No one seems to appreciate her sentiment, because she’s wrong.
Humans live shorter lives, and they’re small and weak.From the research we did, they already shorten their own lives with unhealthy decisions, wars, and risky behavior.It would be difficult to value their lives as being on par with the blessed, who can live for centuries, are large, and are powerful.
If we weren’t in such dire need, we would have the luxury of trying your way,Hyperion says.Our top priority now is confirming the earth blessedcanbond humans, and that once they do, they can eat.
Liz lands, and she draws her swords.“And you mean to use my siblings to test your theory?”
We do.Hyperion looks almost amused.The last time you attacked me, you were at least bonded to Axel.How could you possibly harm me now?
“I doubt you want me dead,” she says.“At least, not yet.That means all I have to do is keep you away from the children.”
You can’t use the children to test.They’re too young, Gordon says.We protect our young.
Or we would, if we had any, Asteria says.
Sammy’s climbing up on Gordon’s back.
We can find other brights for the test.Brights who aren’t children.Rufus has also moved, but it appears to be in order to shield the girls.With more than ten thousand blessed, three children won’t make any difference.
We do need to see whether the earth blessed can even bond a human,I say.
“Why don’t you ask the blessed who have already bonded humans what they think?”Liz tosses her head.“Ask them whether they think you should force these bonds.”
That’s not a bad idea,I say.Ask the blessed who have been through this—they all forced their bonds, did they not?
Liz sighs.“They did, but I think they wish they hadn’t.”Her voice drops to a whisper.“Or at least, I hope that’s true.”
I wish I had asked Alice.A water blessed—Jericho—has surged toward the front of the river bank.She’s smart, fierce, and our bond is valuable to me.We haven’t entwined yet, but we’re working toward it.I can feel the bond tightening.
You forced it, and look, Hyperion says.You’re fine now.
I think we’d have been better much sooner if we’d started in a better way.Jericho inclines his head and drops back into the water, and only then do I notice the small figure with blue hair on his back.
I also wish I’d asked for permission.Helvetica, a strike blessed, circles and lands, a human with silver hair on her back.He and I are also close to entwining, I think, but we would already have done it, if we hadn’t been enemies at the start.I think Liz is right.Forcibly bonding humans will be bad for us and for them.It will also enrage the rest of the humans.They’ve already attacked us on multiple occasions, and their weapons are improving.Their attacks may be a nuisance now, but they could grow worse.
We must protect ourselves,Hyperion says.If we don’t all bond humans soon, we’ll starve and die.There won’t be any blessed for them to attack.
“Then give me a chance to find you willing humans,” Liz says.“I think I can.”
Azar may not remember this, but every attempt he made to communicate with them was met with bombs, spears, and violence.Hyperion looks around.He told me that himself—and then the humanskilledhim.We all watched as it happened—Liz caused his death herself.And her dear human friend, who lived among us, set the trap.
“That’s true,” Liz says.“But you also know that Gideon betrayed me.Because he was my friend, I trusted him.That trust was misplaced.But there are humans worthy of trust, and I think I can find them.”
You think you can find ten thousand trustworthy humans?I shake my head.It’s too many.
“Give me a week,” I say.“You already told me that you don’t eat very often.We should have some time.And if it doesn’t work, you can always attack and steal the humans you need.”She cringes when she talks about stealing humans, but she holds the line.
In spite of myself, I’m impressed.
Not a week,I say.Three days.
“I can’t find ten thousand brights in three days,” she says.“It’ll take more time than that.”
Time we should be using to locate and retrieve the heart.Hyperion scowls.If you don’t want your siblings bonded, let’s have an earth blessed bond you—it’ll also be good to have a blessed with control over you who can keep you in line.
She can have her three days,I say.We can evaluate what progress she’s made before we’re weakened and unable to capture humans ourselves.
We do need to determine whether the earth blessed can eat once they’re bonded,Hyperion says.If they can’t...
