"What'll you have, miss?" the bartender immediately asked me. He was a Delensean. He had blue skin--all of his kind did--and six arms, making him able to serve multiple people at once.
"Um, uh..."
He tapped his fingers in impatience.
"Water, please," I finally said.
He slapped all six of his hands on the emerald-veined marble separating us. "This is a bar, human, not a bathhouse. Order a drink or leave."
"O--okay. I'll have a Mad Mec, then." That's what my mom always ordered when we went out for dinner.
When my drink arrived, a glowing red liquid in a frosted glass, I picked it up and turned to Shanel, who was sipping some kind of orange concoction. "Mmm," she said through a sigh. "This is good."
I pretended to sip mine, letting the fiery red liquid tease (and numb) my lips. I did not want to get drunk and make a fool of myself in front of Erik.
"Ohmygod!" Shanel suddenly gasped out and pointed. "Silver's here. He's really here!"
"Where?" Heart hammering, I whipped around to face the direction in which she pointed. I caught the barest hint of wide shoulders and blue hair before Silver disappeared up the stairs.
"Let's go before we lose him." Shanel raced forward.
I remained close on her heels. "Did you see any sign of Erik?"
"No, sorry," she threw over her shoulder, red curls bouncing. "But he has to be here somewhere. They're never far apart."
The revolving steps didn't freak me out this time and I managed to climb them with ease. However, I was moving so quickly my drink sloshed over the rim of my glass, running down my hand. Ick. Sticky.
Shanel stopped at the top and stomped her foot. "I don't see him. Do you?"
My gaze scanned the area. There weren't many people this high up, which made my search very easy. They weren't here. "Let's go up one more level," I said, disappointed.
"Hurry."
We tread the rest of the way up the stairs and stood at the edge of the highest level. This far up, the music was barely a hum. There were quite a few people scattered about, talking and laughing, some sitting at tables, some lounging on black velvet couches.
"I see him," Shanel whispered fiercely. She gripped my forearm. "He's talking to Erik."
My mouth dried completely, leaving no hint of moisture. "Where?" I whispered just as fiercely, my gaze once again moving over the room.
"On the far couch. Sitting by the--Ohmygod, they're looking this way." She turned away from them, facing me. "Act natural. Say something funny."
"Uh--uh..." Suddenly my gaze connected with Erik's and I lost my breath. What should I do? What the hell should I do?
In my dreams, Erik always smiled the first moment he spied me. He always stood and approached me, wanting desperately to be near me. To touch me...to kiss me. In reality, his brown eyes narrowed on me; his lips thinned. In displeasure? My heart sank. Why displeasure? Did I look that bad?
As always, he looked amazing. His light hair was shaggy and hung over his forehead; the dark roots gleamed in the shadowy light. I think his hair was naturally brown, but he looked good as a blond. He had an eyebrow ring, a slightly crooked nose that had probably been broken a time or two, and sharp-as-glass cheekbones.
Out of his school uniform--the same white button-up and black slacks I had to wear--he was yummy. Right now he wore a black T-shirt and faded jeans. Both hugged him deliciously.
Shanel forced a laugh. "Oh, that's hilarious, Camille. Absolutely hilarious."
"What is?" I asked, feeling like I was locked in some sort of trance. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe his lips hadn't thinned in displeasure but in admiration.
She laughed again, the sound more strained. "That's even funnier."
Finally Erik tore his gaze from me and I realized I hadn't done anything but stare at him. Way to act like a sophisticated, older woman, Robins. I'm sure you're everything he's ever wanted and more, you idiot.
"There's an empty table," I said, trying to keep my embarrassment from my tone. "Let's sit down."
"Good idea."
My heartbeat refused to slow down, slamming against my ribs with excess force. Thankfully I didn't trip--or cry or throw up. I claimed the seat facing away from Erik. I'd stare at him some more if I had a direct view of him, and I knew it.
I plopped my drink onto the table as Shanel eased beside me. "Is anyone looking at us now?" I asked.
"No." She sighed in disappointment.
Oh. My shoulders slumped. "Well, what are they doing?"
"They're talking to a dark-haired man wearing a black cloth over the lower half of his face. And three Morevv females," she huffed.
I heard the jealousy in Shanel's tone and experienced a wave of my own. While Morevv males were gorgeous, Morevv females were exquisite. Breathtaking. Their features were always total perfection: small, straight noses, up-tilted eyes, symmetrical cheekbones, flawless skin.
"Maybe we should go over there," she suggested.
"No!" I shouted, then felt my cheeks bloom bright. "No," I said more quietly. "Let's wait until they're alone." I wanted to talk to Erik, yes, but I wanted to do it without a group watching my every move, hearing my every word, and witnessing my every mistake.
Shanel chewed on her bottom lip. "What if they leave?"
"That's a chance I'm willing to take." Better to miss an opportunity than to humiliate myself.
A blanket of vulnerability fell over her features. "I just...well...do you think those too-gorgeous-to-live Morevvs are Silver's family? The girls, I mean?"
"Absolutely," I said, but I didn't sound convincing. Most guys I knew didn't hang out with their family at clubs. They were probably girlfriends. Or potential girlfriends. I so wanted to turn around and observe their body language with Erik. Don't do it. Don't you dare do it. "What are they doing now?"
"Still talking."
"Is Erik paying any attention to the women?"
"No, but they're eyeing him like he's free candy, all you can eat. It's disgusting, really. They're old."
Old. Great. Just what Erik liked. My jealousy intensified. I took a moment to breathe, letting my attention snag on a group of human girls just exiting the stairs. They approached the bar.
I was willing to bet they were only slightly older than me, but they looked infinitely tougher, each one radiating a palpable air that said "I'd rather kick your ass than talk to you." They were a smorgasbord of colors, from brunettes, to blondes, and even a redhead. One of the girls even had a blue trident tattooed on her cheek.
Shanel gazed from the group of guys to the group of girls I'd just noticed. "Erik paled when he saw them," she said, claiming my attention once again. "Do you think he knows them?" With barely a breath, she added, "Score! There's an empty table next to the guys. If we move, we can listen to their conversation."
I shook my head violently. "We can't switch tables. That's too obvious."
"Well, we can't just sit here, either. I've got to know what they're saying." She downed the rest of her drink and slammed the glass on the table. "Give me a minute to think, and--wait. I know what we can do." Reaching out, she hit my glass and "accidentally" knocked it over.
Liquid spilled toward me and I jumped to my feet with a yelp.
"Oh, damn," she proclaimed loudly. "I'm so clumsy, I knocked over your drink."
Several droplets splattered on my boots and I frowned over at Shanel. "A little warning next time would be greatly appreciated."
"Sorry. I had an idea, and I went with it." For our now-avid audience she said, "Guess we'll have to switch tables."
I almost groaned. Not so obvious, huh?
Satisfaction gleamed in Shanel's green eyes as she stood.
Someone rushed over to clean the mess so that we wouldn't have to move, but we hurriedly strode to the now empty table in front of Erik and the Morevvs. I knew they were watching us--I felt the heat of their gazes boring into me--and knew I once again sported another blush.
I hated, hated that I couldn't con
trol the telltale sign of embarrassment.
We sat down and Shanel punched in an order on the wall unit for another drink. It arrived minutes later and we were left alone. Well, as alone as two girls inside of a club could get. I kept my back to the group. Call me a coward, but I still couldn't face them. Not yet.
I'd always been nervous around boys. The few I'd gone out with had been picked by my mother. Blind dates she'd set up with her coworkers' kids. Each had lasted exactly three hours. One hour for dinner and two for a movie, and each had been uncomfortable and utterly disappointing. Unlike Erik, none of them made my skin prickle with awareness and my stomach tighten in...I don't know what.
"Oh no!" Shanel said with a moan, cutting into my thoughts. "They're standing up."
I straightened. "Where are they going?"
Even as I spoke, I heard Erik's deep voice say, "Thank you for agreeing to move this meeting elsewhere. Too many prying eyes and ears here."
Uh-oh. Caught, I thought, cheeks heating again.
To my horror, Shanel waved and called, "Hi, Silver."
I sank into my chair, barely stifling the urge to cover my burning face with my hands.
"Hey," he returned, his tone wary. Confused.
A moment passed. Shanel frowned.
What had happened? Finally I gathered the courage to look. I turned in my seat and glanced over at the group. Silver had given Shanel his back, effectively ending all hope of conversation. Erik's attention was riveted on the dark-haired, half-masked man. His shoulders were stiff and his back ramrod straight.
"Come on," Half-Mask said. "You were right. The air in here is a little...toxic right now."
Erik nodded, his gaze sliding to the girls at the bar. Those same girls watched him, all of their eyes narrowed on him as if he were a target at gun practice. One of them, a tall, pretty Asian girl, even tipped her glass at him.
A muscle ticked in Erik's jaw.
I watched the byplay with a growing sense of dread. Did they know each other? Was she the kind of girl Erik found attractive? Probably.
In the next instant, my gaze connected with the beautiful Asian's. She'd stopped watching Erik and was now watching me. Me? Why? I tried not to flinch under her intense scrutiny, even though her dark, up-tilted eyes seemed to be cataloging my every flaw.
If I were brave, I would have flipped her off. But I wasn't, so I sat in my chair and did nothing. Cowardly Camille always did nothing.
My eyes widened as someone leaned toward me, getting all up in my personal space. I inched backward--until I realized it was Erik.
Shock held me immobile as his heat and pine scent surrounded me. Oh God. Oh God. Determination glinted in his dark eyes.
"I have something for you," he said huskily.
A shiver coursed the length of my spine. Not only was he close to me, he was talking to me! "O--okay," I found myself saying. Did I sound as breathless to him as I did to myself? I mean, really. This was...this was...unexpected and wonderful and everything I'd dreamed about, and I had no idea how to react.
He placed something in my hand and my fingers instantly curled around it. It was soft, a little crumpled. A napkin? Oh my God. Had he written his phone number on it? "Do you--"
He placed a finger over my lips, silencing me. "We'll talk on Monday at school." And with that, he was off.
We would talk? More than we already had? I watched him move away from me, so stunned I almost slid out of my chair. Seriously. Was I dreaming?
Half-Mask and the others stood in front of a guarded doorway at the back of the room, waiting, frowning. Erik said something to them, but I couldn't hear what. One of them punched in a code on a security box and they disappeared into the next room.
"Sweet baby Jesus, what did he give you?" Shanel gasped out.
"I don't know." Heart fluttering, I opened my hand. A napkin, as I'd guessed. Grinning, I unfolded the edges. The top was blank so I flipped it over. But when I saw that the other side was blank, as well, my grin faded. "I don't understand."
"Let me see." Shanel snatched it from me, looked it over, and frowned. "Is this supposed to be some sort of joke?"
The moment she spoke, realization set in. Tears burned in my eyes. A joke. Only a joke. He probably knew I had a crush on him and had done this to remind me that he was too far out of my league.
"We can't let him get away without an explanation." Scowling, she tossed the napkin back at me. "And an apology!"
I stuffed the stupid thing in my pocket, imagining whipping it out and shoving it in Erik's face. How dare he! Like I needed a reminder. I knew. That had never stopped me from hoping, however. Until now.
"Well? Are you going to do something?"
Stop being a coward. For once. I might be an Invisible, but I still deserved respect.
I peered at the guard posted in front of the door. He was a big, burly human beast who probably ate nails for breakfast and little children for dessert. "How can I?"
"I saw the code, and I think I know a way to get past the Hulk."
As she outlined a strategy, I paled. "I don't know," I hedged. "That seems dangerous."
"You were brave enough to come here," Shanel pointed out. "Now be brave enough to fight for what you deserve."
She made it sound so easy. "All right." I sighed. "I'll do it."
"Yes! I knew you would."
We pushed to our feet, neither knowing that we were about to set off a chain of events that could never be undone and would change our lives forever.
3
"Sir," Shanel said to the human guard. "Can I speak to you a moment?"
"Go back to your table," he growled.
"But I need to ask you something."
Scowling, he crossed his arms over his chest and braced his feet apart. "You shouldn't be in this area."
"Why not? That's what I wanted to ask you. What's back--" That's when she "tripped" and stumbled into him with all of her might, knocking them both backward and into the wall. She also poured her drink down his pants for good measure.
He howled in fury. She started crying--loudly, but not altogether realistically.
The girls from the bar rushed toward them, distracting the guard further, and I hurriedly punched in the nine-digit code Shanel had told me. The door opened and I slinked inside.
Clink.
I glanced backward and realized I'd been automatically sealed inside.
I'd done it then! I'd really done it. Breathe, Robins, breathe.
Trying to control my trembling, I took stock of my surroundings. I saw an empty, narrow hallway, several rooms branching from the sides. A towered ceiling with bright bulbs hanging in a line. A tiled floor. There was no sign of Erik.
Where was he?
And where was Shanel? According to the plan, she should have entered a few seconds after me. Had something happened to her? Should I go back? Wait just a few minutes more.
I nervously glanced around, this time looking for a place to hide.
Suddenly four hulking Ell Rollises emerged from the rooms, each holding a Lancer, I realized with nearly debilitating fear. Lancers were guns that emitted tiny, serrated stars that cut through skin and bone like butter. Another fact I'd gotten from my dad and his court cases.
Shanel must have given me the wrong code. And if they'd been ordered to hurt anyone who entered this area without authorization, I'd be hurt. There'd be no talking them out it.
This is what I got for being brave.
What should I do? What the hell should I do? I couldn't fight them; they'd destroy me in seconds.
"Innocent," I choked out. "I'm innocent."
Their beady eyes were narrowed on me. One of them even pointed his Lancer at my chest. Blood rushed from my head, leaving only panic and fear. Run, Robins, run! But there was nowhere for me to go.
One of them fired. A multitude of glinting, silver stars flew toward me, closer...closer. They seemed to be caught in slow motion, allowing me to witness every inch they gained.
; With a scream, I dove to the ground.
As I fell, one of the stars made contact, sending a stream of fire through my upper arm. Another scream ripped from me as I landed in a boneless heap. Pain. Sharp, agonizing pain branched from my arm to the rest of my body.
The Outers reached me moments later, encircling me. I turned my focus to my arm, trying not to cry when I saw the blood, the ripped fabric of my top, and the gaping wound.
This could very well be the end of my life.
My entire existence didn't flash before my eyes. Instead, I saw the things I hadn't done. I hadn't traveled around the world. I hadn't gone to college, hadn't become an artist as I'd always wanted, hadn't had sex.
And now I'd never have the chance to do any of those things.
Shallow pants echoed in my ears, a hollow drumbeat. My skin felt chilled to the bone, yet sweat beaded over me. A violent shudder raked me. Clink, clink. Oh God. I squeezed my eyes tightly closed, knowing a fresh round of stars had just been loaded into the barrels of the Lancers. Any second now...
I love you, Mom. I love you, Dad. I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen.
"Stop," a cultured voice suddenly called from behind the Outers. "What's going on?"
Obeying instantly, all of the Ell Rollises froze. "We find her," one of them said. "Kill, as ordered."
"Stupid incompetents! You aren't supposed to kill until I've had a chance to question the person. Can you not think for yourselves, even for a moment? Just...move out of the way," the voice commanded.
A shuffling of feet. A pause.
I didn't relax. Couldn't. I'd been given a reprieve, nothing more. You aren't supposed to kill until I've had a chance to question, he'd said. Would he question me, then have them shoot me?
"Well, well, well." That disembodied voice sounded again, closer this time. "Where's your redheaded friend?"
I looked up, seeing Half-Mask. I was surprised he remembered me and who I'd been with. "Not here," I managed to squeeze past my constricted throat.
"Make sure of it," he ordered someone.
I shifted and pain once again exploded from my wound. More intense than when I'd first been shot. A whimper rose inside me, but I cut it off. If I whimpered, I'd cry and I didn't have time to cry. I had to get out of here. Had to find and warn Shanel.
Stand up! I tried, I really did. But I was simply too weak.
I watched as one of the Ell Rollises stepped over me and exited the door I'd entered. Erik and Silver approached Half-Mask, and soon all three were hovering over me, staring, taking my measure.