“We need to get to the facilities. See what was uncovered overnight,” Collin said.
Phillip downed his tea, squeezing Nora’s shoulder in goodbye and nodding at me before leaving the room.
“You work too hard, brother,” Nora expressed, sipping her tea.
Collin dismissed her concern and turned to me. “Nora will keep you company. Your Pod will arrive soon to transport you to work. Your lateness has been documented, and you will have your normal dismissal time. I have spoken with my fellow Illum, and you will receive a shortened workweek. Communications will be sending you a message about it.”
I wondered briefly if Phillip was behind the communications. I cleared my throat. “I don’t have adequate clothing.”
“Wear this,” Collin said, gesturing to my current dress. “I will see you soon.”
I watched him walk out before returning my attention to Nora, who appeared lost in thought.
“Ms. Emeline, I have your morning supplements,” a worker said, approaching me with a syringe on a platter. “Please raise your arm.”
“My arm?”
“Yes, ma’am, for administration.”
“Do you not take your supplements every day?” Nora asked, unconcerned.
“Yes, in pill form.”
“How outdated. We take ours as an injection.”
I held out my arm, trying to restrain my panic. A sharp pinch swept through me.
“Not so bad, right?” Nora said, smiling. “I assume your Pod will arrive soon. Shall we head to the sitting room?”
“Ms. Emeline, Mr. Collin asked that you receive this.” The worker handed me a beautiful, rich brown knee-length coat. “Nora, today’s Press issue.”
Nora chuckled and grabbed the tablet from the man. “Bastard gave you my coat.”
I followed her as she made her way out of the room. “I don’t have to take it.”
“No, I insist you do. It’s just different. He seems concerned for you, considerate even.” Nora perched on the edge of the steps that led to the sunken seating area, the tablet aglow.
I grabbed my clutch. “Does he not consider others usually?”
“He’s an Illum,” Nora stated. “He doesn’t have to. It’s different with you. Call it a twin thing.”
“Is this ‘twin thing’ normal?”
“I wouldn’t know. We are an oddity of sorts. An anomaly. I do know that Collin isn’t heartless—he cares about work and duty above all else. It’s why Phillip and Collin got along so quickly. That and their fervent desire to postpone mating for as long as possible, which is ridiculous. The male does very little. It’s the female whom everything falls on.”
I didn’t want to think about that, the possibility of an offspring. Not again.
“Don’t fret,” Nora said. “I’ll help you when it is time. I am a pro at this point.” She smiled, but she looked sad. “It was wonderful to meet you.”
Nora lifted the tablet. Her eyes widened before she flipped it down quickly, her cheeks tinged pink.
“What is it?” I asked.
“It’s nothing. Just gossip.”
“Can I see it?”
Nora looked between me and the tablet, then sighed and held it out to me.
