Page 18 of This Blood That Breaks Us (This Blood That Binds Us, #3)
Fifteen
Zach
“Follow me to the garden,” Ezra said.
I groaned. It was winter. The garden was nothing but old shriveled leaves and gray; there was nothing cool to look at. It was all dead plants. Plus, it was drizzling. It was always drizzling.
He patted me on the shoulder, and I reluctantly followed. I had a few minutes before I had to meet Luke at The Underground, and the sun was setting.
Ezra didn’t stop at the gate, and he led me farther into the garden than usual. The whole thing was one giant maze, and that was saying something with the giant hedge maze not too far away from it.
Ezra stopped and turned on his heels. His expression was unreadable. No visible popping veins. No drooping brows.
“I know.”
“Okay, what do you know?”
Ezra stopped me. “I know you have a plan to escape.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” This was it. He would force his way into my head, and it would hurt like a bitch.
“You don’t understand. I was you. I know exactly what you’re going to do before you think it.”
“What does that even mean? How are we anything alike?”
“When I turned, I didn’t like the things I had to do. I didn’t always like the person I had to be. But we don’t get to choose our fate.”
“This is why I don’t talk to you. Fuck all this fate shit. It’s bullshit. You could have picked anyone for this. But you’ve somehow made yourself believe that it has to be us, and you spend all your time trying to brainwash us to believe in some stupid prophecy. And it’s all bullshit.”
“You really believe that?”
I nod. Rhetorical or not, it was too annoying to answer.
He nodded, running his hand over his face, then speaking with eerie sincerity. “I knew it was you from the moment I met you. It wasn’t only a feeling. It was a bond. Something unexplainable. She confirmed it shortly after. It can’t just be anyone. Yes, running these businesses and making money, anyone can fill those roles. But protecting Her . . . only a few are ever chosen. Why do you think The Guard is ending?”
I waited.
“I want to hear your answer.”
“How the fuck would I know?”
“We were meant to be with Her much longer. The four of us. But when The Legion came and took Eros, the bond became a curse. Without him, our bond suffered. We were missing a vital piece.”
“I don’t understand. Why? Why does this even matter? Why do we matter?”
“Because these bonds we have are the only thing fate bends its will to. You can’t fake bonds. You can’t fabricate them with fake memories. And The Divine—a higher power can’t create them. It only exists here on earth. That’s why they’re so important. When Eros died, it was as if something shattered. Imagine it, one of your brothers dying. Would any of you be the same?”
I didn’t even need to think about that hypothetically.
“No.”
“We were supposed to be together forever, until he was gone. That’s when the prophecy came. The Guard is broken, but it will be whole again. And when it’s whole . . . when the bonds are iron tight, nothing can penetrate it. Not even if The Legion comes knocking. That is your purpose to serve Her. That’s why we’re all here.”
“That doesn’t explain why it has to be me and Luke?”
“You and all your brothers.” He corrected. “Your bond together is what will make this Guard the strongest it’s been for centuries”
“No, they weren’t even part of this until She touched them. It says Gemini twins. That’s it. It doesn’t say anything about my little brothers.”
“So you do believe the prophecy?”
“No. I don’t know. But I know they aren’t part of this.”
“You don’t even know your whole part of this yet. You won’t just rule for centuries. You will annihilate what’s left of The Legion. You will pave the way for greater purpose.”
“Why would I do that? Why should I do or believe anything you say?”
“I’ll tell you what. You stop fighting me. You and Luke both ascend to The Guard. I can assure your little brothers stay out of this.”
“Fuck you.”
“I kept my end of the deal, didn’t I? Your mother is safe. If you’d left your brothers where I’d intended, they’d be on their way to a quality education right now. They’re safe. I didn’t have to do all that for you.”
“Why did you, then?”
He moved his hands through the gray hairs peppering the side of his head. “I ask myself that all the time. As long as you and Luke ascend to The Guard, I don’t care what happens to your brothers. You are the ones The Divine specifically mentioned. I was the only one in The Guard who believed that to be true. And when She touched your brothers, She only said it was possible. But they weren’t foretold specifically.”
I stared at my shoes, contemplating. “Who would fill The Guard, then?”
“Someone in the lower ranks, I’d imagine. It will show itself in time. Another dark sun is coming, She believes it will be revealed to Her then.”
“You can guarantee that?”
“Yes. Stop the planning. Get to Ascension, and your brothers stay out of this.”
“Deal. But I’m not planning anything.”
Ezra sighed.
“But hypothetically, if I was . . . would you keep your promise? Will you take care of Luke?”
He nodded.