Page 29

“I don’t know, but you can guarantee Aries is gonna ream me out for not double checking.” His lips turned down.

“Aries’ your boss?”

“Yeah. He kind of runs our team.” Capricorn raked fingers through his hair. “I gotta report in and see what they want me to do next.”

“Meaning no tour.” Pity, now that some of the shock had worn off, she found herself curious. The scientist in her could scream all it wanted that everything he claimed was impossible. However, no denying she’d been relocated, and in the blink of an eye. There had to be an explanation, and despite his claim of teleportation by astral physics—or magic—she knew there had tobe a gimmick. Just because she’d never seen the machine that allowed it didn’t mean it didn’t exist.

“I can give you a mini one, if you want to follow me. The office is on the tenth floor.”

Zora eyed the stairs he led her toward. “No elevator?”

“Nope. Tower was built more than an eon ago, before those existed.”

“How many floors is it?” she asked as she joined him climbing the first flight.

“More than you’d believe.”

Zora began to lag as they trudged up the third set of stairs. “No way am I making it to the tenth,” she huffed.

“Want me to carry you?”

“I’ve been toted around like luggage enough. Can I hang out on this floor?” Her nose caught the scent of food.

“For sure. This is our cafeteria level. If you’re hungry, head to the alcove. Tower will offer you something to eat.”

The way he kept speaking of this tower as if it were sentient made her wonder if it was run by some kind of AI. There’d been massive strides recently in artificial intelligence and smart home systems.

“I don’t suppose it serves fast food.” Her deprived body craved something deep-fried.

“Tower will provide whatever it thinks you need.”

“If I end up with a salad, my hangry ass will probably hurt someone,” she warned.

His lips quirked. “I doubt Tower would be so cruel. I’ll be back in a bit.” Capricorn trotted off, taking the stairs two at a time now that he didn’t have to match her sluggish pace.

Showoff.

Zora glanced around and noted that, while he called this area the cafeteria, it wouldn’t have been out of place in a fine dining establishment. Clusters of round tables carved in wood with twoto six chairs occupied one-half of the space. On the other side, a ridiculously long dining table that could have seated a few dozen, at least.

As she headed for the alcove, wondering if she had to place an order, she blinked and noticed it held a dome dish. Odd. She’d have sworn it was empty. Perhaps a trick of the light.

Before grabbing it, she glanced around once more, wondering if perhaps it was meant for someone else. Seeing no one, she shrugged and grabbed it, carrying it to a table by a window that gave her a view of the outdoors. No buildings or even a road, just some brown-hued, rocky mountains and hard-packed dirt. She did notice a strip of noxious-appearing fluid that stretched out of sight left and right. A moat? Why not? It wouldn’t be any odder than everything else thus far.

Once seated, she removed the dome covering the plate, and steam wafted, along with the mouthwatering scent of crispy fried chicken. The crunchy delight came with mashed potatoes, some plump corn, a jug of gravy, and some hot biscuits.

Zora could have cried as she ate. Delicious. Exactly what she needed.

As she finished the last bite, someone cleared their throat. “I think this piece of pie is for you.”

A startled Zora glanced over her shoulder to see a woman holding a plate, her pregnant belly looking ready to burst.

“I hope I didn’t accidentally eat your dinner,” she blurted out.

The woman smiled. “No, that tray was meant for you, Zora.”

“Who are you? How do you know my name?” She didn’t mean to bark, but she really hated how off-balance this place made her.

“I’m Sage.”