Page 56 of A Deeper Blue
“This glass was made with cobalt,” he said. “It’s a rare mineral now. I never thought I’d live to say something like that. We have used so much of a mineral, something that’s found in the earth itself, that it’s become rare. And the trees. There used to be so many trees. I didn’t see the harm in taking the ones I needed to build this hall because there were always so many more. All the things that make the world safer and softer made us die a little bit. Vaccines and roads and easy-to-use plastic bottles. They made life easier. They made everyone live longer. And the price for that longer life is a dying planet.”
“Yes,” agreed Azure.
“Tell me we can stop it,” he said.
“We can. It will be hard,” said Azure. “And at some point, someone is going to suggest that the easiest way to stop it is to kill a bunch of humans.”
“They won’t be wrong,” said Albert. “That would be the easiest way. Lose a third of the global population, and a lot of the problems with resources would go away.”
“But the problems would come back,” said Azure. “The problem is only partially population. The bigger problem is a systemic over-use with no respect for the planet.”
“I realize that,” said Albert. “Like most things in life, the easiest way isn’t always the best way. And let’s be realistic, anyone who suggests killing off a third of the human population is never going to stop with a third. They’re going to go for more like… oh, all of them. And then start in on any Supernaturals who aren’t quite the right type. Whatever that is.”
“So, we’re on the same page?” asked Azure. “What we’re fighting for can never include human deaths as a solution.”
“We are on the same page,” said Albert. “And I believe that the others are as well. Even Henrik. He just talks big. If he actually had to make a full summer sacrifice in the old ways, he’d probably shit a brick.”
Azure laughed.
“But,” said Albert looking at her speculatively, “what I am not as clear on is what you’re getting out of this. The Fae are gone. You’ve made it clear that they went by choice and will not be coming back. Why not follow them?”
“This is home,” said Azure. “I’m human enough that I don’t want to leave it.”
“The others want you to act as… ambassador, I guess? They want you to journey out and bring others into the Pact.”
“The Pact? Is that what we’re calling it now?” asked Azure, buying herself time. She could feel the future hovering at her elbow. This was her tipping point moment. If she wanted out, this was where she had to speak up. After this moment, there would be no turning back.
“The ones that don’t have packs were feeling squiffy on the name,” Albert. He looked like he knew she was stalling.
“I like it,” said Azure. But she needed some answers first. “Tell me something: why did you kick Rafe out?”
“He was unbalancing the pack,” said Albert with a sigh. “He was causing a rift, and people were starting to divide and dig in. The pack cannot be split like that. We can stand to be physically apart, and we can have different opinions, but we must be unified in purpose. That and he just plain pissed me off.”
“And you didn’t want to hear what he was saying.”
Albert nodded. “Yes, that too. I had just lost my mate. I could feel everything unraveling. The pack needed to be secure. They needed to be able to make a plan for tomorrow. And, dear God, that boy never met a plan that he didn’t like to ignore.”
Azure snorted.
She looked up at the skylight and splayed her hand out under the light passing through the colored glass. Her skin went a deep blue. “This Pact that we’re making, you know that you and I will also have to be unified in purpose.”
“Yes,” he agreed.
Azure nodded. “I think…” She hesitated, waiting for the words to come to her. “This is what I have been waiting for. I believe the Pact is what I am supposed to do.”
“Good,” said Albert. “I also think that it’s what I am meant to do. Even though I may be quite unsuited for it really, and I wish it wasn’t me—I still think it’ssupposedto be me. If we are destined for this, then we will go forward together.”
“But Albert,” she said softly. “If you ever hurt Rafe like that again, I will burn your Pact, your house, and our destiny to the ground.”
Albert’s chin came up, and his nostrils flared.
“That’s not a threat,” she said. “It’s a warning. I did not know that about myself until recently. But I believe it is a fact.”
For a long moment, he eyed her speculatively, and she wondered what she looked like to someone over three centuries old. Finally, he smiled, his eyes crinkling a little, and she thought it was a nostalgic sort of smile. She could see why Rafe still loved him despite what had passed between them, but that didn’t soften her stance any.
“Good,” he said again. “Now I know where the lines are. And it’s good to know how you feel about him. Very well. We have an understanding, and you will be our ambassador.”
“I will,” said Azure. He held out his hand, and Azure put hers into it. The agreement was struck. But inside, Azure felt her stomach clench into a knot. What would committing to this destiny do to her relationship with Rafe?
