Chapter 9

Liberty slipped on the jeans and t-shirt, aware that she had made a mistake. She thought that since she was with an SR44 male, things would be like they were back home where there were none of these cumbersome fabrics. There was nothing obscene or rude about their smoky forms, but perhaps he found her human form unworthy to gaze upon, and she felt tears sting her eyes.

She knew she would never return to SR44, and she didn’t know how she was going to integrate herself into this society being so terribly different. She was well aware that she talked differently than humans, even though she had learned the language, not to mention the fact that her eyes glowed when the sun set. Her whole thinking process was so contrary to those of who inhabited Earth.

Running her fingers through her hair, hoping to calm the curls a bit, she willed herself to remain strong. She was safe now, and she had to remember that. She slipped on her black flats and made her way back up the stairs.

“We need to leave in about thirty minutes for the airport,” Jovan said when she emerged at the top of the stairs.

He sat at the small kitchen table where there was a light brown torpedo in front of him and one on the table across from him. Her stomach growled. Over the weeks, she had learned this indicated hunger.

Stepping over to the table, she bowed her head and looked at the floor. “If I may join you, Warrior, for this meal.”

There was a beat of silence as she waited for permission.

“Liberty, look at me.”

She met his gaze.

“We are equals. There is no difference between you and me. I know it’s going to take some time, but please really try to curb this servitude bullshit, and I mean this in the least offensive way, but it’s really starting to get on my nerves, okay?”

“But, sir—”

“No, Liberty. If I have to command you to stop calling me sir, Warrior, or anything else besides Jovan, I will.”

Yes, this life on Earth was going to take much getting used to.

“Very well, Jovan.”

She sat down and picked up the brown torpedo, wondering what it was. It certainly wasn’t a taco, and it didn’t look as delicious as macaroni and cheese either.

“It’s a sandwich,” Jovan said with his mouth full. “Turkey. It’s good. You’ll like it.”

She took a bite and chewed slowly, letting the flavors settle in her mouth. “Yes,” she said after a moment, “you’re correct. This does satisfy my hunger. ”

They ate in silence for a bit. “We need to get moving,” Jovan said. “We’re going to catch a plane to a safe place. The flight isn’t that long, and when we get there, you can tell us your story.”

“And is this ‘us’ you refer to the rest of the Six Saviors?”

“Yes.”

She nodded. She had seen the planes in the sky, and the thought of getting on one made her sandwich want to make a reappearance, not to mention the thought of meeting all the Saviors in one room. To the people of SR44, their existence had been elevated to almost god-like proportions.

Dabbing her mouth with a paper napkin, she nodded. “I must confess, Jovan, the thought of flying does not sit well with me.”

He stared at her for a beat. “You’re afraid of flying?” he asked incredulously.

“Truthfully, the technology that humans use to fly does not look safe.”

Jovan threw his head back and laughed, and she liked the sound of it. It was deep and throaty, and she couldn’t help but giggle as well.

“We’ll be fine, Liberty,” he said, wiping his eyes.

She wanted to believe him, but she was definitely having a hard time doing so.