Muses, Mishaps, and Murder! Full Novel.

Chapter 9 Zander is Not A Fish

Muse Silver-Green

The former Apollo fired over rainbow cupcakes with piles of frosting because I love cupcakes.

After almost two years, they want to hire me again. My new boss, who goes by the job title Apollo, is unsure of Zander's Muses, but the supervisors love them because they rarely go to HR and always volunteer for overtime.

I almost refused, but they told me that Zander interacted with Mason, so I could see his smiling face and hear his beautiful singing voice. But I was also terrified about what was happening around me. Even though I consider Mason another grandson, he should've been removed from the Muse program.

His brother, Birdie, fulfilled his destiny by saving three planets by the age of sixteen.

Mason didn't even fit within the creative program. He wasn't going to believe anyone who claimed his writing was terrible because he was always willing to fix it. He didn't need any ideas from a muse because his plays were character-driven.

Why spy on him and Zander Phall? "Zander failed, didn't he? Is that why he attacked Mason?" I asked.

"No, Mason's mother didn't want her son to die and needed Mason to bring down the cult because he started investigating on his own. Lace is so desperate to protect him that she jeopardizes everything we built."

"Okay." I jotted down notes to record later. Not that it mattered since Mason could spy on anyone trying to read him, and mind-blocking techniques didn't work in reverse because of our projectors.

I glanced over at the partial notes about Zander. There were only sparse notes about his custody battle were written down, and a list of what he ate for lunch. Maybe because Zander didn't do much anymore. Muse Paisley is terrible and obnoxious, but at least the harpy takes proper notes. "What is wrong with saving a friend's life?"

"Do your job, and don't be rude to Zander."

"I've never been rude to my creatives. Did you forget why you fired me?" I asked.

"No, I remember. Zander and Mason don't get along, and you pick favorites." My supervisor sat on the cot in my booth. "I have to watch you take your notes and record your narration. We are short-staffed, and Zander's complex case needs over four Muses."

"Don't lie. Apollo doesn't trust them. He's told me. You should narrate Zander's life and assign me back to Mason," I said.

"Most Muses quit because they don't like how Mason has learned to talk back."

"Zander failed to bring down the cult because he had less than adequate Muses," I said.

Zander's image formed into the booth. He couldn't see my table, cot, and 3D food printer, but I could see him and smell the sweat on his body.

Agent Zander Phall strutted through the penal ship and grinned at the masked guards. He winked at the crew and entered his cabin. His knees gave way, and he collapsed on his bed.

His Rag-And-Bone Merchant and superhero swagger vanished. He couldn't even shift right — the poor man. I felt sorry for him.

"I'll prove I'm a good father," Zander said.

Every inch of the room was covered with photos of him and a young humanoid boy. This was his only child. I read over the sparse notes. The boy's custody was in dispute because Zander left Deb's Light, and the cult gained temporary custody. My stomach ached.

Of course. My fellow harpies never cared for their so-called experimental subjects. I prefer the words creative or family.

Using that word makes me remember all young Zander lost.

The largest photo on his nightstand was his son, Jake, in his dragon form.

Zander's answering machine turned on. "Hey, it's me, Gloria. Please pick up the phone." His friend's voice was pleasant enough.

He didn't move from his bed and played another message. "I'm worried about you and Holbrook because of what happened to Jake. You're still his custodial parent."

Mr. Phall finally answered the call. "Hi, Gloria. Holbrook and I are on a mission."

"Have you given up on Jake already?" She asked.

"No, I'm still texting my lawyer. The first judge gave custody to the corporation due to his mother giving up her rights. Jake's mother never had a day's custody and had already signed him over to me. My lawyer says I have to sit and wait for Kay. I don't know why a royal is taking an interest in my case, but I'll take her help."

"She's using you for publicity," Gloria said over the phone. "She missed the meeting when she claimed she'd drop Jake off."

"I'm sad, but if I keep my job, it'll impress the new judge. Agent Lace and Kitten Allen unsuspended me, but only because I resembled the Rag-And-Bone Merchant, Doctor Henry. Well, and I run the short-term penal ship."

"Any good news?"

Zander's voice brightened. "Yes, Agency-14 forced a new consultant on us. He was the temp who discovered that Deb was connected to the Salamander murders. Mason does old-school detective work. You'll meet with Holbrook once the protective targets are in sight, but pretend you don't notice Holbrook at first."

"Why?" Gloria asked.

"Tolbert branded her." He collapsed to the floor, and tears fell. "At least our kiss saved Holbrook from marrying a loser like me." Zander pulled out a photo of a goblin woman smiling with him as he held her arm. Her eyes were bright and clear, and her pink hair fell over her neck and shoulders.

Her voice softened. "Don't use her, but please forgive yourself. You need grace."

"I'll never stop suffering. I did this to myself, to Commander Nickel, Holbrook, and my little boy. Gloria, I want Jake back. They'll brainwash my son to be their perfect worker."

"Your lawyer said they have to allow a visit in a month. Why don't you take time off and stay in the village for a few weeks?" she asked. "Your father would invite you to the family home."

"No, I've disappointed him too much. I don't deserve his help. He took me in, and I kept humiliating him. May I talk to you later?" Zander hung up, ran to the bathroom, and removed his cosmetics. He washed the black highlights out of his brown hair.

Every inch of the bathroom wall was covered in more photos, lacquered into the wall.

The largest of the photos was of Zander with Jake on the back of a dragon. He appeared bored by playing the idiot Rag-And-Bone Merchant.

He left his cell phone in the bedroom while he took a shower. I explored his room, examining it with the ability to touch holographic versions of the remnants of his broken life.

A masked guard snuck into Zander's bedroom and played the message with a headset, but I heard everything. "This is Kay Salamander Poe. I'm the new king's mother. My ex-husband is related to the flaky CEO, Rob Salamander. My father disowned me after I publicly went against his deal with Quin." Kay's message ended with a beep.

The masked guard deleted the message and three others.

I was shocked, listening to my planet's greatest hero talk with a shaky voice.

She called again. "Your son, Jake, is fine, but cultists are trying to grab him again, saying your ex-wife signed her rights to them."

The spy answered. "Stupid Swamp Rat, I'm already here. You'll never reunify them. Zander's mind will be long gone by the time you reach him. How did you escape?"

"Tolbert, I cut my hand off and replaced it with a prosthetic."

"You're resourceful, but you are nothing without Deb. She grows limbs with her cleanses."

"Her cleanses are water, salt, and flavored water packets. How could that work? I know your ship's weaknesses, but since I can't find Deb, I'll offer a deal," Kay said.

"Deb owns Zander. You'll never get his son back to him. I'd exterminate my birth daughter for Deb's Light. Zander knows I'm on the ship, but not where I am." Tolbert blocked her number. He grinned to himself.