Chapter 10
“There’s something strange about the new doctor,” Charlie was saying. “Something I don’t like.”
Which one? Gemma might have asked if she could string the words together. But it looked like she wouldn’t have to, as her friend continued.
“That blond one. I don’t like his eyes. They’re cruel.” A shiver ran through the young woman, and Gemma would have agreed if she were able. The blond doctor in the white coat didn’t belong.
But then, none of the new staff did. Something out of the ordinary was going on at RPS.Dr. Grimm. Dr. Dunkel. Dr. Beyhard. Dr. Sansha. They were unknown quantities. She’d seen more than her share of doctors in her lifetime, and these four were like none that she’d known before. Perhaps this was what happened when the inmates take over the asylum?
Charlie groaned, then started down the hall. “I just remembered I have therapy with Dr. Beyhard now. Sorry, Gemma. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Gemma didn’t acknowledge the apology or the departure. She stared at her feet, at the stripes of colored tape on the floor.Red. Blue. Yellow. Green. A thousand thoughts and sensations bombarded her, as usual. She was lost, forever enmeshed in the endless tumult of her own brain.
She saw a pair of shoes enter her sightline. They belonged to James, Ian’s brother. Just the thought of the man provided a measure of calm that allowed her to train her gaze on his brother. She watched as he stalked down the hall, stopping in front of the chief of staff’s office. Looking in both directions, his eyes sliding over her as irrelevant, he began to fiddle with the lock. When the door popped open, he let himself in, shutting the door behind him.
Not long after, but before she’d succumbed entirely to her thoughts again, Gemma saw Dr. Grimm and Dr. Dunkel heading down the hall toward the office. Her heart beat harder in her chest. She scrambled closer, wondering if there was anything she could do to avoid the doctors finding James in the office.
She knew he wasn’t supposed to be in there, but she didn’t want Ian’s brother to get in trouble. As she drew closer, she keyed in on the doctors’ conversation. “These Vartiks are tougher than we give them credit for,” Grimm was saying. “I think we should tread more carefully. They’ve thrown us off before. Remember what happened with Nightmare?”
Vartiks?Gemma started searching her mind for a reference but came up blank. She forced herself back to the conversation.
Dr. Dunkel shrugged. “Still, that one didn’t put up much of a fight. Maybe you’re overestimating them?”
“I don’t think so,” Grimm replied, leaning back. “Still, it seems they’re fighting blind. Nightmare hasn’t divulged anything about us. Then again, he was always so out of it, I doubt he’d be able to say much of anything. And they haven’t managed to make any traction translating The Book.”
Gemma recorded every word they spoke, trying to make sense of the conspiracy that was unfolding itself in front of her.
The bald man spoke, his voice heavy. “Now that Beyha has Calabez’s powers, he should be fairly easy to dispatch. And once we’ve gotten rid of him, his brother will be next.”
Gemma caught the shadow that passed over the female doctor’s face. “Why the change in strategy? We had decided to let them live.”
“That was before they’d proved a threat. These orders come down from the Crown Prince himself.”
“Then why didn’t we kill him on his ship just now? Why have Beyha strip him of his powers and then leave?”
Grimm frowned. “We can’t afford to make a mistake. He’s got to disappear in a way his brothers will buy. That requires planning.”
“Sure,” Dunkel said, as if she didn’t believe him.
The pair had stopped outside of the office door already.
Gemma was close, and she finally attracted their attention.
“What’s this one doing?” the female doctor asked. “And where’s her friend that’s always attached at her hip?”
“That one’s harmless,” Grimm replied. “As for her friend…” He trailed off, a strange expression on his face.
“Ah yes, therapy with Beyha,” Dunkel said. “I remember now.”
Grimm’s expression tightened. “That reminds me. I wanted to find out some information about that one. I think I’ll check in on the therapy session.”
Dunkel laughed. “Find out some information, huh? Like what color her panties are?”
Grimm’s expression turned feral. “As if you’re one to talk. I’ve seen you drooling over the other Vartik male.”
Dunkel shrugged, but her face heated. Grimm shared a look with her, one Gemma couldn’t begin to understand. The temperature in the hall seemed to drop. Grimm stared at her for another moment, then turned on his heels and walked back down the corridor, presumably to join in on Charlie’s therapy session.
Dunkel put her hand on the doorknob to the office. Gemma realized it was now or never if she was going to try and help James.
