“No way,” Nudge said, frowning. “It’s only nine o’clock.”
“Yeah,” said Sloan. He nudged Nudge—no pun intended—and gave her a little smirk. “Let’s you and me go back to my place.”
I choked, not sure whether to be horrified or revolted or amused. For one thing, if this guy thought there was even a slim chance that I’d let him get his hands all over my Nudge, he was sorely mistaken. For another thing, gross. For a third thing, what “place”? Didn’t this kid have parents? I mean, true, we didn’t, but we weren’t exactly the norm.
“No, I think we’ll be going home now,” I growled, grabbing Dylan’s wrist and practically pushing him out into the aisle. “C’mon, Nudge.”
Nudge sulked, but she followed obediently, with a glowering Sloan right behind her. He probably hated me, which I cared absolutely zero about. He wouldn’t be the first one.
As soon as we stepped out of the theater and into the cool night air, I let out a sigh of relief. No matter how many amazingly attractive guys held my hand, no matter how many dates I went on, I would always, always prefer to be out in open space, with room for flying.
Unless, of course, that space was filled with three hulking figures.
“We’ve been waiting for you guys,” said Ari.
31
FOR A FEW moments, I couldn’t even speak. All I could do was stare dumbly at the person who’d died in my arms. Twice.
Ari.
And he wasn’t alone. Two big, snarling Erasers flanked him, looking oddly similar to their ringleader.
“How are you… alive?” I asked shakily. Sloan visibly tensed at my words, and I remembered that, while undoubtedly a sleazy moron, he was still a relatively innocent human. If this turned into a fight, it would be bad.
“I’m not a zombie,” Ari said in his gruff voice. “Just a better version of myself.”
I tensed, my hands twitching. The previous versions hadn’t been particularly pleasant.
Ari chuckled. “Don’t look so nervous, Max. I didn’t come on this friendly little visit to see you, anyway.” He looked pointedly at Dylan. “ ’Sup, Dyl.”
“Do I know you?” Dylan cocked his head, confused and understandably wary. “Max? Who is this?”
This weird man-wolf-child? I didn’t really know how to answer that. Ari and I had been mortal enemies—his first death had been caused by me accidentally breaking his neck in a New York subway tunnel—and then we’d been kind of friends. And then he’d died. What was I supposed to make of this new Ari?
When in doub
t, play it safe. I narrowed my eyes. “Yes, Ari, tell us. Who are you this time? Good? Evil? Still deciding?”
“Relaaax, sis. We’re buds. My third coming is in peace. Actually, I already did you a favor.” His wolfy grin just sent more adrenaline hurtling through me.
“What kind of favor?”
Ari crossed his arms proudly. “I killed your clone.”
“Clone?” Sloan said shrilly, but we all ignored him.
My stomach clenched. “You what?” I snarled, but I knew it was true even before Ari elaborated.
“ ’Fraid so,” he said, smirking. “A scratch, a smash, wham, bam, Max II is dead—just like you always wanted.”
I swallowed. Admittedly, I’d flirted with the idea, but not for real.
“Anyway, on to business,” Ari said lightly before I could respond. He looked again at Dylan, who, taking a cue from me, had assumed a hostile stance. “Jeb wanted me to tell you not to worry about Dr. G.-H. and your little mission.”
“Jeb?” Dylan asked, clearly confused.
“Jeb!” I exclaimed, my voice rising. “What does Jeb have to do with—”