by David Petrie
Dawson arched an eyebrow. “What makes you think–”
Max immediately drew his guns and pointed them at the bland-looking man.
Dawson stepped back. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“What am I doing wrong?” Max answered his question with a question.
“I’m sorry, what?”
Max adjusted his aim. “You’re an F.B.I. guy, right? So you’ve had firearms training?”
“I have.”
“Then what am I doing wrong?”
Dawson relaxed and ran his eyes over Max’s pistols. “The safety is off, you’re pointing them at a person that you don’t intend to shoot, and your fingers are on the triggers.”
“Exactly.” Max holstered one gun while twirling the other dangerously around his finger. “It’s called trigger discipline. I looked it up before logging on.”
“And what’s your point?” Dawson leaned against a desk.
Max ceased his twirling and pointed his gun at the man as if gesturing with his hands. “My point is that I learned everything I know about guns and fighting here, online. So for me, things like trigger discipline don’t matter. If I was to shoot someone by accident.” He swung his pistol to the side, aiming at Kegan’s leg.
“Hey, watch it.” The Leaf jumped out of the way.
Max ignored him. “If I shot Kegan here, what’s the worst that could happen?”
“I would be extremely annoyed.”
“Exactly,” Max said again as he holstered the pistol. “Worst case scenario, I accidentally land a critical that kills him, and he respawns in a bit. Which is why, for me, being responsible with my weapons doesn’t matter. I’m a gamer, not a soldier. Who cares?”
“And how does this relate to Nix?” Dawson crossed his arms.
“She’s the opposite. I’ve watched her, and she never puts her finger on the trigger until she’s ready to fire. Plus, she keeps her gun aimed low and away from people.”
“So you think, what? That she trained in the real world?”
Max tapped the tip of his nose. “Also, she knows something about what happened last year. About all the stuff with Carver and what not. I’m not sure how much she knows, but for starts, it’s more than you guys.”
Dawson’s eyes widened.
“So let me ask you,” Max continued, “if we really are dealing with someone that can build more convincing cover IDs that the F.B.I. and has real-world training, then what would someone like that want with a few million in hard? I would think they would be able to get money in other ways. So that just leaves one possibility.”
Luka gasped. “You think she’s after Berwyn’s book.”
Max tapped his nose again. “I bet the information in there is far more valuable to the right people.”
“Shit.” Dawson slapped the desk he leaned on. “That’s actually a good point.”
Max nodded.
“Shit.” Dawson slapped the desk again. “If she’s after the same thing as us, she’ll almost certainly double-cross you when the time comes.”
Ginger stepped in. “And if she double-crosses us and things go bad, we could get stuck holding the bag with Berwyn after us.” She shifted on one leg and crossed her arms. “I hate to say it, but I’m not sure we can take that kind of chance.”
Dawson shifted his focus to her as his face lost some of its color. “You can’t back out now.”
“That’s not up to you,” Max retorted, feeling guilty at the prospect of letting so many people down. “This has all gotten out of hand.”
“Like Max said, we’re gamers, not soldiers.” Ginger lowered her eyes to the floor. “We’re just regular people. We’re not cut out for something this important.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Luka slammed her hand down on a desk, making the rest of the room jump. “You have gotten further in a week than we did in months.”
Ginger laughed half-heartedly. “That’s just because Berwyn is a perv and we have a cute fairy on our team.”
Max threw up his hands. “Yeah, that doesn’t really qualify us for much. And Kira will certainly be happy to be done with this. So, I’m sorry to let you down, but–”
“Tell them,” Luka interrupted, staring daggers at Dawson. “We should have told them from the start.”
Max froze. “Tell us what?”
Dawson fell silent for a moment, staring at the floor before finally speaking. “There is a shipment.”
“What kind of shipment?” Max asked, assuming he wasn’t going to like the answer.
“A dangerous one,” Dawson said, clearly trying to keep it vague.
“What kind of shipment?” Max asked again, this time growling his words through his teeth.
“Something biological and deadly.” Luka locked eyes with him. “That’s all we could put together from the other books we got a hold of, and that’s why we need Berwyn’s copy, so we can see all the information and stop the sale.”
“And we don’t have time to find another way. No one has come this close to Berwyn’s operation. Right now, you’re all we have.” Dawson let out a long, defeated sigh. “I understand we’re asking a lot, but if we don’t do this, a lot of innocent lives could be lost.”
The words slammed into Max like a truck, the weight of the responsibility almost crushing him. “And when does this sale take place?”
“Three days.” Dawson held up three fingers.
“But that’s so soon. Doesn’t he have to get his product here?” Ginger cupped her hands over her mouth. “Oh god, it’s already in the country,” she guessed through her fingers.
Dawson broke eye contact and nodded.
Max wanted to punch the guy. To shove everything he’d told them right back at him and walk out. He didn’t. Instead, he just leaned against the wall, tilting his head back in defeat. “Well, I guess there’s no sense wasting time here then, is there?” He looked around the room at his team for any arguments.
There were none.
“Can I borrow Lockheart’s ring box for a sec.” He held his hand out to Ginger.
She pulled the item out of her bag and passed it over. Max opened and closed it twice, producing two house rings. He set them down on the nearest desk.
“Welcome to house Lockheart. I guess we should let you in on the plan.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
“Thank god you’re here,” Farn said as she swung open the door of the palace suite. An enthusiastic voice came from the room behind her.
Max leaned to the side to peek past the Shield. Ginger did the same. Together, they tilted their heads to the side as Nix awkwardly positioned herself on the couch with her rear in the air. She gestured one hand behind her in a senseless, yet vaguely obscene manner.
Kira sat as far away from the mercenary as possible, cramming herself into the end of the sofa, tucking her knees in front like she was trying to hide. Max arched an eyebrow at the scene.
“So, what’s going on in there?”
“Nix is explaining, umm,” Farn fidgeted in place, “how to pleasure a man.”
“Yikes,” Max said, not really sure exactly what act the mercenary was trying to explain. “And why is she doing this?”
Farn closed the door behind them. “Berwyn stopped by and asked Kira out for a walk on the beach later. He specified that it would be just the two of them without their guards since their last few attempts have been interrupted.”
Nix took a break from her demonstration to lean over the arm of the couch in a position that still seemed inappropriate with her tail curling up over her back. “If you think about it, this will be like, their fourth date. So you know, things might happen.” She lowered her voice to a whisper before adding, “Sexy things.”
“How 'bout no?” Kira shifted to a more comfortable position and straightened her dress.
Max laughed, which actually surprised him after the news that he had been given back at Port Han earlier. “So you have to make out with him for a bit. You’ll be fine.”
Ni
x ears stood up straight. “Oh, you’re probably gonna have to do more than that.”
“Okay, maybe second base.” Max stepped into the sitting area.
Kira groaned and slouched in her seat.
Nix leaned closer to her, clearly having a little fun. “Probably third.”
The fairy let out a squeak and sat up straight. “Nope, I’m out. I’m gonna go hide in the bedroom, and you can tell him I died suddenly. Yeah, that’ll work. Problem solved.” She brushed her hands together as if finishing an imaginary task.
Max sat down across from her. “I’m not sure that will–”
“I said, problem solved,” she repeated before he could finish and glared back at him as if daring him to argue.
“I could try to get in the way again.” Farn dropped into the chair next to Max. “That worked before.”
Nix rolled over and lounged against the armrest “True, but Berwyn’s getting impatient. I can tell.”
“Oh great, more pressure. Awesome.” Kira grimaced.
“Look, no one expects you to sleep with him or anything.” Max tried to ease her fears.
“Berwyn does,” Nix added.
Max glowered at her. “You are not helping.”
“What? I’m just saying.”
“Yeah, well, do you mind giving us some time to talk about this?”
“Sure, go right ahead.” Nix tilted her head back into the cushion as if exiting the conversation without really leaving.
Max continued to stare at her in silence.
“Oh, you mean you want time to talk without me in the room.”
Max continued to glower.
“Fine, I guess Kira could use the support of her friends, which I apparently don’t rank yet.” She placed a hand across her heart as if wounded. “I can go find something else to do, but I’ll be back later to go over the plan for tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” Max relaxed, a little surprised with how cooperative she was being after forcing her and her partner on to the team the night before. Even more surprising was how disappointed she looked as she left. He actually felt a little bad about kicking her out. Then he reminded himself that she was probably planning to double-cross them and turned his attention back to his real friends.
Farn moved to sit down in the space Nix had left and leaned towards Kira. “Don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“Actually, you might.” Max sighed.
“What?” responded both of them in unison.
“Things have changed.” Max took a deep breath, then told them what he had learned about the arms deal that they had been tasked with stopping by Dawson. He also mentioned his theory about Nix’s intentions.
After that, everyone sat in silence to process what it all meant. Max expected Kira to argue or possibly lock herself in the bedroom. Instead, she just flopped over, resting her cheek on the arm of the couch, deflated.
“So that’s it then. We can’t afford to take risks. How can I say no?” Her voice came out thick like it was stuck in her throat.
Her response hit Max harder than any argument could. She had always been a person that put others before herself. It was one of the traits that he’d always admired about her. Hell, she had almost sacrificed her life the year before, and back then, there wasn’t nearly as much on the line. Now, from her reaction, it seemed like she might do whatever it took to make sure no one else had to suffer.
“Maybe he won’t try anything,” Max suggested, trying to remain hopeful.
Kira scoffed. “He almost certainly will.”
Max leaned forward. “If he does, I’m sure you can stop him before it goes too far without upsetting him.”
“That’s a lot harder than you think.” She closed her eyes.
“She’s right,” added Ginger as she sat down on the coffee table between her and Max. “Guys don’t always take it well when you try to slow things down, especially when they are used to getting their way. Saying no can be a bit of a minefield.”
Kira tightened her arms around her chest, hugging herself. Ginger brushed away a lock of silver hair from her face.
“I’m sorry. This was my dumb idea. You just got caught up in it. If I could take your place, I would.”
“I know. It’s not your fault. Everything else aside, there wouldn’t even be a chance to stop anything if it wasn’t for your plan.” Kira touched her pendant absentmindedly.
“True,” agreed Max, before adding, “at least you’ll be getting more action than I do,” in an attempt to lighten the mood.
“Now you’re the one not helping.” Farn scowled at him.
“No, you’re not,” Kira added before continuing, “I just wish it wasn’t him.”
Max snickered. “Oh, don’t worry, no one is going to think you’re gay.”
Kira immediately sat up and glared at him. “You jackass, do you actually think that’s the part that is bothering me?”
“Umm, I don’t know,” he said, not really prepared to defend himself.
The fairy stood up and laughed, but not in a 'fun, that’s funny' sort of way. No, it was more of an angry, I can’t believe you said that, kind of way. She looked down at him, and for a moment, it looked like she was going to let him have it. Then she just sighed and placed a hand on her forehead.
“You really are terrible with women.”
Max wasn’t sure how to respond. “I didn’t mean–”
“I’m going to go get this over with.” Kira turned away. “If you don’t hear from me, I’ll talk to you in the morning.” Without another word, she stomped out the door.
“Wait here.” Ginger leaped up and ran after the fairy.
Max sat there, still confused and unsure if he should follow as well. “What did I do?”
“You really have no idea, do you?” Farn stood up abruptly and stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Max sunk into his seat, alone in the empty room.
“What just happened?”
Chapter Fifty
“Wait!” Ginger ran from the suite to catch up to the fairy, only to run into her a few feet from the door. Apparently, Kira hadn’t gone far. "Ompfm, sorry.”
The fairy shook off the impact. “I’m okay. You don’t have to–”
“Oh, shut up. You are not.” Ginger jabbed a finger in her direction, getting sick of beating around the bush. The girl’s insistence on sacrificing herself was infuriating.
“Okay, sure, but there isn’t much left to say.” Kira rolled her eyes.
Ginger threw her arms around her friend without hesitating. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know.” Kira’s body relaxed her arms.
Ginger pulled away, looking her over. She really was a breathtaking creature. It killed her to see the girl being forced into making so many choices—choices that Ginger had made years prior. She’d never regretted any of it, but still, everyone is different. What was right for her wasn’t right for everybody.
“Look, I just wanted to tell you not to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
Kira smiled. “I appreciate that.”
“I mean it. If you decide that this isn’t how you want your first time to be, that’s okay. It’s your choice, no matter what anyone else says. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but forget about the hard and everything else.”
The fairy’s face turned bright red. “Oh god, Ginger. Are you giving me 'the talk'?”
“Someone has to.”
“I know all that stuff already.”
“But you need to hear it again anyway.”
The fairy groaned up at the ceiling like a frustrated teenager. It reminded Ginger of her daughter.
“I know, I know. You’d rather not talk about this, but I have to add, if you do decide to go through with things, that’s okay too. Everyone is different, and there’s no wrong way to lose your virginity.”
Kira hid her face in her hands. “I can’t believe you just said that. You do know I�
��m twenty-eight years old, right?”
“I mean it, some people wait for the right person to come along, but others just get it out of the way. And there’s nothing wrong with either choice. Just do what’s right for you. You’ll still be the same person tomorrow, and all of your friends will still love you.”
“Are you done?” The little mage dropped her hands to her sides.
“I am.” Ginger nodded before throwing her arms around the girl again and squeezing her tight.
“I should probably get going.” Kira struggled to escape the embrace until Ginger finally released her.
“Okay, just remember what I said.”
“I will.” Kira stepped back, then paused to give her a smile before turning away down the hall.
Ginger watched her go, surprised by her own words. She hadn’t known what she was going to say when she chased after the fairy. In the end, she just wanted Kira to make up her own mind without fear or regret.
She blinked away a tear and turned back to the suite.
Chapter Fifty-One
Farn paced across the bedroom of the suite, stomping back and forth hard enough for her armored boots to rattle. Nonsensical grumbles narrated her tantrum.
I can’t believe Max just sent her off to do whatever with whoever. Does anyone even care?
She stopped dead in her tracks and stared at the bed that occupied the room, feeling sick to her stomach.
“Nope, I can’t do this.”
Farn immediately made for the door, bursting back into the suite’s main room.
“Okay, I can’t stay quiet. I thought I could, but I can’t.”
Max ducked as Farn rattled her way toward him.
Ginger entered the room at the same moment from the hall, stopping short as she took in the room. For an instant, she looked like she might turn right back out again. Farn couldn’t help but notice that the Coin hadn’t brought Kira back with her. She scowled at Max as she flew off the rails.
“I just can’t believe you.”
“I have no idea what I did.” He let out a groan and buried his face in his hands, pushing his fingers into his eyes.
Farn stomped one foot like a bull, ready to charge. “Really? You have no idea? Your best friend is going out for a romantic evening with a murderer, and all you can do is make a joke about her being gay!”