Part 27 (1/2)

Ilida burst out laughing at Beverly's nonsense. ”Would you get out of here, please?”

Beverly gave a guttural laugh as she sauntered out of her office. ”Oh, hey, did you bring your toothbrush for tonight?”

”What's tonight?” she slapped her forehead when it dawned on her. ”Oh c.r.a.p! I forgot.”

”I'm going to get breakfast I'll get you a toothbrush.”

”Thanks, Bev'. You seem to know my schedule better than I do.”

”Someone has to remind you.”

”Yeah, right.”

Tonight Ilida had the misfortune of being the overnight counselor. She also had the misfortune of missing Daedalus-as much as she wanted to forget him, it wasn't working. He managed to penetrate every corner of her consciousness.

Four nights ago-they always met at night-they'd met for the last time. They'd disclosed they wanted different things out of a relations.h.i.+p. He wanted s.e.x without attachments and Ilida wanted a relations.h.i.+p and s.e.x with a normal non-psychic person. They'd made love, which probably wasn't the smartest thing to do. So why did she continue to feel it after four days. Why was she falling in love with him?

She checked her watch. Twelve on the dot. She had to check all the residents to see if they were in their rooms, fast asleep. She tiptoed down the wooden stairs that creaked horribly no matter how light your step was. She opened the door to the first room on her left. Two girls, Mandy and Ricci, occupied it. They were sleeping. Mandy had kicked off her covers. Ilida tiptoed into the room, pulled the covers up, and tucked her in. Ricci snored. Smiling, Ilida closed the door behind her.

She checked the room to the right. Two boys occupied the room. They were sleeping. They were all in their beds, so far. She checked the last room on the floor. The room Mike and Tim occupied.

She steadied her hand and pushed the door open. Tim was in his bed sleeping. Mike...wasn't in his. She squatted down, bent over to peer under his bed. No Mike. ”s.h.i.+t!”

She pulled up the shade and saw Mike jumping over shrubs, running like a criminal on Cops. After hurriedly telling Sally what happened, she left her in charge then ran out of Tilly to her car.

”Let's take mine it's more reliable.”

”Gauge. I forgot you were here.”

”I didn't think I was unforgettable.”

f.u.c.k, f.u.c.k, f.u.c.k! If only she'd monitored everyone telepathically, but if she'd done that it would have given her a headache. That kid!

Ilida?

Inwardly she groaned. The night was getting better by the minute. Daedalus would kill her after she told him how lax she was. Ilida concentrated hard and forced a wall between her thoughts and Daedalus's.

Mike ran with incredible speed. She'd never seen anyone run so far. What was more remarkable was that she could make him out through the blur.

Six miles later, they trailed Mike to the Long Island Railroad. After they paid their ticket, they slumped low in their seats. That time of the night the train cars were full but not crowded.

Wetness ran down her back. d.a.m.n kid!

”You have to tell Daedalus.”

”I know.”

After almost an hour she felt safe enough to send her thoughts outward looking to Daedalus.

What can I do for you, Ilida?

His voice cool and remote. His emotions controlled. She shouldn't be surprised; it was her idea to not see him again. She probably interrupted his time with some blonde. Mike ran away from Tilly and we're following him.

By car?

We're on the Long Island Railroad. It looks like he might be going to Brooklyn or the City.

How did he get away?

He was on my watch when he slipped out. I'm sorry.

Be my eyes.

He cut off contact but Ilida could feel him shadowing her thoughts-seeing what she was seeing.

Chapter Nineteen

f.u.c.king Kid!

After piggy backing onto Ilida's thoughts-seeing and feeling through her eyes-I followed Mike to a club. h.e.l.l's Kitchen Ninth and Thirtieth Street. I told Ilida to go back to Tilly and I'd handle Mike.

I should have known Mike would pull something like this. The Red Queen drug must still be in his blood stream after I purged it from his body and going through the detox. f.u.c.king drug!

Mike walked fast, with purpose. His chain swung back and forth as he swaggered. He pulled up his hood. There were only two clubs in this radius-one human, and the other vampire. I needed backup just in case. I searched him out using an impersonal pathway.

Barry?

I thought I wasn't supposed to start yet?

You aren't. Barry my older brother's newest acolyte. He was a cop before his curiosity got the better of him and got him a sizable bite on his neck. Luckily, Alec and Tania found him and changed him. The one who bit him has not been found yet. Are you still with the NYPD?

Yeah, until Friday.

I need you to keep the police diverted for a while.

What's going on?

Possibly an impromptu drug bust. Mike turned the corner as I cut off contact with Barry Chen and then I saw my nightmare, Ilida Davis, run around the corner after him with Gauge behind her. I bunched my fist. I told her to go back to work.

Gauge shouldn't fight. Not here, where he could go into a cannibalistic fury.

I'll take it from here, Gauge.

I can help.

Not now and you now why.