Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
He’s not saying anything I disagree with, but it’s as if his words are stones thrown at Bowen. Every sentence makes the big man’s shoulders drop further. I slip my hand into his and manage a smile, though it feels stilted. “Thank you for your time.”
It’s more than mildly alarming to be able to lead Bowen to one of the pews and guide him to sit down. It’s on the tip of my tongue to make a joke to break the awful storm growing in his expression. I don’t. “Are you okay?”
“He’s wrong.” He doesn’t say it like he believes it, though. “He has to be wrong. We protect people. They’re grateful for the protection.”
How much to push? It’s hard to say. But there might never be a moment where I can get through to him. I don’t have to take a hammer to him; all I need is a scalpel. “How many villages or towns meet you with open arms? Or do they all greet you like this one, as if you’re the monster hiding under their beds?”
“What?”
“Typically when there’s a savior coming into town, people are excited to see them. It’s a celebrated thing.” I’ve seen it happen with the hunters back home. People fear the dark and they elevate those who are willing to take up their weapons and fight monsters beyond knowing.
That’s the problem, though. I won’t pretend there aren’t monsters lurking in plenty of shadows, but a lot of people look at something Other and decide it’s monstrous simply because they don’t see themselves reflected back.
In my world, it’s all too easy for the monster hunters to become more monstrous than the beings they hunt. Judging by the looks people gave us when we walked through the village, the same is true for Threshold.
“Some people don’t understand,” he mutters. “They think we’re there to snatch their children to join our ranks. That’s not how the laws work. We protect. We don’t kidnap and murder, no matter what Elijah says.”
It strikes me that I could fall in love with this fallen hero of a man. The way he clings to his laws as if everyone holds them as sacred makes me want to hug him. “Not every Cŵn Annwn is you, Bowen. You’re not naive enough to believe none of them abuse their power. That’s not even getting into the fact that apparently the Council fabricated the report that led to your order to kill this dragon. How many other reports have they fabricated that you just didn’t catch?”
“I can’t … This isn’t …” He stares down at his hands. “This is fucked.”
“Yep.” I bump my shoulder against his. “The only question is what you’re going to do about it.” I don’t expect a single conversation to knock his entire alignment out of order, but surely he can see that chasing down the dragon is wrong?
Bowen leans back against the pew with a sigh. “I would like to know who’s making reports on behalf of people who aren’t interested in being saved.”
“Only because there wasn’t anything to be saved from.” I have to wonder how many generations of dragons had their young on that beach while the village kept their silence. I would wager there’s been more than either of us could possibly guess. “Are you going to hunt her down?”
“No.” He shakes his head and his voice firms up. “No. It’s a waste of time and resources when she’ll return to her home realm on her own. As long as she doesn’t hurt or kill anyone else, it seems … cruel to kill her. Let alone the youngling.” His expression is troubled. “No matter what else is true, he was right about that. It’s wrong to deprive a child of its mother, when she was only trying to protect them. I don’t like that she killed people, but …”
“It’s more complicated than you realized,” I fill in.
“Yeah. A lot more complicated.”
That soft feeling in my chest grows. I knew there was much to be admired about this infuriating man, but the fact that he’s adapting so quickly? It breaks my heart that I won’t be around to see his final evolution.
If he even has one. The Cŵn Annwn don’t seem the type to allow their people to question orders.
A frisson of fear shoots down my spine. No. Damn it, no. Bowen is not my problem. Even if he was, I’m not the one people go to when they need help or protection. I’m a good time and a fun escape, but I’m not a harbor against storms.
But … I don’t want to see him hurt.
“I know the crew won’t be happy to hear that, but maybe you can find a way to pitch it that sounds reasonable and won’t cause a revolt.”
He finally looks at me. One corner of his lips curve. “Worried about me?”