Luke opens the door to our house and walks in without waiting on me. He’s disappointed, and I get that. But it’s not necessary. I wouldn’t pick Marc over Luke.
Correction, it’s possible that I will pick Marc over Luke. I just hope that I’m never presented with the option.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
After I shower and put my clothes away, I go to Marc’s room. Sean is coming out as I’m preparing to knock. “Hey,” he greets.
“Hi. Are you coming back?”
“No. I’ll finish talking to him in the morning.” He leaves the door open so I can walk in.
Closing the door behind me, I watch Marc sit on his bed. He drags his hand down his face and grumbles. “What’s wrong?”
He meets my gaze and slightly brightens his expression with the hint of a smile. “Nothing, what’s wrong with you?” I study his expression and can’t place the feeling, but he lied earlier and is lying now.
“You sure everything is okay, Marc? You seem a little detached.”
He nods. “I’m fine, Ky. The days are just weighing on me.” He waves me over. “Want to help me out with that?”
Maybe that’s true. Our days have been hard on us lately. But Marc’s never really bothered by anything. I push past it and cross the floor to stand in front of him. “I’m leaving tomorrow. Maybe for a day or two.” Maybe the break will be good. It could be me he’s detached from.
“Why? Leaving where?”
I sit beside him. “Luke, Jord, Seits, and I were requested by the Guidance to go to this party for the Premier. Mandatory, something cordially invited.” I shrug.
“Hmm. Sounds fancy. You’re going to wear a dress?”
“Eww. I hope not.”
Marc chuckles. “I bet you’d be hot in a dress, Ky.”
“Well, thanks.”
“Mmm.” He lies back on his bed, and I go with him. “One day, we will run away. We’ll come back. But we will run away so I can take you on a walk somewhere. I don’t know where just yet, but somewhere pleasant, and we’ll be uncovered for each other, holding hands and sharing one of your white shakes.” I laugh. “Seriously, then we will go eat a Chicago-style hotdog. Though I doubt we’ll be in Chicago.”
I grab his hand, and he moves his fingers between mine, holding them in the air as he stares at our linked fist.
Smiling, I ask, “Then what?” picturing the event as he speaks.
“After we eat, and I get you smelling like grilled onions, we are going to find a park with trees, those big bushy trees, you know, and plush grass that we can lie on and stare at the sky at night when we can see the stars.”
“Are you uncovered for me, Marcain?” I turn on my side to look at him.
“Something like that.” He touches my cheek, rubbing his thumb back and forth over my cheekbone. “What did you come in here for?”
“Wanted to talk, to tell you I was leaving, ask you something.”
He grazes his fingers from my cheek to my neck as he leans in, but not close enough for him to kiss me. It’s not until his eyes shift to my lips that I realize he’s waiting on me to meet him.
I lean forward and kiss him deep. The bed under me softens the instant our lips touch. The oxygen in his room thins out, and his hand on my neck becomes heavy. His touch and the feeling of his lips and tongue lightly brushing over mine are all that I am aware of. If I allowed myself to get completely lost in his kiss, I’d probably feel the breeze from the park he envisioned earlier. But I can’t. There’s a point to my being here, and it’s not to indulge in his company. I lean back, touching his hand on my neck and removing it so he can’t pull me back to him.
“What?” he asks, moving his hand from mine so it’s resting on my waist. “What’s wrong?”
I sigh and swallow hard. “I want to ask again…Um…” There’s this feeling in the pit of my stomach that this is either going to lead to an argument or rejection. There’s not a doubt in my mind that Marc is anything but a Creation and asking him of this didn’t go so well last time.
“Spit it out, Ky.” He lies on his back, scooting over a bit―away from me.
I sit up, crossing my legs and pulling my hair into a ponytail. My hair lies against my neck, and its weight comforts me. “I need you to go against them with me. They have―”
“They who?” he cuts in aggressively.
“Jord.”
“Ky, I’m not doing anything with your extended kind. Something here, with you, I’m okay with. But you telling me the other day the general is with Cory and they are working on helping them come here and convince Creations to help them…”
I explain everything to Marc, telling him all about Seits and Jord and their plan to inflict damage on the Vojin. “I’m going to do it, but…” I wait for him to look at me. He doesn’t, so I lean forward to grab his jaw and turn him to face me. “I’ve been tasked with asking you and Sean to come with us, and Luke needs to convince Collins and Cecilia.”
Shaking his head, Marc grabs my wrist and tugs my hand down. “That’s not going to happen, Ky.”
“You won’t help me?”
“How do you know what they say is true?”
“Honestly, if it is or isn’t, Luke and I had that plan anyway. It was going to be the two of us, and we were going to go there and shoot up everything, live or die. But in order for us to be as effective as we want, we will need reinforcements. It took us by surprise to find out about Jord and Seits tonight.”
“Why Collins?”
Why Collins, that’s his takeaway? I shrug. “Why are we talking about Collins? Who cares why? Because she can shoot a gun, I guess, Marc. You have to trust me, okay? You know I couldn’t let anyone cross you or anything hurt you. I would never walk you into danger. Trust me and do this with me.”
“You don’t have to make me blind promises, Ky. You don’t even know what you are walking into. You’re blinded by revenge, anything to get back at the beings who snatched your parents from you will sound good.” He sits up on his elbows. “How do you know that once you get there, Jord and Seits won’t ambush you in a setup?”
“I doubt it. But I can’t say what will happen when I get there. I can only go off what they say.”
“You are blinded by vengeance, Ky.”
“So that’s a no?”
He stares at me for a moment. “Kylie,” he grumbles remorsefully, falling flat on his bed.
I get up, upset he’s not as easy to convince as Luke thinks Collins will be. “Don’t worry about it,” I tell him.
He grabs my waist, pulling me to sit back down. “Don’t leave,” he says, scooting closer to me. “Okay. I’ll talk to Sean. I’ll get back to you when you come back.”
I look down at him. He grabs my arm and lays a single kiss against it. My shoulders relax, and I sigh. He was great before, but now that we are together and not trying to push each other away, we feel…amazing. He feels amazing as he kisses me every few seconds―down my arm to my hand. I shiver; the feel of his soft lips is exhilarating.
Kissing my knuckles, he asks, “Are you staying or are you going?”
“What do you want?”
“We already know the answer to that.”
“I don’t. I need you to tell me.”
“I want you to come here so I can kiss you. And I don’t want you to go.”
I lean down, close enough not to kiss him, but to feel his breaths wafting over my lips. “I’ll kiss you when I come back. And I’m not staying in here. I have to go talk to my brother before we leave in the morning.”
“I highly doubt that you will leave this room without kissing me.”
I lean away from him and narrow my eyes. “Are you challenging me, Marc?”
“No, I’m stating facts.”
“I think it’s you who can’t let me leave without kissing me.”
He blinks, looking away from me, then back. “I can’t let you leave…without me.”
I’m left speechless. “You mean that?” I sound like s
uch a girl. Gentle, feminine, and open with my feelings flooding out of me through my look, my touch, and my kiss. One that I’m sweetly placing against his lips after he nods, answering my question. “I love you so much.”
He smiles against my mouth. “I told you, you were going to kiss me.”
“Ooo, you’re good. And I love your smile.”
“I love you without guns, vests, and army suits.”
“When we run away, maybe we can find me a dress that stops at my thighs, or a skirt with a shirt that doesn’t cover my arms. Then we can look like a girl and boy on a date. I can even leave my hair down.” I could keep my hair down around Marc, knowing he’d look out for both of us, and I wouldn’t need to.
“I would love to see you in a dress with your legs out.” He pulls me down beside him.
“So a dress?”
“Yes.”
“What color?”
“Um. Purple, like my eyes.”
“And what will you wear?”
“I want to wear sneakers and whatever you’d prefer to see me in.”
“A collared shirt and some fitted jeans that don’t sag like I used to see boys wear back home when I saw their underwear.”
“Okay. I can do that,” he says quickly with a nod.
I smile wide, lying next to him. “Good.” I love this boy.
Marc and I lie across his bed and stay up talking all night. Talking about everything, talking about nothing like we are regular teenagers. Not the Vojin, not Creations, not Separations, nothing relevant to why we are here. We make up perfect dates we could spend with each other and pretend to have conversations Creations wouldn’t admit to having. Our future, the one that doesn’t exist. He is completely uncovered. I am uncovered. Our laughter bounces off the walls of his room, and we’re warm with comfort, thrilled by a fantasy I only wish would one day be ours.
Then reality strikes. Tomorrow I’ll be visiting Highrum for the first time. It’s a rarity for any Creation fighter to visit, and I’m nervous. I’ll also be around Arletta’s ominous demeanor again. I’m not sure yet what it is about her, besides her finding joy in other’s suffering, but she gets under my skin.
Chapter Thirty
“You two may want to act like you are excited about being here,” Seits says as we get off the plane.
I yawn, dragging my feet to the transport vehicle. “Are we going to a hotel or something? When is the party? And how long do we have to stay there?”
“Stop whining, Ky. It’s annoying,” Luke says from behind me, walking down the stairs of the plane. “None of us want to be here.”
“As I mentioned, you all may want to at least look happy about it. Even you, Jord.” Jord shrugs. “We have two days here; we are going to a hotel; the party is tomorrow, and we will leave after it is over.”
“Why are we here today if the party isn’t until tomorrow?” I ask with less of a whine so I won’t anger Luke.
Jord throws his duffle bag into the vehicle and crouches to get in. “They want to talk.”
“Talk about what?” Luke asks, following him in. Seits and I are right behind them.
“We don’t know yet,” Jord answers.
“Something important,” Seits seconds.
Something important…Everything here is important.
The moisture in the air is so thick, I try to swat it as I suck in a breath. Coughing, I pull the collar of my shirt over my nose to block off some of the moisture in the air. I’m so used to the dry heat; the oxygen here makes it hard to breathe.
The sun brightens the beauty of Highrum. The skyscrapers and glossy buildings some miles from the landing zone glisten and sparkle like new. If only the other states could be so lucky to look this way. The streets are paved with the country’s finest asphalt and concrete—not a bump or pothole flaws the ride. Plush grass and thick trees are so bold and bright the greenery is tempting to eat. As we pass tall buildings and structures, we see Creations cascading from the roofs to clean the bulletproof, tinted windows and storm-gray concrete walls. All the buildings here in Highrum look the same. The only difference separating them is height and width. The exception is the Premier’s home and the Guidance headquarters, which are both black. Black windows, black walls, black roof, but white doors. It’s an off-putting contrast that makes me shudder as we drive by.
We are chauffeured to an Inn where we will be allowed to rest until two PM. At this time, we’re required to sit in on a session with the Guidance where they will be discussing their plan against the threat. Today, we are required to wear our suits, but tomorrow we must formally dress up for the Premier’s birthday celebration.
The car stops in front of a six-story building, dressed with balconies and an entry door that automatically slides open when someone approaches it. We exit, throwing our duffle bags over our shoulders.
“At least, we can relax while we are here,” Jord says, following a yawn with an exaggerated grumble. “Get a couple of hours of shut eye and a glass of brandy.”
“Jord, you will not be drinking while we are here,” Seits quickly dismisses his plans.
He ignores her saying, “What do you say, Luke? Glass of dark liquor is good for the soul.”
“I’ll meet you at the bar after Ky and I get settled,” Luke responds. I turn my attention to him, ready to shoot down his plan, but on the other side of the street, a boutique with purple dresses in the window catches my eye, and I muster my own plan. “You’ll be okay with me leaving you later, Ky?”
“Go ahead. Treat these two days like it’s a vacation.”
“Great idea, Kylie,” Jord cheers with a clap. “Treat this like it’s a vacation.”
The three of us enter the Inn, and the air is dry and warm. I inhale deeply, grateful for the change. The indoors, unlike the bathed silver city, from floor to ceiling, are dressed in gold. Black petunias circle around tall gold pillars posted in every corner and line the junction of the wall and ceiling. They make the gold not so harsh on the eyes.
As we cross the glossy floor to the front desk, we’re greeted with pleasantries and sincere smiles. A few passersby pat my back, and I must remind myself the gesture is one of endearment and is normal in Highrum.
Jord gives the tall, pale-skinned lady standing behind the desk his name, and she slowly taps away on her keyboard. Her non-urgency annoys me. Being places where people lug around without care of other’s time is infuriating.
“Excuse me,” Jord adjusts to look at the pale lady’s name tag. “Johanne, are you able to find it?”
“Have some patience, Jord Austin. I’ve found it.” She cracks an indulgent smile that warms her green eyes. “Creations such as yourselves have never stayed in our Inn before. It’s quite the honor to be in your presence. One minute, and I’ll have your keys for the two rooms.”
“Thank you,” he states with a nod. He looks down at me through his lashes, explaining, “The only Creations these people have ever seen were workers.”
“The soft ones,” Seits cuts in.
“They’ve never seen fighters.” There’s a pause. “Killers.”
I shrug, unconcerned by the Normals’ enthusiasm.
“Is there something you’d like to do while the guys go to the bar, Ky?” Seits grabs the keys from the receptionist and hands one to Luke and me. “The doors aren’t monitored, and nothing is timed here.”
“After a couple of hours of sleep, I’m going to a couple of those boutiques across the street.”
“Would you mind if I accompanied you?”
I purse my lips, take a breath, and subtly release it. “No, Seits. I’ll be okay.”
“I’m not coming as a chaperone, just company.”
Fine. “Okay, Seits. Sure.”
We take an elevator to the third floor and head for our rooms, number thirty-four for Luke and me. Luke kicks the door open and throws his duffel bag on the first bed he finds. Sighing, he charges for the knee-high refrigerator and snatches up a protein bar from its door. He practicall
y gobbles the thing up in one breath.
“Are you okay?” I survey him carefully.
“Did you talk to Marc last night?”
Passing him to get to the bed by the window, I answer, “Yeah. He, um, didn’t give me an answer. He actually shot me down, then I pouted, and he told me he would let me know when I get back.”
“Damn. Collins wasn’t that easy to convince either.”
“You were with her last night? I thought you said she would be simple.”
“She was supposed to be, but she took some persuading.”
“But she agreed to help?”
“She did.”
I go to the bathroom to clean off the four-hour flight. “Don’t get drunk, Luke.” The door opens and closes without him responding. I shed my suit, shower, and wash my face and brush my teeth at the sink. Staring in the mirror, I smooth my fingers over my thick eyebrows and pop a pimple on my crooked chin. I dress in my spare suit, strap on my black vest and boots, and pull my black shoestrings tight.
The Inn’s beds, topped with plush pillows and blankets, are bigger than the beds in Separation. I fall back on it, accidently falling asleep. My dreams of Marc are peaceful, and I calmly sleep alone.
I awake, refreshed, a couple hours later. Stretching, I stand from the bed and head for the bathroom to brush my teeth again before leaving for Seits’s room.
I knock, and she answers. “Hey, Ky, you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
“Where are we off to?” She gleams with confidence and joy for our ventures.
“Dress shopping,” I admit. “At the boutique with the purple dress in the window.” I wish I knew what size Marc wears so that I can also find his collared shirt and fitted jeans. But I’d need to find a boutique that sold those things, and I didn’t see one on our way in.
“Ky, you would look really cute in this dress.” Seits holds out a glittering navy-blue dress with long sleeves and a turtleneck. “It will complement your eyes.”
“I’m looking for something that will complement your eyes,” I tell her, brushing off the dress she holds out in front of me. I scan racks of dresses.
Salient Invaders: A Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Series (The Separation Trilogy Book 2) Page 23