MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2) (17 page)

“Are your parents loaded, or what?”

Carrie was beginning to get on Paul’s nerves. “They do all right for themselves.”

“You think?” Pepper laughed.

Oddily wasn’t paying attention to the conversation. She was too busy examining her nails. Yesterday she had bitten them to the quick. Today the whites of her nails were peeking out over the ends of her fingers.

“Hey, earth to Oddily!”

Oddily looked up at Carrie and smiled. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“No kidding. I asked you where Maxim was tonight.”

Before Oddily could answer, the waiter showed up to the table and handed them their menus. Pepper didn’t open hers. Instead, she laid it on the table.

“Paul, would you mind if I talk to Oddily alone for a few minutes? It’s really important.”

“No…That’s fine with me.” Obviously, Pepper had issues concerning Oddily, so Paul stood up to leave. “I noticed a friend of mine in the main dining area. Go ahead and order for me. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Wait!” Pepper called out. “What do you want me to order?”

“The waiter will know. Tell him I want the usual.”

“He must eat here a lot!” Carrie turned to Pepper after Paul left the room.

“Yeah…go figure. He doesn’t own a car and yet, he can afford to treat us to an expensive dinner.”

“By the way, what’s up?” Carrie lowered her voice. “Why is there all this secrecy?”

“I’m worried about Oddily.”

“Me?” Oddily perked her head up and stared at the girls.

“Yeah, what’s up with you? You’ve been daydreaming since you arrived.”

Oddily blinked hard. “Umm, I didn’t realize I was.”

“Well you are, and it’s starting to bug me.”

“”Please forgive me. I have had a crazy day—especially after school. I guess I was affected by what happened more than I realized.”

Pepper spoke before Carrie could open her mouth. “So what happened?”

“Yeah, you can tell us anything?”

How could Oddily tell her two friends that her new home was full of robots—some who tried to act human? How they hovered over her…watching her every move; and, to top it off, she was alone in the house to fend for herself while Maxim and Nexa were away. Where were they? Why didn’t they answer their phone’s to at least let her know what was happening.

“Oddily, you’re doing it again!” Carrie grabbed Oddily by the arm just when Paul had returned to the VIP room.

As soon as Paul sat down, he began to share his good news. “Guess what ladies? A friend of a friend is throwing a party tonight. We’re all invited!”

“That’s fantastic!” Paul took Pepper and Carrie’s attention away from Oddily.

Paul glanced over at Oddily. “Will you come with us?”

“Umm, okay.” Anywhere sounded better than returning home.

18

As soon as Nexa returned home with Nero, Willa filled them in on Oddily’s untimely run-in with Tinley, and how she reacted towards him.

Where is my son?
Nero’s voice had invaded Nexa’s mind.

Calm down father. The last time I heard from Maxim, he was dealing with Zaylyn again.

Nero clenched his teeth at the remembrance of what Nexa had told him about the graveyard incident.
Zaylyn needs to be warned about her childish antics.

After closing his eyes for a moment, Nero inquired about Oddily. “Where is she Willa? I don’t sense her presence.”

“She left, and I’m guessing it was because of Tinley and me.”

“All right, enough of this nonsense. Stand back!” Nero took a stance in the middle of the floor and inhaled, drawing in an impressive amount of air into his lungs. His head tilted back as his muscles expanded making him look mightier than he already appeared.

A wormhole began to materialize, the funnel of energy opening wider and wider, until a body came tumbling through the opening. It was Maxim sprawled out on the floor with an expression of shock as he stared up at his father.

What have you done?
Maxim came to a standing position.
I was following Zaylyn’s molecular trail and I was so close to catching up with her!

There are more important issues to contend with here.

Why, what happened? Where’s Oddily?!
Maxim grabbed the phone off the kitchen counter, but Nero snatched it from him.

You can’t call Oddily—not until we talk. It’s about Zaylyn. I want you to know that when I choose her as your mate, I was led to believe that my colleague would take a break from his scientific work and raise her, the same as I had chosen to do with you. Instead, he left taking Zaylyn with him. I had no idea that he would volunteer Zaylyn as part of an experiment arranged by the High Council.

The High Council?

Yes. They are a group of highly evolved humans who have outgrown their need for a physical body. Because of the experiment, Zaylyn has become a new breed, far advanced from your half-breed status. You must leave her to me. Do you understand?

How did Zaylyn’s mother feel about this? She had to have been devastated when her daughter was taken from her.

She doesn’t know about Zaylyn. She believes that she gave birth to only one child…a boy.

Maxim shook his head.
I’m assuming that your colleague left his newborn son behind as well.

Sad but true.

I’m sorry father. Despite what you have told me, I can’t back off. I don’t know what hold Zaylyn has over me yet, but I’m sure I’ll find out soon. She seemed assured that I will hunt her down once I know what she has done.

This is not a good sign.
Nero narrowed his eyes in contemplation.
I will remain here for a while until this Zaylyn matter is resolved.

“Nero,” Willa spoke up. “It’s about Oddily. I did a scan on her body yesterday and she is showing signs of fluctuation.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Maxim raised his voice at her.

“Be silent!” Nero stepped between them. “Here’s the phone. Find Oddily and bring her home. I need to examine her at once.”

* * * * * *

Oddily roamed around the party wishing that Maxim was there with her. This was her first party invitation ever and she was going to remember every moment for safekeeping. Most of the kids she didn’t know, which was refreshing for a change. If she didn’t know them, that meant that they didn’t know her, or her lack of popularity. She could be herself and no one would judge her.

Oddily straightened her posture and resumed her walk around the party, with her focus on looking as confident as possible. It felt unnatural but fun. When someone smiled at her, she made sure to smile back.

“What are you drinking?” Paul unexpectedly appeared and took her cup from her.

“It’s punch.” Oddily made a silly face after he tasted it.

“Yeah, well…I saw you stumble into a friend of mine so I wanted to make sure your drink wasn’t spiked.

“I’m so sorry,” Oddily glanced over her shoulder. “Who is your friend? I’ll go and apologize.”

“Nah, it’s cool. Let’s go find Pepper and Carrie.”

“Wait, my phone is vibrating!” Oddily reached into her pocket and began to fumble around for her phone without much luck.

“Here…let me try.” Paul pulled out the phone with ease and handed it to Oddily.

“Hello?”

“Hi babe, where are you?”

“I’m at a party. Where have you been? I’ve been worried.”

“Something came up.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“You should have told me, Maxim. You hurt my feelings.”

“You’re upset with me. I can hear it in your voice.”

“Wouldn’t you be if you woke up and found me missing?”

“I’m sorry. I thought Willa would have explained my absence.”

Oddily groaned at the mention of the android. “I think we need to talk about your…hobby.”

Oddily’s comment worried Maxim. “Where is this party?”

Oddily handed her phone to Paul. “We’re on
West Mountain Road
. You won’t be able to miss all the cars.”

Paul hung up and gave back Oddily’s phone. “Maxim says he’s on his way. I’ll help you keep a lookout for him.”

Within fifteen minutes, Maxim had found the party and pushed his way through the crowd of kids searching for Oddily.

“Maxim!” Oddily called out his name when she saw him.

Maxim’s brows furrowed together when he spotted Oddily rushing over to him. Paul was following close behind, but slowed his pace when he noticed the look on Maxim’s face. If looks could kill, he would have been one dead dude!

Still scowling at Paul, Maxim took several long strides and reached for Oddily, wrapping his arms around her. His heart filled with aching worry for her as he secretly felt a pang of jealousy towards Paul.

Paul watched the tips of Maxim’s fingers stray across Oddily’s face and move lightly upon her mouth before he asked, “Why do you have color on your lips?”

“Carrie let me use her lipstick,” Oddily said while she waved to get Pepper’s attention.

“Hey, there you are!” Pepper walked up to Maxim and gave him a friendly pat on the back. “Doesn’t Oddily look good in pink?”

“She is beautiful as always.”

“Ahhh, you’re such a good boyfriend.”

“Look at my nails,” Oddily held up her hand. They practically grew overnight. Isn’t that weird?”

Maxim maintained a serious face as he examined the nails. Oddily had at least a two-month nail growth according to the amount of white showing on the tips. It was enough for Maxim to demand that Oddily leave with him immediately.

“Why? I’m having fun with my friends.”

“Come on Maxim. Quit acting like Mr. Mysterious. How are we supposed to be friends with you when you keep disappearing on us?”

“Pepper is right!” Oddily agreed with her friend.

“You win, but only for a few minutes.”

There was a lot of back and forth teasing within Oddily’s small group of friends, while Maxim used the distraction to contact his father.
Nero, I’m here with Oddily. We’ll be home soon.

I want to examine her now.
Nero’s booming voice made his head ache.

Oddily is showing resistance to leaving the party and her friends are backing her up. I need to appease them for a short while so my behavior won’t raise eyebrows.