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“Orange Sunset it is.” I shoot her my most charming smile, hoping that will shut her up. I don’t care what it’s named either way. I only want them three to be interested enough in my mixing so they come down when I call them.
I know I’m only delaying the inevitable. They will probably realize what Tanya’s been doing or catch me in the act of checking up on her in the office. But I will abuse this scheme until it works.
It quiets my racing mind and makes me feel like I’m doing my little thing to help the resistance in Lavender. I wish I could tell Tanya about it. I wish I could tell her the whole truth of who I am. But I’m not ready to face the consequences such a reveal carries.
So for now, I’m content with being Tanya’s shadow superhero.
Chapter 11
Present day
My memories of Tanya and I are bittersweet. She’s right about one thing—there was always drama around us, pushing us together. I wouldn’t have even met her if it wasn’t for the Empress punishing me for reckless arson all those years ago. What would we be like without any of that?
Feeling like I’ve spent too long breathing in cold, salty air, I jump to the lower shipping container and then to the ground, wobbling a bit. It’s late and I’m tired. I won’t solve any of my issues with Tanya tonight. Time to head home.
As I walk, something at the back of my neck prickles. I turn around, suddenly creeped out, remembering Tanya’s question.You know we’re not alone, right?
I swivel on my feet, one hand in my jacket where I have a small pocketknife. I’ve never been good at close combat, but I can hold my own.
Whoever is following me gets spooked and hides under the shadow of a nearby container. I narrow my eyes. Is it a child? At this time of night? In this place? I can think of at least four horror movies that indicate I should turn around and run.
But this is real life, not fiction. And I’m a grown man.
“Come out,” I say. In the quiet, my low voice carries easily.
The child doesn’t move. Did I imagine the whole thing?
I step forward, my fingers still clutching the knife, some primal part of me refusing to relax.
The closer I get, the more disturbed I become. I see long straight hair hiding a young face and tattered clothes on a malnourished body. It’s a girl, I think. A teenager; can’t be older than sixteen, seventeen. Her eyes are big and light, and she shakes in the crisp spring air like it’s winter.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” I say. “Why are you following me?”
She stares at me, unblinking. Then she tries to speak, her hoarse voice making her words unrecognizable. Then she clears her throat and tries again.
“Did you take the children?”
My eyebrows shoot up. “What children?”
“The children from our village. It burned after the darkness invaded.”
Oh.Oh.A survivor.
“Do you live in the compound?”
“I lived in our village. With Koschei,” she says. Her words have a slight accent that I can’t place. I also have no idea what a Koschei is.
“Are you part of the cult?” I blurt out, but instantly realize what a dumb question that is. She wouldn’t know she’s in a cult, would she?
“Take me to them.” She straightens, her face set in a stubborn expression. She’s tall, maybe close to six feet, and all skin and bones.
I finally let go of the knife in my pocket and take off my jacket. I make a motion to drape it over her shoulders, wanting to cover her exposed chest, but she flinches away.
“I don’t know where the children are. Is this why you’re following me?” I ask.
“Yes. You were there when my village was destroyed.”
Okay, a survivor and a witness. I can’t really take her to the police. Should I take her to the Empress? There’s no protocol for this. For fuck’s sake, Ivo assured me there were no people inside.
