chapter SIXTY-TWO
“You should go back to Miriam so she doesn’t think anything is wrong,” Emmettt tactfully turned Courtney away from the danger we might be in. Neal approached us as she walked away.
“Vittorio. Elena. You look well.” He sounded disappointed. “I did not expect to see you here tonight. In fact, I did not expect to ever see you again.” He made no secret of the plans Samuel evidently had for us.
“Sorry to disappoint you,” I said.
“I heard you have discovered a new power in yourself.”
“Oh?” I said, not wanting to give anything away. The only new power was having brought Vittorio back to life, and I wasn’t sure I could repeat that performance. Even so, how would he know about that?
“I have my ways,” he said, revealing a new power of his own - mind reading. “And if you can do it once, you can certainly do it again, given enough incentive.” He held a knife to Vittorio’s neck.
How had he made it there so fast without any of us seeing the movement?
“Dear Elena, you know everyone has different powers. Did you not think speed could be one of them? Now, let’s see. It would be a shame to get blood on this beautiful, white tux, don’t you think, Vittorio? How can we avoid that?” Neal looked upwards, pretending to think. I knew he already had a plan, though, and tried to come up with my own quickly. I would have to act upon it quickly, as well, before Neal read it in my thoughts. “I know, you can banish Elena from the city, swear your loyalty to Samuel, and give up your position as La Guardia.”
“Do you really think I would agree to that?”
“No, but it was worth a try. Perhaps I can banish both of you. No, you’re both too stubborn, that would never work. A pity. I guess I’ll just have to kill you, then torture Elena until she sides with us. Her power would be very useful.” Neal pushed the knife harder against Vittorio’s neck, not yet drawing blood. Would he really kill him here? I didn’t think so, and was happy for the time that bought us. Unless, that is, he proved to be that crazy. Insanity glinted in Neal’s eyes, but it was the type accompanied by cold precision and caution rather than recklessness. He pushed upwards with the knife. “Let’s go. You will walk out in front of me, but I will have this knife ready for any false move you make.”
Vittorio stood. I followed, not sure if it was what Neal wanted, but not wanting to let Vittorio out of my sight. When Neal didn’t argue, I assumed it was the right decision. Emmettt started to follow, as well.
“Not you. Sit.”
Emmettt sat.
“On second thought, I don’t want you calling for help after we leave. Not that you know where we’re going. But better to be safe. Yes, come with us.” Did he really believe Emmettt was the only one here who would call for help?
“Yes, because no one else can see what’s going on. I have clouded their minds. Emmettt has the power to resist me, though.” He laughed when he looked at my face. “You look so shocked, Elena. Did you not believe I was this powerful? Samuel has an idea of my power, but only Clavius knew how powerful I truly am. I like it that way. At times like this, I am able to take people by surprise. And their shock is so amusing. The secret strength of my power is why Clavius left me behind, in case anything went wrong while he was away. Now go.”
We filed down the stairs and out the front door of The Chapel. I wanted to look at Bryn, but was afraid to give anything away, afraid to put her in danger. I wondered if Emmettt had power other than the ability to resist mind manipulation. I couldn’t very well ask him in front of Neal, but it would have been helpful to know.
Emmettt is weak. That is his only power. We will think of something. Neal is very fast, so we must be extremely careful.
Since he can read minds, can he read what we’re saying to each other now?
Most likely. We must be careful. I no longer heard Vittorio in my mind.
“Get in the car.” Neal unlocked a dark blue Suburban with windows so darkly tinted one couldn’t see through them. He showed no sign of having read our silent conversation. We got in the back of the Suburban and Neal started driving. I huddled against Vittorio, scared of what might happen to him if we didn’t find a way out of this. The thought of what Neal would do to me never crossed my mind; I didn’t care about that.
Neal stopped in a deserted area of a rundown part of town. “Get out, and stand by the car.” The three of us obeyed, still having no plan. “Not you, Elena. Stay in the car.”
I didn’t move.
“Do it!” he said, drawing his knife.
I got into the passenger side front seat, away from where Vittorio and Emmettt stood, so I could open the door quickly if I had to.
“Samuel thought you would be a problem, Vittorio, but he never foresaw just how much of one. Your little plaything doesn’t help matters. But she seems to have some useful powers, so we’ll keep her around. Watching me kill you might convince her to cooperate with me to save her own life.”
“No! Don’t hurt him! I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t hurt him!” I screamed from inside the Suburban.
“Such strong love. Whatever I want. You have no idea what you are promising.”
“I don’t care.” Tears streamed down my face.
“Do you see, Vittorio? She cries for you. She is strong, but when it comes to you, she is weaker than anyone I have ever met. Would she betray you so easily, just to save your life?”
“She would never betray me.” Even through the window, the conviction in Vittorio’s words rang clear. It warmed my heart that he could believe that so strongly, even after what I had done.
“That’s not what she is saying, though. Are you so blind?”
“You can read her thoughts. Why don’t you see for yourself?” What was Vittorio doing? Why would he tell Neal to invade my mind?
I watched Neal cock his head as he concentrated. Had I not known what he was doing, I would never have been wiser. He left no trace, no whisper or touch in my mind as he read it. He was dangerous, this I knew.
“You are right. She believes she would never betray you, yet still she says she would do anything to save your life. Interesting. I do not see how she can believe both so strongly. But that doesn’t matter. Killing you will cause her great pain, which I will enjoy immensely.”
I caught the slightest movement, like a flicker of light, and knew Neal was making his move to murder the man I loved. I was powerless to stop him.