Page 27 of Dark Medicine (Strange Gifts #2)

With the wedding guests gone, Aislinn, Kane, and the others gathered in the late afternoon sun of the Brennan sisters’ garden. The wedding attire was gone, replaced by denim and wool, much more practical in the cooler evening temperatures. The sisters, long since retired, left the house to the group to enjoy, their guest rooms waiting for them.

Uri sat in silence, watching the merriment of the group, a pit forming in his stomach. He missed his family desperately and wanted to get back to them quickly. He knew that running off without Kane’s assistance would sign his death warrant. He had to be patient.

“Alright, so I hate to do this on my wedding day, but we have to make this right,” said Kane.

“I agree,” said Aislinn. “I think we have no choice but to return to the states and find Moore. My question is, how do we get back in without him knowing we are all back in the states?”

All eyes turned to Uri with a questioning look.

“I have some friends in the Russian military. People who were loyal to my father. I think I can get us a transport back to Canada, and then we’d have to drive from there,” he said.

“I think Fiona and I should definitely go with Uri, but it doesn’t make sense for all of you to go, too. It might send off alarms, in fact. I think the newlyweds, Flip, and Spook should travel home commercial as planned. We can all meet at Kane’s office in two days’ time,” said Adam.

Uri sat at the table, turning the cake knife in his hand, the shining blade glittering in the candlelight. He remembered cutting his own wedding cake, and the tears pooled in his eyes.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” said Flip. “I think we can trust Uri to keep them both safe.”

“Me, too,” said Spook. “Besides, it gives me time to try and figure out who our arsonist might be.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to look any further than someone who was at the base,” said Uri. “I don’t know what your skills are, but even if you have mediocre computer skills, you should be able to access the records that are left from the base. If you find the names of those stationed there or working there, you can trace back and find the children of the right age.”

“I thought there were only paper records?” asked Spook. Uri shook his head.

“There were only paper records on the Aries Project, but the payroll and enlistment records will identify all the enlisted and workers who were on-base with children.”

“That reminds me,” said Kane, “we supposed that we were most likely the oldest. Is that accurate?”

Uri looked deep in thought for a moment and then nodded.

“That should be right, more or less. From what I remember, the oldest was forty, and he killed himself. There were at least ten children the year that you and Adam were there. Six are gone.”

“Gone? You mean they killed themselves?” asked Aislinn.

“Three did, yes. Three others were killed by Moore.”

“What do you mean? I thought he wanted them alive,” asked Flip.

“He did. He does, but the three he killed couldn’t master their gifts. Two had abilities of telekinesis but weren’t able to move anything larger than a book. The third heard thoughts but was unable to focus if given distractions. He shot all three, personally. It was after those deaths we started to make the connections of age. The older an individual is when they are exposed, the less control or intensity of the gift.”

“Jesus,” whispered Fiona. “And I’m related to this monster?”

“You are nothing like him,” said Uri, staring at Fiona. “He is cold and cruel and calculating. I haven’t been around you for very long, Fiona, but you seem to be the complete opposite. You are kind, warm, and loving. You are your mother’s child.”

“Thank you,” she said, smiling at Uri. “Tell us about your family.” Uri stiffened for a moment and then realized that these people were helping his family.

“My wife, Melanie, she’s the most beautiful woman on the planet. She’s loving and a fantastic mother to our daughter, Kelly. Kelly plays volleyball, and she’s an honor roll student.” Uri stopped, swallowing back tears.

“It’s okay, Uri. You’ll see them again,” said Kane.

Uri nodded, spinning the knife again. The long handle lost balance, the blade spinning in the air came down hard, slicing through Uri’s hand. Startled, he looked down at the knife protruding from his hand, the intensity of the pain causing him to gasp. He gripped the handle and pulled. Blood spurted from the wound.

Fiona moved quickly, grasping Uri’s hand in her own. He stared at the woman who so willingly offered help. Her hand gripped his own. She winced, small beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

“What are you…” he whispered. Uri realized the pain in his hand was dissipating, the blood flow had now stopped. He looked down and noticed Fiona’s hand covered in blood, his and hers. “What?”

Fiona stood straight, pulling her hand from his. Adam poured a glass of water over her hand and the blood washed away. Repeating the process, he cleaned Uri’s hand. Uri looked down, astonished at the lack of wound.

“I-I don’t understand. I… Oh God!” he said quietly.

“It’s my gift, Uri. Moore was right. I can heal. Please, don’t tell anyone of our gifts,” she pleaded.

“Never! Never will I tell anyone. I knew. I mean, I knew of your gifts. It’s just seeing them in action is completely different. The cliff and then this. I can’t even fathom what you’ve all been through.” Silence filled the room as they all sat staring at one another. Uri was so puzzled he continued to look down at his hand and then at Fiona’s.

Spook stood from his chair and walked toward the Brennan’s computer and printer. The paper was feeding quickly without any cue.

“We’re booked to leave early in the a.m. Uri, get your Russian contact moving on getting the three of you back. We will meet in Wyoming in two days’ time. We can’t go back to our homes or the office. It’s being watched.”

“How did he do that? He never moved,” said Uri, staring at Spook.

“I’m a pink duster,” he said, grinning.

“I know, but how?” Spook lifted his hand to stop Uri.

“Perhaps it’s better you don’t know all of our secrets, Uri. This way, if you’re caught, you can only claim to know about Fiona.” He nodded and then shook his head in bewilderment.

“Well,” said Adam, standing with a glass of champagne in his hands, “to friends and our rendezvous. Arrive alive, my friends. Arrive alive.”

“To friends,” said the group, raising their glasses. Uri sat still until all eyes turned toward him, smiling. He raised his glass, once again amazed at their ability to forgive so readily.

“To new friends,” he said quietly, “and long lives.”

“And long lives…”