“What do you mean ‘never came back?’” I suddenly feel my heart beating fast. This sick feeling, like I’ve forgotten something, has gotten so bad I want to throw up. “Kisa’s supposed to be watching over the shop. I told her not to go anywhere! Why would she leave?”

“One of the Icebombs didn’t explode…so she went to check on it.”

Crap.

I remember now. There were only two explosions.

“How long has it been since she left?”

“M-Maybe…maybe…two hours?” Nya’s lips tremble. She has snot coming out of her nose and I realize the poor kid’s been all alone in the dark this whole time. “She said she’d be back in half an hour! But…but she still isn’t home! I was sooo scared. M-Master…do you think something happened to Sis? Why isn’t she home! WHERE DID SHE GO?!”

Two hours?

Kisa’s been gone that long?

“Did she say which bomb didn’t go off?”

“I-I think it was Jero’s. Hic.”

Damnit.

Of course it’s his Icebomb.

Damn Demi-rats.

What the hell happened?

Gently, I pull Nya off my waist and hand her to Meera. She firmly grabs Nya’s shoulder.

“Meera, I’m going to need you to help the Demi’s settle in. Bring Nya with you too.”

“Boss?”

“Just get them inside, Meera.”

“Okay…”

Meera brings the children into the shop. Nya doesn’t know who the sewage-stained children are, but she helpfully holds the door for them. The last thing I see before she goes inside is her tiny scared face turning hopeful as she meets my eyes. I mouth to her-

“It’s going to be okay.”

She gives me a wan, small smile. And nods. Once her fuzzy ears duck inside, I turn to the Stranger.

“One of my employees is missing,” Nodding at my shop, I point at the door. “Have whatever you want from the display cases. It’s all free. There’s some good stuff hidden behind the cheddar tower. I’ll be back after I figure this out.” With that, I focus my Qi, and prepare to jump away. However…a hand latches onto my shoulder.

“Myrr, my boy…do you even know where she is?” the Stranger asks, “Your Demi…what was her name again? Kisa…do you have any idea where to look for her?” His grip is strong. I can’t break away. I’m forced to turn around and face him. “Why don’t you come inside? Take a moment to think about this. She’s probably just caught up in the chaos. Or maybe she got addicted to starting fires. I have much more important things to discuss with you. We have very little time to put things in motion! Wasting even a second on a mere employee is too much-”

…

You…

Meera was right.

I can see it now-

“You’re hiding something.” Suddenly, the memory of Blink whispering in the Stranger’s ear flashes through my mind. And then Echo’s cold stare as she disappeared. It felt like she was pitying me. The Stranger startles as I suddenly advance on him. “What are you hiding from me!?”

“Damn!” He curses. Slowly, he lets go of my shoulder. “Boy…there are things in motion here! Things you can’t possibly understand! Plans I’ve laid since the day Selena stabbed me in the back. You can be a part of them. But we must act now. There is no time for distractions. Come inside…and let’s talk.”

Distractions?

Is that all your underlings are to you?

I’m afraid I can’t dismiss them so easily.

It’s in our contract.

“No,” I say. The word hangs in the air, half statement, half threat. “I’m not going inside. You’re going to tell me what you know. Where is Kisa?”

…

…

“You really want to know?” The Stranger sounds like he’s gritting his teeth. I’m having a hard time breathing. An invisible weight is pressing down on my chest, like a stack of heavy books. I nod and he sighs, “I tried to spare you from this. But since you insist, then here’s the truth. Your stupid Demi…got caught.”

“Kisa…got caught?” I feel my blood freeze. Don’t ask me why. Sure, like the Stranger says, Kisa’s just an employee. A minion. Like Meera or something. Expendable. But she stuck around. Even when I told her she could leave. Besides…she’s going to help Natalia run my household, right? Which by default makes her part of my household. Yea, what kind of master abandons his servants? It’s only natural I bring her back. Otherwise Natalia and Nya will be lonely even if we beat Selena. “You…how long have you known?! Is that what Blink told you? Where is she?!”

“The Omniscient Guard have her. But that’s not the point!” He holds out his hand to me. As if to pull me to his side. Normally, he sounds so charismatic. But right now…I want nothing to do with his plan. Just hearing it makes me feel sick. “Myrr, listen to me! Thanks to your bombings, Selena and half the Omniscient Guard are heading to the Silent Tower’s jail. She wants to personally interrogate your Demi. Don’t you see?! It’s a golden opportunity! This is the first time Selena’s come out in over a year! Which means that the palace is basically unguarded! I’ve already instructed my men to delay her passage through the city. Doubtless, she’ll realize her mistake and try to return. But by then…it will already be checkmate!”

The…Omniscient Guard have her?

Selena’s going to…interrogate Kisa?

My…Kisa…?

…

“They’re going to the Silent Tower?” I say quietly. The Stranger nods.

“It’s the perfect distraction.” He comes over and reaches for my shoulder again. Gently this time. “My boy, I know a way into the palace that no one else is aware of. We can enter through the undercanals and pop out right behind the palace gates! They’ll never see us coming! Especially since you helped me silence the Ferry-Rat. No one else knows it exists! With Selena gone, I just need a moment in the throne room and this can all end tonight! Forget that stupid Demi…if we strike now-”

You know…Stranger…

Right now.

You’re really.

REALLY.

Pissing me off!

“Shut up!” I turn away from the Stranger’s hand. “She’s my receptionist! I’ve seen what Selena does to Demi’s! There’s no way in hell I’m letting that happen to Kisa!”

“Why are you so attached to a Demi?” The Stranger seems genuinely confused. “Think, boy! By distracting Selena, that silly girl will accidentally achieve more in death, than she ever did in life! Come with me or you’ll be wasting her sacrifice! I need your spellcrafting to cover our palace assault. Myrr, open your eyes, look at the bigger picture-!”

I watched that girl puke for days.

Just to get clean so she could work for me!

She’s my best employee.

And Nya’s sister.

One day, she’ll be Natalia’s sister too.

And you want me to…just give her to Selena?

“No. She. Is. Mine.” My growl gives even the Stranger pause. He tilts his head. Suddenly realizing that he may have miscalculated. No matter what you say, it won’t change my mind. “You do what you want. I’m going after Kisa!”

“You won’t make it.” The Stranger’s voice is strange. But I don’t have time to think about it. Kisa doesn’t have long. I gotta go! “Selena is on her way to your Demi’s cell right now! That little girl will squeal the moment the inquisitor’s blades touch her pelt. She’ll tell them everything! Afterwards, they’ll burn down your shop with your mewling Demi-kits inside. Is that what you want? Going after that stupid girl won’t change anything! Even if you make it before Selena, the high security cells of the Silent Tower are nearly indestructible! Come with me instead! Just give me two minutes…two minutes in the throne room and Selena’s finished! Once we’re in control, I’ll make sure your shop is safe, and everyone inside. Are you going to throw away everything for someone that’s already doomed!“

Stop calling her stupid.

She only got caught because of us!

“Screw your plans! I don’t give a damn!” I spit out. And then I’m gone. Spells flying from my sleeve. Twin Gusts shoot out of each hand, while my feet dash through the streets. But I don’t know if it will be enough. It has to be enough. I’ll make it! Over my shoulder, I yell out, “I just need to beat Selena there!”

“Fool! You won’t make it!”

“Boss! Where are you going!?” Meera suddenly blurs into existence next to me. She breathes heavily, struggling to keep up with my magic-powered sprint, “Wait for me!”

“Meera, Kisa’s at the Silent Tower!” I slow down for just a second to deliver orders, “I’m going to break her out! Selena’s coming with the Omniscient Guard. It’s too early…but screw it! Inform all the Demi’s to run wild. And then…get word to Elina. Tell her I could really use some rain!”

...

“Boss…I’m sorry but even if Kisa is…gone…don’t you think-”

“She’s not gone! I’m going to get her right now…”

“Okay…Boss. It’s just…we told everyone Operation Rainfall would be next year-”

“So?”

“Isn’t this a bit rash?”

“I DON’T CARE! Get that in your head, Meera! Have her come! Have everyone come! Everyone! This is an order! Bring everyone we have! The Stranger has some sort of plan. As soon as I’ve got Kisa, we’ll find him and see what he’s planning. But right now, that’s not important!”

I accelerate only to feel Meera’s hand on my wrist-

“M-Myrr! Hold on! Wait! I-I need to talk to you-! Just wait one second-”

“No. Let. Go. Meera! Obey your Raingod. And carry out my orders!”

*Boom*

I yank my arm away. Twin tornados explode behind my hands and blast me forwards. The jet turbines of hot mana-powered air create a sound akin to a sonic boom. I leave Meera behind. She calls out to me one last time, but I’ve already left my orders.

“WAAAAIT!”

Call the storm, Meera.

It’s too late now.

Selena made sure of that.

She took one of ours.

I’ll take her whole goddamn city.

But first…Kisa, I’m coming!