A/N: I'm so sorry that I left you all on that cliffhanger for so long! For those of you who don't follow my tumblr (asirensrage), I'll let you know that I am planning to be more efficient on my updates and writing like I have been previously. I am officially graduated university and while I hunt for a job in my field, I have time to write. Thank you all for being so patient and giving me encouragement to keep this up. I adore all of you! For now, enjoy!


Chapter Twenty-Seven

I have to think quickly without giving anything away. I know nothing of micro-expressions, but there is too much at stake. If she does not believe me, if Jeanine is questioned about the truth of what we are looking for, it is not just me that is in danger. Even without knowing the truth about me, Jeanine could use my family as punishment. She could use me as punishment, and in turn discover that I am a candidate for her experiments.

I take a deep breath, ignoring the pounding of my heart and nod. I can do this. There are enough people in power that would assist me in repairing any damage that I might cause. At least, I can only hope that there are. I can almost picture Eric telling me that if she becomes a problem, he'll help me deal with it, but Eric's solutions would likely result in death. I cannot do that. There is too much blood on my hands already and I know that there will be more. I will avoid what I can. The fact that I even considered Eric as a solution, if only for a moment, alarms me more than the situation I've found myself in. I will not let myself rely on him again.

"You are perceptive," I say. I place my tablet in my lap, ensuring I do not fidget with it as I speak. It is a known sign of lying and I need to look calm. I cannot be obvious about what I am truly trying to hide. I do my best to channel Jeanine in this moment. I could use her conviction to calm me. It is becoming easier each time, and I ignore what that could mean for me. "It is not a gas leak. During some routine health checks, we've discovered some...genetic anomalies that are appearing more frequently in members of all factions. While this anomaly has not currently led to any massive negative effects in the population, there have been incidents over time that have resulted in death. We are doing our best to research it and find a cure based on the majority population who do not show any negative effects." It is not technically a lie, depending on your beliefs. "It is in the best interest of all that the true details of this research are not revealed. We do not want to cause a panic that will frighten the population over the slim percentage of chance that they could be one of the ones negatively affected. Is that understood?"

She stares at me for a moment, likely looking for some hint that I am lying. I am not, not really. The only part that was truly a lie was looking for a cure.

"What cure could there be for a genetic anomaly?" Of course that would be the part that she catches and pulls at. She is hoping to unravel any possible lie.

"That would be what the research is for," I reply tensely. I know that she is not Erudite, but one would think that common sense would be a factor when focused on truth. "We need the population samples so that we can discover the root of the problem and then build a cure from there." There is a moment of silence, and I try to let the tension on my frame relax.

"And the role of the other factions?"

"As of right now, they are providing the population samples for testing. When further processing is done, it is our hope that the factions will work together to assist in this cure." Another half lie that hints at working with the other factions and their specialties. Jeanine wants the others to submit their divergents for testing and eradication. Not a cure.

Finally, she nods.

"I knew it wasn't simply a gas leak. Thank you for telling me." She smiles brightly before turning to her computer. "Now, what sample size are you looking for?"

It doesn't seem like it should be that easy. I am still on edge, half expecting her to question me further, but I answer. "A group of twenty-five, if possible. Age ranges from infancy to elderly. I would suggest five from five age groups made up of the young children, adolescents, young adults, middle aged adults and the elderly, if you have any. All in good health."

"Sounds logical," Alethea says, "which you would know." Her stare is calculating behind her smiles, nearly as piercing as Jeanine's. "I wonder though, if it's such a small percentage of the population that has this…anomaly, would a group of twenty-five be sufficient for results?" I feel as if I am facing a mythical beast, set out to devour me if I make one wrong move.

"When you calculate that there are five factions that are participating, that raises the current sample population to 100. If the sample size is needed to be expanded upon, I am certain you can arrange for more volunteers. We do not expect to involve anyone in a sample more than once." I pause for a moment before looking at her and smirking slightly. "Trust me, if there's anything you can be certain Erudite knows, it's research," I say dryly.

Alethea looks surprised for a moment, as if unsure if I was attempting to make a joke and failing. Other factions think that Erudite's have no sense of humour at all. She looks back to her computer.

"I'm sending you the list now. They are all in good health and standing in the faction. Should any of them prove unsuitable," she meets my eyes, as if daring me to argue, "then I am happy to assist in finding a replacement."

"Of course," I say with a forced smile. "It is appreciated. At the moment, the tentative date for the testing is a week from today, in the morning. I will finalize it with the labs and inform you and Jack."

"Don't worry, it will be fine," Alethea said before standing. I quickly follow suit, shoving back my relief and shaking her hand.


The ride back to Erudite is quiet. Doubt creeps up along my spine about the conversation with Alethea. While it seems like it went well, I am afraid that she merely gave the reaction I had prayed for and she knew it. My lack of knowledge for what she was looking for, and what I can expect, unnerves me. There is too much possibility. I make a mental note to prepare for any contingencies that will need to be dealt with.

As I step into Erudite, I try to prepare myself for the coming confrontation with Catherine. It is meant to be training, however, based on all of our previous meetings, I have no doubt that Catherine will use it to press her advantage, and continuously attempt to highlight my failures. As I make my way to the office, where she should be waiting, I try to relax. It would do no good to let her goad me into a verbal assault. If I can survive Eric and Jeanine, I can maintain my professionalism with Catherine. Even if this means that I will be working with for from this point on. I force back the annoyance, and step out as the elevator opens onto my floor.

Catherine is seated behind my desk as I walk into the office. It is an obvious placement aimed at showcasing her replacing me. Seeing her there, in a position I had worked hard to maintain, irritates me. For once, I am thankful that I never took the time to decorate my desk with anything from my home. There is nothing there for her to use in an attempt to learn about me, or to use against me. I am reminded that I will need to be careful with her. She does not show me the respect of standing or greeting me as I enter, despite my higher status in our faction. I am not surprised.

"I see you are already organizing your desk to suit you."

She smiles at me, sharp and vicious, and in that moment looking as if she won the trivia games we played as children. "Amelia, I am surprised to see you. They did not tell me it would be you training me. But, I suppose that Jeanine has given you this final task before ridding herself and our faction of you. Are you really going to break faction for the barbarian?"

I know that the mention of Eric is meant to anger me, to have me react with emotion and give her proof of the rumours that exist about me. It is the reminder that Eric once told me that Catherine wanted to replace me, and the proof of that sitting in front of me that bothers me more. I push it down though and focus on the new knowledge she has just given me. It seems that not only have they not told her who was training her, but also exactly why she was being given my position. Again, she relies on gossip instead of searching for the facts herself. It is a lazy characteristic that will not serve her well. Not with Jeanine. I smile back, channelling my inner Jeanine once again. "Not at all, Catherine. You have been elevated for one simple reason; I have been elevated first. This will be my final task before I move on to be Jeanine's right hand. She is the only one I report to, and as of now, you report to me. Is that understood?"

Her voice is laced with honey and I can see the fury in her eyes. "Of course."

"Move," I command before taking my place behind the desk that was once mine. I can see the tension in her frame. The goals she thought she had accomplished had not been achieved the way she wanted them. It clearly rankles her. Once she sits across from me, I begin. "You will be in charge of Jeanine's mail and schedule, as well as anything else she or I ask of you. As of right now, you will remain at your desk unless otherwise told. You may be required to accompany Jeanine to meetings and take notes. Understood?"

"Yes." Her voice is short and I can hear the tension in it. While she is listening, I am certain she is also thinking of how she can spin this situation to suit her. I hope she will remain professional through this.

"Good. The computer is set up withal the information you need. You only have access to what Jeanine feels pertinent. If there is anything urgent that needs to be dealt with, message me first. I will determine if it needs Jeanine's attention or if it can be handled without her. When she is in her lab, she is not to be disturbed. You do not have clearance for the lab." Instantly, I see a flash of anger in her eyes again, but she maintains her expression of idle curiousity. If I didn't know how she felt about me, I could almost believe it. "I assume that the scheduling and message system is simple enough that I do not need to go through it piece by piece for you. Do you have any questions?"

"No, it seems very clear to me that my position is currently limited." Catherine leans forward slightly and her eyes narrow slightly. I am not sure if she is trying to be threatening, but I have faced worse. "Tell me, is it you that doesn't trust me, or Jeanine?"

"Trust is earned," I say. I stand up and move away from the desk. It is no longer mine, and while I am oddly grateful I will not have to share it with her, I feel displaced. I seem to be swimming in a sea of uncertainty. I do not like it. "Go to the computer and look over the system in place. I'd rather answer any questions about it now while I'm here."

She sits down at the desk. "So," she says as she turns on the computer. Thankfully, we have separate accounts and information available. "How much do you suppose Jeanine trusts you with your dalliances with Dauntless?" She's phrased it as an innocent question, but she watches me out of the corner of her eye. The desk seems to give her confidence, at least enough for her to attempt to again play with the rumours of the Dauntless and me. That's all.

I have to believe that, otherwise the idea that she is searching for a reaction, that Jeanine chose her simply because it would unsettle me enough to give a reaction, is terrifying. Knowing Jeanine, it could be possible, but I cannot think like that. I won't survive if I let paranoia rule me more than it already has.

"My work at Dauntless is on order of Jeanine. We're ensuring the coordination and partnership of the factions, as always."

"Is that what they're calling it now?" I hear her say, just loud enough for me to hear. I ignore her. She is trying to bait me and I will not take it. My tablet beeps and when I look at it, I find an addition to tomorrow's schedule. The Dauntless are coming in for testing. I try not to react. It is highly likely that Eric will be among them. As I stare at the tablet and agree to the changes, a message comes through from Jeanine. My presence is demanded in the lab.

"Do you have any questions?" I ask, looking at Catherine.

"No," she says. "As you said, it's fairly standard and I am not incompetent." I try not to roll my eyes at her. Of course not.

"Very well. Message me if you need anything. I will be in the lab." I turn to leave, when she calls out to me.

"Jeanine's lab?" There's a hint of disbelief in her voice.

"Yes." I leave without further comment, heading for the elevator to take me to my next trial. They are beginning to seem never ending.


Jeanine is staring at Vera when I walk into the lab. Vera is awake on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling and hooked up to a variety of machines that seem to monitor everything. She looks gaunt and sick. My throat tightens, but Jeanine speaks and pulls my attention away.

"How was Candor?"

"They did not believe the gas leak reasoning for the inspections, at least, the woman helping me, Alethea, did not."

"And what did you tell her?" Jeanine turns to look at me, watching carefully.

"That we have evidence of genetic anomalies that have appeared and are causing issues for a very small percentage of the population that has them. We are looking for those that showcase this anomaly so that we may create a cure based on those that do not have any issues."

Jeanine nods. "An excellent reason. Send word to Greg in case there are any other questions by others who do not ask you. Also, use that reasoning to those working on it in Dauntless who are not…fully informed."

I make a note on my tablet and take care not to look at Vera again. "I received word that the Dauntless are coming tomorrow?"

"Yes, we are in the beginning stages of creating a serum for them. We need to monitor some of them while we do further tests. You will oversee it."

"Of course," I say. I will have to steel myself against the possibility of seeing Eric. While it is unlikely that he will be there considering how many leaders of Dauntless there are, there is always a chance. Hopefully, they will send another this time, if only to keep suspicion low. I make a mental note to suggest it to Jeanine and Max.

"And Catherine?" she asks.

"Seems competent, for now. She also seemed disgruntled that I was still here, and not dismissed as she thought." There is no point in lying about that. It is easier to be truthful and to ensure that Jeanine is aware of it in case Catherine ever attempts to turn her against me. "She is pleased to be working for you."

"Hmm," Jeanine looks at Vera again before looking back at me. "If there are any problems, and she continues to have issue with working with you, send her back to her previous position. I will not have someone who cannot be trusted with their emotions in this position. We work closely with Candor. It will not do to have someone close at hand who would be easily compromised. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. The faction testing and Choosing Ceremony are fast approaching. Make sure the preparations are in place. We'll be hosting it this year." It is a month or two away, but I nod and make a note. It would need to be perfect, to show off Erudite to the other factions. Jeanine smiled, and she looked like a shark awaiting her prey. "It is going to be a very important year, Amelia. Everything must be in order. I trust that you will see to it." At my nod, she dismisses me to see to the preparations for the next day.

As I walk away, something settles in my chest. An important year. Something major is going to happen, likely involving divergents considering the last year. I have to be careful. I have to focus…and that means that I have to ensure Eric understands that his distraction cannot happen again. It is far too dangerous, and could leave me open to making mistakes. He will have to understand. There is no other choice.

[tbc]