She always thought of it as an excellent way to hide the violent training that occurred inside the walls.
Because Skye didn’t know who to trust, she had demanded to see the director alone. The director’s apartments were beautiful, airy and light, with lots of arched windows and multicolored carpets. The director herself rested on a divan, a light blanket over her feet.
She had an angular face and dark black hair. Skye had never been able to guess her age.
The director had already figured out that there was a conspiracy, but she was grateful for the names. She also appreciated the warning about the remaining attacker who was at large.
“Jack and I can figure out who that is,” Skye said. “It would take research, but I suspect we’ll find the person who got hired.”
The director smiled. “The trail should be relatively easy to follow,” she said. “Between the research you’ve given me and the research my people have done, we should find this last threat. The threat we hadn’t known was this man you and your friend Jack eliminated. I thank you for that.”
Skye let out a small breath. She wasn’t used to being told not to do something from the Guild.
“Then what do you want me to do?” she asked.
“You are free to do what you want,” the director said. “With this, you have satisfied your obligation to the Guild. We no longer have the right to tell you what to do.”
“I’m free?” Skye asked. She’d never expected to hear that, especially two years before her contract was over. “Really?”
“Yes,” the director said, “and before you ask, we will give you documentation confirming this.”
Skye sat down even though she hadn’t been invited to. Her legs no longer held her. “Why?”
The director smiled at her. “You’ve done ever so much more than we expected of you. We would love to keep you, but I know how much you hate it here. So go, with my blessing, and enjoy your life.”
Those words were foreign to her, at least in that context. Enjoy your life? Really? People did that?
“You have a fantastic partner, and you work well together. Now it’s time to step into your future,” the director said.
Skye’s heart lifted. Was this what it meant to be a glass-half-full person? This joy inside her?
“Thank you,” she said. Then she stood, and reached for the director’s hand. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
The director smiled. “No thanks needed. You have already done more for us than we could ever repay.”
Skye had no memory of leaving the room. She did remember trying hard not to skip down the stairs to the garden where Jack waited for her.
“I’m free,” she said as she approached the white bench he sat on. His head popped up over some blooming birds of paradise, and his feet nearly kicked some greenery nearby.
“Free?” he said.
“I no longer work for the Guild,” she said.
He took her hands and pulled her down beside him. “How fascinating,” he said. “I no longer work with the Rovers. I’m free too.”
“The director told me to enjoy my life,” Skye said, still marveling at that.
Jack’s smile faded. “Can you?”
She understood his sudden seriousness. She squeezed his fingers. “I realized I’ve been going about living all wrong. I’ve been worried about losing something I never had, rather than enjoying something I do have.”
“What does that mean?” he asked.
“I didn’t make attachments because I was afraid they’d go away. I had no idea how wonderful they are.” She looked at their threaded fingers. “How did you learn how to have attachments when you have no idea who your parents are?”
“Rikki,” Jack said. “She helped me through the dark times. You had to go through those times alone. But I’ll be with you for any dark times in the future.”
“Will there be dark times?” Skye asked.
“There always are,” Jack said. “But they’re not so dark when you share them.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I thought I only deserved one night with you. And now I’m going to get a lifetime.”
“Are you ready for that?” he asked.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “I’m ready. And we’re free to choose where we spend that lifetime. We’re not bound to anyone.”
“Except each other,” Jack said.
She grinned at him. She couldn’t believe the happiness that filled her.
“Except each other,” she agreed. And she knew that would be more than enough.
About the Author
Kris DeLake is one of writer Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s many pen names. In addition to writing as Kris DeLake in romance, Rusch also writes romance as Kristine Grayson (who specializes in paranormals) and Kristine Dexter (who prefers romantic suspense). In mystery, Rusch writes as the Edgar- and Shamus-nominated Kris Nelscott. In science fiction and fantasy, Rusch is known by her real name. She’s a bestselling double Hugo winner in science fiction. To find out more about her work, including her popular nonfiction blog, go to www.kristinekathrynrusch.com.
