“We're not doing that either, Mvarro.” I took his hand. “Let Alex's team come in and investigate. They'll find out who truly deserves to be here.”
“Sure, but how are we supposed to trust the Chinese to keep this prison legit?” Leo asked.
“It's called politics, Maestro,” Alex said grimly. “We've already taken over the prison. If we want our relationship with China to continue peacefully, we have to trust them. But believe me, the Chinese President does not want this kind of shit happening either. He'll already have to make amends to several alien races to escape retribution, including the Bleiten. I'm sure he'll put some safeguards in place.”
“Weren't we going to discuss this somewhere else?” I reminded them.
“Very well. They live for now. But only because they didn't touch you.” Malik took my hand and led me to the elevator.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The island was lit with floodlights and crawling with American and Chinese agents. Bishop's house had a steady stream of people walking in and out of it, several carrying boxes. I started heading toward it.
“Se Esaria, I would prefer it if you remained out here,” Cyprian said softly as he took my hand. “Let the humans search the house.”
“Cyprian, there's a machine in there that took some of my magic.”
“What?” He went still. “Bishop took your magic?”
“Just a little, but it was enough to prove to me that it could take magic from anyone. I want to see that thing destroyed.”
“That might not be possible.” Alex winced when we all turned to glare at him. “It's evidence; it will have to be taken in and—”
I swept past Alex.
“Spectra, you can't do that!” Alex hurried after me.
“Alex, I appreciate that you follow rules.” Cyprian stepped between us. “But if you try to stop a bunch of supes from destroying a machine that steals our magic—the energy that makes us who we are—you will... not be successful.” Cyprian has a Faulin form that's very similar to a Bleiten's battleform, and claws sprung from his fingers to remind Alex that he was more than just a pretty face.
“How dare you threaten me!” Alex snarled.
“Stand down, Alex.” Leo took Alex's shoulder in hand. “They took some of Spectra's magic with that thing. It's not going into evidence.”
Alex sighed but then nodded. Not that his acquiescence mattered, the rest of us were already striding into Bishop's mansion with destructive determination. I led everyone past the swarm of agents and down to the lab. Agents were already busy packing everything away in evidence bags and boxes, but none of them had touched Bishop's samples yet.
I paused in the lab and pointed at the fridge. “Those are vials of magic he's taken from supes. Bishop said that they're all dead, but I think we should verify that. If any of them are alive, we need to give them back their magic.”
Alex went over to the unit and peered through the glass at the vials. “Well, they're labeled; that will help.” He turned to one of the agents and said, “These need to be treated as priority evidence, kept cool, and put under guard.”
“Yes, Sir.” The agent left, likely to get some soldiers and a cooler.
As the agent walked away, I took our group through the lab and down the corridor. There were a few agents in the room with the machine.
“Clear the room,” Alex said to the agents. “We have sensitive evidence to collect.”
The agents exchanged some uncertain looks but left the lab. You don't argue with the Under Secretary. That is, unless you were on his team.
“That's it.” I waved at the sphere.
“For fuck's sake, if you're going to destroy this thing, at least close the door,” Alex huffed and waved a hand at the open lab door.
Braxis shut it, locked it, and leaned against it with his arms crossed.
“Fuck this thing,” Rain growled as he started forward.
“One moment.” Talon grabbed Rain.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Rain snarled at the Fury.
