by Jenna Moreci
“Well,asour supplier,Iwasabletosnagmorethanjustasackofdiamonds.”
Withonesharpmovement,Percypoundedonablackandwhitepaintingthat
hungonthewallbesidehim.Immediately—andbythispoint,unsurprisingly—
thepaintingswiveledinplace,extendingoutfromthewallandthenretracting
intoahiddengroovealongitsframe,revealingyetanothersecretdrawer.
“Sincethepatrolmenconfiscatedallofmyguns,Idecidedtogoonabitofa
shoppingspree.Youknow,loaduponsomenewtoys.”
Percyopenedthedrawer,displayingalineofweaponsmuchmore
threateninginappearancethanthesparklingdiamondbullets.Severalguns
withsleekfinisheswereevenlypositionedinarowliketoysoldierslinedup
forbattle.
“Holyshit,”Jasonmumbled.
“They’reV-ClassAnarchhandguns.Streetnameis‘theexecutioner.’Isort
offiguredthatwiththenew-and-improvedbullets,weoughttohavesome
firearmsthatarejustasimpressive.”
Sanchonervouslyeyedthenewweapons.“Aren’tthesethingsillegal?”
Percywinked.“Nothing’sillegalwhenyou’rerich.”
Evedelicatelyslidherfingersalongthefirearms,hereyesbrightwith
anticipation.Sheclearedherthroat,stiflingherexcitement,andturnedtoJJ.
“Anyupdatesonthetorq?”
JJnoddedatherscratchpads,whichwereproppedupalongPercy’snew coffeetable.“I’vedownloadedthetorq’sdata,butit’sstillbeingconverted,and Ihave noideahowlongthat’lltake.Imean,we aretalkingaboutacomputer from outerspace, afterall.”Sheshrugged.“Thegoodnewsis,Iknowenough aboutthedeviceitselftostartcodingapotentialvirus.”
“Well,atleastwe’reheadedintherightdirection,”Evesaid,relieved.
“We’reontargetwiththevirus,wehaveweapons,we’vegotplentyof
ammunition—”
“Iwouldn’tsay plenty,”Percyinterrupted.“IboughtoutPalmer’sentirestock, sowhatyouseeiswhatyouget.Until Daddygetshisassingear,wehaveto makedowiththeammowehave.”
“Balls.Istillcan’tbelieveyouactuallywentonadatewith Madison Palmer,”
Sanchochuckled.
Percywinked.“Wasn’tsobad.Shetastedlikebubblegum.”
“Butweren’tyounervous?”Sanchoadded.“Imean,she’sanalien,right?”
“Iwouldn’tbesosure.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”Eveasked.
“Imeanthegirl’sharmless,”Percylaughed.“Sure,she’sdefinitely
obsessive—wouldn’tstopaskingaboutyou,actually—butotherthanthat,she
wasjustabigjumbleofself-directeddelusionsandhormones.”He
nonchalantly downed the last of his drink. “Either that alien is one hell of an actor,orBlondieistherealdeal.”
Evesighed,herbrowfurrowedwithconfusion.“Buttheashes…”
“Happenstance?Anunrelatedanomaly?”Percyshrugged.“Imean,don’tget mewrong,shetotallywantsyoudead.Ijustdon’tthinkshe’sanInterloper.”
Theringingofabellsounded,grabbingeveryone’sattention.
“JJ,”Evebegan,hervoicelacedwithtrepidation,“wasthatthebeacon?”
JJrushedacrosstheroom,throwingherselfatopPercy’scouchandfiddling
withhertriadofscratchpads.“It’satrigger,”shesaid,franticallytappingather computerscreens.“Someone’sabouttobeabducted.Achimera.”
Itwasablowtothegut.They’dknownthisdaywouldcome,andyetEvefelt
sickened by the news. JJ turned one of her screens to face the group and expandedaphotoofaboy.Hehadafullheadofstrawberry-blondhair,blue-greyeyes,andastubblychin.
“SamRemington,aBillingtonsophomore.”JJscannedthescreens,reading
thetextasitappeared.“They’redoingittoday,inexactlytwenty-twominutes.”
“Canyoutelluswhere?”Jasonasked.
“They’resendingthecoordinatesrightnow.”
“Good.Thenwehavetogostopthem.”
“Wait,”Eveblurted,grabbingatJason’swrist.“Whataboutthecameras?
Howthehellarewegoingtobypassallofthem?”
“Icanguideyou,”JJadded.“IhaveaccesstoalloftheShelter’s
surveillance,remember?”
Eve said nothing. Instead, she stared at JJ, studying her face as if it could somehoweasetheanxiousknotcoilingwithinherstomach.
JJfoldedherarmsandscowled.“Stilldon’ttrustme,huh?”Sheturned towardtheothers,buttheywerequietaswell.“Look,theInterlopersdon’twant
toenduponcameraeither,soyouknowwhateverlocationtheychooseto
stagetheabductionwillbesurveillance-free.Allyouhavetodoisfindaclear
path to that spot. I know I can get you there. Besides, you don’t really have a choice—orahellofalotoftime.”
Evesighed.“Fine,”shegrumbled.“Handovertheearpieces.”
“Noearpiecesthistime.Thecameraswillpick’emup,nomatterhow
camouflagedtheyare.So”—JJdugthroughherpocket—“Imadethese.”
JJopenedherhand,revealingapileofsmallredtablets,eachnobiggerthan
thesizeofabean.
“Pills?”Percyscoffed.“Is dealingonyourlistofillegalventures?”
“They’recommunicaps—ingestibletransmissiondevices.”Shetossedoneto
each of her comrades and shoved the rest back into her pocket. “Inside each capsuleisacommunicationchip.Swallowthecommunicap,andI’llbeableto
talkwitheachofyouasifwewereinthesameroom.Youcan’tuse’emtotalk
toeachother,justtome—butyou’llallbeinthesamelocationanyway.”
Eve’slipscurledwithaversion.“Youwantusto swallowthese?”
“Relax,itwon’tkillyou.Atleast,Idon’tthinkitwill.Itshouldn’t,anyway.”
“Wow,thatwasn’ttheslightestbitreassuring,”Evemumbled.
“It’llpassthroughyoursysteminafewhours.Ordays.I’mnotsure,
exactly.”
“Holditrightthere,”Percyblurted.“Wehaveto shittheseout?”
“It’snewtechnology.Ihaven’tworkedoutallthekinksyet.”
“Well,it’sgoodtoknowthatwegettobeyourguineapigs,”Jasonmuttered.
“Don’tlistentothem,JJ,”Sanchosaid.“Ithinkthey’re brilliant. ”
Evestaredathercommunicap,twirlingitbetweenherthumbandindex
fingerbeforelookingbackatJJ,whoglaredatherimpatiently.
“It’syouronlyoption,whetheryoutrustmeornot.”
Evestillhesitated.SheglancedbackandforthbetweenJJandthecapsuleone
lasttime,andthen,withadeepbreath,downedhercommunicap,cringing
slightlyasitsliddownherthroat.Theothersreluctantlyfollowedsuit,
swallowingtheircapsulesonebyoneuntiltheyallworethesameexpressions
ofdread.
JJnoddedinapprovalandfastenedaheadsetoverherears,adjustingthe
microphoneinfrontofhermouthuntilitwasperfectlyinplace.Shethen
draggedherfingersacrossherscratchpadscreensuntilthewords ACTIVATE
COMMUNICAP flickeredfourtimesinbrightredlettering.Fourholographic buttons—red,tomatchtheflashingletters—extendedfromthescreens,and
withoutahintofdelayordelicacy,JJpressedthemall.
AloudscreechranginEve’sears,thenoisesoshrillthatshegrabbedather
Jasonandtheothersdoingthesame,theirmouthscontortedintolooksof
torment.Finallythescreechingstopped,leavingbehindanunpleasantringing inherears.
“DearLord!Whatthe hellwasthatnoise?”Percygroused.
“Youheardthat?”JJasked,underwhelmedbyhiscomplaint.“Good,that
meansit’sworking.Thebuzzingwillsubsideinafewseconds.Hopefully.”
Secondspassed,andnothingchanged.
“There’sonelastthingyoushouldknow,”JJadded.“BeforeItakeyoutothe
abductioncoordinates,Ihavetoplantyouallindifferentlocationsthroughout
RutherfordHall.Youguysneedalibis—visualproofcaughtoncamerathat
pinsyoufarfromtheabductionsite.”
“Soundscomplicated,”Sanchomumbled.
“That’sbecauseit iscomplicated,whichiswhyIneedyouto trustme.”JJ
shot a quick glare in Eve’s direction. “Whatever I tell you to do, do it. Look calm,becool,and pleaseactnormal.Onceyou’reoffcamera,I’llmakesure youstaythatway.”
Evenodded.“Okaythen,let’sgearup.”
“Wereyoueven listeningtome?”JJscoffed.“You’regoingtobeoncamera, atleastforafewminutes.”Shecockedherheadattheweapons.“Ifyoucan’t
hideit,you’renotbringingit.”
Thefoursomeeyedthediningtableandtheirsparklingnewweapons.After
abriefsilence,Percypluckedtwohandgunsfromthedrawerandtuckedthem
intothebackofhispants,makingsuretheywerebothcompletelyconcealedby
hisleatherjacket.Sanchoeagerlygrabbedanothergun,admiringthepiece beforeshovingitinsidehisoversizedsweatshirt.Jasonquicklyfollowed,
snatchinghisaxefromthepileandattemptingtohideitinhispantleg.
“You’renottakingthat,”JJordered.
“What?Whynot?”
“I’mgoingtoneedyoutogetalittlephysicaloncamera—”
“Whatdoyoumeanby physical?”
“Theaxewillgetintheway,”JJinsisted.“Youdon’twantitonyou.Trustme.”
Jasonstaredathisweaponandfrowned,disappointed.HeturnedtoSancho.
“Thinkyoucanmakeroomforit?”
Sanchonoddedandshovedtheaxeintohissweatshirt,awkwardlybalancing
it with the firearm. Soon, it was Eve’s turn to select a weapon, but she immediatelystoppedshort.Sheexaminedheroutfit—hersnugthermal,her
fittedjeansandcombatboots—andrealizedtherewasnoplaceforherto
concealmuchofanything.
“Lookslikeyouwon’tbetakinganything.”JJlaughed.“Kindofmakesyou
rethinkthewholetightpantsensemble,doesn’tit?”
JasonleanedtowardEve.“Ilikeyourpants,”hewhispered.
“Youhaveseventeenminutes,”JJinterrupted,anxiouslylookingather
scratchpadclock.“Timetohittheroad.Waitforyourordersoutside.”
Thefoursomefiledoutofthedormroomandintothehallway,leavingJJ
aloneinPercy’ssuite.Evenervouslypickedathercuticles,tryingherbestto ignoretheincessantbuzzingofhercommunicapasshewaitedforsometype
ofdirection.
“GoodGod,” JJmuttered,hervoicefuzzyinEve’sear.
“What?Whathappened?”
“Unexpectedcomplication,” JJcontinued. “Icanhearallofyour,well, insides.
Your heart, your lungs, your stomach.” She gagged. “Sancho must be starving.”
Withoutfurtherdelay,thehackerrattledoffalistofinstructionstohereagerly awaitingcomrades.Theyengagedinfakeconversationperherrequest
—thoughtheywereawkwardatbest—andafteraminuteofphonylaughsand
uncomfortableramblings,Sancholeftthegroup,guidedbyJJtohisalibi
location:theRutherforddininghall.Percywasnext,meanderingdownthe
hallwaytowardthetutoringcenter,anoptionhetriedtoarguewith—hedidn’t
needanytutoring,heclaimed,thoughJJwashardlyconcerned.Aconsiderable amount of time passed, and all the while Eve stared at Jason, apprehensively awaitingtheirinstructions.
“Allright,JasonandEve,it’syourturn.Headfortheelevator.”
Theyobedientlyfollowedherrequestandmadetheirwayintothemetalbox.
Asthedoorsclosedinfrontofthem,Eve’slimbsbecamerestlessanduneasy,
andsheclaspedherhandstogetherasiftosuppresshernervousenergy.
“There’sacameraaboveyou.”
BothEve’sandJason’sheadsdarteduptowardtheceiling,theireyes
searchingforthedevice.
“Don’t look for it!” JJ snapped. “Jesus Christ, act natural!” She grumbled underherbreathbeforeshecontinued. “Jason,pushthebuttonfortheground
level.You’regoingtothelobby.”
Jasondidashewastold,tryinghisbesttoappearcasual.Theelevatorlurched
inplaceandslowlybeganitstrekdownthefifteenstories.
Immediately,JJ’svoiceonceagainrangintheirears.
“Okay,nowmakeout.”
“What? ”Evespat.
“Don’ttalktome,” JJhissed. “You’reoncamerarightnow,remember?Now, be agoodboyandagoodgirlandstartkissing— andmakeitreallysteamy.”
Theelevatorhadsuddenlybecomemuchsmaller,theairhotandstifling.
EveglancedatJason—hisfacewasredashestaredbackather—andassubtly
as she could, she fiddled with a strand of hair, making sure that her arm was strategicallyangledinfrontofhermouth.
“Idon’tseewhythisisnecessary,”shewhispered.
“Comeon,you’reacouple.Thisshouldbetheeasypart.”
Jasonforcedacough,coveringhislipswithhishand.“Doesn’tfeelsoeasy
whenyouknowamillionpeoplearewatching.”
JJsighed. “Look,you’rerunningoutoftime.Doit,anddoitnow.”
“But—”
“NOW!”
Eve slammed Jason against the wall of the elevator, gripping his shirt and
kissinghimdeeplyasifsomethingwithinher—ananimalinstinctoraheated ferocity—hadbeenreleased.Therewasn’tasinglemomenttothink,to
calculateorreassess,andsosheacted,forcedbyJJ’swordsandtheadrenaline
pumpingthroughherveins.ShecouldfeelJason’sbreathingbecomeheavy
andrapidasshesiftedherfingersthroughhishairandranherlipsdownthe
sideofhisneck. EverynervewithinherawokewithsensationasJason’shands slidfromherbacktohershoulders,finallymakingtheirwaydownherarms
to her hands. With one swift movement, Jason spun her around, pressing her backagainstthewallandpinningherwristsaboveherhead.
Eve’sbreathcaughtshort,frozeninherchest.Helingeredbyherlipsfora
moment before kissing her, and then again, this time harder and deeper, as if thecameraabovethemwasnolongerathoughtinhismind.Timehadbecome
infinite;EvewrappedherarmsaroundJason’sneckashepulledherbody
againsthis,thefirmnessofhischestpressedagainsthersastarkcontrasttohis softhandsthatslidintothebackpocketsofherjeans.Themissionnowseemed
milesaway,amerememoryinthethickhazeofhermind,asshesoakedinthe
feeling of Jason’s lips kissing hers, and the sound of their heavy breathing, punctuatedonlyforasecondbythefaintdingoftheelevator.
Thedoorsopened,thelightfro
mthelobbyspillingacrossJason’sback.
JJchuckled. “Allright,lovebirds,putthosehormonesonicefornow.Timeto exittheelevator.”
Jason’sfacedropped.“Dowehaveto?”
Aslightmurmuringfilteredintotheelevator;EvepeeredoverJason’s shoulder.Eyes,toomanytocount,staredbackatthem,bulgingwithshock.
ThelobbywasfilledwithRutherfordians,allofwhomwatchedthetwo
chimerasthathadsuddenlyappearedinfrontofthem.
“Eve,takehishandandleave.”
Theorderwashardlynecessary.EveyankedatJason’swrist,pullinghim
fromtheelevatorassheweavedthroughthecrowdofonlookers,desperateto
beridoftheirwhispers.
“Gostraighttotherecroom,anddon’tlookback.”
Therecroomwassoclose,andyetthroughthismassofpeopleitfeltlikea
perilousjourney.Eachstupid,gapingfacebegantoblendwiththenext.
“There’sasupplyclosetinthebackcorneroftheroom.”
“Youmeanthenookienook?”Jasonasked.“Isn’tthatwhereeveryonegoes
to have—” He stopped short, his eyes wide as if suddenly jolted awake. “Oh God.”
“Don’tquestionmymethods.Doyouseethecloset?”
Eve could see the closet—it was right in front of her, and yet she couldn’t move. An obstacle lay ahead of her, and while it was delicate and covered in dusty pink cashmere, it was easily the most dreadful sight she could possibly haveimagined.ThereinfrontoftheclosetsatHeather,idlyflippingthrougha
scratchpadnovel,hereyesfocusedonthetwochimeras.Sheraisedanauburn
eyebrowandleanedbackinherchairlikeaproudqueen,andinaninstantthe
roombecamedark,cold,andempty.
Evebreathedindeeply.“Yes.”
“Good.Getin.”
Eveglancedattheclosetdoorandthendownatherredheadedadversary.
Heathersmiled,neatlyfoldingherhandsinherlap.“Goingsomewhere?”
TheimageofSamRemingtonflashedbeforeEve’seyes—hisroundcheeks
andangularchinlikeacaricatureinherthoughts—andsuddenlyHeather’s
horridgrinseemedalittlelessformidable.Infact,shecouldhardlystandthe
sightoftheRutherfordian,muchlessherintolerablepresence.Themission
wasclearandsimple,andHeather—well,Heatherwasoflittleimportance.
