Evanescent - By Addison Moore Page 0,46

said Hattie helped him scope out another group of willing Spectators.”

“Hattie?” I’m almost amused. “What do you think’s up with that? Clearly a Fem would have no interest in helping us.”

“I have no idea.” He shakes his head. “But if I get my way, we’ll find out sooner than later.” He glances over at the stone. “You ready to do this?”

“With you?” I’d run through a landmine with him if he wanted me to. “Always.”

Cooper takes up my hand. We take a step back before rushing the wall of granite at a hundred miles an hour.

My bones oscillate, my body quivers without ceasing long after we’re spit out onto the slick floors of the Transfer. The pale hall extends for what seems like an eternity as Coop leads us down corridor after corridor with such accuracy you’d think he engineered the building himself.

“She said to meet her here.” Coop squeezes my hand as we enter a carpeted area. A blue glow emanates to our right, and Coop doesn’t hesitate leading us inside.

“I recognize this place,” I whisper. “It’s the room with the floating coffins.”

Everything in me seizes as I take in the long glass tubes that extend from floor to ceiling. Corpses float inside, submerged in blue fluid. Each of them holds a blank open gaze with their bodies sealed in wetsuits, giving them the appeal of an army of petrified soldiers. This was truly a killing field, a mass watery grave that begs for intervention.

“I bet you half of these are stolen lives,” I say. “I wouldn’t put it past the Counts to arrange for death just so they could proliferate their numbers.”

“Worst recycling program ever.” He tightens his grip around my waist.

Ezrina scuttles into the room with her dark cloak, emphasizing the hump over her back, her wild hair wafts in the breeze like a slow building fire.

“What happened?” Coop swallows hard as if bracing for the worst.

“She lives.” Her haggard frame straightens ever so slightly. “Pearl.” It whispers from her like a demonic incantation.

A girl about our age walks into the room with long, glossy hair—black as soot—full ruby lips, rosy glowing skin—everything about her is the perfect picture of health.

“Pearl?” I step forward and inspect her. She has on a short black dress, her long legs touching down, lean and strong, with her feet pressed into a pair of heels.

“Do you like it?” She gives a little twirl. “Ezrina said all the girls dressed like prostitutes now, and I really want to fit in.”

“You look terrific.” Not to mention alive and unstoppably healthy.

Cooper gives a dry laugh. “You made it, Pearl. Congratulations.”

She made it. My heart tries to pump out of my chest—so wildly amazed and horrified all at the same time.

Now what?

Coop and I stow Pearl away in my bedroom and just stare at her as she rambles on in an animated state that neither of us had ever witnessed.

“Do I have to go to school? I absolutely hate school. Is there any way I could just stay home? I miss TV. Do you have TV? I love TV dinners. Can you help me get some of those?”

“Pearl.” I hold my hands out in an effort to slow her down. “Relax, would you? You’re starting to give me an ulcer.” My head throbs in rhythm to her elation. “On second thought, if anyone has a right to vomit everything out at once, it’s you. Please, take a seat.” I coax as Coop and I land on Hattie’s haunted mattress. “Now, tell us about yourself. Do you remember anything that happened?”

“Let’s see.” Her pale eyes sweep the ceiling. “I was born fourth in line, two of my brothers died early in a horrible train accident. My sister and I attended Ephemeral—residing at Alcott Hall.” She makes a face. “I know Austen is the rival suite, but I really want to stay. I never liked having an east-facing dormitory. I’m not big into rivalries anyway.”

Coop winces as he inspects our newfound friend but doesn’t say a word.

“I think it’s great you’re not big on rivalries,” I say stupidly. I kindly omit the part about me not being so big on Ephemeral in general.

A gentle knock erupts at the door, and Jen breezes in. “Cooper?” Her face contorts as if she found us buck naked, twisted together like a pretzel. “Do you mind?” She points out the door, not bothering to hide the fact she’s a little more than pissed. “Laken has a boyfriend, thank you very much,”