The Turncoats (The Thirteenth Series #2) (17 page)

“Wow, these books never cease to freak me out,” Jason announced.

“Shh!” Wendy grumbled at him. The dellatrax was already buzzing. Black holograms, very different to Wendy’s, were spinning at great speed around Val’s body and head.

They were all watching patiently, waiting for something more definite to happen, when the first knock came at the door.

“Hello, it’s Dr Maxwell here. Please unlock the door.”

“This thing better hurry up,” Shane voiced everyone’s thoughts.

“Just a minute!” Fran called, hunching her shoulders as if to express the lameness of her actions.

“I’m going to have to get security if you don’t open this door!”

“Come on Val, fight,” Shane pleaded.

The dark holograms gave a single vivid flash of bright neon blue, causing them all to cover their eyes. When they looked again the holograms had disappeared. At last Val reacted, releasing an elongated scream, her back arching then dropping down onto the hospital bed as she was forced back into to consciousness.

“Val.” Shane grabbed her shaking body, stopping her from falling to the floor.

She opened her eyes and was instantly thrown into intense pain. The light of the room was so bright. Where was she? She scrambled up, pulling free from Shane, panicking that she was in even more danger. As her eyes adjusted to the light she saw first Shane’s worried face, and then all the others looking back at her.

“Right, I’m getting security,” called the voice through the door.

“Just getting it now,” Jason answered, trying to buy time by rattling the handle. “Doors in hospitals, hey.” He popped his head around the edge. The doctor pushed past, unimpressed with being locked out.

“When did she wake up? Why didn’t someone inform me? If you don’t mind I need a minute with my patient.” The doctor glared at them over his glasses.

“Yes let’s go.” Wendy grabbed the book off the bed and signalled for Fran and Jason to leave.

“Don’t worry, I will stay with her,” said Shane. Wendy grabbed Jason by the arm before he could protest and they exited, leaving the doctor to begin examining Val.

Val looked from the doctor to Shane. Was this real? She really had no idea what was happening. After a few minutes the doctor had finished. “This is extremely strange. All her vitals are normal. I’m going to get my colleague.” He glared at Shane. “Don’t lock the door.”

Shane nodded dismissively, his full attention on Val.

“Ok little lady, where have you been?” Shane held her hand tightly.

Val placed the palm of her other hand gently onto Shanes cheek. He was real, that’s all she needed to know. “Well, I was at a house and Excariot and Eva were there. Is that bit real?”

He nodded. “We just couldn’t get a hold on your whereabouts.”

“Then I was having dinner with...” she paused to choose her words carefully, “…some friends and then I saw Sam.” She blushed.

“We don’t know about that bit. You were in the house then you disappeared. We had no contact with you. I thought the worst had happened and the next minute someone was calling us because there was an unconscious girl in the doorway of the shop, and there you were on the floor. We don’t know how you got there. We can only assume you managed to teleport back.” Shane was as close to the bed as he could physically get; Val remembered him saying he was her guardian.

“Thanks for looking after me.” She gave him a hug and as she pulled away she could see intense sadness in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Val, you’re just a kid. I know you need me to be strong for you, but I have lost so many people and this is getting harder by the day.” Shane shook his head as if to get rid of the thoughts. “Sorry, so it seems you got touched by this acid skinned thing then.”

“Yes, and I lost Eva. I’m pretty sure now that Excariot will have her so we need to be stepping up our game. Where’s Sam? I need to know why you couldn’t track me.”

“I’m meeting him this afternoon. I’ll tell him to pop in and visit you.”

“You aren’t thinking I’m going to stay here are you?”

“Val, you have just been though something none of us understand; you need to be monitored; you’re unwell,”

“Speaking of the unwell, who’s looking after Zac if you’re all here?”

“Ah yes, that’s another problem.”

But not one they had to wait long to find out about as Jason walked in carrying Zac in his arms followed by the girls.

“What did you do?” Val said crossly.

“What was necessary? Now please return me to the bookshop. This place disturbs me; everyone is sick,” Zac whispered.

“I think we will have to get you out of here through the front door mate,” Jason said.

“No, I will get us home.” Val stood up.

“Wait a minute, you have just been in a semi-coma and now you want to teleport home?” Shane seemed annoyed.

“Look, we need to get Zac out of here and I feel fine.” Val turned to Jason. “Please put him on the bed. Together we can get home.” Jason did as he was told. Val stepped towards him. “Missed me buddy?” she winked and placed her hand on his. The blue spark passed between them and they were gone.

“That’s so unfair. This is costing me a fortune in petrol, Dad,” Jason moaned.

“I think I would rather drive.” Shane pushed his son towards the door. Let’s get back to work.”

“I can second that,” Wendy chipped in.

Val landed next to the bed, dropping Zac down onto the covers. He looked terrible. She had no idea how he was supposed to get better. The Mechanic had said three days, but he looked worse than he had before.

“Ok, what’s going on?” A familiar voice asked from behind her. It was the Collector.

“I didn’t touch that portal.” Val turned around raising both arms in the air.

“No you didn’t. However, you did teleport and so, if you don’t have a prisoner for me, I need to know what you’re up to.”

“I got touched by a Summari and ended up in hospital, and now we are back. And that’s it,”

“That’s wonderful for you but you don’t have a prisoner and you teleported. Has Zac not explained to you that you don’t return unless you have a prisoner or you’re dead? That doesn’t leave much room for misunderstanding, does it?” The Collector used her most patronising tone.

“I tried, but I couldn’t get her this time, so I will go back again tomorrow. Anyway, look at Zac. He’s no good to me like this.” She moved so the Collector could see him lying on the bed.

“I see. He does look unwell,” She moved over to the bed. Pulling a small piece of glass out of her pocket she placed it to her eye. Making her way around the bed she inspected Zac up and down. She made a tutting noise and a variety of huffs and sighs then put the glass back into her pocket. “I think I can help. There’s a blockage. I have dealt with this problem once before.”

Val thought about all the food inside his body and understood what she meant.

The Collector placed her tiny hand over him, raising Zac onto his feet. Val wondered if she could do the same for her, her back was starting to hurt from carrying Zac. Although he was now upright he was still hanging like a puppet on strings.

“What are you going to do to him?”

“This.” The Collector snapped the fingers on her other hand and Zac instantly went rigid. Val was scared. Then she clapped her hands together. Zac bent violently in the middle and dropped to the floor.

Val leapt to catch him, but was too slow. “What the hell’s your problem? Was he not ill enough already for you!” she spat at the Collector.

“It’s ok Val. I feel much better.” Zac lifted himself up smiling at her.

“What’s going on?” Val jumped back.

“His blockage has been cleared. Now, get the job done and I will return for your prisoner.” The Collector turned leaving Val and Zac sitting on the floor together.

“So, how’re you feeling?” Val beamed at Zac.

“Annoyed, with you. What were you thinking of going up against Excariot without me?” Zac stood up like nothing had ever been wrong with him.

“I have taken him on before. I just didn’t expect to get jumped from behind by hallucination girl,” Val also stood up and, for a moment, the two looked as though they were squaring up for a fight.

“How did you get back here?” asked Zac.

“Shane said some old lady found me on the street. He thought I had managed to teleport.”

“Incorrect, my report shows your second teleport was from the hospital.” Zac started pressing buttons.

“So how did I get back here? I’m sure Excariot wasn’t kind enough to drop me off.”

“At this moment I have no answer for you. Right now we have work to do. We must get the Summari.” Zac reached out for Val’s arm, but she pulled it away before he could get to her.

“Listen Zac, I love teleporting with you, it’s just oodles of fun. Nevertheless, you need to start telling me what we’re doing because this grab and disappear business is really not ok.” Val stood with her hands on her hips.

“Sorry. Are you prepared to go to work or would you like a little time to get ready?” Zac grabbed Val’s arm and they were gone.

They arrived in sync and Val immediately turned to look around her, pulling out her sword instinctively. Her hand rose naturally to call on whatever power she needed. Zac scanned the area and kept close to her side. They walked as one down the back street that held their prisoner. Val turned to look at Zac who pointed towards a doorway. Val could hear her heart pounding, could feel the adrenaline rushing down her body. This was actually quite exciting. Zac turned the handle of the dark, dirty door and shoved it quickly inwards. Val stepped into the entrance with her sword leading; she wasn’t going to get caught out again.

There was no one there. The room contained an old wooden table, a dull lamp and no windows, which made the room look seedy, as it was daylight outside. Val stepped cautiously forwards. Zac turned and they were back to back again, ready for any outcome. They moved towards the table, turning slowly in circular movements. Val noticed Zac tapping on his screen again. He concentrated for a moment then he pointed silently at a wardrobe on the far side of the room. They moved forward. He nodded at her and she took a step back while he threw the door open. There, crouched in the cramped space, was the woman who had sent Val into happy land. She leapt at Val, hands outstretched, ready to send her to cloud cuckoo land again. But Val was ready. With one swift movement of her hand she created enough energy to pin the woman to the wall without making contact. Stepping forward, she jabbed her with her sword. The woman screamed, then writhed until finally falling lifeless to the ground.

“Boo-yahh.” Val turned to Zac. She felt extremely smug.

“What?” Zac’s expression clearly showed his confusion.

“Sorry. It’s a word that means ‘We Rock’.” She punched him playfully on the arm. “Now let’s get this thing home.” She reached out, careful not to touch the woman’s skin. Zac grabbed her and they were gone.

For a change the Collector was pleased with them. Val was more impressed with their teamwork. She and Zac seemed to be getting more and more connected. This hunter thing was starting to make sense. She could almost see why he didn’t fight. Although she would still need a little time to get used to his strange ways, this could just work.

They headed down to the shop where they found several people at the counter and Wendy busy serving. It was as if everything that had just happened was part of her morning break.

“Zac, you’re better!” Wendy cheered throwing her arms around him in a friendly embrace. He looked like one of those kids being smothered by an overfriendly relative. Wendy released him aware of her overflow of affection.

“You didn’t have to work this afternoon Wendy,” Val told her.

“Well, I have nothing better to do. I’m sleeping here tonight if you hadn’t forgotten.”

Val could have kicked herself. She was so wrapped up in being a guard that she had completely forgotten about Wendy’s date with Daniel. Then Jason appeared.

“Where have you been? I saw you disappear, but I couldn’t contact you.” Jason seemed quite annoyed with her. Then she remembered she had dropped her earpiece intentionally.

“Jason, chill out, they’re here and all in one piece. Were you thinking of eating any time this week?” Fran came over with a sandwich in her out stretched hand.

“Wendy, I’m sorry, I did forget your date, but I was hallucinating so everything has been a bit odd. Don’t worry, there’s nothing to stop you going.” She gave Wendy a quick hug.

“Jason, I lost my ear piece. I’ll make sure I get a new one from Sam, and Fran, give me that sandwich before I bite your hand off.” She grabbed the food with relish, not realising until now just how hungry she was.

“What time is it?” Zac asked.

“Three-thirty,” Wendy responded.

“Do you wish to do some work?” he asked Val.

She couldn’t believe her ears. She had had a fencing lesson at 8 a.m, spent the morning in hospital, had only just teleported back from catching a Summari, and now he wanted her to work. “What exactly did you have in mind?” Val shoved another mouthful of bread in.

“Well, you have little control over your powers, we should work on them.”

“Ok,” Val nodded. What could go wrong?

“Can I watch?” Jason asked eagerly.

Val looked to Fran for approval. She nodded and turned to walk away.

“I need you back here for five, Val. We have to decide what I’m going to wear tonight,” Wendy said. Then Val saw the cogs of her mind turning. “Sorry, forget that last one. Fran!” Wendy called, “I need some help with what to wear.” Grinning, she trotted down the aisle.

“I should really take that personally, but I don’t.” Val frowned at the men as they headed out onto the street. “So where are we going?”

“To the tattoo parlour. That is where you do your training is it not?” Zac looked confused.

“Yes Zac, it is.” They walked along the high street. Val could see Zac taking in everything. Nothing got past him. He was a real hunter.

Jason pulled Val around pretending to push her towards the road; as she screamed he pulled her back in.