Page 77 of The Great and Terrible

Shock. Betrayal. Wariness. Those and a thousand other emotions hit me all at once. When the synapsis in my brain started firing again, I twisted on my heels, glaring up at Jasher. “The Guardian is your father.” No wonder he didn’t need a stable of sacrifices.

He released me and jutted his chin. “He is not.”

“You should have told—” Wait. “He isn’t?”

“Please, call me Ian.” The Guardian turned his focus to his younger doppelgänger. “I’m not his father, no.”

Leona squealed and waved to catch his attention. “We brought Moriah. I believe there was mention of a prize.”

“For each of us,” Patch interjected.

The Guardian—Ian—held up his hand in a bid for silence. “You’ll have your reward, ladies. We’ll discuss it tomorrow at breakfast. For now, there are more important matters.”

The mayor nodded with exuberance. “As long as we do discuss it.”

“All royal soldiers are my clones,” Ian told me. He waved a hand, and the armed men removed their helmets, revealing faces identical to Jasher’s.

I shook my head. Blinked. “You…this is…why?”

Lines of sadness bracketed Ian’s mouth. “When rebels will pay any price for your death, you can trust no one with your protection but yourself.”

Jasher remained as still and quiet as a statue, staring straight ahead.

Thoughts in my head whirled and jumbled at record speed. A clone. Of the Guardian. And there were numerous others.Countlessothers. Of him. The clone. Of the Guardian. The madness of it all confounded me. “You told me you were a triplet.”

“The truth wouldn’t have changed anything but the way you viewed me.” His expression revealed nothing. Still he didn’t meet my gaze.

“That you believe such garbage about me is the reason I’m ticked.” I trusted him, but he’d never trusted me. Without trust, we had nothing.

He swallowed before telling his maker, “Anders is missing.”

“Not any longer. He’s here.” Anger marred Ian’s features. An expression I’d seen Jasher adopt, too. “Your brother got drunk in a village and passed out. His uniform was stolen and found beneath a chapel, strapped to the thief. Anders must learn the error of his ways before he’s allowed to return to his post.”

I flinched at the mention of the chapel. At least we had an answer now and Jasher had found his brother.

“How did you clone so many soldiers?” I asked the Guardian.

“We might not have the same technologies as your world,but we aren’t primitive, my dear.” He motioned to Jasher. “Join your brethren.” Despite his jovial tone, there was no mistaking his command.

Jasher gave no verbal response and didn’t glance my way, just stalked to the group, taking a spot among them.

Dots connected, and realization slapped me. When he wore his armor, I wouldn’t be able to tell him apart from the others.

The Guardian clasped my hands, drawing my attention. His gaze dropped to my wringing fingers, to my heating ring specifically, and his lids narrowed. I stiffened. If he decided to take my treasure, I’d have nothing to offer him in trade for his aid.

Better to offer him a deal first. “I’d like to make a bargain with you.”

His eyes flipped up to mine, and he nodded. “Yes, you wish to return home with serpens-rosa to heal your father. I’m willing to help you do this for nothing more than conversation. However, I can’t open and navigate the portal until tomorrow evening. So. Until then, you’ll stay in my home as my honored guest.”

Suspicions immediately surged. How did he know about my father? “From everything I’ve experienced in Hakeldama, your offer is too good to be true.”

He laughed with what seemed to be genuine humor. “No reason to fear, my dear. I’m not some greedy water maiden hoping to deceive you to score an unnamed favor. Speaking of, I can have Iris hunted and imprisoned to ensure she’s never able to collect.” He lowered his volume. “I know who you are, you see, and I believe it will be better for all if you return to the home your mother chose for you. A final act of gratitude for the pair who once led us.”

But that made no sense. Why not demand the ring the water maiden claimed he despised?

“Just say the word,” Ian prompted, “and Iris will be dealt with.”

“I…no.” Maybe Iris, in her hatred for him, had lied about his intentions toward me. “I don’t want her punished. She offered her terms, and I accepted. Besides, a strike against her would be considered a crime, bringing a storm.”

---