Orchid by Jayne Castle Read Free Book Online Page A

inside would be locked in here and rendered unconscious.”
    â€œGood grief, we’re caught in a fancy bug trap for burglars.” Orchid massaged her forehead. At that moment unconsciousness held a distinct appeal. Anything was better than the feeling that she was going to be violently ill. “I don’t do well in dark, enclosed spaces.”
    â€œDon’t freak out on me,” Rafe ordered. His voice sounded closer now. “I’ve got enough problems on my hands locating the other exit.”
    In spite of her growing nausea, Orchid was offended. “I never freak out.” A flicker of hope went through her as his words finally registered. “What other exit?”
    â€œThere has to be one. Elvira?”
    â€œYes, dear?” She sounded half asleep.
    â€œPay attention. I know how crypto-talents think and I know how you think.”
    â€œYes, of course you do, dear. You’re a strat-talent.”
    â€œYou and whoever designed the system must have planned for this kind of disaster. Where’s the other exit?”
    â€œYou’re right, there is one. Somewhere. Can’t seem to think. So sorry, dear. This is very awkward. Quite embarrassing, in fact.”
    With a soft sigh, she fell against Orchid, who staggered under the unexpected weight.
    â€œOomph. Rafe, I’ve got her. I think she’s unconscious.”
    â€œI’ll take her.”
    She did not hear him move but a second later he brushed against her arm. He took the weight of Elvira from her.
    â€œI’ll leave her here on the floor for now,” Rafe said.
    Orchid’s head was spinning faster in the endless night. “You’d better not get too close to me. I’m feeling a little sick. My boss will never forgive me if I throw up on a client’s shoes.”
    â€œI won’t be real thrilled either.” He moved again in the fathomless dark. “Get a grip, Orchid.”
    â€œEasy for you to say. I can’t seem to grip anything. I think I’m going to faint.”
    â€œIf you do, I’ll demand my money back from Clementine Malone. Come on, we’ve got to find that exit.”
    â€œYou’re the big-time strat-talent. Got any ideas?”
    â€œYeah. I just need to think clearly for a minute.” There was raw pain in his voice now. “Damn. That siren is really doing a number on my ears.”
    An idea occurred to her. “Link.”
    â€œI’m not sure that’s a good idea. No telling how that siren will affect a focus link.”
    â€œWhat have we got to lose?” she demanded. “I vote we try it.”
    â€œOkay, okay. You’re right. Not much to lose.”
    When the questing tendril of raw power unfurled out on the psychic plane, Orchid greeted it with a great deal more enthusiasm than usual. Rafe’s psychic energy burned, strong and steady, in the metaphysical realm where there was no day or night, no light or darkness.
    The instant she projected the glittering crystal prism that could focus his power, everything steadied. The dreadful spinning ceased.
    Strat-talent energy, a
lot
of it, more raw power, in fact, than she had ever focused in her entire career, slammed into the prism she had crafted.
    â€œBetter. Much, much better.” Rafe’s voice was hoarse with relief. “Definitely a good idea.”
    â€œThanks. All part of the package of exclusive services available from Psynergy, Inc.” Orchid let out the breath she had been holding. “Don’t forget to tell my boss about this. I may be able to use it to get a raise.”
    The nausea faded as her sense of physical and spatial disorientation receded. She was still blinded by dense darkness and the obnoxious sound waves continued to assault her nerve endings but she found that she could now keep the nastier effects of the security system at bay by concentrating on holding the focus.
    She studied the off-the-chart level of power pouring through