Legacy's Ghost

Episode 29: Diplomatic Immunity

Edmond hits the accelerator and the diplomatic vehicle lurches forward and speeds off as Trina is still shutting her car door.

I turn to watch the nurses and guard spill out onto the road behind our car, unable to catch us.

I lean my head back onto the headrest and stare at the ceiling, panting. I glance around at Edmond, Trina, and Oliver. They're grinning.

Edmond reaches out to Trina, grabs her forearm and squeezes. "Thank you for your help. It's been a long time since I've been part of a rescue mission."

Trina grins, a dimple appearing on her cheek. "The TAGs have got to stick together and watch out for each other, isn't that what you taught us?"

"And yet, of the ten other TAGs in your group, only your two, the youngest in our group, suggested a jail break for Atan." I see Edmond's eyes crinkle in the rearview mirror, and his wrinkles deepen around his eyes as he grins. "I will be sure to include extra points for teamwork and loyalty in your files."

Both Oliver and Trina light up. Then Trina says, "This isn't for the extra points, Sir Edmond."

"But we will gladly accept them," Oliver says, leaning forward, toward Edmond.

Edmond inclines his head. "I understand. Both of you. You can do something out of the kindness of your heart and still be rewarded for your efforts." He locks eyes with Oliver. "The extra credit still stands. All I ask is that you keep this operation and Atan's presence at the Monastery a secret. As long as you're under the supervision of the monastery, you're safe from the authorities and do not have to answer questions. If anyone tries to question you, please send them to me."

"Understood," Oliver says. He nudges my foot with his. "You okay?"

The car slows to a stop, and I lock gazes with Oliver. "I am now. Thank you."

Oliver's grin falters. "Your eyes are weird. They're gonna take some getting used to."

I stiffen, waiting for him to tease me about the purple hue of my eyes. But Oliver chuckles and shakes his head. "They're cool though. Much better than my plain old brown."

My stomach warms and I relax. "Thanks. Brown's pretty cool too. Reminds me of Cook's double chocolate mousse fondue."

Trina snickers. "Better than being called poo."

"Shut up, Trina." Oliver wrinkles his nose.

"You don't need to worry anymore," Trina says, looking over her shoulder at Oliver. "Rigel's gone now. He won't tease you about your eyes."

"Good thing," Oliver says to her. "I was gonna have to beat him up the next time he bothered you."

My gaze darts between Oliver and Trina, my mouth dry. Do they know what happened to him? Did Rigel tell? Did someone else?

Trina's gaze drops to the ground. "I still can't believe he had a bad reaction to the blueberry pie and died. I thought blueberries were his favorite."

My stomach bottoms out and I stare at Edmond. He doesn't look at me though. He keeps his eyes on the road and says, "Yes, it is a shame. Life is often filled with unanswered questions. But as a Trinity, you must do the best you can with the information you have."

Oliver gives a curt nod.

When Edmond reaches the Monastery, he slows long enough to be ushered through the front gates, then navigates the winding road toward the front of the largest tree in Legacy Colony where the doors to the Monastery are located.

He slows his car to a stop. Then I exit with Oliver. He holds my arm, helping me back onto shaky legs. Another wheelchair is waiting for us at the top of the Monastery stairs leading to the front doors.

Oliver practically has to carry me up the steps on his back. As soon as we reach the top, I instantly plop into the wheelchair, already panting and a ball of sweat.

This time Oliver takes the handles and pushes me, following Trina and Edmond through the safety of the front doors, to an elevator. When we hit the infirmary, a doctor is waiting for us with a team of nurses behind him.

Edmond steps out of the elevator and murmurs something into the doctor's ears. The doctor's gaze darts to mine, his face pales, and he nods.

As the doctor turns and addresses his nurses, Edmond returns to me and presses his hand onto my shoulder. "You are safe here, Atan. Whatever happens here falls under the purview of diplomatic immunity and Trinity confidentiality. Ghosts and ghouls have an extra layer of secrecy to protect their identities. Do you understand?"

I nod. "Thank you." I glance back at Trina and Olivia. "All of you."

They grin at me, and Trina presses her hand onto my other shoulder, squeezing. "You're welcome."

Edmond then says to her and Oliver, "You'd better hurry back to your classes. We don't want you missing too much."

A kindly nurse with red hair pulled into a long braid down her back and wearing light gray scrubs smiles down at me. "We're going to take you to your room and get you situated, is that all right?"

I blinked up at her and nod. This is the first time anyone has ever asked me what I want. Up until this point, I've always been told what to do and was expected to do it.

I straighten my shoulders. "Yes, please."

Edmond silently marches next to me as the nurse pushes the wheelchair down the hall.

"Is the Ghost okay?" I ask Edmond. "When I woke up the first time, they told me he was treated for burns. How did he get burns?"

Edmond places a hand on my shoulder but keeps looking forward. "Let's talk about that after we get you settled in your room."