Redemption

Redemption Part 24

This Sojourner's eyes didn't have the effervescence that Sol's did. They were hard and piercing like cold blades.

He leaned his hands on the table. "Mind if I join you? You couldn't object to a fourth member?"

"We're having a private conversation," said Sym.

"I could hear how 'private' it was from the opposite end of the hexagon." He smiled wryly.

Sym narrowed her eyes. "We don't need your kind bothering us."

"You dare speak that way to a Patroller!" His voice was mirthful rather than angry, but it didn't make me feel any better.

Sol's hand trembled in mine. I looked at him. All the blood had drained from his face. I squeezed his hand, but he didn't stop trembling.

Horror blazed through me. So this was another of Sol's attackers. Anger warred with fear in my heart.

The boy's eyes zeroed in on Sol. "You seem to have recovered nicely. And made some new friends, I see! Tell me, what are your names?"

"None of your business," said Sym. "Now go away."

"Everything on the street is my business. Including some quite...lovely little morsels. Meer told me he saw you yesterday. And ah—I wished to see you again. Now here you are! You sure do get around, Little Teacher." He laughed.

"P-please don't call me that," said Sol.

"I can call you whatever I want. Besides, that's what you are, aren't you? Lording it over the rest of us, showing off your superior wisdom each time the teacher asked a question. I must admit, I liked it better when the teachers didn't like your self-righteous attitude and punished you for it. Such times—were delicious. I can't believe I didn't put you in your place sooner, but I saw you as beneath me. I didn't realize I'd like it better when you were actually beneath me!" He gave a raucous laugh.

I trembled, horrified that anyone could take such delight in someone's pain. I hoped my fear and anger weren't hurting Sol, but his hand clung tightly to mine, almost to the point of hurting. I didn't mind; I wanted him to take all the comfort he could get. I tried to gather courage, so I could transmit some strength to him.

Sym stood. "Get out. Before I... use my Winged-given heritage." Lightning crackled over her fist, some of it shedding to the table to sizzle into the wood.

The boy smirked. "It's you who wouldn't dare. Attack a Patroller in broad daylight?" He shook his head.

"I don't see any of your friends."

"We aren't always in uniform. Besides, Ms are our allies. If I call on one...."

"My lightning could take out an M."

"Do you really want to call down the Marches' wrath?"

I almost laughed. He had no idea that a March was sitting right in front of him.

If I had to, I'd call an M. It would blow my cover, but...that was nothing compared to saving Sol.

"It is rather intriguing..." The boy walked around behind Sym. "A Sojourner with a Noble.... And a mirage. Not something you see every day....

"I'm Zane, by the way."

We didn't answer. "When someone gives their name, it's polite to give yours back."

Sym slammed her hand to the table, lightning bursting into it. "You don't deserve to know our names. You dare flaunt something so—evil."

Zane continued around the table and stopped beside Sol, who froze. "We make our own morality," he said almost absently.