Page 45 of Night Justice

Sam shook his head, a smile threatening. Ben had a similar sense of humor to his. “It’s topless, not bottomless, stupid.”

Ben only shook his head. “So this is the notorious journalist who made her way into Noctem? Or more accurately, into one of Noctem’s vigilantes.”

“You think I’m wrong?”

They stood on the threshold, facing into the room. “Wrong in pushing her away or bringing her in? I think you’re wrong to fight your instincts. It’s hard to decide if you’ve made the right choice. Nothing is that clear-cut, there’s no easy right or wrong answer. If that were the case, none of us would have become part of Noctem. Logically, we know we’re on the wrong side of the law. Still, we accept it. When history unfolds, our good deeds may seem wrong to many. Nothing is certain about the future, only the present. What we feel and what we think now is right. Not everybody is able to understand it. Us. I think Orla may be one of the few. Your angel of mercy. Your salvation.”

Or maybe the sliver of moonlight in the dark night of his soul. One that wouldn’t change, but just shed light on the truth. The words sank in, deep and true as his fingers itched for the moon pendant. His friend only confirmed what he’d felt deep down inside himself when he looked at Orla when he was with her.

A smile tugged at his lips, and humor slowly returned. “You sound like a priest.”

Ben slapped his shoulder, a grin on his bearded face. “I wouldn’t want to know the depth of your sins. You watch too much porn for my taste. Well, that’s what I’ve heard, anyway.”

In silence, they stood, and with each passing minute, the certainty of what he believed grew and his body relaxed.

“Go rest with her, my friend. We’ve got your back.”

Sam thought he should add a snarky remark, but kept silent. Ben was making his way out, and there he stood, exhausted. Orla’s sleeping form was beckoning to him, and he moved towards her, crawling into the bed, getting as close to her as he could, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair, before allowing himself to drift into slumber.

* * *

“Sam.”

He was knee-deep in the turquoise waters of Treachery Beach, his favorite surf spot in all of Australia. It was wild, untouched. And most incredible of all, he was alone. The day was beautiful, and the water should have been filled with surfers.

It was blissfully empty. Apart from a beautiful siren with an enchanting voice he couldn’t see. She sounded so much like Orla.

He looked around, over the white sand and through the crashing waves.

He could sense her presence; there was no doubt about it. He could smell her skin in the wind, the touch of her hand on his face-pure pleasure.

Where was she? “Orla?”

She’d be able to find him; she’d seen his face, called him by his name. How did she discover his name? Maybe he shouldn’t have doubted her capacity to uncover anything.

The sun was bright, but he had trouble finding her. It was only when he finally pulled away from the dream and opened his eyes that Sam found her.

Tousled and pale, with blue eyes like the sky over Treachery Beach, she looked at him with a smile. “My butt hurts.”

Sam blinked a few times, his brain still foggy with sleep before he bellowed in laughter.

Orla only smiled, and that was worth a billion dollars. Until data started piling up in his mind that required answers. He turned a somber gaze to her. “You’re looking at me.”

It was her time to blink until her blue eyes understood. “Yeah, I needed some downtime to piece this crazy story together. I’m good at that. But don’t worry, it’s not obvious. And it’s only because I was close to you and all this. I swear, your secret is safe with me.”

“Even if it costs you your next Pulitzer?”

Orla seemed to ponder it and shrugged. “A prize only collects dust. You guys do so much more for this city. That’s what I want. That’s my purpose as a reporter. Just as scouring the streets is yours as a vigilante.”

Still, Sam held himself back, feeling vulnerable and unsure, and he hated it.

When she reached for him, he rolled away. “Are you in much pain? I can call Melina if…”

“I’m okay. Is Melina the doctor?”

Sam nodded. “We brought you to base because your apartment isn’t safe anymore. You’ll have to find another place. We can help you with that.”

“Sam, wait.”

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