by L. S. O'Dea
“Doesn’t appear that way.” Trunk stared at Trinity who hadn’t moved.
“I mean it, Trinity. Go and wait for me outside.”
She was an adult. She took orders from no one, but Mom needed complete authority in the infirmary and she wanted to leave so she turned and strode toward the door.
“And you,” Mom said to Trunk. “Go home. You’re well enough now.”
“But I haven’t had my bath,” said Trunk, a whine in his tone.
“You should’ve thought about that before you insulted my daughter.”
Trinity pushed through the flap of the tent. Trunk was disgusting. Mom should’ve let his wound fester until he died. She bit her lip, guilty for the thought. Trunk may be mean and gross but he didn’t deserve that. Too many of their kind had already died. “Thanks a lot, you little tattletale,” she said to Say.
The small, dark House Servant shrugged and slipped into the nearby bushes. He was such a pain sometimes. She hesitated, glancing back through the door at her mother. She was twenty-one years old. She’d lived on her own with Gaar for years. She didn’t have to wait here to be lectured by her mom.
CHAPTER 19: TRINITY
TRINITY HEADED FOR HER tent. Say trailed after her, silent as always. According to Ray, the little House Servant had started hanging around his warehouse one day. Another orphan dumped by the Almightys. Since he never spoke, Ray had nicked-named him Say. The little Servant had begun following her the day she’d met him.
“I was fine. You shouldn’t have gotten my mom.” She sighed at his shrug. No matter how annoying the little guy was, she was glad to see him. He’d refused to stay behind when they’d gone to free Hugh, but when they’d arrived at the river, he wouldn’t get in the boat and she’d had to leave him.
She pushed into her tent. She needed to hurry. She wanted to be out of there before Mom arrived to yell at her. Say followed her inside and spun around when she started to undress. She never had to worry about him peeping at her. He treated her like an older sister. She bathed quickly, using a rag and the water that she’d left in her tent, and then dressed in clean clothes. She slipped on her shoes and almost groaned as Mom stormed into the tent. She’d been so close to escaping.
“You, whatever your name is, get out.” Mom glared at Say. “I need to speak with my daughter.”
Say shot Trinity a questioning look and she nodded. There was no reason for her and Mom to fight about him too.
“Sit,” ordered Mom.
“That wasn’t my fault.” She dropped onto her cot.
“It never is.”
“What does that mean?” She was tired of never doing anything right according to her mother.
“You need to choose a mate. It’s past time.” Mom sat next to her.
She shook her head. She couldn’t. Not yet.
“You can’t wait for him forever.” Mom’s words were soft, almost a whisper.
“Not this again. I swear, I’m not waiting for anyone.” She stood. They’d had this conversation too many times over the past three years.
“Jethro is not interested in you. If he were, he would’ve contacted you by now. I know this is hard, but it’s the truth. When a male likes a female, she can’t keep him away. I’m not saying this because I don’t think he’s a good mate for you. I’m saying it because you need to forget about him or you’ll never give anyone else a chance.”
That hurt. She’d made up numerous reasons why he’d never contacted her but they all rang false. All she had left was denial. “For the last time, I’m not waiting on Jethro.” She wasn’t. Not really. Not anymore. She was ready to move on, if only she could find someone she liked.
“Prove it.” Mom stood, pulling the hairband from Trinity’s hair and grabbing the hairbrush that was next to the water pitcher. She began brushing her daughter’s hair in long, strong strokes.
“How? By pairing with someone I can’t stand.” She tipped her head backward. Mom used to do this a lot, especially on those long, winter days when it was just the two of them in the cabin. She missed this mother—the one who’d been her friend.
“Please, they aren’t all bad. What about Travis?”
“We don’t feel that way about each other.” They’d kissed a couple of times and it’d been awkward. She’d always love him, but not like that.
“I’m sure we can think of someone.”
She stepped away, tying her hair back with a clean band. Going through a list of potential mates with her mother would be a nightmare. She needed to end this conversation and she knew one sure way to do that. “By someone, do you mean any male or only a male Producer?”
“I don’t understand why you’re so set against bonding with a Producer. There are a lot of good, strong, attractive Producers in this camp or the other one.”
“I don’t want to be paired with someone who’ll hate the House Servant part of me and any sign of that in our offspring.” If saving the Producers from being killed and eaten hadn’t warmed their hearts toward her, nothing would.
“The Producers don’t hate you. Most of them never did. Your life wasn’t perfect—”
“Not perfect? Clarabelle and her friends took every opportunity to chase me, beat me and belittle me.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” Mom’s face paled and she dropped to the bed. “Was it?”
She’d kept most of the torment a secret from her mother. She’d had Remy to confide in but he was gone, murdered because she’d escaped. She sat on the cot next to her mom. “Yes Mom, it was.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t...why didn’t you tell me?”
“What could you have done?” They’d both been trapped, in that camp, in that life.
“I would’ve done something.” Mom kissed her cheek.
“It’s over.”
“You’re right and it’s over for the other Producers too.” Mom’s voice lowered. “I’ve seen the way some of the males look at you. If you show them a little interest—”
“You don’t get it.” She stood again, eager to leave. “They’re interested in mating, not bonding.”
“That’s not true, and even if it is, your father and I will make sure that if the first one happens, the second will follow.”
“Great. A forced bonding would make my relationship with my mate just perfect.”
“It worked for years in the camp.”
“No, it didn’t. Many of the mates lived separately. You and Remy were a perfect example of how well assigning mates worked.”
“That was entirely different, but it doesn’t matter. We aren’t talking about the past. We’re discussing the future.” Mom’s voice softened. “Your future. I’m going to invite some of the best candidates over for dinner tomorrow. Promise me that you’ll give them a chance. Open yourself up and let them see the real you.”
“I don’t want to pair with a Producer.” She refused to live the rest of her life feeling inferior like she had during her childhood. “I won’t pair with a Producer.”
“Now, you’re being stubborn.” Mom stood and tucked a strand of hair behind Trinity’s ear. “You’re coming to dinner tomorrow. No arguments. You don’t need to pick one of the males right away.”
“You aren’t listening to me.”
“Because you aren’t thinking about what’s best for you. You may deny it but you’re waiting for that Almighty boy and that has to stop.”
“How many times do I have to tell you? I’m not waiting for Jethro.”
“Then explain why you won’t come over for a nice meal with a few eligible males.” Mom folded her arms over her chest.
“If you really want me to explain, I will, but remember you asked for this.” She hesitated. Once she admitted this, she could never take it back. She took a deep breath. “The real reason that I’ll never mate with a Producer is because I don’t want my offspring to be weak.”
Mom’s face paled. “That’s how you see us?”
She straightened her shoulders, refusing to be swaye
d by the hurt in Mom’s eyes. “I know this is hard, but it’s the truth.” Mom flinched as she recognized her own words. “Producers may be physically strong, but they’re loud and slow. In the forest, that can get you killed. I want my offspring to survive.” She glanced away, unable to watch Mom’s face as that comment hit home.
“I’ll speak with your father about inviting some House Servants to dinner instead of Producers.” Mom’s voice was clipped.
“I don’t want a House Servant as a mate either.” Her mind spun. She hadn’t expected Mom to cave on the Producer issue. She’d expected her to yell or to storm away.
“And why not? You’re only fast and quiet because of the Servant in you.”
“Servants don’t stay true to one another.”
“That is enough! Your father—”
“That’s not what I meant. Dad loves you. He’d never cheat on you. I’m sorry, I...I didn’t mean Dad.” It’d been the first thing that had come to mind but she truly hadn’t meant her father.
“Apology accepted.” Mom took a deep breath. “I’m trying to help, truly I am. All you have to do is find a male who loves you. That won’t be hard.” She smiled. “You’re very lovable when you let yourself be.”
“I’m assuming that lately I haven’t been letting myself be lovable.” Her mother’s backhanded compliments always burrowed in like a tick.
“No, you haven’t. You run around the forest with that Handler. If he weren’t so old, I’d think you loved him.”
She stiffened. “I do love Gaar and Mirra and they love me, just as I am.”
“Your father and I love you but we see that you’re making mistakes that’ll ruin your life.”
“And you’re an expert at not making mistakes?”
“I won’t apologize for bonding with your father. We love each other.”
“That’s all I want.” She took her mom’s hand. “Let me find it in my own way.”
Mom touched Trinity’s cheek. “Okay, but come to dinner tomorrow and meet the Servants—”
“No.” She stepped away. She wanted this conversation to be over. She wanted to go into the forest where she’d be left alone. “I do not...I will not pair with a Servant. Besides Dad, none of them are faithful to their mates.”
“That’s because they aren’t in love with their mates. That can happen in any class.”
“Ray loves Meesus and she loves Ray but they’re not faithful to each other.”
“That’s different. Meesus is a whore.”
“And Ray owns whores. Trust me, he’s not missing out. He samples his wares.”
“You shouldn’t be in that place. I’ve told your father—”
“I’m glad I’ve met Ray and the others. At least I know that although Servants are charming, it’s not in their nature to be faithful.”
“Your father—”
“Is part Almighty.” She wanted to pull the words back as soon as they slipped out. She’d made a strategic error and Mom pounced on it.
“So, you want to bond with an Almighty. Anyone in particular?” Mom’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“I’m not waiting for Jethro.” She grabbed her backpack and headed for the door. “Did you ever consider that I don’t want to have a baby in this world? Maybe, I’m waiting for something better like a life without constant danger.”
“Life is always dangerous.” Mom walked over and hugged her. “You need someone. A companion. A friend. A mate.”
“I’m not ready.” She pulled away.
“If not a Producer or Servant, what about Curtis?”
She froze. Mom must be desperate to suggest a Guard. Dad would have a fit.
“He’s young and strong and he likes—”
“Stop. Okay. I’m not attracted to him.”
“You were flirting with him.”
“I was talking to him.”
“You don’t just talk to the males in this camp. You touch them.”
“I do not!” Earlier with Curtis, he’d touched her hand, but she hadn’t touched him.
“Maybe you don’t realize it, but you do. You lean close to them and touch their arms and hands.”
“So what?” She did do that sometimes.
“Males are different. What you see as talking or flirting they see as a promise of something more.”
“Then they need to clear their vision.”
“I’m done having this same conversation with you,” said Mom.
“Great. Finally, something we can agree on.” Getting snotty with Mom always backfired but she was too angry to think straight.
Mom’s eyes narrowed. “You need to choose, or your father and I will choose for you.”
She stumbled backward as if she’d been punched in the stomach. “You don’t mean that.”
“Your father and I have discussed it. It’s not safe. We see how the males watch you. You need to belong to someone or one of them may decide to make you his in any way possible.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat. Rape. Most of the males in the camp wouldn’t even think of it, but there were some who might. “Don’t worry. I’m not the same helpless girl you sent into the forest. I can protect myself now. Gaar and Mirra made sure of that.”
Her mother’s eyes registered the blow. Where she’d failed her daughter, the Handler and Tracker had succeeded. “I had no choice and you know it. I couldn’t come with you.”
She shrugged. It was true, but right now she didn’t care. Her parents had no right to attempt to force her into a relationship.
“You need to pick a mate soon, or we’ll do it for you.” Mom pushed past her toward the door.
“I won’t obey you.” Her tone was flat, emotionless.
Her mother paused, her back stiffening, and then stepped outside of the tent.
“I’m not a child and you have no say over what I do. Until you can see that, we have nothing else to say to one another.” There, she’d done it, severed the last rope that bound them. It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and yet her heart was heavy.
CHAPTER 20: TRINITY
TRINITY FLUNG HER BACKPACK over her shoulder and left her tent. She refused to feel guilty about the argument with her mother, but the hurt on Mom’s face poked at her conscience. She’d find Travis, talking to him always helped.
She kept her eyes averted the best she could while searching for Travis. She stopped at the outskirts of the Producer’s section of camp. Travis wasn’t there. She strode back through the area, this time looking at everyone. She hadn’t missed him. He wasn’t there. She raced into the woods. If he’d gone to the encampment again, she was going to kill him. She’d warned him. Everyone had warned him, but she understood why he kept going back. His family was still there.
She stopped in a tree near her old home, and inhaled deeply, catching her breath for the first time in hours. Travis was safe, hiding in the bushes near the fence and talking to Stuart. She was going to strangle him. Coming here right after Hugh’s escape was more than foolish. She launched herself to a nearby tree and made her way silently toward him. As usual, he was focused on the camp not the brush. He still didn’t understand that ignoring the forest could be a costly mistake. She waited until Stuart left for his hut before she dropped from the tree, landing next to Travis.
“What the...” He swung around, his fist flying.
Lucky for her, he was slow and she easily dodged his blow because if he’d hit her, it would’ve hurt. He’d grown over the years. He was a fine specimen of a male Producer. Large and strong but lean from scarce food and a lot of exercise.
“Trinity, what are you doing here?” He was not happy to see her.
“I could ask you the same thing, but why bother. I already know the answer.”
“You’d do the same thing for your family.”
“That’s not the point. You can’t keep sneaking off alone like this.”
“I’m not putting anyone else in danger and don’t tell me that I could’ve asked you b
ecause you wouldn’t have come with me.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“That’s because your family is better off here than they’d be in the forest. Kim and Martha won’t send anyone to slaughter. Kim promised.” None of the Producers had been removed since Benedictine’s death. It was crowded but safer than the forest.
“For how long? They’re running low on money.”
“How do you know that?”
“This is a business to the Almightys.” He waved his hand at the camp. “Have you noticed how full it is? How long can Kim and her mother support a bunch of Producers who continue to breed and eat most of the crops that they grow?”
“Stop talking to the Servants. You don’t know anything about business.”
“And you do?”
“No, but I know Servants and they like to cause trouble, especially for someone from another class.” It was true but so was what Travis was saying. Kim and her mother had to be feeling the pressure of taking care of so many Producers. Her father had mentioned it several times.
“Even if they can support everyone forever, it’s not healthy. The last time that I was here—”
“When exactly was that?” She flexed her claws. If beating him up would stop him from coming here, she’d do it in a heartbeat, but it wouldn’t.
He flushed slightly. “A few weeks ago. You were busy working on your plan to free Hugh. How did that go?”
“Nice change of subject. It went fine, but you have to stop doing this.”
“I can’t.” He turned and stared into the encampment. “Not until they’re safe.”
“It isn’t safe for you.” She grabbed his arm and tugged until he faced her.
“They’re my family, Trin.” He pulled free from her grasp. “You risked your life to save Gaar and Mirra and they aren’t even your blood.”
“That was different.”
“Why? Because you’re better in the forest than I am? I don’t care if it’s dangerous.”
“Your family is safe.”
“No. They’re not. Stuart told me that a lot of the young and old have been sick. It isn’t as bad as the Terrible Sickness, but it will be if the Almightys don’t do something.” He wrapped his fingers through the chain link and yanked once, making the entire section shake. “I have to get them out of here.”