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    â€œHow would you like this face to be the last thing you ever see?” Those manmade lips didn’t move, and it was a wonder his words were so clear, so crisp, much less understandable. “Bad little girls who sneak into places they aren’t wanted earn all kinds of punishment.”
    â€œNo,” Erik said. He sounded as pissed as he looked. “No need for that. She’s with me.”
    Everyone, including myself, eyed him with shock.
    â€œYou told us you told her to leave, that her kind wasn’t welcome,” Silver said, speaking up for the first time.
    Erik’s mouth edged into a tight smile; there was no amusement in the expression. “I told her to leave because I didn’t want you to know I was seeing her.”
    â€œNo way.” Silver again. He shook his head, blue hair dancing over his forehead and temples. Then he glanced over at me, studying me with unwavering intensity. “Why would you date her ?”
    Erik shrugged, the action stiff. “Why does any guy go out with a particular girl?” His tone was dry and mocking this time.
    For the second—third?—time that day, tears burned in my eyes. I let my head fall into the crock of my uninjured arm. He was letting them think he was dating me—no, sleeping with me. To save me? If so, great.
    However, his attitude cut as deep as the Lancer. He spoke like I wasn’t good enough to be in the same room as him. Like I didn’t deserve to breathe the same air. Like he was using me.
    â€œI just wish the sex was better,” I mumbled, pain giving me courage.
    Erik blinked down at me. Silver lost his shocked expression and grinned.
    â€œI do not like this,” Half-Mask growled. “You know better than to bring a girlfriend to our business meetings, Erik.”
    â€œI’m sorry, sir.” Erik didn’t sound like the boy I often overheard in the halls at school. He sounded like a grown man, respectful but in no way submissive. “I should have realized she’d follow me.”
    â€œI should kill you both,” the man muttered.
    â€œI’m your best employee,” Erik replied without emotion. “But more than that, her disappearance would cause unwanted media attention.”
    Half-Mask sighed and replaced the material over his face. “You’re right. Just…get her out of here. Take her through the back; I don’t want anyone to see her injury. If she talks…”
    â€œShe won’t.” Erik leaned down and wound his arm around my waist, careful not to touch my wound. He hoisted me up. “I’ll make sure of it.”
    Unable to hold back my whimper this time, I swayed against him. Blood trickled down my arm, my body weakening with every second that passed. A tear finally spilled over and ran down my cheek.
    â€œCome on,” he said, leading me forward.
    â€œWait.” Even though I was eager to escape, I dragged my iron-heavy feet. “What about Shanel?”
    A muscle ticked below Erik’s eye. He flicked a glance to Silver. “Will you make sure the friend gets home?”
    â€œSafely,” I added, not that anyone paid me the slightest bit of attention.
    â€œNot the redhead who always stares at me,” Silver said on a groan. “Anyone but her.”
    â€œShe’s the one,” Erik said. “Please.”
    An exasperated sigh. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever. Just warn me the next time you start seeing one of the Invisibles.”
    â€œSafely,” I insisted.
    â€œYes,” Silver replied, rolling his eyes. “Safely.”
    Erik started walking forward again. No longer protesting, I gave him most of my weight. A strange fog was working its way through my mind, leaving a thick, black web behind.
    â€œErik,” Half-Mask called.
    We stopped. The abrupt action jolted me and I hissed. “Sorry,” Erik muttered to me. Then, “Yes?” he said to Half-Mask.
    â€œI would be very