Twice as Hot (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl #2)(8)

"Don't do anything rash, okay," he said, gaze sharp. "Rome would have my ass if something happened to you."

Yes, he would. Rome was wonderfully protective, one of the many things I loved about him. "He'd have mine, too."

Softening, Cody covered his fingers with his shirt and skimmed his hand over my brow, mopping up the moisture. "John doesn't want the man who did this killed. He wants him brought in for testing." I should have known, I thought, looking back at Rome. John had wanted me for the same reason.

Testing. Like an animal. Rome was supposed to be the one to bring me in; instead, he'd been the one to shelter me, teach me how to use my powers, how to love. He'd helped me escape. In the end, though, I'd turned myself in to save him, and I've never regretted it.

"Some scrims aren't meant to be saved," I said.

"That's not for you to decide." There was an edge to his tone, an edge I did not like.

I stiffened, gave him my full attention. "Who's to decide, then? John? What gives him the right? The guy who attacked you and Rome attacked agents who were there to help him. He lost his right to live." The flickering lights in Cody's eyes brightened, spreading and deepening, becoming an electric storm that reminded me of lightning in black velvet. "Lexis told me the man was crazed. He'd been locked in one cage after another for God knows how long. Who knows if he'd been fed. Who knows what kind of torture he'd endured. He wasn't in his right mind."

I popped my jaw, refusing to soften. "I still plan to find him."

"Just...promise me you won't kill him. I ask this for your own good."

"I can't promise that. If Rome...if Rome doesn't..." Stop! Just stop.

"He'll wake up. He'll survive this."

He would. He had to. I wouldn't allow anything else. And just like that, the rage left me and the sadness returned. I wouldn't allow? I was powerless. Another droplet hit me. "We don't even know exactly what's been done to him."

"We'll learn. Give it time."

My gaze skidded back to Rome. Still unmoving, still unconscious. "No one hurts my loved ones, Cody.

No one. It's a message the paranormal community needs to understand. Touch them and suffer." His hands settled atop my shoulders and he shook my attention back to him. One of his brows was arched in exasperation. "If John hears you talking like this, he'll take the Desert Gall case away from you.

And if he takes the Desert Gall case, you can forget getting a chance at this new target. I don't care what threats you issue, he'll toss you in Chateau Villain."

Ugh. Chateau Villain. An underground prison where superpowers were neutralized in whatever way necessary.

Sadly, he was right. John put the interest of science - and understanding the scrims we fought - above all else.

I nodded as if Cody had convinced me to play by the rules. He hadn't. I'd just be more careful with my words from now on, I thought as I once again turned back to Rome. Or rather, the window that allowed me to see him.

Desperation flooded me, more potent than ever before. I had to touch him, had to feel his skin against mine. To do so, I had to be able to keep myself under control. You can do it. I just needed a few cheerful thoughts. Like? I wondered with a bitter laugh.

Well, your dad is safe in his assisted-living center and dating several of the female residents.Excellent.

Rome is still alive. Even better. The storm inside me finally began to calm. My best friends are with me.

Oh, yeah. My best friends. They were still waiting.

"Will you give Tanner and Sherridan a progress report?" I asked. Not that there'd been any. Progress, that is.

"Sherridan is the rockin' blonde?"

"Yes."

"I tried to talk to her before I found you. She just stared at me blankly, like I was invisible or something."

I waved a hand in dismissal. "She wasn't doing it to be rude, I swear. She was just in her Happy Place."

"Uh, Happy Place? Can you be more specific? She have the power to transport her spirit or something?"

Of course he'd think that. He'd worked for PSI a lot longer than I had, and had seen countless different abilities. I'd have to choose my descriptions more carefully. "She had lousy parents and learned to retreat into her head when things got too rough. Lately, she practically lives there." Though I still didn't know why, exactly.

I inhaled deeply, having lost some of my cheeriness with the direction of the conversation. Cheerful thoughts, cheerful thoughts. You can do it. Me, walking down the aisle. A grin lifted the corners of my lips. Good. Keep going. My dad, healthy enough to escort me. Rome, smiling at me from the altar and glowing with love.

The ice inside me melted, leaving a cold shell that gradually thawed. Deep breath in, out. No mist formed. Thank God. I waited several minutes, but still the cold did not return.

"I'm going back in the room," I said. I wrapped my arm around my middle and as I moved forward, my gaze snagged on Rome's left hand, where a ring - a symbol of our union - would one day rest.

His fingers were twitching.

I stilled, gasped.

"What?" Cody asked.

"He moved!" Eyes widening, I raced around Cody and into the hospital room. I shoved a nurse out of my way and barreled in front of Lexis. She snapped a curse as she stumbled backward.