City of Light (Outcast 1)

Rather than respond to that declaration, I headed out of the room and walked back down the hall to the kitchen. Jonas followed, not willing to let me out of his sight, not even for a moment, it seemed. After ordering two coffees and several protein bars, I turned and said, “And if I don’t?”

He shrugged. “Then I will wait until you do.”

“Again, I have to ask, why?”

“Because that is what I have been ordered to do.”

My eyebrows rose. “And do you always do what you’re told?”

“It depends on the order.” His gaze was heated, angry. Determined. “But in this case, my niece is involved. And I will do everything in my power to bring down those who are responsible for the change in her.”

And heaven help anyone who got in his way, obviously. “What about the information I gave you on the rift in Deseo’s basement?”

“Nuri has been informed, and will act on the information today.”

I raised an eyebrow. “How? Communication devices don’t work down here.”

“We don’t need them.”

Meaning I was right—he and Nuri could share thoughts. The dispensing unit dinged a reminder. I handed Jonas both a coffee and protein bar, then picked up mine. “I guess we’d better get moving, then.”

Surprise briefly touched his otherwise set expression. “This early?”

“The earlier the better, as there’s not so many people about to catch me coming out of the bunker.” I headed for the tunnel that would take us down to the seventh level and the South Siding exit. “Besides, I have plans to meet a friend tonight.”

I could feel his gaze on me—a quicksilver caress that sent goose bumps flitting across my skin. And they weren’t the result of fear or cold. Far from it. “Do these plans involve the same man you met last night?”

“That, ranger, is none of your business.” I glanced over my shoulder. “And no, you cannot come with me, nor do I want you following me. In this case, three is most definitely a crowd.”

One dark eyebrow rose. “Never fear, I’m not into voyeurism.”

Maybe, I thought, and maybe not. Because if he gained even the slightest inkling that my meeting with Sal was anything other than pleasure, then watch he would.

“What about the vampires?” he added as we moved thro

ugh the sixth-floor cross-link. “How do you intend to dispose of their bodies? Burning them under lights will make this place rather odorous.”

I shrugged. “I can’t risk dragging them out into the sunlight, as the smoke might attract unwanted attention. I’ll just have to hope the ventilation system will have taken the worst of their smell from the air by the time I get back.”

By the time we’d reached the pile of vampires—which were still smoldering thanks to the closeness of their carcasses to the wash of light—I’d finished my coffee. I placed the cup near the wall to recycle later, shoved the protein bar in my pocket, then determinedly walked to the pile of dead and began tossing them into the middle of the room. Jonas joined me and, in a very short time, the vampires were little more than disintegrating ash. But the smell of burned flesh was sharp and rank, and my stomach churned. Thank Rhea I was going out for the day.

I walked over to the room’s control panel and set the lights to come on automatically with dusk. Then I ordered the ghosts to stay within its protection and not to approach the vampires should they attack again tonight. They were more than happy to comply.

With Cat and Bear dancing in front of me, I headed down the tunnel to the South Siding exit.

“Why do all the ghosts not come with you?” Jonas asked. “I would have thought they’d enjoy the break from the monotony of this place.”

I shrugged. “Cat and Bear were closest . . .” I stopped abruptly. To me when they gassed this place and we all died, I’d almost said. I really did have to watch myself.

“Closest to what?” Jonas asked.

Though he was behind me, I could feel the weight of his gaze. Feel the force of thoughts as he tried to read my mind and pry free my secrets. But lures could not be read by anyone other than the strongest seekers—and there were few enough of those around.

“Closest to training age, from what they said. I guess it’s natural for them to be more adventurous.”

“But you said there are adult déchet in this place. Why would they be restrained?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not like they talk to me all too often. It’s usually just me and the children.”