Geminus

Chapter Eight - Emotionless

"Healed?" I whispered, I placed my hands on the steering wheel and tightened my grip until my knuckles whitened.

"Yes. He is fine. In fact he might even be a little bit more than fine." Oliver noted.

"What do you mean by that?" I replied.

"I can't be sure. My friend is going to take him somewhere safe. We'll look into what has happened. But if you can heal him imogen, then surely your blood is capable of doing much more and if that is the case, we need to know more so we can protect you."

"Protect me?"

"If my mother learned of this particular intel you'd become a harvesting machine." oliver spoke slowly. "I'll meet you at the tower tonight. 8pm sharp."

"Okay."

Oliver disappeared from inside my ear and I was alone once more. Relief that Zander was alive washed over me, but it was quickly followed by something I hadn't let myself feel since I had arrived... fear. Suddenly I was the lamb again, at risk of cowering in the corner to save myself. I had all the strength and speed one could ever want, I could run and save myself, but saving myself meant leaving everyone else to suffer and that wasn't a fate I could live with.

I drove back in shock. I had shot Zander, and by some miracle he had survived, but I had still shot him. I had seen him dying before me. The guilt was more than I could handle even if he was okay.

When I drove into the grounds two guards flanked my car almost immediately. I could have overthrown them both with little effort but I didn't.

"The Queen has requested your attendance in the throne room." One of them gruffed as I stepped out. I nodded and followed behind them. I forced myself to stay emotionless, at least on the outside. The guards turned and left as I walked in to the throne room once more. The Queen was alone. She sat on her regal, yet somehow still clinical white throne.

"I heard you were successful in your orders." She said, her tone was surprised.

"yes. I was ordered to. I followed my orders." I replied blankly.

Her face twisted and she lifted her head until she was looking down her nose at me. "I underestimated you. You may return to your room." She turned on her heel and stalked away from me.

I walked back to my room, confused by what had happened. I had shot Zander but Oliver had assured me he was unmarked. I had placed my hand over his bleeding wound, a wound that no longer existed. Mae and Thomas were waiting for me when I arrived. their equal looks of concern ate at my resolve, but I couldn't tell them what had happened. I couldn't put them at risk.

"I'd like to be left alone." I mumbled.

They left, without a word and as the door closed behind me I let out a deep breathless gasp. I was as strong as titanium, faster than a cheetah and my body could regenerate itself like I was made of liquid metal, but my emotions were still human. I had shot my best friend, my brother. The fact he had survived didn't matter, not when I was the one who had pulled the trigger in the first place.

**

The next few hours dragged by. As I walked up to the tower at 8pm my heart raced. I wasn't sure if it was because I was headed to see Oliver, or because he was going to bring me news about Zander. Perhaps it was both, however the latter was the only thing that mattered now. Oliver was matched, and until the monarchy falls pursuing him would be a crime that would cost not only my life, but generations of undergrounders who deserved to live on the surface.

Oliver was already there when I arrived. He turned, smiled and handed me his ear phone device. I put it on and Zander's face popped up in front of me. I gasped again, and tears rolled down my cheeks. "You're okay?" I whispered.