Donavon.
How dare Amberly utter his name?
Even in death, it seemed he could not find peace.
“Help me understand, Agent Lyons,” Amberly continued, oblivious to how dangerously close she was coming to being the lucky recipient of my wrath. “Because, if I were you, I—”
“You aren’t me,” I snapped. “And you are perverting the facts to suit your purposes. D-Donavon,” I tripped over his name, tears burning the backs of my eyes. Clearing my throat, I tried again, a razor-sharp edge to my voice. Maybe I could cut her with my words. “Donavon is not relevant to what happened today. And neither is that incident you referred to.”
Amberly started to say something, but I talked over her.
“Your attempts to manipulate this hearing are transparent, councilwoman.”
Victoria’s golden eyes narrowed on me.
“Natalia,” she warned, her tone all I needed to understand I’d gone too far.
But I didn’t care. Like Erik had said, this was ridiculous. Amberly was toying with us, dangling one enticing carrot after another in front of Erik and me, just waiting for one of us to bite.
“If you all actually want to know why I—yes, me, it was my decision and mine alone—saved Anya, then I will tell you. Otherwise, Amberly’s little game of cat and mouse is growing tiresome. And if she wants to see me flip my shit, I will gladly oblige her. If that is not your purpose, councilwoman, perhaps we can discuss today’s events. Not those in our respective pasts.”
I sat back in my chair, both mentally and physical exhausted. The day had been extremely stressful and I was done. Done with the games and the politics and the nonsense.
Stunned silence followed my tirade. The councilmembers appeared uncharacteristically at a loss for words. They exchanged uneasy glances with one another. Even Amberly’s smug smile had vanished, as if erased by my bluntness.
“Tals, what the hell was that? Why didn’t you let me speak my mind?” Erik demanded.
I said nothing. I didn’t regret my little tantrum, not exactly. But I was starting to think maybe I should have listened to Erik’s first bit of advice prior to walking into the hearing. I believe it was something about thinking before I spoke. Yeah, that probably would have been smart.
After what felt like an eternity, Victoria gestured towards me.
“Please, Agent Lyons, do not stop there. I think we are all very interested in what you have to say now.”
Her wan smile gave me pause. Did Victoria really want to hear my reasons for helping Anya? Or was she asking me to give the council further reason to contain me? Because, regardless of the council’s judgment on my actions at the auction, I had just blatantly insulted Amberly.
“This is your one chance, Tals. You have everyone’s attention and more than a few look like they want to hear you out. Tell them about Anya analyzing your blood. Explain about what happened in D.C.,” Erik encouraged. “Make them understand.”
Make them understand? Easier said than done. But Victoria was giving me the floor and I wasn’t going to waste it.
“As you all know, I was accidently infected with the Creation drug through a transfusion of unfiltered blood.” I met each councilmember’s eyes in turn, searching for some sign that they all did, in fact, know that part of my story. Most clearly did. The New Zealand delegate cocked her head questioningly and the Taiwanese representative tapped the table top, as if trying to locate the information in my personnel file.
I was on the verge of backtracking, to explain about Mac injecting his own son with the drug and how that led to my infection, when Victoria saved me the trouble.
“Yes, Agent Lyons, we do have a record of that transfusion,” she said. “No need to rehash the gory details.”
Intentional or not, Victoria had just extended me a great kindness. Donavon was obviously a touchy subject these days, and I had no desire to talk about him or the atrocities he’d suffered at his father’s hands.
I gave Victoria a small smile of gratitude and she responded with an almost imperceptible head nod.
“I was unaware I’d been infected,” I continued, absently wondering at what point using the term “infected” had become okay with me. “For months, I had these episodes. TOXIC’s medical staff told me they were seizures. They said the cause of them was the chemical the Coalition used to sedate me when I was captured during a mission.”
“Excuse me, what does the Coalition have to do with any of this?” the New Zealand councilwoman asked, looking honestly perplexed.
“It’s all in the file, Shyla,” Victoria answered quickly. To me, she said, “Continue, Talia.”
Her use of my first name made me do a double-take. Victoria was a hard woman to read, and I was unsure whether her lack of formality was intentional or simply a slip of the tongue. Worries for another day, I decided. And if this ended badly, I might have a lot of time ponder the complex inner workings of Victoria’s mind.
“The doctors kept telling me that they couldn’t identify the chemical, which was why they couldn’t reverse the effects,” I continued. “But my mood swings were getting out of control.” I paused, uncomfortable with the admission. It was true. My highs had become atop rocket ships, my lows in the deepest trenches of a volcano. But I wasn’t sure how the council would interpret the information. No one commented. So, I moved ahead. “Erik, um, Agent Kelley, thought maybe we should have someone else take a look at my blood. Someone who wasn’t so close to Mac—err, Director McDonough.”
“You’re doing great, Tals.”
Erik squeezed my hand, and then began making small circles on my palm with his thumb.
“Anya Pritcher worked in TOXIC’s medical research department. Since she and Err—Agent Kelley—”
“Erik is fine, dear,” Councilman Tanaka interjected. “We all know to whom you are referring.”
I smiled my thanks.
“Since Erik and Anya were still friends, he asked her if she would run some tests for us. She did. That was how she discovered the cause of my seizures—TOXIC was giving me a suppressant so that I’d be unable to morph. That’s my Created Talent, morphing,” I added by way of explanation. “Anya ran more tests to understand how I’d suddenly developed the ability to morph. She found the Creation drug in my system. From there, she was able to put the pieces together and determine what was really going on.
“Anya Pritcher is the reason UNITED found out about TOXIC’s illegal experimentation with the Creation drug. She took a huge risk by analyzing my blood, one she didn’t have to take. And she did it because it was the right thing to do. She helped me when the smart, not to mention easy, thing would have been not to. For that, I owed her. And,” I hesitated, suddenly acutely aware that everyone—the entire council, Viktor, Chaz, Frederick, Erik—was hanging on my every word.
It was exactly what I’d wanted, to spin an engaging, harrowing, story that would aid my case. I had an additional reason to add, one that was likely to garner sympathy for Anya and drive home the guilt that made me defy orders and save her. In doing so, I ran the risk of betraying Erik’s trust. He wasn’t aware that I knew about Mac torturing Anya in the hope her pain would cause Erik to divulge my whereabouts. Erik refused to talk about his time in captivity, even going as far as to lie to protect my feelings. But nightmares didn’t lie. And I’d seen the images in his head. The images of Anya, begging Erik to hold his ground, tormented him more than the physical torture he’d endured.
“And?” Victoria prompted.
I bit my lip, indecision caused the hand entwined with Erik’s to sweat. He smiled at me, his beautiful turquoise eyes full of love and compassion.
“And, I think Anya deserves a medal or something,” I said. “She was the one to blow Mac’s whole operation wide open.”
“And Anya Pritcher could be an asset to UNITED,” Frederick added, speaking up for the first time in a while. “She obviously has experience with the Creation drug. She worked in TOXIC’s research department, as
Talia said. She might prove very helpful in developing a cure.”
Why hadn’t I thought of that? Frederick’s justification was so much more practical than my long-winded diatribe. And succinct.
“Thank you, Agent Lyons. You, too, Agent Kraft. You have both given us a lot to think about,” Victoria began.
“This might turn out okay after all,” Erik sent.
“Don’t count your kelp burgers just yet,” I sent back. “We might not be returning to Eden.”
Erik laughed out loud, drawing several odd looks from the councilmembers.
Instead of deliberating out in the open, so Erik, Frederick, and I could hear what they were saying, the council muted their microphones. Judging by their facial expressions, it was clear that they were split on our punishments. We knew that Councilwoman Azevedo was pro-harsh penalties, while Councilman Tanaka was open to reason, so I studied their reactions closely. Both seemed agitated, which told me nothing.
“Think this is all they wanted to talk about?” I asked Erik. “Or should I be worried about the mess with Kenly? And that Libby girl?”
“Not sure. Probably a good thing they are deliberating now, though. If they were going to charge us with whatever for those two, wouldn’t they wait to rule on all of them together?”
“Let’s hope so,” I said.
“Agent Kraft,” Victoria said, dragging me out of the mental conversation with Erik. While I’d ceased to pay attention, the council had finished their discussion and were all settled back in their chairs once more. “It is the judgment of this council that you acted on the orders of a superior. While those orders were in opposition to UNITED’s wishes, it is the duty of any good agent to obey his team leader during a mission. Therefore, you will receive a mark on your permanent record as punishment. Further, your privileges are to be suspended for the next three weeks. All day passes for leaving the island will be revoked during that time period. Also, until further notice, you are removed from the taskforce. You will report to Oceanic immediately, where you will continue solely with your work locating TOXIC officials. Are you clear on your orders?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Frederick replied stoically.
Overall, the punishment wasn’t so bad. Day passes were only given in theory. Since joining UNITED, only Brand had ever taken a personal day off of work. We were simply too busy. And a black mark on his service record wasn’t the end of the world. It might hinder advancement within the organization for the time being, but Frederick was a great agent. If he decided to make a career with UNITED, one indiscretion wouldn’t stop him from sitting in Victoria’s seat one day.
Relocation to the Oceanic was pretty crappy, though. It meant Frederick and Henri would be separated. I prayed that separation was only for work, and that Frederick would still be allowed to live on Eden with the rest of us.
Regardless, I felt horrible. This was all my fault. I refused to regret saving Anya, but I did regret the fallout my actions had on my teammate.
“You are dismissed, Agent Kraft. I will see you when you arrive at Oceanic.”
Victoria punctuated her dismissal with a nod.
Frederick stood to leave. I caught his eye and mouthed, “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be, Talia,” he murmured. “She’s my friend, too.”
“Agent Kraft, this way please,” Chaz said, stepping forward.
With one hand on his gun, it seemed Chaz was prepared to forcefully escort Frederick from the conference room if he didn’t leave soon. I rolled my eyes. This really was ridiculous.
My amusement with the castle clowns was quickly quashed the moment the door closed behind Frederick. The sea of pointed stares was left focused entirely on us.
Erik and I were alone with the council. And our verdicts were in.
VICTORIA ADDRESSED ERIK FIRST.
“Agent Kelley, it is the judgment of this council that you used your personal relationship with Agent Lyons to convince her to disobey her orders.”
“What?” I screeched, stunned by this turn of events. Unfortunately not stunned enough, though, because I was still fully capable of speech. And my mouth was great at digging my grave. “You can’t be serious. That is not what happened, Victoria. I told you, it was my decision. Erik didn’t use me. You can’t just decide that he did. That doesn’t make it fact.”
“I understand,” Erik said calmly, raising his voice just loud enough to ensure he was heard over my tirade.
I rounded on Erik, yanking my hand free of his in the process.
“No. You don’t ‘understand’. You can’t ‘understand’. Because that’s not what happened.”
It was like I was invisible. Erik, Victoria, and the rest of the council ignored me. No one even batted an eyelash in my direction. Even Chaz and Viktor remained still, neither guard twitching a muscle. Had I magically become invisible? Did they press the mute button on me?
“Agent Kelley, you will receive a mark on your permanent record. Your privileges are hereby suspended until further notice. You, too, will be removed from the taskforce and reassigned. Previously, I offered you the chance to be UNITED’s media liaison. With the upcoming Treaty vote, public relations are more important than ever. A capable, controlled, Created showing the public they have nothing to fear from either the Talented or the Created is vital to our cause. There is no longer a choice, you will be our liaison. And you will be capable, controlled, and you will, most of all, show the world that they have nothing to fear from us. Am I clear?”
I blinked, confused and surprised. Erik had already agreed to be Victoria’s poster boy. Really, this “punishment” wasn’t really a punishment at all. What game was she playing?
“Yes, Ma’am,” Erik replied, giving no indication that her pronouncement was weird or that they two of them had already had this conversation.
“You will accompany Agent Kraft to Oceanic immediately, so that we may begin preparing you for your new assignment. You are dismissed,” Victoria concluded.
“I would like to stay, if that’s okay. I’d like to wait for Talia,” Erik said stiffly, adding, “Ma’am” as an afterthought.
Victoria smiled indulgently, but shook her head.
“The council has additional business with Agent Lyons.” She hesitated, and a flash of something I didn’t recognize crossed her golden gaze. “You will have an opportunity to see Agent Lyons before you leave for Oceanic, Erik.”
Even an ocean away, I spotted the lie. Victoria was the consummate politician, capable of half-truths and carefully worded promises that held no real weight. But outright lying was unnatural for her; it went against her core beliefs. Victoria’s tells were subtle but obvious: a quick flit of the eyes; a tightening of the jaw; the sudden need to busy her hands.
My heart began to pound. Nerves made my palms grow slick with sweat. I tried to hide my reaction from Erik. Because Victoria’s lie wasn’t for me. It was for him. The soft, almost motherly, way she was looking at my boyfriend suggested she was worried about his reaction to my punishment. Suddenly, that made two of us. Judging by Erik’s earlier outbursts, he would not sit idly by while the council announced my fate.
Chaz and Viktor were inching closer to the conference table. Both guards had their weapons drawn and were prepared to take Erik by force. Which was something of a joke, albeit quite humorless. Two agents with handguns were no match for Erik’s talents.
“Talia.”
With just my name, Victoria was able to convey a much longer message.
She wanted me to intervene, to send Erik away. Because she, like me, knew if Chaz and Viktor attacked, Erik might very well kill them. I turned to look at my love, drinking in the sight of his face in case it was the last sip I’d get for a while.
“Go, Erik,” I sent him, careful to keep all traces of my fear behind my mind’s own Vault. “I’ll be fine. Like Victoria said, you’ll see me before you leave for Oceanic. Yours and Frederick’s punishments weren’t that bad. I’m sure mine will be okay, too. I’ll see you
soon.”
Indecision flickered in those beautiful turquoise eyes that I loved so much. I wasn’t using much manipulation, only just enough to sway his decision in favor of leaving. Deep down, Erik knew it was for the best. He’d been too preoccupied to notice Victoria’s lie, and believed he would actually see me shortly. But Erik loved me too much to leave me to the firing squad. He was on the verge of protesting again.
“Go,” I repeated quickly. “Please.”
Chaz and Viktor were standing directly behind Erik’s chair. I shot harsh glares at the duo, warning them to back off and let me handle it.
“Okay,” Erik finally agreed, speaking aloud. “I’ll see you in a couple minutes.”
Though his words were about me, he directed them at the council. Erik didn’t even bother pretending to veil the underlying threat. His meaning was clear to everyone: he’d better see me in a couple of minutes, or else.
Erik stood. Viktor and Chaz tried to take hold of his arms to escort him towards the door. The attempt was laughable. Ready to take out his confused feelings on the first person to cross his path, Erik was literally charged. Both guards were zapped the instant they made contact with him. The voltage wasn’t too high, but Chaz was still blown back. He landed with a thud against the wall nearest the door. Viktor stumbled but managed to keep both feet on the ground. He didn’t try to touch Erik again, though. Instead, Viktor simply pointed his gun towards the door and barked, “Move.”
With slow, calculated movements, Erik bent, kissed me on the forehead, and then sauntered from the room without another word.
“AGENT LYONS,” VICTORIA began, not wasting a moment once Erik was gone. “It has come to our attention that you authorized the kidnapping of a Poacher.”
Huh? Kidnapping? What was she talking about?
“Elizabeth Monroe was drugged and kidnapped from Andrew’s Rock. She was just revived and is extremely upset,” Victoria continued. “It is my understanding that you gave the order to take her, Agent Lyons?”
Shit. No good deed goes unpunished.