by Beth Reason
Chapter 12
Major Krupkie started out the window watching her troops perform their morning drills with real feeling for the first time in years. She had specifically instructed the sergeants who ran the drills to make them vicious, make them early, make them long and brutal. They had to prepare for war and she simply forbid her troops from being ill-prepared. It was a cold morning, and the soldiers' breaths hung in front of them in poofs of steam as they panted through their exercises. Krupkie was pleased at how well they were doing, but knew it might not be enough. They hadn't truly warred with anyone but gangs in so long she wondered if the army even remembered how.
A knock at the door took Krupkie's attention from the window. Her secretary poked his head in and told her that Captain Gundersson and his troops approached the gates.
Relief washed over Major Krupkie. It had been days since any of her communiques had been answered and she feared the worst. "Excellent! Show them in."
The man looked uncomfortable. "Ma'am?"
"What is it?"
"They've got..." he swallowed hard. "It looks like they've got Celties with them."
Major Krupkie's eyes widened just a fraction before she dismissed the man to do as she asked. So that was how Tenet made it. She wondered idly why Mirvena hadn't mentioned that there were Celtist warriors on the way. Perhaps the wily old priestess knew the uproar it would cause in a military base. Krupkie had to smile at that, even though it meant more problems than they really needed at the moment.
She turned and called for an officer from the guest barracks. When he arrived, she gave him directions to prepare rooms for their guests. She had no idea how many would be in their party, so simply instructed to have the entire Block 5 building prepared and hoped that would give them enough room. She dismissed the officer then began to pace while she waited for her secretary to bring the people to her.
Major Krupkie didn't have to wait long. She heard Captain Gundersson stomping down the hallway only a few minutes later, barking orders to his men as he neared. One of the best things she had done in her leadership role on the base was to promote Fratz against the wishes of the board that normally made the final decisions in such matters. They did not like how unrefined the large man was, but Major Krupkie knew it was his brashness that would actually endear him to the troops and make them fight harder for their Captain.
The door opened and Fratz wasted no time. "Not a bad jaunt, eh Major?"
Krupkie schooled her features. "An air transport would have been faster," Gundersson.
Fratz shook his head and smiled. "An' where would'na be landin' it in'na hills? Horses win again."
Major Krupkie rose and held her hand out to Tenet. The man looked strung out. She couldn't imagine what he was feeling, but the haunted look around the eyes was unmistakable. "Mr. Lorne. I had wished when we met again it would be under different circumstances."
"Major Krupkie," Tenet said, shaking her hand warmly. "I thank you for your help."
The Major pulled her hand away and shook her head. "Your gratitude is premature." When Scarab's eyes flashed, Major Krupkie held her hand up. "Please, let's sit and discuss the situation."
Tenet knew if he looked at Scarab, there would be an "I told you so" in her eyes. So he simply didn't look. They had to hear Krupkie out. If nothing else, they could beg passage through the guarded borders. They were still better off in Carlton than they would have been trying to cross in the east. He sat in one of the offered seats and tried to concentrate on Krupkie, not the waves of anger he could feel radiate off his wife.
Major Krupkie did not even look at the Celtist warriors who stood at the ready, their backs against the wall of the room. She decided the best welcome they could receive would be the one she would have given any other soldier she had not directly summoned. She would let her people see her treat the warriors exactly as she treated her own people, and she sincerely hoped that would guide their own actions to do the same.
"I believe you need to be caught up on the situation to appreciate where I stand," Major Krupkie said to the Lornes. "What we believed was a sincere desire for open trade pacts was no more than a ruse to allow your father access into the country. You have our government's deepest regrets on that."
Scarab snorted. "Yeah. I'm sure."
Krupkie looked Scarab in the eye. The woman's bitterness was back, if it had ever really gone at all in the last five years. It wasn't completely without merit, either. The big wigs in government didn't give a damn that one little girl was taken. However, Krupkie did. "You have my deepest regrets," she amended. After a tense second, she saw Scarab nod slightly before she looked away.
Tenet cleared his throat. "You have nothing to be sorry for," he began, but Krupkie held up her hand.
"We must move on from that point. No matter the fault, the situation is what's important now." Krupkie sat back and folded her hands on her desk. "And a dire situation it is. We're on the brink of war, Mr. Lorne."
Tenet nodded. "Fratz said."
"Good. Then you can appreciate how carefully I must tread."
"I am getting my daughter back," Scarab said firmly.
Krupkie saw the warriors nod their support. They were an intimidating lot, she'd give them that much. "And I'm not saying you can't. But I also can't let you run across the border at the moment."
Tenet sat forward, his heart rate increasing. "I have to get Violet..."
Krupkie held her hand up. "Right now we are at a standstill. We have closed the borders and they have advanced their troops to the edge of their dead lands." She sighed and shook her head, trying to think of the best way to get them to understand. "Any forward action on our part will be the excuse they're waiting for to trigger an all-out assault."
"Then let it be," Scarab said through clenched teeth.
Krupkie snorted out a humorless laugh. "Easy for you to say. You have one child in this fight and look how desperate you are to keep her safe. I've got an entire nation looking for me to carry them through!"
"I did'na be bringin' them all this way for ya ta turn yer backs on 'em, Major," Fratz said quietly.
Krupkie scoffed. "And I didn't say I was, Gundersson. I'm just saying we can't go off half-cocked and fueled on emotions." She thumped her finger into the desk. "Right this minute I can feel them laughing at us from across the border. I can see your father's sniveling face twisted in glee and it turns my stomach. If your daughter, one of our very own, wasn't involved, my recommendation to President Henders would be to say screw them all and lock our borders forever." She turned to point a finger at Scarab. "But, I meant every word I said when I accepted you into this country and promised you protection. Don't for a moment think I plan on going back on those words now! You've been a good citizen for our community. You've held up your end of the bargain, and I'll be dammed if I don't hold up mine."
Scarab knew the woman meant what she said. One look in her eyes said the Major was telling the truth. She honestly did want to see Violet safely home, and while it raised Krupkie up a notch in Scarab's eyes, Scarab knew when push came to shove, it might not make one bit of difference. The personal feelings of one army Major paled in comparison to the drive of the government. "And what about the government? I take it they don't share your opinion."
Krupkie shrugged a shoulder and sat back. "They're closer to my opinion than you might think, actually." She waved a hand. "Different reasons, but it's all semantics. In the end, we just want to be left alone. We don't need Southland or New Canada, they need us, and it's high time they acknowledge that."
Tenet shook his head. "They won't."
"They will eventually."
Tenet quirked an eyebrow. "You sound...confident." Scarab snorted behind him. "Confident" was putting it nicely.
"I do," Krupkie freely admitted, "because I am. I have given your yearly reports to Captain Gundersson here a lot of weight. Your information has been invaluable and you've been correct at every turn." Krupkie tented her fingers on the desk in
front of her and leaned forward. "Now, where your daughter is concerned, what better tool could there be in his plan? Think, Mr. Lorne. Not with the heart of a father, but the mind of a soldier from Southland."
Tenet didn't miss Fratz's surprised look. "I was no soldier," Tenet said firmly.
Krupkie laughed. "All but. Don't forget I know all about your training, young man. Have you been here too long to see the game they're playing?"
Tenet thought he knew what his father was after. It's why he didn't fear for Violet's physical safety. She was extremely valuable to the old man's bank account. Was there more to it? Krupkie seemed sure. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Maybe he had spent too much time in his new life to really remember the awful levels of his old. "What are you getting at?"
Krupkie sighed and shook her head. "I thought more of you than this, Mr. Lorne."
"They're going to use her to start the war," Scarab said flatly.
Tenet's eyes went wide and he turned to Scarab. "What do you mean?"
"She means that your father will sell the girl's story to get sympathy for a war his people won't want," Krupkie explained, feeling another stab of pain for the look on the look on Tenet's face. The poor kid was still so naive on some levels. She suddenly saw a little of what endeared him to his wife. "He'll show her around, let folks know she's your daughter. My informants on the ground down there say people think you died, but in the past year there have been rumors started that you were abducted by a Borderlands outlaw."
Scarab felt her stomach sink. She didn't know why she should feel blindsided by the idea that they'd use her past in such a way. Hadn't they used it against her for her entire life? Yet the years in between of living in the open and welcoming Ogden septad made the new twist hurt worse than it used to. She pressed her lips together as Tenet reached up and took hold of her hand on his shoulder.
"Then I will just have to set them straight on that score, won't I?" Tenet said with a bitterness and rage that disarmed Krupkie. She expected it from the former hunter, but never from the man. Perhaps he was growing up in his new life after all.
"They haven't announced anything yet. In fact, my people have informed me that the government is being very quiet, much quieter than usual. Your father and family are currently shut in one of their farms and refuse to answer the questions of the press. It's getting close to some harvest, and the general assumption is that they will move down to the corn fields after."
Tenet turned to Scarab. "Then Jace was telling the truth about the wheat."
Scarab nodded. "Sounds like."
"My people have guessed that any announcement about your daughter would most likely take place down in the corn sectors. It seems to be a popular place for the elite of Southland. What's your feeling on this?"
Tenet turned around and readily agreed. "That would make sense if he's looking to make a big splash. There will be many end-of-season events, very public." He pressed his lips together for a moment, thinking it over. "Perhaps the annual Harvest Gala, or even the Communal Day of Thanks."
Krupkie nodded. "That confirms what I've been hearing, and it doesn't give us much time."
Tenet let out a sad, lost little laugh. "I don't even know what day it is."
They were tired, even the warriors who still refused to sit. Krupkie knew they'd need rest, no matter what kind of protest they'd make. Fratz would need to be officially debriefed, along with his soldiers. And she had to get ready for the bigger company that would arrive that afternoon, the President himself and his advisory staff. It would be a busy day for Krupkie, indeed. "I believe that is all for now. I had a house prepared for your stay."
Scarab frowned. "We're not staying."
Krupkie held a hand up, ready for the argument. "I have some big meetings today with the very top people in our nation. After that, we'll know more. You all look like something the cat dragged in. You need food and rest, and a bath wouldn't hurt a one of you." She called for her secretary, and instructed him to see the people to their housing while Scarab continued to rage.
Tenet rose and took Scarab's hand firmly. "They're helping us," he said quietly.
Scarab stopped griping, but she pulled her hand from his and marched ahead. "Fine," she tossed over her shoulder at Krupkie. "One day. That's all. If you don't have a plan for me by tomorrow, I'm going and your entire army won't hold me back!"
Krupkie knew she meant it. She thought the woman was tough last time they met. She was nothing compared to the angry mother that stormed out of her office, and that thought intrigued Krupkie. It made her slightly sad for a moment, thinking of her own missed opportunity at motherhood. With a sigh, she pushed those feelings aside yet again and began to debrief Fratz.
Scarab marched through the compound with her eyes blazing. Tenet knew she wanted a fight. She wanted to punch something or someone and he begged the Mother silently to keep the soldiers they passed from so much as casting a funny look at the warriors. It would be just the excuse Scarab would need to go off on someone. Fortunately, they made it to their temporary housing without incident and Tenet was relieved when the door closed behind them in their personal room.
"There," he said. "Now, let it out."
Scarab turned and looked like she was going to hit him for a second before she swore and stomped her foot instead. She kicked a chair over and continued spewing many interesting insults Tenet never heard before while he calmly righted the chair and waited her out. After a few minutes, her voice turned hoarse and he knew she was winding down. "We're sitting here while she's down there! How the hell can you be so calm?" she demanded before she flopped down in a chair, utterly spent.
"Feel better?" Tenet asked quietly.
"No."
"Feel helpless?" She turned angry eyes at him again and he stepped forward and took her hand, completely ignoring the glare. "Do you trust Krupkie?"
Scarab's jaw clenched to hard her teeth hurt. "You know how I feel about the army," she hissed. "Nothing's changed."
Tenet crouched by Scarab's chair and shook his head. "I'm not asking about the army. I'm asking about Krupkie. Do you trust Major Krupkie?"
Scarab didn't want to admit it out loud. "I can't sit here doing nothing."
It was as close to an agreement as he was going to get, and Tenet kissed her knuckles. "We won't. We'll get something to eat. Then we'll take the baths Krupkie was right about us needing. Then we'll sleep. And then we'll plan."
"And what if they say no, huh? What if the government says 'screw it all and shut it down'?" Scarab asked with panic in her eyes.
Tenet pulled her into his arms. "It's different now, Scarab. Haven't you learned it's not the same as when you were a kid?"
Scarab closed her eyes against her old pains, then shook her head. "It's not about that, Tenet. They can't risk their whole population because of one little kid." She looked up. "You always want to think people will do the right thing. Sometimes they can't. Sometimes it's worse for everyone if you try to do the right thing for one person. What if they say no?"
"Then we're on our own again," he said quickly. "Worst case, we're back to square one, only now I have you with me and we're a hell of a lot closer. Right?"
Scarab swallowed hard and laid her head on Tenet's shoulder. "I'll fight my way out if I have to."
"And I'll be right there with you," he promised, knowing she needed to hear it, knowing she needed reassurance, and knowing he needed to hear the words out loud as well. "I made the mistake of trusting one government blindly. Contrary to popular belief, I do learn my lessons," he added wryly.
"I didn't mean..."
"Yes, you did. You're always afraid when I stick up for the army or put my trust in the government." He pulled away to look her in the eyes. "But for almost six years now, I put my trust in one person first and foremost. Don't think that will ever change."
The words spoken so sincerely calmed old fears in Scarab, ones she hadn't felt in years. He was once blindly devoted to his government, so much
so that he couldn't see the danger he was in. When he had so quickly agreed to let Fratz bring them to Carlton, she was afraid he was doing the same thing, letting himself fall into that old pattern. Scarab really had needed to hear him say it out loud. She nodded firmly. "Okay."
"I love you," Tenet said quietly. "Always." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She leaned into him, and that was her way of saying it back. "Now," he said, standing up and tugging her hand. "Let's get that shower. You reek."
Scarab rolled her eyes at him, but stood to follow.
"Seriously," he said. "Did you wallow in pig shit?"
The flash of humor in his eyes was all she needed. She threw her arms around him and squeezed, too overcome to say anything. He was still her Tenet. He could still handle whatever came their way. He was angry, but it wasn't anything that was going to ruin him. He was trusting, but no longer blindly. And he was joking his way through a bad situation. "You don't smell like roses, either," she said into his chest, hoping he knew everything she could never say out loud.
Tenet closed his eyes and simply enjoyed the moment with his wife. "Let's go," he said after he finally released her. "We'll round up the warriors on the way. I'm sure they don't smell any better."
Wren and his men stood looking at the long line of shower heads. They had never seen anything like it and even though Tenet assured them it was a safe way to bathe, they were skeptical. Eventually Tenet gave up trying to explain with words and stepped under one of the heads, figuring showing them would be the better way to go. He turned on the tap and almost melted with joy under the steaming hot water. "I'd forgotten how great a hot shower is!" he said, grinning to the confused warriors. "Come on. You'll like it." He turned and started lathering the soap, leaving it up to the warriors to decide if they were going to use the showers or not.
Wren would not let Tenet show him up in front of his men. He strode forward and grabbed the handle under an empty shower head. He said a quick prayer to the Mother, then turned the knob as Tenet had, and a rush of hot water shot out and over his body. He jumped in shock, then settled in to the unfamiliar feeling. "It is like warm rain," he told his men. He took the bar of smelly soap Tenet had offered and began to lather. When he noticed Takar and Lendyl still standing off to the side, he glared at them. "Wash," he ordered.
Once the showers were done, the next issue arose. Major Krupkie wanted the warriors to blend in as much as possible. Instead of their highly decorated leathers, she wanted them to wear a version of the army uniforms. Tenet put one on, but didn't argue long the three stubborn warriors. "I'm sure she just wanted you to be comfortable," he said to Wren. Wren grunted and pulled on his own clothing.
"I would sooner wear my mother's kapka!" Lendyl said, speaking of the fur dresses the women in Ogden preferred.
Takar snorted. "That explains a lot about you."
Wren pressed his lips together tightly to keep from laughing, but Tenet had no such qualms and his laugh echoed out into the hallway as he opened the door. "You walked right into that one, Lendyl."
Lendyl glared as he pulled on his soft leather boot, hopping forward to keep up with the group as they left the shower room.
Wren thumped Tenet on the shoulder. "The standing bath was...different. You have my thanks for your instructions."
"I'm glad you liked it," said Tenet, even though he knew very well the warrior was just trying to be polite. "Perhaps when we get home we can see if we can plumb in a similar system in our homes." He turned and walked away, biting his lip at the horrified look that crossed Wren's face.
Scarab was waiting at the end of the hall. She had chosen to remain in her leathers as well, but her hair was wet and her skin was rubbed pink. Tenet felt a stirring for his wife and instantly felt guilty, reality once again crashing down on him. How could he joke and laugh and want when his baby was gone? What kind of man was he becoming?
Scarab watched his face go from amused to horrified. "Tenet?"
Tenet ignored her worried look, knowing he couldn't explain. "Let's eat."
She walked by his side to the dining room and they silently began to eat. Krupkie had spared no expense and the table was piled high with meats and vegetables and even fresh bread. The warrior, unused to eating actual bread, filled up on meat and root vegetables while Tenet chose the fresh vegetables that he hadn't been able to enjoy all winter.
"How do they get such foods as these this time of year?" Lendyl asked, pointing to the spread.
Tenet swallowed a mouthful of fresh peas. "Trade with Southland, probably."
Lendyl tipped his head in thought. "But that soldier woman said they are at war."
Tenet shrugged. "A war takes a long time to really get going," he explained.
Lendyl was confused. "When we war, everything from the enemy is purged."
"Our wars are between our people," Wren explained. "Our wars are between septads, not nations. It is different when nations war."
It didn't make sense to Lendyl, and he went to push away the offending foods. "I will not eat of the labors of my enemy," he said firmly.
Takar reached over and pulled the boy's plate to himself. "Then I will."
Wren sighed. "Takar," he said in a warning tone.
Takar grinned and slid the plate back to Lendyl. "Eat it, whelp. You'll be on the warpath soon enough and your skinny little arms need to be able to pull the bowstring like a man." Lendyl shot Takar a glare, but wisely said nothing.
"Eat," Wren said, pointing to the plate with his fork. "Your plate was lean all winter. It matters not who grew the food. You will use their own power against them."
It was an explanation Lendyl decided he could accept, and began to eat with relish.
"Do you really get rid of all your enemy's things when you battle?" Tenet asked.
Wren nodded. "Yes. If a war is declared, we sever all ties."
In the time they'd been in Ogden, Tenet hadn't heard of any wars. "It's a good thing you don't go to war often."
Wren tilted his head. "There is good reason for the peace you know." He thumped his chest proudly, as did Takar. "My enemies laid down in front of my bow until they were all dead."
Tenet looked to Scarab who nodded. "Celtists have many civil wars," she confirmed.
"Civil wars? You mean you fight among yourselves?" It was a ghastly thought to Tenet. "Why?"
"There are those who find it necessary to take what is not theirs. This will not be allowed."
Tenet shook his head. "I've always thought of Celtists as...well, united with each other."
Takar snorted. "Why would you have such silly thoughts?"
Tenet shrugged. "I...I guess I don't know. I've never been in another septad."
"You do not need to," said Wren firmly. "You are a proud member of Ogden. You have no need to look for anything elsewhere."
Young Lendyl was enjoying the conversation and waited for an opportunity to once again demonstrate his knowledge. When Tenet asked what started the warring, Lendyl jumped in. "Food and women. If there are not enough of either, a septad will send its warriors raiding."
"And they'll raid another septad?" Tenet shook his head. "Why not raid the army they already hate?"
Lendyl's eyes went wide. "And take the cursed food from the enemy? No warrior would disgrace their septad in such a manner! We are sworn to protect our people, not expose them to the evils of our enemies!"
Wren looked at Lendyl and was very proud. The boy spoke the truth from the heart and his loyalty to Ogden resonated in every word. He was becoming a fine warrior, indeed!
Tenet picked up his fork and ate slowly, thinking about what they had said. It made an odd sort of sense, even though the reasoning behind it was flawed. A peach stolen from the army was the same as a peach grown in a septad's orchard. There was nothing evil about it, only superstition. Still, it seemed of the utmost importance to the warriors, and he made a note to himself to remember it in the future.
They finished their meal and went to
their rooms. While the warriors refused to wear the army clothing, they did agree to sleep in the bunks provided when Mrs. Lorne assured them it would make everything easier for all parties. She left them arguing about who would sleep where and made her own way to her room, where she found Tenet already in bed, staring up at the ceiling. She got undressed and then lay down next to him, snuggling into his chest when he opened his arm for her.
"Did your septad war?"
Scarab nodded. "Constantly."
Tenet sighed. "I thought we were with a peaceful people."
Scarab couldn't help but laugh. "Tenet, no one is peaceful. There will always be some asshole who wants what the other guy has and would much prefer to take it instead of working for it themselves."
Tenet rubbed her arm idly. "Southlanders don't war," he said.
"Oh yes they do. They just fight dirty."
Tenet tilted his head. "What do you mean by that?"
Scarab pushed up on an elbow to look at him. "I mean they fight with money, lies, secrets, and cover-ups. Don't tell me you can't see how the way they treat people is anything but a war. It's just a war of money and words, not guns and bows."
Tenet quirked an eyebrow. "I guess I never thought about it like that."
"And as far as civil wars go, your people pick themselves apart all the time. Don't tell me there isn't a class war that's got millions of victims on a daily basis."
Tenet sighed heavily. "They aren't my people."
"They used to be."
"Yes," he said, flipping over and propping up on his elbow to look in his wife's eyes. "And now my people are the guns and bows kind."
"And are you having a hard time accepting that? Is that what this is about?"
Tenet shook his head. "No. I'm not having a hard time accepting that. That's what this is about."
Scarab gave him a soft look. So he was just as uncomfortable with facing the past as she was. She reached out and traced a finger down his cheek. "I'm glad you prefer guns and bows now."
He gave a small laugh and shook his head. "I'm not saying I prefer guns and bows. I prefer no fighting at all." He took a deep breath and let it out. "But I guess if I have to pick, it's out in the open with the guns and bows you can see, not sneaky, back stabbing shit my father pulls."
Scarab put her palm on Tenet's face and he was surprised to find she was shaking. "What are they doing to her?" she asked, finally voicing the question she'd been terrified thinking about for days.
Tenet drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. "It would be a guess," he said, knowing she would not like what she heard.
"Then guess."
After another moment of silence, Tenet gave a small nod, remembering something she told him a long time ago. Knowing was far better than letting your mind make up something worse. "My guess would be that first my father would pass off Violet's care to someone else."
Scarab's lips pressed together tightly. Bradwin was an awful man, but at least he was a known entity. At least she could prepare to see the changes he would have made. "To who?"
"Most likely my mother, if her health is well." Scarab's eyes narrowed more and Tenet had to laugh. "Hey, I turned out just fine."
Scarab scoffed. "No thanks to them!"
"Shh," Tenet said, pulling Scarab back to the bed. "You asked. Do you want to listen to the answer?" Scarab closed her mouth and stared at her husband waiting for him to continue. "They'd probably next change her appearance. Definitely new clothes. Probably cut her hair and take off her eyebrows." Scarab's nostrils flared. "It's all temporary. It'll all grow back," he said soothingly, pulling Scarab's hand into his own and gently stroking the back with his thumb. "It's all for looks, Scarab. And those we can fix."
They were looks. Hair grew back. Eyebrows would, too, even though she must look absolutely ridiculous. Poor Violet. "I hope she kicked the stylist and bit the eyebrow plucker!"
Tenet laughed and pulled Scarab to him. The picture of Violet giving them what for was so clear in his mind he couldn't believe it played out any other way. "Oh, I'm sure she did."
"Good."
"Yes," he agreed.
"Then what?"
Tenet swallowed. "Then I'm sure she'll be introduced to tutors who will, uh, train her."
"Tame her, you mean," Scarab said flatly.
"Yes."
Hot tears of anger burned in Scarab's eyes. "I hate them," she whispered hoarsely.
"I hate them, too." He could feel his wife's pain, but he also knew his daughter. Violet wouldn't be sucked in by them. She wouldn't. She was far too much like her mother for that. She would pretend to listen and the whole time know she was just playing a game for the moment. He knew his daughter well enough to believe that. He had to. He had to believe she wouldn't let them ruin her.
"And then what?" Scarab asked, needing to know it all.
And then they'd parade Violet in front of the press. And then his father would coo and awe over her and seek out boys to begin their championships. And then she'd be indoctrinated into their state religion. And then one by one, every part of Violet would begin to disappear. He couldn't say that. He couldn't for one second believe that he and Scarab would let it get that far. "And then we'll get her and bring her home," he said firmly.
Scarab was quiet for so long that Tenet thought she had fallen asleep. "I'll kill him, you know," she said eventually in the icy tone of voice that used to scare Tenet to his core. "I'll kill him and show no mercy. If I can make him suffer, I will."
Scarab was warning Tenet. He knew it was her way to let him step in before she did something Tenet couldn't live with. "You gave Jace mercy."
Scarab pushed up on her elbow again to look Tenet in the eye. "Jace was what he was. He never pretended any different, never put on airs."
"And that makes him better than my father?" Tenet asked, incredulously.
"Yes, it does."
Tenet couldn't believe what he was hearing. "He was my father's lackey!"
"He took a job. Nothing more."
Tenet scoffed bitterly and sat up. "Yeah. It really looked like you were just a job to him when I rode in!"
Scarab opened her mouth then closed it again as the meaning behind Tenet's words registered. "Do you think I spared him because I felt something for him?" When Tenet didn't answer, Scarab felt angry and amused all at once. "You must not think very much of me, then."
"I think everything of you. If I didn't, I don't think I'd care about it so much," he admitted.
Scarab pulled his face around and held him firmly by the jaw. "And if I cared about him like that and he betrayed me, don't you think I would have torn him limb from limb?" She gave a little laugh. "Shit, Tenet. If you ever do anything to hurt me that deep, do you really think I'd show you one damn bit of mercy?"
"No," Tenet said, accepting her words and knowing the truth behind them. "You'd probably cut my balls off and feed them to me for dinner."
Scarab flashed a quick smile and eased her grip on Tenet's jaw. "I see you've put some thought into it."
"Of course I have. I've given careful consideration to every potential torture you could inflict."
Scarab couldn't keep the pride out of her eyes. She took his hand and laced her fingers with his. "I never felt anything like that for Jace," she said with quiet determination. "I need you to believe that."
"Then why? I still don't understand why you gave him mercy." Tenet shook his head. "I wouldn't have stopped you, you know."
Scarab nodded. "I do know. You wanted to see him tortured. But I made you a promise a long time ago that I'd be damned if I'd let you know what it's like to live with something like that."
Tenet's eyes burned with that anger that scared Scarab. "He took my daughter. I could have easily lived with it."
Scarab sighed heavily. "Maybe I don't want to know that Tenet."
Tenet assessed his wife. After all their years together, she was still trying to shield him from the world. It was absurd, especially given their curren
t situation. "You may have to by the time this is all over."
Scarab knew that. It's why she warned him about his father. She meant every word. If she got to Bradwin first, she would not stop until the rage in her died. She knew herself well enough to realize that would take a very, very long time. "I don't want you to be there to see that."
Tenet felt tired. He felt every second of the days of anger and pain and frustration settle on his shoulders and weigh him down. He let out a deep sigh and pulled Scarab back into bed. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. "I'm glad you don't want that for me," he said softly. And he was, truly. But what twisted his guts into icy knots was the knowledge that for the first time in his life, he wanted that for himself. He craved the satisfaction of making his father pay.
"Tenet," Scarab began, feeling the tension in her husband.
"Shh," he said, unable to continue the conversation. It felt as if he was standing on a razor's edge, and one teeter in either direction was terrifying. He couldn't keep talking or else he might just fall. Or worse, he'd let Scarab know just how wrong she was about him. He wanted to feel his father's throat crushing beneath his hands. He wanted to see the look of panic on the old man's face as he realized the terror of his imminent death. He wanted to take his hands that were so used to healing and drain the life out of another human being. He wanted to. It wasn't just that he'd tolerate it. Or he'd accept it as something that had to be done to keep his family safe. He wanted to. He wanted revenge and the need for it threatened to push him off the razor.
He tightened his hold on his wife and hoped that when it was all done, she could still love him. She didn't want to see "that Tenet"? She might not have a choice. And that was the scariest thought of all.
