She nodded. I shook my head, disgusted. What a wonderful way for a child to live. I couldn't leave them here. I had to find away to take them with me. As soon as the thought entered, I realized how ridiculous it was. Right, it was going to be hard enough to slip out unnoticed, how would I escape with twenty kids?

Realizing there was nothing I could do for these children at the moment, I focused on doing something proactive...like pacing. I walked up and down the aisle between the beds, my mind spinning. Lewis could be hurt, even killed. And I hated myself for caring about him, and wondered if this was his powers of mental and emotion persuasion at work once more. And what about Maddox? Would he escape? Or would they, seeing him as a threat, get rid of him altogether?

Footsteps thundered above, making the ceiling vibrate. The children gasped as one, finally reacting like normal human beings. They scampered from their little beds, huddling together against the far wall.

"It's okay," I insisted, although I knew it was far from okay. If those footsteps were from S.P.I., that meant they'd invaded the house. The million dollar question was were S.P.I. good or bad? What if they could help and escort me to my Grandma's? What if they killed us all? It didn't matter, I had to try.

"Does anyone know the code on the door?"

Caroline parted from the group, her long nightgown brushing against the floor. "Promise you'll come back for me?"

I didn't have to think twice. "Yes."

"Twenty-eight, thirteen, five."

A door from the back of the room burst open, nearly scaring me to death. Deborah rushed through, her usually beautiful face wild with panic. So maybe being attacked wasn't common, or the attack was worse than before.

"Come, children. To the back, just as we've practiced."

Caroline glanced over her shoulder. "You promised." Then she turned and raced after the other kids. Obedient little children, too afraid to argue. But I knew an opportunity when I saw one.

"You too." Deborah waved me over, her face set stern as if she was in no mood to argue. "Don't worry." She said the words as an afterthought, as if she wasn't used to comforting others.

I nodded, pretending I was as gullible as the kids she was currently escorting through the back door, leading them only G.o.d knew where. I took a few steps forward, following slowly. Deborah wasn't worried about me; she had more important matters at the moment. It would be the perfect time, perhaps the only time, to escape. I waited until Deborah disappeared into the back room.

Frantic, I spun around and sprinted to the door. "Numbers," I muttered, my hand hovering in front of the keypad. "What had Caroline said?"

Twenty-eight, thirteen, five. The numbers rushed through my head and afraid they'd disappear just as quickly, I punched in the code. The lock clicked, the door popped open. I stumbled back, my heart slamming wildly in my chest. If I ran into anyone...if Lewis and Aaron found out...if S.P.I. really was the threat Aaron proclaimed...

"You can't leave!" Deborah's voice snapped, the tone edged with fear.

I glanced over my shoulder. She was rushing across the room toward me. I stepped back, through the door and into the hall. "I have to. Don't follow, you'll only endanger yourself and the children."

Her face was furious. "You can't!"

"Sorry, but I can." I moved into the hall and pushed the door shut, hearing it click in place. I couldn't leave through the exit where I'd escaped last time. I needed to somehow make it out the front, where I'd be closer to those gates. I bolted down the dark corridor, swerving around storage boxes and old furniture.

Deborah wouldn't dare come after me and put not only herself, but the kids in danger. Would she? Sure enough, when I glanced back, she was peering at me through the small window on the door. Relief was swift and sweet. One down...

If S.P.I. agents had entered the house and were looking for Maddox, they'd eventually end up down here. I paused, resting against a cinder block wall, trying to hear noise above, but it was impossible with blood rushing to my ears and the harsh pant of my breath. Every crack and pop startled me. Every shadow was a threat.

"The west end is secure. I'll check on the children," someone said, his voice echoing down the hall.

Not S.P.I. but just as bad. One of Aaron's henchmen. I dove behind a pile of boxes, scrunching up as small as I could. The cinderblock wall was rough and cold against the side of my face but I didn't dare move to try and ease the discomfort. The floor vibrated, heavy footsteps coming closer...closer...

When they checked on the kids, they'd know I'd escaped. Would they bother to search for me? I could only hope they'd be too busy with S.P.I.

Two hulking forms rushed by, the beams from their flashlights highlighting dark corners of the corridor, the light bouncing against the walls. I squeezed back against the cinderblock wall and held my breath.

Their bodies faded into the darkness, the hall growing silent once more. I finally released the air I held. Who the h.e.l.l was I kidding? I had no idea how to escape. Frustrated tears burned my eyes. I had the ridiculous thought that if I just stayed here, hidden behind these boxes, everything would be okay.

Even if I managed to make it outside, that sewage drain had most likely been covered. How would I make it through the gates? I pressed the heels of my palms over my eyes, forcing the tears to stop. I wouldn't make it out of here alive, but there was one man who might be able to help. The very same man who could keep S.P.I. from killing me on sight. Could I trust him? Did I have a choice? Before I was able to think about the ramifications of my decision, I surged to my feet and bolted down the long corridor, hoping it would lead to the opposite end of the house. Maddox was my only chance. He was a secret agent, if anyone could escape, it was him.

I didn't miss the three empty chairs as I raced by. Aaron had placed guards outside Maddox's door. Guards who had left their stations probably to fight S.P.I. But they would be back soon, I was sure of that. What I wasn't sure of was whether to be relieved or scared to death when I saw Maddox's steel door.

I froze, there in front of the door. For a moment, as panic overwhelmed me, I forgot the code Olivia had given me. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Calming my nerves I practiced my meditation in the middle of the hall, in the middle of a war. How ironic that the practices Aaron had taught might help me escape. The code came back to me and I quickly punched in the numbers. The door popped open. Most likely Aaron had some sort of alarm on the door, which is how he'd found me the first time I'd come here alone. I'd have only seconds. I pushed the door wider and rushed inside the small room.

Maddox, wearing the same clothing he'd been wearing since the day he'd arrived, was tied to that chair again. He lifted his head, that familiar glare oddly comforting. His face was pale, dried blood caked to the corner of his mouth. Had they tried to break into his thoughts again, or was the blood from someone's fist?

Disgusted with the entire situation, I started cautiously toward him. "Listen to me, we don't have long. I need your help, and I'll...help you."

"Ah, so they've broken through the gates?" Maddox grinned. "Maybe I don't need your help."

"And maybe Aaron will stop them before they get to you, or kill you." I paused far enough away so he couldn't touch me if he broke through those bonds. "I release you and you help me and the children escape." My words were blunt, with little explanation. I hoped he'd understand because we didn't have time to chit-chat.

He quirked a dark brow. "The children?"

I swallowed hard, wondering how much he knew. "There are others. Younger Mind Readers."

He looked me up and down slowly, as if judging my worth. "How do you know I won't kill you when I'm free?"

My heart skipped a beat, but I refused to let the fear show on my face. "Because I don't believe you're that bad."

He was still smiling when he responded, "Fine." He'd agreed quickly enough...too quickly.

My suspicion was immediate. "Swear on you girlfriend's life."

He narrowed his eyes, his anger almost palpable. "Go to h.e.l.l, Sweetheart."

I didn't let him frighten me, I didn't have time. "I mean it."

He was silent for one long moment, mulling over his possibilities. He knew as well as I that he was limited in choices.

"Hurry," I urged, glancing out the door. "We need to hurry!"

"Fine, I agree. Don't really have a choice, do I?"

"Well that's heartening," I muttered, edging closer.

I didn't trust him in the least, but I didn't have a choice either. I dropped to my knees and pulled out my pocket knife. With trembling hands, I sawed at the rope around his ankles. The twine popped apart and Maddox flexed his feet, grimacing. I moved to his back and sawed at the rope holding his wrists. Although I was in a hurry, I couldn't help but notice his skin was red and raw. His hands free, I shoved the knife back into my pocket. He pulled his arms in front of him, rolling his hands around and around as if to get the blood pumping.

I knew his muscles hurt from lack of use, but we didn't have time for him to do yoga. "Let's go." I didn't wait for him but rushed into the hall, hoping he'd follow. "There's an exit I used yesterday, just down here."

I turned to see him stumbling after me. His hands were braced against the hallway wall, his face pale and sweaty. He didn't exactly look good. I hadn't thought about the fact that his muscles would be weak. G.o.d, I hoped he could make it; there was no possible way I could carry him out of here. I paused, waiting for him to stumble toward me. When he was close enough to touch, I slipped my arm around his waist. He stiffened, obviously surprised or disgusted by my touch. I didn't have time to be offended.

"We have to hurry," I insisted. "The door isn't far."

I focused on the end of that hall, trying to ignore the warmth of his body and the way it made me feel safe, for some odd reason. Instead, I focused on a plan. If we could make it outside, the battle would be half won. But Maddox was heavy and I worried I'd made a mistake and he would be more of a hindrance than a help. Too late to go back now and I couldn't leave him behind.

Sweat broke out on my forehead and between my shoulder blades. "We're almost there," I managed. Was it my imagination or was he getting heavier?

He didn't respond.

I dared to take my focus off Maddox and instead listened for shouting or movement above. But I couldn't hear a d.a.m.n thing. We turned the corner and there was the door. My heart leapt with relief. I didn't know how we'd get through the fence, but at the moment, it didn't matter. Shifting my arm away from Maddox, he leaned against the wall and I reached for the door handle.

"Stop," Aaron's voice was a hard command that offered no room for disobedience.

Maddox's arm shot out, wrapping around my waist. Suddenly I was slammed against his chest, my Swiss Army Knife at my throat. He flipped open the blade and pressed it to my skin, the metal cold and sharp. I didn't dare move, barely breathed.

"Come any closer and she's dead," Maddox said.

He wasn't leaning anymore, he wasn't trembling. Obviously his entire weakened state had been an act. I wasn't sure if I should be scared or p.i.s.sed that he'd lied. And to top it off, he'd somehow stolen my knife.

"You jerk," I hissed.

His arm around my waist tightened. "Trust me." He spoke so softly, that I wasn't sure if I'd truly heard the words, or if it had been wishful thinking. "We're walking out of here," he said, his voice loud and sure. "Or she dies."

"So do it," Aaron said as he came strolling from the shadows, into the flickering light that shone from above. There were two silent guards behind him, big burly men who made Maddox look small. "She was going to leave. It will keep me from having to erase her memory. She's no use to me anymore."

"Bulls.h.i.t," Maddox growled. "You think I don't know why you want her?"

I bit my lower lip, resisting the urge to tell Maddox it was true. Aaron didn't want me. He probably didn't care if I died. Maddox seemed so confident in his beliefs, that against my better judgment, I bit back my comment. But I couldn't stop the tingle of warning from racing over my skin. I had a bad feeling this was all too easy.

Maddox didn't release his hold. In fact, he took a step back, toward the door, dragging me with him. "You're letting us go."

Aaron clasped his hands behind his back, his face pa.s.sive, thoughtful. "Yes, perhaps I might have let you go. But unfortunately the men behind you with the pistols pointed directly at your head...well, they, I'm afraid, won't be so accommodating."

I could tell by the hardness of his gaze that he wasn't lying. I managed to turn my head just enough to glance behind us. Sure enough, there were two of Aaron's guards with guns pointed at Maddox's gorgeous head. Surprise, surprise.

"Well, this sucks," I whispered.

Maddox loosened his hold. "You can say that again."

Chapter 20.

I'd always had mixed feelings about my ability to read minds. For the most part, I thought of my ability as a blessing. I wouldn't have had the friends I'd had. I wouldn't have had the grades I'd had. I wouldn't have had the life I'd had.

But as we stood under gunpoint, I could unequivocally say I wished I was normal.

Rough hands grasped my upper arms and shoved me against the wall, the brick scratching the side of my face. I bit my lower lip to keep from crying out and watched as they did the same to Maddox. My pathetic little Swiss Army Knife lay useless on the cement floor. A guard grabbed my hands and jerked my arms behind my back. Before I could protest, something was wrapped tightly around my wrists, pinning my arms together.

"Upstairs, now," Aaron demanded, his hard tone leaving no room for argument.

The guard grabbed my left arm and jerked me up the steps. My heart plummeted. Maddox might be some sort of secret agent, but unless he was Harry Freaking Potter, there was no way he could get us out of this situation. At the top of the steps we were met by two more guards, the sight of them only adding to my despair.

I dared to glance back at Maddox, as if he could help. But I realized, even in my panicked state, that it was too dangerous. The men behind him still had their pistols trained to his head. I'd never seen a gun in real life and the sight left me trembling and cold. One false step and it could misfire. Any one of us could be dead in a matter of moments. Maddox wouldn't take that chance, not for me, a person he barely knew. And so I turned toward Aaron, the only person who could help at the moment.

"You don't have to do this," I said, feeling I had to say something. "Just let us go and you could probably negotiate something with S.P.I."

Aaron chuckled, a harsh sound that annoyed the heck out of me. "S.P.I. has been taken care of. You don't need to worry about my welfare."

Taken care of. I a.s.sumed he didn't mean he'd given them a hearty meal and seen them off to bed. My feet hit the marble tile on the first floor and my fear flared to life. Dear G.o.d, this was not happening. I had not been caught yet again.

"They'll be back, you know," Maddox had to chime in from behind me, his voice arrogantly sure.

Why couldn't he just shut up? I started to turn in order to tell him so, when Lewis appeared at the end of the hall like some sort of wonderful nightmare. I froze. I didn't even move when I felt Maddox's hard body run into my back, shifting me off balance.

Although Lewis' face was pa.s.sive, there was something in his eyes that made me think he was surprised to see me and maybe...could it be? No, it couldn't. Lewis did not look disappointed to see me.

Aaron latched onto my arm, jerking me forward and back into reality. "I told you, Cameron, you don't have to worry about your safety here. It's outside these walls you have to fear."

Lewis started toward me, his steps unwavering, sure. I didn't want to see him, I didn't want to feel him near, I sure as h.e.l.l didn't want him to touch me for if he did, I might start crying. Yet, here he was, reaching out and latching onto my arm like I was a kid playing hookie and he was forcing me back to school.

He was a stranger to me now, his touch no longer warm and comforting. His gaze was brittle; his eyes held no compa.s.sion. Where had the guy gone who I'd fallen in love with? The man who'd wanted to protect me no matter what? He'd thrown me over for his mission. In a few minutes he'd see me tortured, my memory of him erased and all without batting an eyelash. It was obvious he felt nothing for me now. He'd hardened his heart. It was over, done.

The situation overwhelmed me and tears blurred my vision. I stumbled. Lewis caught me, pulling me close to keep me upright. As much as I didn't want his touch, my legs didn't seem strong enough to hold me any longer. The rest of the group walked by, Maddox sliding me a knowing look, as if he realized my heart belonged to the enemy and wasn't sure how much he could trust me.

I didn't know why Lewis and I didn't follow. Maybe he had some compa.s.sion left after all and was giving me time to compose myself. h.e.l.l, I should've just started blubbering like a baby and hoped it made him feel guilty. I was well on my way to sobbing anyway. One tear had slipped down, then another and within a heartbeat, I was dripping like a leaky faucet.

I dared to look up at him through my blurry gaze. Did he feel anything for me? Anything at all? "He'll erase my mind now?"

Lewis swallowed hard and nodded. "Don't cry," he whispered. Then, shockingly, he cupped the sides of my face and brushed the tears away with his thumbs. And it hurt even more, knowing that he cared, but not enough.

I jerked backward. "Don't touch me."

He closed his eyes, as if my words caused him pain. Well, too d.a.m.n bad. "I'm sorry, Lewis. I'm sorry I couldn't be the person you wanted me to be. I'm sorry I couldn't believe what you believe." And I was sorry, but obviously not enough or I wouldn't be willing to go through this ordeal in order to be free of them. I knew it and he knew it.

"Don't," he whispered. "Don't apologize."

For one long moment we just stared at each other. And I wanted to hate him, and I wanted to walk away, but I couldn't, knowing this would probably be the last time we would be alone. "I don't want to forget you."

He was silent for one long moment, but his eyes, Lord, his eyes showed his emotions. "Deep down, you won't forget. I know it."

He stepped closer and slid his finger under my chin, tilting my head back. I saw the longing there, in his gaze, a longing that tore at my heart. When he lowered his head and pressed his lips to mine in a soft, gentle kiss-our last kiss-I didn't push him away, I didn't slap him like I should have. The other's had disappeared into Aaron's study. We were alone. For this brief moment I could pretend everything was normal.

All too soon Lewis pulled back and I forced myself to let him go. But mostly, I forced myself not to beg him to help me. I would be brave.

"I have to believe you won't forget," he said.

And I wanted to believe as well, but I didn't have such grandiose hopes. And I couldn't, in good conscience, even pretend that I believed only good would come from this situation.

"Lewis," Aaron called out, his voice sounding oddly compa.s.sionate. But no, it must have been wishful thinking. Aaron was nothing but a monster. A monster who was ending our last moment together.