➳ Jude

As Camille climbed into her closet-bedroom after eating a few bites of troll meat, I crept down the stairs. I knew they would arrive soon. I hoped they wouldn't make as much noise as they usually did.

I had almost forgotten about the meeting. Luckily, only a few representatives were coming, so it wouldn't be as hard to lead.

Rikki and Nikki were the first to arrive, which was usual since they were the closest. I welcomed them inside and allowed them a seat in the living room. Nikki had brought a welcome basket for 'Devanna' and was quite upset to hear that she was already asleep upstairs.

"Why would you leave her out? Did she really not want to come? " Nikki questioned. "We should go invite her."

"No. Devanna needs sleep-" I was cut off by another knock at the door. "Let me get that," I said to the two girls.

I opened the door to Sketch, a very short girl with light brown hair. She had weaseled her way into my business, and I couldn't get her out.

Bofa and Patty, both goblins, arrived next.

Presley, an elf, was 'fashionably late' as usual.

Sierrahlee, an elven albino girl, came last. Which was highly unusual. We had already started the meeting, and were well into it, when she knocked on the door.

When I opened the door, I quickly found the reason why she was late. A girl, with strawberry blonde hair and big green eyes that looked as if they were about to pop out of her head, was beside her. She seemed fragile; as if she was nothing more than skin and bones. I quickly realized she was an elf when my eyes traveled to her ears.

"Sierrahlee, explain," I said, not opening the door to let them in.

"This is Bee; she was exiled. Her story is similar to mine... yet different. We both fell here to the corruptive powers of Grand Olea. But that's beside the point," Sierrahlee began to explain.

"What is the point?" I pressed. "Do you want her to join?"

"Yes."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll leave this establishment in a heartbeat."

I bite my lip, mulling over my options. Sierrahlee pulled in a lot of money, and not through violence and threats like the other members. She used tricks and deception; words and wisdom; traps and deals. She was a valued member, and led her section of the group well.

"Bring her in," I said. "She'll have to be tested like the rest."

"I already tested her, Jude. This is a yes or no question. I'm not leaving until I get a clear answer," Sierrahlee said, brushing back her white hair.

Her white hair was only one shade lighter than Camille's own hair, I noticed with a small smile. Yet they were very different. Camille's skin was several shades darker than Sierrahlee's, and Camille's eyes had a deep blue while Sierrahlee's eyes were always concealed with dark glasses.

"Yes. She can join... if you trust her," I said.

Sierrahlee grinned as she looked over to Bee, who was smiling faintly. "I do."

I nodded and opened the door. "Come in."

"No. My task here is completed. Send a letter of the meeting contents to me afterward." Sierrahlee turned on her heel. "Let's go, Bee."

The two walked away, glowing softly in the pale moonlight. I could have swore the two girls were holding hands.

I sighed and shut the door. Slowly, I walked to the living room.

"Let's get started," I said.

"About time," Presley said. "You know I can't be kept waiting too long."

"Yeah, yeah. You gotta do your hair in a nice ugly swirl!" Bofa roared with laughter at his own joke. Presley touched his hair self-consciously.

"Where is Sierrahlee? I was looking forward to seeing her," Nikki said sadly, looking up at me with eyeless sockets from her place in a cozy chair.

I pressed my lips together, knowing what I was about to say would begin an argument. "She's not coming to today's meeting."

Right after, as if on cue, fighting broke out between those that liked Sierrahlee and those that despised her. I shushed them several times, but it was no use. A pang of stress shot through as I realized Camille would be woken up at any moment.

"Shut up!" I roared. That quickly shut them up. "I allowed it and I'm that leader. Deal with it, alright?" I cursed. "Can we just get back to the meeting? How much money did you pull in-"

"What's going on?" a groggy voice asked from behind me. I cursed again and turned around to find Camille standing in her pajamas. Her eyes were opened lazily, but her stance was somewhat alert.

"Devanna!" Nikki called happily. "I'm so glad to see you. I have a gift basket filled with sweets from the candy shop if you'd like some." Nikki hopped up and walked over to Camille.

Camille took the gift basket with a smile. "Thank you... Now someone please explain what is going on."

"We're having a gang meeting, that's what," Bofa said.

"Gang? Is that why Rikki called you boss?" Camille asked. Her eyebrows drew together as she turned to look at me.

Nikki gasped. "You didn't tell her?"

"I'm sorry!" I held up my hands in defense. Truthfully, I wanted to keep her safe. I was supposed to be her guardian angel. How would making her part of my gang keep her safe?

"You could have told her," Presley said. "Everyone knows about our notorious gang... It was only a matter of time before she found out for herself."

"We could let her join," Sketch suggested shyly.

"Let me join," Camille said, staring daggers at me. "I want revenge. You could help me do it."

"Revenge." Rikki slowly licked her lips. "Let her join. I'll murder everyone she needs me to. I find happiness in watching life drain out of people's eyes..." Rikki chuckled and rubbed her hands together.

"Revenge on who?" I asked.

"Grand Olea," she replied. "They are corrupt with power."

"Ha! Sounds great! My vote is for you," Bofa hollered.

"Does anyone oppose Devanna joining?" Sketch asked the group. She had her hands on her lap in a friendly manner.

"Me," I said. What type of guardian angel would I be if I let Camille join my gang? It was dangerous, it was jeopardous, and it was risky. If she died, I would die as well and I didn't want to risk either of our lives just for some revenge plan.

"Let me join," Camille ordered.

"No. You can't join. I'm the leader here," I said.

"Allow Devanna to join or tell us why you won't let her," Presley said.

"Why are you all on her side? I don't have to explain myself. Respect my decision," I ordered.

"You're a fartknarcker!" Camille exclaimed. "You have no good reasons. You just want to keep me up in your room and sleep beside me! You're the lowest of lows."

"I need to keep you safe!" I blurted out.

Camille scowled. "I'll never be safe when I'm around you," she spat.

"You can come live with me," Sketch offered. "I need some company anyway..."

I glared at Sketch, but she just shrugged. The other gang members seemed to agree with her statement. There was nothing I could do. I was losing my power.

"She can join," I mumbled, defeated.

"Suddenly when I'm offered to live somewhere else, you change your mind. I'll join your gang... but I'm living with Sketch," Camille said with an eye roll.

I pressed my lips together. "Can I please talk to you?"

"Fine."

I brought Camille upstairs to my bedroom. Camille's face looked at me with disgust, her nose wrinkled up like she was smelling something foul.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked.

"I'm doing what I want. You can't control me and my choices. So stop trying to."

"Camille, please. I'm not trying to control you... I'm just trying to... I'm trying to keep you safe. And you can't stop me from doing that."

"I don't need you to protect me! You're exposing me to danger, not keeping me away from it."

I opened my mouth to respond when Sketch burst through the door. "What are you doing?" I demanded.

"Sorry, boss, but uh... We've got a situation," she said.

"What? What could be so important?"

"We were listening to the radio while we waited for you," Sketch started.

"And?"

"Grand Olea has invaded Fort Elysium."