Page 5 of Brood
“But…” It feels like I’m strangling on the shock. “But Vanessa just…she died this morning!” I liked her. I’m already missing her. Her death should matter more than this.
“Yes.” This time, it’s Chief Brody speaking. He’s in charge of Security. A tall, silver-haired man with dead eyes and an icy voice. “It was a tragedy. Despite the fact that she was never able to produce offspring, she will be missed.”
The words make me want to clench my fists, but I resist the defensiveness. Brody’s spouse died last year, but as a couple, they managed to have three babies—more than anyone else currently alive. Maybe he knows what he’s talking about.
He continues: “But we’re talking about our survival. We can’t indulge in mourning periods. Your genes are an ideal match for Chief Will’s, and you’ll be of age on Friday.”
Chief Rosamund nods.
I search the faces at the table for an expression of sympathy or reluctance, and there are none.None. They’re in agreement on this. And they don’t care that I’ve spent years expecting and dreaming of Danny as my spouse.
My gaze lands on Chief Will’s face. He’s looking at me, but it’s still impossible to read what he’s thinking. His jaw looks tense beneath his thick beard, and his posture is stiffly upright. But he’s always been cold and uptight, so those clues provide no insight into his state of mind. He meets my gaze and holds it unwaveringly.
It’s a long time—too long—before I can wrench my eyes away from his to look back at Chief Rosamund. “What about Danny?”
“We will speak with him. We’ve found him another good match on Level Two. Tara will be of age in five months, so he won’t have long to wait.”
“Level Two?” I cough to clear my throat. “Will he move, then?”
“That hasn’t been decided yet. She might move up here with us. But that’s not the issue today. We need your agreement to marry Chief Will so we can proceed with plans for Friday.”
“So he…” I shoot another quick look at the man’s impenetrable expression. “He wants to…”
His spouse died ten hours ago.
“He has agreed. We need your agreement as well.”
I know exactly what will happen if I don’t agree. I’ll be labeled uncooperative. I’ll lose my advanced position on the kitchen crew. I’ll no longer receive special privileges. The good name and reputation I’ve made for myself for working hard, following the rules, and behaving with sense and sobriety will be irrevocably tarnished.
I can’t do it.
I won’t.
“I agree.” It doesn’t sound like my voice, although the words come out of my throat.
“Excellent.” Chief Rosamund smiles at me. The other chiefs nod or murmur approvingly.
I’ve done the right thing. There’s no reason for me to feel sick.
Chief Will still hasn’t smiled. Hasn’t shifted his position. Hasn’t blinked.
I can’t tell if he’s angry or sad or excited or utterly bored with these proceedings. I’ve always known exactly what Danny is thinking, but Chief Will is reinforced concrete. Stark, unknowable, and unrelenting.
“We will miss Vanessa, of course, but we’re all pleased this has worked out. We have no doubt you’ll be productive as spouses.”
I have no idea what to say. I nod.
“Thank you, Cadence. You’re dismissed.”
I blink, then look at Chief Will, but he’s still doing nothing but staring at me. Flustered and confused and too upset to wrap my mind around what’s happening, I nod again.
Before I walk out of the room, I manage a mumbled “thank you.”
Thank you.
For doing this to me.
For forcing me to marry an unpleasant man who’s basically a stranger.
