The Thought Pushers (Mind Dimensions #2)(63)

She gives me a smug look. “See? And you’re not in a position to tell me what to do.”

“Of course not,” I say quickly, not wanting to offend her. “That was not my intent. I just don’t want you getting hurt, that’s all.”

“That would be sweet if it weren’t insulting. Why am I more likely to get hurt than your girlfriend, for example?”

“I don’t want her to be here, either. It’s just that I can’t stop Mira from going. She’s a bit tougher than you . . .” I’m completely failing at finding a graceful exit out of my verbal mess.

“Uh oh, Darren. Are you saying Hillary isn’t as tough because of her size? You’re new to the community; otherwise, you’d know she doesn’t like her size criticized.” Thomas’s tone is serious, but the corners of his eyes are crinkling with amusement.

“My size has nothing to do with anything,” Hillary says, elbowing Thomas in the hip. “In this situation, I’m the one person you all need.”

Thomas nods again. “Right. Remember that problem I told you about?” he says. “How the Guide can use everyone on that bridge against us?”

I look at Hillary, remembering what she told me about her Reach. “You think you can override anyone he controls?”

“The person we’re going after could be a she, but yes,” Hillary says. “I have the best chance of anyone I know.”

“It’s true,” Thomas confirms. “You have to trust me, Darren. Hillary has a very good reason to be here. I wouldn’t have brought her otherwise.”

“And I wouldn’t have come if he didn’t drop your name, Darren,” she says. “I’m still a bit hesitant, but I think my presence can actually help avoid any unnecessary violence.”

“Now that we have established who should be here, it might be a good moment to point out who probably shouldn’t,” Thomas says, pointedly glancing at Mira and Eugene.

“We can’t not take them. It’s Mira’s revenge,” I say, my eyes lingering on Mira’s face. “She’s been doing nothing but dreaming about getting this person.”

“You’re just building the case against taking her. She sounds like she could be a liability,” Thomas says. “She’s likely to do something reckless and get herself or us in danger.”

“I don’t think we have much choice,” I say. “She’ll be there, no matter what we do. If we want to avoid violence, we better take her with us.”

“Also, we might actually use them for my plan,” Hillary says. “It’s very crowded there, and they can help Darren with the Reading.”

“Fine,” Thomas says cautiously. “But I don’t like it.”

“Duly noted,” Hillary says, winking at me. “We’ll put that into the report, Mr. Secret Service.”

“Pull them in,” Thomas says, and I do.

In a moment, Eugene is staring at me, his jaw slack and his eyes wide. In contrast, Mira seems calm, and she’s studying the new people inquisitively.

I make quick work of introductions.

“Hillary has a plan,” I say. “Do you mind telling us what it is, Aunty?”

“I thought I told you not to call me that,” she begins saying, and then cuts herself off. “Never mind. You’re just like your mother in this. If I let it bother me, you’ll just do it more often.” She chuckles before turning to face Eugene and Mira. “I do have a plan,” she says. “Why don’t we walk over to those benches before I explain it? It might take a few minutes.”

“Sure,” Mira says, and makes us a path again, violently shoving frozen people aside. I guess this is her way of expressing her feelings about having to work with Pushers.

“She’s feisty,” Hillary whispers as we walk through a tunnel made of bodies left in Mira’s wake.

“Tell me about it,” I whisper back, making my voice as low as possible.

“Gorgeous ambience,” Hillary says when we get to our destination. She’s right; this place is famous for its awesome view of the Brooklyn Bridge.

“We didn’t come here for sightseeing,” Mira says testily. “Let’s hear your plan, Pusher.”

“First and foremost, young lady, you will not use that derogatory term on me.” Hillary gives her a stern look. “I prefer Guide, if you must talk about my abilities at all.”

“She didn’t—” Eugene begins.

“I can speak for myself,” Mira interrupts. “I’m sorry. I’ll call you whatever you want if you’ll just please hurry up.”

“Sure,” Hillary says. “Here’s what I have in mind . . .”

And in the silence that follows, she walks us through her idea.

“That sounds as good as anything I could’ve thought of,” says Thomas.

“Coming from you, I’ll take that as a huge compliment.” Hillary beams at him.

“I’m game,” Mira says. “This should work.”

“Me too,” Eugene says.

“I guess I’m okay with it also,” I say. “Sounds fairly safe.”

“Exactly,” Hillary says. “My main objective is that no one gets hurt.”