Deviation (Clone Chronicles #2)(25)

I suck in a breath and let the oxygen—and Linc’s affection—fill up the empty places inside me caused by Morton’s admission. “Thank you,” I manage.

Maybe if I steal something else I won’t feel so victimized. I need to be proactive.

Linc kisses the tip of my nose, his body relaxing before he turns to face Morton again. He’s calmer now and I wonder if it’s on my account, though his skepticism remains. “Tell me about your Raven,” Linc tells Morton.

“She’s different than the others. I know it’s difficult to believe but it’s true.”

“Not so difficult,” Linc murmurs, looking at me. Morton nods in understanding.

Obadiah leans forward, wrapped up in the story. “Does she share your affection?”

“Absolutely. Meeting was the best thing that happened to either one of us. I’d like to give her all the credit and say she saved me, but truth be told, it’s entirely mutual. Or it was. Looks like I didn’t do much saving in the end.” His cheeks sag and the sadness in his eyes is real. “Do you have any idea what really happened to her?”

Linc and I share a look. I attempt an answer. “She … Titus sent her away. To protect her,” I say, but the words feel wrong in my mouth. Which Raven is his?

“It was never about protecting her,” Morton says.

“Then what was it about?” Linc asks.

“Daniel created the threat to get her out. Titus was too close to realizing her betrayal.”

“So, wait, she let Daniel threaten her? She let him try to kill her?” I ask.

“She knew it was the only way to get out. Titus found out she was working with us. He would’ve killed her. She planned to escape here but something happened. She was intercepted.”

The possibilities hang in the air. No one voices them.

“You don’t think he …?” Morton stares at the ceiling, locking his hands behind his bald head and exhaling deeply before continuing. “Never mind, don’t answer that. I can’t … She has to be okay. I am sure she’s okay.”

I am speechless. The way he speaks of this Raven is entirely different from anyone else who seems to know the girl I’m supposed to be. “You make her sound … good,” I say finally. I can’t think of anything better. Not when it comes to Raven.

“She’s the best of all of us,” he says.

“All of … what are you talking about?” Linc demands. “Raven Rogen is an Authentic. She’s why Ven was called here.”

I am not nearly as undone. Just intent on unraveling the Ravens.

“I agree that somewhere, at some point, there was or is an Authentic Raven Rogen. Probably. But the Raven I know is not her. She is one of us, another replacement in a line of replacements. Titus Rogen’s hobby is copying. He’s only recently gotten good at it.”

“You’re saying the girl who lived in Rogen Tower before me was also an Imitation?” I ask.

“Oui.”

Linc shakes his head. “No. No way, I would’ve noticed just like I did with Ven.”

“That is where you are wrong. My Raven was skilled at her role. She had everyone absolutely fooled. Even Titus trusted her for a period of time. She had freedom you do not, Ven,” he says. “Not yet. But with effort, you will. And that is how you can help.”

“Help how?” I ask.

“You can finish what she started. You can free them.”

“Them,” I repeat. Morton nods. “You mean …?”

“The City, yes. He sent her back there to undo her. I won’t let him. And the rest of them—well, they shouldn’t be kept as slaves, as pets in cages, any longer. The time has come to set them free. And you are the one who will do it.”

“Free Twig City?” I can’t do more than repeat him. My mind whirs. Possibilities. Questions. Fear. I am terrified, but of what? Termination? I risk that already, just by waking up every morning. Titus is a walking time bomb of temper. At any moment he could decide I’m not useful enough, obedient enough, smart enough, poised enough—and hit the button that will end me. How is this different?

Because it’s a risk taken of my own free will. My choice.

This is what sets the humans apart from Imitations. And in this way, if only for a moment, I know I am more human than I am science. Because even if it means my own death, I am committed to the freedom of my friends. Especially if it means undoing Titus Rogen in the process.

I have a feeling it’ll take enough fight for seven Ravens. I just hope I have it in me.





Chapter Eight


The following day, I return from dinner to find my bedroom door open. Panic shoots through my chest at all of the possibilities. Nope, Melanie’s dead, not waiting to kill me. Daniel’s locked up, I think. Titus is gone. All of the security guards, including Linc, are running virtual training ops all day in the tower. I slow my steps as I realize everyone I know and expect to see is busy elsewhere. Through the open doorway, I hear the sound of rustling fabric. My heart is pounding with the strength of an entire tribe of bass drums.

I edge silently forward, bracing a hand on the doorframe, and peek inside.

My surge of adrenaline deflates somewhere near my shins. I exhale so loudly, my guest looks up from the magazine she’s flipping through, tosses it aside, and curls her lip—half smile, half suspicious glare. “Raven, where the hell have you been, biotch?”