“It’s what they used to call them in the Old World,” he grinned. “Just two people going out to dinner. And not at the Caf.”
I scrunched up my face, confused. “Why not? We’ve repaired most of the fire damage. Everyone’s been eating there all week.”
“Because,” he laughed, then leaned in to kiss my nose. “The whole point is that it’s just the two of us together. Alone.” His voice dropped on the last word in a way that sent a quick shiver up my spine.
He’d been so distant the past few weeks, but here he was, grinning genuinely like there wasn’t a thing to worry about.
I shook away the confusion and smiled back at him. A night of forgetting about everything and simply being together sounded perfect.
“A date,” I said. “Will I eat my gruel out of a fancy cup?”
“Don’t ruin the surprise,” he smiled. “I already know you’re going to love it.”
I started. “Wait, you’ve had a vision of our date? No fair!”
He winked at me. “Let’s just say I have a good feeling about it. I’ll come back by your dorm room at seven so I can escort you to dinner.”
* * *
“This is so romantic,” Ginni squealed, and for once, Xona didn’t even bother to roll her eyes.
Ginni had pulled me in front of the mirror for the last half hour and was curling and pinning my hair up in intricate ways.
“I wish I had a boy who would ask me on dates. We’d talk about the books I love and he wouldn’t mind that I talk so much. In fact, that’s what he’d like about me most. We’d talk for hours and…” She paused. I looked at her in the mirror and her face held a puzzled frown.
“What?”
“Oh,” she giggled, shaking her head. “I just had the weirdest sense that I had met someone. But that’s impossible.”
“All those romantic books are giving you hallucinations. I knew reading that much couldn’t be healthy,” Xona said.
Ginni swatted at Xona with a spare piece of cloth from the sewing table. A knock sounded at the door.
I jumped up to open it. Adrien was wearing clothes I’d never seen before. His shirt was dark and fitted, and it slimmed into pants that hung a little off his hips. He’d even done something to tame his curls. My stomach did a little flip-flop.
He stared at me, his mouth dropping open a little. “You’re so beautiful.”
I was suddenly very glad I’d let Ginni talk me into wearing the skirt she’d made.
“I brought something for you.” He held up a small rectangular box. I opened it and gasped. A small silver chain was nestled inside with a blue stone embedded in a circular pendant. I touched the delicate stone with the tip of my finger. The tiny facets sparkled in the light whenever I moved the box. I’d never seen anything like it.
“It’s a necklace,” Adrien said, his voice a little higher-pitched than normal. “Henk helped me get it. Here, allow me.” He pulled the necklace from the box, then moved behind me and draped the chain over my neck, the little pendant hanging like a teardrop. His fingers trembled as he lifted my hair and closed the clasp. He leaned in from behind, his voice a whisper. “Don’t take it off, even when you sleep. I want a little part of me to be with you all the time.”
“It’s so pretty!” Ginni squealed.
I put my hand to my neck and traced the chain down to the pendent. I’d never owned something so special in all my life. I turned to look at Adrien. He’d pulled back slightly, but he held out an arm.
“Shall we?” he said.
I glanced back and saw Ginni’s swooning face. I laughed and grabbed Adrien’s proffered arm.
“We shall,” I said.
We walked down the hallway, and I felt a bit silly in the skirt. It whooshed around my legs in a way I wasn’t used to, and my calves were bare. It was a strange sensation.
Adrien raised one eyebrow and grinned as we passed the Caf. He finally stopped when we came to the training room.
“Are we going to be lifting weights or perfecting my aim?”
He smirked. “Neither.” He opened the door and I stepped in.
The lights were dimmed like they were during meditation, but in the farthest corner I could see a small table set up. Someone had draped a deep magenta fabric over the plain white walls beside the table, and as I came closer, I saw some of my newer drawings had been hung up. My brother’s face, my parents, even Max.
“I thought you might like to be surrounded by all the people you love tonight.”
I felt myself tearing up. I turned and hugged him. “It’s perfect,” I said.
He pulled back with a laugh. “But you haven’t even seen everything tonight has to offer.” The table itself had been covered in cloth too—a bright blue triangle piece was set over a bigger white cloth that draped over the edges of the table. A single rose spun in the light from a projection cube set in the center of the table.
Adrien popped the top of a tall bottle and poured sparkling liquid into our glasses.
“What is that?” I leaned in closer.
“The Community rations finally arrived, and I had Henk toss in some champagne as well.”
“But won’t I be allergic to it?”
“Nope. We’ve tested everything you’re going to eat tonight. It was all produced in the underground Community hothouses, with zero Surface allergens.”
“Wait,” I paused as what he said sank in. “You mean I’ll finally get to eat real food?”
He nodded, his grin so wide I thought it would split his face. “Surprise.”
I let out a giddy squeal and clapped my hands like Ginni did when she was excited.
“My lady,” he said, and held out a chair for me.
“Tonight you get to feast on braised beef and carrots, in a red wine sauce.” He clicked his com, and a few moments later, Jilia walked in carrying two loaded plates. She set them down in front of us.
“Thank you,” I said, but she didn’t respond, she just smiled and then walked out again.
I took a deep drink of the champagne and almost coughed because of the bubbles that seemed to fizz in my nose.
“Start out slow,” he said, patting my back as my coughs died down. “Take sips, not gulps.”
“It stung,” I said, my eyes watering.
Adrien laughed. “It does take a little while to get used to. But hurry, take a bite of the beef before it cools down too much.”
I did as he said, and immediately closed my eyes to focus on the flavor. The beef seemed to melt on my tongue, it was so tender and juicy. I’d never had anything like it in my entire life. When Adrien said Community rations, I thought he meant the hard bread and protein patties I’d eaten every morning of my life, not this. A low groan escaped my throat.
I looked back up at him. He hadn’t even taken a bite yet. He was just watching me. I blushed slightly and ducked my head.
We ate quietly for several minutes, both of us enjoying the sumptuous flavors.
“Remember how you used to explain emotion words to me?” I asked after I’d finished the last of the meat.
He nodded.
“I’ve been experiencing emotion for long enough now that I think I understand most of them, but every now and then another one will surprise me.”
He smiled. “Like what?”
“Like this right now.” I put my hand to my chest. “I feel warm and happy, but that doesn’t quite seem to describe it. It’s something more than that. What do you call it?”
Adrien’s face turned thoughtful, his eyebrows drawn together. He took a drink of champagne before answering. “I think,” he said tentatively, “I think it’s contentment. Where you have everything you ever wanted, all together in one place. It’s quieter than excitement, but,” he swallowed, “maybe it’s better.”
“Contentment,” I said, trying the word out on my tongue.
“I haven’t had a lot of it in my life,” he said. “It’s new to me, too.”
“When was the last time you felt this content?”
His face darkened and he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. My past isn’t me.” His tone sounded strangely resolute. “All that matters is who I am now. Who I am when I’m with you.”
I stood up and walked over to him, not hesitating before I leaned over and swooped in to kiss him. I could feel his surprise, but he quickly opened his soft lips to mine, his hands gently cupping my face.
I dropped into his lap, feeling pleasure bloom inside me. He slid his hands down my jaw and pulled me tighter. Something inside me began to soar, and my power buzzed to life. Instead of releasing it uncontrollably, it hummed inside my chest, sparking down my spine like electricity. Every inch of me felt alive and wild.
Reluctantly, I released his lips, and looked around. Even though we were alone, anyone could walk in. I pulled his hand to stand up and follow me. “Come on,” I whispered.
Since we were already in the training room, we didn’t have far to go to the equipment closet. We didn’t touch as we walked across the room, but I felt the anticipation building. I pushed the button to open the door and tugged him over to the corner, grabbing a training mat from a shelf as I went. I tossed the mat on the ground in the corner. As soon as the door closed behind us, I pulled my top off over my head, then turned to him.
I didn’t say anything more, just grabbed the bottom edge of his shirt, lingering for a moment to touch the skin at his waist. Then I stood up on my tiptoes to pull it over his head.
Adrien stared at me, his warm blue-green eyes full of heat, though the corner of his lips turned down with a touch of uncertainty.
“Zoe, wait—” he started saying, but I shook my head. He lifted his arms up to help me take his shirt off in spite of his protests. I paused, breathless and excited. His chest was lean and tanned, and taut with tension. He looked wiry but strong. I traced my finger down along his collar bone, down the small dipping line in the middle of his chest, then down his stomach to his navel. A shudder rippled though his body at my touch.
He wrapped one arm around my waist, burying his other hand in my hair. He cupped the back of my head and looked in my eyes. “You drive me crazy. All I want to do is make everything around us stop so I can just be with you. But I don’t know if it’s right…”
I knew the look on his face. It was one I’d seen more and more lately. It was like he was fighting something deep inside himself. I held my breath, hoping that just this once he could forget about destiny and the future and everything else. His eyes were so bright. He closed them briefly, and then he grabbed the waistband of my skirt and pulled me close, crushing me to him, his mouth hot and passionate.
The sudden release was overwhelming. It lit me up and I opened my mouth to his searching tongue. He was gentle one moment, then rough and needy, then pulling away so that his lips barely nipped mine in a way that made me crazy. I’d chase his lips back with mine, and suddenly he’d stop and kiss me so deeply again it seemed to sear straight down to my stomach.
I gasped at the intensity of it. We’d kissed before, but it had been nothing like this.
He pushed me up against the wall, his hand sliding down my hip. A soft moan escaped my lips.
“Shh, we have to be quiet,” he laughed into my ear, before kissing down my neck. He slid one bra strap to the side and kept kissing down my shoulder. I trembled.
Slowly, he led me to the mat on the ground, pulling me down beside him. I was all heat and sensation, deepened by the hum of my power tingling just beneath my skin. He nudged me over as one knee swung over mine, and then he hovered above me, before dipping down and sucking on my neck until I felt like I was going to erupt and light us both on fire.
He paused for a moment, and even though the alcove was shadowed, I could still see the glint of his eyes reflecting some bits of light from the main room.
I put my hand on the back of his neck and pulled him nearer, so eager to close the final space between us. “I love you, Adrien. Adrien, Adrien.” I said it languorously, delighted by the feeling that stirred within me at just the sound of his name.
He stiffened in my arms. I smiled and tried to pull him closer, but he didn’t budge.
“Adrien?” My voice was small in the dark room. I couldn’t see his face to tell whether he’d seen another vision, or if the weight of the world had suddenly secured itself back on his shoulders.
He swore under his breath, jumping back to his feet. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”
I sat up, all the wonderful feelings dissipating as if cold water had been thrown on me. I covered up my chest awkwardly. “But what—”
“I’m sorry,” he said, still not looking at me. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Wait!” I scrambled up.
But he’d already left. Just like that. The door slid shut behind him and I sat, pained and bewildered, clutching my top to my chest.
Chapter 22
THE NEXT MORNING Adrien wasn’t at training. Rand mentioned he’d gone to spend the morning at the security hub. That was just fine with me. I didn’t know if I could face him. I felt embarrassed and confused, but, more than anything, I felt angry. I was getting tired of being shut out. A relationship was supposed to work both ways.
When I walked into the Gifted training class, he was already there, sitting on a mat with his eyes closed. My anger roared to life. I sat down on the mat farthest away from him and glared, hoping he could feel the fury pulsing off me in invisible waves.
He looked miserable. There were dark circles under his closed eyes. His strong broad chest rose and fell softly with each breath, and his hands rested open on his knees. The aching hurt rose up all over again. In spite of myself, I felt my heart stretch in my chest for him. But he’d rejected me without even a word of explanation. I couldn’t let go of the hurt yet.
I settled into a spot on the floor and tried to still the squirming thoughts in my head. I could only manage a few moments of focus at a time.
The door opened suddenly. General Taylor stormed in with the ex-Regs and a half-squadron of Rez fighters behind her. I stared at her in confusion.
“What’s going on?” City asked. We all stood up.
“Get her!” Taylor yelled, her face a mask of focused intent. She was looking right in my direction.
“What—” I started to ask, but then she strode right past me.
I swung around and my heart dropped when I saw where they were headed.
Saminsa.
Wytt reached out his metal-infused hand toward Saminsa’s shoulder.
“No!” she shouted, a blue orb immediately bursting to life around her. Wytt pulled his hand away. He stumbled backwards, looking back and forth between his hand and the orb in confusion. I followed his gaze and my stomach lurched when I saw four of his fingers lying inside the orb. They’d been sliced right off. Blood dripped from Wytt’s hanging hand.
“Stay back!” Saminsa yelled. Between the shock of everything that was happening, I realized in a moment of absurdity that this was the first time I’d ever heard the girl’s voice.
General Taylor advanced forward. “You’re surrounded! There’s nowhere to go. Did you really think we wouldn’t catch you sneaking into the security hub and trying to send a transmission to the Chancellor about our location? Adrien and the other techer boy detected it and stopped it before it could be sent.” The General glanced at me, then back at Saminsa. “Very clever, though, piggybacking off the signal created when Zoel Links herself at night.”
I felt a wave of guilt and anger. Not being able to control my powers at night was an embarrassing weakness, but I’d never expected anyone to be able to exploit it.
“I knew this day would come,” Saminsa said, her voice calm now, eyes glowing from the blue light of the orb surrounding her. “I knew for all your talk of helping every glitcher that it was never really true. You were never trying to help me.”
“That’s not true!” I said.
Rand nodded at City and widened his stance beside her, preparing to fight.
I gla
red at both of them. Saminsa was right. We never really tried to make her part of the team or helped her see the good we were doing. But maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference if she’d been set on working for the Chancellor the entire time. If she actually managed to get a message out, all the people closest to me would be in danger. I was torn between sympathy and anger.
Saminsa didn’t look at me, but only held her hand out in warning. The orb’s circumference inched farther outward. She kept her eyes trained on Taylor.
“You will let me pass from this place in peace.”
“So you can go report straight back to the Chancellor?” Taylor said coolly. “I don’t think so.”
“If you don’t let me pass, I’ll take down everyone in the building as I go. Starting with your pet mutant,” she nodded in my direction without taking her eyes off Taylor.
Saminsa held up her other hand and the orb doubled in size. Everyone scooted back, and City barely made it out of the way in time. The pillow she’d been sitting on was disintegrated as the outward curve of the orb passed it.
City let out a growl of anger and unleashed lightning from her fingertips toward the orb. It hit with a crackle of static, but it made no impact.
“Stop it, City, that didn’t work before and it’s not going to now!” I yelled at her, then turned back to Taylor. “Can’t we just let her go? That boy’s power makes it so she won’t be able to tell them where we are, right?”
“Don’t be a fool. If she leaves, she can send a message from the nearest city and the Chancellor would know the vicinity of the Foundation.”
A thunderclap seemed to go off in the room with us. The shock wave of the orb’s release rocked me backward. I hit the ground hard on my back and the air was knocked out of my lungs. I gasped to get another breath and tried dizzily to sit up. Most of the others were on the ground too. Some were bleeding from where they’d been tossed into the walls by the wave.
And Saminsa was gone.
General Taylor got up a moment later. I blinked in confusion as she raised her com and spoke into it. “Jilia, activate!”
“Activate what?” I tried to ask, but it came out as a whisper since I was still gasping for breath. Another shock wave rocked the floor, but it was far enough away from us now that, other than shaking some ceiling tiles loose, we barely felt it. Taylor held on to the wall and dragged herself to her feet.