Page 115 of The Souls Harvest
She paces the length of the kitchen, from the table to the sink and back, stroking her shoulders as though seeking comfort from the cold despite the warm day.
“We do not know if Roden was the first Harvester to use our gift when the Great Famine began. But we believe that something weakened him after the Famine, and he started to surround himself with exquisite pieces of shit willing to do everything he asked for a slice of power. The fact that he’s now seeking aid from the Herionos is only proof that he’s running out of time and resources—hispeople are opening their eyes.”
Tabitha heavily leans over the sink, facing the window above it, her back to us as if allowing herself a few moments before dealing with the shower of questions she knows is coming.
“Some Reds are willing Horigeans, tired of fighting poverty and hunger. But once a Red explodes, like the man in Brenath, that soul is gone forever. Not even Roden can save them, and the Herionos are the fastest way to gather more subjects without raising suspicions. Roden is clever; I’m sure going over the possible side effects of his offer is never part of their discussion.”
Nobody seems to find the right way to voice what’s on ourminds, except for Merya. “Who would abandon their family to follow a stranger? Especially if that stranger is Roden?”
“Why did you go with Tabitha?” Jyn asks instead.
“Because of me,” Mack replies. His eye fixed on Tabitha. “Because we had nothing left to lose, not even ourselves. And Tabitha was the best option.”
At last, Tabs turns around to face us all. “Roden may think himself a saviour, but he also knows that miracles are what turn a mass of flesh and bones into gods. And he had years to learn how to walk and talk like one.”
“But if the Harvester’s blood is diluted and hard to find on Horigos, how does he fuel mixed souls with such skills?” Mack sets his fists on the table, slowly joining them together, mimicking the fusion of two souls.
“He’s feeding them his blood.” My voice comes from a dark place in my throat.
The ticking of a large, old, square-shaped clock Mack found somewhere during his reconnaissance trips adds to the already heavy atmosphere.
My attention is drawn to the female face painted on the right side of it: black hair, red lips and the smile of someone who was born before Roden’s time.
“Initially. Yes.” Jyn confirms my fear. “Roden believed the easiest way to make themnewHarvesters was to mix their blood with his several times until their Horigean essence was utterly replaced. Only those who accepted to undergo the painful procedure weregranted access to Libera.”
The happy female face fades out of focus at the sound of Jyn’s words, and I remember to blink. In the corner of my eye, July is studying me.
I slowly return the look, wanting to say something, but Tabitha comes back to the table and gently places a hand on my shoulder, nodding at the room.
“And for a while, they did feeldifferent.Their minds began to work more quickly and effectively as if a veil had dropped between their reality and the truth beyond. They experienced ourgift; they could sense the souls of others and how much time they had left to live. The beating of hearts they’ve never met. Probably never would.”
“What went wrong?” July asks in a whisper, shivering.
“Everything,” Jyn presses his fingertips together, resting his lips against them. “Their bodies couldn’t handle it. Their blood began to reject the new cells. It didn’t take long for Roden to notice. And yet, he let them live in Libera’s most remote villages by the water. Until it became clear they were a threat, he shipped them back to Horigos and exiled them to the outskirts of Cleryce. Roden-made abominations withinfectedblood, neither Harvesters nor Horigeans.”
The sound comes out muffled, as if even recalling past events is a sin to be kept untold.
“To keep the Harvesters safe?” Merya doesn’t sound sure of her theory.
Tabitha shakes her head and makes to approach the back door, hands wrapping her elbows. “Not only that. Cleryce was a secluded area at the time, perfect for discarding damaged vessels, doomed to turn to dust. This is why, for a long time, nobody was aware of his real experiments.”
July clears her throat to hide her discomfort. “What about the souls? Did he go back to collect them?”
Tabitha suddenly stops in the middle of the kitchen. Surprise and gravity mark her voice when she admits, “A soul cannot survive for long without a new body. The majority simply were no more after a few days.” She looks over one shoulder, and her eyes quickly find mine. “But we believe that some found their way to a new life—treasuring memories of what Roden had done to them.”
A nod, then she walks up to the back door, tracing a scratch in the glass panel overlooking the orchard before pressing her forehead against it.
“Imagine being so greedy as to risk your own life, and still be able to make it even after Roden’s discarded you like rubbish, while full-bloodied Harvesters lost their lives to a water burial only to save a mixed-blood soul…” Galen’s comment comes unexpectedly.
My head snaps towards him, and I’m not the only one. July is staring at him, as well as everyone else, even if she probably doesn’t understand what he’s talking about—our mother and the despicable end Roden offered in exchange for her loyalty.
In exchange for her sacrifice to save the children of a man Roden despised.Ourfather—a mixed soul who survived Roden’splaytime…
Galen’s words sting. I can see it on Jyn’s lips, pressed tight to keep his disappointment at bay, on Merya’s hand hovering over the table in search of Mack’s to stop him from peeling the skin off his thumb.
Tabitha’s nails scrape on the glass, a painful cry which, I’m sure, matches her feelings, followed by a bitter laugh.
“Don’t you see? He’s still doing it.” She turns and faces us with a sad smile, her hands now resting in her pockets. She cocks her head to one side.
