Catalyst by Lydia Kang Page B

non-digital voice suddenly enters the coffin-like space. My hands immediately jump off the pads to lamely cover my body.
    “Who is that?” My voice sounds very squeaky.
    “You’re not in a position to be asking questions,” the voice says. There’s a slithery smile tucked into those words.
    I don’t trust whoever that is, any more than I can trust Micah, or my body to breathe normally on its own. I hear a gusty sigh from the mystery man, and a deep chuckle.
    “You can choose to keep your necklace, Zelia, but it means you’ll stay in this scanner for hours. The view I’ve got is absolutely precious.”
    “Fine!” I yell, unclasping it quickly and tossing my necklace into the black hole. The man snickers faintly, but that’s it. Soon, the scan finishes without a problem and a small door slides open, with clean underwear and a matching shift dress like the others. As soon I’m decently covered, the doors open and I bolt out of the tiny space.
    “That took forever,” Micah comments. He’s still carrying the unconscious flaky girl in his arms.
    “Your creepy, voyeuristic colleague was being ever so welcoming.”
    “I knew I was being watched,” Caliga says. “I heard him breathing.” Her arms are crossed, and I do the same.
    “They took my necklace,” I say faintly.
    Micah smiles kindly and tries not to jostle the sick girl too much. “I can try to get it back for you. I may be able to pull some strings, explain your situation.”
    I don’t get this guy. After what he’s done to me and Dyl, he does this. Something that seems genuinely nice. I can’t get a consistent read on him.
    “Well, um. Thanks.”
    Micah almost beams at my response. He leads us away from the silver scanner and to a massive pair of ebony doors. At his command, they open wide.
    “Welcome to Avida.”

CHAPTER 11

    W HEN THE DOORS OPEN, WE STARE IN ASTONISHMENT.
    Tiles in burnished orange, fuchsia, and egg-yolk yellow pave a path through a lush garden. On either side, tide pools tremble with clear water, aglow with incandescent anemones. Darting jeweled fish zoom to hide under the lotus flowers at the surface. Every inch of space in the deep room is blanketed with plants.
    Caliga whistles. “So this is where Micah’s been hiding these last six weeks.”
    “Wish Vera could see this,” Cy says sadly. Hearing Vera’s name makes my throat ache. As lovely as this is, it’s not our home. Wherever Vera, Hex, Ana, Dyl, and Marka are—that’s home. And we still need to find it. I can’t waste time being impressed with this pretty prison.
    Right now, the only person I can ask about how to get to Chicago from Inky is Micah, which makes my stomach churn.
    “Can we get on with this?” I try to move forward, but Blink is crouched on the path, blocking me. She’s pointing to a small school of coppery fish that wriggle playfully near the surface.
    “Look, but do not touch,” a voice whispers from only inches away.
    “ Dieu! ” Blink chirps, and scrambles back from the water.
    A woman’s face emerges straight out of the water, only a yard from Blink. Her skin is olive-toned but reflects light with faint iridescence, blending into the water.
    Micah laughs, as does the water girl. Her hair is oily and black, spreading in a silky fan at the surface. She’s totally naked under the water.
    “You’re late. They’re waiting for you.” Her voice sounds bubbly, as if she’s got water caught on her vocal cords. Her black eyes scan all of us, but linger on the passed-out girl in Micah’s arms. “Give her to me.”
    We all swivel to look at Micah and his heavy burden. Fur Face steps forward, still holding the limp girl’s hand. The concern on her face turns to hope. “You’ll take care of her?”
    The water girl rolls her eyes. “No, I’m going to eat her for lunch.” She waves an elegant, iridescent hand. “Bring her in. And take those stupid clothes off her.”
    Micah lowers the girl to the golden sand, then turns around. Fur