thin air. My shift is almost over, so you won’t have to wait long.”
She grunted.
“Good girl.”
Sam punched his back.
As soon as Coop set her down in the control room, she headed toward the map of the compound. Studying it could help her locate Jennings.
Was it still safe to meet him?
Jennings got her out of her cell. Coop had given her socks and water. Some actions spoke louder than others.
She glanced at Coop. He was bent over the TVs, watching whatever was on screen. Sam moved slowly, afraid of tripping and calling attention to herself.
As she eased past Coop’s peripheral vision, his head snapped up. Spearing her with narrowed eyes, he shook his head and pointed to the spot she’d chosen earlier.
Even though she was supposed to be invisible.
How?
Sam sat and stared at Coop’s back. She hadn’t moved so much as a twitch when Jennings burst into the control room, a panicked look on his face.
She stood and crept further into the room.
Jennings looked around. He jerked his thumb at the other guard. “Can you leave us for a moment?” He nodded and squeezed past, his bulk making it difficult.
Jennings jogged to Coop and scanned the cameras. “You said I could come to you if I ever needed help.”
Coop nodded. Jennings squatted next to him and asked, “Have you seen her?”
Sam tiptoed closer. Coop leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head and propping his feet on the desk. “Her who? I seem to recall you have a fondness for the ladies.”
“The memory-bringer. Sam.”
Sam’s heart thudded against her chest, but she kept mo
ving until she reached the other side of Coop’s TVs. From there, she could see and hear them without straining.
Coop narrowed his eyes at her, but turned back to Jennings and asked, “What will your lady love Amy think?”
“Of all the asinine terms. She’s not my lady love. We met when she came to give us information. This isn’t exactly a place to be dating.”
Coop chuckled and punched Jennings playfully on the arm. “You forget I can see everything that happens, Jennings. Don’t worry, though, your secret’s safe with me.” He mimed zipping his mouth shut.
“Now’s not the time to mess around, Coop. I’m looking for Sam.” Jennings growled his frustration.
“Ahh. So Amy isn’t satisfying your needs and you’re looking elsewhere. Sam’s a good choice. Pretty.” He smiled. “Nice ass. A little feisty, though. Are you sure you can handle her?”
“Idiot,” Jennings muttered. “Do you ever think with something other than your cock? Unlike you, I know how to not mess things up. Captain Reed wanted me to get on her side, make her think I was going to help her escape—which I did, obviously. Once he ‘discovered’ her trying to escape, he was going to bring her to the boss and ask for permission to torture her for more information. And once they got their information, Amy wouldn’t be forced to stay in that disgusting cell with her. It was supposed to work.”
Coop was quiet a moment. “You don’t mess everything up and yet you don’t know where she is. Hmm.” He stroked his chin. “Did you look in her cell? I hear that’s where she hangs out these days.”
Jennings rolled his eyes. “Of course I did. I gave her the body suit and told her to meet me in the room next to Reed’s office. She’s not there either.”
“You gave her the body suit?” Coop’s eyes widened convincingly. Like he didn’t already know. He lied well. She filed that information away.
“I had to be convincing. She knows about the cameras.”
Coop nodded. “And you checked the other rooms?”
“I’ve been searching for her.”
“Does Reed know?” Coop asked.
“No.”
Coop whistled. “I don’t envy you, my friend.”
“That’s why I need know if you’ve seen anything unusual. I’ve got to find her before Captain Reed finds out she’s gone. He promised he’d sign the papers to let me and Amy be together. You know how the boss is about relationships between us and the Gifted.” He sighed. “Even though she’s not really Gifted.”
“Oh? You think Reed would do that?”
Jennings tugged on his jacket and frowned. “I don’t know. But I’m willing to find out. Amy—she’s really on our side. And she knows enough to helpful.” He cleared his throat and looked distinctly uncomfortable. “She—we...”
Coop didn’t ask him to elaborate. “Haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary. It’s been quiet tonight. But I gotta tell you: it’s unlikely I’ll see anything if she’s wearing a body suit. Sorry, man.”
Jennings swore. “You’ll let me know if you see anything?”
“Of course. You know me. Always happy to help two people in love unite. Even if it means squinting at TV screens for odd movements.”
Jennings snorted and left the room. The door slamming pulled her out of her daze and she sank to the ground after realizing her knees were shaking.
“Love is so complicated.” Coop sighed. Sam jerked her head to look at him, but realized he was talking to the guard who’d returned as Jennings left. “Don’t you think, Sanders?”
“What do you know ‘bout love? ‘Cept the leavin’ of course.”
Coop grabbed his chest. “You wound me, Sanders. Maybe I’m just waiting for the right one to love.”
Sanders laughed. “Ain’t it time for you to be leavin’? Shift ended. Got some poor fool lady to woo tonight?”
Coop waggled his eyebrows. “It is time for me to leave. Wouldn’t want to keep the ladies waiting.”
Sanders snorted. “Right. Ladies.”
Coop saluted Sanders and grabbed the jacket he’d tossed on the floor. “See you tomorrow.”
Sanders inclined his head and went back to watching the cameras. Coop walked around to Sam and jerked his head toward the door. Sam stared.
Could she trust him or was she just another poor fool lady?
Jennings had been conning her all along. Coop could be doing the same. He’d already called her a fool. There was no way to tell how many people were in play. A light touch skimmed across her shoulder and she lifted her gaze to Coop’s outstretched hand.
One thing was for certain: she couldn’t stay here. And that meant going with Coop—whether she trusted him or not. She put her hand in his and hoped she wouldn’t regret it.
He let go as soon as she was standing. Outside the control room, he whispered, “Follow right behind me. There’s a better chance of staying unnoticed.”
She nodded and fell into step behind him. If he’d been part of her kidnapping, why was he helping her now? It made figuring out his motives impossible. What did he know about Amy and Jennings?
How could he see her while she was wearing a body suit that was supposed to make her invisible?
She stared at his back, considering her options. Rope Coop into helping her find her grandma or strike out on her own once they were out of this place?
No contest, really. Amy had already betrayed the Gifted: her parents, Sam, the memory-bringer community. Jennings had tricked her into thinking he was on her side. She wouldn’t risk trusting anyone else, especially not someone whose motives were unclear.
Coop picked up speed, making her scramble after him and scattering the rest of her thoughts. The hallways were quiet, but the few people Coop passed nodded and greeted him. He answered everyone with cool calm.
Sam shook with nerves.
A bead of sweat slid down her face. They had to reach the exit soon. This side of the compound couldn’t go on forever.
Coop waved at the man standing guard and, with little fanfare, they were outside. Like she’d never been imprisoned and was leaving her office. They weren’t off the compound grounds yet—there was a rolling parking lot half-filled with vehicles and a single road bordered by trees—but this felt like freedom: the night sky with stars sparkling, the trees swaying softly in the breeze, and the air cool and fresh.
Her sweat quickly turned cold.
“There are cameras in the parking lot,” he explained, slowing down to let her catch up. “You’ll have to get in through the driver’s side door when we reach my car.”
“How can you see me?”
“All in good time, Samara. Let’s get off the compound first.”
Sam narrowed her eyes. “Why do you keep calling me that?”
“It’s your name. What else am I supposed to call you?” He quirked an eyebrow.
“Everyone calls me Sam.” Only her family called her Samara. She’d insisted on Sam for years. “You don’t.”
He shrugged. “Samara fits you better.”
She cocked her head and studied his profile. Like the first time she’d seen him, the lack of light cast shadows across his face, making his expression unreadable. He sounded serious. But no one called her Samara. It was her grandma’s name.
“I prefer Sam.”
He shrugged again. “I prefer Samara.”
She frowned.
“Here we are,” he said, opening the door to an older car. It creaked on its hinges, but it looked well cared for. “Climb on in.”
She didn’t move. “Where are you taking me?”
“I’m going to look suspicious if I stand here with an open car door and don’t get in.”
“I want to know where you’re taking me first.”
He sighed. “I’m taking you somewhere safe. Now get in. Please.”
The please did nothing to soften the command.
“How do I know if I can trust you?”
“I helped you escape. Isn’t that enough?”
“N
o.” There was too much she didn’t know.
“Please don’t make me force you. We have a long way to go and I have to be back here tomorrow.”
“You’re coming back?”
“There are a few things I have to do and we need to know how much they know about your escape. You’re still in danger.”
She looked pointedly at him and his car. “I’m aware.”
“Just get in the car.”
“Fine,” she said. “But I want answers.”
“We’ll have plenty of—” Coop cut off. “Hey Jennings! You expanding your search out here?”
Sam whirled around to see Jennings bearing down on them—on Coop. She panicked, scuffing her foot on the ground and stumbling forward. Coop coughed as she righted herself and stepped so close to him she could feel his body heat.
“What was that noise?” Jennings came to a halt right about where she’d been standing. If she hadn’t moved, Jennings would have run into her. She shuddered.
“Just a tickle in my throat,” Coop said.
Jennings shook his head. “I thought you were covering the control room for the rest of the night.”
“Nope. End of my shift. Sanders has it covered.”
“You’d said you’d help me look.”
“I said I’d keep an eye out. And I did. I made Sanders take over.”
Sam started. He hadn’t told Sanders anything about her or to keep an eye out.
“Fine. Then help me now.”
“Not in my job description, man. If I get involved now, they’re likely to find a way to blame me the way they did with the last one.”
Sam blew out her breath and didn’t move. The compound loomed behind Jennings, a hulking brick reminder that she hadn’t escaped yet. In the distance, a light from a guard tower along the outer fence made its rounds, sliding across the manicured lawn and disappearing.
Jennings scowled. “You need to help me. Reed’s angry.”
“You lost her, you find her. She probably went to find Amy. She knows about the testing. It’s possible she thinks she can save Amy.”
Sam started. If she hadn’t known Amy was behind her capture, he was right—she would have tried to save Amy too.
Jennings scoffed. “Amy doesn’t need help.”
“We know that. But does she?”
“Oh.” His eyes widened and he snapped his fingers. “You’re right. I’ll talk to Amy. See if she’s heard or seen Sam.” Jennings turned and jogged back toward the building.
Coop waited until he disappeared through the door before looking at her. She climbed into the car and kicked food wrappers and clothes out of the way. “Think you could have cleaned up just a little bit?”
“Would’ve been easier if I’d known to expect company. You forced me to move up my plans.”
“Plans?”
“Unlike Jennings, I did have a plan to help you escape.”
She made a disbelieving noise.
“Eventually. Listen. They weren’t planning to kill you and I needed to gather more information. I was going to get you out. Why do you think I kept bringing you stuff?” He turned on the car, the engine purring loudly as it turned over, and pulled out of his parking spot. “We have a few checkpoints we need to pass, so keep your suit on.”
Sam opened her mouth.
“Wait until after the checkpoints.”
She balled her fists, wanting answers now. But a tingling began at the base of her spine, signaling the presence of a new memory. Sam grabbed the energy within her and helped it spread, building it up until the memory took her under.
She was standing over Coop. He lay on a medical table, much like the one she’d seen at the compound’s lab, naked from the waist up. She looked closer, noting how much younger he was.
A past memory. The rigidity of the memory confirmed it.
She leaned forward. His eyes. They were the eyes she knew, but they lacked any trace of humor.
“He’s ready,” she said, but the voice came out in a lower register.
She wasn’t herself. Who was she?
A nurse appeared. “Michael Cooper, you’ve elected to infiltrate the Hunters.”
He nodded.
The nurse continued, “Before we get started, we’re required by sect laws to give you the option to back out. Once we begin, the procedure can’t be reversed.”
Coop’s face tightened with resolve. “I won’t back out.”
“In order to prepare you for the tests the Hunters will run, we must remove your ability to create illusions, including the removal of your Gifted mark.”
The Gifted mark. Something every Gifted had as identification. Sam’s was a large spot, almost like a birthmark, on her neck. Her stomach dropped. Coop was Gifted?
“I understand.” If Coop felt any panic or regret, it didn’t show.
“Do you wish to proceed?”
“Yes.”
Sam wanted to protest. Tell him not to do it. Nothing was worth giving up your Gift. But she couldn’t change the past.
The nurse turned to her. “Let’s begin, Doctor.”
She gulped as the nurse handed her—the doctor—a long, sharp-looking cutting instrument. What was she going to do with it? Sam panicked, but her body was already moving. She felt herself nod at the nurse. “Please roll Mr. Cooper over and apply the numbing agent.”
The nurse did as he was told. Coop’s mark was an intricate piece of lines and swirls, located on his left shoulder blade.
Beautiful.
Regret welled up. Why would he willingly give up his Gift?
The process of removing his mark involved stripping away everything, including the surrounding skin. Sam’s stomach rolled. Coop twitched under the doctor’s hands, but otherwise stayed quiet. Once the mark was gone, they replaced the area with a skin graft.
But that wasn’t the end.
She and the nurse began poking him with needles that ran to a machine. How could they do this to him? It was like removing part of his identity. And he agreed to it. Something had to spur him to volunteer. But what?
He was sedated, his eyelids fluttering and twitching. The nurse switched on the machine. Coop began to twist on the table. “Restrain him,” Sam said in her not-Sam voice. She held his shoulders. He felt like he was burning up.
“How long, Doctor?” the nurse asked.
“Five minutes to remove his illusionist ability.”
Chapter Eight