Page 4 of Dead End

Ademir stood and hiked up his belt. “Let’s go.” He prodded me forward and marched me through the cafeteria. I heard a rise in whispers as I passed by tables. Another experience I’d had many times before. I lifted my chin and let him steer me outside to a golf cart.

“Melinoe, hi.”

I brightened at the sound of Libitina’s voice. The Roman goddess of the underworld had made a point to seek me out after my arrival. “Hi. Where’ve you been? I haven’t seen you in a couple days.”

“I tend to keep a low profile,” Libby said with a shrug.

“A low profile. I would love that. Teach me your ways.”

The goddess smiled. “I’d be happy to. I’m in Hut 531. You should stop by for a proper chat. I make a mean maritozzi.”

“She’s not permitted to socialize outside of public spaces,” Ademir said, although there was surprisingly little bite to it. I glanced at him and noticed the puppy dog eyes. Curious.

“I thought they wanted her to assimilate,” Libby said.

They. Not we. Even curiouser.

“I have my orders, Libby. I’m sorry. It might be worth talking to HR to see if you can get around the restrictions.”

“Why do you call your personnel department Human Resources when most of you are gods or supernaturals?”

“HR deals specifically with avatars and others like you,” Libby said.

A splotch of pink appeared outside the cafeteria. There was only one walking bottle of Pepto Bismol in Paradise and her name was Posy Martell. The siren didn’t even have the decency to flinch when she saw me. She looked me up and down with all the practiced movements of a supernatural mean girl.

“Where’s your lanyard?” Posy asked. “You’re supposed to wear it all the time.”

“I have this beautiful choker. Isn’t that enough?” Still, I fished the lanyard from my pocket and dropped it over my head in an exaggerated motion.

“I see no one’s taken you shopping for a new wardrobe yet,” she said. “You should put in a request. There’s money in the budget for it. I requested the approval personally.”

“Am I supposed to thank you?”

“You will once we chuck those leggings that seem to be your only wardrobe staple.”

She would take these leggings over my dead body. I’d worn them the last time I saw Kane and my loved ones; they were my last physical connection to home.

“They have pockets,” I seethed, tugging the additional fabric on the sides in a dramatic gesture.

Posy rolled her eyes. “You can find suitable clothing with pockets.”

“I don’t need your charity.” If it wasn’t for Posy’s trickery, I wouldn’t be here now.

“If you want to be helpful to Melinoe,” Libby interrupted, “then please tell Ademir that she has permission to visit myhut. He said she isn’t permitted to socialize outside public spaces, which seems at odds with what The Corporation is trying to achieve here.”

I saw an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. “Never mind, Libby,” I said quickly. “Posy doesn’t have the authority to sign off on that.”

“Of course I do,” the siren snapped. “Ademir, you have my permission to escort Melinoe to Libitina’s hut for a social call. If anyone has a problem with it, tell them to call me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ademir said.

Posy flashed a satisfied smile. “See, sweetie? I’ve moved up in the corporate world, thanks to you.” She blew me a kiss and sauntered toward the cafeteria.

“Want to meet at my place in twenty minutes?” Libby asked. “I just need to run home and tidy up.”

“Hut 351, right?” Ademir asked.

She seemed surprised that he remembered. “That’s right. See you then.” She hurried away.

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