Page 26 of Claim Me
"I know. Nobody believes me, but I told the truth, and my conscience is clear when it comes to that part."
There is a brief, uncomfortable silence. The phrase ‘clear conscience’ doesn’t seem to convince anyone. Even Storm rolls his eyes and looks away.
"And what about the other part of your conscience? After all, you did set fire to a laboratory worth millions of dollars," the omega says slowly.
I squeeze my eyes shut. Until now, his questions were general, but this one is specific. How would he know exactly what I burned?
I don’t want to think about that right now, so I answer quickly.
"I’m not proud of it, especially since I later found out that the lab was doing pro bono cancer treatment research. Malden Pharmaceuticals was providing a range of tests for free. I didn’t know that when I went in there. If I had known, I probably would’ve tried to convince Marcel to pick a different target."
"Do you still think attacking that company was justified?"
I hesitate because the precision of his questions feels deliberate.
"For a year and a half, I kept hearing how terrible Malden Pharmaceuticals was, about side effects, poorly describedproducts, how its owner, Mr. Lowen, supports controversial reproductive programs. I let myself be convinced. I won’t deny that."
The omega leans back against the couch and suddenly says,
"I assume you’re aware that over the past twenty years, birth rates in our country have dropped, and that generational replacement may become difficult to maintain. The pension system will collapse, people will end up on the streets, so perhaps those ‘reproductive’ programs are not entirely unnecessary. Besides, they have only a moderate, supportive effect. They don't cause any sudden population boom, so this is hardly a radical initiative, and certainly not something I would call controversial if we want reasonable social stability."
I watch him for a moment, feeling a strange chill run down my spine. Why is he asking me so many questions about my worldview?
Sure, that might matter when choosing a partner, but these questions feel a little too targeted.
I study him more carefully.
He came here with four bodyguards, so he must be someone important, someone whose life might actually be at risk.
A disturbing thought flashes through my mind. Impossible. Absurd. No, no…
I push it away immediately. That couldn’t be happening. I’m nobody. Why would the man at the very top show up here and talk to someone accused of attacking his company? Could it really be Blue Lowen himself? That’s ridiculous, and yet…
I lock my gaze on him.
Dear Fate, everything fits. He’s so slight, that was something Marcel shared with Lowen, and it always irritated him.
And the hair. Blue is known for his dark navy hair, that cut fringe, and those electronic glasses. Could there really be another person like that, or am I losing it?
I stare at him, really stare. His eyes are sapphire, actually very beautiful. He looks at me, and I look at him.
"Who are you?" I whisper very quietly.
The room falls silent.
"What do you want from me?" I blurt out, my hands trembling.
The man doesn’t play any games, to his credit. He raises his hands and removes the mask from his ears.
He reveals a face that looks young, maybe twenty-five, smooth skin, delicate features, soft, almost sweet lips.
Yes, the CEO of Malden Pharmaceuticals is known for using his own rejuvenation tech on himself, and clearly it works. He doesn't look forty-twoat all.
I swallow as the blood drains from me so fast my fingers almost go numb.
"Blue Lowen?"
Storm finally moves after staying still through my whole story.
