Page 26 of The Red Woman on Mars

“He really is terrible.”

“Hear, hear.” Silas raised his glass. “But I did not bring you here to talk of my childhood. Tell me, how are you finding the attention of being a Red Mother?”

Vivian looked down at her drink. She thought of her parents, still trapped in the camp. Of the tiny bruises dotting her stomach. Of the Earther nurse telling her she would break the cycle. “In the last week, everyone has been kind to us.”

“And yet?”

You should expect more.Vivian pushed Xavier’s words away. What didmoremean to someone like him? He’d never known what it felt like to survive on one meal a day or dodge handsy guards. He didn’t know what it was like to hear about a friend’s death millions of miles away and be helpless to do anything about it.

“And yet, nothing,” Vivian said firmly. “I’m fine.”

“Why be satisfied with mere contentment?” Silas moved his chair closer to hers. His words sounded so much like Xavier. Well, he’d said they’d grown up together. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?”

Vivian ducked her head. “My sister is the beautiful one.”

“You—” He cupped her cheek with one hand. “Are exquisite. Like a porcelain doll.”

He was so different from the men at Sumter. No crude gestures or dirty jokes. His eyes on her face, not leering at her body. She should pull away. He wasn’t on the list. But instead, she leaned in when his rough fingers traveled down her neck, shivering in pleasure. No one had ever touched her like this before. Like she was something precious.

“You have porcelain dolls on Mars?” she managed to ask.

Silas chuckled. “We do, actually. Ivory skin and bouncing brown curls.” He took one lock of her hair and tugged gently on it.

Vivian stared into his vivid blue eyes. What pre-recorded commentary might Wim make about Silas? “I should go.” She forced herself to pull back. “I don’t want to leave my sister for too long.”

“May I visit you, Vivian?”

A thrill went through her at the idea of seeing him again under Wim’s nose. “In the dormitory? It’s locked on both sides.”

Silas took her hand and kissed it again. “For you, I’ll find a way.”

CHAPTER NINE

53 Sols to Presentation Day

Wim was furious. “What’s this I heard about the Bowen sisters running around with the soldiers yesterday?” he demanded the next morning.

The other women murmured in surprise as they came to gather together in the dining room. Vivian winced. She ought to have known they would be caught. After all, the Intelligence’s eyes were everywhere. Always watching.

The table she’d sat at with Silas had an electronic ordering screen. Hadn’t Luz said the Intelligence could tap into any electronics? It must have been able to clearly listen to every word of their conversation. The idea made Vivian’s skin crawl.

“We’re grown women,” said Delilah, crossing her arms and lifting her chin. “We can go where we choose.”

A shadow crossed over Wim’s face. “You are here at the pleasure of the Intelligence. I feel I must remind you, Delilah Bowen, that there are no Arcadian soldiers on the Intelligence’s list of approved spouses. And furthermore, the contract you signed asserts the Red Mothers won’t indulge in sexual congress until you’ve selected a co-parent and been successfully impregnated with an augmented embryo.”

Delilah made a face. “Sexual congress?”

Luz put a restraining hand on Delilah’s arm. “We understand the terms of our contract, Reverend Adair. My friends were only familiarizing themselves with Martian society.”

“I hope so,” Wim said in a mollified tone. “Nevertheless, I have been remiss in your orientation to your purpose here and the reasoning behind the Intelligence’s expectations.” He gestured expansively. “I’ve asked Dr. Chavez to meet with us to explain things properly. Let’s go.”

“I can’t believe you snuck out,” Camille said to Vivian and Delilah as they walked across the compound. “That’s so badass.”

“We met the cutest soldier.” Delilah giggled. “Too bad he’s not approved.”

Vivian felt her face growing warm, and she stumbled over her long skirts. Luz grabbed her arm. “Careful, Viv baby.”

Wim led them to a squat, utilitarian building on the opposite side of the compound. They entered a room set up like a classroom, with rows of chairs facing a screen.