Paradox Interluder (Usurper #2)

8

Mara took a deep breath to collect herself and her thoughts as she slowly crawled her way across the roof of each train car. From a distance on that horse, it didn't seem like the train had been going that fast. The smell of burning graphite, smoke stinging her sensitive eyes, and sensation of speeding even faster when on top of the train wasn't helping her motivations. Nor her slight fear of heights.

She knew her son would be alright. She knew that. Helping Kaid wasn't much of a question. A slight guilt resided in her that needed to be mended. Perhaps this was her restitution, helping her friend save an Empress that she had tried to kill a couple years ago. Mara felt she could have done better, perhaps convincing Kaid to reach out to Jessamine sooner or anything else to prevent this.

Kaid constantly affirmed that he didn't wish to see her. He firmly believed Jessamine wanted nothing to do with him.

What a lie. What a hurtful fabrication caused only by his own insecurities. That lie was quickly unearthed by Kaid's swift call into action tonight. Mara knew once that explosion went off and Jessamine was dragged away by unknown men, Kaid would do whatever it took to get her back.

And, if Mara really did want that teaching job, it was probably best to keep her employer alive.

"Well when this is all over, I'm treating us to a nice bottle of whiskey and a case of cigars," the engineer spoke, doing nothing more than leaning against the edge, watching the fire burn. He had filled it to the brim with solid graphite, clearly not caring how white-hot those flames appeared.

"Yeah...all this prepping and work seems to have paid off. Tomorrow, you and I will be very rich men," the other spoke, a snicker in his tone, "speaking of which...I found this in her private car. A nice little bag of gold and some panties along with it."

"You vile dog!" he snickered with delight, pressing the cloth to his nose immediately while the other hand stashed the pouch in his pocket.

Gross. Mara did her best to not let her feminine frustration take over at this moment. She wanted to try and do this quietly, take out one before messing around with the engine. Time wasn't on her side, nor was her ignorance of anything relating to train engines. Fire, though...fire she had plenty of experience on.

"Keep it in your pants for now, Cedric. I'll check in around the next hour, maybe with some more goodies," the other laughed, soon heading back inside, shutting the door behind him.

Cedric, the engineer, glanced back at the roaring engine with a newfound high. He added another small chunk of graphite to the flame, his other hand still with the Empress' underwear wrapped around it, brushing against his nostrils. Mara slowly slid to the edge before landing on her feet. With the roaring wind and constant clattering sounds of metal, the man didn't seem to notice. He was far too distracted with his own thoughts.

She withdrew the small dagger that had been tucked under her dress. Most women had nothing but lace and beauty under their dresses at an event like tonight. Mara and Jessamine were quite the opposite of that, knowing an evening of romance for most could be a violent one for themselves.

She slit his throat with ease, given his distraction. Any attempt of his to clot the strike with the cloth of Jessamine's undergarment was futile. It seemed such a metaphor to Mara, who knew such a fate laid for any man who held such thoughts for Jessamine. Whether by her hand, her friends, or her lover...Mara wanted to tell this man to be grateful he died by her hand.

Mara would have liked to see what Kaid would have done instead, but he was far too busy with other things. The sound of a firearm echoed with the wind, carrying it all the way towards the front. Surely that was Kaid starting a fight. Mara didn't even begin to worry how it would end. She had trained with him over this past year, and despite her years of experience even prior to Caladan, Kaid was an excellent fighter. Vitross had taught him well, but most of all, he taught himself how to embrace his true potential.