Page 83 of Remnants
I have no idea what I did this time to be at the center of gossip, but based on the nervous and angry glances I get, it can’t be for something good.
It never is.
It reminds me of the cafeteria on the island with Gordon. When everyone was too afraid to sit with or speak to me. I thought the Guild would be different, especially with Aiden in charge.
Two guys from the primary group break away, setting their sights on me as they walk closer so it’s clear they plan to say something to me.
I’m too tired for this shit.
They stop out of arm’s reach, which I notice because any normal person having a conversation wouldn’t be so obviously distant while trying to talk to anyone. The one on the left with short brown hair crosses his arms, putting the myriad of scars riddling his arms on fulldisplay. But it’s the curly blond on the right who sneers and speaks first.
“You the GE spy they found who flipped sides?”
Damn, word travels fast. It’s probably for the best that Aiden hasn’t let Harvey go if we did trust him more.
Even if that trust is still questionable, I don’t like complete strangers going after him. Any potential for me trying to be nice vanishes, and I raise an unamused brow. “Who’s asking?”
The one on the left’s face twists like he bit into something sour, but it’s the blond who talks again. “Like we’d give you our names, GE scum.”
My gift is a flicker of heat in my gut, reacting to the subtle trip in my temper.
I smile at them, doing my best to channel Jackson into it. Their expressions falter when they see it, and I try not to admit that affecting them with a simple smile makes me cackle in my head. “What can I do for you, boys?”
It takes them a second to remember that they’re trying to be intimidating and regain that composure. The one on the right answers, and I wonder if the other guy is just his hype man. Or emotional support buddy. “We’re warning you to leave before things get messy. We came here to get rid of scum like you, not work with you.”
“Mm…well, I don’t think that’s up to you,” I counter.
“We saw you kill those GE guys the other day. If you could turn your back on them that easily, then we’re not letting you stick around to stab any of us in the back when you change your mind again.”
There are a few things wrong there, but one of them has my full attention.
“I’m sorry,” I say, trying not to laugh. “Notlettingme? Which of you thinks you’re going to stop me if you saw my gift?”
“Spoken like a true villain,” he spits out.
My chest squeezes at that word, hating it and the memories that come with it. But I’m not lettingthat manhave any more control over me.
I’m finally accepting that I’m not a villain, and I never was.
But that doesn’t make me a saint, either.
I fist my hands, readying a retort, when Kellan looms behind them, his dark fury freezing the words in my throat.
He yanks them to their heels by the backs of their necks, snarling, “Did you just threaten my girl?”
His usual grin is replaced by drawn brows and a sharp glare. His fingers tighten in their necks, creating visible indents. The muscles in his arms are tight and accentuated, pulsing with the strength of his grip.
A crowd circles us, eager to watch the show.
The one who’d done all the talking tries to pry Kellan’s hand from his neck unsuccessfully. “Sh-she said she was the GE spy. She—kkkk.” His words cut off, his eyes bulging.
“She’s not. She’s done more to fight GE than this entire building combined, so I’ll stop that filthy lie right now. You’re new here, so I’ll give you my first and last warning.She’s mine. Threaten her, or even disrespect her again, and I’ll gut you from your shriveled dick to your throat.” He releases them, and they both drop to their handsand knees. “If you can’t accept that, then leave right now. We don’t have room for spineless punks here.” His hard gaze sweeps across the crowd. “The same goes for all of you. We’re here to take down GE, not gang up on or threaten our own people. If I hear so much as a whisper of that happening, you’re gone.”
The two idiots on the ground make it to their feet and start to leave, one of them bumping into Fabian, who blocks the way. Silas stands next to him, a shit-eating grin on his face when he warns, “You forgot to apologize to her.”
They freeze, then mumble a quick “sorry” before Fabian steps aside to let them pass.
“Partner up!” Kellan shouts, stalking to the front of the room and oozing violence. Well, this will be a fun training session.
