Page 58 of Failed State

Her expression darkens and I see a faint swirl of black in the little rebel’s aura. “I willnotallow that and you can mark my words, Bas. The first son of a bitch who tries to forceanyonein my presence, even on other teams, will die so messily that they will be using vacuums to pick up the pieces.”

“So… fucking… hot,” Stormbringer groans as he looks up at the ceiling. “Goddamn, I think I’m gonna blow in my damn pants if she doesn’t quit saying shit like that.”

Sydney whips her head around and gives him a withering look. “That doesn’t bode well for your sterling reputation as a sex god, Rory. Plus, you’ll walk around in dirty pants until after lunch. Maybe pinch it off or something?”

That gets a snort out of the demon, then a bark of laughter from the vampire, and soon, we’re all chuckling as the magepouts. “Vicious, you’re wounding me. If only you’d give me a chance to prove myself…”

“Mother of mayhem,” Sebastian mutters as he catches his breath. “This idiot and his fucking ego are going to get us killed.”

I tilt my head at him, my eyes serious as I ask, “Why keep it a secret that you can slow time? It’s a fucking baller power for strategy; was that purposeful?”

Clearing his throat, the vampire sighs. “We can do a lot of things and some of them are closely guarded secrets within our species. Using this ability would normally be followed by wiping the memory of those who knew it happened—which I don’t want to do to my team. It causes… mistrust.”

“So does lying—even by omission,” the bear says as he shrugs. “So quit doing it or we’ll never believe the shit you spew, even the stuff that makes perfect sense. Syd will lose her shit every time and we’ll continually take steps forward, then backward.”

The blond girl nods, turning back to the vampire. “He’s right. Stop hiding shit.”

“Fine. But everyone get back into place and look forward at this nasty bitch. I need to let go and she’ll notice if we’re not in the position her brain expects us to be.”

I face forward, bracing myself for whatever tirade the scattered, two-faced woman teaching is in the middle of.

This day is going to suck.

DON’T MAKE ME OVER

SYDNEY

The restof the cult class was as revolting as before Sebastian shared his little secret. I have no proof that it will be the one I hate the most, but given its topic, it’s highly likely. I recognize the value of keeping secrets when needed and I also understand that our team has to market itself for popularity. I’m just not happy with using such disgusting techniques to get ahead. Unfortunately, if the conversations we’ve been having about revolution are truly the goal—we’re going to have to get in bed with dogs and deal with the goddamn fleas.

Absolutely against my nature and it rankles me to the core.

Walking intoStrategy & Planninghas me on edge; I’m ready for this to be as onerous as the previous session, and I’m getting hungry again. It seems to be a growing problem since my secret removal by the centaur doc, so it must be part of the powers I’m supposed to have breaking free. I can’t ask anyone, though, even the guys. That one piece of information feels dangerous to share, even with Huck and Thad—I don’t want them to be punished if it’s discovered. If only I know, they can only torture or kill me for the offense. I’m okay with that, but not with putting my friends in the crosshairs.

“Welcome toStrategy & Planning,” the human says as he writes his name on the whiteboard. “I’m Brantley Westlake and before you decide to hate me for who and what I am, I’m going to share important information. I amnothere of my own volition, nor am I free. My sentence requires teaching classes at schools or programs until the day I die, which will be far sooner than any of you, so lucky me.”

I blink, gaping at the studious-looking guy incredulously. What the hell did a human do to earn that sentence? I thought they were all free as birds. My gaze shifts to the others who seem similarly surprised, and that makes me feel marginally better.

Brantley grins at us. “Shocked, right? You probably weren’t ever made aware of how many educated, liberal-minded humans were rounded up in the sweeps and put to work for the new administration because they did not agree with their policies. Social media was used to locate us, along with our precious technology, when we were foolish enough to speak out in public. Again, something you probably wouldn’t have seen, as it was covered up as quickly as other atrocities I cannot speak about. So I’m here now and I am invested in making sure that your team is given the tools to succeed. Iwantyour team to win your freedom, because I believe you deserve it as much as any other human.”

Holy fucking crap buckets.

“As if we’re going to trust that,” Rory says with a snort. “I’m fully aware of how devious your kind can be when they want research on subjects. You’re just as likely a spy as you are to be telling the truth.”

The human nods, his expression serious. “Good. Youshouldquestion everything you are told by every single being in this building in every situation. Not only will other teams try to manipulate you based on their Cult professor’s teachings, but the employees and prisoners working here will as well. However,I plan to show youwhyI am telling the truth, though you may not believe it until we’ve spent more time together. Are you ready for that?”

I arch a brow. “Do your worst.”

Westlake walks over to the door, shutting it firmly before coming back to the front of the classroom. He takes a deep breath, then slowly tugs the polo he’s wearing over his head. My eyes widen as he reveals his arms, neck, and torso, simplylitteredwith scars. Everything from burns to gouges to whip marks cover him from top to bottom marring his tanned skin and thin frame. He holds up his wrist, gritting his teeth as he shows us the cuff-like band on it. “This is currently shocking me, as it does every time I say something I’m not supposed to. It’s enchanted, unremovable, and incessant. That burden was placed on me the moment I was captured during the Second Sweep, and has remained, even during the many, many sessions they put me through trying to find my contacts. I almost died twenty-three times in the first two months.”

The horror reflected on my face is unpreventable as I stare at the mess that was once Westlake’s skin. “Is that all?”

“Nope,” he says with a grimace, “but I’m not sharing what lies beneath my lower half. That is my own personal pain and shame, which I do not share with anyone. It might seem extreme, but I assure you, what happened to me was done tovastnumbers of sympathetic humans who looked just like the architects of the FSHA who dissented. We thought we were safe and the old rules applied, but once Taterman and his goons steamrolled the rest of the hapless politicians in this land, they came for the humans who didn’t share their views. Just like the poem said, yet somehow, no one ever saw it coming.”

“What happened to you is a tragedy. However, I have seen far worse on supernaturals; things no one should ever experience or witness.” We all look at Elias as he stares back at the professorwith a blank expression. “It was not only men, or women, but even children and babies in my first camp. Your kind committed atrocities that will haunt those who witnessed them until the daywedie and, as you said, it’s much further away than your last days.”

The dragon’s flat affect doesn’t surprise me, but imagining what he must have seen almost breaks through my walls to make me emotional. I have to look away so I don’t lose my grip on my control. Elias may harness stoicism to that level, but I am not immune. I can almost hear tiny cries of pain and it’s making my hands tremble. Huck catches my eye and I feel a small push of strength zing through the air to slide over my skin.

That son of a bitch is trying to help me, but it only makes me feel weaker not to do it on my own.

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