Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles #1)(30)

She shrugs. “The master won’t share, but I heard some Guards complaining about leaks the other day. Anyway, how can I help you?”

A leak? How can there be a leak? I was just touring the mining operation yesterday … or was it longer than that? I press a hand to my aching head. I can’t remember.

I hand Macie the kit with all the samples. “I need you to run this.”

“Another Suitor?” She shrugs and looks back into the microscope. “Fine. Just put it on the corner. I’ll get to it in a minute.”

I hang on to it and glance at the cameras around the room. They’re all off. They won’t turn on unless there’s a security breach. I just have to hope Macie won’t consider what I’m doing a security breach … but we’ve been friends for so long, and she’s never liked Mother. I don’t see her turning down the chance to do something behind Mother’s back, especially something as simple as making sure the results are what I want. The only problem will be the other Technicians around the lab. The closest is on the far side of the room, but I still have to be careful.

When I don’t put the kit on the table, she looks over with a frown. “What’s wrong?”

I step closer and lower my voice. “This is the DNA from the Surface Dweller.”

Her eyebrows jump up. “What?” she says loudly.

I glance around quickly, but no one seems to have noticed her outburst. “Shh. Please. I need your help.”

She glances around and leans toward me. “Of course. Anything. You want me to say he’s inferior?”

“No. Just the opposite. Whatever the result, I need you to get his DNA into the computer.”

She wrinkles her nose. “A Surface Dweller?”

“He’s not like what Mother makes them out to be. He’s really … nice.” I bite my inner cheek to keep from making the same mistake I made with Mother.

She smiles and her eyes sparkle like they had when she talked about Nick. “What’s his name?”

“Gavin.”

“You like him,” she says, her voice soft and knowing.

My heart leaps into my throat. “I suppose. He’s pleasant enough.”

“I mean you like him.”

I frown. Is it that obvious? “What in Mother’s name would make you say that?”

“Because like recognizes like.”

“What?”

“Never mind. Don’t worry about it. Just tell me what you’re going to do.” She leans closer, the huge smile still on her face.

“I don’t want you to get in trouble, so I’m not going to tell you. But, please, it’s important.” I grip her hands tightly in mine. “Mother has to think that Gavin is a perfect match. I need his DNA in the computer. Will you do that for me?”

“Sure. Of course.” She nods and can’t hide a smile. “I knew you’d come back to us and that witch wouldn’t keep you under her thumb for long.” She grabs the kit from me. “I’ll get started on this right away, Miss Evelyn.” She raises her voice and winks at me. “Tell Mother she can expect the results within the hour.”

I mouth thank you to her. “Very well. We appreciate your assistance in this matter.”

The Guard is still waiting for me when I leave the lab. The whole walk back he steals glances at me. I’m concerned he eavesdropped, but I doubt he’d have heard anything. Although I’m sure he’ll report back to Mother that I’d spent entirely too much time talking with Macie.

“It’s nice seeing her again,” I say, keeping my eyes forward.

“I beg pardon, Miss Evelyn.” He glances at me.

“I said, it’s nice seeing Macie again. It’s been entirely too long. We had a lot to catch up on. I apologize for making you wait so long.”

He grins at me. “It’s not a problem. A woman should never have to rush.”

I smile, grateful for the manners classes Mother insists all children take. Good manners are the mark of a civilized people.

An hour. That’s all I have to wait. Just an hour. I can handle that, as long as Mother keeps her end of the bargain.





CHAPTER NINE



An Enforcer must be ready to act at a moment’s notice. Even a second’s delay can mean the difference between life and death.





—ENFORCER STATUTE 105B.4





Mother comes for me herself in exactly one hour and fifteen minutes. She seems pleased, which worries me.

“Good news,” she says, and actually claps her hands. “The lab tells me Gavin is indeed a perfect match for you.”

Relief washes over me, but I only say, “That is good news.”

“However,” she continues, and my stomach clenches. “You have a habit of changing your mind. So, since I do not wish to waste any more time on this, the coupling will happen tonight.”

I frown and feign reluctance while my insides jump around like rubber balls. “But it takes three days for the paperwork to be processed.”

She smiles wider. “I am the one who approves the paperwork, and I’ve already approved it.”

I sigh as if I’m not happy with the situation. “Very well, Mother. I will prepare for tonight.” I turn and start to my rooms.