Free Reckoning by Christine Fonseca Page B

devotion to me and my cause daily.
     
    The Order continues to express their frustration. They want to capture the others now. Bring the Assassin home. Moving too quickly has its own risks, however. The Assassin must be brought here willingly. It is the easiest way for me to extract her memories and ensure fealty.
     
    The Architect understands this.
     
    Seven does not understand the need for the Assassin and the others. He does not see their value. I will keep him hidden, keep his existence a secret from her .
     
    When the time is right, the Assassin will get her partner. When it’s right, they will both learn their true fate.

 
     
     
     
     
     

     
     
    I have no words to answer Elaine’ s question s .
    “Dakota?”
    “I...I’m not sure what happened.”
    “You’re psychic aren’t you?” There was no accusation in Mark’s tone, just fascination. Curiosity. “You attacked me.”
    “No, I—”
    “I know what a psychic attack is. And I know you were the cause.”
    “Mark, what are you talking about?” Elaine’s gaze bounces between Mark and me. “She’s not one of the characters in your comic books.”
    “Oh I know. She’s your best friend. The one from the newspaper article.”
    “Mark!”
    “What? I’m not saying she’s crazy.” Mark focuses on me. “You’re not, right? You’re just psychic. What happened in the coffee shop, that was an attack on you. You just didn’t know it.”
    My mind swirls. I’ve never known anyone outside of my family and the experiments who believed in psychic phenomena. Sure, X-file fans and conspiracy crazies do. But, they don’t really count.  I don’t know how to respond to Mark, how to explain things to Elaine. I want to run away. Hide.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say. “I had a panic attack at the coffee shop. I don’t know anything about psychic whatever. And I have no idea what happened to you.” I turn and walk into the kitchen.
    Mark and Elaine share whispered words. I push into their minds, desperate to know exactly how much they suspect. Elaine’s mind is confused, torn. Mark is curious. No malice exists in either of them. No judgment. No fear.
    Maybe I can trust them. I want to trust them.
    Elaine meets me in the kitchen. She grabs a glass of water for Mark. A pretense, I know, but I don’t call her out for it.
    “So,” she says. “I know there’s something you aren’t telling me. And maybe you don’t feel comfortable talking in front of Mark. But you are going to spill everything today. Later.” She smiles and takes the water to her boyfriend.
    I stow away my worries and rejoin Elaine and Mark in the front room.
    “So, you’re the boyfriend?” I ask, desperate to keep the topic away from me.
    “Yep.”
    “Why did you come by? Did Elaine call you?” I sit.
    “Actually yeah. She said the lights were flickering and wanted me to take a look at the wiring this morning since neither of us has class. I think I wasted my time, that you already know what caused the flickering.”
    So much for keeping the topic away from my crazy-town behavior and X-men-like abilities.
    Elaine shifts her focus, confusion in every line of her face. “Someone want to explain all of this to me, please?”
    “Sure,” Mark says. “Your best friend clearly has some psychic skills she can’t quite control. She’s trying to cover them up and she’s not very good at it.” He pins me with his stare. “Does that about cover it?”
    Silence is my only reply.
    Elaine stands up. “You’re being ridiculous,” she says. “I’m making coffee. This morning requires caffeine. Want some?”
    Mark and I nod as Elaine goes to the kitchen.
    “How do you know all this stuff?” I ask. I’m fairly certain he spends his life watching too many DC shows, his nose in too many sci-fi comics. But if he can help with my control, I need his help.
    “Actually, I spent some time studying paranormal experiences when I was in high school. It’s