He was worried about Rose. He’d hadn’t spoken to her in almost two days and needed to know how she was doing. Malcolm dialed the number for the spryte phone, feeling his heart beating a little faster in his chest as he listened to it ring.
“Helllooooo?” Fantasy drawled into the phone, feminine and openly flirtatious.
“Fantasy,” Malcolm said. “I need to speak with Rose.”
“Oh,” she said. “Of course.”
The change in her voice was concerning. Fantasy was always playful and inappropriate, even when the situation was dire. For her to sound so serious now made him think that something was really wrong.
He waited for a while, and then he heard the phone being picked back, and Rose clearing her throat.
“Hello?”
“Rose,” said Malcolm. “It’s me.”
Rose let out a soft, relieved sigh.
“I was worried, you know,” she said. “Thought you’d be checking up on me a little more closely, given how much of a worrier you are.”
Malcolm smiled.
“Well, not this time,” he said. “But I did worry. How are you holding up?”
He could almost sense Rose shrugging on the other end of the line.
“Well enough,” she said. “Rion managed to get the bullet out, though she attributes the success of the operation to the alignment of Mars and Jupiter, whatever that means.”
Malcolm chuckled.
“That sounds like her,” he said. “Can I see you?”
“I already asked Shield Maiden,” said Rose. “She didn’t even bother giving me a real answer. She just gave me that smile of hers and pretended like I’d never asked.”
“I don’t see why it’s such a big deal,” said Malcolm. “I’ve been down there before.”
“Wind Runner has been to Underworld before,” corrected Rose. “Not the Gifted Vigilante.”
Malcolm sighed.
“Point taken,” he said. “But you’re recovering okay?”
“Better than I’d expected to,” said Rose. “My body seems to heal more quickly than most people, but only when I’m in the dark.”
“You’re the Queen of the Shadows,” said Malcolm, in mock wonder. “Mistress of the Night.”
“And you’re the King of Lazy Sarcasm,” said Rose. She paused and took a breath, and Malcolm heard her shudder as she exhaled.
She’s not okay.
“Did something happen?” asked Malcolm.
Rose was silent for long enough to make Malcolm wonder if he’d lost the connection. He resisted the urge to swear under his breath, wishing so badly that he could talk to her in person and hold her in his arms. It was painful, hearing her voice, knowing she was hurting, and being so far away from her.
“Brenden called,” she said.
Malcolm furrowed his brow.
“Brenden has your number?” asked Malcolm. “The number for the sprytes.”
“I gave it to him,” said Rose, softly. “Before I knew he was going to…”
“Right,” said Malcolm. He scratched his head. “Did you talk to him? What did he want?”
He couldn’t keep a hint of annoyance out of his voice. Perhaps it was even jealousy. Brenden had called Rose while she’d been recovering, while Malcolm was off filling in for Second Wind. The fact that Brenden had recently tried to kill Rose didn’t seem to factor into his base emotional reaction.
“He… told me he was sorry.” Rose’s voice wavered as she spoke. “He said so many things, all this stuff about love and about how he was just so mad and confused.”
“Rose, he shot you,” said Malcolm. “That’s not something that you just apologize for.”
“I know, I know,” said Rose. “I just… It’s so hard for me to think. I hear his voice, and…”
She paused, and Malcolm could hear her trying to master her emotions.
“I just can’t believe he did it,” said Rose. “I can’t remember anything about him, except… for the way he makes me feel. And that scares me… so badly. I don’t understand how he could do what he did. How can you hurt someone that loves you like that?”
The question was on Malcolm’s lips. He dared not ask it aloud.
So, she loves him?
This time, he knew his jealousy for what it was. Rose was crying softly on the other end of the line. Malcolm silently cursed Shield Maiden’s name for not letting him down into Underworld to see her. He forced the rational part of his mind to take control of his voice.
“What can I do, Rose?” he asked. “I don’t want you suffer like this. Tell me how I can help?”
He felt so many emotions twisting in his chest. He would try to help, however he could. Even if it tore him apart. Even if she wanted distance from him, and a chance to sort out her own feelings. All that mattered was that she was suffering, and it wasn’t something Malcolm could bear to see.
“He wants me to meet him again,” said Rose.
“No!” Malcolm snapped. “Absolutely not. I don’t care what he said to you Rose. He tried to kill you.”
“I know…” Her words came out intermingled with a sob. “I know. And I don’t think I could do it, either. It would too much for me to see him again. But… I need to know why, Malcolm.”
“Where is he?”
“Promise me that you won’t hurt him,” said Rose.
Malcolm hesitated, and hoped she wouldn’t read too much into it.
“I promise,” he lied.
If he gives me any excuse, I will gladly break that promise. I’ll be a liar, just this one time.
“Please,” said Rose. “Ask him why. Tell him that… I’m just so confused. And I need to know why. And the full story. My… story.”
Malcolm agreed. Rose gave him the address to another motel where Brenden had told her he was now staying.
“I’ll see what I can find out,” said Malcolm. “You should rest.”
“…I miss you,” said Rose.
“I miss you too,” said Malcolm. “So much.”
They were both silent for a few seconds. The pause in conversation was both comforting and expectant, as it was clear that there were some words that could fill that particular space, if either of them wanted to say them. Malcolm’s heart ached for her.
“I should get going,” he said. “Don’t want to waste the rest of the afternoon if I’m going to meet Brenden.”
“Right,” said Rose. “Thank you.”
She made a noise that suggested that she’d just kissed the phone. Malcolm chuckled, and they teased each other for a bit before saying goodbye.
CHAPTER 24
The second motel was even shabbier than the first. Malcom didn’t know what that said about Brenden, maybe the guy was just down on his luck. Whatever the reason, the place was a dump. He could smell the stench of stale cigarette smoke and the essence of unwashed bodies even before he entered the lobby.
He found Brenden’s room and hesitated before knocking. There was no telling how the man would respond to Malcolm showing up instead of Rose. Malcolm knew very little about him, and what he knew wasn’t good. He was volatile, homicidal and he owned a gun.
If he tries to shoot me, I’ll at least have an excuse to deal him some pain.
Malcolm tried not to dwell on the thought as he knocked. The door opened after a couple of seconds. Brenden raised an eyebrow when he saw Malcolm on the other side. His eyes were bloodshot, and there were dark bags underneath them. He still wore the same clothes Malcolm had last seen him in.
“So, she sent you,” said Brenden. “What are you… her boyfriend? Or… just a friend?”
Malcolm smiled slightly at the question. Part of him wished that he’d worn his mask, though he hadn’t bothered with it when he’d intervened during Brenden and Rose’s meeting. No, he decided. It was better for both of them if Brenden could see his face, read his emotions, and get an understanding of the new life that Rose had made for herself.