by Elin Peer
“Why didn’t you?” Hunter asked.
“Because unlike what most people think, we Doomsmen don’t enjoy killing people.”
“I never said that you enjoy it. Just that some members of your squad like to hurt people.”
Knowing full well that Hunter was referring to me, I moved away. Engaging in an argument to try and change his mind seemed like a lost cause at this point, so instead I walked in to the conference room and took up a position next to Tristan, who was leaning against the wall in the back.
“They are still discussing it,” he whispered. “Everyone is being heard. The choir and the technical staff argued that they should all go home. The orchestra is split, and now it’s Salma and Willow’s time to speak as the last two.”
“How is she doing?” I nodded to Salma, who stood up in front of the seated group. “I mean with her anxiety and all.”
“She was petrified, but I’m surprised at how forgiving she is of the fans. She understands that the fans didn’t intend to hurt them and she told me Willow was amazing at calming her down.” Tristan smiled but kept looking straight ahead. “I’m so fucking proud of my woman.”
My hands formed into fists at hearing him call Willow his woman. It was right there on my tongue: the truth about the things Willow and I had done this morning in the bathroom. I had always liked Tristan as a person, and under different circumstances touching his woman would tear me apart with guilt and shame. But this was Willow, and she was mine before she was his.
Salma cleared her voice and began speaking. “Thank you to everyone for expressing your points of view. I want to start out by saying that I understand those of you who want to go home. What happened today was awful and scary. I don’t think I’ve ever been as terrified in my life.” She looked down. “And that says a lot because I’m kind of an expert on fear. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve suffered from anxiety and if there’s anything I’ve learned about fear, it’s that we can never bow down to it.” She stopped talking and I was afraid she couldn’t continue, but Salma stiffened her back and carried on. “Fear can be healthy and keep us from walking into harmful situations. It’s that feeling in your stomach when something doesn’t feel right. But fear is greedy and dominant by nature. If we allow it too much power over us, fear will control us and rule our lives. It will terrorize us with worst-case scenarios in our minds, and I can tell you from experience that if you allow fear to become your master you’ll soon find yourself living isolated and alone in the safety of your bedroom. Every day I battle my fear, and I don’t wish it upon my worst enemy.”
Willow placed a hand on Salma’s shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile before Salma continued.
“On normal days my fear whispers about tripping onstage, making a fool out of myself, people hating me, or my performance being a complete failure. Today was much worse than that but I’m still here.” She threw her hands in the air, and her chest lifted in a deep inhalation. “We were all frightened and let me repeat, that I don’t blame any of you if you decide to go home. I just hope you’re brave enough to overcome your fear and finish what we started.” Her head turned to Willow. “Do you want to add something?”
The two women held hands as Willow stepped forward and spoke up. “If we go home now, there’s a real possibility that no other performers will ever visit from the Motherlands. The political situation is heated. We can all see that.” She paused. “But who better to build a bridge over troubled water than artists? We don’t speak about political agendas or cast blame or shame on anyone. Our gift to the world is one of art, music, song, and dancing. It’s a language that speaks to the soul. A strong man once told me that times of pressure offer us the chance to flex our muscles.”
Tristan turned his head to me. “Sounds like something Archer would say.”
“Uh-huh.” I didn’t tell him that Willow hadn’t gotten that quote from Archer but me. I had told her that while we were on the run together.
“Northlanders think we Motlanders are weak and fragile. If we go home now no one will blame us, but we’ll miss our chance to prove them wrong. If we stay we could serve as a colorful bridge of art that connects people in these times of strong division. What if we found the courage to stay and spread light in a dark time? What if our show gives hope to people who have none? Who better than us to show the world that there is beauty and joy on both sides of the border?”
“But it’s dangerous,” someone argued.
Willow nodded. “I’ll be the first to admit that I was scared today. My biggest fear, however, is that our countries go back to how things used to be with no contact across the border. My brother is here in the Northlands and so are many of my friends. Not seeing them again scares me.” It felt like Willow was looking at me, but then I turned my head and saw that Hunter had joined us together with Zasquash.
“Yes, some of the Nmen lost their minds today when they stormed the hotel, but this is all new to them and security has been doubled. Leo and his team say that they’ll keep us safe. They have so far, and now they’ll have more men available. I trust in them. And I guess what I’m trying to say is, the show must go on. Just like Salma Rose, I’m ready to finish what I came here to do.”
Salma smiled at Willow and turned to the other performers. “Let’s vote. Who’s willing to stay with me and Willow?”
More than half of the other performers and crew members raised their hands.
“Who wants to go home?”
A few raised their hands, others looked torn.
Ben clapped and demanded attention. “With a majority of votes in favor of staying, we’ll go through with the show tonight. If anyone wants to leave, come see me and I’ll make the arrangements. For the rest of you, please get ready. We’re leaving for the concert hall at three thirty. That’s in thirty-seven minutes. And one last thing: please remember, security will be increased, so don’t be alarmed by the extra number of police and military. They are here to keep us safe.”
Salma and Willow were some of the last to leave the room.
“What a speech!” Tristan bowed his head to them. “You two should go into politics.”
Salma smiled. “You liked it?”
“I loved it. Sounded like you were talking about me. I’m kinda like a bridge too, you know. I belong on both sides.” Tristan gave Salma a charming grin, and the connection between them had me frowning. If I didn’t know any better I would have thought he was coming on to her.
Again, Zasquash’s suspicion that Willow and Tristan weren’t together came back to me. It was the only explanation for this tactless behavior from him.
“Come on, ladies, you don’t have long to get ready.” Ben placed his hands on the smalls of Salma’s and Willow’s backs and hurried them along. It didn’t escape me how Salma’s head turned as if the connection between her and Tristan was hard to break.
He took a step to follow but before he could walk out the door, I closed it and pushed him back with a hand to his chest. “What the fuck is going on?”
Tristan looked surprised. “What do you mean?”
“You’re undressing Salma with your eyes in front of Willow. Are you out of your mind?”
Tristan pushed my hand away from his chest. “You saw wrong.”
“Oh yeah?” I moved closer. “I don’t think so.”
Tristan leaned back to create distance between us. “Willow is none of your concern. You know how she feels about you. It’s long over between you and her.”
It didn’t feel over. Not when I could still feel the taste of her on my lips. I kept that part to myself.
Tristan lifted his right hand and patted my shoulder. “There’ll be someone else for you. Don’t worry.”
I didn’t answer but just looked after him as he moved out the door. If Willow were still mine and someone had accused me of being interested in another woman, I’d have reacted much more strongly than he did. Why hadn’t he defended himself and convinced me how much he loved Willow?
&nb
sp; My wristband vibrated and I took an incoming call from Leo.
“Where are you?”
I exited the conference room. “Right behind you. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Speed up. I need you here now.” He sounded annoyed.
“Did something happen?” I jogged down the hallway past Tristan, who automatically joined in, probably thinking something was wrong.
Leo groaned. “Just fucking get here.”
I turned the corner and took the stairs two flights up with Tristan on my heels to see Leo standing outside room 281 tapping his foot. “There you are!”
Slowing down to a walk, I looked straight at him. “What do you need?”
“There’s been a change. I just spoke to Commander Magni and he wants us to come straight to the West Coast. Khan is furious about what happened today, and he has decided that the remaining shows will be held at the Gray Manor. It’s better for us since it’s easier to guard the performers there.”
“But what about all the tickets that have already been sold for shows in the different cities?”
“People will have to go to the West Coast if they want to see the show.”
“Huh.” I scratched my arm. “So, no show tonight then?”
“That’s right.” Leo turned to Tristan. “Hunter said he’s coming with us to the West Coast. How about you?”
“Sure, I’ll go.”
“And you?” Leo pinned me with his eyes.
I raised both eyebrows. “I didn’t know I had a choice.”
“You don’t. I just need to know that I won’t have any problems with you and Hunter in the same drone. It’s a three-hour flight.”
I shoved my hands in my pockets. “I don’t have a problem with Hunter. It’s the other way around.”
Leo rolled his eyes and released a deep breath. “I don’t get paid enough to play the fucking mediator between you two.” He opened the door to the hotel room and called, “Hunter, come out here for a second.”
The large soccer player who had once been my best friend came out. As always, he ignored me.
“Hunter, I asked Magni about your request to have Solo removed from this assignment and he told me to tell you to go fuck yourself.”
Hunter snorted but I doubted he was in any way surprised.
“I told you the Commander wouldn’t like it.” Leo tilted his head. “Right now I need both of you to give me your word that you can suck it up and get along. We have a bunch of traumatized Momsies and the last thing we need is you two getting in a fight on board the drone.”
Hunter’s eyes glided to me. They were frosty.
“I don’t have time for your bad blood.” Leo placed a hand on his right hip. “For the next three hours you’ll be fucking civil. Do you understand?”
“I’m always civil.” Hunter raised his chin up.
Leo narrowed his eyes, looking from Hunter to me and back again. At twenty-nine, Leo was older than Hunter and me. With his strong authoritarian no-bullshit attitude it was no wonder he was respected among his men.
Hunter’s tongue pushed his cheek out and he looked torn.
Leo lowered his voice. “I mean it, Hunter. I won’t tolerate any bullshit from you.”
“Why don’t you tell him that?” He lifted his chin in a nod toward me.
“Because Solo doesn’t have a problem with you.”
Hunter scoffed as if he didn’t believe it.
“Are you two going to shake hands and make peace for the next three hours?”
The way Hunter tucked his hands under his armpits said it all.
Leo groaned. “Hunter, don’t test me. Just fucking do as I tell you to.”
I could have predicted Hunter’s reaction. He was a strong alpha like me and didn’t like to be told what to do.
“Sorry, Leo, but you’re not the boss of me.”
Leo mirrored Hunter’s stubborn expression. “You’re right, but I can make your life a living hell and so can Commander Magni. Don’t forget where we’re headed.”
With a slick movement, Hunter brushed his hair back and gave a shrug. “How about I just fly my own drone? I can take Willow with me and you men can watch over Salma and the others.”
“Take your own drone if you want, but Willow is under my protection and she’s coming with us.”
“Fine, I’ll be close if something happens.”
Half an hour later Hunter’s drone had arrived and so had five more Doomsmen from our unit. Instead of flying in the large transport we were dividing the Motlanders into smaller groups.
“Zasquash, when you’re done drooling over Hunter’s drone could you get your ass over here?” Leo was looking more and more exhausted from dealing with the constant changes.
Zasquash turned to face us. “Hunter says he’ll be flying – who wants to fly with me and him?”
Leo closed his eyes for a second, but to my surprise he didn’t order Zasquash back to our drone or scold him for not sticking to the plan. Instead he waved four Motlanders toward Hunter and Zasquash. “You’ll go with them.”
“But I thought Darlene was coming with us,” Salma complained.
The woman from the orchestra, whom I recognized as Darlene, stood torn in the middle of the two drones. Her three colleagues kept walking toward Hunter and Zasquash.
“Come on, gorgeous, we don’t bite.” Zasquash clapped the drone. “This is the fastest drone in all of the world. You don’t want to miss this.”
With a last apologetic glance back at Salma, Darlene continued.
“Everyone, get on board the drones.” Leo made sure to spread out his police officers and us seven Doomsmen.
I took a seat and looked out the window at Hunter’s drone. Zasquash was laughing with Hunter, who was showing off his drone with pride.
My drone was nothing like that. It was a plain model from 2435 that I’d bought from one of my colleagues. The twelve years of use showed, and it had several problems that I needed to get fixed as soon as I had time and money. My job gave me access to military drones and maybe that was why a new drone hadn’t been on the top of my list. That, and the fact that all my free time and financial resources had gone toward building my large cabin in the woods. But to be honest, I would have loved to fly in Hunter’s drone too.
The three-hour flight gave me plenty of time to study the dynamic between Willow and Tristan. He entertained all of us with stories that had everyone laughing and Willow touched him several times, but always like she would touch a friend. It was a hand to his back, a bump with her shoulder when he was teasing her, and at one point she tousled his hair and accused him of exaggerating.
Salma was on Tristan’s other side and ate up every word he said. Her hands landed on his knee, arm, or thigh a few times, but then it might not mean much to her as Motlanders were used to touching each other excessively. From where I was sitting it looked like any attraction there might have been between Willow and Tristan had fizzled out. They seemed more like friends, while Salma and Tristan shared a spark of genuine interest. But maybe I was just biased and saw what I wanted to see. I decided to press the dynamics a little to test my theory. “By the way, Salma, did you think about the suggestion of holding hands with a Northlander to increase your level of security?”
Yes, there it was again. Her eyes flew to Tristan.
Salma tilted her head. “Do you think it’s necessary now that we’re going to be at the palace?”
“No. But it’s a small thing that will make things easier. Like Zasquash said, choosing a Doomsman will be a sure way of keeping all others away. I’m happy to hold your hand if you want me to.”
“Or you could choose Hunter,” Willow added, and it almost made me smile. Maybe I was overinterpreting, but there was a real chance she didn’t like the idea of me claiming Salma in public.
Tristan cleared his throat and squirmed in his seat. “You should pick the Nman you feel most comfortable with.”
Silence filled the drone as we all looked at Salma.
“That won’t work,” I declared. “He’s marrying Willow soon. You’re better off with me or Zasquash. We’re single and that would make it more believable.”
Leo nodded. “Or me. I’m single too.”
It was so much fun to pretend to be unaware of all the tension emanating from Tristan and Willow. His lips were squeezed tight as if he was holding in the need to exclaim, “Pick me, I’m single.”
“Thank you for the nice offer. Let me think about it.” Salma turned her head and looked out over the area that we were flying over. It was gorgeous with rolling hills, valleys, and a river snaking its way through the wild landscape.
“The view is breathtaking,” Salma whispered as if in awe.
“Yeah, you never get tired of all the lushness.” I pointed ahead of us. “Do you see that large forest?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s called the Northwoods and it’s the second largest forest in the Northlands.”
Salma wrinkled her nose. “It seems endless. I would be afraid to go in there. I’m not a child of nature, that’s for sure.”
I smiled at her. “Then you wouldn’t like living with me. My house is in a forest.”
“You live in the wilderness?” Salma widened her eyes.
“Uh-huh.”
Ben, who had been reading since we left the hotel, lifted his head from his book and wrinkled his nose. “Why?”
I shrugged. “Why not?”
He lowered his book. “But isn’t it terribly isolated and lonely?”
“Isolated for sure,” I agreed. “I built my cabin on a beautiful spot just by a river that holds a special meaning to me.” When I said it, my eyes drifted to Willow, and her head leaned to the side and then her mouth opened in a silent oh.
Leo spoke up. “I’ve been there. It’s gorgeous.”
My lips quirked upward as I met his eyes. “Thank you. You should come by more often, then. The river is excellent for fishing this time of year.”