As Nik vaulted over a fallen tree, he focused on running. They dodged under vines, leaped over fallen logs, and skirted low-hanging branches. They heard voices yelling behind them.
“They’re coming,” Zayn said.
Damn Institute. Nik had left them years ago, and they still managed to bother him, now and then. Lately, they’d left him all sorts of messages asking for a meeting. He’d ignored every single one.
They broke into a clearing and ahead of them stood a line of four gray-and-black-suited agents.
“Fuck,” Dathan bit out. They skidded to a halt.
“Our boss would like a word with you, Dr. Phoenix,” a tall agent with dark skin asked, his face set in an impassive mask.
Nik froze, his gaze going to the man’s face. A man who’d once been his best friend. Until Nik discovered he was as rotten as the rest of the Institute. “Galen. So, you’re with Institute Security, now.”
“Yes.” Galen Ryant looked older, harsher. “Now, like I said, my boss wants to talk.”
Nik took a deep breath. “Sorry, I’m busy today. Tell him to call ahead and make an appointment.”
Zayn snorted. “Since when did you find a sense of humor?”
He speared his youngest brother with a look he’d reserved for rowdy students back when he’d been with the Institute.
“I’m sorry.” Galen stepped forward and raised his hand, holding something. “That wasn’t a question.”
Next thing Nik knew, pain raced through his body. His muscles contracted, his teeth clicked closed. He fell to his knees, one hand fumbling at the side of his neck. A Tase weapon.
He heard his brothers yelling, then they, too, dropped down beside him, jerking violently from the electrical volts running through them.
Damn Institute.On that final thought, Nik blacked out.
CHAPTER TWO
When Nik came to, he saw Galen rifling through Nik’s backpack. When the man pulled the idol out of the bag, he studied it with a raised brow before showing it to the others. Then he shoved the statue at one of the other agents and barked out some orders.
Nik closed his eyes for a second and willed the nausea from the Tase to go away. His thoughts turned to Galen Ryant. He’d once been a good man. The best. Until Nik had uncovered what he’d been doing.
Rough hands grabbed Nik, yanking him from his thoughts and hefting him to his feet, an agent on either side of him. His brothers received the same treatment.
They were marched unceremoniously through the jungle.
Once they’d cleared the tree line, Nik spotted a sleek shuttle sitting in a flat clearing. A small crowd of people stood in front of it, all watching their approach. The Institute logo was painted prominently on the ship’s side. The Institute was always well funded. His jaw tightened. Not all of it legally.
They were released, and Nik worked hard to stay on his feet. The effects of the stun had almost worn off, but he was still feeling a little lightheaded.
“You tased them?” An outraged female voice.
A woman pushed through the agents. She was tiny, five feet tall, with a compact, little body, and a fall of sunny-gold hair. “I’m sorry. I asked them to convince you to talk with me.” She glared at Galen. “This was not what I had in mind, Agent Ryant.” She drew herself up and managed an embarrassed smile. “I’m Dr. Avril Luma-Smythe. It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you, Dr. Phoenix. I’m so sorry it had to be like this.” Her smile lit up her pretty face. “I studied your papers on Terran History for my dissertation.”
He blinked. He recognized her name. She was one of the new assistant-directors at the Institute. He studied her harder, looking past the cute face and earnest energy. She was young for the role, which either meant she was very smart and good at her job, or corrupt. She would have been a new intake in the final years before he left…or was fired, depending on who you talked to.
He cleared his throat. “I wish I could say it was nice to meet you.”
“Yes. Well…is there anything I can get for you, or your brothers?” She glanced at the glowering Dathan and grinning Zayn. “I know the effects of the Tase are uncomfortable.”
“We’ll take our acquisition and then we’ll be leaving,” Nik said.
She eyed the idol one of the agents was still holding. Her eyes widened. “A gold statue of the Inca sun god, Inti? My gosh, if it’s real, it’s worth a pretty e-cred. But the archeological value is immense.” She crossed her hands in front of her body. “Look, let’s just table that for now. I need to talk with you about something else.” She tilted her head, her pretty blue eyes glowing. “I’ve tried to contact you numerous times, but you wouldn’t return my calls. I was getting a little desperate.”
“I’m sorry, Dr. Luma-Symthe, you seem nice enough…”
