"I don't care to risk my brother's life — "
"Stephan," Jessie interrupted softly. "It's Gabriel's only chance."
He glanced at his sister and then handed Sam the ear phone. "I want a running commentary, and I want you to call us in the minute there's a problem. Understand?"
She tucked the small device into her ear and nodded. "I'm not stupid enough to tackle Orrin alone, believe me."
"Good." He reached into his pocket and withdrew a Holcroft laser. "Take this with you."
The laser clung to her palm like a second skin, and she felt safer. "Thanks."
She turned and walked toward the factory. The wind tore at the gums lining the fence line. Leaves and twigs littered the footpath, becoming miniature boats as they were caught in the rush of water streaming toward the gutters. At least the tree canopies protected her from the worst of the rain. She climbed the waist high fence at the front of the building and stopped, letting her gaze roam across the dark factory.
Thunder rumbled across the night. Power surged, dancing through her soul. Energy again leapt across her fingertips, warming the chill from her flesh.
But through the power came the sensation of evil. Orrin was inside the factory, keeping watch near the back. The softer bite of evil that was Rose's presence came from near the front of the building. Obviously, her best bet was to enter from somewhere near the middle
She headed right. Most places had at least one fire exit, and there was more of a chance of such an exit coming out to a large, gated driveway than the rubbish-strewn strip of fence line to the left.
Once she reached the meshed gate, she shoved the laser in her pocket, grabbed the links and began to climb. Her coat caught on one of the top rungs, tearing as she swung over. Water dripped past the sodden neck of her sweater, chilling her already cold flesh. She cursed softly.
"Problem, Agent Ryan?" Stephan's voice breezed through the ear phone, cold and efficient.
"No, sir," she answered, keeping her voice low so that Orrin didn't hear. "Just tore my friggin' coat."
"We'll buy you a new one. You near the factory entrance yet?"
"Approaching side door now, sir."
She splashed through the puddles and up the stairs. The side door was padlocked. She picked up the lock, studying it in frustration. Just great. She didn't have her pick with her, and if she shot her way in, it might alert those inside.
She studied the long building. In the brief flash of lightning, she saw windows high up. Too high for her. Unlike Gabriel, she hadn't the option of flight — nor were there any trees close enough to use as a ladder.
Her gaze returned to the lock. Thunder rumbled, and once again, the force of the storm surged through her body. The energy tingling across her fingers became a bright, blue-white flame that danced across the lock, encasing it in fire.
In a heartbeat, it was little more than dust in her hand.
The flame muted again, but it didn't completely disappear. She stared at the blackened scraps in her hand. What sort of psychic ability was that?
She didn't know, and right now, she didn't care. Not if it helped free Gabriel.
She raised her hand, letting the wind scatter the lock's remains. Then she carefully opened the door. The passageway beyond was dark, and narrow. Not the sort of place she really wanted to get caught in. There was absolutely no fighting room.
But she had little choice. Orrin still stood guard near the back. Rose was near the front. Gabriel was probably somewhere between the two.
"Entering the factory now," she said, closing the door carefully behind her.
"See if you can find Gabriel and get him out of there. We'll take care of the rest."
That was just fine by her. She'd never had a death wish, and Orrin was not someone she ever wanted to confront.
She eased forward, her fingers wrapped so tightly around the laser her knuckles practically glowed. The air smelled stale, old, and a steady, moaning creak filled the silence. The wind tearing at loose roofing.
The passage curved around to the right and opened onto a set of stairs. She stopped, listening. The awareness of evil stirred through her. Orrin still stood guard near the back of the building. Rose was on the move, though. The sense of her flowed across the darkness, moving steadily closer. Had Rose heard the door open? Did she suspect something was wrong?
Sam had no idea. Nor was there any use worrying about it. She had to get off these stairs and out of Rose's way before she appeared. Right now, it was better she avoid being seen — at least until she'd found Gabriel and knew he was safe.
And once she knew that, she was more than willing to back away and let Stephan vent his anger. Would Orrin and Rose survive that? She very much doubted it.