Lux and Lies (Whitebird Chronicles Book 1) by Meg Collett

Author:Meg Collett [Collett, Meg]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Meg Collett
Published: 2017-05-01T16:00:00+00:00

19:

“Get someone out there to clean that shit off!” Maddox yelled. Crew rushed out of the conservatory, their hands to their earpieces as they ran, screeching instructions. “Handlers, get your cast to their rooms! No one is to move without my approval!”

Wren stared through the red-streaked glass to the water treatment facility. A security team converged on the brightly lit helicopter pad with guns drawn. There were no Links, meaning it wasn’t USPD. It left only VidaCorp’s security as the ones clearing the helipad, even though there was only the ruined remains of the self-deployed firework casings.

Someone grabbed her arm and spun her away from the windows.

“Why are you just standing here? You should be downstairs!” Sweat covered Maddox’s face, his headset was wrapped around his neck, and his shoulders quaked with heavy breath. He released her to rub his left shoulder.

“Is your arm hurting?” Wren asked, thinking heart attack, but Maddox ignored her.

“Where’s Hutton?” He pulled her away from the windows and toward the stairs. Wren dodged an abandoned camera, her eyes skittering across the dark floor. Something glinted in the corner.

“Hey, wait a second.” She hauled against Maddox’s grip, stopping him.

The shadows in the corner shifted. A person crouched, half hidden behind a large fern. Picking up her gown’s skirt, Wren hurried over as fast as she could while wearing heels.

“Who the hell is that?” Maddox asked from behind her.

Wren pushed the plant away, revealing the person’s face. She recognized Kruzer Gem from her training with Hutton. He was the young genius who’d invented the extremely popular social app everyone was using.

“Hey, there,” Wren said. “You okay?”

Tears streamed down his face. His trembling chin rested on his knobby knees, and his tuxedo pants were too short, as if he hadn’t bothered with a fitting before putting them on tonight. A few freckles dotted his round button nose.

“Too loud. Too loud.” He flinched. “Very, very loud.”

“Oh, Kruz.” Maddox came up behind Wren. “I’m radioing Becca. Hang tight, bud.”

Kruz nodded jerkily as Maddox commed his handler.

Wren crouched beside Kruz and took his hand. “Did the loud noises scare you?”

He raised a hand to his ear, and Wren leaned forward to see. In the darkness, she recognized the small device curved around the back of his ear—a hearing aid.

“Too loud,” he whimpered again.

“I understand.” Wren squeezed his hand. “It’s okay now, though. The fireworks are over, and your handler will be here soon to adjust your hearing aid.”

Maddox turned back to them, dropping his hand from his headset’s mic. “Becca’s on her way. Let’s get you out from there.”

Kruz sniffed, but his tears were drying up. He took Maddox’s offered hand, and Wren stepped back as Maddox pulled the slight young man to his feet.

“Thank you.” Kruz’s eyes briefly met hers before darting away.

“You’re welcome,” she said, drawing his attention again, and when she smiled at him, he relaxed and looked as if he were seeing a sunset for the first time in his life.

“Better not let Roman see you staring at her like that,” Maddox teased.

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