Page 72 of Us Dark Few

The girl gave a half-smile. “I’m Fiora. That’s Jack.” She pointed toward the short boy, who lifted his head in greeting. “Jack had his tongue cut out shortly after he got sentenced to Braderhelm. He can’t talk,” Fiora explained.

Khalani inwardly shivered. She ran her tongue over the roof of her mouth to ensure it was still there.

As the streets began to clear, tall metallic lampposts along the road lit up. Khalani lifted her gaze in wonder as the sun dipped lower, casting a multicolored sky that shifted from the brightest blue to a pinkish hue with hints of lilac. She nearly tripped over her heels as she kept staring at the dome.

If Khalani was alone, she’d lie in the middle of the street, back against the cobblestone. She’d study the buckets of color in the night sky and simply breathe.

Khalani rubbed her fingers down her arms as the guards guided them away from the imposing buildings, and they started down a long, winding gravel path.

Her mouth fell open when her eyes fixated on an enormous white mansion supported by giant pillars.

The house was too big for one person to live in.

Or twenty.

“That’s the Governor’s house,” Fiora whispered, answering the unspoken question. “It’s a replica of an old leader’s house before the Great Collapse. They called it the White House because they couldn’t come up with something more clever.”

“How do you know all this?” Khalani asked.

“I used to be a teacher before I got jailed in Braderhelm. Kids always asked questions about it, so I learned as much as possible. This is my third time serving on Genesis.” Fiora shrugged.

Khalani had more questions forming on her tongue, but her lips formed a grim line as they neared the entrance.

Multiple security guards lined the path, assault rifles at the ready. Their bodies were as still as statues, except for their eyes, which tracked the prisoners with an unsettling intensity, making her want to wrap herself in a thick cloak.

They marched up the mansion steps to an extravagant golden door. One of the guards gave three solid knocks on the door and waited.

“Follow orders, or you’re dead.” The final warning came just before a butler opened the door.

The butler was a short man who appeared not too far off from the mandatory euthanization age. He had a shiny, bald head and was dressed in an immaculate suit.

“Good evening. Governor Huxley is expecting you. Do come in.” The butler opened the door wider for them.

The first thing Khalani noticed was a grand chandelier hanging over the foyer. The crystals gleamed in the light and highlighted the luxury of the room. The floor was made of white marble with a goldGinsignia etched in the center. Two guards stood at the top of the double staircase in the background, eyeing them dangerously.

“Welcome to the Governor’s house.” The butler held out his hands as he turned to them. “Guards, please proceed up these stairs and talk with Captain Strauss. He is the head of security here. The four of you, please follow me to the kitchen.”

The butler whirled around, marching through the center of the foyer, and the prisoners hastily followed him.

A painting of a woman in a black dress hung in the center of the wall, a strange smile highlighting her face. Khalani had a peculiar urge to stop and inspect it, but she had no choice but to follow the butler down the hall.

The butler pushed open a swinging door that almost banged Khalani in the face when it kicked back. They entered a spacious kitchen filled with unfamiliar culinary equipment and servants running around frantically.

She instantly started salivating at the sweet aroma of food.

“Pick up the pace, people!” the butler yelled to the kitchen staff.

The staff kicked it up to turbo speed, pulling food out of multiple ovens quickly and running toward a dozen metallic refrigerators. It was controlled chaos.

The butler turned, studying the four of them closely. “You prisoners are here to help serve tonight. Remember these rules because your life depends on them. Do not talk to any of the guests unless asked a direct question. You are to be invisible, there to help deliver drinks or food, then fade into the background. If you have any questions, come and ask me, understood?”

They nodded wordlessly, and he clapped his hands together. “Good. You three, go and help Bridget with any extra food that needs to be prepared.” He pointed Serene, Fiora, and Jack to a heavyset woman in a white apron, pulling a thick pie out of an oven.

The butler turned to Khalani. “You, take that tray of drinks there to the lounge area. It is the room to the left of the painting. The Governor and the guests are in there until dinner is ready. Offer the guests some champagne. When you are done, come straight back here. No talking.” With that, the butler turned with a flourish and barked more orders at the rest of the staff.

Khalani took a deep breath and grabbed a silver tray with several champagne glasses filled to the brim. Her hands shook, but she carefully opened the swinging door with her back and managed to walk steadily to the lounge area.

Men and women, impeccably dressed in suits and gowns, stood around, conversing and laughing. In the center of the lounge was a grand white couch, adorned with a myriad of gold pillows. The entire back of the lounge opened onto a veranda that overlooked a stunning garden.

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