Rain pelted the large window Benjamin Floyd stared through. It was a far cry from the pacing he’d been doing only ten minutes earlier. He knew the redhead was on her way. He could feel the extra energy in the air as it sizzled and zipped through the forest, crackling against the windowpane.
Floyd closed his eyes and envisioned the military combatants that would be arriving in less than thirty minutes. His advanced senses were the only reason he’d been able to stay ahead of the general who was out to have his head on a platter. No, he wouldn’t be caught, not this time. Floyd didn’t need an informant like Jimmy had. He trusted the information he garnered from the blond slut. Oh, Floyd knew better than to completely discount her usefulness just yet. Having an inside look at the men after him had helped in sustaining his freedom, freedom that he wouldn’t be losing today.
A knock on his door had him turning in place. Jimmy’s large frame blocked the excitement of the men under Floyd’s command. They enjoyed when he brought in new guests, each silently hoping they’d be the recipient in order to test the new powers that were offered. They had no clue what was coming for them and would be arriving in less than an hour. And being the sick bastard he was, he wasn’t about to inform them. They each needed to earn their place under his command. If it happened to be with their lives, so be it. He wanted only the strong to survive. He wanted the rescue team to find Agent Thompson. No…he needed them to rescue the field agent. His plans wouldn’t be complete otherwise.
The serum he’d pushed into Thompson’s veins had been threaded with just the right juices to make this all worthwhile. He wouldn’t lose another man to the failed test. No, he’d be able to study the results from a distance to see if the tests would fail again and kill its host from the inside out. Several trials had been done prior to this one, and Floyd had one last hope for its success.
“Sir, I just got a text. They are on their way, and it appears the redhead will be here soon.”
Floyd rubbed the stubble on his unshaved face, contemplating his choices. “Get the car ready,” he demanded.
“Sir?” Jimmy’s questioning voice cracked. “Isn’t this what you wanted? Isn’t she the one you’re after?”
Floyd stormed toward his subordinate, right up into the face of the man that had served him well. No matter how well he’d served in the past, he should have known by now not to do something so stupid. “Do you dare question me!”
Jimmy blinked his eyes hard and fast. The bobble of his Adam’s apple had been expected, but it was his next words that enraged Floyd. “But, sir…”
Floyd reached out, grabbed Jimmy’s arm, and squeezed. Floyd knew the power he possessed thanks to previous captives. He’d taken their blood and injected it into his own vein. The same thing he’d eventually take from the redhead, even if it wasn’t today. He would drain her dry just like the rest and leave nothing but a shell of her body no one would never find.
Floyd increased his hold, his vision turning red just like he’d seen it happen in the past. Floyd continued to squeeze the big man’s arm, and Jimmy eyes grew wide. The scent of fear lingered in the air. The pop of a bone and Jimmy falling to his knees were the only things that lessened Floyd’s rage to a more manageable state. “Now get up and do as you’re told.”
Floyd watched as Jimmy staggered to stand, his palm cupping the broken bones in his left arm. “And don’t make me tell you again.”
Jimmy lowered his gaze. “Yes, sir. The car will be ready in five minutes.”
Floyd narrowed his eyes. “Make it two.”
Floyd took a step closer to Jimmy and watched as the broken man backed away. “You know I did that for your own good. Next time you’ll think twice when I give you an order. It might just keep you alive.”
Floyd lifted his palm toward Jimmy’s broken arm, the move making Jimmy flinch, but surprisingly he stood his ground. Floyd had hope for him yet. He placed his hand over the damage he’d just created. A heat radiated inside of him, extended through his chest and down his arms into his hands, and emanated from his palm, searing whatever it touched. The growing heat fixed what he’d broken, even if it was just bones and not Jimmy’s soul.
Chapter 17
Lydia glanced at the men that surrounded her. She was thankful for Briggs’ experience and Brody’s gift. They slowly trekked through the forest and through mud puddles as they made their way through the same forest that she’d seen in her vision. She was relieved they’d been assigned the warehouse where she believed Rick was being held, but unease still managed to eat at her. Lydia rubbed her hands on her soaked jeans, more from nerves than anything else. She had no idea how this was going to end; she’d woken from her dream before she’d seen the finale.
Now if they could just get though the compound’s security measures undetected, they’d be one step closer. Her team of highly trained military personnel with varying psychic abilities was going to be put to the test.