“Welcome back, sir.”
I nodded absently to the guard as I strode through the doors of Talon headquarters, both relieved and apprehensive to be home. I’d destroyed the letter from Ember’s mysterious friend long before I left China, but the words written on that page had haunted me the entire journey back to the States.
The Elder Wyrm intends to use Ember to extend her own life, to achieve immortality.
It couldn’t be true. I’d thought—I’d always assumed—that the Elder Wyrm would leave Talon to one or both of us when she finally left the world. I’d been working toward that ever since I discovered my true heritage, preparing for the day I would take over. It would obviously be me; Ember had no head for business or politics and no desire to manage a giant conglomerate of dragons. She would still be part of Talon, however, and I would make sure she was safe and taken care of.
But if the Elder Wyrm was trying to become immortal…
I strode through the building, giving short, one-word answers to any who tried to engage me. In the relative privacy of the elevator, I pulled out my phone and tapped a familiar number, then held it to my ear. Someone picked up on the first ring.
“Hello, Mr. Hill,” said the Elder Wyrm’s personal assistant. “Welcome back. How was your trip overseas?”
“Fine, thank you,” I replied automatically. “Where is the CEO?”
“The Elder Wyrm is in an emergency meeting right now and cannot be disturbed. I will inform her of your arrival as soon as she is finished.”
Emergency meeting? I frowned. What was going on? It wasn’t like the Elder Wyrm to keep me in the dark. Though this might work out perfectly; she would be distracted for a bit. I really did not want to face her right now. “That’s fine,” I told the assistant. “No hurry. I just wanted to inform her that I was back.”
There was one guard standing at the elevators on the ground floor and a pair watching the hall as I stepped onto my office floor. More security; something had definitely happened while I was away. After informing my personal assistant that I was not to be disturbed unless it was a summons from the Elder Wyrm herself, I slipped into my office and locked the door behind me.
I sat at my desk and stared at the computer screen for a long moment, debating with myself. Did I really want to do this? Go poking around the Elder Wyrm’s private affairs? What if I confirmed something horrible, something I could not ignore? What would I do? Confront the Elder Wyrm? Demand answers from the leader of Talon, the oldest, most powerful dragon in the world? I almost laughed out loud at the thought.
This is for Ember, Dante.
Ember was created to be the Elder Wyrm’s vessel, the letter had claimed. It was a place to start. I certainly couldn’t ask the Elder Wyrm about it, but there were others who might know the truth. I could think of one human in particular who’d helped develop the vessel program and had been involved with the clones from the beginning.
Snatching my desk phone I buzzed my personal assistant, who answered instantly. “Yes, Mr. Hill?”
“Contact Dr. Olsen,” I told her. “Let him know I wish to speak to him immediately via our private channel. Tell him it cannot wait.”
“Of course, sir.”
Immediately was a relative term when it came to the head scientist, I’d come to realize. Fifteen minutes passed in silence, while I sat alone with my thoughts and wondered exactly what I was doing. Finally, my computer warbled, announcing an incoming call. I hit a button, and Dr. Olsen’s lined, slightly agitated face filled the screen.
“Mr. Hill,” the scientist greeted with a pathetic attempt at a smile. “Welcome back. I trust this interruption to my work is very important.” His gaze flickered toward the exit, as if he were impatient to be gone. “I was in the middle of a very delicate procedure with one of the vessels, and I really must return as soon as possible.”
“Forgive me, Dr. Olsen,” I said, smiling broadly. “I won’t take much of your time. I just have a few questions regarding your work with the vessels, if I may.”
He relaxed. Talking about the vessels, his created “children,” was something he never tired of. “Of course, Mr. Hill. What did you want to know?”
“You were one of the first scientists to develop the vessel program, is that right?”
He puffed up. “Yes, that is correct. My work in cloning and genetics was essential in creating the program. Why do you ask?”
My heart pounded. I had to play this exactly right. “You are the only one I can trust in this matter, Dr. Olsen,” I replied. “Strict confidentiality is vital, so listen carefully. I need you to forward me all the data you have regarding the research, development and experimentation on the Elder Wyrm’s vessel.”
His brows shot up. “I wasn’t aware that you knew about that, Mr. Hill,” he stated, making my heart plummet. It was true, then. The Elder Wyrm’s vessel was indeed a thing, and Dr. Olsen was a part of it. “I was under the impression that you and your sister’s origins were never to be revealed,” the scientist went on. “The organization made very certain we understood that.”
I felt numb, but forced myself to keep talking, smiling. “In light of recent events,” I continued, “the organization has decided it needs to review all data on Ember Hill to find a way to deal with her and the growing rogue conflict. Perhaps there is something in her files that we have missed. As her brother, and the one who has lived with her the longest, I’ve been tasked with reviewing all possible angles, including the ones pertaining to her origins. So, if you would send me what I need, Dr. Olsen, I would appreciate it. Discretion is, of course, essential. The Elder Wyrm does not want this information getting out.”
He stared at me for a long moment, his expression strained. My uneasiness surged, but I continued to speak calmly. “Did you hear me, Dr. Olsen? Is there a problem?”
He shook himself. “No,” he said quickly. “No problem. Apologies. I forget, sometimes, how different our species are. But no, the organization comes first, even over family. I understand that.” He paused, a shadow crossing his face for the briefest of moments. “I understand that all too well,” he almost whispered.
“You’ll have your information, Mr. Hill,” the scientist finished, drawing back. “I’ll send it over now. Is there anything else you require before I return to work?”
“No,” I replied. “Thank you, Dr. Olsen.”
The scientist nodded briskly, and the screen went dark.
I sat there, dazed. Dr. Olsen had confirmed what the letter told me, that Ember was intended to be the Elder Wyrm’s vessel. That she had been created specifically for the leader of Talon. Which meant that, as her brother and twin, I, too, was a clone of the Elder Wyrm.
My computer chimed, indicating new email.
My hand shook as it touched the keyboard, and I took a steadying breath. Did I really want to see this? Would it shake the very foundations of what I thought I knew? And if it did, what was I prepared to do about it?
I opened my email to find that the new file had come in. Project Nephilim, the attachment read, making my stomach dance and curl in on itself like a nest of snakes. The arrow hovered over the file as I struggled with my decision. I could delete the email, destroy it and erase any knowledge about the project and what it could mean for Ember and myself. I could continue rising in Talon, always pushing upward, toward the summit. I was so close. Just one more step to the top, and then everything would be mine for the taking. I would finally be free.
But then, I might never know the truth. And this wasn’t just about me; it was about Ember. Even now, when we had grown so different that we were almost strangers, she was still my sibling, my twin, and my family. I had always looked out for her, no matter what.
I clicked the button.