“Elle, there’s no such thing as limitless currency.” Blue countered with logic.
Elle conceded. “Sure, sure.” She waved her hand to indicate that her meaning should have been obvious. “I just mean that a black bill card holder could buy like, anything they wanted, live their one hundred twenty extra years, and still be buried with the thing.”
Blue was impressed that anyone could amass that much wealth. “About how many black cards do you get?” she asked out of curiosity.
Elle’s eyes sparkled, as if thoughts of someone who could buy an infinite amount of anything danced through her head. “Not many, but next week is Peace Week, so we’re bound to get a few loaded dignitaries in here.”
Baird chimed in with his dour gong. “Hey, what do you know about the Predator?”
Blue blinked and shook her head. “Hello. Where did that come from?” When her brother offered no explanation, she answered his question. “Just what you’ve told me on your supervised visits. Six months or so ago, Vemreaux tourists started disappearing off the O-Blood island. A couple. Then more. Got them all in a tizzy.”
Baird crossed his arms over his chest and faced his sister – a thing he did when he demanded her full attention. “Yeah, well, it’s more than that now. They’ve been finding some of the bodies washed up in the river. Not just dead. Filleted and muscle picked from the bone.”
Elle shuddered. “Do you have to be graphic about it? Just say they came back dead.”
Baird’s frown pronounced itself more at Elle’s interruption. “She needs to know what she’ll be up against, Elle.” He turned back to his sister, who somehow appeared smaller than he would have liked. “An officer was drinking late one night and let it slip that now a couple Vemreaux guards from the blood farm have gone missing. They’re trying to keep everything quiet until they can get a handle on it. But they’re not doing a great job.”
“What does that have to do with me telling her about the black cards?” Elle asked, hands on her hips.
“Peace Week. Dignitaries always come to the capital for Peace Week, and Joe’s Diner’s just outside of the capital, so we get a lot of foot traffic. America throws a great party. Plus, King Sinclair’s coming in for the big parade. Lots of black cards’ll be waved around because of that. But they’re also here for the testing.”
Elle swallowed. “So the date’s been set?”
“Some time in the next few weeks. You’re not supposed to know, but Lawrence has his ear to the ground. Now that the Predator’s been killing more and more Vemreaux, a couple dozen, I think, and they still haven’t been able to catch it, they’re scrambling for ‘the Light to end the tyranny.’ That’s why I had to get you out as soon as I could manage it, Blue. They’re going to take Elle and a lot of other Wayward girls for testing soon. See if any of them’s the Light. You have to blend in out here. You have to stay hidden, or they could take you, too.”
“Enough!” Elle demanded, slamming her hand flat on the counter. “No one’s taking Blue anywhere!”
Blue realized she must have looked as miserable as she felt at mention of the dreaded prophecy, due to Elle stepping in so resolutely on her behalf. I’ll have to be more careful. Can’t have her constantly fighting with Baird because of me. I want Baird to be happy someday, if that’s even possible. “Guys, please.”
A silky smile transformed Elle’s fair face. “It’s not been a whole day since she’s been bought, and she’s seen a robbery, a killing and a whole lot of ‘the Light’ garbage. Give her some time to be a girl, Baird. Everything else will come when it comes.”
“That’s naïve, Elle.” Baird, it seemed, was the only man partially immune to Elle’s feminine beauty. Her appeal was muted when she argued with him so obstinately. He frowned down at Elle in disapproval, hoping that her loud mouth would not rub off on his sister. “She’s the Light. Can’t change that by ignoring it.”
“Yes, I can.” Elle grabbed her best friend by the arm and whirled her out into the dining area. “Forget Baird. Let’s just talk diner for a while. That’s your only concern right now. Waiting tables. Easy as anything.”
There were six tables per section, with the restaurant divided into two segments. Booths lined the walls and tables occupied the center space, which Baird informed her were removed for the evening crowd so they could use the space to mingle or dance. He spoke the word “dance” like the word itself was a waste of time. Blue did not miss Elle’s pursed lips at his resistance to such things.
Grettel and Elle still fussed that Baird was rushing Blue by making her work on her first day out in the world. Baird answered with a shrug and said that Blue could handle it all, which infuriated Elle. She made her feelings known in the form of prissy hisses and huffs, bestowing the occasional hug on Blue at random to offer her some reassurance that she was still a person, and not just a commodity.
When Baird had everything set up to his liking in the kitchen, he slid a menu over to his sister after motioning for her to take a seat on a tall barstool. She had never sat in a chair with such lengthy legs, and repeatedly checked its strength before finally climbing onto it. She scanned the menu, memorizing every word on the colorful tri-fold.
After one minute, Baird retrieved the menu from her view, folded it up and tucked it away. She blinked rapidly, forcing the information to remain plastered to the innards of her eyelids so that each item could be recalled at a moment’s notice.
Baird shook his head, not approving of the obvious indicator that she was memorizing something. “Tell,” he pointed out. It was their inside language that, with a single word, kept them from falling off their guard. It also made relaxing impossible. “That was sloppy. Anyone can tell that you’re not normal by the way you took in the menu. Your eyes are moving too fast. You’ll have to work harder to blend in out here.”
“Should I put my guard up around you?” Blue raised an eyebrow. “How long did it take you to memorize the menu?” she asked, challenging his authority.
Baird narrowed his eyes at her and lowered his voice. “I’m not the Light with a photographic memory and perfect recall. If you’re out of practice, it’s on you. Don’t blame me for your laziness.”
Blue inhaled sharply at his heinous accusation. “Because I want two minutes with the menu, that makes me lazy? You know what I’ve been doing since you left? Mucking scratch and pressing paper with weights.”
“Do you need two minutes?”
“No,” Blue admitted sulkily. I don’t need you to be mean to me, either.
“Pressing paper!” Baird laughed, though there was no kindness in the levity. “Tell me more about your hardships of pressing paper with a bunch of girls. It helps your case if you whine a little more.”
Blue scoffed. “You’re the one who made me go with the girls! I could’ve been lugging around bags of fertilizer with Griffin, no problem! You think I’m not as strong as you left me? I’ll prove it! I’ll take you down right now!” She hopped off the barstool with a sneer.
Baird’s finger flew up and pointed in her face. He always towered over his sister, but he puffed his chest out and leaned forward to increase his intimidation factor. “Right there. That’s as far as your temper’ll ever get with me. Understood? When it’s just us, you’ll do your best. Memorize the menu in one minute, not two. Carry the heavy stuff for the girls. But when you’re visible to the Vemreaux, you’re a weak little girl, got it? You’re Grettel without the tears.”
Without Baird’s permission, Blue’s hand swooped up and latched onto his outstretched finger. Twisting in a downward motion brought Baird to a rare position of submission on his knees. “Grettel puts up with you every day! That takes a lot more strength than most people can muster. Don’t you ever call me a weak little girl,” Blue ordered in a low tone. “You know who I’m supposed to be.”
Baird recovered his surprise and returned his sister’s glare from his place on the floor. “I don’t think the Light would lose her temper so easily. That makes you weak.”
“Who had day one?” Elle called into the kitchen.
“Huh?” Blue questioned, not relinquishing her dominant stance over her brother.
“We were betting on how long it would take for you two to get into it.” She lowered her voice. “You might want to cool it, guys. Grettel’s already anxious enough.” Elle walked over toward the siblings after she finished setting down all of the chairs. She slid into a booth and motioned for her dear friend to join her.
Blue released her brother with a rough shove, but neither seemed to have reached any level of forgiveness. He stalked off to join Grettel in the kitchen.
Elle’s smile was a welcome distraction. “Come on, Blue. We’ve got a little down time before the doors open and you begin your glamorous role as a waitress with sass.”
“That’s you, Elle. I’m the mumbling invisible one.”
“You mean you’re the mysterious and gorgeous one?”
“I love you.” Blue shivered, shaking out the anxiety that was building up in her body.
“Back at ya, Baby Blue.”
“I hate fighting with Baird,” Blue admitted quietly. She started to relax when Elle began rubbing the tension out of her forearms.
“Really? I don’t get out of bed without the promise of at least one decent brawl with your jerk of a brother.”
Elle’s soothing touch released Blue’s tether to Baird’s steep expectations. She thought through all the things she’d wanted to ask Baird, but couldn’t, due to his gruff demeanor. “Why haven’t I met my owner yet, Elle? Wouldn’t he want to know at least that Baird purchased a healthy Wayward? Wouldn’t he want to interview me or put me through some sort of testing to make sure I’m the right pick?”
“What’s the big deal?” Elle sighed as she examined her nails, wishing she owned a bit of the fancy colored polish the Femreaux wore. “I’ve never met him, either. Neither has Grettel. He trusts Baird. How could he not? I mean, since Baird took over everything, there’ve been no customer complaints, the Vemreaux keep coming back for more of his Green Abby shots, and there’s been no property damage to speak of.” She splayed her fingers up toward her face and gave her friend a doe-eyed expression. “The waitresses keep everyone happy and give the Vemreaux something naturally beautiful to look at.”
Blue smiled and nodded. “Obviously. I heard that was what ended world hunger in the first place.” She strummed her fingers on the table. “Are we gonna talk about you and my brother? I honestly can never tell if you guys are fighting or flirting.”
Elle had a schoolgirl crush on Baird from the time she was old enough to turn her scattered attention to just one boy. It was clear from her beauty and intelligence that she could have her pick of any Wayward she set her affections on, but for some reason, her wandering eye always managed to land on Baird. Even the little tickle she gave his ribs when Blue first reached the hut was a giveaway that they were still doing their discreet dance of attraction and indifference.
“Usually both. One always leads to the other.” Elle smiled devilishly. “You know he wants me.” She gave a self-satisfied little shrug that suggested he would be crazy not to. Then her confidence drooped perceptibly. “You’d think that being out of The Way and, you know, living together would speed things along, but nothing’s changed. I push. He likes it, but won’t make a move.” She chewed the inside of her lip to keep it from pouting and admitting that the covert flirtations were important to her. She knew that her self-esteem hung entirely too much upon his approval.
Blue interjected quickly. “How could he not like it? I mean, it’s you.”
Nodding, Elle huffed. “I know, right? It’s just a matter of time. Once this testing business is over and they discover I’m not the Light, maybe he’ll loosen up. Spotlight won’t be on me to divert them from you anymore, which means I won’t have to train so hard for a job that’s not mine.”
Blue’s eyes widened as she stared at her friend. “You’ll pass whatever test they have for you, no problem. You’re the only A-blood whose reflexes can compete with a Vemreaux’s.”
“Not the only one,” Elle amended. “But thanks anyway. Well, probably the only one being tested, that’s true. Your brother’s an idiot.”
Throwing her friend an eye roll, the corner of Blue’s mouth lifted. “Like that needed to be said. Are you using your mystical deciphering skills as candidate for the Light, or did you realize that the old-fashioned way like the rest of us?”
“Plain old feminine intuition, baby doll,” Elle said with a wink.
Blue followed Elle’s example of setting rolls of silverware wrapped in napkins on the tables in preparation for patrons. She had never used silverware before. All meals in The Way were eaten with compostable utensils. In a quieter voice, Blue leaned in toward her friend. “How’s Baird been?”
Elle sighed. “Truth? He doesn’t do well without you. Sometimes it’s hard to watch. He’s too fixated on my future. He’s constantly training me to be seen as candidate for the Light. It was at least balanced in The Way because we didn’t want to get caught training. Now that we’re on the outside, he doesn’t hold back.”
“You’re one in a million, Elle.”
“Agreed.”
“It’s a good thing you’re desperately in love with my brother and would pretty much do whatever he asked.”
“Yeah, well, those little agility games like we played in the kitchen? The mind games like counting the trees everywhere we go? I know that’s just Baird keeping me sharp.” She paused. “Not the kind of games I was hoping for, now that we have a little more freedom.”
“Elle, you’re in line to be tested soon. Baird would never jeopardize that by distracting you with feelings.” Blue contemplated this further. “Of course, he’s generally a huge chicken about opening up at all to anyone. You’re a very ambitious woman to think you can crack him. But if anyone could, I’d bet it’d be you.”
“You know I usually get what I want. I can be patient.” Elle made eye contact with her friend as she stood, so Blue could see her sincerity as she spoke. “I’m real glad you’re here, Blue. It feels right again, having you with us.”
Flipping the sign over to announce to the world they were open, Elle pushed the door wide to allow the customers in.
Blue took a deep breath and braced herself for her first real world interaction with the superior race.
Chapter Eight
Block
“Liam!” Sam called into the bedroom. “It’s time to get up, princess,” he sang annoyingly.
Liam threw something at the closed door that was far heavier than a pillow.
Alec had not been kidding about Sam being the one to wake Liam and get him ready for his luncheon with Emperor Anders. That meant Liam had to be sober, showered, dressed and, well, awake.
Sam’s fist pounded on the door. He smiled when Liam groaned. Sam belted out a few lines from an old song he remembered from when he’d gone to summer camp with Liam’s older brother, Killian. When he finished with a cheery “Ho-way-ho!” he could hear his friend stumbling out of the bed.
Liam threw open the door wearing nothing but his boxer briefs. “Death to infidels,” he groaned, pointing his finger at Sam’s chest. The prince’s stomach, that in his college years had been toned, was starting to soften with his overindulgent lifestyle. The stylist’s choice in haircut for Liam ensured that photographers could appreciate his thick head of brown hair with natural glints of auburn, but was also considerate of the fact that Liam woke up wrecked from some party too many nights to count.
Alec, who had been sitting at the conference table, looked up from his phone as the prince passed him. “Um, I’m thinking the Fem you had last night may want a second date. Or a first, for that matter.” He pointed to Liam’s backside.
Liam turned, but could not see what Alec was indicating. He ended up twisting himself in two complete circles trying to get a glimpse of his own rear.
“Oh, for crying out loud! Her number, Liam. She wro
te her number on your butt in lipstick.” Alec shook his head and turned his attention back to his phone, checking the itinerary for the day. “You’ve got half an hour to get ready for the day and sit your painted backside in the car.”
“Ah, Alec,” Liam crooned as he shoved the guard. He reached in the refrigerator and pulled out some orange juice, taking a swig without bothering to locate a glass. “Worry, worry, worry. When was the last time you had a ‘date’?”
Alec’s black eyebrows furrowed while he waited for the page on his phone to load. “You are so high maintenance, I can’t imagine adding a woman to my life.” He leaned his elbows on the table and frowned up at the prince. Alec was not known for smiling, and this morning proved no different.
“What you mean is, you love me so much, you just don’t have room in your heart for another person you’ll have to share a bathroom with.”
“I’d really rather you had proper clothes on for this conversation.” Alec scratched his cheek and flipped to the news on his phone. “Sam. He’s still your problem. Your choice in party means you get him going. That means clothing.” When Liam made to sit on the upholstered chair beside him, Alec pushed the seat onto its side.
“Well, that was passive aggressive,” Liam mumbled, righting the chair. “No royal pardon for you today.” He shook his head, pretending to scold his serious guard.
“You can’t sit down. One, because you need to get in the shower. And two, because you’ll leave her number everywhere you sit.” Alec’s black eyebrows furrowed together as he grumbled incoherently about the poor choice in women the boys had.
“And what would you have had us do our first night in the Americas?” Sam asked, handing a pile of dress clothes to Liam and shooing him into the bathroom.
The Way Page 8