Visions of Heat

morning—she had to leave the PsyNet. Vengeance would still be hers. She knew.

Returning to the house, she did three more predictions before lunch. 'Are you sure you feel no stress?' Xi Yun asked after the third.

'I think I've pushed myself far enough today.' She'd need her strength to handle the predator heading in her direction.

'I can request a medical team attend you.'

'That's not necessary. Given the increase in my raw psychic potential, I was trying to see how far my powers had come.'

'Yes, of course. You should've told me in advance. I'll forward you the details of the scans. It appears your mind is regulating your body more efficiently during the forecasts. No stress lines at all.'

'Excellent.' An idea came to life. 'I'll probably sleep deeply after this morning's exertion, so please ensure I'm not disturbed for at least twelve hours after I retire.'

'Noted.'

'Thank you.'

Aware she was being scrutinized for any erratic behavior as a result of nonexistent stress, she forced herself to follow her normal routines. Going into the kitchenette area, she poured and consumed a glass of the high-energy drink that carried most of the vitamins and minerals she needed, then ate two energy bars with slow deliberation. Next, she downloaded the promised medical scans onto her personal organizer and took a seat in the lounge area to go over them.

She had every intention of taking the data with her when she defected. It would likely be her last chance to access scans this detailed, and they were invaluable for an F-Psy, charting as they did every area of the brain. Including those sections most vulnerable to mental degradation. Because no matter what happened, she was an F-Psy and with that came a higher risk of insanity. It always had.

It was only after two hours that she stretched and walked into her bedroom, her eyes continuing to scan the files. Dropping the facade the second she was inside, she quickly packed her backpack with the few things she didn't want to leave behind. There wasn't much—her organizer, a holo-shot of Marine downloaded from the PsyClan's database, and one of her father. He'd consider her a traitor after tonight, but for all his coldness, he'd been the single constant in her life and she'd miss him. Finally, she threw in a change of clothes and that was it. A sad commentary on the life she'd lived to date.

Walking back out into the living area, she was surprised to hear the chime of an incoming call. 'Yes?' she answered on audio.

'Your father wishes to speak to you.'

'I'll turn on the screen.'

'There's no need—he's at the gates.'

Her hand dropped away from the screen-activation key, mouth suddenly the driest of deserts. 'I'll meet him in the grounds.' It hadn't been what she'd planned to say but, once again, the knowing had come to the fore.

Ending the call, she exited the house and started down the path that eventually led to the gate. Anthony only ever paid her a personal visit when he wanted to talk about confidential business and being outside was the easiest way to ensure privacy. She could think of two reasons for his surprise appearance today. It might be as simple as a request for a particularly sensitive forecast, but it could also be about a far more treacherous subject—her possible nomination to the Council.

Then there he was, striding toward her. A tall male with skin two or three shades darker than hers and black hair silvered at the temples. In his black suit, white shirt, and dark blue tie, he looked every inch the perfect Psy. What would he do if he discovered her planned defection?

Stop her. By any means necessary.

'Father.'

'Walk with me, Faith.' He turned off the main path to one that snaked deeper into the grounds. 'I've heard some disturbing news.'

A chill wind swept through her body in spite of the early afternoon sunshine. 'Kaleb Krychek?'

To her relief, he nodded. 'There are rumors he's decided to give the Council no alternative choice.'

'Nothing we didn't expect.'

'I want you to retire from the race.'

'Father?' She turned to face him, pure surprise rooting her to the spot.

Anthony halted beside her. 'You weren't trained in offensive maneuvers. Kaleb has had years of practice.'

'I know that, but—'

'You're too valuable to chance being damaged.'

So, her monetary profitability outweighed her father's ambition. 'I understand. Business is business. But what if I wish to pursue the offer?'

'The PsyClan will assist you, of course. However, think carefully, Faith. As a cardinal foreseer, you already have considerable political power should you choose to wield it.'

'I'm completely isolated.'

'That can change if you want it to.'

She spoke without thinking. 'Can it?'

Anthony looked at her for several long moments. She wondered whether he suspected something. Then he said, 'I've already lost one daughter. It's enough. I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe.'

She wanted to read emotion, care, love, into his statement, but knew it'd be a self-deluding lie. 'Did your sources give a time frame for any attack? Or the type of offensive?' Forcing herself to think past the needs of the lonely child inside of her, she started walking again.

'Within the next two days. As for type, Krychek is known for using the PsyNet. It's suspected he has an undocumented subset of powers beneath his Tk abilities that allow him to attack without detection.'

'Do you think it's something similar to Nikita Duncan's talent?'

'Mental viruses?' Anthony seemed to consider that idea. 'No. It's something else. The end result of his particular skills being utilized is unique and extremely disturbing.'

'I thought his targets had a tendency to disappear?'

'They do. But I've discovered that it's not Krychek who does the disappearing. It's the individual family groups— they don't want to be associated with his victims.'

'What results could cause such a radical reaction?' She wanted to gather as much information as she could on the man almost certain to become the newest member of the Council. Information was power and she was through with being powerless.

'Are you sure you want to know?'

'Of course.'

'Nikita's targets either die or become incapacitated to the extent that they can't care for themselves—similar effects to certain kinds of accidental brain damage. Unfortunate for the individual but nothing organic or genetic, nothing that reflects on the extended family group.'

It was very unlike her father to dance around a subject. 'Why is Krychek different?'

'His targets go clinically insane.'

CHAPTER 20

Faith was very, very glad she'd fallen a step behind Anthony, because at that moment, she couldn't have hidden her terror. 'Insane?'

'As far as anyone has been able to determine, his targets begin to exhibit highly erratic behavior approximately two days after infection. By the fifth day, they're no longer sane in any sense, though the actual psych diagnosis varies from individual to individual.'

She shoved down her panic and horror and attempted a semblance of calm. 'That makes the decision