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~Zeta

"You. You make rings?" David asked.

"He's not lying," Kristil confirmed.

"I've been storing precious metals ever since I learned about my powers."

"You can do that?" Andi asked, laughing.

"Yep. You could say I'm actually made of gold. And platinum. And silver."

Andi realized where I was going, and slowly shook her head. "I can't believe you. Is that why we robbed all those jewelry stores?"

"Yep."

"Unbelievable," She muttered. "un-freakin'-believable. I thought you burned the gold!"

I couldn't resist grinning, "Nope. Only fenced the rocks."

She sighed, "Damn it, Vince. You couldn't just pawn the gold."

"Where's the fun in that?" I asked with a grin.

Andi rubbed the bridge of her nose, irritated. "Please tell me you re-cut the stones."

"Yes I did, love." I gave her a kiss. She returned it. We broke apart and I went back to sipping my drink.

Andi leaned over again and whispered in my ear, "You think we could get married some time?" To my credit, I didn't choke on my drink.

"Sure. Right after I kill Kessler and find my dad," I teased.

She pretended to pout. "You're so mean."

"Awww." I patted her on the head with a grin, "If you really want to, I'll propose right now."

She choked on her drink. Finally, sweet, sweet revenge.

You two are complete idiots. Kristil said with a sweet smile.

The idiot who's gonna make you wedding rings. If you don't want yours coated with lead dust, shut it.

I could get used to this banter. It's stimulating.

I already like it. Of course, ask me out loud and I'll deny it. We smiled at the same time.

Andi recovered and wiped her mouth. "Not funny," she grumbled.

"It was for me. Hey Dave, can I get my band back?" He nodded and I gladly took Hugin and Munin from him.

"On that note, it's time to hold a meeting of the council." Kristil stood, and apparently sent out a mental message. Everyone stopped what they were doing and quickly organized the tabled int chairs into a haphazard oval. Kristil turned to face me, "Andi has to leave."

I nodded and walked her to the door, and hugged her. "Hide." She pulled away and noticed that I'd wrapped Hugin and Munin around her wrist. I turned around and headed back to my place at the table. Sheba, the black liger, slinked past me and almost gave me a heart attack before she curled around Kristil's seat and allowed her to stroke her fur, glaring at me with its feline eyes. The fact that the oversized cat could talk still creeped me out.

There were a few familiar faces. I saw Puff the Magic Dragon holding hands with Alfie, Nexi in her new suit, Ethan and Ivy sitting next to each other and that blonde that had argued with Kristil earlier. She was apparently trying to burn Kristil alive with her stare and she stared back with a toothy grin as if having some psychic battle. Doing a quick head-count, I realized there was around thirty-to-forty Converted in the council and about a quarter of them looked as if they were ready to back up the blonde.

Achilles wandered in, brushed past David, and lay down next to me. I hadn't come so close to the liger before and it's sheer size was intimidating— he was almost as big as a car— but I found myself scratching him behind the ears anyway.

"Now that we're all here," Kristil said, gazing around the room, "We need to talk about the Blessed attack. I'd like to know why you all fled, leaving only us and the Prime," she nodded at me, "to fight off the Blessed. We are the protectors and must act as such."

"You say that as if we're undefeatable," spat the blonde.

Eliza, Kristil corrected me. She's a Red who creates illusions. Still believes in the old system that the Converted followed before me, the one where she had a lot of influence.

"We're not all killing machines, thank you. My power had no effect on the Blessed and I did not intend to die fighting a losing-"

"So you admit you're useless?" I asked with a smirk. "Glad we got that out of the way."

"Shut up," Eliza snapped. "Why is he even here? He's not one of us."

"You're right. He's not a Converted, he's a Prime. And despite not being one of us, he stayed to fight the Blessed thereby protecting the rest of you." Kristil's words dripped venom and I was glad that I wasn't on the receiving end. Eliza just stared at her defiantly. There was probably some mental exchange going on.

There is. The voice that emanated from Achilles startled me.

You can talk too?

My mate isn't the only talented one.

Sheba? The black liger.

That's the name head of the human pack gave her. Kristil.

Anyone ever tell you cats don't talk? I smiled. Time to gauge this cat's sense of humor.

Anyone ever tell you that humans smell funny? He looked up and met my eyes, unblinking. Because you do.

Touche, my cat friend. So, do you do anything besides mind tricks?

I can teleport, he thought as he began to wash a paw.

So you're like the cat equivalent of Lockjaw? I apparently hit a sweet spot behind his ear, because he started purring.

If you must compare me to a dog. But I'm better. A little to the left, please. I complied and his purring got louder.

So why do you even bother hanging around with us? Out of curiosity.

It's a mutualistic relationship. I protect you, you scratch my itches and feed me. He blithely rolled over and exposed his stomach. I began to pet him with long, lavish stroked and his gentle rumble went up a few notches. It sounded like a car engine. Like right now.

You actually like this?

Don't you? I see that you enjoy your mate playing with your fur.

I felt my cheeks heat, It's hair, not fur. And yes, I do enjoy it. A lot.

Well then you understand. He rolled over and got up to place his forepaws on the arm of my chair, gazing into my eyes. I stared right back. Then, unexpectedly, he started licking my face.

Ew! Gross, down boy, down!

Your fur is all messy and out of place. I'm fixing it. He continued with his slow, methodical licks.

It's fine! Now down! I shoved him off my chair. I swear he was grinning at me.

There. Favor repaid in full.

Well, it's better than getting licked by a dog. I frantically brushed my hair down with my hands to give myself some semblance of looking normal.

I agree. I also have a killer itch at the base of my tail.

I sighed and began scratching the base of his tail. Achilles stretched luxuriously, curving his spine and kneading the carpet with his claws. What're they talking about? I asked. I've stopped paying attention.

Actually, Eliza is about to ask you a question. I looked up just to catch the last snippet of a question

"— paying attention?" Eliza said with a glare.

"Yes, I have been. I think that-"

They've been talking about the food problem. Joshua offered the solution of building up stores of non-perishables.

"— Josh has the best idea. You all need to start stockpiling instead of spending a ton on a la carté meals. Also—"

They addressed the current situation with the blessed. Many were pushing to hunt them down and kill them.

"I think you're a bunch of idiots." A low murmur started at that statement but I ignored it and pressed on. "Yesterday you didn't even stand up to them, and now you're out for blood? We barely held our own against five of them. For all you know, there could be hundreds out there, you don't have the manpower." I noticed a few people were nodding their heads in silent agreement. "Screw your powers and the healing factors, they've got powers stronger than most of yours, and do you really think Kessler only has five? That maniac probably has enough numbers to be like Russia: they just throw people at you until you run out of bullets. Metaphorically of course. And besides, do you really wanna go looking for Kessler? Really?" I saw more than one head shake, answering my question. Anything else, Achilles?

Well Eliza currently hates you. And you should follow that last statement up with something about playing on the defensive.

I nodded and continued. "You need to play defense. Fortify this new hideout. Assign guards, bar the doors, start training an army if you have to. Gladiators do not an army make."

Kristil arched an eyebrow, Alright, I'm impressed. You actually were paying attention.

Pfft, fuck no. Achilles had my back.

Of course. Her head slowly sunk into an open palm. God forbid you ever focus on anything.

I am focused. On the telepathic 600 pound liger sitting next to me.

God. Kristil raised her head slowly, looking wearied. I just want this to be over.

Well you did just get engaged. I imagine you and David want to… celebrate?

Well, it's also incredibly tiring. If I don't have the energy to 'celebrate' after this, I'll kill Eliza myself. We listened as several delegates argued back and forth over idiosyncrasies. We're worse than the US senate.

A chuckle escaped my lips, Nothing can be worse than the senate. I was rewarded when the corners of her lips curled upwards.

"Care to share?" Eliza spat. "It's obvious the Prime and our leader have lots to say to each other, and the rest of us would like to know."

I lazily waved a hand, "Oh, we were talking about the wonderful isle of Nunya."

"Nunya?" Her eyes narrowed, "We sit here debating the future of the group and you two are planning romantic getaways?"

I wasn't sure whose facepalm was louder, mine, Kristil's, or Nexi's. David rolled his eyes and Alfie seemed to be fighting back laughter.

"It's the isle of Nunya buisness, Eliza." The exasperation showed in my voice but at this point I couldn't care less. "It's a fucking joke. Maybe if you didn't have such a big stick up your ass you'd be laughing with the rest of us."

"What?!" She shrieked. I saw Achilles wince.

She makes unpleasantly high-pitched sounds.

I feel ya, buddy. I rubbed the top of his head, So, she's yelling at me, I assume.

Yes.

Do I want to know what she's saying?

It's amazing how easily you tune people out, he countered while avoiding my question.

I learned in school.

Be careful. She is an illusionist, and her growing frustration may prompt her to-

My arm burst into flames. I stared at it, wondering how in the hell that happened.

It's an illusion, Vince. See through it.

I do. It's just trippy as balls.

How are balls 'trippy'?

I sighed and scratched Achilles under the chin. Never mind. Is she done screaming?

Yes.

I sighed and turned to face Eliza. "You're incredibly boring. Next time just punch me in the face or something. Are we done here?"

"No, we are not done!" She hissed. "I demand-"

"That I pull out the stick? Well I dunno, it's pretty far up there. I'd need hella lube." Nexi gawked at me while Ethan hid a smile behind his hand. Alfie and Puff was bent over double in silent laughter, Kristil was outright grinning and David absolutely lost it. Unfortunately so did Eliza, who leaped over the table, furious, and reached for some kind of concealed weapon.

A blur shot out from the corner of the ceiling. It collided with Eliza and sent her sprawling. Before she could recover a sword was pressed against her neck. Andi smiled menacingly at the other girl. With purple wings spread wide, black hair trailing down past her shoulders and amethyst eyes smoldering with an eerie fire; she looked like the Angel of Death.

"I would think very carefully about your next move," She said in a near whisper. Her wings folded and faded but she didn't sheathe her sword. Eliza gulped and crawled backwards until she bumped into the wall. Andi smiled, sheathed her sword, and hopped over the table to sit on my lap. "That was fun."

"You were in the ceiling? How and why?"

"An assassin never reveals her secrets," she said with a grin.

"Great." Andi just laughed and turned around, trying to get comfortable. I slid my arms under hers and hooked them around her waist, letting my chin rest on the top of her head. "You know I could have taken her."

She smiled. "I know. But that was hilarious."

"Indeed."

"You're warm and soft, Vince. Why are you so warm and soft? " She asked, fighting off a yawn.

"I'm not warm and soft. I'm cold and steely," I deadpanned, in my best impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

She chuckled, "Alright then, governator. Whatever helps you sleep at night." She closed her eyes and moved her head to my shoulder.

I sighed. The rest of the meeting flew by, and before I knew it Kristil had called an end to it. The whole ordeal had taken too long. It was dark outside by the time we finished. I was about to get up when I noticed that Andi was snoring softly. I couldn't help but smile. She rarely slept so peacefully. I gently picked her up off my lap, bridal carry style, and made my way out of the canteen and down to the car. I placed her in the passenger seat, wincing when her sword bumped the top of the car. Luckily she didn't wake up, and I was able to drive her home and carry her up all the flights of stairs without incident. I tucked her into bed and took the sword off her back, placing it right next to the bed. I crawled in after quickly brushing my teeth. One interesting day, huh? With that last thought, I drifted off into sleep.