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Ty and I linger behind, letting everyone press forward like kids in a candy shop. The males, captive in cages and the underground space of Area 51 for almost all their lives, are exuberant at this chance to do something most of us would consider normal.
Finally, we step forward. I try the Jazzy Jungle Fudge, and Ty unsurprisingly asks for the Tiger Tail variety. When I ask Jenna what it’s made of, she answers, “pureed liver and spices piped into unsweetened cupcakes” without batting an eye.
The way Ty eats it in two bites, then gets back in line to try a Turkey Turnover, I half expect him to go all Tony the Tiger and use his best cartoon voice to say, “They’re grrreat!”
Luckily, he doesn’t say that. He’s too busy licking liver pâté frosting off his whiskers and lips.
The crowd doesn’t seem to want to leave the area, so we’re all milling outside Sugar and Splice in the wide dirt road. Suddenly, everyone edges toward the shop as voices waft toward us from within.
“Just what do you two think you’re doing? That is not allowed and you know it.” It’s Colonel Slater, and by his angry tone, he’s not happy.
Perhaps it’s because of the sexual tension passing between Ty and me like heat lightning that I assume he caught Jenna and Noble kissing.
More of their conversation wafts to my ears as Jenna, clearly having more courage than me, gives him a piece of her mind.
“Why, Colonel? Exactlywhyis this not allowed?”
I don’t hear his response, but I don’t need to. Ty told me the man’s concerns.
“Why would you want to stop something that should have been yourgoalin the first place? Shouldn’t you haveaspiredto have different species get along in the most important, intimate way?”
My entire body is tingling as I grip Ty’s hand tighter and edge closer.
“You should not only remove your prohibition against fraternization between the species, Colonel. You should welcome it. You can brag about it to your superiors. I hear they’re arriving tonight for tomorrow’s dance number. Show us off! This is the best success you could have hoped for.”
The crowd in the street gets into the act, both splicers and human women heckling him.
“You can’t legislate love.”
“Where’s the harm in this?”
I’m expecting the Colonel to order the soldiers to disperse us, so it’s shocking when he shakes his head and says, “You win.” Almost to himself, he mutters, “You win. Military strategy 101: when you discover a battle can’t be won, it’s time to stop throwing resources at it.” Louder, he adds, “There will be rules, though. They will be officially disseminated within forty-eight hours.”
It takes every ounce of self-control I possess to keep from throwing my arms around Ty’s neck and pulling him toward me for the kiss I’ve been dreaming about for weeks.
I don’t, though. I simply gaze at him, hoping it conveys all the affection and longing I feel for him. We’re in the home stretch. I can wait until tonight after his final rehearsal when we can fully express our affection.
My tiger-guy is doing one of the things he does best, granting me a wide smile while trying to hide his terrifying fangs.
“Let it all hang out, Ty.”
He widens his grin and sure enough, those long, long, white fangs slide out between his kissable lips. Unlike a few weeks ago, they don’t terrify me at all.
“OW!”
That was loud enough to be heard at the southern barracks. When the crowd parts, it confirms just what I thought. It was Lucy’s voice. She’s crumpled on the wooden sidewalk, tears pouring down her pale and pain-wracked face, right where I stumbled the other day.
“I—I think I broke my ankle.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ty
Before I could elbow my way through the crowd to reach Lucy, Warren scooped her up and ran with her to the military Quonset huts where the medical offices are located.
As Olivia and I wait outside the door for word on her condition, my thoughts flick between concern for Lucy and wondering how we can salvage tomorrow night’s performance.
It’s not as though we’re performing in Rockefeller Center and the show must go on at any cost. However, the Colonel said his superiors and several senators are arriving for the performance. Lucy’s absence will affect the dances.
