Lie to Me (Pearl Island Trilogy #4)(27)

What on earth? Alarmed, she hurried toward the music room, then stopped at the sight of AJ playing a game on Luc’s laptop. Both of them seemed completely wrapped up in the game, muttering under their breath as their bodies jerked and swayed along with the action on the screen.

Vortal, she realized, instantly curious. They had to be playing Vortal.

Not wanting to interrupt, she moved quietly closer so she could watch the battle being waged. The scene looked like a movie. No, like being the star of a movie, seeing everything through the actor’s eyes. The visual trick made her feel as if her arms were holding the sword, parrying and thrusting against a vicious pirate. Dark, dirty hair hung down the sides of his ugly, scarred face. Rips in the tattered shirt revealed thin red scratches, letting her know that she—well, AJ—had already scored some hits.

With a frightening growl, the pirate lunged. She flinched as the cutlass came straight toward her stomach. AJ’s fingers worked the hand control to block and thrust, scoring a hit on the opponent’s arm.

Even though the sword left no more than a scratch, the pirate stumbled back, breathing hard as he faced her. The break in action let her take in the rest of the scene: a cave, with water dripping down the walls. A shaft of light pierced the darkness behind the pirate to illuminate a pile of jewelry, gems, and gold doubloons heaped on a rock surrounded by lapping water. A battered sea chest rested on top of the pile, strapped shut with massive black chains.

Her attention went back to the pirate as AJ circled the sword tauntingly before his chest.

“Ah-ha, I have you now, you scum,” AJ growled. To her surprise, the computer amplified his voice, giving it deadly menace.

“Go ahead, Captain Blade,” the pirate sneered back as if he’d heard. “Do yer worst. The treasure’ll do ye no good if you can’t break the Curse of the Black Chains.”

Leaning closer to Luc, AJ whispered just loudly enough for her to hear, “What do I say?”

Luc cupped a hand and spoke in AJ’s ear.

“I have the secret to break the curse,” AJ said, his voice coming from the computer in stereo. “The treasure is as good as mine.”

“No!” With a cry, the pirate attacked, sword swinging. AJ as Captain Blade blocked again, then plunged his sword deep into the pirate’s chest. With enough drama to thrill a Hollywood director, the pirate staggered back, clutching his chest. Making ghastly sounds, he tumbled over, landing half in, half out of the water. After one impressive gasp for air, he deflated and went still.

“Cool!” AJ cheered, jumping up and down.

“Make sure he’s dead,” Luc whispered.

“Right.” Nodding, AJ worked the controls so Captain Blade moved forward and knelt beside the pirate.

In the water beside the body, a reflection of Captain Blade appeared.

To Chloe’s surprise, the face was Luc’s. Only it was Luc as she would never have imagined him. His long hair was damp and slicked back from a face set with fierce determination. As he knelt beside the body, a strand of hair swayed before his green eyes. The hard set of his jaw and lethal gleam in his eyes made her gasp.

Luc and AJ turned at the sound. The image on the screen spun sideways while Luc stared at her with wide eyes and AJ smiled. A growl came from the computer. AJ’s head and the image spun back to find the dying pirate twisting upward, using the last of his strength to swing his sword toward Captain Blade.

“Look out!” she shouted.

AJ worked the controls. Too late. The pirate thrust, and triumph registered on his face. The cave spun as Captain Blade absorbed the blow. He staggered and fell, landing so he faced the pile of treasure, one hand reaching toward it. With evil laughter and a death dirge emitting from the computer, the screen faded slowly to black.

Then a pirate flag appeared, waving as if in a breeze, with a score beneath it.

“Nooo,” AJ cried, grabbing either side of the screen. “We almost won!”

“Sorry.” She cringed. “You were doing great.”

AJ’s distress vanished as he looked up at Luc. “Can I play again?”

“Uh…maybe later,” Luc answered, closing the laptop.

“How about me?” Chloe asked. “Can I play?”

“Not now.” To her surprise, Luc laid a hand on the computer as if to protect it.

“It’s not for girls,” AJ told her as if she were silly.

“Actually,” Luc corrected, “a lot of girls play Vortal.”

“They do?” AJ looked mystified.

“Sure.” Luc shrugged. “Some girls like adventure as much as guys.”

“Then, why can’t I play?” Chloe asked.

“Because…” He seemed at a loss for words. “It’s a new version. We’re not ready to reveal it to the public yet.”

“AJ isn’t the public?”

“I was blatantly using him as a beta tester. Child Protective Services will probably be knocking on the door any second. So, don’t tell anyone, okay, kid?”

“’kay,” AJ agreed.

“Whew, thanks.” Luc wiped his brow.

“’sides, I gotta go see what my mom’s doing in the kitchen,” AJ said. “’case she needs some help.”

“Or a beta tester for some cookies,” Chloe guessed as AJ charged out of the door.