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And that was that. After three years of being avoided and ignored by people I thought were my friends, I'd rather take my chances with the residents of the Vault. They were a hundred times worse, if I believed my mother, but I couldn't see how. The worst they could do was treat me like crap, and was more or less used to that by now.
"Fine, I'll go." I sighed loudly like he'd twisted my arm. He would never see me flinch, no matter what it took.
"Yes, you will." He turned away and I was forgotten.
My mind was drawn back into the present at the thud of Bain's boots. He trotted up steps which led into a tall building.
This one was lit better than the others. Gargoyles leaned over the doorway, glaring at anyone who dared to come close. Intricately carved shelves of stone supported their weight. Did I see gems sparkle in their eyes, or was that a trick of the light?
I blinked, but whatever I saw, or thought I saw, was gone.
Bain stopped and nodded to another man, this one older and smaller than Bain, but with shrewd eyes. He looked at me with disinterest; his eyes lingered longer on my case. Like Bain, he was dressed in black; jeans and a coat too heavy for the heat of the day.
I presumed he knew what my suitcase held. For a moment, I thought he might take it from me and dismiss me. Instead he moved away, leaving Bain to open the doors.
"Thank you." I gave the other man—Bain's superior, I assumed—a dark look for not having the courtesy to address me himself. I mentally slapped myself.
Shit, Viva, don't make enemies unless you have to.
The man's eyes narrowed and his mouth drew back, but he said nothing.
"Don't mind Tevan," Bain said, speaking near my ear. "He's always grumpy."
I forced a smile. "I'm sure he's anxious to have the artefact delivered."
Bain's eyes suggested something more, but he said nothing and moved away before I could interpret the look.
He ushered us inside out of the darkness and the doors closed, shutting us in.
2
Viva
I hate elevators.
I squeezed the handle of my suitcase and pretended to be calm. The walls were too close, especially with five of us inside. The smell of sandalwood, peaches, sweat and old carpet mixed like several radio stations at a rock concert. My senses were overwhelmed.
I could take power from Bain and Izzy, but I couldn't use it before it sank into my belly and made me nauseous.
I reallyfuckinghate elevators.
Pull yourself together, I told myself. Once I did what I came here for, I could relax. Until then, I would have to fake it until I made it. That didn't sound right. Whatever.
The door finally slid open on level five.
Izzy's face was pale, lips drawn into a line so firm they looked bloodless.
What does she have to worry about?
"Are you good?" I asked. Partly to deflect from my own nerves, partly because I'd be pissed if Izzy puked on my boots. I might puke on hers if she did. My belly felt like a fully grown dragon settled in there.
Izzy turned to me and shrugged. "Yeah. This place freaks me out." A flush brought colour back to her cheeks.
"I suppose it would." I looked past her to Bain, whose expression hadn't changed, except a slight frown on his brow.
"We get out here," he said, a growl in his voice.
Izzy stepped out first, Bain on her heels. He turned and gestured for me to follow. The other two men, both dressed in black like almost everyone else here, stayed close to me. Or rather, my suitcase.
