The vehicle was almost on top of her when she felt a strong arm grasp her and scoop her up. Jake pulled her to safety just as the car sped over the spot where she had been lying moments earlier.
She flopped to the gravel of the shoulder, gasping. Beside her, she could hear Jake’s breath sawing in and out of his lungs. She had lost track of him on the endless trip across what had seemed like a continent’s worth of pavement. But he had known whereshewas, and he had saved her.
She had feared that whatever device Smith had used would cause them permanent damage. But as they lay limply on the shoulder, she began to feel her body returning to normal. And as she’d hoped, Smith’s psychic defense shield only extended to the road. Once they were out of range, they were free of the effects.
Sitting up, she looked across and saw Craig and Stephanie still sprawled on the far side of the divide.
She cupped her hands and called across. “Stay on that side, and we’ll get you.”
“Get as close to the road as you can,” Jake added.
She and her soulmate both stood.Can you hear me now?She silently asked.
Yes.
Thank God.
How about—you grab Craig, and I’ll grab Stephanie.
They were about to dash the way they’d come when a loud pop alerted them to a gunman nearby.
They both dropped to the ground. Looking up, Rachel saw a man running forward, firing as he charged toward Craig and Stephanie.
When they’d been on the other side of the road, Rachel and Jake had hardly been able to move. But her powers were coming back to her.
Centering herself, she tried to pull together enough power to do some damage. As she readied herself to hurl an energy bolt, she felt Jake sending her power. When the man with the gun spotted them, he swiveled the gun in their direction. Before he could fire, she sent the bolt into his chest. A look of surprise bloomed on his face, and he staggered but held onto the weapon. Knowing she had to put out more power, she gathered everything she had and struck him again. This time, he fell to the ground and went limp.
Was he still a threat? She couldn’t be sure, and she couldn’t expend the energy to find out. If she was going to cross to the tainted side of the road, it must be for one purpose only—to pull the other members of the team to safety.
She glanced at Jake and caught his agreement. They were about to go back to their original plan when the headlights of another car cut through the darkness. They waited for it to pass before charging back across the road. Immediately, she felt the debilitating effects of whatever anti-psychic force Smith was using. But this time she was ready for it and had a better idea how to shield herself. Nevertheless, it was almost impossible to pull Stephanie out of danger while staying on her feet.
She managed to do it because she had to. But she was wobbling on shaky legs by the time she made it across to the safe side of the blacktop.
She wanted to flop down, but she forced herself to keep going, and put more distance between themselves and any more guards who might come charging out of the house.
He only sent one guy, which means he’s short on help,Jake observed.
And that guy’s out of commission.
How many more does he have?
I’d like to know.
Beside her, Stephanie made a small sound, and Rachel looked down at her friend. In the dim light, she saw a dark stain on the left sleeve of her shirt.
“You’re hit,” she gasped.
Craig answered with a low curse and was immediately at his soulmate’s side, rolling up her sleeve.
She winced.
Sorry. I’ve got to find out the damage.After a careful inspection, he said,It looks like a through and through.
“And you’re unhurt,” Jake demanded.
“Yeah.” Craig was already opening the medical kit they’d brought and pulling out gauze. He slathered it with antiseptics and pressed it to Stephanie’s arm.
When she gasped, he apologized again
