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“We’re not jobs. We’re not things. We’re not stuff.” I jab the flaming sword toward his neck, just barely missing it each time. He’s really lucky I’ve learned more fine muscle control with this thing.
“You don’t even know this woman,” Bryn points out.
“I didn’t know Cosmos either when I married him. Turns out knowing people before I make decisions about them is not a luxury I get anymore,” I reply.
“Let the Sheriff up,” Bryn relents. “And you can do as you please. Heaven knows Direview isn’t big enough to contain your brand of rebellion.”
“Cosmos, can you get his torture gun thing?”
Cosmos grabs that for me, and then I let the Sheriff up.
“You, little lady, deserve a good long spanking,” he says, dusting himself off. He doesn’t seem to bear me any ill will, but after seeing what he was doing to Katya, I don’t give a toss what he thinks. Not every hot guy in a big hat matters.
“You’re right,” Cosmos agrees. “She does. But not for this. This is the right thing. I’m proud of her for knowing what that is. Seems like the rest of us keep forgetting.”
“Letting the head of Fleisch walk is not the right thing,” Bryn growls. “And working for that cursed company is not the right thing. And letting your wife lead you around by the nose is not the right thing.”
“Alright,” Thor says. “Enough. We’re all doing what we think is best. The Brotherhood is not about following orders. It’s about protecting divine blood. Or in my case, a little demon. I think this is a step in the right direction, even if it feels wrong, or rushed, or chaotic.”
“I do want to go to college,” Nina says. “I want to study marine biology.”
“Oh for…” Bryn gives me a look what you’ve done now look.
“Me too,” Anita says.
“You’re not going to college,” Thor says. “You’ll put my bloody hammer through a lecturer’s face.”
“Actually, yes, I probably would,” Anita grins. “But I support Nina going.”
“This isn’t the time to talk about this,” Bryn says.
“Yes. It is. I bet she’s tried to say that a hundred times before but you change the subject, or seduce her, anything to shut her up,” I say. The sword is still burning brightly in my hand. I want this fixed. I want all these injustices resolved. I want to know that before I leave here I made some kind of difference.
“You better let her go to college, or I swear to almighty, I will come back with this sword and I will take Direview apart brick by brick.”
“A really good, long spanking,” Starlight repeats, rubbing his hands together. I can only imagine what these men would do to me if I didn’t have the ability to transform into a living weapon, and if Cosmos wouldn’t gut them if they so much as put a pinky on me.
“Let’s go,” Cosmos says. “Katya, Elise, you’re with me. Starlight, I hope someone turns that weapon on you one day. You come near us again and I promise I will teach you new and deeper definitions of pain.”
We leave Direview as exiles. There’s a heavy pall hanging over us with every step we take, and a sense of menace that I wouldn’t normally ascribe to a building, but I can’t help that right now. The building looms over us, the day darkening, mist rolling in behind us. England is not so much bidding us farewell as glowering at us with every ray of light and blade of grass. I hope that the others find their freedom. I know I’ve found mine.
14
A few hours later…
On a private plane over England, I toast with Katya to mutual freedom with a mimosa.
“I’m not the good guy,” Katya tells me clearly. “Fleisch has a long and horrific history, and that will not be erased overnight. But I will teach you what I know, and I am sure you will do good work.”
I haven’t given her all my loyalty. If she does anything to cross me, she’ll pay the same way anyone else would. But I’m giving her a chance, and in doing so, I’m giving us all a chance.
Cosmos has his legs extended to the seat in front of him, his eyes are closed and there’s a smile on his face. He’s perfectly comfortable here with me as my husband, my bodyguard, and my lover.
“Hey,” I say, extending a toe to nudge him. “Do you want a drink?”
“No,” he says. “Someone should stay sober to fly this thing.”
“We have a pilot.”
“Sure, but what if the pilot stops piloting,” Cosmos winks. “I’ll stay alert. You have fun, Elise. You’ve earned it. You turned Direview upside down. Nothing there will ever be the same. And I’m sure you’ll do the same where we are going. Hope you’re ready for that, Katya.”
