“I’m fine. Just looking for the bathroom,” I said, my voice poorly disguised.
“It’s just back to the left.” The dirty employee nodded toward the back.
Oh, thank God. He didn’t know who I was. I nodded in return, then headed back.
With every step I made, I felt a tingle on my back like his eyes burned a hole into me. I quickened my steps and turned a corner behind a display rack. The feeling subsided, and I continued to move. I wondered what was up with that guy. He didn’t act like he was suspicious of me since he did nod me off, but he definitely looked at me a bit too hard.
Seeing what just happened as a sign to move quicker, I jetted into the restroom. The room was a standard bowl and sink combo, fully equipped with crusty-film residue. This wasn’t the cleanliest place to change, but it would do. I grabbed a fresh shirt out of my bag. I had just zipped the compartment back up, when my eyes caught the partially opened zipper on the front.
How did I forget to check that compartment?
I unzipped the section further and saw a tag. It read: To Ariel.
With shaky hands, I unzipped the rest of the section. I stared at it and placed my hand to my mouth. There it was—my gift from Piper. I couldn’t believe Luca retrieved it from the house with the rest of my stuff. I ripped open the package, then opened the wooden box. The necklace was just as beautiful as the day I witnessed it in Piper’s room. The clear stone held that magnificent strand of sparkling blue.
I unclasped the necklace and put it on. This time I wouldn’t let it out of my sight. Forgetting about what I was doing, I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the bathroom. He surprised me from the front.
“Is everything all right?” Luca grabbed my shoulders, and stared hard into my eyes.
What is he looking for? “Everything’s fine I—”
Luca took me outside before I could finish. I looked for the creepy attendant on the way out, but he was nowhere to be found. It was like he never existed.
Luca pretty much placed me in the car, and we headed back onto the road before I could question his strange behavior.
“What was that about back there?” I asked after we’d been on the road for a minute.
He glanced my way and didn’t say a word. His eyes scanned me up and down for a moment, then he gazed back at the road. His eyes were wide as he drove, and he didn’t make a sound.
I raised my eyebrows. “Luca?”
He blinked and shook his head. “I am sorry. It is just …. I thought I lost you.”
He was acting super freaked out. I knew what happened at the lake house really bothered him, but he didn’t need to be so paranoid. “Why would you think that? I was only gone for a minute.”
He stared my way for a long moment. “I cannot explain it. It is as if you have vanished from my vision. I can see you sitting next to me, but it is like you are not there.”
“What do you mean?”
He lifted his hand from the wheel and placed it out toward me. “Hunters can sense the presence of targets when they are close by, by pressing a button that is embedded in our skin when we go into the program.”
He touched his wrist and a teal light illuminated underneath his skin. Slowly, the light faded until his skin was its usual color.
I put my hand over my mouth. “Oh, wow.”
He nodded. “It always works unless it is turned off, like the careless mistake I made the day Gemini attacked you.”
Gemini? And just like that, a light clicked on in my brain. That’s what Gemini meant when he asked Luca to “turn it off” because he could “feel them” and it was distracting. He meant targets. That was the monitor he spoke of in the train yard. And no wonder neither of them knew I was in the booth behind them. Realizing Luca stopped talking, I looked up. Dang, I really zoned out for a moment. “Sorry.”
His gazed down my body again and stopped suddenly. “Were you wearing that a minute ago?” He pointed toward my moonstone necklace.
I held it in my hands. “No. And I wanted to thank you for find—”
“Can you remove it for a moment?”
This was a strange request, but I didn’t see the harm. I took it off as asked.
His eyes expanded. “I cannot believe I did not realize this sooner. That night, the night of Piper’s death, were you wearing it?”
“No ….” I began. “Wait. Yes, I was. For just a minute, right before you came over.”
“May I see it?”
I handed it to him.
He turned the emblem around with his fingers. “This stone ….” He looked up at me. “It is from Elda.”
My eyes expanded, now. “How?”
“I do not know, but whoever sent this, meant for you to have it. It blocks your essence. When you wear it, I cannot see that part of you. When you wear it …. You are like everyone else.”
How could this be? I quickly realized something. That guy at the gas station …. He knew. He knew who I was. He was one of them, but the minute I put on the necklace he left. He probably thought I was of no concern and misjudged his feeling. I disappeared from his vision, just like Luca.
I rose up and my mouth dropped open. I just had another epiphany—the same one Luca had apparently when he said he should have realized something sooner. Luca was at my house an hour early the night of Piper’s murder. At the time, I didn’t understand why. Now, I did. He must have been watching me that night. When I put on the necklace, I left his vision. He then approached my door early in alarm. He thought he’d lost me.
Luca grabbed my hand and a smile spread across his lips. “Ariel, I think you just figured out how we are going to get you in.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Couldn’t I have worn some flats?” I looked down at my feet.
Luca flashed his brilliant smile. “You will do fine, Ariel. Just trust me.”
I felt like I was going to vomit all over his beautiful car. How could I pull this off? There was no way I could get by undetected by myself. Especially, with how different I looked from them. “But what about my eyes, Luca? Your peoples’ eyes are like way brighter than mine, and don’t even get me started on your skin. It’s way clearer than mine. They’ll notice.”
Luca grabbed my hand. “Ariel, our people have ways of downplaying these things. They will think you are hiding it like most of us do. And your eyes are already a natural bright blue. They will never notice the difference.”
My eyes shifted in panic. “But what if I mess up my words and—”
Luca slipped his hand to my cheek and brought my lips to his.
I enjoyed his lips like I always did. He always knew how to calm my nerves.
He broke our kiss. “Do not worry. I will be with you all the way. Just remember to concentrate like I showed you, and you will be fine.”
That was easy for him to say. He’d been speaking his language his whole life. The weeks we spent training for this day couldn’t match the knowledge of knowing a language an entire lifetime. I knew he couldn’t come with me, though. After the attack at the lake house, his people definitely knew of his deception by now. The task was up to me.
He pulled back my hair and placed a tiny black dot on my temple. Once it was settled, he framed my hair back around my face. “This will allow you to hear me from virtually anywhere you will be inside. Just listen for my voice like I taught you. I will be able to hear both your mental communication, as well as your vocal as long as you allow it. Once you are inside remember to press the button on—”
“The corner of my jacket. I know. That part I’m actually calm about. You explained it at least a hundred times.” I laughed.
“I know, but I just want to make sure you remember. I do not want you to run into any problems when you are inside.” His voice sounded worried.
Hearing the worry in his words, forced my bravery to come forward. No matter how I felt inside, I had to show him I could handle this. “Don’t worry. I will make it, and if I can’t find the connection we can try ano
ther day.”
Though I had a feeling if I didn’t make it, there wouldn’t be another day. I tried to keep that out of my mind, and maintain a brave expression.
He forced a smile. “Yes, of course.”
Suddenly, his lips were on mine. It was the kind of kiss that was given when two people wouldn’t see each other for a long time. Neither of us broke away. Our lips couldn’t bear the disconnect. I would miss those lips … his lips. I prepared not to touch them again, and I couldn’t let go. He let me stay for as long as I needed to, and held me until I was done. Who broke away first I didn’t know. That’s how in sync we were. We were one until that very moment of separation.
He held my cheeks, our foreheads touching. “Be careful in there. If you sense trouble get out, and make sure you have your necklace on at all times. Do not ever take it off.”
“I won’t. I promise.” I gave him one last embrace and opened the door. Stepping out from the vehicle, I made it into the alleyway.
“Ariel?”
I turned around and took in one last look of those powerful greenish-gray eyes. I could see the passion in them that matched mine. “I know.”
As I walked down the street, I swallowed hard. I wished I hadn’t turned back; acted as if I hadn’t heard him. That final moment with him made the reality of what I was about to walk into that much more real. And also, brought home the reality of what I walked away from.
*
As I got closer to my destination, I understood why Luca wanted me to wear my uncomfortable three-piece suit. Everyone within a quarter mile radius was professionally dressed. There were hundreds of people on the busy downtown street corner, and I blended in alongside them. I wondered how many of them were not one of us. How many were living their day-to-day ready to kill at any moment to save their world. I didn’t have time to think about that, though. I had a mission to complete myself that day.
I knew what building I was going into before I even completely turned the corner. There, stood one of the biggest skyscrapers I’d ever seen. The tall, gray building shined, as if the sun powered it, and the structure of the building had exquisite art deco elements. It stood out from all the other buildings around it. It was definitely theirs.
“This is it,” I mumbled under my breath. I rubbed my sweaty hands on my pressed, pleated pants. I could do this. I had to do this.
Ariel?
The voice was Luca’s in my head. I cleared my thoughts and concentrated on his voice. Yes?
I will be with you the whole way. I promise you, he said.
I know. I drew in a breath, and then walked inside the shining establishment.
*
The hustle and bustle inside was even crazier than on the outside. There were people everywhere. Some carried coffee. Others had that, and their briefcases. Through the crowd, a lady sat at the front desk. I knew she wasn’t the administrative assistant I would have to go through for access, though. She was a front for the real world. I followed an older woman around the corner and took the first elevator to the ground floor.
The silence inside was deafening. There were so many people in there with me, yet they were all stark quiet. They stared ahead of them like an unified army. I tried hard to stay calm. I hoped my loudly beating heart wouldn’t give me away.
You are fine. Stay strong, said Luca.
He couldn’t possibly have known how I felt in the moment, but he always had a way of knowing exactly what to say at the right time.
The doors opened and, there, sat the real front-desk woman. Her eyes were alluring and luminous with an icy blue coloring. She was exactly the one I looked for.
She sat behind a black glass desk with her legs crossed, and she was also scathingly beautiful. Like something out of the movies. She had long, dark locks curled perfectly under and red precisely shaped lips. She wore skirted business attire, fully equipped with expensive looking stilettos, and her tan skin glowed under the LED lights, which spotlighted her workspace. This effect managed to make her even more stunning.
Everyone else accessed their cards and walked right around her. For me, it would not be that easy. I would have to speak with her directly.
I walked up to her desk with my head held high. Confidence was key here. “Hello, I am Giselle Metlock. I am requesting a temporary board of residence under the authorization of one Anchor Ivan Craven.”
I let out a small sigh of relief. I said it correctly.
Perfect, said Luca’s voice.
She looked away from her computer monitor and into my eyes. She stared deep, obviously looking for a reason to raise a red alert or kill me. She settled her expression and gestured toward the card scanner with one of her jet-black, nail polished fingers.
Calmly, I unclipped my identification card from my belt loop, then zipped the card through the reader without hesitation.
The women glanced at her monitor and smiled. “Of course, Ms. Metlock. Welcome to Glonmen Corp. I hope your time spent here in our fair city is well succeeded,” she said, revealing a thick Peruvian accent.
Meaning she hoped I killed whomever I was supposed to while I was here.
“Unfortunately, Anchor Craven is away on business, but one of his associates can give you the information you need. Take the elevator behind me to L 24. Thomas Hincolm’s office is the first door on the right. He will give you the authorization you desire.”
“Thank you.” I turned to go.
“Ms. Metlock? If you would please.” She gestured to a space on top of the desk.
A square materialized about the size of my hand and a translucent blue liquid appeared inside.
“With the recent events, you cannot be too careful. You understand the need for extra security.” Her red lips tipped up to the side.
My heart elevated. She must have been talking about Luca’s escape.
What is she saying, Ariel? Luca asked.
Nothing. She just wants to hand me a brochure or something, I lied, my internal voice quick.
All right. Well, stay calm. Just do what she asks.
I stood there, trying not to look horrified at the liquid. If I put my hand in that, I was done for. They would know for sure I lied. I had to try and make up a quick excuse for my departure. My lips formed to state a lie, but my focus shifted to a bright light.
I casually gazed down and my eyes widened. My hand glowed blue down beneath me. The glow was like a translucent barrier hovering around my hand. I turned my hand over and the lines of my hand changed. The lines moved and created a new formation. How could this be? I didn’t have time to question it. I had a feeling this was exactly what I needed.
“Ms. Metlock?” the woman asked again.
“Of course,” I answered quickly, trying not to arise suspicion. “You can never be too careful.” I gazed down at my hand. The glow had faded, so I raised it. Slowly, I submerged it into the liquid. The matter, which surrounded my hand, was not the wet feeling I anticipated. My hand felt like it was in air. Nothing actually touched my skin.
I wiggled my fingers around and a force in the liquid suddenly latched itself onto me. I jolted just a little from surprise, but kept myself calm. The matter unlocked and I released my hand. The tension of my shoulders released with it.
The woman gazed at her monitor, then looked up at me. “Thank you, Ms. Metlock. Have a nice day.”
I didn’t wait for her to ask me to give her a blood sample. I hit the elevator and pressed G 54—my real destination.
The minute the doors closed, I pressed the button on my jacket corner. My gray business attire changed into an all-black one-piece suit. The outfit looked like a uniform of some kind.
When the elevator doors opened, I quickly became aware of the fact this was their actual work attire. Everyone in front of me wore the same outfit.
I discreetly stepped off the elevator and traveled down the first hall to my right. Luca told me I would find a door around the back corner, so I headed for there.
As I went down the hall,
I noticed less and less Hunters were around. My nerves eased only a little bit. I didn’t want to get too comfortable.
I reached my destination and turned the chrome knob. Opening the door just a crack, I shimmied inside.
The room was big with a spotlight in the middle. Everywhere else was pitch black. No one else was in here. I let out a sigh of relief, but stopped mid-sigh. This was strange. There was literally nothing in here, but the spotlight. No cabinets to root through, or anything. How was I supposed to find what I needed, if there was nothing to look through? Why would Luca have me come here? My thoughts halted when a hand grasped my mouth. I was dragged backward toward the spotlight.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The tears trickled down my cheeks. Through the cloudiness of my eyes, a vision of Luca’s face appeared. I was glad he would be the last image I saw before I died. I closed my eyes, finding some internal strength. I was not going to go out like this to these people. I would hold my head up high. I would die strong. I opened my eyes and the tears lessened. When the tears stopped their pull, the room became clear. Without their blinding glisten, Luca really did come into view.
He immediately let go of me once we got into the light.
“What are you doing here?” I hushed a scream to keep from shouting at him.
“I took a different way in. I could not be seen from the front.” He smiled and stroked my cheek.
I wanted to punch him for not telling me he’d be joining me. I couldn’t deny how relieved I was that he was here, though. Getting on my tiptoes, I wrapped my arms around his neck.
He snuggled me against him, and my feet lifted from the ground. “I told you I would be with you the whole way. I could not break a promise.”
He set me down and wiped away my tears. Bracing my cheeks, he left a soft kiss on my lips.
“I just wish you would have told me.” I spoke against his lips.
“You would not have had access to the way I got in, and I did not want to alarm you if I ran into trouble.”
The Crimson Hunt Page 29
