(Long looping sparkly necklace by Phoe.)
The sphinx cranes her neck and studies her reflection. The new collar sparkles around her neck. “Not bad,” she admits grudgingly.
“I’m glad you like it.”
She glares at me, but with no heat behind it. “It’s still a collar. I cannot like that.”
“I know.”
She scrutinizes her reflection again. “But it is pretty. I thank you for it.”
“I did my best.”
“You know how I like sparkly things,” she smiles ruefully.
I sit in my accustomed corner chair. “I like to help, Melantha.”
“And yet you keep us prisoner, Agent Scott.” She quirks an eyebrow at me, imperious, and settles on her haunches.
“I didn’t know this was part of the job, when I took it.”
“And now that you know? Why do you stay?”
I pause. “I like you. You and the other -”
“Beasts?”
“Paranormals.”
“You like us. So you continue with our jailors.”
“Most of the agents don’t seem to have an affinity for you and the others. I guess I feel like I owe it to you, to make your lives a little warmer. And…” I look away from her, look out the barred window. “They compel me as well. None of us are truly free.”
