“Now that we know Shareweather is our man,”Jeremy said, “all you need to do is find an in.”
“I saw two girls in the classroom thismorning. S-Dub was training them to break into cheaper cars. Ithink they might be my way in. I’ll befriend them and play up thepoor-me-I-need-money angle and see if they won’t get me an audiencewith S-Dub. I’ll also make myself sympathetic to him when I havehis class, making sure he knows I could use some extra cash. Ifhe’s looking for new recruits, maybe he’ll approach me.”
“I like the sound of that a lot better thanyou getting mixed up with those boys.”
“Me, too.” I shook my head and tried toignore the throbbing that had begun in my hand.
“I’ve asked Halluis to start shadowingyou.”
“What? Jeremy, I do not need—” I could feelheat rising in my chest.
He spoke over my objections. “Look, ifyou’re getting involved with this group that involves Mikado andJericho, then I’d like a little more assurance of your safety thana wire and an electronic feed.”
I grimaced, but kept my voice low to avoidbeing overheard. “Jeremy, my safety is not the number one concern.I am a spy. Not a witness, not an asset—a spy. I don’t need anyextra protection. I can complete this mission without beingbabysat.”
“No one is babysitting you. To be honest,Halluis needs something to do. I’m sure you’ve noticed he’s been alittle—tense, lately. I think he needs to feel more involved in theday-to-day aspect of the mission, or he’s going to go insane. He’smaking me insane, at the very least.”
I narrowed my eyes. It felt like an excuse,but there wasn’t any more time to argue about it now. “Fine.” Myvoice was flat, and I hoped he heard the irritation in it.
“I knew you’d see it my way. You should befine at school—provided you avoid climbing up any more walls—butanywhere else, Halluis will be shadowing you.”
I sighed.
He smiled. “Go get ‘em.”
***
Checking in with the office and picking upmy class schedule made me late to second period, which turned outto be a very bad thing. And if I thought being the new kid at theschool was going to help me, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I wasnow the center of attention.
The meanest, most old-fashioned teacher inthe world peered down at my excuse note over her boondoggledglasses. I smiled my best smile, but she didn’t reach out for thenote. Instead, in her clipped, proper voice, she said, “Miss Smith,seeing as this is your first day of school here at the academy Iwould have expected you to show up on time. I do not like to beinterrupted. I would appreciate you waiting outside the door untilI am finished directing the class.”
I blinked, not quite sure what she meant. Idecided my best course of action was to wait in the hall until sheinvited me back in, possibly after giving the class instructions? Ilet the arm holding the note fall to my side and backed up, out ofthe classroom. She watched me intently until I slipped around thecorner where she couldn’t see me. I sighed and resigned myself towaiting until she was finished directing the class.
I soon learned, however, that bydirecting she must have meant lecturing, and shewasn’t going to finish at all.
Listening to her gravelly voice made mesleepy, so I slid down the wall and closed my eyes. Next thing Iknew, students rushed by me with quick steps, never quite running,because that would be bad here at A.G. Bell Academy.
Before I’d quite gotten my bearings, a handwas thrust into my face. “Need some help?”
I looked up to find a boy with piercing blueeyes that contrasted nicely with his caramel-colored skin, dark,obviously professionally sculpted eyebrows, and very short hair. Iblinked twice. I started to reach up with my injured hand, butthought better of it and gave him my left instead. He was strong,and I popped quickly to my feet.
“I’m Viktor.” He looked me hard in theeyes.
“Amber.”
“Ms. Milner is awful, isn’t she?”
“You could say that.” I shifted from onefoot to the other, wondering when he planned on letting my hand go.His glassy blue eyes traveled over my body appraisingly.
“Uh, I better get going. I’m sure Mr. Ramoswon’t excuse a tardy, either.”
“Where’s your cell?” He held out his otherhand and winked at me.
I stiffened and started tugging on the handhe still held. His thumb caressed the inside of my palm, sending asickening feeling to my gut.
“I’ll punch my number in. You can call melater, and we could, ya know, discuss what I learned today in theold hag’s class.” He licked his bottom lip.
I pulled my hand back hard. “Uh. I can’t belate. You saw what that got me with Milner.” I didn’t let my starewaver. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.” I walked away. I could feelhis eyes watching me. I didn’t like it one bit and sped up.
It felt good to be in the safety of Mr.Ramos’ classroom. Viktor had given me a seriously ugly feeling. Itook my seat just as the bell rang and looked up to see a femaleteacher writing her name on the board. A substitute, then. Itirritated me—I’d studied all my teachers’ files, and now here was aperfect stranger standing in front of me. It didn’t really matter,but it was annoying anyway.
Both Jericho and Mikado were in this class.From the way they acted, you’d never know they stole cars togetherat night. Jericho sat across the room from Mikado, and they didn’tacknowledge each other even once.
We watched a film on the dissection of amouse to ready us for our dissection the next
