Fury and Flame | 3

8 | 9

D E L P H I N I U M

      Separating from my friends who were readying for our night out, I went to find Jake, as he hadn't been told of our plans yet. I frowned when I saw he wasn't in his room. But then I saw him standing on the balcony off the upstairs hallway with his back facing me.

Stepping over the threshold, I called his name. He didn't respond.

"We're going out tonight. You're invited to come with the rest of us."

"Why." I sighed. He was impossible.

"I know you're not one for socialization but it might do you good to just be a normal nineteen-year-old in one night without crime and murder. Who knows? You might even end up having fun for the first time."

"That's unlikely."

Scoffing, I said, "Come on, you know it won't be the same without you there."

As I went to stand beside him, I saw that he was staring through the dark at the city. But he didn't look at it with the usual hunger, like he was looking at something he desperately wanted but couldn't have. No, something about him seemed relaxed, confident.

Then I realized what it was: triumph.

"What did you do?" I asked, slightly wary of the answer.

"I took back what is mine."

I raised my eyebrows. "The Club is yours."

"Ask me how I did it."

I gave a little chuckle but humored him anyway. "How did you do it?"

"I rooted out the men loyal to him during the fight and I left to allow him to try and gain his power back for a few more weeks, actively driving the remaining members to me. Then, I watched as my men bowed to me while a blinded Hundsen was left half-dead to be arrested."

"You didn't kill him?"

"I'll let him drive himself half-mad with agony before I put him out of his misery."

"So you're truly their undisputed king," I said. "Good. You deserve it."

"I'll need to undo the damage Hundsen did, secure the borders and enlist more men," he thought aloud. "It will take time before I can surpass the point I was once at, but it will happen."

He was silent for a long time. "You know, someone of your particular skill set would be very valuable to the Club."

I looked up at him in shock. "You're asking me to join the Club?"

"All I said was that I could use a skilled assassin."

"You're asking me to join the Club." And somehow I knew it was the beginning of an answer to the question I'd asked him while stitching his wounds.

"It will be harsh, gory work. Especially for a lieutenant. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"I know. I don't mind." I didn't think I'd smiled like this in months.

"And if you won't do it for me, do it for Jaxon. I already asked him if he would join earlier and he accepted."

"I'll do it for both of you." A moment's consideration. "What about the others? They're nearly already members by association. And you know Arlo will never forgive you for not asking him."

"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."

"And what will you do about Hunt? How can you work for the government and an underground crime syndicate at the same time?"

"So many questions, Tesla. Maybe I should rescind my offer," he said. "As I've always said, Hunt's always been too soft when it comes to us. He won't prosecute me for anything as long as I keep giving him what he wants. If I keep putting rival crime lords in the ground, he can't argue. As for the rest of it...he won't look too far into things for fear of his position. What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

"Criminals ridding the streets of worse criminals," I summarized. "Intriguing."

"I can only imagine how many times you'll get us into near-death experiences that I will be forced to smooth over."

"Ever the controlling crime king. But if I have to call you 'sir', I'm out." I shuddered at the thought.

"Too late."

I closed my eyes against a cold night breeze. "I can't wait to see the looks on the other crime lords' faces when they realize we've joined forces."

"I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they realize how infinitely more powerful I am compared to them."

"One thing's for sure: the evil crime bosses of New York aren't ready for us."

"For once, we're in agreement, Tesla."

I couldn't help my smile as I faced the glowing city. Due to the clear nights the stars were vaguely visible for once. With the sounds of my friends chattering and laughing inside, I let out a contented sigh.

Finally, I remembered what peace felt like.

▂▂▂▂▂▂ THE END ▂▂▂▂▂▂