Namely, death.
"Has anyone heard how Mike is doing? I can't believe they beat him like that."
A girl, Desirai, raised her hand. "I slipped into his dreams before I came here. He's in a lot of pain but he'll be okay."
Ah yes, a dreamwalker. Lucy made a note to talk to her soon. They could use someone with her gifts to weaken the enemies for the main assault, and to coordinate plans with Sam and Drake.
"Thank you, Desirai. Please, keep an eye on him. And see me later, if you're free. I have some ideas I'd like to talk to you about."
The girl's large eyes glowed with pride. She'd probably never been on assignment. Most of their group had no field experience at all, but it didn't matter; they would have to learn now, or die.
"Luke and I are being sent on assignment. I don't know why, but we shouldn't be long. In the meantime, catalogue every power we have access to. Recruit new members, but carefully! We don't want anyone getting caught at this stage. As soon as Luke and I are back, we'll attack."
***
Three days and two parkas later, Lucy and Luke got the call.
Next stop: Russia.
Chapter 39 – Drake
Sam's words floated in and out of Drake's head like feathers—important feathers, he knew—but still... the curve of her lips seduced him more powerfully than the sounds coming out of them.
"Drake, you're not listening." Sam pulled away and adjusted her shirt to cover her belly.
"I'm sorry. You're just too distracting." He pulled her close and kissed her again, hungry for her touch.
She pushed him away and got out of bed.
"Come back. I'll behave."
"That doesn't appear to be possible for you right now. Besides, I promised Brad we'd do his video today. I have to get ready."
Drake clamped down on the prick of jealousy that insinuated itself into his heart like a virus. First, Brad had slept with Kylie. Now, Brad spent more time with Drake's girlfriend than he did.
His pregnant, virgin girlfriend.
He loved her like no one else in the world could, and he trusted her—having access to her thoughts made that a no-brainer. Right now, they needed to focus on getting their story out to the world—an enraged group of citizens could effect a lot of change, and give them the edge they needed over Rent-A-Kid. This organization flourished in the shadows, but Drake bet they wouldn't be so cocky when the spotlight of the world shown on them.
They also needed to find the Seeker and rescue Sam's friends.
She'd never agree to stay at the cabin, in safety, while he tracked the Seeker. That didn't mean he wouldn't push for it, but he needed another plan in case she didn't let him go. He needed to keep her and his unborn child safe.
He rose from bed and stretched his long form, then dropped to do some push-ups and sit-ups. His super strength didn't mean he had a get-out-of-working-out-free card. He still had to stay in shape and keep up his endurance. After all, Sam may have been eating for two, but Drake was fighting for three.
After a quick shower, Drake joined Bernard, Brad and Sam in the living room.
The professor had set up some impressive video equipment and a mock stage on which to film.
"What's all this?" Drake asked.
Brad checked the lighting and adjusted some settings on the camera. "We want it to look professional. Okay, here's the plan. It'll be hard to do a mind-reading test with Sam, because that's too easy to fake. Instead, you're going to do a strength demonstration, Drake."
Sam's long hair flowed down her back in curly waves, and a red blouse brought out the color in her cheeks and lips. Her blue eyes popped with whatever makeup she used. Drake preferred her without all that face paint, but he had to admit she rocked the look.
He kissed the top of her head. "You look great, Babe."
Brad took his place on the other side of Drake, and left the professor behind the camera. "Drake, you need to lift us both, and make it look easy."
"It is easy, Dude. Lifting you two isn't the problem. I just have to be careful not to hurt Sam."
Brad scowled. "Or me, I hope."
"Or you. But she's carrying my child, so if one of you has to get dropped on your ass, guess who it'll be?"
"Yeah, I get it. I'd drop me too if I had to choose."
He tinkered with a few more settings. "Good. Okay. Ready? Action."
Brad posed in front of the camera and stared at the little green light blinking on and off. "Is it working?"
The professor chuckled. "Yes, go ahead."