fist on the table. “I’ll be the hero of the empire. Monuments will be built in my honor!” Cavil let out a boastful laugh as I made my way over to the dining room table. I began serving Huxley, and I tried not to meet his eyes, for I knew if I did, all semblance of control would slip.
"Do you mind explaining to me why there is a fetter on my sister and my Walker, Cavil?" Cyler's rough voice growled. My resolve to keep calm slipped as our gazes collided with one another. Cyler was all fire and brimstone, burning with intensity and love. He practically hummed with repressed anger. My breathing became heavy as I approached him, and I purposefully dropped a single strawberry in the center of his gold plate. I passed Jules as she looked to Cy with glassy eyes before nodding away whatever emotion she felt.
"I needed Jules' cooperation. You're a leader, Cyler. You know how these things go. I wanted to ensure that she would come along, and a fetter just simplified things." Cavil took a long sip of his orange juice then lightly dabbed at his lip with a cloth napkin. “However, there is something wrong about seeing such barbaric means of control on such a delicate member of the Elite. I truly hope you’ll forgive me, Mistress.”
Jules opened her mouth to rebuke his apology, but Cyler interrupted her, “That’s unacceptable. I’d like it removed at once.” Jules straightened in her seat and smiled.
“You know we can’t. Not without cutting off her hand, anyways,” Cavil explained with a wave of his wrist. "As for your Walker, it was for her protection, really. My men said she was completely unreasonable. Fighting and kicking to break free. I thought it would help you control her."
Huxley's lip lifted in a flash of prideful amusement before slipping back into cold indifference. I bit my cheek, suppressing a smile at his reaction to my defiant display against the guards.
Next, I went to Jacob. The veins in his forearm pounded with adrenaline, and I watched how his muscles flexed at my proximity. I set the platter in front of him, and as I moved away, his hand snaked out and grabbed me.
"Is this permanently attached to her skin?" he asked, unable to help himself. I looked to Cavil who grinned with beady eyes, as if his suspicions were confirmed by Jacob.
"Yes. That's how they work! Do you not have those in Dormas? It makes them more agreeable, in my opinion. It's a bit painful to put on, so you have to deal with the screams, but the tracking and poison capabilities make the Walkers oh so docile ." Cavil looked over at Dominique and smiled. Jacob took a millisecond to run his thumb over the red skin near my bracelet, before letting go. “As long as a Walker is on Ethros, I can control them. Punish them. Keep them contained. Within my boundary—they’re mine.”
When Huxley spoke, it was cold and stern. “You’re going to regret that, Cavil.”
“Regret is for the weak. We have a way of life to preserve. Lackley is deranged, but I happen to like the system X has created. Speaking of which, if you plan to play with your Walker Companion, I have a room specifically for those proclivities.” Cavil winked, and Dominique stiffened beside him before forcing a smile. My stomach sank as my eyes connected with Huxley. For a few heart beats I waited for someone to disagree with Cavil, but none did.
“Thanks. We will keep that in mind,” Cyler replied in a hard voice, and I bit back the pain. Jules advice rang through my mind. I knew this was a delicate political situation, but it still frustrated me.
"You’re dismissed," Dominique said with expressionless eyes. With a curtsy, I turned to walk back towards the kitchen but then stopped and straightened my spine. This wasn't like with Josiah. I wouldn’t bend to the will of the Elite. I would play by the rules of Ethros, but I'd do it on my terms .
"Is there anything you need, first?" I made my voice even and sweet but hoped they caught on to my intentions. At once, Jules spoke up, but I saw the others on the edge of their seats, ready to steal the opportunity if necessary.
"Go to my room. I need the disgustingly out-of-fashion clothes they provided me with, fitted. I also would like you to prepare a lunch to bring to Maverick. You