Marny (33 page)

“I’ll tell you in just a minute.”

The warehouse door closed with a thud, and
Nyx trudged back over and settled beside Marny on the couch.

“Your bubble worlds are fascinating,” Uncle
Zeg said.

“And severely dangerous.” Nyx rubbed at his
face, his voice tight with misery. “I’ll get rid of it in a
sec.”

“I’m not convinced that’s necessary,” Uncle
Zeg said. Marny and Nyx both stared at him in disbelief, and he let
out one his rumbling laughs. “If there are safeguards, I think your
club might be able to remain in operation. At least for a short
time. Through the summer, maybe.”

“What kind of safeguards?” Marny pursed her
lips. She had an idea where her uncle was heading with this, and
she wasn’t sure she approved.

“Nyx is already in close contact with one of
the Feyguard,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “Perhaps if she
remains in Newpoint she can help keep an eye on things.”

“That’s not enough,” she said, and felt Nyx
beside her, nodding his agreement.

“Of course not. When dealing with the fey
folk, it’s always a good idea to have a couple layers of
protection. Luckily, we happen to know a faerie inside the Realm
who would probably be glad to take up temporary residence in this
bubble world, or one much like it. Perhaps with a stream running
through.”

Marny’s eyes went wide. “Brea,” she
breathed.

It was a kind of brilliant idea.
Although…

“I’m not sure I’d want Roy underfoot all
summer,” she said. Because it was obvious that if Brea could come
live in one of Nyx’s creations, Royal would do everything he could
to be there. And really, she couldn’t blame him.

She shot a glance at Nyx, taking in his clean
profile and muscled shoulders. He turned his head, catching her
looking, and smiled, and she went a little fluttery inside.

But it didn’t mean she was weak. Just that
she had a new burden to carry—one that she’d bear lightly, and full
of joy.

Sometimes being strong meant opening up to
the world, no matter how scary.

Whatever happened with Intertech, she knew
she’d be spending the rest of the summer in Newpoint, figuring out
how to keep her balance. How to be a Feyguard. And, maybe even more
frightening, a girlfriend.

Taking Nyx’s hand, she smiled back.
“Everything’s going to work out,” she said.

And she believed it.

***

August 25

M
arny sat across the expanse of black desk from Dettwiler von
Coburg. Outside his immense office window, morning light lay over
Newpoint, clear and bright. She glanced at the glass of cold water
in front of her, then at Bruno the guard, hovering off to her
right.

Unlike her previous encounter with the CEO
two months ago, she felt relaxed and almost cheerful. As cheerful
as a person could feel in von Coburg’s presence, anyway.

He steepled his fingers and regarded Marny
from icy blue eyes. “Well, Miss Fanalua, your internship here is
concluded. I have never seen anyone with such a… rocky beginning
end up with so many glowing recommendations.”

Marny tipped up her chin. Yeah, the fact that
she hadn’t cooperated with his whole strong-arm technique for
trying to cop VirtuMax secrets hadn’t put her in his good graces.
And then missing the first crucial team meeting had almost gotten
her kicked out for good.

But, surprisingly, Brenna had decided that
Marny—and Wil and Anjah—could have one more chance. In retrospect,
it had been clever of the liaison. The three interns had buckled
down, to the point that their team members mentioned they’d never
seen such a dedicated, hardworking bunch.

In her limited off hours, Marny had spent a
lot of time with Nyx. Thinking of him made her smile, but she
quickly erased the expression. Nobody smiled around von Coburg.

“As you are no doubt aware,” the CEO said,
“during this exit interview, high-performing interns are
occasionally offered a chance of future employment at Intertech.
You are one such intern.” His lips twisted a little, as if it
pained him to say the words.

“Glad to hear it,” she said, keeping her
voice cool.

It was prime news—for most
interns. But over the summer, Marny had gotten pretty clear about
some things, including the fact that she had no desire to become a
corporate drone. Even working for a company doing the kinds of cool
things Intertech did. The
awesome
factor was severely offset by the work pace and
byzantine politics. Not how she wanted to spend her
life.

“To that end,” von Coburg said, glancing down
at the display on his desk, “Intertech is willing to offer you a
position next spring, upon your graduation from high school.
Provided you continue to earn sufficiently high marks, of
course.”

“That’s quite an honor,” Marny said. “But I
think I’ll pass. Thanks anyway.”

A look of surprise jerked the CEO’s eyebrows
up, and for a millisecond his eyes lost that hard-edged shine. He
recovered quickly, however.

“No need to answer right away,” he said, as
if she hadn’t just turned him down. “Spend some time thinking it
over. Our offer will stand until the end of this year.”

“My answer isn’t going to change.” She stood
up. “But I appreciate everything I’ve learned here.” Especially the
fact that corporate culture could be like a shackle around your
neck.

“Do not forget the nondisclosure contract you
signed, Miss Fanalua.”

“Don’t worry.” She couldn’t help it, she
grinned at him. “I’m well aware of the proprietary nature of the
work I did here this summer. All your secrets are safe with
me.”

Working with Intertech had opened her eyes to
new things possible in the human/avatar interface. The last few
weeks her mind had been swimming with notions about mods nobody had
tried yet, and half-formed ideas about reality and virtual space
and perception. She’d mentioned a couple of her thoughts to the
Social Interface Design team, but the most prime ideas were still
gelling in her brain.

When she was ready, though, she happened to
know a business whiz who could help her take those ideas to the
next step. And maybe a couple interns who could aid in making them
a reality.

Later, though. For now, she was delighted to
be leaving Intertech.

Even though it meant her time in Newpoint was
almost over.

“Thank you,” she said to Mr. von Coburg.
“I’ve learned a lot here. It’s been an invaluable summer.” In so
many ways.

The CEO rose and give her a chilly nod. “Good
day, Miss Fanalua.”

She tried not to skip down the plushly
carpeted hallway as she followed Bruno’s black-suited form to the
VIP elevator.

It whooshed down, stopping smoothly to
deposit her on the fortieth floor. Just before the doors closed,
she gave Bruno a jaunty wave. His expression didn’t change. It must
be no fun being von Coburg’s watchdog.

As soon as Marny stepped into the apartment,
Anjah jumped up from the couch. Wil, who had been pacing around the
room, gave her an expectant look. Both of them had completed their
exit interviews—and both of them had gotten employment offers,
too.

“Well?” Anjah asked. “Are you joining the
ranks of the corporate drones next year?”

“Nope,” Marny said. “But it’s not because I
wasn’t asked.”

Wil ambled over and gave her a high five.
“And it’s a sweep. Intern powers, activate!”

“Personally, I plan to attend the Data
Technology Institute,” Anjah said.

Wil shot Marny a quick eye-roll. The DTI was
notoriously hard to get into, and Anjah acted like she was already
admitted. Then again, you didn’t reach the stars by stopping short
at the moon.

“Eh, I might do it,” Wil said. “Depends on
what else comes along.”

“Well, don’t decide too quickly,” Marny said.
“I might have something in the works by the time next year rolls
around.”

“Ooh, Spenser-Fanalua Enterprises?” Anjah
gave her a knowing look. “That boyfriend of yours is a serious
powerhouse.”

“Marny’s no dim bulb, either,” Wil said. “Oh,
hey, I got you something. One sec.”

He went into the kitchen and came out with a
bag, which he held out to her.

She took it, eyebrows going up at the sweet
scent drifting up as she opened the bag. Inside lay two
foil-wrapped loaves, still warm to the touch.

“Coconut bread?” It was way more thoughtful
of Wil than she’d given him credit for.

“I found a local bakery who’d do them up,
special. Probably not as good as homemade, but…” He lifted a
shoulder in a half-shrug.

Marny set the bag down, then swept Wil into a
hug, ignoring his muffled yelp of surprise.

“You’re the best,” she said
when she let go, then looked over at Anjah, standing stiffly to one
side. “Get over here, princess. Group hug. You
both
are the best roomies a girl
could want.” Despite a difficult start.

Heedless of getting rumpled or smeared, Anjah
joined them. When the hug broke up, her eyes were damp.

“I’m going to miss you guys,” she said.

“Same,” Wil said. “Except not the girly
smells in the bathroom all the time. Perfume and ugh.”

Anjah gave Marny a superior smile. “We women
understand how to use all the tools at our disposal. You know, Wil,
you should really consider plucking.”

He gave her a panicked look. “Um, well, I
gotta get my stuff together.”

“Thanks for the bread,” Marny said. “It means
a lot.”

“I owed you.” He grinned at both of them.
“Safe travels, ladies.”

“Likewise,” Anjah said. As soon as he was
gone, she turned to Marny. “I owe you, too.”

“We’re way past that,” Marny said. “I’ll even
wear some of the makeup you gave me. You have no idea how much
forgiveness that is.”

“I can guess.” Anjah gave her a wry smile.
“Stay beautiful, Marny.”

“You too.” Before either of them could tear
up again, Marny hefted her backpack and duffel bag from where she’d
left them by the door. “Ping me, anytime.”

“Oh, I will. I want to hear
all about how your
partnership
develops.” There was a wicked twinkle in Anjah’s
eye.

“I’ll keep you informed,” Marny said,
grinning, before slipping out the door.

Next stop, Club Mysteria. And more goodbyes
she was not looking forward to.

Nyx was closing the place down, since Marny
and Royal had to head back to Crestview. That pesky detail of
finishing high school had to be taken care of, after all, and
keeping the club open without any Feyguard around was way too
dangerous.

Keeping it open
with
them there had felt
risky enough, though they’d done everything they could to minimize
the danger. Over the last few weeks, Brea had collared a couple
minor fey folk trying to slip through and shoved them back into the
Realm, and Roy had turned back a stray redcap. Other than that,
though, the bubble world had stayed benign.

At least Nyx had made back his investment,
not that he seemed to care too much.

“It was an interesting experiment,” he’d
said. “Time to try something else. Something less dangerous.”

Then he’d shot her that smile that made her
feel soft inside, and she’d folded her arms.

“I know that you and Royal are talking about
a way to keep a bubble world going, for Brea,” she’d said. “Doesn’t
sound entirely safe to me.”

“Yeah, but it’s not going to be a bubble
where unwitting humans can wander in and out all the time, tempting
the fey monarchs. Trust me.”

She did, mostly—and she was relieved he was
planning on setting up this next attempt in Crestview, where the
Feyguard were thick on the ground. Although she was also a little
scared of having him on her home turf. Uncle Zeg was coming around,
but the rest of her family hadn’t met Nyx yet. What if they hated
him?

One thing at a time—and the next step was
taking her leave from Brenna, who waited downstairs to collect her
badge and see her out.

“Help you catch a grav-taxi?” the liaison
asked as Marny handed over her Intertech ID.

“Sure.” Marny took a last look at the
spacious lobby, the huge vase of flowers—wildly colorful dahlias,
this time—and all the busy worker-drones of Intertech buzzing in
and out. She wasn’t going to miss it.

“So, how’d the interview go?” Brenna asked as
they headed for the front doors.

“Good,” she said. “You probably know I was
offered a job.”

“Mhm.” The doors slid open, and they stepped
out into the fresh autumn air. “And?”

“Much as I like you,” Marny said, “and the
rest of the Social Interfaces Design team, working for Intertech’s
not for me. Probably not a surprise to you, is it?”