Requiem by E. L. Strife

Author:E. L. Strife [Strife, E. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-27T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

SEATS CREAKED as they unfolded in the large Training Auditorium, on Level Seven. Panton and Josie watched the rows fill up with the few people who would get to keep their normal lives as ‘human.’

Panton slumped sideways in his chair, exhausted from running twenty-seven collector drops back-to-back. Beside him, Josie didn’t look like she felt much better. He had something on his mind and dreaded mentioning it. But her safety came first, and they told each other everything.

“I, uh—”

She cocked her head, a sharp, green eye locking on him.

His nervousness made him blurt it out, “Rusty said I smelled too much like you today.” Panton cringed.

“That’s a weird thing to say.” Her brows slammed together. “All guards and their snipers probably smell like each other. We’re in constant contact.”

Icy panic stiffened his body, but he’d dug his hole, and she looked expectant. “He claims I’ve been running my mouth and not working hard enough, that I’m gaining too much weight.” Panton flipped his hands over in helpless exasperation. It was too late to back out now. “My stuff is supposedly always on his side of the bunk row now. Keeps saying I’m too easily angered—”

“When did this start?”

“Since we’ve all been back on Home Station. He bragged his team would be picked for the Agutra mission before we left O.B. Thirty-four. After we were selected, he spread a rumor you and I did something—” Just the idea left his chest warm with a mix of anger and lust. “Forbidden together.”

“What specifically?”

“The worst possible way to break Rule One,” Panton mumbled, mostly out of embarrassment, partially out of disappointment. He’d hoped to see at least a twitch of what he felt reflect in her eyes.

They were as cold and heartless as emerald blades. Josie didn’t look bothered a bit. He had expected her to question him on whether or not he was doing those things. He’d prayed she’d be calm. Now she was, and he didn’t like it.

“CENA logs can prove we haven’t.”

Panton rubbed a hand over the throbbing stitches in his chest sending shots of pain coursing around his shoulder to help block out his anxiety. “Yeah, still. I don’t want people spreading lies about you. Your protection is my job.”

When we came back this morning after I dropped you off at your room, I went back to the guard’s quarters, and my things were scattered across the floor. I didn’t leave them that way. I caught Rusty staring at your picture, tracing it with his fingers.” He took a deep breath. “He’s always lingered over my assignment display, the one attached to my bunk. I’ve noticed him watching us train and sometimes work. I never considered it more than a childish rivalry, one I’m not interested in because it isn’t to Code. Now, I’m thinking he wants to get rid of me so he can be paired with you.”

Josie chewed a lip. “I do not want to work with him. Does Hugo know about this—obsession?”

“Yes. I’ve been talking to him for years because of Rusty’s lack of focus on the job.

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