Trickskin (Worldwalker Book 1) Read online

  Callum looked unfazed. “I’m not sure how far my agents got with questioning you before you sent them away, so why don’t you tell me what they said, and I’ll fill in the gaps.”

  Based on how determined Callum was to conduct this interview, Loken assessed that it would be impossible to send him off with a magical suggestion. He could teleport, leave now and set up in a new country, but if he did, he’d never learn about this organization that already knew too much.

  That and he could still feel the drugs lingering in his system. It would be unwise to push his maedir.

  “They didn’t say much before confessing, with a little persuasion shall we say, that they worked for a government affiliated organization,” Loken said.

  “I understand you can read English?”

  Loken snorted, as if the question was ridiculous.

  Callum pulled out his phone and held it out for Loken to see.

  He scanned the document on screen. Though the format was unfamiliar, he recognized it as a medical report. The words “accelerated healing” and “anatomical anomalies” put him on edge. Hadn’t Loken instructed the healer to destroy his records? Had she been unable or unwilling to follow through with the order? He could admit that he had no idea if the woman even had access to them. He despised being caught off guard, so he sneered. “Seems like you have it all worked out.”

  “We’ve been monitoring you for weeks. I’m sure you can understand why an extraterrestrial is a concern for us. We don’t get many visitors.”

  Loken made a noncommittal sound, seeing no point in lying about his origins. Of course you don’t, he wanted to say, this planet is dull and primitive.

  Callum continued. “We have eyewitness reports that say you fell from the sky. I’ve been doing my job a long time. Ninety percent of it is investigating reports that turn up nothing and—”

  Loken scoffed, cutting him off. “I didn’t fall from the sky.” Not truly, at least. Then, he decided to be exceedingly unhelpful by providing the truth. A truth so unbelievable that it was bound to be discarded immediately. “I opened a rift in space—with a complex magical spell, I might add—and came through.”

  To his disappointment, Callum only nodded. “An Einstein-Rosen Bridge? So, should we expect more visitors?”

  A what? Resisting the urge to scowl, Loken said, “Did I not just state it was a complex spell? Traveling this way takes a great deal of skill and energy, and few have the means to even attempt it. In essence, even if someone wanted to, they could not quickly follow. Regardless, Earth is of no interest to my—” kind, he’d almost said. But they were not his kind. “—homeland.”

  Once more, Callum surprised him by accepting his answer. It had to be a trick of some sort, but what was his endgame? Attempting to bait his foe, Loken drawled, “So, Agent Callum. You’ve collected ‘the alien.’ Now what? The suspense is overwhelming.”

  “I’ve been authorized to offer you a job.”

  Nonplussed, Loken managed to carefully uphold a bored facade due to years of political training. “I’m rather enjoying my vacation. I didn’t come to this planet to work.”

  “I was with the cleanup crew at the Vineyard. That didn’t strike me as the work of a content man, and my agent tells me you were rather eager to comply with her investigation.”

  “Apologies, but should I know what you’re referring to?” Did they really think he’d admit to killing anyone?

  “Don’t worry. Mrs. Naiara and her niece refused to comply with our investigation as well.”

  Mentioning them infuriated Loken, but he didn’t let it show. Was it a thinly veiled threat? It was something he may have considered doing were he in Callum’s position, using sentimentality to force a surrender. That’s why forming attachments was dangerous, he reminded himself.

  “I’m interested in what drives a man to try to take down a criminal empire single-handedly to rescue two children he isn’t related to,” Callum said. “Loyalty?”

  Are beasts capable of loyalty? Loken wondered maudlinly. “Amusement?” he countered loftily, battling the urge to rip free and leave. “Why don’t we skip the pleasantries? Are you going to blackmail me into accepting? Or simply keep me locked up if I refuse?”

  “Not at all. You’ll want this job of your own volition.”

  Loken raised a brow, amused at the bold statement. “Will I? And why is that?”

  “I think you’re bored, but more importantly, I think you’ll enjoy putting your talents to use. You clearly don’t intend to go home anytime soon, and we can help you hide. It’s part of our job.”

  “Whose job?”

  “Is that an acceptance?”

  Loken considered his options. Frustratingly, Callum was right. He was bored. Killing Rossi and his men, infiltrating the Archangel’s ring, had invigorated him like nothing else had because he’d been utilizing his skills. More than that, he was stuck on Earth. Why not at least attempt to find a purpose?

  “I think, first, I’d like to know what you’d be using my talents for,” he replied at last, though undecided.

  Callum only continued to smile. “ALPHA protects and serves, Mr. Locke. We most often specialize in the paranormal, but we handle many types of international and national threats.”

  Paranormal. What else had ALPHA dealt with apart from himself? Loken desired to know more, and they both knew he was going to end up agreeing, so why not get to the point? “I have two conditions.” And certainly Callum would have conditions for him as well.

  Callum nodded for him to continue.

  “One, temporary surveillance for Mrs. Naiara and her family. There may be lingering threats, and if I’m occupied with work, I won’t be there to ensure their safety.” And that was simply unacceptable. Once they were safe and he found a way to pay off Mrs. Naiara’s medical bills, he would consider his debt to her paid.

  “Loyalty,” Callum reaffirmed.

  Loken ignored him. “Two, I’m not obligated to submit to tests.” He had no intentions of being poked and prodded by human scientists beyond what they had already done while he was unconscious.

  “Apart from an assessment of your talents, it won’t be required. Though you may want to.”

  Loken gave him a look that clearly said ‘not likely.’

  “New recruits are expected to submit to a full evaluation and to live on base during their first four months. A probation period of sorts.”

  No doubt that probation included keeping a close eye on him, but Loken understood that. He was a foreign power, and they didn’t trust him. He didn’t trust them either, so they had that in common. He doubted they’d let him move off base even after the probation period ended, but he’d wait and see.

  If there was one thing Loken had learned well in recent months, it was that compartmentalization was necessary to survival. If something couldn’t be dealt with or handled in the now, it was best to put it off for later. Or never; he was a big fan of the never option. Surviving meant prioritizing the now over the past or the future.

  Loken was nothing if not a survivor.

  You can always flee, he reminded himself. “Agreeable.”

  “You’ll be working under my supervision, and what missions you’re given will depend on the assessment. Any questions?”

  “Not particularly,” Loken drawled.

  “That’s a surprise.”

  Amanda’s voice made Loken jump. He tried to look at her, but the bonds kept him from turning his head. Apparently, she’d been hiding behind the bed, listening the entire time. How she'd escaped his senses was actually impressive, but he wasn't happy about it.

  Loken glowered when she came into view. Her hair was now a striking auburn, and he was willing to bet that it was her true color. She wore a black uniform. And Loken could see there was a gun strapped to her thigh.

  “Agent Raaum is going to be your guide,” Callum said, and Loken greedily snatched her real name.

  Then, without ceremony, Loken tore through the bonds, including t
he one across his forehead. Letting the metal clank to the floor, he stood. Callum took a step back, frowning, but Loken only had eyes for Raaum who watched him with a raised brow. Surprisingly, she didn’t even reach for a weapon. He wasn't certain if her lack of reaction was insulting or amusing.

  “May I have the honor of your real name now, Amanda?” he asked with false courtesy. “After all, we’re to be colleagues. Perhaps partners.”

  Raaum smiled with false sweetness. “We’re not partners, but if you’re a good boy for the examiners, I’ll consider telling you what letter it starts with.”

  Loken grinned and turned to Callum. “Oh, I like her.”

  “Glad to hear it,” Callum said dryly before looking to Raaum. “Show him to his room, please.” He returned his attention to Loken. “Your assessment will be tomorrow.”

  “Am I to be confined to my rooms until then?” Did they think he was a child or pet to be locked away until he was of use?

  Callum smiled patiently. “No, but I can’t arrange a tour for you until tomorrow, and you’ll have restricted access until you get your ID. I'll need you to fill out this form and return it to me as soon as possible.”

  Loken pocketed the form without looking at it. An I-D? One of those legal documents or identifies, he assumed. He sighed exaggeratedly and looked to Raaum. “Lead the way, agent.”

  She did so without a word. He took in his surroundings, but there was nothing remarkable about the hallways. The compound, he was told, was in the middle of nowhere, and the closest town was twenty-one miles away. Not that it mattered. He had no reason to traverse the distance and no intentions of leaving the compound by foot should he ever desire to adventure. It was a large facility, and the buildings sprawled more than towered. He walked leisurely, peering through every open door and down every hallway on their journey.

  Finally, they entered a building with hallways that resembled those of the apartment complex he’d lived in. Raaum paused at a door, turned to face him, and held out a key. “I’m leaving tonight on assignment. Try not to get yourself locked up while I’m away.” Then she departed without a word, and he was left debating if her presumptuous tone offended him.

  Undecided, he stepped inside. The room was plain, but that was fine with him. Off-white walls, a modest bed, and a small bathroom. Though used to luxury, he was perfectly capable of living without frivolous comforts. He was surprised to find his small bag of personal artifacts on the provided dresser.

  Why did he get the distinct impression he’d been played for a fool?

  With little else to do, he unpacked his bag and began setting up his books on the provided nightstand in alphabetical order. It took an entire two minutes because he only owned nine books, and then he was left staring at the form Callum had given him. Name? Age? Date of birth?

  Loken discarded the paper in frustration and was left staring at the off-white walls for fun.

  Or was he?

  He glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand. Without hesitation, he unplugged it and began to take it apart. His homeland didn’t use electricity to run gadgets like this, so he found them interesting enough. He’d always enjoyed figuring out how things worked, and after being lectured for taking apart a relatively new television and failing to put it back together, he’d ceased dismantling Mrs. Naiara’s possessions.

  A knock at the door interrupted his investigation sometime later. He was halfway done putting the contraption back together and growled at the intrusion. Wrenching the door open, he was baffled to find Nora completely embracing him a moment later. Her arms were wrapped around him, and he merely stood stiffly, unsure of what to do.

  Suddenly, Nora pulled back, flushed, and closed the door. “I’m sorry! I just…” She took a breath that didn’t seem to help. “They wouldn’t let me see you. I’ve been so worried. They said they weren’t going to hurt you, but like hell I believed that. Everyone knows you can’t trust the government with an alien. It’s in all the movies.” There were questions in her eyes and concern on her face. “You’re really okay, right?”

  That was a broad question, enabling him to give her a truth. Upon first sitting down for breakfast all those weeks ago with his Earthen guides, he’d challenged himself not to lie to them. His life had been built upon lies, lies given and lies fed to him since birth. Those fibs had shaped him and still haunted him. At first, it was just to see if he could live honestly. Now, it was habit. “They did me no lasting harm.”

  She caught the modifier and narrowed her eyes.

  He amended his statement. “Their drugs have worn off.” For the most part. He still felt an underlying sense of exhaustion that was staved off only by his aversion to sleeping in enemy territory.

  Nora’s shoulders slumped with relief. “Good. I just...I was worried. Aunt Rosie is okay, by the way, but she’s been worried about us. I have to call her and let her know you’re alright.”

  Suddenly, realization bloomed, chilling his features. They must have gone to Nora for information on him. He’d interrogated prisoners for the crown, knew what methods were employed to make even the most stubborn zealot speak. Nora was no hardened warrior and had likely spilled his secrets.

  (You allowed sentiment to blind you, fool. She has no loyalty to you. She spoke to save her own life.)

  “Why are you here, Nora?”

  Nora blinked at him, stunned by his frigid tone. “They came and got me in the middle of the day, and they accused me and my aunt of harboring an alien. An alien, Lyall, and they made me drop everything to leave with them.” Then, she looked at him intensely, as if seeing him for the first time.

  He took an involuntary step back.

  She sees. She knows, that voice whispered. She turned you in as soon as she did.

  A half-smile lit Nora’s face. “I mean, it makes sense. I sorta knew deep down that you couldn’t have been of this world, but I guess I always figured aliens would be easier to...spot.”

  Oh, you have no idea what lurks beneath this skin. “I suppose it’s easier to turn someone in when you know they’re ‘not of this world.’” Loken threw her words back at her coldly.

  She frowned and echoed his words, as if trying to make sense of them. “Turn in…? What?” Realization had her narrowing her eyes. “I know you didn’t just accuse me of betraying you, Lyall Locke!”

  “And why not? Would it not be simpler? My presence put the children in danger.”

  “No. The sociopaths that took them put them in danger. You saved them!”

  He scoffed, and then, feeling cruel, said, “Such a childlike perception of the world. Can men only be good or bad? It’s a wonder you’ve survived this long.”

  Nora attempted to see if she could set him on fire with her glare. “Smart enough to know you’re just lashing out because you’re scared.”

  Loken didn’t stop to consider if she was right. He towered over her, determined to drive her away. “You say you came here to see if I was alright? I am. Now, go. I release you from your obligations.”

  Defiance etched into every muscle, she went toe-to-toe with him. “If you need to sulk to process this shitstorm, fine. But I didn’t betray you.” She turned to leave before spinning back around and jabbing him in the chest. “For your information, I didn’t ask for any of this, but I had your back. It’d be nice if you had mine.”

  She left, slamming his apartment door with the flourish only a scorned woman could manage.

  Loken stared, wondering if he should have protested the accusation that he sulked. He most certainly did not. It infuriated him that she still didn’t see him as a threat despite knowing he wasn’t of Earth. She knew nothing about him, but she didn’t hesitate to challenge him when he was in a rage. He’d retaliated against others for far less, but he didn’t particularly want to hurt her. On the contrary, he enjoyed the way she’d always been so casual with him. It was a rare treat, coming from a world of politics and deception. That she seemed intrigued by even the most mundane spells had only endear
ed him to her more.

  With a displeased huff, Loken returned to fixing the clock and dismissed the thoughts.

  Bright and early, after practically no sleep, Loken dropped off the form at Callum’s office. He’d filled it out with the name Lyall Locke, declared he was male (which seemed true enough), put a question mark next to age, and proclaimed his birthday should be whatever date he'd woken up in the hospital. After all, Earth and Rellaeria didn't have comparable days.

  The assessment went as Loken expected. He held back, demonstrating only the abilities he knew ALPHA was aware of or he knew he couldn’t reasonably hide. His proficiency with daggers was nothing special back home, but here his reflexes were extraordinary. As was his physical strength, resistance to damage, and accelerated healing. They asked him to demonstrate his “mind control” powers after the physical portion. At that ridiculous assertion, Loken spent five minutes lecturing them that there was no such thing and the intricacies of mind magic. He could not ‘control’ anyone. Such feats of magic were sadly far beyond his capabilities and beyond most sorcerers. What he did, he explained, was called suggestion magic. He could implant an impulse, but he couldn’t make someone do something completely outside their nature. Because he couldn’t always tell what was outside their nature, it wasn’t a reliable course of action in most situations.

  Demonstrating suggestion magic would be the hardest, but after studying his examiners, he told the man sitting on the far left to ‘take a break.’ No amount of forced professionalism could hide how exhausted the middle-aged man was, and to Loken’s amusement, the suggestion worked. The man stood and left, despite the protest of his colleagues.

  Pretending not to notice the unease that display had caused his examiners, he diffused the tension and showed off his ability to make copies of himself. For entertainment, he had a doppelganger sneak up on one of the examiners who was dutifully taking notes. She didn’t find it amusing in the slightest, nor did she enjoy the smirk he gave in response. While he couldn’t let them think him weak, he could not afford for them to be so afraid that they labeled him too dangerous to be free.