It was a short ride to Nitro Hill. The midday sun was now blazing, and Zayn felt sweat sliding down the back of his shirt. He and Ria climbed to the top of the rocky hill, then dismounted.
They found the cavernous entrance to the old mine near the top. A hand painted sign declared “No Trespassers or I’ll blow your ass up!”
He fought back a smile. “I think we’re in the right place.”
Ria peered into the mine tunnel. An iron rail track disappeared into the darkness. “I see light farther ahead.”
“Let’s go.”
He walked into the tunnel, Ria one step behind him. At intervals along the tunnel, oil lanterns hung, their glow illuminating the rocky walls.
“You think she’s set booby traps?” Ria asked.
“I think we should expect anything.”
With each step, he felt the walls closing in. He liked to have controls under his hands, the chance to race off if needed. Here, trapped in tight confines, under tons of earth, he felt smothered.
“Surely you can’t be claustrophobic.” Ria’s voice echoed around him. “You squeeze into tight cockpits.”
“I’m not.” He shrugged his shoulders. “In a cockpit, you can hit interstellar speed, maneuver your ship. Here…you’re just stuck.”
Her hand slid into his and squeezed. “I’ll take care of you, flyboy.”
He heard the laughter in her voice and looked down at her. She had a smudge of dust on her cheek, but she looked like the most beautiful woman in the world. “Good to know.”
They did spot some explosive booby traps embedded in the floor and walls but managed to avoid them. Then a metallic clang echoed from ahead, the sound reverberating down the tunnel. Zayn held a finger to his lips.
Ahead, the tunnel opened out into an enormous cavern. The ceiling was so high it disappeared upward into the darkness. Lanterns, some as tall as Ria, illuminated the area.
In the center, Lala, wearing enormous goggles, was mixing a large pot over a fire. Beside it sat a work bench covered in glass tubes and containers bubbling with liquids in a multitude of colors. Over her shoulder, a small round metal ball floated in the air, following her movements.
Zayn sucked in a breath. “Jesus, she has enough explosives in here to blow the entire top of this mountain.”
“Let’s not spook her, then.”
“I suggest a more upfront approach this time.” He took a step forward. “Lala.”
The girl’s head snapped up. Her eyes were magnified by the goggles. She let out a gusty sigh. “Not you two again.”
Ria held her hands up in the air. “We aren’t here to hurt you.”
Lala shoved the goggles up on her head and thrust her hands in the pockets of her skirt. This time, it was a bright-purple one over denim jeans. “Right. Just to kidnap me.” The small floating robot jiggled around, red lights spinning on it.
“Look,” Zayn began, stepping closer. “I think we started off on the wrong foot. Let’s just?—”
“Nope. Not interested.” Lala spun, yanking her hands from her pockets. She threw something at them.
“Shit.” He saw two bright-blue balls hit the ground in front of him and Ria. He dived, tackling Ria to the ground. The balls bounced back into the air.
The small balls hit again and rolled along the floor. Right toward them, automatically adjusting their course. Like little heat-seeking missiles.
He squeezed his eyes shut and braced himself.
The balls exploded with a splat.
Fluid splattered all over Zayn. There were no flames or shrapnel.
He cracked open an eyelid and looked over his shoulder. His back, side and neck were splattered with sticky blue goo.
