Page 70 of Amethyst Flame
“Maybe someone is trying to control you.”
“Or maybe you don’t have any idea what’s happening to you on a molecular level.”
With Adley’s help, I soon would. “Fine. I don’t.”
“Well, then…will you come with me? My team can do some tests on you, and if youarestable, then maybe they can figure out why and save my life.”
“And if I’m not?”
“They’ll try to help you too. My father has spared no expense”—his expression twisted like he’d found coffee grounds in the fries—“on this, anyway. He’s always bragging about the best minds in the world.”
I studied him. “So what happened to you, Will?”
I only meant to inquire why he wasn’t saved yet, but angry-spooky lights flickered in his eyes. “Fuck you, Imogen.”
“Hard pass,” I said. “I hardly know you, definitely don’t trust you”—thank you, Adley for making this morning about trust—“and I’mabsolutelynot going to let your Best Minds randos examine me.” I managed to fit half the burger in my mouth. If I couldn’t talk, then I couldn’t say anything I shouldn’t.
“I’m going to die, Imogen.”
His voice cracked. And I felt bad for him. This whole nanobot experience had terrified me since day one. Sure, there were some cool perks, but I understood what it meant to wake up a freak and not know if I’d live out the day.
So I tried to speak anyway. Came out in a muffle of flying crumbs. When I finally swallowed, I repeated myself, “Talk to Ruskin about it. Your Great Minds may have missed some things.”
Like, maybe he needed an upgrade. Could be as simple as that.
“That’s it?” he demanded. “That’s no help at all, Imogen. Will you at least give me a sample of your nanobots? I’ll give you a sample of mine.”
Sounded a lot like if you show me yours, I’ll show you mine. And frankly, I was curious. But not enough to hand over some of my little beauties.
“I’ll think about it,” I told him.
“I’mdying,Imogen.”
“Not today you’re not.” I stuffed the last of the fries in my mouth, disappointed that there weren’t any in the bottom of the bag. “Unless you touch my fries again, and then I swear you will lose some fingers. Cheer up, Will. At least we both now know that we’re not alone.”
When we got back to Banta, Will wandered inside—maybe contemplating revealing himself to Adley, maybe just thinking about a post-lunch nap. I was.
I had to do a quick Jacob-Dane check-in.Back at work. Turns out Will and I have a lot in common
I stared at the ellipsis.You already have a boyfriend.
That was a Dane response in Jacob’s voice. It meant I shouldn’t trust Will.
I sent them and their possessiveness a poop emoji.
When I got back up to the fourth floor, my office was ready. It was the opposite layout of Adley’s space—but still bright and airy. Aside from a few pieces of starter furniture, it was pretty bare. It needed color and lots of it. On a windowsill was a thriving green plant. Probably one of Adley’s, which was a nice, personal touch, but if it stayed in my care, it would eventually languish and die.
‘Kay fine. I’d try to remember to water it.
I had a desk and chair. And a new laptop. Which I opened.
A sticky note next to the keyboard read:Personnel files for prospective members of your team. If they are going to investigate you, you should be able to do the same to them. ~A
On the screen’s desktop were several file icons. I clicked one, and a photograph of a balding man with deep bags under his eyes appeared. His basic deets were broken out to the side. Name, DOB, social security number, education, etc. I could open a bunch of credit cards in his name if I wanted. Tempting. And then—sheesh!—fifty pages of background check information.
And I had one, two, three…well,lotsof these files to go through.
This here was homework. Hideous homework.
