Chapter 34 - Growth
Galen
“I’m sure you were glad to find your room exactly like you left it. I took pictures before moving in—”
“Mack, you what?”
“Chill, mate.” He remains by the threshold while I inspect every inch of my room.
“I needed a quiet place to work on my latest invention. Merya was getting on my nerves, and it was either blowing up our room—accidentally, with Merya inside—or, well, your bed is still here, so…” Mack gives me a thumb-up and rushes away, slamming the door behind him.
I would chase him downstairs, but the recent events occupy my mind entirely.
Mainly because Kristyon showed up in July’s room as if it were the most normal thing to do.
And that Tabitha forgot to mention the minor detail that he is here, mere meters away from July, where the smell of his soul can easily attract Reds, like bees to a fucking field of sunflowers.
“This is a mess…” I let out a breath, closing the curtains of my window.
I need to send word to Eve before she freaks out, convinced that July and I have died in the explosion. Or have been taken hostage.
“Unless Nik and Lily have already filled her in regarding the little mishap we encountered on the roof, ” I mumble, combing my hair back with one hand.
They’re here already. That can only mean Libera is no longer safe.
“I’ll leave that to Tabitha to sort out,” I sigh.
I turn my back to the window so I can take in the state of my room without Mack hovering, like a fly high on sugar.
And—he was right. My room seems pristine. Even cleaner than the last time I was here.
Even the bed sheets look crisp and fresh, so inviting after hours spent running from a fire and bullets. But a knock on the door saves me from wasting time napping.
“Too soon, Mack. I’m not ready to forgive you. Or to admire your latest contraptions.”
I slump on my bed, waiting for one of Mack’s usual grand entrances despite my request to leave me alone. But the face looking at me through the threshold makes my spine stiffen and my jaw tense.
“Now I know why Eve and I couldn’t reach you on the usual channel. But I’d love to know why Tabitha has allowed you to go rogue - no pun intended - and make your own stupid choices without checking with us first.” I can’t stem my anger seeping through my voice.
“Galen, look. I know what you think, but this time is different. You’ve seen it in there. She didn’t even flinch when I spoke to her.”
“She was temporarily blind, you reckless idiot.” I almost hope someone’s heard me because I will knock him out if nobody comes to stop me.
His voice may sound more profound than the last time we spoke, and his hair longer.
However, not even the short beard could trick the eyes, especially after Eve told me Roden had decided to show his video report to July.
I bet she’s memorised every line of his face, the colour of his eyes, the curve of his lips.
I slap my bed to avoid aiming my frustration directly at him.
“Kris, you’d better close that door and lock it,” I say in the flattest voice possible, leaving my bed and beckoning him in. “There’s something you need to know, and you won’t like it.”
He looks at me, doubtful; there’s still a shadow of a smile on his face, but he does as asked.
“Are you talking about your last-minute trip to Horigos without Roden’s blessing?” he leans with his back against the door, hands buried in the pockets of his cargo trousers.
I shake my head. “Not exactly. It’s more to do with a deal July accepted. This time, there is a strong chance she’ll take you to Roden. He didn’t leave her much of a choice.”
I let the words sink.
“And you call that news?”
“She has a reason this time,” I lower my voice.
Kris tilts his head, such an innocent gesture that it makes my blood boil.
How can he not flinch? Not fucking once.
“She’s always had one, and look at me,” - he flexes one arm - “I’m standing in front of you, living and breathing, and talking.”
I huff a laugh, “That’s hard to prevent, I’m afraid.” I rub my face, studying him through my fingers. “How long have you been here? You’ve started to sound like Mack. This is serious. Her memories haven’t come back yet—”
Kris arches a brow in disbelief, “But?”
“But she knows I am part of the Chapter.”
“Interesting.” Kris pinches his chin, staring at me. “So, you’re not her favourite anymore. How are you still alive, then?”
Exasperation bubbles in my belly. “Tabitha explained the situation better than I could on our way here. But that’s not the point…Too many variables have changed, and I can’t really say how July will react. This time.”
He shrugs; not a trace of fear crosses his face.
I stand up from my bed and start pacing in silence.
“Oh, oh. You’re chewing the collar of your t-shirt. That must be bad.”
I stop and turn on my heel. “What’s wrong with you?” I say with frustration more than anger.
I regret it as soon as he hums with a sad smile, lowering his eyes to the floor. “Have you ever thought that perhaps I’m tired of this? All I want is to end this thing, that is. Once and for all, so I can finally stop hiding and settle somewhere. Anywhere. Or just stop being?”
The months we’ve been apart creep up on him, revealing the man he’s become—the person I wanted him to be since we discovered his power and curse.
“So you’re just giving up?” I open my arms to keep them busy, as otherwise, I will slap him—or worse. “And what about the sacrifices I had to make? What about Tabitha, Jyn and the others?”
He pushes away from the door, stepping into the narrow path of light pouring in from the curtains.
Lit by the sunlight, the emerald in his eyes transforms into molten gold, an ability that used to frighten me when I began spending a bunch of forbidden, dangerous hours with him, supervised by Evelyn.
“Don’t play the victim with me. Tabitha and her people were deeply involved in their war before they knew I even existed. I’m just a useful addition to their arsenal. As to you—you don’t really have a choice,” he smirks, mirroring my stance and crossing his arms over his chest.
And he is so right; I wish I could lock him in this room and throw away the key. But he’s not a little boy anymore.
I throw my hands in the air, defeated and more worried than I was a few moments ago. “July is first in line to be the death of me; but you are a worthy contender. At least promise you won’t go looking for her, talk to her, or even spy on her from afar.”
Kristyon opens his mouth, but I stop him. “I was being rhetorical. You will not seek any contacts unless I say it’s safe.” I mark every word with a step towards him. I only stop when we’re so close I can see the gold recoiling inside his pupils and his eyes returning to emerald.
“Fine,” he mumbles, disappointed. “I’ve waited longer than ever this time. I can spend a few minutes without seeing her.”
“Days,” I snap.
He cuts me a mischievous look. “Hours is the best I can do.”
We both stumble towards the door at Kris’ back when I grab him by his white shirt’s collar, growling, “We’re not bargaining the fish price at Brenath’s market, for fuck’s sake. This is your life I’m trying to keep safe.”
His gaze doesn’t falter or roam away from mine. He stands his ground, gritting his teeth but keeping his frustration in.
“As you order,” Kris hisses. “One emotional, temperamental brother in the building is more than enough. If we’re done here, I’ll go and hide somewhere in the dark. But don’t blame me if she senses my insubordinate, charming presence and goes looking for me.”
I let go of his shirt, dropping my head. “Get out—before I knock you out to make it easier for everyone.” I dismiss him, pointing at the door and keeping my eyes on the ground to avoid his contagious, unbreakable smile.
“It’s good to have you back, brother,” he says, opening the door behind him but still looking at me. “I promise to remain alive so you can argue with me a little longer.”
The door slams shut, and I stare at it as if Kris is still there. “Good to see you too,” I mumble. Seconds later, my stomach rumbles when the smell of something delicious finds me, travelling from the kitchen through the vents.
But before I can tend to my hunger, I need to ensure July has recovered and is strong enough to face what’s coming—but not fatally strong to kill Kris by harvesting whatever soul that reckless man has left after having cured too many Reds, against mine and Evelyn’s opinion.
I hear no sound when I crack the door open and peer inside. Although more light than when I left is bouncing against the walls, turning them whiter than they are, and casting an ethereal hue over July’s silhouette.
“Sof, how long have you been awake for?” I ask quietly, so as not to scare her.
She’s sitting on the edge of the cot, facing the window. Her hair has become untied in her sleep, wrapping around her shoulders like a dark halo.
If she’s heard me, she doesn’t show it. So I walk in, closing the door behind me. “Can we talk?”
The room smells of lavender and sugar. On the bedside table rests a tray with a half-eaten slice of cake and a steaming teapot.
“Are you not hungry?” Please, talk to me.
Her shoulders shudder. I grab a blanket from the chest of drawers by the door and rush to her. But when the soft fabric grazes her naked arms, she stands up and backs away from me.
“Don’t…I’m fine, but still shaken.” Her voice is so weak, so distant.
“Of course. Last night wasn’t easy for anyone.” I move slowly, giving her enough time to feel comfortable around me.
But she moves to the window, facing Mack’s artificial orchard, and distractedly runs a finger up and down the glass. “What happened to Sector 43? This is not how I remembered it.”
I wait to see if she’s willing to look at me, but she remains immobile.
“Last time you were here, this part of Horigos was still free land. They, the people who attacked us, were still confined beyond Cleryce’s mountains in the northernmost part of The Mother. But that was…a while ago.”