Teri’s adrenaline surged. Her mind expanded and the men guarding her fell to the ground, unconscious.

  Amelia’s mind lashed out at her with lethal intent. Instead of blocking her, Teri flowed out of the way and drew her in, luring her deeper with feelings of helplessness.

  You’re the one they’re all afraid of? Amelia said. Pitiful.

  Teri’s will seeped back in on her from all sides, smothering her in a straightjacket of control.

  Holding Amelia’s mind was like hugging a rabid rat. It wriggled in her grasp. Her surface thoughts were of the atrocities and murders committed under her coercion.

  But she hadn’t done it for herself—not at first. Her whole life had been about pleasing daddy—the great Lou Franklin. Lou wanted a son, but he was stuck with a useless girl.

  Then Amelia got her powers and all that changed. He was the useless one. That weak fool. Negotiating with the government—with the enemy! He betrayed everything he’d taught her.

  New Frontier needed a real leader, and Amelia was happy to step in. She arranged her father’s death, blamed it on the government, and gave the movement the martyr it needed.

  Ruddy and Xeke were part of her master plan to take out the government’s military leadership and blame it on rogue afflicted. New Frontier was poised to use Hines’ death to sway public opinion against DSSA. Amelia hoped the backlash would force DSSA to eliminate its use of talents, leaving the field wide open for her.

  Let me go or I’ll kill your friends, Amelia said. I can do it from here, they’ll know it was your fault, they’ll die hating you …

  I won’t let you hurt them! Teri said. She tightened her hold on Amelia’s mind.

  It was like gripping a wine glass too hard. Amelia shattered. Every thought, feeling, and memory she had ever experienced was played out at once.

  There was a terrible, cacophonous noise, and Amelia was gone.

  Teri opened her eyes. The room was spinning.

  Ruddy. Xeke. I … where are we?

  Teri! Xeke said. You’re awake. Watch out for Amelia, she’s a mentalist ...

  I know. I killed her.

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  Wow. Uh ...

  I didn’t mean to!

  It’s okay. Trust me, whatever happened, she deserved it. Are you still in New Burtchville?

  She stretched out her senses. Yes. There’s so many people, I’m trying to see … wait, the military’s here. They’re outside the town.

  What? Xeke said. What are they doing there?

  I don’t know … I just woke up. I can’t think straight. I’m drugged ... I need to get out of here …

  She pushed herself up onto her elbows. The motion made her dry heave until she thought she was going to suffocate.

  You’re hurt! Ruddy’s thought was so loud it made her head throb.

  I’m not hurt, but … the drugs. My head is spinning. I don’t think I can walk.

  Try to find Corey, Xeke said. We’ll be there as soon as we can.

  Teri shook her head and focused. He’s not here … wait.

  She’d missed him the first time—he’d created some sort of mental disguise to fool Amelia. It was as if his consciousness was dressed up in a silly redneck costume. She touched his mind and filled him in on what had happened since she woke up.

  I’ve been waiting for a chance to get you out of there, but Amelia’s had you under lock and key, Corey said. I’ll come get you.

  Be careful, she said. There are soldiers on the ridge watching the town. I can’t see their thoughts for some reason, but I doubt they’re here to save us.

  Damn, he said. That complicates things. Be right there.

  She laid back down and tried to organize her thoughts. Footsteps pounded up the stairs outside the room and Corey rushed in, breathing hard.

  Corey’s here, Teri said.

  Great, Xeke said. Um, if you’re up to it, we could use some help. We’re kind of stuck in the middle of a military base ... and everyone here wants to kill us.

  Corey lay his hands on Teri’s head. “You shouldn’t even be awake with all these drugs in your system. How did you ...”

  I tapped Ruddy’s powers to build a gene for a protein that partially counteracts the drugs, she said. Just a second. I have to help Ruddy and Xeke.

  Corey’s mouth hung open.

  You’re invisible now, she said to Xeke. There’s not much more I can do from here.

  Uh, oh, wow, he said. That’s plenty.

  Corey was staring at her. “But … even mentalists can’t use other people’s powers. Besides … you were asleep! Not just asleep, sedated! Heavily! I ...”

  It’s complicated, she said.

  He shook his head. “Obviously. Okay, then. First things first. We need to get out of here.”

  He took off his jacket, a leather trench with swastikas painted onto the lapels, and handed it to her. She stared at it.

  “I won it in a poker game,” he said. “I was trying to blend in.”

  Teri tried to stand up, and would have fallen if Corey hadn’t caught her. She heaved again, and this time yellow bile came up. She dropped the jacket.

  I don’t think they fed me, she said. Amelia planned to kill me once they had taken care of Ruddy and Xeke, so why bother?

  Corey put his hands on her head again. A warm sensation cut through the fog.

  Thank you, she said.

  He helped her get the jacket on. “I can carry you, and if you can pull that invisibility stunt, we can make it. We just need to get to the truck.”

  Where did you get a truck?

  “I convinced them that you guys had kidnapped me and forced me to drive you. When they asked me to join them, I agreed so I could stay close. Then when they found out I was a mechanic, they put me to work. One of their trucks happened to break down for some reason. I can’t imagine what might have happened to it. We’re waiting on a part.” He grinned and pulled a small metal object out of his pocket. “I think it just arrived.”