Chapter Thirteen
As I step into the lobby of the Hunter Enterprises Research Building, it feels like I’m boarding a spaceship. That, or I’m becoming trapped inside some massive egg pod from the future. Everything here is curvy and made from white plastic. A receptionist sits behind her oblong desk. Other than that, there are no chairs, tables, or even other people hanging around.
Zeke, Cissy, and I step across the lobby floor. Actually, we do more of a squeak-walk, considering the way the plastic flooring sticks to our shoes.
Weird.
The receptionist looks up as we approach. “Thank you for visiting the Research Division of Hunter Enterprises,” she says smoothly. “I’m Albinia. How can I help you?”
My brows lift. Albinia is a good name for this chick. She’s short and petite with white-blonde hair and blue eyes that are so pale they might pass for white as well. Her porcelain skin perfectly matches her eggshell-colored pantsuit. For some reason, a set of black binoculars hangs from a cord around her neck.
More weirdness.
“We’re here for our tour,” explains Cissy. We’d planned this scam on the cab ride over. Basically, the three of us would say we’d scheduled a tour of the facilities to fake our way in. And if that doesn’t work? We have a plan B.
Albinia sets the binoculars to her face. Up close, I can see all the gears and knobs along the side. She twists a few dials and scans the dark ledger before her. I stand on tiptoe for a better look at the book in question. The ledger appears to be nothing but black sheets of paper. Interesting. Those binoculars are made of the same black metal with tiny runes that I’ve seen before. More black magic, only this time, the supernatural power makes it possible to see the writing on the ledger.
At length, Albinia lowers her binoculars and addresses us once more. “You don’t have an appointment. You need to leave.”
“Are you sure?” I ask sweetly. “I bet if you check again, you’ll find us.”
“I’m not checking again.” Albinia closes the ledger with a slam. “We’re short staffed today. I have no time for this.”
Ouch.
For a young chick, she sure has that anger thing down pat.
While Albinia glares at the three of us, Cissy and I share a pointed look of our own. There’s no need for us to discuss next steps. It’s obvious what must happen.
Plan B.
Cissy turns to her boyfriend. “Didn’t you set up the tour, Zeke?”
“What?” he asks.
I elbow him gently in the ribs. “I bet if you focus really, really hard on Albinia here, you could help her remember that we have a tour today.”
Translation: start working your lust mojo, buddy.
“I get it.” Zeke turns to face Albinia. When he next speaks, Zeke’s voice is all whiskey-rough and enticing. Well, to other people it would be. “Albinia, yes?”
Zeke doesn’t wait for her to reply, he just gestures at the black ledger. “My friend here is right. If you look again, I’m sure you’ll see our appointment for today.”
But Albinia doesn’t say a word. She doesn’t move to look at the ledger, either. Instead, her gaze stays locked on Zeke in what can only be called a look of pure adoration. In fact, if this were a cartoon, there’d be little hearts popping up around Albinia’s head at this point.
Hoo-Wee. That lust demon mojo sure works fast.
To his credit, Zeke is working his powers like a pro. He’s all Mister Handsome McHunky as he leans over the reception desk. He’s got a point and he’s not dropping it. “Did you say there’s no appointment? Again, I bet you could squeeze us in for a little tour, even if we aren’t on the books.”
A dreamy look takes over Albinia’s face. “Maybe I could do…something.”
I lean in closer to Zeke and whisper out of one side of my mouth. “Way to work it, supermodel.”
Zeke shoots me a quick wink before returning his attention to Albinia. “What’s it going to take?” He leans against the white console. Waves of lust demon energy fan out around the room.
Albinia blushes. “Ta-take?”
“For you to give us a tour of this place,” offers Cissy.
“You know you want to help us,” adds Zeke. Next Zeke does that thing where he clicks twice from one side of his mouth. Normally, it bugs me, but this time? Since Albinia seems enchanted by it, I decide that it’s the most wonderful noise ever.
Albinia giggles. “You’re sweet, uh…”
“Zeke. Call me Zeke.”
“But I really couldn’t leave my post.”
Zeke’s face flushes as he sends out fresh waves of lust demon mojo. “Come on. It’s only for a minute.”
With that, it’s official. I take back all the nasty comments I ever made about Zeke being a lust monkey.
Or at least, I take back half of them.
“I would, but…” Albinia’s blush deepens. “There’s no one here to watch the desk.”
I set my hand on Cissy’s shoulder. “My friend here can do it.”
Cissy raises her hand. “I’m your girl.”
Albinia shakes her head. “You don’t know what to do, though.”
“Like it’s hard.” Cissy strolls around the desk, pushes Albinia out of her seat, and parks her own carcass in the same spot. “Good afternoon, I’m Cissy, and I’m really super busy right now. I’ll get back to you in a few minutes.” Cissy starts opening and closing drawers in the pod-desk. I have to admit, that’s a nice touch. “Don’t you have a computer or anything? I’d look more convincing if I could use a computer.” Plus, Cissy could probably sneak around their network and do some sleuthing.
“No, we don’t use computers out here. Only the ledgers.” Albinia reaches for Cissy. “Maybe you should get out of my chair.”
I step in front of Albinia, totally blocking her access to Cissy and seating. “Come on. What are you worried about? My friend is totally convincing.”
Albinia frowns. “I still don’t know. I could get in big trouble.”
Zeke struts up to Abinia’s side, wraps her thin arm around his, and pats the back of her hand. “It will only take a few minutes. That will give us some time to get to know each other.” A muscle is twitching along his jaw.
I never thought I’d think this in my life, but: poor Zeke. The guy throws his lust demon mojo all over the place, but I doubt he’s ever used it to control someone’s mind before. That’s hard work for even a full-blooded lust demon, and Zeke is mostly human with a little demonic DNA. My heart warms to him just a little more.
Albinia’s eyes glaze over. “Fine. You’re so handsome and strong and smart. I’ll follow you anywhere.”
Ugh. I might have thrown up in my mouth a little.
Albinia shifts the binoculars on their strap. “We’ll just need these to get around,” she says in a dreamy voice.
“Whatever you say,” coos Zeke.
I push him gently in the center of his back. Okay, maybe it’s not too gentle, but we have things to do, and this is taking a while.
“Why don’t we get started?” I ask.
“Sure.” Albinia sleepwalks toward the wall. As we get closer, she does that thing again where she puts the binoculars up to her face and adjusts some dials. After a second or two, an oval door appears in the smooth wall. I purse my lips. That’s a pretty funky trick, right there.
Albinia then presses her palm against the center of the door. It swings wide open. After that, Albinia, Zeke, and I step into another white and somewhat circular hallway. This must be how a red blood cell feels tooling around an artery. I take a few steps down the pristine and curved passage. Huh. For a guy who uses black magic, Ethan sure is obsessed with white.
Once we’re in the hall, the oval door closes silently behind us. Albinia releases Zeke’s arm and starts to gesture around. “Welcome to the inner workings of our Research Division.” Her voice takes on the singsong tone of a memorized speech. “This is where we improve humanity.”
“That sounds awesome.” I slap on my most innocent face. “Where would those labs be, anyway?”
“I can’t take you there,” says Albinia. “That’s a restricted area.”
I snap my fingers. “I’ve got an idea. How about you just point me in the right direction, and I’ll go there. That way, you aren’t breaking any rules and you can hang out here with Zeke?”
Her thin blonde brows pull together. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
Zeke tugs Albinia against his side. “Of course, it’s the best idea.” He stares deeply into her eyes. “It will give us a chance to be alone.” More lust demo mojo wafts down the hallway.
Albinia nods so quickly I’m surprised her head stays attached.
Zeke shoots me a quick glance. Beads of sweat line his forehead. “Take your time, Miss Gee. I can keep Albinia here occupied all day.”
Those are the words he says, but in truth, I know what he’s really saying.
I won’t last much longer.
“On it.” I focus on Albinia. “Which way to the labs?”
“End of this hallway. Make a right. You can peep through the observation window without being seen. Just don’t go inside the lab, all right?”
“Absolutely.” I shoot her a double thumbs-up and take off down the hallway at a run. At this point, I know two things for certain.
First, if there’s information to be found in this building, I need to uncover it and fast.
And second, if I can get inside that laboratory, I’m totally doing it.