Page 41 of Regressive

I’ve been at work for three hours—greeting new recruits. Handing out paperwork and scheduling appointments. Normal stuff. A normal day.

I pretend the paper isn’t there.

“How much did you say the next level costs?”

I smile at the girl across from my desk. She’s a thin brunette that Rex recruited from the Wittmore campus. Over the last three months she’s depledged from her sorority, come to three different workshops and is ready to commit to more. One of my jobs is to help the recruits level-up, paying for the courses that help them transition to Enlightenment. Once they pass through all the levels, they are slowly transitioned into potential community members. That’s where Silas’ skills come in—then Anex.

This girl, Brianna, is months away from that place—years even—but I can already see the gleam in her eye. She’s hooked—high on the coursework and potential. She wants to Be Better, so much she can taste it.

“Five thousand,” I tell her. The fee is part of other commitment. Anex only wants the most devoted to get to the higher levels. It’s an important phase of the system. I look down at her paperwork. She’s a college student with no income of her own but her mother is an architect. A quick skim of her financials, which we run after the second session, and it’s obvious that her family has the type of resources Anex prefers.

“That’s a lot,” she says, twisting her fingers. There’s a tan line on her ring finger. She’d been engaged when she first started coming. Is that over now? “I can probably swing some of it. Do you have a payment plan?”

“There are some options,” I say, knowing this woman ticks all the boxes of the potential recruit Anex is interested in. “You know, I think you have the kind of energy Anex is looking for. Let me show him your file and see what he says about finding you a way into the next levels.”

Her eyes brighten. “That would be amazing. I’m getting so much out of the courses, I’d hate to stop now.”

“I understand,” I say, giving her an assuring smile. I can’t help but wonder what Rex did to get her in the door. Did he flirt with her? More?

I shake that off and tell her to come back the following day—that I’d let her know about funding. Gathering the file, including a recent photo of Brianna, I take it to the back. There’s a small area outside of Anex’s office, prepared to leave it in the mail slot for important papers. I’ve just slid the papers inside when the office door opens.

“I thought I heard someone out here.” His eyes rake down my body, eliciting a chill that runs down my spine. “I didn’t expect it to be my son’s beautiful future mate.”

“Anex,” I say, bowing and touching my forehead. “I didn’t know you were in the office.”

“I snuck in the back,” he says holding his finger up to his lips. “Shhh, don’t tell anyone.”

It’s that kind of informality that makes Anex such a compelling leader. He’s easy—approachable. It’s also why I’m conflicted by imaginary weight on my chest. That note could destroy me and the guys. I laugh, hoping it doesn’t sound nervous. “I was just leaving a file for you. A potential recruit, level three, that doesn’t have the funds to proceed. She fit the criteria you requested for review.”

“Thank you, Imogene. You’re so thorough.” His smile wavers. “I wish some of your diligence and dedication would rub off on Rex.”

I still, not sure how to respond to the statement. Do I agree and criticize both my mate and his son? Or do I laugh it off, pretending it’s a joke. The glint in his eye, the same blue eyes that Rex has tells me it wasn’t in humor.

Before I dwell too much on it, I say, “I wanted to thank you for Ordering us together. Although it’s been a challenge working through our differences, lately things have been good.”

His eyebrow raises. “Really?”

“Yes. He seems more focused and efficient. He comes home at night instead of spending time outside of Serendee.” In clubs and parties. All of that is true. “I feel good about the match.”

“I like hearing that.”

“You chose wisely,” I tell him, hoping the flattery works.

“I’ve been wanting to speak to you,” he says, “Do you have time now?”

It’s a question but there’s no possible way to say no. Not to Anex.

“Of course. Melody is up front. She can handle anyone that comes in.”

He gestures for me to enter his office. I’ve been here before—but just for a few moments. Before I was Ordered to Rex my interaction with Anex was rare—I probably saw him a little more since I work at the Center but even then, it’s not as if he mingles with us. He’s busy. I didn’t understand the enormity of the businesses being run out of Serendee until Elon showed me. What we really sell and trade to keep the community running.

I enter the room and although I expect him to sit behind his desk he doesn’t, leaning against the edge and crossing his legs in front of him. I watch as he reaches for a box on the table and pulls out a small hand wrapped cigarette. He doesn’t speak as he strikes a match, the smell of sulfur hitting my nostrils. He lights the end and takes a drag.

“Have you ever?” he asks.

“Um…” Me? I glance over my shoulder—waiting for something. But what? I’m with Anex. Nothing can happen to me here. “No. It wasn’t allowed in the Domum.”

“I’m shocked my son and his friends haven’t introduced you.”

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