Deviation (Clone Chronicles #2)(13)

“Fine,” Titus says through clenched teeth.

“If you can’t handle your daughter, I’m happy to give it a shot. After all, every successful campaign has a sordid affair.” The man chuckles.

Even without laying eyes on him, I am bombarded with scenes worthy of nightmares and in a split second of terror it blocks out everything else.

I back away from the parlor and make my way to my room.

Inside, I sit on my bed and stare at the clock.

At first there are too many thoughts competing for attention. But then one surfaces to the front without much effort.

Raven number six.

What does that mean?

And what sort of chance do we have once this transition they speak of is complete? Who will be left to challenge them?

Time feels thin.

I think of the “batch” they spoke of, the undoubtedly infant Imitations he is growing for disposal or domination. I think of Lonnie and Ida. Of Morton and the underground army he’s gathered but hasn’t found the courage to lead into battle.

They deserve to be freed. One man should not have this sort of control over an entire people group. Human or not, no one deserves Titus Rogen.

I focus on the minutes that are passing according to my bedside clock. I’ve been home half an hour. I’ve studied the guard shifts enough to know a shift change is coming. Hopefully Linc can get away from wherever they’ve assigned him. I can’t decide if I want the stranger gone by then or not.

A large part of me doesn’t want Linc anywhere near that man, whoever he is. Something about his voice instills a sense of power and position. No other human I’ve met besides the Creator himself makes my pulse jump quite like that man. Underneath his smooth words there is a predator. Someone just as capable of unspeakable evil as Titus and somehow I know he has the means to accomplish it.

His existence is, at the very least, an obstacle in the path that leads to defeating Titus Rogen.

Another two minutes. I count the clicks.

Titus told the stranger I am loyal. What will happen to me if the man discovers Titus was wrong?



I’m in the library when Linc returns. “Hey,” he calls from the open door.

“Hi,” I say, putting everything I can’t say out loud into my smile. He’s wearing his leather motorcycle jacket. A pair of aviator sunglasses dangles from one hand. “You made it back all right?” he asks.

So he knew about lunch. But where has he been?

“Safe and sound,” I say, keeping my voice light. We both know we’re being monitored. I can’t tell him what I heard. Not here. But the temptation is a tidal wave of fear and longing.

He wanders closer but doesn’t sit next to me on the small couch. “What are you reading?” he asks, peering down at the open book in my lap.

I close it gently, showing him the nondescript cover. “Just some western novel I found in the corner,” I say for the benefit of the audio devices scattered about the room. I watch as Linc reads the actual title: Essays and Preliminaries of DNA Structure, Volume III.

Linc raises his brows at me in a silent question. “Looks interesting,” he says, obviously taking my actions at face value. He thinks my recourse for the brand of evil I’m up against is to read a good science journal. Mentally, I play over our argument before he took it back, smoothed it over, and kissed me until I let it go. He is used to being a protector and even though I am accustomed to being helpless, I’m determined not to remain this way.

Especially after what I heard today.

He watches me a moment longer, no doubt wondering at whatever hard-lipped expression I wear. When I don’t offer anything else, he mouths, “See you later.”

I barely nod as watch him leave.

When he’s gone, I return the book to its shelf. I’ve been through the entire library before without finding anything useful to my cause, but there’s nothing else to do. Not until Titus chooses to trust me enough to let me out—or I get invited to another dinner Obadiah can help me ditch. Or I think of something else.

I need to think of something else. But every single second of training that’s gone into me has been to teach me to comply. Nothing I’ve experienced prepared me for going rogue.

Linc would think of something else. He would create his opportunity.

For some reason, the thought irritates me.

I pull another heavy tome from the stacks, a reprint of an entire year of essays from something called The United Science Journal. Back in my spot on the couch, I curl my feet underneath me and thumb through. I have no idea what I’m looking for. But I’m hoping I’ll know it when I find it.

I’m halfway through when Maria comes and calls me to dinner. I replace the book, hoping it looks dusty and undisturbed like the rest, and make my way to the dining room. I smooth my hair and mentally check my appearance while I walk the rounded hallway. Titus hasn’t harped on my wardrobe or personal appearance in days, but I’m always careful. Just in case.

My ribs are still tender from the last time I wore the wrong dress to a health care benefit.

When I arrive, the head seat at the table is noticeably empty. Doctor Josephine smiles at me from her chair. “Ven, how are you?” she asks.

I allow Maria to hold my chair for me and place my napkin primly in my lap. Too much has already become second nature to throw it aside when he isn’t here. “I’m well, Doctor. And you?” I say, sipping my water.