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Not yet.
We entered, and relief filled me to be out from under the sky. I didn’t like it. Nor did I appreciate the scowl on the woman’s face as we approached her.
“What’s this? Why are you bringing a Gray in here?” she harangued, coming out from behind a desk in her light red suit.
“She’s expected. She’s bearing a mark.” Rather than explain further, the commander spun me and lifted my hair to show off my nape.
Before the woman could say anything, a voice interrupted. “I’ve got this, Cherise. Go back to reception.”
I pivoted to see the approach of a woman dressed in dark red pants and a deep blue shirt. Two colors! A first for me. She had her curly hair cut short. Her ears held metal in them, as did her nose. Even her fingers! Could she be part machine?
As she got close enough, a pleasant aroma hit me. I couldn’t help but inhale.
She wrinkled her nose. “Really, Commander, couldn’t you have taken her through decontamination first?”
The commander rolled his armored shoulders. “Never thought of it. We came via the substation after terrorists blew up a transport and blocked the tunnel.”
Her lips pursed. “I heard. They were busy today. Killed one of the Marked on their way to the Consulate for processing.”
Killedas indead? My mouth rounded. That could have easily been me.
“It appears it was a coordinated attack,” the commander stated.
“To accomplish what?” the woman asked.
He shrugged again. “The usual. Chaos. Destruction.”
“Idiots.” She shook her head. “You’d think by now they’d know we won’t give in, and it will be worse on them.”
“Why did those Grays, those terrorists, inflict violence?” I blurted, drawing the surprised then narrowed gaze of the woman.
“Because they think they can do better than those in charge.”
“Can they?” my wayward tongue asked.
“Their violent ways are what led to where we are today. The world didn’t used to be like this. You’ll learn about all that, though, in due time. First, we must make you presentable.”
“To who?”
“You’re just full of questions,” she stated.
“She never stops,” the commander muttered.
“I just want to understand.”
“Of course you do, and you’ll get answers soon,” the woman promised.
“She’s your problem now. I’m off.” The big Enforcer shifted away from me, and I wanted to grab him. Dumb, because it wasn’t as if being with him was any safer than staying with the woman.
She, however, wasn’t done with him. “You’ll be there for the auction?”
“Do I have a choice?” his grumbled reply.
“No.” She smiled.
“You’re not supposed to bully your superiors, Serena,” he chided.
She didn’t look the least bit abashed.
