“It was an official message. When I scan my wrist, the Pod will make an announcement. I don’t want you here for that.Go.” I pushed her into the throng of Minors.
She boarded the Pod, and our eyes locked, her jaw tight.Be safe,she mouthed. The doors closed and the weight of terror lifted as the Pod took off.
The back of my neck prickled, and I whirled around to find the large soldier watching me nearby. I clambered onto the last Pod, shoving my wrist under the scanner.
The announcement filled the air. I took a seat, the doors closing. The soldier tilted his head as he watched me, like he was sizing me up. I felt the air leave my lungs as the Pod shot up, the weight of that stare searing me the whole way.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
DID YOU MAKE IT TO THE LIVING QUARTERS?I messaged Lo.
I clutched my Comm Device to my chest. It dinged seconds later.
Yes, are you okay? Let me know when you get back.
I’m fine. I will.
Finewas easier than trying to describe the chaos raging in my heart. I was pretty sure I knew where I was heading. Only one person ever summoned me like this, and for once, I was okay with that.
The Pod stopped at the edge of the balcony of his private living quarters without visiting the Starlings first. I was in gray, my defect visible, but I couldn’t care less as I stormed across the balcony. After everything that had happened, I had no idea how I would face Collin, but I had questions for my Mate.
I entered the sitting room, the memory of the last time I had been here after the dinner crashing into me. So much had changed after that night.
“Can you tell me why the Elite Force was patrolling the Pods?” I demanded as I walked toward the sunken area, only to find Nora waiting for me instead of Collin, the same worn book in her hand.
“Hi, Emeline,” Nora responded. “I don’t know why they were there. I can contact Collin if you would like. He would know.”
“No,” I said quickly. “I mean, isn’t he the reason I am here?”
Nora closed the book gently, as if the seams might split at any moment, before standing, her evergreen long-sleeve dress shimmering in the dim lighting.
“Actually, I summoned you,” Nora said.
“Yousummoned me?”
“Yes, I did. I hijacked your evening. I bullied Phillip into it. Collin said he was giving you time, but I think you’ve had time enough. Not everyone likes to suffer alone. But you seem to have questions for Collin, not me.”
What answers could Nora give me? I crossed my arms, running my hands down my gray-clad arms.
“Are you upset? I can summon a Pod to take you back if you—if you don’t want to be here.”
“I’m in gray,” I muttered. It was a pathetic excuse. I liked Nora, but when I looked at her, all I saw was Collin.
“I don’t mind, Emeline. Collin had some clothes sent over from the Starlings for occasions like this. I can show you if you’d like.” Nora threaded her arm through mine. “Come on, you can change so you’re comfortable.”
We passed several doors before she took me into a stunning bedroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows sat on the far wall, letting the night sky spill into the room. A chandelier with crystals resembling delicate flowers cast playful light throughout the space, which was covered in soft ivories. A plush bed faced the windows, laden with cream pillows in various textures. It would be a dream to fall into it. A large vase of white peonies adorned the nightstand closest to me.
We walked into a dressing room, bigger than my entire living quarters, laden with exquisite fabrics in all sorts of colors. In the center of the room was a large pouf. The back wall was filled with clutches and shoes of varying heights.
Nora handed me an amber, long-sleeve gown, much like the green one she wore, and selected a pair of matching satin slippers. I held the dress and shoes awkwardly. The color reminded me of starburst amber eyes. I bit my lip, staring expectantly at her.
“You can change here, I don’t mind, but if you want privacy, that door”—she gestured to a door leading away from the room—“leads to your bathing chamber.”
My brows raised. “Mychamber?” I had assumed these were Nora’s quarters.
“Of course,” she said. “This is your room, Emeline. All of this is for you, for when you are in the procreation phase, which we will have to avoid discussing for the entirety of our friendship. I do not wish to hear about my brother.”
In the beginning, I could picture procreation with Collin. After the kiss, a part of me had wanted it. Now, seeing what he had done, his role as the Enforcer . . . I couldn’t fathom how I was supposed to go forward with the contract. Violet’s words rang through me:You are the only non-Elite with access to the Illum.
