Invaded (Alienated, #2)(44)
While Aelyx shrugged out of his sweater and donned the bulletproof vest, David took a seat on the sofa’s armrest. “I don’t know,” David said, leaning down to read over Syrine’s shoulder. “My mom used to say my head was hard enough to stop a bullet.”
A disdainful sniff was her only reply.
“But I think stubbornness is kind of hot.” When David plucked the magazine from Syrine’s hands and turned it right side up for her, Aelyx’s chest shook with silent laughter. “Don’t you?” the boy murmured near Syrine’s ear.
In a flash, she threw down the copy of People and retreated to her bedroom. The slamming of her door soon followed.
Aelyx chuckled while fastening the Velcro straps at his sides. “What was it you said the other day?” He tipped his head aside, pretending to think. “Soon she’ll be wrapped around my pinkie finger? You sure about that? Because it looks like she’d rather wrap her hands around your throat.”
David frowned at Syrine’s door. “She’s going to be a tough nut to crack.”
Not really. David didn’t know it, but Syrine was already cracking. Aelyx had felt her conflict deepening through Silent Speech, even when she’d tried to block it. Her attraction to their bodyguard had grown each day, along with disdain for her weakness. She’d spent more and more time sequestered in her bedroom practicing K’imsha, but all the meditation in the world wouldn’t harden her heart against the human.
Aelyx pulled on his sweater and grabbed his wool overcoat. “Just unleash that irresistible charm you’re always bragging about.”
“I did. Turns out she’s immune to it.”
They walked into the hall, where half the guard unit waited to escort Aelyx to his meeting. Together, the entire group made their way down two flights of stairs and then filed into the armored vehicle idling at the curb. Once he and David settled into their customary seats in the back row, it occurred to Aelyx that for the first time, he could offer his mentor some romantic advice.
“It’s not you she hates,” Aelyx whispered. “It’s mankind in general. I think your strongest chance of winning her over is to show that you’re different.”
“Stop acting human?”
“Basically, yes.” At his friend’s sigh of exasperation, Aelyx explained one of the reasons behind Syrine’s prejudice. “Her host student relentlessly pursued her during the exchange. He cornered her in the hall, groped her legs under the dinner table—even hid a camera in her bedroom. So when you compliment her beauty or engage in typical human mating rituals, you’re—”
“Coming on too strong,” David finished. “And reminding her of that doucher.”
“Exactly.”
“Huh.” A hopeful grin pushed up the corners of David’s mouth. “I just need to tone it down a little.”
“And show that you’re different,” Aelyx repeated. Syrine’s feelings had first sparked alive when David put his life at risk to save her from the letter bomb. She’d never before considered humans capable of self-sacrifice, and he had proven her wrong. “That’s the most important part.”
David nodded thoughtfully. “I can do different.”
After that, David chewed the inside of his cheek and fell into an introspective trance, so Aelyx turned his gaze out the window to watch the miles pass in a dark blur of frosted brick and salted asphalt.
They left the city and traveled into the suburbs, eventually stopping at the entrance to a defunct strip mall with only one functioning business—an Italian bistro at the far end. The National Guard had secured the parking lot in the form of barricades and armed patrols at the periphery. When the driver of their Hum-V rolled down his window and presented his identification, two soldiers dragged aside the plastic barrels blocking the way, allowing them to pass.
Colonel Rutter met Aelyx as soon as he stepped onto the sidewalk. “We paid the owner to close down the place,” the colonel explained while directing Aelyx toward the bistro. “We’ve swept the inside, and it’s cleaner than a preacher’s pickle.”
David snickered from nearby but went instantly stoic when the colonel’s gaze landed on him.
“Due to the…uh…” Rutter began, still watching David, “sensitive nature of your discussion with Richards tonight, I’ll be inside with you, and Private Sharpe will help patrol the perimeter.” He dismissed David, who saluted his superior and jogged away to join the guards stationed at the parking lot entrance.
“Did you bring the equipment I requested?” Aelyx asked.
Rutter lifted a small duffel bag. “Got it right here.”
“Is Richards already inside?”
“Yep,” the colonel said. “He’s clean. Searched him myself.” With a devilish smirk, he added, “Extra thoroughly.”
Aelyx didn’t really want to know what that entailed, but he hoped it involved a painful body cavity examination. Nobody deserved it more than Isaac Richards.
A comforting burst of dry, warm air greeted them in the restaurant, followed closely by the tangy scent of marinara sauce. Aelyx removed his coat, glancing around the dining room to survey his surroundings. A polished oak bar claimed the side wall, and behind it stood twenty or so round, linen-draped tables, each adorned with a repurposed wine bottle holding a tapered candle. But only one candle flickered with light, casting shadows over the folded hands of the man seated behind it.