Chap. 23

Yours Truly, Voice

Nudge POV

I lay awake all night, tossing and turning. I thought about Max and Fang and Ig and Gazzy and Ange.

Well, mostly Iggy.

Why was I so shocked when I found out that he liked Ella? It made sense. Ella was nice, pretty and smart. Everything I couldn't wasn't.

Or maybe it was because she was normal. Plain. Not a mutant bird freak.

But why did it bother me? Iggy wasn't mine. Or anybody's. He was like my brother. And older brother. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I'm bothered because I'm not used to seeing him fawn over girls.

That's not true, either. He always asks Fang to describe the 'beach bunnies' that he couldn't see. I'm used to that.

He's my brother, and that's why I'm bothered, I decided, I just don't like that he's growing up and meeting girls. That's all.

But there was one small, slim possible reason why. That maybe, just maybe, I…

Liked Iggy?

…

Oh, god.

Max POV

I was at a loss why the Voice had made me unconscious on PURPOSE

Not on purpose.

Screw you Voice. What's so important about the ground? Why did I have to land? I asked, trying not to sound like the ungrateful little birdkid I am.

It was necessary. Psh.

No DUH. Why else? I thought back.

You were being tracked in the air, it replied.

Why do you give a damn? I wondered.

I'm inside of you, Max. I don't want to die, either.

THAT just made me roll my eyes. The whitecoats don't technically kill, Voice. Sure, They kill you mentally and emotionally beyond repair, but that's about all.

Not just dying. I feel your pain, Max. When you're frustrated, I'm frustrated. When you get shot, I'll feel it too. Your pain is my pain.

Whoa. That was a new one. So when I'm feeling generous you'll give me more real info, non – fortune cookie crap?

The Voice might have given a quiet chuckle. Not that it ever laughed.

Technically, yes.

I tried to feel generous. I really did. I thought of all the homeless, dirty little kids on the streets scavenging trash bins for food. (We had been like that for a while.)

Max, Max, Max, the Voice said, It doesn't work that way. I only receive true, real, generosity.

So will you tell me NOW? I asked, running out of patience.

Iggy Angel and Gasman are currently unharmed. They are supposed to act as bait to lure you in.

Shit. That bait as hell as worked.

Not yet, it didn't, said the Voice. They're expecting you to attack in the dark. They have heat sensors everywhere at night.

So, they're stupid enough to truly believe I would never, ever, in their wildest dreams, attack in broad daylight?

That was the problem. They also have security cameras in trees, scanning the skies during the day.

So how the hell will I get in? By foot? We can't walk that far.

That is up to you to discover, replied the Voice, You will find out in due time.

I started wishing really hard for information. REALLY hard. I was just waiting for the Voice to pop in and say, I've decided to help you guys out more. Now the fastest escape route is…

Nope, no Voice. I'll just have to work on a plan. I waited another few minutes, just hoping.

Dammit.

A/N: Hellos to all my readers and 'i lurrveee you' to all my reviewers!

Come one, people! Let's hit the 100 reviews mark! I have more than ONE THOUSAND hits! What is effing UP with that? 11 more reivews!

Right now, I'm reading I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, by Ally Carter. I'd suggest that book to any of you obnoxious teenaged girls out there (including me!) who like mysteries/spy books. AND, I think the second one is called Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy, 'cos I'm not sure if it's the second or third book in the series... Anyways, they're great novels.

Fang is smexy (maybe, since I've never seen him except on the cover of MR books),

~IceCweamWuver