Cipher (11 page)

“Yes. Just message me on my site. Now make room for Knight or the deal’s off.”

“Wait. Knight? As in
the
Knight?”

Knight gave me a not-too-friendly look. “Way to announce it.”

I shrugged and hit the start button. “If you’re gonna play, step up. Otherwise DickBallz is back in.”

“The hell if I’m going to let some guy with a lame handle take my spot.” He put on the headset and held his hands over the controls.

“We’re splitting into two teams.” I rattled off some names, trying to keep the skill level even and leaving Knight on the opposing team.

The screen faded and then a desolate alien planet landscape appeared. Jagged black rock formations rose from the ground like knives. I took cover behind one, and the countdown started.

It was a fast, fierce battle. By the time all was said and done, each member of my team had been killed no less than twenty times. I hadn’t been killed yet. The guys on the opposing team had all died no less than twenty-five times, and Knight had been killed once. By me.

Knight put his headset down. “Drink?”

I turned around to check the crowds. The area in front of the bar was packed three deep, as people shouted orders to Sandra. The areas between the tables were totally filled as people danced, watched the games in progress, or tried to get lucky. A quick check of my com told me it was nearly nine. Mona was down there somewhere, probably annoyed that I was gaming instead of flirting.

Guess I’d better stop stalling. I’d already beat him at this game. Why not try a different kind of game? “Sure.”

I followed him down to the bar.

Sandra patted the bar in front of where she was standing, yelling at the people in front of us to make way. “Another fancy drink for you?”

It was really nice that she remembered. I grinned. “That’d be great.”

“I’ll take a beer.” Knight glanced at me. “Fancy drink?”

“Sure thing,” Sandra said and she got to work. This time she didn’t have to go underground to get what she needed. She had it ready for me.

“French Seventy-Five,” I said.

He leaned against the bar. “That does sound fancy.”

I shrugged, trying to play off that his twinkling eyes weren’t getting to me, because they totally were. “It’s good. You can try a sip if you want.”

His grin was startling. It transformed his face and I couldn’t look away even if I tried. “I’ll try anything of yours that you’ll let me,” he said.

I tried to look cool, but if the bar were any brighter, he’d see my blush. “That’s some line.”

“It’s not a line.” He pulled something out of his pocket. “For you.”

The little square container fit in the palm of his hand. “What’s in it?”

“Processors. Five of them.”

No way. “I thought you said you didn’t have any.”

“I didn’t. I made them this afternoon.”

I’d been impressed before, but now I was blown away. He’d made this many by hand in a matter of hours? How was that even possible?

“What do I owe you?” I reached for the box, but he held it out of reach.

“A date.”

I took a step back. I liked to deal in cash-only transactions. But a date? Not going to happen. “No date. I’ll pay for them. Normal rate?”

“Nope.” His grin meant trouble. “The date clause is non-negotiable.”

What was his deal? A date with me couldn’t be worth the grand I was willing to pay him. Why would he turn down the money? I didn’t trust it. No one wanted a date that bad. Especially not with me. I wasn’t sociable enough to be desirable. “Say I agree to a date, how do you know I won’t change my mind later?”

“I trust you.”

He trusted me? That was going to make me feel like an asshole when I blew him off.

Screw it. I probably wouldn’t be in the area long enough to keep the promise. Leading him on wasn’t cool, but I needed those processors. “I’ll try. Depends on when you want to go. That’s the best I can do.”

He lowered the box, and I snatched it from him before shoving it in my bra.

“Here you go, Cipher,” Sandra said as she slid my drink along the bar.

“Thanks.” I took a sip, letting the sweet tang run down my throat. “Perfect.”

She grinned and handed Knight a bottle. He paid for both of us before I could stop him.

A thought occurred to me. “Um. So this counts as the date, right?”

“No. A date is when I pick you up at your place, and take you someplace nice and quiet and we share a meal. This is not nice or quiet, and we’re not eating. But good try.”

I spotted a bowl of nuts on the bar, and grabbed a handful. “I’m eating,” I said as I munched.

He gave me a grin that nearly melted my knees.

“There you are,” Mona said, cutting off the retort that I was just about to come up with. If my brain would start working again.

Mona wore one of her trademark micro dresses and perilously high heels. If she could pull that kind of outfit off, which she could, why not rock it? Oliver towered behind her with another guy who had shoulder-length blond hair. I’d bet good money he was Dex.

Staying much longer was a bad idea, especially now that I’d gotten what I needed. It was time to go. I downed my drink in one gulp and set the empty glass on the bar. The metal railing zapped me lightly with static electricity as I brushed against it.

Oh no. Losing control here would be beyond bad. “Well, thanks for the date, but it’s getting late. Time for me to head home.”

“Go? What? No! You can’t bail yet.” Mona blocked my path to the exit.

She was going to be pissed no matter what. I couldn’t do this whole normal thing. I was a live wire, ready to zap anyone who got too close, and Knight made me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling. The hold I had on my ability was already weak. I didn’t need anyone around who made me weaker.

“Wanna head out with me or are you staying?” I asked Mona.

“No. You’re—” Mona started, but I cut her off.

“Going. Later.” I spun.

“Wait.” Knight stepped in front of me, blocking my way.

A blast of electricity shot out of me before I knew what I was doing. The lights overhead flickered, and the monitors around the club blinked off and on.

A chorus of curses rang out through the room as the games reset.

I froze.

Shit. That didn’t just happen.

I swallowed as the hand around my arm pulled me in. Why wasn’t he on the floor? He should be dead.

Why couldn’t I feel the buzz of electricity pushing against me anymore?

“Hey,” Knight said as he ran his finger down my face. He tilted his head to the side, staring at me. Studying me. But he didn’t seem bothered by the voltage that was flowing into him.

There was no way he didn’t feel the shock. Why wasn’t he letting go of my arm? I struggled to break free, but his grip wasn’t budging.

“Emma?” He whispered the words almost reverently.

I gasped. No one knew that name.

Panic swept through me and I stomped on his foot, finally breaking his hold. The little bit of control I’d grabbed slipped away again. The light over my head exploded, raining glass down on us.

His hand gripped my arm again. His light green eyes were wide as he searched my face.

“What did you call me?” I fought to pull away. How did he know my real name?

“It
is
you.” He pulled me against his chest and took a deep breath.

What was going on? I squirmed. “Let go.” I punched him in the stomach, but he didn’t even flinch.

“It’s her,” he said.

The music shut off as a group of men in all black entered the bar through the side door.

Oh God. How did they get here so fast? Did Knight send them?

The three guys moved as one to block Mona and me from the Black Helixes’ view.

I glanced at Mona. “How fast can you run in those shoes?”

“I can run in anything. Why? What’s going on? What just happened?”

“You’re not running,” Knight said.

“Yes, I am. Mona, we need to go. Now.”

Knight held my shoulders. “Don’t move. Don’t run. If you do, they’ll see. You have to stay hidden here until they’re not looking.”

I tried to break free of Knight’s grasp, but he didn’t let me go. “Your buddies are about to make my life hell. Let go now or I’ll make you let go.”

He leaned down, talking softly. “There are too many of them. You can’t outrun them, and they’re watching for anyone who leaves.”

“Staying’s not an option. It’s run or get caught for sure. At least if I run, I have a chance.”

I reached for the electricity, but it was gone—I could still feel it there, but it drained away as fast as I could pull it. As soon as I jerked away from Knight, it was back, stronger than ever, and three more lights exploded overhead.

Knight pulled me into him, blocking me from the falling glass. With his hand clamped firmly on my arm, the current drained away. I reached for it, but it was like he was sucking it all away through his skin.

How could he absorb all that and live? Knight was blocking my ability. “What—”

He shook his head. “Let me help you,” he mouthed the words.

I wanted to know how first, but I didn’t have time to debate with him.

My best choices were always based on intuition.

It took me all of two seconds to decide that I’d have a better chance getting out of here with him than without. He had a dual helix, but he also had a Raven. He wasn’t like any other helix I’d come across.

The Black Helix soldiers were busy cornering the people in the gaming area. They checked IDs, throwing anyone who hesitated to the floor. It was chaos, but that wouldn’t last for long.

I spilled my plan. “I’m going to blow the transformers, knock out all communication and surveillance, and get out of here in the dark. But you have to let go of me.”

“It’s not a bad plan,” Oliver said.

At least Oliver was on my wavelength. “I know. Now get your guy to let me go.”

“Fine,” Knight said. He let go and the electricity was mine again. It licked along my skin as it built. I didn’t have long. The electricity would make me a beacon in the room as my skin started to glow.

“Better close your eyes,” I said, but Knights’ gaze stayed open and focused on me.

I counted to three as power gathered, and then let it rip—hoping I’d built up enough energy.

The lights exploded, raining glass down on everyone. Monitors sparked and went black. Voices shouted.

“We have to hide you,” Knight said in my ear.

“We can exit through the cellar. There’s a hatch in the floor behind the bar.”

“Good. We’ll move toward the end of the bar. One at a time, go under the gap.” I slid a hand along the plexi surface, pushing behind the people in the way as I felt my way in the dark. When we got to the end, I went around the corner and under, tugging Mona behind me. Knight, Dex, and Oliver stood frozen, blocking the break in the bar from the rest of the room.

What the hell were they doing?

“They’re coming this way. Hide. Don’t make a sound,” Knight whispered.

My pulse raced. “Then we need to run. Now.”

“Black Helixes can see really well in the dark. Just stay where you are. Trust me. Don’t move.”

I felt Mona shaking next to me, and pulled her into my side as I tried to keep a grip on my ability. She grasped my hand in hers, gripping tight. This was why I didn’t have friends. I got people killed.

“Marquez,” a deep voice said.

I knew that voice. My Uncle Jack. I struggled to keep control of my emotions. I’d never forgive myself if I zapped Mona.

“Yes, sir.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised to see you here. I heard Colonel Santiago put you on task to find the Red. We got a few fluctuations here tonight, and I took a chance.” A throat cleared. “Where’s the Red? Have you confirmed that this one is Emma Jean Boyd?”

I put my other hand over my mouth to cover the gasp that wanted to slip through. Knight was the one hunting the Reds? And I’d trusted him?

I hoped I wasn’t wrong about him. This could be the biggest fuck-up of my life. The last fuck-up of my life.

Chapter Eight

KNIGHT

The lights were still off, but a few of the Blacks had cracked their chemlights. It was more than enough for me to see every wrinkle in Parson’s face. He was a Seligo of the worst kind. Every time I was on a mission under him, shit went fully FUBAR. Civilian casualties were always high, and everyone knew about his wicked vendetta against the Red Helixes. Probably because he’d let Emma slip past him, and rumor said Dr. Nagi was only giving him enough serums to stay alive—nothing more. The guy was aging, and not well.

“Sir, I’d narrowed the search area down to this club and the surrounding area when the lights blew. No physical target yet, but I’m certain she’s within a half-mile radius from this spot.” My voice didn’t waiver. I’d learned to lie a long time ago, and did it well. “Would’ve called you if you hadn’t shown.”

He looked around the room, assessing the layout. Five teams of five were working the space, but I was sure the club was surrounded, and more were likely waiting to jump in if the crowd got out of hand. “Good work. Your record shows you’re always spot on about this kind of thing. When I noticed your tracker signal right in the middle of the fluctuations, I knew you had her cornered here.” He clapped my shoulder and I wanted to break his face with my fist. “Good work, Sergeant. Fast, too. We’ve got all the exits blocked. She’s in here. I can feel it. She blew three transformers, but this is the confirmed epicenter. We just need to figure out which one she is.”

“Yes, sir. If she’s still here, we’ll find her.” My words were harsh and cold. Distant. I crossed my arms. “My best guess is she’s hiding with the gamers in that area.” I pointed toward the cluster of kids the helix team was interrogating.

“Excellent,” Parson said, turning toward the group now huddled in the corner. They were surrounded by one of the teams. Colonel Santiago was with them, organizing their movements. “If she turns up, you’ll get a hefty bonus.”

“Thank you, sir.”
Now fuck off
.

I counted to ten as he walked away before breathing again.

I should’ve gotten her away as soon as there was even the slightest possibility that she was Emma. Why had I played that stupid game with her? I should’ve grabbed her and run. Asked questions later. So unbelievably dumb.