“Come,” Tabitha ordered, walking in front of me. I followed, even as everything told me to run.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
IFELT I MIGHT BE SICK AS I ENTERED THE TEAROOM. ONCE, Ihad imagined having my tea on a beautiful flower-adorned table and chair, drinking from a delicate teacup. Before me was everything I had once wanted. A full tea service on the table with a large pyramid of gold-dusted chocolates.
The Illum will find out, and they will not allow it. They will ensure you never get it.
“Please, sit.” Tabitha took a seat at a small table before pouring the tea. “You prefer bubbles, but we should keep our wits about us for this.” She smiled, winking at me. “Come, sit. Now.”
She didn’t even raise her voice, but the command had me moving. The crystals on my gown dragged heavily across the floor and dug into my thighs as I took my seat, but I let the pain anchor anything left of me.
“Please, drink and enjoy.” She gestured to the tray of chocolates. “These are your favorite, right?”
I nodded, my gaze locked on the blood on her front.
“I apologize,” she said, gesturing to the gown. “I forget how they bleed. He wouldn’t give me the information I wanted. It took some persuasion. Have a chocolate.”
I reached out, grabbing one. I didn’t eat it. I wasn’t sure if I would ever feel hungry again. What had they done to Hal to cause so much blood?
“I have to admit, I found myself ”—she paused—“disappointed when Collin decided not to have a trial for you. He expressed his intense desire to capture the Reaper for me instead. Said that putting you through the paces would be a distraction for him. It was a waste. The Elite need entertainment, you see. You are an anomaly in the clouds. You are of the utmost interest to everyone. Your treat is melting.”
The chocolate was gooey beneath my sweaty fingers. I placed the chocolate on the table, staining it, unable to stomach it.
Tabitha tilted her head as she continued. “It felt wasted until I realized I could conduct my own trial for you while Collin chased the Reaper. It would be creative. You excelled beyond even my expectations, all while being blissfully unaware.”
My brows shot up.
Tabitha smiled at me. “F13463233. You will restore our peace. You have primed us to destroy everyone who is standing against us. And how beautiful of a view you will have as you watch us dismantle this rebellion. Because, if you even attempt to help them, M13672314, or Hal, as I believe you call him, will be eliminated. Your spying has ended.”
I couldn’t breathe.
“Finally, a trial from Collin. I agreed with it, incredibly clever. He said you were extraordinarily obedient.”
I couldn’t make sense of her words, my thoughts too quick, ever changing, swirling around me until I couldn’t pick one out from the other.
“Don’t look so morose. The other Illum, Charles in particular, had petitioned for your instant elimination now that we have the Reaper. No foresight, men.” Tabitha chuckled, and it felt like nails gouging down my body. “If I were to eliminate you now, it would be a mercy to you, and I would lose the leverage on the Reaper and his pathetic followers. We cannot have that. Plus, there is no fun in it. Death is so quick. I learned that the hard way the first time.”
“He will not help you,” I said. Hal wouldneverhelp them.
“But he will. You see, we have tried to show you all that these emotions make things messy. We provided you with roles, Mates, sustenance. We maintain stability through these resources. Everything you could need to survive. We have given you order. But it isn’t enough for you.” She smiled viciously at me, her tea untouched. “It is never enough. You insist on letting these emotions dictate your lives. So we capitalize on your inability to see reason. M13672314 told us you were just another faceless Minor. But then I pulled your chip and ordered them to eliminate you. Oh, it is a shame you missed the way he begged. How quickly he fell apart. Pathetic, really, to ruin my fun so quickly.” Tabitha shook her head. “The rumors were true—a woman had derailed the rebellion. The Reaper had fallen in love.”
That couldn’t be true. She was wrong.
“Do you like games, Emeline?” Tabitha asked.
“No,” I whispered.
“That is too bad, because I have a game for you. You will help me now.”
I shook my head as horror rolled through me.
“No, you will. If you don’t—if you fight—I will eliminate him. He will help me because if not, I will eliminate you.” Tabitha grinned, savoring my fear. “The game is simple. Who loves whom more. The winner lives and the loser dies.”
My hands shook. She noted it. “The other part of my trial was Collin. You are creating the most splendid Illum member. Eradicating the little humanity, hope, and kindness he had left. Leaving him capable of capturing his true power and strength. The suggestions he gave us last night . . . they were quite creative.”
This all couldn’t be true. I had thought I was choosing my own path. A side I believed in.
“I don’t understand.” My pulse rammed against my skin.
