Chapter 4: 03: BULLY

Your dead meat. Watch your back.

G.

☼ ☼ ☼

 

Unbelievable.

Well. It was believable. Still awful, though. Typical too, considering the source of the threat.

Gracie Finnegan had scrawled those words on a ragged slip of paper with fluid ink and handed the note to Fatima Chalmers, one of her socialite followers, to deliver to Talitha. Fatima then crumpled the note and tossed it onto Talitha’s desk at the start of Old World History, sealing the delivery with a silent, steely glare. That happened yesterday.

Today, Talitha unfolded and refolded the note at least once during each class period, reading the words to herself while mentally assessing the risk level of the angry blonde. Gracie was taller, sure, and meaner, but Talitha…well. Talitha could run pretty fast. She'd done that enough on the school's athletic track. Maybe running would be the key to evading Gracie, at least until the end of the school year months away. Something of a solution.

Everyone in their class witnessed the hand-off while their instructor Professor Blotman's back was turned. No one mentioned the exchange to Blotman, in part because snitching meant gaining a bullseye over their own heads from Commissioner Finnegan's perfect little angel. Also, to a more personal angle, because their classmates wanted to see the fight. Fights like what Gracie intended to spark—real fights, with real hits and real blood—were rare events that happened far from the watchful eyes of school authorities. A battle between two girls, well, that was a different spectacle in itself.

Talitha peeked at the menacing words again in the dining hall of Cloverland Academy, ignoring the food waiting in front of her. Kalum Khelot, daughter of High Priestess Kazrut Khelot and Central Judge Nigel Khelot—a close friend—snatched the note away from Talitha, smoothing the paper on the table with manicured fingers to better examine it.

"Look," fumed Kalum, flipping a tendril of her dark hair behind her and pointing at the scribble. "Look at this absolute nonsense. What a mess. Ink everywhere, the stupid bitch. Can't even hold a pen right without spilling it all over herself. Can’t even spell 'your' correctly. It's YOU'RE—a fucking contraction of YOU ARE. Not YOUR. Moron. I can't stand her." A flash of anger sparked from Kalum, her face curling with a deep frown. "Gracie runs her mouth when she should be running Elementary Lit programs. Her writing's worse than her art."

"Oh, fuck the spelling," Talitha grumbled. "Fuck the art, too. Fuck Gracie. Everything she does sucks and doesn't matter in the end. She's going to kill me. She doesn't seem like she's losing steam with time passing."

"You stood up for me. That’s what’s setting her off most. Why she won’t let it go.” Kalum’s piercing gaze met Talitha's from across the table. "I'll never forget what you did. You're the one that noticed the red paint in her hair during class and I told you not to do anything—that the things she destroyed were replaceable—but you went after her anyway. Got in her face in the dean's office. That means a lot. You put yourself at risk for me."

"You cried,” said Talitha glumly. “What was I supposed to do? I don't want to see that. Ever."

"It was mostly from the shock. Seeing what she drew on my wall and all that red everywhere. Looked like blood. I wasn't expecting that. I can't believe this sort of stuff happens and so out in the open—even in this sort of place with these sorts of people." Kalum shrugged. "But I understand it's the way she is. Doesn't bother me so much anymore. She'll never change. Eventually I won’t react to anything she does at all."

"She drew a picture of you fucking a…I won't even say." Talitha fumed at the the thought of the crude cartoon Gracie scrawled on the wall in Kalum's private quarter—one that showed the acolyte priestess being mounted by a desert goat. Other terrible words about Kalum were present over a smeared declaration of 'HAPPY HARVEST'. "I'm still angry. It was disgusting. But anger won’t stop Gracie from pummeling me to pieces, will it?"

"It won't," agreed Kalum. "So let it go. I have." She took a sip from her tumbler of petal tea. "We already know nothing will happen. Her father won't allow anything to stick to her record. This will turn into some big war and get nasty, with no one getting what they want after it’s all said and done. Time to figure out where we go from here—and what to do about that girl. I’ve got half a mind to talk to Daddy about her—"

"No," said Talitha shortly. "Don't talk to Daddy. Don't talk to anyone. Leave this alone."

"Li—" said Kalum.

Talitha grunted. "I can handle this."

"No. You can't."

"Yes. I can. I don't need your rank involved. Favors can't fix everything." Talitha rested her cheek in her palm, eyes still on the note. "Neither can money or any of the other sneaky things your family does to get their way—and you guys can be real sneaky when you want."

"Sneaky? I don't like that." Kalum frowned, lowering her gaze. "Don't be rude. I didn't ask for benefits to be piled in my favor. My family worked hard to get this far and we’re reaping the benefits. I let you use my silver spoon whenever you want, too. I know we're not in the same position and that’s not an issue."

"Yeah. More charity."

"Fucking hell, Li. There you go again, on about charity. So defensive. Maybe I'm just being a good friend. Ever consider that?"

"Sure."

"How annoying. You've been doing that a lot lately—those less fortunate jabs. Almost as annoying as that stupid hunter talk you've started. Are you feeling pressure because of graduation…or are you so ashamed of where you came from?"

"Doesn't matter," Talitha replied, sullen. "You won't get it so never mind. You don't make me feel bad about our differences so it's not fair of me to act sour."

"That's right. It's not fair. I don't care about your past at all. Doesn’t mean anything about you. I care about you now and that's it."

"I know."

"All right. Good. Don't beat yourself up about Gracie. She's was after you before you went to the dean about my quarter. It's always a constant issue."

"Yeah. It is. This is just the culmination of everything that’s going wrong."

"What happened to your mom isn’t your fault."

A prickle of stubborn pride rose in Talitha. She stirred that way whenever anyone mentioned her mother, whoever that woman was. Someone who died in a terrible way according to Talitha’s official bio.

"I know that," she said carefully. "I never said what happened to my mom ever had anything to do with me. I didn't know her. Or my father. No need to bring it up."

"Right. I just wanted to make sure you were aware."

"Kala. I'm fucking aware. Half the school's afraid of me no matter what I say or do. I’ll never escape that story about me."

"It's so stupid—"

"Just drop it."

Kalum pursed her lips and shrugged, taking another sip of her tea. "Okay. No harm meant. Didn't mean to piss you off."

A thoughtful expression crossed Kalum's face as they both fell to silence. Talitha closed her eyes, feeling warmth fall over her from bright streaks of everlasting light beaming through the sapindelic trees bordering the hall. A din of chatter filled the area as other Cloverland students shared their plans for the upcoming major holiday, Harvest, which was approaching another two days away. Talitha didn't have plans for the holiday, leaving her unexcited unlike everyone else. No familiar Spencer at her side that year for the first time ever. Things would be different.

"Did you mention the note to Adam?" Kalum broke the quiet to recapture Talitha's attention. "He'd say something to her about it since he can't stand her and the way she acts, always out of line. They’re at each other's throats all the time in Ethics that even Professor Godring’s stopped calling on them."

"Ha." Talitha smiled to herself. "Adam. Yeah right. He’s the one we should get involved."

"What's wrong with talking to Adam?"

"Spencer…really got into it with me over him.” Talitha grimaced as she recalled. “Said we're too friendly with each other. That Adam should back off. He didn’t care that Adam’s involved with Pender-Pal like me and we became friends otherwise."

"That's silly. Spencer’s jealous of Adam's fortune, coming from RedSect as he does. It's not Adam's fault to be born with what he has and that he’s so popular. Those two are nothing alike." Kalum waved away the idea. "Spence got worse after those stupid rumors. Remember? You and Adam were in that publicity shoot and he really believed what those gossip hounds wrote about you two. Even questioned me about it in a way I didn’t like and he ought to know better. Anyway—what he thinks doesn't matter anymore since the two of you are over. Don't bring him into this like he’s still got a say."

"I won't. But I still don't want Adam involved. Like I said—I can handle this. I'm already asking for a lot from him. A huge favor."

"Oh. On again about that hunter stuff." Kalum's expression darkened. "I don't want you in danger, Li. Any kind of danger. You can't even fight a cold. Leave the battles to people who are good at them. People that aren’t you."

"Thanks for the support. At least you’re reliable in that you don’t like the idea." Talitha's gaze skirted back to the note on the table and Kalum placed the tumbler over it, blocking Talitha's view. "I admit I might not be the strongest but I can be tough. If I were a hunter then Gracie—and everyone else—would stop fucking with me. That would be nice."

Kalum snorted. "Yeah. Sure. You’re a real tough sort, Talitha."

"Push me and see what I do. To her."

"Stellar. She rearranges your face, gets another two weeks added to her suspension, and you scoot right back to RedSect to finish the year in Asylum Prep with conduct warnings." Kalum inspected her fingernails absently. "Black and blue with a touch of red goes better with Asylum’s colors anyway. Busted lips are so in this season, Li. You’ll be on trend."

"Oh." Talitha's cheek dropped into her palm again. "Busted lips are in? That’s great."

"Aye." Kalum nodded. "For volume. And stain."

"You're funny."

"Thank you. I'm clever too. Don't forget. I’m a total package."

"Fuck off." Talitha flicked away an errant bead of moisture from Kalum's tumbler. "You watch too much Trendster. You sound like an idiot."

"I love Trendster."

"Whatever."

Kalum's light touch lay over Talitha's. She smiled, her tone soft.

"I don't want you to get hurt," she said. "Forget Gracie. I'm over my quarter. I'll be leaving soon anyway."

"It's the principle."

"I'd rather have you, not principle. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone." Kalum averted her eyes, turning shy. "By the way, I wanted to ask…if you're still going to stop by the temple later. After the fundraiser."

"Aye." Talitha smoothed away a wisp of fallen hair from her face, looking over Kalum once more. "I said I'd come by. Another lesson, right?"

"Yes. I booked the main room too so we'll have plenty of space for salugalu." Kalum's dark gaze swept back to meet Talitha's. "I nicked some of Mama's Eriluan extracts. They're really cosmic. You'll love it. Very mellow."

"Ace."

"Yep." Kalum's slip of a grin widened. "Ace."

Their focus on each other broke when Talitha spotted a figure milling about the other tables in the dining hall, greeting the students gathered there as he passed with handshakes and laughs. Talitha squinted as she tried to make out his identity.

"What is it?" asked Kalum, noticing the distraction.

"Hm. Well." Talitha peered closer. "That looks like Ivan over there. Coming to our corner."

"Oh." Kalum withdrew her hand from Talitha's and turned her head. "Ivan. Great."

Ivan Rodinsky, one of Adam Pendergast's two best mates, walked toward them with his hands in his pockets, shaved head tossed back and cunning grin beaming. He arrived with a few more long strides and slid into the bench beside Kalum, running his hand over the close crop of hair on his scalp and winking at her as he spoke low.

"Hey, babe," he said, easing close. "Looking good. Real good."

Kalum's palm streaked up to block his advance. Her face screwed like she'd tasted something awful. "Rodinsky, please," she said. "Not now. Actually, you know what—not ever."

Ivan hissed. "Feisty. I like it. Real turn-on."

"Quit doing that," said Talitha, cutting in between. "She's taken. Cut your losses."

"Taken. Yeah. Right." Ivan snorted. "Taken by King Goatfucker Al-Trashbag. Taken by the fucking best."

"It's Prince Malek Al-Bheti," corrected Kalum. "You wouldn't dare say that to his face either."

"I sure fucking would. Fuck him. He can suck my cock." Ivan shot her an incredulous look. "Face it, Khel—you don't want to go through with this arranged garbage. Being a queen isn't that great anyway. You're 100% Union and part of our high as a kite society. Stop fooling yourself. Get off that loser family plan and tell your parents to kiss your ass."

"If you're wondering why your last two girlfriends dumped you publicly, think of this moment." Kalum huffed and scooted as far away from Ivan as she could manage on the bench. "Don't worry about my family plan, loser. Worry about your career path. Do you have one? I bet not!"

Ivan stroked his jaw. "That's all you care about, huh? Ranks. Paths. Money." He smiled. "Typical. Well, I did say you were society."

Talitha cut between them again. "Enough," she said. "Both of you—stop this. If you don't like each other stay away. Never ends with you two."

"Ha." Ivan shrugged. "Never said I didn't like the crazy bitch."

"Ivan." Talitha scowled. "Don't call her that. I mean it. Did you come here to make insults? Get lost. You’re not wanted."

"No. I didn't come to insult. I swear. I bring good news." He held up his hands in surrender. "Just stopped by to invite you beautiful ladies to the biggest party of the year. Hope you haven't locked in plans for Harvest Eve, since this one'll be a real killer."

"Party? On Harvest Eve?" Kalum perked at the word. "What party? What about Harvest?"

"Ah." Ivan grinned. "Something else you like. A party."

Kalum stroked her hair, studying Ivan. "I haven't heard about any new parties. Nobody's doing anything big in the zones this year. Something new is really short notice. A girl needs time to get ready for a party."

"Hey, hey, hey—hold on, Your Majesty. Slow down. I'll show you what's going on." Ivan moved the backpack slung behind him to his front and pulled out two black polymer cards from a side compartment. "Scan that with your COM," he instructed, handing one to each. "Password's BLOODFEAST and today's date and hour tapped in backwards—change it if you have to access it later. Fuck up two times and it'll wipe. You're on your own then."

Talitha studied the slim translucent object before activating her communications network with a spoken command. She held the card over her COM's sensors and entered the password. A projection of foreign symbols hovered above her device and animated blood trickled over the digits, dripping down to reveal phrases. Her eyes widened as she manipulated the projection to read the scrolling words.

"Blood Fang—wow!" she exclaimed. "A Zero Hour Blast. They're playing…in Altir? On Harvest Eve? I thought they were banned." She glanced at Ivan. "How's this possible?"

"Not banned right this second," he replied. "Keep scrolling."

Talitha continued through the slides and read through a list of opening acts, reaching an interactive three-dimensional map highlighting a glowing pathway to the venue. The route cut straight through Kidish Pass, a mountain range at the far border of East Central—an Altirian district near the RedSect zones where Talitha spent the first part of her life. Blood Fang's chosen venue was on the other side of Kidish Pass and in a place Talitha knew too well from her own birth history.

"Impossible," she said, frowning. "This map says they're playing in Temple Westmont but…Westmont's gone. I know the ministry's shifting the zone class to green after finding those springs but they're working on the mines as we speak. The entire area's sealed off. It's supposed to be demolished. There's got to be guards around to stop trespassers."

Ivan wagged a finger. "Westmont's still with us—for now—and trespassing's half the fun. There's always a way around a barrier if you try. Westmont’s a skeleton of a place but we can party there."

"What does this mean? Why would they play there? Seems grim." Talitha quieted a bit and thought of the band's musical clips, many she’d seen numerous times. "Is it some native thing? I know they're really into that stuff, staying close to memories of the dead. It’s dark. I just like their music."

"They tribute a lot to the dead in tongue," said Kalum, peering at the projection on her own device. "I like the way they weave Sisem and Sinum chants together. Even Mama said it was catchy. Might be good for Unifaith, to bring in the young crowd who’d be more open to sect unification. A lot of musical acts from the deserts make tribute with music. Maybe that's what they're doing for Westmont."

"Exactly right, sweet thing. It’s a giant tribute." Ivan leaned in conspiratorially. "Before that whole mess happened over there, Westmont was a place for refugees. Lots of natives lived there. Jackal did too."

"Jackal?" Talitha perked at the name of Blood Fang's lead singer. "He lived in Westmont? Not during—"

"He was evacuated along with everyone else, before the worst of the massacre by those rebels. Did diplomatic work after that to make a difference, before creating Blood Fang. But he still cares about the place."

"That's nice of him," said Kalum.

"Sure. Union's going to make Westmont part of society now, which means one less zone for refugees to live inside of Union. Jackal's making a point about that too. It's going to be a hell of a night. Real special."

"He might get banned again."

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"He's fine with that."

"Wow."

Talitha closed the projection. "I can't go there, Ivan." She shook her head. "This is crazy. You're not serious."

"Why am I not serious?" Ivan prodded her. "You weren't even technically around when people were dying. Still in your mom's belly. You popped out when they transferred her to Quarantine. You can't have painful memories of the night."

"Real sensitive," said Kalum. "Such a gentleman."

"I'm not gentle but I'm right," replied Ivan. "You and Li can appreciate the gesture even if you're sensitive."

"Let's see," said Talitha. "You plan to use some crooked method to travel under Kidish Pass for an illegal party, one that's being hosted by a band that keeps getting booted out of Union." She eyed Kalum, who studied the details quietly across the table. "I'm not sure about this. What do you think, Kala?"

Kalum flicked the projection closed and met Talitha's gaze. "Not sure about the theatrics of it all but Blood Fang's nice to dance to. I know you listen to electro a lot."

"Yeah. Sometimes."

"You like Blood Fang. They’re supernova right now."

"Aye."

"So…sounds like something to do. Might be fun."

"Sounds dangerous."

"A little."

"Come on," said Ivan. "Nobody's going to care about that zone until after New Year, earliest. If everyone keeps their mouths shut we won't get busted. Probably tons of gold still down there." He nudged Kalum with his elbow. "You like gold, don't you baby?"

Kalum sniffed. "Gold. You can find gold veins in a subsolar seashell on Ipir. It's pretty but I prefer diamonds."

"Diamonds. Squeezing a man dry. Diamond kind of pressure."

"Only a total loser thinks walking through a dirty mine would impress a girl because it sparkles."

"Whatever. You wear plenty of gold for being above it all." Ivan glanced aside and grinned again. "Oh look—here comes Spence. He'll be glad to tell you how unforgettable the party will be. I bet he'll get real worked up if you mention it. You'll see."

Talitha turned to look in the same direction as Ivan and a sharp pang struck her chest. Her wiry ex-boyfriend now approached, a young man from RedSect with unkempt sandy-brown hair and a crooked, infectious smile.

Spencer.

Spencer Torrens cut through the dining hall with the same confident ease as Ivan, greeting students who were also glad to see him. Spencer wore a Cloverland Senior uniform even though he didn't go to their school, the clothes were a disguise he'd traded contraband for to obtain. With the outfit he was able to bypass the surveillance bots periodically roaming the campus although he was still an applicant, caught in the process of acquiring residency to society but without urgency to complete the transfer like Talitha, missing his deadlines on purpose.

Talitha tensed when Spencer reached them, sliding into the seat beside hers and meeting her gaze for a short moment with visible sadness. A faint smile flashed across her face in greeting before she smoothed her hair and looked away, remaining quiet. An uncomfortable silence passed.

"This is fun," said Ivan, breaking the tension.

"Li's nervous," interjected Kalum. "That's why she's not talking. Don’t read too much into it."

Talitha's nerves over Spencer sublimated to quick anger and she glared at Kalum, who raised a prim nose in response.

"Why’s Li nervous?" asked Spencer.

"Gracie threatened to beat her up."

"What? For what?"

"Gracie messed with my quarter and Li reported her to the dean. Got in Gracie's face in Clott's office." Kalum smiled to herself. "Li was fierce. So stellar."

"What the hell?" Spencer chortled. "Wait—are you talking about Finnegan? Gracie Finnegan?"

"That's the one."

"She's not bad. Likes candy. Bad Dot. Same shit Li likes. I don’t believe that shit."

"Not bad?" Kalum sniffed. "She hates Red Sector. Hates refugees, applicants…anything native overall. Anyone who sympathizes with them too. She's got a tiny bit of native in her too because we all do at this point but that doesn't matter to her. So stupid."

Spencer glanced at Talitha. "You never told me that. I sell to her all the time. Should've said something a long time ago if that’s her attitude towards you."

Ivan chuckled. "Finnegan's bad, mate. She's all right as long as things are working in her favor. You’ve been working in her favor so far, I take it."

"Really."

"Yeah. But she wants to come out and see Blood Fang. I doubt she'd try anything before then."

"Listen, shithead—what did I tell you about bringing up that—"

"Settled," cut in Talitha. "It’s settled now. If Gracie's going I'm not going. I don't need trouble on top of everything else that could go wrong."

Spencer glared at Ivan. "You fucking did it."

"Did what?" replied Ivan.

"You piece of shit—"

"And you, a moron." Ivan scoffed. "Look at the size of this. Every senior's talking about it. Li was bound to find out so I didn't take you fucking seriously when you said not to invite her."

"Wait a second." Talitha raised her voice, directing her anger toward Spencer. "You didn't want to invite me? Why? Are you that angry at me over breaking up with you?"

"Nothing to do with that," said Spencer sourly. "It's the nature of the thing. You shouldn't be there."

"Why not?"

"Not your scene. You need to stay far away from there."

Talitha folded her arms, shifting to face Spencer. "You don't know anything about my scene."

"Yeah. I do. I'm telling you—"

"You're telling me nothing."

"Li—"

"She can do whatever she wants, Spencer." Kalum's dark gaze flashed with indignation from across the table. "Leave her alone."

"Stay out of this, Priestess," grunted Spencer. "None of your fucking business."

"I agree," said Ivan, the smile back on his face. "Li wants to party so she will. With us."

"Fuck off for a minute, buddy." A hard stare passed between them. "You're showing out for that one but stay away from mine."

Talitha laughed. "Yours? I'm not yours. Not anymore." She raised her chin. "I've decided after all. I'm going."

"Oh. You're going?" Spencer turned to Talitha. "Is that right?"

"Yeah."

He slid out of his seat and stood, running his fingers through his hair. "Let's talk for a second." His attention hovered on Ivan and Kalum. "Alone," he added.

"Why do we have to talk alone?" she asked. "Whatever you have to say, say it here."

"Not looking for an argument. I get that we're over. I accept that. I just…need to talk to you about the show. Please." He leaned closer and repeated, "Please."

Talitha stood as well, smoothing the front of her uniform blouse and skirt.

"Fine," she said.

Spencer led her out of the dining hall and Kalum's piercing stare followed them both until they were out of sight. They entered a bordering garden amid a cluster of trees around the bend, stopping when they were secluded.

"You're trying to prove a point," he said, facing her. "You don't even really want to go."

"I do," she replied brightly. "I really, really do."

"It's dangerous. Too dangerous."

"Dangerous. Ha. I've done dangerous things. So have you—and sometimes with me. We had fun." She folded her arms. "I bet you're going."

"I am. I have to. For the gang."

"Because you're dealing."

"Yeah. Of course. Firestorm's running the dealers tables. It’s our night to shine. That's how I make money. I gotta pay back what I owe."

"Then leave me alone."

He sighed. "Li. Even if we split I care about you. Enough to warn you to stay away from that party."

"What's going on with it?" she said.

"I can't say any more." His mouth pressed tight for a moment. "I can't."

"Convenient." She turned to leave. "I don't know what game you're up to but I told you to give me space. You're not."

He grabbed her arm and she jerked it away.

"Don't do that. Ever. I don't want you to touch me ever again." She tried to leave and he pulled her back with another tug. "Stop," she said, facing him once more. "This isn't going to work. I don't want to hear it anymore. I'm sorry."

"Okay. I get it. You're mad at me and everything I say is shit."

"I have plenty of reason to be mad."

"I know." He lowered his head. "I was an asshole. Shouldn't have done that to you. Talked to you that way."

"More than talking. You hurt me. Physically."

"I know. I don't remember all of it but I remember enough. I remember your reaction most of all. How you hid from me, like I’d do it again. I feel awful and I deserve it."

Talitha touched the back of her neck, still sore with phantom pains from where Spencer gripped her tight, dragging her around his flat in his fit of rage, screaming and ranting that she was plotting against him with her society friends. He was on something that night—crazed—and everything he saw her say or do was a problem. Overdose, he told her when they finally spoke, right before she ended it. New strain of venom, not even available to the public yet. He’d tripped bad and suffered extreme paranoia, however the excuses were meaningless. He couldn't convince her to try again and she didn't care. Enough was enough and they were through.

"I can't erase what happened," he said. "I do want you back but I know why you left. If you told me what I could do to fix things I'd do it right away."

"Nothing." Her expression remained unyielding. "You were on what you were on. What I know is I never want that to happen to me again. I'll never trust you like before. I thought we were fine until we weren’t."

"I made a mistake. A huge one. Worse than the others. And I've made a lot." He shifted near her. "We've been through so much and I don't want you to bail on me. These society types won't understand you. Not like I do."

"Not everyone thinks bad of us," said Talitha. "The Pendergasts don't. They're the reason I'm here and even sort of the reason you made it from the slums to Asylum at all."

"Yeah, well," said Spencer bitterly. "The Pendergasts can keep their help. I wouldn't move here if they paid me. They'll yank their help right back once people like us stop being useful for a campaign." He looked her over again. "All this money I'm making, more than I ever could in society, I make for you and me. For our life when you're done with school. That's coming soon."

"Money was for you. The respect, power…it was always for you. You changed after joining that gang. A lot."

"No. I'm not a bad guy. I'm still me, same as always, even if I’m getting clout on the street.” Spencer straightened, hesitating to take another step closer to her. “We had some rough times but I can make it up. You were happy with me before. I remember those days."

"It's over, Spence," she said. "It has to be over. You need to respect me."

"I hear you. But I'm going to prove what I said. First thing I'll do is get Gracie off your back."

A forlorn expression that worked on Talitha in the past filled his gaze, sparking a twinge of guilt in her for his obvious pain. Memories of their years side by side from childhood to now flashed through her mind, a closeness that was impossible to duplicate. Somewhere behind Spencer's formidable new facade as a RedSect drug dealer was the boy who'd visited her faithfully day after day during her solitary confinement. He was a part of her, always.

"We're not together," she said at last. "Don't do anything for me. I don't want to owe you anything. Worry about yourself."

"I'm going to talk to Gracie anyway," he said. "You won't owe me for that. When she tries to buy from me I'll tell her what the deal is. End of discussion."

"Don't worry about it."

"Just sit back and see. It'll work. Promise." He smiled and leaned forward to give her a reserved peck on the cheek. "Friends again at least? I hope we can share space."

Talitha's arms remained folded but her resolve softened. Somewhat.

"It's over, Spence," she said. "But yeah. We can be friends."

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