Legacy's Ghost

Episode 34: The Appearance of Impartiality

Tears drip down my cheeks in earnest now. But instead of being laced with misery and shame, the moisture leaking from my eyes is filled with hope and wonder.

"They're. . . fighting over me?"

Edmond swallows. His voice is thick with emotion when he says, "Yes." He places his wrinkled hand on my arm again. "I won't let them do anything to you. You are under my care and safety, Atan. Not even the Trinity can take you without my approval."

I shift in the bed, but the restraints keep me from moving more than an inch or two. "How long are you keeping me here?" I ask.

"The doctor wants to look you over one more time before she releases you. Then, each of the Trinity has requested a meeting with you. I've allowed them to plead their case, and then you will decide which one—"

I shake my head. "I'm going with the Ghost."

Edmund smooths the wrinkles of his cream-colored robe and says in a measured voice, "It doesn't work that way. Each person has an opportunity to—"

"I'm going with the Ghost," I insist, my voice louder this time. "He saved me. I would have died without him. I'm a Ghoul. He's a Ghost. I need to go with him."

Edmond scratches one of his eyebrows, and a smile plays at his lips before he presses his mouth into a tight line and erases all emotions from his features. He inclines his head. "I hear what you are saying, and I understand why. I appreciate your loyalty to your mentor. But this protocol is required every time the Trinity is involved. They're your rulers. It is essential we are not found having bias. More so, because you are you, a Ghost-in-training. This is your opportunity to prove that you can be impartial, even when your loyalty lies with Tradon."

I stare up at the ceiling for several seconds watching the slow blades of the overhead fan, thinking, figuring, and considering.

I've never met Gamma, the representative for the PPN, or Magnus, the representatives for the LAs. They almost never came to our part of the Monastery. On the times they did appear, Cook made sure I was well out of sight, or locked in a closet until they left.

The Trinity were almost always on diplomatic missions all over the planet, and often to other places within our galaxy. Have any of the other TAGs ever met them? I'd bet they haven't.

Worry gnaws at my insides, making my skin itch. What if they try something? I'm just an orphan. One of them could make me disappear and nobody would bat an eye. It wouldn't be the first time someone's tried to hurt me. It probably won't be the last.

I press my eyes closed and tamp down my fear. "Will you be there when they talk to me?"

"If you want."

"I want." I turn, locking eyes with Emond's gray gaze. "I need someone I can trust to be there if I need them."

"I think that's a very wise choice, my boy." Edmonds eyes soften and a gentle smile washes over his face. "I'll make sure they don't try to manipulate you or trick you into doing anything you don't want to do."

My stomach uncoils and I nod, thankful that, like always, Edmond is here to watch over and protect me. "Thank you."

He dips his chin and pats my arm. "Now, let me see about getting youreleased from this place and back to the safety of the Monastery."