Prologue
South Eastern coast of Thorae; December 19, 2020
Hanna stood still as the prison gate opened. Tiny flakes of snow drifted from the dark clouds above. Though she wore several layers and even had her wings tucked close to her spine, she shivered. Hanna held a little white box of cardboard in her gloved hands. Once the gate was open, a guard motioned for her to follow him. The box was confiscated at the first checkpoint. Three security screens later, the guard leading her through the complex handed her off to another guard with a glare. The receiving guard tilted his head as he looked at her.
“The warden wants to speak with you,” the guard said with boredom.
“The warden?” Hanna asked with narrow eyes. “Why? I have clearance.”
“Didn’t say.” The guard spoke with even less enthusiasm than before. “But we can’t let you go in until you see him.”
Hanna frowned, but nodded. “Lead the way,” she said, motioning forward. The guards led her through wired gates, down barred passageways, and beyond electric doors before she was finally led into an office. The man sitting behind the desk stood up as she entered.
“Warden…?” Hanna started, reaching out a hand to shake.
“Payne,” the man responded, ignoring her outstretched hand, but gesturing to a chair instead.
Hanna accepted the seat. “You wanted to see me?”
“I did. Thank you for coming.” The warden sat behind his desk and looked over an open folder in front of him. “I’ve been reviewing your file in preparation for this visit. I have a few questions I’d like to go over, if you have a moment.”
“Okay.” Hanna’s suspicion kicked in, but she nodded and waited for him to continue.
The warden looked over his file again. “Can you state your relation to the incarcerated?”
“Immediate family,” Hanna answered.
“More specifically?” he questioned.
“Other,” Hanna said. “It’s… complicated.”
“I see.” Warden Payne nodded. “According to the logs, you visit every year.”
“I try to, yes.” Hanna twisted the ring on her left hand. “My clearance hasn’t been revoked, has it?” she asked.
“No,” Payne answered. “But as the new warden, I don’t take my position lightly.”
“Nor should you,” Hanna agreed. “You have a lot of responsibility to both the public and the inmates.”
“You work with the Hero’s Guild on Earth?” he continued, looking at the documents again.
“When they have missions in Thorae, yes,” Hanna answered. “I have a preferred fireteam I work with.”
“And you live in La’Esk?” he asked. Hanna nodded. “That’s quite the drive,” Payne muttered before looking up at her. “December 20th. That’s what you put down on the form, right? Same as the incarcerated?” The warden flicked his wrist out and glanced at his watch. “That’s to-”
“I’m sorry, but why are you asking me all this?” Hanna interrupted, eyes narrow. “All the information is already in the file in front of you. Are you going to let me see her or not?”
The warden took a breath and closed the folder before responding. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”
Hanna could feel the anger rising, but bit it back and took a different approach. “Please,” she said softly. “Please let me see her. I’m the only one she can really talk to. I’m the only one who knows what she’s been through.”
Payne stared at her. “Do you know what happened to the last warden?” he asked slowly.
Hanna glanced away. “Yes.”
“Then you know how much of a threat she is.” He leaned back in his chair. “You understand the risks we take and why we have to implement such rigorous safety measures.”
“I do.” Hanna paused. “But I also know why she does the things she does.”
The warden sat straight, clasping his hands together and resting them on the desk. “Knowing the motive doesn’t erase the actions or absolve their natural consequences. She has to stay isolated. I don’t have to tell you she doesn’t play well with others.”
Hanna frowned. “Isolation will kill her.”
The warden raised an eyebrow. “Isolation is the only thing keeping her alive.”
Hanna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “She can be reasoned with. She just needs someone to talk to. Someone who understands her.” Hanna looked at the warden, eyes pleading. “Please let me see her. I’m the only one she’ll listen to. Please.”
Warden Payne stared at Hanna with critical eyes. The clock on the wall ticked by, the only sound in the room as the warden contemplated the choices.
“Fine,” he said, finally breaking the silence. “But you’ll be monitored at all times.”
“I understand,” Hanna said with a nod and a smile, not hiding her relief.
“You’ll be searched again,” he added, standing up. “Any personal effects must be surrendered, but they will be returned to you when you leave.”
“That’s okay.” Hanna also stood up. “Thank you.” She stuck her hand out, but the warden ignored it and motioned to the door.
*****************************
An armed guard stood on either side of the prison door. Hanna heard a buzz before the door slid open. She took a deep breath then stepped into the room. The first thing she noticed was the wave of heat that hit her face as she entered. It was normal for the heat to be on during winter months, but this was excessive. Bearable, but excessive. The room was partitioned down the middle with a thick, clear, ballistic glass wall. A single, metal door with slots and a window indicated that was the only way in or out of the other side of the glass prison. Hanna always thought this cell was odd, but she reminded herself that prisons in Thorae had to account for every ability imaginable. The door behind Hanna slid shut with another buzz. She was alone. Mostly. There was no chair for her to sit on. Hanna stepped closer to the exhibit, for that’s what it felt like, looking for its occupant. The other half of the room appeared empty, aside from a bed and hygiene station, both of which were in a darkened corner. Black feathers were scattered over the ground. The light directly above the bed had gone out and no one had replaced it. Or perhaps it had been broken on purpose for a meager sense of privacy. Either way, that dark corner was where Hanna found who she was looking for. “Shard?” Hanna called, tentatively.
The dark form on the bed rose and crept out of the shadows. A pale woman with raven hair and blood-red eyes. She came up to the glass and stood in front of Hanna. Her hair, long and uncut, draped over the sleeves of her red jumpsuit. The black band around her neck was embedded with three rows of Danu River pearls, a thorean gem known to repress elemental magic.
“Hi Shard,” Hanna said quietly.
Shard glared back. “Hello, darling.”
