by Jane Hinchey
He nodded, appraising me. "Good thinking. Effective. You're a smart woman."
"So." I blew out a nervous breath. "Have you come up with a plan?"
"Of sorts. For now, you can stay here, on the couch. I need you to draw a likeness of the assassin, so we know who we’re looking for. My spies have traced Maddax. He is alone."
"Where is he?" I hated myself for asking, but curiosity burned through me.
"At Intra HQ."
More hurt piled on top of my already bruised emotions. He’d gone there to report me to the Climintra, no doubt. First my father had turned his back on me. Now Maddax.
"Can I trust you?" I asked Tomb, suddenly weary, bone tired.
"You can." His face was solemn, and God help me, I believed him. "You need food and a shower. I apologize for my humble accommodations. The water is cold and I don't have anything special to offer in the food department, either."
"I'm humbled that you’re allowing me to share your home, Tomb. Anything you can provide is more than adequate. Thank you."
"Then go on and use the bathroom while I get some food ready," he said. "You look like a strong wind could blow you away."
As much as I wanted to flop down on the sofa and pass out, he was right. I was filthy and hungry. Dragging myself to my feet, I shut myself into the tiny bathroom, washed my hair under the cold stream of water, then dressed again in my tunic and pants. When I came out, there were two bowls of steaming sludge on the table.
"What is it?" I asked, picking up a spoon.
"Oats."
"Okay." Oats and water. I could manage that. I took a mouthful, and even though it was bland, I ate the entire bowl. When I was done, I helped him clear the dishes. "Why are you here Tomb?"
"In the Complex?"
"Yes."
He chuckled as he rinsed the bowls in the sink. "After my sixth term in jail, I knew I needed to get my act together. I'm getting old. You can’t sustain a life of crime with an aching body and slow legs, and in spite of my numerous crimes, I hadn't accrued the vast fortune I'd hoped for. My parole officer suggested the Complex. Besides the Seldova Coin I get for coming here, I can also learn some skills that will set me up for my future once I'm out."
"So stealing was your thing?" I made a mental note to transfer money to Tomb when this was over. I owed him.
"That it was. Oh, the heists we pulled off! There was only one downside."
"You kept getting caught?" I guessed.
He nodded, grinning ruefully. "Young and stupid. But enough about me." He opened a cupboard and pulled out a pillow and blanket, tossing them on the couch. "Get some sleep. In the morning, I want you to tackle the identikit." He placed his mini-tab on the table. "I have an early shift. I'll try not to wake you, but be warned that I'm not used to house guests. You won't be able to leave, and without your comms device, you can't open the door. Keep the noise down, and with any luck, no one will know you're here."
"Gotcha." Making myself comfortable on the sofa, I closed my eyes and drifted into oblivion.
By the time Tomb got home the following afternoon, I'd finished the identikit of my assassin and had been spending my time researching Phoenixes on the off chance I'd get a lead on my family. No such luck. I had nothing to go on. No name. No missing baby reported around the time of my birth. My family could be anywhere in the universe. I didn't stand much chance of finding them.
"Here you go." Tomb tossed me a bag and I caught it against my chest.
"What's this?" I asked, surprised.
"Change of clothes. Hair dye. Glasses. Stand-alone communicator."
"Oh my God, really?" I emptied the bag onto the table, and sure enough, there was a clean pair of white pants and tunic, a pair of black pants and black tunic—I briefly wondered where he got these, since they weren't standard Complex issue—a tube of hair dye, and a white rectangular device. I picked it up and looked at it.
"You activate it here." Tomb reached over and flipped the front of it down. Inside was a keypad with a small screen above it. "I've stored my ID in here. To store more, hit this button, key in the info, then hit this one. Use it like the one you had in your hand, only this one can't be traced and you can take it off-planet."
"So you agree that off-world is my only chance?" I'd shared my thoughts with him last night.
"I do. Even if we take care of this assassin, yer father will only send more until the job is done. Yer a sitting target ‘ere, lass."
I noticed the brogue coming out in Tomb’s accent. "Why do you sound different?"
Clearing his throat, he blushed. "Me native tongue slips out when I feel strongly about something."
"You care." I don't know why it thrilled me, but it did.
"Aye. Ye've been dealt a shitty hand. I'll do what I can to help ye, lass. Wouldn't want to see ye come to harm." With that, he hurried into the kitchen, busying himself with preparing dinner.
"You sit," I told him, pushing back my chair. "I'll get dinner ready."
"Nah. Ye go fix yer hair, lass. We've got plans to make and ye need to be ready."
I watched him for a minute, taking in the high color in his cheeks, and knew Tomb was embarrassed. Silly male pride. Grinning, I scooped up the clothes and hair dye and locked myself in the bathroom. According to the tube, I'd soon become a stunning brunette.
I applied the color and sat on the waste disposal unit as I waited the amount of time indicated on the tube, then jumped into the cold shower to rinse the dye off. When I was done, I studied my new brown locks in the mirror. I hadn't realized how changing my hair color could make such a difference to my appearance, but I looked like a different person. I tried on the glasses Tomb had gotten me. My disguise was complete. My mismatched eyes were no longer so noticeable. If someone looked close enough, they’d be able to tell, but the glasses helped distract from them. It was perfect.
Tomb was sitting at the table, a bowl of oats in front of him, his spoon suspended halfway to his mouth. "Wow. That worked."
"It's amazing!" I agreed, sliding into my own chair and tucking into the oats. I hadn't eaten all day and I was starving. It was enough that Tomb was giving me shelter; I didn't want to eat him out of house and home as well.
"What's the plan?" I asked once I’d filled my belly.
"I've put word out to one of my contacts to get you passage on a jetter leaving for Pinao," Tomb said.
"They accept passengers?"
He snorted. "You won’t technically be a passenger. You'll be smuggled onboard. And then off."
"A stowaway, then?"
"Correct."
"Then what?" I asked.
"Then you're on your own, I'm afraid. I can get you off this planet, but that's all I can do. My contact on the jetter may be able to help you find accommodation on Pinao or find passage on another jetter to somewhere else. If I were you, I'd put as much distance as possible between myself and Lorn."
"Do you think the Phoenixes would take me in? Protect me?"
Tomb shrugged. "It's possible, I suppose, if you can find them."
I bit my lip. "I don't know any Phoenixes. Do you? I've been trying to research who my family might be, but I've got nothing."
"I'll see what I can find out for you." Tomb patted my hand. "Pretty sure I've got a fae or two who owe me a favor."
The apartment’s AI beeped to life, startling us both. "Alert. Unidentified male."
"Hide in the bathroom. Take all your stuff," Tomb ordered.
Grabbing up the pillow, blanket, and my meager possessions, I crammed it all into the bathroom with me, then pressed myself up against the door, listening.
"Boyer," Tomb sneered, voice cold. "What do you want?"
"Is she here?" Maddax asked.
"No. Haven't seen her since the last fight in the tunnels. Which she forfeited and I lost a ton of money on, thanks to you," Tomb groused.
I frowned. I hadn't considered that pulling out of the fight had cost Tomb some much-needed funds. I needed to find a way to access
my account and dump a heap of money into Tomb’s account. He'd done so much for me already.
"Yeah, I'm sure you'll be fine. She's not your only fighter," Maddax drawled. "But listen, if you see her, please get her to call me. Please. It isn't what she thinks. I'm not working for her father, I swear."
"But you know the assassin that was sent for her," Tomb pointed out.
A moment’s silence. Then: "Yes, I know him. We served in the war together. He's an ex-army comrade, nothing more."
"But he knows you're in a relationship with her. He knows all he has to do is follow you around and you'll lead him to her. She’s wise to keep clear of you."
"No!" Maddax's voice was urgent. "I've taken care of the assassin. He's no longer here."
"You killed him?" Tomb asked, voice laced with surprise.
"No. I paid him more than her father to leave her alone."
"Pfft. That will resolve nothing. Another assassin will be sent in his place."
"I know, but it gives us time," Maddax said.
"Time for what?"
"To gather evidence against her father and present a case to President Clifton. To stop the madness."
Tomb sighed. In my mind’s eye, I pictured him shaking his head. "Come back to me when you've achieved that and she’s a free woman. Until then, I can't help."
"Please, Tomb." Maddax's voice rang with desperation. "Tell her I love her. It wasn't a lie."
"I haven't seen her. Goodbye." The door closed. I remained frozen in the bathroom, my heart pounding.
"You can come out," Tomb said from the other side of the door.
I jumped. Opening the door, I eyeballed him. "How did you know Maddax and I were in a relationship?"
"I've got eyes and ears all over the Complex, lass. It's my job to know these things."
"You didn't know Maddax was working for my father," I said, sulking.
"Maybe he isn’t," Tomb shot back. "There's no concrete evidence to suggest he is, other than the fact he was seen with the assassin and they appeared to know each other. But what I said to him, I shall repeat to you. Whether or not he is involved with your father, anyone sent after you will now have intel that Maddax is involved with you. If you contact him, he could lead them straight to you."
"I'm not going to contact him," I assured Tomb. My heart was still in pieces over his betrayal. Even if he wasn't working with my father, he was keeping something from me. So many secrets. So many lies. I couldn't trust him, and no matter how much I'd wanted to fling the bathroom door open and confront him, it was better that I remained hidden. No more contact. Ever.
My eyes filled with tears. Tomb patted my hand.
"Aye, lass," he said. "I know the pain of heartache. Time will heal."
"Come in, sweet child." The middle-aged woman who opened the door to us smiled at me warmly, wrapping an arm around my shoulder to usher me into her home. "We don't have much time together and we have a lot of ground to cover. I understand you want to learn about your people, the Phoenix?"
"Yes. Please." Her golden blonde hair fell down past her shoulders in beautiful waves. She smelled like vanilla. I had an urge to hug her tight.
"I'm an earth fae," she said with a smile, her brown eyes kind, "which would explain why you feel drawn to me right now. My presence is comforting to people, especially those who are hurting. And I see you are hurting badly."
I opened my mouth to speak, but words failed me.
"Come, child." Grabbing my hand, she tugged me over to a sofa that was draped with a brightly colored woven blanket. "Sit."
"I'll be back at sundown," Tomb said from the doorway.
"She'll be safe with me," the woman reassured Tomb, and with a quick wave, he left. The woman turned back to me. "Call me Aaliyah, Emilea."
"Thank you, Aaliyah, for helping me." A wave of emotion washed over me when she patted my knee.
"It's perfectly all right," she said. "Tomb filled me in. It sounds like you've been through quite an ordeal."
"With more to come, I'm afraid," I said.
"Let's see if I can help with that," she said. "You're new to the Meta world. I'll start with the most important thing—your eyes."
"My eyes?" I repeated, surprised. "What, because they're different colors?"
She nodded. "Yes. It's a sign."
"A sign? Of what?"
"The power within you. You are a very powerful Meta, Emilea. I would hazard a guess that is why your parents hid you in the human world."
My mouth dropped open. All these years, I had thought there was nothing special behind my odd-colored eyes. "Just how powerful are we talking?"
"More powerful than the average Phoenix," she said. "And given the Phoenix population is almost extinct, I'd say you were very important, not only to your family, but to the Phoenix race in general."
"Where are they? I haven't heard much about Phoenixes. Do they have their own planet?"
"Of sorts. They have a realm—a place that is between worlds. The war changed everything. Like everyone else, your people sustained considerable casualties during the war. Their realm was torn apart. I don't know if it can be rebuilt."
"But...the war ended years ago," I pointed out. "Surely they would have started to rebuild? Or at least relocate?"
"It could take over a hundred years," Aaliyah said. "Maybe more. It is a vulnerable time for a species on the cusp of extinction."
"What are you saying? That I'm the only Phoenix left?" I was truly puzzled. What had become of my people, and why had I been given to humans? If they were bordering on extinction, why not band together?
Aaliyah smiled and patted my knee. "No, child, you're not the only one, although it's true there are no other Phoenixes in the Complex. They scattered to protect the bloodline. I don't know where they are, or if they have a way to communicate with each other. They've successfully remained hidden since the war. They've let people believe they were wiped out. Until you."
Until me. More pressure and more unanswered questions.
"Enough of this," she said. "I can see I have upset you. That wasn’t my intention. Now, let’s see if we can't explore your powers, find out what you're capable of."
The hours passed quickly. I learned how to tap into my power and control it. I created fire that didn't burn, but instead moved as a force field. I could use it to protect myself, or, in sticky situations, as a weapon. All too soon, there was a knock at the door. Tomb had returned for me.
"Thank you for today, Aaliyah." I hugged her tightly.
"You are welcome, my child. Remember what I told you. And I will continue to search for your family."
I changed into the black outfit Tomb had procured for me and followed him out the door. Keeping to the shadows, we made our way to the glyder sitting outside.
"You're putting yourself at risk for helping me, Tomb, and I just want you to know how much that means to me. I won't forget it," I told him. My palms were a little clammy at the thought of what was to come. I felt safer with him by my side, but on the outside, the pilot of one of the jetters would meet me and smuggle me onboard, our course set for Pinao. After that, I was on my own.
Knowing that I wouldn't see Tomb again, or Aaliyah, or even Maddax, made my chest ache. I'd finally begun to let people in, and I had the Complex to thank for that. Now, because of my father, I had to throw it all away.
"You'll repay me when you can," Tomb replied, winking.
He drove us through the city, under cover of darkness. I kept my head bent, hiding it from the street cameras. It was still early evening; people travelled to and from work, or headed out for an evening of entertainment, all of them going about their lives. I sighed. I'd never had a normal life, and possibly never would, yet I longed for what I’d never had.
Pulling the glider over in a deserted alley, Tomb killed the engine. "Rest of the way is on foot."
I followed him out of the vehicle, keeping to the shadows as best as I could, darting from building to building, crouching whenever we he
ard footsteps. We were at the Complex gates, which were sealed and locked down tight. They would remain so until the next influx of residents arrived, but a maintenance door to the left of them allowed various personnel to come and go whenever necessary. Tomb had the codes for that door.
I stood behind Tomb as he began to punch the code into the keypad.
"Freeze!" a voice rang out. "Hands in the air! Step away from the door and turn around. Slowly."
My heart leapt into my throat. Intra. We'd been busted. I did as instructed. Behind us, six officers in black uniforms stood with their guns aimed at us.
"Fuck me," Tomb muttered.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He was scowling at the Intra on the end. Following his gaze, my mouth dropped open. It was Maddax, also in uniform, and also with his gun aimed at us. For the life of me, I couldn't get my mouth to close. After everything that had happened I had never, ever, suspected he was Intra. I felt like such an idiot. All this time, he'd been lying. Every single thing he’d said was a lie. My already broken and battered heart shriveled further in my chest. I was such a fool.
"Cuff them," the one in the middle commanded.
Maddax and another stepped toward us, and I thought about using my power. Why allow myself to be meekly cuffed when I could go out in a blazing battle? That single thought was enough to trigger me. Before I could stop it, flames burst from my hands, knocking the closest Intra to the ground. Stunned, but unhurt. I could have fried them to a crisp, but I didn't want to harm them. I just wanted my freedom.
"Run," I said to Tomb. He didn't need to go down with me. He'd put himself on the line for me enough already. The least I could do was protect him from the Intra. He didn't need telling twice; he scampered off as I swirled my fire at the Intra, knocking them down with a wave of flame, sending them skidding away from me, slipping and sliding, unable to gain traction. I didn't want to kill them. I just wanted to disable them long enough to get away.
I glanced over my shoulder at the door. The code had already been punched into the keypad. I just needed to hit enter and the door would open. Freedom was within my grasp.
