Hathor Legacy: Outcast Page 12

  Should he contact his mother and ask her what was happening there? As much as he wanted to, he couldn't take the chance. It was best to leave now.

  It was warmer outside than when he'd first gone in. Jonathan pulled his jacket off and climbed into the transport.

  "Lora, take me back to the house," he said.

  "Yes, of course. Are you all right?"

  "I'm fine." His head was pounding and he felt like throwing up. "Just get me back there as soon as you can."

  "Yes, sir."

  His father was dead. And Nadira had known about it. Why hadn't she told him?

  17 Fragile

  When Lora pulled up behind the house, Jonathan barely waited for her to stop before he hopped out. During the ride, he'd replayed every conversation with Nadira in his mind--every look, every touch--had it all been done to break down his resistance? Just as Ilana had done.

  And they both had the same powers.

  He trudged along the gravel path leading from the parking area to the front door. With each step, he felt like he was slogging through thick mud. Had he been that much of a fool?

  Turning the corner, he stopped in his tracks. Nadira was standing on the front stairs looking out at the sea. Her arms crossed, her short dark hair ruffled by the breeze. What was she thinking? If only he could tell. But his ability to see her thoughts came and went without his control.

  "What happened?" she asked, still gazing at the water.

  "How did you know I was here?" Stupid question. Would he ever get used to her powers?

  She turned to face him, her eyes wet. "I felt it. Something's wrong. Isn't it?"

  "Let's talk over there."

  Purple fronds of beach grass shot up through the slate grey sand. He led the way, pulling back the slender shafts as they tramped down to the water's edge.

  Stopping at a point just above the water line, he watched as the waves rolled onto the shore, then retreated, leaving bubbling foam in their wake.

  "What is it?" she asked.

  "While I was at the com station I called Cat Mantee."

  "The Mine Security Chief? You shouldn't have done that. What if she reports your location to security?"

  "I asked her about my father."

  Nadira took a step towards him. "There's something more."

  Tingling spread across his face and down over his chest and arms. What the hell? She was reading him.

  "Cat said they found my father's remains the day after I arrived. She reported it to the Guardians." He braced himself before continuing. "That was the day I was at your apartment. The same day you talked to the Sentry Leader. He told you, didn't he?"

  "Jonathan, I didn't believe him. I didn't trust what he was saying."

  "But you should've told me! You didn't have the right to decide what I needed to know."

  "You don't understand, Jon. Zina was telling Brant what to say. They have their own agenda."

  "Everyone has an agenda, Nadira. Even you."

  "What are you saying? Do you think I did all of this to betray you?" she asked. "I'll probably be banished for what I've done."

  "You were the one I thought I could trust. My father's been dead all this time, and you never told me."

  The only way he could keep himself clear was to leave now. If he stayed, if he listened to her, he might change his mind.

  "I wasn't deliberately hiding anything, Jon. I wanted to protect you. That's why I brought you to my apartment and that's why I'm here now."

  After what had happened between them, withdrawing from her wouldn't be easy. But he could do it.

  Hunching his shoulders against the icy sea air, he turned away from her.

  "Jonathan!"

  "Go back to the city. I'll be okay."

  "I'm not leaving. We're going to find Ilana together."

  "I don't need your help." Was she following him? It didn't matter. From now on he'd focus on finding Ilana and Matt and shove everything else out of his mind.

  *****

  Nadira stood by the water's edge, watching as Jonathan headed back up the path. He ran up the stairs and went inside, the door slamming shut behind him.

  Why couldn't he understand she'd only wanted to protect him?

  "My pardon!" Jason rushed down the path, his apron flapping. "Jon said he's leaving to go find your friend, Matt Bento. Did something happen?"

  "We had a difference of opinion."

  Jason picked his way through the grass and joined her by the waterline. "He refused to have Lora take him back to the com station. He's a CEO's son. I'm concerned about him walking about without an escort."

  "Is it so dangerous here?"

  He seemed shocked by the question. "Of course not. No one would dare to harm him, but still, he should receive a certain courtesy."

  Jason certainly was a good fit for his role. Though she wasn't sure if he really did feel the executive class deserved more consideration, or if he wanted to stay on the good side of those in power.

  "I'm not leaving until we have a plan," Nadira said. "So he's not going anywhere either."

  "Then there is no problem between you? He seems agitated." Jason glanced back towards the house. "Sometimes relations are difficult for Guardians. And, forgive me for mentioning it, but it is obvious that there are relations between you."

  It should've been more than obvious by now. "That's something that should remain private, Jason."

  "You are not the first Guardian to come here with that request. There are times when discretion is the better choice." He clasped his hands over his apron. "I'm aware that relations with Fragiles are not encouraged. At first I thought perhaps that was why you came here and I--"

  "What--what are you saying?" Nadira held out her hand to stop him from continuing. "Fragiles?"

  Jason leaned closer, like he was sharing a confidence. "Traditionally people from the North have little affection for off-worlders, particularly the ones who are connected to Novacorp. They're called Fragiles in our language. Well, some people call them that. I don't, of course."

  "Of course." Was this what her mother had endured? Facing rejection from the Guardians and her own people over her choice of partner? Nadira sighed. "We didn't come here to hide, Jason."

  "Your pardon, I did not mean to imply that," he gasped, genuinely alarmed at her response. "Jonathan is worthy of you if you have chosen him."

  Chosen him? She wouldn't have put it quite that way. "Do you have any suggestions for finding Matt Bento's home?" she asked. "He recently acquired it from Novacorp."

  "Really?" Jason's eyes grew wide. "That is quite unusual. They don't often sell property to a private owner. He must be a very wealthy individual."

  "He is," Nadira replied. "And he does have company connections."

  "If I could use my tablet, I might be able to find something."

  "I'd rather you didn't. You've done enough to assist us."

  "Then let me ask Lora. She might know about a house like that. That would certainly be something people would talk about." Jason rushed back to the house.

  Four boats were out in the open sea, their blue and green sails puffed out by the wind. What if she just took a minute to slip out of her shoes and dig her toes into the sand? Just stand here and think about nothing more than the rush of water over her feet…like she used to do long ago.

  The breeze was picking up. Nadira rolled down her shirtsleeves as she scanned the sapphire blue sea. Though right now the sky was clear, way off in the distance she saw streaks of dark grey clouds. A storm was coming.

  But there was something wrong. She could feel it.

  "AAAGGG!" Nadira pressed her hands against her head as a jolt of energy hit her, sending her down to her knees. She dug her fingers into the wet sand, steadying herself.

  Another energy was bombarding her, striking at her vulnerability to force its way through. The shield she'd put around herself and Jonathan was crumbling.

  Without the shield around him, any Guardian could track him. And when
they found him…

  She got back to her feet and ran down the path, ignoring the grass fronds that lashed at her legs. It didn't matter if Jon was still shutting her out. He'd have to let her shield him again.

  Just as she reached the door, Jason appeared, sweat covering his ace. "Jonathan took one of the cycles! I tried to catch up with him, but he was moving too quickly. Can he drive them? Most people from the city are not good at handling vehicles."

  Nadira groaned. Could he drive one? Probably not. But since when had that stopped him from doing anything. "Can a cycle move as fast as a transport?"

  "Faster."

  "Jason, I'm going to need your help again. We have to find Jon before he runs into trouble."

  "If he doesn't have experience driving a cycle, he'll run into something else before then."

  18 Arrival

  Nadira followed Jason back into the house, her nerve endings on fire. Why couldn't Jonathan stop and think for once? It was a good thing she'd been trained not to use her abilities in anger. Otherwise, Nadira was sure she would've blasted a hole in the wall.

  "Lora!" Jason called. "Have the cycles been charged?"

  She heard the sound of metal utensils hitting a hard surface, then silence. Lora came into the dining area, wiping her hands on her apron.

  "No, Jare got backed up on other work and didn't get to it," she replied.

  "That may be beneficial," Jason said, turning his attention to Nadira. "If the cycle isn't at full charge, it'll stop before Jonathan gets to the end of the transport road."

  "How far is it?"

  "It's about 70 kilometers to the end. After that there's just a quarry and a shuttle station."

  "Shuttle? Of course!" Ilana was waiting for someone to come in on the shuttle. Nadira had thought she'd meant the shuttle from Nova City, but it had to be this one. "I didn't know there was a shuttle station here."

  "It's used mostly by the quarry and the manufacturing plants to transport goods to the company installations."

  "Matt's house must be nearby," Nadira observed. Now it made sense for Ilana and Matt to leave the city and come out here.

  "Lora, tell Nadira about the house," Jason requested. "It might be the one she's looking for."

  "I heard a house near the end of the transport road was sold by Novacorp," Lora said.

  "No, that can't be it," Jason said. "You're thinking of the one damaged in the storm."

  Lora shoved her hands into the pockets of her apron. "No, you're thinking of the house with the new manager. Remember, I told you I heard about the sale at the com station."

  "Ah yes. They brought someone in from the city. What do they know about managing a house?"

  "Not that one," Lora countered. "I'm talking about the one down the beach."

  "I thought you said the new manager was at the one on the hill."

  Nadira sighed. At this rate, they'd be discussing local gossip for the next hour. She was about to interrupt when she heard a low whirring sound coming from outside.

  Whirrrrrr

  "What is that?" She bolted out the front door, her feet barely touching the front steps as she landed on the sand-covered path. Directly across from her, a long, black aircar was hovering over the information kiosk. Oval-shaped, with a smoke-colored glass top, it resembled an oversized insect.

  A breeze off the water whipped her hair against her face. Nadira pulled strands away from her eyes, squinting as she watched the craft's descent. If it was security, she and Jon were in a lot of trouble.

  Jason came trudging out after her. "It's too large for a private vehicle," he remarked. "Do you think they're Guardians?"

  After it set down, one of the doors lifted up like the wing of a bird. A security officer climbed out first, followed by a woman in a dark brown jacket and pants. Even from this distance, Nadira could tell who it was. Zina strode over to the information kiosk, the officer at her heels. It must've been her energy that had forced its way through Nadira's shields.

  "Jason, I've got to catch up with Jonathan. Do you have another cycle?"

  He looked at her warily. "Can you manage it?"

  "I'll have to. That woman is a Guardian. If she questions you, just be truthful." Nadira darted back inside, grabbed her jacket and ran out the rear door.

  Out back, the two remaining cycles were parked next to the transport. With all the shrubbery giving her cover, she should be able to get on the road without being seen.

  "Should I tell her anything she asks?" Jason rubbed his hand across his balding head.

  "Don't resist. She'll know if you're lying. The more you show your emotions, the easier it'll be for her to read you."

  "Yes, I know," Jason said. "I have dealt with Guardians before."

  "Thank you for all your help." She climbed into the cycle. The display lit up as the glass cockpit top came down and clicked into place.

  If Jonathan could drive a cycle without knowing how, she certainly could.

  "Use a light touch on the steerer--and be careful!"

  She grabbed the u-shaped steerer, and the cycle lurched forward, accelerating with a press of her fingertips. Moments later she was speeding down the transport road, putting distance between herself and Zina.

  *****

  Everything flew by in a blur as Jon sped along the transport road. Along the shoulder, all he could see was a ripple of beach grass waving pink, purple and green.

  He'd had every intention of walking back to the com station. But the cycle, sitting there with the sunlight glistening off the shiny gold and black exterior, had been too tempting to resist.

  Distracted by a large, black aircar whizzing by, he lost control as he rounded a sharp curve. The cycle swerved off the edge of the road. He mowed down a row of grass fronds, as the metal wheels screeched against the sand-covered shoulder.

  His heart racing, he yanked the steerer to the left and wrenched the vehicle back onto the paved road. Shit. At this speed, he'd get back to the com station in no time. He'd just have to make sure he got there in one piece.

  "Charge depleting in 10, 9, 8…" stated a tinny, feminine voice.

  It was running down already? He'd only been riding for 15 minutes. Squeezing on the steerer didn't help, and neither did pushing any of the control buttons.

  With a heavy sigh, Jon steered the vehicle over to the side of the road as it decelerated.

  "3…2…1…charge depleted. Please proceed to a charging station within 10 minutes for a warm restart."

  Well, back to the original plan. He climbed out and started walking. There was a beach house up ahead. Maybe he could find someone to ask for directions. Picking his way through the grass, he headed down the hill and onto a gravel path.

  "Pardon me." A slim man about Jon's age and height, called out from the gardens. "You're with the company, aren't you? Are you lost?"

  "My cycle powered down. It's up there." Jon pointed up the hill. "I was on my way to the com station."

  The man rushed over, his heavy shoes crunching against the gravel. "My name is, Corin. Would you like to come inside? It's cooler. Or maybe I can get you something to drink?" Rolling down his shirtsleeves, he wiped his hands against his long, blue apron.

  "No thanks. Is this your house?"

  "No. I'm the gardener." He wiped away sweat with his arm. "You passed the turnoff for the com station. It's about 16 kilometers back."

  Damn it. "Do you know Matt Bento? I'm looking for his house.""

  "I've never heard of him. Does he live on this end of the beach?" Corin asked, waving away an insect. "Most houses over here are owned by the company."

  "He recently bought it from Novacorp. It's a big house overlooking the sea."

  "Oh, yes, I heard about a house being sold. He must be very wealthy." Corin remarked. "If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's about a 20-minute walk. Or maybe 30 minutes. Sorry, I don't get down there too often."

  "That's not too far. Thanks for your help," Jonathan said. If he was forced to wander around out here, at l
east he had something to go on.

  "If you like, I could try to contact them and let them know you're coming."

  "No, don't bother," Jon replied. "I'd rather it be a surprise."

  *****

  Back on the road, Jonathan closed the cycle's cockpit. Grey clouds were gathering out over the water, and the wind was picking up.

  Just what he needed, to be stuck in the middle of nowhere in a storm. He could always go back and take Corin up on his offer. A cool drink would go down great right now.

  No, that would have to wait. There was important business waiting for him to take care of.

  A buzzing sound from off in the distance caught his attention. Thunder? No, it didn't sound like it. It was more like a swarm of insects. What the hell?

  Shading his eyes, he looked down the road. A cycle came into view, speeding in his direction. Was it going to stop? Jon dashed over onto the sand-covered shoulder, getting out of the way before the cycle whizzed past.

  But instead of continuing down the road, it came to an abrupt stop, the metal wheels sending sparks flying.

  Who the hell was driving that thing? The idiot could've run him over. He ran over to the vehicle just as the top lifted up and revealed who it was.

  Nadira stepped out, brushing herself off as she glared at him.

  "Can't you drive?" he demanded, as he slammed the top down. "You could've hit me."

  "If you were in the medi-evac, at least I'd know where the hell you were!" She smoothed her hair back. "Why did you take off like that?"

  "You know why!" he roared. "You should've trusted me. I had a right to know what happened to my father."

  Damn, she was exasperating. Even now, he was having trouble resisting her. Pings of energy hit him like sparks, firing up his desire for her.

  "Stop that. You're doing that Guardian thing again." He took a step back, retreating as she moved closer.

  "Jon, you kept saying we were connected. Well, now we are. Do you think you can just walk away from that?" Nadira's words tumbled out. "You're right, I didn't trust you. I thought you'd go rushing off and do something stupid."

  She had only been trying to shield him. He knew that. But still, he wasn't ready to reconnect with her yet. Not completely.