Page 60 of I Married Kayog
“And risk losing those incredible powers of his?” he argued.
I waved a dismissive hand. “What use are they if they break his mind? I may not be a doctor, but you don’t need to be a genius to understand that repeated brain hemorrhage will leave permanent scars.”
“And then what?” Colin demanded. “What happens once we’ve cured him?”
“Kayog is blessed with genius-level intelligence. He’s a natural protector, possesses extremely high morals, has proven exceptional athletic abilities, and he’s insanely charismatic. My mate could be a huge asset in a variety of roles within either the Enforcers or the UPO,” I said with a bit too much eagerness.
With his powers, whether they disappeared after a cure or not, neither organization would ever want to let him loose, as his abilities could return. And assuming he never lost them, he would be much too dangerous a weapon roaming free in the wild without supervision. Worse still, enemies could seek to enlist him to turn him against us. Colin didn’t have to go into details for me to understand my mate would never truly be free. Butthere were ways where he could achieve something close enough to it and live under his own terms within the organization.
And I intended to use every tool in my arsenal to make sure of it.
Colin shook his head. “I already approached him about joining us. He flat out refused. And judging by his tone, there would be no swaying him.”
I scoffed. “Of course, he refused. With his current condition, it would have been completely impossible for him. Cure him and then ask again. I bet you will be pleasantly surprised by his answer.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, a speculative glimmer sparking in his eyes. “Are you pledging that he will?”
I gave him a ‘Don’t be stupid’ look. “You know I cannot make such a commitment on his behalf. But make him an offer he can’t refuse, and he will accept.”
“That’s a huge ‘if’ that you’re expecting me to go to battle for,” Colin argued.
I leaned forward, my gaze intense as I tried to convince him.
“No Edal has ever lived past a few hours or days,” I countered. “You have a full-grown adult one, capable of speech and reason. How many others like him have died pointlessly because they couldn’t express the cause and source of their distress? You have a golden opportunity to learn about people like him while searching for a cure. Temerns are important members of the UPO. The organizationowesus to help find a cure.”
He snorted. “Your own people want him dead.”
I huffed. “Out of ignorance. They only pursue an old tradition born of fear. Science has evolved since those early cases. There is no reason why we couldn’t look into it again now with a more open mind. By the way, isn’t one of the core purposes of the UPOto put an end to these types of tragedies and slaughters based on primitive beliefs?”
He gave me a strange look, the corner of his lips discreetly quirking with a hint of amusement. “Temerns aren’t primitive.”
“In this, theyareacting like a primitive species, thinking Edals are demons simply because they don’t understand what’s happening with them or how to fix the issues,” I said with a shrug. “Didn’t humans use to lobotomize people who suffered from mental health issues because they didn’t know how to help them? This is no different.”
“I will grant you that their policies regarding Edals date back many generations and need to be revisited,” Colin said calmly.
“They do,” I concurred firmly. “So talk to your scientists and spin a tale for the psionic blast at the Convention Center. I have wealth, and my family will provide any support needed to help research a cure. The UPO and the Enforcers stand only to gain by protecting Kayog. I have no doubt he will become a fantastic asset.”
Colin leaned back against his chair, an undefinable smile stretching his lips as he gave me an assessing look.
“I like you, Linsea Kenna. You’re cocky, ruthless, and undaunted with things that matter to you. By the way, nice disarm on my guard. Unfortunately for him, he’s not going to enjoy the disciplinary measures coming his way.”
I flinched, my heart going out to the poor agent. “Please, don’t be too harsh with him. With my credentials and my grandmother’s endorsement, he had no reason to expect I would pull a stunt like that. Don’t forget that I also have self-defense and combat training, as is required for negotiators and aspiring ambassadors.”
“True though this may be, he still allowed himself to be disarmed by not properly securing his weapon after he had initially unlatched it,” Colin said in a tone that brooked noargument. “As no one died due to his negligence, he won’t be dismissed, but he won’t make that mistake again. Now, when are you joining the Enforcers?”
I snorted. “Never.”
“Is that so?” he asked, seeming genuinely surprised.
“I’m joining the UPO to protect people like my mate from you guys making dumb choices. So don’t make my hiring awkward by forcing me to first publicly shame you all,” I said with a haughty tone.
He burst out laughing, and I smiled in return, pleased that my effort to dampen the tension that had been building worked.
“I cannot promise you anything, Linsea,” he said carefully.
“I didn’t ask for a promise, only that you make it happen.”
He smiled. “I’ll do what I can. And you see to it that he joins us.”
