Existence

Chapter 22

 "Hey, Alex?"

Sarah put her nearly empty bowl down and began lacing and unlacing her fingers together. The others glanced at her curiously while Alex hummed in response.

"Do you," she said hesitantly, "really think all Shifters are evil?"

Alex stopped stuffing himself and turned to Sarah in surprise and concern. "What do you mean, Sar?" He frowned and abruptly stood up. "You haven't been approached by anyone in the last few hours have you? Casey, I told you it was a bad idea to let Sarah go alone—"

"No! It's just..." Sarah looked down at the ground and bit her lip. She couldn't tell Alex about Thomas. "I've been thinking. An entire... kingdom has to have some good in it. Some may be misled. Just like it can be back home."

"But this isn't Earth, Sarah Walkman," Azazel said with narrowed eyes.

"People are people." She scowled at the Tree-Walker. "Even those with the ability to become animals. And what about half-Shifters?"

"Half-Shifters?" Her cousin repeated. "Where'd you get that idea?"

"I... well, Thomas mentioned them back in Solquis." Sarah avoided looking at her cousin.

"And what exactly did he say about them?"

'Nothing really. That's why I'm asking you, duh.'

She shrugged. "Just that they could exist, that's all."

"I doubt it." Alex's eyebrows scrunched together. "If there were, the Shifters must've kept their nature a secret from their partner."

Azazel scratched his chin. "A half-Shifter's loyalties could be brought into question, depending on their relationship with either parent and the parents' views on the war."

"A secret weapon?" Byron leaned forward, eyes narrowed. "A child and a lover, two possible allies that could help bring about the downfall of a village?"

"We should look into that more," Alex said. "Maybe Rythor's men are still down. We could take one to Adam for interrogation. He'd have to spin the questions around so we don't give them ideas if they aren't using this method."

"Let him be straightforward. Just kill him afterwards," Azazel said.

Sarah frowned at that. The image of the frightened Shifter boy from yesterday appeared in her head again.

"I vote against straightforward."

Azazel said something in what she was now calling 'Tree' before giving her a scornful look. "You have no say in this, little Walkman. We need to think about what is best for Adventia and not your Earthly morals and soft heart."

"If there are half-Shifters out there, they'd definitely side against people like you!" Sarah got to her feet, not breaking eye contact with Azazel. "Narrow-minded, no mercy, no consideration! I wouldn't blame them—"

"All right, Sar," Alex began placatingly, stepping half in front of Azazel. "We'll try to do it your way."

Azazel snorted.

"But when push comes to shove, Sar," Alex raised his hands, "we'll have to resort to other ways. The Shifters need to be stopped. I told you, Sar. When facing these soldiers it's kill or be killed."

Byron, who had finished his food minutes before, stared pensively down at his empty bowl, flexing the fingers wrapped tightly around his bow. Casey sighed and shrugged apologetically at Sarah.

"How are you any better than them when you're like this?" She shook her head.

The look on her cousin's face hardened. He clearly didn't like the comparison.