Unchanged by Jessica Brody Page A

had?
    â€œI—I—” I stammer, because Dr. A is staring at me, expecting an answer. “I don’t know.”
    â€œThis act, as I’ve already explained to you, is what will connect the two of you on a deeper level and bring you closer together.”
    â€œI feel close to Kaelen already,” I murmur, the words feeling misshapen and swollen on my tongue.
    â€œNot as close as you could be,” Dr. A argues. “Kaelen tells me that you continually refuse him into your bed. I’d like to know why this is. It can’t be for lack of know-how. I’ve supplied you with plenty of informative uploads on the subject.”
    â€œDr. Alixter,” Crest interjects, “I’m not sure this is an appropriate conversation to have over evening meal.”
    â€œThis is none of your concern, Crest,” Dr. A snaps at her. Crest nods timidly and scoops a pile of food onto her fork. But I notice she never puts it into her mouth.
    I clear my throat, buying a little time while I try to come up with an answer that won’t set him off again.
    Is there such a thing?
    My brain squeezes as a memory comes flooding back to me. I fight to keep it at bay. I can tell by the way it twists my stomach that it’s not the good kind. It’s the other kind. The one that comes with chest pain and nausea and an all-consuming sensation of wretched failure.
    â€œI’ve just been waiting a long time for this,” Lyzender says.
    I squint at him. “For what?”
    â€œFor you to feel…” He looks uncomfortable. Even his face flushes. “W-w-well,” he stutters. “For you to feel ready, I guess.”
    â€œI’m not ready,” I blurt, chasing the memory away before it causes me to lose what little I’ve consumed of my meal.
    â€œNot ready?” Dr. A repeats with something that sounds like disgust. “How could you not be ready ? I’ve built you two to be compatible in every single way. There’s no one out there better suited for you than Kaelen.”
    â€œI know that—” I try to say but I’m cut off.
    â€œPerhaps there’s something you’re still holding on to. Or some one ?”
    The silence in the room slowly starts to suffocate me. I want to run to the window, shove it open, stick my head out, and drink in the warm air.
    I will my paralyzed mouth to move. “No,” I barely squeak out. “There’s no one else.”
    â€œThen I don’t see a problem.”
    â€œPerhaps,” Dane says, casting a glance at Crest, “this really is a conversation better suited to a more private setting.”
    â€œThere’s nothing private about their lives,” Dr. A argues, his patience dwindling. “They’re about to be the most public couple in the world. I didn’t create them to live a private life behind closed doors. I created them to be the faces of Diotech. Privacy is not in the equation.”
    Dane sets a tender hand on Dr. A’s arm. He seems to be the only one who can touch him like that. “Yes, I realize. I just meant—”
    Dr. A jerks his arm away and rises from the table. “This isn’t a discussion. Nor a democracy. I created you two to be hopelessly in love. Now start acting like it.”
    He stalks toward the door. “Raze,” he calls. “How is the network setup coming along?”
    Raze straightens before answering the question. “My tech is working on it. The screens in the suites are still connected to the public SkyServer. I’m told it will take another hour or so before our secure internal network is up and running.” He gazes around the room. “So be prudent in what you transmit over your Lenses and Slates.”
    Dr. A doesn’t look happy about the news of the delay, but thankfully, he doesn’t say anything. He just leaves.
    My mind is instantly abuzz.
    â€œThe screens in the suites are still connected to the