Page 50 of Emergence
“Not going to happen. I’ll search for him, and by God, I’ll find him,” I said as I stood to go.
Elana stood and looked me in the eye. “Kaden, you need to conserve your energy. My shield prevents her from hearing what we say, but the moment you use your powers, she’ll know it. Her spies will know and tell her. She’ll wait until you’ve exhausted yourself before she attacks. If you wait and trust us, we think she’ll come here, and we can catch her in our snares.”
Elana looked between Dr. Aynesworth and Dr. Fagan for confirmation, then turned back to me after they nodded their approval. “I worked with her for many years, and before that, I was her pupil. Trust me, we… I, know her weaknesses, even with her polarity. We will use everything to save Lysander. You have my word.”
I glanced at Libby and Pete and felt like melting into the floor. How could I do nothing when he was out there, God only knew where, enduring who knew what kind of torture?
Did I have a choice? No, I didn’t think I did, but I knew one thing for sure, I could and would do a lot ofintentionaldamage. Unlike when I’d attacked the men from the trafficking situation, I wouldknowinglydestroy Grace Bisbee for what she was doing to Lysander.
Chapter thirty-five
Lysander
Iwokeupdazedand immediately scanned the room, which looked like some nineteen-sixties motel room. There was light, but it was pouring in from windows high up in the wall. I was lying on a bed, there was a recliner across from me, and some man was asleep on it.
“Hello?” I asked the figure, and he moved.
As he stirred, I figured I probably should’ve been afraid of him, but he didn’t feel dangerous. “Who are you, and where are we?” I asked.
The man reached up and rubbed his head. “I don’t know. Who are you?”
“I asked you first,” I demanded, concerned he could be some sort of plant to get me to talk.
“I’m Alias Johnston. How did I get here?”
“I was about to ask you the same. I think someone tasered me. My chest still hurts,” I said.
“Yeah, same with me. Wait, shit. She wouldn’t have done this.”
“Who wouldn’t have done what?”
“Grace, damn,” he said, and looked over at me. “Do you know Grace Bisbee?”
I nodded. “She was my teacher.”
Realization dawned on his face. “You’re Lysander Phillips?”
I felt panic that he knew my name. “Yeah, how do you know me?” I asked, jumping off the bed and standing behind it, keeping it between us and bracing for a fight.
“You do not need to fear me. Grace, however, is another matter. Damn, I’m parched,” he said, and looked around the room. Finding a small plastic motel cup, he unwrapped it and filled it with water from the tap.
“When I use my powers, I get thirsty. I remember now… fuck,” he said, and took another drink.
“What do you remember?” I asked, still very wary of him.
“I’m an empath. I can detect and help moderate people’s emotions. Grace Bisbee is my polarity.”
“Shit, so you’re in this with her?”
He laughed mirthlessly. “Hardly. I told her I wouldn’t help her. I’m afraid you, well, more specifically, your boyfriend, Kaden, is part of some wild scheme.” He shook his head. “She must’ve kidnapped me when I wouldn’t comply.” He continued shaking his head, “Damn, damn, damn, what is that woman thinking?”
“I’m sorry. I’m confused. I don’t understand any of this.”
The man looked at me, his eyes sad. “Sit down, young man, and let me explain from the beginning.”
I still didn't trust him, but decided I might as well listen to what he had to say.
Dr. Alias Johnston was a top-level empathic counselor working for the government. Most of the time, his job was low-level, working with potential spies in the Supe community who wished to overthrow the government.
