HSH: Hero Heist Chap 17-18
Chapter 17
Two Worlds Collide
After getting Johnny settled into bed and calming Gina down, I stepped out into the hall under the guise of using the bathroom and sent a text message to my boyfriend. It was probably the longest text I’ve ever sent.
Dont let anyone c this… must talk to u… only u… meet me @ the spot tomorrow… 7am… dont tell anyone… important!!!
If those words didn’t get the point across, nothing would.
I went back in the room, to find Gina sitting at Johnny’s bedside. She held his hand like a wife might hold her dying husband’s. Gina’s greatest fear was losing her brother. The twins had been side by side since birth. Neither knew what it was like to be alone. I really felt for her—for both of them. I didn’t know what I would do if someone important to me was suddenly ripped from my life. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if the only person I loved and trusted in the world was taken.
I walked past them to get ready for bed. Since I was getting up early again, I wanted to be rested.
“Thank you, Christine,” Gina said in a soft, almost imperceptible voice. “I know you don’t like us very much, but…” She choked off the rest of the statement.
“Don’t mention it,” I said. “What I did, I would have done for anyone.”
I had only meant the statement to be a humble remark, but as I said the words, every one of them rang true in my head. The more I thought about it, the more I realized, even if Quinn had been in danger, I would do anything in my power to save him. The thought both filled me with pride and disgusted me at the same time.
“He’s done this before,” Gina continued, turning away to face her brother. “I don’t understand. Why does he have to torture himself?”
I knew the answer. He blamed himself for what happened to their mother and drinking took that pain away for a little while. But I didn’t think it was something Gina needed to hear at that moment. “I don’t know. But he’s fine now. Let him rest.”
Despite my words, Gina didn’t move from his side. She was still there, watching over him as I drifted off to a restless sleep.
I dreamed that night. The world was consumed in fire, and people were dying left and right. I was in the middle of a great battle, fighting against an army of super-soldiers, plowing through legions of men and women, trying to defend their homes. I fought my hardest, but every one of the soldiers I wounded, ten more would take their place. Despite all the death they were causing, I still wouldn’t kill them.
Quinn appeared behind me, waving a flag above his head like a man rallying troops. The flag had a swastika on it. “Sometimes it is necessary to take a life,” he said, his voice echoing through the chaos. “You need to know your limits.”
An American flag appeared over the ranks of super-soldiers, only it was different somehow. Looking at it, I knew it represented my own country, but it was like I didn’t recognize it anymore, like it was tainted. The tromping sounds of boots sounded like thunder, threatening to deafen me, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.
Then my grandfather appeared, looking much younger, like he did in the photo from his journal. He wore his old army uniform, and even carried a rifle like a soldier in his time would. “Make them think you’re losing, only then can you win.”
And then, the world exploded, claiming everything, every life.
I woke the next morning to the noise of creaking bedsprings. Opening my eyes, I saw a shirtless Klaus sitting up in bed, getting ready for his morning jog. Next to him, still sleeping, was Johnny. Gina sat in the chair, her head slumped.
“Hey,” I croaked. “Let me get dressed. I’ll run with you again.”
Klaus didn’t say anything, but nodded and pulled on a tank top.
Trying to shake the disturbing dream from my head, I groggily sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I felt like living death. I was in no condition for a run. Luckily for me, I really had no intention of running.
I changed into a pair of shorts, not even caring if Klaus saw me or not, and pulled a t-shirt over my head. I felt the skull pendant knock around when I put the shirt on, and I unlatched the chord and took it off, setting it on top of the small table next to the bed. I didn’t want anyone hearing what I was going to say to Ethan.
Then I dragged my feet to the bathroom. Going down the stairs, I met Klaus outside. He was already warming up and doing some stretches.
“You look like you are still sleeping,” he said.
“I am a little, but I needed to get out of there.”
He nodded and slapped me on my shoulder again. I have to admit, the jolt did wake me up a little—not enough though for my retaliating strike to connect. “I thought you were going to stop hitting me.”
“Dhat vas not a hit.” He slapped me on the shoulder again, this time harder. “Dhat vas.”
“Ow!” I was fully awake now and rubbing what would probably be a bruise later. “Stop that!”
He smiled and did a few lunges to stretch out his legs. He was so infuriating. If he hadn’t saved the day last night, I probably would have sent him flying into the side of the building.
“Let’s gets started,” I said.
“All right.” He started running down the street in the direction of the cathedral.
“Wait!” I called. “I thought we were going to go that way.”
He spun around and started running backwards. “Vee already saw dhat portion of the city. Vee see this part now.”
Great. How was I going to get out of it this time?
I jogged after him. Klaus continued his backwards trot until I caught up, then he turned again and ran normally. Our sneakers smacking on the cement was the only sound to be heard in the early morning. I did a better job of keeping up with him this time. We’d past the cathedral before I felt any cramping in my legs.
When we ran past the old ruin, I looked through the fence. Ethan wasn’t there yet, so I still had time to lose Klaus.
We ran another block, passing a monument that could have been for Julius Caesar. Who knew if it was or not? Pigeons covered the statue, making the Roman Emperor look like a dirty sanctuary for birds. After we went by, I decided how I would get rid of Klaus. As usual, the simplest solution was easiest.
I had the power. So, why not use it?
Keeping pace with Klaus, I reached a mental tendril out and attached it to his mind. Once inside, I gave him the impression I was keeping up with him. As long as I kept the connection with his brain, he would believe I was right there next to him.
Having the connection to his brain, I also received some residual feedback. I saw some things I hadn’t intended and probably had no business knowing. However, the knowledge was essential. If I wanted to keep jogging at that moment, I wouldn’t have been able to. My muscles had to physically stop moving for my brain to process what I’d seen.
I slowed my run, and let Klaus with my mental phantom continue on the path. “There’s another one?” I asked to the empty street. Of course, I didn’t get an answer.
He hadn’t been following me last night. He’d been going to the bar for another reason, and I was sure it centered around the man Smith was questioning.
Looking at my watch, I saw it was already a couple of minutes after seven. I jogged back the way I came, passing the pigeon covered Caesar statue on the way to the old amphitheater ruins. All the while, all I could think about was, What am I going to do about Klaus?
I entered the gates this time, and saw Ethan standing in the same spot I last saw him in. He looked as tired as I felt, like he hadn’t slept a wink last night. I approached, looking around to make sure we were alone.
When I leaned in to give him a kiss, he pushed me away. “I don’t have any time. As far as Abby and the others know, I’m taking a toilet break. What’s the emergency?”
Though a little put off by the lack of affection, I simply went into why I’d told him to meet me. “No one can know I met you. Not Peter, not Savanah and especially not Abby.”
He nodded. “Okay.”
“We need to get away from the M.H.D.A.. The Agents want to use the shroud to create an army. I saw it in Smith’s mind. After we take the shroud from the cathedral, he’s going to take it from us. Then, he’s going to start the process all over again. A brand new Project: Hercules, only with thousands of soldiers.”
If Ethan was shocked by it, it didn’t show on his face or in his thoughts. “So, what do you want to do? Hop the next plane back to Pennsylvania?” The words were angry and frustrated.
“What’s the problem?” I asked.
“You do this all the time. We can’t trust Abby, then we can, then we can’t again. Which is it, Chris?”
“Right now? I guess we can’t. I don’t know. At least, not right now. If she knows about what Smith is planning on doing, then we can’t trust her. But if she’s as in the dark as the rest of us…”
“Chris, you know I love you. You know I’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth on any insane mission to save the world. But you have to make up your mind. We’re either with the M.H.D.A., or we’re not.”
“We’re on our own team, Ethan. We have to do the right thing, and helping the M.H.D.A. create a super-powered army definitely qualifies as the wrong thing.”
“What about Quinn? Are we still not trusting him either?”
“Definitely not. I still can’t read his mind, but I can tell he’s lying.”
He sighed and shook his head. “I’ve got your back, Chris. So, whatever you need me to do, say it.”
“On Monday, we’re stealing the shroud. Smith has already told me he plans on moving in and taking it once we have it in our possession. I think he plans on waiting until we bring it back to Quinn so he can kill two birds with one stone. We have to figure out how to get rid of the shroud after we steal it and before Smith comes to claim it.”
“And how are we going to do that?” Ethan asked.
“Yes, how do vee do dhat?” came the heavy German accent from behind me.
Klaus came through the gate, to face the two of us. It was exactly what I’d hoped to prevent. No one from Quinn’s team could know I had my friends here to help me.
Ethan must have known who the boy was, because he looked about ready to attack. I jumped in front of him at the same time sending thoughts of reassurance to him.
“Don’t worry, Ethan,” I said. “We can trust him… I think.”
“He better prove it, and quick,” said Ethan. “Quinn can’t find out about us.”
“Well, why don’t we let Klaus explain?” I gave Klaus a challenging look. “What were you doing at the bar last night?”
For a moment, Klaus looked as if he were going to come up with an excuse, but then decided he had probably already been caught. He crossed his arms over his chest and smiled. “I vould say I cannot tell you, but it seems I am not the only one playing double-agent.”
“What is he talking about, Chris?” Ethan asked.
I shushed my boyfriend and motioned for Klaus to continue. “Who are you working for?”
“The German Government,” he answered. “You?”
“Would you believe me if I said I didn’t know?” Looking at his face, I could tell he wouldn’t. “I’m supposed to be working with the M.H.D.A., but after what I found out last night, I’m not entirely sure who I should be working for.”
Klaus looked over my shoulder, as if what I’d said didn’t matter. He was staring at Ethan, who returned the stare with a none-too-cordial gesture.
“Who is your friend?” Klaus asked.
“Oh, right.” I introduced Klaus to Ethan and vice-versa. Neither moved toward each other to shake hands, but at least Ethan gave a flippant nod. “Ethan’s on my team—my real team.”
“So, vhy vere you really at the bar last night?” Klaus asked, changing subjects on me again.
“I was tailing Agent Smith,” I explained. “I had a quick meeting with him and something didn’t seem right. When I got to the bar, I saw Johnny inside, and another person. Smith shot him and the bullet bounced right off.”
“Yes, dhat vould be Kommandeur Dresner. He is my superior. I vas zupposed to meet him last evening.”
“But you never got the chance,” I finished.
“Nein.”
“So, your little trick with the pebbles was as much to save him as it was to save Johnny?”
He nodded.
“This keeps getting better and better,” Ethan muttered. “As if we don’t have enough problems, now we have to deal with some rogue German spy too.”
“It might not be as bad as you think,” I said, trying my best to keep Ethan calm. “We don’t know where he stands yet.” I turned back to Klaus, who hadn’t moved so much as a millimeter since he’d snuck up on us. “In other words, Klaus, what do you intend to do with the shroud once we get it?”
“My mission vas to prevent Codename: Quintus from obtaining the artifact. If I cannot prevent the theft, dhan I am to bring it to my government.”
I attached my mind to Klaus’ once again as I asked the next question. It wasn’t his response but what he thought which would tell me if I could trust him or not. “What is your plan for the shroud once you have it?”
His response was almost immediate. “I don’t know.” The synapses flared to life and they showed me his words were absolutely true.
“And can I trust you to keep my secret if I keep yours?” I asked.
Again, no pause before he responded. “Yah.” Again, his mind said the words were true. I could trust him at least that much.
Ethan grabbed my shoulder. “How can you believe him? You’ve known him what… a week?”
“I seem to remember telling you my secret the second time we talked.”
“All I’m saying is you can’t believe him because he says you can. I’m trying to protect you.”
“I know. But I read his mind,” I whispered, so Klaus wouldn’t hear about the mental invasion. “Plus, he saved my butt last night with Smith and the Agents. He’s okay. I promise.”
“And how did he do that?” Ethan insisted.
“His power is,” I paused, not knowing exactly how to explain what Klaus’ power was, “super-accuracy?”
“Like he could split an arrow in half by shooting it with another arrow?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
Ethan laughed, looking over my shoulder at Klaus, who still hadn’t moved. “That’s not even a real super-power!”
“Ethan, he took out an entire group of Agents with a handful of pebbles.”
“It’s still a stupid thing to say is your power. Why would Quinn even be interested in—”
Ethan’s words were cut off as something smacked into his forehead. In the last second, he’d tried to move, but he wasn’t fast enough. Let me repeat that—my boyfriend, Ethan Everett, the fastest boy in the world, couldn’t move out of the way of the pebble Klaus shot at him.
“OW!” he shouted, rubbing his forehead. “What did you do that for?”
“To teach you,” Klaus responded. “Keep your mouth shut.”
“Okay,” I said, getting between them again before there was a real fight. “Ethan, we need to go. All three of us are going to be missed if we don’t get back soon. We can’t raise suspicion.”
“Right,” Ethan agreed. He never took his eyes off Klaus.
Then, Ethan did something completely unexpected. He kissed me. But it wasn’t like any kiss we’d ever had before. This one was long, passionate, and angry. He was almost violent in the way he assaulted my mouth, but I will admit it wasn’t unpleasant. It was like my boyfriend was taking charge and…
He was marking his territory—making sure Klaus got the message I was his and pretty much off limits. Once the realization came to mind, I pushed Ethan away, not at all thrilled with his behavior.
“Go, Ethan! I’ll text you later. We need to come up with a plan.”
“I love you.” He said, then was gone before I could tell him I loved him too.
I turned to Klaus. The boy still didn’t look like he’d moved a muscle. His arms remained folded across his chest.
How had he thrown that pebble so quickly Ethan couldn’t move out of the way?
I knew I could trust Klaus, but I wasn’t sure how much I could trust his team. For all I knew, Commander Dresner wanted the same exact thing Smith wanted. If that was the case, then Klaus was as untrustworthy as the rest of them.
It would have been really nice to have another ally. So, I needed to find out exactly where Dresner stood. And there was only one way to find out.
“Next time you go to meet your commander,” I said. “I want in.”
“I meet vith him tonight.”
Chapter 18
The German Kommandeur
Now that I knew what Klaus was, I couldn’t help but be worried. Klaus didn’t have a thought inhibitor like the Agents had, and from the ease at which I was able to read his mind, I knew it would be no trouble for Quinn to do the same. What if he found out what Klaus was?
What if he already knew?
I dismissed the idea. If Quinn knew Klaus was really working against him, he would probably get rid of him as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, “as quickly as possible,” probably meant death.
Johnny slept most of the day, after waking up briefly about noon with what I expected was a major hangover.
The day passed quickly, with all of us pretty much hanging around. I spent most of my day talking with Klaus, deciding it was nice to finally be able to trust someone on the team. We took a couple of walks away from everyone, in which we talked about how we got roped into this whole mess.
I found out Klaus was actually eighteen and had just graduated high school, but had been an operative since he was only fourteen. The German Government Agency he was a part of was known as The Vril Society, or V.S. for short. Essentially, they were like the M.H.D.A., but with a more, shall we say, unethical past.
“Zome of the original members of the V.S. included Adolph Hitler, Alfred Rosenberg and Heinrich Himmler. Dhey believed dhey were descendents of an alien race of beings far superior to man. Dhey believed the Gods of Old…”
“Gods of Old?” I asked.
“Zeus, Jupiter, Odin, even the Christian God. The V.S. believed dhey vere actually aliens and had passed dheir genetic code down to a select group of people who vere meant to rule over all the rest.”
“Let me guess, the Aryans.”
“Yah.”
“And I thought Hitler was psychotic before I knew he believed in aliens.”
“You mean you don’t?”
“No.”
“Zo, vhat you’re saying is that people can have super-abilities, but dhere can’t be aliens? Very interesting.”
Okay, he had me there—I can admit at least that much. But that didn’t change the fact the whole belief of alien ancestors was completely ludicrous.
“Fine, maybe I’m wrong,” I conceded. “But let’s get back to this whole V.S. business. You don’t seem to want to dominate the world, so why on Earth would you join the Vril in the first place?”
“Christine,” he said, shaking his head. “You don’t understand. Vee call ourselves the Vril because vee are the Vril. You and I, Johnny and Gina, Jayson and Quintus, even your boyfriend. Vee are vhat the V.S. is all about.”
“So, we’re aliens?” I asked. If my eyes could have rolled all the way into the back of my head, they would have. This conversation just jumped out of the pool of ludicrous and into the pool of “holy-hell-insane”.
He shook his head again. “Vee are the superior race.”
I raised my eyebrows. I certainly didn’t feel superior.
“Okay, I think I understand now. The Vril were started by a group of people who believed they were greater than everyone but weren’t, and was continued by a group of people who really are greater than everyone.”
“That is right.”
Now, it would have been at that point I would have walked away from him. Anyone having delusions of grandeur was a person to stay away from. I’d learned that the hard way—Tommy, Eddie, and even I had fallen victim to the power trip our powers could cause. But even as he talked of his superiority over the rest of humanity, he didn’t give the sense he actually felt that way. I had the feeling that while the Vril had started as a force of evil, it had morphed over the years to be a force of good.
We talked for a while longer before finally going back to the room to join the others for dinner.
Quinn once again went over our plan for storming the cathedral come Monday, and everyone listened intently. When I voiced an objection to the plan again, Johnny remained quiet. He never actually said anything, but I knew it was his way of thanking me for saving his butt last night.
When dinner was finished, we went back to the hotel. Klaus was going to get a text on his phone when it was time to meet. So, he and I sat in the room and waited. He was acting completely normal. I on the other hand, couldn’t help but fidget all evening. It was nerve racking knowing we could be caught at any moment. It was bad enough I had to protect my secret. Now, I had to protect his as well.
It was about 9:30 when his phone beeped. He didn’t even pull it out of his pocket, but nodded in my direction. The meaning was clear—It’s time.
We exited the room, telling the others we were going on another walk. None of them even cared.
We closed the door and started down the hallway to the stairs, but were stopped after two steps. “And where do you two think you’re going? It’s late.”
Turning, we both faced Quinn. My stress level spiked. If I had a full bladder at that moment, it would have emptied itself. He’d caught us. He knew. We were in deep trouble. Who knew what he would do to us?
“Ve’re out for a valk,” Klaus explained as calm as could be.
Quinn took a step toward us, his eyes narrowed. “You two have been spending an awful lot of time in each other’s company. This is the third time you’ve wandered off today.”
Oh crap! He definitely knew. He’d been watching, maybe even following, us. Now, he was going to eliminate us for trying to foil his plan.
I felt him try and reach out tiny mental fingers to pluck thoughts from Klaus’ mind. He didn’t get the chance thankfully, because my mental hand swatted them away. He winced but then turned to me and smiled.
“Fine, keep your secrets, Ms. Carpenter.” He strode toward us, covering the space in a few steps. When he leaned in, and whispered in my ear, I expected to hear some kind of threat. Instead, his words were soft, but firm. “Let me remind you, before you do something you will regret—you do have a boyfriend, Ms. Carpenter, and guilt can be a terrible thing.”
As he stood straight and walked passed us, climbing down the stairs, I thought about arguing. After all, who was he to think he could meddle in my love life. Not that anything was really going on between me and Klaus—I didn’t like how he was so presumptuous.
However, if Quinn thought we were an item, it did give us the perfect cover story for sneaking off every now and then—like tonight, for instance. So, instead, I said nothing until he was well out of earshot.
“Can you imagine? Me and you? What was he thinking?”
“Yah,” Klaus said, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. “Vhat vas he thinking?”
**********
It took us nearly thirty minutes to walk to the where we were to meet Commander Dresner. We walked along this long road through a park called Giardini Reali (Real Garden?). I really wished my powers would translate the stupid signs too and not only speech. There were many trees here, but it didn’t feel enclosed like the courtyard where I’d met with Smith. Flowering bushes and other plants dotted the landscape, making the place feel like paradise—even in the dark.
We trekked hand-in-hand through the park, wanting to look like a couple taking a quiet walk rather than two government agents on their way to a rendezvous with an officer.
Anyway, we finally reached a bridge that passed over either a river or a canal—I wasn’t entirely sure. It was called the Dora Riparia—my previous complaint still stands.
We walked over the bridge, the only noise I heard was the water calmly flowing beneath our feet. Thinking about what Quinn thought about us, I couldn’t help but think of how romantic this stroll would be if I was actually doing it with someone I cared for. Looking over at Klaus, and seeing how he avoided my gaze, I could tell his thoughts mirrored mine.
When he finally did turn to look at me, he smiled. Maybe it was the light, maybe it was the fact we were still holding hands, maybe it was quiet meandering of the river—hell, maybe it was all of the above—but my heart fluttered.
Okay, so I’ll admit, he was good looking, and despite his incessant need to hit me, he was a really nice guy. He was definitely a guy I could go for if the circumstances were at all different. But, I was in love with Ethan, and no matter what, I wasn’t about to fall for this buff, dreamy, foreign guy.
He squeezed my hand a little tighter, and when he did, I pulled it from his grasp. We were almost at our destination anyway, so we really didn’t need to keep up the romantic-couple pretense any longer.
When we reached the opposite end of the bridge, we made a left and stopped in a small clearing next to the Dora Riparia. Cars lined both sides of the road, and a few lights were still lit in the apartments across the street. Where we stood, however, looked like a place to park more cars. It was probably a place where people stopped to take a stroll along the riverbank, but at night, all the spots were vacant.
We were only standing for a few minutes, leaning against an iron fence and watching the water, when a car pulled up. The headlights washed over us, temporarily blinding us with their brightness. I couldn’t begin to tell you what kind of car it was, but it was silver and didn’t have a straight line on its entire frame. There was a small blue shield on the front of the car that read Lancia. The engine stopped and the light cut off, leaving us in the dark for a second. As I blinked the blue and red spots out of my eyes, a man stepped out of the vehicle.
I recognized him immediately as the man from last night. Tonight he wore a black leather jacket, with tight black jeans. His hair was slicked back and he wore a pair of sunglasses that probably cost more than my house.
He jerked his head down the tree lined path along the river. “Let’s take a walk.”
He began down the path at a quicker pace than we’d been moving, but not so quick I’d have trouble keeping up. We walked, Klaus in the middle, me on the left and Commander Dresner on the right.
“I would ask what she is doing here, but after last night, I’m pretty sure you’ve told her everything. When are you going to learn never to fall for a pretty face?” He did have a German accent, but his English was a hundred times more clear than Klaus’. Dresner could probably pass himself off as an American with very little trouble—which was probably why I didn’t think of him as a German when I was in his head last night.
“Hey, I’m in the same situation here as you,” I argued. “I’m trying to prevent Quinn from getting his hands on the shroud too!”
“Really? And what do you plan on doing with the Shroud of Turin once you have it in your grasp, young lady?”
“The name’s Christine, thank you very much. And I was going to ask you the same question.” I didn’t think it best to include the fact I was here working with the M.H.D.A., especially considering Smith shooting him last night and all.
As it turns out, it didn’t matter anyway. “She is vorking for the American Agents.”
“And you brought her here?” Dresner reprimanded. “They are just as dangerous as Quintus. None of them can be trusted! You’re a fool, Klaus—a damned fool!”
“Look, I know you don’t have to trust me,” I didn’t allow my voice to raise above a normal speaking level, even though I felt like shouting, “but I think we’re on the same side here. I don’t want the M.H.D.A. to take possession of the shroud either. I’ve seen what Smith plans on doing with it, and I can’t allow it. So, the question is: what about you? What do you want the Shroud of Turin for?”
He stopped walking and leaned against the backside of a bench. He folded his arms and looked at me. I concentrated on his thoughts, breaking through into his head for the second time in as many days. I monitored his thoughts as he formulated his answer.
Dresner gazed at Klaus. “I can see why you like her, boy. She’s got spunk.”
Klaus looked like he was going to argue, but instead shrugged and turned away.
Then Dresner faced me. “I on the other hand, don’t get taken in as easily. I suppose the M.H.D.A. wants you to spy on us now.”
“The only person they want me to spy on is Quinn. From what I know, they don’t even realize Klaus is one of your operatives.”
“Oh, they know all right. At least, if Agent Smith is at all competent he does,” he said. “But I still don’t trust you.”
“So, don’t trust me. I don’t care. To be honest, I’m having trouble believing you too. I know what I want to do with the shroud. I’ve asked you once already. Tell me what you’re going to do with it.”
Again, I made sure my mind was locked on his.
He didn’t answer at first. He thought about what might happen if he told me. He kept himself absolutely alert to his surroundings, believing I had led an entire team of Agents here to capture him.
“There’s no one here but us. I promise. No one will be hauling you away tonight.”
“Okay,” he said. “So, I guess we’ve discovered your power. So, why don’t you rip it out of my head? I can’t stop you.”
“I’m not like that. I only use my powers when I need to. All I plan on using my power to do is check what you tell me is the truth.”
“Noble,” he said. He moved toward me. If I hadn’t been locked into his head, I would have believed he was going to attack me. However, his thoughts were nothing but peaceful. “If I had your power, I doubt I’d be able to show the same restraint.”
“I’m sure Quinn would agree with you.”
He nodded. “To be sure. Quintus would have probably ripped my mind apart and lobotomized me before even asking a question.” It took him a while to think about anything. It was as if he was trying to clear his mind before answering. If that was true, he was doing a pretty poor job of it. “I’m sure you know what the shroud can be used for. I too have no intention of allowing anyone to possess it. I have orders to destroy the cloth by any means possible.”
What he said was true. Those were his orders and he planned on carrying them out.
“Then I think we’re on the same page here.”
“Kommandeur Dresner,” Klaus said, “this is vhy I brought her to you. I know vhat she has gone through with Quintus. She vill never let him have the artifact. She can help.”
“Okay,” he said. “I leave her in your charge. But if she betrays us, she won’t be the only one we mark for death. Do you understand?”
Klaus and I both nodded. And with those words, I went from being a double-agent to a triple one. Playing for three teams now, my nerves were going to be at their breaking point. At least I finally had a side I could honestly put my faith in.
My phone rang and I pulled it out of my pocket. I figured it would be Ethan, wondering why I hadn’t texted him, or Quinn trying to find out where we were. But it was neither. The screen on my cell read, “Home”. My parents were calling.
“Excuse me,” I said and then walked away. Once I’d taken a few steps, I could hear Dresner giving Klaus some orders, hoping I wasn’t eaves dropping. I wasn’t.
I, on the other hand, walked about twenty yards away before answering my ringing phone. I didn’t even get the chance to say hello before a voice came blaring through the earpiece. “It’s after ten-thirty there, young lady. Why haven’t you called us yet?”
“Hi, Mom,” I said. Then, I settled down on a bench for a long lecture about responsibility. I sighed. If only she knew how responsible I was actually being.
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