Aeromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 3)

Kat swallowed the bile that pushed up in her throat. “You don’t mean that. It’s only a day after the birth.” She looked at him pointedly. “You waited for me to regain my strength. You were always going to return me.”

He clicked his tongue. “Both of us know that’s not true.”

The shots were louder now. Voices came from the hallway.

Tears she couldn’t hold back streamed down her face. “Please, Adam. There’s still time. We can get out.”

“I do like you begging, but I can’t indulge you.” He took a small device from his pocket. It looked too much like a detonator. “I’m enjoying your anguish. You know how much your pain pleases me. You’ve never looked more beautiful than in the face of death. Not even in the pain of birth.”

He slid a thumb over the red button on the black piece of plastic.

“Adam, no!”

His expression told her the truth. Her begging wasn’t going to stop him. He enjoyed it. He loved seeing her fear. With much difficulty, she ceased her crying and drew in a ragged breath.

Lifting her chin, she adopted a stern tone. “You’re right. I don’t want to suffer any longer. I don’t want a cruel destiny for my child. Death is an easy option. To live while always looking over my shoulder will be too hard.” She kissed Thomas’s forehead, praying. “Just do it.”

Turmoil played in his eyes as he brushed his thumb backward and forward over the button. Footsteps sounded in the hallway. She held her breath as she kept her gaze trained on the button that meant the difference between life and death.

Something like surprise swept over Adam’s features as he faced whatever realization he came to. His lips parted as if he’d received a revelation.

The footsteps were upon them now. She watched in horror as he paused his thumb above the button. Thomas’s crying mingled with the loud thumping of her heart and the voice that shouted for Adam to drop his weapon.

Adam gave her a little smile. He opened his palm and released the detonator, projecting it her way through the air. She lifted her hand in reflex and caught the device in mid-air. She didn’t dare breathe. She didn’t move, taking care not to close her palm around the button. Adam spun around to face his fate. Two shots went off. Adam fell to his knees, exposing his opponent. Richardson. Gideon clutched his stomach, blood pumping through his fingers. Her breath came in gulps as she stared at the two men. Adam had fallen face-down. He wasn’t moving. Richardson slowly sank to his knees. Men moved into the room around them, guns trained everywhere. She still held the detonator in the air. As life pumped back into her limbs, she realized the weapons were meant for her.

“Don’t shoot.” Richardson coughed. “She’s the victim.”

A man reached for her. “It’s all right. Give it to me.”

She looked from the detonator in her hand to the man facing her.

“We’re FBI,” he said. “We’re here to help you.”

“Stay away from me or I’ll blow the building,” she said in a calm voice.

She didn’t know who to trust any longer.

Richardson laughed, but his effort turned into a gargle. He forced the words from his lips. “Always feisty.”

“I’m going to step outside,” she said, “and you’re letting me go.” Nobody moved as she went for the door. “Help him,” she said, motioning at Richardson.

He shook his head. “I’m dead. You won.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t want—”

“Go,” Richardson said, falling onto his side.

“Help him,” Kat said again.

She glanced over her shoulder to ensure the hallway was clear, and stepped into it. When she looked back at Richardson, his body had gone very still. Thomas was crying louder, the sound deafening.

“You,” she said to the man closest to Richardson, “move the change table.”

The man gave her a puzzled look.

“Do it,” she said.

He stepped over Richardson, and put his shoulder to the table to push it aside.

“Pick up the book and leave it on the floor, here.” She pointed a few meters away from her.

When the man had done as she’d asked, she said, “Get back, all of you.”

She waved the detonator until the men followed her command. Going down on her haunches with Thomas carefully balanced in one arm, she kept her eyes trained on them while snatching the book. She straightened with the book in one hand and the detonator in the other, making sure not to drop her baby.

“Stay where you are.” She held the detonator in the air as she made her way down the hallway, praying she’d find an exit.

“We’re not here to harm you,” another man said.

She ignored him and continued her retreat until she reached the door at the end of the hallway. The lock was broken. She kicked the door open. At least five men stood at the exit, pointing their weapons in her face.