made sense for us to join forces.”
“And you separated us, because we’ll join forces against you?”
“It was a mistake. I’ve brought a peace offering.” She opened the door and stepped aside as Mia moved forward holding the laptop. “She’s here to stay. Now maybe we’ll get somewhere.”
Mia dropped the computer onto the desk, falling into Kurt’s arms with a strangled cry. They covered one another with frantic kisses.
It was an intensely private moment. Joe felt uncomfortable, yet oddly touched. In the soft light, they looked like young lovers. He glanced at Leisha to gauge her reaction to the scene. The bronze statue gazed enigmatically through golden eyes. Was she was feeling anything?
Her honey-smooth voice interrupted their embrace, “So, where are my discs?”
Mia pulled away from Kurt breathlessly, withdrawing a key on a long silver chain from her bosom. “Port Authority— couldn’t go back.” She turned back to Kurt, their bodies locking onto each other, opposite poles of two magnets. “You got your goddamned discs, Leisha,” she snarled. “Now get the fuck out of here.”
Joe nudged Leisha. “Leave them alone now.”
She nodded and turned to the door, placing her fingertip on the reader. Kurt waited until they cleared the door, then snapped off the lights so all that burned was a small bedside lamp. Joe took a final glance over his shoulder to see them fall in a tangle on the bed.
Leisha’s face remained unreadable as they walked back to his office. “I have to leave for New York tonight Doctor, but I need to ask a favor.”
“A favor? What kind of favor?” Joe opened the door to his office for her, but she didn’t come inside, instead hovering by the door uncomfortably. “I didn’t think you considered me an ally, Ms. Brookings.”
Leisha frowned. “We’re on the same side, Doctor. There’s an Immortyl looking for them in LA, probably some bounty hunter hired by the Wolf. I’m taking them out of here but it’ll have to wait till I get back. In the meantime, I’ve had security doubled at night, and no other staff here after hours. That’s why I sent Lydia home. Obviously, he can’t do much until after dark. Lydia is aware of this but I’d feel better if you’d keep an eye on them till I get back.”
“Me? What good am I against one of those things?” He realized too late what he’d said, but she didn’t take offense. Apparently, she didn’t put herself in the same class.
“Immortyls can be killed in conventional ways. Shoot ‘em in the head or heart with a large enough caliber bullet and they’ll die. Take my word for it. I’ve mowed down a few. We just have to be ready for them. You’ve earned Kurt and Mia’s trust. I obviously haven’t done such a good job of that. If there’s a crisis, they’ll follow your lead. Believe me, I don’t want them harmed.”
“And if something happens? Where do I take them?”
“Anywhere they’ll be safe. I’m entrusting their welfare to you, because I know you’ll protect them.”
She turned away, tawny skirt and copper hair swirling with her movement, metal and tortoise shell tinkling like tiny bells on her long limbs. Joe’s breath caught. Her hips swayed as she walked slowly down the corridor, her stride loose and swinging. A lioness on the prowl, a magnificent creature, no doubt about that, but one who could devour in a single lethal bite. Despite her reassurances they were on the same side, he was terrified. What were they loosing on the world? She turned, regarding him for a moment with her steady golden gaze, before stepping inside the elevator.
Joe was scared of a lot of things now. Making his way back to the lab, he started backing up all his files on disc, unable to shake the feeling of impending doom as he packed them and the notes he’d made with Mia into his bag. Put them in a safe place, he figured, just in case. The air conditioning dripped, plop, plop, like water inside a cave. In the dim light, the equipment cast strange skeleton shadows on the walls. He was exhausted, but he couldn’t leave now. Setting his watch alarm, he leaned back in the chair and dozed off.
The alarm pinged at four a.m. Stomach acids churned and growled. He hadn’t thought to eat anything since the previous morning. He rubbed his eyes, rising stiffly from the chair.
Making his way to the lounge, he surveyed the choices available in the snack machines. Honey-roasted peanuts