Page 43

“Jesus,” Elon mutters. “And if they don’t want it?”

“We keep their ‘introductory fee’ and they can come back as often as they want—each time a little pricier.”

“And if they do want more than sex?” Levi asks. “Then what happens?”

“They’re given one-on-one time with an educator.” I look him up and down. “Basically, someone like you.”

“And everyone is just going along with this?” Elon’s jaw tenses. “No one has pushed back?”

The accusation makes a direct hit. No matter, I have one of my own to toss back. “I did what I had to do because my number one priority was Imogene. Rex was locked up, and while my movements were limited, I did what I could.”

Unfortunately, while I was busy doing everything I could to protect her—Anex was planning this.

Elon’s eyes soften at her name. “Did you? Protect her?”

“I tried.” Guilt hardens in my gut. “I tried. She was held in a secure location, but I managed to get in once and see her. I was able to adjust some of her supplements to push things off as long as possible, but in the end my defiance only made it worse on her and Rex.”

“What does that mean?” Levi asks.

“It means Anex is a monster, does it have to be more than that? You know it. I know it, but that’s about it. He’s got everyone wrapped around his finger.” I stand, gesturing to the door Charlotte walked out of. “And if not that, wrapped around his goddamn dick. These people are a herd of lost sheep, and he assigned me to be their fucking shepherd.”

The more I speak, the more rattled I become. Every word out of my mouth is Regressive. Every word could get me in more trouble, but what’s worse than this? I cross the room, reaching for the bottle of pills on the counter. I open the top and shake out two. Hallucinating is better than this. I control the accusations there. The dark, accusing looks in my friends’ eyes.

“Whatever those are,” Elon says, “put them the fuck down. You’re coming with us.”

“No.” I close my hand around the pills, making a fist. “Didn’t you hear what I said? I’m their shepherd. I’m the only one watching out for these people. I make sure they eat. I force them to sleep. I clean their wounds and keep them as healthy as possible. I’m not leaving them.”

“We have a plan, Silas,” Levi says. That statement elicits a frown from Elon. “Come with us, and we’ll come back for them. Every one. I promise.”

“How far do you think we’d actually get, brother?” I lift the cuff of my pants, revealing the black band around my ankle. “He’ll track me and whatever plan you’ve got worked up will be over before it’s started.”

Elon rises, shooting Levi a look loaded with meaning. I don’t know what, but he runs his hand through his hair, a sign of agitation. “We’re going to take him down, Silas. Levi has a plan and it’s coming up fast. Two days.”

We’re conditioned to know the big dates in Serendee. There’s no mistaking which one is coming up. “The equinox.”

“We’re not letting him have her.” Elon’s words are calm but forceful. “She doesn’t belong to him. She belongs to us. And we’ll do whatever it takes to get her out.”

“Good,” I reply. “Once you have her out and safe, then you can come back for us.”

Levi thrusts out his hand, and I shake it. Followed by Elon and something unwinds in my chest. I have no idea if they’ll be successful, but I’m doubtful. What I know is that if they make a move, nothing will ever be the same. One way or the other, there’s no coming back.

No matter the consequences, I’m ready for the end.

18

Imogene

After leaving the cell I shared with Rex, I’m taken to a different wing in the Main House, this one on the ground floor. Panic shadows me with every step. Margaret says she’s taking me to Preparations, but she’s also the one that lured me out into the dead of night, marking me with Anex’s brand. She took my Collateral and handed it over to be revealed to the whole community.

She’s complicit, and I don’t trust her.

Down the hall, I see the black clad guards that are stationed at the double doors leading to the wing, these men—boys from the hunch of their shoulders—are new. “Are there more guards now?” I ask, the question slipping out.

“Recent events have made Anex increase his measures of security.”

I’d never even noticed the guards until I became one of the Chosen. I’d lived a blissful, ignorant life of what really made Serendee prosper. But the veil has been removed and now it’s all I can see.

“They seem young,” I note.