Chapter 26 – Edgar
EDGAR
Ilook up as Galena enters the great hall. All of us are seated, waiting to hear the news. Did the child survive the birthing? If it did not, we’ll have to move quickly to kill her before her men can interfere. If the child survived? We’ll have to decide how long to let her live.
She comes to stand in front of us. I’m a bit surprised she hasn’t joined us on her throne. “It’s done.”
My pulse races. “Out with it. Did the child live or die? Is It normal? Dangerous like its mother?”
She stands taller. “Medusa had twins.”
Elizabeth gasps and stands. “Twins? That’s… impossible.”
“Did they survive?” I ask, my gaze snapping back to Galena.
She nods. “Both children survived… and both children are female.”
A chill moves down my spine, and every hair stands up on my body.
“It’s a blessing from the Gods,” Elizabeth whispers, covering her mouth.
Heath turns to me. “This changes everything.”
I meet his gaze. “It changes nothing.”
The atmosphere of the room is charged, like the moment before lightning strikes.
Heath speaks to me slowly, as if I’m a fool. “We cannot breed with Gods, or demi-gods, humans, or magical creatures—but apparently, we can with monsters. And their new genes might give us the daughters we need to survive as a species.”
I feel my muscles stiffen. Is that what they all believe? They all think that we should welcome monsters into our homes with open arms? Can they really be so stupid? This was one… unexpected pregnancy that changes nothing.
Galena clears her throat, and I turn back to her. “Her children are the healthiest that have been born into our society in longer than I can remember. They’re large, sturdy, and already very aware of their environment.”
“Did you use your Sight?” I ask, holding my breath.
She nods. “When I touched the children, I knew. I knew that they were the answer to our prayers. Either we breed with monsters, or our people die out.”
I lean back in my chair. This can’t be true. Yet, Galena’s Sight has never failed us before.
“There are other female monsters,” Elizabeth begins. “Perhaps if they can fall in love with our men, they can be less dangerous. They can become a part of our people the way Medusa has.”
“We can’t just suddenly tell our people that we’re no longer monster-hunters! Their purpose will be gone.” Gary stands, glaring at all of us.
I fold my hands in front of my mouth, thinking. Do I trust Medusa? No. Do I want monsters to suddenly join our society? No.
But I’d be a fool to say so. I’ve seen a change in the others, month after month. They like Medusa. I feared what they would do if we tried to kill her.
And yet, I also can’t take away our purpose.
Nor let our people die out.
“What if we didn’t come out and tell them that we’ve changed our stance on monsters?
” I say. “What if we send our potential brotherhoods to capture female monsters? What if we give them tasks that will allow them time to get to know the females? By the time they return, they will either be able to tell us the women are dangerous, and we can’t reproduce with them, or they’ll form a bond.
And we can reluctantly agree to allow them here, on certain terms.”
Galena relaxes in front of me. “As long as all the women are safe, including Medusa. We will not lure breeders here, simply to kill them when they aren’t of use anymore.” There’s a bite to her words that reveals just how angry she’s been with me for even considering still killing Medusa.
“Agreed,” I say. “We’ll keep our location hidden, so if they cannot do as we wish, we can turn them free once more, without fear of them extracting revenge.”
Everyone seems in agreement that my idea is the way to go.
Except Gary and I. We know the truth. We know there are gargoyles among us who may begrudgingly allow Medusa to remain here, but who will also never see monsters as one of us. If any of the women don’t work for what we need, we’ll set them loose— and we’ll send our men to kill them.
The others don't need to know the truth.
“Go,” I tell Galena. “Care for our daughters. They are, after all, the fate of our people.”
Elizabeth nods. “And we should tell the others. And celebrate!”
They leave in a rush of happiness, but Gary and I remain.
When the doors close, he doesn’t look at me as he speaks. “We won’t let any monster leave here alive, right?”
I smile. “Not a single one.”