The Institute (Falling Ash Chronicles #1) Read online

  “What have they found?” one of the girls asked. Sarah Chandler, I thought. She was Chardonnay’s right-hand gal.

  “Nothing. That’s what’s freaky. Whoever it is is like a ghost. They breached a firewall on the main computer. They can’t even tell if it was done remotely or here at the Institute,” Chardonnay said. She was soaking in the attention. I grabbed my necklace, draping it over my head. I lingered, making a big show of pulling my hair through the chain. I was unabashedly eavesdropping, a fact I was none too proud of.

  “They can’t close down the missions. I’m supposed to leave this afternoon,” Sarah whined. Really? A possible mole in the institute and she’s worried about losing her chance to leave the grounds? I snorted.

  “Got a problem, Ells?” Chardonnay asked. I closed my locker door, shrugging.

  “I think if there was a problem they would tell us,” I pointed out.

  “They’re bringing in a Soothsayer,” Chardonnay said. My jaw nearly dropped. A Soothsayer? It had to be bad. They were only brought in as a last resort. A Soothsayer was rare, even rarer than me, and in high demand. They had the ability to see into a person's future.

  “When?” Sarah asked, her voice echoing my stunned thoughts. Chardonnay’s ice-cold stare softened as she smiled, confident that she’d regained everyone’s attention.

  “Sometime this next week. Some people better watch out. The Institute doesn’t take lightly to traitors,” she called after me. I nearly snorted again. Yeah, like anyone would think I was capable of being a mole.

  Chapter 7

  I exited the gym and jogged down the stairs, following the general melee towards the cafeteria. I couldn’t wait to tell Mike what I’d heard. As soon as the thought entered my head it gave me a pause. It had been a long time since I had someone I considered to be a friend, a confidant.

  I shook it off, thinking back on the conversation I’d overheard. So, there was a mole at the Institute. How long had that been going on? If it was bad enough they were bringing in a Soothsayer, why hadn’t we heard about it before now? How many of our missions were jeopardized? What about the Scorpions, who’d barely left?

  In my distraction I nearly careened into a crowd that had gathered at the bottom of the stairs, just outside the mission hall. I skidded to a halt, barely avoiding smashing my nose into the back of some kid’s jacket. What was the holdup? I stood on my tiptoes, trying to see what was going on. I spotted a head of blond hair and sighed, partly in relief, partly in annoyance. The Scorpion team was back.

  Somewhere ahead of me I could hear someone yelling and cursing. I wiggled my way through the sea of people, for once grateful for my diminutive size. It made it that much easier for me to slip through. I broke through the crowd and stopped, stunned at the sight in front of me.

  Tim was here. They’d brought him back with them. Something must have happened; they were only supposed to be questioning him. There were obvious signs of a struggle. He was being held between Jose and Tye, his arms twisted behind his back. Tye had the beginnings of a nasty bruise coloring his jaw while Jose had a line of dried blood coming from his brow. Kate and Jonathan stood to the side next to Jeremy, both looking none the worse for wear. Of course. Why would they get their hands dirty?

  My eyes fell to Tim. Something in me cracked. I wasn’t sure if it was my own sympathy or a reminder of Canda’s love for him. He looked so broken, like a man pushed to his limit. His tight curls looked greasy and dank. His face was gaunt, bearing a haunted expression I recognized. It was the expression of great loss.

  “Who’s that?” a girl whispered, terrified eyes pinned on Tim. She huddled in the shadow of the boy standing next to her. They both looked familiar, but I couldn’t place them.

  “Shh!” the boy hissed. His eyes were focused on Kate and Jeremy, his neck craned at an awkward angle. The girl fell silent, waiting impatiently for him to speak. “Kate says he was expecting them. He knew they were coming,” the boy finally said. The minute he spoke I remembered where I knew him from. He was in my stealth class. He had super-sonic hearing.

  “How is that possible?” the girl asked, though I suspected I knew. This had to be the work of the mole. Tim’s head shot up. His bloodshot eyes narrowed on the girl, then passed her, centering on me. Fire sprung into his gaze. One minute he seemed to be weakening, the next minute he turned into a madman.

  “Elsabeth! Elsabeth, you know the truth!” he yelled. I sucked in a breath. He couldn’t be speaking to me. But he was. He knew my name. How did he know my name? The students around me edged away, and none too soon. Tim somehow managed to shake free from Tye’s granite grip and lunged in my direction.

  I backpedalled, trying to avoid his headlong dash. He fell, his arms wrapping around my waist and sending us both crashing to the ground. I got up on my elbows, trying to army-crawl out of his grasp. He grabbed my hips, somehow managing to flip me over and straddle my waist, his hands gripping my shoulders.

  “You know. You know I didn’t have anything to do with this! You know!” he said urgently. I felt a strange buzzing where he touched me; feeling like something was trying to burrow beneath my skin.

  “I don’t know anything! Get off me!” I shrieked. I scratched at his hands, trying to push him away and break free. My glove came off in the tussle; my hand wrapped around his wrist.

  I felt something in me snap, like an old, brittle rubber band pulled too taut. My powers reached out for his. I could feel it, white-hot tendrils latching on to his and sucking them into me. I had never felt anything like this. It was like I saw inside of him, centering in on the source of his powers. I saw his eyes widen, awareness entering his gaze. He knew what was happening.

  “You are your father’s daughter,” he whispered, low enough that only I could hear him. My jaw dropped. What was that supposed to mean? What did he know about my father? Hands came down, grasping Tim around the chest and yanking him back away from me. My hand released his wrist, the strange power dissipating only to curl in the pit of my stomach.

  The Bruiser that had come to my rescue squeezed Tim in a choke hold. Tim fought, his face turning red, but it was no use. He fell limp, unconscious. The Bruiser dragged him backward, dropping him unceremoniously into one of the interrogation rooms and closed the door after him.

  “Hey, you okay?” A hand appeared in my peripheral vision. Jeremy gripped my arm, helping me to my feet. Kate scowled at me from behind him, not happy that his attention was not on her.

  “Yeah,” I said, staring after Tim. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Jeremy cast me a glance that clearly said he didn’t believe me. I didn’t believe me, for that matter. He guided me to one of the seats just outside of the interrogation room, motioning for me to sit. He dropped my glove on my lap. I pulled it on with shaking hands, closing my fist when I was once again protected.

  “You’re going to have to stay here until we get this all figured out. Everyone else, move on. There’s nothing to see.” Action finished, the rest of the students dispersed. I caught several curious glances, ignoring them as I focused on my hands clasped in my lap. One thought ran endlessly through my head.

  He knew my name.

  The door to the interrogation room opened. I straightened from my slumped position as Meredith stepped out. Her lips were pursed with displeasure. Things must not be going well. Her eyes fell on me and she stopped.

  “Come. He wants to speak with you.” She turned on her heel and marched back into the room.

  I trailed after her. He wanted to speak with me? And they were going to let him? That was violating every rule I knew. It was one thing to participate in background missions, but to actually make contact with one of the Rogues? My hands were shaking as I entered the room.

  Meredith had her back turned to me, standing in front of a one way mirror. There was a man standing near her, someone I didn’t recognize. He looked official, wearing a neatly pressed dark suit. He very nearly blended in with the shadows; I guessed more by design than default. His alert gaze too
k note of me, seeming to size me up in a quick glance. I tucked my hands under my arms, waiting for Meredith to address me. What did she expect me to do? If she wanted me to give Tim a shakedown she was severely overestimating my power of intimidation.

  “Do you recognize him, Elsabeth?” Meredith asked, gesturing through the mirror towards Tim. I hesitated, looking curiously at the man standing next to her before stepping by her side. I looked through the mirror. Tim was sitting at the single table set in the middle of the room, his hands bound together and chained to the table. I couldn’t see anyone else in the room with him from this vantage point, but I could tell by the way he slumped in his chair that a Neutralizer was in the room with him.

  “Only from Canda’s memories,” I told her, hoping I’d been able to hide my shaking voice.

  “Are you sure?” Meredith asked. I nodded. “He seems to recognize you. As a matter of fact he refuses to speak with anyone but you. Why is that, do you think?” she asked. I didn’t respond, sensing it was more of a rhetorical question.

  “Mr. Murphy is being rather reticent with information, Ms. Carter. If you know anything, it would wise of you to tell us now,” the until-now silent man said, drawing my attention back to him.

  “I don’t know why. I’ve never seen him before today. I swear it,” I said. I was beginning to feel like I had to defend myself.

  “I believe you. We all believe you. But certain precautions must be taken. You understand,” he said. It was then I realized who he must be; the Soothsayer. He was the one the Institute brought in to hunt down the mole. Did they think it was me?

  “I understand. What do you need me to do?” I asked.

  “Would you mind if I read you, Ms. Carter?” he asked, holding out his hand. I hesitated before I pulled my glove from my hand, holding out my naked palm.

  He reached out, his bony hand wrapping around my fingers and gripping tight. I winced, partially from pain, partially from discomfiture. I couldn’t see his history. It was like he was a blank slate. His gaze clouded, a low hum emitting from his throat. My powers uncurled, pushing up to defend me. I could see his power, shuddering at the darkness it emitted. I could feel him pushing past my barriers, prodding into my mind. It wasn’t pleasant; everything in me wanted to fight the invasion, to throw up guards and prevent him from seeing anything. It was a violation.

  He smiled, releasing my hand seconds before I would have given in and torn my grasp away. I barely resisted the urge to wipe my hand on my jeans, settling for pulling my glove back over my hand.

  “You have a great future ahead of you, Ms. Carter,” he said. “Be careful who you place your trust in.” His eyes were cold, belying the smile that crossed his face. What did that mean, be careful who to trust? Did he think I knew the mole?

  “Um… Thank you,” I said.

  “As I told you, Ezekiel. Elsabeth is one of our long time students. I’ve had no reason to doubt her,” Meredith said. Not exactly a glowing review, but some of my tension left me.

  “Of course. Do you feel up for reading Mr. Murphy, Ms. Carter?” Ezekiel asked, his tone changing from suspicious to friendly.

  “You want me to read him?” I asked, stunned. To deliberately leave myself vulnerable, traipsing through his memories trying to get the information they wanted?

  “You’ll be perfectly safe. The Neutralizer will keep him under control. I understand you see history. The fastest way to verify his guilt is through you,” he said. I frowned. It was like they already knew his guilt, only needing me to confirm it. The problem was I wasn’t so sure the man behind the glass was capable of murder.

  “Are you up for it, Elsabeth?” Meredith asked.

  No, my brain screamed. “Yes,” I told her.

  “Good.” She nodded and a small door I hadn’t noticed opened to the left of the mirror. Erik stood just within the doorframe, offering me a wan smile. “Erik will be with you the whole time. If you feel threatened, turn to him. He’ll get you out.”

  “O….kay.” I said. That was less than comforting. I had Erik, a Normal with no powers to speak of. It was like pitting a kitten against a bear. The kitten might have claws but wouldn’t stand a chance. I nearly grinned at the image that provoked. I was fairly certain Erik would be less than pleased at being cast in the role of a cat.

  I glanced back, seeing that Meredith and Ezekiel were already deep in a conversation. As though sensing my gaze Ezekiel’s eyes shot up, catching mine. I turned sharply away and walked past Erik. Erik closed the door behind us, leaving us isolated in a tiny hall that separated the two rooms. Erik leaned back against the door, his almond eyes appraising me over his glasses. “Are you sure you’re ready for this, Ells?” he asked. Always so direct. I felt my shoulders shrinking, doubt sinking in. But did I really have a choice?

  “No. No, I’m not, but I’m going to have to be,” I said.

  “Good. I’ll be there if you need me. You won’t need me,” he declared, sounding much more confident than I felt. He pushed open the door leading into the room where Tim was being held. I slowly released the breath I was holding, straightening my shoulders as I strode into the interrogation room, projecting a confidence I didn’t feel.

  The room I stepped into was smaller than it had appeared when looking in through the mirror. It was pure white, furnished only with a table and two chairs, one currently occupied by Tim. I spotted a Bruiser and Neutralizer standing on either side of him, settled in the corners. Erik came in after me, staying near the door. Tim’s gaze rose when I entered the room, hope flickering in his gaze.

  Hope. I sucked in a breath and sank into the chair across from him, resting my hands on top of the table. I pulled off one glove, then the other, my movements slow and methodical. I was delaying the inevitable. I folded my gloves, crossing my hands over them before letting my gaze meet his.

  He didn’t look good. He looked like a washed out version of the man from Canda’s memories. His boyish cheeks were hollowed out, his eyes bloodshot. I felt sympathy rise, hastily smothering it and adapting a neutral expression. I was here for one reason and one reason only: to discover if he’d killed his girlfriend, or knew who had.

  “I’ve been told you’ve asked to speak with me,” I said, surprised at how steady my voice came out. Tim nodded, his gaze seeming to drink in my face. “All right. You have me. What do you want to tell me?”

  “You look like your mother,” he said, almost distractedly. His eyes flitted around the room, touching on the Neutralizer and Bruiser before returning to me.

  “You mentioned my parents earlier. What do they have to do with this?” I asked.

  “Nothing. And everything,” he said with a raspy laugh. “I’ve heard stories, seen pictures. Your mother was very beautiful,” he said. Pictures? There were pictures? Longing rose up in my chest, threatening to strangle me. I only had the one picture I kept on my nightstand. I’d assumed the rest of them had burned in the fire. How could he have seen pictures?

  “Stick to Canda, Tim. What do you know about Canda’s death?” Erik cut in, pulling me back. Erik smiled reassuringly before returning to his stoic expression. I battled against my desire to question Tim further. He was just trying to manipulate me, find an opening that would lay me open and vulnerable. That’s all it was, a ploy.

  “Do you know why you’re here?” I asked.

  “Yes. Better than you,” he said with a harsh laugh. He rattled his handcuffs, drawing my gaze to his wrists. They were chafed and red where they’d been rubbed raw by the chain. His thin hands were trembling, the bones standing out prominently against his skin.

  “That looks like it hurts,” I said, nodding to his wrists. Tim shrugged. “If you tell us what you know we can get you out of here,” I said urgently. My query was met by silence, his gaze seeming almost bitterly amused. I waited a pause, then two, before continuing. “Do you know what happened to Canda?”

  “Yes,” he responded, one short syllable. That was it.

  “Can you tell me?” I asked.


  “It wouldn’t matter if I did.” Tim tapped his finger on the metal tabletop, drawing figures onto the metal. I watched curiously, wondering if I could interpret was he was drawing.

  “Then why don’t you show me?” I suggested, holding out my hands palm up. Tim ignored my outstretched hands, drawing interlocking circles on the table. I couldn’t pull my eyes away. It was mesmerizing.

  “You know what happened,” he said.

  “Why don’t you show me anyway,” I said.

  “They’ve done a number on you, haven’t they?” he said, the motion of his finger stopping. I shook my head, feeling slightly dazed as I looked back at him. I felt dizzy, almost sluggish, my body heavy. Something wasn’t right.

  “What do you mean?” I whispered. I turned my head. The Neutralizer stood where I’d last seen him, but he wasn’t moving. No one was, not even Erik. They were still as statues, not even blinking. “Tim, what are you doing?” I asked, my words seeming to come from a great distance. With great effort I pulled my gaze back to Tim. I tried to pull my hands back, come to my feet, but I couldn’t move.

  “The Institute will burn,” he said. His face went in and out of focus, the intensity of his eyes never wavering. I felt trapped, unable to turn my head and break the spell that held me pinned to my chair.

  “Stop this. You’re only going to make it worse. We’re both after the same thing, Canda’s killer. Don’t you want to see them pay for what they did?” I asked shakily.

  “That’s exactly what I want,” he said, slapping his hands down on the table. “I want to see them pay for what they did to her,” he said, his eyes slipping behind me to look at the glass behind my back. There was a deep, burning rage in his eyes. Who was he looking at? Meredith? Did he know she was standing behind that glass, watching our every interaction? I tried to raise my hand, move a finger, do anything that would signal to them that something was very wrong. My finger twitched, then fell still.