Deviation (Clone Chronicles #2)(29)

I watch him exit without a word.





Chapter Nine


True to his word, Alton delivers a phone to my room within the hour. It’s sleek and black and high-tech enough that I have no doubt it’s completely bugged and coded to record every word and every stroke of my finger. I take it from the guard who delivers it—Deitrich, I think Linc calls him—with a roll of my eyes.

“Thanks,” I mutter.

The guard leaves and I try not to wonder what Linc is doing now that he’s been reassigned. Maybe now, he’ll spend more time with his mother. I try to convince myself this is a silver lining even though my heart rebels and threatens to panic at not having him beside me every time I venture out into public.

Mentally, I repeat his words back to me: We’ll figure something out.

I power the phone on and dial Obadiah. His number has been pre-programmed into my list of contacts. So have Taylor’s and Titus’s. I’m fairly certain the only numbers that will work are the three that have been provided for me. Not that I know any others.

Obadiah answers on the fifth ring. “Hello?” He sounds breathless.

“Obadiah, it’s me … Raven,” I add, aware of our eavesdroppers.

“Oh, hey,” he says hesitantly. I wait while he does the math on what’s happening.

“How are you?” I ask.

“I’m good. I’m … out and about in the city. Just left the orphanage. You know, the one you accompanied me to once.”

“How are the … orphans faring?” I ask.

“Very well under the circumstances. They ask about you and when you might come back and visit.”

“I don’t think that will happen for a while,” I say quietly. This is dangerous territory now. I let irritation into my voice and add, “My father hired a new head of security today. They’re acting like I’m still being threatened, calling it a level five or whatever, so they feel the need to hold my hand every five seconds. He’s probably determined to impress so he’ll be extra annoying while he follows me around. I have, like, no privacy anymore.”

“Sounds like a drag. What are you going to do?”

The annoyance contained in my huff is all me. “Show him what it’s like to follow Raven Rogen around all day. I’m shopping with Taylor tomorrow.”

Obadiah laughs. “That plan is fraught with all sorts of danger.”

“He’ll regret his promise to not leave my side after listening to her for an hour,” I agree.

“Totes. You up for that? I mean, a whole shopping experience with Taylor? It can take a lot out of a person.”

“I have no choice. She’s determined to be a good friend.”

“Taylor wants to be a good friend? That’s an oxymoron.”

A laugh escapes me but dies away quickly as I remember what Taylor told me about the mark. The segregation. I wish I could talk to Obadiah about it, share my worries, ask his advice, but I know better. Instead, I continue with the current line of conversation. “She came over today and demanded to know what my problem is. I explained I’m still pretty shaken up about Daniel’s disappearance and she decided she hasn’t been there enough for me. I think she’s going to launch a whole “Cheer Raven Up” campaign. Shopping and lunches and parties. I’m kind of scared.”

“Oh, honey, you should be. I mean, a campaign run by Taylor? Ugh.” His voice shudders. “That sounds terrifying.”

I laugh again and it feels good. There’s a noise on Obadiah’s end, like a car door shutting. “I’ve got to run for now, but leave some time in your busy political schedule for me, will ya?”

“I will,” I promise.

“Are you going to the Party fundraiser this weekend?” he asks.

“The what?”

“Darling. You’ve been hiding at home too much. The fundraiser for the New World Political Party. My dad’s putting it on to raise election funds for Taylor’s dad. Speeches, suits, ties. You know, the usual.”

“I thought your dad was changing parties,” I say.

“Who told you that?”

“Um.” I hesitate. No one told me anything. I only know what I’d overheard form Titus. He wants to trade Obadiah’s dad for an Imitation version. Or, at least, he will if Senator Whitcomb doesn’t continue playing along with whatever political agenda they’ve set before him. It’s not something I’ve found a way to inform Obadiah of. “Just something Taylor said,” I lie.

“Ugh. Taylor’s such a busybody,” he says. “My dad’s decided to stay where he is. Taylor needs to follow the advice of her bra and stuff it. Anyway, you going?”

“I don’t know, am I?”

“With Taylor in charge of your emotional state, I’d say yes.”

“Okay, then, yes.”

“Fab. I’ll see you there.”

“See you there.”

He blows a kiss and then the line goes dead.

I toss the phone aside and curl up on my bed. Morton and the others are all right. For now. Obadiah can update me, even if I can’t go see them myself.

I desperately want to tell him about what Taylor said, but I know I can’t. Not on the phone. I will have to attend the party Obadiah mentioned if I want to talk to him without listening ears. Titus will probably insist anyway. I glance up in the direction of my closet, thinking of the sparkly dresses hanging inside. I’ve worn almost all of them, or the ones I can stand to wear. Most have such low-cut necklines and strapless backs I can’t bring myself to step out of my room in them.