Demon Arms Bargain

May 17, 2017

demontheme

May 14, 2017

Demon Arms Deleted Scenes

April 27, 2017

Demon Arms Deleted Scenes

Hey, okay, so way back when I was first writing Demon Arms, it looked really different. It was originally going to be a serial—you know, like Demon Bonded (I know, my names are so original. XD) But I wasn’t sure if I was, well, going to be around to make it a serial (if you get my depressing drift) and I decided I better just get this shit done so I turned it into a novel. I also initially intended it to be first person, present tense through Wylie’s eyes only. Fun fact, if you’re wondering why it seems like the moment Wylie gets to the Academy the writing changes, that’s because I had written up to the point where he’s in Dr. Rob’s like you see below, and then took all of that and changed it into third person past tense. The first part of the book was edited repeatedly because I was switching so much while I just let the rest of the book flow.

So, because I decided that I was changing the format from a serial to a novel, I needed to cut a lot of what was in that first part because it would have been so much time before switching to Dorian’s perspective. I was afraid the reader would be so jarred from changing perspectives late in a novel that they’d walk away. Also, as cute as these intros to the masters at the Academy are, it kind of killed a bit of the tension to have Theo be a fucking superman and just save the day—or at least postpone it. I think he made the real world problems just a little too easy for so early in such a story.

Actually, there was one other scene I cut at the very beginning of the book. Originally, the van was parked in an alley before the crew went to the house, and during that time, Wylie and Beck had a sexy moment. But it seemed like a false start to the story, and, let’s be honest, how many people get pissed off when you pair a main character with a love interest they don’t stick with? It’s a pet peeve for some people to have them enjoy sex with anyone other than the other main character. So somehow I managed to remove all elements of the dirty, fun sex I enjoy writing by the removal of these two part, and lo and behold, we don’t get a sex scene until 50% into the book.

This starts right after Wylie has his meeting with Theo and Diane in the police station. This is of course a rough draft but kinda explains how easy going Theo and Wylie get later on. I promise that in the following sequels these aspects of the guys will be learned firsthand even though they were deleted here.

Deleted Scene: The Call

“Mrs. Winchester, it’s five o’clock and I need to continue on with procedure.”

I turn from my view of the low sun, sunglasses resting on the table now that the light has become bearable. It’s the shifter guard, his face a hard mask as he stands in the doorway. Given Diane’s reaction, it’s bad news.

“Wait, please, Mr. Johanson.” She’s on her feet, eyes wide like a deer in headlights. I wonder if that works on wolves. I glance over at Theodore, and he’s grim faced. Fuck. Dread twists tighter in my stomach. “Just a little longer. The agreement is being finalized now. We just need some more time.”

“I understand, but my shift is over and there is no one else qualified to watch a shifter,” Officer Johanson says stiffly. “The boy cannot be placed back in the containment cell without some sort of record. I was able to fudge it once, because the higher ups allow for a test run of the cell every week. Turning it on again requires documentation as to why. That means he needs to be fingerprinted and entered into the system.”

She turns desperate eyes to Theodore, her small hands held in fists. Red clears his throat and straightens, and I wonder just how much of a magic trick he can pull out of his ass. “Is there any way we could convince you to stay longer, officer? I understand you must be busy, but this situation—”

“I have a family, one that is very eager for me to be getting home,” the wolf insists, his frown deepening. Yup, I’m fucked. Been sitting here for hours waiting for the politician types to just sign one piece of fucking paper, and I’m going to be fucked over because they ran down the clock. Fuck my life.

“Please, Mr. Johanson.” She’s got tears in her eyes again, and I’m starting to wonder if Mrs. Winchester isn’t just a massive manipulator at this point. “The circumstances are so unique. He’s just a boy, and we just need a little more time. The governor has given verbal confirmation that this deal will happen, they’re just getting the paperwork drawn up. You know how difficult paperwork can be, I’m sure.”

Theodore’s already on his cellphone, muttering under his breath in the receiver. Before Diane can start going into how she understands just how difficult the cop’s job is, red pushes the phone into Officer Johanson’s large paw, explaining it’s his colleague working with the governor. Without my arms out, I can’t hear what the other person is saying, but from the gist of the cop’s responses, it has little to do with me. Lots to do with just how appreciated the cop is. The large shifter starts blushing a minute into the conversation, mumbling about how beautiful his family is, and yes, he’s truly a blessed man, and could only hope that his own children once they reached my age were given a fair chance to keep them from the overly strict laws shifter are held to.

The cop hands the phone back to red, a bright smile lighting his face as he agrees to stay and guard late. Then he leaves, whistling cheerfully. Talk about fucking magic.

I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding while Theodore mutters into the phone. He hangs up with a scowl. “Michael has bought us some time, but if the governor’s office doesn’t stop dragging their feet, it might be pointless.”

“But he’s agreed!” Diane wails in exasperation.

“Correct. But it would be just like Reynolds to say we can have everything we want, just to have a clerical error take it all away. The man’s a two-faced jackal,” Theodore snaps bitterly. “Even Michael is wearing, and that’s saying a lot.”

“So… I’m screwed.” My stomach gives another lurch. Really hoping I don’t throw up in front of these guys.

“I… I don’t know,” Diane says with a sigh. “I just don’t…”

Suddenly red gives a low growl, stalks across the table and pulls me up by the arm. “You’re going to feel an unreasonably strong urge to try and kiss, or grind on me. I suggest you fight it, because I am not forgiving about being groped.”

“Um…” What?

But he’s looking at Diane now. “Mrs. Winchester, I ask that you stay as collateral to show our good faith in keeping our agreement. Nothing has changed, I am just relocating Mr. Doe to more neutral territory until things are finalized.” And with that, Theodore Howld throws open the door leading out into the police headquarters and immediately becomes the most attractive man on the face of the earth.

I’m not sure how I know this, seeing as red’s behind me and pushing me through the cluster of cubicles and desks holding the officers on duty. The slack jawed stares all around and tented pants of every male in the room might have been a clue. Maybe the people stumbling like zombies as they turn from copiers, watercoolers, and out office doors to see the man and gawk. Or Officer Johanson, having been guarding the door, all of a sudden trying to grab Theodore. Not in an angry way, but in a throw you against the wall and fuck you way.

I just gasp, fire racing through me. My body is apparently too dazed to do anything but stumble forward. Even though I can’t see the man behind me, I can feel him. And fuck, he feels really, really hot.

“Hurry it up, brat,” he hisses in my ear while dodging Officer Johanson’s second attempt to grind on him with a practiced grace. “Shifters make this much more difficult.” I just let myself be pushed forward, not sure what the hell I’m supposed to do. Well, besides turn and see just how hot red must look. “Eyes straight ahead!” He snaps, and fuck, I obey. Whatever makes the man so sexy also makes him commanding when growling in my ear.

I’m not really sure how we got out of the police station, just suddenly becoming aware of the cool autumn air and the smell of smog. Red keeps pushing me forward, cars stopping dead on the road as we walk pass. He leads me to a back alley around another building, finally letting me go while he reaches into his inner coat pocket. I finally get a good look at him, and all I can do is whimper pitifully when he comes into view. Holy fuck.

“Stop looking at me, dumbass,” Theodore warns, not bothering to look up as he fumbled through his pockets.

Yeah, cus that’s going to happen. He looks the same, still the same height as me, but his posture makes him seem taller and more commanding. Somehow, everything about the sorcerer is just a bit more. And that more is drop dead, crawl on your knees gorgeous. “God, if you could just… shit, just touch me a second…” I find myself saying hoarsely, edging closer to the man’s radiant golden skin and tight, lithe body.

“Not in a million years,” he drawls, trying the other side of his coat.

Yeah, that makes sense. I step closer to peek at his suit. Somehow it’s the most fashionable suit ever, and if such a beautiful man is going to wear clothes, this is the way to wear them. “Fuck… just do things to me,” I whisper, my fingers itching to touch the man. “Anything. I’ll let you do anything…”

“Get a fucking grip, Doe,” he snaps, making a triumphant sound when he finally finds what he’s looking for. It’s a compact, red clicking it open to reveal a mirror surrounded by strange symbols. “Come on, kid.”

Fuck, okay. “If you want to cum on me…”

“For the love of—I need a damn raise,” he mutters, grabbing me hard by the shoulder. I moan, because fuck, he’s touching me. I’m not sure exactly what happens next because I can’t stop looking at his face. Then the mirror draws my eye and the world stars to twist and twirl, everything moving away from the glowing reflective surface and pushing out, radiating like heatwaves on summer pavement. Except the world doesn’t move, we do, our bodies melting into the center of the small compact. I might be screaming, but I can’t hear it.

Deleted Scene: S3 Theodore’s

The world returns to focus with a lurch. Theodore shoves me aside, growling as he pats down his clothes I mangled while holding onto him for dear life. “Bathroom’s over there.” He points behind him.

I blink up from the ground. What the fuck just happened? I’m breathless, and I look around until he comes into view again. “What?”

“Bathroom. Go. Now.” Theodore orders, pointing again.

“But… I don’t have to go…” I trail off, a loud gasp escaping me as fire races over my skin even greater than before. He’s not the most beautiful guy in the world anymore, but my body still thinks it, and I’m am fucking aching for sex. “Fuck… okay, I see what you’re talking about…” I roll to my knees, groaning as I catch sight of my erection tenting my jeans. “Shit, what the hell did you do?”

“It’s called allure. Some species have strong sex magic to pull prey to them, others for mates,” he explains distractedly while pulling his jacket off and hooking it on a large vanity. The mirror was apparently the portal we arrived through. “When I shut it down, or leave the vicinity, it gets worse until dealt with. So stop pointing that thing at me, and go deal with it,” he adds with a growl.

I push myself weakly to my feet, raising an eyebrow at the grumbling man. “Sure you don’t want to help me with—”

“You perverted, little shit.” Wind suddenly whips up, and I’m pushed by an invisible force towards the bathroom door and away from the glowering Theodore. I can’t help but snicker. Red has a power that makes everyone fucking hard for him, and yet still manages to have enough nerve to get angry about it. Like it’s my fucking fault and not his.

Fuck, okay, it does get worse when he’s out of sight. All those poor fucking cops. Slamming the door behind me, I dismiss everything else to quickly wrench my zipper open and push my underwear down my thighs. I can smell Beck on me, his saliva and sweat clinging to my well trimmed pubic hair. I close my eyes, trying to think of him as I wrap fingers around my dick. The kid can suck cock, but for some reason the image just won’t come. It’s only been a day, not even that, but the darkness of the jail, and the isolation of the shifter holding cage has already torn me from the world I was living in.

I settle for thinking about my hand, the slick soap I grabbed from the sink and the noises it makes as my palm glides over my long length. Glowing violet eyes keep trying to slip in, but I fight them back. Last thing I want to think about is that jackass… Nope, apparently my brain is extra fucked today. I see the old guy, weak and bloodied as I drink his blood from his lips. I growl, but the image won’t fade, and I’m so close it’s just the fucking worst.

I come with a hiss, hating everything about my body at the moment. Fucking bloodlust. Fucking allure—Embarrassing shit that makes sex weird instead of fun. Fucking bullshit. I clean myself up in the sink, glaring at my reflection in the modern style mirror.

My blue hair dye is nearly faded, just a light color in my white-blond locks. I have a feeling I won’t be getting a chance to get more, whether I’m in Daiker or the Academy place. My eyes are the same weird icy blue, nearly white with pupils sharp and stark black in contrast. Let’s everyone with enough brains know I’m a shifter, and also makes me look scary as fuck. With my pale skin that can burn from the noon sun, sharp facial features and hard muscle, I look like some weird ice elf, but with funky spiked hair that needs a touch up. I’m also covered in a lot more dried blood than I previously realized. Likely why Butch didn’t actually try to jump me when he had the chance.

I splash cool water on my face, the last hours slowly sinking in. Am I fugitive now? Is that what that arrogant sorcerer did, sauntering out of the police station like he had every right in the world? Are the cops out looking for me, hunting me with orders to kill? Or are they all jacking it right now, poor Mrs. Winchester stuck in some weird uniformed orgy? Are they going to lock her up because I escaped? She knew I was a shifter—What if her job means she has to be punished for the shit I do? Fuck, why is it all so complicated!

I slam out of the bathroom, looking for the asshole that caused this shit storm with his fucked up powerful magic. Theodore’s in the kitchen, and as I look around I can’t help by notice his place looks really unlived in. The furniture is modern but sparse. Nothing really in the propped open fridge. No photos to speak of, or the little things like mail or refrigerator magnets that reflect spending time in a place and accumulating your life around. It’s shit I notice, but I’ve gone a long time without it.

“Is this even your place?” Fuck my life if he broke me out of jail and broke into someone else’s place in one go.

He turns from the fridge, a jar of marmalade in hand and a spoon in the other. “Yes, but as you can see, I’m out at my job a lot.”

Not sure if I believe him, I sit at the kitchen island and watch him eat a spoonful of jelly. The curtains are open, revealing a countryside, a long fence in the distance, and… “Cows? Where the hell are we?” I get up to get a better look at the quaint farmhouses outside in the late afternoon sun.

“It’s not important. We won’t be here long enough for it to matter,” Theodore says, his voice growing more pleasant as the sugar manages to get into his system. “I’m just waiting for a call from my colleague, and we’ll have you off to the Academy in no time.”

That gives me pause, and I glance his way. “Why are you… Why is he doing this? I broke into his house. I helped the guy that shot him get into his house. Shouldn’t he be glad if I get locked up in Daiker?”

He doesn’t say anything for a long moment, sucking on a spoonful of marmalade and sitting on the counter by the fridge. “Collin’s a complicated guy. I won’t get into the details, but he reached a point in his life where he wanted to help paranormals, and he had the funds to do it. He runs two schools; one for the witches, and one for the mix of male sorcerers and shifters,” he says while flipping the spoon side to side for each school. “The girls are easier to deal with, much less bloodlust and behavioral problems. The boys… Well, you’re a boy. You know how much of a pain in the ass you are,” he adds with a mean grin. “These kids aren’t just students, they’re patients. Every one of them enrolled has harmed, some even killed, because they didn’t have the skill or training to control their awakening power. The Academy’s goal is to help them not do it again so they can live a normal life.”

Ah… fuck. “So it might actually be like prison.”

“No.” He fixes me with a hard stare. “Collin understands what it’s like to see a punk shifter with nothing else to lose turn to stealing and thugging. He would much rather prefer to give such individuals an option. Let’s face it, if you ended up in Daiker, you’d be a monster once you got out… If you even survived it.” He shrugs, not looking very concerned about the idea.

I’m glad Mr. McPherson’s such a generous guy, cus if it was up to Theodore, I have a feeling I’d be rotting in a prison cell right now. “Did I like personally wrong you, or something?” I dare to ask, watching him stiffen out of the corner of my eye.

“You said it yourself. You opened the door to the piece of shit that shot my friend,” Theodore says flatly, slipping down the counter to toss the empty jar in the trash. He just ate a jar of marmalade. Issues.

“I did stay to save his life, if you remember.” It comes out sounding more petulant than I intended. I don’t necessarily like red, but I also had this annoying need to not have him hate me completely.

“Yes, well, you’re still alive, aren’t you?” He leaves the room, throwing himself on the couch in the living room and closing his eyes. Which gets me wondering if he’s been awake as long as I have. He must have rushed to his friend’s side in the hospital, then was forced to trek down to the police station to deal with me. He’s probably exhausted with worry for McPherson.

Although, I still have no idea what the sorcerer does for the old guy. Do rich people just have sorcerers to have them? What kind of spells could you get if you had all the money in the world? Geez, what the hell did magic really get anyone but more trouble? All I know about magic is that the people that can do it are usually terrifying pricks that treat everyone else like trash.
I’m not sure if Theodore has changed my mind much on that assessment.

Deleted Scene: S4 Michael

I end up slumping on the kitchen table, too tired to bother asking for something comfortable. I can’t really sleep. A part of me is listening to every sound in the quiet landscape, worried the police are looking for me and ready to throw me in Daiker forever. But red just seems so sure of himself, and it’s hard to get up the courage to ask the sorcerer if he knows what he’s doing.

I’m not sure how I know we’re not alone anymore. It’s that odd sensation again of crackling energy, but this time it feels more swirly and coming from the living room. I get up cautiously, peeking my head around the corner, only to stop and stare. I’m not really sure what the hell it is with all these people, but between Theodore and the greek god suddenly standing in the man’s living room in front of the large mirror, I’m feeling really outclassed by all the otherworldly beauty.

Theodore, the cocky bastard, doesn’t seem to have any problems sleeping while the police are likely hunting the both of us down at this very moment. He cracks an eye open, saluting the new man jauntily. “Michael,” he greets with a yawn.

The greek god does not seem pleased, his face twisted in a scowl that somehow makes him look even more attractive. “For fuck sake, Theo! Do you know the mess I’ve been cleaning up because of you? You walked him out of the fucking police station. You could have been shot—The damn kid could have been shot! What were you thinking?”

“They were running the clock out,” Theodore says simply. “Old military move—”

“You have never been in the military, you arrogant ass,” Michael hisses. “Get up. We have to bring the kid back to the station to sign the last of the documents.”

I step in the room, worry twisting my stomach. “They’re not going to lock me up again, are they?” I look to Theodore, who suddenly feels like a fucking hero as long as I don’t have to go back.

Michael snaps his gaze to me, his expression going from angry to blank. “Is he the…?”

“Who else would he be?” Theodore retorts, sitting up from his sprawl on the couch. “You think I just keep bloodied up teenagers in my house for fun?” Michael gives him a look that Theodore refuses to respond to, suggesting that might very well be the case. Weird. “Michael Whiteheart, meet Wylie Doe. Wylie, this is the man that’s been spending the better part of his day sweet talking that bastard governor of ours. He is also the Human Reintegration Specialist at the Academy. Don’t let how he talks to me fool you—He’s actually a decent human being under it all.”

Theodore gets up and smooths the wrinkles from his shirt, waving me over. I hesitantly reach my hand out to shake, then stop when I catch Michael’s face. He seems almost afraid to touch me, his expression masked and cold. “Um, is he pissed off at me too?” I ask Theodore.

The redhead snorts, shoving the tall, broad shouldered man forward and nearly on top of me. “He’s just trying to figure out what you are. Michael’s a sorcerer with a beast spirit he can transform into, but he’s not a born shifter. I’m sure his inner eagle is just trying to figure out what you are.”

“Oh.” I give the man a halfhearted smile. Guess we’re all freaks. Michael, with his golden hair, bright blue eyes and warm tan looks like he stepped out of a Hercules flick. He’s obviously jacked under his three piece suit and long peacoat. He’s still not saying anything, looking rather fierce as he stares at me intently.

“Come on, Michael, it’s obvious. He’s in the same room as me.” Theodore waves in exasperation. That seems to do something, the blond man gaping now instead of glaring.

“No—Dragon? He’s a dragon shifter?” Michael says with an air of disbelief.

I’m still certain it sounds better than demon, but given the way the blond god is backing away from me, he might not agree so much. “Um, I can’t fully shift, if that helps at all,” I mumble, scratching the back of his head.

“No, it’s not that,” Michael apologizes quickly. “I just don’t want to get caught up in any allure. Theo is difficult enough, and I swear he does it just to torment me.”

“Nice, Michael. Make the kid think I’m some sort of degenerate,” Theodore mutters, throwing his jacket on. “I work hard to keep a respectable distance from coworkers and students alike. Besides, the boy hasn’t discovered that ability yet.”

“Wait, I might be able to, er, do what you did in the station?” I jump from foot to foot. I can’t decide if it was super cool or totally creepy to have a room full of people suddenly drooling over you. It was definitely effective though, and got us the fuck out of that terrible situation without anyone being hurt.

Theodore looks uncertain, his long fingers fidgeting with the cuffs of his jacket. “Perhaps. Not all dragons have the same abilities. Michael, is there anything I need to know before we return?”

“Yes. Everyone is extremely pissed off at you, including the governor and myself,” he says sharply, remembering why he had busted in here in the first place.

“Oh, you just use your ‘prince charming’ good looks on them, and I’m sure they’ll get over it,” Theodore taunts, pinching the man’s cheek before he can duck away.

“You’re such an ass,” Michael mutters. Glaring at the Theodore, Michael quickly reaches across the small distance, shaking my hand. “Sorry about that, kid. I have to keep up a respectable image with the many people I help. Can’t get caught making an ass of myself.”

I just stare at him. It’s like shaking a damn bear and the man is giving off heat like a furnace.

“Some of the students at the Academy have levels of allure,” Theodore explains blandly. “Shifters tend to have a natural resistance to it, humans not so much. That’s why when we first met, you were the only one not staring at me like a fool. I can turn the power up on mine at will, and no one can really do much to stop me when I do. Since Michael is very much a human, he has been repeatedly… let’s say ensnared, when a prankster thought him a fine formed target.” He smiles wickedly, making me wonder if that prankster had been the redhead before me.

“Um, that must be difficult.” Had the blond god been like, molested and crap? Or was it just screwing with his head and making him hard on command. How exactly do you play with such a power anyways? I keep the very deranged thoughts to myself, but they start tripping over in my head just in case I end up with some sort of allure power.

“Definitely keeps me on my toes,” Michael says with a wry smirk. “Theo, get the kid some clothes that aren’t caked in blood. The last thing we need is him looking like a serial killer.”

The idea does not set well with red. I get a scathing glare as he disappears into the bedroom. “Ignore him,” Michael says. “He hates to share. Too territorial, even at his age. But he’s a hell of a magic teacher, and if you have the gift, he’ll grow it in you.”

“Wait—So he works at the Academy too?” I’m not sure if it’s a good thing. Theodore is very much a double edged sword in a lot of ways.

“Longer than I have. He dug himself in there as a student and just never felt the urge to leave his little lair,” Michael says with a small smile. “So, what’s your magic? Nothing exploding, I hope.”

I shrug feeling oddly uncomfortable about the question. I really don’t talk about my shifting. “I don’t… Well, I can change my arms into clawed, scaled arms, and apparently my saliva can heal wounds. But I don’t know anything about casting spells and stuff.”

“Ooh, natural healer that can share. You’d be amazed at how many times I’ve been caught with a limb torn off wishing I could just spit it all better.” He slaps me heartily on his back, and I wince from the force. “And it’s not like I can ask Theo for help—He’s likely to chew the rest of my flesh off, the sadistic bastard.”

I’m pretty sure my eyes are as wide as plates by the time Theodore returns with two coat hangers full of dress slacks and a button down shirt. He gives me a suspicious look, but hands over the clothes with only the slightest of hesitation. “Stop terrifying the kid. He reeks of fear,” Theodore says warningly to Michael, pointing me to the bathroom to change.

I once again find myself splashing handfuls of cold water on my face, wondering what the hell I’ve gotten myself into. Theodore’s not really a cannibal… Right? I mean, shifters don’t… I never even knew there was such thing as dragon shifters, and now I’ve just met another one, and even though he’s got some damn fine power and looks like a super model, I’m pretty sure Michael wasn’t joking about that eating flesh thing. Fucked up. I’m in way over my head and it’s all just fucked up.

Modified Scene: S5 Paperwork

Diane hugs me the second she sees me, like I’ve been gone for months instead of a few hours. The she leans in to whisper how the shifter guard had been forcefully removed from his shift only a half hour after I had left. Theodore had done the right thing in the long run. I just nod dumbly, wondering why a complete stranger like the governor would want me to go to Daiker to be eaten alive by psycho shifters.

Michael turns out to be the closest thing to a lawyer I’m going to get, or possibly even need. He reads through the legalese with ease, even explaining it all to me in a way I can understand. In front of other people, the greek god is definitely a prince charming, his bright white teeth flashing, the man rumbling laughs that the police keep joining in even after the events of earlier.

I’ll be spending the next five years of my life at the Academy, as long as I follow the rules and don’t engage in illegal activity, including reaching out to my old friends from the gang. It took a lot of negotiating, but Michael convinced the governor’s office that a year of monthly check ins was more than enough to gauge my progress. Removing me from the Academy grounds constantly would apparently just open me up to outside influence and the trouble that brings. After that the Academy would be happy to fax over a report, along with all the many other reports required of them to be able to keep me under their care.

All I have to do is keep my head down and out of trouble and I’ll be fine. I won’t be entered into the criminal system, won’t be labeled as an out of control shifter for the rest of my life, and won’t have to go to Daiker. It’s a miracle, and I still can’t fully grasp it.

“I’m going to see you first chance you’re allowed visitors,” Diane promises me with another hug. “For now, I’m going to help collect your things from the center and have them sent over to the Academy for you. Was there anyone there you wanted to say goodbye to?”

Beck’s face flashes in my mind’s eye and I wince. Besides him, there’s no one I really talk to. No one I give a crap about. And Beck, well, Beck’s going to have to figure out his shit eventually, and without me to cling to for a change. “Nah, I’m good.”

I hold still as the heavy shifter handcuffs are clapped onto my wrists. The state’s insisting I be transported in one of their own vehicles, like I’m going to jump ship the second I leave the station. Then again, Theodore gave them plenty of cause for that concern, and I don’t make a fuss. I’ve won and I can deal with the embarrassment of being led around looking like a criminal.

Fuck, I did some bad shit. I probably deserve worse.