A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 102: Redemption

"Why don't we sit and talk this out," Einar offers. I can't tell if he's upset about me being in his home unannounced or surprised or expectant or betrayed. I never anticipated this, but Einar's impossible to read. I don't usually have that problem, thanks to my ergokinesis; I can read basically anyone in a split second even if they're not in the same room, but Einar... there's something off about him. It's like he's so... composed, so prepared, ready even.

I stare at him hard, trying to decide how I can possibly get me and Freyja out of here and back to Nine. Wait. Nine! What happened to him? If Einar teleported back with the Loralite stone, if he found Nine, and he's here... what does that mean about Nine? Is he still alive?!

Einar laughs a little. "You're confused," he says. "Don't be. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm a friend. See?" He tugs on his bowtie as if it's annoying him and lets it fall into his hand where it levitates without any further touch.

A friend. Einar is a friend. He's like me: telekinetic, and Human Garde. Nine—he must've been wrong about him. "Ok," I slur, and let loose on Freyja's hand a little.

Slowly, he turns and walks downstairs, and we follow him. "Emily?" Freyja whispers, her voice a chime in the wind. "You're going to take me home, aren't you?"

Why does she sound so desperate now? I nod. "In a minute," I tell her, and lift her onto a stool in the kitchen. Einar sits at the counter, and I sit across from him.

"So, what brings you here, Emily?" he asks.

"I came for Taylor," I tell him. "Nine and I... We came to bring her back to the HGA."

"I see," he says. "Well, I'm sorry, but I can't let that happen."

"But where is she?" My palms start to tingle, a faint bit of nerves, I think. I try to turn them off. "Where's Nine? He was outside with all those mercenaries... if he... if they—"

"Calm down," he says, and I do—instantly. "He's fine, or at least he will be. Emily, tell me, are you in need of a job?" A job? No, not this again.

"What kind of job?"

"I'm sure the Foundation would love to meet you," he proposes, "and I'm sure I could find you some work to do for them, or my superior could. You'd be a great asset."

"Doing what?"

"I don't entirely know," he admits. "All I know is that they'd die to have you onboard. They're quite—how should I say—fanatic of you."

"They are?"

"Of course! The pay is great, and you'll get plenty of paid-vacation time, not to mention unlimited healing ailments and amenities, and a place like this anywhere you want in the world. Pick a spot. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?"

"Anywhere?" He nods, as stoic as can be. "I'd probably say Okinawa. It's just a while away from Japan. It's tropical and secluded, and there aren't a lot of people... it's—"

"Paradise," he concludes. I nod in agreement. "What do you say? Would you like to stay with us and have everything you rightfully deserve?" Seriously? Everything I rightfully deserve? What, like a mansion up in the middle of nowhere? I don't know... I was content enough staying with Naya. If she lets me stay there permanently, and if I could, I would. Einar says I could. Maybe I could persuade him to leave out the huge, impressive mansion part? Or is that a stupid thing to ask for? Should I just accept his offer as it is? It sounds unbelievable.

"Emily," Freyja calls me, tightening her hold on my hand in a hardy death grip. "I want to go home. I want to see my Mama and Papa—" She stops suddenly, and even though it's a little strange, I'm reminded of my own parents, and what they might say...