Free Darkside Sun by Jocelyn Adams Page B

you hear me? Stay the hell away from him!” I made a move for the door, but he cut me off.
    “He doesn’t mean he’ll hurt your dad,” Sophia said, then to Asher, “Just tell her so she gets it. She doesn’t understand what you mean.”
    “Don’t tell me how to do my job, Outfitter,” he barked. “Go, and shut the door behind you. And keep your mouth shut about this.”
    Panic tried to half-nelson me, and the tiny amount of energy I’d summoned had evaporated. “I’m leaving. I can’t stay here.”
    The door closed with a snick after Sophia left. Nostrils flaring with every exhalation, I turned my face away so I wouldn’t have to look at him. I finally understood the meaning of helpless. He held my life in his hands, and at the moment, I couldn’t do anything about it. It made me sick.
    “Look at me, Addison.” His voice sounded normal, human and almost … tender. Nah.
    “Screw you. If you touch him, I will kill you.” I flinched at my own words. What startled me more was that I meant it. There weren’t too many people in the world who meant anything to me, but Dad took number one on the list of people I’d trade my life to save. Or Asher’s life, as it were. “And stop being such a jerk to Sophia.”
    Fingers shoved into his hair, he closed his eyes for a moment, just breathing. When he finally dropped his arms, he appeared sad as he walked toward me. I backed up until I ran into the door. “I’m not pissed because you can see them, Addison,” he said with tenderness that made my chest ache, brushing my hair over my shoulder. “I’m afraid for you because you can see them.”
    I raised my chin, our faces so close, his eyes were a glowing brightness within the shadow of his silhouette. He was afraid for me? I considered asking him why, but decided I didn’t want to know just yet. Maybe ever. Instead, I allowed myself a thorough search of his features and wilting posture and found the telltale signs of regret in him. That’s what I’d seen in him last night after he shot Ava. And that’s what I saw in him now.
    “It bothered you, shooting her, didn’t it?” I needed him to say yes. It would take him from monster to a man trapped in a life he didn’t want any more than I wanted the life he threatened to give me.
    His face shut down into his icy slate again. “I have no interest in discussing feelings with you. If you try to get away from me again, I will erase everyone you have ever loved and every trace of your life outside the Machine from your head. You think chains are frightening? Just think this one over for a while. You will know nothing but your purpose, your task, and where your loyalties lie—to the Machine. You will be a programmable tool I will use however I deem fit. Are we quite clear?”
    Tears welled again, and this time they spilled over the corners of my eyes. “You wouldn’t,” I whispered, hearing the resignation in my own voice. “You said that before, that you wipe the memories of the hosts, but can you really do that? To anyone?”
    “Are we clear?” He over-enunciated each word.
    He hadn’t answered me, but I couldn’t take the chance that he’d take Dad away from me. I didn’t want to forget all of the board games we’d played by candlelight when the power went out, or the times we’d gone snowmobiling to search for our very own “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree every year. I had to endure until I could find a way out. Panic faded, and chilled acceptance slipped in. “We’re clear.”
    “Outfitter!” He waited until I moved aside, then opened the door. Sophia stood on the other side. “Prepare her,” he said. “One hour, no longer.” With that last barked order, he marched down the hallway.
    “Dad will be freaking,” I said, sliding my butt along the wall to the floor as Sophia padded toward me.
    She knelt before me with care, as if I were made of glass. “Your father doesn’t remember your phone call.”
    “So it’s true, that Asher can