Page 29 of A Mastery of Monsters

“Yes, yes, I’m familiar with Ms. Yang. I’m sorry to hear that about your mother. I hope she’s found. I lost my mom when I was young to cancer. I know it’s not the same, but I wouldn’t wish the absence of one’s mother on anybody.” He does sound sincere. Like, really sympathetic.

“Thanks,” I say.

“I’m glad I was able to help you with the nomination. However, it’s become a bit of a shit show now, and I’m afraid it might bring you some unwanted attention.”

“It’s not that bad,” Henry says.

“Isn’t it? All the vultures have come to roost now that Dad is gone.

Carrigan, I assumed, would have the decency to show his face when announcing the death of our father, much as he loathes any public appearance, so he wasn’t a surprise.

Except he still hasn’t left. I thought he would be on the first train back to Toronto, but he’s sticking around for some reason.

” Adam walks to the corner of the room and deposits himself on the chaise longue, leaning into the cushions.

“To campaign?” Henry suggests, which is what I was thinking too.

That makes Adam laugh. “Carrigan takes every opportunity to say how much he does not want the responsibility of being the Doctorate.” He waves at us.

“Please sit down, you’re making me nervous.

” Me and Henry sit, though Laira stays where she is, and Adam doesn’t push it.

“No, Carrigan prefers to work in his lair with his test tubes. Which is why his continued presence is concerning. And then Garrett, well, he made sure to accost the three of us at the bottom of the stage and let us know that the Wilds’ agreement was with Cyrus, not us, and now that he’s gone, it’s null and void.

And Natalie picked that exact moment to emerge into the public, and we know Dad made sure to squash her Pro-Lib activities, so this couldn’t be anything other than a message to us.

Which is just what we need, her stirring people up to create unregistered monster bonds and set them loose.

Though we’ve already increased security on the serum holding tanks.

And to round it all out, Carrigan just dropped the recent spontaneous monster birth stats on us. ”

The Wilds again. I know that I agreed Corey was right, but now that Adam is bringing them up too, I’m wondering if we missed something. Like Corey said, Garrett wants better terms, but instead of negotiating, he’s just announced that their deal is off. It’s a more aggressive move.

“The Wilds are saying they’ll be moving against whoever is elected?” Laira asks.

“No, I think they’re only trying to make sure we consider them. In the end, I’m sure they’ll sign a new agreement with whoever gives them the best offer.”

“Which will be you,” Henry says, voice firm. “James will want them as strictly controlled as they have been since the truce. You’re the ideal choice, which gives you their vote.”

Part of me thinks they may have forgotten I’m in the room.

Which is kind of perfect because I’m actually learning shit.

If whatever is going on with Jules has anything to do with society politics, these are the people I should be looking at as suspects.

I should keep quiet, but I have to ask, “What is this Wilds agreement?”

Henry’s eyes widen like he did forget I was here. He waves a hand at Adam. “You don’t have to explain—”

“I don’t mind,” Adam says. “I don’t get much opportunity to teach.

The Wilds created a contract with my father to stop the fighting that broke out between them and the society.

They agreed to be monitored by the Learners, and they were given jobs and opportunities, including proctoring the Monster’s Ball.

We also agreed to stop killing them.” He utters the last sentence with a frown.

“And they would stop attacking us as well. Though I admit that we were killing them in much higher numbers. I assume that in this new agreement, they would like less monitoring and fewer restrictions and duties.”

“Duties like proctoring the Monster’s Ball?”

“Among other things,” Adam mutters.

“The birth rates you mentioned,” Henry says. “They’re rising?”

“Not just rising, according to Carrigan, but spiking .”

I clench my hands into fists in my lap. More spontaneously born monsters means we’re closer to their so-called apocalypse.

I do not want to be put in a position to see if the society is right about the end of the world.

Realistically, ignoring a possible apocalypse, more spontaneous monsters also means they’ll need more Masters.

I know they have their reasons for the candidate process, but they have an increasingly volatile supply and demand issue.

There’s no way they have infinite space in the Pen. Something will have to give.

Adam shakes his head. “I keep telling my brothers that we need to create a plan. This is the time when we should be working together. Three people with the Doctorate ability. Excluding the time when Dad was alive, it’s the most we’ve ever had at once.

That has to be a good omen. Instead, James is saying the fact that his daughter shows signs of having the gift is proof that Carrigan and I should withdraw.

” He rolls his eyes. “James is determined to be my enemy in this. And Carrigan thinks we should funnel more money into a cure that we have failed to create after over a century of research.”

“You’re making it too complicated,” Henry says. “Beat them, and then you can control what they do.”

“I don’t want to control them.”

“But you will have to.”

The two men stare at each other for a long moment. I glance at Laira, who does a slight head shake at me. So I keep quiet until Adam breaks the tension with a smile. “I suppose that’s why I have you. You’re able to make those hard decisions. You’ve always been very pragmatic.”

“And you’ve always been overly permissive.”

Adam laughs, big and booming. It’s on the edge of too much.

“Yes. I suppose so.” He claps his hands.

“Well, I won’t take up any more of your time.

” He rises from the couch. “It was lovely to meet you, August. I wish you the best in the candidacy. Every year it looks so difficult, and of course, I’ve heard the same from those who participate. Take care of yourself.”

“You’ve never done it?” I ask.

“No, no. Doctorates don’t bond. It weakens our wider control abilities.

None of us have ever participated.” He rocks back on his heels.

“We may be the heads of this society, but we’ve fought significantly less for it.

We were just born into the right family with the right power.

It’s unfortunate, honestly. This election will be the only thing I’ve worked for in my whole life.

” He looks to Henry. “And yet my friend, who has toiled harder and had a more difficult life than anyone I’ve ever known, can never have this title. ”

Henry holds his face still.

“It doesn’t feel fair.” Adam gives me a small smile. “You’re in the best hands possible with Henry. I hope you know that.”

I’m still not a fan of the guy, but with this many people talking him up, it’s hard not to be grateful that he’s on my side.

Adam leaves, and Henry holds me back for a few minutes to press me on participating more in Intro to Psychology and keeping up with the textbook readings.

When I finally leave the office, Margot is waiting for me in the hall. I raise an eyebrow, but she only turns and walks toward the exit. I fall into step with her. “How was the meeting?” she asks.

“Fine. I met Laira. She’s cool. Also, Adam showed up.”

“I thought he might. He ran into me on campus and asked about introducing himself to you.”

“I didn’t think he’d care.”

“It’s Adam. He’s that sort of guy.”

“Nice?”

“Very. What did Henry want?”

“Shouldn’t you know? Aren’t you like his protégé or whatever?”

Margot stops. We’re in a different hallway from Henry’s office, though it looks the same. Most of the hallways in this building do. “He doesn’t always tell me everything. I think he prefers when I find things out. He likes for his mentees to challenge him.”

“He asked about my classes and stuff.”

Margot nods and walks me the rest of the way out of the building.

“Did you need me for something?” I point in the direction of Vic Hall. “I’m over there.”

“Just wanted to see how the meeting went.” Without offering a goodbye, Margot heads toward the north end of campus.

I stare after her. Henry is the reason she’s part of the society and can protect her brother, but she’s almost acting like she doesn’t trust him.

Then again, maybe she doesn’t trust anyone.