Seven Psychics Read online

  “What happened to me?” I whispered in horror. I didn’t feel any pain and I couldn’t see any obvious injuries anywhere on my body.

  Stumbling to my feet, I had no idea where I was or which direction I should take to find civilization. The fog was quickly beginning to dissipate and trees surrounded me, making it impossible to see any landmarks. I heard water somewhere in the distance and picked my way through the long grass to a small creek. Sinking down to my knees, I washed my face, hands and body as well as I could. Lastly, I washed the taste of blood out of my mouth, being careful not to swallow the water. Who knew what germs could be residing in the stream?

  Getting my bearings, I spied a faint track that had been made by animals and followed it. The path took me through a clearing and to a bloody patch of ground. My nose wrinkled at the stench of blood and at the remains of what had once been a small deer. Only the head, feet and bones were left. Whatever had eaten it had totally devoured the animal’s flesh. I gave the carcass a wide berth, praying that the predators wouldn’t come back to finish off the rest of it. Wolves were the most likely culprit and it looked like an entire pack had feasted on the deer.

  I eventually reached a far larger clearing and spied a familiar mountain range ahead. I was relieved to realize that the compound was only a few miles away. It was a long way to walk in my sleep, especially when I was naked and without shoes. Speaking of which, I found it highly strange that my feet weren’t cut or bruised. How could I have walked so far without injuring myself?

  Continuing to follow the track, I eventually emerged from the woods into a field. A dilapidated old barn sat next to a dirt driveway near the remains of a house. A car was parked behind the barn and I hoped it hadn’t been dumped there to rust. Excruciatingly aware of my nakedness, I covered myself with my hands as best as I could and started across the field.

  A million thoughts flitted through my mind as I desperately tried to remember what had happened to me. The last thing I recalled was going after the blonde psychic. I couldn’t remember if I’d caught up to her or not. The fact that I couldn’t remember probably meant that I had. Putting two and two together, I came to the hideous conclusion that I must have carried out whatever sick command Lust had given me. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have woken up at all. I’d have been dead.

  Clothes were strewn on the ground near the car and I recognized them as mine. My underwear was in pieces, torn apart from the looks of it. I flushed in embarrassment at having to go commando. From the state of my underwear, it was clear that I must have had a sexual liaison with someone either in or near the car. A shudder worked its way up my spine as I pulled my jeans and tank top on. I had no idea who I’d had sex with or if they carried any diseases. Whoever they were, they were long gone now. My only consolation was that I’d been taking birth control pills for the past few years to control painful monthly cramps. There would be no pregnancy from my unknown dalliance, just mental scarring that would stay with me forever.

  Feeling ill at the thought that I’d had sex with a total stranger, I blinked away tears as I checked to see if the keys were in the ignition. They were and I climbed into the car. At least the unknown man hadn’t taken my virginity, I thought bitterly. Garrett had taken care of that, not that he had any recollection of it. I let out a croak that was meant to be a laugh, but sounded more like a sob.

  With the mountain range to guide me, I found my way back to the highway and drove the strange car back to the base. I had a remote control device for the gate in my backpack, which I’d found safe and sound on the floor in the back of the car. My father would never forgive me if I lost my rifle. Shame washed through me as I wondered what my father would think of me if he knew that I’d had sex with two different men in the space of a month. Reece had only touched me because he’d been compelled to, which had been bad enough. The second time was far worse, mainly because I couldn’t even pick the unknown man out of a lineup. I definitely wasn’t an innocent little girl anymore. The thought was followed by a twisted smile as I pulled up outside the building that had been my home for the past eight weeks. The last shred of my innocence was officially now gone.

  No one came to greet me when I entered through the kitchen. The building was empty, which meant that they were probably out looking for me. I debated about calling Mark then decided to have a shower first. I needed more time to try to compose myself.

  A long soak helped to clear my mind, but it did nothing to restore my shattered self-esteem. With my hair clean and dry and wearing comfortable jeans and a white t-shirt, I finally called Mark. I’d left my cell phone on the charger and it had several missed calls from Agent Steel on it.

  His tone was frantic when he answered. “Alexis? Is that you?”

  “Yeah. It’s me,” I said more wearily than I’d intended.

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m in the kitchen,” I said as I turned on the kettle.

  He was silent with surprise for a moment. “You’re at the base?”

  “Yep. I got here about twenty minutes ago.” I was trying to be cheerful, but it was hard to act like everything was normal when I felt as if my whole world had just collapsed around me.

  “Where have you been?” Mark asked. “You’ve been gone for three nights!”

  Pouring hot water into my mug, I was startled into spilling it all over the bench. “Three nights? Are you sure?” Now I was more confused than ever. Surely I’d just been gone for one night.

  “We’ve been out searching for you,” he said with obvious relief that I was back safe and sound. “We’ll be home soon and we can talk once we get there.”

  Mopping up the spilled water, I finished making my coffee and took a seat on the couch to wait for the others. I had no idea what had happened to me during the missing three nights, or how to explain my absence. Taking a sip of coffee, I made a face at the taste. Once again, it tasted slightly off.

  I was drinking the last dregs of my coffee when the hallway door burst open and Kala bounded into the room. I managed to put my mug down and to stand up a second before I was engulfed in a tight hug.

  “We were so worried about you!” Walker scolded. She hugged me hard then stepped back to look at me. “Where have you been?” She held me at arm’s length and studied me. Her brow wrinkled, as if she sensed that something profound had happened to me.

  “I woke up this morning in the woods somewhere to the south,” I explained as the rest of the team filed in and took a seat on the couches. Reece sat as far away from me as he could get and was carefully avoiding my eyes. This was nothing new and I was actually glad that he was shunning me for once. What would he think of me if he knew that I’d had sex with a man that I didn’t even know? I cringed inwardly at the thought.

  “Start at the beginning,” Mark said. “Do you remember what the psychic said to you?”

  I shook my head. “I remember chasing her, but not catching up to her.”

  Agent Steel looked at Garrett then back to me. “You did catch her, but she got away before you could take her down. Reece found you and borrowed a car to bring you back here. You got sick halfway home and he pulled over. He went to a house to get you some water and you drove off before he could stop you.”

  Rubbing my forehead, I didn’t have to pretend to be confused. “I don’t remember any of that. But I have been feeling feverish for the past four weeks.”

  My confession relieved the tension in the room slightly. “I thought you were feeling better,” Mark said with a hint of ire that I’d kept my illness from him.

  “I feel fine now,” I said with a shrug. That much was true. Physically, I felt great, but mentally, I was a wreck. The aches and pains that I’d felt upon waking were gone.

  “Aren’t you cold?” Kala asked.

  I usually wore a jacket whenever I was inside, but I hadn’t bothered with one today. “Not really,” I replied. Maybe my fever was still lurking around after all. I felt comfortable enough in just my t-shirt and jeans. I’d bee
n very careful not to let anyone see the second bite mark so far. It had healed well, but it wouldn’t be easy to explain how I’d gotten the mark.

  “Lust might be clever, but she’s getting cocky and she’ll start to lose control soon,” Flynn predicted. “She won’t be able to stop herself from using her powers.”

  Mark nodded in agreement. “That certainly seems to be the case. While we were out searching for Lexi, I received a report of more people falling beneath her spell.” We’d been expecting her to devolve for a while now and maybe it was finally happening. “If you’re certain you’re feeling well, I’d like to head back to the city,” he said to me.

  “I left my things in the hotel,” I realized with dismay.

  “I paid for several more nights for all of us,” Mark said. “Our belongings will still be where we left them.”

  Realizing they’d dropped everything to search for me, I hung my head to avoid their gazes. I wished I could remember why I’d run away from Reese. Most importantly, I wished I could remember how I’d ended up naked in the woods.

  As I stood and headed for the stairs to retrieve my gear, I wondered if I was better off not knowing what had occurred during the three nights that were missing from my memory. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to remember having sex with a total stranger. It could have been anyone; a married man, someone old enough to be my grandfather, a toothless hobo. Who knew? Maybe there were some things that were better left unremembered.

  ₪₪₪

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  I’d found my holster in the back of the car and had shoved it into my backpack. I spent a few moments untangling it and strapped it on. I’d found my handgun in my backpack and had checked it earlier to make sure that it was operational. My military style jacket was stained from lying on the ground, so I donned my blue leather jacket instead. I was almost too warm with it on, but I ignored the heat, knowing that it would be cooler in the SUV.

  Once again, I was the last one to reach the garage. I climbed in beside Kala, who was wearing a much stronger perfume than normal. It seemed impolite to question her about it, so I kept my mouth shut. Cool air blasted me once Reece started the engine, which helped a bit. All smells seemed to be overwhelming me today.

  Mark turned and handed a spare earbud to me. “I take it yours is still in your red jacket?” he asked as I plucked it from his palm.

  “Yeah. Sorry about that.” I’d chased after Lust and had had no way to keep in contact with the others, unless I’d stopped to use a pay phone. I felt a bit dim witted for leaving my cell phone behind. I’d grown too used to relying on the earbud.

  “Just tell me next time,” he chastised me. “I always have a spare.”

  Kala grinned at me. “Mark’s a regular boy scout,” she quipped.

  “He’s always prepared for anything,” Flynn agreed and winked solemnly.

  I hid my smile so Mark wouldn’t think I was laughing at him. Reece didn’t seem to find anything funny about the situation. He stared grimly ahead, ignoring me completely. Unconsciously, my hand crept to my left shoulder to touch the mark that he’d left on me. Realizing what I was doing, I snatched my hand away and stared down at my lap before anyone could take note of my odd behavior.

  I’d tracked Lust to an industrial area and there were hundreds of places where she could be hiding. I didn’t feel any distress when we stopped outside the warehouse where I’d apparently caught up to our target. I didn’t remember the place at all. Reece clenched his jaw, but remained silent. He hadn’t looked at me once and I was starting to get the feeling that he knew what I’d done with the unknown stranger. I could almost feel his disgust somewhere in the back of my mind. Shaking my head to dispel that crazy notion, I listened in as Mark gave us our orders.

  “Spread out and start searching the area,” he said. “Do not approach the target. Notify me immediately if you see her. I don’t want anyone to get within a thousand feet of her. We’re going to take her down from a distance.”

  We all knew what that meant and I felt a surge of anticipation. My father had once told me that killing was sometimes necessary, but it should never be pleasurable. Once you started to enjoy taking lives, you became the very monsters that you were chasing.

  I couldn’t help but think that this was different. Lust had screwed with Garrett’s mind and had forced him to have sex with the person he wanted the least; me. She’d then messed with my head and I might never know what I’d done and who I’d done it with. If anyone deserved to die, it was this creature. Why shouldn’t I be happy to kill her?

  As usual, Mark and I stayed in the SUV while the rest of the TAK Squad went on foot. I opted to stay in the back this time. I didn’t want to offend Mark, but his aftershave was far too cloying. I used the excuse that I needed to clean my weapons and that there wasn’t enough room in the front to perform the task.

  Placing the earbud in my ear, I switched it on then recoiled in pain as sound bombarded me. Removing the device, I turned the volume down as low as it would go before shifting it back into place. It was still far too loud, but it wasn’t quite as painful now. It must have been faulty, but I didn’t want to make a nuisance of myself and ask Mark for a new one. Not when I’d already caused him enough trouble.

  A strange whistling noise came through both the earbud and from inside the SUV. It took me a few minutes to realize it was coming from Mark. The earbud was magnifying the sound of his breathing. I fought back the urge to giggle wildly and wondered what the hell was wrong with me. Maybe I’d cracked under the strain of being beneath Lust’s control.

  Mark cruised along the streets slowly as his agents spread out and went in search of their prey. We listened without speaking as they scoured the area.

  “I’ve picked up a faint scent that matches the one from the warehouse,” Flynn said after they’d been searching for over an hour. The other two agents converged on his location, but the trail was several days old now. She’d moved on and she could be anywhere in the city. Spreading out again, we continued our hunt.

  Frustrated from our inability to find Lust, we gathered together to take a break for lunch at a fast food restaurant. I wolfed down my meal and was bemused to find Kala following me to the restroom afterwards.

  “Doesn’t anyone trust me anymore?” I complained.

  Tipping her head to the side, Walker smiled impishly. “It’s not that we don’t trust you, it’s more that you tend to get into trouble if you’re left alone.”

  “So, you don’t trust me then,” I surmised with a heavy sigh.

  Kala bumped me with her shoulder affectionately as she walked beside me. “What would your Dad do to us if we let anything bad happen to you?”

  Many things had already happened to me, but they hadn’t all been bad. I was almost ashamed to admit it, but I wouldn’t change much of what had happened to me since I’d become a temporary member of their team. The only thing I wished had never happened had been ending up naked in the woods after having sex with a stranger. “He’d kill you all and make your bodies disappear,” I replied honestly.

  “That’s exactly why we’re not letting you out of our sight again,” Kala told me.

  Pushing open the bathroom door, I recoiled at the stench. “Ugh! What is that smell? Did something die in here?”

  Wrinkling her nose, Walker cautiously entered the seemingly clean room. “Nope. I don’t see any corpses anywhere.”

  “You could have fooled me,” I mumbled and entered the closest stall. I tried not to breathe as I went about my business. Remembering the faulty soap dispenser in the last public bathroom that I’d used, I gently pressed down on the button this time. It seemed like a small triumph when I managed to wash my hands without destroying anything.

  The guys exchanged relieved glances when we returned and I rolled my eyes at them. “You need to relax. My Dad isn’t going to show up and gun you all down just because I disappeared for three nights.” An alarming thought occurred to me and I looked at Mark.
“You didn’t tell him about that, did you?” If he had, my father would probably already be on his way here.

  My fear was obvious and he shook his head. “No. But I was going to call him if we hadn’t found you by the end of the day.”

  Sagging in relief, I picked up my backpack and swung it over my shoulder. I’d left it at the table as a sign that I wasn’t going to run off again. “Thank God,” I muttered. If my father learned that I’d gone missing, he’d have been on the first jet back home. “You can’t tell him about that or he really will show up. If you’re lucky, he’ll ask questions before he starts shooting.” No one wanted that to happen, least of all me.

  “If you’d come to any harm, I would have been obligated to advise Philip of that fact,” Mark pointed out.

  “Then you can thank your lucky stars that I wasn’t harmed,” I said in a tone that was just short of bleak.

  Reece shifted, drawing my unwilling attention to him. If my father ever found out what he’d done to me, he’d hunt him down like a rabid dog. Garrett could run very fast when he needed to, but even he couldn’t outrun a bullet fired by an expert marksman.

  “Let’s get back to the search,” Mark said, rousing me from my decidedly disturbing thoughts.

  Dropping his agents off one by one, Agent Steel resumed his slow circuit of the city. I remained in the back, lost in thought. I was proud of my success at assisting Mark on his mission. I’d taken down one of the psychics myself and I’d saved the lives of at least several people from the cop that had fallen beneath Wrath’s spell and had started firing his gun. There was a good chance that I’d also eliminate the last telepath and finally put an end to our lengthy hunt.

  I’d only been part of their team for a short time, yet over the past two months, I’d begun to feel more and more comfortable with them. Shrugging off the strange sense of belonging, I turned my attention to searching for the seventh deadly sinner.