I thumped my left fist to the Ludus tattoo permanently stamped over my right pectoral. The respectful salute for G, an acknowledgement solely for the worthy.
His brow furrowed. “For the Ludus?”
I walked backwards, away from him. “Fuck the Ludus. For you, brother.” I swear his eyes glimmered before I turned and walked the opposite way.
We parted ways with Emerson and Tanner, my innate compass leading me through the maze-like structure without issue. Without Tanner’s presence, my breath came easy, access to my Variant filtering through my circulation once more.
Despite her high stilettos, Spencer shadowed my every step, never faltering or falling behind. She could have easily disappeared into the background if it wasn’t for her bright orange gown, or the incessant popping of the gum she got from god knows where.
The sound of a sizable group was approaching at speed. We deviated, hiding in the nearest available room. I’d give them a couple of minutes to pass, but I’d kill them all if I had to.
I flicked a glance to my companion and stilled, eyes widening, ensuring my sight wasn’t deceiving me.
Spencer was a hairbreadth away, her auburn strands and green orbs both mid-transition into a burnt orange hue to match her dress. Her facial features were also changing, bone structure elongated, skin stretching to finally display a completely different woman.
I was fucking gobsmacked. For the first time in my life, I didn’t know what to think, let alone how to react.
The new face, with the same voice, sneered. “You’re staring.”
“How can I not? I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t just watch you change your face before my goddamned eyes.”
“It’s like you’ve never seen a Variant in action before.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. Most are barely anything to brag about. 90% can be used for household chores at best.”
She popped another bubble. “What can I say? I’m lucky to be a part of the remaining 10%.”
My brain strayed to the rest of the Kings and I shook my head. “That isn’t luck.”
“Amateur.”
“I’m for real,” I said seriously. “All of you are…gifted. I’ve never met one, let alone a group of people, that had such established and powerful Variants.”
After a second of contemplation, Spencer responded. “You’re right. There’s no luck involved. It was all premeditated.”
I scoffed. “What, your Variant?”
“Yes. Our father…he was batshit fucking crazy. And also a damn genius.”
It was common knowledge that Variants were hereditary, filtered through genetic makeup and biological relations. A part of evolution, human beings procreating to make future generations more equipped for survival. Besides that, scientists couldn’t establish better findings, the experiments volatile and results unpredictable. Through years of trial and error, only two components were infallible: a Variant was never guaranteed, and no Variant was ever the same. My test subject days as a kid provided all the education I required on the subject.
What does she mean, her father premeditated their Variants?
“Were you all adopted? Scouted for your ability by your father?”
When she started laughing, I realised how ridiculous it was to suggest. Although each King sister had diverse features and characteristics, when they were together, there was no denying their genetic relation, the tiny similarities that highlighted their affiliation.
Spencer shook her head in mirth. “We have the same father, all different biological mothers.”
“Where are they now? Your mothers?”
“Fucked if I know,” Spencer shrugged. “If I had to gather a guess, either dead or living the rich and lavish lifestyle off the pay out my dad gave them.”
“Aren’t you curious?”
Her brow furrowed in genuine confusion. “Why would I be? We could have been made in a lab, for all I know. Well, except for Chase…either way, I don’t have a mother, nor do I need one.” Her gaze flicked up, affection sparking in her burnt orange irises. “Micah does the job well enough.”
The statement was accurate, though also a little confusing. Tanner was the eldest—and the only one that looked nothing like them.
“What about Tanner?”
Her eyes searched mine, realising I wasn’t as dim-witted as she thought. Glad I could surprise the one that generally caused all the surprises. “He’s not biologically related, no. His father was my father’s adoptive brother, not that it matters. Tanner’s our brother, in every meaning of the word,” she hummed. “Didn’t Micah tell you all this?”
“With the limited time we had together, she told me about you all. Just never the intricate details of your genetics,” I shrugged. “It didn’t matter to me. Still doesn’t.”
“Sureeeee,” Spencer said in exaggeration. “No need to feel inadequate. Some of you have to rely on basic brains or, in your case, brawn.” She tapped me on the shoulder with fake reassurance. “We can’t all be a part of the 10%.”
I lifted a brow. Micah hadn’t told them about my Variant. It wasn’t a secret by any means, but to know that she kept my personal information to herself made my fondness for her grow impossibly higher.
We relinquished our hideout and returned to our tracking when a high-pitched scream vibrated through the air, followed by the muffled sounds of combat directly from Micah’s supposed location. I spared a glance at the stranger’s face beside me. “Who said I wasn’t?” I blurted as I thundered towards the noise.
I’ll show her 10%.
Chapter 30Psycho
Istormed into the gymnasium and stilled in the entryway, processing the scene before me. Eight Ludus guards were beating down on fragile women, all wearing flower designed lingerie—exactly what Micah was last seen wearing.
