by Skyler Grant
Yve touched the burning flesh and in an instant Red was made whole again. It was pretty amazing. The moment she was conscious Clubby delivered a swift strike to the back of the head that knocked Red out.
Woodcutter was frozen solid in a block of ice, the axe caught midswing over his head. The dwarves made bloody work of the rest of the bandits.
“Who are you guys?” I asked.
“My assistants—the useful ones,” White said, walking into the clearing. Her eyes surveyed all the bloodshed.
“If you had these shock troopers the whole time, what did you need us for?” I asked.
“Take them back to the office. Have the girl bound and sent to the lab so we can study what has been done to her brain,” White said to the dwarves, before looking back at me. “You were bait, of course. They always managed to avoid my assistants, but I thought that perhaps some new blood might finally lure them out of hiding. I was correct.”
“You used us,” Yve said.
“I did, but I’ll still honor the terms of our arrangement. I’ll even keep quiet about your own indiscretions,” White said.
“Indiscretions?” Yve asked.
White frowned, looking her up and down. “The armor. I know what goes into the sales orientation and it isn’t combat training. You just hunted that which you are. You aren’t the first and you won’t be the last to step outside the lines.”
“That isn’t going to be a problem?” Yve asked.
I hoped it wouldn’t be. The seven dwarves were a formidable bunch.
“I’m a pragmatist. Whatever unique skills you’ve reclaimed were just now of use to me and this company. So long as they continue to do so I can tolerate your existence,” White said.
Well, that was a glowing sort of praise.
“We should get back and speak to Gold then,” I said.
White slipped her arm into mine. Given how bloodstained I was, and considering she was wearing white, it wasn’t a terribly good idea. “The office is already closing for the day. Don’t worry, I told Charming that you two were on a special assignment for me for the day.”
I couldn’t tell if she was trying to be seductive or what. If so, she was really quite terrible at it. Not that she needed to be good—I was still into her.
“Then I think we’ll head back to the inn. You can let Liam go,” Yve said.
“I don’t think he wants that. Resolving something so long on the books as the Redwood Gang has me absolutely amorous. I trust you’ll see me back home, Mr. Ottani?” White asked.
Yve took one look at me and sighed. “I’m not even going to argue. Go fuck the ice princess. But I’m going to go screw the hell out of your ex-boyfriend purely because I don’t like you very much, lady.”
White gave a frosty little smile. “Crudity. You’ll have to up your game dear, if you ever hope to become an executive.”
To my surprise White’s quarters were in the same complex as ours. Hers were far more luxurious of course, although she took minimalism to an extreme when it came to interior decorating. Her chambers were right across the hall from Charming’s, which I supposed in the past was to keep her lover—now her ex-lover—nice and handy.
I didn’t remember my past life, so I could only wonder if I had ever had a partner quite so disinterested in me, or who regarded me as nothing other than an excuse to make some noise. All at the same time it was awkward, weird—and strangely gratifying when I got glimpses of the real woman beneath all the ice.
Chapter 14
It was at exactly six o’clock the next morning that I was rather unceremoniously chucked out from White’s room with my clothes in hand. It was all terribly orchestrated—Yve was getting the boot at the same time, just as undressed. White had time to slip into a something tiny. Of course, Charming was in boxers.
The former couple stared challengingly at each other across the hall.
Yve began furiously slipping into her clothing and I did the same.
“Was that as weird for you as it was for me?” I asked.
“I imagine it was. I do prefer a man actually in to me. I think, when we are done here, that we may just have to burn this entire place to the ground on principle,” Yve said.
She was serious. I think I was okay with it.
“Thank you, Liam, it was a delightful night. You have no idea how gratifying it is to have a man that simply doesn’t fall asleep in the middle of things,” White said.
“Yve, you were simply stunning. What a delight it is to have a partner that can do more than just lay there,” Charming said.
“Are we staying here for this?” Yve asked.
“Fuck no,” I said.
We left the two trading barbs and made our way back to the laboratory.
Gold was there looking quite a bit perkier than we’d last seen here. The bears were neatly arranged on three beds in the corner and snoring away.
“You’re up early,” I said.
“Never went home last night. They brought all our stuff out of storage just before closing and I had one cup of coffee, then three, and you know how these things get away from you,” Gold said, bouncing up and down.
I was quite sure I didn’t. Coffee had never hit me as hard as it seemed to be hitting her.
“We’re good then?” I asked.
“We’re good. I’ve got things all set up to restore your memories. You were a bit of a special case. Normally we just layer things with a masking spell and make your brain believe you have forgotten everything when it’s actually still all there,” Gold said.
“We know of someone throwing off orientation by drinking lots of anti-magic potions. That would work for anyone?” Yve asked.
Gold looked sheepish. “The formula should never have been strong enough to do that. You talking about Red? They brought her in last night. We’re giving her a new treatment and adjusting the potions so we don’t have a problem going forward.”
“And you’re okay with that?” I asked.
“Red didn’t have to start an army of bandits. Come over here and lay down on this table,” Gold said, leading the way to an ominous-looking device. The table looked to be more sacrificial altar, with a bloodstained dagger held by a mechanical arm.
“Why do you even have something like this?” I asked.
“The altar of Karaz. God of Forgetfulness—well, he was,” Gold said.
“What happened to him?” I asked.
“Everyone forgot about him. It’s a funny story,” Yve said.
“What the hell does it do?” I asked, still staring aghast at the altar. It was kind of grisly.
“How do you remember everything?” Yve asked Gold.
“Hardwired memories that keep rewriting themselves. You?” Gold asked.
“Former artificial intelligence, then a Goddess for a while. My mind is weird,” Yve said.
“Can I dissect you?” Gold asked.
“No wonder you find Gob attractive. No. Ask me again, I burn you alive,” Yve said, pleasantly.
“So, what is the altar?” I asked again. Nobody seemed interested in telling me.
“Just lay down, Liam. It’s safe. Trust me,” Yve said.
I really wasn’t sure that I could, after all of the things she had shared with me. Still, Yve had gone to so much trouble to get my memories back I didn’t have cause to think she meant me any harm. I climbed on the altar and lay down, staring at the ceiling and the dagger pointed at my head.
“So, what happens next?” I said.
The dagger began to glow green and plunged towards my skull. It must have been spectral—I’ve been stabbed in the face before and it didn’t feel like that.
I remembered. My entire life came rushing back to me although it didn’t erase the events of the past few days. I felt like my thoughts were playing a mad sort of catchup.
I was a bit sheepish. I’d thought I was doing a better job of not falling in and out of bed with ruthless killers, then my memory gets taken and I hopped right in the sack with Lara
, Yve and White. To give me credit though, they were less terrifyingly murderous than most of my regular lovers.
This whole corporation was feeding off adventurers. What did that have to do with Veros and Elsora? I hadn’t seen or heard any mention of either during my time working here.
“You there, Lake?” I thought
“You seem to be feeling better. The dagger was divine magic given a boost by the blood of one of Ashera’s children,” Lake said.
Good to know. I thought a brief sense of gratitude towards her. If it hadn’t been for her engaging my Mind Games ability we’d probably still be living out our lives as salesman.
“Do you have anything that can help us to remove the orientation from someone else?” I asked Gold.
“Do, but I won’t do that. It is bad enough that I helped you, and if they find out I’ll get in trouble. I’m not going to help you restore the memory of anyone else,” Gold said.
“Are you thinking of restoring Ashley?” Yve asked.
“Walt. If Veros is somewhere in this complex, Ashley will storm right off to kill him. Walt, we can trust to keep a calmer head,” I said.
“You know Chairman Veros?” Gold asked.
Yve and I turned to her. “Chairman?”
“You should have been given a corporate hierarchy chart. Give me a moment, I know I’ve got one around here somewhere,” Gold said. She began to scavenge among the cabinets. It took a few minutes before she made a sound of satisfaction and offered us over a binder.
“It’s a little out of date,” Gold said.
I opened it up and tilted it so that Yve could read as well.
DLC
Chief Executive Officer
Elsora Damos
Executive Officer
Wolf
Chairman of the Board
Veros the Black
CFO
Midas
Director of R&D
Gold
Director of Sales
Charming
Directors of New Territories
Beauty, Beast
Well, there were all the connections I could have hoped for. A few things stood out at once though. Some names were absent that I’d have expected to be on it. Joachim was the master of coin of Castle Sardonis and was now a powerful member of the Dark Court. He wasn’t listed. In general, there was a fairy tale and a corporate theme present that just wasn’t there in any of the members of the Dark Court we’d fought.
“Do you know anything about the CEO?” I asked.
“Not really. I know she helped to found the company, but she hasn’t been seen in a long time. There was kind of a takeover and Mr. Veros runs all the day-to-day operations now,” Gold said.
“He kicked Elsora out? That seems unlikely,” I said.
Gold shrugged helplessly.
“You don’t buy it?” Yve asked.
“Elsora told me to stay away from Veros and what he was doing here. Why would she do that, if she was no longer involved?”
“It does seem that if he staged some kind of rebellion, she would want to put it down,” Yve said.
That would make sense, but I wasn’t convinced. Elsora had a lot of layers to her and I knew all too well how complex her schemes could be. I also couldn’t escape the possibility that perhaps it was no scheme at all. If Veros had the power to kick her out, he was likely even more dangerous than we’d anticipated and a real threat. Perhaps she was trying to keep us safe? It was a sobering thought after having already wandered into the lion’s den.
“Well, thanks for the memories, Gold. Can you do me a favor and let me know if you hear anything from Doctor Gob?” I asked.
“Given you two sort of seem to hate him… No?” Gold said.
That was fair.
“Had to try,” I said. Given how hard it usually was to find White, I hoped our trek to locate Walt, who should be with her, wouldn’t prove too much of an adventure.
Chapter 15
It wasn’t until after lunch that we managed to track down Walt. White really did make astonishing progress throughout the course of the day, spreading misery and panic among the employees of DLC. We had our fill of tears and vacant stares before we finally ran into Walt in the lunchroom.
In the kitchens beyond we heard the bellows of a cook shouting and the cold imperious tones of White snapping back. Red was bussing tables. I guess they must have wiped her memory and got her back into business quick.
“Ms. White is inside, if you are looking for her. If you have any lover’s gifts you may leave them with me and consider yourself politely and courteously thanked for providing an amicable evening,” Walt said, sounding a little rehearsed.
“She mentioned the night then? I guess I must have made a good impression,” I said.
“Ms. White has made no commentary to me directly and does not seem in an especially good or relaxed mood today, as you can hear. She does however keep meticulous records. You received three stars and an “adequate” notation. It actually is praise, from her,” Walt said.
Really. Adequate.
“I’m really coming around to the burning this whole place to the ground thing,” I said.
“Low morale is against corporate policy and will be punished with disciplinary action up to and including termination,” Walt said.
“You really hate your job, don’t you,” Yve said.
“With a soul-sucking passion that could dim suns,” Walt said.
Time to play rescuer then. Hopefully Mind Games would work on him. I reached out with the power and reality rippled around me.
I found myself in a warehouse. Yve’s mind had been close and personal, and filled with mementos of her past. In contrast this place was strangely cold and empty. Still, there was one object that clearly deserved attention. In the center of the space was a massive statue of a spectral hand pulsing with energy.
The Death-hand. I knew it was having some impact on his mind, but I didn’t realize it was this dramatic. The warehouse had no offices and only a few crates of goods scattered here and there. One had a distinctive glow.
I remember my ability that indicated objects of significance. There must be something that I’d need inside it. I walked towards the crate, but before I could reach it the crate flickered in a burst of energy and vanished. I paused. Another crate materialized in one corner and I again tried to approach it only to have it disappear before I got close.
The next time it reappeared I tried running. This time I almost got there before it flickered away. I took a moment to consider what I knew.
I had to assume that this was another sort of locked room puzzle. In Yve’s case I was trying to unlock her memories, and here I was trying to do the same thing with Walt.
The crates vanishing likely had one of two triggers. It was either time-based where they would only appear for so long, or it was my own movement in their direction that was making them disappear.
I stood still, just watching, and I observed the crates did regularly appear and disappear. What I was looking for now was any sort of pattern—if there was some sequence I could identify that would help me to be in the right position.
If there was a pattern, I couldn’t find it. That left me with the less ideal option of waiting for one to appear nearby and me running again. It relied on chance, but it should still work.
It felt like another hour must have gone by while I tested this. No crate came close, so I moved to where I had seen a number appear. Nothing happened.
By now the behavior of the crates suggested that their arrival wasn’t entirely random. They were appearing a set distance away from me, and then disappearing quickly before I could close the distance.
I tried to think of a solution. My pockets were empty and I couldn’t get to any supplies that might help. I could approach the hand sculpture—and found that I could move it.
Perhaps that was what I needed to do? It was the proximity to the sculpture that was making the crates disappear? I moved the sculpture to
a corner of the warehouse and waited on the opposite side.
Another half hour of crate chasing later and I’d proved all too well that it wasn’t helping. Without any other items to assist I’d have to make use of my clothing. I stripped down and placed my garments in carefully spaced piles on the floor. My idea was that the crates might be appearing at a distance from any objects, including me. By presenting them with some obstacles I could hopefully limit the areas of their appearance.
That worked, after a fashion. It did seem to limit where they materialized, but it wasn’t enough to let me catch them. All it really wound up accomplishing was to make me a lot more frustrated and uncomfortably chilly. I really didn’t want to be wandering around in Walt’s head naked any more than I had to.
I wondered if I was smarter with my memories gone. I’d had no problem solving the puzzles in Yve’s mind, but here I was completely stymied.
I moved to investigate the warehouse doors. They looked standard, although a heavy set of chains and a padlock secured them. I tried my enhanced strength hoping it would be that easy, but it was not to be.
Maybe I had to stop thinking about myself and think of Walt and his situation? This warehouse made sense as a representation of his mind. He had once stored the memories of many other members of his Order from Earth, although those had been erased. Furthermore, since acquiring the Death-hand, he’d been losing other memories as well.
The vanishing crates were likely a representation of that. It was the Death-hand making them go away, as they were probably symbolic of his memories which were locked away in this space.
Walt had always been the smart one able to reason his way out of anything, although lately he’d taken to getting a good bit punchier with things. Perhaps that was the solution here?
I was working so hard to use my ability to help him to get his memory back, but really, I just needed to help him to use his. I picked up the Death-hand sculpture and tucked it under one arm like a battering ram. That was exactly the purpose I had in mind.
Backing up all the way to the far edge of the warehouse first, I charged at the door as fast as I could, flinging the sculpture at the last moment towards the locked doors.
