Tribes of Man: The Beginning [Tribes of Man] (Siren Publishing Classic) (7 page)

Gideon pulled out a notepad and started drawing.

* * * *

The piercing scream from the front of the library cut off abruptly.

“What the hell was that?” the kid she’d been helping asked.

“I don’t know,” Raina answered, heading in that direction.

When another loud scream rent the air, followed by what sounded like muffled gunshots, Raina came to an abrupt halt. From behind her she heard the boy start running—in the opposite direction. Using caution, she ducked back into the stacks, her heart beating frantically. She tried to stay calm enough to keep her senses open. She didn’t dare run. She knew where all the furniture was in the library, but if a chair was pulled out or a backpack was in the aisle, she’d likely run right into it and make herself a target.

Clearly her library was a victim of the scary trend of irate students shooting up the school. There weren’t a lot of students in that section, but Raina was terrified for Betsy.

More gunshots sounded through the air, each one getting a little louder. They weren’t getting closer so she couldn’t figure out why they were getting louder.

Raina was just about to edge her way toward the ladies room to hide when she was grabbed from behind, a hand over her mouth. She was pulled back against a muscular chest.

“Shhh,” a voice came from behind her. “They’re coming this way.”

Raina relaxed slightly when she heard the voice. She recognized it from her bedroom.

They’re going to come down this row. Stay very still and quiet.

Raina jerked at the voice in her head. She was just getting used to hearing Gideon’s thoughts. She didn’t want to hear everyone else’s thoughts, too.

Just then Raina heard a gasping, crying voice come around the corner.

Damn
, the stranger said in her head.
Listen, Raina, this is not going to be pretty. I want you to just close your mind to it.

What are you talking about?
Raina felt her body tense up again.

You have to stay calm, or I can’t keep us from being detected. There’s another person that just came over here. She doesn’t know that the men are coming this way. If I warn her, we’ll become visible again. I’m sorry, but I can’t risk your life.
His voice was soothing and hypnotic. It was also matter-of-fact. He was willing to sacrifice someone else’s life to keep her safe. But she wasn’t willing to.

You have to warn her. I don’t want to die, but saving someone else is worth the risk.

You can’t die. You are the keeper of the water. If you die, it all ends here.

What are you talking about?

I’ll explain everything later. Right now, you have to be still, he’s coming around the corner.

Just then, a terrified feminine scream tore through the air. It was cut off to whimpers by the sound of a thump.

“Shut up.” A voice that sounded like it was right next to her spoke.

“Is this her?” another man asked.

“No, Kallan’s hair is longer.” Raina jerked, both at the sound of her name and the location of the voice. It sounded like the man was standing on them.
What’s going on?

We’re incorporeal, Raina. They are standing right where we’re sitting.

While Raina was trying to reason that out, the second man said to the first, “Then kill her.”

The girl let out a loud squeal and clothing rustled, as though she was trying to get up and run, when a shot sounded. There was a loud gurgle then silence. The men moved on toward the bathrooms. “Maybe she’s hiding in the bathroom.”

Raina let out a loud scream in her head.

* * * *

Gideon had made arrangements with Jimmy to pick up some supplies to execute his plan and was preparing to leave when he heard Raina’s scream.

Gideon spun around as though to face an adversary.

In response, Jimmy pulled a gun and a wicked-looking knife from under his shirt before pressing his back against the wall.

“What the fuck?” Jimmy asked quietly.

“Raina’s in trouble,” Gideon answered with absolute certainty.

Just then his cell phone rang. Gideon answered it instantly.

“Gideon, the library was just attacked by some guys with guns. There’s a bunch of people dead. Raina was working. You’ve got to get down there.” Bryce sounded like he was running while he was talking.

Gideon reached out to her mentally. Although she wasn’t talking to him, he could still sense her. She was terrified. “She’s not dead, Bryce. I’m on my way.” Gideon snapped his phone closed and hurried toward the door.

“Something else is going on here, isn’t it, Gid?” Jimmy asked, back still to the wall.

“Yeah, but you don’t want to know about it. You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you,” Gideon answered honestly.

“I’ve seen some strange shit, man,” Jimmy said as he opened the panel to the security system and typed in a code. Before he pressed the enter button, he said, “It’s going to be clear for you to leave, but you need to hustle off the walk.”

“You have weight detection under the concrete?” Gideon knew Jimmy was paranoid, but that was over the top.

“Nah, too expensive. Just your standard motion detectors. Nothing will happen, but it will change the alert status, and I want to take a nap. Can’t nap with the damn beeping.”

“Gotcha. Thanks again, Jimbo.”

“You betcha. Watch your ass, man. Sounds like what you’re into could get it chewed off.”

“I’m five by five. Thanks though.”

Jimmy pressed the enter button, and Gideon quickly went through the door and hotfooted it down the sidewalk to his car.

He figured that by the time he got to the end of the block, Jimmy would be firmly ensconced in his high-tech prison. Gideon would never want to live that way, but Jimmy couldn’t seem to live any other way.

Gideon kept his panic at bay about Raina because he could sense her. She didn’t seem as frightened as she had been a few minutes ago. He turned on the radio.

* * * *

The men moved off toward the bathroom, and Raina felt the arms around her relax. Raina tried to ask him who he was, but his hand tightened on her mouth.

Don’t talk out loud. They can’t see us or feel us, but they can hear us.
There was a pause, then,
If I let go of your mouth, will you stay quiet?

Yes.

I can’t let go of you all together, or you’ll become visible again. Okay?

Raina just nodded her head yes. He let go of her mouth.

Who are you?
she asked.

My name is Kristano. I’m a guardian.

Is that like an angel?

Kristano snorted. Raina actually heard him snort in her head.
Hardly. I’m not an angel or a ghost.

Raina wondered how he could have known her thoughts.
Do you know everything I’ve ever thought?

No, but I know more than what you project to me. I know what is in your mind right now.

Raina shuddered.
That’s a little disconcerting.

I would imagine,
Kristano said wryly.
Don’t worry, as soon as I let you go, I won’t be able to read you anymore. Unlike Gideon.

What do you mean unlike Gideon?
So far, Gideon was unable to hear her unless they were touching.

I’m sorry, you’re not ready for this yet. I shouldn’t have said anything.

Look,
Raina began.

Kristano cut her off.
They’re coming back.

“Sparrow one, Kallan is nowhere to be found. I think she might have gotten out. Over.”

A tinny voice came through the intercom. “Copy that. We don’t see her out here, but it’s starting to get hot. Time to bug out.”

“Copy. We’re dust. Are you going to have someone on the roof?”

“Negative. It’s getting too hot, and we want this to look like a school shooting.”

“Copy. Out.” The man called behind him, “We’re out of here. We’ll have to get her another time.”

“Good, this place gives me the creeps. Too many memories of college.”

The other guy laughed. “Hey, Jenson, I didn’t even know you could read.”

“Fuck you. Let’s get out of here.”

The men moved off. A few minutes later Kristano let Raina go.

“You need to go hide in the bathroom. When the police find you, tell them that you hid because you were afraid to run.” Kristano’s voice was even and steady.

Raina got up and stumbled in that direction. Kristano caught her arm and led her into the bathroom. “Go in a stall and look like you’re hiding. You don’t want them to become suspicious of you.”

“I need to know what’s going on,” Raina said as she stepped into the stall.

“I know, but they’re coming. It’s time. I’ll come to your house tonight. Make sure Gideon is there. The other one, Bryce, he can’t be involved in this.”

“You said that before, but I don’t know how to make him leave without hurting his feelings.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Voices came from outside the bathroom.

“How are you going to get out of here?” Raina asked. Then she realized that he was already gone.

* * * *

“This just in...an attack at the University of Washington library has left seven dead and three critically injured. One of the dead, a library employee, appeared to be the victim of an execution-style slaying.” The information filtering to the public over the radio tended to be sensationalized and only half accurate. Gideon was trying to remind himself of that as the report made his heart begin to pound. He reached out to feel Raina again. He just hoped that what he was feeling was her on the physical plane rather than the spiritual one.

“Unlike most school shootings, the three gunmen escaped and remain at large. Their identities are unknown at this time.”

By the time he pulled up into the lot, news vans were filling up the space. Gideon elbowed his way past gawking rubberneckers and crying students. He’d just gotten to the edge of the crowd when he saw Raina being led out of the library, a burly officer’s arm around her, supporting her.

When he tried to go around the police barrier, he was stopped by a patrolman. “Sorry, mister.”

“That’s my wife up there. Right there,” Gideon lied without hesitation. He didn’t think even that would get him through the line, but he figured it was his best chance.

“You’re going to have to wait in the auditorium.” The officer pointed to a stately building off to the side. “Families are asked to wait in there for word.”

“But I can see her,” Gideon insisted. “She’s right there.” He pointed to Raina.

All of a sudden, a disembodied voice said, “Let him through.” The officer’s eyes went blank for a moment. “Let him through, Johnny. He needs to be with his mate.”

The officer blinked twice before moving the barrier aside. “You can go be with your mate, mister, but make sure you stay away from the scene.”

All the hair on Gideon’s body was standing on end, like he had just walked past a live wire. He knew that he just got help from someone, but he chose not to think about it. He knew the voice wasn’t coming from him. He never would have used the word
mate
. “Thanks.”

Gideon hurried toward the ambulances. When he approached, he saw the body bags on the ground. Luckily, the man holding Raina’s arm was an old friend from his days on the force.

“Hey, Wijinicki,” Gideon greeted him.

“Hey, Gid. How the heck are ya?” He frowned. “What are you doin’ here?”

Just then Raina broke free of his hold and launched herself into Gideon’s arms. He held her tightly and closed his eyes to breathe in her scent. She smelled like flowers and tears.

“Ohh, I get it,” Wijinicki said. “We got to get her checked out, and take her statement, OK?”

Recognizing the tone, Gideon realized that Raina just went from being a suspect to being a victim. He didn’t know if she realized that, from the moment they found her alive, she would have been their number one suspect.

Raina didn’t want to let go of Gideon to be checked out by the MTs.

“Miss Kallan, we have to take your vitals, OK? Just to make sure that you’re not in shock.” The MT was speaking slowly and quietly.

“She’s blind,” Gideon said. “All this is very confusing for her.”

Raina didn’t let go of Gideon, but she did say,
Don’t talk about me as though I’m not here.

Hey, do you want me to be able to stay with you through this or not?

Good point.
“It was so scary.” It wasn’t hard to make her voice shake.

“Would you like...” The woman paused so that Gideon could fill in his name. “Would you like Gideon to stay with you?”

“Yes, please.” Raina unwrapped her arms from around his neck. When she did, she realized that she could once again see. The unexpected vision made her stagger.

Aren’t you laying it on a bit thick?
Gideon asked.

I was just surprised by being able to see,
she answered, feeling a wave of tenderness from him.

Can you shut it off?
he asked.

Raina tried to concentrate on breaking that connection while maintaining their link. Everything went dark again.

It worked,
Gideon said.

Yes, how do you know?

Everything looks different for me when you look through me.

Raina hadn’t realized that using him as a conduit changed his own perception of the world. Before she could answer him, Detective Wijinicki spoke.

“Can you tell me what happened?”

“I can try.” Raina took a deep breath and held fast to Gideon’s hand while the MT put a pressure cuff on her.