Page 113 of Generation Omega: Claimed
What does it mean when a killer longs for peace?
I’m defective, clearly. A shame upon my crappy family name. No great loss there. Truly, I’ve never believed the wordluckycould ever describe my life, but it does now. I’m a lucky assassin who actually found his reasons to live a good life. I inhale another rich breath of forest-fed air and sigh like a contented man.
I hear the click before any warning reaches my ears and then a voice I know too well.
“Don’t move, Kazzie. Don’t turn. Don’t be stupid.”
My soul turns to ice and drags the rest of me into its frost. I’ve failed. It’s over. “How?”
She giggles, managing to sound like an ingénue rather than a sadist, which is exactly why she’s so effective at what she does. “Some brothers tell their sisterseverything, but you don’t tell meanything. But really, that’s neither here nor there, because I’m here and there and everywhere. It’s been a lovely adventure discovering all your secrets.”
She tuts at me. “You’ve been abadVolkov, thinking you could just walk away with your handsome beta. Who’s theomegee lover now? I get it—they’re infectiously adorable, aren’t they? Did you see him when he had an orchid painted on his face? Because I did. I saw them all. I was in that auditorium watching the game begin, and now I’m here to watch it end.”
I know better than to plead. The fact that I would doesn’t surprise me, though I don’t miss the irony. But begging wouldn’t work on me, and it certainly won’t work on the girl I trained from the time she was a toddler. “Just do it. Put me out of my misery already.”
My sister laughs as freely as a psychopath. “Oh, don’t be silly. I’m not inthatmuch of a rush to be an only child. I mean, you killed our brother and if I kill you, then who’s left to defeat that’s worthy of my efforts?”
I’m still glaring at the trees, not daring to turn around, but why? I could make her kill me, but I won’t, because I’ve been at this a long time. I know what all killers know—it’s not over until it’s over.
“Don’t you want to know what I did to your darling beta?” Her voice is still musical, but even more haunting.
I’m not even a worthy adversary anymore, because my body tenses at the mention of Ethan, broadcasting exactly how much power my kid sister has right now. “I’m certain you’ll tell me. What fun would it be to keep that secret?”
“You know me so well,” she gushes. “You don’t need to worry yourself. I used a basic horsey tranquilizer on your fella, nothing lethal to a cute beta boy. The rest got the serum and are sleeping peacefully while they await pickup. They’re on their way—Papais on his way.”
Her brightness is a pickaxe bashing holes in my frozen heart. “Papa has big plans for your dear beta, and for you, but I’m feeling like the game ended too quickly. I also feel like I owe you—for ending Ivan’s reign of terror, of course. I almost did itsomany times, but Papa’s approval still matters to me. But neverhaving to look at the gnarly-faced monster that tortured me all those years…priceless. So, what do you say? You want to keep the game going a bit longer?”
“Sure, if you’d like. Tell me the rules.” I force myself to sound amused at the possibilities, but all I feel is horror. My sister only plays games if they’ll wreak such havoc that you forever hate yourself and the misguided hope that kept you from tapping out when you should have.
“I’ll let you go. Aren’t I generous?”
“The rules,” I push.
“Fine. I’ll let you choose one of your little packmates to take with you—just one.” Another peal of giggles precedes her adding, “I know you aren’t taking the hapless professor…sheesh, what a wonderful mess you made of his neck. And you won’t choose the other alphas, so that leaves you with the most delicious choice ever—your precious beta or the omegaheloves. He’ll never forgive you for choosing him, and she’ll never forgive you for choosing her…amazing, am I right? In truth, if this weren’t so scrumptious, I’d already have dosed you with the serum. But this might be my best gameever.”
She pauses before speaking quickly, “Oh dear, they’re coming up the hill. Time is short. Make your choice, Kazzie.”
“What about you? You really want to pay the price for this?” I’m stalling, but it’s all I can do.
“Aww, thinking of me… howcute, but I’m ready for my punishment. That’s the thing about me—Ilikewhat they do to me when I’m in trouble. You were never like that. You delivered the pain, but you never became it. That’s why I’ll always win, dear brother.Always. Now, you’ve got to move. I’ll stay close but not get in your way.”
Everything about her voice and demeanor shifts instantly, becoming cold, calculating, treacherous. “One thing though, if you break my rules or attempt to bark at me, I’ll put an actualbullet into your beta’s head—likeyoushould have in that alley. You chose to betray our family, and I’ll punish you for that one day. And don’t forget who Papa likes to watch torture our toys. Whether you choose your beta or the omega, the one you leave behind belongs to me now.”
I must do this. I must choose. I must pick one packmate to save. Of course, it will be Ethan or Tillie, but as I enter the house, not having even seen my mask-wearing sister’s face, I have no idea what I’m going to do.
CHAPTER 53
TILLIE
Instead of silence, my mind is pummeled by my pulse that bashes my eardrums and overwhelms all thought. My weather-station heart is declaring an official emergency, sending shrill alarms reverberating through my connections, as it searches for help and receives no response.
How many?
How many enemies did they send for us?
Who did they strike first?
How did they find us?
