The Syndicate

  “No, I’m just nervous about meeting your, um…”

  “Dorina?”

  “Yeah,…Dorina.” She rests her head on the back of her seat.

  I’ve never seen her look so uncomfortable, and that’s saying a lot, because we’ve been in more than a few awkward situations. “Why?” I ask, overly curious.

  “What if she doesn’t like me?”

  I smile. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I can assure you, she won’t like you.”

  She whips her head around, eyes wide. “Huh?”

  I chuckle, then shrug. “She won’t.”

  “Why are you taking me then?” she hisses, but it comes off weakly.

  “Because I need to find out why she doesn’t like you.”

  “But…you don’t need me there for that.”

  “Yes I do.”

  “No you don’t.”

  “Riley, I know what I’m doing.”

  “Well, will you please fill me in, because I’m not feeling too sure about this?”

  “Listen, I’m not a hundred percent sure she’s the Reader who put your name in. The only way I’ll know for sure is to see her reaction to you.”

  She tilts her head back against the seat and closes her eyes. “Great.”

  She looks completely miserable, and at first it’s cute, but after a few minutes of watching her suffer, I lean into her and get more serious. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I promise.”

  She turns to face me, her nose nearly touching mine. “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  We land in Tulsa at four o’clock and rent a car under the name John Roberts. Dorina lives about twenty minutes from the airport, but I drive slowly and take some detours, giving both of us extra time to gather our composure. On the plane I was nonchalant about Dorina not liking Riley, because it doesn’t matter if she does or not. But, that doesn’t mean we don’t have anything to worry about. Dorina’s Shadow, Gavril, is the one to watch. Like all Shadows, he’s an ex-Guard. That means he’s trained to assassinate threats to the Syndicate and Gavin’s reaction will depend on how much Dorina doesn’t like Riley.

  I know he won’t just kill her off the bat. He knows the rules: we don’t kill females. But he’s also been a loyal member of the Syndicate for more than forty years, and I wouldn’t put it past him to feel obligated to follow through like Henri does. Especially since it’s his own charge who sees Riley as the threat.

  By the time I reach Dorina’s, Riley has let her hair down and applied a light coat of lip gloss. Like that’ll help. Then again, maybe it will. We pull into the driveway and Riley asks if Dorina is expecting me.

  “No,” I answer. “You ready?”

  “No.”

  “She’s not going to bite.” I get out of the car and walk around to her side. She makes me pull her up and hold her hand as we walk. She’s still hesitant, but I give her one final instruction. “Just stay close and don’t stare at her Shadow.”

  She squeezes my hand, nearly cutting off the circulation, but doesn’t ask why. Good. I don’t want to have to tell her that Gavril could take her out in the blink of an eye if he wanted. Or that if he tries, he and I will be in an ugly fight right there inside Dorina’s house, and then she really won’t like her.

  No, I just stay quiet and ring the bell. I move Riley’s tiny frame behind me so she’s out of sight from whomever opens the door. She doesn’t resist. Rather, she moves easily and presses herself against my back. I want to turn around and tell her again that it’ll be okay, but don’t have time.

  The door cracks open to reveal Gavril. I should’ve known he’d answer. “Vasi?” He looks confused. Of course he would. Members of the Circle don’t go around dropping in on Readers.

  “Hey, Gavril. Is Dorina home?”

  “Yes. What’s going on? Is everything okay?” He brings his shoulders back, making himself an inch taller. It almost makes me laugh. Sure, he’d still be one to reckon with, but I guess I’m just used to his secret-service persona. Intimidating to get past, yes, but in hand-to-hand combat? Probably really rusty.

  “Everything is fine. I need to see Dorina. It’s about her last reading. I have a question.”

  “Did Henri send you?”

  “No, he didn’t.” I can feel Riley nearly shaking against my back. Not sure how long the poor girl can hold up. “But I can’t finish my assignment without further assistance from Dorina.”

  He nods, cautiously, as if accepting the explanation for my breach in procedure.

  “All right. Come in.”

  “I brought a good friend with me, if you don’t mind.” I step aside and let him take a look at Riley. He doesn’t look too happy.

  “Vasi?”

  “She’s my friend. Don’t worry. We won’t be long.”

  He moves aside to let me pass. “Mind if you stay outside?” I ask. He looks at me like that’s not an option, so I bring up code. “It’s still Circle business.”

  He knows he’s not permitted inside the Circle anymore, and, even though he narrows his eyes with a hint of doubt, he doesn’t fight me on it. But he does challenge Riley’s presence inside. I quickly tell him that she has to use the restroom after the long flight, and agree to send her right out when she’s done.

  He takes the bait and yells toward the long hallway. “Dorina! You have a visitor.” With one final, appraising glance, he nods and lets us by. I close the door and turn to Riley.

  “Once she sees you, don’t say anything. No matter what her reaction is. When I tell you to go outside, go sit with Gavril and talk about the pretty golf courses here. Even if you don’t know a thing about golf, just engage him and act normal.” She nods, and I move her behind me again, continuing through Dorina’s entryway.

  Dorina comes around the corner, drying her hands with a dish towel. “Vasi? What are…?”

  I repeat the conversation I had with Gavril. When I’m finished, I tell her she needs to meet someone. Then, moving aside, I expose Riley, who’s standing completely still.

  “Vasi!” Dorina turns her back instantly and covers her eyes.

  “What’s the matter, Dorina?” I ask, closing the gap between us.

  “Vasi, um, I’m sorry, but I can’t have company right now. I’m not feeling well. Please leave.”

  Riley’s already backpedaling, and I can feel the tension as I glance between the two of them.

  “Okay, I will in just a minute. Riley, please go outside and wait for me.” She scurries out like a squirrel and I square myself right behind Dorina’s back. “Please, I have to ask you something.”

  “Is she gone?”

  “Yes.”

  Quickly, Dorina turns around, giving a large exhale. “Vasi, what are you doing? Where is Henri?”

  “Listen. I don’t have much time, so I need your help.”

  “Help you? I can’t help you. You need Henri. Vasi…” She glances over my shoulder. “You’re in danger.”

  “How so?” I prod.

  “I can’t say. You just need to see Henri, right now.”

  “Dorina, I’ve already seen Henri and now I’m seeing you.” Her expression turns to worry, as if she’s just realized I know more than she originally thought. “I need you to tell me what you know about that girl outside.”

  Her gaze bounces between me and the door. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes you do,” I urge. “I saw your reaction. You know who she is. Now tell me what you know.”

  Her gaze finally settles on me and turns sharp. “What have you done?”

  “Nothing yet, Dorina. That’s what I’m trying to tell you! Now please talk to me.”

  “Vasi, tell me it’s not you.” She walks away, heading into the living room. “Why are you compromising your future?”

  I don’t even turn over the question, because it doesn’t matter. I won’t have a future unless I can get past this mess I’m in.

  “I’m not c
ompromising myself.”

  “You’re with her. You brought her here!”

  “Because I needed to see your reaction. To be sure you were the right Reader. She has no idea why she’s here. She thinks she’s meeting an aunt.” She relaxes a little at my lie. “Listen, I’m new at this, and Henri gave me her as my last target. And you and I both know that the Syndicate doesn’t kill women.”

  She glances at me and then crosses her arms. “Henri told me he would take care of it. He didn’t say he would order a hit on her.”

  “Then why did you write her name?”

  “He said it was my duty. I went to him and told him I had reservations, but he said I must give the names of all threats, no matter what, and that he would decide how to handle it. He planned to warn you guys and make sure none of the boys wavered toward her.”

  “Well, he didn’t. All he did was order the hit. And I couldn’t do it without knowing why.”

  “Oh, Vasi,” she sighs, sitting down. “We can’t have this conversation.”

  “Yes we can.” I say, sitting next to her.

  “It goes against every code we stand for.”

  “So does killing her. Now tell me why.”

  “I can’t. Henri is the Elder, and if he knew this conversation was taking place…”

  I interject. I don’t want Henri to know about this. The only thing I can think of escapes my mouth. “I’m supposed to be the Elder, Dorina, and I’ll claim my position if I have to to get these answers. Now tell me why I’m ordered to kill that terrified girl out there.”

  She’s completely stunned by my declaration, and I sit firm, letting the aura of authority linger.

  She studies me intensely and begins to soften. “Well well, Vasile. How I see your father in you.” I don’t waver. She thinks a moment and then continues. “My visions aren’t clear. I only see her, then her apartment. Then I see Hybrids coming into her apartment. Then I see her with a Guard. I can’t see his face, but then the image shifts to Henri being killed as she watches. And she has a satisfied look on her face. No fear at all. Then, I see no Syndicate. Nothing. Everything is gone, including the visions.”

  My mind is spinning. “You see Henri dying while she watches?”

  She nods.

  Well that explains why he has it in for her. “That’s all?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well that doesn’t give Henri cause to have her killed.”

  “Hybrids congregate in her home.”

  “How do you know they are congregating?” I counter.

  “I saw more than one entering her place.”

  “Yeah, well I did too.” My answer surprises her. “I witnessed them going into her apartment too, but not to congregate. They were there to kill her. And had I not been there, she’d be dead, killed by a Hybrid. What does that say?”

  “W-w-well, I don’t know.”

  “Exactly, which is why I can’t kill her without more information.”

  I stand to leave, and she holds my arm. “Vasile…what about Henri?”

  “So he dies and she’s there. Doesn’t mean she’s responsible.”

  She gently squeezes my arm. “Vasile, do not waver in everything your father taught you.”

  I place my hand on hers. “I’m not, Dorina. It’s because of the things my father taught me that I’m following my intuition.”

  “I don’t think you’re making a wise decision, but I understand your reservations. I have them too, but you can’t trust someone you know nothing about, either.”

  “I won’t.” I begin making my way to the door, and she follows behind me.

  “What will you do now?” she asks, right on my heels.

  “I’m going to find out everything I can about her and then do what needs to be done.”

  She sighs heavily, but embraces me before I exit. I don’t ask her not to tell Henri I’ve been here, because it doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve already strayed, and he’ll know soon enough.

  When I step out on the porch, Gavril is rambling something off about the back nine and Riley is politely sitting there, listening, but unnaturally still. She looks like she’s avoiding setting off an explosion.

  “Thanks, Gavril. You ready?” I ask, turning to Riley. She hops up and walks my way.

  I don’t take her hand this time, because I’d rather Dorina not see us that way, and Riley picks up on my formality. Following along, she turns and thanks Gavril for teaching her about the greens and then politely says goodbye as we walk to the car.

  Both of us let out huge breaths once we get in.

  “I thought you’d never come out,” she sighs.

  “Well, it’s done,” I reply, driving away, becoming painfully aware that Dorina is right. I may think I know Riley, but I really don’t. And that’s gotta change, right now.

  I pull over a few miles down the road at a park with mini lakes and fountains. It seems like a good place to get to the bottom of things. Surely, having no idea what I’m thinking or what Dorina said to me has got to be eating away at Riley. By now, she’s sitting perfectly still and is oddly quiet. It reminds me of how she appeared when Gavril was talking to her. I have issues, but I’m not a time bomb, and certainly not someone she should be afraid of.

  I offer her a reassuring smile and tell her I just want to talk to her. Still quiet, she nods and gets out of the car. Together we walk side by side to a bench overlooking little lakes whose green water is reminiscent of Easter egg dye.

  She finally breaks her silence. “Are you going to tell me what happened back there?”

  “It was her. She’s the Reader.” I tell her most of the visions, leaving out the part about her watching Henri die, and then I tell her why I brought her to the park. “Dorina agrees that my reservations are justified, but believes I don’t know enough about you.”

  She lets out a nervous laugh and then shrugs. “I’ve told you everything about me.”

  “No, I need to know everything.”

  “Like?”

  “Tell me about your family. Let’s start with your mother.”

  “I’ve told you everything I know about her.”

  “What about your grandmother or grandfather?”

  “I don’t know. My mom was adopted. I told you that.” She shifts her weight and looks away.

  It’s obvious she’s getting uncomfortable, but this is important. Scouts don’t do in-depth searches on the targets’ families. They do just enough to find out their location and ensure there won’t be any interference. That means it’s up to me to dig deep on this. Call it an in-person background check.

  “I know, but it’s really important that I know every single detail about your life, because if I don’t, my family will continue to use it against me, insisting I don’t know you and therefore can’t trust you. Just tell me everything you can.”

  “Fine.” She looks back. “My mom was adopted and then bounced around from foster home to foster home because she kept acting up. She never mentioned any of her foster parents. She only kept one picture of her birth mother, and the only thing she knew was that her name was Cosmina.”

  My head jerks back. “Cosmina?”

  “Yeah. Why, what’s wrong?”

  “Cosmina is a Romanian name.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s not something to overlook. Don’t you think that’s odd?”

  She shrugs, but I’m focused on it. I don’t meet many people from my country hanging out in America, so this strikes me as an important detail.

  I put in a call to Rosie and ask her to find me anything she can on a Cosmina in every genealogy and family history book we have at the house. Then, I sit and wait. I feel like I don’t know anything, like everything I’ve reconciled with is crumbling on top of me. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing here, and, moreover, why I’m the one doing it. Andre and Petric are perfectly capable of handling something like this. Who am I kidding? I wouldn’t wish this confusion on my worst enemy.
>
  “Vasi, you’re scaring me now. I don’t know that Cosmina person. I swear. If she did…”

  I shake my head. “No. I’m not worried about that. I just think the connection means something and it’s frankly confusing the hell out of me.”

  “Listen, I don’t want to be a burden on you. If it’s easier for you, you don’t have to stay with me. I can take care of myself.”

  She starts to get up and walk off. “No you can’t,” I counter, taking hold of her elbow.

  She turns around with a deep crease embedded between her brows.

  “Well, maybe you’re right, but so what? It’s better than this rollercoaster I seem to be on. I just want my life back, and for you to have yours back. This is getting exhausting.” She’s still ranting, but I tune her out to the sound of my cell phone ringing.

  It’s Rosie. “The only thing I see on a Cosmina is a record from the Syndicate’s Russian division. She was the daughter of a Reader named Madalina who left the Circle in the fifties. Madalina ran off with Cosmina when she was a baby and was never seen again. They said she turned her back on the family.” I’m completely stunned and it takes a few moments before I can respond.

  This news is beyond important. “Can you find out the details?” I finally mutter.

  “I’ll try. Why? What’s going on?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Thanks.”

  I hang up, letting go of Riley’s elbow. She’s been intently listening. Swallowing hard, I meet her gaze and tell her exactly what Rosie learned. The news is causing my pulse to race, but her forehead is still creased. “So my great-grandmother could’ve been a traitor?”

  “No,” I counter, leaning down to her level. “It means those aren’t nightmares you’re having. If you’re related to this Cosmina, then you are a Reader and your mother is not crazy.”

  Chapter 19

  A REUNION

  We go straight to a local hotel, order room service again, and stare at each other while we wait. We’re both tense and quiet and I don’t like it, but finding the right words to say is beyond me.

  Everything is passing through my mind at once. If she’s technically one of us, then how can anyone believe she’d bring us harm? What does it mean? What is the connection? Does it make her a threat or solidify that she’s not? I have to tell Henri this. Or maybe I don’t. Frustrated, I begin pacing. Maybe if I go back to Dorina’s, she’ll know what to do. No. I can’t risk going there twice. We’re going to have to figure this out ourselves.