1 | Gods & Monsters ✓

Chapter 9

"I need you to look up a number for me," she said, a little too loudly. Her voice carried down the hall, quickly finding it empty.

He started coughing, then took a few gulps over the receiver. She imagined it was beer. That was always his go-to drink. "Where's the please and thank you? I don't remember being your damn lap dog."

Walking down the next hallway, Ava glanced around, making sure no one was nearby listening. "Are you really going to make me remind you every time we talk that I—"

"That you're the only reason I haven't been busted yet? Dude, your threats can only go so far. You're running on fumes at this point after your last stunt two years ago," he said.

"I told you that in confidence."

"You told me that when you were shit faced. Dancing on bar tops."

Harry's words punched Ava right in the heart. No one knew what really happened on the battlefield that day. Except for her team, and those on a need to know basis, the public believed they were victorious. That was all they cared to know.

Of course, she couldn't keep it a secret for long. It drove her mad.

After the blistering silence, Harry mumbled, "I'm a dumbfuck. Fine! What do ya want me to look up? Wait—hold on."

Multiple whines and curses filtered through the speaker until the door closed shut. It was finally quiet on Harry's end and now more noticeable on Ava's. This eerie feeling crept up her spine. Goosebumps filled her arms.

She wasn't alone.

Ava made light on her feet and walked faster.

She told Harry what's on the slip of paper before he asked. He grunted, his fingers tapped away through the mic. "I can make no promise that I'll find anything, but I'll search through both new and old databases. Might take time. You know how hard it is getting inside the UFE's core complex without being seen."

"Yeah, that's fine. Whatever. And one more thing, I need access to the laboratory. The one I got a map for. Yeah, that one. The Council changed the freakin' passcode on me—"

Music struck hard, rippled through the hall.

It sounded so close yet distant. But it was definitely the sound of a piano.

"Those old geezers have it out for ya, still? They need to get a life." Harry's typing drowned out the song. "When you need it, shoot me a text. They might change it again before you can use it."

"Sure. Hey, I'll talk to you later." Ava ended the call and listened.

Silence. A deathly stillness fell over the hallway. Cool air nipped her skin. She tucked her hands inside the pouch of the hoodie and grabbed the knife's rubber hilt. Her sixth sense didn't pick up anyone nearby.

The piano started up again.

She turned and walked towards the ballroom, the only room that held one of the last pianos in existence.

The keys hit the strings in a soothing pattern. It eased away the painful memories, but the closer Ava approached, the more her heart sped. They shifted to a new song. She recognized it instantly and picked up someone inside.

It was her favorite piano piece.

Ava ran as fast she could, gliding at times, almost knocking over some decor on the way over to the ballroom. It might be a trap, but she didn't care. The code, and now, the piano music—it was all too coincidental.

She ran towards it regardless, because deep down inside, she still hadn't let Junipea go. Maybe if she got there fast enough, she'd find some glimmer of hope.