Page 5 of Dead End

“You like her,” I said, once we were ensconced in the golf cart.

“Of course I like her. Everybody does.”

“No, I meanyoulike her. She’s your Roman Empire.”

Red marks dotted his cheek. “Enough talking. Save it for your social call.”

I turned away so he couldn’t see my triumphant smile. I’d finally identified his weak spot. It was nice to know he had one.

Twenty minutes later, Ademir parked the golf cart and walked me across the walkway to Hut 351. The sea was only inches from my feet. I thought of my beloved moat and felt a pang of grief. The water here was beautiful, the most perfect blend of blue and green I’d ever seen.

But it wasn’t home.

Libby waited for me on the deck. I was certain the onlyreason Ademir hadn’t questioned Posy’s authority was because he wanted to see Libby again. Whatever the reason, I took the win.

The hut was far more spacious on the inside than it appeared from the outside. Libby had decorated the interior with … snowmen. There were snowmen paintings, snowmen figurines, even snowmen kitchen towels.

“Can I offer you a drink?” she asked. “I have the best selection of herbal teas in all of Paradise.” She pulled two snowman mugs from the cabinet.

“I’m sensing a theme,” I said.

Her face grew flushed. “There’s something magical about snowmen.”

“You’re a goddess,” I said with a laugh. “There’s something magical aboutyou.” I selected a tangerine teabag, and she put the kettle on the stovetop to boil. While we waited, she poked her head outside.

“You’re welcome to join us, Ademir.”

I wanted to object but held my tongue. I spent quite enough time with Ademir. He even slept outside the door of my hut. I was lucky to use the bathroom by myself.

“That’s okay,” Ademir said. “I’ll give you ladies some privacy.”

“Thank you, Ademir. That’s very kind of you.” Libby shut the door and turned back to me. “He’s a sweetheart.”

“That’s one word for him,” I murmured.

“I thought his backward feet were strange when I first saw them, but I don’t even notice them now.”

“I notice them, but only because I’ve stepped on toes where heels should be.”

She laughed merrily as she filled the mugs with hot water. I followed her across the room to the window that overlooked the water.

“Thank you for inviting me,” I said. “It’s been a strange couple of weeks.”

“I bet.” Her gaze darted to the door. “Listen,” she said in a hushed whisper. “I think you should know they took a sample of your DNA.”

My skin itched all over. “What? How do you know?” HR must’ve done it when they knocked me out to put on the collar.

“I overheard one of the lab techs boasting about it. He said the Board of Directors wants them to study you and submit their report ASAP.”

I wasn’t shocked by her revelation. After all, it was one of the reasons I’d avoided entanglements, that a group like this one would want to use me as a weapon or an experiment.

“Did they say for what purpose?”

“I heard the word ‘replicate.’ I think they like the concept of a reborn goddess.”

Of course they did. No need for an avatar. “Where can I find the lab?”

A screech of laughter followed my question. “Oh, Melinoe. You’re so funny.” Her mask dropped as fast as her voice. “You can’t. You’ll never make it past security, never mind Ademir.”

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