Page 104 of Between Earth and Eternity
Vallen swallows hard. “My father’s reasons come from a warped sense of logic and ethics. Overpopulation. Reserving resources and money. Most importantly, he saw an opportunity. An opening to control everything. It’s all part of his sinister plot.”
My body shakes, bile rising in my throat, and this time, I can’t keep it at bay. I sprint from the room, finding the door I assume is the bathroom, and thankfully, I’m right and get to the toilet just in time.
The red stain on my lips is smudged as I peer in the mirror when I’m finished, wetting a washcloth with cold water and rubbing it along my neck.
Once I feel somewhat back together, I exit to find Vallen waiting for me, a glass of water in hand. His brows are pulled together in concern as I take it graciously and gulp down the entire glass.
“You certainly weren’t exaggerating, when you said it was bad,” I breathe out.
“I wouldn’t have shown you that if I didn’t think it necessary. And”—he pauses slightly, wincing—“I was worried about how you’d take me keeping it from you.”
Instead of reacting angrily like I normally would, I actually understand what he means. I rub my temples.
“Sky, you okay?” Vallen asks, his voice quiet and calm. “I’m sorry. I did my best to prepare you.”
He did try to warn me time and time again, even when he said nothing and everything all at once. My dress suddenly feels too tight, the high neck restrictive. I rush back out to the main room, practically falling onto the couch before my body gives out.
I bury my face in my hands, thoughts and questions invading my mind on an endless track. Just when one question seems answered, another pops up to take its place.
Where do I even begin? How does this all end?
“I know it’s a lot.” Vallen sits on the coffee table in front of me, our roles reversed from not so long ago.
“So, in simple terms, you’re the good guy?”
He sniffs a laugh. “I don’t know aboutgood, I’ll let someone else decide that, but I am trying to find others who want to stop this from happening just as much as I do.”
“Laz and Payson?”
He nods. “And many others.”
I stand abruptly, and he follows suit. “I need to go.”
“I’ll walk you back.”
“No,” I say quickly. He steps back, not at all attempting to hide his wounded expression. “I need to process this. Alone.”
His eyes are heavy, the green in his irises darker than normal. His jaw tightens before he lets out a deep sigh. “I wish you wouldn’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m only my name and nothing more, the son of a madman.”
I’m trying not to. But I have only seen that side of him until very recently, and I’m not sure which instinct to follow: my brain trying to convince me this is all a trick, or my heart begging me to trust him.
“Tell me you understand that I’m not like him,” he pleads, trying to find my eyes, but I keep my head bowed.
“I do. It’s just . . .”
Too much.
More than I bargained for.
More than I thought anyone would be capable of, even a Mannox.
A more intelligent woman would say and do the right thing, a braver one would act without hesitation, but I need time to ponder.
“I know I asked for this, but I need space.” I gather up my shoes and head for the door, but before I reach it, I pause and collect myself, turning to face him. “Thank you for being honest with me. I never considered that the truth would make everything harder.”
