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“But if anyone’s to blame for what happened, it’s the Varu.”
Nox gave her a questioning look.
“There were times when the Fenrir came across the Varana in rare colors; reds, greys, bronze… and black. It was usually a sign of change. Or at least the need for it.”
“You’re suggesting the Anubis was a sign of change?”
“No. But the black wolf was.” Seung swept her bangs out of her eyes. “Our people were dying. Slowly but surely, we were being eradicated by the Senate.”
“You don’t mean the people in Washington, do you?”
Seung laughed. “Some are actually politicians. Now, at least. But they’re the descendants of those responsible for slaughtering us. They controlled the Wardens and still do today. While the selection standards are not as high as they used to be, more than enough of them are deadly. I’m certain if, given the chance, they’d wipe us out. It’s why they exist.
“I think that’s why the black wolf came to my people, and instead of embracing its leadership, they made it a pariah. Then they murdered the Varu who housed it. The Clan elders had long decided it was better to be as human as possible. But the fact is, Mr. Kelli, we will never be human.”
“That’s Isaiah’s number one problem,” Craige said. “But he’s too pig-headed to see it.”
“As misguided as Isaiah is,” Seung said. “As much as I disagree with him, he followed the way set by those before him. Like them, he didn’t want us to be the monsters history has made us out to be.”
Craige chuffed. “Yeah, well, that’s not gonna change. Humans will always fear us. Which means they’re gonna try to get rid of us.”
“For such a fearful people, you seem to have no problem getting them to let you breed them and fill their wombs with yourget.”
Reese made a sound in the back of his throat.
“I think you like hitting Dr. Dante’s nerves, Seung.” Craige spread his lips into a toothy grin. “Personally, I’d like to hit something other than a nerve.”
Seung hissed at him.
“Fuck, what do you expect me to say? He’s sitting right there, we’re shut up in a damn plane, and I’m stuck rebreathing the same air.”
“How about you not sayinganythingat all?”
Craige started to stand but froze. “You mind if I excuse myself, Mr. Kelli? I have some personal business to take care of.”
Going by the bulge crawling down his thigh, it was clear what kind of personal business.
“Go,” Nox said.
Craige half-walked and half-limped through the debris from the collapsed room to the latrine near the end of the plane.
The jet trembled. Clouds blocked the view outside the window. Luca threaded his fingers through Nox’s hair.
Seung sat forward. “Isaiah was foolish to try to purge the Anubis.”
“He was trying to help.” Nox knew what he said was the truth.
“Because he refuses to see that the longer we fight our wolves, the weaker we will become. We should embrace what we are.” Seung nodded at Nox. “Which is why you have to quit fighting the Anubis.”
Nox dug his fingers into the armrest. “No offense, but the Anubis isn’t one of your wolves.”
“You’re right. It’s far more powerful. It took hundreds of years and tens of thousands of us to defeat it. Even then, it was mostly luck.”
“Then how can you ask me toembraceit?” To just let it take control? Nox didn’t even want to imagine what would happen.
Seung laughed a little. “That’s your first mistake, Mr. Kelli. You seem to think the Anubis isyoursto control. But it’s not.”
“It lives in me.” Nox frowned. “Who else is supposed to control it?”
