Page 23 of Just Dare Me
“You think the government—which you work for, by the way—would side with demons against us?”
“The government is on nobody’s side but their own, and right now their interests may be more aligned with the East Side horde than with the FUA. You have to understand, theinstantWashington found out about the underworld, the question of you being exposed to the public changed from anifto awhen. So put yourself in the government’s shoes and ask yourself ‘Whenis the very best time for the world to find out about you?’”
I see her point immediately. “When big scary monsters attack a major city.”
“Exactly. If it’s inevitable that the underworld will be outed someday, why not let it happen in a way that will make the world terrified of you guys? With that kind of public image, governments can and will pass any laws they want. It’ll be open season on the underworld. And if Detroit is the price to pay for that kind of power, so be it.”
“But you work for the government, Charlotte. Is that how you think?”
“I understand it. I used to agree, yes.”
“But not anymore?”
She slumps down in her chair, becoming pensive. “I don’t know. Maybe a part of me always wondered if we could somehow work all this out diplomatically.”
“When you say ‘a part of me,’ do you mean Matt?”
Nora’s eyes widen. She’s been fascinated by the Matt/Charlotte duality ever since I told her about it, but she’s never had the courage to ask Charlotte about it directly. I guess Nora’s more polite than me. Big surprise.
“Yes, Matt disagreed with my cynical view,” Charlotte says quietly. “It’s the only thing we’ve ever really argued about, besides you.”
I smirk at Nora. “Matt liked me from the start.”
“Matt adjusted to this new world faster than I did. He was able—heisable—to put you in perspective. It doesn’t scare him. He never used theMword.”
“Monster?” Nora asks.
Charlotte nods. “He says monsters are made, not born, and they’re made just as easily in humans as the underworld.”
“He’s right,” Nora says. “I’ve seen enough of both worlds to know that we’re more alike than different.”
Charlotte leans her head back against her chair. “Okay, let’s be careful with saying things like ‘Matt is right.’ No need to feed his ego.”
“Wait, so he’s listening right now?”
“A beautiful woman is telling him how right he is. What do you think?”
“But you can hear him? Like another voice in your head?”
Charlotte doesn’t answer, and I happen to know why. This is a sore subject between her and Matt. She used to be able to hear his voice distinctly, but the more they’re together—literally together in her body—the more his voice fades into her own, to the point where now she can hardly distinguish them. Which is why he wants her to release him. If he stays much longer, she might not be able to recognize his presence at all.
“I’m sorry,” Nora blurts. “I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that…”
“What?”
“Well, it’s just that I know what it’s like to hear another voice inside my head. When I touch somebody’s skin, I get their thoughts, and it’s in their own voice. It’s hard to describe what an intimate experience it is. I can’t imagine having it all the time. You’re so lucky to have him with you.”
Charlotte stares at Nora for a long, awkward moment. Her eyes are impossible to read behind the sunglasses.
Nora caves. “I’m so sorry. None of my business.”
Charlotte sits forward. “You could hear him? If you touch me, I mean. You could hear his voice?”
Nora blushes. “Oh, I would never—”
“What if I wanted you to?” Charlotte pulls her sleeve up to the elbow and lays her bare arm on Nora’s armrest. “I’m just curious to know if it would work.”
“Plus,” I add, “Matt would love a visitor. He doesn’t get out much.”
