Moirai

“That's why I'm here,” I whispered. “Why Jaxon told the high council who I was: he wanted to help and wasn't sure Collins would've agreed.” I began to make sense of the situation. Douglas, or someone in the high council, must have entrusted Jaxon with the information about the fertility program.

We walked six blocks on cobblestone pavement before turning right and walking into our building. Heading for the elevator, I pushed the up button and waited for it to stop on our floor. The technology here felt so foreign and new. It was actually old technology—electricity, elevators, even tall buildings had been around for a long time—but not being around it my entire life, it felt weird. “How many floors in this building are living quarters?” Chloe hadn't been specific, and I wondered if it was because she simply didn't know or she was being elusive.

Kelvin stood beside me in the elevator as we headed up. “Most of the building is housing. A few floors are research facilities and the top levels are for the committee.”

“You mean the high council?”

Kelvin shook his head. “Not exactly. Though the members of the high council reside on the top floor as well.”

Stepping out onto our floor, I glanced at Kelvin. “So who is the committee?” I still had a plethora of questions. I wondered at what point he'd get annoyed with me.

“The committee is the board that chooses members of the high council. Douglas suggests who he wants in his high council, but the committee is responsible for choosing the delegates. They also make the laws in Torv; however, the council pushes them through.”

“Oh, I see.” I grabbed my key and headed for my door, unlocking it. “Thanks for walking me back to my room.” I knew it wasn't a choice for Kelvin but I still appreciated it, along with all his answers.

“Get some rest,” he offered as I stepped into my room and locked the door behind me. As much as I wanted to see Joshua, I was exhausted. In a few hours I'd get up, knock on his door and see what trouble he'd gotten into.

CHAPTER 19

I slept most of the afternoon and by evening I heard a sharp repetitive knock at my door. “Just a sec,” I answered, finding the light switch as I stumbled out of bed and opened the door.

Jaxon smirked, glancing me over. “You don't look ready.”

“Huh?” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“Joshua was supposed to tell you, it's time to pack up. We're heading to Genesis in an hour.”

I frowned. “He didn't tell me. Can I shower and grab something quick to eat before we go?”

Jaxon showed me his packed duffel he swung over his shoulder. “We don't have that much time. You shower; I'll bring you something to eat up here. The line downstairs is pretty long. When you're done, just knock on my door, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” I found my bag on the floor, grabbed a fresh change of clothes, and walked across the hall to my private bathroom. I tried not to let the butterflies in my stomach take control. I glanced at the counter, seeing a bottle of red dye. I knew Jaxon had left it for me. I colored my hair, showered, and dried off. It was strange to see my reflection once again from root to tip in red. I headed back into my room, packing up my clothes, making sure I had everything before carrying my bag over to Joshua's door. I gave a firm knock, wondering if he was in his room. There was no answer.

Kelvin watched from the hall, his back against the wall. “He's in with Jaxon.”

“Oh, thanks.” I carried my bag over towards Jaxon's room.

Kelvin smiled. “Heading home?”

I glanced down at the bag in my hand. “Yeah,” I nodded. “Something like that.” I couldn't tell Kelvin where I was going. No one could know: it would put the entire mission at risk. I knocked once then twice on Jaxon's door, hearing the handle as he pulled it back and glanced me over.

“You look better.” Jaxon smiled, giving me a hug. “I heard you're in a world of trouble from Joshua.”

“What?” My eyes widened. “Why would he say that?” I glanced past Jaxon. Joshua was staring out the window. He turned around, a huge smile plastered to his face but there was something behind his eyes. Something that told me he wasn't happy.

“It's true,” Joshua walked over, wrapping his arms around my waist as he buried his face in my neck. “Call it all off. I don't want you to go.”

“I can't do that.” I smiled, trying my best to pry myself from his grasp. “You can come with us,” though I knew it wasn't possible. The arrangements had been made for Jaxon and me to travel to Genesis. It could very well be a disaster bringing Joshua along.

“And I can't do that.” Joshua leant in, stealing a kiss. He hadn't spent time practicing a glamour. It would only take minutes before we'd be caught. “I talked with Elsa. She had some concerns about you…” He didn't finish the sentence; his look said everything.

I'll be more careful. I promised him.

You have to, Olive. If anyone found out what we're capable of… He didn't have to finish his sentence for me to know what I'd done was wrong. In some ways it had been selfish. Saving Drezden had been what we were there for, but I couldn't save every woman in labor. It had been a huge risk and could have been a bigger catastrophe. Promise me you'll be smarter in Genesis.

“I will,” I acknowledged, not caring if Kelvin overheard half our conversation. It wouldn't make any sense to him.

“Take care of her, Jaxon.” Joshua stared at him hard, his gaze refusing to linger.

“Like she's my sister,” he promised, shaking his hand.

“I don't need looking after,” I emphasized, “but thanks.” I planted one last kiss to Joshua's lips before pulling back. “When are you heading home?”

“In a few hours,” Joshua whispered. Elsa promised to drive me back. She knows we're getting closer to the attack on Genesis and is a little hesitant to be in Torv when it goes down. Besides, Collins’ orders were for both of us to return to Shadow.

I grinned as I shuffled my feet and shifted my bag in my hands. “You don't say.” I stepped closer, throwing my arms around him one last time, knowing goodbye was inevitable. I'm scared I won't see you again.

You will, Olive. You know you will. He placed a soft kiss to my lips, resting his forehead against mine.

I'll be fine. I assured Joshua, though the nerves were getting to me.

You don't have to do this. He stared at me, his hand reaching up as his thumb grazed my cheek.

Yes, I do. There wasn't another option. We'd made the arrangements; not showing up might alert someone in the system that we were up to no good. I leant in, brushing my lips one final time to Josh's. I just hoped we'd both come out of this unscathed. “Let's do this.”

“Stay safe.” Jaxon gave Josh a brief hug. I felt my stomach somersault. Hopefully, all my glamour training and experience over the last few months would pay off.

“So, how are we getting there?” I asked as Jaxon tossed his duffel over his shoulder and handed me a bag of food.

“We're driving. Well, someone will drive us,” he specified. “You'll just sit back and do your thing.” I wasn't sure which thing that was but I guessed it involved pretending to look like someone else. “Come on,” he urged as I waved a brief goodbye to Kelvin. Joshua poked his head out from the room. Already, I missed him. Together, Jaxon and I headed down the elevator. Once we were alone, he glanced at me. “I need you to glamour right now.” I nodded slowly and focused my energy on Jacqueline. She was the easiest glamour, the one I had the most training with and the most experience in pretending to be. Besides, the Governor wouldn't recognize her, I was sure of it. Jaxon looked me over. “I'm glad you used the dye. It'll last until we know when the Governor's Ball is and it'll be easier for you to glamour. One less thing to worry about: hair color.”