On the Edge of Humanity Read online

CHAPTER 9

 

  A FIRE RACED THROUGH MY LIMBS as I sat in the principal's office trying to process this new information. Webb had said the word vampire and not just vampire, but 'natural-born vampire. ' What the hell did that mean?

  I desperately wanted to run-to find somewhere to hide. I squeezed my eyes shut-tears threatening to spill. I needed Sam. Where was he?

  A hand fell on my left arm, followed by a velvety voice that whispered something I couldn't quite make out in my ear. His hot breath accelerated my pulse, causing the blood to surge through me-awakening my limbs. I twitched.

  "Jo?" Webb whispered.

  I looked up and met his gaze. He lifted his hand off my arm, and leaned back against the desk. He tilted his strong jaw and peered at me through mile-long lashes. I shifted my gaze. Tripp stood to Webb's right with his hands cupped just below his belt.

  My mouth was dry. I swallowed, taking in a gulp of air. "What do you mean by natural-born. . . ?" The word was caught in the back of my throat.

  Until a week ago, I had never picked up a book about vampires or anything related to one. They just plain freaked me out. Now the images of the books in the funeral home were swimming before me. I even had two of the books in my backpack, which was sitting around here somewhere. Between the books, the fanged man outside the hospital room and hearing Webb speak about vampires as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I pinched myself, making sure I wasn't dreaming.

  "Vampire," Webb intoned. "Jo, you're not a vampire yet. Right now, you only carry the gene. Those of us who are born with the vampire gene are normal mortals up to the time we choose not to be. However, at the age of sixteen or thereabouts, your body will start to go through what we call vampire puberty in preparation for the change. " He dipped his head, gesturing at Tripp.

  What the heck was vampire puberty? I wanted to scream and laugh all at the same time.

  "For example, Jo," Tripp started to say.

  He speaks. His voice was deep but with a gentle tone.

  "For me, my gums started hurting when I was fifteen. I reached puberty early. Then, at seventeen, I discovered I liked the taste of blood," Tripp explained as he nodded at Webb.

  Like Webb, Tripp didn't look a day over twenty-one. His sandy blond hair was cut short with the sides shaven just above the ears.

  "One of the first things that usually happens is your eyes change colors. You'll notice this when your emotional state alters in some way. But all this depends on your genetic make-up. " Webb flicked his head at Tripp. "He craved blood to the point it became a drug for him. "

  Blood, a drug? My brain couldn't wrap itself around that idea. Were there drug dealers who sold blood? Plus, he just described me. My eyes were changing colors, I craved blood and my gums had started aching a few minutes ago. I didn't know if I should be relieved that I wasn't crazy or panicked by the idea that I had a thirst for blood-or even worse, that I might be a vampire.

  "You said I wasn't a vampire yet. Will I be?" I held my breath, not sure I wanted to know the answer. My inner voice kept telling me to get out of here, as far away as possible.

  "That depends," Webb replied. "Some people choose to crossover. Others are forced to become one. "

  I didn't like the latter part of his response. With my luck, I was going to be forced.

  "It doesn't happen naturally?" I asked. I bit the inside of my cheek, hoping he would say no.

  The door to the office opened; Mr. Jackson entered.

  "I'm sorry, I need to get some keys out of my desk," Mr. Jackson said.

  "We're through here for now. Any luck with your security personnel on finding Sam?" Webb asked.

  What do you mean we're finished? We hadn't even scratched the surface. We had a lot to talk about; I still had a ton of questions.

  Mr. Jackson pulled open his top desk drawer and fished around in it to find his keys. What would he think if he knew I was a. . . natural-born vampire? The words crazy, loony and nuts popped into my head. He undoubtedly would call his friend Chief Garrett and have me committed.

  "Got them," he said. "No, Manny, my head of security, checked all the places Sam was supposed to be during school this morning. The only person we haven't questioned yet is this McDonald kid that Ben saw Sam speaking to. His dad picked him up just before second period for a dental appointment. "

  That's right. I'd forgotten about McDonald. He was the kid in the parking lot this morning-the one talking with his friend about the janitor being dead.

  "Is this McDonald student returning to school today?" Webb asked.

  "Not sure. I'll have Gail contact his parents," Mr. Jackson replied.

  "I know it's still during school hours, but I would like to take Jo back to headquarters, if that's all right with you?" Webb requested.

  "I'm not going with you. I need to find Sam," I said.

  "Jo, we're not done with our conversation. Plus, I would like to give Mr. Jackson back his office. We can continue where we left off. My team will have more information for me on their progress in finding Sam," Webb replied.

  He gave Tripp a commanding stare. Then Tripp and Sloan exited the office.

  Mr. Jackson pocketed the keys then stepped around his desk. He knelt down near my chair, placed his hand on mine, and looked up at me.

  "Jo, it's best if you go with Lt. London. His team has the resources to help us. Will you be okay? If not, you don't have to go. "

  I choked back tears. This was the first time that an adult was giving me a choice. I've always been pushed around, been told what to do. No one ever asked me what I wanted or what I thought. Not to mention that Mr. Jackson was acting as a real father figure, not one who wanted something from me. . . except an answer, which was new to me.

  I leaned down and whispered, "What if these guys are with the man who was chasing us?"

  "They're not. I had them checked out while you were in here talking with them," he whispered back. "I'll notify Lt. London if I find any hint of Sam or where he might be. Okay?" His voice rose above a whisper.

  I nodded.

  I wasn't sure if going with the Jupiter Sentinels was the right thing to do or even if I could trust them, but if Mr. Jackson trusted them, it should be okay. Besides, I had to do something other than sit here waiting. If Sam were in my shoes, he would be out there looking for me right now. I had to help in some way. If I could find out more information from Webb about who I was, then maybe it would lead to Sam.

  "Lt. London, we'll talk later," Mr. Jackson said.

  "I can drop Jo off at your place this afternoon, if that's all right?" Webb pulled out his beret from his back pocket.

  "That would be great. Jo, do you need to stop at your locker before you leave?" Mr. Jackson asked.

  I shook my head. I rose from the chair and my knees wobbled. I had been sitting down for too long without moving. The blood had stopped circulating through my legs. I grabbed the arm of the chair to steady my balance. I closed my eyes, inhaled through my mouth, then exhaled through my nose. I can do this. I need to do this to find Sam.

  Webb stood at the door. A starburst of red flashed in his eyes, which muted the dark blue of his irises.

  I moved cautiously until blood was circulating again. I searched the room for my backpack, but I didn't see it. Then I remembered I had left it outside the office door. Webb followed my line of sight and picked up my backpack, slinging it over his shoulder. I guessed that was my cue to hurry up.

  I stopped at the threshold. "Thank you, Mr. Jackson. I really appreciate all your help. "

  He nodded as he picked up his office phone.

  I turned on my heel, walked into the hallway and right into Darcy.

  "Hey, you okay?" she asked. "I've been waiting for you. I ran into Ben when I was leaving Mr. Grant's office. He told me about Sam. " She threw her arms around me and gave me a fierce hug.

  I stood still as a statue. Tears were thr
eatening to overflow. If I started crying, I was afraid I wasn't going to stop. I had to be strong; I had to fight.

  "I'm fine. " My voice was quiet the sound of it strangely distant.

  She released me. "Bull. You're not fine. I know you. You're as fragile as they come. "

  "Thanks for the vote of confidence, friend. " I skewered a look her way.

  She peeked around me. "Who's the hunk in fatigues?" Her lips were curled at the ends and, if I weren't mistaken, I thought I could hear her heart racing. Sometimes her attention span was the size of ant's, always shifting from one subject to another.

  "He's too old for you. "

  "He's barely over twenty, if I had to guess," she shot back. "You leaving with him?"

  I nodded.

  "How do I get on that train?" She was still sizing up Webb.

  "Focus, Darcy. " I snapped my fingers in front of her face.

  "Sorry. " She shook her head a few times. "And why are you going with Gorgeous Brownie Locks?"

  "He might be able to help find Sam. He came here to speak to me and Sam about-"

  Webb walked up behind me and touched my arm. "Let's go, Jo. "

  I raised my eyebrows at Darcy and shrugged. "I should be back at Mr. Jackson's later. "

  "Don't worry, girl. Sam will show up," she shouted.

  As Webb escorted me out, I prayed that Darcy was right, but my intuition was screaming at me-something was very wrong.

  The halls were buzzing with students inside and out. In the courtyard, kids were seated at benches eating their lunch. The thought of food made my stomach perk up. I wondered if natural-born vampires could still eat human food when they became vampires or if they were restricted to just. . . blood. That thought made my stomach churn, but I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

  We walked out the front entrance. A small ray of sunshine shone through the thin clouds. I stopped.

  "What's wrong?" Webb asked.

  "The sun's out," I said, my brows furrowed.

  "So? Keep moving," he commanded.

  "Aren't vampires sensitive to the sun or it burns them or something like that?"

  "You read too many myths. I need you to keep walking. " His voice had a nervous tone to it. He nudged me a bit.

  I resumed putting one foot in front of other. Up ahead standing next to a black sedan with tinted windows was Tripp. He was holding the handle on the back door.

  Webb nodded.

  Boy, they did a lot of nodding and little talking. How do they know what the other is saying? Can they mind speak or something since they're vampires?

  Webb scanned the area with a mechanical precision, all the while touching my elbow, ensuring he didn't lose physical contact with me. I guessed he was being cautious since Sam had gone missing, but I'm sure it was also the military order of business to be as guarded as he could be.

  As we got closer to the car, Tripp opened the door, and at the same time jerked up his head. Webb snapped his head to the left in the same direction. What were they looking at? I followed suit but didn't see anything. Several trees obstructed my view, but given that I was now hanging out with vampires, I assumed their auditory and sensory perception were heightened. Then again, Webb had said not to believe everything I read about vampires. Little did he know I read barely a thing about them. My knowledge of vampires stemmed from listening to Darcy and other kids at school who were gaga over the undead creatures.

  "We need to walk faster, Jo. " He pressed on his ear and said, "Make sure Sloan has the car in gear. "

  "What's wrong?" I asked.

  I couldn't figure out what they were worried about. A school security guard stood motionless at his post near the gate. It didn't appear he heard anything.

  "Where are they?" Webb asked.

  I didn't know if he was talking to me, but when I looked at Webb, his head was forward, eyes fixed ahead on Tripp. Then I shifted my glance slightly. A small plastic device was embedded in Webb's ear.

  So that's how they talk to one another.

  "Shit!" he said.

  We were steps from the car when Webb pulled my backpack off his shoulder and threw it at Tripp. He barely caught it. I was about to protest when Webb palmed my head and guided me into the car.

  "In! Now, Jo!" His voice was curt, words clipped.

  Webb slid in next to me. Tripp slung my backpack onto Webb's lap. He shut the backdoor then jumped into the front seat.

  "Go! Go!" Tripp told Sloan.

  Sloan hit the gas and the car jerked forward. I peered out the side window. The security guard shouted, but I couldn't hear him. He probably didn't like the way Sloan pulled out of the parking space. I knew I didn't. I wouldn't be surprised if I got whiplash.

  "What're you guys so nervous about?" I asked.

  I turned and peered out the back window. I didn't see any car behind us.

  "Charlie two, come in," Tripp called.

  "Charlie two, go," a man's voice blared through the car speaker.

  "We got a bogie. We'll head them off at Crest and Skylark. It's deserted in that part of town. Send back up to meet us there," Tripp rattled into a speaker located somewhere in the car.

  "Alpha one, ETA?" said the voice on the other end of the speaker.

  "Twelve," Tripp returned.

  "Ten-four. Team engaged and en route. Charlie two out. "

  Sloan was speeding through the side streets of neighborhoods, barely pausing at stop signs. I closed my eyes and prayed. I prayed that I would at least make it alive to wherever they were taking me. I prayed that I'd see Sam again. I opened my eyes and peered at Webb. He sat there calm, looking forward, watching the road. His skin had a sun-kissed glow. Odd. Aren't vampires supposed to be pale?

  "Is there a problem, Jo? You know it's impolite to stare at people," Webb said, never once looking at me.

  How did he know I was staring at him? I dropped my gaze. I was beginning to think I should have stayed with Mr. Jackson. My stomach churned as if piranhas were swimming around. Between the road bumps and the quick jerks of the car, I was about to open a window and lose the Lucky Charms I had eaten for breakfast. The trees along the sides of the road were passing by like blips on a radar screen.

  I grabbed my backpack off Webb's lap. I unzipped the inner compartment and rummaged around in the bottom. I pulled out the package of Pop Tarts that I had taken from Mr. Jackson's house this morning. I had to eat something to settle my nerves. I placed the package on the seat between Webb and me when my backpack fell to the floor. The book I borrowed from the funeral home, The Science Behind Vampires, fell out. Shoot! I hurriedly picked it up to place it into my backpack. Too late.

  Webb grabbed it out of my hands.

  Before he could say anything, I blurted out, "I'm doing research for my literature class. We're studying the occult. I had to pick a topic. " Geez, I sound like a babbling idiot.

  "How appropriate then," Webb replied as he handed the book back to me.

  I pulled it out of his hand and shoved it into my backpack. I went to zip up the pack when the car came to an abrupt stop. The forward motion propelled me headfirst into the back of Sloan's seat.

  "Get down, Jo," Webb shouted.

  "I am down," I snapped. My head was spinning. Did he not see that my head was planted into the back of the driver's seat?

  "Stay down, then. "

  I picked up my head. Tripp was getting out of the car. The back door opened and closed. Webb had gotten out.

  "Take the car around," Tripp shouted.

  "Charlie two, come in," Sloan said. His voice was calm.

  "Charlie two, go. "

  "Where's back up? We're at Crest and Skylark. "

  "Two minutes out. They had a problem at Fifth and Main. "

  The speaker went silent. My heart raced and the adrenaline surged through me. What the heck is going on around here?

  As Sloan turned a corner
, I gaped over my shoulder as Webb's foot made contact with a man's face. The guy fell to the ground, but within a second he jumped to his feet as if he weren't even hurt. Webb's opponent raised his elbow and swung, hitting the bottom of Webb's chin. His head bounced backwards then forwards. The man's other elbow lifted, then they disappeared from my view as the car rounded the side street.

  Sloan parked the sedan.

  "Jo, keep the doors locked and stay in the car," he instructed. "I'll be at the corner. You'll be able to see me the entire time. Back up should be here shortly. "

  The door shut and Sloan pressed the key fob. The locks clicked.

  I peeked out the back window as he jogged to the corner with his hand at his side, holding on to the brown leather baton.

  I scanned the area. The building across the street had several broken windows. Just beyond the building on the same side sat an empty lot surrounded by a crinkled chain-link fence.

  I turned, looking for Sloan and my heart stopped beating-he was gone.

  I snapped my head around, searching in all directions. Where did Sloan go? The street was deserted. The daylight dimmed. I lifted up for a better view. A set of dark cumulus clouds rolled in. The wind picked up accompanied by a sound like a can rolling along the pavement outside the car door.

  A loud bang jarred my attention forward. Shards of glass from the windshield flew at me, splattering against my face. I threw my hands up to block the debris, but it was too late. I gently patted the bottom of my chin and searched the area around my face. I let out a deep breath, thankful that the glass didn't stick into my other wound that was compliments of Cliff. But the area around my mouth wasn't so lucky.

  I grabbed the door handle and pulled. The door wouldn't open. I pushed the automatic lock button-nothing happened. I pulled the handle again-no luck. Shit! Shit! Shit!

  Warm fluid trickled down from my upper lip on the brink of slipping into my mouth. The aroma from the blood caused hunger to stir within me. I patted my mouth with my fingers, then stared at the burgundy stain. I inhaled, taking in the sweet fragrance. I was about to taste my candied blood when a light reflected off the rearview mirror. I jerked up my head and caught an image of a girl with red dots peppering her chin, as if she had just broken out with chickenpox. Is that me? It can't be. The person staring back didn't have silver eyes, didn't even have the blue-green eyes Ben had described. The face in the mirror now had black eyes with a ring of fire circling the outer edges.

  I was just moving closer to the mirror when the side window shattered. I threw my arms over my head, then the door opened. A large hand reached in and grabbed me. I squirmed, kicking my way out of the car. He wrapped his arm around my waist and lifted me.

  I craned my neck trying to steal a look at my attacker. The man holding me wore a blue bandana over his head. I screamed.

  "Be still," he said.

  "It's you!" I shouted. "You were at the hospital. What did you do to my brother?" I asked, wriggling.

  "I said be still!"

  I clutched his hand with both of mine and the nail of my pinky finger got caught in a ring. I looked down. The gold ring he wore was engraved with an insignia.

  I gasped.

  The symbol matched the tattoo that Neil had on his neck. Before I could process this, my attacker shook me.

  I kicked and wiggled, trying to break free.

  "Stop moving," he growled.

  "No. What did you do with my brother?"

  He reached in his pocket and pulled out a needle. He tried to uncap it with the hand that had me in a vice grip. I reached for the needle, only he jerked it out of my way. The syringe was two inches in length and looked like something a veterinarian would use on a horse.

  "Oh no. You're not sticking me with that," I shouted.

  "Stop your moving, will you?" he said. He adjusted his grip on my body, squeezing my waist tighter.

  "You're hurting me!" I kicked and lifted my arms behind me, ready to scratch his face, but I couldn't turn my body well enough to do any damage.

  "Let her go, Jonah," a familiar voice called out.

  I snapped my head round. Webb stood ten feet in front of us. He placed his hand on the leather handle strapped to his belt. It looked like the same device that Tripp and Sloan wore on their belts, only Webb's contraption was red.

  He pulled it off his belt and a click echoed around us. The thin baton device snapped into place, a blade emerging from its housing, the tip angled with a flat edge. At the base of the blade, a piece of metal extended out on each side of the handle perpendicular to it. Another click sounded and, as if in slow motion, the flat edge knife extended into a three-foot sword. It whistled as metal slid across metal, snapping the blades into place. Webb held onto to the grip with two hands and pointed it into the air. The double-edged blade glistened, projecting a blue hue around the edges.

  My mouth gaped open as the sword came to life. My heart pounded against my chest. I knew Webb wasn't going to hurt me, but the thug who held me was holding a horse needle ready to stab me. Jonah, or whoever he was, wrestled with something, but I couldn't see what. He grunted a few times.

  Webb stood still. What the heck is he waiting for? This goon to stab me? Then the man's grip loosened a bit. I tilted my head to see what he was doing. As I did, he blew something out of his mouth. The plastic tip that covered the needle rolled off the pavement into the street.

  Webb took one step forward.

  "Don't do it, London," Jonah ordered. "Or I'll stick her with this. You know what'll happen. "

  "Happen?" I asked. The adrenaline was flowing freely through me. My pulse quickened. A spark fired and I bristled.

  Fear and rage propelled me forward. I couldn't wait for Webb to make his move. This goon was going to use me as a pincushion. I twisted, kicked and pulled on the hand that was wrapped around me.

  Jonah squeezed tighter, cutting off the circulation in my stomach.

  I stopped moving and looked at Webb. I tried to speak but couldn't.

  Webb stalked slowly toward us as Jonah walked backwards.

  I kept my eyes fixed on Webb. His eyes were no longer blue but had turned pitch black. His fangs had descended. I was mesmerized. I didn't realize until now how real this vampire thing was. He looked fearless with the sword in his hands, fangs exposed.

  He dropped his left hand from the grip of the sword, raised it parallel to the ground then lowered it. His lips were moving but the words were inaudible.

  I furrowed my brows, shook my head.

  He did his hand movement again, this time in quick succession.

  "Down, now!" he shouted.

  I bent over, my face staring at Jonah's hand. He squeezed me tighter. I couldn't breathe. As my head bobbed, my chin hit his hand. A piece of glass pushed in deeper.

  I stifled a scream.

  Without thinking, I bit down on his hand as hard as I could.

  "You little witch!" Jonah barked as he released his grip.

  I fell to the pavement, rolled off into the thin layer of grass that edged the sidewalk and scurried to my feet.

  I stepped back against a tree, breathing hard as Webb glided toward Jonah. He had both hands on the grip of his sword again, with the blade angled upward, ready to strike.

  Jonah threw the needle down then removed a dagger from a side pocket of his cargo pants. He gripped it so that the tip of the blade and his forearm was facing Webb.

  I stared at the two. How was this going to end? Just as Webb raised his sword, his opponent fell to the ground.

  I snapped my head to the left. The culprit had a baseball bat in his hands. I sucked in a deep breath. It couldn't be.

  My gaze shifted between the guy with the baseball bat and Jonah who was already back on his feet, his dagger still in his hands.

  Then Webb swung his sword downward at Jonah, missing him by an inch as Jonah lunged for Ben.

  I scre
amed and ran toward Ben. I was inches from him when Webb grabbed me.

  "No. Get back," he snapped.

  "Jonah, it's our fight, not his," Webb said as he flicked his head toward Ben.

  Jonah whirled around with his fangs bared. My head spun. Why were vampires chasing Sam and me? What did they want with us? Oh my God. Did Jonah use his fangs on Officer Bradley? Was that why he was in a coma?

  Webb swung his sword up then down. The blade whistled as it sliced through the air. Jonah raised his right leg in some type of karate kick and knocked the sword out of Webb's hands. It was Jonah and his dagger against Webb who was now weaponless.

  I ran toward Ben again as the two vampires fought, their karate moves sending the brawl into the middle of the street.

  "You okay?" I asked.

  He stood motionless and wide-eyed.

  I slapped his face. "Ben, snap out of it. "

  He looked down at me absently, before focusing again on the two vampires in the street.

  A black jeep rounded the corner then skidded to a halt. A man and a woman jumped out. Both wore the same style uniforms as Webb, so I assumed they were both Jupiter Sentinels. Tripp and Sloan emerged from behind the jeep.

  The woman pulled a gun from its holster. The man with her had a crossbow in his hands. Tripp and Sloan carried swords, the blades extended and ready for battle.

  The four Sentinels surrounded Webb and Jonah.

  "You don't have a chance," Webb said as he lunged at Jonah.

  "Olivia, now," Tripp called out.

  Was she going to shoot a vampire? I didn't think bullets killed vampires.

  She pulled the trigger. Jonah dropped to his knees, his body jerking on the way down. It wasn't a gun, it was a taser. The metal strings stuck to the large vampire as smoke erupted from his body. When Jonah was down, Sloan reached out with gloved hands, grabbed Jonah's arms, twisted them behind his back, and placed two-inch metal shackles around his wrists. As he squeezed them together, a small amount of smoke erupted from underneath. Were his wrists on fire? I guessed they would need something sturdier and more lethal than ordinary handcuffs to hold a vampire.

  Sloan gripped his prisoner's arm and pulled him forward, depositing him into Olivia's jeep.

  Webb retrieved his sword from the sidewalk, retracted it, then clipped it to his belt.

  "Why were you two late?" Webb barked as he straightened his uniform. "This better be good. "

  "Sir, one of the Plutariums sideswiped us back at Fifth Street. It was like they knew our route," Olivia explained.

  "Get back to headquarters and prepare the meeting room," Webb ordered.

  "Yes, sir," Olivia replied. She withdrew her cell phone and pushed a few buttons while taking long strides back to her jeep, her partner in tow.

  "Tripp?" Webb waved his right hand.

  "Sir?"

  "Radio command and let them know we have another human returning with us," Webb instructed.

  Tripp nodded and traipsed off toward the sedan that we drove in.

  Ben was now sitting down on the grassy edge of the sidewalk with his head in his hands.

  I didn't blame him. All this was freaking me out a bit too. While I'd had some time to process it back in Mr. Jackson's office, hearing about it and seeing it were two completely different things.

  I touched Ben's arm. "Hey, you okay?"

  "What's going on?" His voice was stifled. "Who are these people?"

  "They're military. They call themselves the Jupiter Sentinels. Some Navy SEAL team. "

  "They're not Navy SEALs. They're va-"

  "I know. "

  I couldn't say anything else. I couldn't bring myself to tell him I might be one of them. I had to give him time to process all of this. I'm not sure I believed it myself.

  Webb bent down and picked up the needle that Jonah was going to use on me.

  "Let's go. Ben, you'll need to come with us. We can take you home later today. "

  Ben didn't move. What was Webb planning on doing with Ben? Heck, what was he going to do with me? Did humans know vampires existed?

  "Ben, come on. Come back with me. You can keep me company. It's bad enough without Sam. Then Webb will take both of us back to your house. " I grabbed his hand.

  He raised his head.

  "Do this for me and Sam. Please?"

  He rose to his feet. He was red-eyed and splotchy. He squeezed my hand as we walked to the car.

  I slid in first, then Ben followed. Webb walked around to the other side and climbed in. Sloan was behind the wheel while Tripp sat in the front seat. I'd hoped that Sloan's driving would be better this trip, unless we were ambushed again. Olivia and her partner were in the jeep ahead of us sitting idle with the prisoner in the back.

  I wasn't sure what happened to the guy that Webb had fought with earlier. There had to be a few of them. What did Olivia call them? I gnawed the inside of my lip, struggling to remember, hoping it would come to me.

  As the car moved, the wind blew in through the opening in the windshield and the side window, thanks to Jonah. I was thankful it wasn't cold outside, otherwise we would all freeze to death. Ben had closed his eyes and was leaning back against the seat. An electric charge tingled the air and goosebumps rippled up my arms. I wanted to look at Webb but was afraid he would snap at me again.

  I raised my head. Sloan's green eyes were staring at me in the rearview mirror.

  "Sir, do you want me to alert Dr. Vieira that he needs to prep the room?" Sloan asked.

  I knitted my eyebrows together and glared at Sloan. "Prep the room?" I asked. "Who died?"

  "Your face is a mess, Jo," Webb replied.

  Had my zombie look returned? I couldn't seem to get away from it. Maybe Blake was right when he said, "You can't change creepy. "

  "What else is new?" I muttered.

  I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. Nausea threatened in the pit of my stomach. I didn't want to think about all the scars that would crisscross my face. Out of nowhere, I remembered the name Olivia had used for the attacker.

  I opened my eyes. "What does 'Plutariums' mean?" I asked.

  "Not for discussion," Webb snapped.

  "What was that guy going to inject me with?" I asked.

  "Again, not for discussion. "

  "I think he kidnapped Sam," I blurted out.

  "What makes you think that?" Webb asked.

  "He was the guy who was outside my hospital room. The one who put the cop in the coma. "

  Tripp's head turned to face me and Sloan glared at me through the rearview mirror.

  Did I just say something interesting? I must've hit a nerve.

  Webb glared at me. A sudden wave of fog flowed through me. He was doing that thing again, with his eyes or something. I shook my head and broke eye contact with him.

  "Stop it," I said. "I know you're doing something to make me dizzy. I get it-you don't want to talk about it. "

  "We're almost there, sir," Tripp said.

  I crossed my arms over my chest. Webb wasn't going to tell me a whole lot, which was fine for now. I wasn't about to give up.