Deviation (Clone Chronicles #2)(43)

I don’t realize I’ve moved an inch until I feel the fabric of clothing underneath my hands. I blink down and realize it is the same color as the shirt Titus wears. I look up—into his face. His surprise mirrors my own. Neither of us expected my attack. But then I’m moving again, using my nails to grip into his eye sockets and rake downward.

Titus screams.

I shiver in satisfaction and let go long enough to reach up and dig in again.

“It’s happening again,” someone shouts. “Grab her.” Hands close over my body. Linc yells to let go. I don’t see any of it. I only see the blood from the skin I’ve separated with my fingernails. I want to do it again and again. For Linc. For Melanie. For all of the Ravens.

But the hands won’t let me. They push and pull, finally using my hair to yank me clean away. It is a pain that finally reaches me and, at the sharp stab in my scalp, I scream. The sound doesn’t reach my ears before my back slams against the wall and my breath is stolen.

“Do you want me to dose her again?” Josephine asks.

“Not yet,” Titus says.

Alton’s face swims in front of me, the right edges of his chin and hairline blurred. The left side of his face is completely blotted out behind my swollen eye. His expression is densely blank. He doesn’t say a word, just stands there, his hands pinning me.

Linc yells but Deitrich and another guard stand in his way, forming a wall around me. They move to allow Titus through but somehow manage to keep Linc back. I blink but nothing focuses completely. Air refills my lungs and I wheeze as I inhale.

“You have attacked me for the last time,” Titus says quietly. His eerie calm is different with me than it was with Linc. It takes me a moment to realize what has changed and even then I doubt the realization. Maybe I’m imagining it or wanting it to be true, but the confidence he used when dealing with Linc is gone. Or lessened. I’m not sure the reason for the change, but it makes me braver.

What did he mean, it’s happening again?

“So have you,” I shoot back. His eyes flash and I wonder if he’ll hit me again just to make me a liar. But he doesn’t. His lip curls back, revealing even, white teeth. I want to spit on him I hate him so much.

“We’re going for a ride,” he says.

I blink. It’s not what I expected.

No one moves right away. It’s not what they expected either.

“Alton, bring the car. Crawford,” Titus snaps. The guards part and Linc approaches. Tension lines crease his forehead. I know he’s still considering retaliating against Titus. I shake my head “no” at him, hoping to send a message. He doesn’t acknowledge it other than to inspect me. But we both know Titus didn’t lay a hand on me just now. If he did, there would’ve been no hesitation on Linc’s part.

“Rogen,” Linc says simply, his eyes trained on me.

“Your services won’t be needed for the rest of the night.”

“If you’re going out—”

“Your services won’t be needed,” Titus repeats. “Go back to your room.”

Linc snorts. “My cell, you mean?”

“No. You’re free to go. Just get out of my sight. Report to the tower in the morning.”

Linc doesn’t move. Silently, I plead with him to obey. This night, horrible as it has been, could still be much worse. Blackmailing Linc into keeping his distance is one thing. Hurting him in front of me would be another.

“I’ll be fine,” I say, ignoring the noise Titus makes at my words.

Linc nods slowly. “All right then.” He glances back at where Josephine still crouches in front of Daniel. Then to where Sofia huddles beside Daniel’s bed. I’d almost forgotten she was here.

“I’ll walk Sofia to her room on my way out,” Linc says. It isn’t a question.

“Fine,” Titus says.

Linc extends a hand to Sofia. She rises and quickly crosses to his side. He wraps his arm around her shoulder and tucks her in against him. She looks tiny and lost beside him. My heart pings in sympathy at what she must be feeling. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Linc tells me.

“Yes,” I say, though I realize how little control I have over that possibility.

Still, it seems to satisfy him. He makes his way to the door, pausing to let Sofia go first before slipping out after her. Then, they are both gone.

I’m escorted to my room and Maria hovers, helping me change into street clothes. I am grateful for the thick sweater and comfortable pants she provides but I keep my thanks to myself. Partly because my headache is back but mostly because I’m terrified of what’s about to happen.

Titus said we’re going for a ride. I have no idea where. Or for how long. Or if I’ll even return. The last thought leaves a lump in my throat, and no matter how many times I swallow, it won’t go away. Maybe I was wrong before about Titus wanting me alive. Maybe he intends to finish it somewhere else. Somewhere he can leave the mess behind. It paralyzes me and Maria has to tug hard on my arms to get the sweater over my head. It jolts me into motion again but only the minimum effort required to assist her in dressing me.

My hair is brushed into a semblance of order and then Maria disappears into the closet in search of some hat she is muttering about. Something on my dresser catches my eye while I wait. My phone. On impulse, I palm it and slide it into my pocket seconds before Maria returns, a soft blue hat in her hand.