He looked around one last time to ensure that the crew had removed all evidence from the place. At his shrill whistle, they raced toward the door, slammed it open, and barreled out of it. They scattered in different directions. Yeni stood in the doorway and fumed as he stared at the computer where the cursor still flashed on the screen. He flinched and gritted his teeth as flames blasted from the tables, traveled down the lines of electronics, and spilled over the floor.

  The last of the hackers hurried over and slung his book bag on. Yeni slapped his back and shoved him out the door. He was pissed—beyond pissed, actually—but there it was, all his work doused in flames and shame. There hadn’t been a gig like that in a long time, and he would have to tell the boss they couldn’t handle it and left thousands of dollars of equipment to burn to cinders in the small house.

  He turned and slammed the large metal door to trap the fire inside. As he walked, he flipped his hood up and stuck his hands into his pockets. Rain drizzled over his head and his boots splashed through the puddles that collected in the cracks and hollows of the pavement. He glanced back at the shimmer of the fire through the windows and wondered who the hell that guy was. They had done everything they were supposed to do, down to the last-second emergency pack-up. But there was someone out there who had made it his business to spook them.

  The birds squawked as they flew high over the city. In the distance, the remnants of the old Eiffel Tower still sprawled in a pile where it had tumbled to ruin decades before. Buildings were patched and reworked, and from the rubble of the city, a new and more modern one had been born. Almost everyone who was currently alive had never even seen Paris before the destruction.

  A long black limo pulled up in front of the looming skyscraper covered in shimmering glass. The driver walked around to the passenger side and opened the door, then stepped back. A long, muscular yet feminine, stocking-covered leg stepped out and planted the six-inch spiked heel of a stiletto on the asphalt. The woman inside squinted, donned her large-rimmed sunglasses, and ducked out of the vehicle. She tugged nonchalantly on her skirt and tucked her clutch under her arm. Tall and well built, she possessed the perfect amount of curve coupled with strong, lean muscles.

  She stepped up on the curb and ran her black-leather-gloved hand down the back of her short red hair. As she took a deep breath, she pursed her lips and glanced up the side of the monster building. “It seems they are doing well here.”

  The driver wiggled his brow and closed the car door and she walked through the courtyard out front past a fountain that had no water in it. As she approached the door, a tall, dark-skinned man dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie, opened it for her. She could see the gun tucked snugly in the side of his pants as she passed. Everyone carried weapons these days.

  As she entered the lobby of the building, she removed her glasses and glanced around. It was decorated with large paintings, plush throw rugs, and fake plants, much like any other office. In the corner was the elevator so she hurried over and stepped inside. She took a keycard from her purse, slid it into the slot, and pressed the fifteenth-floor button. The doors shut and the elevator began to ascend.

  There were no stops taken on the way, and when it reached the destination, she had to remove her card for the doors to open. The elevator dinged to notify the other people in the office that someone had arrived. There were no full-time office companies in the building. It was, instead, a place where temporary corporate headquarters were constructed in secret and with anonymity.

  The secretary at the desk put her pen down and smiled sweetly. “How can I help you today?”

  The woman looked at her for a moment and flipped her elevator card key over to reveal a symbol on the back. The secretary’s face didn’t change. She nodded and picked the phone up. The visitor glanced around the plush office and decided it could be called almost comfortable. These types of places were hired locations for companies around the world, and she assumed they had to be as nice as possible.

  They weren’t that expensive, not compared to some of the rents that companies often paid to be in the center of the rich communities. At the same time, though, it wasn’t breaking-the-bank expensive either. There was a moderation to it that kept it healthy for them and everyone else who used the facility. Not to mention the fact that the view from the identical sides of the building was absolutely amazing. It was unlike any of the other ones she had been in.

  Her gaze flickered across a large mirror in the small sitting area. Her stark white skirt fell to her knees and her jacket was perfectly tailored. The light pink blouse was modest but unbuttoned possibly one button too low. She was educated and possessed an intelligence beyond that of almost everyone she ever really found herself around. Confidence was something she didn’t lack in the least. It was, in fact, something she had in spades.

  That assertiveness was reflected in her walk. Her steps, although governed by the stilettos, were decisive and brisk. She always placed the heel of her shoe down first and tapped down with the toe and had walked in them long enough that there wasn’t even a slight wiggle in her ankle. But with them on, she moved with stealth and assurance and her strides matched the situation and placed her firmly in control.

  Her gaze flickered around her and hesitated on the man who sat in the corner with a newspaper. He studied her body as she walked and gave him the impression of a circling tiger—aware of her surroundings but sleek and smooth in movement.

  The man’s gaze met hers and she smiled at him, which immediately and somewhat surprisingly lowered his anxiety. She had perfectly straight bleached teeth and the red lipstick contrasted severely. Her eyes were narrowed and dangerous-looking but when she smiled, that went away to be replaced by a twinkle in her eye that caused some reactions from those who milled about the offices. It took them off guard and they either immediately diverted their gazes or smiled back awkwardly with uncertainty.

  The secretary stopped, removed a key from around her neck, inserted it in the door, and opened it. “Right this way.”

  The woman nodded with a smile and walked into the conference room. A buffet-style mahogany table stretched along the back wall and a large, oval-shaped one in the middle would seat six comfortably.

  The secretary hovered in the doorway, her hands clasped together in front of her. “There are Danishes, small sandwiches, and cookies on the table. There is coffee brewing if you would like it that way. Otherwise, I can secure you any type of stimulant that you might need. We know not everyone maintains their energy in the same way.”

  “No, coffee will be fine,” she replied. “I’ll fix it myself.”

  The woman crossed to the center table and sat on one side. The secretary bowed slightly and left, closing the door quickly behind her. The woman put her hands on the table and folded them together to enjoy the silence of the room but without the nerves anyone else might have in that moment.

  Suddenly, a crackling noise intruded and a male voice echoed from the speakers of the phone in front of her. “Welcome, Ms. Elizabeth.”

  Her gaze shifted to the device and she leaned back. No video displayed on the screen, only audio. The small button on top flickered green to confirm that the line was, in fact, in use and secure. The monitor flickered slightly, and the ONE R&D logo appeared. It turned and twisted, rose in 3D fashion from the screen, and floated in front of her. She was indeed in the right place and oddly, it seemed even more secretive than she would have assumed it would be. That she was familiar with, though. She had dealt with the quiet back-alley approach to business for her entire career.

  The voice was steady with no sound of breathing or movement. Silence now ensued. waiting for the woman to respond to the greeting. Still, she was slightly hesitant and knew exactly why she felt that way.

  She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward to speak into the phone. “I didn’t provide you with that name,”

  There was no response for several moments and then the voice spoke once more. “We are an R&D company, Ms. Elizabeth. If we were incapable of even researching the name of the woman we invited into our private offices, we wouldn’t stay in business for very long, now would we?”

  The side of her mouth tugged into a smile. “No, I suppose not. Although that constitutes more than a simple Internet search in order to find that information. But I will be impressed then, rather than angry.”

  “Ah, very good. We don’t want to start this off on the wrong foot, now do we? I believe that you will make a perfect addition to the set of plans I am currently putting together for a very large undertaking.”

  She crossed her legs, her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed, and instantly understood what was happening there. “I wondered, at first, as to why you wanted to talk to me. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked.”

  Ms. Elizabeth leaned back and decided to wait a while before she made her coffee. “I am under the assumption that if I turned the phone off, you would still be able to contact me. Through the television, the lines around us, the reception from the building across the street. Even the faintest of signals.”

  The voice was silent for a moment. “Very good, Ms. Elizabeth. You are as quick as they tell me you are.”

  She chuckled and shook her head. “Okay, you want to talk? Let’s talk. You have my full attention.”

  Her father tapped on the top of the roof inside their car. “AI, no need to park in the spots. You can let us out on the curb. We would like to say goodbye.”

  The AI replied and its voice broke slightly, much like the one in the security system at home. “Of course, Mr. Morgan. May I wish you safe journeys, Stephanie.”

  She smiled as the car came to a stop. “Thank you, Mildred. You have safe travels as well.”

  They all piled out in front of the TRAM station. She had the car she could have used, but her parents insisted that they drop her off on their way to work. She stood, one hand on her unbraided hair, and the wide legs of her high-waisted black pants flapped in the breeze. As part of the outfit, she wore a short, cap-sleeved white button-up with small ruffles down the front. She had even applied a little makeup, trying out her abilities with what she already had.

  Her father gave her a hug. “Remember, hands behind you or in your lap. As far as your discussions go, show manners, of course, but remember, they are courting you as much as you are them. Don’t be a pushover.”

  She nodded. “Of course. Thank you.”

  He fiddled in his back pocket, retrieved something small wrapped in a piece of cloth, and put it quickly in her hand. “I would give you some sort of advice on protection, but I think that may be all you need.”

  She lifted the fabric to find a battery beneath it. He nodded. “I think you can protect yourself. That’s simply a little a protection in a bottle from your old worried dad. If you need to use it, make sure they stay down.”

  While he gave his daughter a wink, Cindy stood there with a stern face, her jaw clenched and arms folded. She was not amused by his antics in the least. Still, Stephanie clutched the battery in her hand and held it slightly behind her so her mother wouldn’t take it.

  Cindy walked up and brushed her daughter’s hair off her shoulders. “Don’t listen to your father. He only wants to see that you’ve kicked ass and taken names. Don’t give in to his fantasies and indulge his masculinity. Be safe, let us know you have arrived, and we will see you when you get back.”

  Stephanie gave them another hug and kiss goodbye and chuckled as her mom squeezed her super tight. She still acted like she was leaving for the first time ever, although she didn’t really mind. What mattered was that she knew they loved her and she knew that she was lucky to have that. As she lifted her suitcase, she glanced back. Her mother walked ahead of her dad, who looked back at her as well. He grinned and she winked at him with a smile and dropped the battery into her pocket.

  She hurried with her bag to the boarding area and retrieved her ticket. The collector, a tall chubby man with a stern face, grabbed it from her and read the print. She watched as his face softened quickly and he snapped his fingers. A bell boy of sorts hurried up, his hat slightly cocked to the side.

  The collector looked at him with disapproval. “Take Ms. Morgana’s bag and escort her to train car three. Anything you need, madam, Jeffrey here will be happy to secure for you.”

  Stephanie smirked. “Thank you, sir.”

  The kid showed her to a ramp specially placed for first-class passengers. They had even draped the rigid metal with a red carpet. She walked gingerly up the ramp and stood inside, waiting for the kid with her suitcase. He nodded nervously, adjusted his hat, and led her quickly through a very fancy dining car. White linens were draped on each table beneath small bunches of flowers in vases and china set for each place.

  She swallowed hard and glanced at the different forks and knives. Ironically, she would have to rely on the little training she had in manners at the prep school because this would be the first time she had ever been a guest in such opulence. They walked through the tunnelway into the next car and the attendant stopped outside an enclosed room with etched glass doors. He opened the door for her and lowered his gaze to the floor.

  Stephanie smiled and tried not to giggle or snort in her nervousness. She stepped into the car and immediately glanced up at a small crystal chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Inside the small room, four reclining overstuffed chairs with wooden tips on the arms were neatly arranged. All were empty but one, and when she saw who the man was—or rather, what he was—her heart skipped a beat.

  There was no mistaking the pale, almost sparkling skin, long pointed ears, and billowing hair. He was a Meligornian dressed in Earth clothing and he stared out of the window as the train prepared to move. She hesitated for a moment, glanced at the kid, and stepped inside. The boy hurried in and placed her suitcase in the luggage closet, then strapped it to the shelf to avoid it shifting and injuring anyone. He closed the large doors quietly and his gaze wandered nervously to the Meligorn symbol on the shoulder of the man’s suit.

  While the nerves rippled hastily through her, Stephanie finally took a deep breath and released it slowly. Pull it together, Stephanie. This is no different than any of the times inside the Virtual World with the Meligornians you have met before. He is only a magical being.

  She didn’t know this, of course, but her closed cabin with the Meligornian was set up by none other than BURT. Quietly, she took her seat, linked her hands in her lap, and tried to keep her attention focused out the window. Before the TRAM began to move, there was a loud knock on the door and what looked like an enormous bodyguard ducked in and glanced darkly at her for several moments. It made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  The train powered along at high speed but the windows still displayed a leisurely pace that allowed for a pleasant view over the countryside. The car was quiet—definitely much quieter than their trip last time although Stephanie was sure she had read something about sound dampening technology used in the first-class areas of the TRAMs. At the time, she hadn’t given it a second thought, but now, speeding along yet feeling as if she was seated comfortably in her living room felt almost ridiculous.

  Her gaze moved to the Meligornian and she noticed that he wore the metal of the Meligorn Government. From the way he was dressed to the symbols on his shoulders and sleeves, she could assume that he was high up in the government, too. How high she wasn’t sure, but she assumed that if they allowed her in there too, it couldn’t have been very high. Everything in her wanted to strike up a conversation with him. If he was a government official, she wanted to know about that, how they worked as a civilization, and all the things in between. But at the same time, she didn’t want to act like a ridiculous fangirl.

  She wrinkled her nose and turned her head back toward the windows as they entered into their first stretch of the TRAM tunnel. A screen darkened on the windows to shut out the unsightly concrete walls and water stains and the lights in the cabin brightened somewhat. As she glanced down from the ceiling, the Meligornian looked at her with curious eyes.

  Stephanie felt awkward and didn’t hold his gaze. His bodyguard had taken the seat beside him and the two had their phones out in their laps. It was obvious that they wanted to have a private conversation from the fact that they seemed to have been texting each other.

  The ambassador looked at the screen on his phone and read the message from his bodyguard. I trust you will discuss this security breach with the humans when you reach DC, Ambassador V’ritan?

  He sighed but without rancor. She is only a girl, and in fact, there is something about her that I can’t help but feel that I recognize.

  The guard raised an eyebrow. I don’t see how that is possible, but I will do the research really fast.

  The ambassador put his phone in his pocket and turned his attention to the tablet in his lap before he sighed again and stared at the tip of his shiny shoes. After a few moments, a dinging sounded and the guard nodded. “Just a reminder of the trip. Although I suppose I put the time in wrong again.”

  Stephanie didn’t even look at them. The ambassador picked his tablet up and flipped through his notes for his upcoming meetings. A number of them had been scheduled over the next several days and he had tried his utmost to prepare for such a busy time. Meligornians on the home planet did not stress their bodies like that, but after so many years on Earth, he was used to the high-paced lifestyle. He merely wished he had more time to memorize all the statistics. The notes were firmly lodged in his head, but the numbers gave him grief. Whether the humans thought it was debatable or not, math did not turn out to be the language of all living creatures.

  Nonetheless, he prepared his notes in a way that they could understand. He went to flip another page and paused when his guard stiffened beside him. Hastily, he glanced up to see if the girl had seen it, but she had not. She stared at a book in her lap and obviously tried to make things not so awkward inside the train car.