Page 117 of Pet: Genesis

His claim.

I take in Remus in the reflection as he leans toward me, his finger lightly tracing the symbol. Chills break out on my skin as my body warms from his touch. It takes all of my willpower to step away from him. When I face him, he’s watching me with that strange expression again, his smile growing.

“Fascinating,” he says, studying me.

“I know your emotions are still raw, but you should know your brother is alive and well,” he says. My heart slams against my chest as a myriad of emotions rush through me. I purposely never asked about him. The feelings about not only him but Jude as well are still raw.

“He is in my custody until you decide what it is you want to do with him,” Remus continues. I blink in confusion, shaking my head.

“I don’t want to decide what to do with him. I don’t know what to do with him,” I say shakily. I can’t find it in myself to tell Remus that it was Cypress who killed Jude. I know he doesn’t care and that he is glad Jude is gone. But Cypress chose Iriel over me whenhe saw it was a losing battle. He killed Jude in cold blood, knowing what he meant to me. I don’t know if I can ever forgive him for that.

Remus chuckles softly, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“As I said, he is in my custody until you decide. That doesn’t mean a decision must be made today,” he adds.

“I just think you should know that with this decision you’ve made comes opportunities. You may have chosen life, but I have chosen you. And you will always be by my side. Not beneath me, but equal. That means these types of decisions are yours to make as well,” Remus says.

My eyes widen from his words, and he stands over me, looking at me one last time before making his way to the doorway.

“Come. We do not want to be late for... the end,” he chuckles as he rounds the corner.

1. Translated: "I'll take things from here."

Chapter Forty-Four

Iris

This is the end.

To be fair, Earth’s natural course ended years ago when Remus set foot on our planet. But this is the celebratory end. Something about destroying the resistance has solidified Remus and his people’s claim on our planet. The loud blast of foreign instruments and music rings in the distance as we make our way through the massive hall. I’ve been with Remus long enough to know what this celebration means for him. I take a peek at him as he walks ahead of me. His head is raised, proud. He looks like true royalty.

From this distance, I can hear the loud roar of the crowd beyond the extensive double doors that sit at the end of the long hall. My gaze shifts to the wide windows that allow me a look at our surroundings. We’re in a tall building towering over the area. My mind skips to the day I escaped with Cypress. I feltso much hope in my chest at the time. I truly felt that we were going to be free. The pure adrenaline that rushed through my veins as we escaped from the highest peak of the building and rode fearlessly through the streets is a feeling I will miss.

I will miss the desire to fight for my planet and my people. But as I pass by the humans standing silently against the columns with blank expressions, I try and push down the guilt. I am only one person. I can’t help them. I can’t fight for them. No one can. Remus made sure I knew that.

I notice a woman coming near us, and my footsteps automatically falter as my brain registers just who it is coming toward us with all the poise of her brother before her.

Xion is dressed in all white. Instead of a dress, however, she’s wearing long, flowing pants with a separate train attached to her waist as she walks with the poise and grace granted to her and her siblings. The attached top she wears is low-cut, and I notice the same symbol Remus has peeking from under her clothing slightly. Her hair matches the color and length of Remus’s, flowing past her waist even though she wears an intricate braid that must be native to her planet.

She has a smile on her lips as she approaches Remus, her purple gaze shifting to me once she’s close enough. Her smile immediately disappears, her gaze narrowing. The same fear I once felt in Remus’s presence washes over me, and I suddenly find it difficult to stand. My mind replays images of her tearing through the resistance with the same perfectly manicured hands she nowwraps around her brother in greeting. I take a small step away, immediately dropping my gaze to avoid hers.

She begins speaking to Remus in her native tongue. Her tone is quipped as she speaks, but Remus is gentle and patient as he responds. He even laughs softly. I tense when I feel him shifting toward me, placing a finger under my chin to lift my gaze.

“You do not need to do that any longer,” he says gently.

“Yes, my brother has given you quite an honor, Iris.” Xion’s gaze is colder than her brother’s as she speaks.

“Despite your attempt at killing our own instead of focusing on the real threats,” she snaps. She lets out a bitter laugh, her purple gaze lighting up as she speaks.

“But I guess you did try and focus on at least one of us, huh?”

I keep my gaze focused on hers. It seems to be the only thing I can do.

“I do not regret fighting for my planet. I only regret that my fight had no effect,” I say.

Xion smiles, but it’s not at all kind as she takes a threatening step toward me.

Remus decides to step in, standing in front of me.

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