Destiny's Fire - By Trisha Wolfe Page 0,55

Tuner.”

Applause rose around us, and I looked over to Jace. His expression was stunned as he watched his father take the podium. Then I checked out Lana and Nick. They were just as surprised.

Mr. Tuner smiled. “Thank you. I’m not going to waste your time. I’m going to get right to the point. Our species is in danger.” He surveyed the room, pausing for effect. He was no longer smiling. “Not just the Shythe, but the Narcolym, as well. Since the fall of Egyptian pharaohs, the magics bestowed upon us have been dying. As the world moves away from magics and toward technology, we find fewer places where we’re needed. And we all understand that as Kythan, our ability to survive depends on the survival of the human race as well as their need for our magics.” He bowed his head for a moment before continuing. “We undertook the Peace Act as a trial run toward our ultimate goal. And, our ultimate means of survival. We’re joining the races. Not just by living together in peace,” he paused, “but by uniting the races—bonding.”

Chapter Seventeen

A RUCKUS BROKE OUT, and Kythan jumped from their seats, wearing shocked expressions. I was unable to move. When what Mr. Tuner had said finally sank in, I swung my head toward Reese. He was already looking at me. I studied his features, trying to assess if he’d known this was coming. But his eyes reflected the fear I felt.

Lana reached across my lap and rested her hand on Jace’s arm. “Looks like we were way, way off,” she said, trying to draw his attention from their father. Then she sat back, giving her father the evilest look I’d ever seen from her.

Mr. Tuner slammed a gavel. What, did he think this was court? “Please, settle down.” When his order went ignored, he snapped his fingers into the microphone. The back doors swung open and Narcos dressed in battle uniforms stormed in holding weapons.

Oh, God.

The student body immediately fell quiet and sat back down. “Now. Let’s continue.” Mr. Tuner looked around, daring anyone to object. “I didn’t mean it lightly when I said our species is in danger. If we can’t find a way to survive without the humans, in less than a hundred years—less than one Kythan lifetime—we’ll cease to exist.”

I glanced over to Jace. His jaw flexed as he kept his eyes trained on Mr. Tuner. Then he slowly turned his head toward me, but looked right past. I’d never seen his eyes look so angry, wild. Not even when he’d almost fought that Narco at Cogs. He was staring at the Narcolym troops. I’d need to perform major damage control before he started a rebellion.

Mr. Tuner continued. “Since our creation, we’ve needed humans to need us. But we’ve made a discovery, and we now have a choice. We can cancel out our human dependency, freeing our kind.” He paused. “And this is not us asking you to cooperate. Your Council is making a decision for the good of all Kythan. If you haven’t chosen a mate of opposite race by the end of the Academy year, then one will be selected for you.”

I reached over and grabbed Jace’s hand. I knew he was about to leap from his seat. Sure enough, as my eyes slid in his direction, he was hovering—mid-spring. I squeezed his hand, imploring him to stay seated—not to act.

Mr. Tuner looked around the stunned room. “In an orderly fashion, I’ll gladly answer any questions you may have.”

At first, no one moved. I gripped Jace’s hand tighter. There was no way he could speak yet. Nothing good would leave his mouth. Finally, hands started going up. Mr. Tuner pointed to a Narco in the first row.

The Narco hesitantly stood. “How is uniting the races going to set us free from the humans?” He slowly sat back down.

“Excellent question,” Mr. Tuner said. “Unfortunately, that information is classified. Just know that we have no doubt that after the races are united, in just a matter of years, not many at all, you’ll see this realized. The proof will be evident. But for now, the Councils have to keep this information secret, for fear that a possible rebel alliance would try and use it against us.” He paused, glancing around. “And I say this now: if there is any thought of rebellion, know you’ll be dooming your race to extinction. We ask at this time for your trust and faith in our methods.”

Hands lowered. It