I grabbed my phone and opened my camera. I ordered my drinks, glad that the line wasn’t long as I pretended to text someone but snapped a picture of the man instead. I then sent the picture to Jace.
Blake: Can you get the techies to do a facial recognition of this guy? He was here yesterday and he’s back again. My gut tells me something isn’t right.
Jace: Please be careful. Giving it to them right now. Stand by.
Blake: Thanks. I will be.
I had no intentions of being careful, though. I smiled at the barista as she greeted me.
“Hi, may I have two medium frozen white mochas and a large hot tea?” I ordered.
“Sure can,” she said in her chipper voice. “That’ll be nine dollars and fifty-four cents.”
I handed her a twenty and smiled. “Thanks.”
I walked over to the pick-up counter and grabbed a handful of lemon and honey packets for Kade’s tea while I waited. I only had to wait a few moments before my order was up. I grabbed them and then headed back towards the couch. I could see the man surreptitiously watching me.
My heart was racing, and I felt my nerves gripping me. I sat down in the seat across from him before I could chicken out or change my mind. I was going to face him head on before he could pull any barriers up against me.
“Tell me why you are here,” I compelled him aloud. To anyone watching I didn’t want to look too suspicious if I would have done it silently.
“I’m looking for Miranda Cornwall- Allen,” he responded after a moment. I had taken him by surprise. He hadn’t had time to erect his barrier. I felt his attempt, but it was too late.
“Why?” I pushed my will on him further.
“For the same reason you are, Blake.” I could see the struggle behind his eyes. I wanted him know who he was messing with. I wanted him to know the extent of my gift.
“So, you know who I am?” I asked as I casually took a sip of my drink, even though my insides were quaking.
“We know who all of you are. We followed you all up here. We knew you would lead us to her.” The man was turning red from his struggle. He looked and talked like he grew up on the streets of New York. His accent was thick. He could have easily been an enforcer for a mob family in the past.
“Who do you work for and how did you know to follow us?” I demanded.
Jaxson and Kade had moved to stand behind me.
“Horatio,” the man said reluctantly. “He knows how impenetrable your base is, but he knew eventually you’d lead us to her. He knows you’re looking for Dr. Hazel Cornwall. He knows Miranda has her. We sat and watched you
until you left. We knew you would mobilize soon enough.”
“How many followed us up here, and do you know where she and Dr. Hazel are?” I asked. “Are you gifted?”
“There are four of us. We are waiting for you to lead us to her. We all are,” he seemed just as surprised by his last admission as I was.
“What are your gifts?” I demanded. “Where are the others?”
“I am an empath. Joey is watching the laundry mat. He can transform into inanimate objects. Jr. works at the bookstore,” he grinned and I felt a chill run up my spine. “For now. He can resemble whomever he wants. Moe is at the library studying. He is able to shatter anything by touch, even your little boyfriend’s force field.”
“What happened to the guy who worked at the bookstore?” Kade asked in a horrified whisper.
The man laughed with no humor.
“What happened to the guy who worked at the bookstore?” I repeated as I pushed my gift on him.
“He’ll be found when spring thaws all the snow,” he glared at me.
“Thank you,” I stood up calmly although I felt like throwing up. I leaned forward and glowered at him. Our noses almost touched. “We never had this conversation. You will instruct your friends to leave us alone. No one is to harm any of us. If they don’t listen to you, you will kill them. If you find out anything before we do, if you see her before us, you will call me.” I rattled off my number. “If you repeat any of this or try to warn any of your friends, I want you to find the tallest mountain and dive off of it. Do you understand me?”
His eyes were blank as he nodded.