The Burning: Full Disclosure Book 3

The Burning

Full Disclosure Three

Ellis Logan

An Earth Lodge® Publication

Roxbury, Connecticut

Copyright 2018, Ellis Logan

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this work in any form whatsoever, without written permission. For more information contact Ellis Logan c/o Earth Lodge®, 12 Church St., Roxbury, CT 06783 or visit Earth Lodge® online at www.earthlodgebooks.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Published in the U.S.A. by Earth Lodge®

Cover Design by Maya Cointreau

ISBN 978-1-944396-54-1

"Think you're escaping and run into yourself. Longest way round is the shortest way home."

- James Joyce, Ulysses

Chapter 1

It wasn’t until I saw the telltale cables of Zakim Bridge piercing the sky over the Charles River that I realized we were about to enter Boston.

I’d assumed my brother would be taking us straight back to Montreal. Or worse, back to Aeden. I had felt the sting in Hollis’ gaze, every time he seared me with his icy glare in the rearview mirror. I’d suspected a tongue-lashing was imminent, but so far he’d remained silent.

I suspected he had no words for what I’d done. I knew I was having a hard time processing it myself.

David’s head lay warmly against my shoulder, his long sandy hair tickling my neck. Rather than brush it away, I reveled in it, proof that he was here, that we’d done it. A dream no longer, for the first time in weeks I finally had him at my side again. After he’d been taken by the warpers, I had started to doubt I would ever get him back. Even now, I wasn’t sure what they’d done to him, how damaged he might be. His body would heal, but his mind? I didn’t know.

For weeks, all I had thought about was rescuing David. Seeing him safe. Finally, I’d done it. I was bringing him home. But at what cost?

Every time Hollis’ angry eyes flicked towards me, I feared the answer.

Too high.

I hadn’t rescued David. I had traded one hostage for another. David was safe, but now Khai was at the mercy of the warpers, alien hybrids with a thirst for world domination. The boy I had known since birth, trained with since I could walk, confided in since I’d had wishes and dreams – he was gone, and it was all my fault. If I hadn’t insisted on saving David myself, if I hadn’t run off, none of this would have happened. Even the fact that David had been taken in the first place, if I really wanted to get down to it, even that could be traced back to my selfishness.

How had we gotten here?

How the hell had this happened?

All I’d wanted was to enjoy my final summer of freedom before venturing further into adulthood. I had always lived a relatively unassuming life. It wasn’t like I was asking for anything much. A month hiking the wilds of Vermont, some fun clubbing and finding an apartment, then start University with my best friends. When I’d stumbled upon a secret warper encampment hidden in the woods along the Long Trail, I’d thought I could ignore the drama and finish out the hike. What was the harm, right? All I had wanted was a few quiet days, some time to finish the trail in peace. I had been stupid: dazed and distracted by my own awakening powers as a water fae. The warpers had taken their discovery as an invitation to move on their brethren, attacking the starseed headquarters in Montreal and taking David in one efficient strike.

My family had said they’d take care of it. That they’d work with the starseeds to find my boyfriend, save everyone.

They’d saved no one.

Weeks had turned into months and still David hadn’t been found. I had taken matters into my own hands, fled Valhalla and dragged my friends along with me to search for David. Khai and Hollis had followed us, to stop us maybe, or help us, I don’t know. They’d shown up just after we’d found David and were trying to escape the facility, the warpers hot on our tail. All I’d been thinking of, the absolute single thing on my mind, had been getting David to safety.

And that’s when it had all gone horribly, terribly wrong.

David had gotten out. Everyone had gotten out. Except Khai. He’d told me to run.

I hadn’t wanted to. I’d tried to help him as a horde of warpers held him down. But my powers had failed, and he’d screamed for me to run.

And gods help me, I did.

Chapter 2

Following the van’s built-in GPS, Hollis navigated effortlessly through the city to pull into an unmarked basement parking garage. I had caught a quick glimpse of the building before we entered, a nondescript affair of dingy cement and blacked out windows. I’d been to Boston many times before, but I had never been here. Following Storrow Drive to River Street, I’d almost grown excited as I realized we were heading towards Cambridge, one of my favorite places in Boston. But instead, we’d turned onto a small street marked Blackstone and entered an aging industrial park. Idly, I wondered who owned the building we were now under. Fae? Starseeds? I decided I didn’t really care. I would find out soon enough.

Hollis got out of the van without a word, opening the back doors and hefting an unconscious Elaine over his shoulder. I shook David awake, my heart wrenching when a look of terror washed over his face.

It’s okay, I said, soothing him. You’re safe now, remember?

Slowly, his eyes focused on mine and he nodded, exhaustion replacing the fear.

Come on, we’re here. I prayed he wouldn’t ask where here was, since I had no answers. I needn’t have worried. He didn’t say a word as he climbed out of the van, except to mumble thanks when he stumbled and Gawen caught him.

None of us looked happy as we followed Hollis towards the elevator in the corner. Despite having found David, we were a team defeated. Jules and Reenah walked at my side, but I couldn’t meet their eyes.

What had I done?

The question rocked through me again, stealing my breath. I closed my eyes, mentally willing myself to keep it together.

Jules reached down to hold my hand and I smiled weakly at a point somewhere over her right shoulder. Tears gathered in my eyes, and I looked away.

Whatever happened, we’ll make it right, she said in a low voice.

I bit my lip, not trusting myself to speak. The elevator dinged and we all got on the elevator. I noticed I wasn’t the only one avoiding people’s eyes. Hollis looked like he might explode at any minute, his finger punching the button for the third floor so fiercely I thought the scuffed plastic might crack.

No one said a word.

Time moved slowly, the ride upstairs lasting an eternity. When the doors opened, I released my breath. I hadn’t even realized I had been holding it. If only I could have exhaled all my feelings, too.

A wide hallway stretched before us, lush red carpets, brocade-covered walls and warm copper lanterns gracing the décor. It wasn’t what I would have expected. On the outside, the building had looked cold. Utilitarian. This felt more like a posh centuries-old hotel or the Harvard Club. The effect was disconcerting, making me feel like I’d teleported to another place in time. Butterflies took wing in my stomach, wings of anxiety flitting through my torso.

The hall split off to the left and right, but a large set of doors stood open across from us. A small plaque by the left door read Conference Room 3A. Hollis strode confidently forward into the room, leaving the rest of us little choice but to follow.

Inside, a motley crew greeted us. Three adults I’d never met before. Two I had.

One of the strangers rushed forward towards David, helping Gawen lead him to a seat, while Hollis dropped Elaine onto a chair. My parents sprang forward, enveloping me in one, big, group hug.

After a moment, when it became obvious I wasn’t hugging them back, they released me.

That’s when the shouting began.

By the Ancients, Ana, what were you thinking? my dad began. I hadn’t seen him scowl like that in years, not since I had fallen out of a tree when I was ten. He gripped my arms. You could have been killed!

Or worse, my mom said. Her pale skin flushed, and her eyes had gone cold. I can’t believe- I never thought- She was so angry she couldn’t finish her sentences. I’d never seen her at a loss for words, and that should have scared me more than anything. I always imagined if I had to worry about anyone, it was Hollis. Or even your father. But you. You’ve always been so level-headed. She slammed a fist on the large wooden table next to us and screamed. Don’t you ever, ever do anything like that again, do you hear me? She started shaking, and her eyes became liquid. My father turned and enveloped her in his arms as she started to cry. She could have been killed, Alec. Dammit, we could have lost her!

I know, Siri, I know. My father soothed her, his own voice breaking as he stroked her hair. It’s okay now. She’s here, she’s okay. Our eyes met over her head, and I knew he was still furious with me.

I tried to feel terrible. By the Ancients, I knew I deserved it. But my emotions had already ebbed to their lowest low. Lost in a sea of festering guilt and shock, there was nowhere for them to go. My parents’ tears were mere drops in an ocean of salty regret. Sighing, knowing there was nothing I could do to change what I had done, I walked away.

Gawen was standing near David, arms crossed over his chest while he watched a grey-haired woman take David’s blood pressure.

He’s fine, I said, gesturing at the cuff around his arm. His body is, at least.

The woman ignored me, finishing the procedure and checking her results. Only then did she look up and acknowledge my presence.

You’re Ana, I take it?

Yes, I-

I understand you have healing abilities? What is your assessment?

Her cool manner took me off guard. He’s weak, but I did all I can. They were messing with his DNA, to do what, I don’t know, but I think I reversed the effects of whatever they had him on.

I took pictures of all the medications we found, Gawen volunteered.

Good. You can forward them to me later. She returned her attention to me. If you’ve healed him, why is he still like this?

The damage they did to him, it’s more than just physical… I don’t know how to heal it. I don’t even know if it even can be healed. The last part came out as a whisper. I didn’t like discussing David like he wasn’t there, but he didn’t seem to notice. He just sat there, staring down at his hands. Annoyed, I looked back at the woman. Who are you, anyway?

Sharon Schramm. I’m a doctor.

And a starseed? I asked.

Yes, that too. She eyed my leg. That looks like a gunshot on your leg, are you-

I’m fine, I cut her off.

A gunshot! I hadn’t realized my mother was standing right behind us. Let me see.

Instead of kneeling, she put a hand on my shoulder. Like me, my mother could heal most wounds. I could feel her scanning my body, a prickling sensation I’d never noticed in my youth. I could only assume my increased sensitivity had to do with my new water abilities. The sensation of being scanned was like being tickled lightly with a thousand tiny eyelashes. Not unpleasant, but not comfortable, either. I felt her probing the place on my thigh where Cougan’s bullet had split the skin. I’d already set the wound to healing on the ride here. The bleeding had stopped long before, the sting of the seared edges gone. Satisfied that the wound needed no further attention, my mom squeezed my shoulder and dropped her hand.

She’s okay, she affirmed.

I told you I was.

Not a word out of you. She spun to point a finger ferociously at me. You don’t get to do that. Not here. Not today.

Do what? I asked before I could stop myself.

Have attitude. Act like you know best. Like you know anything. Because you don’t. Her eyes lasered through me as only a mom’s could.

You’re right. I’m sorry, I said without real feeling.

I sighed and took the seat next to David. I reached out and took his hands in mine, but he still didn’t look up. I was tempted to probe his aura, but I didn’t have the courage. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see what he was feeling. Already, in the van, I had felt how terribly empty and broken he was inside. I knew that wouldn’t go away anytime soon. All I could do was be here for him. Whatever you need, I whispered. I’m here for you.

Dr. Schramm said something to my mother and then placed a hand on David’s arm. When she spoke to him, her voice was different, softer. David, I’d like you to come with me.

Why? he said, looking up for the first time. Are you going to run tests on me?

I could tell he was trying to be strong, and failing miserably.

Not today, no. More than anything, I think you need rest.

I don’t know. His voice was thin. Weak.

I think it’s a good idea, I said, encouraging him. Get settled in, sleep a bit more. I’ll come see you in a little while.

I looked up