Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles #1)(27)
That gives her pause. “What makes you say that?”
“You’ve seen him. He’s strong. He’s tall and smart. Uh … hardworking. He won’t be a burden to us.”
She nods her head as if in understanding. “Those are wonderful qualities. For someone born here. But he’s a Surface Dweller, and anyway he’s flawed. His eyes are gray. And his skin is a few shades too dark.”
Thinking fast, I try to find every plausible excuse. “His skin color is from the sun. A few months with us will remove any color from the skin. And I don’t think that particular gray is a flaw. He says his whole family has them.” I have no idea if that’s true or not, but it’ll help the excuse I just came up with. “You and I were talking the other day about finding something to set us apart from the Citizens. Instead of something that can be copied by anyone with art sense, why don’t we do it genetically? The gray eyes could be that thing. Obviously it wouldn’t work with you or me, but my children and their children…” I clasp my hands together in my lap to keep myself from going on. I’ve already shown how much I want this. She might kill him now just because she sees how much I want to save him.
“Gray eyes to set us apart?” She purses her lips and taps a nail to them. The silvery striations in her own eyes are already the envy of most of the women. I’ve never been happier her eyes aren’t pure blue. “What was his designation on the Surface?”
I can’t remember if I’d told her before or not, but it won’t hurt for her to know. It would probably help, actually. “A hunter.”
“How interesting.” Her eyes sparkle and she nods. “I like it. We will have to make sure his genetics are appropriate. We don’t want any flaws in your children.” Her eyes turn hard. “If he is not a genetic match, he will die. Are you willing to sacrifice him?”
If I don’t do anything, he’ll die anyway. It’s not like he, or I, have a choice. I just have to hope he’s as genetically superior as his looks promise. “Yes, Mother.”
She arches an eyebrow. “If he is flawed, you will lose all ability to choose. I will choose for you, and I won’t change my mind this time. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Mother,” I say, even though I know Gavin can’t stay here. Won’t stay here. He’s got a family and a life that doesn’t involve me, and it’s not right to keep him. But part of me hopes he will. That he’ll decide to stay here. With me.
She smiles, but there’s a look in her eyes that makes me nervous. “Very well. Let’s inform our guest of his choice, shall we?”
“Choice?”
She gives me a smug look. “Well, he has to approve of you as you do him, Evelyn. It’s only fair. But if he does, he will have to choose to conform to our rules. And if he doesn’t … well.” She lifts a shoulder, then pats my hand as if to console me.
CHAPTER EIGHT
… Sweeter than the honey from a bee,
Softer than the petals of a rose,
Deeper than the bottom of the sea,
Stronger than the mightiest of foes,
Perfect is the love of Mother for me …
—FOUNDER’S DAY CHILDREN’S SONG
Twisting my hands together, I lead the way to Gavin’s cell. Each of my footsteps echo along the hallways, mocking me. Teasing me. I don’t know what to think of Mother’s easy agreement, especially since she insisted on coming with me, instead of just using her hologram. If she’s willing to risk the turrets, there has got to be a catch to this.
Gavin is sitting in that same corner he seems to favor when we arrive. He smiles when he sees me, but it falters when he notices Mother behind me.
The Guards straighten to attention. They don’t say a word as they let us into the cell and shut the door behind Mother. One stays at the control panel for the doors, his hand only inches from the release button. The difference between their behavior with Mother and their behavior with me does not go unnoticed.
Gavin’s eyes travel back and forth between Mother and me. He unfolds his long legs, and stands slowly. Standing, he dwarfs both Mother and me, and makes the entire cell seem smaller than it was. His posture is cautious but relaxed.
Mother smiles at him. “You’re a very lucky young man.”
His eyebrows jump up. “I am?”
She walks a circle around him, her eyes traveling over every inch of him. “It appears you’ve had a positive effect on Evelyn.”
His eyes move to mine and I see the question in them, but I don’t respond. I can’t. His eyes fill with a tinge of suspicion before they turn back to Mother.
“I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to tell me,” he says, a bit tense now.
“No. You’re just a foolish Surface Dweller, but not as simpleminded as I had first thought. You were able to get Evelyn wrapped around your finger in only two days. I have to admit I’m impressed.” She gives him another smile when he doesn’t say anything. “Impressed enough that I have decided to honor her request and grant you the privilege of making a decision.”
His eyes cut to mine again and I meet them without hesitation. I hope he realizes I’m not betraying him. The suspicion is still there, but he doesn’t say anything to me.