Chapter 40: Never bargained

A sharp knock echoed through Grey’s office door, cutting through the tension that had settled between the two men seated within.

“Come in,” Grey called out. The door opened, and Liam stepped inside, his posture respectful but curious.

“Sir, you called?” He paused as he took in the scene before him; Grey sat in a single couch to the right of the Chief Director, while Lucien himself occupied a position on one of the sofas. Lucien looked over at Grey, wordlessly seeking confirmation and when Grey caught Lucien’s questioning glance and he gave a subtle affirming nod.

Satisfied, Lucien turned his full attention to Liam. “Please, sit,” Lucien said, gesturing to the sofa directly opposite him. Liam walked over and settled into the indicated seat, positioning himself across from the Chief.

“What’s your name?” Lucien began, his tone casual.

“Liam,” came the simple reply.

“Liam…?” Lucien pressed, clearly expecting more.

“Garry,” Liam answered. Then, as if remembering his manners, he clarified, “Liam Garry.” Lucien’s eyes flicked to Grey, who turned his gaze to Liam and shook his head gradually—it was a quiet nudge not to lie.

Liam caught the silent exchange and sighed heavily. “Okay, my name is Liam Velmont.” The effect was immediate. Lucien sat up straighter, his composed demeanor cracking as awe washed over his features. “Say that again,” he requested, his voice barely above a whisper.

“My name is Liam Velmont,” Liam repeated, confusion evident in his tone. Lucien removed his glasses, the shock now plain on his face.

“It really is true…” he murmured, glancing briefly at Grey before returning his attention to Liam.

“The truth is, I’ve known of you for a while, thanks to Grey here. We’ve also tried to run some investigations into your family’s history, but we turned up with nothing.”

“Yeah, and that’s totally not a breach of privacy,” Liam said dryly.

“Maybe,” Lucien conceded, “but not when our continued survival is at stake, son.” His expression grew grave. “It might not look like it, but we humans, especially us awakened ones, are living on borrowed time, as it takes only a whim for the family heads to decide that humans have grown too much, too far out of their control, and like that…” He snapped his fingers. “We go back to how it used to be. But first, they’ll wipe out every single awakened human, the ones with power to fight back, and leave only those they consider harmless, the non-visors.”

It was a lot for Liam to take in, but he processed Lucien’s words enough to ask, “But the gods and their families have lived with us here on Earth for a while. What makes you so sure they’d turn on us after such a long time?”

“It’s been eighty years since the merge of the two realms—the divine realm and the Earth realm,” Lucien explained. “But I can assure you that in these last eighty years, we’ve never truly known freedom. Sure, it may look like we are our own people, but the moment it feels like we’re rearing our heads up in challenge, they silence us.” He leaned forward, his intensity increasing. “Do you know of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy?”

Liam shook his head. “I don’t know much history.”

“He was one of the presidents whose administration tried to challenge the continued interference by the family heads,” Lucien said solemnly. “And he got assassinated for it.”

A brief silence fell over the room before Lucien continued. “Listen to me, boy. Your name, Velmont, has been lost to history the longest. The family heads themselves might know why, but it’s not even discussed amongst the families. We know for certain that such a disappearance isn’t accidental. And if you think about it carefully, if they do decide to turn on us, an anomaly like you will most certainly be a prime target.”

Liam found himself at a loss for words. While he understood what Lucien was saying, I mean the man spoke plainly enough, but the implications and the reason for sharing this information remained unclear. “Why are you telling me all of this?” Liam asked. “What do I have to do with any of it?”

Lucien exchanged a meaningful look with Grey, who nodded affirmatively. With that permission, Lucien leaned closer, his tone dropping to barely above a whisper. “We’re not trying to sit by and wait for the day the gods decide to turn on us. For years, we’ve been arming ourselves and getting ready…”

“Getting ready for what?” Liam asked, though he suspected he already knew the answer.

“For war,” Lucien replied without hesitation. “For the death of the family heads.”

Liam let out a nervous chuckle. “Um, did the Three Rules stop working? Or…?”

“Of course we know of the rules,” Lucien said. “But they’re only a deterrent to those of us who are human. And you’re not human. You’re able to call yourself Velmont—like it or not, you’re really not a regular human.”

“But I could be born of one,” Liam interjected quickly. “Let’s assume that what you’re saying is true and this Velmont is a god, his bloodline may have been diluted over time…”

“Yes, we understand that, and we’re ready to take the chance,” Lucien acknowledged. “Even having a demi-god born of a human still increases our chances. It’s an army, and anyone who is capable is welcomed at our side.” He paused meaningfully. “Moreover, I know of your peculiar nature, your ability to continue evolving.”

Liam turned to Grey with exasperation. “Wow, Grey, I really should stop talking to you.”

Grey shook his head slightly and said nothing.

“It’s important that I know of all these things, just as he does,” Lucien said firmly. “And with an ability like that, to keep evolving, I’d say our chances are fairly high.”

“And if I don’t want to get involved in any of this?” Liam asked.

“You’re involved in it already, whether you like it or not, Liam.” The finality in Lucien’s voice made Liam feel uncomfortable at that point, and then he said, “I’d like to excuse myself,” beginning to stand.

“Li—” Grey started to call out, but Lucien raised his right arm, gesturing for Grey to stop.

“Sure, you may go,” Lucien said calmly, and without another word, Liam left the office. The entire talk felt like too much and he wasn’t about to get dragged into a fight just because someone decided he had to join their cause.

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