Blink 2: Rebel Minds, #2

By C.B. Stone

Being a fugitive wasn't my life's plan.

 

Neither was falling for the enemy. But Jameson makes me feel alive, even as we unlock shocking truths that threaten to tear us apart.

 

With the government's ruthless hunt intensifying, staying hidden gets harder. When a risky mission delivers a piece of my past, I'm forced to become the leader I never wanted to be. The hopes of a generation now rest on my shoulders. But the darkness has plans of its own.

 

I didn't ask for these powers, and I don't want this fight. But with millions of lives at stake, surrender was never an option. I'm Aria Grace, and today is the day I stop reacting and start fighting back.

 

This is book 2 in the addictive Rebel Minds post apocalyptic romance series. Follow Aria on her quest for justice in a future world filled with mind reading, genetic engineering, and telekinetic powers, combining star-crossed love and thrilling sci-fi action. All books should be read in order. Some installments end on cliffhangers and continue story arcs. Also available as two sets, books 1-3 and books 4-6.

• Language: English
• Publisher: InkedPlot Media
• Release date: Jul 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536505283

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jameson

I force my eyes open. Everything is blurry, like I'm still in a dream. Except I know this is real life because of the pulsing pain at my temple. I wince and blink dazedly. What the heck happened? Where am I?

I move slowly, rearranging my sore muscles, and push myself into a sitting position. I blink again, trying to clear my vision enough to take in my surroundings. Squinting in the dim light, I realize I'm in a dingy little room barely the size of my bedroom. I sniff and wrinkle my nose. Old cigarette smoke and beer. Perfect. The stench all but permeates the air. I lift a hand to my throbbing head and feel around gingerly. I land on a tender spot and curse, everything coming back to me in an instant. Memories flood into my brain like water released from a dam.

Aria. The gun. Her anger. I cringe at the memory of her smashing the gun into my temple.

Hell hath no fury like a woman betrayed.

I've never realized before how true that statement is. I could almost be amused at her gumption, if my head wasn't pounding so freaking hard. Irritation threatens to sink in instead, until I curse again, realizing I didn't warn her. Not really. I came here to tell her that the Gov is going to plaster her face all over the city before sunrise. To tell her she's a wanted woman.

I curl my lip in disgust. Good going, J. You really accomplished your objective there, buddy. Seems to be an alarming trend lately.

I lean back against the wall, still feeling too woozy to climb to my feet. My CP vibrates against my hip. I grimace, reaching awkwardly into my pocket to pull it out, accidentally declining the call. I sigh, glaring up at the low ceiling. Life moves on, as always. And yet I still can't get her out of my mind.

I clench my hands into fists, every movement of my head causing a wicked pulsing just above my left eye. Where the heck are the painkillers when you need them? I glare at an ugly painting on the wall across the room, wishing with everything I've got that a couple pills would magically appear from thin air.

I groan, sharp shooting pain slicing through my temple once more. I know, I know... my wish is dumb. Suck it up, J. You helped create this mess, I chide myself silently. My mind resettles on Aria, and I cringe a second time. Freaking A. She thinks I had something to do with her sister's death. It was painfully obvious she doesn't trust me.

With a sickening realization, I know that she's right not to trust me. My phone vibrates again, but this time it's already in my hand. I push accept and bring the phone to my ear. Adaire.

I immediately hold the phone a small distance away as a ticked off voice roars out of the tiny speaker. "Where have you been? I've been trying to get ahold of you for over an hour." It's Rox, my handler, and he's hopping mad. Livid is more like it. I sigh. Just what I need right now.

She got the jump on me. It's better to admit I'd been close to Aria and failed, than try to formulate some lame-o excuse for my head injury. I roll my eyes to the ceiling, suffering a minor twinge to my pride and ego over the phony admission.

Who?

Aria Grace.

Rox spews out a string of choice words, his voice turned away from the phone. I hear a crash and a bang. I squint at the ceiling, my ears burning. I'm no stranger to the occasional epithet, but Rox's mouth happens to be worse than the saltiest of sailors. He could make anyone blush in shame. He barks another question at me. I thought you didn't know where she was?

I freeze.

I need to be careful here. He'd given me a new assignment already, so I need to make a believable connection as to why I was still chasing after Aria. I shudder, the pounding in my head fogging up my thoughts and hindering my ability to think quickly.

I went after a lead on that Reed Lawson dude, like you said. It took me out to some dive bar in the lower district. I choose my words with care. The guy tried to get away so I hauled off after him. Then that Aria girl came out of nowhere and knocked me right out. I wait. Does he buy it?

Rox is silent on the line for several seconds before he speaks again, albeit more calm sounding than 5 minutes ago, thankfully.

So she knocked you out? His tone is skeptical, with a hint of distaste.

Yes. I say, projecting more confidence into the response than I actually feel. The irritation and revulsion emanating from Rox through the phone line is nearly palpable.

I expected more from you Adaire, he states finally. Get back to base. I have some ideas to run by you on how to trap Lawson.

The CP goes dead. I drop it into my lap. My stomach somersaults and I mentally kick myself, releasing a small sigh of relief. My explanation was lame and I know it, but this pain in my head is killing me. Clutching the side of my face, I wince.

Aria's eyes and that look of betrayal she wore flashes through my mind. It's like she punched me in the gut instead of conking me on the head. I lied to her—I had to, there was no other recourse—but... now I'm not so sure I want to keep lying.

My heart thuds in my chest, the sound pulsing in my ear drums.