“Secure and getting geared up at the house. They’re waiting for you.”
“I have Creed and we’re headed there now. Haven’t heard gunfire in five minutes.”
“Bad guys sustained heavy gunfire but did not pursue. Their numbers are too low, and they know it.”
“Not for long. Williams has just arrived on the scene with his Company. I sense they’re regrouping. We won’t have a long reprieve.”
“Copy that. By the way, we left the front door unlocked for you.”
“Thanks. See you in three, Meg out.”
“Rhett Hays?” Creed asked softly.
“The leader of 17th Company.”
“I remember him. Good kid.”
“He remembers you, too.”
They picked up their pace and, true to her word, let themselves into the house through the front door three minutes later.
60 Reunion
Meg was tackled the moment she stepped over the threshold.
“Meggie!” Her mother threw herself at her daughter wrapping her arms around her neck, resisting the urge to sob in relief at seeing her little girl whole and healthy.
Meg had no qualms about bursting into tears in front of a roomful of strangers. This was her mom and just seeing the unconditional love in her vibrant, warm eyes had Meg quivering with joy.
The metasoldiers of 17th Company hung back respectfully but watched the reunion with rapt attention. They’d never seen affection like this displayed in person before and were in awe of the moving scene.
“Mom! I missed you so much!” Meg gushed. Her strong arms wrapped around her mother’s back—a child’s embrace.
The family held back for just those precious few moments before rushing in for hugs of their own.
Impatient, Evan pushed his way through first. “Meggie, I’m so sorry I put you in harm’s way. Everything you went through, it was all my fault. I’ll never forgive myself for—”
“I’m fine, Evan. Don’t you dare blame yourself for anything!” She pulled back to look up into her little brother’s worried honey eyes. “We’ve done what we had to do to survive. Tonight we’ll finish this—as a family.” She reached out with one arm to hug him then yanked Alik close, too.
“Wow, I missed you guys.” She pulled the boys closer to her and smiled widely.
“Your memory—it’s completely restored?” Farrow asked from around Alik.
Meg glanced back over her shoulder at Creed, who stood protectively near, but not too near. She blushed at the intensity in his eyes.
“Yes, I remember everything.” Meg swallowed hard against the images flashing in her mind’s eye, as though proving the point.
“There’s so much to talk about—so much we need to catch up on, but Williams arrived ten minutes ago.” Meg pulled back to include her mother into their loose circle.
“So it begins.” Margo worked her jaw.
“Maybe not. Meg can I try to get a precog reading off you?”
“Sure, if you think it will help,” Meg offered her hand.
Evan took it in his and closed his eyes. It didn’t take him long.
“Yeah, well okay. We have at least an hour.” His cheeks blushed deeply as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Maybe you should try sensing Williams’ intentions,” he suggested.
“What did you see, Ev?” Margo asked point-blank.
Evan shrugged slightly at his mom. “Not much. We’re all just getting some much needed rest an hour from now.”
Margo narrowed her eyes at her son, “Is that all?”
“Pretty much, yeah,” he nodded, pursing his lips together.
Meg and Creed exchanged looks before she jumped in.
“Let me see what I can find out, Mom,” Meg offered.
Reflexively, she stepped back into Creed’s waiting arms. Even before she fully evolved, Meg was always able to get a sharper reading with Creed’s help. Now she was blown away at the intensity of the mental connection she could wield with Williams and heard herself gasp at the effect.
61 Cat and Mouse
“What are we waiting for?” Anger and disgust over the loss of his slaves was still raw in Arkdone’s aristocratic face.
“We need to be more cautious with the remaining soldiers, Arkdone.” Williams barely contained his fury and spoke through a clenched jaw. His silver orbs scraped methodically against one another as he worked them in his hand. “They’re not going anywhere.”
“I want this done NOW,” Arkdone flew into the face of his tenuous ally.
“As do I!” bellowed Williams. “That family—that child—has done more damage to me than any of my reckless attempts at medical enhancement. I ache for the moment of freedom from torment! Their mere existence assaults me!” Bloody spittle flew from his torn lips as he bellowed.
“Then why do we wait?”
“We have the high ground now, Arkdone. They are stuck inside two buildings in the middle of a secluded ranch with more people than they could have possibly planned for. The longer we wait, the more anxiety builds in that camp, the more supplies dwindle, the more desperate they become.” Williams let his words sink in.