“You lost our weapon and put her in the hands of the rebels.”
“She will come back,” I say.
A vicious look crosses his face, teeth locked tight in a grimace. “Why are you so certain?”
She looked me in the eye, and she said she would come back for me. I do not understand her attachment to me, but I will use it against her. I can see our memories together, but they don’t quite register. I feel no form of sentiment towards her. She seemed upset when Clover reached for me. She acted as if I belonged to her when I told her that the engagement was nullified.
“I know her,” I say. “She will return.”
My mind is clear now. My objective is set. Any weakness of hers that I find, I will exploit it.
“She is dangerous,” the Supreme Director continues. “They will use her against us.”
“I will bring her back,” I say. “Alive.”
I wait for his permission. The Supreme Director rises. His gaze is frigid and scrutinous.
“Do you care for her?” he asks, sternly. “Will Haven Warrick distract you from your responsibilities?”
“No, sir.”
A knock sounds, and he calls for the person to enter.
My eyes widen in surprise at my mother’s appearance. Like my father, she hasn’t set foot in the Forge since my graduation ceremony.
“Hello, dear,” she says, appraising me like I am a foreign species and not her son.
Norah Vale has always been as frosty as a winter storm. For so long, I resented her for not caring about me when the other mothers fawned and preened over their children. Her fair hair is swept into a sleek ponytail, and her white blazer and trousers shine with sophistication. I wait to feel the rush of anger, but all I feel is an empty, bottomless indifference.
“Hello, Mother,” I respond.
“Your father says he fixed you,” she says. “And those pesky distractions that torment you are gone.”
“I feel clear-headed,” I agree. “And my purpose is set.”
“The Bind balances your emotions, but your memories will be a hindrance,” the Supreme Director says. “Your mother has come to fix that.”
My mother stares at me with her ice-blue eyes.
“That is not necessary,” I say. “I bear no attachments to the enemy. I will marry Clover Ashford as promised.”
“This is the second phase of compliance,” he says. “Your mother will fix the other soldiers who have also been upgraded.”
I swallow, unsettled by the thought of my mother in my head. She hasn’t done this since I was a child.
“I’m too old for this,” I say. “The answer is no. You do not have my permission.”
I don’t want to refuse the Supreme Director, but I don’t like the sensation of her crawling in my mind. There have been times I kissed Haven, and I don’t want her to be privy to those moments. The past doesn’t matter.
“This is not optional,” the Supreme Director says coldly. “Do it, Norah.”
My mother approaches me slowly and cautiously. I retreat until my back hits the wall. I want to do more, to curse and fight, but that is not appropriate behavior. Those feelings are not calm and reasonable. Part of me doesn’t want this, but another part wants to comply.
“It won’t hurt, sweetling,” she whispers. “It’ll be just like last time.”
“Don’t make me,” I say hoarsely. “I don’t want this.”
My fists are clenched by my side. I could shove past her and leave, but my body refuses to react so irrationally. Every inch of me demands to serve.
