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“You’d think so,” Suki said. Her stomach twittered as the helicopter started its descent. She glanced at her mom, taking in Sarina’s improved color. She had a new insulin pump attached, and her blood sugar was under control and being monitored real-time. The doctor at the Marine Corps hospital in Quantico had given her lots of IV fluids too. Her mom nodded out the window with a small smile.
It was normal for uniformed marines to be the honor guard for the president’s comings and goings. But the marines who’d come out to greet the helicopter were dressed in camo, faces painted, and were loaded for bear.
When the door to the helicopter was opened, the noise of the rotors became deafening. They left their headsets behind, and the marines helped them disembark. They were on the south lawn, close to the rounded part of the building’s facade with its distinctive columns. As they walked quickly away from the furious winds caused by the helicopter, Suki shielded her eyes to survey the portico. Her brothers came running out at full tilt.
Seeing them, Suki grinned with relief and motioned for her mom to look. Walking after the boys was a tall guy in a suit with ginger hair and glasses, flanked by men in FBI jackets.
“Mom! Suki!” Lucas shrieked in relief. They met midway across the lawn, and the boys nearly tackled their mom in a double hug. They looked so freaked out and worried that Suki’s heart hurt for them. They’d been through a lot.
“I hardly recognized you two,” Sarina said, her voice catching. She ran her fingers through Lucas’s dyed locks, while peeking underneath Brillante’s hoodie. “You’re both taller! And more handsome. Look at you!”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Lucas said. “And I’m really glad you’re not as old as Abuelita! Oh, Mom!”
The twins went for Suki next and nearly bowled her over.
“Whoa, it’s okay! It’s gonna be okay,” Suki said. She accepted the hugs, though, and tousled Lucas’s hair. Brillante gave her a hug.
Jane Louise smiled at the twins, and when they both stood awkwardly in front of her, unsure of what to say, she hugged them both. Lucas had an extra big smile on his face when she did.
“This is Director Wright, the head of the FBI,” Lund explained, introducing him to the rest of the family. “He personally picked up the boys from the Lincoln Memorial.”
“We’ve been hiding out from that bad dude who got Dad,” Brillante said with a trembling voice. “Man, this sucks.”
“And they brought us here, to the White House!” Lucas said. “Like, the actual one!”
“I thought it was evacuated?” Suki asked.
Director Wright nodded. “It has been, except for the military. They’ve swept the entire building with K-9 squads. No sign of Calakmul. We were hoping, Suki, that you’d take a look as well?”
They’d already asked that, of course, and she nodded. “I’m ready.” Calakmul had taken her dad. She would do anything she could to help rescue him.
Director Wright turned to one of the soldiers. “Keep the White Hawk here. If we need to leave quickly, I want it available.”
“Yes, sir,” said the marine.
“Where’s the president?” Lund asked.
“A secure location, but he’s itching to come back. The UN Security Council is calling a meeting to talk about the abductions. We need intel going into it.”
Suki and the others walked across the stiff grass, and then they entered through the portico doors.
“We got to go to the Capitol yesterday,” Brillante said. “And now we’re in the White House. This is nuts! But I’d rather be back home as a family.”
“We’re going to do everything we can to get your father back. But we need your help too. We’re going to walk through every hallway, every room,” Director Wright said. “Starting with the ground floor. If you see anything unusual, let us know. As I understand it, not just anyone can see the kem äm. Is that how it’s pronounced?”
“You said it right,” Suki replied. She looked both ways as they walked down the entrance, but nothing stood out.
“Let’s hold hands,” Sarina suggested. “That boosted our ability before.” She took Jane Louise’s with her left and Suki’s with her right. With the three of them linked, Suki felt the power of the magic begin to race through her.
Instantly, she sensed a brooding power within the building.
She stopped and looked at her mom. “Feel that?”
“I do,” Sarina said.
“It’s that way,” said Jane Louise, reaching out and pointing.
“All three of you feel it?” Director Wright asked with a surprised tone.
