Witch and Wizard_ The Fire - James Patterson [48]
His ice-blue snake’s eyes flash. “I disgust you, pet? Which one of us is scrubbing floors?”
Then he lurches forward, mouth twisted into a sneer, and … he kisses me.
No — that’s too polite for what he does. Pearce plants his lips on mine, gripping the back of my head fiercely, and shoves his tongue into my mouth. It’s the vilest thing I’ve ever experienced.
Pearce sneers, drawing back with a repulsive smirk on his face. “Wasn’t that sort of … hot?” I am speechless with revulsion and shock. “No, I don’t think you’re going to be any trouble at all.” He smiles with satisfaction.
I want to wash my mouth out with lye. Or, better yet, turn him into a sponge. A grimy, dirty, bacteria-ridden one. Still, I remember all the power it took out of my brother just to keep Pearce’s magic at bay, and I don’t have that kind of energy to waste.
Instead I spit on the floor and go back to scrubbing the tile with my toothbrush while the other kids look on, mouths agape. Pearce marches out, his shiny black boots scuffing up my nice clean floor.
Right now I’ve got someone bigger to worry about, but you’ll get yours, too, Pearce.
I promise.
Chapter 51
Wisty
I’M FEELING UTTERLY violated, and I can’t stop tasting Pearce’s gross, papery lips, but I try to put it out of my head as I sneak across the courtyard. There’s no more time to waste. I have to get to The One, and soon, before Pearce becomes a bigger problem than he already is.
I need help. And unfortunately that means I need Byron Annoy-Your-Face-Off Swain, a kid I don’t exactly want to be indebted to, since the guy could squeeze water from a rock if it meant something was in it for him.
After Byron finishes his daily drills, I tail him to the stock building behind the barracks, careful that no one’s watching. I wish I could find a more secretive location, but I think this is the best we’re going to do in a place that’s crawling with armed guards. It could also be the only time I get him alone.
As I slink through the door, Byron’s leaning against a shelf, awkwardly trying to feign nonchalance. He looks as officious as ever, with his crisp New Order uniform and his smarmy expression. Was he … expecting me?
“Wisty.” He nods at me, not giving anything away, and I find myself once again questioning Byron’s true motives. I knew he recognized me when they brought me in, but he hasn’t even tried to connect with me since then. And here he is, looking completely un surprised that I’m sneaking around after him in a place where we could both be killed.
I look behind me. Maybe Byron has his own spies. “You wish to speak with me?” he presses.
Byron never changes, does he? I tried to train him to talk like a normal person when he was a Resistance member, but apparently my efforts were completely in vain.
Since he started out as a New Order spy, I’m still never sure who Byron’s really working for — but I’ll take my chances this time. If he doesn’t cooperate, I could always test out a little more mind control, but since he’s spent what seems like forever making passes at me, I’m guessing this one’s in the bag.
“Hey, B., what’s up?” I say as casually as possible. “Here’s the deal. Now that you’re back on the inside, I need you to get me on palace detail. I’m too out of shape to be running those drills, and I’d honestly rather be scrubbing toilets than hurting puppies.” It’s probably best not to lay out all my real motive cards, just in case Swain’s seriously back on team N.O. “So you’ll pull some strings — cool?” I’ve found that Byron responds best when I don’t leave much room for discussion.
“I’m aware that your little drill routine is probably wearing thin. You want to get up close and personal with The One Who Is The One and the elite regimen, do you not? And you honestly think that you’ll survive this?”
I shift uncomfortably. Am I that much of an open book? “Will you get me in or what?”
He gives me a long, serious look, then snickers. I’m right back to wanting to sock him, per usual. “Is it possible Her Highness, The Chosen