107

--The Enclave--

Dassah expected the answer that came out of her mouth would be: ‘None,’ or maybe even, ‘I don’t know’. She didn’t, after all. It had been less than twenty-four hours since she’d really found out about the existence of ‘Merlyn Jace of Varier Corporation’. Given time, she may have discovered that they shared a class or commute like she did with Sathuren; or maybe that she’d have some connection through Jake.

But as The Silver Hound’s eyes bored into her, the answer she gave was: “They talk about him in my dreams.”

“P-Pardon?” Sai raising his eyebrows, obviously caught off guard the absurdity of the answer.

Dassah blinked, as if she were coming out of a trance. “W-What did I just say?” she went. “S-Sorry, that's…”

“Dassah,” Grim went carefully. “When you say… they talk about him in your dreams, you mean…?”

“Surely we aren’t going to take that seriously?” Bahena said. “She’s been through enough today, she’s exhausted and speaking nonsense.”

Though she was frowning, Chief Landau said, “Normally I’d agree, but there is a reason I haven’t fired this fool yet. Who is ‘they’?”

“I —” Dassah started.

“And what would that reason be that a police officer is asking about details from a dream?” Stella asked venomously.

Grim shifted uncomfortably and looked to the Chief, seeking her guidance. When she shook her head, he sighed and said, “Just… answer. Please.”

“I… don’t know,” she told them. “Really.”

“Miss Graydon,” Sai went, and she lifted her head. “Who are ‘they’?”

As if compelled, she answered: “I don’t know.”

“How did you know it was Meryln Jace?”

“They said his name.”

“What other names did they say?”

“Doctor Sere,” she said, her hand flying to her mouth as tears started falling down her face. She felt ill, but it wasn’t just because of the event. It was because she knew now that it wasn’t just like she was being compelled. It wasn’t just the force in his eyes.

He was valkyrian.

She was being compelled.

She’d never personally witnessed a valkyrian using the power of their Mystriks, but

It was no secret that they all had them; shards of their homeworld, embedded in their skin, granting them each a unique ability that may have been called ‘magic’ if the valkyrians weren’t so science minded.

“Doctor… Sere?” Grim repeated slowly.

“Who is that?” Sai asked.

“I think that’s enough,” Chief Landau interjected and shot a warning glance at Sai.

He ignored it. “Who is Doctor Sere?” he pressed.

“I-I don’t know!” Dassah told him. “I really don’t know!”

Sai’s gaze upon her intensified as he started, “What do you know about —”

Before he could get the rest of his question out, Sathuren swept around and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, his tail lashing.

“Sav!” Grim shouted, quickly standing up to intervene. “He’s just trying to —”

“I know what he’s trying to do!” Sathuren growled. His feathers were raised, making him look even bigger than he was. “It’s how he’s doing it that’s pissing me off.”

Free of whatever spell Sai had put her under, Dassah took in a deep, shuddering breath. “Sav, don’t,” she managed to say.

“All of you, stand down,” Chief Landau snapped. “Sai, you went too far! I told you to stop. Sathuren, take your hands off of him before I have to arrest you.”

Pushing him off balance, Sav let go. Feathers still raised, he stalked back behind Bahena — who was looking at her brother in mild shock.

“What was that about?” she asked, but his attention was fixed on Sai

“This is why no one who knows you likes you, Vex,” Grim told the Silver Hound as he moved between him and the white and purple garule. Everyone watched as Grim and Sav has a silent argument that ended with Sav looking away.

After Grim turned back to him with a glare, Sai shrugged and turned his attention elsewhere.

“Nevermind,” Landau said with a sigh. “The EPD will investigate any and all leads, and you can be sure that we will be in touch. Until then, we will lift the travel ban and have you escorted home.”

“If it’s alright,” Bahena said, “I’d like to help.”

“Even before we knew what was going on, Hena and I talked about maybe staying together tonight,” Stella told them. “I don’t think any of us want to be alone after what happened…”

Landau nodded. “I don’t think that would be any issue. Miss Graydon?”

A wave of weariness flowed over her and she nodded. It would be good, in a way, to be able to talk to freely, and in the safety and familiarity of her own home. So she offered, “You guys can stay at my place.” Then she remembered, “But I don’t really have a lot…”

“We can stop by our places and get some things?” Bahena suggested, glancing at Stella and Landau who both nodded.

“I can make sure that you have an escort,” Landau said.

“I’ll get some food on the way over?” Stella went, perking up a little bit. “I know Dassah and I didn’t really eat…”

“We didn’t either,” Bahena said, looking at her brother.

Sathuren chuckled. “Be advised, my sister eats a lot. And a lot of meat.”

Scowling as everyone laughed, Bahena told them, “Call me and I’ll help order… I’ll pay for mine.”

“I really appreciate it guys,” Dassah said.

“So, what do you guys want?” asked Stella, opening the notepad on her console.

They made some simple plans for take out before collecting their things. Landau had them go to see the hospital staff to remove the yellow bracelets from around their wrists. Sav spoke with Grim and Landau as they went through inspection again and received an all clear from one of the doctors. The device turned green after they entered a code, and released. It dawned on her that Sav hadn’t had a bracelet like they did, but she was too tired now to consider the implications. He seemed fine, and the others seemed unconcerned.

After that, though, they each went their separate ways.

The journey back to the apartment was a mostly solemn experience. By the time they boarded the train home, it was already late. It seemed impossible that so much time had passed, but it seemed equally impossible that so much had happened in so little time.

Grim spent most to the train ride either reprimanding Sai, or apologising for him. Dassah may not have liked the famous, handsome Silver Hound, and she found it hard to find any respect for him, but she understood his role. His power made him an asset. One more valuable than even a girl who would be a victim, she knew. If her life hadn’t been such a concern, she might even ask why he was the way he was; she got the impression that Grim didn’t think he was acting the way he expected him to.

Still, she wished she’d requested they leave him behind — though it often felt like Sai was being escorted as much as she was.

It was a strange feeling, being back at her apartment complex after the long day she’d had. She swore even just standing outside the building that the area had a unique smell compared to even identical hexes; a home smell that helped to make her feel safe, even when she didn’t think she should feel safe at all.

EPD officers could be seen stationed around the area, and instead of the usual single security officer, there were now two, they checked each of them in, and Grim updated those at the front gate on the situation.

As they walked her to her door, Grim said, “Alright. The basics: Don’t leave the house without notice. Anything weird — and I mean anything; I don’t care if you see a cockroach — you call the police. The dispatchers have all been given your information and will stay on the phone with you while connecting you to me, Sai, or Mari — or all three of us.” Dassah eyed Sai warily, but Grim told her, “Don’t worry too much about him. He’s kind of a terrible person, but his intentions are better than he lets on. He’s been through a lot, but he’s good at his job. For the most part.”

“‘For the most part’?” Sai scoffed.

“For the most part,” Grim reaffirmed, jotting down a list of numbers on a paper and handing it to Dassah. “If we get any information, you’ll be one of the first to know. We’ll hang around until Bahena and Stella get here, just to make sure all of you are in for the night, then you’ll be in the hands of the other officers. Try to take a rest, yeah?”

“Thank you,” Dassah said, bowing slightly. “Can I get you guys any tea or anything?”

Grim shook his head. “We’re alright, but thanks,” he said. “Just go and get settled. I’m sure the others will be here soon enough.”