Page 109 of Static/Cling

A single day spent in and out of naps and tangling on Leif’s and Bjorn’s bed had not been nearly enough to figure out how they were going to work, but Sal had called them back to the office today for a conference call, so here they all were.

“Harlan Dean is one of the best trainers in the industry.” April’s voice over the phone’s speaker was even more metallic and edged than normal. “And no, it’s tomorrow. He’ll be in the office and the seminar will start at nine sharp. You had better all be there, because the man does not make these special trips for just anyone.”

“Who’d dare say no to April,” Kassian muttered.

“Ex-c-use me?” April snapped. That word did not have as many syllables as she imbued it with.

“Nothing.”

“In other business.” There was a pause to emphasize her annoyance. “Leif.”

Leif’s fingers spasmodically began to twitch and Kassian tightened his grip, stilling them, and the jumping nerves that caused them.

Bjorn skimmed a hand—and a few sparks—along Leif’s thigh, which helped settle his jittering heart. Better to address his unsettling actions during their mission sooner, he supposed, than later. “Yeah?” His voice cracked over the word.

“Calm down.” How she knew he was freaking out when she wasn’t even in the room, and it wasn’t a video call was a mystery. “Nothing to do with your little passenger.”

“My… what now?”

“Oh, don’t worry. Your berserker alter-ego is considered an asset. So long as you can control him, Albert Lewis is a welcome addition to our little family.”

“That’s—” Leif glanced around the table. “Okay?” That was it? His abhorrently violent mental parasite was just another member of the team?

“About your other skills.” April moved on with brutal efficiency.

“Other skills?” What other skills? The only so-called power that had made itself obvious technically didn’t even belong to him, and he had no idea if it would ever manifest again. He sort of hoped not, because bare-handed killing. Ugh.

“Youareanee-lec-tric-ian?” She pronounced every syllable of the word as though he was very stupid.

“Oh. Well, yeah.”

“Someone will deliver plans for the floor below later today. Please get started as soon as possible.”

“Um.” He glanced around the room, but none of the others seemed to know what she was talking about, either.

April grunted. “Sal cannot continue to live in the office. And Anthony needs accommodations as well.”

“Oh,” Sal said. Very quietly. “Didn’t think she knew that.”

“I, um. Yes,” Antony said. “I do.” His cheeks got pink. “Sorry.”

April tsked. “It’s fine, dear.”

Dear? It wasn’t just Leif who startled at the endearment—any endearment—coming from her.

“One of the others can put you up until the rooms below are ready, then you can watch over your sibling, and they can live where they feel safe, and alsonotbe living in our office. We don’t have that kind of insurance.”

“That’s very generous,” Antony said.

“We are hardly dictators,” April snapped. “We take care of our people. Bjorn.”

Bjorn sat up straighter in his seat.

“When your feet are better, and the electrical is done, you can help with the construction. Don’t short anything out.”

“Of course. I mean, of course not. Sure.” He slumped back down. “Thanks? I guess?” He looked so confused, Leif wanted to hug him.

“Antony, you will help Leif, and Kassian, get your brothers up to speed.”

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