Girl Incredible

Chapter 10: Nemesis

I stare with fury at the spray painted message on my bathroom mirror, fists clenched at my sides.

Remember me?

Red spray paint. It's dry already. Whoever did this is long gone, though they made sure to apply enough the drips formed pools of crimson on the white marble countertop.

My safe house has been violated. Which means I've been violated, my privacy, my personal space no one is permitted to enter. There's only one person I can think of who would post such a message, but I haven't heard from him since Prague and the Ming mission.

So, my psychic nemesis has found me, has he? I'd almost forgotten our encounter. But as I glare with fury growing in my heart, with the need to break something-break him in half if I get my hands on him-I realize it's time I tracked him down and did something permanent to him.

He is going to regret the moment he heard the name Kitalia Ore. I'm going to make sure of that.

My shining black Shelby Cobra hums its way down the freeway toward CIA headquarters at Langley, though the surge of speed that usually eases my tension when I'm in a bad mood does nothing to loosen my clenched jaw. I screech to a halt at the gate, flashing my badge in irritation at the security post. They let me through without the usual banter. Smart move.

My black shoes thud on the hot concrete, silk pants swishing around my ankles, suddenly cold in the air conditioning of the interior of the sprawling building that houses the Central Intelligence Agency. I bypass the entry line, taking the side wicket, fast tracking through to the bank of elevators. My thumbprint is enough to trigger descent as I wave off two agents who seem to think sharing my ride might be a possibility. The woman tugs her male companion backward at the sight of my scowl and, as the doors slide shut in their faces, I see her mouth "special ops" in his ear.

Damned right I'm special ops. If they can infiltrate the minds of our enemies and uncover secrets that save our country from attack on a regular basis, they are welcome to take the elevator with me. Until then, I prefer to fume on my own.

My foot taps the gray carpet as the Muzak hums happily to me. I short out the speaker so I don't have to listen to the butchered rendition of "I Will Always Love You." It's either that or I explode. I figure my bosses would prefer it if I did as little damage as possible.

A bit of wind is knocked out of my sails as I storm off the elevator when it finally settles twenty three floors below ground, only because I wasn't prepared to run into a familiar face. Had I been less worked up, I would have known J.J. is here from across the Atlantic. As it is, I gape at him a moment in the concrete hallway while he runs one big hand through his hair and smiles that devilish grin at me.

"Kitalia," he says. "Where have you been all my life?"

His terrible line does more than just make me smirk. It helps diffuse me further. My bosses have no idea the debt they owe him as I spin past him and stride down the hall, the MI6 operative hurrying his stride to keep up.

"What are you doing here?" Yes, it's rude. But, he's used to me. Snarl one minute, sugar the next. I like to keep J.J. on his toes.

"Your people asked me to come," he says, sounding more serious. "There have been reports of a rogue psychic at work here in the US. Sounded like someone we know."

I stop in my tracks and spin to face him. "He was in my house." I didn't mean to blurt it out like that, but J.J. caught me by surprise.

He frowns, closing the distance between us, worried look on his handsome face. "You're sure it's the same one? From Prague?"

I shake my head and march on, dark concrete walls muffling the sound of my strides. The stairs to the situation room loom ahead, a faint sheen of green in front of them. I trigger the shielding to allow us through, J.J. not even hesitating to follow me, our feet rattling on the metal stairs. Sudden sound erupts as we break through the barrier and into the bull pen where fellow special ops agents monitor activities around the world. I ignore the flashing screens, the reclining bodies on beds with their minds hooked up to sensors. The glass doors ahead are my target. And the two people talking earnestly on the other side.

Before I can trigger the automatic doors, J.J. grasps my arm in one hand. "Maybe you should let someone else handle this assignment."

I scowl, pull free. "You've lost your mind somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, MI6."

He bends over me, glancing around, voice low when he speaks. I catch the scent of him, cinnamon and cloves from his perfectly tailored suit as his tone rumbles deep in his chest.

"If it's the same guy, if he knows where you live... you're in danger, Kitalia."

"Welcome to the job." I push past him and through the doors, the hissing sound they make as they unseal attracting the attention of my two bosses. D. nods to me, his dark hair clipped close enough I can see he's starting to recede. M.'s blonde bob swings as she turns away, arms crossing over her chest. I realize then they aren't alone. I spare a glance for a young woman seated, ankles neatly folded, hands in her skirted lap, looking up at me with blue eyes that remind me of a baby deer.

Fresh meat. Must be.

"Kitalia." D. gestures to the girl. "Allow me to introduce you to Tatiana."

"Nice to meet you," she says, smiles, dimples showing. She stands and offers one hand. I don't shake it. Not to be rude or anything, but I don't know her and I'm a psychic. Obviously she has no idea about the rules.

Tatiana's expression falls a little as M. sighs.

"She's your new partner, Kitalia. Shake her damned hand and get on with it."

Leave it to M. to be so abrupt. I shield myself against Tatiana-not to protect her. Not at all. To keep me from seeing all her damned secrets.

She's not shielded, so not psychic. But I feel power in her.

"What's your thing?" I'm honestly curious.

She dimples again, shifting her high-heeled feet, perfect A-line skirt falling past her knees. Polished and full of promise. I'm annoyed just looking at her.

"Telekenetic," she says just before she offers me a cup of coffee without touching the floating mug with her hands.

I'd take a minute to be impressed, but I have more important things to worry about. I'll figure out a way to unload this new partner my bosses seem to think I need later.

A few choice sentences later and they are filled in on what happened at my home. They are both instantly alarmed, but the more upset they become, calling for instant backup to sweep my place, for the scent trackers to get there now and find the intruder's path, the better I feel.

My team. I might work alone-well, mostly-but they always have my back.

***

"Kit!"

I sit up, blinking into the darkening of my room. The sun is past the edge of the house. I must have fallen into a doze as I lay there.

"Coming, Mom!" The smell of dinner greets me as I open my door and grin into the quiet hallway.

Leave it to Kitalia to make me feel better. With my usual cheerful outlook firmly back in place, I head downstairs to dinner.

***