Page 130 of Even Robots Die
Dad looks like he’s seen better days. His hair is disheveled and the joyful and carefree expression he had on his face three days ago when he was having fun with the fox lady is nowhere to be seen. His clothes are so wrinkled that I have no doubt he’s been living and sleeping in them for the past three days.
He’s also sporting a bandage on his left hand.
I guess they did indeed cut off one of his fingers.
I feel bad for a second because for a moment this morning I thought that maybe it was all a trick and that he didn’t lose a finger to get me to trade myself faster. It was all a trick—I have no doubt about that—but not one of Dad’s.
Next to Dad, I recognize Raphaël.
He did come out to get me. Interesting.
“Give me the girl,” he says to Brice like I’m some property and can’t make my own decisions.
“Send my dad first,” I bite back. “And I won’t fight back.”
I can’t look like I’m surrendering completely. I’m counting on them believing that they won, or at least that they took something important from the humans who are fighting against them.
I hate that I have to remove Brice’s arm from around my shoulders, but I shrug it off all the same and take a step closer to the gates with my arms open to show that I’m not carrying any weapons.
That they can see.
I know that Brice hates it even more than I do, but that’s the part I fought him for. I need to be inside, even just for a few minutes.
Two of the birds at the gates aim their guns at Brice as he takes a step back and another one opens the gate.
The group that surrounds Dad isn’t moving though.
I need them to let him go so I can focus on what’s to come and don’t have to worry about him.
I cross my arms under my breasts.
“I’m not coming if you don’t release him,” I tell them.
This is supposed to make things easier—me stepping forward and Brice backward—but the birds are taking too long and I get antsy again.
It’s okay. I guess they expect me to be, so at least I don’t have to hide it. They don’t have to know that I’m not antsy because I’m becoming a prisoner but because they’re not following the plan I had in my mind.
“We’re surrounded for fuck’s sake. What do you need to see that you’re at an advantage?” I lash out.
Did I ever say I wasn’t a patient person?
I know I should stay in character—the demure first daughter who sacrifices herself to save her father—but my outburst seems to be what finally gets a reaction out of Raphaël who hasn’t stopped scrutinizing us.
“I changed my mind,” he says, and I hold my breath at those four little words.
This is it. This is the moment everything goes to shit.
“I want him to come too,” Raphaël says, motioning in Brice’s direction, and I don’t think I can hide what I’m currently thinking from my face at this instant.
Fear, dread and my heart breaking a little.
75
Brice
Iknow that’s not what Florentine had planned—she’s probably hating this with a passion—but I can’t help the relief I’m currently feeling at being taken with her.
That’s exactly why I fought her relentlessly. I didn’t want her to go in on her own.
