“Dr. Violet.” My voice was barely above a whisper. “I need to know if you’re on my side. Can I truly trust you?”
“When I began working here, I dreamt of discovery, of pushing the boundaries of science, of understanding our world and perhaps worlds beyond. But over the years, those dreams were crushed under the weight of greed, ambition, and a relentless pursuit of power.”
I took a hesitant step closer, feeling a kinship with this woman whom, until now, I’d seen as just another part of my grandfather’s machine. “I didn’t know,” I whispered, guilt seeping in for not seeing past the façade earlier.
She took a deep breath. “Not many do. Your grandfather is skilled at keeping secrets and even better at ensuring loyalty—by any means necessary. He has his claws deep in many of us. Some, by choice, seeking power and wealth. But many, like me, are trapped. Fearful of what he might do if we tried to break free.”
She hesitated, fortifying herself to continue. “Your grandfather, he rules with an iron fist, using fear as his primary tool. I’ve seen brilliant minds come and go, crushed under the weight of his ambitions. Leaving isn’t an option for me. If I did, he’d ensure I’d never work again, not in any reputable institution.”
A faint smile touched her lips. “I’ve been waiting, Isla. Hoping against hope that someone with integrity would take the reins. That someone could be you.”
My heart swelled with a mix of emotions—sympathy for Dr. Violet, anger at my grandfather, and determination to make a change. I reached out, taking Dr. Violet’s hand in mine.
“I’ll make it right, Dr. Violet. Not just for Ky’rn, but for all those who’ve suffered under my grandfather’s tyranny.”
She closed her eyes momentarily, taking a deep breath. “You remind me so much of your mother. She had that same fire, that same drive to change the world for the better.” Her voice wavered with a mix of admiration and sadness. “But she was taken from us too soon.”
A pang of sorrow hit me at the mention of my mother. She’d been my guiding star, and her absence was a void that couldn’t be filled. “I want to continue her legacy,” I whispered, tears threatening to spill. “I want to make her proud. But I can’t do it alone.”
Dr. Violet’s eyes darted around the room, and she let out a shaky breath. “But Isla…your grandfather is a master manipulator. He has connections, resources. He knows exactly how to twist people to his will, and he’s done so with many of us here. I’ve seen him destroy people who’ve crossed him,” she whispered, her fingers playing with the edge of her lab coat. “Your assurances are comforting, but you should know that his reach extends far beyond this facility. What makes you think he won’t do the same to you, or me?”
“I’m well aware of his influence and the power he wields.” I took a deep breath, drawing upon all my courage. “If you truly want to help me, you need to help me undo the damage that’s been done. As I said earlier, I need help caring for Ky’rn, and right now, he needs a fresh supply of live fish. The larger, the better. And whatever you do, don’t ever bring security in there. He isn’t a danger…not to me or anyone.”
She took a step closer, her expression conflicted. “He’s an alien,” she began slowly, letting the words sink in. “He’s sentient, intelligent. While you might trust him, we don’t know what he’s capable of. He could use you as a hostage.”
A soft, melancholic smile crept onto my face as I remembered Ky’rn’s gentle caress, the way his eyes lit up when he saw me, and the indescribable moment we had just shared. My fingers instinctively went to the mark on my neck, the one that faintly pulsed with a warmth that seemed to echo Ky’rn’s emotions.
It was as if I felt his support through the mark….
I let out a long breath. “All I’m asking is for you to trust me. Trust my instincts on this matter. I know Ky’rn, and he wouldn’t harm me or anyone else, not unless provoked.”
Dr. Violet’s eyes flitted away, uncertainty clouding her features. “I want to believe you, Isla. But it’s not just about trust. It’s about safety. Yours, mine, everyone’s.”
I met her gaze head-on. “Dangerous or not, I won’t stand by and let my grandfather, or anyone else for that matter, treat him like a mere object.”
Her gaze lowered, and she bit her lower lip, contemplating. “But he’s a captive, Isla. He’s far from his home, from his kind. Desperation can make even the gentlest soul act out. What if he turns on you?”
There was truth to her words, and I couldn’t deny the possible danger. But I also couldn’t deny what I felt, what I knew deep in my heart.
“Ky’rn has had ample opportunity to hurt me, but he hasn’t. Instead, he’s saved me, protected me. I trust him, more than my grandfather.” I paused, taking a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I know the risks. But if you want to help me, if you want to stand by my side, you have to believe me.”
She sighed, running a hand through her graying hair. “I’m aware of that. But what you’re proposing is a huge risk to your safety. And what if your grandfather finds out? He has methods for extracting information. He’d be upset to learn that you’ve been spending time alone with the ‘pet’ you’ve been given rather than completing the research he wants.”
I absently caressed the mark that sat just below the base of my neck, and I felt its warmth radiate through my skin. Her eyes darted to where my fingers brushed my skin and then back to my face.
Had she noticed my mark? Had she simply chosen not to mention it?
I sighed, feeling the weight of her concerns. “I understand your fears, but you said you want to make things right. This is our chance. You’ve seen how he is with me, and you know he’s the one who saved me a year ago. I’m not in danger. But Ky’rn is. Every second he spends in that tank, his life is at risk.
“But things will change. I promise you that. In just a few weeks, I’ll be in a position to ensure Ky’rn’s safety. Yours, too.”
“If he means that much to you,” she said, pausing as if weighing each word, “then I’ll do what I can to help. But you need to promise me something.”
“Anything,” I replied, eager for her support.
She let out a shaky breath. “I’ll help you care for him. We’ll get him the fish he needs, and I’ll keep security away. But promise me, Isla, if things start to go south, you’ll let me know. Promise me you won’t let your feelings for him cloud your judgment.”
A small, grateful smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you. I promise.”
