Part Fourteen: In a world full of people only some want to fly.
Dikas was standing over her, the cold compress in his hand.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," said Sara, trying to take in her surroundings. "Something happened?"
"It did," he nodded. "You passed out. You've actually been out for a while."
She leant up, instantly regretting the movement.
"Ow. What did I miss?"
Dikas glanced up at the ceiling.
"Some interesting corporate takeovers, and the United States of America has a new Madame President elect. Probably best to get used to that, as I think it will be significant."
Sara Ryland shifted on the sofa.
"We're still in Yorkshire, right?"
"We are."
"Then you need to tell me why." She fixed him with her best determined stare. "Seriously, you've been playing me since I first met you, and I've spent more than a little time wondering if you're real."
Dikas frowned, the hurt showing in his eyes.
"That's a little insulting, but I forgive you. Time hasn't been kind."
Sara raised her eyebrows.
"Temporal victimhood? No, I don't buy that. My ex-boyfriend was...is a master of misdirection, but I can't credit him with all this. I've been riding this insane thunderbolt for months, and the points of contact with reality are looking more and more like something constructed by a...a vengeful God at the point of divine insanity."
Dikas reached forward to mop her brow, but her fingers shot up to stop his hand.
"Enough, Dikas. Time to come clean. What's your deal? Is he playing you, too, or are you something greater? Why are you so dedicated to this...cause?"
He looked at her fingers grasping his wrist, strong and decisive, and found himself weeping.
"I promised to protect you," he said, "To ensure your safety at all costs, no matter what demons were sent to try you, or how circumstance might attempt to throw you from the path."
She nodded and released his hand.
"Job done, then. Consider your obligations fulfilled. From here on in, I'm taking charge. If I'm right, he's heading here by whatever methods he has available, and for once I'll be prepared. I can't say anything for the opposition, but at least we'll have the advantage of...defined presence. And whatever tricks and traps he's built into the security set-up here."
Dikas held his right hand to his heart and splayed his fingers out in a gesture of affirmative fealty.
"Forever by your side, Miss Ryland."
She smiled at him, and got up from the sofa.
"I wouldn't have expected any less, Dikas."
To be continued...
