Page 78 of Pet: Genesis

“What?”

I narrow my gaze at that.

“You know what. You’ve never justgivenme anything. All you’ve ever done is take from me. Why are you letting me see him?” I ask. Remus’s expression morphs into amusement as he takes me in. He leans forward, angling his head to better look at me as he smiles.

“You wish for me to retract my statement?” he asks.

I shake my head.

“Of course not. You’re just never this kind to me. I don’t understand why you’re being so considerate,” I say. I expect him to lash out or grow aggravated, but he doesn’t. He laughs. Not his usual scoff or shake of his head, but he tosses his head back, letting the sound wash over the courtyard. Once he calms himself, he looks at me.

“As I told you this morning, you’ve done well. As vile as you paint me to be, I am a fair ruler.” He places his hand against my jaw, running his thumb over my cheek.

“I like to see my pet happy occasionally. Just think of it as an opportunity,” he says.

His tone catches me off guard, a chill running up my spine at his words.

“An opportunity?” I ask. He nods his head, his smile turning cruel.

“Your brother is a high-ranking, commanding officer in the rebellion. He understands the inhibitors, Iriel’s and possibly others’ betrayals, and Ezra’s whereabouts. He is the only rebel I showed mercy to. Theonlyone.”

I suddenly feel my heart beating against my chest as his words overwhelm me.

“So, this can be your last opportunity to speak with him in his sane mind, or when it is time for me to speak with him, he’ll understand the gravity of the situation he has created for himself.”

He places a light peck on my lips before standing to exit the courtyard. He pauses in the doorway, looking back at me with a cruel grin.

“Good luck.”

Part of me wants to run into the room, screaming with joy that my brother is alive and well. For years, I thought my family had left me and that I was all alone in this world. But as it turns out, I’m not. My brother sits in a room within these walls, waiting for my arrival.

The other part of me, the logical part, wants never to set foot in that room. I know that once I do, my life will shatter in the mostprimal of ways. I will have to convince my brother to turn his back on humanity for the sake of himself. And I know that he won’t. He will want to continue to fight for them. It’s like Remus said. He’s a commanding officer in the rebel army. There’s no way he would turn his back on them for anyone. Especially his sister, whom he hasn’t known for several years, and had already abandoned prior to the invasion.

I look up as Jude comes to a halt in front of one of the doors. I worry about what I’ll find on the other side, my hand coming up to clasp the locket that rests around my neck. I glance at Jude’s emotionless expression, feeling my heart ache at my place in this war. Every time I tried to stay on the side of humanity, I ended up hurting those that I cherish the most in this world. Whenever I close my eyes, I see Remus deflecting the rebel’s weapons before massacring them with power beyond our comprehension.

I remember the first time I ever met Remus. I tried to blow both of us up with a live grenade. And yet, I am here. I tried to attack him with a knife, but the steel was too weak to penetrate his flesh. There are no sides. There’s only Remus and his patience. And judging from his words before sending me to my brother, he is at the end of his rope.

I suck in a deep breath staring at the door. I finally find the nerve to push it open, revealing my brother. He’s still in his battered armor that did little to protect him against Remus’s wrath. He’s also sitting in a chair with his hands locked into the armrests. His eyes are closed, his breathing even as I step into the room. I take the moment to take in his features. His dark hair is wild and tussled,and I know that if he opened them, his eyes would be the same color as mine. I vaguely register that Jude has also stepped into the room, moving to the corner to observe silently. As I approach, Cypress still doesn’t move, but I know he’s awake. I can tell by the way his fists are clenched.

I finally stand over him, reaching out slowly to touch his cheek. There’s still a small smear of blood on it.

“Cypress,” I whisper his name just as my hand comes into contact with his cheek. His eyes fly open, and he lifts his gaze to look at me in shock. He takes me in for at least thirty seconds before finally opening his mouth to speak.

“Iris? I thought... I thought he...” he trails off, unable to complete his sentence as tears form in his eyes. He silently leans into my touch as sobs wrack his body, and I pull him into an embrace, enjoying the warmth of my brother. He’s normal temperature, as humans should be. I didn’t remember what he looked like growing up. We were all so young in my mother’s locket that time wiped me of any memory of my brother in person. But here he is, grown and alive.

“No, I’m here,” I say softly. I feel bitter hatred toward Remus at this reunion. I can see and speak to my brother, and yet he’s trapped in a chair, unable to hold me. Remus’s mercy is a cruel side to be on.

“How did you escape? How did you find me?” he asks. Now it’s my turn to cry. I silently step away from my brother, sitting in the chair across from him. He’s watching me in confusion, and I suddenly find myself unable to look at him.

“He owns me... Remus does,” I say softly. A silence overcomes us as he processes this news.

“Remus, as in the Leviathan leader?” he asks. I nod my head, my vision blurring as more tears spill from my eyes.

“Then why were you in the town? Why were you at Iriel’s?” he asks.

“Remus sent me under the guise of delivering something. He knew Iriel was a traitor. He knew you would be there. He even knew about the attack and how high of a rank you are in the resistance. And now, he wants me to convince you to give him the information he needs,” I say.

“And why does he think I will give him information?” he asks. I look up at him, feeling my chest swell in bitter sadness. The hope that he has is apparent on his face. It’s the same level of hope I once had. That drive and fight for freedom. But as Remus said, it is an illusion. I can see why Remus saw me as naive. How could I have ever thought someone like me could beat him?

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