by Mary Ting
“Just in case you need a little hint.” He pointed in the direction he’d come from. “Take the first left. Then you’ll see the door. Not so hard is it, Ava?”
I shrugged in passing and murmured, “I still need to use the restroom.”
So close.
I clutched my chest and released the breath I held. Easing my shoulders, I shoved my trembling hands inside my front pockets. A close call. Why the hell was he here?
“Oh, Ava.” Mr. Novak’s voice ricocheted in my mind when I neared the garden door. “Be careful which guard you aim at. Shooting at or killing ISAN guards is a crime. Punishment is death.”
Seeing him brought back the awful memory of the moment I’d aroused from MM to have him gawking at me. Novak knew. I’d thought by some miracle ISAN guards had failed to mention I’d been at the Abandoned City with Rhett, but of course, they would tell.
Whether Mr. Novak believed the story I had told Russ, I didn’t know, but I knew one thing for sure. He was holding on to the information I had shot at the guards to use it against me. He would have killed me already if he didn’t need me. But what did he want with me?
Nausea bubbled in my gut. My blood ran cold. My hands were not the only part of my body trembling now. Regardless, the information I’d uncovered was worth the price of Mr. Novak discovering me there.
Hold it together. Breathe. You’re okay.
I dashed back to my friends, needing to put a healthy distance between Novak and me. When our break ended, we were paired up for physical training. Afterward we practiced the ballroom dancing with partners, and then the directors went over the itinerary.
Ava
A fiery red full moon glowed like the sun, backed by the canvas of night. A rainbow of colors twinkled and glittered across the city as our sub-glider zoomed over a titanic edifice that looked like the Great Wall of China. The wall served to block the view of the destruction left by the meteors.
On the damaged side, ocean water waved over the eroded coast. The debris was too massive to be bothered with. So many homes and lives gone in one day. A reminder that every second of happiness was precious.
Like in the East, skyscrapers stretched to the sky. The city lights dazzled, and every structure had a platform for the gliders. I prepared for landing, but the sub-glider soared higher instead, and the beguiling view faded.
I thought Mitch had raised the window shield when the world became pitch black, but that wasn’t the case. We had drifted away from the city.
After a short distance, white lights danced and twinkled in one specific area. Then smoke rose from a frosted chimney. Milky dots sprinkled about the sub-glider’s window as ooooohs escaped all around me.
“It’s snowing.” Brooke’s rose-pink ball gown swished when she spun, and she pressed her silver mask against the window. The crystal studs on her mask sparkled like the ones across her bodice and her heels.
The tall, black feathers on Tamara’s stunning mask brushed against Justine’s gold, glittery ones when she glanced out. Justine frowned and tucked her fluffy gold gown to the side.
“It’s beautiful.” Audrey pressed her face against the window, her excitement infectious.
Everyone turned to the window, captivated.
My heart soared. Because of stupid snow? No. Something warmed inside me. A tingle. Then a crackle. Then ... Rhett. My mind reeled into the past.
Seven Months Ago
At the Fun Zone, Rhett and I hid behind a structure where they hadn’t cleared the snow.
Snow floated around us, soft and light like the breeze. I let it fall on my face, and I stuck out my tongue to catch the flakes as Rhett did the same.
I giggled when Rhett grabbed me and spun me around. He twirled so fast we collapsed, and he landed on top of me. My laughter died when our eyes locked and the heat from our pressed bodies was enough to melt the snow.
Time ceased to exist, and our breaths mingled in the little space between us. I leaned closer to his mouth, permission to crush his lips to mine.
He tasted like breakfast—eggs and ham—but it was Rhett all the same, and I gobbled up everything he offered.
The kiss would have happened sooner or later. The playful gestures, flirting with words and gazes, and accidental touches built up to an irrepressible explosion. And here we were. The inevitable kiss.
Rhett plopped on his back next to me, panting, mist floating out of his mouth. Then something frosty tickled my eyelashes. Snowflakes rained and danced about. I reached up to touch them, velvety like silk.
“Ava. It’s ...”
Rhett seemed hesitant, and I knew why. The truth was, we shouldn’t kiss. We shouldn’t be together this way. Though ISAN never said outright that relationships were forbidden, the words “no physical contact” meant exactly that. And no one dared to show outward affection in front of anyone.
I didn’t let him finish. “We should get a dandelion tattoo to remind us of this moment. Our first kiss.”
His amber eyes widened and glowed like a sunburst. “We are at the Fun Zone, after all. I know of a place near the virtual reality game room. But why a dandelion?”
“Dandelions are unpretentious but beautiful. They put down deep roots and are impossible to destroy. It reminds me of us and what we stand for.”
“How do you know so much about them?”
“My mom told me. She knew everything about flowers and plants. She said dandelions are strong and memorable. A reminder for us to be the same. Be resilient.”
Rhett pulled me up and looked at me in awe. “You are the epitome of what dandelions stand for. You are invincible, you know that, don’t you?”
I shrugged sheepishly.
Rhett kissed my forehead and took my hand. “Come on. Let’s go before I chicken out.”
“You afraid of needles?” I wiggled my eyebrows.
“No. I’m not afraid of anything.” The playfulness gone, replaced by a somber one. “Except of losing you.”
“Rhett ...”
Present Day
“Ava.”
“Ava.” Rhett sounded mountains away.
“Ava.”
Not Rhett’s voice.
I sat with my elbows on my thighs, hunched over, my fingers threaded in my hair. Dark pants and a tuxedo jacket with a red bow tie came into focus. Then I searched his handsome face. Green eyes and brown hair, all too familiar.
I sat taller and bristled. Had I said Rhett’s name out loud? Was that the reason Russ sat kneeled before me? Then I rubbed at my right side by my hip. I had once thought the mark was just a burst of distorted streaks.
It wasn’t a scar, but a tattoo. Not just any tattoo, but a meaningful one, one I shouldn’t have forgotten. I had thought it was a snowflake. How wrong.
Rhett and I had gotten a tattoo together. We’d split one image to express we were halves of each other. When I placed my image to his, mine had the W and half of I, while his was half of the I and T. Together, our tattoos read: WIT. Whatever It Takes.
“Are you okay?” Russ’s tone dripped with concern.
I glanced around. Everyone had their faces glued to the window. I shifted in my seat, my skintight suit itchy under my puffy ball gown. I felt like a balloon.
“Yeah. Just going over things I need to do in my head.”
Guilt crawled under my skin as the lie left my mouth. This was Russ, my friend, and I wanted to tell him so much, but couldn’t. I didn’t know if I could trust him.
I adjusted the black feathers on my scarlet mask with silver trimmings, the same colors as my dress, which was in the style of a traditional Chinese ball gown.
The flashback left me gutted, broken, and shaken, and I needed to do something with my hands. I still hadn’t heard from Rhett, and I didn’t know if he’d been hurt or worse. I tried not to think about it, but he occupied my mind almost every second of the day. It was hard to concentrate on anything.
“Are you nervous?” Russ asked.
I wrinkled my brow. “Am I nervou
s? Do you know who you’re talking to?”
He gave me a dashing grin and leaned closer so only I could hear. “My mistake. How could I ever forget? You are unforgettable.”
I dismissed his words as a compliment rather than something more.
Soon after, the sub-glider dipped to land and he pulled back to his seat. The door opened with a whoosh, and Russ went first onto a platform. I went next, and the scent of pines overwhelmed me.
A frigid breeze stung to my bones and locked my muscles. Ghost-like mist puffed out of my mouth, and I shivered as I stepped into the land cruiser adjacent to our transporter.
Immediately the warm air enveloped me, and the door shut when the last member of our team got on board. The land cruiser coasted two feet over the vast blanket of white snow. High-beam lights projected from the front of the cruiser, providing a clear view of pristine snow below.
Encroaching pine trees came into view, and the lights twinkled brighter the closer we approached our destination. The enormous edifice became visible, frosted like a gingerbread house.
After the land cruiser parked, I paced behind Russ onto an elegant, carpeted walkway. Spherical, floating heated lamps about the size of basketballs flanked either side of the carpet leading to security. After the intense security check and my chip scan, I entered an enchanting world of elegance and grace.
White lights hung like streamers from the ceiling, highlighting the grand, gold-veined marble floor. Water drizzled gently down either side of the walls and pooled around the base before being recycled back up.
Upbeat instrumental music filled the air as guests in beautiful costumes mingled about the floor. So strange to see so many people in masks, their faces blank as if they were merely eloquent dolls. What a glorious sight indeed.
“Go do your thing and report back to me. I’ll be right here. Stay focused.” Russ did a quick survey, and then his eyes floated back to mine.
Stay focused?
“Really?” I gave him a cheeky glare and noted ISAN teams were splitting up.
It was hard to read his expression under the mask, but I saw a hint of humor sparkling in those emerald gemstone eyes just before he walked away.
“See you soon.” Brooke showed me her back, cozying up to the gentleman nearest to her.
Tamara and Justine did the same, chatting and fitting in with the party. I reminded myself to walk like a lady and not an assassin, so I gracefully swayed across the floor.
In passing to the dining hall, I acknowledged Gene and Aubrey, who were pretending to be a couple. I’d thought Aubrey might be my sister, but finding out about Abby gave me a reason to think I’d guessed wrong.
Casting a glance over my shoulder, I spotted Chelsea and Vince and their teams.
In the dining hall, tables covered in black velvet lined the walls. Three-tiered trays were garnished with finger sandwiches, cheese and crackers, bite-size desserts, and much more.
We had already eaten dinner and had been ordered not to touch the food, but my eyes and mouth watered. I wanted to devour the puffy, cream-filled doughnuts and key lime pie.
In the center, people sat on ornate furniture, drinking, eating, laughing, and conversing.
I scanned the room, the guests, and every little detail of the space. Though I had seen the physical blueprint, Russ had instructed me to use my special gift once injected with Helix to confirm the mapping.
ISAN still didn’t know I didn’t need Helix to project a layout. My secret.
I wandered toward a dessert table as I concentrated on the massive interior and compared every minuscule detail to the map shown to me earlier: how many rooms, how many exits, and stairs leading to the second floor.
A robot with mechanical hands holding wine glasses forced me to jerk. It detected my body heat, but the stupid thing hadn’t accommodated for the size of my bulging dress, and had nearly run over the fabric. I cursed at it and grabbed a glass of wine from one of the extended hands.
A sip wouldn’t hurt. After all, I had turned eighteen. Perhaps a little present to myself. I glanced around, ensuring none of ISAN team was watching. They shouldn’t be in this room anyway. Their duty was to observe, make small talk, and blend in.
Mr. San’s team no doubt expected assassins to try to finish the job. They would be watching with keen eyes. With everyone in masks, distinguishing the guests from Mr. San’s guards was impossible.
I’d just brought my glass closer to my nose when someone yanked it out of my hand, splashing sparkling liquid on the floor. What the hell? I twirled to the rude person and scowled.
It was the first time I’d been alone with Mitch since I’d been kidnapped. I had purposely tried to avoid him, unsure what I would do to him after finding out how he’d betrayed me. But I had to play this smart. If I told him what I remembered, he might ... no, he would report me to Mr. Novak.
So many lies between us. I could never trust him.
“I wasn’t going to drink that.” I dropped my arm to my leg. “I just wanted to smell it.”
His unwarranted action made me want to take him down right then and there. My Taser itched to be triggered.
Mitch gave me a you-don’t-fool-me look and gulped it down.
Ass.
I wanted to rip that cane from his grip and whack him with it. “You get to drink, whereas, I’m not allowed to touch it?”
“Of course. I’m your superior, and besides, you’ve never drunk wine before. Drinking is prohibited. You already know that. Why are we having the same conversation as we did at the Leviathan Hotel? I don’t want to know what alcohol can do to you combined with Helix. You certainly don’t want to shoot an ISAN soldier by accident.”
He knows, too. Of course, he knows. Does that mean Lydia and Russ also do? Does he know I lied to his face?
I placed one fist on my hip and brushed my fake, scintillating diamond necklace. Still there. “No, I don’t. Don’t worry, I certainly wouldn’t accidentally shoot you.”
I wished I could see his expression, but the ridiculous silver mask covering half of his upper face made it impossible. But I imagined him narrowing his eyes from the way they darkened.
“Did you at least complete your task?”
I crossed my arms and perked my lips, my fake diamond bracelet catching the light flowing down from the ceiling like streamers.
“What do you think?”
“I think you need to keep your attitude in check.”
I was just about to say something snarky when the music stopped. Our cue to get ready.
“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Mr. San’s charity masquerade ball.” A voice boomed into the room. “We are so pleased you are all here, despite the snow. Come. Come. Come closer. Without further ado, your host, Mr. San.”
Cheers erupted. I lifted my dress and swiftly followed Mitch to the foyer, trying to walk gracefully. I nearly tripped but righted myself and adjusted my tilted mask.
A man dressed in a black tuxedo and a blue mask stood in the center of the balcony where the two stairways on either side met on the second floor. Mr. San himself.
“Welcome, everyone.” Mr. San glanced about the guests. “Wow. You all look marvelous. I’m ecstatic to see you all. You’re here to support Hydro Water Home System, and it means the world to me. I thank those who have traveled long distances to come to support this special cause. Aside from your presence, I am humbled and honored to have the Remnant Councils represented tonight. Please join me in giving a round of applause to Ms. Sylvia Martinez from North, Mr. Timothy Jones from South, Josephine Chang from West, and Pierre Verlot from East.”
Another round of clapping filled the room as the four Council members came out of the shadows and removed their masks. The two women waved like queens, and the two men bowed slightly. After they made their individual, fake speeches about how happy and humbled they were to be there, they were flanked by their guards and moved to the sides of the balcony. Then Mr. San spoke again.
“After the welcoming dance,
the Councilors will greet you on the first level and answer any questions. Pictures can only be taken by the professionals. Please do not attempt to take your own. The photos will be sent to your chip as soon as they are taken. Now, it’s time for the welcome dance.”
At his cue, a section of the floor from the far back groaned and lifted six feet off the ground. On the raised platform, an orchestra began to play.
The lively tune from violins, flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and horns bounced from wall to wall as everyone formed into lines, women in one and the men in the other. I followed suit and eyed Brooke doing the same toward the front.
With my right hand slightly raised, I matched to my partner with a smile. We made a circle around each other and moved on to the next. Then I did the same with several more partners.
One thing good about having a mask on, it was easier to trick others into thinking I was paying attention to them while I scanned the perimeter. Mr. San remained where he had made his speech, with guards surrounding him.
When I spotted a familiar man down the line, I forgot to breathe. My heart ricocheted and no amount of air in my lungs seemed enough. There was always a possibility, but why take the risk? Was I just seeing what I wanted?
The man, a crisp, black tuxedo hugging his muscular form, held my attention. Fitted over his sleeked-back hair was a unique black mask with a layer of complex embellishments—sharp angles, gears, and knobs. The half-face mask revealed high cheekbones, the masculine curve of his jawline, and lips that would make any woman jealous.
I swayed to the side with my current partner and as we turned, he delivered me to my next. My pulse raced faster. The mysterious man was next, but he didn’t seem to notice me. My heart sank at the thought that he might not be Rhett.
Maybe I had imagined the similarity. Maybe I wanted that man to be Rhett, even if his being here would be a disaster.
The tempo slowed and harps played the lead. My partner bowed and backed away to give space to the next. The man with the cool mask bowed, and I curtsied. My palm touched his, and a warm, electric tingle traveled through my center.
His earth-and-citrus scent filled me when our bodies touched after one complete turn. We pulled apart, and then I dared to look at him directly. Those amber sunburst eyes locked with mine.
