CHAPTER 24
“Are you sure he’s out here?” Faye looked around the forest with a frown. “All I see is trees.”
Celise studied the small laptop in her hands, but it was difficult to focus. She’d never been this afraid before. The stress made her stomach hurt, and she’d almost dropped the computer a few times because of her constant shudders. “My program says he should be here. We need to look around more.”
Her friend took a deep breath. “He sure managed to get far during such a short time.”
“Cyborgs are faster than humans, and they have better stamina than us.”
Faye raised an eyebrow. “Why did MedAct make them better in almost every aspect?”
“You’ll have to ask MedAct.” The program beeped, indicating a direction Celise followed. She walked by a few trees and bushes, scanning frantically, searching for Wind.
He’d stopped moving. The dot on her screen told her so, and at this moment, she couldn’t have been more thankful to herself for creating the program that could locate any cyborg.
She didn’t care that other cyborgs probably felt that something was going on in their heads like they’d had when she’d searched for Shade. All she cared about was finding Wind. It had helped Shade find Phoebe through Nightmare when he kidnapped her not long ago, and it would work its magic again. She didn’t doubt that.
Frustration filled Celise when she didn’t see a glimpse of him. “Come on, Wind. Where are you?” She bit her lip and turned around, perusing the area.
Nothing.
“Damn it.” She dried away an irritating tear that ran down her cheek.
Trying to remain calm was becoming difficult. In less than an hour, their lives had turned into chaos.
Diane had died way too soon, and with her, the chance of saving Wind.
Part of her fear was that she didn’t know why he’d run away. Was he even still alive? Usually, a cyborg that lost his bound one died within a few minutes, but his eyes had flashed with her.
That kept her hope up.
Celise was grateful for Faye as well. She would’ve probably completely lost it if it hadn’t been for her. Her constant questions had kept her mind on other things as she was trying to find Wind.
“You bonded, right?” Faye asked as she looked around. “Shouldn’t that, you know ... like, give him some time or something?”
“It should, but there’s no guarantee. One flash is far from enough.”
“Will you be able to do something for him?”
She stilled. “I ... don’t know.” The thought of losing him was unbearable.
Faye laid her hand on her shoulder and smiled. “Whatever happens, I’ll stay by your side.”
Celise tried to smile back, but it was almost impossible. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
Her friend glanced over Celise’s shoulder. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened. “Oh, my God. There he is.”
Celise spun around, and the sight of Wind lying on the ground broke her all over again. She ran to him and threw herself on the ground. “Wind!”
His eyes were closed, and his wasn’t responding.
Celise checked his pulse. “He’s still alive.” Relief washed over her, and she could breathe easier.
Faye knelt on the other side of him. “Does that mean he’s going to make it?” She studied him with worry.
Celise tore out her scanner from her bag, pulled up Wind’s shirt, and pressed the device against his chest as she turned it on. This time, at least, he wasn’t going anywhere.
The seconds that followed felt like hours. The results couldn’t come fast enough. She looked through it quickly and cringed.
“What does it say?” Faye asked.
Celise frowned. “There’s something here I don’t understand. The bond still seems to be there, but it’s different.”
Her friend’s eyes widened. “What?”
“It’s like ... it has changed character.”
“What does that mean?”
Heavy steps rustled in the underbrush as they neared. “It means you’re beginning to see the truth.”
Celise turned her head when she heard the deep, male voice. Shock went through her as she stared into the shining eyes of Nightmare, the leader of the Fighters.
Faye flew to her feet. “Shit!” She backed two steps, ready to flee.
Celise sat as if paralyzed and stared at the scene taking place in front of her. Three cyborgs had shown up from out of the blue. She hadn’t even heard them approach. Wind had been the only thing on her mind.
Celise had never seen Nightmare in real life, only in media, and the bastard was bigger than she’d imagined. He looked even meaner, with his dark features, wild black hair, and twisted grin. The scar on his throat didn’t ease the impression of him.
Neither did the laser gun pointed right at her.
Next to him stood two cyborgs Celise didn’t recognize, but they were just as mean-looking as Nightmare. They were tall, muscular, and with cold expressions.
The blond one seemed dead on the inside, no emotions on his face. The look in his eyes was almost robotic.
The redhead, on the other hand, sent cold shivers down her spine. He radiated rage in a way that neither Nightmare nor the blond cyborg did. She’d never seen so much hate in someone’s eyes before.
“I must say I didn’t expect to find anyone but the cyborg here,” Nightmare said. He looked at Faye. “But it’s nice to see you again, Faye. Silver can’t wait to see you.”
Faye took another step back, worry in her eyes. “We should leave, Celise. Like right now.”
Determination awakened within Celise. She wouldn’t let these cyborgs scare her. “I’m not leaving Wind.” She glared at Nightmare. “Why are you here?”
The rogue leader studied her and the device she held, ignoring her question. “You’re one of MedAct’s doctors.” It was a statement.
She frowned. “I work for them, yes.”
He rubbed his chin and exchanged a look with the other Fighters.
A feeling of dread went through her when the redhead grinned.
The blond only nodded.
It was as if they had a conversation without words, but cyborgs couldn’t communicate telepathically, so they had to know something she didn’t.
“You can’t save him, you know,” Nightmare said.
Anger awakened within her. “Watch me.” Celise ignored him and focused on Wind. She pressed the scanner against his chest again. She didn’t have time for anything else. Her cyborg’s life hung on a thin thread, and if she didn’t do something soon, he’d die.
The scanning indicated the bond wasn’t working as it should. Probably because of Diane’s death, but something also told her that wasn’t only it.
The bond shouldn’t be there in the first place. It should’ve malfunctioned as soon as Wind had spotted Diane’s body, but the bond didn’t show any signs of malfunctioning. Instead, it was as powerful as ever.
She’d never seen what actually happened when a cyborg died. She only knew the theory, and what the scan said went against everything she’d been taught about the bond.
Nightmare handed the gun to the redheaded cyborg and crouched next to her. “Your name is Celise?”
She only nodded, not taking her eyes off of the scanner.
“You know who I am?”
Celise frowned. “Is there someone who doesn’t?”
“I guess you’re right, but you don’t seem afraid.”
Faye snorted. “She just hasn’t had the pleasure of seeing your exquisite personality for herself yet.”
Nightmare glared at Faye. “But you have, and I’m sure I left an impression on you, just as you left an impression on Silver.” He turned his gaze back to Celise. “How long have you been working for MedAct?”
“About six years. Why do you care?”
He once again avoided her question. “What does the scan tell you?”
Suspicion washed over her. “Why should I tell you?”
“Let me guess. It tells you the bond is still there, and that it’s fully functioning, but its behavior has changed. It’s not doing what it was designed for anymore. It is instead spreading in his body, shutting off one part after another.”
Celise stared, tried not to show her surprise. “How do you know that?”
He frowned, ignoring her question a third time. “But I must say I’m surprised it’s taking this long.” Nightmare ripped the scanner from her hands, making her wince. “He should be dead by now.”
Silence filled the area as the leader studied the scan. Then he lowered the device and gave her a look that made her tense. It told her he was someone she shouldn’t take lightly. He was dangerous. He’d snap her neck without a second thought, but there was also something else.
Loneliness.
So much loneliness ...
For a second, it made her feel sorry for him, but then she remembered who he was. Celise grabbed Wind’s hand in a hopeless attempt to protect him from the Fighters leader.
He wanted something. That was why he was there, but how had he found them? “There’s another bond here,” Nightmare said. His eyes narrowed as he looked at her hand holding Wind’s. “You were trying to take over his bond, weren’t you?”
It really was scary how observant he was. She took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. “I don’t have time for this. I need to get him to MedAct so I can save him.”
He frowned again. “You haven’t told Jade yet?”
“There was no time.” Celise couldn’t believe she was telling him all this, but despite the unnerving look in his eyes, there was also something else there.
Understanding.
What the hell was going on? How could he possibly know these things?
She narrowed her eyes. “You’ve seen this before.”
A grin spread on his plum lips. It made him look handsome and harmless. Almost. “Oh, yes. Many times.”
“Tell me what’s going on?”
He got to his feet. “Come with me, and I’ll show you.”
Celise’s jaw dropped. “What?”
Faye gasped. She didn’t say anything, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable.
“You really expect me to go with you? I need to take Wind to MedAct. I can’t do anything for him here. My bond to him is the only thing keeping him alive. The scan tells me I have less than two hours to save him.”
His face went expressionless. “MedAct can’t do anything for him, and trust me, they won’t. The bond has already made the transformation. To them, he’s already dead.”
This jerk was starting to get on her nerves. “What do you mean? They always do everything in their power to save a cyborg.”
Nightmare sighed. “You’ve been working for them for six years, and yet, you know so little.” Without warning, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. “I’m willing to give you a chance of a lifetime, Celise— the insight of the Fighters’ lives. I can bring you inside our headquarters, show you our world.”
She blinked. Everything inside her told her not to trust this cyborg. She’d heard enough about him to know he was the last person she should trust, but at the same time, there was something off with Wind’s bond, and he seemed to have the answer.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I can show you the truth MedAct doesn’t want you to see.” He gave her a once-over. “It’s obvious you’re not one of their top doctors, and because of that, I’m willing to show you what no one on the outside has ever seen. They’ve barely let you inside MedAct’s facility, have they? You seem ... fresh.” He grinned.
“Don’t do it, Celise.” Faye gave her a wary look.
She shook her head, emotions going wild inside her. “You don’t even know me.”
“No, I don’t, but I know your kind. I can save him, and it’s obvious you care about him. Besides, I’ve had my eyes on him since we met some time ago,” Nightmare answered.
Celise gawked. “You’ve been watching him?”
Nightmare shrugged. “It’s not difficult to bug someone, especially a cyborg who’s too distressed to notice. I saw him as a potential candidate for my tests, but I guess that’s not going to happen now. He’s in no condition for what I had in mind for him. You on the other hand; you’re exactly what I need.”
She took a step back. “What do you mean?”
“I need someone on the inside.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You’ve just seen what no MedAct doctor in your position has seen. You’ve stumbled upon something you don’t understand, and you want answers.” He pointed at Wind. “You have your proof lying right in front of you. The scan doesn’t lie. You know that. Come with me, and I’ll tell you everything.”
Celise swallowed and licked her lips. “There’s something wrong with the bond.”
He nodded. “Yes, and no. The bond is functioning just as it was designed to. It’s just that few know what it really is designed for.”
“And that is?”
He reached out his hand. “Come with me, and I’ll show you.”
“Celise ...” Faye warned.
Nightmare turned to her. “Don’t worry, Faye. You’re coming with us, too.”
Her eyes widened. “In your dreams!”
“You have to finish what you started, my dear, or Silver will die.” He turned back to Celise. “How will it be?”
Faye glared at the leader. “I thought you were against the bond. I remember you said it isn’t real.”
“It isn’t real, but you got it me all wrong.”
She snorted. “I was there when you hurt Shade, so don’t take me for a fool.”
“I’ll prove you wrong.” The light in his shining eyes intensified.
“You expect me to just trust you?” Celise asked. “You must be a fool if you think I’ll do that, but I guess you won’t give me a choice.”
His face turned serious. “I will give you a choice, Celise, to show you I’m not the man you think I am. Come with me, and I’ll tell you everything, but if you refuse, I’ll let you go. You can take Wind to MedAct, and watch him die. They’ll tell you there’s nothing they can do to save him. I can assure you that.”
“Don’t trust him, Celise!” Faye yelled. “He almost killed Shade.”
“To save many, a few must be sacrificed,” he said, giving Faye a cold look.
Celise’s gaze lingered between Faye and Nightmare. “What if I go with you? What happens then? Will I be able to leave?”
“I doubt you’ll want to leave once I’ve shown you the truth.” The leader placed his hand on his chest. “But I swear on my honor, no harm will come to you, Wind, or Faye. I’m willing to trust you enough to even show you where our headquarter is. I’m putting the Fighters’ fate in your hands, and if you still don’t believe me after you’ve heard me out, you can go to MedAct and tell them all about it.”
Celise couldn’t believe this was happening. Was he really willing to trust her? Just like that? He was either a fool or desperate.
Her gaze wandered to Wind. He still hadn’t moved. His eyes were closed as he lay still on the ground. He seemed peaceful, but with each minute, he came closer and closer to death.
Her heart bled. It cried from the knowledge that she’d lose him if she didn’t do something.
She didn’t know what the right thing to do was, but she’d seen a glimpse of something that shouldn’t be there. It was something MedAct had never even mentioned, and that awakened her suspicion.
Something was off ...
Very off ...
She took a deep breath. “I’ll probably regret this, but I’ll go with you, under the conditions you mentioned. No harm shall come to me, Faye, or Wind, and we’ll be able to leave whenever we like.”
Nightmare nodded. “You have my word.”
Faye didn’t seem happy but didn’t object. She looked at Celise. “I promised I’d stay by your side, no matter what happened, and that’s what I’ll do.” She threw up her arms and sighed. “Here we go again.”