Catastrophic Attraction - Eve Langlais Page 0,38
whoever it is doesn’t live in this kingdom. But we’ve seen examples and weren’t impressed.”
“Seen where?” Roark demanded.
“Where else but Port City?” Raphael shrugged. “It’s the only real way out of the kingdom since the tunnels collapsed.”
“Are there more of these hybrids in the city right now?” Casey asked.
“No.”
“Would you tell me if there were?” Roark growled, probably feeling the frustration of having to trust in the words of someone else.
“Actually, I would. You’re a decent king. It would be a shame if you were to die and all this were lost.”
Roark didn’t mellow at the praise. “You’re breaking my laws. I could kill you right now.”
“But you won’t.” The earl didn’t seem worried. He ran his hand over his desk covered in potted plants, and a hologram appeared midair. Pictures of couples.
“Who are they?” Roark asked.
“Happy clients. I’m very good at what I do.”
Casey found herself curious. “Why? Why are people so concerned about making super babies? Why not let nature take its course?”
“Because nature taking its course is what happened to the less fortunate. Or did you think the ghouls got there simply by decay left by the Fall? Add in a tight ecosystem and intensive inbreeding and you get monsters.”
“According to you.” Casey the skeptic.
The earl shrugged. “According to science.”
“Science doesn’t make people compatible,” Roark argued.
“No, it doesn’t. That’s where I come in.”
Casey couldn’t help but ask, “What do you do exactly?
“Make the perfect match. Would you like an example? I’m sure I have someone perfect for you.” The blue gaze mesmerized, and she couldn’t look away.
Roark stepped between them. “Neither of us are interested in your services, but there’s obviously a market for it. I won’t have it said I’m not a man who can change his mind when faced with facts. Which is why, from now on, you will operate openly. Each match you make will be required to register with the castle, and the prospective couple will meet with a designate of my choice to ensure there is no coercion.”
“You’re regulating me?” The earl gaped.
“And taxing, too. I’ll have my treasurer pay you a visit so you can discuss taxes owing. I’ll bet we get enough to pay for a new sewer on the west side.”
The earl looked quite pale and shaky. “Surely there’s something I can do to minimize the cost.”
“Not unless you suddenly remember who’s mixing demon and human together as Deviant hybrids.”
“I can’t say.” The earl pressed his lips tight.
Casey sighed. “Don’t play games. Spill what you know, or you’ll be spitting teeth.”
“I’ve only heard rumors.”
“Rumors of what?”
The earl rolled his shoulders. “Of a kingdom experimenting with its citizens.”
“You’ve already said that. Which kingdom?”
“Alas, I don’t know. But rumor claims that up the coast from Port City there is a small cove where someone sells interesting creatures.”
“Creatures, not people?” Roark specified.
The earl gave only the slightest shake of his head. “People, too, but not from the cities. Not usually. The outer marshes aren’t ones to keep those they think too weak.”
Meaning children they considered less than perfect. Probably adults were sold, too.
“Who’s buying them?” Roark asked.
Raphael shrugged. “I don’t know. Perhaps it’s not even true. I haven’t seen it for myself.”
Roark leaned in. “I hope you are clear on the fact that the selling of anyone will mean my hunting you down again. Only next time I’m going to rip out your mind from your ears and have you scrubbing communal latrine floors on your knees for the rest of your life.”
“Very clear, Your Majesty.”
“I think we’re done here. Don’t forget to pay your taxes.” Roark turned, but Raphael held up a hand.
“If I may, Your Highness, one last piece of advice before you both leave.” The earl eyed them, his blue gaze almost electric. “Do yourselves a favor and do not indulge in what lies between you.”
“There’s nothing—” They both started to speak and halted at the same time.
They both frowned.
Whereas the earl laughed. “Trust me when I say you aren’t the right kind of match.”
For some reason, this annoyed Casey, but she said nothing as she and the king left. She waited until they were close to the castle before admitting, “There’s something not quite right about that man.”
“Because he is not a man. Or a woman for that matter. They are a blend of the two, and I’ll wager they’ve got a psionic ability.”
“To make people fall in love?” Her nose wrinkled.
“It’s possible.” A grimly spoken statement. And the last thing Roark said before he left her inside