by Ann Denton
Mala slapped it away. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” One of Ein’s hands slid to her hip and held her in place, just as the thought to knee him flitted through her head. She was effectively pinned against the wall: his hand was so large it covered nearly half her stomach. She froze, but under the surface her heart pounded and her blood roared in her ears. This isn’t happening.
Ein leaned in closer. She could feel his breath on her skin.
Ignore it.
He blew a gentle stream of air against the base of her neck.
Look away. This isn’t happening. He’s trying to get a rise out of you, idiot. Just count by threes. She started to count.
He blew up the nape of her neck and into her ear. “Mala…” he whispered. “I’m waiting.”
She pushed him, but it was like pushing into a wall. He was solid and determined. And his hands … Mala was livid and confused and ungodly scared and she couldn’t decide whether spitting in his face or blubbering out the entire truth was the better option.
When his teeth started skimming her chin, she yelled, “Fine! I give. I’ll tell the truth. Just get back, okay? Back off! What is it with you people?” She shuddered as she remembered Tier’s groping kiss.
Ein sighed and pushed away from the wall. “Finally! Mala, I don’t really care if you trust me as long as you tell me the truth. I just want to get this sludge assignment over with as quickly as possible. I want to get back to my research.”
“Which is?”
“Don’t change the subject or I’ll be happy to make you as uncomfortable as humanly possible. Again.”
“That’s what that was?”
Ein growled and stalked over to her. He slammed his body into hers, making her skull crack painfully on the sub’s metallic wall. He lifted her until their hips ground together. “Lowe was happy enough to describe your shy little nature. Most Kreis melt from emotion. Did you know that? They’re drawn to it. They love that little spike of adrenaline.” He dropped her swiftly, and she fell to the floor. The fresh brand on her back screamed.
Ein continued, “We believe the amygdala is at the root of melting. Fear. Anger. Lust. The basic drives. Doesn’t take much to activate the brainstem, as I’ve just shown you. It takes years for most Kreis to get their emotions under control so they can be effective little killing machines for Tier.” He crouched down and Mala scooted away. He didn’t seem to mind.
“But not you. Your pulse was elevated. Your pupils dilated. Traditional fear responses. But you didn’t meltdown. I have to figure out if that’s why you melt differently. I have to figure out what makes you tick.” He walked his fingers across the floor toward her.
Mala kicked his hand. “That’s what’s going through your head as you feel me up?” She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Should I be offended?”
She looked up at Ein’s smoldering green gaze and saw curiosity, frustration, theories. And then that damn annoying smirk crinkled the corners of his eyes. A long brown lock of hair fell across his forehead. Mala had to stifle her thoughts as they started to register that Ein was handsome. No. Uh-uh. Stupid Ges. I wouldn’t even think that if you hadn’t swooned … But this guy is all business. So he says.
And Mala realized how she could get revenge. She leaned forward just enough to push back the lock of hair and let her fingers travel, feather-light, down the back of Ein’s neck. He stiffened. Mala hid her smile, “So all you want is the truth? Just the truth? Nothing else?” She leaned forward and traced his lips with her free hand.
Startled, Ein leaned back.
Glad to see that smirk’s gone. “What’s the problem? Don’t like a taste of your own medicine?”
Ein rolled his eyes at her. “Enough games, little girl. I’ll just go to Tier. He’s on the surface right now.”
His hand was on the wheel to unseal the chamber when Mala sighed. “Fine. I melted into a little girl when I saw Bara tied to her boat and being burned alive … I melted into a blond woman when I killed Blut and he called me mother, and …”
“You killed Blut?”
“He was with the Erlenders. He sliced up one of our girls. I think he was leading them. He came after Lowe and me.” And it clicked. Blut. What if someone in the guard met Blut? What if they’d told Blut where we were? What if they thought they were talking to a Kreis soldier?
Ein snapped his fingers at her. “Did you hear me? I said, don’t tell anybody else about Blut.”
Mala nodded, but she was only half-listening. I need to tell Lowe. Anyone in the guard would have told Blut anything. And they wouldn’t even have known. They wouldn’t have thought they were betraying us. How could they know? How could they? “Why not?”
“You’ve already got enough hot-button issues. You don’t need everyone knowing you killed a Kreis on top of it.”
“So many secrets.” I thought coming here would be the end of that. No more hiding. Now I’m just hiding everything.
Ein grabbed her face. She tried to focus. “Sorry. I’m here.”
“Alright. Continue. Next melt?”
Mala felt a blush start to rise on her cheeks and she stared down at her feet. “I melted when Lowe kissed me.”
Ein was silent. Mala glanced up, and saw a slight frown as he processed this information.
“Do you know who you melted into?”
Mala shook her head. “No. I’d never seen any of them before in my life. Lowe knew who I melted into, though.”
That jerked Ein’s head up. “Who?”
“A girl he used to date.” She couldn’t bring herself to say the word love.
Ein nodded and stroked his chin in thought. “Fear … lust …” Suddenly he popped upright and marched over to the door. “Okay. I think that’s enough to get started. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Mala tried to scramble up after him, but her knees were stiff. “Wait,” she grumbled. “That’s it?”
“For today. Tomorrow at sunrise, we’ll start again.” Ein opened the door to the sub and fresh air rushed in.
“Ein,” she called out. “Just out of curiosity, what important research project did I interrupt?”
Ein glanced back at her and grinned, revealing a dimple on his left cheek. “Weather patterns. I’m trying to find the perfect bunny-shaped cloud …”
“I thought we weren’t allowed to lie!” Mala growled at him. He just laughed harder and waved a hand as he strolled off down the floating platform. He yelled over his shoulder, “If you thought today was uncomfortable … just wait for tomorrow!”
“That’s a lie, right?” Mala yelled after him. But he didn’t answer. Oh God. I hope that’s a lie.
Chapter Eighteen
Mala hadn’t taken two steps out of the sub when a voice called her name. She squinted in the sunlight at a figure leaning against the side of the sub. It was Verrukter. He had one foot propped up on the metallic ribs, arms crossed to display his triceps.
Ridiculous, Mala thought to herself, mentally rolling her eyes. I don’t think he realizes not everyone is like Alba.
He wore a wide grin on his face. “Guess what, newbie? Time for your first combat practice!”
Mala’s stomach grumbled. She still hadn’t eaten breakfast. But the stares in the cafeteria had turned her stomach sour. She sighed and stepped toward Verrukter. “Who’s teaching?”
A slow and evil smile lit his face. “I'm teaching.”
“You? But you're—” Mala stopped mid-sentence. “You're not really a teenager, are you?”
He nodded. Then he shook his head. Then he nodded again.
Mala grinned despite herself. “Ok, whatever. You are or you aren't. Irrelevant. What are we practicing today?”
His idea of combat practice turned out to be a million sit-ups and push-ups on a small floating platform away from the main submarine dock.
He’s doing that on purpose, Mala thought as she scraped her chin against the boards for the millionth time. Verrukter was circling her, making the platform dip
in the waves. “Will you stop moving?” she demanded.
“Sure,” Verrukter stopped circling. He placed a foot on her back to add extra weight instead. “Keep going.”
Mala gritted her teeth but didn’t complain. Alba had mentioned that a lot of people would heckle her.
“It’s totally a newbie thing. They’ll try to get a rise out of you. Make you meltdown. They track it. There’s gonna be some bets on it. So don’t take it personally.”
“I won’t,” Mala had assured her, as Alba had bandaged her brand. “You’d better bet I won’t melt, though!”
Alba had laughed. “Oh honey! Wish I could. But after all the rumors about your melts and after your test … I had to bet you’d go down at least five times today.”
Mala turned and swatted Alba. “How dare you! I thought meltdowns were punished?”
Alba turned serious. “They are. You get a week, that’s it. Also why people giving you a hard time now isn’t such a bad thing. You’ve gotta get control—fast.”
Mala smiled as she remembered the little interchange. Thank God Alba’s my roommate.
“Having fun are we? Then I think it’s time we move on to the next phase of practice.”
Verrukter turned and dove into the water. He swam the short distance to the main platform and climbed up. For the first time in her life, Mala looked down at the water in dread. Her arms felt like limp reeds. I hate this guy. She jumped into the water and used her legs to power her to the platform. It took a couple tries, but she finally heaved her aching limbs up. She collapsed on the deck, letting her arms flop out.
“Not done yet. Come on,” Verrukter headed to a sub and motioned her in. Mala would have protested, but a crowd of Typical workers on the platform had gathered to watch her. Can’t wimp out on my first day. She shoved herself up.
Verrukter steered and docked, while Mala tried to rub some feeling back into her sore muscles. As soon as the sub door opened in the Center, he started off at a brisk jog. Mala trailed after him like a lone duckling as he bobbed through the crowd. They went upstairs and downstairs, through rooms upon rooms.
Alba’s tour was totally insufficient, Mala thought as she followed Verrukter through the kitchens and snagged a roll. They jogged through empty meeting rooms and giant laundry facilities, even a classroom full of young Typicals. He went through so many rooms and past so many doors that she felt sure he was trying to confuse her.
Finally, they entered a strange warehouse-sized room. It was set up for people who lived onshore instead of on the water. Ancient storefronts and houses crowded together. Everything was made of stacked metal shipyard containers. The buildings towered over her, like a rusty layered cake. Gaping holes were patched with metal and wood panels. But Senebals moved onto the water after the bomb.
“What is this?” She had to shout to make herself heard over a steam vent in the floor that spewed foggy mist into the room.
“Heard your guard was attacked by the Wildes. This is a mock-up of the middle of their town.”
An involuntary shiver crawled up her spine.
“We’re almost done. All that’s left for you today is … to win.” He bowed with mock formality at her.
“Please define winning,” Mala said irritably. She didn't like his smug expression. And she didn’t know if she could win anything combat-related with legs and arms that felt like jelly.
“Let's say this for today: when you get back to the surface, you win.”
Mala's jaw dropped. “But you've been taking me through this maze for at least half an hour! How am I ever supposed to remember—” she was cut off by a blow to her face. Verrukter knocked the wind out of her with an open-handed smack. Mala's eyes stung with tears and her cheeks turned red as blood rushed to her face.
“First lesson. Fights aren't fair,” Verrukter's harsh military tone sounded like Bara's old command voice. “And details are important. You should never just blindly follow anyone. Now, you'll win when you find your way back to the surface.”
Mala glared at him resentfully. Then she tossed her hair and went to side-step him. Big mistake. Before she knew what was happening, Verrukter’s fist was in her face. She was staring up at the ceiling. The back of her head ached like it had been split in two. Her jaw felt twice its normal size. And her brand was on fire. She lay there for a moment and considered just staying on the cool concrete. But she saw a flicker of movement in one of the windows of the Wilde town. Someone’s watching. Pride made Mala drag herself to her knees.
Verrukter leaned over her. “Oh, I forgot to mention—you have to get past me first.” He grinned and offered her a hand up. She didn’t take it.
“Does Alba know what a jerk you really are?” she asked stiffly, slowly rising to her feet.
He laughed. “Oh honey, Alba doesn’t care about my personality. She’s too busy staring at me slack-jawed to let a little thing like that get in the way.”
Mala tried to roll her eyes in disgust but even that hurt. Her head throbbed horribly. She tried to think between the pulsing aches. How am I going to do this? “I think I need a medic.”
“I think you’re making excuses,” Verrukter challenged. “Come on now, don’t tell me a socially awkward freak show like yourself never got in a fight?”
“Never,” Mala responded. “So are you gonna tell me what I need to—” her sentence was cut off as Verrukter swept her legs out from under her with a low kick. He caught her just before she hit the ground.
“Sweetheart,” he shoved his face right up to hers. There was no mercy in his eyes. “Your daddy’s dead. And you’re not my princess. So don’t expect me to coddle your pretty ass. Figure it out.”
Mala’s eyes flashed at his words. Adrenaline rushed through her. Her pain receded as she focused entirely on him. In a split second, one arm wrapped behind his neck and her other fist was at his throat, pressed against his carotid artery. Shock sparked in his eyes. She pressed harder. She let all of her body weight go limp as she clung to his neck, so that he sunk into her fist.
Verrukter’s eyes stayed locked on her. His shock transformed into panic. Mala felt her stomach heat. Her skin bubbled. She melted. Into a man whose arms gave her greater strength. Her earlier weariness vanished in her new body. She pushed harder. Verrukter’s eyes started to dim. Mala struggled to regain her footing, but he fell forward on top of her, passed out. She shoved him off with a groan and then slowly got up.
She brushed off her torn wetsuit and said, “I never got a chance to be daddy’s little princess. I was momma’s little helper. And lucky for you, I’ve had to staunch more neck wounds than you could count. Otherwise you’d be dead right now. Bottom-feeder.”
Mala heard a single clap. She glanced up sharply to see Fell step onto a balcony, out of the shadows. Her afro dipped as she gave Mala a nod of approval.
Mala turned and made her way out of the warehouse, biting back a smile.
Chapter Nineteen
Mala dangled her feet off the platform in front of Lowe’s hut. She peered up at the pink sunset, watching a V of geese flying south. She caught sight of Lowe as she twisted to follow the birds’ path.
Lowe brushed a hand through his black curls. He sat down next to her and bumped her shoulder with his. “Hey.”
“Hey you,” Mala murmured back.
“Had your first combat practice?”
She nodded. They both watched the waves lap at their calves.
“Heard you had a meltdown.”
“Only once.”
His hand brushed hers and he dropped something into her palm. “Thought I’d share my winnings.”
Mala looked down. “What is it?”
“Candy. They tap some maple trees nearby for syrup.”
Mala popped it into her mouth and savored the flavor as it dissolved on her tongue. “Amazing! So … you bet on me?” She glanced sideways at him.
He turned to face her. “Of course. But I’m the only one who thought you’d meltdown less than four times today.�
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Warmth flooded Mala’s insides. Her cheeks flushed.
Lowe brushed his hand against hers again. But this time, he just let his fingers drift over hers. “So, what did you learn in combat?”
“That Verrukter is a sludge-mouth jerk.”
He laughed softly. “Well, his job is to break you down.”
“Why did you tell me to come see you after I fought him?”
“His job is to break you down. Mine's to build you up.”
His hand was on her hair. Mala's spine sizzled. She tried to sound nonchalant as she asked, “And how, exactly, are you going to build me up?”
“Well, I have a few ideas.” He leaned forward. His lips were against her ear. “But we can't try any of them here. Why don't you follow me?” He extended a hand.
Mala had to shove her heart back down; it had leapt into her throat. Is he saying what I think he's saying? She had to remind herself to breathe. She counted to three before she took his hand. She tried to hide her panic by keeping her eyes down, but her trembling gave her away.
Lowe pulled her up and stared at her until she tentatively glanced at him. Then, with a wicked grin he said, “Last one to the main platform's a rotten heathen!” And he darted back down the bridge.
When she caught up with him, she hit his shoulder. “That was just plain mean.”
He laughed. “What was?”
“You know what,” she grumbled, blushing.
He stepped closer. “Why don't you show me what I did that was so wrong?” His eyes glinted.
In a moment of daring, Mala stepped forward so that they were toe-to-toe. She leaned toward him. She breathed, “When you tell a girl you've got ideas … she thinks you mean ideas.” She heard his breath catch.
“Why Misanthrope, is there a dirty mind hiding underneath all that innocence?” His chest was like a magnet, drawing her in. She pressed her cheek against his. The force between them was so intense it was almost painful. Her skin prickled.
You can’t make him meltdown. The stupid little voice in her head ruined the moment. She pulled back and sighed. “I don't know if we can kiss yet. I don’t know if it’s safe.”
