Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles #1)(32)

“No. Not in my private quarters.” At least I don’t think so. I’ve never had a reason to check.

“Then why are we doing it at all? We could just fake it.”

I jerk back as if he’s slapped me. “You don’t want to?” I keep my voice steady, trying not to betray the hurt that comes over me at the thought.

“No, that’s not it. It’s just…” He breaks off and seems to be intently studying the drawings I made in the dirt. “Never mind.”

I sigh. Of course he doesn’t really want to couple with me. He said earlier that I’m just a kid. “We have to because they will check.”

His eyes slice to mine, filled with confusion. “Check? How do they do that?”

I simply stare at him and he blushes again. “Never mind,” he mutters.

As neither of us has a choice, I might as well relieve some of his fear. “Don’t worry,” I say. “I am well versed in this. I won’t disappoint you.”

Now he seems even more confused. His whole face is scrunched up. “Well versed? You mean they teach you how to…?”

“Of course. Pleasure ensures coupling, and coupling ensures the continuation of our people. We learn everything we need to know,” I reassure him.

“Great,” he mutters. “That’s more than I needed to know.”

His tone is wrong. I can’t decipher it.

“What’s wrong?” I ask. “You won’t have to worry about showing me what to do. Isn’t that good?”

“No,” he says bluntly, almost angry.

“Why not?”

“Because now I have to worry I won’t know what to do.”

I furrow my brow. Oh. “Do you want me to teach you?” I ask quietly.

He jumps up and away from me, his whole expression horrified. “No. No. God no.”

I clasp my hands together in my lap and stare at them. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Oh, geez.” He sits back down, but doesn’t move to touch me. “You didn’t. I’m just nervous. Just … let me. Okay?”

“If that’s what pleases you.”

He closes his eyes and leans back against the wall. “Close enough.”

Before I can say anything else, the young Guard opens the door. I twist my body to see him. “Mother wonders if you’ve explained tonight’s plans to the Surface Dweller.” He refuses to meet my eyes, but there’s a hardness about him that wasn’t there before.

It worries me, but I pretend nothing is wrong. I stand. “I have.”

“Then she says you are to prepare for tonight. I am to escort you back.”

“Very well.” Stifling a sigh, I turn to Gavin, who is watching the Guard with narrowed eyes. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s jealous. “I will see you in a few hours.”

Then I turn and follow the Guard out the door and to my rooms.

*



Mother is waiting for me. She’s had the Maids clean my room and apply clean sheets to my bed. The scent of lavender from the sheets and bleach from the chemicals they used to wipe down my bathroom swirls in the air. The clothes I am to wear are already laid out for me. I had planned on stopping by the lab again to speak with Macie, but I don’t think Mother has any intention of letting me out of her sight.

And she doesn’t. The whole time the Maids are pulling and primping my hair, applying tinted liquids, creams, and powders to my face, then buffing and filing my nails, Mother stands by, watching me closely, while I look out my window into the ocean, trying to calm myself with counting the fish in the school that’s right outside.

She helps me into the outfit I will wear for the coupling. It looks more like an under-thing than an actual dress as it’s not exactly appropriate for a dinner engagement, but it is perfect for a seduction. It’s all black. And just what he’ll expect, Mother assures me.

I stare at myself in the mirror. A hurricane of emotions storms through me, and it’s difficult to differentiate one from the rest. But I think embarrassment is the strongest.

Mother ties the laces of the strange outfit so tightly it hurts to breathe, but it gives me the appearance of actually having hips. Despite the fact that I am technically a Breeder, my body is built more like an Enforcer. All muscle, no curves. The skirt stops high on my thighs. I’m sure one wrong move will reveal absolutely everything.

It surprises me that I’m nervous to be wearing something so revealing. With the makeup and tousled hair, I look magnificent. Sexy. The dark temptress. Just what Mother says will appeal to a Surface Dweller. But just the same I can’t help but think how glad I am that no one but him will see it.

Just as we finish, there’s a knock on my door.

“What? I said no interruptions,” Mother calls out.

A Maid cautiously pokes her head into the room. “Ma’am. There’s trouble in Three.”

A little thrill goes through me at the mention of Three, but I don’t know why and I don’t let Mother see it.

Mother scowls as she turns back to me to adjust something on my outfit. “Have Veronica handle it. That’s her job.”

This time it’s a shudder that goes through me. I hate Enforcers and Veronica especially gives me the creeps. She watches me entirely too closely and most of the time I have a feeling she’s smirking at me behind my back.