Liam and I hadalways been close. He was confident, easygoing, and typically unflappable. I’dalways been more reserved, cautious, and kept my emotions close to the vest. Itwas rare that I saw my brother as rattled as he was tonight.
Liam rubbed histemples. “Every time Trask spoke, all I could think about was lining him, hisfamily, and every member of the Hand of the Cross against a wall and gunningthem down. Does that sound like the thoughts of a good king to you?”
“It sounds likethe thoughts of a Viking, and you can’t honestly believe our father hasn’t anddoesn’t have those same thoughts. Besides, you didn’t murder Trask tonight. Infact, you didn’t appear to be bothered by him at all.”
Liam shrugged.“Handling a piece of trash like him on a chat show is one thing, but I’m notsure I could restrain myself if the crown were on my head. I honestly don’tknow how our father shows such restraint against an enemy as brazen as Trask.”
“Do you rememberthe old Kalt Einn story of Herja and Hel? The one Haddi told us when we were children?”
“The one aboutthe twin sisters? I think so. What about it?”
“Herja was bornwith the power of one hundred empaths. She could hear the thoughts and feel theemotions of everyone who came around her but was mute.”
“Yeah, and Helcouldn’t feel emotion of any kind, and could only speak the truth,” Liam said.
“That’s right.Everyone in the village loved Herja because she could empathize with theirproblems and share their pain but couldn’t speak of what she knew. Hel, on theother hand, was pitied for her lack of emotion, but feared for the hiddentruths about the villagers she may expose and driven into exile.”
“What’s that gotto do with anything?”
“Don’t youremember how the story ends?” I asked.
“I’ll be sure toapologize to Haddi for not paying attention better during our ancient studiesclasses,” he droned sarcastically.
“After years ofbeing the psychic dumping ground for the villagers, Herja escaped from thevillage and ran deep into the woods where she found her sister. When Hel sawthe state Herja was in, she took her back to the home she’d made for herself inthe woods and nursed her back to health. Then, one night, Hel sharpened heraxe, returned to the village, and slaughtered every one of the villagers.”
Liam raised aneyebrow. “I sure hope if you have kids, that you come up with better bedtimestories.”
I smirked. “Ithink the story is an allegory. Herja and Hel represent the dualities of everyCauld Ane and their abilities. Herja was empathetic but lacked the ability tocommunicate the knowledge that empathy brings. As a result, she becomesineffective and is driven mad. Hel had knowledge of the truth, but lacked thecompassion to deliver it effectively, becoming a butcher in the end.”
“For a guy whohardly ever opens his mouth, you sure have a lot to say when you do.”
“The point is,we all have our strengths and weaknesses and a successful relationship with thevillagers depends on how we minimize and maximize each accordingly.”
“I hear you.” Hesighed, dragging his hands down his face. “Thanks, brother.”
I nodded. “Haveyou talked to Da about the way you feel?”
“Tell KadeGunnach that I’m afraid of taking the crown? Not on your bloody life. I’d justas soon chop off my left arm with his sword.”
“Oh, so it’s theright hand you wank with, then?”
“I’ve changed mymind,” Liam said. “Gavin Trask won’t be first against the wall when I’m king.It’ll be you.”
“As much as itpains me to say it, I think you’ll make a great king. Maybe even greater than KingKade himself.”
“We couldn’tdare ask for a finer king or father, could we?”
“Aye, brother.And you shouldn’t be afraid to tell him how you feel.” I cocked my head. “Andyou shouldn’t be afraid to tell Libby to pull her head out of her arse.”
Liam hissed.“You change your tone, brother.”
I shrugged. “Ijust needed to get a bit of a rise out of you. Wanted to make sure you werestill fighting for her.”
“What the hellmakes you think I’m not fighting for her?” he growled. “I’m up against thefucking wall with Blue Fang.”
GPX-50333-9, oras it’s more commonly known, Blue Fang, has been called everything from amiracle to the devil’s seed. In truth, the arrival of Blue Fang is thefulfillment of an ancient prophecy. A gift that allows our kind to survive inhigh temperatures, giving us the freedom mankind had always enjoyed. Blue Fangwas the key to unlocking the door to a working relationship with humanity andmy mother made sure that every Cauld Ane had free access to the latest BlueFang strains as well as the Red Fang antidote.
“YourHighnesses, please buckle up, we’re going to be hitting a bit of turbulence,”the pilot called over the loudspeaker, cutting off our conversationmomentarily.
