Beyond Redemption Read Free Page B

slightly. “I wonder where she learned that?”
    â€œThe same people who have access to Ausfall have access to Morgen,” Aufschlag said defensively. “And he shows none of those traits. Most likely it was her personality.”
    â€œMorgen is perfect,” said Konig.
    â€œHe’s innocent and trusting in the extreme,” pointed out Aufschlag.
    â€œThat’s what I said. And I want him to stay that way. Only you and I—plus his bodyguards—are allowed in his presence from this point on. I don’t want him infected by doubt.”
    Gods forbid the boy learn to think for himself. “Of course,” said Aufschlag. How had his plans come to this? As a scientist,he battled ignorance on every front, and yet here he was, shielding Morgen from uncomfortable truths. He might not be lying to the boy, but he was definitely keeping things from him he needed to know. I should tell Morgen everything, let him make up his own mind .
    But Morgen’s mind had been made up for him. Like all the other would-be gods the Geborene sought to create, his entire life he’d been taught he’d someday Ascend to become the god of the Geborene and serve the people of Selbsthass. Slavery sold as a virtue.
    They’d started with ten children, and over the last decade, one by one, they’d succumb. Rampant delusion, fed by the Geborene and the faith of Selbsthass, had broken them. Some burned, some rotted away to nothing. Each reached their tottering pinnacle of power and toppled as the weight of their delusions dragged them down, drowned them in dementia. Not one had Ascended. Ausfall was just the latest. And now Morgen, the purest, most innocent spirit Aufschlag had ever known, was all that remained.
    Had he known his plan would end in the tragic deaths of nine children, would he still have brought it to Konig?
    Gods forgive me, but I think so.
    â€œHow did Ausfall die?” Konig asked, snapping Aufschlag from his thoughts.
    â€œShe chewed through her wrists. Bled out. Managed to write a fair amount on the walls before she lost consciousness.”
    â€œIn her own blood, I assume?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œAnything of consequence?”
    â€œI did see one phrase repeated over and over. ‘We make poor gods.’ I’m not sure what she meant. Perhaps that the Geborene are making inferior gods, or that she would be a poor god should she Ascend. I have Sister Wegwerfen looking into it.”
    â€œWegwerfen can’t be trusted,” said Abandonment. “She might spread word of Ausfall’s death.”
    â€œWe can’t have that now, can we.” Konig pinioned Aufschlag with flat gray eyes. “Kill Wegwerfen when she is finished. Report her findings.”
    â€œOf course.” Face carefully blank.
    But Konig saw through his Chief Scientist’s façade. “I know this is difficult.” He placed his hands on Aufschlag’s slim shoulders, forcing eye contact. “This failure could spread seeds of doubt we can’t afford.” His long fingers dug into the soft tissue. “Doubt is failure.”
    Aufschlag’s will crumpled beneath the gaze of his High Priest. He saw nothing but colorless gray eyes. The fingers felt like carrion worms working their way deep into his flesh. “But—” Sweat poured freely down his face. “Haven’t we already failed? There is only one god left!”
    â€œOf course not. Did you think I sought to create many gods? No.” He spoke with such conviction Aufschlag’s doubts disappeared in the blazing heat of revelation. Konig smiled warmly at his Chief Scientist. “This is a happy day. A glorious day. We now know which of our experiments will Ascend.” He removed his hands from Aufschlag’s shoulders and the scientist was more than a little surprised to see they were free of blood.
    â€œI apologize for my moment of weakness, High Priest.”