Eventually, I can’t take it anymore, but I know I’m useless in a fight. I’d only make Mass’s life harder. Instead, I gather up Rosie and head down the elevator, wading out into the empty Fortress.
It’s bizarre. I’ve never seen it like this. The staff is all gone now. Everyone must’ve evacuated to the waiting ships. I hope they’re getting safely away. I walk the halls, flinching at every pop, crack, and explosion. I keep waiting for enemies to come pouring around every corner. But the building seems like acrypt. I wouldn’t even believe there was fighting if I couldn’t hear it in the distance.
I try not to think about Mass and the idea of losing him already, when we’re finally starting to build something real.
It’s too much, and I’ll be useless if I break down into tears.
Besides, Rosie needs me.
And so does the man in the west wing.
I reach Elias’s door and punch in the code. It opens swiftly. I head inside, finding it mostly dark. I expect him to be asleep, but instead he seems like he’s in a restless between-state, not quite lucid but still conscious. I settle into the chair beside him, trying to decide what we can do.
“I can’t just leave you here,” I tell him, not sure how much of this he can hear. “But I don’t think I can push the bed all the way to the beach. And I’m not sure you’re strong enough to survive getting moved in a wheelchair.”
His head lolls to the side. He looks at me, eyes unfocused. But it seems like he understands the sound of my voice at least.
I take his hand in mine. Another explosion splits the air. This one feels closer than the others.
“I’m just sorry we didn’t get to know each other better. You seem like a decent man. But you can’t be, can you? I mean, can a Dragon be good? Your whole life is founded on killing and crime. Can any of this mean something?”
Elias blinks at me and suddenly his eyes focus. His lips punch into a frown. “Family,” he whispers in a croak.
“What’s that?”
“Family,” he repeats. “That’s all… the good… we do.” He lets out a shuddering breath.
“But is that enough? Do the scales balance?”
“Damn… the scales… there’s only this.” His hand tightens on mine. His face slackens and he stares into the distance. “I gave up… so much… don’t make my mistake.”
“You’re not alone. I’m here with you. So is Rosie, your great-granddaughter. If family is important, that’s good, right?” I’m grasping at straws. It’s clear he’s out of strength and dying. His breath is very shallow and his mouth is hanging open. “I’m with you, Elias. I’m with you, Grandfather. You did good, right? You were a Dragon. You’ll always be a Dragon.”
I don’t know if my words penetrate. I don’t know if he understands them or if they help at all. I watch him struggle to breathe, and I watch his breathing stop, and I watch as his face goes slack and he leaves for somewhere else.
I watch Elias Thorne, the hidden Dragon, pass into what’s next.
I sit with him for a little while longer. Sadness rips into me, but I struggle to stay composed. Rosie doesn’t know what’s happening and I don’t want to upset her. But Grandfather is dead, which means there’s now one less Dragon in the world.
Is family enough? Can we commit crimes, do terrible things, kill and steal and maim, and pretend like we’re somehow justified so long as it’s for our family?
I don’t know. It feels like a terribly selfish way to live.
But then I look at Rosie and I wonder if I really give a shit about being good at all.
I’d burn the whole island and everyone on it if that meant keeping her safe.
I wipe my face and pull the sheets over Grandfather. It’s good I was here. I hope he was happy he got one last moment with us. It just feels like none of this is fair, like I was given a glimpse of a better life only for it to be ripped out of my hands.
My grandfather is gone. And my husband might be dead too.
What’s left for me?
I scoop Rosie into my arms, already prepared to head back to the apartment. I’ll stay in the bedroom with her and keep the tunnel door open. I’ll ask Lady to tell me if I need to run.
But before I can head out, the door suddenly clicks open.
I take a step back in alarm. I don’t know how many people are aware of the door code, but it can’t be many. I open my mouth, ready to ask Mass what he’s doing here?—
