Redemption

Redemption Part 8

Well?" said the young woman, her eyes zeroing in on Sym.

Sym stood. "Well, Ree, it's just that, um—"

"When were you going to tell me you invited in two strays?"

"Um...tomorrow?"

Ree's eyes narrowed. "Uh-huh. We can't very well say no to a March, but that doesn't mean we're suddenly a hotel. We don't have unlimited space."

"We do, pretty much."

Ree shook her head. "We can't take on any more."

"It's not like I'm inviting the whole city. Someone was after them."

"We don't need trouble like that!"

"But we're secure here! Besides, I took measures to evade them."

"You—took measures? Symphony, do you realize what you've done? We want to stay out of that kind of trouble! We don't want the Marches after us."

"The Marches weren't after them. It was a syndicate."

"Oh, that makes it a lot better. We protect our own, that's it. We keep our heads down and out of trouble." She swept her arm toward the paused image. "This person looks like a—Sojourner."

"That's because he is."

"They're bottomfeeders, Sym. They're practically traitors by blood. We can't afford to associate with people like that."

Sym's eyes snapped. "Well, he's my friend. He's staying. He's got March protection." She swung toward me, looking at me for support.

I stood, almost upsetting my rainbow floof onto the floor. "He helped rescue me last time I was here. Now he and his mom are in trouble and they need protection."

"His mother's here too?" She looked surprised. "So it wasn't just... at least it's not that."

"Don't be so sure," said a voice behind her. Rhyth stepped into the room. "She's been sneaking out all week to see him."

"And you didn't tell me?" Ree swung toward Rhyth.

"Well... if I'd known it was a soj—"

Ree rolled her eyes and turned to Sym. "So—you've been sneaking out to see this boy?"

"It's not like that. We're friends. What happened last week—it brought us all together. I feel like I've known Jet and Sol a lot longer."

"At least you're not entwined romantically—I hope." She eyed me. "I suppose there isn't anything I can do about it. They're here, whether I like it or not."

"Pretty much," said Sym.

"But if I see any hint of misbehavior from either of them—or impropriety—I won't hesitate to throw them out, March ally or not." She looked at me with a hint of apology and deference in her eyes, though there was also a touch of defiance. She had a narrow, solemn yet elegant face, soulful green eyes, and shoulders a bit bowed as if with perpetual weariness, yet her bearing was proud as if she hadn't quite given in.

"I'm sorry if it's an inconvenience for me to be here," I said. "Sym said it'd be okay."

"Yes, well, she's been doing a lot of things without asking lately."

"I won't make any trouble. If you need help with anything—"

Her eyes softened. "That's okay. I have Ms now to help—you've done a lot. I suppose...I owe you."

"No—you don't. I owe Sym my life. This house—isn't enough to repay it. If it's really too much trouble, I'll see if I could stay at HQ...."

"No—please! Please can he stay?" said Sharlee, her blue eyes large and earnest.