Deviation (Clone Chronicles #2)(14)

Her smile is more genuine than most at Rogen Tower. “I am well also.”

“I haven’t seen you in a while,” I say.

“Titus keeps me busy where I’m needed. Lately, you’ve been healthy enough.”

I chew my salad without replying. It’s not worth mentioning the bruises concealed by my clothing. Josephine has treated enough of my wounds in the past to know where they come from. Or from whom. And she’s right, nothing Titus has inflicted has required true medical attention. Not in the past few weeks, at least.

“Keeping up with your cardio?” she asks.

“Every day,” I assure her. Titus doesn’t give me a choice. Daily exercise is a routine implemented not only here but in Twig City as well. All Imitations are kept fit and healthy through exercise and healthy nutrition. A fit body can survive longer—at least until we’re called to die.

When I first came to Rogen Tower, Titus tried including sports requiring a partner. The first was fencing, a favorite game for Ida and Lonnie, my two friends in the City. Unfortunately my own skill was lacking. I’d almost given myself away when I’d lost to Sofia, Maria’s daughter. Since then, Titus has forced me to run or lift weights or swim. Nothing requiring a partner. It’s lonelier but safer. For me and for Sofia.

Josephine makes small talk about a new yoga program she’s implementing. I nod and comment in the right places but my attention wanders. I like Josephine well enough. She knows what I am. She is always here to take care of me when I need it. But her compassion ends there. I can’t fault her for it. It’s not like she has the means to go against Titus. But I’ve often wondered how she can claim to be horrified by him and still come to work here every day.

I’ve just set my fork down, signaling I’m finished, when Williams, one of the guards, rushes in. He is wild eyed and panting. When his eyes land on me, his features relax but only marginally before turning to confusion. He alternates between crazy-eyed glances at me and intent inspections of the black device clutched in his hand. It is the same device Linc displayed in the library.

He punches some buttons with a stubby finger. Stares some more. Yanks a radio from his belt loop. “I’ve got a visual,” he says between heavy breaths. “She’s in the dining room. Stupid device malfunctioned.”

A voice squawks back, something about calibration and someone’s ass on the line.

“It wasn’t the calibration,” the man admits. His face reddens. “I had it turned to ‘scramble.’” His words are mumbled, so low I almost miss them.

The voice on the radio barks at the man to return to the tower. He lowers his head before ducking out.

“What was that about?” I ask.

I don’t expect an answer but Josephine surprises me. “Looks like he wasn’t up on how to work the new gadgets,” she says.

“What do you mean?”

“It picks up on your tracker’s signal at all times. Unless the signal is scrambled, in which case it blocks you entirely.”

“It can block my GPS?” I ask uncertainly.

Josephine blinks at me, frowns as if realizing she said too much. “So I hear. Anyway, I’ve enjoyed your company but I must be getting along. We’ll chat soon.” She rises, dropping her napkin onto her plate, and hurries out.

I sit for several minutes after Josephine is gone.

My resolve hardens. My pulse quickens.

When I do finally leave the table, my determination is renewed. I know what I’m going to do.





Chapter Five


I channel the Raven that exists in the mind of the stranger in the study, or at least a fleeting glimpse of a feeling of her. When that doesn’t work, I channel Taylor. Then I pick up my phone.

Obadiah picks up on the third ring.

“Hello?” He is breathless with laughter. Jealousy pings in my chest for whatever carefree moment he’s cultivated. I haven’t experienced a single one since leaving Twig City—and even then.

“It’s me,” I say, shoving through to the other side of business.

“Oh. Hey.” Concern spikes on the vowel. He draws it out longer than necessary. I know he wonders what would make me call him after a socially respectable hour of the night.

“I need you to do something for me,” I say. My voice is light and only hinting at sultry.

“What’s this, Raven Rogen asking me for a favor?” Someone in his background chuckles. It’s male. I don’t bother asking who. There’s no time. If Linc’s listening, he’s going to storm in as soon as I say the next part. If someone else is on duty tonight, well, I can’t waste time imagining the thrill they’ll get. It’s part of the plan anyway.

I put a soft purr into my voice. “Now that you mention it, the favor is definitely more beneficial to you.”

“Excuse me?”

I add a pout and explain, “Daniel’s gone. Caine’s busy with a supermodel from Denmark. Everyone else on my speed dial is either too old or too attracted to farm animals. I’m bored, and I think this ruse has gone on long enough, don’t you?”

“Ruse?” No laughter now. Just his confusion and hesitant willingness to play along. Once he figures out the game. I don’t wait for him to add it up.

“Please.” I snort, putting some of the ice in my voice I channel from Taylor’s image. “You think our friendship is real? You think I give two shits about your sorry attempts to break free from your antagonistic daddy? I’m sick of playing sympathetic bestie. I want to be entertained, Obadiah.”