“Tommy has far more reason to go free than myself. He must be the main priority. Free him first and then figure out my own predicament.”
“The Execution Battle is tomorrow!” His voice echoed.
It was rare that Magnus yelled. It was rare he pulled down his mask and showed the biting dog in his eyes that I knew had settled there. Fury. Anger. Something predatory. Quickly he pulled his mask back up and slapped on a worried look. “I’m sorry, Duckie.” He smiled sickly sweet and rested his hand over mine. “Will it make you happy? Will it make you very happy if I sort out this Tommy?”
“Yes.”
“Then I will do it.”
“Thank you. Did you bring it?”
Magnus pulled out the envelope and opened it, showing me what was inside. “Why do you want Cauliflower’s fur?”
I wadded up Cauliflowers fur until it was a neat sized ball and stuck it inside of my ponytail. “I miss her.”
He pursed his lips. “Alright.” He checked his watch. “I have paid off inmates in the other prisons, offering them better housing if they focus their attention on Dig Graves.”
“Dig Graves?”
“He needs to die.”
I was not sure how I felt about Magnus illegally bargaining with others to kill a specific inmate. That was unfair. Though, I was ecstatic that the bastard might finally, finally die.
I hoped I could watch it.
In bed.
“And what if I end up going into the battle?” I asked Magnus. “What is the plan then?”
“I will not let you go into the battle.”
“There is a high probability that I will.”
“I will not let you.”
My chest felt hollow, just as it had all my life. But now, that hollowness was heavy. “Magnus…I’m…I’m probably Soulless.”
He grabbed my cheeks, forcing me to look up at him. “You are not Soulless.”
“I am Soulless.”
“No, you are not!” He raised his voice.
“Magnus, I do not even feel fear. I do not feelanything.”
“You are a good person. Repeat it, just like I taught you.”
“Magnus.”
“Repeat it!”
“I am a good person.”
He let me go, satisfied. “Yes, you are. You are a good person. Always believe it.”
I knew Magnus believed it.
But me? I had to hit those words into my head like nails.
