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"The letter didn't say. Wager is tracing it, but cautions us against holding our breaths. He says it'll take some time and there is no guarantee of success."
"Well, someone else out there doesn't trust the Elders either. Maybe that's a good thing for us."
"Or maybe not."
"True."
"The letter also mentioned that your dreams with Sheron could be true. Wager found a file on a program called 'dream incursion.' Something about enhancing dreams with information that would become memorable. He's working on that lead, too."
"Poor guy," Co
Aidan laughed. "He's too hotheaded for a desk assignment. I asked him once why he joined the Elite. He said it was his first love and the rest was just a hobby."
"Some hobby."
The low rumble of a car's engine drew both of their gazes to the road. Just beyond the chain link fence that marked Stacey's property, a black sedan with dark tinted windows cruised slowly along then turned into the driveway.
The screen door opened and the girls exited the house backwards, balancing small desert plates atop each hand. Both men spared only fleeting glances in their direction.
"Who is that?" Stacey asked, noting how both Co
Aidan stood and glanced at her, frowning. "You don't recognize the car?"
She shook her head.
"Get in the house," Co
For a moment, Stacey contemplated the effectiveness of pointing out that she wasn't one to be ordered around. In the end, she stepped around Co
"It's my house," she pointed out. "Whoever it is wants to see me. Or they're lost. Most likely lost, because-"
"I've got this, Cross," Co
Stacey fell silent as Aidan leaped to his feet and pushed Lyssa roughly into the house.
Co
Her mouth fell open as a woman beautiful enough to put Angelina Jolie out of a job unfolded from the backseat. The gal had black hair and green eyes like Stacey, but unlike Stacey, she was tall and willowy with the defined muscles of a body builder. She was also drop-dead gorgeous-blessed with perfectly symmetrical facial features and softly ta
"I have no idea who that is," Stacey said.
"Captain Bruce," the woman called out in greeting, smiling in a way that made Stacey's skin crawl. She had the same accent that Co
"You know her?" Stacey asked, heart sinking. No way could she compete with a woman who looked like that.
"Rachel," Co
The grim tone of Co
"Look how sweetly you protect your human lover," Rachel drawled, resting her arm elegantly along the top of the open car door. "I always said the need for sex was a weakness unique to male members of the Elite."
"What the fuck is she talking about?" Stacey muttered. "Who is that?" Her eyes widened. "Oh my god! You're not married are you?"
"What?" Co
"To anyone?"
"No!"
Rachel cleared her throat. "Excuse me. Can you argue after I conclude my business? I have a long drive ahead of me and I would like to 'hit the road' as they say."
Aidan came back. He handed something to Co
Stacey glanced down at the object in Co
"Oh, I get it!" She gri
"Sweetheart," Co
"Bossy, aren't they?" Rachel said, laughing. "You can come with me, sweetheart. I have some… friends… who would love to meet you."
"You'll have to kill me, Rachel," Co
Rachel tossed her hair over her shoulder and laughed. "I know! Isn't that delicious? As impatient as I was for the Key to be found, getting you and Cross in the bargain makes it all worth it."
Totally confused, Stacey's gaze drifted to the man in the driver's seat. He looked like a dude from Men in Black. Black suit, blacker sunglasses. Something about him was even weirder than Rachel's Cruella de Ville-vibe, even though he didn't move and bore no expression on his face.
"But claiming the Key now would be a bit like putting the cart before the horse," Rachel said with a careless wave of her hand. "So you can enjoy your unfortunate humans a little bit longer."
"What does she keep saying 'human' like that?" Stacey whispered fiercely, disliking the other woman immensely. Rachel was so damned smug and nasty. And the way she set Co
"What do you want?" Co
"You have something that belongs to me, Bruce. I want it back."
He descended the first step. "Fuck you."
Rachel's grin widened. "I would not come empty-handed, surely you know that?"
"You show us yours first," Co
Aidan caught her upper arm in a relentless grip and tugged her toward the door.
"Fine." Stacey went. "But I'm watching through the window."
"I want the trinity," Rachel said.
Co
Stacey paused at the door. "Stop provoking her! She's a nut."
"Perhaps this will jog your memory," Rachel said. She looked into the backseat. "Get out."
The other rear door opened and a man stepped out.
"Oh my god," Stacey breathed, her hand falling away from the door handle as she recognized the man wearing a black turtleneck sweater and ski pants. "That's Tommy! What the fuck is he doing with them?"
The tension that gripped Co
Tommy stood next to the car in an obvious daze, his eyes sightless and uncomprehending.
The next moment the driver moved, reaching over to the front passenger seat and yanking a bound and gagged body into view.
Stacey screamed, doubling over at the sight of Justin's terrified eyes and tear-stained face.
Rachel's smile was chilling. "So, now I have shown you mine. And he will stay mine until you return the trinity to me."