I’d had Nemo for a number of years, and then I’d filled the rest with work to try and atone for my crimes. Years later, and I don’t feel any more clean. My life doesn’t feel any more full. Stella is the one bright spot I have.
Maybe that’s all a good thing. If my life had been brimming with satisfaction, it would be harder to leave it all behind and embrace the change in front of me.
My hand comes to hover at my middle. A gesture of reassurance and instinct. I’ve gained something now that won’t disappear. Something that requires more from me than any other job has before.
I check behind me to make sure Ben is still strolling around my tiny kitchen space typing out something on his phone before pulling up the false bottom in the chest at the end of my bed. I take out my “go bag.” Everything I need in the event of an emergency to vanish and become someone new.
I won’t be taking it though. The paperwork and some of the more vicious spells are illegal. I don’t need to bring more trouble into Kalos’s home than I already am. I do take a portal spell I’d worn the night of the job at Kalos’s and string it on my useless amulet necklace. I have one other in the bag, so in a pinch, I can drop in to get the bag and get away again. The gut reaction to have an emergency plan is one I don’t argue with. Kalos can try his best to keep me safe, but I’m still responsible for myself.
I’m not worried about other magic users sensing the spell. It has a glamour on it so the magic can’t be sensed by a person unless they focus on it. I carefully put my go bag back in its hiding place and do one last look around the room before zipping the duffel.
“I’m ready,” I say, leaving my bedroom.
“Is that all you’re bringing?” Ben asks, frowning at the bag.
I shrug. “I travel light.”
“If you’re sure.” Ben offers his arm and I take it, inhaling to ready myself this time when he teleports us. I wasn’t prepared last time and yelped in the most undignified way, which he’d profusely apologized for.
It’s a quick thing that turns my stomach, but we’re back in the entryway of Kalos’s place.
I sway on my feet for a moment. “Ugh.”
Ben laughs, patting my hand before disconnecting it from his arm. “Sorry, most people get used to it.”
“And if I don’t?” I ask.
Ben shrugs. “Then it’s that bad every time. You’ll need my help to leave whenever you need to go anywhere for a while. Kalos probably wants to keep your presence a secret until he can determine who of his people are loyal.”
“He doesn’t know who is loyal now?”
Ben sighs. “Let me show you to your room. Do you want me to carry your bag?”
I shake my head, and Ben gestures for me to go up the stairs. Only when we’re halfway up does he answer my question. His long legs have him in front of me so I can’t track his emotions.
“There’s never been a reason to shore up our defenses,” he says. “Kalos is the biggest name in this city because he’s wealthy and powerful. His position is strong and there are no other logical contenders.”
He’s the big bad wolf. Or big bad dragon, rather.
“He’s never been vulnerable, so he’s never had to test his people,” I say.
“Exactly. For most employees, undying loyalty isn’t a requirement. He only requires people do their jobs and not do anything to hurt the business. Not to bite the hand that feeds them.”
“But now, if his enemies want to get at him, they just have to get to me.” My lower lip trembles before I press them together to stop the show of weakness.
“Don’t worry. Kalos has my loyalty,” he says as we come to the landing. There’s a stability to Ben, one that rings his beliefs to the heavens.
“Why?” I ask. How does someone inspire this much loyalty in a person?
His smile is soft. “He’s the only family I’ve ever known. Not because we’re related, but because he decided that I was one of his to protect. From what I’ve been able to find out about you, I know you understand how important that is.”
I inhale. We share a look that only two people who have no biological family can share. I nod and Ben continues up the next flight of stairs.
“Sorry about all the stairs,” he says. “Maggie made up a room near Kalos’s, and he prefers the top floor. I’d have taken you straight there, but wanted to give you a chance to navigate the house.”
“Maggie?”
“She acts as the housekeeper and chef. There are a few cleaners that come to do the major upkeep of this place and she manages them. You’ll meet her at dinner. Did you want a tour?”
My eyelids are already heavy. The tiny nap I’d taken before on the dragon’s lap didn’t make a dent in the exhaustion that I’ve spent days fighting. “Can I get one later? This place is huge, and I’m pretty tired.”
“Of course. You can get settled and come down when you’re ready.”
Ben’s agreeableness is so contrary to Kalos that it’s jarring. It’s amazing that he can stand to work with the dragon, but you don’t abandon family. Maybe he likes Kalos’s grumpy nature.
“Sorry you have to babysit me,” I say.
Ben shakes his head, his smile open. “You misunderstand. Kalos entrusted you to me while he’s too busy to protect you. It’s an honor to be the one to help him with this.”
“You think he cares that much? Sorry, I shouldn’t ask you something like that.” We stop before a closed door, and Ben gazes down at me.
“I think he cares so much that it threatens to tear him apart,” he says. “I’ve never seen him as thrown off as he was today.”
“I did surprise him.” My mouth is dry, and my heart is painfully hopeful. It doesn’t seem to matter how many times it gets kicked, it still wants some sort of fairytale ending.
“That you did.” Ben opens the door and enters the room. I freeze on the threshold while he checks the windows and ducks into rooms that must be either closets or bathrooms.
The room is big, almost three times the size of my apartment. It’s beautiful in an odd mix of modern and medieval, with understated patterns in shades of purple and cream. Every detail down to the shape of the furniture is elegant. There’s a sitting area around a modern, enclosed fireplace off to the side of a giant canopy bed with curtains.
“Holy shit,” I whisper.
Ben laughs, returning to be at the doorway. “Kalos does nothing halfway. It’s all clear. Let me put my number in your phone.”
I unlock and hand over the device numbly. Ben inputs all his details and curves his lips as he gives it back.
“I took the liberty of sending myself a message so I have your number and put Kalos’s personal cell in there too.”
“Thanks.”
“Take all the time you need,” Ben says and leaves without ceremony, closing the door as he goes as if he knows I need a minute alone. Or many minutes.
I walk into the room in a daze. There’s a lamp with a quartz base that reminds me of the figurine that started all this. Where did that end up? Does it matter? I’ve stolen so many items in my life that they blend together, but not that one.