Rebels

by Jill Williamson

  “Perhaps you didn’t factor yourself into my equation,” the task director said. “You helped ten women leave the harem, indeed, but you remained behind, a valuable surrogate and a replacement.”

  “I will not be a surrogate,” she said, though she knew there was little she could do to keep from becoming one.

  “You will carry a child. I leave the method of conception to you. In fact, I’m personally happy to oblige should you prefer more natural methods over the SC’s embryo transfer program.”

  Jemma gasped at his rudeness. “I would never do anything with you.” But she was supposed to be playing along. How could she give the location of theater nine if he did not ask? And why would he make such a lewd offer, anyway? Did he no longer care about producing uninfected infants?

  “I think that, in time, you’ll change your mind. I can be very persuasive.”

  She didn’t want to encourage this man’s advances, but she held back her revulsion in an effort to do what Levi had asked. Perhaps if she were able to befriend this man, she could learn more about his plans. Though she did not think she could succeed at such an endeavor. “What do you want from me?”

  “You will be a queen, of course. But since the leader of your outsider clan claims you as his, I will claim you as mine. In this, I will show my people that no outsider or rebellion is greater than that which we offer our people. And there’s still no greater privilege for a woman than bearing a child for the Safe Lands.”

  That was what they’d wanted from the Glenrock women from the start. But allowing the task director general to claim her? Perhaps this was the way to turn this in her favor. To make herself appear to be the traitor Levi wanted her to be.

  “I will be your queen, on one condition.”

  The task director raised his eyebrows. “A condition? I’m intrigued.”

  “I want to be the only queen. Mia does not get to be on the ColorCast, nor does Jennifer or any other pregnant woman. Only me, until I deliver my child.”

  He sat back in his chair, folded his arms. “Why do you ask this?”

  “Because Mia betrayed me. And if I’m going to have a baby, I want to be the famous one. I want to be the one on all the posters and ColorCast programs.”

  “All our queens get that,” Kruse said.

  “But not Mia,” Jemma said. “Not anymore.”

  “Why should I agree to your condition?” the task director asked. “You’ll do what we say when we say it.”

  “I know you can trick me into saying whatever you want. But that way is a lot more difficult. Wouldn’t you rather work with someone willing?”

  “Mia has been very willing,” the task director said. “I don’t see that you have any right to make demands.”

  Now was her chance. “What if I give you something?”

  The task director chuckled. “I like your bargaining spirit, Ms. Levi. What will you give me to leave Mia off the ColorCast?”

  Jemma swallowed, and her eyes filled with tears, which she hoped made it look like the decision had been a difficult one. That her desire for revenge was stronger than doing what was right. “I’ll tell you where the rebels meet in the Midlands. I’m not very good with directions, but I know enough that your enforcers will be able to find it.”

  The task director raised one eyebrow. “Why would you give this information?”

  “Because they haven’t helped us!” Jemma yelled. “And they won’t help us. We just wanted to get outside of these walls, back to our home, but the rebels have their own plans. The Owl. Taking over the government. We don’t care about your political problems. We only wanted to leave. But now I’m back in the harem, because the rebels wanted to free the other women and because Mia stunned me. So the rebels and Mia . . . they ruined my plans. So now I’ll ruin theirs.”

  “Very well,” the task director said. “Where do they meet?”

  Jemma shook her head. “First, you make me queen.”

  “You aren’t even pregnant yet,” Kruse said.

  “Your people are living with the rebels, you said?” the task director asked. “You’re dependent upon them?”

  “Yes,” Jemma said, not understanding why he would ask such a thing.

  “I’ll need time to think this over. For now, you’ll move into the harem. You’ll have your appointments in the SC. Then we’ll talk again.”

  Matron took Jemma directly to the SC for an appointment. Rimola was still there, and she seemed to be doing Mason’s old task as well as her own. But now instead of Ciddah, a man worked there as the medic. Medic Vallen, Rimola called him. When Rimola took Jemma into the exam room and asked her to put on the blue robe, Jemma looked out at the new medic and refused.

  “Why are you being difficult?” Rimola asked. “Matron said you were eager to become queen.”

  “I’m not being difficult. I just don’t want to have a male doctor.” And she winced at her words. She’d always been supportive of Mason’s interest in medicine. But she was not pregnant yet and did not require a doctor. “Is there no female medic?”

  “Not since Ciddah left. If you won’t cooperate, I’ll have to stun you.”

  Tears flooded Jemma’s eyes. She didn’t want to get stunned, but maybe that would be better. Then she wouldn’t remember what had happened.

  But that was cowardly. “I’ll do it.” She snatched the blue gown from the exam table and waved Rimola out the door.

  “Thank you,” Rimola said, as if they were friends.

  Jemma changed into the robe and fought back tears. She didn’t want to do this, but if she were going to be convincing as a Safe Lands queen, she’d have to do a better job of acting.

  Rimola came back and took Jemma’s weight and blood pressure, then asked her to go to the bathroom and urinate in a plastic cup. Once Jemma did all that, she was sent back to the exam room to wait, and dread, the medic’s arrival.

  He came finally, dressed in a bright blue shirt and pants. He looked to be in his early twenties. Short with a square face and green eyes. But Jemma’s eyes were drawn most to his skin — it was flaking, and he hadn’t bothered to use Roller Paint.

  “Ms. Levi, hay-o.” He was too busy reading the CompuChart to look at her. When he finally did look up, his eyes widened and slid across her entire body. “Hay-o.

  ” She tried not to express disdain at the sultry tone of his second greeting. “Hello.”

  He swallowed, his throat bobbing. “I . . . You . . . I’m sorry.” He actually flushed and looked back to the chart, scratched the back of his head. “It, uh . . . may interest you to know that you’re pregnant.”

  Pregnant? “But you haven’t done anything to . . .” Her words trailed off as understanding settled over her. “On my own?”

  “Yes, well done.” He smiled. He had very small teeth. “Procedure dictates that you ask the donor to come in so we can check his blood and DNA. If we can get you on the right combination of meds now, there’s a chance we can stop the virus from reaching the child. It’s a new procedure. Still being tested. So far there have been no successes, but we’re hopeful that — ”

  “My husband and I are not infected,” Jemma said. “I won’t take any meds you offer me. Nothing, is that clear?”

  “Not infected?” Medic Vallen looked back to the chart, scrolled back a page. “Oh. Forgive me, Ms. Levi. I didn’t think to check that. I apologize.” He looked at her again, frowning. “Both of you uninfected? Are you certain? Men sometimes say things that aren’t true to, you know, to . . .”

  Jemma beamed at him. “I am positive.” Pregnant! Praise the Lord! There would be no embryo transfer procedure for her, no having to deal with Lawten’s suggestions. Wait until she told Levi! She tried to imagine the look on his face. Surprise first. Then a wide smile.

  “Well, I, uh, I see Rimola didn’t fill in the last date of your menstrual cycle. Do you remember? It will help me to determine the birthdate. An ultrasound will confirm it, but it’s a little early for that.”

  “I d
on’t know.” Jemma tried to remember. “I was here. In the harem,” she said. “I was only days away from an embryo transfer appointment. That’s probably written in your chart.”

  He frowned and studied the CompuChart, tapped around a bit. “Ah, yes. You’ve skipped, it looks like . . . two. That puts you seven or eight weeks along. We could do an ultrasound, but we won’t today, of course. I’ll need to notify the task director first.” He looked up at her and smiled wide. “Congratulations, Ms. Levi.”

  Jemma couldn’t help but return his smile. “Thank you. And it’s Mrs. Levi.

  Jemma entered the Blue Diamond Suite, furious that Matron Dlorah had put her in the same area as Mia. She wouldn’t be here long. Not if she could negotiate a room change with the task director. She hoped he’d go for her deal-making. There were plenty of empty rooms in the harem now.

  Only one person was sitting in the living room when Jemma entered. A very young girl with long, dark braids. From her coloring and hair, Jemma guessed she must be from Jack’s Peak, though she knew very few women from that village. She’d met Tsana before. And she knew of Jack’s Peak’s medicine woman, Shavingo’o, and of course Chief Kimama.

  The girl jumped up and ran to meet Jemma by the door. “You’re Jemma, aren’t you?” the girl said. “You’re the one Levi of Elias chose.”

  That brought a smile to Jemma’s lips. “Yes, that’s right.”

  “I’m Alawa. My mother and sister were here too, but they escaped when I was in the SC.” Her voice became wistful and tears filled her eyes. “Mia has been telling me that you were coming. I’m sorry you’re here, but I’m glad.”

  Jemma took hold of the girl’s hand and squeezed. “It’s nice to meet you, Alawa. How old are you?”

  “Seventeen.” She took a deep breath. “Jemma, can I ask you a question? Did you see any of my people, besides the women and girls in the harem, I mean. The men and boys?”

  “I’ve seen many of them. Is there one in particular you’re curious about?”

  “My brother Yivan and his friend Nodin.”

  “Yes, I’ve met them both. They helped rescue the children from the boarding school, and they were here the night we freed the other women — all except you and me, that is.”

  Alawa gasped, a huge smile on her face. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh, thank you, Jemma. I was so worried about them. I-I saw my father die. He was so brave. But when I was taken, Yivan and Nodin were still fighting.”

  “I’m glad to be able to tell you that they are well — though missing you, I’m sure.”

  “Nodin and I were planning to get married,” she said. “But now . . .”

  “You mustn’t give up hope,” Jemma said. “We won’t be here forever.”

  “But they made me pregnant with another man’s child! What will Nodin say when he learns that? Why would he still want to marry me?”

  “If he loves you, he’ll still want to marry you.”

  “Sure he will. Jemma has a lot of silly ideas about men and love.” Mia’s voice. She was standing at the mouth of the hallway, leaning against the wall, arms folded. She looked lovely and not at all pregnant, though she wasn’t any further along than Shaylinn.

  “There is nothing silly about a man who loves a woman, Mia,” Jemma said.

  “Men are incapable of loving one woman,” Mia said.

  “Did your piano man hurt you?” Jemma asked. Maybe that was why Mia was trying so hard to ruin Jemma’s life. Could she be jealous that Jemma had a husband who loved her?

  “No,” Mia said with a hint of disgust in her voice. “I didn’t want him anyway.”

  “If you’re patient and wait for the right man,” Jemma said, “you’ll find one who will love only you.”

  “Like you can talk,” Mia said. “Levi can’t decide whether he loves you or Kosowe.”

  Jemma straightened her posture. “Who?”

  “Kosowe is from my village,” Alawa said. “She has always longed to marry Levi.”

  Jemma had never even heard Levi mention this Kosowe before. “Was she in the harem?”

  “You met her,” Mia said. “Last night. She was pulling Levi toward the stairs when you came to help. Or should I say, when you came closer to the stunner.”

  Jemma could hardly breathe. Had Mia and this Kosowe woman conspired against Levi and Jemma? “You did this to break up our marriage?”

  “Oh, you got married?” Mia chuckled, as if it were very funny. “I don’t think it will last. Kosowe is gorgeous. And Levi loved her long before he loved you.”

  Though Jemma tried to fight it, tears filled her eyes. “That’s not true.” But it could be true, couldn’t it? Levi had spent a lot of time trading in Jack’s Peak. No. Surely it wasn’t true.

  “Why do you think he was always going out on those trips, spending the night? He was sleeping with her.”

  Heat flashed through Jemma’s chest. “Mia, you are a horrible person. I can’t imagine how being this cruel could give anyone joy. I feel sorry for you.” She turned and tried to open the door, found no knob, remembered the SimPads. She slammed her fist against the wall and the door popped open. Jemma wrenched it open wider, faster, and fled down the stairs and across the main sitting area until she was standing at the vast picture windows that overlooked the harem gardens.

  And she cried.

  She didn’t know how to respond to any of Mia’s declarations, and could only pray God would send her the strength and conviction she didn’t feel. One thing was certain: Jemma would not stay in the Blue Diamond Suite. And she would take Alawa with her.

  CHAPTER

  13

  A bang jerked Levi from sleep. He sat up on one elbow and blinked, confused. It was dark, but a bright light was streaming in the open doorway. Someone stood there, silhouetted in the doorframe.

  “Time to get up, you lazy maggot.”

  Jordan. Levi rolled over and pulled the pillow over his head. “Go away.”

  “I don’t think so. I’ve let you waste enough time moping around like a girl. You’re going to get up, you’re going to eat something, then we’re both going to go talk with Ruston and Zane and figure out how to get her back.”

  “You know we can’t go get her.” After losing ten harem women, there was no way they’d give up the last few they had. “They’ve probably got enforcers sleeping outside her bedroom door now.”

  “You think I’m not hacked about this? She’s my sister. If we can’t get into the harem, then it’s time to put this psycho nation down. The sooner we do that, the sooner we all go free.”

  Free. As elder of Glenrock, this was Levi’s job. He couldn’t afford to hide in his cave and mourn the loss of his wife. He had people looking up to him. And he’d wasted three days.

  “Okay.” He rolled over and threw back the covers. “I’m getting up.”

  “Mad good. Shay and Nell made breakfast. Come eat.”

  And so Levi found himself at the table, eating pancakes with his household, minus one.

  Minus Jemma.

  “Good morning, Elder Levi,” Trevon said, and the other children around the table parroted him.

  “Good morning,” Levi said, looking around at their faces. The table was surrounded with boys, except for little Carrie, who was squeezing chunks of pancakes into mush with her fists. Trevon, Jake, Joey, Grayn, and Weiss all watched him with wide eyes, like he might explode at any moment. So he looked to his plate, which was empty. “Did someone give thanks?”

  “Jordan did.” Shaylinn walked to the table, holding a frying pan and spatula. She scooped a large pancake out onto Levi’s plate. “We didn’t know if you’d be joining us. It’s nice to see you.”

  Levi nodded, glanced around the table again. “Well? Go ahead and eat then.” And the children all started shoveling food into their mouths.

  Levi didn’t feel comfortable at the head of the table without Jemma here. What if they never freed her? What if they never learned what liberation truly was and his mother and aunt Ja
nie were gone forever? What if he had to raise his cousins without a wife? He was suddenly thankful they were mostly boys. He could raise boys, but Naomi or Shaylinn would have to help with Carrie.

  Levi had never felt so defeated, and the feeling was not one he liked. Let the women care for the children for now — he and Jordan were going to war against this place. And he would get his wife back.

  When he finished eating, he showered and dressed, then went with Jordan to Ruston’s house.

  Tova opened the door and, not surprisingly, did not seem pleased to see them. “My husband is not here.”

  “Can you contact him?” Levi asked. “Tap him?”

  “We don’t allow the technology of the devil in the basements.”

  “Even the stuff Zane makes safe, like the Wyndos and GlassTops?” Levi asked.

  Her face flushed then. “Whoever wants to be a friend of the world is an enemy of God.”

  Wow. The rage in Tova’s expression and tone chastened him for his fears of flakers. Had Levi ever been so judgmental toward Zane? He hoped not.

  “Zane isn’t a friend of the Safe Lands, Tova,” Levi said. “He’s a rebel. And anyone who stands against those psycho Safe Landers is a friend of God.”

  “You know not of what you speak. The Kindred know we are from God and that the rest of the world lies in the power of the evil one.”

  “You’re as psycho as they are,” Jordan said. “Last I checked, you’re not God.”

  “He who is spiritual judges all things, for we have the mind of Christ.”

  The crazy woman was twisting the Bible to make it say what she wanted it to say. Levi wished he could quote verses as well as Shaylinn or Jemma could. He’d like to see one of them take on Tova.

  “Is something wrong?” a male voice said from behind Levi. He turned and saw Nash standing in the corridor behind him.

  Thank goodness. Sanity had arrived. “We were hoping to speak with your father,” Levi said. “Tova says he’s not home.”

  “Come with me,” Nash said. “I’ll take you to him.” And he stepped past Levi and into the house.