Angry Jasper: twenty-seven

Katy felt a momentary wave of dread and revulsion. There was an animal way in which he looked at her. It was like she wasn’t a person but a vessel, a thing, as if he fully intended to devour her in the most literal way. It brought all the whispers and rumors about Thomas and his secretive inner circle plausible.

Thomas came around and sat on the edge of the table beside her. He tapped the brim of his chalice against hers and downed the glass in a single gulp.

“We’ve made gains against the Corporation, and our network in old Crawford will soon prepare the enclave for a final assault. The Corporation will be without a foothold on the planet once and for all!” Thomas stood, his arousal still fully evident. “But we can't be content with just this planet, Kate.”

“Earth first,” she reminded.

“This is a dead planet,” he replied smugly. “Time to push out across the solar system. When we rival the Corporation they will have no choice but to negotiate with us.”

Thomas was absolutely on fire. Indeed, it was hard for kate to know for sure if it was her or his ambition that had him so physically enhanced at that moment.

“Negotiate with whom?”

“I have begun to form the nucleus of a government that will solidify the rebellion into a single nation, instead of these broken and besieged fiefdoms.”

“Which you will no doubt lead.”

“And why not?” he said taken aback somewhat. “My family sacrificed for generations. Who better to lead?”

“As a dictator?” Her blood boiled, almost more than she could contain.

“Too harsh, Kate. Monarch is a much better word.”

“And what would make us any different from the Corporation’s self appointed leadership, led by perversely wealthy men?”

“Of course we’re different,” Said Thomas. “We are the Rebel Alliance!”

Katy took all this in for a moment. She started to take another sip of wine, but it made her feel a party to the crime. She pushed it away and looked at him. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Every movement needs a hero to sell the message. Every strong leader needs a strong leader at his side. A woman to challenge and inspire, and a woman who will be as ruthless against enemies.” Thomas moved close and knelt in front of her. He pushed her legs apart and weaseled his way between them. Thomas ran those scrawny cold pale hands along her thighs as if they were a fine polished wood. “And this body could inspire me, indeed!”

She pushed him to the floor and pressed the point of her sharp heel into his sunken chest. The threat of death was sexual to him. His eyes were wild and eager with excitement.

“Don’t ever question my loyalty to the cause,” she said. “I could drive this heel through your heart if I wished, if in fact there is a heart beating there.”

“Ruthless!” he cried joyously. “I love it!”

He pushed her leg aside with surprising strength and speed. Kate fell into the table, glasses and fruit crashing and splattering to the floor. Before she could react Thomas had a knife blade to her throat. The speed and agility surprised even Kate. It was something more akin to a hybrid that the sickly looking Thomas. His warm, putrid breath was at her ear. It had an ugly, rancid smell, like the inside of a crypt.

“Ever know another man who could beat you to the punch?” he asked. She did of course. The only man she ever truly cared for.

“This is your best proposal?”

His excitement pressed to her thigh. He moved it against her, like some snake slithering up a tree, only colder and slimier. She thought of the rebellion, of the frightened refugees, and the millions of dead in this war. Her personal sacrifice seemed trifling in comparison. He released her and tossed the knife away. It skidded and clanged across the floor. He turned her around, njow pressing her against the table, bending her back in the most painful of ways.

“Surely, none that will secure your place in history.”

“Mister romance,” she scoffed.

“You want romance, date a peasant. If you want power…”

She considered the offer for a moment. “If I agree then you will release the bounty hunter? ”

“How do I know he won’t help our enemies?”

“You have my word. Call it a wedding gift.”

He sighed and thought for a moment. “That’s it?’

‘That’s it.”

“Done.” Thomas held her hips and nuzzled his face into Katy’s neck. He didn’t see her grimace. “Now, how about a little prenuptial fun?”

She pushed him away. “I may be easy, but I’m not an idiot. I want proof he has been released.”
“It won’t be that easy. We can’t take a chance that he will tell someone where we are. The corporation would destroy us in an instant. In due time, I promise.”