Heir of Shandara (Book 4) by Ken Lozito Page B

father’s footsteps. She wasn’t naive enough to believe that it could never happen, but her faith in Aaron was secure. He would give his life so they could all live, and that was what frightened her the most. Their children deserved to have their father in their lives. Sarah would challenge the Goddess herself if it came to it. People who were Ferasdiam marked throughout history had one commonality that was universal to almost all: They died young. Her father had been an exception, and he became a monster.  
    Sarah returned to Roselyn’s lab, but just outside the doors she heard voices from within.
    “…It doesn’t work the same as on the Dragons?” Iranus asked.
    “No, Father. They’ve made it more aggressive, and they’ve tailored it for humans. It’s also highly unstable.”
    “Unstable? What do you mean?”
    “The base virus that appears in the Ryakul venom spreads itself through a host at an alarming rate. Since Halcylon had it modified for humans, there is a chance it will spread to other species, including Hythariam,” Roselyn said.
    “I see, but viruses usually only cross similar species.”
    “That’s not all of it. The Safanarions have a connection to their world and other life forms the likes of which we’ve never seen. This gift manifests itself in small ways in many of them, but for others, like the former Elitesmen and Safanarion Order, their gifts are an order of magnitude above everyone else,” Roselyn said.
    “Are you saying that the likeliness of the infection spreading to the other species is dependent upon whom they’ve infected?”
    “That’s my theory. Halcylon’s scientist should have known better than to create this,” Roselyn said.
    “The general is considered a hero to his followers. He can be quite persuasive. Have you been able to make an antiviral that can also prevent it from spreading?”
    “Father, they weren’t able to do that back on Hytharia before the civil wars happened.”
    “They weren’t you, my dear. I’ll bring this to the FNA, but there is another reason why I’m here.”
    There was a long moment of silence, and Sarah leaned in to hear better.
    “Verona is a good man. You would see that if you gave him a chance,” Roselyn said.
    “He is reckless. The lifespan of a human is barely a hundred years. He will be an old man, and you will still have the measure of your life to live.”
    “Did you say something similar to Aunt Cassandra before she married Reymius?” Roselyn asked.
    Sarah stifled a gasp. She hadn’t known that one of Aaron’s grandparents had been a Hythariam. Aaron was the child of three worlds. Earth, where he was raised and the home to his father. Safanar, where his mother had been raised before fleeing to Earth at the fall of Shandara. His grandmother, Cassandra, was of the Hythariam and had fallen victim to the Drake.
    “We could extend their lifespan and help them in a number of different ways,” Roselyn said.
    “The Nanites have been both a curse and a blessing upon the Hythariam. Do you think that humans would fare any better, given such a burden?”
    “They might not make the same mistakes we have,” Roselyn said.
    “You always see the best in people. It’s part of what makes you a brilliant healer, but in this I’m not sure I can agree. Some of them have proven to be very wise and good, but by the same token many have not. It’s not because of pride or arrogance that I’ve always argued against sharing the Nanites with the people of Safanar. It’s fear of the repercussions of what will happen to them if we were to do such a thing.”
    “What if the Nanites help prevent the Ryakul virus from spreading?” Roselyn asked.
    “Does it?” Iranus countered.
    “I’m not sure—” Roselyn began, but something chimed in the background.
    Sarah heard the shifting of feet.
    “What is this?” Iranus demanded. “These are Nanite update logs. The protocols have been changed to come directly to you rather than through our