“Why were you in the laboratory?”

  Evantra watched on in anticipation as Amelie stood to her feet, dusting herself off.

  “We’re a troupe called the ‘Veilfreaks’. And as you might have noticed,” Amelie said with a gesture towards Cecile, Henri and Gustave, “we’re all oddballs in our own little ways. Demeteria took an interest in our ‘mutations’, captured us, and stuck us in that laboratory of theirs.”

  “Mutations…” Evantra muttered.

  Amelie herself was covered in cybernetics from head to toe. She was more machine than human, and it seemed like Demeteria had replaced almost all of her body parts with cybernetic implants. There hadn’t been any attempt to retain her sense of vanity save for the hair on her head.

  Hers was the most obvious.

  She’s the one Antoinne must be most interested in.

  With this many implants, her mutation must allow her to withstand the dysregulation.

  Sporting a third eye from her forehead capable of picking her out of the darkness, Cecile’s ‘mutation’ was as clear as day. So was Gustave’s, with the man’s almost telekinetic control over his knives and presumably, other metallic objects.

  As for Henri…

  Evantra frowned as she regarded the timid giant. Barring his size, the young man hadn’t exhibited any peculiar qualities, but he had been in that laboratory all the same.

  “And you managed to escape?”

  “We sure did. I broke out of my holding cell, seducing one of the researchers. You won’t imagine the type of fetishes these scientists have,” Amelie said, breaking out into raucous laughter. Even as she did, Evantra noticed her lay a reassuring hand on her son’s shoulder as his fists curled tighter.

  “He removed the limiters on my cybernetics, hoping for a good time. I killed him and used his key to set the creatures that they had in containment free. That was how I met my two angels,” she said, giving Monsieur Gaston a scratch under his chin. Gigi was still out hunting, it seemed. “I managed to rescue Gustave before Demeteria’s operatives arrived. We were forced to retreat, and we managed to force our way into the Mythic Veilsurge.”

  “How? With all the barricades and turrets?”

  “Demeteria’s foothold in the Hanging Gardens is shaky with all the creatures assailing their base. We were lucky. During one of those rushes, we slipped through and managed to free the wraith. That gave us the chance we needed to step in. But imagine our surprise when we found you there, attempting to free them,” the woman said, gesturing to Henri and Cecile.

  Amelie strode over to Noelle, giving her a light, appreciative thump on her back and a wink.

  “Excellent work with those drones. You’re officially my favourite corporate executive.”

  Noelle blushed, but Evantra didn’t overlook the tension in the girl’s shoulders.

  Evantra continued to stare at Amelie.

  Veilfreaks…

  Humans with mutations.

  “Are there… any other members of your troupe?”

  Amelie’s gaze instantly sharpened, detecting the undertone of Evantra’s question. The woman stepped towards her, throwing a casual arm over her shoulder before Evantra could move a muscle. When Amelie had said that the researcher had released the limiters on her cybernetics, she hadn’t been kidding.

  “You’ve seen them?”

  “Well…” Evantra said softly. “I think so. Their remains.”

  Evantra felt Amelie's body turn rigid for a split second before the cybernetic woman took a step backwards, inclining her head in a nod.

  Her gaze was calm as she processed the news, even as Cecile ran up to Evantra.

  “Please, could you describe them?”

  “There was a man with… additional fingers on his hands. And—”

  “A face like a rat, as he used to say,” Cecile said, her shoulders trembling. Still, she looked on with rapt attention as Evantra continued.

  “And… a man with robes and an eye like yours.”

  Cecile’s shoulders dropped, her face falling slack.

  “I’m… sorry for your loss,” Evantra whispered, before the girl rose, striding towards the swirling tree trunk which led towards the ground. Before she could react, Amelie gingerly grabbed Cecile by the arm, drawing her into a hug. “He isn’t suffering any longer,” she whispered with a tenderness that made Evantra’s heart lurch. Benjamin looked crestfallen and Noelle looked…

  Haunted.

  "Now then, reciprocity is the foundation of any lasting friendship, oui?"

  Amelie words were calm and casual, but the request implicit in the cybernetic woman's statement was clear. Noelle glanced at her, and Benjamin simply greeted her with a smile.

  I suppose it was just a matter of time.

  "We were investigating Antoinne's research."

  Evantra didn't fail to recognise how Gustave's fingers curled around one of the many knives sheathed across his body. Amelie's glowing orange irises didn't waver as she watched on in contemplation.

  "Our client was interested in Antoinne's research into rituals. We were contracted to assist with the mission."

  "So... you are a ghostslayer?"

  Amelie's eyes fell to the swords at her side. The katana that Uriel had gifted her, as well as the Blade of Galahad. She shifted uncertainly under the woman's gaze, knowing full well that if Amelie decided that she was tired of their existence, her only chance would be activating her [ritual of concealment]. But she knew that the woman could simply take either Noelle or Benjamin hostage in an instant.

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  "In training."

  Amelie smiled and returned a nod.

  Evantra waited with bated breath. Preparing herself for the inevitable questions about her abilities.

  To her surprise, Amelie's smile fell, and a touch of melancholy entered her expression.

  "Then... we are grateful for your kindness. It was clear that you intended to help Cecile and Henri. For that, you have my deepest gratitude," she said with a smile.

  Amelie paused, and a silence filled the air between them.

  “Where did you find them?” Amelie said softly.

  I would be giving away our position…

  Evantra eyed Amelie, eyes tracing over her cybernetics, before shifting to Gigi and Gaston, the nightcrawlers.

  But if we can’t find it in ourselves to trust them, then we’re as good as dead.

  Without Amelie and her nightcrawlers, we won't stand a chance in the Gardens.

  “In Bastion. In a Megabuilding bordering Demeteria’s continental greenhouses. There was a poltergeist that took some people hostage. By the time I arrived... I only found their remains. It seemed like they had been dead for a while."

  “Merde. They made it all the way out, those brilliant bastards,” Amelie said with a grin. Evantra’s eyes widened as she began to piece together the disparate pieces.

  The bullet casings in the jungle. The remains of a camp in the dark room where Demeteria cultivated the fungi. Demeteria must have gotten a wind of their movements eventually, which was why they had attempted to find refuge in the Megabuilding irrespective of its paranormal occupant.

  “They would have wanted to go out on their own terms,” Amelie said with a smile, as she slowly guided Cecile back to her seat. The woman crouched, holding the girl firmly in her grip as she whispered some words to her. Evantra watched Cecile nod before Amelie gently released her.

  “Enough talk for tonight. We should rest, and tomorrow, I’ll get provisions. And think up another icebreaker.”

  Evantra stared incredulously at Amelie as she turned on her heel, heading towards a small tent that she had erected.

  “E-excuse me,” Evantra heard a soft voice from behind her.

  She turned and watched as Henri flinched back at her sudden movement.

  “My mother prepared tents for us, but we weren’t expecting you. Mine is big enough for you and your friends, if you would like it,” he whispered. Evantra’s eyes widened as the man shifted before her, running his arms self-consciously over his scarred forearms.

  “I… No,” she shook her head.

  “We’ll be fine. But thank you, truly. It’s kind of you to offer,” Evantra said with an awkward smile.

  Still, it seemed to do the trick as she watched his shoulders relax to a degree. Henri nodded with a shaky smile of his own before heading towards the corner of the floor where the tents had been erected.

  Millie… I wish I was as good with people as you were.

  I need all the help I can get right now.

  Noelle and Benjamin seemed to have moved over to the corner as well, talking amongst themselves. Cecile was resting in her tent, as was Gustave, who had retreated to his.

  Monsieur Gaston was lying on the ground in front of the tents, still watching her intently.

  Evantra turned in the direction that Amelie had headed – further up the swirling tree trunk to the next floor above them.

  ***

  “Welcome, invisible girl. Trouble sleeping?”

  Evantra swallowed, releasing her ritual and her skill after realising that Amelie had heard her approach. Gigi lumbered up to her with enthusiasm, sniffing at her, no doubt curious as to how she had gotten rid of her smell entirely. Evantra stretched out a hesitant hand to pet the nightcrawler.

  Evantra’s heart was thundering in her chest, but she let out a slow breath.

  Thinking of her best friend.

  Be better, Evantra.

  “I’m sorry for my outburst during…”

  “My little icebreaker session?” Amelie said with a grin. “Demeteria should hire me. I do great corporate icebreakers, oui?”

  Evantra took a seat near where Amelie was seated, at the very edge of the tower. As night had fallen, the Hanging Gardens had come alive, and Evantra caught glimpses of bioluminescent groves scattered in the environment beyond. The white tower their base was situated in sported flowers that glowed in the darkness, casting soft blue and golden hues onto the floor.

  She couldn’t help but admire the landscape beyond, scattered with other tall, white towers, each with different plants entwined around their frames. Some sported vines as thick as tree trunks, with gleaming bioluminescent thorns that covered their surfaces. Others supported the canopies of vast trees that curled into and out of the structures.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it? Until one of those pesky fuckers creepers almost strangles you to death in your sleep,” Amelie said with a chuckle as she shifted into a more comfortable position.

  “You’re up here to keep watch?”

  The woman nodded.

  Evantra bit her lip, reminding herself of her resolve before she answered.

  “I might be able to help with that.”

  “So… our invisible girl can see in the dark as well?”

  “I’m a magical girl.”

  “No way,” Amelie said, the older woman’s eyes coming to life.

  “Do your transformation! Go on,” she said, turning away completely from the view to stare at Evantra.

  “I uh… don’t have one.”

  “Putain. I love those frilly dresses.”

  “What does that mean… anyway? ‘Putain’?”

  “It technically means ‘whore’, but nobody uses it like that. It’s similar to ‘fuck’.”

  “Ah.”

  A silence fell between them.

  Evantra wondered if the woman was going to ask her any further questions… but it just seemed like she truly didn’t care about her or Noelle’s identities. She had also been surprised at her nonchalance when Noelle had blatantly revealed her identity. Evantra was starting to get the impression that there was very little that fazed Amelie.

  Looking over her cybernetic implants and how almost every part of her body had systematically been replaced, she was beginning to understand why.

  “You aren’t going to ask me what I’m capable of? Or what we were here to find?”

  “Nope. That would be rude,” Amelie said with a grin. Evantra thought back to how she had immediately showered Amelie with questions at the first opportunity to do so.

  “Uh… Sorry.”

  The woman laughed and gestured for Evantra to take a seat beside her.

  “You’re a bit uptight, aren’t you? Something got you stressed?”

  Evantra stared at the woman as she nonchalantly nibbled on some berries in her hand, before offering a handful to Evantra. Amelie's optics glowed a bright orange as they held her gaze.

  She accepted a berry.

  “How… can you be so calm? We just barely escaped the facility. We might not survive to see tomorrow… let alone make it back to Earth.”

  “When you’ve lived like that your entire life, then this?” she said, gesturing outwards towards the plants around them. “Is no different. Actually… it is different. Now I’ve got a pretty view!”

  “You’re utterly insane,” Evantra said, her eyes wide as the woman let out a laugh.

  “Was that why you came up here? To insult me?” Amelie said with a hint of mischief.

  “I… wanted to offer to take over. How long has it been since you last escaped?”

  “About a month, give or tak—”

  “Your son… he looks like he misses you.”

  For the first time since Evantra had met her, she sensed a break in the woman’s composure.

  She noticed the glowing orange optics flick in her direction before returning to fix themselves on their surroundings. She hadn’t failed to notice how Amelie had taken the first chance that she had to leave for her scouting duties, despite the state that Cecile and Henri were in.

  “You should get some rest, Maig. I’m sure we’ll be in need of your bag of tricks in the coming days.”

  “Maig?”

  Amelie grinned at her.

  “Magical Invisible Girl.”

  “And where does the 'A' come from?”

  “Your angst.”

  Evantra stared at the woman with mild chagrin as she laughed.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to take a shift?”

  “I don’t sleep,” Amelie said simply.

  She hesitated for a moment before turning away.

  “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Maig. Sleep tight.”

  Evantra kept her expression outwardly impassive as she strode away from her, back towards their camp.

  Amelie’s final words lingered on Evantra’s mind.

  Amelie continued to look calmly out at the Hanging Gardens that sprawled beyond them. Evantra’s eyes took in Amelie’s features, the glowing orange optics, long black hair, and metallic lower jaw.

  From the moment she had met her, Amelie had been an enigma. Evantra’s brief impression of the woman was that she was crude and impulsive but unstoppable when she put her mind to something. Breaking free from Demeteria’s grasp, taking refuge on the other side of a mythic veilsurge, only to return to rescue the rest of the Veilfreaks spoke to a certain brilliance.

  But that was only one side to her.

  If there was one brief moment of peace that she had always been grateful for, no matter how bad things got, it was the rest of sleep. Waking up the next morning when the overwhelming feelings of helplessness, guilt or shame had somewhat faded, allowing her to take the steps that she needed in the right direction.

  Having to face your fears, deficiencies and failures without even that brief reprieve?

  Evantra's gaze hovered over the woman seated at the tower's edge, looking out at the sprawling gardens.

  She turned away and headed back to their camp.