Geomancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 5)

Cain put his arms behind his back. “Interesting. We’ve always believed it to be the other way around, that in order for an art to be transferred from one user to another, the practitioner had to be killed first. What you’re saying is that he will die if he gives his art, voluntarily or not. In Armelle’s case, I assume it wasn’t voluntary.”

“I’m not sure what happened. I grabbed her arm when she fell. I could feel the gift entering my body. It was like when I practice my art. It’s as if my organs heat up or sand chafes my bones. I felt it, and then the insight hit me. I can’t tell you how I knew. I just grasped it instinctively.”

“How did you regain control of your art?”

“For the first time since the accident I saw the truth—that Maddy gave her gift to save me. We would’ve both died if she hadn’t.”

“You forgave yourself,” Cain said pensively.

“I forgave myself for Maddy. I’ll never forgive myself for what happened to Asia.”

“Never is a long time, Sean Rivers. I have something for you.” Cain took an envelope from his pocket and left it on the coffee table in front of Sean.

“What is it?”

“The contract. You now own what was formerly called Jerry’s Pub.”

After everything Asia had gone through, it seemed wrong to claim that property. Besides, he hadn’t exactly met his end of the bargain. “I didn’t lead you to Godfrey.”

“You did. Technically, Asia did, when she sent you that text message, but you kept your word and informed me. There was no way of knowing Godfrey would have the meeting in the air. Clever bastard.”

“He got away?”

“He and his pilot jumped before the plane went down. His scientist got away with Nicolas in a boat. Although, it would’ve been more merciful for Nicolas if he’d perished in the rescue mission.”

Sean frowned. “Why do you say that?”

“Godfrey is conducting experiments on Nicolas to find a way of transferring the forbidden arts to humans.”

The more he heard about Godfrey, the more he despised that son of a bitch. “You make it sound like we’re not human.”

“Not at all. I, of all people, understand that you’re flesh and bone. I’ve seen my team members shed their blood for our cause on more occasions than what I care for. I say that from lack of a better classification for your kind. I suppose we should call you paranormals. The fact that Godfrey sent Armelle after you was a surprise. How did she find you?”

“My dad. I called him for help. I wanted to know how to reactivate my art and thought a geomancist with better control than me could help. We didn’t know Armelle was working for Godfrey.”

“Neither did we. The last we heard, she was an undercover agent for the American government.”

“More like a double agent for Godfrey. I assume you informed the government?”

“Of course. At least that explains how she found you. We know Godfrey has some paranormals like yourselves on his team, but we don’t know who or how many.”

“What about Xavier?”

“He was in charge of Godfrey’s ground support team. Godfrey had taken precautions against a shootout with Juan, but he didn’t expect running into my team.”

Sean reflected for a moment. When he and Maya had gotten to the airport in Cartagena, Joss had cut the finger of one of the guards they’d taken hostage and tasted his blood, thus learning that Godfrey and Juan had taken off with the jet. Bono had flown them to the jungle from where Lann could intercept and bring down the plane without crashing it. They knew exactly where Juan, Tony, Garcia, and Asia would be coming ashore when they’d intercepted Juan’s text message with the coordinates.

Sean lifted his gaze to Cain. “Juan knew about Armelle and the destruction of the island.”

“Godfrey’s men would’ve known Armelle had gone down. They would’ve informed Juan when he arrived at the airport.”

“What about those men?” he asked with a tight jaw. Everyone who threatened Asia, which meant everyone who worked for Juan, had to pay.

“We took care of Godfrey’s army at the airport. It wasn’t hard. By that time, Juan’s men had already left to rescue them.” Cain waved a hand. “The rest you know.”

Yeah. He’d taken care of Juan’s men on that beach. Good. “Is there a secure phone I can use to call my father?”

“You can use the phone in Lann’s office.”

Sean got to his feet.

“I suppose all that’s left to say is congratulations,” Cain said. “You’ve succeeded.”

Sean gnashed his teeth. “Have I?”

“You got what you wanted, didn’t you? The bar is yours.”

His tone was wry. “Yes.” Except, it didn’t come close to what he wanted. Everything had changed.

“If the bar is no longer enough,” Cain said slowly, “there’s a place for you on the team.”