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Her frantic whisper tickles my ear, but I suppress the shiver that attempts to crawl down my spine. She yanks me towards the door, but I pull away with the stumbling grace of a court jester.
People shuffle away from us, averting their eyes as if they aren’t watching with the attention of a hawk stalking its prey. Gathering in small groups, some of them watch the floor while others stare brazenly. The poor wretches would talk about this for years.
Might as well give them something exciting to talk about.
I suck in a breath and try to yell again, but Mira tries to grab my arm again as her voice tears through the room. Hysteria teases at the edge of her tone, and I suppress my cringe. “Go home!”
Her tears do something to me.
My heart aches, like it has been crushed. I watch them fall down her face and I am frozen, unable to continue with my plan.
Currently, I realize that it is a stupid, stupid plan. One that hinged on me hurting Mira.
One that required her tears.
Three security guards close the space around me, and I let them roughly haul me out of the office, satisfied with my work inside. I comply with their directives and suppress my scoffs, despite their threats to call the police, until I find myself back on the street outside. The chill in the air sends goosebumps all over my naked chest.
I lean against the building, waiting for Mira. After a while, one of the security guards brings me my shirt from upstairs, and I thank him politely. All hints of belligerence and slurred words are gone now.
After a couple of hours, Mira finally emerges from the building carrying a box of her belongings.
Her eyes are puffy and red from crying. I breathe sharply around the heavy flare of guilt that flares in my chest.
Mira meets my gaze as I move to intercept her, taking the heavy box from her arms.
“Well. You got your way. I was embarrassed enough to quit today.”
Another tear drips down her cheek, and I harden myself against the image.
I can’t help, however, the way it eats at my fractured soul.
“Mira, I….”
She sniffles frequently on the walk back, but I can’t bear to look at her. I know this life she cares so much about is ending. Three weeks in Illuemera and she would have forgotten every person in that building. Her stubbornness is pure foolishness. I’m helping her, even if she doesn’t understand that yet.
We walk in silence back to her apartment. Once inside, she slumps down on the couch. The Third quickly jumps to action, trying to calm and comfort her. Pathetic. I grab a whiskey to wash the taste out of my mouth.
“Well, It’s done. Now we can leave.”
Mira’s bloodshot glare pins me in place, glass poised ready to drink just below my lips. I blink as she stalks towards me, fury fueling her stride, until we’re only a few inches apart. The rage and heat radiating from her is almost overwhelming.
“You purposely humiliated me, ruined my reputation, and possibly my career, for no reason. I told you I was leaving, but you couldn’t wait and let me do it on my own terms. It had to be on your timeline.”
Her voice was too quiet for comfort, a threat much more worrisome than anything those ridiculous security guards said. Her jaw twitched with effort, clenching her teeth too tightly.
I won’t defend myself. Instead, I wait for the reaction I’ve earned with stillness only achievable by a trained soldier. I endure the guilt sucking the life out of me with stoic indifference.
“I won’t spend my life with a man who doesn’t respect me. I’ve done that once, and I won’t do it again.”
She stops, panting. The Third looks at me with wide eyes. I can’t help but wonder if he’s ever seen her angry like this before.
“This isn’t about respect, Mira. It’s about saving lives, but you’re too wrapped up in this world to understand that. I did what I needed to. You’ll see. This is for the best.”
She let out a roar of frustration, pulling her hair and stomping her foot. Her shrieking scream pierces my eardrum. For a moment, I think she might hit me. She pulls back, and I realize she’s crying. From anger or hurt, I don’t know.
I don’t want to know.
I quiet the voice inside me, urging me to grab her. Hug her until she breaks down into sobs, cleansing herself of that place.
