Deceitful (Rules of Deception 1)

“Good.” Major raised a cell phone to his ear. Apparently, the no-cell-in-hospital rule was suspended for him. “We’ll be gone in a few minutes.” I didn’t know who was on the other end or what they were saying, but Major’s expression looked satisfied when he hung up.

“Where are Madison’s parents?” I asked.

“They’re still talking with the other doctors about how Madison’s condition has improved and that it might be possible that you’re going to wake soon.”

The “you” threw me at first. Pretending to be Madison was going to take some getting used to. She wasn’t much taller than me but she was thinner, and her chest was even smaller than my own. I picked up a strand of her dark blonde hair. It felt smoother than my own and fell in straight lines to my chest.

“Your hair doesn’t look right,” Alec said.

He pushed his hands into my hair. A tingling shot down my spine and I relaxed against his warm palms. He froze as our eyes met. I couldn’t tell what was going on behind them. He broke eye contact and started mussing up my hair. He was so gentle. The feel of his fingertips brushing my scalp sent a pleasant warmth through my body, making me long for his touch in other places.

“That’s better.” He pulled away but I immediately wanted his touch back.

Major’s cell phone started vibrating. “It’s time to go.” He opened the door but didn’t leave. “Ronald and Linda Chambers will be here at any moment. Remember everything you read about Madison. From now until we find the murderer, you’re Madison. Tessa’s dead.”

Tessa’s dead.

Something gripped my insides and twisted. If I could vote to determine who should live and who should die—Madison or me—there was no doubt about the outcome. Madison had parents, a brother, relatives, even an ex-boyfriend who loved her; I had nothing.

What am I thinking?

“Did you hear me?”

I gave a nod, not trusting myself to speak. A sudden wave of calm overcame me, foreign and invasive, and I could feel my body bristle at the unwanted emotion. It wasn’t mine. My eyes darted to Major, his form still lingering in the doorway. Had he just managed to manipulate the way I felt?

Alec hesitated as if he wanted to say something. I couldn’t stop myself from meeting his eyes. There was worry in them, and something else—something softer I couldn’t put my finger on. After a quick glance at Major, he smiled encouragingly, and they left.

Doctor Fonseca stayed. He checked the machines and the IV once more. I winced as the needle moved in my arm, and he apologized quietly. He didn’t talk much nor did he ever look me in the eyes.

One thing was for sure: Major was right, people were scared of our powers, afraid of what we were capable of. That was the first thing he’d taught Holly and me when we’d arrived at FEA headquarters. I’d never felt the truth of his words as plainly as I did now.

Voices outside the door caught my attention. I sank into the pillows and closed my eyes, trying to calm my breathing while watching the entrance through half-closed eyes. The door started to open. This was it. And it was in my hands not to mess it up.

I couldn’t mess up. I wouldn’t mess up.

Tessa was dead, for now.

I cycled through my breathing exercise, trying to calm the pounding of my heart.

In and out.

In and out.

Through the narrowed slits of my eyelids, I watched as Linda Chambers slipped into the room, her steps faltering as she saw Doctor Fonseca. Ronald Chambers stopped behind her, his hands on her shoulders. His eyes were focused on me and I decided it was safer to keep mine closed.

“How . . .” She cleared her throat. “How is she? Doctor Myers and Doctor Ortiz told us there was a chance she would wake today.”

“Her condition has improved. She’s breathing on her own and she stirred just moments ago,” Doctor Fonseca said.

“She moved?” The hope in Mrs. Chambers’ voice made me feel like the worst liar in the world. She should be mourning the loss of her daughter, and instead she was being promised a miracle.

“Even if she wakes, don’t expect too much from her. After what she’s been through, she might have to learn many things from scratch. It might take a while before she’ll be able to walk and talk the same way she used to. It’s very possible that she won’t remember much, maybe not even you.” He paused before adding, “It’s important that you don’t pressure her into remembering.” Listening to Dr. Fonseca talk with ease, I wondered how he could lie to them without so much as a quiver in his voice.

“We won’t. We’ll do everything in our power to help her get well,” Madison’s father said.