I know that Nico will insist that Mars still opens his gifts and eats the family Christmas dinner, even though I have been sent away.
I was never allowed to be part of the celebrations anyway. But I know how hard things will be for Mars.
I may not have been broken, but will my brother have been?
I force myself not to think about Mars right now. It’s too hard.
My favorite Rogue Worker, Colette, saunters to the bars and leans on them.
It makes my chest tighten that she is around Mars’ age.
How long has she been locked up here that she has already been able to work herself up to the position of trusted Worker?
Colette is small with honey eyes and blond hair that is pulled back in a smart ponytail. Her face is open and kind. She is dressed the same as I am but with the added authority — perk — of a warm violet jacket.
Except, she is an Omega.
It hits me hard in the guts.
She reminds me of the Omegas who I would see being dragged into the dank rooms along from my own basement room…terrified and weeping…in Adonis Hall.
“Hey, Sev, did you forget that it was Christmas?” Colette kneels in front of the bars. “Do you want me to sing you a carol and make it more festive?”
“Oh, is that today’s torture? Can we skip to the stress positions? How about you just flip that?” I gesture with my chin at the black switch on the outside of the bars that will send an electric current through my cell.
Colette shudders in a way that makes me horrifyingly sure that she also knows what it is like to be electrocuted. “Don’t even joke about that. The staff are celebrating with their packs today. Relax and enjoy the break from their attentions. I wish that I at least had some holly to cheer up this place. I’m breaking the rules but I’m still going cell to cell to make sure that no one is fully alone, you know? Not today.”
See, kind.
I’ve never had anyone but Mars and Nico who put themselves at risk for me.
Is Colette my friend? I haven’t had one of those before.
This new connection is dangerous. I shouldn’t be makingfriends.
How has Colette held onto her compassion in a place like this?
“How long have you been here, Col?” I ask.
Her smile falls. “I don’t know. I was tiny when I was brought here. How old do I look? A high schooler?”
I swallow, blanking my expression.
I want to punch something.
“More like college, maybe a year older,” I reply.
Colette’s face falls. “Oh.”
When she blinks rapidly, I know that it’s to make sure that the tears on her eyelashes don’t fall.
“What does it matter?” I say without thinking, moving as close to the bars as I can to make sure that we’re not overheard. “These knotheads have stolen years of your life, but you’re stillyou. Caring andgood. They can’t take that away.”
“They took my brother,” Colette replies, quietly. “My pack.”
“How?”
Colette rests her head against the bars. “My parents had the most loving bond. We were a happy family. My Beta brother was amazing. Do you have siblings?”
