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I feel like doing cartwheels, jumping off a bridge, something crazy to release this energy in me. Free! No longer a slave to Umbri, forced to sell myself to others. There is an old earth saying that you hear floating around now and then, something about the world and an oyster. I had never understood it until now. I can go where I want, experience what I want, do what I want. It is a treasure that I will not take for granted after the last eight years.
I jump into the air and click my heels together as I run to my room. I look around the space and see how little I really have to pack. It is almost depressing, but I push that thought aside. I won’t ruin today's joy thinking on that. I am young, only 24, I think. The youngest of us and I have years ahead of me. Why with enough money and the way medical technology is changing, I could live for 150 more years!
It doesn’t take me long to have a small pile of personal items on the bed. A locket that was my momma’s, I don’t know why they let me keep it but it is all I have of her, a reader with my books stashed on it (oh, maybe now I can get one of those cool implants that let you read from a holograph); a pile of balls that I juggle with; and a few changes of clothes. Not much to say for my life.
I skid out into the main room, “Hey guys! What do we put our stuff in?”
Four heads pop out of their respective doors. “What do you mean?” Fynn asks.
“Well, I piled my junk on the bed, but have nothing to carry it in,” I say, making a face.
Four stunned faces look back at me. “Um. I don’t think any of us have totes or anything,” Tobis says.
“Boys, let me.” Akyra pushes her way past Fynn. “I believe that Umbri can provide some crates or totes. I will just run down and have him fetch them.”
“Akiyra! No-” But she is out the door before I can finish my sentence. I look at the other guys, each mirroring my emotions of shock and fear. Akiyra has no clue who Umbri is or what he is capable of. As if a starter's gun is fired, we each jump into action, running for the door and stairs at the same time. But we are too late.
“You will provide them with well-used totes. I know your side of the business and what you do. Don’t try to act like you are losing out. You have made five times over what their debt is.” Akiyra’s raised voice drifts up the stairs, stopping us dead.
What does she mean that he made five times over our debt?
“I most certainly did not! They have cost me plenty. Food, clothes, housing, medical... the list goes on. Now take them from here. I do not want to see you or them again unless you are prepared to be on your knees, where women and slaves belong.”
“You insolent little abydocomist!” Akiyra’s words set me in motion.
“Akiyra, stop!” Her hand is raised as if to hit Umbri, Relly is already moving as if to restrain her. She looks at me, eyes hard glints of glass.
“Do you know what he and his kind do? What lengths they go to?” Her voice sends a shiver up my spine, but I don’t back down.
“No, and I don’t want to.” My hand rests on hers, and I pull her towards me gently, starting to move as I sing, “Baby, why don’t you go put your best dress on? Those high heeled boots you love to lose. As soon as the tunes come on. On second thought, let’s swizzle just the way you are. You’re my fairy godmother, let’s blow this meater’s house and swizzle the night away.” I stop singing and whisper, “Don’t let me wake from this dream.”
I see past her show of bravado to a hidden hurt. Everyone sees me as the goof, but it is a shell that hides who I am. Her bravado and show of strength is her shell. Looking into her eyes, I want to know what caused her to react as she did to Umbri.
“Please,” I whisper. “You’ve given us hope. Please don’t let him ruin it.”
“Jax cut that caterwauling out. You are such a whooperup!” Roberd calls from the stairs, making Akiyra hide a smile.
Tobis wraps his arms around her, hugging her, “Akiyra, we can make do. We have for years. Please take us home.”
Slowly her arm lowers, she glares at Umbri before turning to me, “I guess I wouldn’t be a very good fairy godmother if I make your life worse.”