by Jenna Moreci
done.”
Evefaltered.“Captain?”
“You’retakinginitiative—doingsomethingnooneelsehasthegutstodo.
Don’tletsomesuitbehindadesktellyoutoquit.You’reafighter.Awarrior.”
“Awarrior,huh?”Evesmirkedandfoldedherarms.“Youshouldtellthatto
Furst.ThemantreatsmelikeI’manincapablelittlegirl.”
“Iseenogender.Ijustseepower.”Heloweredhisclipboard,finallygiving
Evehisundividedattention.“ThenexttimeyougoouttofightthemInterlopers
—”
“I’mnotfightingInterlopers.”
Ramseysmiledandwinked.“Goodwork,soldier.Trustnoone.”
Withonesharptrill,Ramseyblewhiswhistle,summoningtherestofthe studentstotheendofthefieldwherehestood.Astheygatheredaround,Jason
ventured to Eve’s side, eager to know what Ramsey had said, but the captain clearedhisthroatandimmediatelydoveintohislecture.
“We’re gonna do things a lil’ different today,” he said. “This exercise will involvethewholeclassinonecombatsimulation.Somefolkscallitdefensive
training,butIliketocallitwhatitreallyis:your worst nightmare.”
Hefiddledwithhisclipboard,pullingtworedcirclesmadeofthickclothfrom
thebackofhisnotes.Heheldtheminfrontoftheclass.“Thesepatches?
They’retargets.Andifyouendupwithoneof’emonyourback,thentheodds
havejustbeenstackedagainstyou.You’reoutgunned.You’reoutnumbered.
And it’s your job to fight for your life.” He weaved through his students, pacingbehindtheminanominousfashion.
“Andasforeveryoneelse?You’retheenemy.Yourjobistoattackyour
targets—to take ’em down. Think of these soldiers as trespassers. They’ve violatedyou.They’veinfiltratedyourterritory.”Hepaused.“Your nest.”
Withoutwarning,RamseyslappedbothJasonandEveacrosstheirbacks,
firmlyattachingtheredclothtargetstotheirshirts.Hesmirked.
“Now fight.”
***
Evestoodoutsidethelecturehall,fumblingwithhershoulderbagandits
contents.Sheglancedthroughthewindowbehindher;ProfessorRichardswas
sittingathisdeskand,unsurprisinglyenough,staringdirectlyather,asifthe
thoughtofsubtletyhadnevercrossedhismind.Hekickedhisheelsupontohis desk,smackingthemdownatopseveralsheetsofpaper—herfinishedtest,
another“A”toaddtothelistandanotheropportunityforresentmentand
ridicule.
Evecursedtoherself,hopingthattheprofessorcouldreadlips,and
continuedtoshufflethroughherbag.Shefoundherscratchpadandtinkered
withit;itsparkedandsputteredwhenshetriedtoactivateit,andsosheangrily shoveditbackintoherbagandleanedherheadagainstthewindowframe.
Deepbreath.Aslightsenseofcalmflowedthroughher,butitwasimmediately replacedbythefeelingofeyeswatchingher.Sheliftedherhead
fromitsrestingplaceandglanceddownthecorridor.
Madisonstoodattheoppositeendofthehallway,glaringatEve.Herragewas
transparent—itwasinhereyes,intheslightcurlofherupperlip,andin
the stillness of her body. Eve thought about her conversation with Percy and Sancho the day before; she recalled their “brilliant” idea and imagined Jason andMadisononaromanticdate.Andthenhermindwasfloodedwithimages
ofthick,blackash.
Hereyelidsfluttered,andagainshesawtheheiressgloweringbackather.
ThelightfromtheentrywaywindowsetMadison’sblondhairaglowlikethe
halo of an angel, but the look of sheer loathing on her face was practically devilish.
“She’sstaringintoyoursoul.”
Evejumped,startledbytheunwantedspectatornowatherside.“Jesus,JJ,you scaredtheshitoutofme.”
JJleanedagainstthewall,fiddlingwithherchainbraceletsbeforeplayfully sluggingEveinthearm.“Loosenup,princess.You’realwayssogoddamn
tense.”
Evescowled,stillpeeringatMadisonoutofthecornerofhereye.“Yeah,well,
I’msureyoucangatherwhy.”
JJchuckled.“Don’tbeascrote.She’snotgoingtoattackyouinthemiddle
ofthebusinessbuilding.”
“Youneverknow,”asecondvoicechimedin.Percyhadjoinedthemand
carelesslywedgedhimselfbetweenthetwogirls.“ThoseInterlopersaregutsy.
If one was willing to throw down in a packed nightclub, then a university hallwayseemslikefairgametome.”
Everolledhereyes.“Youguysarebeingridiculous.Thiswhole
conversationisstupid.”
“Comeon,Eve,lookather.”Percysquintedhiseyes,unapologetically
studyingtheheiress.“It’salmostlikeshe’stakingamentalpictureofyou.”
“Liketheoneswefoundonthebeacon,”JJmuttered.
“God,theevileyeonher—it’screeptastic.”Percyshudderedandbacked
away.“I’mgettingoutofherebeforeIturntostone.”
EveignoredPercyashesaunteredaway,hergazestillfocusedonher
formerroommate’sglare.Percywasright:Madison’sfacealonewasominous,
andforwhateverreason,beitthedeaththreatorhernowindistinctagenda,her
presencehadtransformedfromamereannoyancetooneofgraveconcern.As
ifsummonedbyEve’spesteringthoughts,theblondbombshellsuddenly stirredtoaction,delicatelyflippingherhairacrosshershoulderandmarching
straightahead.
“OhLord,”JJsaid,stillattachedtoEve’ship.“We’veawakenedthebeast.”
Evegroaned.“Sonofa bitch…”
“She’scomingthisway. She’scomingthisway! ”JJsnickered.
“Willyougetoutofhere?”Evebarked.
“Noway,Ineedtoseethis.”
Madisonapproachedthetwogirls,hereyesscanningthemasthoughshe
wasscrutinizingtheireveryimperfection.Herlipsbecametight,asifshehad
justtastedsomethingbitter,andafteralong,uncomfortablesilence,she
managedtospeak.
“Hello,”shegrumbled.
Evesighed.“Whatdoyouwant?”
“I’mnottalkingtoyou,”Madisonspat.HereyesturnedtoJJ.“I’mtalkingto
your…weird,gothic,Asianfriend.”Shepointeddownthehallway.“Whois
he?”
EveandJJturned,curioustoseewhohadcaughtherattention.Percystood
inthedistance,casuallyschmoozingwithsomeotherRutherfordiansbefore
hisclassbegan.JJglancedbackattheheiress,herbrowfurrowed.
“Who?Percy?”
“Hisnameis Percy?”Madisonsneered.“God,hisparentsmust hatehim.”
“Wait,”Eveinterjected,“youofallpeopledon’tknowwhoPercyLaFleuris?
Aren’tyousupposedtobesomekindofexpertonthesocialelite?”
“Look,Idon’tneedyoursuckgasmicbullshit,allright?Justtellmewhohe
is.”
“Whydoyouwanttoknow?”JJasked.
“Well,Imean,lookathim.”Madisonsighed.“He’stall,he’shandsome,he
oozes confidence. And do you know how hard it is to find a guy with some fashionsense?Icansmellthehigh-qualitydesignermaterialfromhere.”
“Areyou attractedtohim?”Eveasked.
“God,youmakeitsoundso primal.”
<
br /> “ButIthoughtyouandLionelwereofficial.”
“Justbecausewe’re officialdoesn’tmeanwe’re exclusive.”
“Um…Ithinkthat’sexactlywhatitmeans,Madison.”
“Savethelecture, Mom,”Madisonsnarled.“Justtellme,what’shisstory?”
JJlaughed.“Hisstory?Girl,you’rebarkingupthewrongtree,because
PercyLaFleurisonehundredpercent—”
“Single,” Eve quickly cut in. “Very, very single. And he has an affinity for blondes…andboobs!”
Madisonwrinkledherforehead.“Areyouserious?”
“Yes, Eve,”JJadded,raisinganeyebrow,“areyou serious?”
“Icantalktohimforyouifyouwant,”Evecontinued,ignoringJJ.“Maybe
setupadate?”
Madisonfaltered,staringEveupanddownsuspiciously.“Whyareyou
beingsonicetome?”
“I—”Evestammered,searchingforaviableexcuse.“Idon’tknow.”
JJ’sscowlsuddenlytransformedintoaduplicitoussmile.“Ido,”she
chirped,turningtoMadison.“Yousee,deepdownshewishesyoutwowere
stillfriends.”
Eve’sfacereddened.“No,Idon’t.”
“Yesyoudo,”JJcountered.“It’sbasicpsychology,really.She’shopingtowin
youraffectionthroughrandomandextravagantfavors.”
“That’sreallynotit.”
“Ah,thereitis—textbookdenial.”
Madisonstraightenedhershouldersandpointedhernoseattheceiling.
“Well,youshouldn’tbeashamed,Eve.IfIwereyou,I’dwanttobefriendswith
metoo.”SheflickedherwristtowardEvelikeamasterdirectingawell-trained
dog.“Setmeuponthatdate,andmaybeI’llconsiderit.”
“Gee,Madison,you’retookind,”Evemuttered.
“I’m kidding,Eve.Ihateyou,remember?”theheiressjeered.“Butstill,the date—makeithappen.”
Madisonscamperedawayfromtheduo,herhipsswayingwitheachgraceful
step.Eveindignantlyflaredhernostrilsandclenchedherjaw.
“You’rearealasshole,JJ.”
“Iknow,right?”JJlaughed,pattingEvepatronizinglyontheback.“Andthe
worstpartis,I’mgoingtowatchandlaughwhileyoubreakthenewstoPercy.”
Evegrowled,shakingJJ’shandfromhershoulderasshemadeherwayback
to Percy’s side. He was still waiting in front of his next class, eyeing his reflectioninthelecturehallwindowbeforeturningtogreetthem.
“Backformore?”Hewinked.“Can’tgetenoughofme,canyou?It
happens.”
Eve’sbodybecamestiff.“Percy,”shebeganreluctantly,“wesortofneedto
askyouforafavor.”
“Wedon’tneed anything,”JJcorrected.“Itoldyou,you’reonyourownwith thisone.”
EveshotJJaglarebeforeturningtofacePercyonceagain.“Ineedyouto
takeMadisonout”—shepaused,clearingherthroat—“onadate.”
“Ha!Right,”hescoffed.“What’sontheitinerary?Somedinner,maybea
couple’smassage,andthenwefinishthenightoffwithachimeradissection?
Soundslikemykindofevening.”
Evewasquiet;shefiddledwithhercuticlesasshestaredbackathim,andin
thatmomenthesensedsomethingunfamiliarinhereyes:ahintofdesperation.
“Wait,you’reserious?”Hisjawdroppedopen.“You’re serious?”
“Please,Percy,”shemoaned.“We reallyneedthoseEverlastingDiamonds.”
“Why me,ofallpeople?”
“Becauseshe’sinterestedinyou.Shethinksyou’resexyandstylish.It’llbe liketakingcandyfromababy.”
“Ortakingdiamondsfromabimbo,”JJmutteredunderherbreath.
Evesighed.“Please,Percy.You havetodothis.”
“DidyouforgetthefactthatI’m gay?”
“Butyou’rePercyLaFleur!”Evecountered.“Youcanwooanyone,maleor
female!”
“Or alien?”
“ThewholeInterloperthingwasjustatheory—”
“Well, forgivemeifI’mnotinterestedintakinganychanceswithyour theory.”
“ButyouweresowillingtoletJasongooutwithher.”
“Thatwasdifferent.”
“How?”
“I’mnotJason. ”
“Ifyouthinkaboutit,evenifshe isanInterloper,youshouldbesafe,”JJcutin, hergazedartingbetweenanangryPercyandasurprisedEve.“Imean,you’re
notachimera.Whatwouldshewantwithyou?”
“Maybe she wants me nailed to a construct with needles sticking out of my eyes.NeedIremindyouaboutMarshallWoodgate?”Hiseyeswidened.“Oh
myGod,that’sit. I’mthenextMarshallWoodgate.”
“You’re notthenextMarshallWoodgate,”Eveinsisted.“You’rePercy
LaFleur, Billington’s most eligible bachelor. A young heartthrob who just so happened to catch the eye of the very beautiful, and very selective, Madison
Palmer.” She folded her arms matter-of-factly. “You said it yourself: people can’tgetenoughofyou.”
“You’vegotalittlebrownonyournose,Eve.”
“Percy,”shesighed,“pleasedon’tmakemebeg.”
“Yeah,Percy.”JJelbowedhimintheribs.“She’skindofbeggingalready,and,
quitefrankly,itmakesmesad.”
Percy glanced back and forth between the two girls. One stared back at him withheavyeyesandtheotherwithacondemningscowl.Hegroanedloudly.
“Fine,”hehissed,succumbingtotheircombinedforces.“ButI’mdoingthis becauseI’mtheonlymanqualifiedtogetthejobdone.”
“Youreally, reallyare—”
“Savetheass-kissing,Eve,Ialreadyagreedtoyourlittleplan.”He
glowered.“ButIam nothappywithyourightnow.”
Thoughshetriedtosuppressit,Evecouldn’thelpbutsmirk.“Don’tbesuch
adick-squeeze,Percy.”
Hesquintedhiseyesandfrowned.“Youareagrade-A slophole, Eve.”
“Hammer.”
“Ballsack.”
Withachildishpout,hestormedawayfromtheduo,buthisirateclomping
morphedbackintohisusualconfidentstrutbeforehereachedMadison’sside.
EvewatchedfromafarasPercyworkedhismagic,andthoughshehadno
doubtinhisabilities,shefeltaswellofreliefthemomentsheheardMadison
giggle.Justasshebegantorelax,JJapproachedhersideandpokedherinthe fattypartofherarm.
“What’swithallthename-calling?”sheasked.
Eveshrugged.“They’retermsofendearment.It’sjustwhatwedo.”
“Soundsalmostlikeyoutwoaresiblings.”
“Iwouldn’tknow.Neverhadanybrothersorsisters.”
TheywatchedasPercyandMadisondisappeareddownthehallwaytogether,
hishandrestingonthesmallofherback.JJcringed.
“Well,whateveryouaretooneanother,thefactremains—”Sheturnedto
Eve. “We might’ve just sent your surrogate brother into an Interloper death trap.”
***
“Thatwasalovelydinner,”Madisonmumbled,hervoiceflatand
uninspired,“butIhavetoadmit,whenIaskedifyouwantedtogosomewhere
elsefordessert,mydaddy’sdiamondshowroomwasn’texactlytheplaceIhad
inmind.”
Percystrolledintotheshowroomasifhewerewalkingintohisowndorm,
>
casuallymeanderingpasttherowsofglass-encaseddiamonds,rubies,and
garnets without the slightest hint of awe. The location had closed hours ago, butthatwashardlyanissue;Madisonhadaccesstoeveryshowroom,afactthat
Percyhadresearchedaheadoftime—alongwithmanyotherpivotaldetails.
Sure,itwasawfullyaudaciousofhimtotakehisdatetosuchaplace,butthis
was no ordinary date—it was a business transaction, one that he aimed to execute as quickly and efficiently as possible. He turned to the heiress and winked.
“Youdon’tthinkit’sexciting?Ithoughtyouloveddiamonds.”
“Ido,”shecountered,brieflyeyeingthegems.“Butthere’sashowroom
nearCalabasas.Wecould’vejustgonethere…insteadofflyingtoMaryland.”
“WhatcanIsay?I’mfullofsurprises.”Hewanderedtowardasingledisplay
case, pretending to admire the ostentatious jewelry. “Besides, isn’t this your largest,mostimpressiveshowroominthecountry?”
Shepouted.“Still…”
“DidIupsetyou,doll?Myapologies.Ijustthoughtsneakingintoyourdad’s
showroom,lateatnight,justthetwoofuswas…Idon’tknow…”Hepaused,
nestlingupalongsideMadisonandrunninghisfingersthroughherhair.“…
kindofhot.”
Sheblushed.“Well,whenyouputitlikethat—”
“So,tellme,”heinterrupted,eagerlystrayingfromhersideandglancing
outacrosstherowsofjewels.“Wheredoyoukeepthemostexorbitantly
priceddiamonds—say,oftheshatterproofvariety?”
“Idon’twanttotalkaboutdiamonds.”
Hesighed.“Wonderful,”hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.“Wanttotalksome
moreaboutyourself?We’veonlybeendoingitforhoursalready.”
“Iwanttotalkaboutyou.”Shetookaseatonapinkvelvetchairandcrossed
herlegs.“Evemadeoutlikeyou’resomeimportantguy,butI’veneverheard ofyou.”
“You’veneverheardofme?Ever?”
“Nope.”
“HowaboutAliciaLaFleur?”
“Doesn’tringabell.”
“Wow,”hegrumbled.“Well,ifyoumustknow,mygrandparentsfoundedthe
country’sleadingdistributionchainoffusionpower.”
“Oh,God,howdull,”Madisonwhined,rollinghereyes.“NowonderI’ve
