Exploitable Weaknesses by Brian Keller (red queen free ebook txt) 📗

stay out of sight until he shows himself. If we can’t capture him, we need to contain him for as long as possible.” He centered his gaze on the professor, “There is more at stake here tonight than merely capturing one of the Gifted. If you are not prepared to accept that now, I’ll leave you here.” The professor bristled and appeared prepared to confront the Spymaster. The soldiers apparently recognized the body language and shifted their position enough to make the plates of their armor clatter lightly. It lacked subtlety but the message was clear. The professor snarled, “It appears that you intend to thwart me yet again. You are always careful to have supporters around every time we meet like this, aren’t you?” Yoren shrugged, “It isn’t often that I am away from the Palace without ‘supporters’, as you call them. In any case, the point is moot. Do you wish to come along, or would you prefer to remain behind?” The professor joined the group of mages and elected to stand near Emmit. Iona searched the faces of those in attendance, looking for Felis. He was not among them.

As they walked northeast, toward the Bridges, Wen matched stride with Iona and greeted her as if they were friends who’d been apart for months. Wen spoke in a confiding tone, “It’s been awhile. How have you been?” Iona spoke clearly, her tone was cold, “I’ve not spoken to anyone about your Talent. I understand the value of keeping secrets, despite the fact that you were quick to reveal things I told you.” Wen started to speak, “I’m sorry abo-” Iona interrupted her, “Don’t. I’m not interested. You were worried that you might become the next lab rat, so you found a way to keep the attention on me. Nothing more to say.”

When they reached the North Bridge, Yoren gave the soldiers their specific instructions then returned to the cluster of mages, “I’ll ask that you all stay behind me, starting now. He thinks he’s fooled me and that I’m coming to meet him so I can recruit him.” Iona asked the question she’d been asking herself since they’d left the Palace, “So what does he hope to gain from this meeting?” The Spymaster shrugged, “My life, I assume. Retribution. What else could he be seeking?” He faced the rest of them, “Stay behind, but when it’s time to move in, please move quickly.” The Professor raised his hands in front of himself and focused his attention. The space between his hands began to glow and then bright sparks began to jump from one hand to the other. Soon the space between his hands was crackling with energy. Iona could feel that he was almost fully exercising his Talent but the energy would continue to build for as long as he could maintain it. The professor looked at the Spymaster and spoke in a menacing tone, “If I get close enough, I can kill with a single touch.” Yoren turned to her and asked, “How close does he need to be?” Iona shrugged, “He just told you, sir. He needs to be able to touch the person. He can’t throw lightning. There’s no one I know of that could.” Yoren spoke to the professor, “I’ll say it again. We want him alive.” He took a breath and continued, “But if it looks like it will come down to only one of us surviving, hit him with everything you’ve got.”

*****

Chapter 20

Cooper watched the Spymaster approach the meeting place. At first he appeared sure, confident; but his body language spoke clearly. Every step was a process of several start-stop movements. His body shifted slightly from side to side as he walked, allowing him to sweep his eyes across the open space.

Cooper scanned the surrounding area. The fact that the Spymaster appeared alone only served to make him more suspicious. He thought, “There’s no way he’d come here alone. Not even to meet with a kid. Where are the rest of them?” He saw a flicker of movement to the south and focused on it, looking slightly to the side since, at night, looking directly at something could cause it to disappear from one’s field of vision. He could see a few shadowy figures but no sounds of armor.

He now regretted selecting a wide, open space for a meeting. He’d wanted the Spymaster to be completely visible, but in order to close the distance, Cooper would have to accept the same vulnerability. “I should’ve brought help” he thought. He knew that the Spymaster didn’t have anyone near him. He’d have noticed anyone moving around on this side of the open area. He slowly worked his way to the edge of the roof and dropped to the ground. He stepped to the corner of the building and faced the man in the vacant lot and called out, “I’m here. Why'd ye wanna see me?” In response to his voice, Yoren turned and tried to focus on him in the darkness. Yoren took a step toward him, “You seem very good at finding the men who are selling drugs. Wouldn’t you like to earn some coin for your information?” Yoren took another step and then stopped and looked around. “Why don’t you step over here and we can discuss it? Or better yet, come with me to the Palace. I can have such a meal prepared for you that you wouldn’t believe and we can talk about it while you eat.” Cooper started to step out into the open, then appeared to think better of it and backed into the shadows again, “Nah, sir. I think I can hear ya jes’ fine from here. How much’ll ye pay? Fer information? I know ‘bout another place, but I ain’t gonna jes’ yell it out.” The Spymaster took another half step in his direction but appeared unwilling to come closer. He either suspected something or was simply