Page 177 of Bones
His face darkened, and he stepped into my space to grasp my shoulders. “Bones, you never have to help torture people ever again.” His voice was firm. “And if anybody tries, they’ll have to answer to me.”
I shuddered, and he squeezed my shoulders gently.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I shoulda realized what that sounded like.”
I stepped backward and his hands fell back to his sides.
“You ready?” he asked after I didn’t say anything.
I nodded, but my anxiety followed me the entire way to Nemo's house. Nemo lived in one of the nicer homes built close to the tower. I'd been there once before to heal Nemo during the sickness, but it looked completely different. Some of the walls had been removed, opening up the room. People stood around tables, pouring over maps, talking about crops, and discussing the best material to use for new roofs.
“Nemo’s turning his house into his headquarters. Less intimidatin’ than the watchtower,” Mac explained quietly.
We went up to the second floor and Mac rapped on one of the doors in the long hallway, entering when Nemo beckoned us inside. Nemo sat behind a desk. He looked up and smiled, and I studied him out of habit. His face had filled out a little and his color was back. Shame cut through me as I realized he never came for healing after his imprisonment. I couldn't blame him if he didn't want anything to do with my healing powers anymore.
“Howdy, Bones, Mac,” he said, gesturing at the chairs in front of his desk. “Please, both of you, take a seat.” He eyed me as I sat, making me uncomfortable. “How are you doing, Bones?”
“I’m fine,” I said, ignoring the annoyed huff Mac gave next to me.
“I’m not gonna beat around the bush. I’m sorry for what Madame did to you.” He leaned forward on the desk, his gaze earnest. “I know that might not seem like much, but I am terribly sorry for all of it. We’ve been working on taking over for a long time, but I hate that so many innocent people got hurt before we could stop her.”
I fidgeted with my hands under the table, unsure of what to say.
“I wanted to let you in on what’s been going on. This uprising has been brewing for years, but Madame took out the initial wave so brutally that people were scared.” Nemo glanced at Mac, and I realized he was talking about Mac’s dad. “She wanted to intimidate the people, and it worked. The hold offered them security, and they were terrified of losing that. It took a long time to rebuild the resistance, and as you know all too well, Madame got wind of it somehow.”
I swallowed hard, unsure if I should apologize to him for helping Madame torture him. “I’m sorry?—”
He held up a hand, stopping me. “You don’t need to apologize. I know you didn’t have a choice.”
I did though. I’d just made it far too late.
“You’ve been an important figure in the resistance, Bones.”
I had to fight to keep my expression even, nausea swirling in my stomach.
“You won the people over. You didn’t hesitate to heal the rusters after that fire. You saved everyone’s life during the sickness, regardless of where they lived. Jumpin’ in the pit to save Sky was another demonstration of how far you were willing to go to save people Madame saw as lesser. When Madame had you whipped for it, it was the final big push we needed to turn people to our side.” He sighed and rubbed his chest where I knew a long pink scar ran up his torso from Madame cutting him open like a dead fish. “Course I didn’t plan on getting caught by Madame. That threw a wrench in things. I had to rely on the people to riot, which they did after Madame killed Trey.”
My entire body stiffened.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” he continued, his voice softening. “Everybody loved Trey, including myself. He was a good man, a kind man. He was also a member of the resistance. When Madame killed him, it was the spark that lit the fire. Those who were a part of the resistance were compelled to act, and the few people who were still afraid were convinced to join them.”
Nausea rose, and I swallowed down the urge to puke again. So me and Trey hadbothbeen pawns.
“I know this might not be much comfort, but Trey wanted to make this place different. I think his soul will rest in peace knowing he had a hand in it.”
I gritted my teeth to keep from screaming that I didn’t care, that Trey’s life had been too high a price to pay.
“I’d like for you to stay here, Bones,” Nemo added. “You’re a valuable member of this hold. If you need anything, please let me know.”
I nodded and that seemed to satisfy him. I knew what it meant to bevaluable.
“Alright, I’ll let you go. Thanks for taking the time to see me. Oh, and we found these. Thought you might want them back.”
I reached for my pack and Trey’s pack as he pulled them out from behind his desk. I automatically shrugged mine on, the familiar weight settling on my back.
“Have a good night, Bones,” Nemo said, and when I glanced at him, his smile looked sad.
* * *
