Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha

Author:Kit Rocha
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

* * *

TECHCORPS PROPRIETARY DATA, L1 SECURITY CLEARANCE

All attempts to replicate 55–312’s resistance to pain have met with failure. We reached the suggested mortality threshold of 80.7 percent this morning. If you wish for the experiments to proceed, I’ll need an administrative override and access to a fresh batch of test subjects.

Recruit Analysis, June 2078

* * *

SIXTEEN

Light had just begun to stream through the cracks in the crooked blinds when Nina slipped out of Knox’s bed. Just like the night before, he stirred, his fists clenching around nothing, but didn’t open his eyes.

He looked so young when he slept. Unguarded, like the world didn’t weigh on him as much. She wanted to sink back into his arms and kiss him awake, keep kissing him as the sun clawed its way into the sky, until necessity and hunger drove them from the bed.

And that was exactly why she had to leave. So she dressed in the darkness and slipped out into the still, misty morning, closing the door silently behind her.

The covered walkway that led to the other wing of the motel was deserted except for the birds that chirped from the nests they’d built in the corners of the awning. Nina surveyed the storm damage as she walked—a few fallen branches, some debris scattered about the cracked parking lot, and leaves stuck to the sides of the cars.

Minimal. Good.

Shivering, she rubbed at her bare arms. The rain had washed away the worst of the oppressive heat, and a cool breeze teased at her hair. Goose bumps rose on her flesh, but she welcomed them. After spending several sweltering days wishing desperately for this respite, she wasn’t about to take it for granted.

When she reached the room she was sharing with her team, Nina dragged the old-fashioned key from her pocket. It stuck in the lock, and she had to finesse it open.

Maya was alone inside, seated on the rumpled covers in her shorts and a bra, her hair still covered by her silk sleeping scarf. She had her legs crossed, her earbuds in, and a gun in one hand.

She lowered it when Nina stepped inside. “Well, good morning.”

Nina tossed her key on the dresser with a clatter. “Dani in the bathroom?”

“No, she went out last night.” Maya set the gun aside and cut her music with a tap on her wrist. Then she studied Nina’s face. “You seem more … relaxed.”

“Maya.” Nina’s cheeks burned as she dragged her bag to the foot of the untouched bed and searched for some fresh clothes. “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have gone anywhere if I’d known Dani planned to. We shouldn’t have left you alone last night.”

“I can take care of myself, you know. And I kinda needed some space anyway.” Maya’s eyes narrowed. “Also you’re changing the subject.”

“There’s a subject? I thought you were just making a random observation.” She pinned Maya with a look. “You certainly didn’t ask a question.”

“Because I was kind of hoping you’d say, ‘Yeah, I rode that ride and I’m over it.

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