Dark Matter [Completed]

Twenty-Six

Every time I thought about this moment I expected to feel afraid, but I only feel sad. I should be coming up with my best excuse, but all I can think is that I never got to say goodbye to Luke. And now I will never get a chance because he will be dead. As for me... I don't even know. When Boris coldly orders us to sit down I don't resist.

For a long time we just stare at each other in tense silence then Boris leans forward very slowly. "I will give you two enough credit to know why I've called here tonight."

I don't know how I keep my voice steady, but I do. "I believe I do."

Boris' expression doesn't change, but I see his eyes darken. "So you don't deny it."

This time Alex answers. "We have never lied to you."

"Except for that time you lied about successfully completing your mission," Boris snarls lowly.

"We did complete our mission," I say in an equally cool voice. "Orion is dead."

"Alastair Orion may be dead!" Boris shouts. "But his son is very much alive and bent on tracking Stephanie King down. And according to my sources there are suspicions that she had something to do with Alastair Orion's death." Boris closes his eyes for a moment then continues in a calmer voice. "What do you have to say about that?"

I don't reply. There is nothing to say; I have no explanation. At least no rational one. When neither of us responds Boris slams his fist into the desk. "The security of my entire empire is at risk all because of your ineptitude and you have nothing to say about it!?! I know you had a reason for letting Lucius Orion live. You always have your reasons. I know everything about you; I made you!"

"You don't know that first thing about me," I say in a quiet voice.

"What did you say?" Boris snaps.

I look him dead in the eye and I see him recoil slightly from the hate in my gaze. "You don't know the first thing about me you ba-."

Alex puts his hand on my shoulder to silence me. "This isn't helping Nat."

"No." Boris leans back in his chair. "I want to hear what she has to say."

"Why?" I snap back. "What's the point? You're just going to kill us anyway!"

Boris raises one eyebrow. "I never said I was going to kill you. Of course, if it becomes necessary I will do what I must, but I would rather come to a compromise." He folds his hands together on top of the desk. "Kill Lucius Orion, and make it look like an accident this time, and I will consider a more moderate punishment."

A lifetime's worth of instinct is telling me take the deal. Sacrifice Luke to save my own life. Boris may torture my brother and I to within an inch of our lives, but he will spare us. But I also mean what I said in the forest that day; my life is worth nothing. I know in my heart I've already made my decision... but how can I ask Alex to follow me?

Alex spared Luke because he's my brother and he would do anything for me. And I know, if I refuse Boris' deal, he will too. Because he would never do anything that would cause me pain, even if I was dead. I look at Alex. I have to choose between my brother and the man I have come to love... but how can I? How can I?

I feel something die inside me; that last, tiny, beautiful spark of light. I am defeated... I can't do it. I love Lucius Orion, and I will love him until the last breath leaves my body, but I can't abandon my brother. My brother, my better half, my dearest friend, who has been by my side through my darkest days and who will never leave my no matter what.

Boris smiles cruelly as he sees the defeat in my face. Slowly, I stand and raise my head. In a voice devoid of all feeling, I whisper, "I will do whatever you want."

"Excellent... excellent," Boris chuckles softly. Then he turns to Alex. "What do you Aleksei?"

For a long time Alex doesn't respond then he looks at me. Love, fear, anger, sadness, regret... all these emotions pass through his eyes as he looks at me. As he looks at me like someone who is getting ready to say goodbye forever. Gently he brushes my hand with his own before turning to face Boris. "I won't do it."

"Excuse me?" Boris says in disbelief.

"You know what I said," Alex says quietly.

Boris' expression of disbelief turns to one of fury. "Are you sure you know what you're doing, Alex?"

No, no, no! I want to scream, but the words catch in my throat. I can only watch helplessly as my brother quietly says, "Yes."

"Very well," Boris says. Then, faster than I ever thought he could move, he pulls a gun from under his desk... and shoots Alex in the chest.