- 50 -

Pandora gasped as Lily rushed off into the distance. With a huff, she dropped to a walking pace. No point in chasing, it took too much energy. Sure, she had recovered from their intimacy, even repeated the cycle a few more times, but Eden's shadow had begun to peer through the fog ahead. Lily was practically vibrating. Full strength wasn't enough to keep up with her when she was this excited. Pandora would join her at the front of the ship where she was getting a better look. Eventually, anyway. It would just take her a bit longer.

Eden's outline cut into the sky like a thousand knives stabbing at the heavens. The image fit the city well. Built brick by brick by believers trying to reach God.

Lily's voice echoed across the deck. "It goes all the way into the sky!" Pandora doubted she meant to shout, but excitement had announced her wonder to the entire observation deck. Pandora eyed a pair of wrinkled crones giggling to themselves about it as she passed. There laughter stopped when she said, "I can see how that would be amusing if you'd never felt joy in your life," without breaking stride. They scoffed at her back, but they were beneath her attention.

Finally catching up, Pandora pressed herself into Lily's back and locked her into a hug. Holding her eased the tiny voice in her head saying, She'll lean to far and fall into the ocean, and eased the considerable voice screaming, I want to feel her in my arms.

"Impressive isn't it?"

Lily nodded. The ship wasn't close enough to see the city, or the plateau it was built upon, as anything more than a silhouette just yet, though with a bit of focus, the texture of the cliff faces stood out around the edges.

"The main city sits more than half a mile above sea level," Pandora said.

"So we'll have a long walk up hill from the port?"

The question lacked the reluctance it deserved. Lily's desire to explore likely blinded her to how unbearable that hike would be. Thankfully, it didn't exist. There was plenty of walking to do, but the city didn't have any hills.

"No. Eden is sheer on all sides. There were stairways carved to the top, but steam elevators have stolen most of the traffic between the port and upper city."

Lily went still, her brimming energy replaced with contemplation if her face was any indication. "If it's massive cliffs all the way around, how did the people get up there?" A deep breath rose and fell in her chest, then her face went red. "Err, a settlement I mean. I understand the concept of climbing."

Pandora choked on a laugh. "Hell if I know," she said. "I couldn't tell you who discovered this place or why they decided to drag their ass to the top. But whoever it was managed to convince everyone else it was holy ground."

Lily craned her head up to meet Pandora's gaze. "Holy?"

"They say the plateau is the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, felled by God himself. That concept sounds more cursed than blessed to me personally, but people think living here puts them closer to the seedbed of humanity, and in turn closer to whichever version of God they believe in."

Lily's voice dropped low, nearly to a whisper. "And what do you believe?"

"I do believe it's a tree stump. Fucker's big, but it's definitely made of wood. But if you mean what version of God I believe in, I don't. Not really. If some creator did make this world, they've moved on. They're certainly not some benevolent deity protecting all his people."

Silence festered between them. Pandora bit her tongue, something she should have done sixty seconds ago. Lily was the daughter of a church hunter; she would have been raised religious. Pandora couldn't change what she believed, but maybe telling Lily everything she had been taught was wrong wasn't the most eloquent way to express those beliefs. She opened her mouth to apologize when Lily cut in.

"I can agree to a lack of benevolence."

Pain dripped in the succubus' tone. Far too much for Pandora to understand the full extent of the emotions swirling inside her. But then, she didn't need to. Now that they were in a relationship, there was time. She would know Lily better tomorrow, and even more the next day. For now, she pressed her chin onto her girlfriends head hoping she would find comfort in just them being together.

They stayed like that, watching the city draw closer for minutes on end, until the port was in clear view. Pandora would have waited longer, until well after the ship was moored, but they couldn't depart without their luggage.

A familiar face waited for them outside of their cabin, though not a familiar name. An S danced on the tip of her tongue before Lily greeted him with an excited, "Stanley." Almost had it, Pandora thought, even if it wasn't particularity true.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

A small velvet pouch soared towards her. It's contents clacked between her fingers as she snatched it from the air.

"Coin?"

"It's not much," Stanley said. "But I don't have much. Still, I couldn't leave you un-thanked."

Lily pressed a hand to his arm. "We had our reasons to want him dead too."

"Yeah, don't worry about it," Pandora added. Maybe not the best choice of words. She realized it sounded like the kind of thing you would say before giving the money back, but she stored the pouch away regardless. She had spent too many nights without food to ever turn down money again. Stanley didn't seem bothered either way.

"Of course officially, the youkai killed him," he said. "If anyone from Black Star tries to ask questions—"

"Like I'd talk to those dumbfucks," Pandora muttered.

Lily prodded her with an elbow. "We'll keep the story straight."

"I appreciate it." Stanley stepped forward, gesturing for a hug. Pandora's cold gaze was enough to turn him away. Instead he pivoted toward Lily, who eagerly accepted his offer.

"Goodbye Pandora, Lilith," he said, breaking the hug. "Thank you for everything." Then he left them to their departure. They grabbed their bags and started for the gangway.

The halls grew more crowded the closer they drew to the to their destination. By the time they reached the stairwell up to the deck, they were packed nearly shoulder to shoulder. Pandora began to worry about loosing Lily in the crowd.

She turned back extended her arm. "Let's hold hands. I don't want to get separated."

Lily stared down, her own hand hesitating half way between them.

"What's wrong?"

"But... I thought you didn't like having people on your left side."

Pandora's face warmed. She mentioned that a week ago at least.

"As long as it's you watching my left, I'll never have to worry again."

A flash of surprise on Lily's face grew into an infectious smile. Pandora couldn't help but mirror it as her girlfriend leapt forward, bypassing the extended hand and wrapping her whole arm in a tight embrace. Her heart fluttered at the unexpected closeness. She pressed a kiss into the top of the woman's head, then led her out into the gathering masses.

Despite the weather, Pandora was boiling in the heat of the crowd. Humid air and lack of personal space only made it more unbearable. She felt sticky. The mass of people was slowly filtering away as the crew processed them each individually, but it couldn't happen fast enough. It didn't take long to collect a room key and thank the passenger for traveling with them, but with hundreds ahead of her, Pandora could see time compounding.

While they waited, Pandora removed the charm Allister had given her from its keyring. Once free, she rolled it around in her between fingers, appreciating its weight. Black Star could have their key back, but she would be be keeping the badge to remember him by. He was a respectable man that she would have gladly counted among her friends.

"Key please."

Pandora pressed the badge into her breast pocket and tossed her key to the attendant. He fumbled with it briefly before giving shaking his head at her. She waited for Lily to do the same, only polite, then accompanied her down the ramp. Pandora couldn't help but breath easy with her first steps back on solid ground. The port was lively with the Colossal's arrival, but the area's open nature offered her room to stand and enjoy the cool winter breeze.

The grip around her arm loosened and fell away, Lily's attention fully stolen by the scenery. Her mouth hung open in wonder as she stared up at the cliff walls. Pandora had come and gone from Eden so many times, it had become routine to her. She was glad to be home again, but nothing more. But for Lily, this was all new.

"You trying to catch flies?"

"The people look like ants crawling around the base of a tree."

Pandora considered the scale and found it to be about right. Intentional or not, Lily had hit the mark.

"The port alone probably has more people than lived in all of Coventry," Lily said. "The city must be huge."

Pandora took her hand and squeezed it tight. "Why don't we see firsthand. I have some business to take care of before we go home."

Lily squeezed back, an eager smile forming on her face.

Pandora attempted to cross the port in a straight line, but found her arm pulled in every possible direction. Lily strained to take in all the new sights like a dog on a leash. Eventually Pandora wrangled her to the far end where a crowd had gathered beside the cliff face. A subtle mechanical grinding grew in volume as the large elevator carriage descended the wall. The ground shook as the large cage settled into place. The gates slid open and a torrent people flowed out like opening a floodgate. The space emptied in seconds, then without missing a beat, an attendant began waving a fresh group inside. He counted aloud as each person entered, ready to cut them off once he'd reached the right number.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Pandora and Lily squeezed in at forty six and forty seven respectably, only a few before the cut off. They were back to being packed shoulder to shoulder, much to Pandora distaste, but the trip to the top would only take a few minutes. And it wasn't all bad. Being among the last to enter granted them a spot the a spot along the outer door. They would be able to look out at the ocean through the latticed gates as they climbed to the upper city. Pandora loved the view whenever she traveled to and from the port.

Squealing gears cut the air and a few moments later the floor rumbled, signaling the start of their climb. As they rose above the crowd waiting for the next trip up, the Colossal came into clear view. So much had happened aboard. In a way it had changed their lives forever. Pandora measured the carriage's height against the ship as they climbed, her way of saying goodbye.

From the bottom, where the engine room was located, on up to mid ship, where their cabin would have been. Before long Pandora was looking down on the deck. The youkai had nearly killed her there, but all she could think about was their first kiss. No matter how disastrous it had been at the time, it was important to her. Important because somehow their relationship had survived. And that had made the memory precious.

But it seemed the ship didn't only dredge up memories for her. Trembling rippled up Pandora's arm accompanied by soft whimpers. Lily had gone pale, and the higher the elevator crawled, the more her color faded away. Pandora verged on asking what was wrong, but as the carriage rose above the ship's mast it became obvious.

Pandora pulled Lily into her chest, shielding the view with her body. There was a pause before Lily's arms grasped at her sides for comfort. She leaned down and whispered, "Don't look. It'll be over soon." A mumbled thanks rose from her cleavage. She spent the rest of the ride stroking Lily's hair and placing small kisses on her scalp.

The elevator jolted, sending inattentive passengers stumbling into her. They must have reached the top. Pandora's suspicions were confirmed when the floor began to sway under the retreating footsteps of the passengers. Eventually, the carriage cleared, leaving the two of them alone. Pandora took a half step back and offered Lily her hand.

"Hurry up! There's customers waiting!" called a lift worker.

Pandora whipped around and gave him a stare down that could only be topped by removing her eye patch. "Give her a minute, she's afraid of heights."

The worker scoffed. "Hell of a city to visit if you're scared of heights."

It took Pandora a moment to realize the creaking in her ears was the sound of her teeth grinding together. She had half a mind to string his skinny ass to the top of the Colossal's mast and see just how brave he was.

"If you say one more fucking word I'll throw you off the edge and you'll have till you reach the bottom to pray to whatever version of God you believe in."

"Whatever, Lady."

Pandora tensed, ready to rush forward, but Lily grabbed her arm and whispered, "It's okay."

She clicked her tongue, but let Lily lead her out of the elevator carriage. As they passed the worker, Pandora held out her middle finger. The man rolled his eyes and returned to loading new passengers.

"I'm sorry," Lily said.

"Don't be. You have nothing to apologize for." Pandora squeezed her hand and added, "Once we get deeper into the city you'll forget we're even an inch off the ground."

Lily clung tight to her left arm, nearly dragging her to the ground. After adjusting her balance, Pandora led her away from the edge. With luck, the rapidly changing scenery might distract Lily from her trauma; she was the curious type after all.

After a few minutes of silence, Lily perked her head up and asked, "Was there a fire or something? Half the the buildings are boarded up."

Pandora relaxed, happy the trembling running up her arm seemed to have stopped. "No, they were likely abandoned for financial reasons. The further you get from the city center, the less money the residents have. At least until you hit the cliff side. Once you can see water the price tag goes back up."

Lily bit her lip. "And how much do you make as a hunter?"

"Don't worry. I promise the view won't raise your heart rate."

The pair emerged from a narrow alley onto an unassuming cobble street. Outside of the buildings finally obscuring the ocean, it looked no different than the others they had passed. The same boarded up windows; the same crumbling walls walls. But they had entered a completely different world. Not one formed by style or culture, but by lines on a map.

Pandora squeezed Lily's hand. "Welcome to the south pass."

"Is this where you live?"

"You couldn't pay me to live here. Too many small time criminals that think they're big. It's not worth the hassle. No, we're here to pay a visit to my broker."

"The person who gave you the job in Britannia?"

"That's right. I need to report that the job is done. And while I'm there, I plan to give her a piece of my mind."

Lily's grip tightened on her hand. "You're not going to start a fight are you?"

Pandora snickered. "Only a little one. Let's go."

The street twisted like a river bed between banks of stone high rises, dark alleyways and abandoned buildings littering both sides. Pandora had walked the route many times and knew all the hiding spots, knew where to focus her attention. Lily was going in blind. Pandora could only hope she didn't overwhelm herself trying to cover her blind spot.

Right on cue, Lily leaned in close and whispered, "That man up ahead is grafted. Should we be worried."

Sure enough, a chubby, middle aged man was sitting on a stoop at the end of the street. Even at a distance his glowing eyes stood out against his plain face.

"I doubt it. Grafts are a common sight in Eden. Like... there."

Pandora pointed to a woman passing on their right. Her shirt was slit in the back to give room to a pair of bat-like wings grafted into her back.

"Too small to fly with. My guess is they're aesthetic. Though, it could be for gang affiliation. Usually it's the rich getting grafts purely for looks. Either way, you'll see them everywhere you look, even if most of the churches have outlawed them"

Pandora stopped in front of a small church building sat sandwiched between the tall stone buildings on either side. Lily, having turned to watch the passing bat woman, slammed into her from behind.

"We're here," Pandora said.

Sun bleached yellow paint peeled off the front wall, exposing bare wood. Crudely built steps rose to meet a weathered door that by some miracle was still attached to it's hinges. Pandora climbed up and pushed the door open, then turned back with a smile. A quick wave beckoned Lily to follow as she disappeared inside.

Lily rushed up after her, the dim light making her silhouette stand out against the sun funneling in through the open door. "Wait," she cried. The floorboards groaned as she pushed past the empty pews to rejoin with Pandora. "They're illegal? Don't the guards bother them?"

"There are no guards in the south pass," Pandora said, knocking on the door at the back of the chapel. "Though you'll even see grafts in the cathedral ward. No one really cares. The bans are only enforced after you've gotten on the churches bad side."

A smooth, feminine voice called out from beyond the door. "Come in."

At the invitation, Pandora turned back and rustled Lily's hair. "Come on, there's someone I want you to meet. Especially after your reaction to the churches indifference to grafts."

If the chapel was dim, the back office was pitch black. Inside a young woman sat behind a large oak desk, working by the light of a single candle. Pandora cleared her throat and the woman looked up to meet her gaze. The illumination verged on inadequate even for reading, let alone the greeting she had imagined. She knew the woman's face well enough, but she wanted Lily to have more than a vague outline contorted by a flickering flame to introduce herself to.

"It's a bit dark in here, don't you think?"

The shape shrugged, returning to her work. "You're back already?"

"Some welcome," Pandora grumbled.

The woman pulled the candle from it's holder and stood, reaching up to take hold of the hanging chandelier above. One by one, she lit each of the six branches, pulling her form out of the darkness. Flickering flames danced against her warm brown skin. The light gleamed off her thick white locs, pulled back into a loose ponytail today. Normally she let them slither free. Whatever she was working on, she was serious about it.

Once she finished with the light fixture, a quick breath extinguished the candlestick. She placed it on her desk, smoke still billowing from the wick, and turned to Lily. Her lips parted but got no further than, "Who?" before Lily interrupted.

"Wow. Your eyes are so pretty."

Eyes. The word choice struck Pandora; made her realize how her disability had changed the way she thinks. Even on people with full sight, Pandora always considered each eye separate. Yet, despite the silk ribbon hiding away the woman's right eye, Lily had automatically linked them together in her mind.

"They're the same shade as Pandora's," Lily added.

The woman let out a breathy hiss of a laugh. "Well of course. After all, this is Pandora's eye." She turned. "Who's your friend?"

Realization slowly worked it's way across Lily's face. She had already fit the pieces together, but Pandora had no intention of letting that ruin the fun. She had been looking forward to this for days. She took Lily by the hand, interlinking their fingers, and pulled her close.

"Girlfriend, actually. Her name is Lilith. Lily, this is the oldest friend I have left, Medusa."

Medusa blinked. Even her snakes had pulled their heads from their hiding place in her collar to stare in disbelief. She dropped her gaze to the desk and pressed her finger to her calendar, tapping each square as she counted.

"You couldn't have been in Britannia for more than a few days. How did you convince some poor girl to drop her life and cross the ocean to live with you? Does she know how bad you are with women?"

Pandora rolled her eye. "If she didn't before you made quick work of that secret."

Lily giggled. "Oh, no. Don't tell me you're a womanizer, Pandora."

She sighed. "I'm ignoring that."

Medusa fell back and leaned into her chair, kicking her feet up onto the desk. She smiled and each of her snakes mirrored the grin. "Come on, Pandora, you serial seducer. She deserves to know."

Pandora ignored the sarcasm. As much as she loved her back and forths with Medusa, something had been bothering her. "Speaking of, what about that bastard you sent me off to Brittania with? Did you know he helped kill Renna? I deserved to know that."

Medusa pressed a finger into her eye, it's tip tracing a thin white scar as she rubbed. "So I take it you didn't read the briefing I wrote for you."

The breath caught in Pandora's throat. She flicked her eye to the side, noticing Lily's rapt enjoyment of the scene playing out. "I... You know I never read those things."

"Well maybe you should. Then you would have seen the list of possible accidents your temporary hunting partner could have had on the cruise over."

"Well... I mean," Pandora stammered.

"Did you take care of him?"

"I did." Pandora whipped her arm around Lily and pulled her tight to her side. "Actually, we did, together."

"Together with the girl you abducted?"

"I was already headed to Eden, for what it's worth," Lily said.

Pandora gave a confirmation nod, then added, "Do you doubt she can fight? You know my taste in women is impeccable."

Medusa and her snakes hissed with laughter. She wiped a tear from her eye and gasped out a single word. "Hardly." She exhaled, trying to center herself, then relapsed into a single dry laugh.

The chair squeaked as Medusa jumped to her feet. She delivered a hard slap to Pandora's back and said, "But if you spend enough time in a rainstorm, you'll have to get wet eventually." She turned and offered her hand. "Lilith, if this woman gives you any trouble come find me. I'll set her straight."

"I don't think I'll have any problems." Lily grabbed the brokers hand and gave it a firm shake.

"I don't think you will. Pandora is by far the most frustrating person I've meet in my entire life, but she's a good woman."

"So you can say something nice about me after all."

Medusa turned up her palm, holding it expectantly towards Pandora. "Not for free I can't," she sang.

"Snake." Pandora dropped a coin pouch into the waiting hand. "Here is your cut from the hunt and not a milliliter more."

Medusa stuck out her tongue and tossed the bag aside. It clattered to a stop atop her desk, then she slid back, taking a seat next to it. "So, I assume Lilith be living with you."

"I will," Lily said.

"I'll send you a house warming gift."

Pandora opened her mouth, ready to object, but Medusa held out a hand to stop her. "As a friend! I'm not always looking for something in return. Just usually."

With a sigh, Pandora relented. "That would be lovely." She took Lily's hand and turned to leave.

"Take care on the way home."

Pandora looked back over her shoulder, answering with a nod, then led Lily to the door. Once they were past the threshold, Medusa's voice called after them. "Oh, and Pandora..."

The hunter leaned back through the doorway. Medusa's face had relaxed; her eyes softened. Her voice was hush, but sincere. "I'm glad you came back safely."

Pandora mouthed her silent reply. "Thank you."