Velli

I take longer than necessary to dig myself out of the dirt. Dream calls for me, and I’m not prepared to see her yet. First, I find my book bag. This time, not full of money but something more valuable… sort of. Next, I find Wulf. He rests alone against a pile of dirt, exhausted.

I come from behind him.

He glances at me then slumps. He’s clothed in only filth. Rotting fruit and dirt replace his silk robe. “I’m glad it’s over.”

As impossible as it seems, his words have the stench of truth. That’s not my problem, though. I have an ally to claim, and I open my mouth to deliver my pitch to him. “Wulf, head up. I’ve got good news for you. Nothing’s changed. You were right. You were chosen by God. I beat you because I’m chosen as well. Now, you’ve been chosen again to serve me. Serve me, Wulf, and together, we can do something wilder than you’ve ever imagined.” I don’t get to say any of that.

Wulf grabs me by my ankle, squeezes, and begs me with a hoarse, pleading voice. “You will be my penance.”

“L-L-Let go.” I should be overjoyed he’s that easy, but the desperation, the sudden contrast in emotion is scary.

“Be my redemption. That much I owe you all.”

“Y-Y-Yes, yes, do as I command.” I scramble for what to say next. “Enter a Cognomen Oath with me to serve me for all your days.”

Wulf lets go and leans against his pile of rubble. Two worms crawl into his hair, and the garbage on his back slowly falls off. He makes his vow.

One down. Two to go. My adrenaline and composure come back. I’ve captured a legend. This is the first of many victories.

“Wulf, meet me in two days,” I command. “Make it look like someone killed you. Go hire someone who specializes in that sort of thing. I can’t have friends of yours interfering in what I have planned or someone who wants to kill you because they invested in you and want your money. After you’ve faked your death. I need you to kill someone named Parasite for me. Make it slow and painful, and at the end of it—only at the end, I want him to be confused throughout—tell him it’s for Amelia.”

Wulf nods, and I notice his medallion still dangles at his chest.

“Did you make that medallion?” I ask. It should be dirt.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“No, it was a gift.”

I’ll need that.

I scale the rubble, medallion in hand. I’m broken, sore, and my book bag is almost empty except for the most important thing. Adrenaline shoots through me to climb all the way up the mound because this is the most important part of the night. Once on top, I yell her name.

“Dream Tower!”

Both Lue and Dream look up at me, a king on his pile of dirt. I slide down it. Yes, every moment hurts, and running down would be closer to painless, but perception is everything, and defeating one of Division’s Hand’s most dangerous while appearing unbroken and unbothered is great for optics. Once down, I stay still and wait for the girls to come to me. Dream tries for a hug. I motion for her to stop.

“Dream Tower, champion of Division’s Hand and defeater of Wulf, would you honor me by wearing this?” I present the medallion to her.

Its shine makes her blink twice.

“Oh, wow, Velli, that’s…” She can’t finish. Her face morphs into a smile, and she accepts the jewelry. To don the jewelry of a defeated enemy is one of the many ways to boast, and an even greater boast is if your lover gave you the jewelry of a defeated foe.

Slow down there, Velli, you—

No, I think I finally have this under control.

I’m careful to keep my eyes on Dream, but Lue’s gaze is hilarious. Her jaw drops, and her face holds shame. This would be a personal affront to her despite everything because Wulf is her man.

Good, she should be upset. She shouldn’t have made Dream cry. Be sure to tell your friends from high school about this as well, Lue.

I drop to one knee and reach into my book bag. Dream attempts to crouch with me, but with a smile, I ask her to stay up. Her excitement is as thick in the air as Lue’s growing shame. Dream rocks on her heels. Lue folds her arms. A small, happy yelp pops out of Dream’s mouth when she sees it.

From my book bag, I produce a tiny bouquet of carnations. I stand and bow at my hips to give them to her, working every bit of charm and finesse I have. “Carnations,” I tell her. “To celebrate a victory, one of many.” I add extra emphasis on the many for Lue. “But a big one nonetheless. I know carnations and dahlias are your favorites. However, I chose carnations because research indicated they’re the only flower better than a rose. Sorry if my analysis was incorrect.”

Lue rolls her eyes.

Dream’s face turns red. “Well, Velli,” she says and thinks.

Oh no, I’ve gone too far.

She’ll go like the others now. Ashamed of being this close to you.

My heart thumps. It’s loud. Can she hear it?

“Well, Velli, well, Velli, well, Velli,” she sings.

She’s so happy. I’ve done it. More than happy. She looks at my lips. I look at hers.

Lue interrupts. “Well, since you’ve ruined my home, can you take me to my parents’ house or something?” Lue asks in a way that’s not asking.

This might be the worst woman ever.

Dream gives me back her flowers and rushes to Lue. Lue stands straight, accepting the challenge.

“No, enough,” Dream says. “Velli and I have been nothing but kind to you, and you’ve been rude and… and… I don’t know, a horrible person all around. So no. You can fly, so you’ll be dropping us off.”

Like magic, the two change expressions. Dream folds her arms and judges Lue, and Lue shrivels and nods.

“Is that a yes?” Dream asks.

“Yes,” Lue mumbles.

“And give us a thank-you and an apology. We risked our lives for you.”

“Sorry,” she mumbles like a child.