re's

one today, the umpteenth one this week. Each application felt like shouting into a void. My inbox was a gra

final semester-impressed by my research on rare werewolf neuro

d, wincing as my spine cracked in protest. The cheap desk chair Jennifer had rescued from a sid

cent Application." I clicked it without much hope, scanning the polite corporate rejection.

ind-the distinctive sensation of a mindlink connection opening

r voice, though only in

inctively sat straighter, alert t

The doctors say his condition is deteriorating faster th

ldn't afford, my father would slip further away, his consciousness t

ked, though I already knew the a

Her mental voice wavered. *Claire, I'm so sorry. W

stigious university, determined that their Omega daughter would have opportun

, delicate. *I know things have been strained between you sinc

didn't know-I'd never told her about Adrian's public rejection

tal voice. *I'll figure something out. Dad's going to get the tre

hing down on me. My eyes burned, but I was too exhausted to cry. I pressed the h

ly. Jennifer stood behind me, her expression mirro

?" she as

r stomach. "Dad's getting worse. They need ano

he didn't ask where we'd get that kind of m

aid, genuine regret coloring he

to squeeze her hand.

plications, the walls seemed to close in around me. Was this how it would end? Wit

swam before my eyes, his voice echoing in my head:

ng me from my dark thoughts. Probably another rejection. I

erview invitation from VM Group. For a se

sion momentarily displacing my despair. "

r, scanning the email. "Holy sh

make in an entry-level pharmaceutical position, more than enough to cov

ed, searching my sent applications f

he interview! What's the worst that could happen-they reali

d we both knew I ha

ate to wear to an interview at a pla

arcoal suit, the one from my cousin's wedding. And those black hee

as Jennifer fussed with the suit jacket, pinning

. "Conservative but not matronly. Professional but

ter of anxiety in my stomach. "Do you think they'll ask why I'm applying

ding me a pair of simple pearl earrings. "Or that you admire the company's

right.

e late. The VM Group headquarters occupied the tallest building downtown,

lly across polished marble floors. Security guards with military posture monitored multiple checkpoi

ing myself to stand tall despite my b

receptionist. "I'm Claire White. I have an inte

odded. "Yes, Ms. White. You'll need to che

go mounted on the wall behind the reception desk. The stylized logo of VM Group was imme

wore on his cufflinks. The same one emblazoned o

asn't a legitimate opportunity-it was another of Adrian's cruel games. Perhaps he thought if

e refused to give him the satisfaction. Better to face whatever humil

hed the security checkpoint, prepared