25

Riley sat across the table from Dean. She lifted another spoonful of the highly nutritional meal replacement she’d named Goop to her mouth with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. Dean was typically tucking into his meal as if he hadn’t eaten anything for days. The stuff didn’t actually taste bad, but the appearance and the consistency made her stomach turn. Not to mention they ate it five times a day.

“We have another hour after we eat,” Dean informed her between mouthfuls, “so we can continue with your exercises, if you feel up to it.”

They’d worked hard that morning and Riley had a slight headache. Hours of lying awake after Darius’ news hadn’t helped either. She was shaking her head when Darius and Tyrell approached their table. Darius swung his leg over the back of the chair opposite Riley and sat down with a wide grin. He was quite flushed, as if he’d run a marathon, and his eyes were sparkling. Tyrell sat down more demurely on the other side of Dean. He nodded at Riley and began to eat without saying a word. As usual.

“I just bested Ty,” he said to Dean. “Two out of three. Anytime you want to try?” Darius smiled at Dean.

Dean raised an eyebrow and glanced at Tyrell. “He’s not as physically strong but he’s fast and fights dirty.” Riley listened with surprise. Tyrell never spoke in her language. She hadn’t been sure he could. “He’s up for the challenge.”

Dean dropped his spoon onto his empty plate with a clatter. He leaned back in his chair. “If you think you can take me on, Terran, then mark the segment and we’ll meet.”

Riley looked from one man to the other. Darius’ colouring was more emphasized: his cheeks pink with health, the glow of his skin more pronounced. Both Dean and Tyrell had longer, leaner limbs and fingers and their features were more delicate. Side-by-side like this, it was obvious who was the alien. Pass them on the street and you wouldn’t notice a thing.

Darius grinned. “I’m in.”

“I thought everyone was panicking over the destruction of my civilization?” Riley remarked. “Not running off and engaging in testosterone-fueled exhibitions of virility.”

Tyrell didn’t crack a smile. “We were sparring. Physical exercise is mandatory to maintain conditioning. Guardians must be prepared to engage in combat at all times.”

“Anytime you want to learn a few moves, just ask.” Darius winked at her.

Riley felt Dean’s intake of breath and waited for the rebuke but it didn’t materialize. She watched as Darius’ facial expression changed abruptly, and a façade of disinterest slipped over his features. He dropped his eyes and focused on his food. Riley didn’t need to turn around. She knew exactly who had walked into the eating area and was now standing directly behind her.

Tyrell scooped the last of his meal into his mouth and stood, picking up his plate and spoon. He gave a brief nod and then left.

“I thought you had alternated your schedule with ours?” Dean said.

“I did.” Anna walked around the table and stood behind the chair that Tyrell had vacated. She didn’t sit. She didn’t look at Darius and he was studiously not looking at her. “Why have you lifted the restrictions?”

Dean gave Riley a quick look. “She is progressing well. Interaction with the Collective is not a risk now.”

“What–” Riley began, but stopped when someone kicked her ankle. She caught Darius’ eye only for a second before he focused on his meal.

“Why are you sitting with this Terran? Logan ordered no contact,” Anna asked Darius.

Darius lifted a spoonful of goop to his mouth. He shrugged. “It was lifted this morning.”

Riley changed the subject before Anna could put the restrictions back in place. “How much longer is Alec in seclusion? I’d like to talk to him.”

“He has nothing to say to you,” Anna said dismissively.

“Yeah, well, I’ll be the judge of the that,” Riley snapped.

“Alec is working and cannot be disturbed,” Anna said. “Dean, I require your assistance.”

“I can help you,” Darius volunteered, his voice a study of ultra-casualness.

“I prefer Dean. Riley, return to the study area immediately,” Anna said as she turned away.

Riley watched Darius gaze at Anna as she left. It was highly surprising that he’d never learned to always conceal his emotions, despite spending years with these people.

“I shouldn’t be too long,” Dean said to her as he got to his feet. He dropped his empty plate on the counter and followed Anna out.

Darius took another couple of mouthfuls before he spoke. “Guess my little nighttime visit was unnecessary. They’ve left us together.”

“Don’t waste the opportunity.” Riley leaned forward. “What’s the plan?”

“Don’t be so obvious,” Darius advised.

“Well, isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black,” she retorted.

Darius frowned. He cleared his throat and spoke a little louder. “If you’re finished eating, we’ll go to the Study section. Practice your concentration.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Always conduct your secrets out in the open.”

Darius led the way to the tables already occupied by several Guardians and their students. There were two new Potentials, Riley noticed, and both looked pale and frightened.

She and Darius sat side-by-side at a table in the middle of the section. Riley pulled out her orb and held it in the palm of her hand. Already the repeated exercise felt completely normal, the orb almost a part of her.

“Focus on deep relaxation,” Darius said loudly. Then he whispered, “Both the guards Anna uses when she leaves Alec are pretty junior. I shouldn’t have any trouble with either of them. We’ll have to take Alec during our Rest period. There are too many up and around during Work.”

Riley nodded.

“The main problems are Logan and Anna. Dean will be resting and unless the alarm goes off, he sleeps like the dead.”

Riley shuddered at the analogy.

“If we can distract Logan long enough, it will give me time to get through the defences. There are so many Operatives coming and going right now, it’ll camouflage us.”

“How on earth will we distract Logan?” Riley muttered.

“Haven’t got that far yet.” Darius was chewing his lip. “But I’ll think of something.”

“And what about Anna? She’s going to be onto you in a minute.”

She felt rather than heard Darius’ sigh. She definitely heard the expletive. “Leave her to me.”

“Look, you haven’t thought this through. There are a million holes in your plan. I think we should wait a bit. Logan’s not going to off Alec in the next couple of hours. He has to give the guy some time.”

Darius reached over, ostensibly to readjust her grip on her orb. She felt his breath on her ear. “He’s not going to wait.”

“She doesn’t need your assistance.” Dean stood directly behind them. His arm snaked through the space between Darius’ face and Riley’s ear. Darius was forced backward.

Darius got to his feet and stretched languidly. “Sure, no problem. She’s making good progress.” Without a backwards glance, he sauntered out of the area. Several of the female Potentials watched.

Dean sat down. His smile was somewhat forced. “I’d prefer if you had nothing to do with Finn, even with the restrictions lifted.”

Riley feigned surprise. “Why? He’s a Terran, like me. What’s he done?”

Dean pulled out his own orb, preparing to start the lesson. “Let’s just say, he’s an unpredictable entity.”

“You’re afraid I won’t see through the animal magnetism.” Riley smiled. “You think I’ll fall for him.”

“You wouldn’t be the first,” Dean remarked dryly. “Now, show me what you’ve remembered from the previous lessons.”

Concentrating on her lessons was nearly impossible for the rest of the Work period. She knew Dean was disappointed in her lack of focus, but there were too many things colliding inside her brain. What if their only chance blew up in their faces because they’d missed something? Both she and Darius would end up in solitary, just like Alec, and Logan would be free to do what he liked with all of them. The man already hated Darius. She couldn’t imagine his reaction if he caught them trying to sneak Alec out.

No. They had to rethink the plan and fill in all the details before they could take the chance.

Riley headed for the recreation area. Dean had suggested that a good workout might improve her fidgets and she’d quickly taken him up on the offer. She turned a corner and immediately wheeled around in the opposite direction. She wasn’t fast enough.

“Hey there,” Jacob called, running to catch up with her.

“Hey, yourself.” Riley inwardly groaned. Why did every loser attach themselves to her like a leech?

Jacob wiped his nose on the sleeve of his jumpsuit. He smiled hopefully. “Wanna watch the wall?”

“No thanks.” Riley kept walking. “Gotta study.”

“Aw c’mon. It’ll be great. I know how to find porn.”

What kind of idiot thought that a girl would want to watch pornography with him on a jumbo screen in full view of an entire complement of Tyon officers? He was so stunned, it hurt.

“Tempting? No.” Riley turned to walk away, but Jacob grabbed hold of her sleeve. She was about to tell him what he could do with his mucus-covered fingers in no uncertain terms when he interrupted her train of thought.

“Logan thinks Alec caused the first rip.”

Riley startled. “What did you say?”

“Alec’s the strongest Potential. Ever. I heard Logan talking with Anna. He thinks Alec started this whole thing off.”

“Back up and start again,” Riley ordered. “And if you’re pulling my chain …”

Jacob sniffed a couple of times. He looked around covertly. “Honest. I overheard them.” He held up his orb. “I was sitting on the floor, next to Alec’s quarters. They didn’t see me.”

Riley could easily picture the snotty little weasel hiding under a table, listening for any crumb of information. “Go on.”

“Anna said she thought the kid needed a break or he’d crack up.”

“What’d Logan say?”

“He was pissed. Thought she was too soft. She was angry but didn’t answer him back. I don’t blame her. He scares the bejesus out of me.”

Cornflakes would scare you, Riley thought unkindly. She waved her hand to indicate he should continue.

“She said she was going to give the kid a break. Logan reminded her that Alec’s temper probably caused the first crack in the time/space continuum. He told her the kid was dangerous and if she couldn’t teach him control, he’d have to terminate him next Work period. Isn’t he your boyfriend?”

Darius hadn’t been exaggerating. Logan was planning to kill Alec if he didn’t cooperate. Riley chewed her lower lip for a moment. They had to have more time.

“Thanks,” she mumbled. She turned and walked away, only vaguely aware that Jacob was following. She glanced around the bunker. Eighteen screens flickered with violence. Murder, fighting, rape, riots. It was all there. Everywhere you looked. And all because of Alec. The knowledge would destroy anyone, and Alec was just a kid.

She whirled around. Jacob jumped backwards. “You can’t say a word of this, not to anyone.” Riley leaned over him, piercing him with the force of her stare. “Promise.”

Jacob sniffed. He looked around him for back-up but no one was nearby. “But–”

“I mean it. I’ll twist your balls right off and feed them to you.”

Jacob backed up until his back literally hit a divider wall. He blanched.

“Swear it,” Riley demanded, leaning over him like an avenging angel.

“I s-swear,” Jacob stuttered.

“Remember, I can read minds,” Riley boasted. “I’ll know if you blab. And I’ll know where this info came from if anyone else knows.”

Jacob scuttled sideways, inching his way out from under her. He gave her another terrified look, and then bolted.

Riley leaned against the wall and waited for her pounding heart to slow down. Darius was right. There was no more time.