Volumes of the Vemreaux Complete Collection: A Dystopian Adventure Trilogy, page 118
“I know, baby. And thanks for that.” Sam let out a low whistle and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Prince of the World proposes? That’s mighty tempting. He could take very good care of you. You’d have even more power than you do now.”
“What power do you imagine I have?” She shook her head. “What power do you imagine I need? Plus, he wouldn’t know the first thing to do with me. Nothing to consider.”
“You’re Original Vemreaux, Blue. And a princess. One of two princesses in the entire world.”
Blue scoffed. “When you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous.”
“But it’s true, tesoro. You are all of those things, and more.” Sam thumbed the steering wheel as he tried to phrase his concern. “My eyes were green before the change. I’m not Original Vemreaux.”
Blue shrugged. “I know that.”
“And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a prince, either.”
“Okay. Is this some sort of big confession you’re thinking I didn’t know? I’m not completely dense.”
Sam huffed, frustrated that he had to spell out his insecurities for her. “No, Blue. I just want you to understand what you’ve passed up. You turned down the Prince of the World for a common Vem. If you had kids with Everest…”
Blue blanched. “Please stop, Sam. I can’t even picture a world where that would be possible.”
Sam would not be deterred. “If you had kids with Ever, they would be Original Vemreaux for sure. With me? We’ve only got a fifty-fifty shot. And you’ve seen my house, Blue. I like it, but it’s not a palace.” He pulled into the parking lot of The Way East and located a spot close to the visitor’s entrance. “I can’t give you all the things he can. I can’t give you the life he can.”
Blue quieted, turning her confusion inward. When she spoke, it was in a small voice. “Is this you telling me you want me to be with someone else? Are you leaving me?”
“No!” Sam exclaimed. “And I was so careful with how I said everything. No, baby. I’m not going anywhere, and I would never recover if you married Everest. I don’t want that, but I want to be sure you made an informed decision. I need to know you understand what you’d be sacrificing to be with me instead of him.” Sam’s shoulders stiffened as he voiced one of his greatest insecurities. “I know it’s hard for you to accept, but your station is above mine now. Like, light-years above mine. Everest is closer to your equal. That might not be completely clear to you, because Freddy calls me his son, and I was raised with Li, Killy, Suzette and Julia like they were my siblings. But they’re not, Blue. Freddy can’t adopt me because we’re not blood relation. We’ll never be equals, you and me.” He shook his head, staring in front of him at nothing in particular. “You may need me now to help you get on in the real world, but you won’t always. When you understand more, do more, you’ll see that you don’t need me. I just don’t want you to regret your decision to pass on Everest’s offer.”
Blue threw her head back against the seat. “That’s what this is about? Sam, I know you’re not a royal, technically.”
“Blue, I’m not a royal at all. I work for them now.” He motioned to his guard’s uniform. “I’m happy this way. I like my life. But I need to make sure you understand that it won’t change.”
“It will when we get married someday. Then you’ll be Frederick’s son, and a prince. But you can keep being a guard if that makes you happy, and if Dad okays it. Why would you think that would bother me? Guarding is pretty much my life. Makes sense I’d fall in love with one.”
Sam swallowed the flood of joy that swept over him at her mention of his permanent place in her life. “Everest can give you more than I can. He’s got more power. A black card. He’s in a position to employ people like me.”
“And you were in a position to own people like me!” Blue laughed now that the root of the misunderstanding was clear. “Really? You think I want more people following me around? Do you think I need more money or whatever? You think I want to be related to the king? I lived on nothing, Sam. I was a waitress and a slave, if you recall. That didn’t stop you from being with me.” She leaned back and tried not to giggle at his concern.
“What about your kids? Being Original Vemreaux holds a lot of clout, Blue. Everest can give you that.”
“I couldn’t care less if my kids are Original Vemreaux. I don’t care that I’m Original Vemreaux.”
“Other people might care.”
“Well, then I won’t marry them. Just you.”
Sam knew she was being flippant, but he did not care. He moved himself on his mental game board one step closer to the victory line and silently cheered. “That sounds like a plan. I love you, tesoro.”
“Excuse me? I can’t hear you from your lowly station so far below mine,” she teased, nose in the air.
“You and that mouth.” Sam stepped out of the car and opened her door, tucking her arm in the crook of his elbow to escort her to the building. They checked in at four different places, each one moving them further into the facility that stank of scratch the more they advanced.
Blue hid her face as much as she could, brushing her hair over her cheeks to obscure the marks and tipping the brim of her baseball cap low to shield her eyes. As soon as she showed the identification with her well-known former name, each receptionist and warden gasped as they allowed her through. She was glad her face was mostly concealed; the embarrassment coloring her cheeks was not fading. By the time the last warden asked for her identification, she had to force herself not to hide behind Sam.
“Right this way, your majesty.” The Vemreaux Supervisor bowed as he buzzed her through the door. “Pleasure to have you in our country, in our facility. We are entirely at your service. We were fortunate to have the emperor visit us just a little bit ago. I’m sure you’ll find our facility up to code.”
“Thank you, sir,” she responded. Though it was a different building, a different country, a different supervisor, Blue felt herself sinking back into her subservient body language and closing herself off in the presence of the man. It was silly. He could not very well have her ordered to the whipping post. He could not double her workload. Yet as he led them, she kept the standard meter and a half distance behind him, looking down at her feet until they reached the holding room.
The supervisor opened the door, and Blue nearly lost her composure at the sight of her baby brother. Unfortunately, the guard followed them inside and shut himself in with them. She forgot that unsupervised visits were a luxury Jack granted them to be kind. Blue refrained from running at him and embracing Griffin’s hunched shoulders. She could tell he was guarding his body, but could not understand why. She kept all the love she wanted to spew at him inside, wishing the Vemreaux Supervisor was not there, so she could give her brother a proper greeting.
Sam broke the silence. “Hello, Griffin. It’s good to see you.”
“You too, Sam.” Griffin nodded to acknowledge the boyfriend-slash-guard who took the seat beside his sister. Griffin started a mundane conversation about the weather and which scratch duties he had been assigned to, but hidden from the Vemreaux Supervisor’s knowledge was the message he was tapping out onto the tabletop. The siblings invented their own sort of Morse code which enabled them to communicate covertly while out in the open.
Blue’s breath caught as she continued the conversation about The Way aloud, but soaked in every inaudible message he sent her.
Tell Baird they do whip the Waywards over here. The whipping post is in the South building, fourth barn on the left. It looks like a pen for cows, but it’s all Wayward blood under the hay. There’s the proof he needs.
Blue wanted to hold him. Then she longed to shake the Vemreaux Supervisor standing there in awe of the new princess. She kept her temper and remained in her chair.
Other violations:
-They take away rations if you don’t finish your chores.
-You have to have points if you want a clean jumpsuit for the day. Some kids that lose their points for behavior or for making mistakes in their work have been wearing the same jumpsuit for days. One guy for two weeks.
“Are you excited to see your first snow?” Blue asked, trying to keep it light as they invested in two different conversations simultaneously.
“I am. Been told it’s real cold. We’ll get to wear a jacket over our jumpsuits.” One good thing is the guys aren’t as aggressive out here. Less for the girls to be afraid of. Haven’t heard of anyone getting raped the whole time I’ve been here. Oh, and tell Baird they don’t have Grade A rations here. Maybe there’s a connection?
“Well, that’s a relief,” she said in answer to both things he communicated.
Sam listened to the bland exchange, wondering why the two were talking about nothing when she seemed so desperate to see her brother that morning. It was not until Griffin tripped over his words a little that Sam realized they were communicating via light taps on the table. He fought to control his reaction. “Excuse me,” he addressed the Vemreaux Supervisor. “It feels a little warm in here, and I don’t want the princess to be uncomfortable. Could you get her something to drink? Just cold water.” He paused. “With ice, please. Three ice cubes, not four. And put in a slice of orange with no seeds. I can keep an eye on them here.”
“Certainly. Anything for the princess. I’ll get one right away. Can I get you anything else, your majesty?”
“Just the water would be fine. Thank you, sir,” she responded without looking up.
“Right away, your highness.”
Sam could tell the supervisor was debating whether or not to leave, but then decided that a request from the princess trumped boring duties of making sure Waywards did not get into any trouble.
No sooner did the door close than Blue jumped over the table and crashed into her brother’s arms, ignoring her aches as he squeezed her tight. “Tell me they didn’t get you, Griffin!”
“Baird needed proof. He gave me a job, and I came through. It didn’t hurt that bad.”
“Show me!” she demanded.
“Blue, no. It’s not a big deal.”
Sam shook his head. “What is with your family thinking giant things are no big deal?”
“Show me! We have hardly any time. Show me your back now!”
“Fine.” Griffin unsnapped the chest of his uniform, motioning for Sam to keep watch through the small window on the door. “For the record, the supervisor who gives out the beatings is a wuss. Heart wasn’t in it. Barely hurt.” He shimmied the top of his jumpsuit down and turned, showing the crisscross stripes on his muscular lower back. They looked no more than a day or two old, resting atop his scarred-over ones from The Way West.
Blue took in every detail of her brother’s punishment, ignoring Sam’s horrified gasp. “Give me a name, Griff!”
“No. What are you gonna do? It’s not like Baird’s got a Marxus in here to do his dirty work. It’s just a stupid Vemreaux Supervisor. Doesn’t matter who. Just tell Baird everything I told you. It seemed pretty important to him.”
“Believe me, we’ll have words about this.” As soon as Griffin reassembled his jumpsuit, Blue held onto him with her good arm, careful to avoid his wounds. “Just keep your head down, little brother. Keep your head down and your mouth shut in there. We’ll get you out the day you come of age. I promise. You just have to make it until then. Now that Baird’s got his information, no more. Please, Griffin.”
“I will. It’s not as rough in there. No turf wars. More us versus them. It’s not too bad here. Honest.”
“I love you so much, Griffy.”
“You know, when you use my cutesy nickname, it undercuts my intimidation factor toward this one.” Griffin jerked his thumb to Sam, who gave the young man a simpering expression. “Um, so are you gonna tell me who did your face in, or are you the only one allowed to care about flesh wounds?” He took her hat off and pulled her hair back to examine her cheeks.
Blue shook her head, wishing she could hide her face from her brother. “I’m fine. Barely hurt. Just a scratch or two. Got in a little bit of a fight, but I can’t tell you about it. Too long a story. No big deal.”
Sam scoffed, but kept his comments to himself.
“Did you kick butt?” Griffin inquired, chin high with pride in her.
“I’d like to know who you think you’re talking to,” Blue said with forced bravado. “Price of doing business with the Light.”
Griffin’s face grew serious. “I thought you’d be safer with the emperor and all that rich Vemreaux stuff he’s got. Doesn’t look like they’re taking very good care of you.”
“Well, that day it was my turn to take care of them, and I did. Enough about it, though. It’ll heal, and like I said, it doesn’t hurt.”
“I know. So does my back,” Griffin admitted ruefully. He pressed his forehead to hers, glad to see a familiar face, even if it was a little wrecked.
Sam unwrapped a candy bar and tossed it at the almost man, still keeping an eye out the window. “Let’s see how many you can choke down before that guy comes back.”
“I’ll take that challenge.” Griffin grinned. “Nice to see you, Sam. I see you’ve been keeping your hands to yourself because they’re still attached to your body. Good man.”
Sam smirked at Griffin. “Ah, little brother. The fun I’m going to have with you once you’re on the outside.”
Griffin took a bite that was half the bar and rolled his eyes in delight. “Mm. Amazing. Thanks for the contraband.” He laughed as he turned back to Blue. “Supervisor Louis? He called you a princess. Your majesty? Your highness? Three ice cubes, not four?” Griffin snorted as he finished the bar, and then motioned for Sam to throw him another. “That’s awesome. Do I have to call you Princess Idahlia now?”
Blue’s maternal expression mutated into a glower. “No one should ever call me Idahlia again. It’s not my name anymore.” She gave a small smile. “My new dad and Baird changed it. Like, legally. My name’s Blue now, like it should’ve been in the first place.”
“They call her the Boniface Blue Jay,” Sam informed him, unwrapping a third bar and launching it to Griffin. “The press waits outside the mansion for a peek at her. She’s very famous.”
Blue threw Sam a withering look. “Please. Liam’s famous. I’m just different.”
“So weird.” Griffin bit off a large piece of peanut butter and chocolate, not holding back his noises of gratuitous delight. “So I’m an Anders and you’re a Boniface now? Huh. That’ll take some getting used to.” He looked on her seriously as he chewed. “Are you happy?”
“I’m very happy, Griff. And when you get out and come live with us, you will be, too. Frederick’s a great man, and he loves me. I’ve got a whole new family now, and they can’t wait to get you out to join them.”
“I met Frederick when he came out to do some sort of inspection on the place. Seemed nice.”
“He’s more than just nice, Griffin. He’s perfect. He can’t wait for you to be of age so you can come live with us.”
“Baird says your new brothers and your sister are gonna come by to meet me later this month sometime. Anything I should know?” Griffin swallowed the bar and held his hands out for a fourth one, glad when Sam obliged.
“They’re wonderful people.” She spoke with such passion that Sam could not help but smile. “Liam’s perfect. He’s funny and likes to tell jokes and eat a lot. You’d get along great with him. Killian is incredibly kind. He listens and doesn’t judge and makes me feel like it’s okay I don’t have all the answers yet. He’s smart and responsible and always knows what to do. He’s going to be an amazing leader someday. And Suzette? She’s talented and pretty and knows everything about how to be a Femreaux.”
“Wow. I’ve never heard you gush like that. You think they’ll like me?”
“Who wouldn’t like you? Of course they will.” Blue waved her hand dismissively.
“I mean, like you like me. Not like Baird.”
“Baird loves you,” she reminded him, her voice quieting.
“No, he doesn’t. Baird asked for proof.” Griffin pointed to his back.
Sam gave the two a quiet warning whistle, and by the time the supervisor came back with the ice water, Blue was back in her seat. They resumed their light conversation and simultaneous table tapping. When their time was up, Blue hugged her brother, despite the audience, whispering promises of love and hope into his ear before they were escorted out.
“Can I borrow your phone again?” Blue asked after they got back in the car.
“Sure.” Sam handed her the device. “You okay?”
“I am. Baird’s not.” She dialed her brother and waited, scowling. “I’d like to know what you think you’re doing, sending Griffin to the post like that,” she steamed in lieu of a greeting.
“Blue? Why are you calling me?” Baird’s voice was gruff, and Blue could tell he was irritated she interrupted him.
She did not care. “Griffin! Remember him? Your kid brother who needs reminders to stay out of trouble, not get in more. You needed proof they were beating Waywards, so you sent him? Coward!” she accused, anger seething now that she gave it a voice.
“Blue, it’s bigger than Griffin. Frederick needs to know what’s going on in his own country. When he toured the facility a couple weeks ago, he didn’t find any evidence of Waywards being abused. I got him proof. Well, Griffin did.” Baird paused, swallowing down any shame that might surface. “Did you check him? Did you see the marks? Were they fresh?”
“Yes, I saw every bloody slash across his back. Do you have any idea how many beatings I took for him so he wouldn’t end up like that? Was it all some training exercise to toughen me up? Do you care that your brother bled for you?”
Baird’s tone was even, which angered Blue more. “He bled for all Waywards. If all goes well, that may just be the last beating doled out. Frederick’s gonna –”
“I don’t care! You sacrifice me, got it? Only me! You don’t sell Griffin like that.”
“Where are they hiding the whipping post? Frederick didn’t see it when they showed him around.”
