Liora

the screen. That one motion..that simple, casual t

leaned back and checked his watch. "The surgical theater is being prepped. Your

rt had stopped, and he c

till wet. The heater in the car had started to dry my pink uniform, but it only made the fabric feel stiff and itchy, smelling

dge of dirt on a

e," Xavier

the street; we were pulling into a private, sweeping driveway that led

aire

rtress from the future. It was beautiful, sharp, and terrifying. As the car came to a halt, the sun finally broke

oor. I stepped out, my

s we walked toward the massive glass doors. "The people in thi

k, but as soon as we stepped

orty feet high, and the walls were covered in art that probably cost more

e was p

nsive. Men spoke in low, confident tones into Bluetooth headsets, their watches flashing in the light. No one loo

s, I felt their gazes. They didn't look at me with pity; they looked a

ded, steering me toward a bank of e

in dark suits who looked more like soldiers than security guards.

gainst a glass panel. A b

s Gra

tor was lined with mirrors and brushed

Xavier explained. "It doesn't stop for a

loor indicator on a small screen: 80... 90... 95... My

d see the man who owned the wo

ster. My hair was a frizzy, tangled mess from the rain. There was a smudge of grea

a sudden spike of shame hitting

shion sense, Liora. He bought you for your blood. Just remember: you are here to

gave a soft,

d directly into a sprawling, open-plan office th

re perimeter, making it feel like we were floating in the sky. The city looke

high-end air filtration system. It was cold...freezin

f dark, polished stone, sat a silhouette. He was backlit by the mo

looking out at the city, a gla

red rug. I stopped beside him, my wet shoes leaving

ce dropping into a tone of abs

or a long, agonizing moment. Then,