“You’re a horrible person,” I seethed.
“Through and through.” Gregory grinned at me. “You pissed a lot of people off last night with your performance. Which I loved, just so you know. I haven’t seen Father that mad in a long time. Usually, it’s directed at me.” Gregory stopped, his head tilted as he took in the black boxes next to the counter. “What are these?”
“They bring me food and take away my trash and dirty clothing,” I told him as he opened one of the doors and inspected it. “Where are you taking me?”
Gregory tore his eyes from the boxes, cursing. “Do you have some tea or water? Anything to stop the fucking pounding.”
“There’s water from the faucet.”
“You’re joking, right?” he demanded, pulling away from my counter. I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “Gross, you’re serious. I’ll wait. Here,” he tossed a bag to me. “Get dressed and be quick about it. I’ll be in the Pod. I can’t stay in this hovel.” Gregory gave my living quarters one more scrutinizing glare before making his way to the door.
“Oh, and bring the gown,” he shot over his shoulder before leaving.
I shut the door behind him before sprinting to the bathroom. My legs screamed with each step. I wrenched the door open, coming face-to-face with Hal.
“Who was that?” Hal asked quietly, his jumpsuit and undershirt back on.
“One of my birth brothers. He’s taking me somewhere.” I twisted my hands together.
“Which one?”
“Gregory, the middle one.”
Hal peered out the window at the Pod waiting below. I retrieved the bag to find a simple champagne-colored day dress, brown slippers, and a suede brown clutch.
“I’ll be right back.” I strode into the bathroom, quickly slipping on the dress. It had long sleeves, a fitted bodice, and a gathered skirt. I tidied myself up, taming my hair into a low bun. My stomach flipped at the blue and brown eyes reflected in the mirror. I didn’t have a way to hide my defect. Collin hadn’t seen me without a lens. I should be worried about the implications of Collin seeing me as I truly was, but I couldn’t find it. Would they know Hal had stayed here? Had I endangered Hal? I could only hope they didn’t know. They would know about last night. About the way I had stormed out. What were the ramifications of that? Did I care if the Illum had put me in blue? If Collin had put me in blue?
I strode out of the bathroom, my worries racing after me, to find Hal leaning against the counter, arms crossed.
“Moonlight,” Hal began as I grabbed the blue dress off the ground, shoving it unceremoniously into the bag. I spun around, looking for my gold clutch from last night. “Moonlight—”
I grabbed it off the floor, fishing out my Comm Device. I had five messages. I hadn’t thought to check it last night. I thrust it into the suede bag. I’d read them on the way. I swallowed, or tried to. My throat was bone-dry. I made my way to the sink, filling a cup with water.
“Moonlight, look at me. Do you remember what I said last night?” he asked, taking the cup and grabbing me with both hands, his eyes wide. “Trust what you see, not what they say.”
I nodded, throat tight. I tried to reassure him but couldn’t get the words out. “I have to go,” I said instead. “My Mate, he’s not Elite. He’s Illum. I have to go.”
“I will wait for you in your office,” Hal said, stepping away. He didn’t seem surprised at the revelation. A ding filled the room as food was delivered to the first black box. My HI turned on, and Hal walked over to the orb, messing with it until it quieted. How did he know how to turn that off? If I’d had time, I would have asked.
I opened the door as my stomach protested fiercely. “Here, I scanned so you would have something to eat.”
Hal scoffed. “You’re the one who needs it. You ran all that way.”
“So did you. It’s your night, right? You won’t get food now.”
Hal looked like he wanted to say something but stopped. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do.” I bent down, grabbing the bag with the blue dress and my clutch.
“I don’t deserve it,” Hal said.
“You do,” I assured him as I strode out of the room, even though I felt I was leaving some crucial part of me behind.
The sky was still dark as I approached the lone Pod, stepping past puddles from last night’s storm. My breath clouded in the cold morning air. Gregory was sprawled across one side of the Pod, mindlessly twisting a gold ring he wore. I scanned and sat across from him, and the Pod took off.
“Took you long enough,” Gregory drawled.
I ignored him. I couldn’t figure him out. He had turned his nose up at my living quarters and remained silent when Vincent had suggested the Elimination Act, but he had told me he liked me. He seemed unimpressed with our birth family. I grabbed my Comm Device, pulling up the first of five messages.
