"A neurotoxin. I needed a weapon to defend Mattie, and that was the only thing I could make. It wouldn't have killed him. That wasn't my intention. I just wanted something that could incapacitate an immortal long enough for Mattie to escape."
"Why did it fail?"
"It wasn't strong enough. I miscalculated."
Eight heads tilted to the side. "That is not like you, Dimitri. How could you make such a mistake?"
Mattie was stunned by the direction in which the talk was going. Dave wasn't mad at Dimitri for creating a weapon that could knock out an immortal. He seemed troubled that Dimitri hadn't made it strong enough.
"I didn't have time to perfect the formula or anyone to test it on."
"Did you perfect it since?" Number One asked.
"I made it stronger," Dimitri admitted.
"Will it work on me?"
Dimitri shook his head. "I don't think so. You are enhanced. It will take much more to knock you out."
"That is good to know." Dave's eight pairs of eyes regarded Dimitri with curiosity. "You don't consider me a threat to the one you love."
"I don't."
"That is good to know as well." Dave's eight pairs of eyes turned to Mattie. "You are lovely, for a human, that is. But we have transcended such base urges. We don't feel the need to procreate."
It was freaky, but kind of sweet that Dave thought they needed to apologize for not being attracted to her. She'd known that on an instinctual level but hearing it stated as a fact was reassuring.
"You are valuable to the enhancement program." Number One turned back to Dimitri. "And it undermines the program if you can't concentrate on your work because you worry about Mattie."
One of the bodies, Number Four, Mattie thought, though she still had trouble remembering who was who, reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone. It was a standard Brotherhood-issue device, the kind every immortal warrior carried. He held it out to her. "Take this."
None of the service staff had phones. Only those in upper management had them.
She stared at it like it was a live grenade. "I don't understand."
"This is so you call us if you need help," Number One said, and for a moment, it seemed like all eight bodies were converging on her. "If anyone threatens you again, you just press and hold this button." He pointed to a key on the phone's surface. "We will come."
Mattie's hand trembled as she reached out and took the phone. It was heavier than she expected, solid and warm from being carried in Number Four's pocket.
"Each of us has a phone, but we only need one," Number One said. "Now you have one as well. You will use it when you need it." It was a command, not a request.
"I will."
"Good," Number One said. "Now. What was the name of the one who attacked you?"
The way he said it sent a chill down Mattie's spine. She was reminded that the Eight who were Dave weren't her friendly protectors but a deadly weapon.
"What are you going to do to him?"
"That is none of your concern. His name."
She felt his mental power pressing against her mind, and the name burst out of her lips. "Tarik. That was what his friends called him."
"Describe him to us."
Mattie looked at Dimitri, desperate for guidance.
"Tell him," Dimitri said quietly. "Resistance is futile."
