Into the Fire (Flame in the Shadows Trilogy #1)

21. Mel

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

MEL

It’s uncomfortable, perched on the cupholder between Tommy and Vik Taylor in the back of the black Hyundai Veloster. The full tactical gear we’re decked out in makes the space feel even smaller. Try as I might, I can’t avoid brushing up against Vik. Or Tommy.

I peek over to find the latter staring out the window, lost in thought. Heat washes up my neck.

Last night . Oh, last night.

For a moment I’m back in the dark gym, his fervent gaze locked with mine. My fingertips tingle with the feel of solid muscle beneath silk-smooth skin, and the ghost of his warm breath kisses my lips, makes my blood sing.

I wasn’t at all sure Tommy was interested in me like that, not with Cait around, strong and gorgeous and obviously into him. Maybe she’s the reason he left me alone on the floor, struggling to find my equilibrium.

He hasn’t mentioned it. I’m not sure if he’s avoiding the subject on purpose, or if I totally misread his signals. Although I couldn’t have misread the hardness pressing into my–

Vik taps my shoulder. “Did you hear me? We’re almost there.”

My cheeks burn. I need to pull myself together, think of something else.

“Um, yeah, thanks.”

They frown, the blue light from the dash illuminating their smooth, dark skin, deep amber eyes, and close-cropped black hair with a zigzag shaved into both sides. “I know it’s scary your first time in the field, but we’ve got you.”

I throw them a small smile. “Thanks.”

Vik seems nice. No one had been thrilled to learn of my involvement in this mission, but they tolerated me a hell of a lot better than Hunter and Cait. The two of them were openly hostile until Lisa told them off. After that, they became grim and indifferent. As far as I can tell, they’re going to act like I’m not even here.

It’s probably for the best.

From the corner of my eye, I glance at the driver’s seat, at Cait’s stone-cold profile. Given the slightest excuse, she’ll gut me like a pig. I don’t know how I’ll focus with that icy gray stare burning holes in my back, especially since I wasn’t given a gun to defend myself with.

Lisa made good on her threat. The team was ordered not to harm me unless I put one toe out of line. If I do, they'll take me out immediately, no questions asked.

That instruction was the first thing she said at the meeting this morning. As soon as the words were out of her mouth warmth blossomed over my cheeks and my insides wilted to nothing. Most of my teammates think I’m a spy. I’m safe in my innocence, but to be so mistrusted they’d kill me given the chance is humiliating. It hurts.

I squirmed in my seat as Tommy glowered at each of them in turn, the threat of violence stark on his face. Tough as nails, Cait glared right back, hand tight on the arm of her chair. She more than matched the awful aggression in his eyes. His equal.

Not like me. I don’t know how to be fierce, how to be brave like that. I hope I don’t freeze, or get lost, or let them down in some other way.

Deep breaths. Breathe.

I lean my head back and close my eyes.

The plan feels so disconcertingly easy. Park off one of the many small roads that wind through the thick, never-ending forest. Sneak three miles through the woods. Climb the fence surrounding Levett Tech after Lisa cuts the electricity. Cross the quad.

Then, as the only person who knows where the bill of lading is, I take the lead. If I mess up, I could be killed. Worse, my teammates could.

I squeeze my hands into fists, determined to stop their shaking. Dad always said, if I’m assaulted on a run, I should sprint away, but not in a straight line. Zigzag. Make myself hard to hit in case the assailant has a gun.

I never thought I’d need this advice. Why was Dad always so worried about me being attacked, anyway? Was it because he and Mom went on missions like this, or is irrational fear normal for parents?

Would they be proud of what I’m doing?

In my head I see their reactions, as vivid as if I were back home with them right now. Dad would tell me not to risk my life. After a day spent in the studio, wrapped up in painting another portrait, he’d scratch at the paint smudged on his nose—turquoise, or violet, or sunny yellow—and warn me to be careful, to think of all the days I still have ahead of me. All the things I have left to do, the words I have left to write.

But Mom … she’d stand behind his shoulder, smirking at me. Her brilliant eyes would twinkle, telling me without words to follow my heart, to do what I know is right. She’d tell me to trust my instincts.

Is that what I’m doing?

Before I can think it through further, Cait parks on the shoulder of the thin, night-black lane. It’s late, almost eleven, and the darkness is nearly complete.

A flurry of activity surrounds me as the rest of the team pull black masks over their noses and mouths and tug up their hoods. I’m quick to follow suit.

The others slide out of the car without a word. A blast of nerves hits me so powerfully that for a moment, I’m unable to stand.

These could be my last minutes. For all I know, my death waits on the other side of those trees.

By the time I plunge into the dark forest, the team has disappeared ahead of me.

I can’t see. I stumble forward, reach out with my other senses, but it’s useless. I’m blind as a bat with no super-hearing to guide me, and my teammates are too fast. They expected me to keep up, to follow better than this.

I bounce off trunks, catch my feet on brambles, turn my ankles on rocks and sticks. Already, I have no idea where I am. No idea where they are.

My heart pumps as I spin on the spot, listening as hard as I can. There’s nothing. Nothing to see. Nothing to hear. Only silence.

A hand closes around my bicep.

The Organization.

Molten terror shreds through my chest, and I swallow back a scream, jerking away. The grip on my arm only tightens.

“Shhh. It’s just me.”

Tommy.

I let out a huge gush of air.

Of course it’s Tommy. I should’ve known he’d come back for me. I squint toward his voice, but I can’t separate his shape from the darkness. He’s completely invisible.

The pressure of Tommy’s hand slackens and drops down my sleeve to wrap around my gloved fingers.

“I’ll guide you,” he breathes.

I follow his pull, tripping as I go. The night is so black my vision still hasn’t adjusted. It’s like trying to run through the forest with my eyes closed.

We catch up to the team and travel like this for about thirty minutes, no one saying a word, not even Bill, Jess, or Lisa, who are monitoring the Levett CCTV from the caves, connected to us via the small earpieces and mics we’re wearing. They won’t be able to see us until we reach the campus, but they’ll warn us if anything seems off once we get there.

Eventually, enough ambient light filters through the trees ahead for me to make out the rest of the team; dark shadows fanned out in front of me, navigating a forest of thick black stripes. The light grows brighter as we near the tree line, my heart swollen, my windpipe blocked by its thumping beats. Maybe its last.

Too soon, we break through the forest at the edge of the campus.

A tall chain-link fence towers over us, topped with curls of electrified wire. Beyond, orange spotlights illuminate the quad, bordered on three sides by long industrial buildings. It’s strange to see them from here.

Tommy looks toward the quad, only his eyes visible above his dark mask. They glint like emeralds in the shadow of his hood.

Twenty-five hours ago, those eyes were burning into mine. I wish he kissed me. I wish I got to taste his lips, just once, before?—

Lisa’s voice buzzes in my ear. “CCTV looped. Fence disabled. You’re good to go.”

The others slither up the heavy steel wire. I watch, panic thrumming in my veins.

Tommy’s fingers dig into my palm. “Come on. We have to climb . ”

Don’t be a coward.

Mouth tight, I force my numb limbs to move. The combat gloves I’m wearing are light and flexible, helping rather than hindering as I cross over the nullified electric fence and hit the ground on the other side. Tommy drops lightly next to me.

“Patrols are in production and R&D,” Lisa crackles.

R&D. Where my parents supposedly died.

At least that building isn’t nearby.

The team and I prowl across the grassy quad like panthers, following the plan I helped concoct. All those years, burning with questions, with the need to make things right, have culminated in this night. This moment. This one chance to earn Lisa’s trust.

I’m so close.

We approach the administrative building without running into anyone.

“You’re clear,” Lisa says, and the badge scanner flashes green. The lock clicks.

Cait pulls the door open, and we slip inside. The exit signs at each end of the dark corridor cast an eerie red glow over the scene.

Stomach in knots, I move to the front of the group. We climb four flights of stairs to emerge on the top floor.

It’s just as I remember, except for the lighting. A harsh orange glow shines through the windows on the left, cutting through the dark and illuminating the doors on the right. All the scan pads are green.

I take a step forward.

The scan pads flash red, exactly as Lisa swears violently in our ears.

“They’ve detected the loop. Both patrols are heading your way, fast. Get out of there! Now!”

Fear cracks through my heart. Cait and Hunter spin toward me.

“You,” Cait snarls. Her gloved hand twitches toward her gun.

Terrified chills race up my spine. They think it was me.

I’m dead.

I take a step back, slick palms by my shoulders. “I didn’t do anything! I swear.”

My eyes dart to Tommy, but he doesn’t see. He’s scowling at Cait, his gaze so vicious I’m shocked she doesn’t burst into flame.

“It wasn’t her!” Lisa chirps through the comm device. “The guards detected an anomaly on one of their screens. I watched them figure it out myself. Quit wasting time and get out! I’m working to override the lockdown. Should have it sorted before you hit the ground floor.”

Vik and Hunter are already gone. With a final, burning glare for me, Cait follows. Tommy’s right behind her.

I glance at the security pad. This is my one shot to prove myself, to get the information I need, and the bill of lading is steps away. Patrols were across campus, in production and R&D.

I could grab it in no time … but the lock is still red…

It flashes green.

“Got it!” Lisa yells.

Tommy hovers at the top of the stairs, no more than a dark shadow. Waiting for me.

“It’s right there,” I hiss, gesturing toward the room.

“Get over here now.”

Terror twists my stomach and coats my tongue. Everything I’ve given up, everything I’ve worked for… I will not waste this opportunity.

“Give me thirty seconds,” I plead, already shoving through the door.

Lisa’s loud in my ear. “Melanie, no! Patrols are crossing the quad. Take the front door instead. A right at the end of the hall, straight past reception. Cross the fence behind the employee lot and hit the woods there.”

Most of that instruction is meant for the others. They must be nearly out. Good.

I sprint to the shelves lining the right wall, which holds the incoming shipments section, and yank the first box toward me. As I reach for my flashlight, the door clicks open.

Heart in my throat, I whirl, ready to face death or worse.

But it’s just Tommy. His flashlight flares to life, illuminating the box with dazzling light. “Hurry!”

I turn back to the files, adrenaline making me clumsy.

“We’re out,” Vik buzzes, layered with static.

“Patrols sweeping the ground floor. Tommy, Mel, you can still make it out a second-story window if you move,” Lisa barks. “That’s an order!”

“Tommy?” Cait squeals through the comm. “Wait. Wait. Tommy’s not here. Vik, Hunter! Wait!”

Throat cracked, I reach the last of the papers in the box. No BioAgent 313. I could’ve sworn it was here.

Cursing, I pitch the whole thing over my shoulder and start on the next.

The earpiece explodes in a riot of noise.

“Patrols moving to the second floor. Cait, what are you doing? Turn around!”

“Catch her!”

“Cait! Stop!”

Is she coming back for us? She was safe outside.

I curse again, her voice shrill in my ear. “Tommy’s still in there! We have to get him out.”

“Accetta, stand down . There are too many?—”

“Get the hell off me!”

I tear through the papers, tossing them aside one by one.

“Cut it out!”

“We can’t leave him!”

A grunt of pain, indistinct screaming.

Then Tommy’s voice, both in the earpiece and beside me, a blistering command. “Cait, turn your ass around.”

“You stupid, arrogant, bleeding idiot!” Cait shrieks. “Hunter, if you don’t let go of me, I can’t be held responsible for what happens to you.”

My hands shake almost too hard to handle the files as I reach the end of the second box. Still nothing.

Face cold, I throw it behind me and start on a third.

Lisa’s voice cuts through all the noise, crisp and efficient. “Patrols are hitting the third floor. Cait, stand down . ”

Crashing, more yelling, then…

The world stands still.

There it is. The bill of lading for BioAgent 313.

“Got it!” I crush the paper into my pocket.

“Patrols are heading for the fourth floor. Tommy, Mel, hide!”

Lisa’s shouting, but I can barely make her out over the commotion flooding the line.

Tommy flicks off his flashlight. “Turn off your earpiece.”

I do. In the sudden silence, I hear them. Thundering up the stairs.

Ice floods my system.

This is it. The day I die.

What the hell was I thinking?

“Come on,” Tommy hisses, yanking me toward the back of the room. He pulls me to the ground behind the last row of shelves.

There’s a small click outside as Lisa reengages the locks.

Numerous boots clomp down the hall.

“Don’t move,” Tommy whispers. Slowly, he shifts away, toward the open space beyond the shelving. “When they enter, I’ll draw them off. Sneak around the right side of the room, get out, and run. No matter what, don’t stop. Run straight into the woods, and don’t look back.”

This can’t be happening.

I must be dreaming. Having a nightmare. I can’t be about to die. And Tommy … if he gets hurt, it’ll be my fault, all my fault.

Why did I do this?

It’s not worth it.

My limbs shake. My breath turns harsh.

“Shhh,” Tommy warns, somewhere to my left.

Before I can respond, the scan pad beeps. The door swings open.

Without hesitation, Tommy throws himself around the shelves, a gun blazing in each hand. My ears explode as the first several guards drop.

I choke on a scream, terror pulsing in my blood.

They’re dead. Dead.

I’m next.

Tommy’s gone, disappeared like smoke on water. The remaining guards draw back, weapons raised.

The silence vibrates.

Suddenly, a shadow twists in the space between the guards’ flashlight beams. Two more fall, throats spilling out onto their uniforms.

I lurch forward, vomit hot in my mouth.

The way their necks gaped.

Tommy darts left, drawing a spray of bullets. The scene wobbles, edged in shimmering mist. No one’s watching the door.

I could make it out. Tommy told me to. I could escape … live…

My muscles twitch.

I clamp down on them so hard they ache.

I will not run.

Even if it means my own end, I will not abandon Tommy to die. He could’ve gone with the others. Instead he stayed, risked his life, to help me. I can’t desert him.

Gritting my teeth, I force myself to move. To inch closer to the fight.

The guards fire without mercy. Tommy dodges this way and that, keeping their attention on him. Giving me a way out.

My eyes narrow. He must be out of ammo. If I can cause a distraction, just long enough for him to reload…

Tommy jerks.

Tumbles backward into the shelves.

A tower of boxes crashes down on his limp form.