Page 14 of Draco's Fire

He maintained eye contact and held his tongue.

Her voice sounded both soft and small when she finally broke her silence and said, “Can I…can I ask why?”

He flinched.Do not fuck this up, man. Be cool. Be kind.

“At the end of the day, our worldviews are fundamentally opposed, aren’t they? Pacifism isn’t like a sweater I can peel off when the temperature rises. It’s a part of who I am,” he said, hoping his sincerity came through clearly.

“And that isn’t who I am,” she replied.

He shook his head and said, “I can’t tell you who you are, but I can say that you are part of a militant organization designed to oppress my people.Ourpeople. And it isn’t fair to either of us to pretend it doesn’t matter—no matter how good it feels in the moment.”

Fire returned to her tone when she responded, “Militant organization? Is that what you think PEACE is? Don’t you think that’s laying it on a bit too thick?”

“I’ve seen it in action. When your immediate go-to strategy involves weapons and the kind of tactics I’ve only seen in the armed forces, any claim to being genuinely open to non-violent solutions is hollow,” he replied.

“Only if you insist on dealing in nothing but absolutes. Our world exists in shades of gray and I think being realistic about the challenges we face is the only way any of the good guys—no matter who or what they are—will survive. Keeping a trained, professional, and responsible force ready to do what needs to be done is a hell of a lot better than hand-wringing on the sidelines and leaving it to chance,” she said.

Tyson lifted an eyebrow and paused a second before offering his rejoinder, “No one is advocating complete non-intervention. There’s ample historical precedent for what HOPE aims to achieve. Education and discussion are viable avenues for change.”

“I am not arguing that they aren’t and I’m not unsympathetic to the position. I got the Lennon reference in your rendezvous point, by the way. All you need is love is a lovely idea but remember there’s also ample historical evidence that suggests yours is a soap bubble dream.”

She continued before he could interrupt, “It’s pretty, but too fragile to brave anything more than the gentlest breeze. Kind of like us, I suppose,” she said.

He swallowed the lump that tightened in his throat and nodded. “I wish things were different,” he said.

She leaned forward and brushed her hand along his as she said, “It doesn’t have to be some world-ending decision. We’re consenting adults and a little—or even a lot—of pleasure shouldn’t be an impossible ask.”

He squashed a stab of lust and longing and replied, “But it is impossible. What kind of person would I be if I decided to bend my principles for what is admittedly completely fucking spectacular sex? It wouldn’t be anyone I could face in the mirror, that’s for sure.”

Her mouth twisted in a bitter smile. She stood up abruptly and said, “Ah, the old slippery slope fallacy. I’m not dense enough to force you to continue down that line.” She tugged at her sleeves and flipped her hair. Back to business.

Her tone was even and slightly chill when she continued, “Look. I’m a big girl. We can keep this relationship strictly professional. And in that capacity, I want to go on record to say that your convictions are yours to handle as you see fit, but if you don’t start listening—and soon—your picture is going to show up on one of those sad MISSING social media memes.”

He blinked then shrugged, trying to look unaffected.It’s pointless to waste any more breath arguing.

She sighed. “Copy that. I read you loud and clear. The past is the past and we’ll never speak of it again,” she said.

Shayla immediately made good on her promise and didn’t look back as she walked away.

Tyson refused to take the same luxury and kept close watch until she turned out of sight.

Ten

Shayla

“Iwant off the Stallard detail. Effective immediately,” Shayla said, hoping she sounded professional and emotionally neutral.Because the front I’m throwing up is paper fecking thin and it isn’t going to take a genius to see right through it.The rejection in the park was a fresh wound and she wasn’t too proud to admit it still hurt like a son-of-a-bitch.

She waited for the initial shock of the tiny bombshell to dissipate. She made a sign for luck and wished on it.Please, please, please cut me a break and let this slide without the Q & A. I know you love it, but for once don’t be a dick.

It wasn’t Phil’s first day on a manager’s desk and he quickly recovered, making a big show of wiggling his index finger inside the ear closest to her.

Of course. How could I have been stupid enough to believe this was not going to completely blow in every possible way?

He leaned in and said, “Pardon me? I thought I heard you make a demand for reassignment. And I know that can’t be true—not after your relentless campaign to get it going in the first place.” A wide grin spread across his face like a slab of margarine oozing over toast.

She flinched and said, “I know—and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. Look, I won’t even be picky about the gig. Whatever it is I’ll suck it up without complaint. I’ll log calls, collate data, make copies, train rookies. Hell, I’ll even deep clean the breakroom fridge and microwave.”

The barely restrained glee he’d been projecting faded as he replied, “Now I know we’re in the shit. You never volunteer for desk duty. So, cough it up. Give me one good reason why.” His gaze sharpened as he watched her reaction.

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