Page 32 of Gates of Tartarus

And together, they walk out the door, leaving a silent room behind them.

Grace Kelly

Thursday, 8 November – Maela

Elizabeth sends a limo for me: alimo. I’ve never been in one and can hardly keep from jumping up and down like a child. To stop myself being gauche, I try to channel Grace Kelly, gliding nonchalantly into the back seat. I’m deeply grateful I thought to wear a skirt today; it’s an A-line, muted plaid that I’ve paired with a black pullover and mid-calf boots. I’ve even got a cute, black beret-style hat on. I must look good, because Emlyn’s eyes gleamed appreciatively when he saw me.

Gaia’s headquarters are impressive: right on the Thames near Blackfriars Bridge. The building looks to be a converted Victorian factory, red brick on the outside and high-ceilinged, cavernous spaces on the inside, with modern art on eggshell-white walls. The effect is sparse but striking. I’m greeted by a short, slightly mousy-looking woman who introduces herself as Fallon Agnew, Elizabeth Cole's personal assistant. She tells me that Elizabeth is tied up in a meeting with potential investors that’s run over time. Happily, I remembered to slip my Kindle in my bag, and it’s really not too long before I’m brought up to Elizabeth’s office on the top floor.

“Maela, I’m so sorry! But your patience meant that a million pounds has been pledged to the foundation. Now, can I offer you some tea?”

“Actually, I’d prefer coffee if you have any.” I look around the office. Again, the walls are a soft white, with brick artfully showing through in places. There’s what I think is a Mondrian on one wall, and a glass and chrome desk in one corner.

“Of course! Just like Kailani. I’m American too, but I prefer tea.” She makes a quick call and invites me to sit down on a black leather couch.

“Kailani? You know her?” I’m terribly curious about my counterpart.

“Oh yes. We’ve met a number of times.”

“So, what’s she like?”

“You mean your team hasn’t told you?” When I shake my head, she rolls her eyes. “Typical. They want you to work together but haven’t fully briefed you. That doesn’t happen at Gaia, I can assure you. Well, Kailani is incredibly gifted. They’ve told you she’s an empath? She’s strong; she has to be, but she has a tendency to let the men on her team dictate to her. Probably because she’s too nice. Like you.” She looks at me shrewdly, and I blush. “Ah, Fallon, thank you.” Her assistant sets a tray on the glass coffee table and leaves the room.

“I don’t put up with that macho nonsense myself,” Elizabeth continues. “Why do you let them get away with it?”

I feel the need to defend myself. “I don’t. Well, not all the time.” I take refuge in a large sip of coffee.

“Trust me, with type-A men, if you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. I should know: I deal with CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and government officials on an almost weekly basis. And ex-military can be the worst. Take your colleague Seef; he’s used to being in control, giving orders. Men like that don’t like being ignored: it drives them crazy. But it does make them more manageable, which is so much more… enjoyable.” Elizabeth gives a coy little smile, and I startle.

“Do you–? You don’t. I mean: Seef?”

She gives a light, sparkling laugh. “Come now, Maela. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed how attractive he is.”

“Well, yes, in the same way that a jaguar is even as it’s tucking into you for dinner.”

She looks thoughtful. “If I were in London longer, I’d invite him over to discuss… coordinating our operations.”

I feel an unexpected spurt of jealousy: Seef is an arsehole, but he’smyarsehole. However, I stifle the emotion quickly.Have fun with that and best of luck. Anyone thinking of hooking up with “triple S” would need it. But maybe there are some women out there who get off on aching muscles and a bruised ego. Or who want to try to tame the savage beast.

“Although,” Elizabeth says, “I don’t really have time for a relationship. I was blessed with a good, if brief, marriage, and now my life is dedicated to Gaia and its work. You know that we’re focussed on helping victims of trafficking and those on the margins of society?” I nod. “We also have an arm dedicated to new drug technologies for mental-health issues. That’s the one that set up the trial at St Cosmas. What most people don’t know is that Gaia also has a branch that researches the paranormal.” At my start, she smiles again. “Oh yes. I told you that my parents were lead scientists on the Stargate Project. They devoted their lives to it, and when they died, they left their research to me. That’s why I wasn’t skeptical when I heard about you and Kailani. I already had evidence of such abilities, you see, but evidence that was discounted and disowned. And that’s why I agreed to meet with you. I see you and Kailani as the vindication of my parents’ life’s work to prove that paranormal abilities not only exist but that it’s perfectly reasonable that they should.”

I don’t really know what to say, but it seems that no answer is needed. Elizabeth grimaces delicately. “I apologize. I can get passionate when I’m on my soapbox. And I have to confess to an ulterior motive.”

Now I’m confused, and I crinkle my forehead. “Ulterior motive?”

“Yes. I won’t beat about the bush. I did want to continue our conversation, to find out more about you and your clairvoyance, but I’m also hoping to persuade you to join Gaia when your work with the authorities is done.”

I’m dumbfounded and can only stare. “You want me to come work for Gaia?”

She leans forward. “Think about it, Maela. With your skills, you could help us rescue victims of trafficking. You could literally see them and where they’re being held. The traffickers, how they operate, their headquarters. You could help Gaia achieve its goal of eradicating trafficking for good!”

Her enthusiasm is infectious, and for a moment I’m ready to sign on the dotted line.Maela Driscoll! Occupation: heroine. But then reality intervenes. “That’s an incredibly generous offer, Elizabeth–”

“But?” She smiles encouragingly at me.

“But I’m still trying to work out how my ability works. We’re working on it, so,” I shrug my shoulders.

“I have every confidence that you’ll be able to develop and channel the ability. And Gaia could help you with that, you know. Just bear it in mind. We’ve got our office in London, of course, if you wanted to stay here, but also in Seattle. That’s close enough that you could visit your parents on a regular basis.” She laughs at my expression. “Well, for the obligatory holiday. And you and Kailani would make a formidable team.”