Page 103 of Cruel Master
It. If I hear one more person call her “it”… I should be deferential here, but dammit. Words pour out before I can filter them.
“She. 'It' is a she." Hook nose frowns, but I don't care. "Andshehas a name. Candice has been invaluable to the Brotherhood several times already. And once she was freed, she could have gone anywhere, but she's here. She stayed. This is as much her home as ours."
The other council members share considering looks between them. A few raise brows, which I take for a good sign, and I plow on before they can resume talking.
"Candice can form emotional attachments and has bonded with Jacob’s Ward, Quinn. And with me as well. She didn't have to save me. If we respect her and treat her well, she could be a huge asset."
"Or a huge risk."
True. I can't promise she won't be.
Hook nose turns to Kendrick. “This is outrageous, Kendrick. What is your plan to…”
The argument moves back and forth, but nothing can change the truth of the situation. I answer questions when I’m asked, but most of the ire is directed at Kendrick and Jacob. The council members seem to believe they should “do something” about the situation when there is nothing to be done.
I find myself thinking of Juliet. Eve and Ophelia arrived a little before I had to leave for the meeting, and while things feltawkward at first, I’m sure they would have gotten better once I left. Neither of them is especially relaxed around me.
Every minute away from Juliet pulls on me. I should be with her, not listening to these men argue over something pointless. I should…
“Gentlemen, that’s enough.” Kendrick’s voice is iron hard. “We can rehash this for hours, and the result will be the same. It’s time to move on.”
“But—”
“No.” Hook nose falls silent at Kendrick’s snapped word. “We have other issues to discuss. The prisoner. I can put this to an official vote if needs be, but I don’t believe it is necessary. Execution is the only possible outcome.”
Execution? I wait for someone to object, but there are only murmured acceptances. Kendrick waits for a few breaths, then nods. “Very well. Once we’re sure we have all the information we need, I’ll order the chamber prepared and call upon you as witnesses.”
And that’s it. I shiver at the lack of emotion in the room. Dimitry is a disturbed man and a serial killer. It doesn’t stop me feeling vaguely sick about it.
Kendrick has already moved on. “Now, to the final point of this nasty business. The prisoner’s Ward. Unfortunately, the instructions he left for her are distasteful. I’ve studied the Code, however, and I can’t see a way around it. He hasn’t demanded anything entirely out of bounds.”
Distasteful? We just discussed an execution like it was an afterthought. What would count as distasteful?
“He has requested that his Ward be offered to any available Brother who wants her. By public auction.”
Chapter Forty
Juliet
Twoweekslater
It’s not your first day of fucking high school. Get your shit together.
My angry pep talk doesn’t do me much good as Hadrian and I walk toward his lab. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Maybe because my friendships in this place are delicate and new. Maybe because Quinn and Candice are such a tightly knit pair and I don’t want to feel like I’m butting in.
Or maybe because sharing game ideas with the world’s only sentient electronic being feels like, as my mum used to say, I’m teaching my grandma to suck eggs. What the hell can I teach her?
Hadrian wraps his hand around mine, and we walk down the street that is slowly starting to feel familiar rather than terrifying. I’m almost convinced this place doesn’t actually believe in human sacrifices and no one is going to leap out at me with a knife. Almost.
It’s definitely a cult, though. I’m not budging on that. Even if it is a cult with some benefits.
We reach Hadrian’s lab building, and I pause at the door. I feel like throwing my sketchbook into the trash. This is all stupid. I’m a captive here. Why am I even interested in making a dumb game?
Because it makes you happy, just like Hadrian does. Stop beating yourself up over it. If you need a punishment, that’s what he’s for.
My little voice is right. Hopefully I don’t need to sit much today.
For the past two weeks, I’ve been battling with myself in a way I never did in the cell. In there, if I’d had the chance to run, I would have in a heartbeat. Now? I’m not so sure, and that makes me feel like an absolute lunatic. The more time Hadrian and I spend in our little bubble together, the less I want to leave it.
