She shrugged a shoulder. “I have my ways.”
“Well, then go on and tell me these rumors. We don’t have all bloody evening.”
Petra clenched the fingers of one hand. She was sorely tempted to reach out, grab Will’s cock, and twist until he yelped in pain.
She decided that would just waste more time and answered him. “The Four Talents have the ability to manipulate the elements without putting their hands to a certain direction.”
Will leaned forward. “That sounds like E-1655’s abilities.”
“Who?”
Will paused but finally answered, “An elemental earth user who can draw on her abilities without pointing her hands to the north. But no one ever referred to her as a Talent.”
“I highly doubt they would considering they reduced the woman to a serial number,” she drawled.
Will waved a hand in dismissal. “That isn’t important right now. What I want to know is how you found out this classified information.”
“My partner for this assignment has connections.”
“The would-be attacker from this morning?” Petra nodded. “Do you trust her?”
Petra paused a second before answering. “I think I’m getting there. She easily could’ve snuck away and left me tied up, or worse. Yet she stuck around to help me.”
It was true. Despite Petra’s threat of turning in Millie Ward, Millie probably could’ve escaped if she had wanted to.
Will grunted. “Is there anything else she told you?”
Petra nodded. “If you eradicate the latent abilities, the Four Talents will have no one to protect them and they’ll be snatched up by power-hungry humans. Then the curse will lay a sickness over the world and most will die.”
“A curse?” Will echoed.
“Yes. According to Millie, it’s happened before. The Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918 was actually a curse. It was eventually stopped by the Talents from back in the day.”
Will put up a hand. “Wait a second. You’re saying somewhere between 20 and 50 million people were killed back then because of a curse?” He gave a bitter laugh. “I somehow doubt that could be kept a secret for this long.”
Petra narrowed her eyes. “During a time with no TV, very little radio, and when cameras were expensive and time-consuming to use, it’s entirely possible. Even if they really were killed by a flu virus and not a curse, do you want to chance it? Millions of people could lose their lives. Do you want that on your conscience?”
He frowned. “And why should I trust you? You could be making all of this up just to get me to halt my research. There are more than a few who want Feiru to expose themselves to the world and destroy the AMT prisons system. How do I know they didn’t send you to throw me a red herring?”
She straightened her shoulders. “Look, I risked my life to come here and warn you. I first found out about you being locked up back in Hong Kong. I had no idea your new research dealt with latent abilities. I just felt I owed you for what I did by faking my death. If you don’t want my help, then I’m starting to think I’ll just leave and you can fend for yourself.”
Petra moved from the bed and reached for her bra. However, before she could pick it up, Will took hold of her shoulders and maneuvered her upright. Lowering his head, he searched her eyes. She opened her mouth to demand he let her go when his voice filled the room. “Tell me the reason you faked your death and I’ll consider listening to you. And it had better be the truth. Despite whatever life you lead now, I know your tells. I should still be able to judge if you’re lying.”
Will had no idea the lengths of training Petra had endured, but she knew if she lied in this moment, then Will might go quietly back to his research. If he failed to eradicate latent abilities, he might become a prisoner again. And despite the gulf between them, she couldn’t stand the thought of Will Evans being locked away for life, or worse.
In a rare move since changing her identity, Petra told the truth. “My brother got into trouble with a low-level drug dealer who only knew my brother by his street name. So, my twin asked for my help. With my chemistry background, my brother knew I would be able to cook meth. If I agreed to do it for two years, the dealer’s boss would allow my brother to live. Not really having a choice in the matter, I created a false identity and agreed.”
Will’s face softened a fraction. “Why didn?
?t you come to me? My father had the influence to help you.”
Petra shook her head. “Not this guy. Believe me, the bribes he doled out would’ve prevented any legal channel from arresting him.”
“Then there would’ve been another way. If you had truly loved me, you would’ve talked with me.”
Petra’s heart twisted. “I hurt you to save you, Will. End of story. Now, will you listen to what I have to say?”
Will’s face returned to a neutral expression. A small part of her hated that he could close himself off from her.