Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles #1)(71)

We both tense when Mother’s voice emits from the speaker above our heads.

“Attention Citizens of Elysium: Festival is cancelled until further notice.”

Gavin and I exchange a look. What is she doing now?

“I know you are all asking yourselves why. It is my deepest regret to inform you that for the first time in the history of our city there has been … a murder.”

She pauses here and I know it’s for dramatic effect, not to give people time to let that news sink in.

Gavin whispers in my ear. “What is she talking about? She murders people all the time.”

“Yes, but it’s in the form of punishment. People don’t see it as murder. Besides, most people don’t realize what happens to the people who are being punished. They think they just vanish.”

“And they don’t question where they go?” His voice is incredulous.

I tilt my head to the side. “Would you?” He opens his mouth to answer, then promptly closes it.

Mother finally continues. “I’m devastated to say that it appears the murderer is none other than my own daughter. Evelyn.” Again she pauses, but it’s shorter this time. “I know how you all must be feeling, but let me just say that it appears she is being coerced by the Surface Dweller. There is evidence he has seduced her into helping him.” She sniffles and I narrow my eyes. “I blame myself. If I hadn’t been so lenient with her, she would have already been Coupled and this would not have happened.”

“What? Lenient? She had you brainwashed whenever you disagreed with her. She turned you into an Enforcer, then breeding stock. What’s lenient about that?” Gavin’s eyes flash and his hand clenches, fisting into the sheets beside my head.

I shush him so I can hear Mother, who has lost all trace of her “tears.”

“However, I cannot be wholly responsible. The majority of the blame rests squarely on this Surface Dweller’s shoulders. He has invaded our home, and enticed Evelyn with his savage and destructive ways. He must be stopped. At any cost. We must take precautions to keep innocents from being hurt. Therefore, I am closing Festival and instituting a city-wide lockdown.”

“Lockdown?” Gavin mouths.

“House arrest,” I say. “She’s shutting everyone up in their quarters, but I doubt it’s to keep them safe. It’s more than likely to keep them out of the way.” Then I lay my finger over his mouth to keep him quiet.

“Due to the leak in Sector Three, Citizens from that Sector should report to the Square for reassignment. This is a terrible inconvenience and I apologize. But they have already shown they lack restraint.” She pauses again, but this time I sense glee in the silence. I shiver because I know what she’s going to say next, and I know the only reason she’s saying it is to hurt me. “Because, besides the dozen or so Guards she took out when they tried to arrest the Surface Dweller, the victims are none other than Evelyn’s closest friend, Macie Beaumont, and her betrothed, Nick LeFavre.” She makes a clicking sound with her tongue. “It’s such a shame, as these two were approved to couple and were preparing to cohabitate. I had approved the paperwork a few hours before their deaths. This is a great loss for our city and for their families. Our hearts and prayers go out to them. Before I conclude and let you return to your homes, let us have a moment of silence for these two unfortunate souls.”

Gavin gathers me into his arms, and it’s at that moment I realize I’m shaking—but not from sadness like yesterday. Pure, unadulterated hate and anger rages through me. She hadn’t approved anything. I did. Me. How dare she use Macie like that? Like she was nothing more than a … a pet!

My blood boiling, I shove away from Gavin to stalk around the room. He watches me for a bit, then grabs me and forces me to sit with him again.

“I know what you’re going to say,” I say when he opens his mouth.

“Good,” he says. “Then I can save my breath. But it’s true and you need to listen to it.”

“I know. I know.” I throw my hands in the air. “She makes me so angry—using Macie like that.”

I glare at the speaker when Mother continues. “Now, please calmly and safely return to your homes. And under no circumstance are you to engage Evelyn or the Surface Dweller. If you see them, report them immediately. Thank you for your understanding.”

The speaker crackles again and all is silent.

“How long before they clear out?” Gavin asks, and I know he’s thinking what I’m thinking. That now’s our chance. If we’re ever going to escape, it has to be now, while the city is in chaos.

“Probably less than fifteen minutes.”

“Then we’d better hurry.”

Before he leaves the room to change clothes, he tosses me something from the closet. I glance down at the material in my hand. It’s another dress. It’s only then I realize I’m not wearing any clothes. Slightly embarrassed, I laugh as I look at the dress, hoping we don’t run into any more ladders.

That reminds me of the wound on my shoulder. I glance over and see more blood has seeped through the still sopping-wet bandage.

I wish I could shower the blood off again and change the bandage, but there isn’t time. Unsure what to do, I bite my lip. If I leave the wet bandage, the wound could get infected. If I take the time to change it, we could miss our chance to get to the trains and to the other side undetected.