Unknotted

Potential and Badges

Georgie

Empty stretches of Namen rolled out before us. Pine trees and birches with white bark curling away from the trunk whisked by as we trundled down the road. I wished I could floor the gas and put as much distance between me and Harhort as possible, but concern for the prisoners, who I had rattled around enough today, kept my toe light on the pedal.

“Should we check on the prisoners?” Whiskers asked. My spine stiffened. Had he been reading my thoughts? Was that a possible side effect of the almost pragmora knot we had?

“Wish we could,” I said behind my mask. It had long since grown damp under the cloth, despite its enhancements to repel moisture. It irritated my face, but I wasn’t about to remove it with him in the cab. “The tide will be in soon.” I could already feel the push of it on my skin. “We have to reach the next portal and get them out of Namen.”

“They’ll be safer in Keadan.”

I snorted a derisive laugh. “Keadan was the one who sold them. I have people ready to take them somewhere safe.”

“Who are these people?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know them, but you trust them?”

“I trust who sent them. That’s all that matters.”

He stared out the windshield. “Who do I trust though?” There was a brokenness in the question that cut through my hardened feelings against him. It stole away whatever snide remark I would usually make.

“I don’t know. When I discovered a lead about this shipment, I also discovered Harhort was dealing with a member or members of the ultras’ inner circle. So, you tell me, who are the suspects? I think it’s safe to say you’re not on that list anymore.”

A smile touched his lips. “That’s gracious of you.”

He shifted so his back was to the window, wincing as he did so, and his full attention was on me. I wished he wouldn’t stare so pointedly.

“Do you know which ultra’s circle was meeting with Harhort?” he asked.

“Your ultras don’t share the same inner circle?” As far as I knew, all the ultras worked as a team, sharing their advisors, even in Namen.

His lips pinched into a thin line, and I got my wish; he shifted back toward the window, smearing more blood over the seat. I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t going to answer questions then. I logged that information away, then weighed how much to tell him. How much would he believe? Without knowing how loyal he was to his buddies it was impossible to calculate how he would respond.

“The same two hybrids are usually with you, right?”

He didn’t answer.

“Keep an eye on them, especially Stones.”

“Stones?”

“I think you can guess which of your two companions earned that codename.”

He chuckled, but it died quickly. “You’re wrong. Tydeus wouldn’t be involved in something like this.”

I could go over all the evidence, but my interest in filling the cab with a heated debate was low. I had done enough fighting and running the last few days. Especially with Whiskers.

“What about my ultras? Do you know if they are involved?”

I kept my focus on the road. “Do you honestly believe an operation like this could happen in their territory without their knowledge?”

He kept his eyes on his clasped hands. Core between, he looked broken enough that even I felt bad for him. I always had a soft spot for lost or stolen things. In that moment, Whiskers was certainly lost and looking as if something precious had been stolen from him. Blast it all, it was easier to hate him when I believed he was a dominating prick.

“Take the wheel a second.” I hit cruise control and grabbed his hand. He tensed at my touch but allowed me to place his hand on the wheel. It drew him closer and while that sent a tickle of warning across my shoulder blades, I ignored it and fastened on my tool belt.

I removed a plastic wrapped disc half the size of a golf ball. “Here. You’re bleeding all over the seat.” At his questioning look, I explained, “It’s a towel. Just pull the plastic off and shake it out.”

“Is there anything you don’t have in that belt?”

“A gun.”

“Really? I would think with all the trouble you find, that would be one thing you would pack.”

“Then I would be tempted to pull the trigger,” I said softly, suppressing dark thoughts. I unwrapped the towel and shook it out for him. “Lucky for you though, right? Change seats with me.”

He stepped over me while I slid behind. The passenger seat was covered in his blood, and I wasn’t inclined to slather it all over my armor, so I remained in the middle seat, my knee resting against his. Ask me after our first meeting if I would have been willing to sit so close to this dominant and I would have been running for the closest escape. Now though, I found him less…intimidating.

He leaned forward enough that I could dab at the wound. It would need stitches or magic. “How much farther?” he asked.

“Take the next left. It’s a short way down that road.”

He did, and we fell into a comfortable silence. The trees opened up, revealing the small portal location. It was a buzz with people—hybrids, trolls, dynamists—waiting for us. Some held bright red medical kits. Others rifles.

“These must be your people,” he mumbled, putting the truck in park. “They’re all wearing masks.”

“Gotta have one to join the club.”

“And if I do want to join?”

He faced me, and the comfortable ease which we had managed during the ride dissipated. Suddenly, he was very close. Too close. His warmth seeping through my armor. His eyes glittered like sunlight on the ocean. With the strength of my reaction, it was little surprise that the tide washed in a moment later. The cords that had been trying to tie us together unfurled, twisting about each other, but waiting for contact to begin their weaving.

My palms grew slick, mouth dry. I waited for him to reach to touch me as he had every time the magic had pulled on us like this. In his deep blue eyes, I could see his longing to do just that. To experience the sensation of the pragmora knot’s magical strength. Beneath that longing paced his dominance. A challenge would rise, and we would be at odds again.

Chest aching for breath, I didn’t dare move. And yet, I was wildly curious what he would do. Succumb to his dominance and challenge me or try to begin the knot again?

He did neither. Knuckles white on the steering wheel, he ripped his eyes away from mine. That single act of control, his pulling away, made the cords stretching around me twang like a plucked violin string. My dominance purred to the sound it made.

Before I could sort out what that meant or how I wanted to react, he opened the door and climbed out.

I blew out a breath and waited for my heart to stop thundering against my ribs. It took far longer than it should have. Whiskers turned around, lifting his hands in question as to why my butt was still glued to the seat. One more breath, then I felt stable enough to exit the truck.

The members of the Ebbing Society, none which I knew by name, were filing the prisoners out of the truck and patching them up. There were a few bumps, bruises, and scrapes from the bumpy ride, but considering everything they had been through, they were in pretty good shape.

A gremlin strode up to me. He reached my elbow. A few whisps of yellow hair poked up from under his hood. Not every member of the Ebbing Society had armor like mine. Because of the kind of work that I did for the Society, I had invested in outfitting myself. Most, though, wore simple cloaks with bandanas or scarfs fastened over the lower half of their faces.

Whiskers, as if he didn’t know where to stand or do, took a place at my elbow, just shy of touching me. Magic hummed between us. I ignored it and focused on the gremlin.

“We might have a little trouble upon arrival,” the gremlin said. “The station won’t be expecting anyone during this tide of magic. There will be questions.”

“This portal goes to Keadan?” Whiskers stepped up to stand beside me. When the gremlin nodded, Whiskers waved off the concern. “I’ll go through first; the rest won’t have trouble following.”

The gremlin glanced at me for confirmation. I wasn’t sure what to say. Whiskers had gone from enemy and suspect to…friend? No, I wouldn’t go so far as to call him that. Potential ally maybe.

Potential.

That was what he was to me now. Something potential. Though, if that potentiality was something good or awful, I wasn’t sure anymore.

“I’ll go with him,” I said. “Once we’re clear, I’ll give the signal to send the prisoners through.”

The gremlin nodded. “Transportation is waiting for us. It’s best the prisoners depart immediately.”

Yes, it certainly was, especially if Namen’s ultra had come around. He could be tracking their location as soon as he was back on his feet.

I gestured to the portal and the waiting capsule. “After you,” I said to Whiskers.

Though he moved stiffly, I found myself admiring the angles of his shoulders, the arch of his muscled back. My dominance purred again.

He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes never meeting mine. “Did you say something?”

I pointed at myself, eyes growing wide. “Me? Nope, not a word.” Heat gathered in my cheeks, and I was again grateful I hadn’t removed the mask.

I followed him into the capsule. A moment later, we blasted into the Between. Elevator music should have been playing. It would have cut through the awkwardness. Each time Whiskers glanced my way, I felt it. Could feel words rising to his tongue. He didn’t say a thing though.

We arrived before either of us could decide on something to say. It was for the best. Probably.

Whiskers stepped out of the capsule. I lingered behind, judging that he would make a good shield should someone decide to shoot at us. Though, that idea held less humor in it than it had only a few hours ago.

Trolls lumbered over, their faces a mixture of surprise and suspicion. That suspicion vanished after Whiskers showed them a badge tucked into his wallet.

“There are more hybrids coming. They’re all under my care. Breathe a word of this to anyone and you’ll never work in Keadan again.” Knowing a few trolls myself, I knew this territory was a favorite and sought-after position among portal employees. His threat was enough to draw lips tight against tusks.

“Look at you, big shot,” I whispered to him. “Can I have one of those fancy badges? Promise I’ll only use it for good.”

He tucked his wallet into his pocket. “Not a chance.”