Free Betrayal's Shadow by K H Lemoyne

children. Now Ansgar applied his lessons with a vigilance bordering on psychosis.
    A slight click sounded as a remote access opened the door inward. He shut the door behind him, pausing for the click to ensure the lock engaged. At least it would keep the human threat out.
    He took the open spiral staircase several steps at a time to the next landing only to spin around in a search about the empty room. “Pip?”
    “Back here.”
    With a quick exhale, he put the small metal case he’d brought with him on the desk and continued through the connecting hallway to a tiny bright kitchen.
    The gleam of white walls, white cabinets, black tile floor, and black countertops mirrored the rest of the rooms and floors of the retired lighthouse. Briet focused with a large knife, converting the piles of vegetables before her into an exercise in cubism.
    Ansgar pulled out a chair and spun it around, sitting with his arms crossed over the spine to watch her. His posture was more casual than his mood, but he let his relief at completing this leg of the journey ease slowly into his bones.
    He absorbed excess energy from his sister’s pixie-like frame while she maneuvered through her task. It helped him relax, some. However, the lump in his throat as he scrutinized her wayward blonde layers and pursed mouth didn’t ease him. He’d become used to his sister alive, healthy and available. The thought of losing her was the only desperate fear he knew.
    “Did you have any trouble?” she asked.
    “No. I have a better handle on the cryo computer than I’d like. Avoiding Tsu’s notice is the trick.” He followed the fierce chopping of potatoes as it continued without pause. “Maitea’s samples are with Isa’s in the other room.”
    The knife tip lowered to rest on the board, and she glanced over. “Thank you.”
    He nodded, but didn’t meet her gaze. He carried too many secrets these days. It weighed on him. He’d kept the full horror of Isa’s death from Briet. He’d kept his monitoring of Isa’s email and her disposition from the Sanctum. He hid his support of Briet’s freedom from his brothers-in-arms. It was getting to the point where he didn’t know what to say to whom for fear he’d let out the wrong thing.
    With a sigh, she moved the potatoes, carrots, and onions into the simmering pot on the stove, wiped her hands, and came to sit beside him. “I know you’re worried, but I’m as safe here as anywhere. And I can do more good here.”
    He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “I have a really bad feeling about this. You didn’t see Isa’s body. I can’t shake the belief you’d be safer with the others.”
    “Your fear is talking. I can’t waste years of my life in limbo when I can be doing something worthwhile. If they lock me away with the others it won’t make me safe.”
    “Why risk this, Briet? We carry enough burdens for these humans as it is.”
    She rested her hand on his shoulder with a squeeze. “I have to follow my own counsel on what is best for me. I’m truly thankful my brother supports me.” She stroked his shoulder when he refused to look at her. “I’m sorry for the toll it takes on you. It’s not only about giving back to humanity. This is what I need to be doing. I make a difference, Ansgar.”
    He met her gaze. “What if you came back to the Sanctum? You could continue your research there. You’d have Grimm to help you.”
    She shook her head. Her short blonde hair shimmered in spikes about her jawline. “Grimm has his own work. Besides, we both know I’d be overruled and forced into cryo with the others.”
    “There are those who would support you.” He waved a hand, disgusted with himself for pleading.
    She gave him a sad smile in return. “Perhaps, before Turen disappeared. Before Isa’s death. Not even support from Grimm, Tsu, and Kamau would be enough to help me now.”
    He let out a heavy breath. She was right. Not that he’d truly expected her to agree or perhaps