Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles #1)(34)

“Mother has asked me to retrieve Gavin for the coupling.”

They look at each other again, and I worry that Mother has already told them Gavin is to be executed.

I raise a brow. “Is there a problem?”

“No, Miss.” This from the thinner one who is still being careful to avoid looking at me. “I’ll open the door right now.”

Gavin is waiting for me when the door opens. I hope Mother wasn’t right about him trying to bolt now. To my relief, he doesn’t. He only gives me a strange look. “Nice outfit.”

I smile. “Yes. I agree. It’s time for our coupling. If you’ll follow me?”

He trails me out the door and the Guards move to escort us. I turn and stake them with my eyes. “I have this covered, gentlemen. I don’t think Mr. Hunter has any intention of running. Do you?”

“No. I’m looking forward to this,” Gavin says. He seems to realize something’s up and manages a pretty good leer at me before turning his lazy grin to the Guards, who glare at him.

“Mother has requested you remain here until told otherwise,” I continue. “Mr. Hunter may be joining you again this evening after we’re … finished.”

The Guards exchange another look, then shrug. “Better than transporting Citizens from Three,” the thicker one says.

What is it about Three that always makes my stomach flip?

“Any word on when they’re going to get that leak fixed, Miss Evelyn?” he continues.

So there is a leak. Interesting. I wonder why I haven’t been told.

“Soon” is all I say, mentally filing it away to deal with later. I saunter out the door, leaving Gavin to follow or not, only pausing when I get to the turrets. “Do you trust me?” I ask without turning around. I wiggle back into my waiting dress.

“Yes, of course,” he says.

“Stick your hand here.” I indicate the glass eye of the turret, which is just a few inches above the ground and just below the barrel. It will scan his DNA. Even if he sets it off, it shouldn’t hurt him, I hope. If Macie hasn’t done her job, everything I’ve planned past this point will not matter.

He does as I request, but the turret doesn’t make a sound. Not even a hiss of the steam that powers it. I smile. Excellent.

I shoulder my bag. “Follow me. Just do as I do. Okay?”

He falls into line next to me. “Why do I have a feeling something went wrong and we’re not doing the coupling thing?”

“Mother decided you were just manipulating me and she was going to kill you anyway. I’m making sure that doesn’t happen.”

Gavin is silent for a minute. The only sounds are the clicking of my boots echoing along the corridor.

“That’s not what you think, is it?” he asks.

“That you’re manipulating me?” I glance over at him. His face is a careful blank mask when he nods. “No. But I don’t really care. I’m helping you escape, even if you are.”

He frowns. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Aren’t you coming?”

“Of course not. Why would I leave? This is my home. I’m just going to make sure you get back to the door that leads to the Surface. You’re all healed, so you should have no problems getting out okay after that.”

“But what about the Enforcers? Won’t they kill you for helping me?”

A chill tickles my spine and I suppress a shudder, but I say, “I’m the Daughter of the People. Mother will never believe it was me who helped you.”

He doesn’t look convinced. “I’d feel better if you came with me,” he says.

“If you’re really concerned about me, you won’t argue with me. The clock is running and the sooner you get out, the less chance they’ll figure it out.”

“But the Guards saw you.”

“Who will Mother believe? The Guards? Or her own daughter? Now come on!”

“Fine, but this conversation isn’t over,” he says, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “So, we’re on the run now, right?”

“Yes.”

“Great.” He grabs my arm and spins me around, and then pushes me back with his body so I bump into the wall. Before I can say anything he leans down so his mouth captures mine.

At first I freeze, afraid of the punishment that’s surely coming. I start to struggle to get away from him, but then, as my mind fogs from his scent and taste, I melt in his arms. If not for his hands holding me steady at my hips, I would be a puddle on the ground. His lips are sweet and soft, but insistent. The kiss makes my head spin. As far as first kisses go, I can’t imagine a better one.

Without warning, another memory slides in: a different dark corridor. A different pair of lips on mine. The scent of Gavin mingles with the memory of the other person’s and, for a moment, I’m confused. Terrified. Something bad is going to happen. Or maybe it already has.

Before I can try to think, Gavin changes the angle of the kiss and his touch quickly overpowers the other memory, making me forget everything but him. For once I’m grateful for not being able to remember.

Then, just when I make the conscious decision to take more, he’s pulling away, but only enough so our lips aren’t touching.