Their helicopter put down less than a hundred feet away from the sharp-angled private jet. In the distance, Jeremy saw a line of passenger planes waiting to taxi, but the runway was totally clear—an order from the President of the United States was more than enough to halt all traffic. As requested, a duo of EMTs stationed at the airport were waiting right outside for them. Kendra was taken off the helicopter and helped up into the jet, while Cinza, Jeremy, and Makoto followed just behind.
If anyone recognized Kendra, they gave no sign—Jeremy wasn't sure if they'd told the pilot his passenger had arrived, or simply commandeered it in the name of national security. Regardless, within a couple minutes, they'd taxied out onto the runway. The jet wound up, and—with a burst of acceleration that had Jeremy's stomach threatening to burst out of his throat—they were in the air.
"Flight time is approximately five point five hours to London," said the pilot over the intercom system. "Please don't hesitate to inform the crew if you require anything."
"Thanks," Jeremy grunted, before flicking it back off.
The EMTs sat Kendra down on the couch with an oxygen mask. She took it off every few seconds to speak, though her brisk tone hadn't changed in the slightest despite the obvious difficulty. "I will probably fall unconscious soon," she reported, with such nonchalance that Jeremy's mouth fell open.
"What the fuck is going on?" he asked.
Kendra held up a hand before he could continue. She turned to the paramedics. "Could we have the room, please?"
They glanced at each other, bewildered, before the senior of the two spoke. "Ma'am, we're doing our best to keep you breathing, but I'm not sure how we can help if you won't tell us what the problem is."
"I'm sorry to say that you couldn't help even if I did," she replied. She forced a smile. "I appreciate your efforts despite all the confusion."
They didn't exactly look happy about it—and Jeremy couldn't blame them, they were just trying to do their jobs—but the paramedics left to the forward cabin, leaving the four of them alone.
Kendra took another deep breath from the oxygen mask before continuing. "I expect we'll encounter my father upon landing."
"I can take care of him," said Jeremy.
She smiled. "Not likely. I watched your exchange." She coughed hard, doubling over. Cinza rushed to her side, helping her back to an upright position. Cinza put her hand onto the mask to help stabilize it. After another brief coughing fit, Kendra managed to speak again. "You must not get distracted. Once I lose consciousness, I will be expending all of my energy simply to maintain myself and my sister."
"How?" asked Makoto.
Kendra looked at him oddly. "Magic, of course."
"No, I meant..."
Makoto trailed off. Kendra's eyes had fluttered closed.
Cinza pressed a hand to her neck. "She's still there." She raised her voice. "Come back in, please!"
The paramedics returned. Cinza directed them to set up an IV drip and oxygen, which they supplemented with emergency supplies stowed away on the jet. They tried to make Kendra more comfortable, laying her out on the couch and covering her up with a blanket, but there was only so much they could do. After the EMTs gave them a shrug and a curt dismissal, the trio retreated to the front cabin.
As soon as they were alone, Jeremy rounded on Cinza. "So she's got a cloned twin sister?"
"Yes," said Cinza.
"...Why the fuck..." Jeremy trailed off, not even sure what he was asking. Why? How? When? ...Why?
"I couldn't tell you why." Cinza glanced back toward the closed door to the rear, concern creasing her brow. "Kenda Laushire and I never had the strongest relationship. I'd go so far as to think she hated me. We are polar opposites in many ways."
"...But you're still here."
"Indeed I am." Cinza took a seat in one of the cushy armchairs, pulling her feet up and sitting back. She's fuckin' tiny... and creepy as hell. "And I meant what I said. On my life, I'll rescue Lily."
"'Cause she knows where you live?" Jeremy asked, thinking he'd finally struck on the real reason.
Cinza shook her head. "Because I took her into my protection, and I keep my promises." She glanced over at her lieutenant. "Get some sleep, if you can. No telling when we're going to get another chance."
Makoto shook his head. "I slept enough."
"In that case, see if there's any food." Cinza yawned, stretching her arms out. "Ruby and I hadn't yet sat down for breakfast."
Makoto got up, wandering around between the cabinets in the walls and rifling through them at random. Jeremy turned back to Cinza, eyes narrowed. "Why'd she get knocked out?"
Cinza looked at him oddly. "I assumed you understood by now."
Jeremy shrugged. "You people keep a lot of fuckin' secrets."
She nodded. "Fair enough. Thank you, Makoto," she added, accepting a box of cereal he'd found. She opened it and began to eat the cereal dry, straight out of the bag, and mixing it with olives Makoto had found in another cabinet. Jeremy winced, but she didn't notice. After a minute, she cleared her throat and went on. "Magic takes energy to enact. If a spell holds a continuous effect, like the one protecting my home, it must be fed to keep it functioning."
"So Lily Laushire's made of magic?"
Cinza nodded. "I wasn't even aware she was a creation until this morning, keep in mind. This is all speculation. However, I would assume that Lily was born by magic, as a result of Kendra attempting to create a copy of herself. For what purpose, I can't fathom, but it's no question that she succeeded."
"No shit," said Jeremy. "What did she mean by 'she's never been this far', though?"
"Well, since Lily's creation, I'd assume neither have left the Pacific Northwest, or even strayed more than a few dozen miles apart at the absolute. The energy to cast a spell increases by many factors—strength, complexity, and most importantly right now: distance."
"So the further she gets away—"
"The more it takes out of Kendra," Cinza finished, with a dark look in her eyes. She set the cereal aside on the end table, swallowing down a glass of milk. "I'm shocked it hasn't killed her outright."
"...Jesus fuck, you can do that?" Jeremy gasped. No wonder everybody's scared of this shit.
Cinza nodded. "There aren't any safeguards for yourself; only other people are protected from your ambitions. If it were anyone besides Kendra, they'd undoubtedly have perished by now."
"'cept Kendra's one of your special eight," said Jeremy, filling in the gaps.
She raised an eyebrow. "You know about that?"
Jeremy rolled his eyes. "First you assume I know everythin', now you're surprised I know things? Make up your damn mind."
"I'm sorry." Cinza sighed, refilling her glass with water. She stared at the windows for a moment, watching the clouds speed by in a pale blur beneath them. "...I'm afraid you and I aren't going to get along, Agent Ashe."
The fuck? "Why's that?"
"I've never had the best relationship with law enforcement. It's not personal, but I've no intention of repairing that bridge today." She continued to stare out the window away from him. "I'm working with you out of respect for your assistance rendered to Hailey Winscombe, and out of strict necessity. Beyond that, I've no intention to subject myself to the authority of the American government again."
Jesus Christ, now she's a revolutionary. "The government you live under," he pointed out.
"One that's never done much for me," she replied.
A phone buzzed. Makoto shifted in his seat and pulled it out, taking the call. "Cinza," he said after a moment. "Nikki says they're in a plane, and she could see the ocean underneath." He paused, listening further. "She says Lily was bound up, but fully conscious and responsive. Riley was nearby, along with a few people she couldn't identify."
"Good." Cinza nodded. "Thank her for me, please."
"Thanks, Nikki." Makoto nodded again. "I will." He hung up and pocketed it. "Ruby wants to remind you that you're still weak, and..." He trailed off, looking embarrassed.
"...And?" asked Cinza, a hint of a smirk curling her lips.
"And if you ever want to... sleep with her again, you have to come back in one piece."
"As strong an incentive as any," said Cinza. She leaned back in her armchair, closing her eyes. "Well, if you aren't going to get any sleep, I believe I'll try." One eye popped back open, eyeing Jeremy. "You should attempt to contact Hailey again. She might be able to help."
"Hasn't worked the last dozen times," Jeremy grumbled. Nonetheless, he pulled out his own phone and dialed her up.
After ten rings without an answer, he dashed off a text: they were heading to London, and Malton had abducted one of Cinza's people. He didn't trust Hailey's phone to be secure, so he refrained from mentioning Kendra or Lily. I don't understand what the fuck Lily is, and it ain't my place to tell the world about it. Jeremy also called (and sent the same message, after he failed to pick up) his partner. Once they landed, he'd finally get to work with Lani again—so there was something to look forward to in London, at least. With nothing better to do (and Makoto proving an entirely silent flight partner), Jeremy fell into old habits, heading into the bathroom for some privacy.
He called his sister.
"...Jeremy?"
"Hey, Maddie."
Maddie sounded like she was just waking up—which, since it was Saturday, was entirely possible. "Why are you callin' me in the middle of the damn morning?"
"Secure line?"
"As it always fuckin' is," she grumbled, still half-asleep.
"Well, I'm flyin' to London with Cinza and Kendra to rescue her secret magic clone sister, who just got kidnapped this morning by a spy in Cinza's camp who's been there for weeks, sent by Cornelius fuckin' Malton. How was your damn Friday?"
A choking sound, followed by the phone clattering onto the floor. Maddie picked it back up in a hurry. "The fuck?"
"Right what says on the can, Maddie." Jeremy shrugged. "Every time I think my life ain't gettin' more weird..."
"Should I get Rachel on the phone?"
"Fuck that." Jeremy leaned back against the wall, staring at the ceiling. "I don't need more complications. You know Hailey's gonna get involved when we get there. Somehow."
"...Run me back to 'secret magic clone sister'," said Maddie slowly.
"Apparently, Kendra Laushire's got a twin sister named Lily."
"...No, she doesn't."
"No, she doesn't," agreed Jeremy. Okay, I'm being an asshole right now, but it's better than going insane overthinking all this shit.
"Jere-bear, I swear to God—"
"Lily Laushire is made out of fuckin' magic. She's a clone."
Maddie paused, breathing into the phone mic. Jeremy grinned in spite of himself—finally, someone else who didn't just take all this in stride. "...You're fuckin' with me."
"Swear to Christ, Maddie. Kendra Laushire made herself a twin sister."
"Well, what the fuck am I supposed to do with that?"
"You tell me." Jeremy shook his head, slouching even further down onto the floor. "Anyway. Seems that if Kendra and Lily get too far apart, Kendra might die, and take Lily with her. So we're bookin' it to London to try and keep 'em together."
"They're actually two people?" asked Maddie. "Not just Kendra controlling her or something?"
"As far as I know, yeah. Two different people." Jeremy shrugged. "Hard to get a straight answer though. Kendra's out cold and Cinza hates authority figures, 'specially cops."
"Well, shit."
"Liked the President though," Jeremy added, grinning like mad. He wished he could see Maddie's reaction in that moment.
"...How the fu—" Maddie's voice dropped, though Jeremy could hear a stream of curses echoing through the room. "You two spoke to the goddamn President of the United States?"
"Durin' the helicopter chase."
Maddie coughed a few times, as if choking back something she'd swallowed wrong. "Jere-bear, I swear to God if you're making this up..."
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"Yes, you fucker," Maddie growled, "so don't give me any shit right now."
Jeremy sighed. "Every single word, Maddie. I'm dead tired but too hopped up on adrenaline to sleep, and as soon as I land we're gonna be rolling through town tryin' to find the motherfucker who kidnapped Lily. I'm still hopin' this is some batshit dream I'm stuck in."
"No shit..." Maddie trailed off thoughtfully. "So... Kendra made a human clone. With magic."
"Yeah." Jeremy frowned. "The fuck does that mean, exactly? Not, literally, but, you know."
"Well, in politics, cloning's a fuckin' minefield, I can tell you that." Maddie sighed. "That's more to do with selective breeding and baby boutique shit though. There's arguments to be made for weeding out birth defects, autism, shit like that—but man, do I not want to go there."
"Okay, but Lily ain't been born. She just popped into existence at thirty-two."
Maddie hesitated. "Who knows? Legally, I can tell you she probably qualifies as a citizen of the United States."
"Even though Kendra ain't?"
"Yup. If Lily was... well, 'born' here, she's a natural born citizen, same as you and me. I guess Kendra would be her legal mother."
"And sister." Jeremy pressed a hand to his temple in exasperation. "This is too fuckin' strange for me."
"Ethics professors are gonna have a goddamn field day with this one." Maddie chuckled. "Wait, if Kendra's knocked out, how's Lily still... you know, alive?"
"I guess it still works while she's out," said Jeremy, shrugging. "She had to keep her sister alive while she sleeps this whole time, right? Or d'you think she's just popping in and out of existence every time she goes to bed?"
"I sure fuckin' hope not," said Maddie fearfully. "That sounds brutal."
"Jesus... How do you keep that up, every day, non-stop?" Jeremy asked, gazing back up at the ceiling lamp. It flickered ominously. "What the hell does she get out of it?"
"She gets a sister, ass-hat," said Maddie. "Not that I understand why she wants one."
"Well, I do."
"...You're sweet, Jere-bear, but say that again in company and I'll smack ya." Maddie laughed. "How long 'til you land?"
"I got time."