by J. Stone
“Do you realize that everyone is staring at us?” she asked.
“Not us,” Wynonna said, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. “Me. And, don’t worry about it. I’m not.”
“Why not? It doesn’t bother you that everyone seems so resentful?”
Wynonna just shrugged.
“But last time, you got into a fight.”
Wynonna smiled at Autumn. “I feel much better this time. Probably something to do with the more pleasant company.”
Autumn smiled across the table and soon joined Wynonna in enjoying the meal. The vespari found the task of eating more difficult than usual thanks to the hits she’d taken to the face. Her jaw felt sore, so she had to slow down as not to aggravate her injuries any further. Not wanting to worry Autumn though, she didn’t mention anything to her. This ultimately led to the quartermaster finishing, while Wynonna still had a large amount left on her plate.
“Is there something wrong with the food?” Autumn asked.
Wynonna shook her head. “It’s fine. Guess I’m just a slow eater. Always was the last one to finish eating at the dinner table back home.”
Yawning and then placing her hands on the table, Autumn said, “Well, I can stay with you while you finish.”
“You’re tired,” Wynonna said with a smile. “You should get some rest.”
Mirroring the smile, the quartermaster replied, “You’re the one that needs rest.”
Reaching her hand across the table and placing it atop her companion’s, the vespari said, “I’m fine, Autumn.”
Autumn pulled her hand back, putting it in her lap. “You shouldn’t do that,” she said.
“Why not?” Wynonna asked. “I thought--”
“You need to stay out of trouble,” Autumn told her.
“What’s the problem?” she asked with a shrug.
“The elders may not appreciate your interests.”
“I don’t care what they--”
“I’m not going to be the reason you don’t become a vespari. There’s too many eyes here.”
Wynonna grinned. “And if there weren’t so many eyes?”
Autumn lowered her gaze. “I… I should let you get your rest.” The quartermaster rolled back and started to grab her plate.
Reaching forward and grabbing it first, Wynonna said, “I’ll take care of it.”
“I can--”
“It’s okay. I want to do it.”
Autumn nodded. “Thank you, Wynonna.”
The vespari smiled. “Maybe I’ll stop by tomorrow, after the elders give me my next challenge. We can talk further without any eyes to spy on us.”
Trying but failing to hide her own smile, Autumn nodded again. “I’d like that.”
“Goodnight, Autumn,” she told her.
“Goodnight, Wynonna.”
The quartermaster then continued rolling back and turned her chair toward the exit. Wynonna watched her the whole way back with a smile still stuck on her face. When she was finally out of sight, the sensation of eyes on her returned like a cold, harsh breeze. A shudder ran its way up her spine, as she looked around and saw several of the vespari in the room glaring at her. Her smile disappeared, turning to a frown, and she lowered her head, focusing on finishing her meal.
***
Wynonna hadn’t looked forward to it, but she knew it had to come all the same. She needed to sleep despite knowing Petronila waited for her in her dreams. Finding her way back to the room, the vespari shed her clothes and lay down in the bed, sliding under the covers. Because of her trepidation, sleep took longer to come than usual, but when it did, the soul eater no less tainted it.
This time, Wynonna found herself in the desert. The setting wasn’t from a memory of being with her family, and neither was Corrigan there with her. She was alone. Looking around, the vespari saw nothing but more stretches of desert sands in every direction. She called out for someone. For anyone. No response. Her heart beat quicker in her chest, and sweat formed into beads on her forehead. Not from the heat. There seemed to be none.
No, instead Wynonna felt the sharp pangs of isolation. She’d been born into a decent sized family. Her mother, father, and three brothers meant that she always had someone else around. Even more recently, the house had become more crowded with Marcella moving in after her marriage to Roscoe. Wynonna was used to feeling smothered by everyone. She remembered wanting more freedom in her youth, and even up until the day they vanished from her life, Wynonna had longed to be alone more often. In their absence, she realized that this was a foolish desire. No one should be alone.
Her family was gone though. Corrigan was gone. All she had now was the Vespari Brotherhood and those that served them. Despite the way some of them had treated her since her arrival in Alexandria, she would’ve gladly taken even that. This dream denied her of their company as well though, trapping her in the desert of her youth.
Wynonna raced through the region, trying desperately to escape it. After taking that train to the coast, she’d decided she would be fine if she never returned. No matter which way she ran or how far though, she made no progress.
The dream stretched on for what felt like ages. She wanted the relief of morning. She wanted some sign of life. She wanted company. Wynonna would have been happy with even the soul eater appearing before her and taunting her, demanding her freedom, but even Petronila declined to ever come before her. Feeling the isolation acutely, Wynonna finally stopped in this vast desert, exhausted, and she collapsed to the ground, weeping.
Wynonna never felt so weak, so desperate, so alone. In that moment, she felt she would’ve done anything to escape the dreamscape that Petronila had shaped for her. She thought if the soul eater had appeared before her, she might even agree to release her, but Petronila never offered such a deal. The wicked creature forced Wynonna to experience every agonizing moment of her loneliness in full, not giving her any respite until the morning finally arrived and saved her from the soul eater’s grip.
Chapter 2. Albino Snakes and Golden Queens
When Wynonna finally woke up the next morning, she discovered tear lines streaking down her face. Some had dried, while others were still fresh and wet. Scowling at the very idea of them, she wiped her cheeks, removing any sign that Petronila had so affected her. Wanting nothing more than to move past the dream of isolation, Wynonna stood and threw her clothes on. She didn’t bother putting the gun belt on, opting to instead coil it as small as possible, and she dumped it into her upturned hat.
Since all the way back in Delamar, Wynonna hadn’t had a proper bath, relying only on the running waters in the desert or simply splashing some water under her armpits and against her nethers. The night before when using the restroom before retiring, however, Wynonna noticed that the vespari had tubs with running water. She intended to use that and cleanse herself of the grime, sweat, blood, and tears she’d accumulated in recent days.
Wynonna found one such of these rooms unoccupied and took it for herself. Turning on the faucet and waiting for the water to fill the tub, she stripped down. After relieving herself in the commode and using the brush she carried with her to clean her teeth, the water had filled up to a reasonable level. Climbing in, the warm water instantly soothed her aches. She slumped down, eventually sitting in the bath, and leaned her head against the rim.
The vespari just sat there for a few minutes, enjoying the heat from the water. Feeling relaxed, Wynonna slipped down, submerging her whole head under the water. While she was down there, movement caught her eye, but she wasn’t sure what it was. Wary of it, she pushed herself above water, only to find Ernest standing before her.
“You just don’t seem to get it,” he said, sucking his teeth.
“Get out!” she told him, flinging water across the room as she pointed to the door.
“I must say,” he said, ignoring her order and leaning over to stare at her through the water. “I’m a little surprised. What with the way you’ve been acting, I half expected to see a dick gr
owing between those legs of yours.”
“Get out,” she repeated, a snarl forming on her upper lip.
“All in due time,” he told her. He then reached down, unzipped his fly, grabbed his dick, and held it toward her bath water.
“What is it you think you’re going to do with that little thing?”
Without saying anything, he partially closed his eyes and started to urinate in her tub. Wynonna quickly stood up and stepped out of the water, nearly slipping as she did so.
“What is wrong with you?” she demanded.
“What?” Ernest asked, grinning and still pissing into the bath water. “Were you not done?”
“I will knock that fucking smile off your face,” she said, taking a step forward with both fists clenched at her side.
“Then do something,” he said, eyes leering at her and his stream still flowing into the water.
Wynonna thought on what Nicolae had said. She didn’t want to mess up her chances of becoming a vespari over an insignificant little man like Ernest, but she’d never wanted to punch someone in the face so much as she did in that moment. In the end, all she could do was stand there, naked and soaking wet, and glare at him.
“So, it’s true,” he said, with a smug smirk, finally stopping and tucking himself back in his pants.
“What?” she asked through gritted teeth.
“They have neutered you.”
“Only until this is over,” she said jabbing a wet finger into his chest. “When I’m finished with this confirmation, I’m coming for you.”
Scoffing, Ernest dropped his eyes to leer at her naked body. “If you try anything, I’m just going to have to find a way to teach you the only thing a woman is good for.”
“Get out,” she spat.
He laughed, turned, and walked out of the bathroom, leaving the door intentionally open. Wynonna stomped toward it, slapping her wet feet on the stone floor and grabbed the handle, slamming it shut.
Stopping to breathe, Wynonna found her hands shaking from anger. She didn’t know how she’d found the strength to avoid getting into another fight. If he’d ever deserved reprisal, this was the time. Regardless, the vespari managed to calm down, and she actually found herself proud that she’d resisted her baser urges. That said, she fully intended to realize the threat she’d made. When her confirmation was at an end, one way or another, she intended to pay Ernest back in full for all he’d done.
For the time being, she focused on dealing with the challenges that the vespari elders set before her. So, Wynonna dried herself off, threw her clothes on, and left the dirty water for someone else to deal with. She left the bathroom and took the stairs down to the second floor. There, she grabbed a quick meal. That morning, the vespari order had provided a few types of fruit and eggs, which she scarfed down. After eating her breakfast, she decided to check and see whether the elders had come to a consensus about her second challenge.
She arrived back on the third floor and knocked on their door. After a few moments, Ambrose opened the door and nodded to her.
“Ah, yes. Wynonna, we were just about to send for you,” he said. “Please, come in. We need to discuss what comes next for you.”
“Good,” she replied, walking inside. “I’m ready to get this done with.”
“You may not be so eager when you learn what we are tasking you with,” Ambrose said, closing the door behind her and walking with her toward the table.
As he sat down in his seat at the round table, Nicolae said, “I am relieved that you have not been further provoked.”
Wynonna just nodded and said, “Yeah.”
“Nevermind that,” Bowater said. “Let’s just give the girl the challenge so we can be rid of her.”
Nicolae pointed across the table at his fellow vespari. “I think you will find her up to the challenge, Albert. I have faith that she can do this.”
“We have lost real vespari to this monster. The girl will no doubt only serve as a fresh meal to the creature.”
“What creature?” Wynonna interjected.
“A naga,” Ambrose told her.
“I can’t imagine you have encountered one in the desert,” Nicolae added.
She shook her head. “No, but Cory wrote about them a little in his journal.”
Bowater laughed and with a heavy dose of sarcasm said, “I’m certain that’s all the experience you’ll need.”
Wynonna glared at him and then looked at the other two elders. “Where will I find this naga?”
“Do you still have the map Spencer gave you?” Nicolae asked.
She nodded and pulled it out. The elder then stood from his seat and walked over to her side of the table. As she placed the map down, Nicolae pointed his finger at a specific spot.
“Here,” he told her. “The attacks have all been focused in this region, so you will have to scour the sewers below in search of the creature.”
Wynonna noted the location and nodded to him. Folding up the map and returning it to her pocket, she asked, “Is there anything else I need to know?”
“This will be your final challenge,” Ambrose said, as Nicolae returned to his seat. “Whether you succeed or fail, it ends here.”
“If I kill the naga, I’ll pass the confirmation?”
“No,” Bowater said, pointing his finger at her. “This is simply the last challenge. We still have to vote as to whether to accept you. I, for one, will be voting against you.”
“Just focus on the naga,” Nicolae told her with a smile. “We will deal with the rest when you return.”
“If she returns,” Bowater added with an ugly grin.
“That is all, Wynonna,” Ambrose told her. “Resupply if you need or visit Spencer to learn more about your quarry. He may have more information that will help you.”
“Alright,” she said with a nod.
Having her next challenge, Wynonna turned and left the vespari elders’ chambers.
***
Wynonna swung the door open and found the quartermaster at the back of the room leaning over her workbench. The vespari knocked her knuckles against the door and closed it behind her, stepping inside. Autumn rolled back from the workbench and swiveled around, and when she saw Wynonna, a flush overtook her face.
“Hey, Autumn,” the vespari said, leaning back against the wall and folding her arms behind her.
“Wynonna,” she replied, rubbing her greasy hands against each other. “It’s uh… It’s good to see you again. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Wynonna pushed off the wall and strolled toward Autumn. “I’ve got a new challenge. Thought I would check and see if you had any suggestions for hunting a naga.”
Autumn’s face lit up. “You remember the spitfire I told you about?”
The vespari nodded. “I do. I remember you were very excited about it. You still seem very excited about it.”
“Well, it is exciting! Unfortunately, I haven’t really been able to get it field tested yet.”
“You want me to give it a try?”
The quartermaster smiled. “Would you? I’d really like to see how it handles, and naga don’t really like fire much.”
Wynonna nodded and drew closer to Autumn. “I’d be happy to. Anything for you.”
The young woman blushed. “You’re sweet, but… I’ve been thinking. Maybe it’s for the best if we stop this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know things are different where you come from, but we can’t do that here.”
“You mean because we’re both women?”
Autumn nodded. “People who do that aren’t treated well.”
“So, you’re saying you don’t want me?”
She shook her head. “No, that’s not what I mean. I just don’t want to get you in any trouble.”
Wynonna smiled. “You’re protecting me?”
“I… I like you. I wouldn’t want to be the reason they don’t let you into the order.”
“So, your hesita
nce isn’t because you don’t want to?”
“No, of course I want…” She stopped herself, shaking her head, obviously having said more than she meant. “But no, we can’t.”
Wynonna crept forward a little more, leaning against a table beside Autumn and taking her hand. “Have you ever been with a woman before?”
“No, I’ve never been with anyone.” Autumn stopped, rubbed her septum with her free hand, and looked back up at Wynonna. “I wish I hadn’t just told you that.”
The vespari smiled wider. “Have you ever thought about it?”
Autumn shifted a bit in her seat. “I guess. A lot more since you came here.”
“At least there’s that.”
“You’ve been very distracting!” Autumn told her with a nervous smile.
“Good. Then, how about we find a way to relieve that distraction?”
The quartermaster pulled her hand back. “No, you can’t. Besides, you don’t want someone like me.”
“What are you talking about, Autumn. Of course I do. Have I not been excessively clear on that point?”
Autumn chuckled. “You have, but I wouldn’t even know what to do. I’ve got no experience.”
“Oh. I don’t care about that. You’ve got no reason to be embarrassed. It doesn’t change how I see you.”
Autumn looked up at Wynonna. “And, how do you see me?”
Dropping to one knee so that she was at eye level, Wynonna told her, “Intelligent. Protective. Resilient. I want you, Autumn, and I think you want me too.”
“Of course I--” She stopped herself again, starting over. “I just don’t understand why you want to be with someone like me.” She gestured to her absent legs. “I’m broken. Why would you want that?”
“I think you’re perfect the way you are.” With a smile, she added, “We may need to work on your self-image and self-respect though.”
“You’re sweet, but I--.”
Wynonna looked around Autumn’s workshop. “You have a room here, don’t you?”
She nodded toward a door in the back. “Yes. The elders let me stay in the tower. Why?”
The vespari got to her feet and went around behind Autumn, grabbing the back of her chair and turning her toward the room. “How about you give me the grand tour.”
