He shook his head. “Not until you answer my questions. ”
“If I do, then you’ll give it to me?”
“I said I would. ”
Aria’s heart pounded. She needed her Smarteye. Her mother would rescue her. She could be on another Hover within hours on the way to Bliss. With Lumina’s help, she’d expose Consul Hess and Soren.
She couldn’t believe she was considering helping an Outsider get into Reverie. Wasn’t that treason? Hadn’t Hess practically accused her of that very thing? She’d never do it. Whatever he asked about this missing person, she’d give him false information. She’d tell him what he wanted to hear and he would never know otherwise.
“All right,” she said.
His hand snapped shut over the device and then he crossed his arms. Aria stared in horror. Her Smarteye was buried in a Neanderthal’s armpit.
“Why were you out there?” His mouth curved with satisfaction. It was the same question she’d avoided before. But now she’d have to answer him.
She made a sound of disgust. “There were only two of us who survived. One was the son of a Consul—of a very powerful person in our Pod. I was the other. ”
He grew silent. Her gaze darted to his chest, where she saw the tracks her nails had left on his skin. She looked away quickly, repulsed that she’d touched him. Did he have a problem with clothes? It wasn’t exactly warm out. She shivered as a gust swept past, deciding Savages must not feel cold.
“Do you have any allies on the inside still?” he asked.
“Did you just say allies?”
“Friends,” he said sharply. “People who’ll help you, Mole. ”
Paisley came to mind. Pain came in a wave, threatening to sweep her off. Aria breathed for a few moments, pushing it back. “My mother. She’ll help. ”
The Savage’s gaze narrowed. He watched her too closely. She kept herself from fidgeting, but couldn’t help adding, “She’s a scientist,” like it would mean anything to him.
He held out the Smarteye. “You can reach her through this?”
“Yes,” she said. “I think so. ” If Hess was trying to track it, the Eye might have been reactivated.
“Could she learn about a stolen person?” the Outsider asked.
Aria narrowed her eyes. She couldn’t see why that would ever happen. Why would anyone want a disease-ridden Savage? But disagreeing wouldn’t help. “Yes, she could. She’s respected because of her work. She has some influence. She could find out something. If there’s anything to find out. Give that to me and I’ll help you. ”
She was proud of herself. The lie slid out smoothly.
He came right up to her, bending close. “You will help, Dweller. It’s the only way you’re going to live. ”
She leaped back. “I said I would!” What was wrong with him?
He thrust the Smarteye at her. Aria clasped it in both hands and walked away. Just holding the Eye, she felt closer to home. She wondered how much disease she couldn’t see on it. The Outsider didn’t look terribly filthy, but he had to be.
“Get to it. ”
She looked over her shoulder. “Who should I
ask about when I reach my mother?”
The Savage hesitated. “A boy. Seven years old. His name is Talon. ”
“A boy?” He thought her people had taken a child?
“I’ve waited long enough, Mole. ”
Aria placed it over her left eye, feeling the tenderness over her eye socket. The biotech worked immediately. The patch suctioned to her skin, the inner membrane loosening and softening. The consistency turning from gel to liquid until she could blink as easily as with her uncovered eye.