Page 62 of Regressive

“I had to give them collateral—something personal about myself that they could then reveal to the community if I broke any of the rules.” I look at each of them. “Including telling you.”

“What kind of collateral did you give them?” Rex asks.

“I didn’t tell him about looking for your mother or mine. I didn’t tell them anything about how much you hate this place or how you think Anex killed your mother, but,” I stare down at the branding, wincing as Silas uses a Q-tip to apply salve, “I did tell them about us. I told them about our relationship—about how all of us—together. I had to write it down and hand it over.”

Silas’ movements stop. The other men grow still. I force myself to look at them.

“I had to say something, you understand that, right?”

Although Anex gave his approval for the men to train me for Rex, this is not something the rest of the community will find acceptable. Anex Orders us to another member of the community. We Bond. We Mate. If he denies that he requested me to do this, and I have no doubt he will, we will be shunned.

I’ve put us all at terrible risk all because I wanted to feel special—accepted.

“I had no idea it would go this far,” Levi says, voice panicked. “When he told us about the group, I didn’t know he would use it to manipulate it—”

“What did you say?” Rex asks.

Silas curses and stands. “Look, man. We knew about the women’s group. Anex told us it was for Imogene’s good.”

“And you just went along with it?” Rex asks. His eyes dart to Elon. “You knew about this?”

“Yes, but—"

Rex slams his hand in the air, palm out, shutting him off. “You hid this from me? All of you? About my mate? When you know my father had had nefarious intentions toward her the whole time?”

“What are we supposed to do? We have no other choice. This is our home. Our livelihood.” Elon’s voice cracks. He sounds scared. Something I’ve never heard from him before. “He’s our leader.”

Rex stills in the middle of the room, hands shoved in his pockets. The dark smudges under his eyes look more pronounced. He’s exhausted, like we all are. No one is thinking clearly. We’re all in pain.

“Can we just —“ I start, hoping we can sleep on it and think clearly in the morning, but Rex straightens his shoulders and waves me off.

“I can’t do this anymore,” he says, “I cannot allow him to control my life. Not anymore.” He walks down the hallway and out the front door, slamming it behind him. The four of us sit in silence, before Elon turns to go after him.

“Wait.” Levi stands. “Let me go.”

When the two look at one another, something passes between them. Elon nods, stepping aside to allow Levi to pass him in the hallway. It’s in that moment that Elon stops and grabs him by the forearm. “Don’t let him do anything stupid.”

“I won’t.” Levi glances back, eye locking with mine. “I’ll get him back.”

The door closes softer this time and I exhale, staring down at the branding, the T and the W so obvious now.

Everythingseems obvious.

Except for the way out.

26

Levi

The street isempty when I get out to the porch, and I scan both directions. At the end of the street, I see a shadowy figure slip around the corner. It’s the way to the Main House.

Jumping down the steps, I race after him, quickly getting to the corner. It’s morning and a few people are up, headed to the farm or other early-day jobs.

“Morning,” I say to one of the men I know works at the dairy barn. He tips his hat in greeting but I sense the judgment in his eyes as they skim over my rumpled clothes and unshaven face.

I don’t owe that man any explanation. I’m one of the Chosen. Our ways aren’t questioned the same way it would be if the roles were reversed.

“Rex,” I call, jogging after him. “Hold up.”

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