Deadly Game (GhostWalkers #5)(72)
Author: Christine Feehan

She forced air through her lungs. You didn’t take any chances, did you? I can handle Prauder. It’s all part of the job.

That’s bullshit. Ken’s chest went tight. He didn’t want her anywhere near Prauder, Whitney, Sean, or bully Brett. Tell me what’s wrong. And don’t say nothing. I can feel it.

She hesitated.

Damn it, Mari. I’m losing my mind here. I can imagine all sorts of really unpleasant things, so just give it to me straight.

I’m safe. Locked up. Sean and Brett are trying to kill each other outside my door.

She took a deep breath and let it out, focusing on the camera in the hallway. Brett was a brute of a man who enjoyed hurting others. He had tried to break her, to the point of pushing the limit of the restraints Whitney put on him, but he hadn’t succeeded. Brett had been trained well and was physically enhanced so his strength was phenomenal. She ought to know; he’d used it on her repeatedly. Sean was the ultimate soldier, fast and hard and experienced in battle, able to separate emotion and slip into the fighting zone—and he was deadly with a knife. He would kill Brett. He intended to kill Brett, and he would do it on camera just like Whitney wanted, and there would be no out for him ever again. Whitney would own him body and soul.

Mari tried again. “Sean, stop!”

He didn’t so much as glance at her, not flinching as Brett feigned an attack. He shifted his weight to the balls of his feet, eyes on his target. She turned her attention again to the camera. She had several psychic gifts, but destroying the inner workings of a machine wasn’t one of her greatest strengths.

Ken could taste fear in his mouth. Because whoever didn’t die was going to be visiting her, and Ken knew he’d better get there first. Baby. His voice was soft, soothing; he needed to be calm for both of them when he was really afraid for her. Are you gathering energy to protect yourself? He could feel the buildup in her mind as she pulled in psychic energy from around her.

Was she coiling, readying for an attack? If he found Sean or Brett touching her, he’d never be able to control himself. Every muscle, every cell in his body, tensed and tightened, waiting for an answer.

I’m trying to melt the stupid camera. I can’t stay focused.

There was the smallest of sobs in her mind, hastily covered, but he heard—and felt—that gut-wrenching sound, and his entire body reacted.

Open your mind to mine.

Most psychics developed natural shields, not wanting anyone running around in their heads. Ken was used to sharing his thoughts with Jack, as well as sending and receiving energy. They had experimented often and practiced for years to perfect their communication skills.

It took Mari a moment or two to overcome her natural reticence and let her barriers all the way down. He poured not only energy, but directions into her mind so that she knew exactly where to focus the surge of power to the camera and send the interruption back through the lines, blowing other cameras out as well. For good measure he included all auditory equipment too. Ken was shocked that she trusted him enough to let him inside her that far. Just as she’d given him her body, she gave him her mind. The feel was far more intimate than he had ever imagined it could be, as if his soul had rubbed up against hers.

Sean is killing Brett, Ken. Right here in front of me. Whitney’s done something to him and he’s crazy, just like Brett was.

Are you safe? He had found the route to the second level and was making his way down, but the crawl space in the cement walls was a maze. Rebar stuck up in spots like deadly stakes. There were dead ends and places where he had to push through a thin plug of cement. That took precious time—time he feared he might not have.

She didn’t answer him right away, and for a moment he thought he might lose his mind. Damn it, Mari, tell me the truth. Are you safe?

I don’t know.

She was worried and that added to his alarm. He took a deep breath and let it out, seeking to find a way to be detached. He had to quit acting like an idiot and think with his brain. I’m on my way to you, Mari. Whatever happens with Sean and Brett, know that I’m coming.

Don’t. This place is a fortress.

I’m already inside, sweetheart. I’m a GhostWalker. Don’t you know we walk through walls? He tried to tease her, gently, to reassure her that he was all right.

Mari peered through the bars of the window and saw streaks of blood on the opposite wall. Blood splatter went across the guard’s station and pooled on the floor. Brett crawled toward her door, his shirt bright red, several large spots beginning to run together. His teeth were clenched together and he growled; all the while blood trickled from his mouth. Sean followed relentlessly, gripping a bloody knife, his face contorted into that of a stranger.

She backed away from the window, pressing her hand against her trembling lips. She had known Sean would kill Brett, but the vicious look on his face, the utter satisfaction and triumph was more than she could take. There was a feral quality to his snarling expression as he stalked Brett.

The back of her legs hit her cot and she sank down, pushing her way back until she was huddled in the corner against the wall, making herself as small as possible. Her hand slid beneath the cot mattress to hold Ken’s necklace for comfort.

Ken felt Mari’s sudden rejection, her complete withdrawal as if she couldn’t stand his mind touching hers. Violence had always been her life, but not like this, not the cold, cruel, animalistic aggression the two men were displaying. She wanted no part of it. His heart clenched, a strange sensation, gripping him with another fear—this time for what she would think of him. If there was a violent man in the world, one who could detach from all emotion, it was Ken. Worse than that, when he allowed emotion to prevail, he could be as brutally efficient as any wild predator.

Don’t push me away. He was pleading inside, but it came out a command, and he felt her wince away from the roughness in his voice. He was blowing it before he even got started. There was a limit to what any one person could take, and Mari was at hers. She needed out of this place. She needed freedom and to be able to make her own choices.

Someone is coming. Mari held her breath, hearing footsteps outside her door. Hastily she checked to make certain the chain and cross were well hidden. There was the murmur of voices. Sean wasn’t alone. She wanted to remain huddled against the wall, but she couldn’t let them see her feeling so fragile. Lifting her chin, she stood up and faced the door. Her heart was pounding.

I’m with you, sweetheart. I’m making my way through the second level. It’s tough going, with a few roadblocks in the way, but no matter what, I’ll get to you.