Heart of Tartarus

by Lucy Smoke

  Two giant, chocolate couches of the highest quality sit mirroring each other, several feet separating them in the large room. Two coffee tables of similar color sit in front of both couches, and exotic paintings depicting lost nature scenes with a number of animals I've never seen before hang on the walls. I stare at those a moment before something else catches my eye. Across the expansive marbled, tile floors, against the wall, are twin elongated windows that look out over the clouds. Clean, sheer-white curtains align either side of each window. I find myself not only staring but walking towards them with my hand outstretched. I've never seen a view like this.

  The windows overlook the expanse of one side of the city. I can see the cage-like structures of Hollow Pointe in the distance. Sometimes, I think Tartarus is so small because it's all I've ever known. In this moment, I can see just how big it is. The view expands for several miles and this is only one section of the city.

  "It's quite a view, isn't it? I always end up doing the same thing. Just stand there, staring."

  I whirl around at the unfamiliar voice, but the strong feminine resonance doesn't match the picture I see. The woman who spoke stands just between Noaz and Haze. Near the elevators, Aaron watches me with a deep frown on his face. Thayer and Levi are missing.

  "Who are–" I begin.

  "This is Penelope Diamond," Noaz interrupts.

  I blink, surprised. Then I look down at the bulging belly she has covered in a bright, floral printed dress with blue and green petals dancing across the folds. "Wow."

  Instead of taking offense, Penelope laughs, resting a hand on her stomach lovingly. "I get that reaction a lot," she says.

  The amusement dancing in her pretty, blue eyes matches everything about her. From the ridiculously colorful dress to the quirky, dark glasses perched on her long nose. She's not a small woman by any means. Even without the obviously pregnant stomach, she's a larger woman. Behind her short blonde hair, she has full cheeks and a twinkle of mischievousness in her expression.

  "V said you boys might be by today. Go ahead and head back to his office, I'll bring the blueberry scones I made." Penelope gestures to an open doorway and Aaron sweeps forward grabbing my arm before I can even think of an escape. Not that I'd head back to the elevator. I'll have to find a staircase.

  "Thanks, Mrs. Diamond," Haze says graciously, nodding his head towards the woman who waves a hand at him, a scowl forming on her lovely face.

  "Haze, I told you to call me Penny. If you forget again, I'll have to withhold all scones and such from you."

  Almost comically, his eyes widen in alarm. "I'm sorry, Mrs.–Penny. I'll remember next time."

  She sniffs at him, a small hidden smile twitching at her lips. "See that you do."

  Aaron drags me forward, away from the room and the interesting woman. I glance up at the angry, tattooed man and his dark eyes flick down at me once before his scowl deepens and his hand clenches on my arm.

  "That hurts," I snap.

  He doesn't apologize or look at me again, but his hold loosens. At the end of the hallway, a pair of classic, dark, wood-lined, double doors with frosted glass windows are enclosed in an elaborate wrought iron outer door. My heart rate picks up, hands shaking. The doors’ windows are so opaque, I can't see what's behind them. Or who.

  Aaron's other palm lands on the iron latch and on instinct I reach out, gripping his wrist. Shocked eyes laced with anger shoot to that hand before moving to my face. In that moment, I know his anger isn't merely due to my difficulty, because instead of shoving me off and opening the door to shove me towards a prison sentence or worse, he pauses.

  "Nothing you say now is going to stop this." His voice is so low, it's almost a whisper.

  "I know." For some reason, I use the same tone. Quiet and reserved. I think it's partially because I'm scared out of my mind, but also because when he talks like that it's soothing.

  He watches me, his expression unreadable before he nods once. I stay there, with his wrist clutched in my hand for several more seconds, until Noaz and Haze, having finally followed us, stop behind us and ask what's going on.

  "Nothing," I say quickly, taking my hand away from Aaron.

  "Waiting on you," Aaron grunts. I wonder if that's true or if he really was giving me a few moments to come to grips with my fate.

  He reaches again for the latch and one of the double doors swings in, allowing us access to Vincent Diamond and the Governor of Tartarus' office. The man sitting at the antique, oak desk in front of two more of those grandiose windows overlooking Tartarus doesn't look any older than thirty-five—forty at most. His dark, winged brows shadow equally dark eyes that still haven't looked up even when Aaron tows me forward and sits me in a stiff chair made of glass just in front of that desk. I'm afraid that my ass is going to crack the immaculately clean and smudge free chair. I remain as still as possible, resting the bulk of my weight on my knees and feet, partially hovering over the seat.

  Dark hairs dot the underside and lower cheeks of the man's dark skin. His hair is buzzed short on top, though it's obvious it would be wiry if left to grow. A strong chin, nose, and jaw make up the majority of his stern face and when he finally glances up, a pursed look overtakes his expression.

  Vincent Diamond shuffles papers to the side before he leans forward on his desk and rests his elbows on top of it, folding his hands just under his chin. I hold my breath. Waiting. For what, I don't know.

  "So," he begins, "my men tell me that you claim to be Kida Washington."

  I stare up at him, counting my breaths. One. Two. Three. I get all the way to eleven before he speaks again.

  "Well, are you going to answer me?"

  "You didn't ask me a question," I reply.

  He blinks before leaning back and scrubbing a hand down his face. I bite my lip, not daring to look at the others. In their faces, I know I'll see shock. Perhaps, even pity. I'm sitting in a governor's office and that's the first thing that comes out of my mouth? I silently ask myself if I have a death wish, but no, sometimes there's just no stopping the words that spring from my lips.

  Vincent Diamond lets out a hoot of hilarity. A guffaw. He leans as far back as he can and just lets the laughter roll through him for a moment. His teeth are perfectly straight and white. His eyes crinkling a bit at the edges. Most of the tension under my skin slithers away in relief.

  "I'll be a damned hung man." He chuckles, setting his chair back on its front two legs. "You're right, I suppose. I don't believe there are more than two women alive in this world that talk to me like that."

  "Who?" I can't help but ask.

  "Well..." With almost impeccable timing, the doors behind me open. Penelope Diamond strides in, followed closely by Thayer and Levi who each have two scones in hand and crumbs around their mouths.

  "Look who I caught filching my treats," Penelope huffs, setting her tray of scones down on the edge of the desk. My mouth waters at the aroma and one of my hands settles at my stomach. I can't remember the last time I had food.

  "This would be one of those women," Vincent says to me before turning to his wife. He draws her around the desk with one incredibly muscled arm, perching her on his lap.

  "Sorry, Penny," Thayer says around a mouthful of scone. "They smelled so good."

  "I thought I told you two to inform Governor Diamond that we were here and then report back to the front room." Noaz's tone would make most men at least somewhat contrite, but not Levi or Thayer. Instead, as a duo, they shrug and continue to munch on their pastries. My eyes watch every crumb.

  "In our defense," Levi says. "We did tell him we were here—with her." He gestures to me before biting off a corner of his blueberry scone.

  I turn back to Vincent Diamond. "If she's one of the women," I say, nodding towards his wife, "who is the other?"

  Penelope shifts on her husband's lap, looking between the two of us as his relaxed expression fades and he leans forward a bit, pressing into her. His mouth firms and his lips pinch inward. I le
an back in my glass chair, praying that it doesn't shatter under the combined weight of myself and his look.

  "The only other woman alive that can speak to me like that," he says, "is Kida Washington, who, you are not. So, you tell me, girl, who are you and why are you using my goddaughter's name?"

  "Goddaughter?" I echo. Suddenly I'm floored by a realization. "You're Daddy V?!"

  Vincent Diamond blinks as Penelope chuckles. She gently pats her husband's cheek. "I haven't heard anyone call you that since Kida was a teenager," she says lovingly.

  "Daddy V?" Thayer repeats. Without much warning, Thayer and Levi break out in tear jerking laughter. I turn and watch as Levi grasps Thayer's arm to help himself stay upright through his amusement. "Oh my God! Daddy V!"

  "That's enough out of you two!" Vincent demands before snapping to me. "How do you know that name?"

  "K-Kida told me," I stutter. The intensity of his stare is frightening.

  "She wouldn't have," Vincent declares. "Tell me the truth."

  "I am telling the truth," I snap. "Why would I lie about that?"

  "You've lied about your identity," Noaz says. I look at him.

  "How was I to know if I said I was Kida your goons would essentially kidnap me?!"

  "We are not goons," Noaz replies. "We are under contract by the Governor of Tartarus. I would hardly qualify that as goon material."

  "If it walks like a drunk and it talks like a drunk, then chances are, it's either a drunk or an actor. So, tell me, which are you?" I ask through squinted eyes.

  "You still haven't revealed who you are," Haze says quietly from Noaz's side. "It's obvious now that you're not Kida. Is there any more reason to keep your identity a secret?"

  I glance at my fists clenched in my lap. "I guess not," I accede before glancing up at Vincent Diamond who watches us with that intense stare of his. "If you can guarantee that I'll not be charged with any crimes and I can go back to my pod in peace."

  "Peace?" Vincent scoffs. "You sit here with the look of a thief and a liar and you ask for peace?"

  "In my defense," I add. "Everyone on Tartarus is a thief and a liar or worse."

  "She's got you there, babe," Penelope laughs.

  I watch as Vincent Diamond's face softens slightly as he turns to his wife, how his hand rubs over her swollen belly as if he's touching something absolutely precious. Seeing this is both shocking and beautiful. Shocking because it's not the norm on Tartarus to see such a loving couple. To see the absolute trust in her eyes or the adoration in his. It makes me miss Kida that much more.

  I take a breath before standing from the chair. Aaron goes to push me back down. I turn and shake my head, pushing the chair away and moving away from his reach. Aaron frowns and moves closer though he doesn't try to make me sit again.

  "My name is Cassandra Walker. I'm twenty years old and I was born on Tartarus. I've known Kida for three years. I met her when I was working on a sky village, the one with the detention center.”

  "She was only at that center for two weeks," Vincent says. “Running an errand for me.”

  "She brought me back with her," I say.

  "She shouldn't have done that."

  I shrug. "If she hadn't, I likely would have tried to get back some other way. A way that would have almost certainly been much more dangerous."

  Penelope nods her understanding, but Vincent frowns. "Those sky villages are our main source of food," he says. "They are there for a reason and the detention centers are designed to house children and adolescents of Tartarus that haven't had the best circumstances. What was wrong with it?"

  "Nothing in particular," I reply. "I just couldn't stand the administration or how they treated us as nothing more than free labor. It was boring down there. Little ways to walk before you'd fall right off the edge. No tall buildings. It wasn't much to look at either."

  “So, you left,” Vincent says, “with Kida.”

  “I did, and I never looked back.”

  “I see,” he says, stroking the side of his face. “What exactly is Kida to you?”

  “She’s…” It’s difficult to explain in so many words what she is and has been to me. For most of my life, it’s been a nonstop fight for survival. But with Kida, it’s not like that. With her, I breathe easier, I feel happier, I see a better future. She’s taught me things like how to laugh at myself, how to sew—crudely and with a lot of pricked fingers and cursing—how to avoid problems when working as a messenger. “She’s my best friend,” I say.

  He frowns. “I knew she was living with someone, but I never expected…” he lets his words trail off, but I know what he means. I know that I’m just a street kid with a record like anyone else on this God forsaken floating pit.

  “Why were you using her name?” Noaz asks, cutting through the silence.

  I shrug, crossing my arms as I shift my weight on my legs. “Every time Kida went out to do a job she thought would take longer than a day or two, she made me swear never to go looking for her. I promised, and I take my promises seriously.”

  “You were trying to lure her out,” someone says. I look behind me and Thayer’s watching with dark curious eyes. “Weren’t you?”

  I nod. “It doesn’t technically break her rule or my promise if she comes looking for me and if someone is using her name, then it made sense that she’d want to track that person down as soon as possible.”

  “Dammit.” I look back to see Penelope patting Vincent’s chest in reassurance.

  “I’m sure it’s not all that bad, babe. She’s a tough girl. She knows how to get out of tight spots.” Penelope gives him a small smile before turning to look at me. “But this does mean that you have no idea where she is then, correct?”

  I shake my head. “If I did, I’d feel a lot better.”

  “Goddammit!” Vincent brings his fist down on the desk, the wood shuddering under the sudden pressure. “I knew it. It’s those fucking Tanks!”

  “What about the Tanks?” I ask suspiciously. When all he does is look at me, I huff in irritation. “I’ve given you what you asked for,” I snap. “I think I deserve to know something.”

  His look molds into a glare. “You want to know something?” Penelope slides off his lap with a frown. “Here’s a little something. Next time Kida tells you to stay your ass at home and don’t go looking for her, maybe you shouldn’t come up with a ridiculous plan that wastes not only my time but my men’s time as well.”

  I walk forward very slowly so as not to startle the guys to either side of me into doing something stupid like making a grab for me. Laying my hands flat on the desk, I lean forward and meet Vincent Diamond’s glare with one of my own.

  “I don’t give two shits if you’re the governor.” I enunciate every word, my anger crisp and biting. “Kida is my best friend and the only fucking family I have in this world. If she’s in trouble, I will travel to the fucking surface of the Earth for her if I have to. There is nothing you could do that would stop me because when you have the right kind of person or people in your life, Mr. Diamond, you do anything to keep them safe.” I nod my head meaningfully at the woman standing behind him in the bright blue and green sundress.

  “Would you be willing to work with my men then?” he asks suddenly.

  I blink, confused. “What?” I glance over before returning my gaze to the intimidating figure before me. I shake my head. “I’m talking about Kida, what does she have to do with these guys?” I gesture.

  “If you’re as set and determined to find her as I am, then we should be working together,” he says, his expression cooling. “Or rather, you should be working with my men.”

  “I repeat,” I snap, “what does Kida have to do with these guys?” I pause and stare the man down, hiding behind my outrage and worry. “Why aren’t you out there looking for her? With your connections, I’m sure it’d be a piece of cake. Just show your face, flash some credentials and people will tell you anything, right?”

  Vincent rubs both hands down his
face.

  The worried look on Penelope's face as she glances between us explains something. Whatever the reason that Vincent Diamond, Governor of Tartarus and therefore, badass motherfucker, hasn’t gone looking for his goddaughter, has something to do with his wife.

  "He can't leave," Haze says behind me. "There are things you don't know, things you don't understand about what's happening in Tartarus. We are trying to keep it under control, but you've set us back."

  I whirl to face him. "I set you back?!" I glare in outrage and surprise. "I have done nothing but–"

  "Attempt to lure your friend back by putting yourself at risk and using her identity," Vincent interrupts. I turn my glare back to him, but it doesn't seem to do much damage. I also don't correct him. Kida isn't just my friend, she's the only family I have in this world. "Which, by the way, I regret to inform you, is a crime."

  "I can see how broken up you are with that regret," I deadpan.

  "Identity theft is a crime," he says solemnly. "And I'm afraid that you will need to be held accountable."

  "Theft is only a crime if it's not consensual," I defend. “Stealing is done against the will of one party.” I'm sure if Kida were brought forth and questioned, she would cover for me. In the last three years I've known her, she always has. She’s Kida—she always will. Just like I would do anything for her.

  "Well, then, if you can produce Kida to speak for you on your behalf, then we can forget about this whole mess and misunderstanding." Vincent waves his hands towards the rest of the room and sits back as though he’s waiting for me to pull Kida out of a hat like a magician with a rabbit. What would be surprising would be if I could actually pull an extinct rabbit from a hat rather than Kida herself. No, unfortunately, many creatures like the rabbit died off when humans abandoned the Earth's surface.

  I stand with clenched fists as I glare at the Governor of Tartarus. "You know I can't do that," I say. "I don't know where she is."

  "So, why don’t you work with us?" Thayer asks, stepping forward. No one is more surprised than me, but around the room I do see the expectation on every face of the members of his team.