Page 73 of Joshua's Mistake
“I don’t trust you, Josh.”
“Why would you?”
It was a good sign that Banta had started using his first name.
Movement out of the corner of his eye alerted him to his team making a move. Damn, it was too soon.
Banta saw it too. Trip ran full speed at the larger man. Jess moved in from the other side. Shots rang out from above. Joshua was helpless on the other side of the damn canal and swimming it would not get him across in time. It didn’t matter. He jumped in the shallow pool and pushed through the water to the other side.
As soon as he jumped out of the water he saw he was too late. Trip’s wide, dead eyes stared up at nothing. Jess screamed in pain as his aura was being ripped away.
Tessa was nowhere in sight. Joshua wanted to let his walls down. He wanted to know she was safe, but it was too dangerous. He couldn’t’ risk it.
It had only been seconds, Banta hovered over Jess. Rain rushed out from behind a pillar and Tessa from another. Tessa slowed time and pushed Banta back with telekinesis the same way she had pushed the bullet.
Banta stumbled back and then his focus shifted to Tessa.
Terror flooded Joshua. The idea she would be torn apart again was more than he could take. He opened his own mind. “Not her, Troth. It’s me you want.”
He saw the moment of confusion on Banta’s face. Joshua had more power, but Tessa’s ability to slow time for a few seconds was extraordinary. Jess lay on the floor still conscious but clearly weak. Banta’s shoulders slumped slightly. Rain had gone to her hands and knees and she crept forward slowly.
Joshua had no idea exactly how close she needed to get to block Banta.
Shots rang out from the right, but the sight must not have been clear. The bullet meant for Rain ricocheted off the marble floor harmlessly. No one moved.
Will stepped out from behind the pillar and took his shot at the now-exposed gunman. The last of Banta’s men tumbled over the banister and crashed to the piazza.
“I could kill you now, take your aura and be out of here before the FBI got another shot at me.”
Joshua was through playing games. He whipped the water off his face and ignored his drenched clothes as he took a squeaky step forward. “If that were true you’d have done it already. Here’s what I think, Troth. I think you had an ally in Washington. I also think that person betrayed your trust and left you here to die. I can get you out of this hotel alive if you tell me who it is. Who is your sponsor and what is their agenda? Tell me and I’ll make sure you live to see another day.”
“You’re talking about a life in a cell. I tried that and it nearly killed me. I can’t live in a cage, Josh.”
“Can’t do anything about that, Troth. You’ve gone too far. I admit I lied about joining you, but I will save your life if you cooperate.”
A terrifyingly calm grin pushed at the corners of Banta’s mouth. “No can do.”
Banta spun toward Tessa. Joshua knew he would. He might be insane, but he was still predictable. With the power to slow time he might actually have a chance to get out of the hotel even after his energy was depleted from the gathering.
Banta’s hand shot forward, reaching toward her. His eyes widened for an instant, but nothing happened.
Joshua looked down to see Rain only feet from Banta. Her eyes focused on him with an intensity that could only be psi. If he could use his own gift he was sure he would feel the pulse of her gift.
Banta tried again, still unsure why he could not gather. Nothing happened.
“You’re through, Troth. Let it go. Come quietly and live. I don’t want to have to kill you. We were friends, remember.”
With a turn of his head, Banta’s focus changed to Joshua. Hate seeped through every pore. His face twisted and his eyes widened as he launched himself in Joshua’s direction.
Joshua didn’t want to shoot. He wanted to believe there was something left of the Troth he knew that was worth saving, but he readied himself to take the shot anyway.
One shot echoed off the stone walls. Troth Banta’s eyes widened for an instant before he dropped forward to the floor at Joshua’s feet.
Tessa held her gun steady, pointing it at the motionless body of the man who had nearly destroyed her. When he didn’t make another movement, she lowered her weapon.
Joshua knelt down next to the body, pressed his fingers to Banta’s throat and felt nothing. Blood spread out from the quarter-sized hole in the back of his head and puddled on the cream-colored marble.
Looking up at Tessa, Joshua said, “He’s dead.”
