“And you didn't tell anyone?” Piggot demanded, face red.

  “I didn't,” I replied, trying and failing to keep my voice from trembling. She took in a sharp breath.

  “If I didn't need every hand on deck, you'd be suspended,” she said bitterly. “As is, your probation terms are going to need some work.” I shrugged, it didn't seem that bad with what just happened, what was going to happen. “Now, explain yourself.” I sighed.

  “I did it to keep Miss Militia alive.” I crossed my arms and drew myself up in my seat. “And lo.” I gestured to where she stood next to Piggot, getting angry looks from both of them. “I'm not going to apologize for not having her blood on my hands.”

  “If I was in danger,” Miss Militia said tensely. “You should have let me know as soon as you could.”

  “I didn't know when,” I countered., swallowing dust. “Or fucking where for that matter, except that it's Jack Slash and he'd have gone wherever I did. Or did you miss that he thinks I'm Slaughterhouse Nine material?” I felt shitty being like this, but they were being shitty too.

  “If you had told us,” she snapped back, glaring. “We could have brought you back to the headquarters and--”

  “And then you'd have had Jack Slash and Mannequin here,” I cut her off, getting a startled intake of breath.

  “You knew?” I shrugged. “No, that's not good enough Amaranth. Did you or did you not know--”

  “I was fucking distracted!” I shouted. “Sorry I'm not reacting like a fucking hero to being called out by a mass murderer, next time I get nominated by Jack Slash I'll make sure to put a report in writing so I--” I bit my tongue hard. Shut up you stupid bitch.

  “Amaranth.” I flinched at how gentle Gallant's tone was; not a hint of anger or accusation. I didn't deserve it. “Are you alright?” I look at him, cocking my head.

  “Guess,” I said flatly, then huffed. “Sorry. No, I'm fucking not, and I won't be, haven't been, whatever. Thanks for asking.” I did mean it, despite how bitter it sounded. He was the only one to fucking ask...

  “I'm sorry,” he said, sounding genuine at least. “Jack's a monster, and he likes getting in his victims' heads. His victims, Amaranth.” I frowned. He sounded like Legend... “Don't let him get into yours, it's playing right into his hands.”

  “Gallant,” I said coldly. “Two PRT officers are dead, I literally still have their blood on my hands.” And the pistol in my belt they hadn't tried to take away...yet. Please ask. “He couldn't be more in my head if he was Mama fucking Mathers.”

  “He's not a Master,” Piggot snapped, making me roll my eyes.

  “Look, it's over and done,” I grumbled. “Give me probation, it doesn't matter; you're not gonna probate the fucking nomination.”

  “We need to discuss how to handle that,” Miss Militia added. “Needless to say you need to be under close protection, restricted to base for the foreseeable future.”

  “What?” I narrowed my eyes. “You want everyone in here in danger?”

  “This is the place we can best protect you,” she retorted. “Like Armsmaster.”

  “Yeah, exactly like Armsmaster, right?” I bit back. “I'm no safer here than out there.”

  “Mannequin was a Tinker able to bypass our systems once,” Piggot said sharply. “Which Dragon has assured me won't happen again. None of the others have similar abilities and certainly aren't as subtle.”

  “So they come waltzing through the front door,” I said flippantly. “Bonesaw makes a nerve agent or Burnscar starts a fire or Crawler shows up or Cherish fucking Masters everyone!” I paused, huffing for breath.

  “Cherish?” I groaned.

  “Their human Master? Killed Hachet Face to get on the team? Heartbreaker's fucking kid?” Two sets of eyes widened and three sharp inhales filled the room.

  “Who?” I blinked.

  “Do...you...not know?” I felt the blood draining from my face. Shit, shit shit. “She's one of the Nine, how would you not?”

  “Miss Militia?” Piggot turned to the hero who was already shaking her head.

  “Our latest intel suggests there are only eight members,” she said. “Jack, Bonesaw, Burnscar, Crawler, Mannequin, the Siberian, Shatterbird, and Hatchet Face. I have no information about Cherish.” She narrowed her eyes, staring at me. My face felt hot. “But we need it, Amaranth.”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “I...” I sighed and shut my eyes. “Okay, what do you want to know?”

  “We need everything,” Piggot's voice was hard, greedy.

  “Uhhh, okay.” I took a breath, wracking my brain for info on the stupidest bitch this side of the Undersiders. “Cherie Vasil, Heartbreaker's kid. Ran away from home, joined the Nine because...” Why the fuck did she do that? Stupidity, sure, but there had to be something right? Oh well. “Fucked if I know. She's a human Master, manipulates and perceives emotions, sorta like Gallant except...well she's Heartbreaker's kid, I don't think I need to spell it out.”

  “I think she's why Jack's after me,” I continued. “I mean, I'm speculating, but she can see or hear emotion. So she uhh...” I glanced at Miss Militia, then down to the table. “Probably picked up on something, or whatever.” My shoulders slumped at my lame finish.

  “Why didn't you tell us about her?” Piggot sounded angrier than ever.

  “Because I thought you knew,” I retorted. “Anyway, that's it.”

  “Forgive me if I don't entirely believe you,” she said dryly.

  “What do you want?” I snapped, throwing my hands up. “ She fucks with emotions, she's part of the Nine, she's a fucking retard. I can't exactly give you her social security number, so. What. Do. You. Want.” The room went silent as I panted, swallowing against the churning in my belly.

  “I don't think any more will be productive,” Gallant broke the silence gently. “Miss Militia, director?” Piggot sighed an nodded slowly, then Miss Militia did too. “Thank you. Amaranth, I'll bring you back to your quarters, if that's okay?” I sighed and nodded; better than being here.

  We rose and I followed him out of the blocky isolation room we'd been in, deep under the headquarters; 'victim' my ass. I tried to keep away from Gallant in the elevator, not crowd him. I sniffed and wrinkled my nose. I needed a shower and...and I really didn't want one but, I had too much blood on my hands. Yeah I deserved it, but it wasn't practical. We left the elevator and headed down another hall, towards my apartment I hoped.

  “Hold on,” Gallant said, stopping by the door to the armoury. Oh. He held out a hand. “Going to have to--” I shoved the thing in his hand, looking away. “Thank you.” He sounded a little surprised. I wasn't sure why.

  A few minutes later, we continued on. I kept a couple steps back, looking up only enough to make sure I was still following; I really didn't need to see who all was staring at Jack Slash's new favourite. Gallant stopped and I finally looked up, sighing with relief. I pulled off my glove and pressed my hand to the glass. It flashed red and I frowned, why was-- oh. I moved my projection around and pressed my newly clean hand to the sticky glass. It blinked green and the lock clicked, letting me push my way in. I sighed as the door shut behind me.

  “Amaranth.”

  “Jesus fucking shit eating christ on an alligator!” I swore as I practically leapt out of my skin. “What the fuck dude?!”

  “We need to talk,” Gallant said tersely, ignoring me.

  “We just finished,” I retorted, crossing my arms. “You were the one that said more wasn't productive.”

  “And I stand by that,” he replied, mouth fixed in a frown. “That's not why we need to talk.”

  “What, wanna make sure I'm not going crazy because Jack nominated me?”

  “Amaranth you put a gun to your head and pulled the trigger!” I started as he shouted. “I don't care about Jack Slash, I don't care about your nomination, I care about you.” I shrank back, biting my lip painfully.

  “It didn't do anything,” I countered lamely. “I'm invincible, I literally couldn't do it to myself.” Unless I really wanted to.

  “That's not the point.” He swore and tore his helmet off. His eyes were wide, bloodshot, if I didn't know better I'd swear he'd been crying. “You've been keeping people in the dark about your power and then you do that? Listen, I don't care if you talk to them but please please talk to me.” I took a very, very slow breath in.

  “It was a play,” I said flatly. “Jack was there for me, not Miss Militia. I figured if he thought he'd lose me...” I shrugged. “Look it worked so who cares?”

  “I care when one of my Wards is actively suicidal.”

  “I'm not suicidal.” I could practically feel the irony dripping off the look he gave me. “Shut up, I'm not.” I got that out of my system already, asshole. Stop reminding me. “Look, Gallant, I've had a long fucking day. It's been,” I checked my watch. “Forty minutes since I got picked as the world's next big serial killer. I am fucking exhausted, and yeah right now I'd rather be dead than alive. It's fine, hell I'd say it's expected considering today. But Miss Militia's alive and...and that's good enough for me frankly. This was a win, even if none of you think so.” There was a long, tense pause.

  “Who was he?” Gallant asked.

  “Excuse me?” I stiffened, biting the inside of my cheek.

  “Miss Militia said Bonesaw forced you to kill--”

  “She didn't force shit,” I snapped.

  “Who was he?” Gallant asked again. I slumped against the wall.

  “Closest thing I had to a father.” In this life...or the other one. I took a shuddering breath and felt my ears burn as he stared at me silently. “Yeah, so leave me the fuck alone Gallant. I'm not a suicide risk, I'm just...” A freak, a murder, a monster. “Tired.”

  “I'm taking you off the duty roster,” he said quietly, holding up a hand when I opened my mouth to protest. “No, enough. I know you only just started, but even if I wasn't a parahuman I could see how bad this is for you. Consider it...mandatory vacation.” I glowered at him.

  “You're putting everyone here at risk.”

  “Risks everyone here signed up for,” Gallant countered. “Whether you believe it or not, every hero in this building would give their lives to keep you safe.”

  “They shouldn't have to,” I said bitterly.

  “I wish they didn't,” he said with a sigh. “But that's not how things shook out. Get some rest, we'll talk tomorrow and figure this out, okay?”

  “Fine,” I said, pulling down my hood and running my fingers though my hair, slick with sweat. “Now fuck off, I don't wanna see anyone.”

  “I'm sorry Amaranth,” Gallant said as he opened the door. “For whatever it's worth...I'm sorry.”

  “Thanks,” I replied quietly after the door shut behind him. “I am too.”