Alien Attachments (11 page)

Dani wrung her hands in her lap. The portal approached and a flush of embarrassment ran through her at the thought of her earlier reaction. The surface shimmered, resembling a wall of standing water. There was a slight tug when they passed through, then they were on the other side. A few minutes later they stopped at the entry to the main tunnel.

“All clear?” Ian asked.

“I got nothing,” Marco said. The others confirmed. The portal opened and they turned right and headed for Jared’s bar.

Dani tapped Jared on the knee. “Aren’t we going to the villa?”

“Ian’s got a back door, so to speak. For emergencies.”

“What self-respecting alien wouldn’t?”

They shared a smile before pulling to a stop by the garage. Dani whistled at the massive hole where the door used to be. The storeroom beyond lay in rubble. Broken bottles and a blanket of soot covered everything. They grabbed their bags and filed out.

“Jared, I’m so sorry about this place.” Dani picked her way through the debris.

“Hold it, Dani.” Ian’s voice played on her nerves. “Marco. Armond. Check it out,” he said.

She stepped aside to allow the EPs to pass.

Jared came up next to her and surveyed the mess. “It’s just stuff. Stuff can be replaced.”

“All clear,” Armond called back.

Ria gave Dani’s arm a squeeze and passed by them into the bar.

Dani followed, patting her pocket where the gun rested. Jared spoke to Ian behind her.

“I called my brother. He put a ‘closed for vacation’ sign on the bar. The Hummers you wanted are out front and the keys should be in the usual place.”

“Good work.”

Everyone filed into the bar area which remained intact.

Dani glanced around, glad to see the Torog’s blood gone. Soft moonlight filtered in through the windows. She shook her head. “From dawn to the dead of night, in a matter of minutes.”

“You get used to it,” Jared said.

“You keep saying that.”

Jared found the keys and tossed a set to Ian. He bounced the other in the palm of his hand and stood next to Dani. “You okay?” he asked.

She blew out a long breath and nodded.

Ian cleared his throat. “You four wait here,” he said to the humans. The EPs went outside to check the surroundings.

Dani took the opportunity to stretch her muscles.

Battista attempted to mimic her movements with a comical effect.

Gina slapped his arm.

Dani laughed at the portly Italian. “It’s a routine I do before a fight. Helps me focus. I wish I knew what we were going to find at the villa.”

“We’ll know soon enough,” Jared said.

Battista gave up on Dani’s stretches. “A more interesting question is why are they after our Dani?”

“He’s right you know,” Gina said. “They kill instantly. Dragging you off like Signior Ian described. That is not heard of.” The older woman gave Dani a thoughtful expression. “You no worry. We won’t let you out of our sight,
bambina
.”

Normally Dani wouldn’t be concerned, but her circumstances had become far from normal. “Thanks.”

Ria pushed open the front door. “We’re good to go. I’m riding with you guys. Jared, you drive.”

“Got it,” he said, and tossed the keys into the air one last time.

Dani motioned for Gina to go first, but the Italian paused. “What is it that makes you smile little one?”

“You. Dear, sweet, Italian lady right at home packing heat.”

“Packing heat?”

“Oh, um, a gun. A very deadly gun.”

“Ah,
si
. Is no mistake, I would kill an alien in a heartbeat if it threatened my family or our team.”

Dani nodded. “I don’t doubt it. Glad you’re here.”

Gina turned to Battista. “Did you hear? I have heat.”

Battista laughed and said something in Italian that made Gina blush.

As they filed through the heavy door, Dani scanned the lot for her car. Someone had put the top up.

Jared followed behind. “My brother locked her up. Old Barrel can hot-wire anything.”

“Thanks,” she said. “I didn’t even think about it. Or the house. I should call—”

“Already taken care of,” Jared said and winked. “Part of our job remember? Make the protectors invisible.”

“Right.” Dani’s boots crushed the white shells of the parking lot as they headed for the far corner. It was empty. “Where are we going?”

Ria put her hand out to slow their pace. “Another step and…here.” Out of nowhere a black Humvee appeared.

“Whoa.” Dani stopped, looked around and backed up a step. The Hummer and the others disappeared from sight. She stepped forward and there they were.

Battista chuckled as he held the door open for Gina.

“Okay, that’s cool,” Dani said, duly impressed.

Ria pulled open the second row door and motioned for Dani to climb in. Dani took the middle seat between Battista and Gina, as she was a bit smaller than they were. Jared got in and started the engine, which was nearly silent. A GPS screen showed both vehicles in a Google Earth map. Out the window there was only the parking lot. She gave a silent greeting to her father who, she knew, would be jubilant right now.

Unbidden, her thoughts turned to the previous night. Deep inside a thrill ignited, like the down bit on a roller coaster.
He’s thinking about me.
She tried not to be bothered that he was keeping her at arms length. Probably just focused on the job.

The Hummer turned off on to a barely discernable road and drove another five minutes through thick brush. Jared used the GPS screen to keep a safe distance from the other vehicle. The trip was slow going, but they made it without mishap. They parked underneath a group of trees. Moonlight dappled the ground, filtered from the leaves above. Ian led them to a large boulder formation. He raised his hand, and the now ubiquitous magic panel appeared. The EPs gathered around, blocking Dani’s view.

“What are they looking at?” Dani asked Jared.

“They’re checking the tunnel. Make sure it hasn’t been breached.”

Dani strained her neck to get a better look.

Ria stepped aside to let her see. “This tunnel goes to the library where the portal is. Like I said, the entrance is concealed, but we can’t be too careful.”

Apparently satisfied, Ian opened the door. As with its larger cousins, the lights switched on, starting with the ones closest to them and continuing up the smooth, grey walls. The tunnel itself was smaller. Much smaller.

Not good.
Dani followed Ria into the narrow space. The ceiling was no more than seven feet, which made the EPs appear even taller. She tried to concentrate on the fact the tunnel was well lit.
Light is good.
The walls seemed to close in on them when Marco sealed the door, and her gut wrenched.
Breathe, just breathe.
They made their way forward. The air was cool and slightly damp. Fifty feet or so from the end of the tunnel, Ian pulled them to a stop. He waved his hand along the side of the wall, opening a door to a small room. The space was empty except for some crates labeled in French.

Jared took a closer look. “Boss, you have a seven thousand square foot villa and a wine cellar.”

Ian grinned. “I also have parents who help themselves. This is my special stash.”

Dani found the thought of Ian’s parents somehow disconcerting.

Ian swung his backpack off and motioned for the others to do the same.

The EPs selected an assortment of weapons then put the packs next to the crates.

“I want you four to stay out of sight in the storeroom until we dispose of the Torog, and make sure he’s alone,” Ian said.

Panic flared through her and she resisted the urge to run screaming back toward the Hummers. “No.” Dani backed up a few steps. “No. Sorry but no. That room is really small, and I’ve seen how hard it can be to open these doors without that psi stuff because you can’t find the bloody spot, and I’m not getting stuck in there and—”

“And you’ll do as you’re told,” Ian snapped.

She glared at him. “Look, you jerk—”

“Hold on.” Ria stepped between the two. “Dani, are you claustrophobic?”

Dani nodded. “This tunnel is about my limit.”

Armond burst out laughing. The sound surprised her. He didn’t say much. He was generally rude and she’d never heard him laugh. He folded his arms across his chest. “You must admit it’s humorous.”

“Must not,” she said.

“Jared told us you excel in mixed fights,” Armond said, “and you lasted ten minutes in the alien attack sim. On your first try. But you won’t get into a little room with three highly trained Earth Support Agents?”

“Not to mention the wine,” Jared added.

“Do not touch the wine,” Ian said.

Dani wrapped her arms around herself. “Not happening. No way.”

“Ria, take care of that.” Ian pointed at Dani. He checked his phone again and walked over to the tunnel’s end.

I’m a “that” now?
Dani bit back a few choice words and turned to Ria.
“What are you going to do?” She backed up another step.

Ria smiled and closed the gap between them. “Don’t worry. It’s the same as healing someone. I take your fear away, that’s all. We’re friends remember? I would never hurt you.”

Dani frowned. “Healing. You mean like what Ian did in the pool?”

“In the pool?” Ria repeated.

“Yeah, Ian did something. Healed my wrist and my face.”

“Really? That’s interesting.” Ria glanced over to where the boys stood discussing the Torog. “Then I guess it’s exactly like that.” She turned her gaze back to Dani. “What do you say?”

“Okay, but am I going to remember it this time?”

“You didn’t remember?” Ria’s eyebrows knitted closer together.

“I remember he did something, but I kinda blanked out during. Snapped out of it when Mr. Personality over there took off and swamped me.”

“That’s really odd. Look, let’s talk about this later. Right now, we need to hurry.” She took Dani’s hand in hers and closed her eyes.

The tension melted away, replaced by a familiar tingling sensation. She glanced at the little room.
No fear.
She let out a sigh while her body tried to adjust to the previous adrenalin levels.

“Wait, Ria!” Everyone jumped when Ian’s voice boomed through the tunnel. The EPs scanned the tunnel for danger. Ian covered the distance between them impossibly fast.

What’s up with him?
Dani stifled a laugh. The others looked around, searching for a threat.
Who cares? Alien voodoo totally rocks.

Ria dropped Dani’s hand and backed up. “Ian.” She whipped around and let out a squeak when she found him directly behind her.

“Ian she’s—”

“I know Ria.” He ran a hand threw his disheveled blond hair.

“But that’s—”

“I know, Ria.”

“But that means—”

“Ria. I know,” he growled. “We’re not discussing this now. Not with anyone. Clear?”

Ria looked at Dani like she’d grown a second head. “Yes, sir.”

Ian took Dani by the upper arm. “ Now, if you don’t mind.” He propelled her toward the small room. “We’ve wasted enough time here.”

Dani stumbled and grinned. “You guys sure have some amazing skills.” She gave Ian a prolonged stare. Pleasure rippled through her and she didn’t fight it. “Sure. Lock me up. You could probably put me
in
one of those crates right now and it wouldn’t bother me.” She took a step toward Ian. “You”—she poked a finger in his chest—“could do anything to me and it wouldn’t bother me.”

Ria cast her a another strange look, which didn’t bother her either. She spun around before Ian could respond and walked into the tiny room. She leaned against the far wall next to the others with her arms crossed.

“Lock us up, Captain,” Dani said, giving Ian a salute.

Ian flicked a wrist toward the opening and the door flashed shut.

“What was that all about?” Jared asked.

“I dunno. Something between Ian and Ria,” Dani said with a shrug.

* * * *

Ian stomped over to the concealed entrance and ignored the questioning looks from Ria. He’d screwed up one thing after another. First with Dani, then Armond unable to wipe her memories and now with Ria. In his attempt to stay away from Dani, he’d neglected to consider what would happen if Ria connected. Now Ria knew about Dani’s psi.
But that’s all she knows.
It was clear Dani herself was in the dark, both about the bond and her own psi. She was totally naive. Someone was going to have to train her.
Or kill her.
He ignored an involuntary tightening in his chest at the thought. What a mess. Ian shook his head and settled back into command mode. One crisis at a time.

“Everyone ready?” They nodded. He checked his phone again. The Torog left to guard the portal stood with its back to the concealed door, looking out at the night sky.

“What’s that saying? Like taking candy from a baby? Let’s get that
crag
out of my villa.”

Ian raised his hand, the door disappeared, and they fired.

The Torog fell to the floor with a muffled thud, blue blood seeped into the lush, thick sea grass rug. Within seconds, the smell permeated the room.

Ian scowled.
Time to remodel.
“Marco, scan the villa. Ria, when he calls it clear, get the humans. Armond, let’s take a look.” The two EPs walked over to the massive fireplace housing the portal. Putting the gateway into an oversized fireplace was a nice touch, started by an enterprising Sandarian.

Wadded up on top of the large metal grate sat a mound of dried out, bloody rags.

Armond picked up a poker rod and prodded the mound. The rags stuck together as one. He flipped the pile over. “Interesting. It appears we have that toy you wanted.” Armond reached in and picked up a small rectangular device.

Ian reached out and sensed the reactivated portal. “It’s working.”

“All clear.” Marco’s voice echoed out of their phones. Ria went back for the others.

“Care to guess how that thing managed to jam our portal?” Ian said.

Armond stood and turned the device over. The bottom half of one side had four rows of silver buttons. He shook his head. He moved the device into the field of the portal. Nothing happened. He squatted, set the device back on the grate and replaced the rags. Still nothing. “Whatever it was doing, it’s stopped.”