Page 11 of Tears of Tungsten
“No, I suppose it isn’t. Very well, Brendan. Have it your way. Just be careful and don’t make any rash decisions.”
At that moment, I didn’t think I’d hated anyone more. He’d killed my mother with his stupidity and carelessness and now, he was acting like I was the one who was unreasonable.
He’d just outlived his usefulness. As soon as I made sure the chimeras were safe, I’d have to remove him. In the meantime, I would stall and pretend to cooperate.
“I’m never rash, Father. You disapprove of Selene, but she is a far better match for me than one of our women could ever be. Compared to her, Penelope is weak and pathetic. She might carry Tartarus’s power in her veins, but it is latent. Selene, on the other hand, is powerful in her own right. I have no doubt that our children will take the dynasty to unprecedented peaks.”
My father arched a brow at me, as if surprised by my comment. “Interesting. You truly think so? You’ve spoken to her about this possibility?”
I shook my head. “It’s much too soon. We have to finish our schooling first. But I’m setting the stage and I know she’ll listen to me.”
“And the other members of your unit won’t be a problem? I don’t want succession to be an issue if you choose to continue this… unusual relationship of yours.”
“Father, we’re perfectly capable of using protection when we have to. And like I said, Selene is strong. I’m sure she can give birth to as many children as we need, assuming the others want heirs of their own.”
“You might be right,” he mused. “Gaia’s Gift does make Terrans far more fertile than our women. If the ban is lifted… Yes, it might work well.” He offered me a small, smug smile, one I wanted to slap off his face. “So be it. You have my permission to court this woman.”
I hadn’t expected him to agree with me so readily on the topic, but I didn’t show my surprise. “Thank you, Father. I appreciate the support.”
He waved a hand, dismissing my gratitude. “I’ll always support your decisions, as long as they’re for the greater good of our people.”
I would’ve had no problem with that, except for the fact that he and those bastards from The Grand Judiciary were the only ones who had a say in what was good and what wasn’t. But soon, I’d make sure that was no longer the case.
Much to my relief, he dismissed me shortly after that, perhaps realizing I had no desire to spend any time with him. I made my way back to the shuttle, already going over possible options and ways to do damage control.
“He’s not making this up, is he, Typhon? You really do need to feed.”
“I’m afraid so,”my chimera answered,“but for the moment, you don’t need to worry about it too much. We can take care of ourselves too. We won’t force you to do something you don’t want to.”
“No, Typhon. I appreciate the offer, but I’m the leader of The Grand Chimera Unit. I’m responsible for your well-being, as much as I am for that of the tamers. I will protect you. Nothing is more important than that.”
“Very well,”Typhon said with a sigh. “There are other ways that wouldn’t involve mass murder of your people. It’s just that this method is more convenient for The Grand Judiciary and less dangerous for you. I advise you to discuss it carefully with your broodmates before you make a decision.”
As I entered the shuttle, I listened carefully to Typhon’s suggestions and felt a dark hope surge inside me. Maybe we could do this, after all. Maybe I didn’t have to bend my knee to The Grand Judiciary’s insanity, just so that I could protect the people I loved.
All throughout the journey back, I hovered between dread and excitement. As always, Typhon knew exactly what I needed, because when the shuttle landed at the academy, the others were already waiting for me.
Knox took one look at me and went rigid. “Who do I have to kill?”
The irony of his words almost made me burst into laughter. I miraculously managed to refrain. “No one. I’m just a little tired.”
It was a huge lie, and they knew it. They accepted the excuse anyway and trailed after me as we headed back to the dorm.
“Scylla said your father asked you to do something very serious,” Pollux prodded. “She was very mysterious about it.”
“It’s Selene, isn’t it?” August asked. “He wants you to break up with her.”
I shook my head, happy that I had at least one piece of good news. “No, not really. I convinced him she’d be a good asset to the dynasty. For now, he won’t get in our way, although Tartarus only knows how long he’ll believe my excuse.”
Knox frowned, still concerned by my apprehension. “Oh. If that’s not it, what’s the problem?”
“The problem is that he’s planning to commit genocide against the Terrans, and I might have to contribute.”
As I explained the situation, my fellow Chimera Warriors listened to me in silence. By the time I was done, Knox was pacing like a caged animal. Pollux had gone white and August was taking deep breaths in an attempt to remain calm.
It was Pollux who recovered first. He’d taken the news badly, but that wasn’t surprising, since shit like this reminded us of what had happened to his sister.
“We’re with you, Brendan. If Typhon thinks this other solution will work, we’ll support you all the way.”
