Blacklisted (3 page)

“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.

“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.

“Don't hurt my friend,” I said. “Please. She didn't do anything wrong.”

No one replied.

I focused on Erik, but his familiar face didn't give me comfort. He was frowning and I could see sparks of anger in his brown eyes. Would he let them hurt Shanel? He might. Really, what did I know about him? The boy I'd always imagined kissing wouldn't have taunted me with a blank napkin.

“Please,” I found myself saying anyway.

“How did you get past the guard?” Half-Mask asked. His metallic amber eyes seemed to glow, hypnotizing me.

“I walked?” I said, the words more of a question than a statement. Right then, I wasn't sure of anything. Dizziness hit me and I moaned. With every second that passed, I became colder and yet my arm burned hotter.

I wanted to curl into a ball; I wanted to scream.

I wanted my mom.

“I do not tolerate insolence, little girl.” Reaching up, Half-Mask removed the black material covering the lower part of his face.

When his appearance registered in my mind, I cringed, unable to stop the automatic reaction. His skin was puckered and colored in varying shades of red and black. He didn't have a mouth, just a gaping hole, as if someone had taken a knife and sliced him open.

“How would you like this face to be the last thing you ever see?” Those manmade lips didn't move, and it was a wonder his words were so clear, so crisp, much less understandable. “Bad little girls who sneak into places they aren't wanted earn all kinds of punishment.”

“No,” Erik said. He sounded as pissed as he looked. “No need for that. She's with me.”

Everyone, including myself, eyed him with shock.

“You told us you told her to leave, that her kind wasn't welcome,” Silver said, speaking up for the first time.

Erik's mouth edged into a tight smile; there was no amusement in the expression. “I told her to leave because I didn't want you to know I was seeing her.”

“No way.” Silver again. He shook his head, blue hair dancing over his forehead and temples. Then he glanced over at me, studying me with unwavering intensity. “Why would you date
her
?”

Erik shrugged, the action stiff. “Why does any guy go out with a particular girl?” His tone was dry and mocking this time.

For the second—third?—time that day, tears burned in my eyes. I let my head fall into the crock of my uninjured arm. He was letting them think he was dating me—no, sleeping with me. To save me? If so, great.

However, his attitude cut as deep as the Lancer. He spoke like I wasn't good enough to be in the same room as him. Like I didn't deserve to breathe the same air. Like he was using me.

“I just wish the sex was better,” I mumbled, pain giving me courage.

Erik blinked down at me. Silver lost his shocked expression and grinned.

“I do not like this,” Half-Mask growled. “You know better than to bring a girlfriend to our business meetings, Erik.”

“I'm sorry, sir.” Erik didn't sound like the boy I often overheard in the halls at school. He sounded like a grown man, respectful but in no way submissive. “I should have realized she'd follow me.”

“I should kill you both,” the man muttered.

“I'm your best employee,” Erik replied without emotion. “But more than that, her disappearance would cause unwanted media attention.”

Half-Mask sighed and replaced the material over his face. “You're right. Just…get her out of here. Take her through the back; I don't want anyone to see her injury. If she talks…”

“She won't.” Erik leaned down and wound his arm around my waist, careful not to touch my wound. He hoisted me up. “I'll make sure of it.”

Unable to hold back my whimper this time, I swayed against him. Blood trickled down my arm, my body weakening with every second that passed. A tear finally spilled over and ran down my cheek.

“Come on,” he said, leading me forward.

“Wait.” Even though I was eager to escape, I dragged my iron-heavy feet. “What about Shanel?”

A muscle ticked below Erik's eye. He flicked a glance to Silver. “Will you make sure the friend gets home?”

“Safely,” I added, not that anyone paid me the slightest bit of attention.

“Not the redhead who always stares at me,” Silver said on a groan. “Anyone but her.”

“She's the one,” Erik said. “Please.”

An exasperated sigh. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever. Just warn me the next time you start seeing one of the Invisibles.”

“Safely,” I insisted.

“Yes,” Silver replied, rolling his eyes. “Safely.”

Erik started walking forward again. No longer protesting, I gave him most of my weight. A strange fog was working its way through my mind, leaving a thick, black web behind.

“Erik,” Half-Mask called.

We stopped. The abrupt action jolted me and I hissed. “Sorry,” Erik muttered to me. Then, “Yes?” he said to Half-Mask.

“I would be very disappointed to become the focus of A.I.R. scrutiny. And you know what happens when I'm disappointed.”

“You have nothing to worry about, sir. I have as much at stake as you do.”

“I'm a vault,” I said weakly. “Secrets are safe with me.” I closed my eyes and my head lolled against Erik's shoulder. I think an eternity passed before we stepped out of the building and into the night. Warm, clean air brushed against my bare skin, against my arm, and I wanted to scream at the sharp ache it caused.

“Which one is yours?” Erik asked.

I grit my teeth to cut off a moan. “Not mine. Shanel's.” I don't know why I felt the need to point that out. Like he cared who the car belonged to. “The black sedan.”

“Do you have any idea how many black sedans there are?” He growled low in his throat, exasperated, irritated, clearly pissed. “Open your eyes and at least point me in the right direction.”

I did, on both counts, then closed my eyes again. How could such a small injury be so painful? How had such a promising night morphed into such a nightmare?

He led me to the car and held my hand out for fingerprint ID. My arm was so shaky I couldn't hold it up on my own.

“Now tell it to open,” he commanded.

“Open,” I said.

Nothing.

Erik uttered another of those menacing growls. “Is it programmed to accept your voice?”

“Yes.”

“Then speak as strongly as you can, so the car recognizes you. Standing out here in the open is dangerous.”

I forced a rush of air from my lungs and said, “Open!”

The car door popped open and Erik settled me into the passenger seat. “Tell the driver door to open now.”

“Open,” I said, even weaker than before. That door, at least, obeyed and soon Erik was settled beside me. “Accept new voice,” I commanded before he could instruct me. I wasn't a complete idiot. Most days.

“Start,” Erik said, and the engine instantly roared to life. He programmed in a destination and we were off.

As the car rolled along the streets and highways, heavy silence surrounded us. I was finally alone with Erik Troy, just like I'd dreamed. Yet I'd never imagined these circumstances. Me, injured and covered in blood. Him, both my tormentor and my rescuer.

“That was cruel,” I said.