Page 20

The loudest screams are hidden in smiles.

Dinner was served outside in the garden, where lights cascaded down a willow tree and flowers covered the ground. The colors of the petals were so effervescent and bright, Khalani almost didn’t believe they were real.

The guests sat at a grand table, while several servants stood ten feet back with their hands clasped behind their backs. One of them nodded at Khalani when she approached and mimicked their position. Khalani breathed a sigh of relief.

At least she did something right.

The wives of the councilmen seated at the table were young, not much older than Khalani, wearing garish makeup and frilly dresses that hugged their waists and accented their cleavage.

Most of the councilmen were middle-aged and sat proudly in shining tuxedos.

At the head of the table was the Governor, the undeniable leader whose charisma and confidence overshadowed every other man in Genesis .

Alexander began the meal by saying, “Thank you for this evening, ladies and gentlemen. Let us feast.”

Only when Alexander took a bite of meat did the guests start digging into their food and drinking their wine. Plates were piled high with turkey, pork, and ham.

The rich scents reached Khalani’s nose, and she licked her lips. Watching them feast while her own stomach grumbled in pain was torturous.

Khalani couldn’t stop staring at the fat, cooked turkey on the grand table. She’d never eaten real meat before—very few in Apollo had. Artificial rat meat was considered a delicacy.

Did the cloned turkey know his purpose was to die and be eaten for tonight’s feast? Or was he blissfully ignorant of his upcoming demise?

Maybe that was sexist.

It could’ve been a girl turkey.

“I must confess that I’m awfully excited for the Tenth Anniversary Ball,” a woman with an obnoxiously large white feather in her hair interrupted Khalani’s thoughts.

Blonde curls tumbled around her youthful face, marred by over-applied pink blush and lipstick that stained her front teeth as she eagerly eyed the Governor.

“I’m sure there will be many beautiful sights to behold, Pruscilla.” Alexander Huxley smoothly sipped his wine.

Pruscilla giggled, completely smitten by his good looks, despite her husband seated beside her at the table.

Khalani wanted to barf in the pot of red roses behind her.

“The preparations for the ball are coming along nicely. We might even be ready ahead of schedule.”

Alexander Huxley tilted his head. “And we have the labor force according to plan, Borris?”

Councilman Borris hesitated, the confident bravado slipping, but he gave the Governor a respectful smile. “Absolutely, sir. Just as you ordered.”

Councilman Wyatt downed his drink, slamming the glass on the table. His wife flinched by his side.

Alexander’s cold eyes flickered up. “Something wrong, Wyatt? ”

“No, Governor,” Wyatt bit out, angrily cutting his meat.

An uncomfortable silence followed, and the Governor casually leaned back in his chair. Khalani and a few others gulped at his too-relaxed pose.

“Miss Kanes.” He suddenly turned to her. “Will you please grab the wine over here and refill Wyatt’s cup? He seems to be empty,” Alexander remarked in an eerily calm voice.

Khalani’s eyes widened as everyone turned to stare at her. She anxiously jumped to the white-clothed table holding five open wine bottles.

The weight of every stare rested on her as she approached the dining table and slowly poured wine into Wyatt’s glass.

Khalani glanced at the Governor, who concealed his expression behind his hand. A yelp made her flinch back, and Khalani realized she’d spilled some red wine on Wyatt’s suit.

“I’m so sorry. Forgive me, sir,” she said, completely mortified. She hastily grabbed a napkin and tried blotting the wine, which only spread the stain across his white shirt, making it worse.

Wyatt slammed his hands on the table and stood up.

“Governor Huxley, with all due respect, I don’t think it’s wise to have any more Braderhelm prisoners working as servants at the ball. Or anywhere in Genesis, for that matter. They should be disposed of. Just look at the mess this one is making.” Wyatt gestured his hand toward her, staring down at her with absolute disgust.

Everyone at the table froze in their seats. Some people held their forks midair, as if they feared the slightest motion would incite an explosion. Khalani held her breath, waiting for the punishment to come.

But no one was looking at her.

Everyone was staring at the Governor.

Alexander Huxley’s eyes sparked with antipathy, but he leaned back and smiled placidly, his perfect white teeth showing. It wasn’t friendly. It was like watching an animal toy with its prey before it went in for the kill .

“Miss Kanes,” his smooth voice echoed across the table. “My cup needs refilling too.”

Khalani stiffened, standing ramrod straight. She concentrated on breathing in and out as she walked to the head of the table. Despite the cooler weather, a bead of sweat formed on her forehead.

The Governor held out his glass, and Khalani used both hands as she poured, sure that her heart would explode any moment.

If she spilled anything, she might just lay on the ground and make it easy for him to bury her.

“Ah.” Alexander took a sip of the wine. “Thank you for your assessment, Wyatt. I’ve been thinking more about disposable things. Some of the Braderhelm prisoners may prove useful.” He gestured to Khalani with a nod of his glass, making her wish she could vanish into the fabric of her silk dress.

“Most, however, are expendable.” The Governor leaned forward, placing his glass down gently. “We plan to address this in light of recent events, as you know. But in reality, this is all a means to an end. Do you know what else is disposable? Unruly councilmen ,” he hissed, hostility seeping from his mouth like venom.

Before the words had fully left his lips, two of the Governor’s personal guards approached Wyatt’s chair.

“Come with us, sir,” they said flatly, hands resting on their guns.

Wyatt’s mouth fell open in disbelief as he turned to the Governor. “N-No. No. You can’t do this. I am a councilman of Apollo!”

Alexander took another leisurely sip of his wine and waved his hand dismissively. The guards pulled Wyatt out of his seat and dragged him from the table. Wyatt’s hollow cries echoed across the garden, screaming and kicking as he was carried away.

The guests sat deathly still.

Alexander Huxley was the only one who moved, casually grabbing another piece of meat for his plate. The next moment, a gunshot rang out in the garden, shattering the silence.

Khalani’s muscles completely froze as her mouth hung open. She glanced at Wyatt’s wife, still seated as she held her face in her hands, muted tears running down her face. Heads bowed, and no one dared to speak.

The quiet felt tangible. Physical.

Like an unseen hand wrapped around everyone’s throat, stealing their breath

The Governor cleared his throat, and Khalani whipped her head to the man who’d just executed his councilman without a second thought.

“Thank you for the drink, Miss Kanes. Quite tasty,” he quipped with a nod of dismissal.

She couldn’t nod. Her heartbeat thrashed in her chest, and she quickly stepped away to take her place next to the other servants.

Khalani didn’t realize the death grip she had on the wine bottle until she placed it back on the side table.

“I apologize for the unfortunate disturbance, ladies and gentlemen, but let us not spoil the festivities. Eat up,” the Governor commanded.

Forks raised, and food went into mouths, but no one spoke.

The women seemed to shrink into their chairs, while the other councilmen kept their eyes fixed on the tablecloth, their heads hung low. Khalani couldn’t tell if it was out of shame, fear, or submission, or perhaps a combination of all three, as everyone pretended nothing had happened.

Any lingering hope she had that the councilmen would come to their senses and help the people in Apollo was swiftly dashed. They dared not even stand up when one of their own was murdered.

Khalani and the other servants were soon directed back to the kitchen. Delicious-looking trays of cookies, sweets, and cakes were prepared for them to bring to the table. Her throat felt tight, and nausea crept in with each passing moment.

“You two.” The butler hastily gestured to Khalani and Serene. “Take the trash bags here through that door. There’s a large bin outside where you’ll deposit them. Hurry back.”

They quickly obeyed.

“Can you believe this?” Serene gasped as soon as they were out of earshot. “The Governor’s insane.”

“Keep your voice down,” Khalani admonished, glancing around nervously.

Her forearms ached as the plastic bags thudded against her legs. They soon found the large garbage bin outside. Khalani’s face scrunched up as a putrid odor wafted from the container.

“What the hell is that?” Serene’s face twisted.

Khalani lifted the top of the bin and peeked inside. The sight had her scrambling back, the container closing with a loud thud.

“What is—oh my God,” Serene whispered, her expression etched in horror as she opened the bin.

It was Councilman Wyatt’s dead body, thrown inside with the garbage. Blood pooled around his mouth, and his legs were bent in a position they weren’t supposed to be in.

She couldn’t get the image of his eyes out of her head. They were still open. The frozen shock embedded there, infinitely capturing his last horrifying moment.

“Why would they do this?”

”Because they’re animals,” Serene said through her teeth.

The sound of footsteps and harsh laughter made Khalani freeze. Serene quickly grabbed her arm and the trash bags, pulling her behind a line of bushes. They crouched just as two men emerged around the corner and stopped in front of them.

“See? There’s no one here, Bruce. You’re hearing shit again.”

Khalani held her breath as she peered through the bushes. Two guards stood a few feet away, built like stone pillars and carrying assault rifles.

“I could’ve sworn I heard someone. Maybe they saw the body,” the guard with a buzz cut said, casting a wary glance around.

The other guard shrugged but tightened his grip around the gun. “We could torture a few servants. Maybe one of them saw something.”

“Nah.” The guard sighed, exasperated, as Khalani and Serene exchanged wide-eyed looks. “Too much effort. Probably came from the party. Besides, I’m not in the mood for any more squealers tonight.”

“Wyatt should’ve gone out like a man. Too quick, and freaking bled everywhere. At least I had time to play with that scientist last week. What was his name? Victor? ”

“Vincent, idiot. And you still didn’t manage to break him. Kept babbling on about crop failure even after you cut off his fingers. Maybe you’re losing your touch, Dom.” The guard chuckled.

“Shut up.” Dom scowled. "If I got my hands on that Death-Zoner they locked up, he would’ve begged me to end his life.”

“Mhmm, sure.”

Bruce glanced both ways, and his voice lowered. “Did you see the equipment they recovered?”

Khalani and Serene leaned closer, straining to hear.

“—wouldn’t work. The Governor insisted we put it in his study. Don’t know why. It’s archaic junk.”

“Whatever. Let’s get back.” Their footsteps grated against the gravel as they disappeared out of sight.

Serene and Khalani waited a full minute before they emerged from their hiding spot. Adrenaline pumped through her body, thicker than blood.

“Did you he—”

“Shh,” Serene interrupted her. “They could come back. We need to go.”

Khalani trembled. No doubt if the guards spotted them, they’d be thrown dead into the bin along with Councilman Wyatt.

They busted through the house, hurrying back to the kitchen.

“Where have you two been? The guests are nearly finished with dessert.” The butler’s face was bright red as he charged at them.

She opened her mouth, but Serene beat her to it. “We got lost. We’re heading back now to assist. I just need to use the bathroom first, sir.”

“Use the servant’s one down the hall.”

“Someone has been in there a while. And I don’t think I can hold it anymore. Wouldn’t want to cause a mess in the Governor’s House, sir.” Serene’s face twisted like she was going to throw up.

“Agh, fine . Talk to the guard in the lobby. Tell him I sent you, and he’ll direct you to the one upstairs. You don’t go anywhere else,” the butler instructed .

The butler quickly ushered Khalani outside to refill drinks. She could feel the Governor’s eyes on her, but she deliberately didn’t make eye contact, praying he wouldn’t address her the rest of the night.

She positioned herself by the other servants, far from the governor. Her face melted with relief as Serene returned to the garden and stood beside her.

Serene’s body language was calm and composed, but her face held something different, a quiet determination and excitement that confounded her.

“Are you okay?” Khalani whispered.

“Later. Not here.” Serene stared straight ahead.

The sound of clinking glass tore her attention as the Governor stood up. “A final toast for the evening.”

The guests raised their glasses, even Wyatt’s wife, but her eyes were still blotched with smeared makeup.

“I would like to thank you all for joining me this wonderful night. I apologize for some of the excitement that took place.” He paused, looking at each of the councilmen.

Excitement.

Is that what serial killers were calling it nowadays?

“But I am deeply humbled at your continued support for the growth of Genesis and, indeed, the growth of all Apollo. When our ancestors look down upon us, I know they’ll be proud of all we have accomplished for the planet. I am excited to move forward and continue our important work and celebrate the rise of Genesis at the Anniversary Ball. Loyalty to Apollo!”

“Loyalty to Apollo!” the guests shouted into the night, and everyone downed their glass.

Khalani glared at each of them, hate filling the boundaries within her body. If there was anything she learned that evening, it was that no matter how moral and self-righteous people thought they were, the majority would turn their backs on evil, just as long as they weren’t on the receiving end of it.

She understood then that prison had forever changed her.

Because at that moment, Khalani wished she had poisoned the wine and killed them all.