We found offices and, under Camilla’s direction, copied the hard drives. We found rooms with medical equipment and a vast array of medications and, again, under Camilla’s direction, took samples. “We need that. And that. And that,” she said, expecting us to grab the items.
As River’s sister, she was used to taking charge. I got that. But I wasn’t her lackey, and she wasn’t my boss. Her commands scraped my nerves raw.
In the back was an unlocked door. I checked behind me. No one paid me any attention. I breezed through and found myself in a hallway. Alone. At the end was another door, but it was locked. Licking my lips, I performed another quick check before resting my palm on the ID screen. Lights glowed between my spread fingers. I waited with bated breath—
And the lock disengaged.
I couldn’t... It was... Wow. Just wow. It had worked.
“Ali,” Cole barked.
I jolted, guilty.
I raced around the corner, chasing the sound of his voice. Everyone had gathered in the back of the building, where at least fifty cages with grunting, collared zombies lined the wall. We ashed the creatures and stole their collars.
We checked the rest of the building, found nothing, no one, and dragged the unconscious guards outside. Then we did what we’d all been waiting for. Destroyed. Everything.
River claimed to be something of an explosives expert and set a charge. The entire structure imploded, tumbling down, dust pluming in the air without any debris flying out to harm a civilian. A sense of triumph.
At Mr. Ankh’s, we poured into the entertainment room to celebrate.
I lost interest, my mood dark.
Cole stood off to the side, chatting with Camilla.
Jealousy prickled at me as I strolled over. I placed my hand on his shoulder. Rising on my tiptoes, I whispered, “Guess Helen wasn’t lying after all” straight into his ear.
He stiffened, giving his back to Camilla to glare at me. “Not this time.”
“Not ever.”
“Why can’t you see the truth? She is the spider, and you are the fly. She’s just lured you into her web.”
My hands tightened into fists, and I looked pointedly at Camilla. “I could say the same to you. Enjoy your time together.”
I walked away, hating him...hating myself.
*
Over the next few days, a routine developed. Mr. Ankh tested the samples we’d stolen, becoming increasingly frustrated with the results. Everything was useless. The more tech-savvy people dissected every word on every computer file pulled from the slip disks, but again, there was nothing of value.
It was as if Anima had known we were coming, removed everything incriminating and let us have the lab. Let us waste our time searching for answers that weren’t there, either to pacify us or distract us.
If that was true, we had a mole in our midst—which might also explain how Benjamin the assassin had gotten free, despite what he’d said.
The idea sickened me. I trusted everyone in my group; we’d fought together, bled together. And I wanted to trust River and his friends. But could I? I mean, they supposedly had spies inside Anima, and yet, there was never any new information to report.
Cole would say Helen was to blame for all of this. Only Helen.
My stomach twisted, wringing out bile. Oh, glory. What if he was right?
Can’t doubt my instincts now. In too deep.
Every morning, the slayers worked out in the gym. Our job was physical; we had to stay in shape. On more than one occasion I noticed Camilla eye-stalking Cole, making it (more) obvious she wanted a piece of him. Today, she even trailed him when he finished on the treadmill. It took every bit of my willpower not to go after them.
Stupid fight. And stupid Cole!
Stupid Camilla!
At least he glanced over his shoulder, meeting my gaze. Every cell in my body lit up. I almost cried his name. Almost. I wouldn’t crumble first.
He looked away and continued on. Still no spontaneous visions.
I wasn’t sure how much more of this I could take.
Though I wanted to chase after him, I hopped on the treadmill he’d just abandoned, letting my mind explore the visions the other slayers had been having. Just this morning, Frosty had seen himself digging through a pile of rubble, and Bronx had seen himself holding Reeve while she cried.
Gavin had seen himself fighting to reach an injured Jaclyn and an unconscious Justin, and Jaclyn had seen herself taking a bullet to the leg.
Bad, but at least we knew Justin was still alive despite Ethan’s lack of communication.
Another point in our favor: no more daylight zombies. However, they did come out every night and cluster around Mr. Ankh’s property line. Every night but yesterday, that is, and I wasn’t sure why. Still... The frequent attacks had allowed me to practice using the push-ability. I was getting good. I would focus, drawing energy into the center of my being, and then imagine it shooting out of me. And it would! I allowed myself one push, and that was it. So far, I hadn’t experienced another leak.