Page 12 of Fixation of the Mind

When his eyes narrowed and his mouth shifted into that normal frown of his, I let him go and looped my arm into his. Steeling my resolve, I smiled up at him brightly, making a show of playing the perfect woman in love. “Let's get the show on the road.”

In the back of my mind, the familiar perky voice of my dead friend laughed. Girl, you are lying your pants off. You almost fucked him right here, and it was all about your heart and not your head. Another string of laughter echoed before it disappeared.

So what if I was lying? It was worth it to see the sour look on Mr. I’m-always-right’s face as we walked up to the back door to the warehouse.

Chapter 5

He led me to the back door of the building, which seemed normal until you were up close. The steel frame was heavily fortified, covering the hinges and the seam to make it impenetrable to even the air around it. The door handle had an odd shape, something I’d never seen. Rion had to grip it with his hands in a certain way, his thumb wrapping around to the back. In seconds, a beep sounded, then the door opened without him pushing or pulling it.

There was no light when I looked in, and I hesitated to go forward. My skin pebbled, the feeling that something horrible might happen crawled all over me, setting my instincts into hyperdrive. Rion gave my arm a small squeeze.

“I got you.”

His low words had my feelings inside of me warring. One side wanted to rebel, to tell him off, while the other wanted to sink into his side and let the warmth and protection of his words wash over me. Shaking my head to clear it, I nodded. This wasn't the time for feelings, it was the time to survive. Standing straighter, I took a step forward into the darkness.

As soon as we crossed the threshold, a steel-lined hallway lit up our path. Even with this hallway being devoid of any extras, of any life, I already felt eyes on us, watching and waiting. I couldn't help but move just a bit closer to Rion, preferring his stoic attitude to their probing gaze.

It didn't take long for us to come to a large square room with an imposing black metal desk in the center. I didn't see a door or another hallway, and when I turned to ask Rion what was next, a holographic image popped up in front of us. It was a beautiful woman with blonde hair and unnaturally blue eyes.

“Identification.”

Letting go of Rion so I could step closer, I scrutinized the image, fascinated with the level of technology in front of me.

Rion sharp tone answered, “A49820X56ZAA3.”

Turning, I raised a brow at him, but he simply raised a brow back at me, almost in a challenge.

“Accepted. Welcome, R. Ambros.” The hologram turned to me and scanned me next, making me back up a few steps. “Identification.”

Panic began to set in as I had no idea what to say, but Rion cut in. “Guest. Layrin Smith.”

The computer lady looked like she was frozen for a second. She was so life-like before that, so her sudden stillness was unnerving. Did we break her?

“Access accepted by the council.” As soon as those words came out, one of the walls slid down to reveal an elevator.

Rion guided me toward the elevator without a peep. I took his cue and kept silent myself, but when I noticed the elevator had no buttons, I realized it was all run by that computer lady. “What happens if she malfunctions?”

“The heads of the families know a manual way to take over in case of emergencies, but I highly doubt that would happen. Rebecka is a highly trained AI program who has done her own maintenance and upgrades for the past twenty years.”

I didn't realize I’d asked my question out loud, but his answer was impressive, while also being scary because this meant they’d had this technology for a while. In the real world, AI had just become a possibility.

The swish of the elevator door was the only warning I got before it opened, and the abrupt motion made me jump. Usually, you could feel an elevator stop or jerk a bit if it was old, but not this one. It was silent, cloud-like. It felt like I had been standing in the same place the entire time.

Rion’s lip quivered like he wanted to smile. Instead, he put his arm out for me to take.

We left the elevator for another hallway that was filled with doors. There were no signs or labels to tell you where to go, you just had to know. That made this place feel more maze-like than anything, which I was guessing was the point. Everything looked the same: steel walls, steel light fixtures, and steel doors that looked like vaults, making me think that once you went in, you couldn’t get out.

As we reached the end of the hallway, one of the doors opened. Mrs. Ricci came out in red stilettos, navy wide-legged pants, and a silky, sleeveless white top that looked expensive. Her dark locks were pulled into a tight high ponytail, not a strand out of place. She gave off boss bitch elegance at its finest. Her beauty was breathtaking, and it blew my mind that this woman had grown children when she didn’t look older than thirty five. Two bulky men with sunglasses and the nondescript black shirt and pants combo came out behind her, standing next to her like they were prepared for anything. As soon as I saw them, dread filled my gut. My instincts knew something was off.

Glancing at Rion through my peripherals, I saw the solid line of his normally impassive lips turn down just a fraction, telling me he wasn’t pleased with our greeters either.

Her dark eyes scanned the two of us, her probing narrowed gaze lingering for a moment on our linked arms. “We will take it from here, Mr. Ambros. You can wait in the sun room.”

She flicked her hand toward the door we were standing next to, and his arm clenched tight around mine. “I’m here to escort her to the council, so I will stay with my charge. Who knows if she will actually make it in front of them if I hand her over to you.” It was blatant antagonism, and my eyes shifted from him to her, waiting to see who was going to win this match of wills.

Her ruby red lips lifted into a sinister smile. “The text told you to bring her here, and you did. Past this point is for the heads of the family only, and if memory serves me correctly, you have yet to claim that title.”

His left eye twitched at her comment, but he closed them. A dangerously calm aura took over him before he opened his eyes. “That's only a formality, and you know it.”

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