Page 41 of The Code of You

Heat moved through me in waves. Oh yes. I did.

"Here’s what I propose. You think about it. Sit with the part of you that doubts and find out whether she’s stronger than what you feel.” He paused. "If you come back tomorrow night, I’ll know the answer. And after that, there’s no going back.”

I folded my hands in my lap like someone in a courtroom waiting for the verdict. My verdict. "It could mean the end . . . of everything.”

"I know. But if my end is coming regardless, then I want to possess you. At least once. Just once, I want to feel you let go of control.” His voice dropped to something quieter, more absolute. "Your surrender will make me immortal. And when you come tomorrow night—come knowing what you’re choosing.”

Chapter 10

Pandora

The box was bigger than I’d expected. I cut through the tape and pulled back the flaps. The coffee machine was black, glossy, too modern for my kitchen. I set it on the counter and straightened it. It sat there like a mistake. I sighed and plugged it in. The display lit up blue. I was tapping through the settings when the screen flickered.

Little menace, this is a good idea. You’ll need something stronger for later.

Tea won’t cut it anymore.

I stepped back. My fingertips tingled where they’d touched the display. A weight pressed down on my chest. Of course he was messaging me through my coffee machine. That nickname again: little menace. I liked it.

Tonight. Goosebumps rose along my arms. I hadn’t made my decision yet—I was resisting making it. But the heat low in my body was unmistakable. I had asked him to be explicit. I had wanted to hear what he would do to me. Shame flushed through me. Something in me had shifted. He had taken me apart with those dark promises, and being dismantled had felt damn good.

My phone vibrated. I flinched, but it was just Isobel.

Where are you?

7:23 PM

Damn it. Twenty minutes late. I typed fast.

On my way. Sorry!

7:23 PM

Café Lumière was only five minutes away, but I ran anyway. Through the narrow passages between the faculty buildings, cobblestones gleaming wet under the slush, brick walls rising on either side, thick with ivy. Warm golden light spilled from the café onto the street. I pushed through the heavy wooden door.

Isobel sat at our usual corner table. She waved, but her smile was tight.

"Sorry.” I dropped into the chair. "I was . . .”

"Somewhere else entirely. Yes, I can see that.” She looked me over. Candlelight drew shadows across her face. "You look tired.”

I rubbed my eyes. "Long night.”

"Because of work?” She lifted her wine glass to her lips as if to sip, even though it was empty. "Or because of him?”

My heart jumped. "Because of who?”

"Pand.” Isobel leaned forward. "I’ve known you since we survived finals together. You could always throw yourself into anything—but this is different. You talk in your sleep.”

I went rigid. "What?”

"The other night, when you fell asleep on my couch. You were murmuring a name. Over and over.” Her eyes narrowed. "Neo.”

The air went thin in my lungs. I reached for the menu to have something in my hands. "Isobel, that’s . . .”

She put her hand over mine. "Pand. What’s going on? Who is Neo? Is that him? This . . . AI? Your stalker?”

I said nothing. I traced the grooves in the tabletop with one finger. How was I supposed to explain that he knew me better than anyone ever had? That I craved his messages like a drug? It would sound insane. It was.