Emma was staring at Enid’s father. When she had asked Enid to bring him in for a session, she wasn’t sure it was the right decision. She wanted him to be arrested, strung up, and numerous other things. Everything he had done to Enid, even she felt some measure of anger. She finally spoke when she found the ability to sound professional.

“Mr. Duncan, thank you for coming in, I appreciate that this uncomfortable for all of us.”

Enid’s father looked down at Enid who was dressed in her usual teenage girl outfit now, crucifix and all. School had started a week before. He looked back at Emma.

“My daughter is owed anything I can do to repair what damage I have done.”

Emma blinked, knowing what he said was true. She looked to Enid who shrugged tugged her kilt to straighten it and crossed her legs.

“Enid how do you feel about this.”

Enid shrugged.

“I’ve spent the last ten weeks teaching him about the twenty-first century and an intensive course in English. I’m kind of used to him being around since I can’t leave him alone.”

“Do you regret pulling him from the ocean?”

Enid shrugged.

“Sometimes, but he made me who I am. His insights into his own failures have helped me see mine. As we discussed.”

“And you, Mr. Duncan, how are you feeling about this arrangement, where you spend most of your waking moments with your daughter, who you sexually and physically abused.”

“It is painful, I see how wrong my behavior was, and seeing her is a constant reminder of the wrongs I’ve committed in my life both against her and other people, women. I can see in her eyes how much she despises me.”

Emma nodded and looked between them.

“Mr. Duncan, when she thinks you’re ready to be on your own, will you leave Edmonton?”

He looked at Enid then back to the therapist.

“I want to stay. She needs protection, even if she thinks she can take care of herself. She has many people working against her. She needs allies.”

“So as painful as it is you are willing to stay here to look out for her?”

He nodded. Enid frowned her hands tugging on the hem of her kilt in an effort to stop her from snapping at him. Emma noticed Enid’s body language.

“No Enid, part of this is speaking your truth. How do you feel about what your father just said?”

Enid looked at her father.

“I think it’s a bit too late to be playing at being the protective and nurturing parent.”

“Enid, that is a valid emotional response to this situation and what he said. That said, do you feel safer with him here?”

Enid shrugged.

“I don’t feel any less safe.”

“That’s an improvement. You were terrified of him when you were first here.”

“He’s basically human compared to me, I’m a goddess.”

“As true as that is physically, emotionally, you had this fear about him. What changed, emotionally?”

“My gift tells me his change is legitimate. I can tell he genuinely feels remorse and wants to protect me and my family. Like I said, I don’t understand why I have any love for him left after what he did.”

“Emotions regarding abusive parents are complicated. Did he ever do anything good for you when you are child? Anything that didn’t involve abuse?”

“When he wasn’t drinking, he would bounce me on his knee, teach me how to use a sword. Braid my hair.”

“But when he was drinking, he would hurt you?”

“Or if I refused to use my gift.”

Her father looked like he wanted to shrink into his chair as the conversation progressed. Emma noticed and held up her hand.

“Let’s step back from that, I want your truth to be heard, but we are not here to badger or demean your father. Let’s go back to the happy times when he wasn’t drinking. Give me one good memory.”

“He had gone out hunting with his dog, he came back with some game, and a circlet of flowers for me he told me I looked like one of the fair folk.”

“Do you remember that Mr. Duncan?”

He nodded, his eyes looking a bit rid as blood started to form in them.

“Do you recognize the effect your drinking had on you, and your family?”

He nodded.

“Do you drink anymore?”

Enid chuckled in spite of herself.

“Not if he doesn’t want to vomit.”

“What do you mean Enid?”

“All he can drink now is blood, and it’s not like he can get drunk from that.”

“Oh, I see, I have seen you eat while you’re here, I apologize for my confusion.”

Enid nodded.

“Like I said, I’m a goddess, he’s barely above a human. No offense intended to either of you, it’s just a fact.”

Emma nodded.

“Yet you keep reminding us of that.”

Enid sighed and nodded.

“Sorry.”

“Thank you, Enid.”

“What is the point of us doing this together Emma?”

“The point of this exercise is to provide a safe space where you can share your feelings with your father so you can be heard. And together we look for the best way forward.”

“He fucked up my entire life.”

“That is a healthy emotional response Enid. I have a question for you Mr. Duncan, for all intents and purposes it seems like Enid is your adoptive parent in this odd situation you find yourself in, how has she been as a parent?”

“I believe she has been a great parent. She has been patient, protective, encouraging. Something I never had with my actual parents. I see her relationship with her daughter, and I am sad that my behavior cost us that kind of relationship.”

Emma looked at Enid.

“How do you feel about what he just said?”

“I think he has low standards; I am a terrible mother.”

Emma shook her head.

“Enid, I know what kind of parent you are. I have interviewed Eyre.”

“Did she tell you what I did to my other daughter in July?”

“No.”

“I permanently scarred her face and told her sisters to hunt her down like a dog.”

Emma blinked at Enid’s matter of fact tone.

“And what… what did she do to cause this reaction from you?”

“She tried to stake me and take me back to my husband who wants to kill me.”

Emma stared at Enid for several seconds before she was able to formulate a response, which was pretty pathetic all things considered.

“Oh.”

She looked at her notes for several more seconds then looked at Enid.

“You said your people have laws, what does your law say for such a crime?”

“Immediate Execution for attacking the Empress, or Emperor, as the case may be.”

“So, you were merciful, weren’t you?”

“Not really, a quick death would be better than a festering wound and being hunted down by my daughters. She will die, it just won’t be quick, or painless.”

“And that was within your ability to grant?”

“Yes, I could have killed her instantly. My father believes I broke every bone in her body, scarred her, and then had her hunted because I wanted my other daughters to see the cost of betraying me.”

“Was he right?”

“Yes. After thinking about it, that was likely the reason for my decisions.”

“If you could go back to that night and make a different decision, what would it have been?”

“Stake her, break her sword and let her sisters determine her fate. As the person who the crime was against, my ability to be impartial was compromised.”

“If you are faced with a similar situation in the future, will you react differently?

“I hope so. But I don’t know, it’s easy to say, here in this safe space that I would never do that again, but honestly, I won’t know until I’m in the situation, the heat of the moment.”

Emma looked at Enid’s father.

“Mr. Duncan, when your daughter was young, if someone attacked you and they were captured, how would you have handled this?”

Enid rolled her eyes.

“I would have tortured them then killed them in front of my entire village then stuck his head on a wall so they can see the cost of betrayal.”

“Would you say that sort of thing was common in your society?”

“Yes. The tribe was the center of our lives, betraying it was a serious offense.”

Emma looked at Enid.

“So, you were raised in an ancient society that had a different set of morals. Your first instinct is the follow that which you learned as a child. You also now believe that sort of punishment is wrong. Do you feel guilty about your decision?”

“Yes.”

Emma nodded and made some notes.

“I am not here to judge the rules of your society, or your actions, I here to help you explore the emotional costs, and help you deal with your emotional response to it.”

“Surely you have an opinion on what I did.”

“I do, but it has no place in your therapy.”

“I think it does, I think the view of a twenty-first century human on our society could help me judge my actions better in the future. And you’re the only one I can be completely open with.”

Emma thought for a few moments before responding.

“From my point of view your behavior was barbaric. If I had seen you, do it without knowing your background, or how old you are, I would assume you were a sociopath. You were unnecessarily cruel, and by making her sisters hunt her down when you could have just captured her, you were out of line. Furthermore, you by your own admission lived a lifetime as a pediatric surgeon. You were taught very clearly to do no harm.”

“Ouch.”

Emma took a few deep breaths.

“Now, tell me, in the last twelve months, how many people have you killed?”

Enid looked at the floor.

“You really want to know?”

“Yes, let’s look at your pattern of behavior.”

“Every single one was in self-defense. Or defense of others, except the Lord of Seattle, that was just an execution because he broke the law.”

“Justifications aside. How many?”

Enid sighed.

“The Four Russians who kidnapped Maria and I, one of the vampires died, so that was five, Lord of Seattle, six. Seven…eight insurgents in Africa. The demon possessed werewolf. Six vampires during the uprising. Two of the goons in the Insurance building probably didn’t make it, and four in the car I hit with an RPG. So… let’s say thirty, give or take.”

Emma blinked at her.

“Is this a normal year for you?”

“Lately, no, I mean, not a single person when I was working as detective. I have probably killed three people in the forty years before this one.”

“How about before that?”

“It depended on how bad the vampires were being, I was a police officer in a society where the punishment for all crimes was death. But between twenty and a couple a hundred a year. My army killed several thousand in the civil war in England.”

“So, it would not be an exaggeration to say that you have killed tens of thousands of people in your lifetime?”

Enid fiddled with her fingers as father looked at her, his face showing a mix of despair and pride.

“It might not be.”

“Why do you think your, how do I say this without..”

“My body count.”

“I was trying to avoid those particular words, but yes, why has it decreased?”

“Modern human civilization if you aren’t living in a war zone, is a lot less dangerous then vampire society. When vampires get involved shit gets violent, I was doing fine right up until I got kidnapped, and I tried to introduce my father.”

“So would you say you actively avoided vampires in your recent past.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I’m being hunted by my husband because he wants to be Emperor and vampires are backstabbing assholes who would sell out their own kid for a bit of influence or power.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“I don’t want to be Empress?”

“Why not, you seem to take a lot of pride in the title and your power?”

“Because I’d rather just, do human stuff. I can walk in the daylight, why would I become the ruler of a world that only exists in the darkness?”

“Is it to avoid the violence that the association brings?”

“That is part of it, but I obviously relish in it, I joined the Yakuza and the US Navy.”

“So, while you were studying medicine, you were part of the Japanese Mafia?”

“Yes.”

Emma rubbed her temples.

“I think that’s enough for tonight. We made some progress.”

“Thank you for coming in so late Emma.”

*****

Enid sighed. She looked at Eyre giving her an innocent blink.

“Please? I haven’t seen Allison in a week.”

“Are you spending the night again?”

“I’d like too.”

“Fine, I’ll babysit your dad but only because I haven’t seen you smile like you have been over the last six months since my dad.”

Enid hugged Eyre tightly.

“Thanks.”

*****

Enid tugged her hoody close, there was a chill in the late September afternoon. Allison smiled at her as approached holding her recent acquisition from a food truck.

“I’m telling you, best hot dogs ever.”

Enid took hers with a smile and the pair started to walk downtown. Enid got a few looks. Even with her father she’d been fighting more and more of the augmented humans. So her face was showing up more and more. Thankfully her example had convinced others to step up, but now her Sarah face attracted more attention than she liked. She took a bite of her hotdog and glanced at Allison giving her a nod. She finished it chewing.

“So, what is this play you’re taking me too?”

“Oh, its just something my friend from high school is in. He demanded I be there.”

“Friend?”

“Its not like that. I’ve never been attracted to men. High School was a challenge.”

“I get that. Still friends ten years later?”

“Yes, he actually moved to New York, started acting, now his Musical is coming through on tour so, I couldn’t say no, and two free tickets.”

“Well glad I got back in time to see it.”

“So am I.”

Allison reached out her hand and Enid didn’t take it.

“I can’t, I’m the poster child for good Catholic girl, I’m sorry.”

Allison sighed and nodded.

“I forgot.”

“Honestly I wish I didn’t have to care about image. I hate this bullshit.”

“Why do you do it then?”

“Because, being a Christian icon allows me a lot of leeway with governments. Its about public support instead of dealing with the Authorities… and the fucking angels.”

“Did they tell you to do this?”

“No, it was my PR specialist. Sometimes I want to strangle her.”

“Fire her?”

“She’s family. Look, I know you want to be open but its just not…the right time.”

“This is why they say never to date closeted people you know. When do I get to meet your family?”

“Same time I get to meet yours. Look you holding my hand in public, it will be on a news site somewhere then next thing you know you get a call from your super Christian mother who you haven’t told and then what?”

Allison blinked. Her family had no idea of her sexual preference. They were ultra conservative. A fact which Enid had been made well aware. Allison’s cheeks became a bright red.

“Look, we both are pretending to be people we’re not. So, in public let’s be friends. What we do in the privacy of our homes that’s the real us.”

Allison nodded she still had a slight frown creasing her lips.

“Are you sure it’s not your ‘sister’?”

“I assure you, I have no interest in her in that way. Makes me kind of throw up a bit on my mouth that you even think it.”

“Well, who is she?”

“My PR contact and she does a lot more for me. She’s a family member.”

Allison lapsed into silence as the pair walked along the sidewalk, they passed the bank and mall that Enid had been involved in trashing during the fight with her first super terrorist. The repairs were still under way, the mall was good but the bank was still closed. Allison seemed to notice Enid’s look.

“Oh I’m so sorry I forgot…this must be terrible for you.”

“No, I’ve been in worse fights then this. One after this broke my spine I couldn’t move and was threatening to rape me, this one was… a walk in the park. Hell my fist turned to jelly when I punched the next one barely left a red mark on his cheek.”

“You are talking like this was a normal day for you.”

“Besides the cameras it pretty much was. He would have…been dealt with more quickly without the eyes on us, but I guess this is my new normal.”

Enid shrugged. The pair wandered past the towers that Enid had pushed Eyre off of several decades ago and she chuckled to herself.

“What’s so funny?”

“Sorry, just remembering something.”

“You can’t just say that. Tell me.”

“Okay, like I told you I’m not the only one like this, I’m just the…strongest. So one of us didn’t believe we can fly so I pushed her off the tall tower over there.”

“You what?”

“She was fine. Its instinct.”

“How did you figure out you could fly?”

Enid winced and felt her cheeks growing warm. She hadn’t even told Eyre this story.

“It’s embarrassing.”

Allison poked Enid’s arm.

“Come on. I told you about my white pants incident.”

“Fine! I was fighting a really weak…enemy, I was overconfident, tripped on a rock and he shoved me over a cliff. I screamed for several minutes while I was floating about three feet above the ground with my eyes closed.”

Allison started snicker. Enid’s cheeks were fully red.

“Too bad no one caught that on video.”

I’m glad video cameras didn’t exist eighteen hundred years ago.

“No one told you, you could fly if you were chosen?”

“I knew but it doesn’t happen right away. I mean I could fly with other means, but it takes…time to prepare. Took me a while to master it.”

“So Greatest American Hero style?”

“I have no idea what that is.”

“Old television show. I have the DVD’s.”

“Why do you own so many DVD’s? I mean considering how easy it is to just…watch things these days?”

“I like having something physical. It’s too easy for whoever is streaming to just lose the rights.”

“I suppose it wouldn’t be terrible to snuggle with you and watch a few episodes of it after the play.”

“Especially with a bottle of wine.”

“Naked. With chocolate.”

“Oh, you’re in a naughty mood. I’m wondering if my friend would mind if I missed his play right about now.”

“No, you said you would go, he got you tickets, we’re going to go. I’m not going to enable you to break a promise.”

“You take promises seriously, don’t you?”

“If we don’t have our principles then we don’t have anything.”