Free Nightwalker by Connie Hall

said something back that sounded like a reprimand, and the girl leaped out of the driver’s seat.
    â€œMove up front,” Striker said to Takala as he hopped out and took over the driver’s seat.
    â€œShe one of yours?” Takala asked as she got in andclosed the door. She watched the redhead disappear into a huge parking lot.
    â€œI do not like to hire them that young, but she was a waif and needed structure and purpose in her life.”
    â€œDidn’t peg you for a humanitarian.”
    â€œI’m not.”
    A loud ringing began in her ears. Something was pushing its way to the top of her mind. She leaned back against the headrest and closed her eyes. It felt as if a tooth were being extracted from her brain, and if it didn’t let go soon it might implode.
    â€œAre you all right?” he asked.
    â€œJust tired,” she lied.
    Suddenly a bright light blinded her vision, the origin coming from inside her own eyes. What was happening? When her vision cleared, so had his chains on her will. They crumbled like old bread. Without a doubt, she knew she was in control again. It was like reaching the surface after having your head dunked below the water. She almost cried out from the sensation, but Nightwalker had his razor sharp gaze on her. At the sight of him, memories burst into her thoughts.
    What had he done to her so far? She remembered his glamouring her, first in the bathroom. That kiss. It hadn’t been bad, but the audacity of him to think he could control her like she was a puppet. Then he’d done that mind-bok-choy trick again in the airport. They’d been arguing about Culler or Lilly Smith or whatever her name was. It still didn’t change the fact she could be Takala’s mother, and she was in this one for the long haul.
    Why hadn’t his influence over her stuck? She’d beenreally mad at him both times he had controlled her with thought transference. Maybe that’s what made her magic strong enough to resist his power. Maybe being angry helped her build up a tolerance to it. She really didn’t care how it happened, only that the light bulb was on again.
    Oh, yes, she’d play along. He was getting calls from his agents. They knew exactly where Culler was, and as long as she stayed with him, she’d have a better chance of finding Culler and discovering if Nightwalker had been right about her. Takala didn’t trust Nightwalker, though he had saved her life. But maybe that had been for nefarious reasons of his own, or to let Culler escape so she could lead him to Raithe. Then Striker could kill her on his own terms. Culler was in trouble, and no matter how rotten a person she was, Takala couldn’t leave her to the sharks. That’s what it felt like, swimming with sharks. And Nightwalker was the Daddy Jaws of them all.
    She gazed at his profile, his wide shoulders almost touching her seat. The dash lights cast an eerie blue shadow over his deep-set eyes and cheeks, and he looked even more deadly. He had a way of sitting so still he didn’t look alive. Even driving, his movements looked mechanical, reflexive. She found herself wanting to pinch him and see if he reacted.
    His phone vibrated. He pulled it out of his breast pocket one-handed. “Yes. I see. Keep her in sight. I’ll be there in…” He checked the satellite guidance system. “Eight minutes.”
    He sped up and flew around a corner.
    â€œHey, do we have the target’s location?” she asked, worried now for Lilly Smith’s life.
    â€œYes, and she could be in trouble.”
    Takala tried to hide her emotions and look like the brainless robot he thought she was. It took all of her willpower to remain silent and not ask more questions about Lilly.
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    They drove down a street lined with bars. Hookers of all sizes and descriptions stood on corners, drumming up business by waving at traffic and passersby. Some were made up to look like Goth