The Reckoning (Darkest Powers 3)

I checked the other screens. Dr. Davidoff was in a meeting room with Mrs. Enright, Sue, Mike the security guy, and the two others. They were deep in debate.

The rest of the rooms were dark, all except one that wasn’t any bigger than my walk-in closet at home, crammed with a twin bed, small desk, and chair.

Someone sat at the desk, writing, chair pulled as far from camera range as possible. I could see only a shoulder and arm, but I recognized the dark purple silk blouse. I’d been with Aunt Lauren when she bought it this winter.

The woman stood, and there was no doubt. It was Aunt Lauren.

I brought the demi-demon in and pointed at the screen. “What room is that and why is my aunt in there?”

“Because she was naughty. Apparently, distaste for imprisonment runs in the family. She was scarcely confined to a regular cell for a day before she tried to escape. They decided she needed more direct supervision. ”

“So she’s a captive?”

“She helped you escape. Did you think they’d throw a feast in her honor? Sacrifice a goat or two?”

“They said she’d changed her mind and admitted she made a mistake. ”

The demi-demon laughed. “And you believed them? Of course you did, because they’ve never been anything but perfectly honest with you. ”

My face heated.

“Yes, they tried to make her see the error of her ways,” the demi-demon said. “They offered immunity and forgiveness and feather pillows. She’s a very valuable member of the team. But she refused. ” She looked at me and sighed. “I suppose you want to rescue her, too. ”

I nodded.

“Then let’s get on with it. ”

I grabbed her arm before she walked away. “Rae. The fire half-demon girl. They said she was transferred. Is she here, too?”

The demi-demon hesitated, and when she spoke, there was a softness in her voice. “No, child. She’s not here. And I don’t know what became of her, so don’t ask me. She was here one evening, and come morning, she was not. ”

“They killed-”

“There’s no time for that. Your friends await and they”-she pointed at the Edison Group meeting-“will not be in there forever. ”

We freed Tori first.

I tried to prepare her for the shock of seeing a dead man walking by going in first, but she caught a glimpse of him, and after a split second of surprise, said “Good idea. ”

I was going to explain that I hadn’t created a zombie guard slave, but the demi-demon was already at the next door, checking the third cell, Tori right behind her. I decided that if Tori was fine with me raising the dead for personal use, then there was really no reason to tell her I’d actually made a deal with a demon.

That didn’t work so well with Simon, who knew I wouldn’t be nonchalantly controlling dead people. And I couldn’t use the no-time-to-explain excuse because we had time-undoing his restraints, getting out his IV, bandaging him, and looking for his shoes, while the demi-demon guarded the door.

So I told them the truth. Tori took it in stride. I was beginning to think Tori would take anything in stride.

Simon said nothing for a moment, and I braced myself for Are you nuts? but this was Simon. He only slid off the bed, crouched beside me while I checked under a table for his shoes, and whispered, “Are you okay?” I knew he meant the part about raising the dead, and when I nodded, he searched my face and said, “All right. ” I assured him I’d been careful with the demi-demon and he said, “I know, and we’ll keep being careful. ” And that was that.

Forty-two

“NEXT STOP, DEAR AUNTIE Lauren,” the demi-demon trilled. “Then straight to the nearest exit and”-she smiled-“freedom for all. ”

“Not all. ” Tori glanced at me as we walked. “We need to download the project files. There are other kids out there thinking they’re mentally ill, like Peter and Mila. Plus others who might not have come into their powers yet. ”

Peter had been at Lyle House when I arrived, and he’d been released before we escaped. I hadn’t known Mila, only that she’d been there before me, and had been “rehabilitated” and sent back into the world.

“I would love to get those files,” I said. “But we don’t have time to access and print-”

Tori pulled a thumb drive from her pocket. I wasn’t even going to ask where that came from.

“

“You have Dr. Davidoff’s password,” she said. “We have access to his office. I can download the files while you’re getting your aunt. ”

“And there’s got to be a phone,” Simon said. “I can try my dad again. ”

They were right. I’d regret it if we left without those names. And I’d regret it even more if we got locked up again and had passed up the chance to tell Mr. Bae where we were.

We got to the office. It needed an additional code, but the demi-demon knew it. Then I said the demi-demon and I would get my aunt and come back.

“So the sorcerer is staying with his sister?” the demi-demon asked.

“Sister?” Simon said. “She’s not-”

“Sister spell-caster,” I said to him quickly. “She talks like that. ”

When we were far enough away, I whispered, “So Simon’s dad really is Tori’s father?”

“The worst-kept secret in the building. ” Her singsong tone jarred with the guard’s gruff voice. “And that, my child, is saying a lot. ”

“Guess that explains why her mom freaked out when Tori admitted she liked Simon. ”

“Oooh, that would be awkward. A lesson to you in keeping secrets. They will come back to haunt you in the most uncomfortable ways. Whether that one feels any guilt, though, is quite another matter. She has the morals of a succubus. I must admit, it was quite amusing, watching her attempt to seduce the sorcerer. Quite a blow to her ego when she failed. ”

“Failed?” I said as we turned the corner. “But if Tori is his daughter, then obviously-”

“Obviously nothing. What do they teach children in school these days? Sex is hardly the only way to reproduce. Arguably the most fun, but if that fails, and you have access to a complete laboratory, with every excuse to procure the necessary bodily fluids…”

“Eww. That’s-”

An alarm bell clanged right over my head.

“Time’s up, it seems,” the demi-demon murmured.

She opened the nearest door with the card and propelled me inside, slipping through after me.

“My aunt-”

“Is fine. She’s only a few doors down, safe for now. You’re the pigeon who’s not in her coop. ”

The demi-demon led me across the room to a second door, opening into a big closet. She ushered me inside.

“Simon and Tori-”

“Are, I presume, in possession of functioning ears and brains. They will hear the alarm and take cover, which is what we need to do. ”

As I stepped into the closet the guard’s body collapsed. I fell to my knees beside it.

“I believe you’ll find he’s still quite dead. ” The demi-demon’s voice came from above my head. “As useful as that mortal form was, this one is better equipped for sneaking about. ”