Intelligence Kills

Chapter 4

Four-

"Here you are and can I start you off with something to drink," the hostess asked. Athena glanced at me. I shrugged back at her.

"A water please," Athena said after a minute. I glanced at the drink menu. The hostess shifted impatiently. Athena gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry about my step brother. He has amnesia. Can you please just bring him a Coke?"

"Oh, of course. I'm sorry, I didn't know," the hostess apologized. Athena waved it off easily. I could tell this wasn't the first time that Athena had lied to someone. And as the hostess walked away, I could tell Athena was about to crack up laughing. Which, she did.

"Why'd you lie to her," I asked Athena. She stopped laughing I received a skeptic look.

"Oh, just grab him a Coke. He's from another place, like underneath the Earth. So, he has no clue what goes on here," she said dramatically. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. "We both know you can't say that."

"But you can't just-" I started. Athena slapped her hand across my mouth. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the hostess coming back with our drinks.

"Now, Jake. You can't just do that. Remember? It's rude." She let her hand drop off my mouth. She shot me a smile before thanking the hostess, who's name tag read 'Kelsey.'

"Thank you, Kelsey," I muttered. She nodded.

"You're very welcome," she said. I glared at her retreating back until she disappeared around a corner. Then I turned my sour look to Athena. She giggled.

"I'm not two years old," I snapped irritably.

"It's funny that she used that tone with you."

"Not really. I'm not a fucking dog."

"Chill out. I was just kidding. How the hell do you know what a dog is," she asked curiously. It was my turn to return the skeptic look.

"I'm not stupid. But thanks for assuming that," I said. "Alithera does have animals."

"But you din't have cars," she pointed out. I rolled my eyes.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to have cars underground? Because it would definitely be good to breath in those nasty fumes that cars emit. Alithera would probably be an abandon city if we had cars. We'd die from poisoned air," I drawled.

Athena didn't have an answer for that. She examined her napkin as I did a quick scan of the restaurant. A man in a black jacket, turtleneck sweater and dark blue jeans entered. Our eyes met. The hair on the back of my neck rose. He gave me a friendly smile and went to go sit across the room. I relaxed just a little.

"Should I order for you," Athena asked lowly. I nodded keeping my eye on the man. He radiated an odd aura. There was something off about him.

He was looking at a menu. The way he moved reminded me of Akithro. The way his eyes narrowed when he saw something he didn't like reminded me of Arlo. The superior way he held himself was exactly like Accord. The creepy smile was like Kret. But the somewhat gentle matter that kept everything together was like Roylar.

But he couldn't be from Alithera. It was impossible for him to have tracked me and the Seven wouldn't have sent someone after me already. They'd want me to feel secure and free. And then they'd strike. It was just how they did everything.

"Hi! My name is Danielle and I'll be your server today. Are y'all ready to order?" The girl's voice was obnoxiously high and squeaky, like she sucked on helium all day. She bounced like she was on a major sugar rush. Why did we have to have the hyper lady?