Astrid wiped her hands on a napkin and threw it into the compost bin.The acrid smell ofchemical-lacedsmoke drifted around them as the paper was sterilized and incinerated.“Well, then,après vous, mis amigos.”
Elodie dropped her cup into the bin and darted toward the creepy entrance to the one ride she had hoped she’d never have to go on.She scanned her cuff and waited for the admission bar to raise before she rushed into the last cart in the linked row while Aiden claimed the one in front of her, and Astrid skipped to the very front of theline.
“Hey, Scott,” Astrid shouted.“How much you want to bet that Elodie screams within the first thirty seconds?”
Even though they were staying firmly on the ground, Elodie clasped the cart’s seat belt.“Ha ha.Very funny,” she said, tightening the belt across her lap.She was definitely going to scream within the first thirty seconds.She’d probably scream the second they entered the tunnel.
Aiden stretched his arm along the back of his cart.“I’d never bet against Elodie.”
Astrid stood so Elodie could see her over Aiden’s tall frame.“You’re only saying that because you know I’ll win.”She braced herself back in the seat as the cars began to inch forward.“Don’t worry, El.I’m in front.I’ll protect you.”Astrid offered an exaggerated wink before the open mouth of the black tunnel claimed her.
Anxiety frosted Elodie’s spine.She really did hate things that she knew were going to pop out and scareher.
The cold darkness swallowed Aiden before finally spilling across Elodie.Goosebumps rose on her arms.At least fear ensured she wouldn’t think about the past fewdays.
Faint red lights illuminated the freakishly painted walls and cast a glow across the carts.A shadow moved toward her and she squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the first of many zombies or ghosts or other ghoulish creatures to come screaming out of the darkness.
A weight plopped down in the seat beside her, and she shrieked.
“Totally would’ve won!”Astrid cheered from up ahead.
Crisppine-scentedair swirled around Elodie.“It’s me,” Aiden whispered.
He was next to her.Rightnext to her.Their legs an inch apart.
She scrunched herself into the corner of the cart, straining against the lap belt.“What are you doing?”she whisperedback.
“We need to talk.”Red illuminated his face, deepening his gaze.“I couldn’twait.”
Elodie pressed her back into the side of the car, trying to increase the distance between them.“We can talk later.”
“Do you love him?”Aiden blurted.
A ghost hurled itself toward their cart, its white sheet flowing in huge waves around its holloweyes.
Her pulse thrummed behind her ears.“We were matched and now we’re engaged.”
Aiden searched her face.“But do you lovehim?”
What did he want from her?She and Rhett had been matched not only by their parents, but by the corporation.And, when it came to this, there was no defying the Key.At least, there wasn’t for Elodie.
Elodie opened her mouth, but no words came out.
“You don’t.”He settled back against the cart.“Doyou?”
Her eyes burned hot with unshed tears.“It doesn’t matter.”
An expression passed over his features that she couldn’t quite place.“It’s all that matters.”
Up ahead, Astrid whooped with excitement as a zombie hurled itself from the shadows, reaching for the carts with mangled fingers.
Elodie’s throat went dry as she hid her tears.“Aiden—”
He surged forward and reclaimed his name right from her lips, all of Elodie’s words, her thoughts, lost within the softness of hismouth.
Rhett was a memory wiped clean as her eyelids slidshut.
Aiden was gentle.His lips brushed hers, tentative and sweet.Long-buriedneed sparked within Elodie and she parted her lips in surrender.Another gentle caress of his mouth against hers, like she was fragile, sacred.
