Page 4 of Reine's Salvation

“I can’t go into the lairs, Aslan.”

“No.” Aslan agreed. “You can’t. But you can’t stay here either, wallowing in your thoughts, insisting you’re all right when everyone can see you’re not. We’re sending you away.”

“Where?” Reine knew better than to continue arguing. His boss wasn’t going to budge.

“Earth.”

“Fuck me,” Reine swore.

“And this is exactly what I’m talking about. These sudden outbursts. They need to stop, Reine. You need to regain control of yourself and who you are. Earth is the best place for that.”

“Why don’t you send me somewhere so I can get killed? Then you can be rid of me for once and for all.”

“You’re being irrational, Reine.” Aslan’s eyebrows lifted as if Reine’s behavior clearly didn’t please him.

“No. You’re sending me to Earth. You know what that place does to me. You—” He banged his fist against the table, rattling the few objects on it. “You know.”

“Yes.”

Aslan looked at him and for the first time Reine noticed the sadness in his eyes. His boss pitied him. The knowledge did little to quell his anger and frustration. How could they send him to Earth after all that had happened with Leslie?

“It’s not my decision alone, Reine. The council thinks it’s for the best. We need you down there. You need to gain insight again, to see things with a different perspective.”

“For what?” Reine shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair, fighting the urge to throw something. “Do you want to drive me to madness? Send me to another city here in this plane, or any of the other lairs, but not Earth.”

“You need to help humans. You need to remember what the purpose of our existence is, the purpose ofyourexistence. Just because you’re maimed doesn’t mean you’re useless.”

“That’s why I’m teaching,” Reine pointed out.

“You know what I mean.” Aslan’s eyes narrowed.

Reine chewed on the inside of his cheek to keep himself from retorting.

“Is there anything I can do to change the council’s decision?” he finally asked, though he knew the answer.

“No. I’m sorry, Reine,” Aslan said while clasping his hands together over the surface of his desk.

Reine stood up.

“You have one week to get your things in order. You’ll cross the portal next week.”

Reine strode to the door. He stopped with his hand on the handle.

“How long?” he asked without looking back at Aslan.

“As long as we deem necessary.”

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