I sat on the edge of the tub, heart pounding.
This had happened once before, ages ago. I’d looked in the mirror and seen an Eraser version of Max looking back at me. But Erasers didn’t even exist anymore — they’d all been “retired.” I peeped up over the edge of the mirror. The steam had cleared, and I saw my human face, my brown eyes.
What was happening to me?
28
SWEARING UNDER MY BREATH, I searched the bathroom, opening cupboards, feeling under the sink. I examined every inch of every wall and ran my fingers around the window frame. If there was a camera hidden in there, I didn’t find it.
A tap on the door made me jump like a deer.
“Yeah?”
“It’s me.”
I unlocked the door and let Fang in. Grinning, he shut the door behind him. Then he saw my face. “What’s wrong?” He glanced around. “You have that ghost look again.”
I let out a breath. “Nothing.”
“Then why is a comb stuck in your hair?”
Crap. I slowly pulled it out, trying to get through the worst of the tangles.
From down the hall, I heard raised voices and a crash, and I tensed.
“The kids are taking a little break,” Fang said.
“But everything’s okay out there?” I tried to sound casual.
He shrugged. “I think they’re getting cabin fever.” He stepped forward and put his hands around my waist. “But enough about them,” he said, and his voice sent chills — good ones — down my spine.
I wanted to forget about everything and escape into Fang’s kiss. Don’t think, just feel.
“Where’s Max?” I heard Gazzy say out in the hall, and Iggy responded.
“Wherever Fang is, of course.” They laughed.
I pulled away from Fang. Even this was being ruined.
“They’re okay,” said Fang, bending his head again.
A second later I nearly jumped out of my skin, though. “Oh, Fang, you’re so haaandsooome,” I heard. It sounded like me — standing right next to me.
That was Gazzy, doing one of his absolutely perfect impersonations. He also had a gift for throwing his voice.
“Max! Let me take you away from all this! My darling!” If I hadn’t been holding Fang — and also hadn’t known that he would never say something that corny — I would have sworn it was him. Cackling laughter.
Fang and I leaned our foreheads against each other.
“Whoa — watch it!” There was a loud crash, and I practically pushed Fang into the wall. Yanking the door open, I strode down the hall.
“What’s going on out here?” I demanded, hands on hips.
“Nothing,” Gazzy said, smirking. “What’s going on in there?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, and my face burned. Then I saw it: a pile of broken dishes and leftover food all over the floor.
“Who did this?”
“It was me,” Gazzy said in Nudge’s voice.