Page 36 of Triplets for the Barbarians

By the time I’m done, Blaze’s expression has changed into something akin to uneasiness and self-doubt. I think I’ve finally gotten to him. The flames in his red eyes flicker, shadows dancing across his face as he pours more wine into his glass. He’s silent, sitting in his chair and averting his gaze whenever I look at him.

Shaytan, on the other hand, seems annoyingly calm and relaxed. I don’t like it.

“The entire plan blew up in Solomon’s face. I’m guessing he didn’t count on Opal City getting bombed,” I conclude my half-truthful story. “So there you have it. Maybe it’s time for you to reach out to the Mal brothers and let them present you with evidence of everything I’ve just said. We have proof.”

“I see. Thank you for sharing your story,” Shaytan replies. “The problem is the plague did happen. It did wipe out most of our female population. And I doubt you and your friends have the knowledge, the expertise, or the equipment to come up with a viable cure.”

“But we do have all that.”

“Time is not on your side,” he says bluntly. “And even if you do come up with a cure, it’ll only delay the inevitable. The fact of the matter is, Jewel, that another plague will come and do worse unless we evolve as a species. We cannot evolve on our own, but the human genome is a treasure trove of antiviral proteins that our surviving scientists can study and better understand. The only way for us to truly save Sunna and prevent another plague altogether is to bring forth a generation of Sunnaite-human hybrids.”

“No, Shaytan. Listen, our genes are not a cure-all. We just happen to be immune to this viral strain. You have no guarantee we’d be as resistant to other diseases, and you don’t have the biomedical scientists to direct research in that endeavor. All you have are a handful of medically trained professionals who may be able to manage symptoms and observe the progression of a hybrid’s development, but that’s it. You don’t have what it takes to protect Sunna.” I sucked in a deep breath. “And for the last time, dammit, taking women from Earth and forcing them into breeding camps is not the answer. It is cruel and despicable; it will forever be a stain on your history and on your honor!”

“Your illusions of dignity and compassion seem so misplaced, given the fact that you’re a warrior yourself, Jewel,” Shaytan says, half-smiling as he sniffs his glass before taking a sip. “You know that violence only begets violence. Death comes for us all. And the Sunnaite culture was built on death and violence. Do not let the last few centuries of peace fool you. Sooner or later, we will find other reasons to bicker and kill one another, even if, by some miracle, your side comes up with a cure for the plague. The truth is we need fresh blood from another world.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Wait, let me see if I got this right. You want human genes for your people because you’re hoping they’ll not only be more resilient to viruses but that they’ll also fight less?” I pause and wait for an answer. The confused looks in Shaytan and Blaze’s eyes only make me laugh even harder. “Earth is made up of one hundred and ninety-five countries. One hundred and ninety-five nations, each ready to blow the others to smithereens if they so much as cross their borders in a distasteful manner. We built the atom bomb to wipe out entire cities, for Pete’s sake. We are anything but peaceful! Why the hell do you think I’m such a good fighter to begin with?”

“You will make fine warrior princes, indeed,” Shaytan replies, almost dreamy-eyed as he glances my way. Either the wine is getting to his head, or he is actively ignoring every argument I’ve made against breeding with humans. Alicia warned me that we may never be able to reason with the Sky Tribe.

“Your doctrine is so deeply embedded in your brains, you can’t even think straight,” I murmur. “Here I am, providing you with the hard truth, yet you keep droning on about the babies we’re going to be making together. No wonder your planet is such a fucking mess.”

Blaze frowns, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

“The only hard truth you’ve got is the one you refuse to accept,” Shaytan says. You’re here, Jewel. And you will bond with us—on your own, in due time. You may not think it’s possible, you may think it’s crazy, but sooner or later, you will reach the right conclusion. I’m a patient man. And this bottle of wine is empty, so we’d best get to bed, darling.”

“I’m not sleeping with you!” I snap.

He laughs and then nods at Blaze. “Relax, Jewel. You have a room of your own,” he says. Take her to the alcove, brother.”

I have no choice but to follow Blaze as he guides me out of the living room area and through a small side door. I tried opening it earlier, but it was locked. He has the key to open the door, and so I make myself as comfortable as I can in this small space with a single bed and barely any light coming through a narrow window, watching as Blaze locks me in and leaves me with my tormented thoughts.

Come morning, I find myself still wide awake and anxious, restless and desolate. Most of my night was subject to terrible waking dreams and bouts of crying that I muffled with my pillow. My eyes are puffy, my eyelids heavy as I listen to what’s happening beyond my door.

“We’ll proceed as planned,” Shaytan tells Blaze.

They’re seated somewhere in the living room, close enough for me to hear fragments of their conversation if I have my ear glued to the keyhole.

Blaze keeps pacing the room, nervous and restless. “Shaytan, what if it’s true that Solomon was responsible for the plague? I mean. I didn’t want to believe it at first, either, but she says they have proof.”

“Does it matter at this point? We’re too far down the line to even care about the origin of the disease,” Shaytan replies.

“But it would mean that it was all a lie. The factions we made, the war itself, the fighting, the killing, wasting so much time and precious resources to send starships to Earth when we could have designed a cure for the plague right here instead. You heard Jewel. Just because she and her friends are immune to this virus doesn’t make them immune to other viruses.”

“Blaze, what is going on with you? You used to be wholly devoted to the cause.”

“If the cause was built upon a lie—”

“Don’t let anyone hear you say that,” Shaytan hisses. “The only reason we still have the support of the other generals is because of these fucking starships and the promises Selina Sharuk made. That bitch talked a big game. She planted the seed and watered it year after year! I tried doing things the old-fashioned way. I tried brokering for peace with the Fire Tribe, as you well remember. But Selina ruined everything, and now, too many powerful warlords still believe her. All we can do is play along and lead the way until the war is over. Once we have control over the entire planet, once the Fire Tribe is reduced to nothing but dust and bones, then we can revisit the past and unearth the truth about Solomon Daron; you hear me?”

Blaze sighs deeply. “Yes.”

He doesn’t sound too happy about it, though. Good. I need as many cracks in his armor as possible before it’s too late. For the time being, however, I have to find out what they’re going to do next, so I start banging on the alcove door. “LET ME OUT!” I shout at the top of my lungs.

A moment later, Blaze opens the door, and I walk into the living room area with my chin up, as defiant as I can be under these dire circumstances.

“Good morning, my love!” Shaytan says, greeting me with a smile that makes my stomach turn inside out. I can barely muster a nod of acknowledgment at this point. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a fucking baby,” I reply dryly. “I want to see Yossul and Fadai.”

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