Page 88 of Son of a Witch

Even Loco came up and gave me a series of pleased pats on the chest. “I told you not to lose faith. This is a miracle. Amen!” He gave me a surprisingly tight hug and thumped me on the back.

“Thanks, Dad.” Why not stir the pot? He was my dad now.

His eyes narrowed. “How many times have I told you not to say that?”

I shrugged and moved on. Giddiness streamed through my veins. This was a good start. I could move again. Maybe go out on missions. I just hope my luck didn’t swing backward again because that would just ruin me.

“When am I getting back out on missions, warden?” I clapped my hands together. The movement zapped in my shoulders and spine as the exoskeleton shot current through them.

The warden bristled, lifting his paperwork and scribbling something on it. “You’re not going out just yet.”

Hope drained to my toes. “What? Why?”

The warden tucked his paperwork to his sides. “The device needs to be tested for your range of movement, agility, response time etc. It’s risky to send you out on a mission without testing it.”

Logically, the warden had a point. Asshole had to protect his assets. Because that was all we were. Disposable. Dispensable. Replaceable.

The Guardians earned a fortune from our activities, paid us a pittance, screwed over our families, our pension and superannuation. Price of being a criminal, regardless of whether we put our lives on the line daily.

The warden set a hand on my shoulder. “It’s just for a little while, Mr. Helms. Just until we’re sure.”

Little while, my ass. Weeks? Months?

“Fine.” I tucked out my hand and he surprisingly shook it.

Vancor raised his paperwork again. “Mr. Mathieson, sign here, please.” So cold, stiff and business-like. None of the compassion or humanity of Vartros.

Cole jerked his head at the paper. “What’s that?”

Vancor plucked out a pen and held it out. “It’s a waiver to relinquish the Guardians of responsibility if this device of yours fails and we have another incident.”

Cole glanced at me, sighed, and obeyed, adding his signature.

Confusion pricked at the back of my neck. “Wait. What?” I got back in the warden’s face. “You’re not covering me? Medically? Insurance?”

“That’s correct.” The warden’s voice communicated finality. A done deal. “This is not a Guild-approved device. To get the approval could take months and you’d be without your device. If you want to use this apparatus out on missions, you will have to sign this waiver as well.”

Anger seethed in my gut. Asshole backed me into a corner. On one hand he acted considerate by allowing Cole to present me with this gift. Then on another, smashed my dreams with a fucking sledgehammer. The rest of my team began to argue on my behalf, while white noise roared in my ears.

Confronted with two choices, I swiped a hand through my hair. I could stay in the prison under the safety and protection of the Guardians or venture out on missions under my own peril.

“I’ll fucking do it,” I shouted above them, and the dispute died down as all eyes went to me. “As long as you assure that when Cole’s done his testing, you’ll get this thing registered and approved by the Guardians to insure me.”

“Tor, no, that’s too dangerous.” Supergal tugged my arm.

I didn’t care and signed the waiver the warden provided me. This was my second chance. I was getting out of this place whatever way I could. Earning the bounty and leaving with my girlfriend and team. Returning to work for the Guild. Being there for my family.

The warden gave me a cool, unsettling smile as he tucked the paperwork in his folder, under his arm. “I’ll give you five minutes to finalize your business then meet me in the physiotherapy room for adjustments and testing of the apparatus.

Knoxe cornered me once the warden, sentries, and Cole poured out of the training room with Selena accompanying them to see off her son.

“You’re okay with this deal?” Knoxe scraped the back of his neck.

I shrugged, hating it as much as he did. “Have to. For now.”

Pascal, Astra, and Loco remained silent and watched the exchange with worried expressions.

“It’s smart business, Tor.” I didn’t need Knoxe to try and make me change my mind. “You don’t know if Cole’s device will short circuit in the field. You don’t want to be left in a situation.”

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