by Hanna Peach
Alyx laughed. “Like Robin Hood and his merry men.”
“Something like that. Anyway, I haven’t touched a drop since. Only you and the Captain know, so...”
Alyx put her hand on Mason’s, her tiny fingers dwarfed against his bearish hand. “Your secret is safe with me, I promise.”
“What about you? Why don’t you touch the grog?”
“I need to be alert and ready at any time just in case…” Alyx paused, “well, just in case.”
“You’ll need it around Scrapper, what with the demons that are after him and all.”
Alyx jolted. Did Mason just say demons?
Mason stretched his legs out from under him. “Oh, I always knew Scrapper was a little...different. And now that you’re here with him, it just solidifies it for me.”
Alyx shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s just us now. You don’t have to pretend anymore,” he said, using her own words.
Had Israel told Mason? Or did this mortal know more than he was supposed to? Her skin started to prickle and her fingers moved for the dagger tucked in her boot.
“Oh, angel. Don’t be getting skittish on me now. I’m not looking to profit from this observation of mine. But seeing as you jumped quick as an anchor’s descent for your boot dagger, I’d say that’s proof of how close to the truth I am.”
Alyx paused, her hand halfway down her thigh, eyeing Mason closely.
“You threw yourself in front of Israel more than once back there.”
She shrugged, trying to look casual. “Okay, so maybe I’m looking out for him. So what?”
Mason shook his head. “Nah, it’s more than that. I can see the way you are around him. I see you looking at him every time you think no one’s watching. I see you noticing every time he moves, what he does, who he talks to. Do you know your body follows him around wherever he goes? Only subtly, but it does. You know what it looks like to me? Looks to me like you may be in love with him.”
Alyx made a spluttering noise. “I am not in love with him.”
“Is it me you’re trying to convince?” Mason nodded towards her right shoulder where Terrapin had slashed her. “Say, you heal pretty quick there.”
There was nothing but smooth skin exposed by her wide-neck collar where Terrapin had cut her. Alyx silently cursed herself for choosing this shirt. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders as if shielding herself from cold.
“I’ve only met one other who can heal that quickly. He called himself a Rogue. I figured you and he are one and the same. Aw, angel, don’t fret. Your secret is safe with me.”
Alyx didn’t know what to say.
Mason continued, “Everyone always forgets about us street rats. We’re invisible to most people. Which means we see more than most, often more than we’d like. We see more of your kind and of the demons you fight than you know. Sometimes we get targeted by them and we have to get involved. But mainly we like to stay out of it and let you guys clean them up.”
“So,” said Alyx, struggling to make sense of all that Mason just revealed to her, “you see them too?”
“Not like Israel does. But I’ve seen enough to know they’re real.”
“You said you met a Rogue?”
“I was a bit younger. There was a big fight on...Silva and Sonnen, I think. The boys and I had gone out to watch that match at one of the local bars. It was early, about eleven at night. I was walking home alone. The other boys were still out drinking, being rowdy. I rounded a corner, a shortcut through a smaller street, and I saw them. The Rogue fighting a demon. They didn’t see me. I stuck close to the wall and just watched them. They were getting into each other real good.”
Alyx’s eyes widened. “A Rogue fighting a demon? Are you sure that’s what you saw?”
“Sure as a rusty cannon will ne’er fire straight. Why?”
“Rogues are supposed to be working with the demons.”
“Well this one wasn’t. Finally the Rogue killed the demon, but he was badly hurt himself. Only reason I knew that the Rogue was still alive was ’cause of the noises he was making. I heard voices, the friends of the fallen demon looking for him. The Rogue was in no state to fend off another attack. So I dragged him to the closest manhole and took him down under.” Mason rubbed his face. “I’ll never forget the sight of his wounds healing up over themselves. That’s when I knew he wasn’t human.”
“Do you remember his name?”
“He wouldn’t give it to me. Said it was better the less I knew about him.” Mason’s attention was caught by someone approaching. “I’d love to continue this conversation, but I think this is my cue to leave.”
Even before Mason noticed him coming, Alyx knew it was Israel. Mason was right. It didn’t matter what she was doing, there was always a part of her that was aware of him. After appearing to avoid her throughout dinner here he was, chewing on his lip and looking, for the first time she noted, almost unsure of himself.
Mason stood up. “She’s all yers, Scrap,” he slurred before stumbling in the general direction of his carriage.
Israel fumbled with his jeans pockets. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to−”
“It’s fine, Israel.”
He shuffled his feet.
“Sit down. You’re making me nervous just standing there like that.”
Israel sat where Mason had just been sitting.
“Are you okay?” she asked him.
“Sure. Fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You seem nervous.”
“No. Not nervous.”
Alyx gave up trying to get him to talk. They sat in silence for a while. She thought about her earlier conversation with Mason. How many other mortals knew about the Seraphim and the Darkened? If it was true what he said and not all Rogues were friends with demons, perhaps she could find them? Maybe they could help her?
“So,” Israel said, “where to from here?”
“We should get a couple hours of sleep. Early tomorrow morning we’ll find that train line that goes along West End and head back to the theater.”
“Would it be better to wait till dark to sneak out?”
Alyx shook her head. “The Darkened sleep during the day and the Seraphim don’t usually patrole when it’s light. We’re better off making a break for it then.” She leaned closer to Israel and dropped her voice low. “Did you know that Mason knows about us?”
“Us?” Israel’s eyes widened.
“About what I really am and about your second sight.”
“Oh, right. No, I didn’t know that. But I’m not surprised. He notices everything. There’s a reason he became the Saints’ new captain.” Israel paused, twisting his fingers over and over again. “Speaking of noticing things, he said something to me before. Something about you…and me.”
Alyx’s heart stopped. Was she really that obvious? Or did Mason tell Israel about her feelings for him? She cursed under her breath. Of course he did. Mason told Israel about her feelings for him. And now here he was, looking worried...
Mason never said that Israel felt the same way about her.
Her heart clenched. Of course Israel was worried. He didn’t feel the same way. He didn’t want to have to let her down. He was worried her growing feelings would ruin their partnership. Judging by the look on Israel’s face, she knew she was right. Her cheeks began to flush. Relax, Alyx. Play it cool.
“Oh that,” she laughed nervously. “Yes, Mason mentioned it to me, too.”
Israel blinked madly at her. “He did?”
“Yes, and you don’t have to be so worried about it. It’s just a Guardian-bond thing. The feelings aren’t really real. How could they be?”
It was crushing to be so flippant about her feelings for him. How her heart begged instead to let itself be heard by him. Tell him, it cried, tell him how he makes you feel.
No, her mind replied, he doesn’t feel the same way.
Tell him anyway...
“Oh.” Israel looked con
fused for a moment, then he cleared his throat. “Sure. Of course they aren’t real.” He appeared to compose himself.
Relief. He was relieved. He bought it. Crisis averted.
But the slim satisfaction of getting herself out of this awkward situation was overshadowed by the crushing confirmation that he just didn’t feel the same.
Chapter 27
The next morning after Alyx and Israel had said goodbye to the pirates, Terrapin and Mason escorted them to the exit near the old theater. When they reached the covered manhole above them, Terrapin tugged on Alyx’s arm.
“What is it?”
Terrapin pointed at her, then tapped himself on the chest before pointing to the exit above them.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
“I think he wants to come with us,” said Israel.
Alyx turned back to Terrapin. “Is that it?”
He nodded vigorously, then puffed his chest out, beating himself across the chest with his right arm.
“I think he wants to be your bodyguard.”
Alyx touched Terrapin lightly on the arm. “But your home is here. Why would you want to come with me?”
Mason spoke, “You spared his life, angel. That’s not something most other people would have done in your situation. In fact, that’s probably one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for him. He’ll feel that he owes you.” While Mason was speaking, Terrapin was nodding.
“Oh, Terrapin,” Alyx said. “You don’t owe me. Your place is here with Mason and the boys. I tell you what though, if I ever need help or need someone beaten up I’ll come straight to you, okay?”
Terrapin grinned and wrapped Alyx up in a hug that lifted her off her feet. She laughed and buried her face in his shoulder. “I’ll miss you too. Stay out of trouble for me, will you?”
Terrapin set her down, nodding.
“If there is anything you ever need, you let me know,” Mason said, grasping her hand in his.
“I will.” Alyx threw her arms around him in a hug.
A broad smile cracked over Mason’s face. “And if you ever get tired of playing with this boy,” he nudged his head towards Israel and winked at her, “you especially let me know.”
Alyx laughed.
* * *
Each of the four theater rooms of the Regent had been decorated in a different theme. The Royal Theater, the smallest room, had large purple seats like thrones, gold curtains and a small curved stage that jutted forward into the audience. The Crystal Theater was a slightly larger room with faded cream seats and a ceiling dripping with strands of crystals. The Peacock Theater, an even larger theater room, was dressed in blues and greens, a pattern of peacock feathers across the carpet. But the Grand Hall was the largest of them all. The ceiling soared the full height of the building, private boxes sat like tarnished coins around the walls, and the once gold carvings on the arms of the cinema seats were now chipped and rubbed brown.
“Which theater room is your favorite?” Alyx asked Israel’s image lying next to her. She was in the Grand Hall while he lounged across the front of the Crystal Theater. They had been practicing appearing to each other.
“I like the Royal Theater,” Israel said after a pause.
“Why?”
“Because,” he grinned, “I reckon I was a king in a past life.”
Alyx snorted. “Be serious.”
“I am always serious. Seriously funny.”
Alyx threw a moldy cushion at him and it went right through his laughing illusion.
“Seriously? Because it’s smaller, more intimate. Private. It’s where I would take my girlfriend if I were to take her here.”
“You have a girlfriend? Why haven’t you mentioned her before?”
“No, I don’t have a girlfriend. I’m speaking theoretically. What about you?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“I figured that. I meant, which theater is your favorite?”
“I like the Peacock Theater. Wait, did you just say ‘you figured’ that I didn’t have a boyfriend? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t get upset. I just meant that you’ve never spoken about any guy back home so I figured you didn’t have one waiting for you.”
Alyx thought about Daniel. How different things would have been if she had stayed in Michaelea. She’d be Entwined to him now.
“Tell me why you like the Peacock Theater best,” Israel said, snapping Alyx out of her thoughts.
“I love the colors.”
Israel rolled towards her onto his side and pushed himself up on an elbow. “Why don’t you wear blues and greens? I think they would go beautifully against your skin and your dark hair and your eyes.”
Alyx hid a blush. “I don’t know. My uniform as a lightwarrior was black and there weren’t many times that I had an opportunity to dress in something other than my warrior gear. I guess it’s just habit.”
“Why don’t you choose to wear blue or green now?”
“Choose to wear blue or green?” she said as she looked down at her black singlet and dark jeans.
Choose to wear blue or green. This alien thought fell across her mind and took some moments to settle. When it did, her world suddenly shifted.
She could choose. She was no longer under the Elders’ rule. No rules, no Code, no protocol. She could do what she wanted. If she wanted to, she could wear blues and greens and reds and oranges or any other damn color she chose. She could wear every color of the rainbow all at once if she wanted and there was no one to tell her not to.
“I can choose to.” A bubble of laughter escaped her lips. “I can choose to.” She giggled again. This feeling of freedom was intoxicating.
Alyx leaped into the air and raced to the Crystal Theater. When she burst through the doors, Israel was shaking his head in bewilderment. “What’s going on?”
She grabbed his hand. “Come on.”
The roof of the Regent was flat and gray during the day but at night it transformed into a ballroom with a ceiling of stars. In this ballroom you could hear the song of the city after midnight: the bass of distant cars, the snare of crickets, the melody of lovers laughing as they walked along the streets.
Alyx pushed open the door to the roof of the theater and pulled Israel out with her. He fell into her and they spun, laughing, catching each other. On the breeze was a slight smell of rain.
“What are we doing up here?” asked Israel.
“You’ll see.”
“You keep saying that but I can hardly see a damn thing.”
“Do you trust me?” she whispered up to him. She was giddy. Giddy with possibilities, giddy with the smell of him all around her.
Israel nodded. “Completely.”
“Close your eyes and don’t open them till I say so.”
He did so.
“You’ll have to hang on to me.”
His fingers found her elbows. She sucked in a breath as his touch, ever so light, invoked a trill of sensation up her arms.
“No, silly. I mean really hang on to me.”
Alyx put her arms around his waist and tugged at him. He closed the last of the space between them. Their bodies met. He drew his arms around her, palms lying wide across her back, his chin resting on the top of her head. She whispered, “Are you ready?”
She didn’t give him time to reply. Suddenly they were moving, shooting up towards the stars, air rushing around them as it was hurrying out of their way. Not once did he flinch. Nor did he open his eyes, nor did he speak. Instead she heard his breath draw in audibly and felt his heart quicken.
He said that he trusted her.
Above the Earth Alyx slowed their ascent and held them both there, just so, suspended between the Earth and the heavens. Her head rested on his chest. Below them the city was a twinkling sea. She had been up there so many times, so many nights flying out for patrole, but never once had she stopped to admire the view. Until tonight.
“Open your eyes,” she said.
“Oh my God.” Alyx didn’t have to see his face to know what Israel was feeling. In his voice she could hear the timbre of awe, the rumble of delight. His arms crushed her tighter to him and she responded in kind. “It’s beautiful.”
Alyx pulled back enough so she could see his face, alive with joy, his eyes on fire. “It’s kinda something, huh?”
“Kinda something,” he echoed and looked down at her. “You’re kinda something.”
Coils of heat twisted in her stomach like leaves caught in a draft. Slowly, Israel began to move his lips down to hers. He was going to kiss her. Her first kiss. Oh God, how do you even kiss? What if she wasn’t any good?
She panicked, turning her head to look back down to the city below. An ache clutched at her heart. “We shouldn’t stay up here for long. Someone might see us.”
“Of course,” his voice was heavy. “Do we have to go back just yet?”
* * *
Alyx sat with Israel on the tower of Saint Paul’s Cathedral, the giant bell hanging above them like a silent guard. She looked over to where the sun was beginning to slip over the horizon, her eyes crinkling.
Next to her Israel took in a deep breath, closed his eyes, and let out a contented sigh. “Being up here with you, I could almost forget about…everything.”
Alyx watched his scar dancing as he spoke. If she just reached out she could touch it. Israel opened his eyes, catching her staring.
He put his fingers to his lips. “My scar. You’re always looking at it.”
He had noticed her staring even before today. “I’m sorry.” Alyx looked down, feeling her face grow warm. “It’s just…the Seraphim, we heal so quickly and completely that we never scar.”
“It’s ugly, I know. I hate it.”
“No. It’s beautiful,” Alyx blurted out, then wished she hadn’t.
“Beautiful?”
“Yes. Beautiful. It’s unique...interesting. It tells me that you’ve seen things, lived through things. How did you get it?”
“I got them the day I died.”
“You died?”
