Chapter 5: The Price of a Miracle

The basement was like an empty space with lots of glass and cold air. Elara stood still, her eyes fixed on the blue light under her mother's skin. It was pretty. In a scary way. Like a warning sign that says "stay away".

"You said she would be safe " Elara said quietly, her voice shaking. "You said you would take care of her Julian. You did not say you would put machines inside her."

Julian did not move. He stood behind Elara, his reflection in the glass window looming over hers. "Our bodies are not perfect Elara. They can fail us. Your mother's heart was okay. Her brain was getting sick. I did not change her. I just made her stronger."

"With a machine?" Elara spun around her dress making a rustling sound on the floor. "Is she still my mother. Is she just a computer now?"

Julian's face got tight. He took a step closer to Elara, his body heat the thing that kept her from shivering. "She is alive. That is all that matters. Many people would do anything to have their loved ones back to keep them safe from death."

"Its not living if you're trapped in your body " Elara said, her voice angry.

Julian reached out. Gently tucked a strand of hair behind Elara's ear. His touch was soft. It made her feel scared. It was like he was trying to own her.

"You're tired Elara " he said, his voice low and smooth. "You're not thinking clearly. You're seeing something where there is only good."

"I'm seeing a man who thinks he's God " Elara said, looking at Julian. "A man who thinks he can control everything."

Julians eyes got darker. For a moment Elara saw something raw and hurt in them.. Then his face went back to normal. "I am not playing God, Elara. I am just trying to keep you safe.. Right now my focus is on keeping you inside these walls until the vote is over."

He signaled to two men in suits standing at the end of the hall. "Take Ms. Vance to the East Suite. Lock the doors. Give her everything she wants except a way out."

Elara tried to grab Julian. The security guards were too fast. They caught her by the arms. Held her tight.

"I'll see you at breakfast " Julian said, turning his back on her. "Wear the dress. It makes you look innocent."

The East Suite was like a prison cell. It was filled with flowers, expensive clothes and a nice view of the hills outside.. Elara felt trapped.

She walked around the room feeling angry and scared. She took off the diamond ring Julian had given her and threw it across the room. It hit a chair with a dull sound.

Then she remembered the napkin. She reached into her dress pocket. Pulled out the crumpled paper. In the light she saw some coordinates and a name: DAEDALUS.

Then she heard a soft click at the door. She quickly hid the napkin under her pillow as the door opened.

Julian walked in looking more like a person without his fancy jacket. He carried a tray with wine and fruit. "I thought you might be hungry " he said quietly.

Elara stood by the window looking out. "I'm not hungry. I want to go. My real home, not this place."

Julian set the tray down. Walked towards her. He stood behind her, his body tense. "This is your home now Elara. I've spent my life building walls to keep people out. I never thought I'd build one to keep someone in."

He turned her around to face him, his eyes searching hers. "You hate me I can see it.. You don't know what I've seen. What happens when people lose someone they love. I'm trying to save you from that pain."

"By causing it yourself?" Elara asked, looking at Julian.

Julian leaned down, his forehead touching hers. His breath smelled like wine and tobacco. "Stay with me tonight, Elara. Not because you have to, but because you want to."

His hand moved to her back pulling her close. Elara felt a spark of electricity. She knew she was in trouble. She knew Julian was bad. She wanted to believe him.

As they kissed, Elara's hand touched Julians pocket. She felt something flat. His master keycard. She slid it out of his pocket, her heart beating fast.

"I'll stay " she whispered, smiling coldly. "I'm not going anywhere Julian."

As Julian pulled her towards the bed, Elara glanced at the clock. She had four hours, until dawn. Four hours to find out what DAEDALUS was and to see if her mother was still human.

Julian thought he had won her heart. He just gave her the one thing that could destroy him.