Page 27

My fury extends without the presence of wind or the lash of a whip. It’s silent, corrupting, and makes you bleed all the same.

Khalani’s hands tapped restlessly against the scratchy black material chafing her thigh. Her body briefly listed to the side as the Genesis elevator lifted her and the remaining prisoners toward the cavernous ceiling of Apollo.

Tension hung in the air like a noose coiled around their necks.

Unyielding. Relentless.

She glanced around at the other prisoners, dressed in the same provocative black dress or black pants and matching button-down shirts, eyes wide with apprehension.

Her muscles coiled tight as the beautiful Genesis meadow came into view. The waterfall roared in the distance and the sun shone radiantly. Each prisoner, and even a handful of guards, held their mouths open in amazement at the glimmering city and expansive dome beyond.

She was no longer spellbound by the sheer beauty. Cruelty can be masked by pastel paint. Khalani saw through it all, straight to the rotten core .

On the grassy surface of Genesis, they waited for the rest of the surviving prisoners—about 100 in total—to be brought up. Nearly every guard from Braderhelm was assigned to keep a strict watch on the prisoners, armed to the teeth and ready to shoot anyone who dared to escape.

Takeshi’s intimidating presence loomed at the front, danger lurking beneath his vigilant gaze.

Khalani placed herself as far from him as possible. Judging by the way Takeshi’s jaw clenched and his eyes sliced her apart, it hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“Let’s go.” Takeshi’s large frame strode forward with assured dominance, as if a boulder would even move out of his path.

The citizens of Genesis whispered and avoided the prisoners, who rolled through the streets like a black tidal wave ready to engulf them.

Twinkling lights hung across the streetlamps and were fixed to windows in celebration, while the domed sky shimmered with pinks and purples as the sun set over the city.

The city hall stood in the center of Genesis, a grandiose building with hundreds of ivory steps leading to its doors. Khalani craned her neck to look up at the colossal marble statue in front of the building.

It depicted a very naked man with a chiseled body that left nothing to the imagination. His muscles were sculpted to perfection as he looked out over the city like a valiant conqueror.

A golden sign before the jaw-dropping structure read “Statue of David.”

Khalani’s eyes widened as they entered City Hall. An exquisite ballroom lay before them, radiating wealth and power. The interior was vast, with high vaulted ceilings adorned with shimmering lights and walls draped in magnificent flowers. Even the floor seemed layered in gold.

Hundreds of ornate tables were arranged on both sides of the room, with the central area left clear for dancing. Servants rushed around the ballroom, placing giant floral centerpieces and smoothing out golden tablecloths .

The air savored of sweet fragrances and ambrosial offerings, unabashedly displaying prestige and authority like they were hors d’oeuvres to relish.

Takeshi turned to address the prisoners, his face granite smooth and his lips set into a hard line, seemingly unimpressed with the brazen display of wealth.

“All prisoners will head to the kitchen over there to receive your assignments from Arthur.” He called several guards to go with the prisoners, and the rest of the guards stayed for a debrief.

Despite her fury and resentment, she couldn’t help but make eye contact with him as she passed, and in that one look, layers of resentment billowed between them. She was the bitter frost and Takeshi the hostile flames, endlessly clashing and forever locked in battle.

Khalani’s hands fisted at her sides, trying to bury her emotions toward Takeshi in the deepest abyss of her mind.

The kitchen was five times the size of the one in the Governor’s mansion. The smell of spices and delicious foods filled the air, making her mouth water. Audible growls of empty stomachs sounded from the prisoners around her.

Arthur, the Governor’s butler, entered the room in a flurry, dressed impeccably in a black tuxedo, not a hint of dullness on his shiny bald head, his coattail trailing behind him.

“Okay, everyone!” He clapped his hands. “There’s much to do and not enough time to do it! The guests will arrive in an hour, and we need plates, food, decorations, and drinks finished setting up.”

He grabbed a list and called each prisoner’s number to a particular station. Khalani waited for her number to be called, but Arthur folded the paper with a flourish.

“No more dawdling. Report to your stations!”

She frowned, approaching him. “Um, excuse me, sir. I didn’t receive an assignment.”

Arthur scrutinized her. “What’s your number?”

“317. The name is Khalani Kanes. I served at the Governor’s mansion not too long ago. ”

“Ah yes…I remember you.” Arthur flipped through the paper. “I see it here. The Governor has specifically selected you to be his table’s servant for the evening.”

She recoiled. “Excuse me?”

“You’ll serve the head table, the round one in the center. It’s a tremendous honor but comes with huge responsibility. You can help set up drinks for now, but once the guests arrive, you are glued to the Governor’s every need. Mess up, and it is likely your death.” With that lovely parting gift, Arthur walked away, yelling at someone about burning the bread.

Khalani stood immobile, unable to close her mouth.

Why was the universe constantly pulling her closer to the one man she loathed with every facet of her being? What did he want with her?

Pressure rose inside her chest, but she couldn’t let those emotions overcome her focus or let the Governor’s presence distract her from the plan. Tonight, they would contact Hermes and find a way out of hell.

The guards framed the walls like a mural, and she felt their cruel gazes scan over her body, but Takeshi was nowhere to be seen.

The next hour passed at lightning speed and, before she knew it, she stood posted at the head table, waiting for the guests to enter.

An orchestra composed of only men entered the room in crisp suits. They sat in the far corner with poise and grace as they readied their instruments. A light, airy tune sounded throughout the ballroom.

A myriad of people dressed in luxurious gowns and tuxedos began to flood the space. Butlers escorted guests to their seats as excited chatter and boisterous laughter filled the room.

She stood in silence, anxiously awaiting the Governor’s arrival. Ten minutes passed, and every seat was filled except for her table.

Then, a raucous wave of applause erupted from the guests, silencing all conversation as Alexander Huxley entered the ballroom.

He wore an immaculate gold suit, his hair slicked back, and his aura exuded strength and confidence .

It was easy to be drawn in by him. Even Khalani couldn’t tear her eyes away from his handsome features and perfect smile that would make any sane person fall crazy in love.

He was flanked by two beautiful women hanging onto his arms, beaming with awe-struck smiles.

Behind him were three councilmen, nodding at guests as they passed by, but all attention was fixated solely on the Governor—a mix of adoration, lust, and worship in people’s gazes.

Her lips screwed together as he ventured closer.

The guests didn’t know he’d recently murdered countless prisoners, but they wouldn’t care. The Governor had long completed the breakdown of the people, for he did no wrong in their eyes.

If it sounded bad, the denials were abundant. Even if it were true, they would claim the governor had every right to act accordingly.

Cowards, the lot of them.

Alexander Huxley approached the table slowly, like a viper waiting to strike. “Ah, Miss Kanes. A pleasure to see you again.”

She swallowed tightly and forced herself to smile. “Thank you, sir. It’s an honor to serve here tonight.”

The two beautiful girls flanking the Governor were striking in their attire. One had silky platinum blonde hair and wore a shiny yellow dress with a plunging neckline. The other girl wore an emerald green ballgown, her stunning red locks cascading over her breasts.

“Aren’t you gonna pull out the chairs for us?” the woman in the yellow dress sneered.

Her teeth clenched, but Khalani held her emotions in check and only gave a terse nod. She begrudgingly pulled out the seats for each one of the guests, but when she went behind the Governor’s chair, he waved his hand in dismissal.

“I think I can pull my own chair, Miss Kanes. It’s a beautiful night to celebrate, don’t you think?” Alexander’s eyes flickered to her as he stood beside the table, giving her a knowing smile.

The Governor was far too smart not to be aware she hated Genesis. She was convinced he liked making people answer questions they didn’t want to. He liked that sort of control.

“I’m sure it’ll be a night to remember.” She gulped as he shifted closer.

The Governor slowly grinned, his piercing blue gaze sending chills down her spine. “Indeed.”

A ball of knots twisted in her chest as the Governor gracefully sat down and conversation resumed in the ballroom. She could hardly breathe with him this close.

“I think I’ll start with a bottle of red wine. Ladies, would you like some wine or champagne?” Alexander asked with a disarming grin.

The girl with red hair licked her lips flirtatiously. “I will drink whatever you are having, Great Governor.”

“The same for me.” The other woman’s eyes roved down the Governor as if she were mentally undressing him.

She was going to bash her own head with the bottle of wine before the night was over.

Alexander chuckled, turning back to her, but she noticed the smile didn’t reach his eyes. They were conspicuously blank.

“Make that two bottles of red wine. And whatever my fellow council members want.” He waved his hand dismissively.

Khalani nodded and escaped as quickly as possible. The Governor’s energy was like glue fastening to her skin. She let out the breath her lungs were holding as she walked into the kitchen.

“We picked out a spot to send the message,” Serene whispered behind her shoulder.

Khalani whirled, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. “Where?”

“Adan found a storage room to send the signal. After food is served and they are distracted dancing, meet in here, and we’ll sneak—”

“You two! Get back out there!” Arthur yelled.

Startled, Khalani kicked into overdrive mode and hastily brought the drinks to the Governor’s table, trying to control her erratic breathing. The smell of artificial steak and chicken hung over the air, and she forced herself not to stare at the food as she stood a few feet from the table in silence, hunger pangs clawing her stomach .

Khalani turned her head at the sound of a commotion.

“You pathetic imbecile! I asked for my steak well-done!” an old woman with garish makeup and a thick, lilac dress shouted at one of the female prisoners.

“Sorry, miss. I will get another,” the prisoner apologized, reaching for the food.

“I don’t want your dirty hands touching my plate! Send someone else for my food. Someone competent.” The wrinkled lady flicked her hand in disgust like the girl was a fly that needed to be swatted.

“ Get it yourself then ,” the girl spat out.

Two guards suddenly appeared behind the prisoner, holding a taser to her neck. The girl started seizing and fell to the ground in a heap. She was still convulsing and making low-moaning sounds as the guards dragged her away.

The musicians began to play louder, and the guests switched their attention away from the tortured girl, continuing to laugh and converse as if nothing happened.

She hated all of them. Every single one.

“The planning for the ball came along nicely, Borris. You should be commended for your diligent work,” one of the councilmen said, stuffing an abnormally large piece of chicken into his mouth.

Borris bowed his head in appreciation. “Thank you. We worked hard to reflect the momentous occasion for our beloved city.”

“It’s hard to imagine life before Genesis.” The red-haired lady shivered. “The fact that we used to live underground with those dirty people, the same people who protested the very construction of the great dome. It disgusts me.”

The blonde nodded in agreement and waved her empty glass at Khalani. She stepped forward to fill the glass, clutching the bottle with a vice-like grip.

“If those protesters had helped build the dome, it would’ve at least given their pathetic lives some meaning. They got what was coming to them.”

Khalani’s thoughts turned murderous, and her hands visibly shook as she visualized taking the bottle and smashing it across the girl’s face .

She’d enjoy watching the blood spray across her hands and coat the golden floor, enough to paint a mural out of.

With all the self-discipline she could muster, she refilled the girl’s glass without causing bodily harm. No small feat.

“And what do you think of that assessment, Miss Kanes?” Alexander Huxley held his fingers over his mouth, obscuring his sly smile as he studied her, as if he knew of her violent imaginings and liked it.

“The opinions of a prisoner don’t have meaning in Genesis, sir.” She placed the wine bottle down with a loud thud.

“How cute of you to think your opinions matter anywhere.” The woman in the yellow dress chortled.

“You can shut up now, Francine.” The Governor’s sharp tone cut through the air, and Francine sank deep into her chair, her mouth hanging open.

Silence descended on the table.

The Governor’s gaze never strayed from hers. “We’re on the edge of our seats, waiting for your answer,” he pressed.

Khalani swallowed. A carefully laid trap was placed before her, clearly visible, but she couldn’t find a way out.

“She’s clearly too stupid to speak,” the redhead scoffed.

Khalani narrowed her eyes and dared to let out a single ounce of emotion. “I think those protesters killed were worth more in their middle fingers than every person on Genesis combined.” The words dripped from her like venom.

Saying it aloud felt better than she’d imagined. She mentally prepared herself for the punishment surely coming her way. Everyone’s jaw dropped to the floor, except for Alexander Huxley.

He smirked, as if she were his toy of amusement.

“How dare you?!” The woman’s face nearly matched the color of her red hair as she turned to the Governor. “I demand that this prisoner be killed for disrespect.”

“You demand? ” the Governor asked in a dangerously low voice.

Fear overtook her expression. “N-No, forgive me. Not demand. I only humbly request. She doesn’t deserve to be alive any longer for her appalling disrespect to you,” she quickly explained. Francine smartly kept her mouth shut, cowering in her chair.

Alexander tapped his finger on the table, looking deep in thought. No one dared move, the discomfort thicker than the ground they stood on.

“Deserving.” The Governor tasted the word. “That’s interesting. Let me ask you, Nora, what have you ever done to deserve living on the surface?”

Nora drew back at his cool glare and responded in a shaky voice, “My father owns many stores in Apollo. I’m a higher-class citizen.”

Alexander snorted, but no humor lay in his sharp gaze. “Stupid girl. You don’t deserve any respect because your kind never appreciated the land you are on and those who work to preserve it. One more word out of you tonight, and I’ll send your pathetic father that lovely little tongue gift-wrapped.”

Nora’s face paled, eyes widening in terror.

“And you.” Alexander turned to Khalani. “Your quips may amuse me but don’t forget whom you serve, or I’ll give you a lesson as a reminder. And I don’t think you’d be as fond of my teachings as you are of others.” His cryptic, icy-blue eyes narrowed.

Paranoia exploded inside her at the Governor’s choice of words. She trembled along with everyone seated at the table.

“Well then!” the Governor exclaimed, startling the group. “Enough of this serious talk! I believe it’s time to get this party started.” He stood and walked to the center of the ballroom.

Enthusiastic chatter slowly died down along with the music as a servant handed the Governor a microphone.

Khalani backed away from the immobilized table, her skin crawling as his eerie words stayed with her.

“Hello, my beautiful subjects! I must say that you all look radiant tonight, especially you ladies.”

Multiple women giggled, but Nora and Francine silently stared at the ground, expressions shuttered, as if they were trapped in a nightmare.

“Many years ago, no one thought we’d be standing on this hallowed ground today. But here we are, on the surface of the earth, safely protected by the Genesis dome. Ten years have passed, and Genesis continues to be a beacon of light and hope for all Apollo.”

Cheers extended throughout the ballroom, and the Governor held out his hands, quieting the crowd.

“Before the Collapse, our ancestors were rife with greed, selfishness, and ignorance. Unfortunately, those qualities have not fully disappeared from our cities. As expected, of course, change does happen slowly.” Alexander chuckled, and the people laughed, unaware that he insulted them.

“Nonetheless, Genesis remains a wondrous city, and this is a momentous day. I shall not bore you any longer. Let us dance tonight, for wise is the man who is grateful for each day, knowing it might be his last.”

Khalani frowned, sensing that every word from the governor carried a hidden purpose, a motive she couldn’t quite grasp.

His chilling gaze shifted to her, and she looked away, her nerves crawling with apprehension.

To everyone else, he was a divine savior, but she saw the truth beneath the alluring surface, down to the treacherous foundation beneath.

Chairs scraped against the floor, and the mindless chatter about the Governor’s generosity and hospitality grated on her nerves. Guests made their way to the dance floor, pairing up as the orchestra began a waltz.

Khalani stacked the plates from the now-empty table a bit too harshly as she hurried back to the kitchen.

It was time to contact Hermes.

Her skin prickled as she felt someone watching her, like fingers trailing down her spine. She glanced over her shoulder and did a double-take.

Takeshi Steele stood in the shadows of the wall, his dark gaze boring into her. The sharp lines of his face stood out, and she fought the urge to march over there and tell him to take his spying ass somewhere else.

His brows began to lower, and Takeshi’s face turned scarier with each passing second. She frowned as his hand inched closer to where she knew his gun was hidden, readying himself.

For what?

“Quite an interesting night so far.”

The honey-smooth voice slithered behind her shoulder, and her muscles locked with tension. She reluctantly turned and found herself face-to-face with Alexander Huxley. He towered over her, and up close, his presence was even more captivating and bewitching. Dangerous.

“Very,” she said in a clipped tone.

The corner of his mouth turned up. “You hate me, don’t you, Miss Kanes?”

Her hands shook as she turned her attention back to the table, arranging the plates furiously to get the hell out of there.

“That’s not true, Governor Huxley.”

Words severe enough didn’t exist in English to encompass her hate for him.

He chuckled. “You can cut the pretense. I don’t have the patience for such frivolities.”

“What do you want from me? To slowly torture me before you inevitably kill me?” The burning question slipped out as she took a harrowing breath.

“Quite the opposite.” He edged closer. “I have lived a long time, Miss Kanes. Do you know what I have constantly searched for?”

“Morality?”

His eyes narrowed imperceptibly as she turned to face him. That appeared to strike a nerve.

“Unpredictability. I long for variability in this monotonous play, and you, Khalani, provide that much more than any of these blubbering, shortsighted, mindless constituents living on Genesis.”

She flinched at the sound of her name coming from his deceptive lips. “You shouldn’t say that about your people. ”

“They were never my people.” A darkness flickered over his expression.

Khalani drew back and froze, like she was trapped in a venomous web.

He loomed over her, studying her with a predator’s unwavering attention. “There are few things in common between us, Khalani. Fewer than you realize. But our hatred for this city is a thread that connects us.”

She didn’t want to have anything in common with him.

“You’re…you’re wrong.”

He grinned. “Ah, there it is. Denial. A consistent hallmark of emotion. Let me ask, what has Apollo done for you other than reap destruction in your life?”

Blood rushed to her face, and the hatred she bottled began to pour out. “Destruction by your hand. Under your rule, my parents died, and I was sentenced to Braderhelm Prison…you took everything away from me.”

“Death is but a cycle in life.” Alexander flicked his hand. “You are born just to die, and that’s the human curse. But it was not I that took your life or your parents’ lives. It was the people that came before you. If destruction is in the equation, peace can never be the outcome. The people who lived on the surface fooled themselves into believing otherwise, and they selfishly destroyed their lives and the lives of every future generation. Your ancestors destroyed your life, not me. I am but a catalyst to bring about necessary change.”

“And what change is that?”

His eyes flickered with antipathy as he bent to whisper in her ear, “Taking destruction out of the equation.”

The harsh lines on her forehead deepened as the Governor stepped away, his perfect mask back in place. “You should get back to your duties, Miss Kanes.”

She numbly nodded, grabbing the plates and walking as fast as possible toward the kitchen. She felt Takeshi’s gaze on her the whole time but kept going. That was all she could do .

Her mind raced. Everything was somehow connected. The crop failures, Genesis, the killings, the Governor—she just didn’t know how. The truth was beyond her grasp.

The kitchen was crowded with prisoners. She craned her neck and finally spotted Serene, Derek, and Adan in the back corner.

“Hey.” Khalani practically ran at them.

“Where the hell have you been?” Serene asked.

Adan shook his head. “Explanations later. We don’t have much time.”

They nodded and left out a side door in the kitchen. They moved down a dimly lit hallway away from the ballroom, and Adan opened an inconspicuous wooden door.

“Hurry, get in.”

They shuffled in, and Derek closed the door, plunging them into complete darkness. Someone switched on a light, revealing a cramped room where their heads nearly brushed the ceiling, with a large trashcan occupying most of the space.

“The janitor’s closet?” Serene sniffed her nose in disgust.

“Oh, I’m sorry, were you preferring the palace?”

“This works! Let’s hurry.” Khalani brushed a shaking hand through her hair.

Adan pulled out the walkie from his back pocket. He lifted the antenna and breathed heavily.

“Here we go.” He pushed a button, and a light on the walkie turned green, a weird buzzing noise reverberating from the machine.

Khalani swallowed excessively and shifted back and forth in the confined space. They waited.

Two minutes.

Five minutes.

“What’s taking so long?” Derek asked.

“I told you. It will take some time for the signal to reach Hermes. It’s a long distance. It should be reaching them any minute, though.” Adan anxiously gripped the walkie, his nerves showing through.

All of a sudden, someone knocked on the door .

They all froze in utter fear, and Khalani held a finger to her lips in silence and turned off the lamp, pitching them into darkness.

Don’t open the door.

Don’t open the door.

Don’t open the door.

The knob slowly started to turn and her insides twisted in panic. They quietly sank to the ground, praying they wouldn’t be noticed in the dark. The door creaked open, and a tall figure entered the room, their face hidden.

The stranger flicked on the lamp, and light flooded the space, revealing Takeshi.

“What are you doing here?” she forcefully whispered, standing up.

He glared at the four of them, shutting the door as his giant frame filled the tight space.

“I should be asking you the same question.” He folded his arms over his chest, waiting for an explanation.

She racked her brain for a believable lie, but nothing could explain why they were hidden in a closet, holding a walkie-talkie, with blatant fear in their eyes. The only option left was the truth.

“Apollo’s in trouble, Takeshi. We’re trying to save it.”

“Is that so? You have approximately two seconds to explain.” Takeshi glared down at her with fury, and she found the courage to continue under his disarming gaze.

“Derek used to work at the R&R Labs. The crops are dying. That’s why they killed those prisoners. And it’s going to keep happening until we’re all dead. We’re contacting Hermes for help.”

The lines on his forehead deepened as he processed her words. “That can’t be true. They wouldn’t let the food supply be destroyed.”

“They’ve been lying to you. I need you to trust me.”

“What you’re saying is impossible, Kanes. You all need to go back before someone notices your missing.”

“No, Takeshi!” A weight like lead dropped in her stomach. “You have to listen to me!”

Takeshi opened his mouth to argue.

And then, a voice came through the walkie.