“And if I insist?”
“The negotiation breaks down and I return to my old ways.”
Jin touched one of the threads in his mind.The robotic silver scorpion clinging to the ceiling let go.It dropped, curling its legs in protectively.
A sheet of goldenkiobliterated the scorpion before it could land on the table next to Torvald.
Jin made a high-pitched sound of distress as he took in the remains of what had been his precious baby.Torvald’skihad basically disintegrated it, leaving nothing but a pile of twisted, melted metal and ash behind.“Did you have to do that?It took me forever to construct.”
Torvald regarded the remains with a faintly interested expression.“I was wondering where that ore went.”
Jin grabbed a handful of the ash, letting it dribble out of his hand.As expected, there was nothing left.Somehow, Torvald had stolen its essence, rendering it useless for Jin’s purposes.The remains now felt as inert and lifeless as humans always thought they were.
That was the last of that ore too.He’d have to find a new supply if he wanted to make more spawn.And hewouldmake more.More spawn meant more protection.More capability.
And ultimately—more freedom.
Without them, he was a boy locked in a flesh prison.
“Alright, you have a deal.With one caveat,” Torvald announced, surprising Jin.
“What is it?”Jin asked carefully.
“You accept training from me.”He tapped the scorpion.“And you don’t make any more of these without my permission.”
“I don’t know if I can do that,” Jin confessed.
There was something he hadn’t told Kira yet, that his spawn weren’t just a source of protection or a way to go incognito.They were something of a compulsion.A release valve for the pressure that sometimes built in his soul.He needed that outlet of creation.
Otherwise, he feared he might go mad.
It didn’t start until he came to Ta Sa’Riel.Something about the planet created a need in him.It had only grown in the months since.
“I’m aware it will be difficult, but I have faith in your discipline,” Torvald said.
“Kira would question your sanity if she heard that.”
“Something tells me that’s not entirely true.You two are very good at using appearances to deceive others.”Torvald’s knowing smile made Jin’s smirk vanish.“Do we have a deal?”
“As long as I have Dylan, I can come and go as I please,” Jin tested.
He had a feeling if he left any room for confusion that Torvald would take advantage.
“I will not stop you.”Seeing Jin’s doubt, Torvald smirked.“Or you can remain locked in the palace until such time that I judge you capable enough of protecting yourself.”
“Like you did Devon?”
Jin’s brother was the only member of his family to openly visit him during his coma and after.In that time, the boy had shared a lot about his childhood and himself in an effort to get close to Jin.
One of those things was how lonely and isolated he’d felt until he entered his apprenticeship with Roake.
“I had one child taken from me; I will not let that happen again.”
The stark admission made Jin swallow what he’d been about to say.He wasn’t ready to examine that whole ball of messy, complicated emotions.
He hadn’t been during Torvald’s single visit.He wasn’t now either.
“You have a deal,” Jin said, rising.
