Mind Games (Mindjack Origins) Read Free Page A

pass on the cheek pinching,” Kira says, her voice dripping with ice. “Thanks for the offer, though. See ya around, Raf.” She turns to leave.
    “Kira, wait!” I say, barely recovering from the crazy images in Jessica’s mind of me and her at the Gamesdance, slow dancing in formal wear. “I…I wanted to talk to you. About going to the Gamesdance.” I flash a look at Jessica. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but why don’t you go play it with Tony?
    Well, that would defeat the purpose. Tony’s not the one who needs help, Raf, you are. Out loud, she says to Kira, “Oh! The Gamesdance! Are you going?”
    “I wasn’t planning to.” Kira examines Jessica like she’s not sure if she’s crazy or just stupid. Then she looks at me. “Not quite my scene.”
    “Oh, but it could be!” Jessica says. “You don’t need a guy to have fun. You don’t even have to play, you can just watch. There’s a group of us girls going together, to cheer the Gamers on. You should come with us!” Her voice is chipper and light, but her thoughts are filled with dark amusement. She’s enjoying this deception thing she’s doing with Kira, like it’s a shiny new toy, being able to lie. The bottom drops out of my stomach as she pictures her gang of friends tricking Kira into a darkened alley behind the Games. Come with me to the Gamesdance, Raf, or I’ll have Kira as my date.
    “Wow,” Kira says, slightly bemused. “That’s really, um, great of you. What was your name again?”
    Jessica’s smile is a hideous mask over the thoughts beneath. “Jessica!”
    “Ok, Jessica .” Kira gives me a look that says, What in the world, Raf? “I guess that could be fun. Not sure what I’ll do, but I could give it a try.”
    “No!” My outburst garners a frown from Kira. “I mean, I don’t think you’d enjoy it.” It sounds lame, but I don’t want to validate everything she’s been thinking about the world. How she doesn’t fit in. How she should assume everyone is out to get her—even though they are.
    “Wait,” Kira says. “Didn’t you just say something about going to the Gamesdance?”
    “No, Raf’s right.” Jessica schemes for a more devastating way to hurt Kira. My stomach churns. “The Gamesdance isn’t the place for you. You’ve never been, have you, poor thing? It’s not all that great. But we should do something girly and fun, just the two of us. How about shopping? Do you like to shop?”
    “Not really.” Kira’s brows pull together.
    “Not even for clothes?” Jessica gives a muted shriek. “I know! Makeovers!”
    Kira looks uncertain, and my stomach starts to chew a hole in itself. Jessica glances at me. Take me to the Gamesdance, Raf, or I’ll make sure she has a good time with me and my friends.
    My mouth goes dry. Jessica and her friends targeting Kira. All summer. While I’m gone. I won’t be here to ward them off or threaten them with retribution. Her brother Seamus will keep an eye on her, but he leaves for WestPoint soon. My mind spins. When is he leaving? Is it the beginning of summer or the end? I can’t remember …
    Jessica smiles as she hears my doubts. My fears.
    No. I drill into her eyes with mine. Leave her alone. “I don’t think Kira likes makeovers.”
    Jessica’s smile grows. You know what I want. “Don’t be such a spoiler, Raf.”
    The image of a bright red zero on Kira’s cheek swims up in my mind. Jessica sees it and smirks. I can’t tell whether she did it herself or if she’s echoing the images that circulated through the rumor mill for weeks afterwards.
    I clench my fist, take a breath and let it out slow. Okay. Fine. I’ll go with you, if you promise to leave her alone. Belatedly,I tinge it with a threat of my own. If you hurt her, I’ll make sure you regret it.
    “Hello?” Kira snaps her fingers in my face. “Still right here…” She looks annoyed. “And I can arrange my own playdates, Raf. Thanks for the help, though.”
    Jessica has a