Chapter XXXII

Lying in his bed, Elián was still pondering the situation…

—They must not know our names, yes, of course. I'm more than sure that he already knows how many of us there are, who we are, he knows everything about us, but we only know his name, that he faced Daedalus and his army. —His brother’s snoring pulls him out of his thoughts— What can I do to protect them all? I don’t want even one of them to die. What does this Zacchaeus want? “To kill all the beasts that threaten God’s plans.” “Which God? Because as far as I know, mine did this to me.” He gets out of bed, grabs his cell phone, walks out the door until he finds the hotel gardens, and calls home. “Who’s talking? Mireya! How are you, my girl?” He smiles at her witty response. “Are our guests still at home?”

—Yes sir, just between us, I don't like the way Cy looks. He scares me. —he says, lowering his voice and covering the speaker with his hand.

• I understand, my girl, but he's like this, there's nothing we can do. Please, darling, pass me one of them, Cy or Dédalo.

—They're not here, they both went out, Mr. Ramsés is the one – he sees him in the distance – he's at home, shall I pass it on to him?

"If you would be so kind," the girl looked suspiciously at the guest, approached him wordlessly, and offered the phone. "Ramsés, this is Elián. Good evening."

• Good evening, tell me what I'm good at.

• Can you explain to me how they defeated that Zacchaeus?

—The one who faced him was Daedalus, not me.

—I know, he already told us, but I want to know how? How much damage did he cause? You should know that you are his partner, after all.

He runs his left hand through his hair and heads towards the nearest window.

• I don't know, it's the truth. Daedalus didn't let me out that time. He locked me up with his brother in Heidelberg Castle. I may be his partner, but I've never liked violence. I can defend myself, you know, but I'd rather not.

—So he went into battle alone. Yeah, tell me what you're capable of. Do you trust him?

—With my life, it's true that our beginning wasn't the best, but over time everything was very different. I admit they aren't the best brothers, but in their own way they love and protect each other. Do you think Daedalus left that monster alive on purpose? They can't live without each other; it's a very complicated relationship dictated by their mother.

"I'm not saying anything that undermines their credibility, or his specifically. I just want to be on the safe side. I want all the details. I want to know the consequences of going it alone." He raises his gaze to the sky.

—Elián, you don't need to consult with him. I can tell you perfectly well the consequences of that decision: your death, the beginning of the end of your pack.

—That's what I'm afraid of.

—Elián, if he told you to confront him with treachery, that's what you should do. If he said not to use modern weapons but ancient ones, that's what it should be.

—But by betrayal? . . .

Elian's passion

—Elian, that thing used necromancy on us, on me, that's why Daedalus left me locked in the castle, I almost lost him that time, he almost lost me and that's why no, no, no and don't ask for his help, I don't want to be left without him, he's a monster, I know, but he's my monster.

—And I'm without my children. Tell me, what's more important, a father's love or carnal love?

"Please don't do that to me," he pleads.

—I'm sorry. It drives me crazy to think that it led to their deaths.

—It's not your decision, you must respect that.

—And to think that I wouldn't change any of them, even so, they're like my children, each and every one of them who comes to settle accounts, all of them suffered a loss.

—How we all suffered in those times. Elián, listen carefully to what I'm about to say: you, yes, you, are not their father, you are not responsible for their decisions. If they are there with you, it's because they have decided so, not you or your siblings. You must take that weight off your shoulders.

The Greek puts his left hand to his face—and why do I feel like they are my responsibility?

—Because you're noble, don't torture yourself like this. Elián, here in your house is where your thoughts, your conscience, your hands should be, on the well-being of those two teenagers who are sleeping—he points to the ceiling—on your grandchildren, whom I know are in hiding, just like your great-grandchildren. Elena didn't know Elora, Emilia the orphan. Maybe my words won't make a dent in you, but concentrate on getting out of this mess alive, on rebuilding your life.

—My life? My life... —he closes his eyes, his tears flowing shamelessly, but he doesn't lose his composure— lost his mind the day she died.

—Yes, in life you were already a prince, a king, a beggar, a soldier, a guardian… you were a husband, a father, you are a widower… your soul fragmented, you went into exile, by twists of fate your soul, your being emerged again only to crumble again… but there you are, with all the fear in the world trying to find a solution so that none of your family dies, Elián, be a father again, be a grandfather, enjoy what you have.

"How did you find out about her?" He wipes away his tears.