Dark Awakening: Echoes of Destiny (The Children Of The Gods #88)

26. Ell-rom

26

ELL-ROM

E ll-rom felt a wave of unease wash over him. The idea of such genetic modifications was unsettling. "How is that different from what I am?" he asked. "How is giving a Kra-ell godly genes any different than a being like me who is half Kra-ell and half god?"

Julian placed a comforting hand on Ell-rom's shoulder. "The difference is in control and predictability. The Eternal King could control precisely what Igor could do. But nature has ways of springing surprises. There's no way to know exactly what you and Morelle might be capable of, and he was terrified of the abilities you might have."

Ell-rom's mind immediately went to his death-ray talent. Was that a result of his hybrid nature? A surprise that even the Eternal King couldn't have predicted?

The thought scared him.

Couldn't he have been blessed with a talent that was about making life better? Why did he have to be an assassin?

Jasmine wrapped a comforting arm around his waist. "You are magnificent, Ell-rom. The best of both species."

Julian seemed to agree with her. "Your unique genetic makeup could result in abilities we've never seen before. It's part of what makes you and Morelle so special and potentially so powerful."

Ell-rom fell silent for a long moment. "I want to contribute, to do good things. I hope that whatever talents might surface, they will help me achieve that."

Jasmine's arm tightened around him. "Not everyone who is born with a talent wants to use it."

"Like Wonder," Julian said. "She's physically stronger than most immortal males, but she abhors violence. So, she refused to join the Guardian force, even though her mate is a Head Guardian. She prefers to work in the village café."

"I respect that." Ell-rom started walking back toward the elevator.

He could do the same. The fact that he had an ability, if he had it, didn't mean that he had to use it. He could choose not to.

"Anything else down here that you want to show us?" he asked Julian.

"No, that's all. So, what do you think?" The medic fell into step with him and Jasmine.

"It's very different than what I imagined," Jasmine said. "In a good way. So that Igor is in the catacombs along with all the Doomers and the Kra-ell who are still waiting for their burial rites?"

Julian nodded. "But unlike the others, he's inside a sarcophagus that is specially built for someone as strong as him. We didn't want him to spontaneously resurrect somehow and escape. He's too dangerous no matter where he is."

As they entered the elevator, Ell-rom thought about Morelle and wondered what surprises her hybrid nature might hold. What kind of abilities would she manifest?

Hopefully, she was his mirror image in that as well, and her power would be to heal instead of kill. Or even better, bring people back to life.

Not that it was likely. If she could perform such miracles, she wouldn't be so jaded and nihilistic.

"By the way," Jasmine said as they exited on the clinic level, "I had an idea to drive Ell-rom to another part of town and explore it on foot. More stimulation and all that."

Julian opened the door to the clinic. "I don't see any real reason why not, but to be frank, it makes me feel a little uneasy. I prefer knowing that Ell-rom is nearby and that I can get to him quickly if needed."

Ell-rom was grateful to the medic.

He felt the same way but didn't want to appear the weak male who was afraid of stretching his wings, so to speak.

The world outside the keep still seemed vast and complex, and he wasn't ready for it.

Jasmine regarded him with her golden eyes. "There is no rush. There will be plenty of time to explore. We can go for a walk outside the keep once more. But first, let's stop at the café for a little rest and some coffee. The dungeon visit was fascinating but also tiring."

"Sounds good to me." Ell-rom took her hand.

Julian nodded his approval. "After the walk, take a long rest. We are meeting in the gym this afternoon." He patted Ell-rom's arm. "We need to keep working on those muscles."

"I'm looking forward to it," Ell-rom said, and meant it.

His goal was to one day look like the handsome medic, with lean muscle covering every inch of his body and no bones sticking out anywhere.