Page 16 of Failed State

Is this bitch fucking kidding me? We have to live with these assholes?!

Before they can stop me, I spring to my feet and start pacing the length of the room. The one thing I’ve been lucky enough to have since I was put in the adult home for orphans is a room to myself. It’s where I’m able to let the mask I wear fade and talk to myself about the way things were before this nightmare. I can lie in the dark and try to find the ability to cry—something I haven’t been able to do since my father was killed. The silence and the space are my refuge and now these motherfuckers want to take my last vestige of hope away.

They say the American Dream died a long time ago, but it's true death was the beginning of this regime.

“Sydney, it will be okay.”

I whirl around, my braid flipping behind me as I glare at Thad. “It is? Oh, thank you for telling me. Now I’m totally fine.”

Huck snorts, shaking his head as he tips his hat back. “I don’t think he meant to discount your feelings, sweet pea.”

Of course he didn’t. Thaddeus is the kindest, most patient dude I’ve ever met, and I know he wouldn’t do such a thing. But I’m so angry about everything and have been for so long, that I don’t know how to parse this newest outrage. The universe has been cruel enough to our kind, yet the hits keep coming, day after day.

When does it become too much? When do we say ‘no more’ and give up?

“I know that.” My voice is soft because I don’t trust it to stay steady. Thad’s eyes meet mine, and I know he sees the depths of my despair. He’s been by my side for most of the injustices and despite Huck’s barnacle-like fixation, the bear is the one person in the world who knows me the best.

“Sydney, I only meant that you’ll have us. We’ll make sure you get the space you need.”

Krista frowns, studying us for a moment. “Does she have some sort of problem you didn’t disclose? That’s very bad. In fact, it’s definitely going to?—”

“No,” Huck says firmly. “But you don’t know what it’s like to be ripped from your home and family, by distance or death, and thrust into prison camps to live because some politician wanted to become a king. So maybe back off and let us handle our own shit, Krista.”

That shuts our bubbly sponsor up. She looks ruffled, as if she doesn’t know how to respond, then settles into her seat with her phone. Since there’s nothing she can say to change our situation, that’s probably for the best. Refuting his claim will only lead to enmity, and I refuse to let a human tell us what we’ve experienced since their betrayal. We would have all been at odds very quickly.

“Any idea why this shit is taking so long?” Thad says after a few moments. “This algorithm must not be that advanced if it’s taking this damn long.”

Krista doesn’t answer him, so I pace again. “Probably me, you know. Unknown magic user is pretty vague, but it’s all I have to give.”

“Sweet pea, come sit down. You’ll wear a hole in the rug, and I’d prefer it be clear whose team you’re on when they bring our rogues along.”

“Rogues? Huckleberry, we would never,” the human glares at him, giving into his taunt. “Your teammates will be perfectly safe to interact with. What a horrid thing to suggest.”

Thad leans forward, putting his forearms on his knees. “The rumors aren’t true, then?”

Her cupid bow mouth purses and Krista looks at him. “What rumors?”

“The ones that say you’ve imported lockdown losers to help fill the gaps in the teams and make better TV,” I growl. “I’ve been told people witnessed caged transports.”

Her smile falters again, and a panic comes over her features. She definitely knew that was a possibility and all her misdirection was to keep us calm while we waited. I believe that she doesn’t know everything, like she said, but she knows more than we’re being told. This entire thing is one big mind fuck, and the humans are moving us around like chess pieces.

I fucking hate them so goddamn much.

Another weird sound echoes in the room and our sponsor claps her hands excitedly. “That’s the notification. Your team members will be here in seconds.”

My eyes meet Thad’s and he nods, so I walk over to join them on the couch. Huck is likely right about presenting a united front, especially because Krista seems uninclined to share what she knows about the supes coming this way. Huck’s arm drapes along the back of the couch to extend to both Thad and me, and he whistles an old tune softly as time ticks by. Finally, something gets our bear’s attention, and he tenses.

“They’re coming.”

The door opens, revealing heavily armed humans and I roll my eyes. “We’re definitely not working with them.”

Krista titters, waving her hand at me. “Don’t be silly. Those are the escorts, Sydney.”

The biggest dude grunts and shoves the door open far enough to allow a trail of people into the room. My eyes widen as I take in the amount of guards they sent, and I have to school my features to keep from giving away my surprise. Usually, they reserve this show of force for criminals and gang members.

A shock of white hair belonging to a tall, lithe male with bedroom eyes and equally pale skin is the first thing I see of our new team. I’m curious for a moment, but he flashes long, sharp fangs, and my breath catches in my throat.

Please tell me that a motherfucking vampire—traitors to supe kind—isn’t one of ours?!

---