I soon discover it’s not so easy to ignore the man sitting beside me in the dark. I’m pressed against the door panel, as far from him as physically possible, yet he still seems to take up all the space in the car. His presence is indelible. It’s as though he’s changed the chemical composition of every molecule of air that enters my lungs, ensnared my eyes and ears until he’s the only thing my senses can perceive.
Don’t be ridiculous, Emilia.
With considerable effort, I force myself to stop replaying our strangely heated conversation. To direct my thoughts towards things that matter — namely, getting out of here and getting some answers. Not necessarily in that order.
Maybe…I glance over and see his eyes are still closed. I wonder if he’s passed out.Maybe he knows something…
I wince at just the thought of attempting another conversation with him, considering our last one went about as smoothly as sandpaper. Yet, my options are limited. He may be a total asshole, but he’s also the only ally I’ve got right now. The only one trapped in this insane situation with me.
So, much as I’d like to ignore him for the rest of eternity… if there’s even a chance he knows something…
I have to ask.
A few more minutes pass in silence before I finally work up my nerve to speak. I clear my throat lightly to shatter the silence. “Look, clearly we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot here…”
He snorts.
Okay. Definitely not passed out.
“Listen, we don’t need to be friends, but—”
“Wow,” he says drolly. “I’m hurt.Deeply.”
I grit my teeth, ignoring his flippancy. “Do you happen to know what we’re doing here? Why they grabbed us?”
“Me? Yes.” He pauses. “You? Not so much.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It means, O Incessant One, that I know whyI’min this car right now. But you remain a mystery.” His eyes finally crack open, cutting over to lock on mine in the span of a heartbeat. “So. Consider me official curious…”
“Are we talkingbi-curious? Curious George? The Curious Case of Benjamin Button? I’m afraid you’re going to have to be a little more specific…”
“Who are you?”
I stiffen. “No one. I’m no one.”
“I very much doubt that.”
I try to glance away, but his eyes — those blue, blue, blue eyes — are holding me captive.
“You wouldn’t be in this car if you weren’t important. So…who are you?” he asks again, less patiently. “A friend of Chloe’s? Octavia’s new assistant? Gerald’s long lost niece?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I swallow hard, hoping it might dispel some of the panic rising in my chest. “Look, there’s been some kind of mistake. I’m not supposed to be here. I don’t know any of those people you just rattled off. I’m not important. I’mno one.”
He lifts his hands in a defensive gesture, then settles back against his seat and lets his eyes slip closed once more. “Suit yourself.”
Angling my body away, I cross my arms over my chest and peer resolutely at the blacked-out window.
Well, that was a total fail…
We drive onward, only the sound of the road beneath the tires breaking the silence between us. It’s so quiet, I can hear each rhythmic breath he takes. He doesn’t seem particularly concerned about our situation. In fact, he seems downright relaxed. It’s an infuriating contrast to my own state of distress.
“How are you so calm?” I snap after another minute has passed in total silence, glancing back at him despite my best efforts.
His eyes don’t open.
“Hello? Can you hear me? Or did you consume so much alcohol you’ve slipped into a coma?”