Curiosity Killed Shaney(50)

Caleb clasped his hands behind his back and started to pace. The behavior reminded Shaney of some over-educated professor getting ready to address a class, though Caleb’s lectures generally included bad news. “The energy still inhabits your body, but it’s stable—for the moment. I was less than honest with you about the origins of the power taking residence in your body.”

More lies. Surprise, surprise. Shaney sighed with disgust. “Silas beat you to the big reveal.”

Caleb adjusted his glasses. ”Hudson told me of your encounter with Silas, so you know he was a teacher of mine. Genius, but—to use coin a phrase—nuttier than a squirrel.”

Shaney could get behind that.

“My attempts to remove the rogue energy were anything but that. I understand the nature of your existence, Shaney, but not from information obtained Silas though.” Caleb glanced at Hudson, maintaining his calm control, and then back to Shaney. “Hyrum told me about your creation.”

Hudson’s eyes widened. “You knew my grandfather?”

Shaney noticed Hudson’s face had paled. “My grandfather... He told me... He said if Silas ever got hold of his creation, I was supposed to...” Hudson shifted nervously and lifted his shaky hand to scrub through his hair. “I was to destroy it. But until Silas came to me, I didn’t know what his creation was.”

Air ceased to fill Shaney’s lungs and his gaze locked with Hudson’s sorrowful eyes. Hudson was supposed to kill him? Hudson immediately shook his head, as if trying to negate Shaney’s obvious thoughts.

Caleb nodded. “Yes, I imagine he would make that request. He understood the inherent danger of Shaney’s abilities. The energy has always been in you, Shaney, since the day of your creation. Stepping into that circle was a catalyst to bring it forth. My attempts to return the energy to its prior stasis failed. My focus was on blocking Silas’ access to that energy and allowing you to return to your normal life.”

Shaney pulled his gaze away from Hudson and caught sight of Todd’s surprised expression. Apparently, Todd was hearing this truth right along with everyone else.

“So, you were able to do that, right?” Please say yes. “You did that stasis thingy? Because I don’t feel anything.”

“No. I was unsuccessful.”

Of fucking course.

Caleb asked Hudson, “Can you explain why he doesn’t feel the energy now?”

Hudson guffawed. “How would I know? This was my grandfather’s show.”

Caleb shook his head. “How some people survive in the world while being so short-sighted, I’ll never know.” Maximus chuckled and Shaney threw him a dirty look, which only seemed to delight the man. “There have been times when you’ve been safe from the energy without my intervention. Why is that?”

Great, a pop quiz. Shaney shrugged. He thought back to that first night, going with Todd, being rescued by Hudson, leaving Hudson’s house last night, and Hudson coming to the cabin. He looked at Hudson, and they both raised their eyebrows. Caleb nodded in Shaney’s periphery.

“Hudson?” Shaney asked.

“Me?” Hudson added.

“You’re the Mediator, Hudson—what you’re grandfather called the ‘Protector.’ Your mere presence mediates the energy, keeps it at bay, which will give Shaney the time to learn to control it. The role of a protector was Hyrum’s idea at the time of Shaney’s creation. Brilliant, actually. He predicted that energy unleashed after twenty years of confinement would be so potent, it would possibly kill Shaney before he could gain control. Your grandfather was the true genius behind the creation, not Silas.”

“But I was only five when all of this happened.” Hudson was now being the petulant one.

“In Shaney’s creation, there was a restrictor—something that would prevent the energy from emerging until Shaney had reached an age when he could understand his nature and handle the intense training required to master it. I image Hyrum thought you’d be ensconced in the craft by then, however you rejected his legacy.”

Shaney’s gaze whipped between Hudson and Caleb as the information piled on like thick layers of smothering blankets.

“Why?” Shaney interrupted. “Why in the hell create me in the first place?” God, he was sounding as if he actually believed this shit.

Caleb looked to Shaney. “From what Hyrum told me, his work with Silas centered on the use of energy blueprints to create life—but not just any life. A human capable of controlling energy at the point of creation with thought alone.”

Shaney slumped back. Todd rushed around the couch, finally catching up with the conversation, a fierce determination on his face. “What you’re talking about is a god! Only gods have the ability to create life from energy. Are you saying that Shaney’s a god?”