Sirenz (11 page)

“
Your
suffering?” said Meg, pulling even with me. “Who had their eyebrows waxed, their face poked and squeezed, their—”

Jeremy started laughing. “I'm glad I'm a guy. Getting my hair cut and putting on eyeliner once in a while doesn't involve pain.” He sobered and gazed at Meg. “But you look incredible.”

“We thank you,” I said, brushing past. I needed to find a crowd of admirers for her. “Where do we go?”

Jeremy nodded, still not taking his eyes off Meg. “Down to the Egyptian Temple. There's a work area set up behind the runway. I'll be down in a few, but Reynaldo's there and he'll get you working.” He winked, and with reluctance went back to his clipboard.

And work we did. We lifted boxes, soothed cranky super models, fetched chilled water and snack bars for the technicians, and generally ran our butts off. I kept my head down, avoiding all eye contact with guys. I noted that Meg was keeping her mouth shut, despite the looks she kept getting from all quarters. If she had a slip-up, I didn't see any evidence of it.

When Jeremy finally came down, he hustled over to Meg and whispered something in her ear that made her giggle. I approached them only to hear him say, “Meg, would you get the duffle with the extra accessories, please? It's somewhere in the mess in the hall.”

She hopped to do his bidding—the perfect time for me to catch him alone. He was talking on his cell, giving last-minute instructions to the lighting crew. I snagged a bottle of cold water and a sandwich for him from a food table and waited patiently for him to finish his conversation. He stuffed the phone in his shirt pocket and turned to me.

“Here.” I held out my humble offerings.

“Thanks, just the water.” He twisted the bottle open and slugged down a good half. I returned the plastic-wrapped sandwich to the platter and gave him a bright
smile.

“So is, um, everything going okay?” I didn't know what else to say. Hades was right; Meg was the glib one. She could hold a riveting conversation with a telephone pole. Me? I had tro
uble unlocking my tongue fast enough to keep up with my brain. If I'd been more erudite, Meg and I would have had our girl talk long before the ill-fated sample sale and I might have talked her into letting me have the red shoes.
And
my life would not include the very real possibility of chasing dog-slimed rubber balls and filing down talons.

Jeremy swiped his mouth on his black linen shirt sleeve and looked at me quizzically.

“Yeah, good so far, but the show hasn't begun and there's always at least one catastrophe. I think med students get more sleep than I do.”

His elfin grin was too cute.

“I'll help you,” I offered shyly, stepping toward him.

His look became guarded. “You and Meg are a big help.” His head swiveled around as he moved away. “What's takin
g her so long?”

Not too subtle, Jeremy.

“I'll go help her,” I said stiffly.

“Uh, thanks.”

I flipped a careless wave that said
I don't care.
I would
not
tear up. It was hard to swallow; my throat felt tight.
Rejected! Why?

I found Meg, and two minutes later, with minimal conversation, we located the duffel. She ran it to Jeremy. I stayed back, eyeing them coolly. I watched his eyes flicker over her. He touched her hand before he hastened away. I tried to put the image out of my mind. Meg went right back to work, apparently unaware that she'd just won the grand prize.

When the runway show was about to begin, Meg and I sat on a trunk, sipping water. There were to be no noises from backstage until the music started. Now more than ever, I wanted this over with. I didn't want any more close or semi-close encounters with Jeremy again if I could help it. And there was only one way to ensure that—get rid of Arkady.

“Where's Mr. Romanov?” I whispered to Reynaldo, who was winking and flirting with the hair stylist. “He did come, didn't he?” I poked him to get his attention. “Reynaldo?”

“What?!” he snapped, annoyed at the interruption.

“Mr. Romanov. He's here, right?”

“He's watching the show by live feed from an office.”

“Won't he bow and wave at the end?”

Reynaldo looked horrified. “Never! Go into that room with all those people? Who knows what germs could be out there?” He turned back to smile at Andre. I doubt that was his real name—so Euro. I'll bet his real name was Myron. Or Charlie.

When Reynaldo walked away, Meg whispered to me, “The offices! This couldn't be more perfect! He's already back there!”

“Sure, but how are
we
going to get back there?” I snapped, a little unfairly. Jeremy's diss wasn't her fault. “We're supposed to stay here until we're needed.”

“I'm sure we'll think of something.” Meg didn't look too sure, but maybe inspiration would hit one of us.

Music suddenly blared, making everyone jump and signaling the start of the show. We were on call, to sit there until summoned. In the meantime, I enjoyed the chance to just sit. Surprisingly, my bird feet were holding up well. But I'd trade them for two human feet loaded with blisters and boils and broken toes.

The Temple was the backdrop for the show, the theme being Egyptian Goddess. All the models were dressed in form-fitting bronze, deep lapis, and coral silk sheaths. The last dress, with Meg's feathers all over it, would be the climax. I couldn't help being excited. This was where I wanted to be—just under different circumstances. More specifically, not fresh off a rejection, or trying to eye up a mummy, or keeping temptation at arm's length. Suddenly, I thought,
I can't wait to start classes at FIT.
It would be a different life, a new start. If I survived this whole mess, maybe Jeremy would give me a reference—even if he wouldn't give me anything else.

I found myself tapping my feet to the heavy beat of the techno music that blared out of the backstage speakers. It was making the floor vibrate. Was this what Meg and Jeremy subjected themselves to at those club shows? No thanks.

I recognized the song. It was something Meg played in our dorm room. Glancing at her, I saw that her eyes were closed and her head swayed in perfect rhythm with the music. Her lips mouthed the words. I stopped staring at her and scanned the room. Jeremy was standing by the stage door, doing the exact same thing. The exact words, the exact same sway. It was almost eerie.

After a few moments, he opened his eyes and searched the room, stopping when his gaze found Meg still in her music-induced trance. Slender models with taut limbs and perfect faces passed in front of him, but he didn't notice them. He only saw Meg, and his eyes drank her in. I'd seen the look before. He
really
liked her.
They've only exchanged a handful of words since we reconnected
… I bit my lip and looked away.

The evening wore on, and the show seemed to be a success. Near midnight, Jeremy spoke to the audience and wrapped things up with a champagne toast, finger foods, and gift bags, and then Reynaldo came running over, out of breath. His makeup was starting to smudge.

“Jeremy sent me to tell you that Mr. Arkady needs ice, glasses, and two diet sodas brought to him. NOW. The Director's office, just down the hall. Don't tell anyone where you're going. I can't believe he hates the hair!” He moaned and sniffed as he screamed at Andre. Meg shot me an excited smile.

We hopped off the trunk, rounded up everything, and made our way through the backstage maze. We ran, as fast as a girl can run in stiletto-heeled boots carrying a bag of ice, to the office. Meg knocked on the door.

Jeremy answered. “Hey you two.” He refused to look at me.

Wimp! I was the embarrassed one, the one who got rejected!

He stepped back to allow us in. Arkady was sitting at a massive oak desk, surrounded by TV monitors, his back to us. There was no sound except his raspy breathing.

“Put it all on the table, please,” said Jeremy, reaching for the vibrating phone in his pocket.

“Let's do it now,” said Meg's low voice in my ear. There was only Arkady and Jeremy. This would probably be our best chance. Maybe our only chance.

I nodded. I pointed to Arkady, then to myself. I'd handle him; I'd leave Jeremy to her. She nodded, regret etched in her eyes. It was a sneaky, mean thing to have to do, kind of like hypnotizing him against his will. But enthralling Jeremy seemed too intimate for me to do now. Besides, if he had a choice, it was too obvious he'd choose Meg to vamp him. And that left me with Arkady. I felt the bile rise in my throat. I was
not
touching him!

Jeremy grabbed the doorknob. “I've gotta run. Reynaldo's flipping out over the hair situation. You two set up the drinks and leave. Lock the door behind you.” He shouted in Arkady's direction, “I'll be right back, Mr. Romanov.” Mummy man didn't notice. Jeremy ran out.

Was our luck beginning to change? Meg looked at me and nodded almost imperceptibly. The TV monitor had a special screen which magnified the images immensely. With hesitant steps I walked around to the front of the desk so that I was facing Arkady. Even though he was alone and the room was warm, he was enveloped as usual in a fedora hat, Burberry scarf, and Italian leather gloves. But he wasn't wearing his thick, reflective glasses. I removed mine and gave him the full stare.

“Get up,” I commanded. I wanted to say something nastier to him, considering he'd called Meg stubby and said I had big feet. But nothing came to mind.

Meg's voice was sultry, beguiling. “It's time to go. Hades is waiting.” How could anyone resist her?

Arkady never flinched, although he did sway in his chair trying to see around me.

I leaned down so that when his gaze shifted, he'd see only me.

Meg leaned over the desk. “Come with us. Now!” she yelled.

“Eh?” His head bobbed up and he looked confused. I was so close to him now, I could see that his eyes were milky white. It brought back the horrifying images of when my cat died. Her eyes had glazed with the same opaqueness. With a palsied hand, he brushed us away.

He was deaf and practically blind.

“Hmmm. Having a bit of trouble, ladies?”

We jerked up.

Hades was looking at some Mayan artifacts. The disdain on his face was clear. “Primitive junk,” he muttered before turning to us. “But you look stunning,
mon coeur
.” His eyes flickered appreciatively over me. I felt chilled to the bone. “And Margaret. Good improvement.”

He was so rude.

“Need a little help?” His smile was evil and slick.

“Our powers won't work on someone who can't hear or see us, Hades.” Meg sounded only mildly perturbed. This meant she was ready to explode at any second.

“I must have forgotten to mention that. How remiss of me.” Hades dragged a finger along the cases, grimaced at the light coating of dust, and conjured a wet cloth to wipe his hands. With a careless flick, it was gone.

“I thought you said that Arkady made a deal with you for longevity,” I retorted. I gritted my teeth to keep myself from calling him the words my mother would disown me for.

His eyebrows raised. “He did. And I gave him longevity. Arkady is pushing 349 years old. It would be 350 next month.” His grin was malevolent.

“But look at him!” said Meg, backing away a pace. “He looks like he's been dead for at least a hundred years!”

Hades' smile was expansive. “He asked for a long life. He got it. He didn't stipulate that he wanted to remain
youthful
. It's always the little details one must remember. Be careful what you wish for—that's our motto.”

So all those strange treatments weren't for staying healthy—rather, Arkady was trying to turn back the clock
.
What a revelation
that
was.

Hades made a full circle of the office, barely glancing now at the books and objects on the shelves and tables. “You're not using your gifts to their full potential,” he said softly. “Come, girls, surely your wiles and imagination and natural charm should make this easy.”

Like anything connected to him or this whole deal could ever be easy. Meg and I remained silent.

“If you need my assistance, tell me. But it will cost you.”

That last bit was directed at me.

I exhaled sharply. I was tired, I'd been rejected by Jeremy, and I didn't want to be played with anymore.

“You're here, just take him now,” I snapped. “It's not like he'd notice. Then we all go home and everyone's happy.”

Hades looked taken aback. “That would violate your contract.
You
have to do this. Or, are you conceding?” He held out a graceful hand like he wanted me to waltz with him. “Then we shall leave.”

Meg screamed “No!” and slapped his hand away. “We'll do it! Just go away!”

His eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned.

Angry God plus Big Mouth Roomie equals Dire Consequences.

We were screwed yet again.

Under the Wonder Wheel

“What a night,” Jeremy said. He rubbed his slightly bloodshot eyes and ran his fingers through his hair, making the cowlick in back stand up.

I nodded sympathetically; the night had been dramatic for us too. After Hades left, Shar and I had talked about dragging Arkady to the portal; he couldn't hear us or see us, and maybe he wouldn't even know what was happening. But it seemed too complicated, not to mention violent. Shar was now busy relieving stress by arguing with one of the makeup artists over eye shadow.

Jeremy had seen Arkady home and then came back to help pack up the show. “I'm spent, but I'm too wound up to sleep,” he said, smiling at me.

“Me too,” I mouthed. I was glad I hadn't had to use the Siren power on him tonight, but still, I wondered if his attention was real … or if my power was somehow at work. I knew I'd never used it on him deliberately, but I'd become wary of everything to do with Hades, the gifts, and the contract. Jeremy didn't act like this with Shar; if anything, he was a little remote with her. So, if I were to actually use my powers on him—and deep down I knew I would have to, eventually—would he still feel the same way about me when I released him? Everyone we'd done that to so far seemed to forget us and move on. I couldn't help but wonder if that would happen with Jeremy. Since it would amuse Hades, the answer was probably yes.

“I need time away from here. Do you want to go somewhere?” he asked.

I clapped my hands and smiled.

“This is gonna sound crazy, but let's go to Coney Island.”

I needed breathing space; the apartment had been feeling oppressive lately, as if the walls and furnishings were taunting me.
Hades owns you both. He'll come for you
…

I'd only been to Coney Island once. It was summer, and when I emerged from the subway onto Stillwell Avenue, the first thing that hit me was the smell of hot dogs, salt water, and fried foods, steeped by hot days and baked into the subway tiles and sidewalks. Being there would be as far removed from fashion and glamour and Hades and Arkady as I could get at this point.

“Go. Maybe you can find something out,” Shar said when I told her. She'd been pretty quiet most of the night. Jeremy and Reynaldo had kept us moving, but I could tell something was bothering her.

“Can't I be off duty for five minutes?” I sighed.

“I'm not saying to use the gift or anything, but our time is seriously running out,” Shar reminded me. “Just keep your ears open, okay? And have fun.”

I squeezed her hand. “Happy New Year.”

“Let's hope so,” she grumped.

The crash of the ocean was audible as Jeremy and I emerged onto the street from the subway station. At 6:30 a.m., the place was a virtual ghost town. We walked along the water toward the amusement area and looked out at the waves.

I watched light creep over the water, thinking,
How am I going to get through the next few hours without talking?

“You know, I'm glad you wanted to come here. It's nice to feel free, even for just a little while.” He jerked his head back in the direction of Manhattan. Its skyline was dimly visible from where we stood.

I nudged him so he would look at me. I nodded a
me too
at him.

“Yeah? It's been a heck of a start for you and Shar. First QT, then the dress and Mr. Romanov's personal interest. And you've been sick.”

“Better now,” I whispered cautiously, keeping my hushed tone bland and even.

“Not completely.” He put his finger to my lips. “Hush.” He took my hand and I shivered as a little jolt of excitement ran up my arm. We made our way over to the maze of shut-up concessions, forgotten games, and food stalls that still smelled strongly of stale cooking oil and potatoes.

I was tired of gestures and whispers. There was so much I wanted to say, to ask. I wanted to know if working in fashion was really what he wanted to do with his life. Not talking at least had one advantage—it gave me time to observe, and Jeremy didn't seem happy. I wanted to look into his eyes and brush his hair from his forehead, but that had nothing to do with words …

I don't want to risk telling him what to do, or let my intentions take over.

Then I had a flash of brilliance. Whipping out my cell phone, I brought up his number. I tapped buttons furiously and hit send. He grabbed for his phone, still in his shirt pocket, when it vibrated. With a flicker of annoyance he pulled it out, then broke into a smile when he realized it was me. He grinned and bent his head toward my face. His nose brushed my cheek for a moment.

“How long have you worked for Mr. Romanov?” he read out loud. I waited in suspense, but felt nothing sprout. Perfect! Texting didn't count, so there'd be no more feathers today. Plus, this would count as the information gathering Shar was talking about—I
multitasking!

“Seems like forever,” he mused. “A little over a year. And people are surprised I've lasted that long.”

I raised my now artfully waxed eyebrows at him.

“Come on, you see what the office is like. There aren't a lot of people there, and the few that are don't interact with Mr. Romanov that much. I'm his buffer.”

Shar and I had noticed this too. I had to admit, if I looked like Arkady and had his secrets, I'd want to deal with as few people as possible, too. I nodded thoughtfully, puffing out a breath and watched it steam and curl into the nothingness of the now-blue sky and beach.

“I was actually at NYU—”

I squeezed his hand excitedly, and when he looked at me, I grinned goofily and poked myself in the chest before I could stop myself; it was something else we had in common.

“NYU? That's right, you'll be going there. It's a great school.” His eyes, the same color as the sky, with their fluttering lashes, and his full lips slightly turned down, overwhelmed me. We walked for some minutes in silence.

“Not that you need this, but … ” He looked away. “Would you mind if I gave you some advice?”

I bobbed my head, and my fingers tightened around his.

“I know working at the House of Romanov looks like the beginning of a great opportunity for you. And for your friend. But finish up your internship, put it on your transcript, and then go to school. Don't get stuck there.”

So I was right. He wasn't happy—but still, it didn't look like he was ready to move on. Sure, the job was demanding, but if he was P.A. to the infamous Arkady Romanov, traveled
in those elite circles, and was going to NYU, didn't he have it made?

“I left school to work for Mr. Romanov,” Jeremy continued. “Got placed there through the school's work-study program. I requested a spot with the ACLU; instead, I became an intern at House of Romanov just like you.” He laughed mirthlessly, “I'm good at what I do. I'm a juggler—it's how I managed to stay on top of my classes. At least at first.”

I rubbed his arm, encouraging him to go on.

“But this is where I am. Shar told me this isn't your thing either.”

Shar ?
It took a moment to sink in …
Shar helped me …

“Anyway, one by one, people dropped out of the office. Demi started just before you did, and Reynaldo and Callie were there when I started, but there used to be more people than that. As they left, I took over the stuff they were doing. Callie hardly ever leaves her office,” he continued, “and Demi and Reynaldo only see him occasionally. I'm the one who really interacts with him on a daily basis, apart from his appointments, but it's crazy! He wants the specialists' visits on a rotating schedule. They're the select best in the world. He hardly sees anyone twice in the span of six months.”

I shivered, recalling my time in the chair at the salon. The end product was nice, but it wasn't something I wante
d to do too often. I couldn't imagine that many people working on me or touching me on a regular basis. More disturbing was the thought that Demeter had joined the House of Romanov right before us, just when we were forced into our unholy deal. Mere coincidence?

“After my first year I dropped out. It was just too much—between work and studying I had no time for myself. I knew working and going to school were going to be tough, but it really started to weigh me down. And when I told Mr. Romanov that I was going to have to cut back my hours because of school, he gave me more money—more than I thought I could ever make, even when I graduated. I thought I'd have part of my life back.” Jeremy laughed grimly. “God, that Elysian Fields concert you guys missed was the first thing I'd been to in months!”

The sun rose higher over the water and a misty light filtered through the bars and light bulbs of the Wonder Wheel. We'd walked to the base of it. It soared into the sky, dwarfing the little ticket booth that stood only a few paces away. I felt a pulse somewhere deep inside of me. I looked at Jeremy, whose gaze was directed at a densely packed area of buildings that lay beyond the beach.

“You know, I can see this from my apartment,” he said, changing the subject. “At nighttime. In the summer when it's open.” Reaching up a long arm, he ran his hand over the brightly painted iron girders and rivets.

“The Wonder Wheel,” I whispered, half remembering that I'd just seen or heard about this. Had it been in the news recently? I thought I'd read somewhere that a big entity had bought Coney Island and was planning to tear some of it down. Whatever happened, the Wonder Wheel would stay; it was a National Landmark.

He chucked his finger under my chin and made me look up at him. I couldn't turn away, and didn't want to. The pulse I'd sensed before grew stronger; was it my heart racing? I'd waited for this moment. He bent down, his breath in my ear, his cheek brushing mine, moving across my face. I felt very warm despite the sharp wind that blew in from the ocean, slipping through the hodgepodge of stalls and buildings and motionless rides. His finger was still under my chin, but his other hand moved quickly to the back of my head, drawing me closer. My head swam. Somewhere far away, a dog barked.

Suddenly I heard a muffled buzzing. It made me start, but I pulled back to look into Jeremy's eyes, not caring what it was.

“I've been thinking about doing this for a while,” he whispered.

Really?
I wanted to hold on to this instant for just one more second. The moment before—the exquisite anticipation. I felt the vibration again, and, coming out of my daydream, I realized something was vibrating in my bag.
The iPhone.
It was my turn to carry it. Ignoring it, I twined my arms around Jeremy's neck and started to pull him into a kiss.

But something wasn't right. There was no response. I unhooked my arms from his neck and backed up. He was frozen, staring down at the spot where I'd stood, his body bent slightly in.

“Did I interrupt?”

I whirled around. Standing in the back door to the Wonder Wheel ticket booth was Hades, tall, sinewy, well dressed in total white, and as chillingly perfect as ever. The area behind him was pitch black and a wind blew out of it, making his auburn locks flutter like tiny silken flags. The barking was louder now.

I dug in my purse, pulled out the iPhone, and held it aloft. “Nothing in the rules says you have control over my life yet, Hades. Why are you here, to annoy me?”

“Do you think I like coming here?” he asked, looking around in disgust. “Next time, answer when I call you.”

“What do you want?”

“I'm making sure that you're focused. Since you lost your kitty charm, I figured I might help you out with a little motivation.”

“Have you forgotten? I tried to get Arkady tonight. I need a break!” I snapped.

“Ah yes, you're with the Rave Romeo. I must say though, Margaret, that I'm glad this development has shown Sharisse the error of her ways. I was hoping that it wouldn't take her long to get over her little infatuation.”

“Wha—?”