Power Corrupts. Insanity Cures.

Chapter 31. Scars and Flowers

I didn't threaten anyone about stealing my story last chapter? Shows how desperate I was to win back your approval. Well, the honeymoon period is over.

Steal my story and I'll make you do the really hard yoga position I did last night, that now makes me wish I didn't have shoulders or a spine. Ouchy. 

Chapter 31. Scars and Flowers

A little madness in the Spring
Is wholesome even for the King.
-  Emily Dickinson  

Serena felt like a schoolgirl summoned into the principal's office. Mercury sat across from her at his desk, and looked dignified without being so distant that you couldn't cry with your head on his knee and blubber about your problems. But his mind was reptilian. Not that Mercury knew that Serena knew that. Nevertheless, Serena could see why so many would be attracted to him. Under the paternal guise he currently donned he radiated confidence and power. It was clear Mercury had the world figured out and he knew exactly how to conquer it.

"How are your injuries, Miss Ambrose?" Mercury inquired graciously, "Are you feeling better?"

The questions made her glance at her left hand. The bandage was off now. Most of the cuts hadn't needed stitches but it was obvious that Bianca was going to leave a lasting impression. Her whole left hand was a page of a coloring-in book, with swirling scars in irregular lines. A crayon was needed to fill in the shapes it made. Serena kind of liked it.

"I'm good," Serena said nonchalantly, leaning back into the chair, "Can't let the torture get you down."

Mercury offered a smile. "I admire your spirit. Not many could handle Bianca's powers like you have. Again, I'm sorry you had to experience it."

"Thank you," Serena replied, trying not to roll her eyes.

Mercury's act of 'fatherly concern' was the wrong tactic. He had pegged Serena as someone with daddy issues. Which was correct. But Serena was secure in her hatred for father figures; she did not desire anyone to smooth it over.

"I've already spoken with Vision on the inhuman trafficking issue, as I'm sure you're aware."

She was. Yesterday, Taras had been called to Mercury's office and had sat where Serena was sitting now, under Mercury's close scrutiny. Taras hadn't much to offer, he knew as much as Mercury did. But he had strongly reaffirmed his dedication to being helpful - which is what Mercury seemed to again want to hear.

"But," Mercury continued, "I would appreciate hearing your opinion, Miss Ambrose."

"My opinion?" she tilted her head.

"Yes. You were at Jon O'Hara's funeral. You know what Vision has seen. Please, tell me your thoughts on our problem."

"Well," she hedged, thinking. She knew, among other things, that the purpose of this meeting was for Mercury to measure her intelligence. To lie, or not to lie?

"We know inhumans are being sold, and the person who used to arrange it was Jon O'Hara," she said slowly, "But he's dead now. We don't know who's replaced him, who's in charge, where they're based, or how to stop them. We don't know much at all really. But...none of those is the most intriguing question."

"Then what is?"

She tapped her finger on the armrest. "If inhumans are so powerful, so useful, then why sell them to anyone? Why not keep them for yourself?"

Mercury eyebrows twitched upward. "Money," he said blandly.

"The powers you'd have at your disposal would make more money than the sales of your inhumans. You understand that better than most, right sir?" she joked, fluttering her eyelashes.