Gregory stood, stretching before strutting to the exit. “Someone has to keep it interesting around here. However, I assume our little sister is about to make thingsveryinteresting.”
He left, and I stood awkwardly, a death grip on my clutch. My hands ached; I was sure the metal would cut into my palms if I continued to hold it so tightly. I felt flushed, and my body tingled, throat still raw from the burn of the alcohol.
“The Starlings dressed you?” Phillip asked as he looked at my gown, his brow furrowed. He didn’t cringe from the blue color. Maybe being so close to the Illum gave him some protection from such things. Instead, he stared at the gown like he did me, like it was a problem only he could solve.
“Yes,” I said uncomfortably, smoothing the front of the gown. “It was addressed to me. Did Collin—”
Gregory popped his head back in, cutting me off. “Mother’s coming.”
Phillip pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s go.” He led the way into the next room. “The gown will have to wait. Thankfully, it is only family tonight. The insult is minimal. We’ll just need to make sure the Press doesn’t get wind of this.”
I couldn’t breathe around the wordfamily—and how easily he said it. My mind raced by their evident familiarity with one another, the intimacy.Mother, brother, sister.These were familial terms, ancient terms that I thought had died out.
Everything in the Defects’ education used words likebirth father, birth mother,andbirth sibling—acknowledging a tie, but it was formal and detached. They meant nothing to the Defect community. The clicks of my heels reverberated through me as I walked in to meet a family,myfamily.
A family I did not know.
The dining room was as exquisite as the others, but I couldn’t focus on anything other than the five people in the room and the dark clouds outside that swirled as viciously as my thoughts.
Vincent stood at the head of the large table, which was big enough for twenty. The seat to his right sat empty. Next to it, Richard, then Gregory. On Vincent’s left was Helen, followed by Phillip. Next to Phillip was another open place setting, most likely my intended seat. They all stood waiting for me.
In no world would I ever be next to my birth father. Guests of honor sat next to the host, my HI had informed me this morning. I would never be that important, not to him. I could just remain quiet at the end.
I looked at the end seat. Gregory sucked his tooth, looking at me like he would allow no such thing. It was odd that Gregory sat so far from my birth father when he was second born.
Helen’s tinkling voice rang out. “Emeline, since Collin cannot make it, come sit across from me,”
“It is fine. I can sit here,” I said.
“Honestly, no manners.” Richard sneered at me. “Do Defects often insult their hosts?”
Helen gasped loudly, not at Richard’s words but at me. She stood in her rich burgundy bell-sleeved dress, staring at me. “Your gown. Why are you in that color?”
“I was told to wear it.”
“Have we insulted the Illum? Is Collin angry with this match?” Helen demanded of Phillip next to her.
A laugh escaped Gregory that he instantly contorted into a cough. Vincent gripped the back of his chair almost as fiercely as I held my clutch.
Phillip simply shrugged. “The Illum do not explain themselves. We should take this and be cognizant of our actions and any that might have offended them.” His eyes swept the table before landing on Gregory, who nodded somberly.
“Helen, this insult is to her alone. She should get used to the color,” Vincent drawled, pulling out his chair. “It will be permanent when she messes up.”
When,notif,like my fate was a foregone conclusion.
“I believe you meantif,” Gregory contradicted.
“No. I spoke correctly,” Vincent said coldly.
Everyone stood waiting, watching me.
“By all means, take the entire moon to sit, sister. We all enjoy being made to wait,” Gregory said dryly.
“Apologies,” I muttered quietly, making my way around the table to the chair on Vincent’s right.
“You shall learn,” Helen encouraged, her elegant eyes on the blue once more.
I swallowed tightly, instantly wishing for another mind-befuddling drink. I waited until the others were fully seated before pulling my own out. A hidden door opened before I fully sat, and several dark-gray-clad Defects waltzed in, setting down beautiful plates laden with delicious smells and enticing displays of food. My stomach growled at the rich aroma. Everyone’s plate was different, each clearly tailored to our nutritional needs.
