Twice as Hot (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl #2)(66)

"Absolutely not. We're just going to mingle, schmooze," Rome said. "Nothing more. Understand?" There had been a mother-bear quality to his tone that had me rolling my eyes. "I wasn't asking because I was excited by the prospect. Jeez. Now, tell me what kind of powers we're going to be dealing with."

"All kinds. Mind readers, misters like Sunny, shifters, psychics like Lexis, illusionists, electrophiles like Cody, drainers like Desert Gall and your pet project back at headquarters. You name it." I took offense on Elaine's behalf at the term "pet project." But Rome and I could hash that out later.

Right now my mind was buzzing with images of what I'd soon be up against. Mind readers - I'd have to erect a mind shield to protect my thoughts. Something I'd learned during my dealings with Lexis, who could also read minds. Misters - they could walk through walls. Because of Sunny, I knew that if you got them to solidify inside a wall or other object, they would die. Shifters - they could mutate into any animal imaginable, and some that weren't. Because of Rome, I knew how ferocious they could be.

Illusionists - they could change their, and others', surroundings with only a thought, making everyone think they were somewhere they weren't.

I hadn't experienced that last one yet, but knew if I continued in this line of work it was only a matter of time before I did.

"How will I be able to spot the drainers?" I asked. I didn't want to go down like Tanner had.

"Sometimes you can just sense it." He shifted gears. "Ever been around someone, walked away and felt tired?"

I thought it over. "Yes."

"Well, there you go. Sometimes, though, you can tell just by sight. An experienced drainer will wear clothes that cover them from head to toe, leaving only their faces exposed. They know who to touch, when to touch them. The less experienced ones, well, they don't know how to hold the energy or water or whatever their bodies crave in excess inside themselves, so their cheeks appear sunken, their skin sallow and flaky, their bodies sluggish. They'll touch anyone who's foolish enough to get close to them to replenish their supply."

Scary stuff. My skin was chilling, my body temperature dropping. How did one fight a person they couldn't touch? I gulped, changed the subject again before I froze the entire car. "What if we see one of PSI's Most Wanted Scrims?" I asked. Our job was to put them in a supernatural prison, after all. A prison with better security - security designed to negate the very powers they wielded - than those used for normal humans. I could only imagine what would be done to me if ever I was sentenced to confinement. Since pollutants were my downfall, I'd probably find myself drowning in them, always weak, always coughing. They'd keep me drugged, too, I didn't doubt. Keep my emotions numb.

What a lovely thought.

Rome veered off the highway onto a side road. "We're only after Desert Gal. No one else matters right now."

I frowned. There were no buildings around us, no street signs. Not anymore. "You didn't lie about the party, did you? Dress me up only to take me into a barren wasteland and kill me?" He snorted. "Please. If I were going to do you in, I'd tie you to a bed and have my way with you first." Comforting. And sexy. But I was avoiding sexy right now. Rome had vowed to change my mind about sleeping with him, yet he'd made no effort to do so. Actions were stronger than words - or lack of actions. I was taking the hint. "Remind me of our objective again."

"To watch, listen, learn."

I nodded. "I can do that."

"We'll see," he muttered. "Here's your first test. You're going to listen to me. While we're at the party, you are to do what I say, when I say to do it. You are not to leave my side for any reason. Not even to use the bathroom. If I'm unclear, let me know. You can get out of the car and wait for me here." My eyes narrowed at him. "You're lucky I lo - like you." I'd almost said love. No way I'd say those words until his memory returned. "I'll behave, don't you worry. I'll be so good, in fact, you'll think I'm Lexis."

For reasons I couldn't understand, he frowned the rest of the drive.

As promised , the party was an underground flesh fest. More so than I'd imagined. A lot of men wore suits like Rome, as if they'd gotten off work and had come straight here.

Hereturned out to be a metal building hidden at the base of a mountain. There'd been no signs pointing the way. One moment I'd seen nothing, the next I'd spotted about a hundred cars in front of what looked like a forgotten, dilapidated warehouse.

The moment we'd stepped inside, however, that image had changed. The walls were lined with black velvet. There were leather couches in every corner, black lace hanging from the ceiling to create a dreamlike haze. Soft music wafted from the speakers, and the lights were dim. Very romantic. If not for the half-naked women roaming around.

No wonder Rome had chosen to bring me rather than Lexis - which did not speak highly of me. I could look trashy; Lexis, elegant as she was, simply couldn't.

A topless waitress sauntered past us with a tray of champagne, and I grabbed a flute. Not to drink, but to blend in.

Rome flashed me an irritated glance and confiscated the glass. Motions stiff, he set it on the nearest table.

Oopsie. I'd needed permission.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me deeper into the lion's den. We'd had no trouble getting in. Rome had said, "Delta, and guest," and the pair of beefy armed guards at the front doors had nodded, moved aside and allowed us past without any trouble. My heart had pounded in my chest the entire time, and I think ice had even begun to crystallize over my skin. Again.