“Sorry to take up any of your time, but there appears to be a report of a break-in. One of your neighbors—a Mrs. Haginni—reported seeing a female climbing up the fire escape.”
I raise an eyebrow. A thump sounds above me, and the Daemons glance at the roof.
The Daemon who spoke shifts his weight from one foot to the other. His wings rustle, and I hone in on that movement. His partner, sensing the discomfort, tries in his place, “Mrs. Haginni couldn’t identify the exact species that she saw—”
Thank the gods for that!
“—but just that she was wearing a red bikini—“
Leotard. Another thump.
“—with bright yellow hair.”
I roll my eyes. This makes them even more visibly uncomfortable, making me feel icky inside that someone would have this amount of power just by having theillusionof wealth. I mean, my father is wealthy, but I am not. I have virtually nothing to my name.
My chimera friend slinks to my side and rubs its head against my pink knee. The visible shock on the nervous one’s face at the pet sets in just as another thump knocks above.
“We are sorry to take up your time, so we’ll get to the point: Did you see anyone that matched that description? We came here first since she said that the suspect was climbing towards the roof,” the nervous one says, eyeing the pet.
I shake my head and scratch the chimera’s ears.
“Very well, ma’am. If you notice anything—” I slam the door in their faces. I press my back to the door and slide down to the floor.
I pray that the thumping above doesn’t stop and that they fill in their own conclusions with… whatever the hell was happening on the roof. A few more moments of silence tell me nothing deterred the cheating bastards above from their afternoon romp.
I collect my abhorrent leotard and flip-flops while straightening my round sunglasses. Images of a nearby bathroom guide me so that I might fix my unbelievably frizzy hair.
Thanks to my new friend, the help of a flat iron, and some red lipstick, I am much more presentable in three minutes than I was earlier. Twisting this way and that, I look at myself in the mirror.
I look like the picture of wealth. I hope I look good enough to be a princess. Nibbling on my lip, I realize I need something to write on. I no sooner think about a pad of paper before the telepathic beast trots over with a piece of paper and a pen.
A pleasant emotion fills my chest. More pats and scratches are the only reward I have to give, but she receives them eagerly. After writing a simple note that says,
Your husband is cheating with Luella.
I pocket the pad and open the door. Once again, I pray that the DaePolice are gone.
As I walk through the door, something akin to a meow sounds behind me. My feline friend is waiting at the threshold.
Come on,I say silently. I’ve already stolen a lot of shit. What’s one whole-ass chimera?
Images flash through my mind that make me weak at the knees. The chimera waited at the door for hours. Its owner ignoring it. The chimera standing at the window, unable to leave.
I draw in a deep breath as understanding floods through me. It cannot leave the home. It is meant to protect it. Only permission from its owner will signify its freedom.
The reality makes me cry… this beast is trapped by people who care little for her safety. I know how that feels.
I draw her into my arms as silent tears drip onto the fur on top of her head.
I promise I will come back for you.
I close the door, and the last image the animal sends me conveys her feelings perfectly. It is her owner, the faceless beauty with a cheating husband. In the middle of the picture is a list with only one name: Cebe. She leaves me her name.
The chimera is afraid, sad, and lonely.
Me too, babe. Me too.
The sound of my heels clacking against the tile stairs helps to drown out my thoughts as I head to the King’s Tower.