Page 91 of Pretty Savage: Defy

All along the table, men and women bow their heads.

“Amen.”

They touch their foreheads, chests, left shoulders, then right, whispering, “In the name of the Father, the Mother, the Son, and the Daughter.”

The prayer sends the same prickling sensation under my skin that it did the first time I heard it, back when Abbie said it at Rosewood Hall.

A lost lamb.

Under the tablecloth, Carrson’s hand finds mine like he understands I need the comfort.

“Before we begin the masquerade ball, I’d like to acknowledge some of the outstanding achievements made by our members over the past year. Our esteemed colleague and my personal friend, Dr. Wainwright, has developed a new mRNA vaccine that reduces the risk of death from influenza by seventy percent.”

Thom stands and bows to loud applause.

Carrson leans close enough that his breath warms my ear. “Thomson did half the research, but of course his father’s name will be the only one on the paper.”

My eyes fly to Thomson. He claps along with everyone else, his expression revealing nothing.

“In addition,” Carr continues, “Mother Amari Dessouvre oversaw the installation of solar-powered water purification systems across forty-two villages in Chad, providing safe drinking water to more than eighty thousand people.”

The dignitaries I saw Rebecca speaking with rise together, applauding an elegant woman near the center of the room who inclines her head.

“Father Eli Martinelle coordinated with banks, border agencies, and law enforcement in seven countries to dismantle one of the largest human-trafficking networks in Europe. One hundred and thirteen women and children were returned to their families.”

The applause comes louder this time.

Carr goes on. A fleet of private helicopters delivered medicine to towns cut off by flooding. An Order-funded legal team overturned nine wrongful convictions after uncovering falsified evidence.

These aren’t vanity projects. People are alive because of the men and women in this room. Children have clean water. Families got daughters back. Innocent people walked out of prison.

The proof is all around me. The Order has the power to change the world for the better.

Which makes every cruelty it preserves, every injustice it protects, so much worse.

I lift my gaze to Rebecca. She’s already watching me.

The irony passes between us without a word. An organization capable of saving strangers has never learned how to stop hurting its own.

The list continues until I tune him out and focus on the hypnotic circles Carrson’s thumb draws over my palm. I only return to the speech when Carr begins discussing science, which has always been my catnip.

“I’ll be vague about this next achievement because not every member present has been initiated into our highest levels of security. Still, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the true purpose of The Order. Our pursuit of perfection.”

The crowd goes eerily still. Older members lean forward in their chairs, their expressions rapt.

I sit straighter.

Carrson’s thumb stops in the center of my palm, leaving the last circle unfinished.

“The latest clinical tests and trials have been extremely encouraging. Our subjects are performing above expectations, and we have recently introduced new variables that we hope will act as catalysts for further growth. Soon we’ll move into Phase Four. I’m proud to say we’ve never been closer to success. I thank everyone in this room for their contributions of time, money, and intellect, as well as their continued commitment to our cause.”

Clinical trials.

Human subjects.

But performing above expectations at what?

Everyone rises in a standing ovation. Their cheers swell until the sound presses on my eardrums and echoes inside my skull.