Page 11 of Regressive

“You’re late,”Elon says, shifting over on the sofa to give me some room. His nose wrinkles. “Jesus, you smell like pussy.”

I sniff my fingers. “It’s vanilla.” To be fair, the guys are used to the oily scents following my massage sessions with recruits. To them vanilla probably does smell like pussy. “And Kayla is demanding a lot of my time. I need Anex to decide what he wants to do about her.”

Kayla is one of the recruits from outside of Serendee. She is the heir to a trillion-dollar company and seeking meaning in her life. Anex is willing to allow outsiders into Serendee for a price: loyalty, dedication, commitment, and cash. My job is to make them comfortable, to show them a taste of Enlightenment. His is to lock them, and their bank accounts, in for life.

“Do you know what this is about?” Levi asks, his knee bounces up and down. “Is Rex coming?”

“Rex is down in the barn prepping a batch for delivery,” Elon says, “so whatever we’re doing here, it’s probably about him.”

We’d been called to the little sitting room up in Anex’s quarters. This isn’t the first time we’ve been here. He often uses this room for instruction and personal meetings, but with everything going on with Rex and Imogene, I can’t help but be a little apprehensive. I’d shown Rex the rooms where the Fallen are kept and told him that this is where Imogene would go if he rejected her. It seems more and more obvious that Anex’s interest in her go far beyond being Rex’s mate.

He wants her. I’m just not sure if it’s to enact revenge on her mother’s Regression, or if it’s for something different. Either way, the desire to keep her safe is strong. I suspect the same from Elon and Levi.

The interior door opens and Anex walks in. He’s alone, which is unusual, and makes me even more apprehensive. Elon is stiff as a rod next to me, and Levi’s knee doesn’t stop bouncing until we stand in unison, touching our foreheads and giving him a slight, respectful bow. We may be in the inner circle here, but everything we’ve done lately is uncharted territory. Like everyone else in Serendee, we’re not immune to Correction

“Boys,” Anex says, smiling warmly. “Thank you for coming to see me on such short notice.”

Opting out of a meeting with Anex is unheard of. Most people in Serendee would love this opportunity of a private audience with our leader, but most people don’t know what he’s capable of. Who he is in private.

There’s a soft knock on the door and a woman enters, carrying a tray of tea. She’s young. She keeps her head down, not making eye contact with Anex. I catch a glimpse of her profile and recognize her. Her name is Bethany and she is being punished for kissing a boy before she came of age and received her Order. She’s one of the Fallen, and this is the first time I’ve seen her out of the locked room.

Anex waits as she serves the tea, her hands shaking as she pours the steaming liquid into the china. The cuff of her sleeve draws up, and I can’t help but notice the red welt circling her wrist. He watches her closely, observing her every move. When she’s finished, he says, “You can go back to your room now, Bethany.”

“Yes, sir,” she replies, shuffling back out the door.

Anex shakes his head when she is gone and says, “That one has a dark streak of Regression inside of her. Born and raised here, but the darkness still crept inside. It’s a problem, one that I’m creating a solution to, but in the meantime, I’m working with her—individually. I’m confident she’ll progress.” He takes a sip of tea and then smiles. “Now, I know you’re not interested in the mundane aspects of my responsibilities and are wondering why I brought you up here today?”

Levi and I nod, while Elon mutters an affirmative.

“Now that Rex and Imogene are settled, I want to talk to you about a program Margaret has started. It’s a women’s group, a place for them to support and encourage one another as they follow The Way.”

“A women’s group?” Levi says. He teaches many of the men’s classes down at the center. Viri Regum Sunt: Men Are Kings. “Like VRS.”

“Similar,” he says, “but obviously not the same. As you’re aware, the needs of a woman are uniquely different from a man. They desire to belong. They need constant approval and have an absolute weakness for Indulgence.” He lists these flaws with confidence and authority, adding, “While our masculine predisposition is to conquer and dominate. It’s what sets us apart.”

Elon frowns. “Why do you want to talk to us about a women’s group. Isn’t that… um, for women to handle?”

“You’d think,” Anex says, “but no. Even in the biblical myths, Eve was created from Adam’s rib. There is no Eve without Adam. No female without the male. Our ancestors knew this truth. Biology understands these facts. But like the participants in VRS, these women need to feel the support of other women, the confidentiality of their gender. As with everything else, we will provide the structure.” He holds his teacup between his long, thin fingers. “And you three, specifically, will see to Imogene’s journey in the group.”

“Imogene,” Levi blurts. “She’s joining?”

“She’s been invited, and she’s eager to get to know the other women, but as you know she’s different. Like the Regressive that just left here,” he glances toward the door, “there’s a virus that burns under her skin. I can’t let her infect the others.”

“What do you want us to do?” I ask, feeling uneasy.

“I want her monitored every step of the way.” He nods at Levi. “She’ll come to you for Correction. She’ll feel guilty for keeping secrets from Rex, for being different, for her sexual urges.” He gives him a knowing look, and Levi’s cheeks turn pink. “Continue to help her find Enlightenment and keep her in check.”

“Y-yes. I can do that.”

“Silas.”

I jerk my chin up. “Yes?”

“There’s going to come a time when you’ll be needed to provide what only you can offer. Prepare her for that day and for the aftermath.”

I have no idea what this means or what he wants from me, but I nod. What else is there for me to do? I’ve taught her how to pleasure herself and others. I’ve shown her love and compassion. I’ve healed her wounds.

“And me?” Elon asks.

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