Free Legacy (The Biodome Chronicles) by Jesikah Sundin Page B

goof, hoping she didn’t catch on that he used her full name, one that wasn’t introduced to him.
    “Yes. I have a younger sister, sir, and that is all I shall share concerning her life, or mine.”
    Willow cooled her posture and maintained an even stare. He kicked himself under the desk. She had picked up on his mistake. He was such a stupid idiot.
    He rested his elbows onto the desk and lowered his head. Fillion closed his eyes, desperate for direction and an escape. But the furious look on Willow’s face burned in his mind. If they were alive, why were death certificates issued? And for all three siblings? Did his dad know all along? A string of expletives exploded inside his head.
    They needed his help. And he guessed they had no clue just how valuable their lives were to New Eden, as well as to the science community. Yet the world couldn’t know they existed. His dad would probably be accused of creating a marketing gimmick, unleashing another round of media frenzy. Fillion wasn’t sure he would survive a second Watson Trial. God, he wanted to kick something, punch the wall again—and get drunk as soon as possible.
    “OK. Listen, Leaf Watson,” Fillion began. “You need to unplug the portal before you leave. When you return, plug it back in, turn it on, and wait for the password screen, then unplug and plug it back in again. That activates a back-door function—skips the password and connects you straight to the dungeon. You have twenty seconds to unplug the portal once the password screen appears, or you’ll need to start over. I’m the nighttime master. Do not—I repeat, do not try and contact the daytime master. He’s cruel and will torture you.” Both Leaf and Oaklee’s eyes widened. “I have personal leave through Thursday night. Do you keep a calendar in New Eden?” Leaf nodded slowly. “Good, remember that. I’m nice, but my counterparts are not. Contact me again on Friday night about this time.”
    Fillion was pretty sure he wouldn’t be a free man come Friday night, but it gave him time to work out an alternative.
    “Thank you, Master Fillion, we shall do as you say,” Leaf said with a bow. The nobleman looked at Willow, and then nudged her to respond.
    She gave her brother a quick glare, and then lowered into a graceful curtsy. “Yes, thank you, Master Fillion.”
    She looked up as she curtsied and smiled at him, offering a truce. It was a quick and silent gift before she masked her face with a subtle side-glance at her brother to ensure he did not witness the exchange. Fillion accepted with an imperceptible nod, unable to look away, and confused by her gesture as Leaf disappeared from the video feed.
    And then the screen turned black.
     

     
    At first, Leaf kept his back to Willow, unsure of how to respond or proceed with her brazen behavior. He knew his sister could be a tempest, but he never knew she could be as insensible as to lie so boldly in calling the stranger’s bluff, especially with a man who held power from the Outside world.
    “Willow, we do not have the Scroll,” Leaf said gently.
    She looked away from the looking glass, and met his steady gaze, the defiance still burning in her eyes.
    “ Yes, I know, My Lord . And my name is—”
    “I prefer Willow, and you do not have permission to control my every thought, word, and deed, dishonoring me with your emotional outbursts.”
    Leaf had stepped forward and spoke within inches of his sister’s face. He stared back with forcefulness to match her own.
    With a steady calm, Leaf said, “I do not desire to walk on eggshells in your presence. Control yourself. That is your responsibility. It is not to control me.”
     

     
    Oaklee turned around, stung by his unfeeling words. After several deep breaths, and a moment to refocus her thoughts, she felt a coolness flush through her senses, bringing her emotional thermometer back to room temperature.
    “I know you are angry,” Leaf continued more softly. “I am, too.”
    She