by Jenna Moreci
“— knobattheend?Turnitclockwise.”
Evefiddledwiththeknob,herhandsshakingsoseverelythatshehadtostop
herself, cursing aloud as she stretched her palm. Again she grabbed at the knob, this time grasping it firmly, and twisted it until a loud clank sounded fromthedevice.
“This is it,” JJ added . “This is the moment. You’re— you’re activating the virus.”
Evetookinashakybreath.“I’mready.”
“Pushdownontheknob.It’ll— releasethevirus.”
Evehesitated,justforamoment,andthengrabbedattheknob,hergripso
tight that her knuckles turned from pink to white. She clenched her jaw and, withmorepowerthannecessary,slammedtheknobdownuntilitclicked.Eve
backedawayfromthedeviceandthemainframe,herheartracingwith
exhilaration.
“It’sdone.”
EvecouldvaguelyhearJJlaughingontheotherend. “Holyshit,Eve,you did it.” Hervoicecutoutforamoment. “— finallyover.”
Eve stared at the torq, her eyes wide with intrigue. The glow of the device brightenedslightlyandthenfadedintodarkness.Suddenly,thetubules
surroundingthetorqilluminated,theironceclearcasingfillingwithablue
lightthatflowedthroughthewiringlikewatercoursingalongastream.
“What’shappening?” JJasked. “Whatdoesitlooklike?”
Evewatchedthebluetravelfromonetubetothenext,leavingthetorqand
dispersingthroughoutthemainframe.Itwasbeautiful,shethought:color
circulatedacrossthehardwarelikethousandsofveinspumpingbloodthrough
a body. And suddenly, it hit her—the virus was just that, a poison coursing through the mainframe, infecting each and every knob, dial, and panel that it touched.Evebackedawayfromthecomputersystem.
“Death,”sheanswered.“Itlookslikedeath.”
Shestoodinthecenteroftheroom,stilltransfixedbythebluishlight.Apart
of her thought she should leave—that the job was done, that she should find Jasonandheadforthesurface—butstillshewaited,asifsheneededtoseethe
mainframedestroyedwithherowneyes.Finally,thebluetrickledthroughthe
last remaining inch of the mainframe, and the entire computer system was lit withabrilliantglow.Themainframebegantoemitamutedhum,which
quicklyintensifiedinvolume.
“Eve?” JJsaid. “Eve?”
BeforeEvecouldrespond,aboomsoundedthroughthespace,thenoiseso
powerful that it shook the ground beneath her feet. She regained her balance justintimetoseehundredsofsparksigniteacrossthefaceofthemainframe,
filling the wall with flickering yellow lights that sizzled and snapped like firecrackers.Thebluelightofthewiresbrighteneduntilitwasarichshadeof
indigo,andinamatterofseconds,theentireroomwastintedbytheglow.
Eveknewitwashappening:themainframewasdying,andthelistwoulddie
withit.Andjustasshepredicted,anotherboomechoedthroughtheroom,this oneviolentenoughtoblowbackherhairandsendherstumblingtotheside.A
half-secondlater,ablastoflightpouredthroughthespace,quicklymorphing
from blue to a blinding white. Eve shielded her eyes as her entire body was engulfed with the blazing light, the rumbling still quaking in her bones. A harshringingpiercedthroughherhead,bouncingbackandforthbetweenher
earsbeforefinallycomingtorestbehindherbrow.Themomentwassurreal;
herbodywasconsumedwithfear,power,andpain,allcompetingforher
attention,butstillsheclosedhereyesandshieldedherself,standingherground inthefaceofthisuncontainedstrength.
Abruptly,thelightdimmedtodarkness,thethunderingfadedtosilence,and
thepainebbedawayuntilallthatremainedwasapesteringache.
Eveopenedhereyes.
Themainframewasblackandstagnant,itssurfacejustaslifelessasthe
corpsesatherfeet.Itwasdone.Shehaddestroyedthemainframe—shehad
destroyedthelist.
“JJ?”Evesaidquietly.Therewasnoresponse.“JJ?”
Theroomwasdarkandoverwhelminglyquiet.Evepeereddownthelong
corridorbehindherandsawthattheonceglowingorbshadshattered,now
reducedtomereshardsandpuddlesofsomestrange,alienfluid.
“JJ?”Everepeated.“Areyoustillwithme?”
Stilltherewassilence.Everubbedherachinghead;shethoughtofthesharp
painshehadexperienced,andwonderedifperhapsthatwasthecommunicap,if ithadsomehowbeenaffectedbythedetonation.Shelookeddownatherwrist
—her heat sensor was solid black, clearly deactivated as well—and a rush of anxietyranthroughher.Shetookonefinallookatthesabotagedmainframe,at
theslewofbodiessurroundingher,andthen,asifawakenedfromatrance,she
barreledfromtheroomandintothetunnel.
Everanwithalltheenergyshecouldmuster,passingrowsofbrokenorbs
andnotgivingasecondthoughttowhoorwhatmighthearherfootsteps.The
job was done—the list, and every possible variation of it, was gone—and in thatmoment,theonlythoughtonhermindwasreachingthesurfaceand
reunitingwithhercomrades.
Suddenly,Evelurchedtoahalt.Aheadofherwasadoorway,thelastplace
she had seen Jason, except that, for whatever reason, the door was now wide open.Shetookthesmallest,mosthesitantstepforward,afraidofwhatmightbe
waiting on the other side, and then finally forced herself to make her way through.Sheglancedatthepalmscanner,whichwasnowblackinsteadof
green, a dull, sludgy plasma leaking from its lining. Eve dragged her hand through the fluid and smeared it between her fingers. The destruction of the mainframemusthavedisarmedtheentirelair,justasithadcompromisedher
communicap.
Apprehensively,shestareddownatherfeet,deathlyafraidofwhat—or
whom—shemightfind.ButallshecouldseewasanarrayofInterloperparts:
heads,wings,arms,andlegsseveredfromtheirbodies.
AsparkofhopesurgedthroughEve:Jasonhaddonethis.Butbeforeshe
could analyze the situation any further, she heard a familiar sound: a high-pitched, terrified scream. Instantly, she sprinted through the corridor, leaping overthescatteredbodypartsandfollowingthesoundtoasmall,darkroom.
ThreeInterlopershoveredaroundalongsilvertable,andEveinstantly
meltedthemfromtheirfeet,slammingthemintothewallswithsuchforcethat
theirspinessnapped.Anxiously,sherantowardthetable,onlytoabruptlystop
atitsside,hernoseandbrowwrinkled.
“Hayden?”
The Rutherfordian was lying on the center of table, her wrists and ankles shackledwithlargesilvercuffs.
“Eve,thank God! ”shecried.“Please,youhavetohelpme!”
Everolledhereyes.“God dammit,”shemuttered.
“They’regoingtokillme!”
“Yeah.Icanseethat.”
“Please,Eve,youcan’tjustleavemehere—”
“I’mnotgoingtoleaveyouhere,calmdown,”Evesaid,makingherwayto
thecornerofthetable.Shetoyedwiththecuff,pullingatHayden’swristasshe attemptedtofigureoutitsmechanics.
“Ow!”Haydenyelped.“That hurts.”
&
nbsp; “Thecomplainingstops now,”Evesnapped.“I’msavingyourlife,
remember?”
Haydenpouted.Shenoddedatapanelonthewall,itsfacecoveredin
buttons.“Thatthingoverthere?Itcontrolsthetable.Isawthemuseit.”
“It’snotgoingtowork,Hayden.Icutofftheirpower.”
“Itwill,”sheinsisted.“It’smanual,orsomething.Isaw.Iwatchedthem.”
Againshenoddedatthedevice.“Theleveratthetop?Pullitdown.”
Evegrumbledandtrudgedtowardthepanel.Alongrodprotrudedfromthe
topofthedashboard,itssurfacecoveredinvariousclaw-shapedmarkings.Eve
pulled on the lever, and yet it didn’t move. Again she tugged at the rod, this timeharder,andstillnothinghappened.
“Hurryup,” Haydenhissed.
“Jesus,havesomepatience.I’veneverworkedanalientorturedevicebefore.”
Withanaggrievedgrunt,Eveyankedattheleveronelasttime,finally
pulling it down until it clicked into place. The table lifted from the floor, slowlytiltingforwarduntilHayden’sbodywasperpendiculartotheground.
“There’sawheelatthebaseofthetable,”Haydencontinued,hernose
wigglingwithexcitement.“It’llloosenthecuffs.”
Eveslidontothefloor.Thewheelwassmallandjustasstifftomaneuver,but
shespunthedialuntilfourclankssoundedoverhead.Shestoodtoherfeet;
thecuffswerelooser,butstillclosedshut,andHaydenscowledindisapproval.
“Whatareyouwaitingfor? Undo them!”
Evegroanedandcrouchedbesidethegirl’sankle.Thelockwascomposed
of three bars that were fastened together like puzzle pieces. She twisted the bars,pullingthemapartinthreequickmovements,andthenshemovedtothe
secondankle,herhandsworkingquicklyandefficiently.
“FASTER!” Haydenbarked.
Evehoppedtoherfeetandglowered.“Okay,IhatetosoundlikeMadison,but
I’mgoingtohavetoinsistthatyou shutup. ”
Haydenopenedhermouthtospeakbutstoppedshort—Evewasglaringat
her,herarmscrossedandjawclenched,andthesmallblondelookedawayand
said nothing. With a sigh, Eve fiddled with the girl’s left wrist, while Hayden watchedheroutofthecornerofhereye.
“Madisonis—”
“Achimera.Iknow.”EvereleasedthecuffandmovedtoHayden’sright
wrist,stillavoidinghergaze.
“AndHeatheris—”
“AnInterloper.”EveunlockedthefinalcuffandhelpedHaydentoherfeet.“I
know.”
Suddenly,Eve’sentirebodylurchedtotheside,herarmnearlyyankedfrom
itssocket.Asharpclicksoundedbyherear,andsheturned,bewildered,onlyto
findherwristnowlockedinsideoneofthesilvercuffs—whichwasheldshut
byHayden’stiny,frailhand.
EvelookedbackatHayden—atheronceterrifiedeyes,whichwerenow
empty,lifeless,andcold.Haydencockedherheadandsmiled.
“Youknownothing.”
CHAPTER17:NEVER
UNDERESTIMATEYOURENEMY
EvestaredintoHayden’sunblinkingeyes,andtheentireroomseemedto shrinkaroundher.
“You? ”Hereyeswidened.“Noway. Nogoddamnway.”
Witharushofenergy,Eveswungherfreearmatthegirl,butHayden
suddenly grabbed her fist and slammed it against the table. Eve let out a piercingcry—shecouldfeelherwristsnap,thepainpulsatingthroughher
entireforearm—andHaydeneffortlesslylockedherhandintoplace.
Haydenthendroppedtotheground,cuffingEve’srightankle,anddespite
herkickingandflailing,Haydenyankedatherleftankleandforceditintothe
lastmetalcuff.Shestoodandgazedatherprisoner,heremptyeyesignitinga
burning rage within Eve. With gritted teeth, Eve head-butted the girl, but still Haydenwasunaffected,andsheclaspedEve’sforeheadandshovedheragainst
thetable.
Evegroanedandwentlimp,crippledbythepainswellinginherskull.She
couldvaguelyfeelHayden’sfingertipsglidingacrossherforehead,pressing
somethingintoherskin:whatfeltliketwosmallmetaldisksthatsentasharp
ringingnoisebouncingbackandforthbetweenherears.Eveopenedhereyes
—whichonlyseemedtomagnifytheringing—andtriedtomakeoutHayden’s
hazy figure before her. With her jaw clenched, she balled her one good hand intoafistandchanneledhermelt,directingallofherpoweratthegirlinfront ofher.
Nothinghappened.
Eve’slipspartedindisbelief.Againshedelvedintohergift—yettherewas notinglingofherspine,nodarknesscloudinghervision.Haydenstillstoodin
front of her, eerily unscathed. She casually flicked at the buttons on Eve’s forehead.
“Stiflesthegift,”shesaid.“Anecessaryprecaution.”
Evegrowled.Shetiltedherheadbackandclosedhereyes,tryingtosuppress
the ringing, but it only worsened. Her breathing was now reduced to short, shallowpants,asanythingmoresentwavesofpainthrougheveryinchofher
body.
Sheopenedhereyesagain,thoughonlyslightly,andwatchedasHayden
strolledacrosstheroomtoashelfcarvedintotheclaywall.Arowofsharp,
silverdeviceswerelaidoutinfrontofher:tools. Knives.Shesnatchedapair ofscissorsfromtheshelfandmarchedbackovertoEve,yankingatthe
hemlineofEve’sraggedtanktop.
“Don’ttouchme,”Evehissed.
HaydenignoredherandproceededtocuttheshirtfromEve’sbody.She
roughly ran her hand down Eve’s chest, past her bra and over her shredded stomach,andEverecoiledfromhertouch.Haydencockedherhead.
“Thiswillsuffice,”shemumbled,flatly.Sheeyedthetable—itwasstilltilted
perpendiculartotheground,justasEvehadleftit—andcrossedherarms.“I
likeyouatthisangle.Yes,almostateyelevel.”
Withoutanotherword,thegirlscurriedbacktotheshelfoncemore,where
shepolishedhertoolswithhershirtsleeve.Eveconcentratedonherbreathing,
trying to stifle the aching of her body, the sting of her wrist, and God, that ringing. Sheglancedathercaptorandbitherbottomlip.
“Whatdidyou dowith Hayden?” Evespat.“Whereisshe?”
“Thehumanfemalediedsixmonthsago,”Haydenanswered,stillpolishing
herknives.“Ikilledhermyself.Shesufferedgreatly.”
Eve’schesttightened.“Thiswholetime—”
“I’vebeenwatchingyou.SincethedayyoumovedtoBillington.SinceIsat
onMadison’sbed,andyouandI—wespoke.”
Evestaredatthissmallgirl,thisInterloperwhohadfooledherformonths.
“How—”shestammered,“howdidyou—”
“Itisnotdifficulttolearnthelanguageofhumans.”Shefinallyturnedtoface
Eve.“Yourlanguageissimple.Yourlanguageiscruelty.”
Evehesitated.“AndHeather—”
“Theorangehuman?”Haydenturnedbacktohertools.“Youthinksheisof
mykind.Youarewrong.”
Eveclosedhereyesagain;shefeltstupid.Shamed.Andinaninstant,theaching
ofherbodywasreplacedwithsomethingevenworse:adevastating
senseofdespair.
Reluctantly,Eveopenedhereyes.Haydenh
adnearlyfinishedpreparingher
tools,andEvecouldclearlyseethelongstretchofsinister,sharpdevices,each onemoreforebodingthanthelast.Herheartsankintohergut.
“AreyoutakingmetoFairon?”
HaydenputdownherlasttoolandstaredbackatEve,tiltingherheadalmost inquisitively.“Heishere.Wouldyouliketoseehim?”
“Notespecially,”Evemuttered.
Forthefirsttimesincetheirencounterbegan,Haydensmiled.Suddenly,her
facebecamedewy,andEveknewthatthemoistureformingalongherflesh
werebeadsofsecondskin,rollingdownherneckanddrippingfromher
fingertipsintopuddlesontheground.Withinmoments,herfacewasanoozing
mess of wetness, her nose, lips, and eyes sliding down what used to be her chin,likeadollmeltingaboveaflame.
Twobulgesprotrudedfromherskull,pushingatherscalpandfinally
tearingthroughhersecondskin—horns.Hershouldersexpanded,formingan
angularhumpthatburstfreeofherclothing,revealinglargewhitewingsthat
flappedandflaileduntiltheysettledintoplace.Shewastall,sotallthatEvehad tostrainherneckjusttoseeherface.Soon,Haydenwasgone,amerepoolof
sludgeonthefloor—andinherplacestoodatoweringInterloperwithmilky
skinandgoldenteeth.
Fairon.
Eve’sheartpoundedinherchest,butsheforcedastoicfront.Faironeyedher
upanddown,tryingtostiranxietywithinher,butstillsheofferednoreaction.
Finally,hespunawayfromherandreturnedtotheshelf,whereheran
his talons along the tools before plucking one device from the rest: a long silverblade.Heslowlymadehiswaybacktowardher,beingsuretodisplaythe
bladeforhertosee.
Asheloomedoverher,alowcacklelefthislips,andwithagrin,hetouched thebladetoherstomach,grazingtheskinjustabovehernavel.
“WAIT!”Evebarked.
Faironstopped.HestaredatEve,surprisedbyherinterruption.
“Eyfaleptareign,kallas chimera,”hegrumbled,hisvoicegravellyanddeep.
Everolledhereyes.“Look,Idon’tknowwhatthehellyou’resaying,
Fairon.”
“Youliehere,strappedtomytable,andyet yougive meorders?”
“You’resupposedto—”