"But despite that," he said, "I sent another party. Another group went back again, I swear, Aria. I sent them again. And this time, I sent more people. Ten more of my men went to find your people."
"And?" she asked. She hated herself for feeling a little hopeful.
"And ten men never came back," he said, his voice cold now.
"That...that doesn't mean anything," she said. She wasn't sure who she was trying to convince him or herself.
"That's why I didn't tell you, even at first, because I wanted to protect you. You deserved that, for someone to look out for you for a change. Even before our relationship changed. And now. Now I want to keep you safe even more. And I know it was wrong, but I knew if I told you now, you’d hate me. And I knew you’d want to find them, but they aren't like you. They’re dangerous and " he said, reaching forward to grab her hand.
She yanked it away.
"But isn't that what you thought of us, too? Didn't the others fill your head with bad stories about us? And it was nothing like that. You were wrong then. You might be wrong now," she yelled.
"I'm not wrong," he said. She could tell he was fighting to keep his voice even.
"You don't know that!"
"Yes, I fucking do," he yelled, no longer trying to contain his anger. "I fucking know. Based on what I heard about you, I figured that you did what you did to stay alive. But these people aren't like that, Aria. And because they're yours, you won't see that. You won't believe anything you hear because you think they're like you. But they aren't."
"Well, maybe they're doing the same thing! Just trying to stay alive," she yelled back.
"Yeah? You think so?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"What?"
"A group of them, the ones that traveled farther north, slaughtered an entire village a few days after they arrived. Not even a full two weeks later, they did the same thing. Is that something that you and yours did when you arrived?"
"No-no there...there must be some mistake. They would never-"
"It's not a fucking mistake. It's the truth. I don’t know why they’re doing this, I really don’t, but they've been causing the Terra many problems. They're considering calling on their armies to kill all of them, Aria. That's how bad it's gotten."
She sat down on the couch. She felt like her legs had given out.
In through the nose, out through the mouth. In through the nose, out through the mouth, she silently chanted to herself, willing herself to calm down.
"I didn't tell you because I knew how it'd make you feel. I’ve been corresponding with the Terra to determine who and where your mother might be based on what they know. I know your mother's name is Katy, so I told my men to find and talk to Katy Diaz and tell her everything. But like I said, they never made it back."
She put her head in her hands. So not only were her people alive, but they were probably going to get killed by the Terra's armies.
"You-you have to do something," she said, looking up at him.
"What else can I do? I'm not...I'm not sending any more of my men to their deaths for people who would do such terrible things."
"Send one of us! I-I'll go," she said, getting up.
"What? No fucking way."
"You can't tell me what to do. If you won't help my people, then I will."
"Aria, did you hear any of what I just said? Do you really want to help those people?"
"It's my mother, Lex! She could be out there! And-and even if what you are saying is true- and that's a big if- I know she isn't a part of that!"
"That may be so, Aria. And I'd like to believe that it isn't true, but what else can I do?"
"You don't have to do anything. I'll go. My people will go," she said, turning to leave the room. She had to tell the others.
"Are you serious? Did you forget about the fact that you guys barely made it here the first time? Or the fact that if any of the other Terra see you, they'll kill you?" he asked, moving to stand in her way.
"Get the hell out of my way Lex," she said, "And no, I didn't fucking forget! But I won't just sit here and let them all die!"
He sighed. "That's not a good idea," he said, shaking his head.
"Well, it's the only one I have, so."
"Fine. I'll send another group," he said, sighing again.
"You-you will?" she asked, surprised.
"Well, you aren't giving me much choice. But one of your people should go with them. Maybe hearing things from one of you will be convincing enough. But not you," he said.
"I'm their leader," she shot back. The last thing she wanted to do was go back there, but she didn't really feel like she had a choice.
"I know. But I-I don't...I don't trust these people, Aria. And I don't think you should either. But I know you well enough by now to know that nothing I say will make any difference. So I'll give it another try. I'll send another group. But you, you need to stay."
She didn't feel like giving in. After everything he'd done, the last thing she wanted to do was to give him what he wanted. But again, the more selfish part of her was glad he'd said it. She didn't want to go, not really. And it wasn't about him. It was mostly because she couldn't bear the thought of making that journey again. She was pretty sure that she couldn't handle it. A person could only take so much.
"Fine. Send someone else," Aria finally said.
"I will. But Aria...if those things are true, if your people really are that terrible-"
"Oh my god, we thought the same thing about you, Lex! How the hell can you even say
