“But I think I’m looking at the answer I want,” Jaycob said. “She's important, no?"

Serf Seraphiel’s voice cut through the air, cold and sharp, “Noemi is off limits,” he responded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

My heart raced as I imagined the potential downfall of them discovering my secret. Who knows what they would do with that information? No other person in history has been born with both bloodlines, and nobody since the beginning of our history has been possessed by a full Demon. In addition, the legend of the Mongrel’s birth and Kako’s role in it was well known, so the ramifications of them knowing which Demon would be far-reaching.

“Alden,” Jaycob said, turning to Serf Seraphiel. “You cannot expect us to trust you with our lives without something valuable in return. If you want our loyalty, I’m looking at the very thing that could earn it.” He leaned closer to me, his breath against my ear.

“Whatever it is you are hiding, must be a critical secret. So, just remember: your kind don’t turn on us, and in return, we won’t turn on you," he whispered.

I flinched at his words, a strong sense of déjà vu washing over me. I said similar words to Kako years ago. It seemed Jaycob’s desperation for control mirrored my own from then, albeit for different reasons.

The room fell silent, and all eyes fixed on me. The weight of their stares pressed down on me like a physical burden. I could feel my pulse quickening, each beat louder in my ears.

This sudden arrangement rests on my shoulders… an attempt at an alliance that we knew nothing about.

Why did Cy and I have to follow? It might have been fine if we hadn’t shown up.

Suddenly, Cyrus stepped towards Jaycob, his face tight with anger. I could see the tension still in his jaw. “Noemi isn’t some bargaining chip. Whatever you think you know about her, you’re wrong. There is nothing to tell you.”

“Oh, don’t give me that shit,” Jaycob replies, his scowl deepening. “I’m not a fool. I may not know the exact secret, but I can tell it’s important. Whatever you are hiding must be the real reason your father has been training with you two, not some made up ‘for country’ bull.” He narrows his eyes at Cyrus, “You’re young, so I will give you some words of wisdom: in times of war, sacrifices must be made.”

I felt Cyrus tense beside me, sensing he was ready to argue back, but Serf Seraphiel raised a hand to silence him, “Jaycob,” he called, his voice low and commanding. “I will not stand by as you negotiate my daughter's life.”

Daughter. The word hung in the air I breathed, more powerful than I could have expected. Hearing it gave me an overwhelming sense of pride and belonging. 

It would have been more heartwarming... if the current situation allowed me to feel like anything other than a pawn in a dangerous game.

Jaycob’s expression softened slightly, but the calculating glint in his eye remained. “The fact that you consider her your daughter, Seraphiel, is the exact reason that the secret she possesses is so powerful. If it’s so bad that you won’t even speak it now, that just proves how important it is to you to keep it hidden. Blood manipulation is rare, combined with whatever else hides behind her red eye… but if you insist on keeping her off-limits, it’d be in your best interest to have something else to offer.”

I looked to Serf Seraphiel, but before he could respond, the older, grizzled Remnant spoke again, “We are just discussing this in circles. Either prove to us your loyalty, or this alliance will never happen. We’ve survived without your help for centuries, and we will be just fine continuing to do so.”

“Luca,” Jaycob called to him, not meeting his eyes. “Let’s give them a moment to think about it.”

The atmosphere in the room shifted, tension mounting as the Remnants began to murmur amongst themselves. I could feel the situation slipping from us, and the fear gnawed at me. We had no knowledge about anything that was spoken of in this room, let alone the fact that Serf Seraphiel was trying to recruit help for a revolt. It would be my fault if he lost this negotiation that he was working so hard for.

Realizing our options were limited, I took a deep breath. There was no secret we could offer that rivaled the one about me.

“I’ll tell you,” I spoke, my voice heavy with my decision. “But you alone.”

Jaycob’s face darkened in determination. “After you tell me, I will decide if we have a deal.”

“Nemmi, no,” Cyrus raised his voice. He looked to his father, his eyes pleading, “Dad-”

“It’s our only option,” I insisted, looking at Serf Seraphiel. “You know that too, right?”

Serf Seraphiel’s gaze fell to the floor, a resigned acknowledgment of my words. “Under one condition,” he said, meeting Jaycob’s eyes. “You must keep this between us– Noemi and Cyrus stay safe.”

Jaycob nodded his head in return, “Like I said before, Alden, your kind remain loyal and we will have no need to exploit her. We will be loyal in return.”

“Then we are in agreement.” Serf Seraphiel said. The head that he always held so highly, lowered, and he looked away. I couldn’t say exactly what he was thinking, but his pride seemed to be momentarily overshadowed by his guilt and resignation. He appeared to be grappling with the reality of using me as a bargaining chip.

Cyrus turned to me, his pupils shrunk with worry, “Nemmi, please don’t do this,” he begs. “It’s not just yourself that could be hurt by that information.”

I gave him a reassuring look. “If it ever comes to that, I will leave you and your father out of it, I swear,” I said. “Varek will never know of your involvement. I’ll make sure of it.”

Cy dropped his shoulders, defeated. He knew he couldn’t talk me out of something once I'd made up my mind. “You are so stubborn,” he muttered, frustrated.

“Alright, everyone out,” Jaycob ordered, gesturing for those in the tavern to head towards the door. “The three of you, stay. We will discuss it here.”

As everyone left the tavern, they passed wary glances at me. I felt the tension ease slightly, the weight of their stares lifting.

Once the tavern was empty, Jaycob turned his head to me, his demeanor suddenly shifting lighter. He smiled at us, walking to the bar of the tavern. “If we are going to be working together soon, I would prefer you to not be unsettled. Would you three care for some Angel Whiskey?”

I didn’t want to seem too enthusiastic about taking a drink from the man who was blackmailing us, but I was nervous, and maybe some whiskey would give me respite. 

I sighed, “I could actually use some.” 

Cyrus and his father just silently nodded in agreement, and Jaycob pulled down a bottle, pouring four small glasses of the Angelic liquor. He brought them over to us and set them on the nearest table.

“Come, sit and drink,” he said calmly. “We don’t need to rush into business.”

We took our seats at the table, and the silence that followed was deafening. As Jaycob handed me my glass, I swiftly took a large gulp, feeling the burn as it slid down my throat.

Jaycob sat across from me, his gaze fixated on my red eye. “So, Noemi, what was your mother’s ability?” he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. 

I choked on the whiskey, pounding my chest as I coughed loudly.

Wow, we are really just diving right into this.

Once I regained my composure, I managed a reply. “My mother never used her ability, so I don’t know. She refused to talk about it.”

“What was her name?”

“Auriella Vermisial,” I answered. 

“What was her maiden name, before she was married to your father?” he asked directly.

I hesitated, realizing we had never talked about it. “I- I actually don’t know,” I admitted. “I never asked her.”

Jaycob pondered for a moment. His eyes grew narrow and his mouth thinned slightly. 

Where do I even begin in revealing a secret I have safely guarded for five years?

“Nemmi,” Cyrus urged quietly, his gaze fixed on his drink. “Please, reconsider this.”

I gently nudged my knee into him, trying to offer him reassurance. “Don’t worry, Cy,” I replied softly. My eyes glanced at Serf Seraphiel and I could see the fear etched into his brows.

I took another drink, willing it to give me strength. “Alright, Jaycob, let us just get this over with.”

He smiled slightly, but I could see a flicker of unease in his eyes. “Cheers then,” he said, holding up his glass.

I tapped my drink into his, my gesture more sarcastic than genuine. My heart was pounding and the anxiety suddenly left me feeling weak.

Taking a sharp breath, I began, “My father, as you know, was an Angelic Mongrel with the power of blood manipulation. Like I said before, my mother never revealed her ability, and I only learned why after her death,” I spoke slowly, trying to debate how I should say my next words. "It was because of her lineage– but I don’t know the true origins of which Demonic clan she descends from.”

My eyes were locked onto Jaycob, but I could see Cy cringing from my peripheral, knowing that I couldn’t take back the words spoken. Jaycob was motionless, still listening intently and waiting for me to tell him what he wanted to know.

Suddenly, Jaycob’s eyes widened at the realization of what I told him, and he quickly burst into laughter.

“Alright, alright,” he joked, “I’ll admit you almost had me at that one.” His laughter slowly faded and he wiped his tears as we all sat there, our bodies still. “That was good, I would have never thought up a lie like that,” he said, smiling at me.

“I’m not lying,” I said firmly.

“Oh, come on, you cannot honestly expect me to believe that you are a mix of Angelic and Demonic descent.” he replied, the pitch in his voice rising in disbelief. “It’s impossible!”

Serf Seraphiel interjected, “It’s not impossible, Jaycob. It’s just never happened before. Rarity doesn’t equate to impossibility.”

Jaycob paused, considering what we told him thus far. “Were your Mother’s eyes red?” he finally asked.

“Yes,” I breathed out. I knew he would come to the conclusion that my red eye was inherited from my Mother, and I let him believe it. He only needed one important secret today.

Cyrus spoke up, his voice laced with intensity, “You can’t tell anybody. It’s important that this remains between just us. The King will kill her if he finds out– and anybody who helped hide her.”

Serf Seraphiel nodded his head, confirming to Jaycob that what Cyrus said was true. “If the pure ones and Mongrels ever found out, her existence could spark a revolution– one that would cause too much bloodshed. She would be a threat to Varek, because she represents the potential for unity.”

Jaycob’s breathing came to a halt and his eyes widened with shock. “You are serious.” He stood abruptly and paced the room, taking large gulps of his alcoholic beverage. After a brief moment of thought, he turns to me.