Volume IX: The Art of Sauntering Vaguely

13. Fate of a Murderer

“He’s dead.”

            I woke up in a hospital bed with a start, Irish sitting calmly next to me. The words rolled off her tongue so casually, almost painlessly.

            “Why are you helping her? After all that they’ve done, everything that family has destroyed, why would you allow yourself to aid in the madness?”

            She paused, considering her response carefully. “Only through madness can it end. Open your eyes child; you of all people understand the importance of appearances. Through betrayal and treachery, the cycle shall end as it began. Colt’s death will end the war.”

            “And is that how it was supposed to work out from the start?”

            She shook her head slowly. “No. You interfered.”

            “Are you trying to blame me for Colt’s death?”

            She shrugged slightly. “Yes and no. He was damned from the very moment he got himself involved with street demons. And somewhere in his soul, he knew it. Very few get to live this life beyond the age of twenty or so. Very few. He had faced his fate long ago, and it didn’t bother him in the slightest. His goal was to change things, to bring peace after generations of conflict, no matter the cost. He was prepared to die for such peace all along.”

            “So how am I responsible?”

            She smiled slowly. “He had seduced the enemy. With Dacien on his side, he was safe. Linkon’s death triggered the demon deep in her soul that we all saw her to be. Except Colt. He was so convinced that even horrible people could be decent. He loved her despite her name, despite her fate. And he loved her until the moment his last breath left him. No matter what she put him through, and even after the ultimate betrayal, he loved her still.”

            “How do you know?”

            And she locked her eyes to mine with a ferociousness I’d never seen before.

            “Trust me.”

            “So now what happens?”

            “You disappear. You are hereby banished from the underground. You are never to make contact with Dacien or Dusk unless they approach you. You are however still permitted at the bar, since all decisions regarding such still fall on me. The life you once knew has ended. We will not be saving you again. Most people think you’re dead as is. You will heal, and you will move on from this moment.”

            I nodded my consent, since I had little other choice. She got up from her chair to leave, turning back for a moment.

            “And remember that you are alive right now only because Dacien Ransom wishes it so. Long live the Queen.”

            And she left.

            I let the words swim in my mind until I passed out again, waking up to a doctor leaning over me staring at my chart. He seemed almost too young to be a doctor, barely older than myself. He noticed my movement casually, still pouring over the paperwork.

            “Miss….Burton? How are you feeling today?”

            I nodded, smiling slightly. “Could be worse.”

            He kept the chart high, masking most of his face; eyes as sweet as sin shone down on me. “Think you can walk?”

            And I pulled myself out of bed as quickly as I could manage. “Willing to try.”