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His grip came down on my upper arm.
I jolted awake, and for a second I didn’t know where I was. My face was squished up against something warm, solid, and slightly rough. As soon as I inhaled my next breath, I recognised Neil’s scent. Someone’s pulse was thrumming. His or mine? Both?
I pulled away from Neil’s shoulder with a muttered apology. How long had I been like that? So embarrassing.
Neil’s face was pinched in a look of mild annoyance as he smoothed the wrinkles out of his suit from where I had unwittingly rested my head. “We’ll be at the hotel soon,” he said. “Then you’ll be able to have a good sleep.”
I tried to stay awake for the rest of the journey, keeping myself occupied with the cityscape unfolding outside the car window; modern high-rises mingled with lush tropical greenery, bathed in vibrant hues of artificial light under the starry sky.
Neil sat stiffly throughout the ride, his brow growing heavier and his forehead lines deepening by the minute. He was worried about something, but I didn’t know what. I followed his line of sight to the rearview mirror, where the driver’s reflection loomed. Neil’s eyes were shooting daggers. I got the sense that something was wrong. Very wrong.
As the car wound through busy streets, the tension in the air grew thicker until Neil snapped, “This isn’t the way to the hotel.”
The driver didn’t respond.
“What’s going on?” I asked Neil.
He lowered his voice. “This isn’t the transfer you booked. Daniel must have sent this driver to intercept. I suspect we’re on our way to meet him now.”
I was too tired to analyse what this meant. One answer was all I needed.
“Will we be okay?” I whispered.
“Don’t worry,” Neil whispered back.
The driver pulled up outside a towering building of metal, glass, and sharp angles.
“Could you at least take Amelia to the hotel?” Neil asked.
“I was instructed to bring you—both of you—here,” the driver said. He got out and opened the door for Neil, then for me. I stumbled out of the car into the warm and humid night, shaky on my feet, but alert now from a burst of adrenaline pumping through me.
“Zelthia headquarters?” I asked, staring up at the building.
“Yes,” Neil said. “We’re supposed to come here tomorrow, so why now? I wonder what Daniel’s playing at.”
“He must have his reasons.”
“You would think so.”
The driver handed us off to a pair of big men in suits, both of whom looked like they could snap someone in half with their bare hands if they so desired. Neil and I had no choice but to go with them.
“Stay close,” Neil said, voice low and steady. His calm demeanour was the only thing keeping my panic at bay.
The men escorted us through the revolving door into the building. The lobby was expansive, with high ceilings, a tiled floor, and lighting that resembled an art installation. The air was cool and sterile from what felt like industrial-strength air-conditioning. Despite the late hour, we passed a handful of lingering employees. Our escorts led us to a lift. They flanked us as we went up to the highest I’ve ever been up in a building. The winding corridors that followed only added to the disorienting effect. At last, we arrived in a luxurious office room, furnished with a large table surrounded by black leather armchairs. Floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the city skyline lined the far wall. Daniel Ling sat at an imposing desk in front of them. He rose to his feet as we approached, and I heard the door close behind us with a snick. Daniel’s grin was unnaturally wide and his greasy hair was slicked back, revealing a sharp widow’s peak. His eyes bulged as he took in the sight of us. He oozed oily charm. “Neil, Amelia, so glad you made it.” He spoke as though he hadn’t just forced our presence.
“We were scheduled to visit tomorrow morning,” Neil said. “Tell me, what’s so urgent that you needed to see us now?”
“My, my. Lovely to see you too.”
“Pardon me. It’s been a long flight. Amelia is tired. She is not used to travelling.”
“But of course. Sit down. Relax. Would you like a beverage?”
“No, thank you.”
“And you, Amelia?”
I didn’t trust the man not to poison me, so I declined. “I’m all right, thank you.”
