Chapter 9.

I looked at the man with the best fake smile I could muster, "Actually that particular book hasn't been released yet, but if you'd like to pre-order it through our…"

"I don't have time to fill out any forms, if you don't have it then I'll go to some store that does."

"I'm sorry you feel that way sir…" I stopped talking as he turned his back and left the store. Rolling my eyes, I turned away from the counter.

Darren was busy sorting paperwork under the watchful eye of Mr. Jacobs. It seemed that "Speed" was not so slothful when the manager was around. Since it was nearing Christmas time Mr. Jacobs insisted on having the three of us working at the same time when at all possible. I was glad the manager was busy watching Darren otherwise I might have been accosted with some more random questions about Batman. I'd fallen quite behind in my reading since…since Fintan disappeared.

I thought about my conversation with Shyla the night before and was angry again as I had been that evening. I knew I was upset only because her words were so true, but tried to persuade myself that instead, I was infuriated at my father for sharing so much with his girlfriend. Perhaps it was because I still wished for someone to take the place of mother in my life that I had been so willing to share my thoughts and emotions with her but now I regretted it deeply.

I continued to check out customers as Mr. Jacobs went into the back room to check on some inventory. I turned slightly during a slow moment and caught Darren's eye.

"So…" I think I was feeling particularly irritated otherwise I don't think I would have said what I did next, "I heard that all your friends are back in custody…Except for that one, Penny was it? You must be happy…" I paused and pointed out the historical fiction section to a woman who approached the counter.

When I turned Darren was still sitting, his motions frozen along with his face. I smiled slightly at the expression, glad to have something to think of, other than my own feelings. I resumed my former position to help check out another person and heard him get up and walk over to me. Mr. Jacobs was still in the back room.

"How did you know?" Darren's voice was heavy in my ear.

"I go to the same school," I waited for the lady in line to leave the counter, "The same school you tried to destroy."

"So what? Why say anything now?"

I slammed a book on the counter and turned, trying not to show that his physical intimidation was working. Being short didn't help my situation, but I craned my neck to continue the conversation, "Because I'm ticked at the world and wanted to take it out on someone. You seemed like a good candidate."

He scrunched his forehead and stepped back, "What?"

"Never mind," I scowled at the cash register, "I'm going to go help that confused looking man. Watch the counter," I paused and looked back at his befuddled face, "Please."

With a huff I ventured among the shelves, searching for the puzzled man I had seen before. As I turned a corner into a vacant area, blocked by high barriers from the view of the counter, a strong hand grabbed my wrist, snapping something around it. I almost spoke but quickly felt the end of a gun pressed into my back.

"Don't talk, just listen to me…I need you to come with me quickly, no tricks unless you want a bullet through your midsection," the man intoned gruffly.

I closed my eyes and tried to pause time but nothing happened besides my newly acquired jewelry seeming to grow rather warm.

"Move now, and do not worry about using your powers…this cuff will negate anything of that sort," I realized suddenly that my attacker had some sort of accent, European by the sound of it.

I was incapable of fighting the threat of being shot. With resignation I walked out of the store with him following close behind. I did not hear Darren say anything and wondered if he was even paying attention. Outside, there were no cars parked nearby and the street seemed to be deserted for the most part. There was no way I could get out of this one.

With a sigh I ducked my head and got into the car after another thug opened the door for me. Once inside I was promptly handcuffed and belted in. There was a goon on each side for good measure. I mentally labeled them Scar and Shades in my head. The man who had the gun, holstered it as he got into the driver's seat. He adjusted the front mirror so that he could make eye contact with me. His blue eyes were sharp, nose aristocratic and voice peculiarly accented.

"Don't worry Ms. Tudor, we'll have you back before your shift is over."

I rolled my eyes, highly doubting any validity in that statement. I leaned as I could against the back of the seat. I had no doubt that this would be a long car ride. Still it was interesting to note that the vehicle looked like an exact replica of the one that had almost ran right into me. I was absolutely sure that was no coincidence.

"Where are we going?" I ventured, trying not to sound scared.

His eyes flashed in the mirror again, "No where, just for a little drive. We have some questions for you."

I tried to feign stupidity, "Uh-huh, why would you want to question me?"

"Well for one you're the mother of a very important man. A man we want to negotiate with."

"The mother?" I laughed nervously, "I'm a little young to have kids don't you think? I think there's been some sort of…ow," one of the thugs had elbowed me in the ribs, he was smiling like a kid who'd gotten away with stealing something from a store.

"We know all about Fintan, we know all about you…we know that you know what we're talking about," the man answered.

"Well I'm glad one of us knows something," I shot back, noting as we turned at the corner and passed the Paper Lantern.

"Look, this can be really simple or really difficult; do you know where Fintan is?"

"At the moment, no, I've been trying to find him myself."

"We need to talk to him about his current position in the agency. He has probably told you that he is head of our agency and that a group of us have been trying unsuccessfully to meet with him on some issues."

"Well, I didn't know trying to murder him…and me was a way of trying to meet with someone."

"We didn't try to murder either of you."

"Yeah right, and Fintan's shot in the shoulder was just an accident…"

"Fintan got shot?" the man sounded genuinely surprised but I didn't buy it.

"And those masked people who attacked me soon after…that was just coincidence?"

"Look, Ms. Tudor, I'm not sure what you're talking about but I assure you that we have not been trying to kill you."

"What about the car…"

"The car?"

"About a week before Thanksgiving a car, exactly like this one, tried to run me over. You can't honestly say that wasn't you or your cronies."

"Well, I do know what you are speaking of, but that was not an attempted killing, that was an attempted," he cleared his throat with clear embarrassment, "an attempted kidnapping, a rather botched version of this actually. We realized that your friend was nearby and decided to wait, unfortunately slowing down was scarcely an option with the icy roads."

There was silence for a moment as I tried to process the information I'd just been given. If this man was telling the truth then who was attacking me that night? I shook the question off and looked around the car again. His blue eyes were still boring into me from the mirror. He looked back to the road and I was able to breathe.

"Then, this conversation is over…" I concluded, "I don't know where Fintan is but I hope he's ok."

"Don't mistake our intentions Lydia, I do hope that as well. If you do happen to see him before us I pray that you will tell him we sincerely wish to talk to him about union salaries and a few other issues."

The car stopped and I realized that we were back at the bookstore. The journey had been a glorified trip around the block. One of the goons, Scar as I mentally called him released the handcuffs and then pulled out a small key for the white power negation cuff. The man in charge smiled in the mirror.

"Goodbye Lydia."

The cuff was off in a moment. I paused time almost reflexively and examined the features of the men in the car more closely. Should I see Fintan again I'd know who had taken me. Hopefully the accent would be a key trigger to the main man's identity. Just to be sure I reached forward and tentatively searched his pockets for an id of some sort. There was nothing and I was about to lose my hold on time. With a sigh I leaned back and slowly everything returned to normal.

"Bye," I said softly and climbed out the door near the sidewalk. Shades pulled on the handle for me and I nodded to him. I stood on the pavement as the black car drove away feeling as if the past few minutes hadn't happened at all. When I walked into the store the usual sound of the bell rang in my ears like a harsh warning. Darren looked up from his position at the counter.

"Oh, decided to come back?"

Nodding I peered around and realized that Mr. Jacobs was apparently in the back room, "Has Mr. Jacobs been back there the whole time?" I asked as I walked back behind the counter.

"Why, worried that he might find out about your little unofficial break?" his tone made me think he might break out in evil laughter at any moment.

I narrowed my eyes and looked up into his amused eyes, "What do you want?" I knew explanations of kidnappings would probably not satisfy my boss.

"You keep your nose out of my business and I'll keep mine out of yours…deal?" he held a large hand out to me.

"Deal," I said before the phone from the back room suddenly began to ring.

Mr. Jacobs stuck his head out and glanced around before his eyes rested on me, "Lydia there's a phone call for you back here."

I nodded and followed him into the room with a last glance at Darren's smirking face.

"Don't take too long, you're on the clock," Mr. Jacobs added before leaving me alone to the phone.

I picked up the receiver, "Hello?"

"Is this Lydia Tudor?" the person was obviously British.

"Yes…"

"Hello Lydia, my name is Alexander Drake. I am a representative from Moran University. I've called to give you the final results for your testing."

"Thank you," I managed, heart beating slightly faster.

"I'm sorry to tell you that Moran University will not be extending an invitation to you to attend school here at this time. We appreciate your efforts and wish you the best of luck in the coming year."

"I…" what was there to say? "Thank you, sir," One disappointment after another, wasn't it?

The call ended and I hung up, arm hanging limply afterwards for a long while. Mr. Jacobs' voice startled me, "Lydia, come on, if your phone call is over it's time for work."

AN: Thanks so much everyone for your reviews! I'm sorry for the long wait, I've been spectacularly busy as of late. Let me know what you think of the new chapter!