Page 57 of Pet: Genesis

“You’ve been crying,” he says.

I feel a bitter swell in my chest. Remus knows everything about me, from my sleep patterns to whether or not I’m crying, even though it was an hour ago.

“Have you still not made peace with her death?” he asks. I bite back a bitter retort, but when I look at him, I see no amusement in his gaze. He’s genuinely curious. I immediately look away, taking in my surroundings.

“No,” I murmur.

Remus doesn’t respond but gently places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me in the opposite direction of his residence. I think we’re going to another celebration of sorts, but we don’t. We make our way deeper into the city, with the ample foliage as our backdrop. I note that the trees have begun their shift, changing the leaves in color as well. When I was a child, I loved this time of year when the air got cooler, and the trees changed from green to orange. My current surroundings are much more breathtaking as Remus leads me to our unknown destination.

I hear the sound of trickling water once we finally reach our destination. Remus steps aside, guiding me in front of him to take in the beauty that surrounds me. There are trees everywhere, gently swaying in the breeze, and a large pond sits beyond us, the abundance of fish visible from the clear water. I look around at the Leviathan that have also come to enjoy the scenery. It’s another thing they share with humanity. Enjoying the beauty of nature. I look at Remus in confusion, but he doesn’t say a word as we make our way to the edge of the water. It’s so quiet.

Peaceful.

Even the Leviathan in attendance only offer Remus a bow before going about their lives.

“All living things have a time, Iris. Making peace with that fact is the only way to save yourself from so much suffering,” Remus says.

I look at him in confusion, and his gaze is focused on the water. I don’t stop the bitter chuckle that escapes me.

“I thought you enjoyed my suffering,” I say, earning a smile from him.

“I enjoy your spirit, Iris. Your suffering is something you bring upon yourself.”

“Why did you bring me here?” I ask, looking out over the water.

“To help you find peace.”

Remus places his hand in mine, leading me to an intricately crafted bench that overlooks the landscape. He gently pulls me down with him but keeps my hand in his own.

“I do not regret my decision to test you against your friend. But I do understand your sorrows. Loss is a hard thing to come to terms with for humanity. Your life span is so fleeting and fragile; death has always been something your kind have trouble digesting.” He’s speaking to me like I’m a child. I hate the gentle tone he uses. I want to hate him. I don’t want his comfort or his help in making peace with Margot’s death. A death he provoked. But he seems to be in a giving mood, so I let my anger fuel my determination and begin my mission of taking him down.

“What do you mean ‘for humanity’? Do you not fear death? Can you not die?” I ask, looking at him. He chuckles softly, his features softening as he watches me with a curious expression.

It’s unnerving.

“Of course I can, Iris. As I said, all living things have a time,” he says.

“And yet our weapons do nothing to harm you or your kind,” I say, hoping he’ll take the bait. I have to bite back my smile. He does.

“Your weapons were made to destroy man. They were designed with everything that is of the Earth in mind. But we, my sweet pet, are not of Earth. Our life span is more biological than destructive. Our bodies are made differently than your own. And, quite honestly, with the way the Earth is going now, I don’t think you’ll ever figure out how to kill the Leviathan.”

I think about what it is that he’s saying, then I realize something.

“You’re different from them... so even if we figured out a way, you can’t be killed the same way as them... can you?” I ask.

Remus’s smile widens. “What a perceptive little pet you are.”

I want to ask him how he can be killed and what makes him different, but he may become suspicious of my interest if he isn’t already.

“You’re not plotting to kill me, are you, Pet?” he teases, taking in my expression.I look up, trying to calm my suddenly racing heart. He’s watching me closely, studying me. His amusement drops as he takes me in. He leans in close to me, tucking my stray hair behind my ear as he speaks.

“I will tell you this, Iris. You may be able to harm me with the same weapons you can harm a regular Leviathan, but none of those weapons will be enough to kill me. So, if you are planningsomething, I suggest you find my weakness before you try risking your already fragile life.”

By the time he finishes his sentence, I’m vibrating in anger, and his amusement is back as he takes in my state. My hand is itching to slap his smug face, but I can’t.

“You—”

“Oh? Did I light a fire in my little pet? I haven’t seen this much anger from you since I first plucked you from those ruins you called home,” he laughs. He leans in closer to me, his lips hovering over my own, and I feel like I can hear my heartbeat in my ears.

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