Under His Influence

“Anna…” Liam hugged her close again, trying to veil his unease. Had they booked the wrong person into that psychiatric hospital?

But she disengaged from him, looking wildly around the hall, as if expecting a gang of assassins to break through the crowds in pursuit of her.

“Liam!” she cried. The people around them cast curious, concerned looks their way at the shrillness of her distress. “Liam, please get it away from me! Oh, don’t let it get me!”

She twisted out of his reach and doubled over, screaming, then collapsed in a waxen-faced heap on the suitcase.

“Fuck!” Liam yelped. “Fuck, fuck, fuck! Where’s a doctor? Can someone get a doctor?” He dropped to his knees beside her, shaking with panic, cradling her and pleading with her to revive, to be well, to not be dead.

“I have your child, Valent of the Draxxar.”

John sat bolt upright from his position between Mimi and his mother, awakening them both.

“What is it?” asked Mimi, seeing the wildness in his eyes and the sweat beading on his brow.

“Anna didn’t make it to Australia. Rixxar One has found her.”

“How do you know?”

“He must be inside her somehow. Using the psychic link. Damn it, he is sharing house room with my child!”

John screwed his eyes shut. Mimi wanted to comfort him, but he looked too far out of his rational mind to approach.

Mimi heard the faint echo of his exchange with Rixxar One as it took place, using her own fragile bond with John. When she touched his arm, the sound grew more distinct.

“Where are you? Where is she? What have you done to her?”

“I do not know this place, how should I? And you are going to be a father—congratulations! How wonderful. If it comes to pass.”

“I am not bargaining with you.”

“Then it’s just as well your child will never be born. What kind of father are you, that won’t make a little concession or two to protect his child?”

“Where are you? Describe it. I will come to meet you.”

“Now that’s more like it. That’s the Draxxar in you. Civilised discourse, leading to rational decision-making. Not all this Earth bluster and emotion. I wondered if your spirit had changed as well as your body for a moment there.”

“Where. Are. You?”

“A large space, many people. Banks of desks and screens giving information I cannot read. The people carry large items with them, ticketed. They form lines and the large items are borne away on a conveyor belt.”

“Right. Checking-in desks at Heathrow. Give me an hour. I will be there.”

“I think we may be taken by these uniformed people. They are attending to your bond mate.”

“I will find you. Just don’t leave the airport. Keep that Liam person with you. He will know us.”

“I look forward to our reunion, Valent of the Draxxar.”

“I don’t. Goodbye.”

“Is this wise?” Mimi’s voice was small and scared for once.

“Nothing in this is wise,” John replied. “But he is only one Rixxar. We can keep him at bay.”

As they hurried out of the house, Mimi pursued the matter.

“But if he can use Anna’s psychic link, won’t he know what you are planning? Won’t it just be one long stalemate?”