The Forbidden Trilogy(116)

His long fingers gripped the glass of water next to him as if it was a neck to be choked. He took a sip and set it back down. "I loved someone once, deeply. She too wanted a normal life in the world. There are groups whose sole purpose is to destroy us. They killed her, but only after torturing and raping her. People are afraid of us. They use our services, yes, but deep down they loathe us for our power. They will never allow us to be their equals, ever. If we hide in the shadows like nightmares, it is only until we can claim our rightful place in the world."

Lucy flinched from the pain and adjusted herself in the bed.

The Seeker stood up and fluffed her pillow for her. "This school was created as a haven for kids with para-powers. The assignments became necessary in order to fund all that you see here, and further research into our gifts. The breeding program, while controversial, is needed to keep our race alive. Without it, the world would run us into extinction. Besides, we don't want children born god-only–knows-where, with dangerous powers they can't control. Don't you see? None of this is meant to hurt you, Lucy, it's meant to help you, to help all of us."

The Seeker held Lucy's eyes during his speech. Everything about his body language suggested that he spoke the truth, but her judgment clouded with the rage at his justifications. "All this sounds so sweet coming from your lips, but you're talking about rape, essentially. Forced breeding, killing babies through accelerated growth treatments—how can you justify any of that?"

He face contorted into that of a monster, and his voice was so icy cold it could shatter windows. "A regrettable necessity."

And just like that, like a demon transforming back to something akin to human, he was himself again. He brushed off his white garment, though nothing had stained it. "We are using safer methods now, and what we have learned will help us better protect you and our kind. Without these sacrifices, our enemies would even now be hunting us down one by one and exterminating us.

"I know Mr. Black slated you for the breeding program, and it will not happen. That was a mistake. You and Luke are needed in other ways. You are incredibly valuable to this organization. You could be great leaders among our kind, a Queen and King to the masses of paranormals looking for safety and guidance."

Lucy fought the fogginess of her brain, as his words lulled her like a dream. She allowed her anger to feed her clarity, to keep her alert despite his masterful manipulations. "So I'm too good for breeding, but it was okay for Sam? And Drake? And why aren't the students told? When they're old enough, why aren't they given at least the chance to live in the normal world? We've trained our whole lives to blend in and control our powers. Don't you think we could make it work if given a chance?"

"These anti-paranormal organizations are powerful. We need to stand together. We need to grow our strength, or they will destroy us. We'll be forgotten, wiped from history."

"But isn't that what you're doing to Drake and Sam? You're trying to kill them and erase their memory from our minds."

The Seeker cackled. "I would never kill Sam or Drake. I want only to help them—more than you could possibly understand."

The world toppled and turned once again at the Seeker's words. Lucy tried to rub her headache away, but it persisted, just behind her eyes. "Help them? Seriously? You have a very unfriendly way of helping people. You might want to work on the whole how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people thing. There's even a book on it. You should check it out, and stop getting advice from Hitler's diaries."

Nothing seemed to rile the Seeker. He smiled at her and offered her more water. "You have fire in you. Spunk. I like that. I am glad Sam picked you for her best friend. She is going to need both of us, in the coming months. Her baby's powers will increase. Without my guidance, those powers will drive her mad. That is why I seek her."

"Oh my God, what kind of baby did you put in her?"

"Her baby is the hope for our race. Without her, paranormals will stand no chance in the coming storm."

"I can't tell if you're lying, without my powers, but my instincts say you're being honest. If all you've said is true, then remove the lockdown and get rid of Mr. Black. Stop beating kids and shooting them. Turn this back into the school we loved before you got here."

"Come now, Lucy. After Sam's escape, rebel meetings started occurring. Other students started breaking rules, trying to escape. You didn't know what was best for you. We had to implement a stricter policy to protect the students. We had to keep all of you on campus, away from those who would kill you. But you persisted. The harder you push, the harder the organization has to push back, for the safety of everyone."