"A research facility near the old human capital. Supposedly for their protection and development." Marok set down his cup. "None have returned to their parents."
"And the council approved this?"
"The council was informed it was necessary for both our species." His voice turned bitter. "Peace through shared progress, they called it."
I digested this information, anger building in me. "I need to know more about these other pairs. Names, locations."
Marok studied me for a long moment. "Why do you care, Redmon? You've never shown interest in politics beyond what affects our tribe directly."
"Because..." I paused, searching for words that wouldn't sound foolish to the old warrior. "Because Kalyndi deserves better than being an experiment. Because any children we might have deserve freedom, not to be test subjects."
A smile creased Marok's weathered face. "So it's like that, is it?"
I looked away, uncomfortable with his knowing gaze. "Will you help me or not?"
"I'll help." He rose stiffly, moving to a chest carved from a single piece of ancient wood. "I've been tracking the patterns in the matching system for years. Call it an old man's curiosity."
He withdrew a leather-bound journal and handed it to me. Inside were meticulous notes, dates, names, and locations, all written in our traditional script.
"Each pair has specific genetic markers," Marok explained, returning to his seat by the fire. "Different combinations, but always including the rare mutations that appeared after the Great War."
I flipped through the pages, recognizing some names. "Orrick of the Stone Peaks. He disappeared three seasons ago."
"After his mate gave birth to twins." Marok nodded grimly. "The official story was that he died in a hunting accident. The truth? He refused to surrender his children to Magnus Terra. His mate was told he attacked officials and was executed. She believed it."
My hands tightened on the journal. "And the children?"
"Taken. Like all the others."
I continued reading, a pattern emerging from Marok's careful documentation. "These genetic markers, they're being specifically paired. Deliberately matched."
"Yes. The question is why." Marok leaned forward, his voice dropping. "What are they trying to create, Redmon? What power comes from mixing specific bloodlines?"
I had no answer, but dread settled in my stomach like a stone. "I need to copy this information."
Marok shook his head. "Keep the journal. I've memorized everything in it." His good eye fixed on me. "But be careful. Knowledge is dangerous when powerful people want it kept secret."
I tucked the journal into my pouch. "Thank you, old friend."
"Don't thank me yet." Marok's expression turned grave. "There's something else you should know. After your challenge fight, there was a closed meeting between Thorne, the MagnusTerra minister, and several scientists. I couldn't hear everything, but I heard your mate's name. Kalyndi."
My muscles tensed. "What about her?"
"They're planning something. The words 'special testing' were used. And 'tomorrow.'"
I was on my feet instantly, ignoring the pain flaring through my body. "I need to go."
"Redmon." Marok's voice stopped me at the entrance. "Whatever they're planning, it goes beyond a few pairs or even a few children. The resources they're committing, the secrecy is about the future of both our species."
"Then they should have asked, not taken," I growled, ducking out into the night.
I raced through the forest, pushing my wounded body to its limits. The journey that had taken two hours on the way to Marok's took half that time returning, though every step sent pain shooting through my injured side.
Dawn was breaking as our dwelling came into view. I slowed, scanning the area for any signs of Magnus Terra officials or tribal enforcers. The clearing appeared empty, but instinct told me to approach cautiously.
I circled around, using the cover of the trees to reach the back entrance. Inside, I found Kalyndi at the kitchen table, surrounded by papers and a small vial of clear liquid. Her sister Selene was nowhere to be seen.
"Redmon!" Kalyndi jumped up when I entered. "Where have you been? I was worried."
