Another deep drag of hookah. Another stream of blue-tinged smoke rings.
“Okay, Alyson Little. I like that, I’ll help you out, since you answered my first question.”
“First?!” I snapped, but Maddox tugged me backward, behind him.
“Cut the shit, Blue,” he growled. “The girl we’re looking for is only nineteen years old – no more fucking games. There isn’t shit that happens around here without you knowing about it, so cough it up,” Maddox demanded, smacking the table so hard it made everything bounce.
Blue’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t burn yourself, Maddox Hatcher. You’re playing with fire.”
Unmoved, Maddox stared right back, until Blue’s expression softened. He sat back, laughing as he finished the other half of his oversized strawberry. “You see that, Alyson Little? Mad didn’t blink, I like that,” he nodded.
Yes.
I’d seen it.
I’d felt it.
“You talking intelligent, attractive young women,” Blue continued, “Then you’re talking Diamonds, but you might not like what you find when you get there. I got breaking news for you, Alyson Little, two vital tenets – First – it’s a reason we put animals in cages, you know? Everything that glitters ain't gold, and everything that’s cute ain’t innocent. They don’t want you to succeed, so you gotta look out. Second, the Hartfords take real good care of their grass, shit looks mighty green from the Mids, if you know what I mean.”
“I don’t.”
“He’s saying she may not want to leave. Which is something to consider,” Maddox explained.
My face pulled into a scowl. “Leave what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Blue laughed. “Maddox, where the hell you find this one?”
I opened my mouth to retort, but the warning look Maddox gave made the words die on my lips.
“Appreciated as always,” he told Blue, grabbing my wrist to pull me along.
“Thank you,” I chimed too, though I didn’t understand what the information he’d given us meant. Or if he’d actually given us anything.
“Be blessed,” I heard from behind us as we left the private room, and Maddox rushed me back out front.
He was already reaching for his helmet when I stopped him.
“Hey – what the hell was that?” I asked, confused.
Maddox pushed out a sigh, offering none of his usual smiles, which was a little scary. “Nothing I didn’t already suspect,” he answered, picking up my helmet and handing it to me. “Just needed confirmation before we moved forward.”
“Move forward? So you know where my sister is?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I do.”
Hope spiked in my chest, and I let it show on my face, though he didn’t share my enthusiasm. “Yes!! Okay, so where are we going next?”
“To see the Queen.”
Everybody wanted an audience with the “Queen”.
At least, that was the impression I had upon arriving at the multi-story building Maddox referred to as her “compound”. The first area we entered was set up like a waiting room, with a system where you took a number when you walked in, and waited. Maddox bypassed all of that, leading me to a guarded elevator at the back of the room. When he spotted us, the guard stepped aside, pressing the button to open it for us.
That was the moment it sunk in for me that Maddox wasn’t just some guy who knew a lady who had a big house. There was a hierarchy, some political capital I was missing. I was so laser-focused on finding Nadiah that I hadn’t taken a moment to interrogate who I was dealing with.
The truth was, I had no idea.
Once the elevator closed, Maddox pressed the only other button on the panel besides the one that would take us back down. He looked straight ahead, saying nothing, and I took the opportunity to stare.
The face, the tattoos, the biceps, the obvious luxury of those two braids… I was a little disgusted at how appealing I found him, and a lot disgusted by how that appeal distracted me from focusing on more important things.
Like what the hell was happening around me.
So much had occurred in the last twelve hours it was dizzying. Once this was all over, and Nadiah and I were back home, I’d have plenty to lay awake obsessing about, letting my imagination run. It was something to look forward to, knowing I was going right back to the mundanity of my normal life, to see none of these bizarre people again.
Most eventful day off ever.
When the elevator opened, Maddox moved, not looking back to make sure I was following. We walked into another room like the one downstairs, but smaller. This time, Maddox stopped to scribble his name down on a roll, then led me to a collection of seats, facing a raised stage. The seats he chose had a perfect view of the throne – and the person seated upon it.
Ruby Hartford.
She looked terrifying.
A black crown of hearts sat upon her head, her hair still as flawlessly styled as when she’d left my salon chair yesterday. Her matte black lipstick stood out in high contrast to her light brown face, and her dark eyelashes had the same effect. Expensive high heels adorned her feet, the shiny, spiked stiletto glinting and reflecting light as her crossed foot swung back and forth.
There was a sword across her lap.
Red blade, black hilt.
She wasn’t looking at the person standing in front of her, stuttering as he argued his case. Her eyes were on that blade, fingers giving it a loving caress as she listened.
Maybe.
Suddenly, the hilt was in her hand, the tip of the blade at the throat of the man in front of her. On either side, men dressed in all black – her security – moved their hands to their own weapons.
“Shut. Up,” Ruby hissed, giving him the courtesy of her eyes, cold and angry. “If I have to listen to another man with another excuse, I’m cutting something offa somebody today!”
The vibe hadn’t been carefree before that, but her words added noticeable tension. It had always been obvious that Ruby Hartford was someone with money, someone important. I understood now it was much more than that.
It was power.
She oozed it, just like the wealth I’d noticed at the salon.
“I don’t give a fuck about your personal life. Do not come with your problems, trying to make them mine. Do you understand me?”
The guy looked about on the verge of peeing himself, but he nodded – as much as he could without pricking himself on her blade. “Y-yes my q-queen.”
“I haven’t spilled blood in this court in a long time,” she said, stepping to the side and angling the sword. “Do you think the Burrows needs a reminder?”
“No! N-no, my queen, please.”
“I hate begging,” she snapped, and the man fell quiet. She stared at him with cold eyes for a moment longer, then lowered the blade. “Get him out of my face,” she muttered, to no one in particular, but two of the men in black rushed forward, leading the man away.
“Next,” she called, inviting the next person into her presence.
I watched her interact with three other “cases” that clearly bored her before the attendant called Maddox up. Reluctantly, I joined him, prepared to take off running when Ruby’s black lips stretched into a dazzling smile. It was such a marked difference from the cold anger, then complete boredom that it was scary.
It was scary as hell.
“Maddox Hatcher,” she purred, standing again. She glided right up to us – to him – with blade in hand though she was giving off the vibe of warm cookies. Her free hand went to her chest, dragging her red-manicured nails along her bare skin. “Hi. How can I help you?”
“Hi Ruby,” he responded, looking her right in the eyes as he smiled. “You have something that belongs to someone else.”
Her eyes widened, in genuine surprise. “Do I?”
“A Diamond. Her sister.” He tipped his head in my direction, and Ruby looked at me, those emerald eyes dark and curious at first, and then, bright with recognition.
“You.”
I swallowed. “Yes. Me. Hello Mrs. Hartford.”
“Ms.” She corrected. “But please, call me Ruby. I didn’t know you had a sister, but I didn’t know you at all before yesterday, so I supposed that isn’t surprising.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing.
“Her name is Nadiah,” Maddox spoke for me. “She’s nineteen years old.”
Ruby’s head drew back a little as she turned back to Maddox. “One of my Knights spoke about a young Nadiah. Smart as a whip, exquisite.” She looked at me. “You didn’t take my offer, but she did.”
“She wouldn’t,” I shot back, shaking my head. “She’s getting a scholarship offer from the Apex, to get a degree, then a great job.”
“She has a great job. What was your name?”
“Aly.”
Ruby smiled. “Pretty. Well, Aly, I understand your concern, but I assure you – Diamonds never have to do anything they don’t want to – many are never touched at all. Your sister is safe.”
“Someone took my sister, injured, from a house where she was hiding while waiting for me to come and get her. She left a trail for me to follow. She didn’t run away to get a job – someone abducted her.”
The smile melted from Ruby’s face, and a quick glance down told me her grip had tightened on her blade. She looked backward, at the Knight closest to her.
He looked like he wanted to melt into the ground.
Instantly, all her friendly energy shifted to a barely contained rage as he stepped forward, speaking into her ear.
“Why am I just now hearing about this,” she hissed, in response to whatever he had told her.
The Knight took a step back. “We didn’t want to bore you with it, my Queen.”
“But you bored me with—” Ruby stopped, taking a deep breath she exhaled through her nose, making her nostrils flare. “I will handle you later. Bring Nadiah. Now.”
The Knight took off running as Ruby turned her back on him. She let out a cleansing sigh before she returned her attention to me.
“There has been a mistake,” she informed me, holding out the sword for one of the other Knights to take. “Apparently, one of my Diamond recruiters used some less than desirable… less than consensual methods. Your sister will be returned to you, and I will deal with him. In blood.”
My eyes went wide. “Oh! Oh, no, that’s not nece—”
“Why on what’s left of this earth do you believe it’s up to you?” Ruby asked. Something in her tone led me to believe I was in danger of boring her.
I shook my head. “Nothing. I apologize. Thank you, for returning my sister.”
Behind the throne, a set of doors opened, and two people came out.
The Knight that Ruby had threatened, and Nadiah.
The sight of her made my knees go weak, but Maddox caught me, steadied me, until they’d rounded the throne and Nadiah noticed me.
“Aly?!” she gasped. “What are you doing here?!”
She came running toward me, flinging her arms around my neck for a hug I couldn’t immediately return, because… What?
I pulled back, looking down at her feet. “How in the world are you running?” I asked, meeting her gaze to look for any sign of anything.
“Huh?” she raised an eyebrow at me, looking like a mirror image of our mother – cocoa skin, big brown eyes, and full lips. “What are you talking about? And what are you doing here?”
“I’m here to save you,” I informed her. “Bunny came to get me last night because you were hurt, and then—”
“Bunny lied,” Nadiah interrupted, with an ire I’d never heard from her before. “I’ve gone out to the ruins before – all the time. She always wanted me to go further, but I wouldn’t, so she’d let it go. This time she wouldn’t let it go, and I followed her so she wouldn’t be alone. She tricked me into that house. Those men were waiting.”
My eyes narrowed. “When we got to the house, I found your trail. She tried to get me to stay there and wait while she left.”
“They were coming back. She was trying to set you up too.”
“Wow,” I breathed. “I should’ve known. I should’ve realized something was off.”
Nadiah shook her head. “She was my friend. I thought she was, at least. You were just being you, like always. Taking care of me.”
Behind us, Maddox cleared his throat. “Uh, this is heartwarming and all that, but let’s take this reunion elsewhere. I’m sure Ruby has other matters to address.”
My eyes went to her, now that he’d mentioned her name. “Really? That’s it? We can just go?”
A smirk spread across her lips. “Of course. I’m very, very big on my Diamonds wanting to be here, never by force. You’re all free to go.”
“Oh, thank you,” I gushed, hooking my arm through Nadiah’s to walk away.
Ruby’s voice stopped us cold.
“But,” she said, bringing a lump of dread up into my chest. Beside me, Maddox muttered “fuck!” under his breath. “You understand how this puts me in a bind, losing a girl. Offering restitution would be the diplomatic thing to do.”
I turned to face her with my heart in my feet. “If I could, I would. But I have nothing to offer you. I have nothing that would be of any value to you.”
“Oh I beg to differ,” Ruby smiled. My breath caught in my throat as she stalked up, raising a hand to my neck. I fully believed I was about to get choked, but instead, she ran her fingers over the jade green kiss print Ches had painted on my neck. “It would seem that you’ve been moving about the Burrows with the blessing of that sneaky little kitty Franchesca Catlan.” Ruby bit her lip, winked at me. “Not an easy honor to receive, I would think. She must’ve given you a nice little welcome. You have access to her?”
“Barely,” I told her, honestly.
“Oh that’s quite enough.” Ruby lifted her hand, made a motion that brought a Knight rushing up to her, with that blade. “Take it,” she said, offering the slick black hilt to me. “And bring me that bitch’s head.”
Seven
I couldn’t move.
Couldn’t breathe.
Couldn’t believe Ruby said what I thought she said, but her expression was as deadly as the blade I still hadn’t taken.
Wouldn’t take.
“She’s not that kinda girl, Ruby,” Maddox said, furthering my growing belief that he could speak however he wanted to anyone around here.
Instead of remaining on me, her cold green eyes snapped to him, staring before a smile cracked her serious façade. Not one of the calculated smirks that seemed popular in this place, but a real smile, borne of genuine amusement.
She’s toying with me…
“Damn, Mad,” she groaned, lowering the sword. “Nobody lets me have any fun around here.”
I swallowed. “Fun?” Rage built in my chest, like a hot-air balloon. “This is a game to you?!”
Just that quickly, any warmth left Ruby as she looked to me again, her sneer dripping with superiority. “Yes,” she answered. “I’m glad you’ve caught on. Queen,” she said, pointing to herself. “Knights” – her security – “Bishop” – she pointed to Maddox, and then at me and Nadiah – “Pawns”.
Once she was done establishing the hierarchy, she turned, hips swaying as she glided back to her throne. Beside me, Nadiah threaded her fingers through mine, squeezing tight as she crowded against me.
“It seems as if you didn’t appreciate my game,” Ruby said, one she was seated again, legs crossed, with the blade over her lap. “So for your sake, I’ll just say this plain – you, Alyson Little, can’t give me a goddamn thing worth what I’m giving up by letting your sister leave here. But, I will let her go anyway, because I’m benevolent.”
She stopped there, staring at me, and I opened my mouth to stammer, “Thank y—”
“I am not finished speaking,” she snapped. Immediately, I went quiet. She ran a hand through her lush chestnut hair and smiled. “When I come
into the salon, I don’t want to hear about a Harriet. You will drop whatever you are doing – whoever – you’re doing, and come to me. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“And you,” she shifted to Maddox, whose eyebrows went up. “Make sure your mommy knows me wanting her head is not a joke. She owes me blood, and I am becoming bored with waiting for it. And we know what happens when I get bored, don’t we?”
Maddox cleared his throat, nodded. “Nobody wants that.”
“Of course we don’t.” Ruby grinned. “Get them out of my sight, before I change my mind. Take them back to Franchesca’s hovel.” She looked at Maddox. “Make sure you tell her I said that too.”
There wasn’t time to respond.
Ruby’s knights were already acting on her command to remove us from her sight, and I held tight to Nadiah’s hand as they whisked us out. In what felt like just a few seconds, we were tucked into the backseat of a sleek black pickup truck, with Maddox up front, beside the driver. His motorcycle was strapped into the cargo bed.
I was teeming with questions, and he must’ve known. He half-turned, meeting my eyes for a subtle head shake.
I needed to keep my mouth closed.
So I did, not even talking to Nadiah, though I was dying to. Every other friend I had was gone, for various reasons that were more the fault of the world we lived in than anything else. Once Gran was gone, Nadiah would be all I had left.
She had to know I was thinking about her. Her cornrowed head settled onto my shoulder, comforting me. As relieving as it was, there was some deep part of me that still felt unsettled, like this wasn’t the end I imagined it would be.
Like we weren’t out of the rabbit hole yet.
Nadiah squeezed my hand, and I forced the foreboding down somewhere deep, away from my conscious mind for now.
Only for now.
“How many times am I going to answer that question before you believe me?”
Nadiah’s words stopped my pacing.
Did I hear an edge to her voice?
Was she taking a tone with me?
After the way my last 24 hours had gone, trying to get to her?
Wonder Page 6
