Chapter 131

*Ivan*


*Ivan, breathe. You can’t let Boss know that Ryker coming back worries you.* Ariya alerted me immediately.
“Ryker’s coming back?” I asked.
“Yes, he is. He’ll be training you to make sure you stay ahead of Ariya’s abilities. I figured it’d be good for more than just you and I here to be able to prevent her from escaping should she decide to try. As she gets stronger, she might become gutsy. Ariya’s always been strong without abilities, but once she learns how to truly control them, she’ll be on a level closer to Drake. I want you to train her. In the room only. Don’t leave that room without my permission.” Boss instructed.
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh and Justin, do try your best not to get broken by Ryker. You’re not going to be very effective watching Ariya if you do. I’ve already instructed him not to go overboard but he gets carried away. Like you, he loves a challenge.” Boss told me.
*Ivan…someone’s coming.* Ariya whispered in my head.
“I’ll do my best. How will I know it’s him?” I asked.
“You’ll know. Oh and try not to piss him off with your 1 word answers or he will break you. I don’t care about anyone else but I am looking out for you. You are my right hand after all.” Boss cooed.
I smirked, “I’ll try. You know I hate talking to other people.”
“Ryker isn’t just other people. Remember that.”
“Yes, sir.” I nodded.
*Ivan. It’s Ryker. He’s here.* Ariya said and I could feel the fear come from her.
*I’m on my way.* I told her trying to keep my face straight as I turned to leave.
“Justin, before you go, we need to talk about what you saw the other day. You and Ariya.” Boss stopped me before I left.
It took everything in me not to leave. I knew I had to stay but I needed to protect Ariya. I had to go to her.
*Ivan, I love you. It’s going to be ok.* Ariya whispered.
*No, Ari. Please. Do whatever you can to protect your mind. Reach out to Drake. I love you. Come back to me.* I told her.
Ariya severed the connection and I continued staring at Boss. Waiting for him to say something. I knew better than to ask direct questions about his ability.
“You saw that I have more than 1 ability. Both of you know about it. I am sure that Ariya has lots of questions as do you. I promised I would talk to you today about it. And we will. It unfortunately must be later today. I am working on something special for Ariya and it needs my immediate attention. This afternoon I will swing by.”
I nodded, “You don’t owe me an explanation. Sure I’m curious but you’re the Boss.”
Boss grinned, “True. Same as last time though, Justin. Don’t breathe a word about my ability to anyone.”
“Understood.”
Boss waved me away and I had to hold myself back from running to Ariya. Ryker was already here. I didn’t fully understand why. I had been trapped for only a couple minutes with Boss since Ariya told me that Ryker had arrived and was in the room. I knew better than to push a thought to her. If Ryker had hold of her already it would mean that me pushing a thought to her would get us both caught. The panic filled me and I began to worry about Ariya. I couldn’t lose her. I would die before I lost her. But I had to play it the right way. If I jumped the gun now it could be the death of both of us. But if I didn’t jump fast enough it could mean she would be taken away from me permanently. I didn’t know what to do.
*Drake!* I pushed the thought to him, hoping he would hear me.
*Ivan?* Drake asked, I felt his hesitation.
*Ryker is here. He’s with Ariya!* I told him, the panic evident in my voice.
*I know. I was just with her. You need to get to her quickly.* Drake said.
*Stage outside, we might need you all.* I told him.
*I thought you said there was no way that we would be able to get in to help you both get out.*
*No way that doesn’t involve killing everyone. Even then. I don’t know that we’d escape. But I’m not willing to lose Ariya.* I growled.
*We’re on our way. We have to stage a little further away so we aren’t seen. Keo wants to connect with you.* Drake said.
*No. I can’t risk getting caught. It’s hard enough to walk to her and keep my face straight. I can’t keep talking to someone.* I growled.
*I’ll let him know. Ivan, it’s going to be ok. We’ll figure it out.* Drake said, trying to reassure me.
I severed the connection before Drake continued talking. I was getting closer to the room that Ariya was in and it was taking everything in me not to run to her. I wanted her out of here. I should have tried to escape with her sooner. What if they take all her memories? What if Ryker breaks her? I doubt he would kill her right now. Boss still has plans for Ariya. But why is he here? It can’t just be to train me and see her. Why is he here?
I rounded the corner and could see the room that Ariya was in. It was at the end of the hall. No one ever went down here. Not until now. I walked to the door and I knew he was there. I knew I would walk into Ryker. My trainer. An Enforcer that can break people’s minds. I knew he would still be there because Ariya didn’t reach back out to me. Not only that, I couldn’t feel my other memories resurfacing. I knew who I was but my memories were still guarded by the locks. The locks that were put in place to protect us.
I opened the door and sure enough, there was Ryker. Ariya was knelt down on the ground in front of him. Ryker had his hands on both sides of Ariya’s face. He was in her mind. As soon as the door shut, I caught a whiff of another scent. Someone grabbed me from behind wrapping their arms around me in a way that made it so I couldn’t move. Ryker dropped Ariya and she fell to the ground.
“What the hell is going on here?” I growled trying to get out of the hands of the other person who had a hold of me.
“Took you long enough to get here, kid.” Ryker growled, grabbing hold of my head with his hands.