“Only then? Maybe with time they will get stronger? But five years is a lot of time.”
Already she sounded less muddled.
“And they are outnumbered.” Was there any point to retelling all of recent history to Maura? “Since we don’t know if this will last, maybe I should just let you enjoy your time awake?” She pressed her lips together, feeling like an executioner must. However bluntness seemed warranted.
“Hah!” she scoffed. “I want to know. Tell me, please. There’s something about you.” She stared at Cyn. “I think I know you. Did you work for him too?”
The beasters were coming over. Distracted, she answered without thinking much about it. “Who? Wait. Hold on. You know me?”
Her dream of Maura being her mother was too ridiculous. She shoved that idea aside.
Maura shook her head. “I’m not sure. It’s a vague feeling. I worked for Dr. Nietz’s company, I think? No, no, I did.” Shefrowned and seemed to talk to herself. Cyn heard whispers. “Yes. I did research—genetic research.”
“So…” Stunned, she had to figure out the implications. “You worked for Dr. Nietz? The maker of the beasters? Of the Beast Horde?”
“Yes. Not that it matters, now. What can I do? Nothing. We’re hiding here, aren’t we? They won? They must have won.” She looked around her and above. “They must.”
“Sort of. They almost have.” How callous was she that this woman before her whomightknow her seemed as important as fending off the Ghoul Lords? “I’ve forgotten my own past. My name is Cyn. Does that help?”
Maura’s brow wrinkled. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember a Cyn.”
Damn.
The guards had pulled back most of the humans, leaving space on the ledge for the other beasters to approach. Vargr looked bemused, a smile dancing on his mouth then off again, as if he wasn’t sure her waking a human was wise.
Cautiously, she stood, propping her back against the rough-surfaced wall. Maura reached out with her arm and pleaded for help in rising.
His expression unreadable, Boaz pulled her to her feet. “Come with us, Cyn.” Then he looked to Maura. “You will stay here.”
They brought her to an indoors room with a large window that looked out over the ledge. Though she searched Boaz for some indication as to whether they’d condemned her, he gave little away. This did seem promising. She held onto that hope.
He gestured toward Maura.
“I’ve never seen her speak in all these years, and I’ve known her and the others since they were overcome. What did you do?” He ducked his head then looked up at her. “Can you do it to the others? Is it permanent?”
“Permanent? No. Sadly it doesn’t look like it is.” Her mouth turned down. “I think Maura has reverted already.” Maura was indeed pawing at the barrier.
“I see. So Maura is her name? Most of the others we have known names as they had ID on them but not her. Butwhatdid you do?”
Cyn frowned. “I pulled the Lure from her, untangled it from her mind. That’s about it. It took some effort. I could feel where it was. She said she used to work for Dr. Nietz as a genetic researcher. She must’ve been a smart woman. I might be able to do the same to others but if it doesn’t last…”
“Hmmm. I don’t think I want to let you loose on everyone. Not yet.”
She could almost see his suspicions simmering.Maybe she is a Ghoul Lord apprenticeor some such crap.
“Rutger wants us to get you analyzed by the biotechie beaster at his tribe. I wasn’t sure but this clinches it. You’ll go with the trading caravan we’re sending to them. Under guard,” he said pointedly to Vargr, who only nodded. “Orm will go with Toother, then there is Rutger, a few of our soldiers. And Maura. Definitely her. You will ask her questions with someone else present to listen. Orm or one of the other Mercantor beasters, every time. I want written down everything she says about the research.”
Understandable. Though minus any equipment, what could Maura do even if she had the knowledge?
“And Maura is to get biotechie examined too, Vargr. Probably she is pure human but if she worked for the doctor, she might have something in her blood. I want you gone today. Pack up whatever you think you need and go with the caravan. The Worshippers want to get some interaction going, more than just with radio comms.”
“Got it.” Vargr moved from beside Boaz and closer to her.
Her brain nudged her as to an easier solution. “Why not just move the tribes together?” She smiled, sure this was brilliant.
He looked a little stunned. “You’d get my tribe fucking annoyed that’s why. We are Mercantor. We will not just uproot and go elsewhere.”
Jeez. Touchy. This was like Vargr though—he had similar sentiments about belonging. This seemed at odds with what she thought of as smart. Little itty-bitty collections of beasters here and there when they could be one group and strong?
