Page 49 of Cruel Master
Very, very dangerous.
I replay the dialogue, and fear creeps in as I let myself consider what could truly happen. If Candice exposes the Brotherhood and our captive Wards, every single Brother’s life will be over. We’ll all be imprisoned.
Jacob, Gabriel, Sebastian, Kendrick. People I don’t exactly see as friends but who I like and respect. And the work we’re doing, cutting edge enough to change the world, will never be completed. A society that has lasted hundreds of years, undone in an instant. Because of me.
I’d never see Juliet again.
The thought sears itself into my psyche. No. I put Candice above Juliet before, and the Brotherhood gave me a second chance. I won’t put Juliet second. Not again. Never again.
My heart twists even as I clench my fists and shut the DVD player. I know what has to be done, though it makes the blood freeze in my veins. Just minutes ago, I’d been imagining myself asJuliet’s hero, sweeping in and taking revenge on Trent. It seems so fucking childish now.
Being her hero means putting her first, even if it kills me.
The words burn my throat as I force them out. “I need to shut her down.”
Kendrick nods gravely. Jacob stares at me for a long second, face tight. “You’ll be able to bring her back at some point, right?”
He doesn’t mention Quinn, but his face is tense, lines etched into his forehead. I shrug, the weight of what is about to happen pressing down on me. “I’ll be able to try.”
“Shit. So how do you do it? Can you do it remotely?” Jacob asks.
I shake my head. “No. It’s a physical switch in my lab.”
Jacob lets out a sharp breath. “Fuck’s sake. Quinn is there now. This is going to be bad.”
Kendrick gets to his feet. “Given the circumstances, I’d say time is of the essence. I understand this might be difficult, but if she’s dangerous…”
He’s right. We set off. At the edge of the forest, Jacob waves the Gilda away. In a low voice, he tells Kendrick, “It might be best if you head to your office. Less chance of tipping her off.”
Kendrick nods. “See me once it’s done. I want a full report.”
“Of course.”
Then Jacob and I are alone. We don’t speak as we make our way to my lab, but tension radiates from the big man. For all that he’s a tough guy, he loves Quinn. It must be breaking his heart to do something he knows will crush her.
The walk takes forever. My legs are heavy, my stomach a hollow, nauseous pit. I’m not sure how much is from dread and how much is from poison. Was Candice really responsible for that? Did she harm me? Of everything, that’s the hardest pill toswallow. It just doesn’t feel right. But I can’t let the fate of the Compound, of Juliet, hang on a feeling.
We reach the doors to my lab. I pause, gut swirling, as the doors slide open. Quinn is in full VR gear, and her laughter, bright and free, rings out in the quiet space. “No way. You want to?” Another high-pitched shriek. “Okay, then! Let’s go!”
I wonder what game they’re playing. The two of them spend hours together in their virtual world every day. Jacob watches her with an expression I’ve never seen on his face, so full of sadness I feel like I’m intruding. Then he sets his jaw and gives me a tiny nod.
I have to do this.
I make my way over to my desk, braced for Candice to pop up on her screen and greet me. She usually does when I enter, but she’s been quieter lately. Another sign that things aren’t right. I keep my face neutral as I sit in my chair and reach under my desk, feeling for the button.
Such a simple thing. I installed it before I brought Candice online, just in case it was needed. Surprise is vital. If she knows what I’m going to do, she’ll be able to protect herself.
The protective cover opens at the touch of my finger. It drops down, and I feel the smooth metal. This is it. I can—
“Hey there!”
I jump as Candice’s voice, more American than ever, rings out. She appears on my screen, complete with purple hair, nose ring, and what looks like makeup, though I’m no expert. She’s smiling, our fight yesterday seemingly forgotten.
“You have to see this new place we’re making. We decided, why stick to the rules of physics in our own world? We can do what we like. We added these…”
She chatters on, and tears blur my vision as I press the button.
It only takes a second. One instant, Candice’s voice fills the room, and the next, her screen goes blank. Only Quinn breaks the silence. “Wait until you…oh…Candice? You there? Hello?”
