Protecting Truth Read Free Page B

regarding me with suspicion.
    Clocks tick, machines crank, and another plume of smoke rolls through the room. But he doesn’t answer. He only looks at his fingernails, acting preoccupied and bored.
    “Well?” I put my hand on my hip.
    “Well—you know how I would love to keep the secret for you, but…” He waves his hand with a dismissive flip.
    “But—what?” Nerves jolt my body. I cross my arms, trying to control myself. Even telling Turner as little as this without an agreement could create real tension between him and Bishop. I can imagine Turner now, acting like a child, taunting Bishop with the secrets he knows. I roll my eyes, pushing the thought out of my head.
    “You’re putting me in quite a predicament,” Turner finally responds.
    “Do tell, Turner.” I lean on a nearby machine.
    “Well, if Bishop were to ever find out, it would be my extremely handsome head on a platter.”
    “That’s the whole idea. He can’t find out,” I force through gritted teeth.
    “Well then, I’m afraid, I won’t be able to help you. I’m endeavoring to be a better brother.”
    “Ha!” I say reflexively, but when I inspect him closer, he isn’t smiling. “Are you serious?”
    “Quite.” He nods.
    “Of all the times he has to choose to be a good brother,” I snarl under my breath, and turn to stomp away.
    “That is, of course, unless you want to tell me what you’re doing with this lovely relic you ordered from Rome?”

::3::
A Challenge
     
    I stop in my tracks when he says the words and realize the box in my hand is empty. My anger multiplies a thousandfold when I spin to see the new relic I just ordered from Rome, a black beaded rosary, hanging from his fingertips.
    “It’s a pretty little thing, Sera.” He looks at me. “So where might this lovely relic be taking you in history?”
    “You said you didn’t open it!” I scream and throw the empty box at his face. He ducks to the side, easily evading the flying object.
    “Temper, temper,” he tuts, shaking his head. His provoking smirk returns. The game continues.
    “It must be of real importance to you.” He stands, then circles dangerously like I’m some kind of weak prey.
    “I never said that I didn’t open it. You merely assumed.” He smiles. “Quite wrongly, of course. You should know better.”
    Instead of thinking, I just attack. I jump, reaching for the necklace, but my small frame can’t compete with his height. He dangles the beads higher in the air. I find myself pawing at his body to gain some momentum. The thought of seriously injuring him crosses my mind, but he speaks before our fight escalates.
    “As much as I like this attention, I think you should calm down. I’m positive we can come to an agreement.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” I throw myself into a nearby chair, crossing my arms across my body, pouting. No sense in hiding my feelings now.
    He sits on the arm of the sofa. “What I mean is, you have a favor you need of me—and well—I have something I’d like to ask from you. In return, of course.”
    “Of course!” Agitated, I look away, letting my cheek rest upon my palm. I ignore him for a few moments, letting my gaze drift around the cluttered workroom, allowing myself time to understand his personal agenda and ultimately devising how I might get my way. But there is no way, of course, because Turner is absolutely impossible.
    He clears his throat. “It’s not much, I promise.”
    “Fine.” I moan, letting my head fall back. “Spill.”
    “Well, I’d be willing to keep your secret from everyone, including your precious Bishop, and keep you supplied with new defense holograms, if you tell me two little things.” He smiles, knowing he has me.
    “What?”
    “Tell me,” he stands and paces, “why are you so obsessed with mastering defense, and what are you doing with this necklace?”
    “That’s none of your business!” My body flings forward.
    “You’ll tell me.” He circles the