“What is it you want to do with your life?” Inferno asked.

They sat opposite each other at the kitchen table for the first time in the seven days since June moved into Inferno’s apartment. Until this time, June had not seen Inferno at all and the uncertainty of her situation left June conflicted. If not for the fact when she contacted her landlord she discovered she no longer had a room, June would have already left. With all her belongings now located in Inferno’s apartment it didn’t give her any relief. The constant fear she was being held there against her will weighed heavy on her mind. Now, sitting opposite Inferno, to say she was intimidating was an understatement.

June swallowed hard, her throat now healed and the bruising all but gone.

“I want to work, so I can save for my operation.”

“I could give you the money, but there wouldn’t be any satisfaction in my doing that. If one does not work towards their goals, appreciation of the time spent is lost.”

“I wouldn’t ask for money.” June immediately responded, insulted by Inferno’s comment before she became timid again. She had every intention of paying for the operation herself. “I intend on getting a job.”

“Work for me.”

This, June had not expected, and in disbelief replied, “Work for you?”

“I need a personal assistant.”

“A personal assistant?” June questioned, unable to resist raising her eyebrows questioningly.

A multitude of thoughts went through June’s mind. Firstly, the absurdity a super villain would need or want a personal assistant. Secondly, was this in someway a devious plan to keep June in servitude? June, now aware of Inferno’s identity without her suit and mask, would be an issue as well. Too many reasons for being offered this job didn’t gel well and deep down June felt she wasn’t being left a choice.

“There is a small group of people, who ensure my identity remains hidden, who don’t like my lack of time management. Apparently, I’m hopeless and been instructed to take better care of my time.”

“Hopeless,” June repeated, then laughed before quickly apologising, “Sorry, I can’t imagine anyone calling someone as powerful as yourself, hopeless.”

“There are other more powerful people than me.”

June nodded and removed the smile from her face.

“The position is one of trust. Do you trust me?” June asked.

She didn’t imagine Inferno trusting anyone, least of all her, but June understood such a position would require trust.

“Do you trust me?” Inferno asked in return, without answering the question herself.

June might have snorted if not for the penetrating gaze Inferno gave her. She had no reason to trust Inferno, yet no reason not to trust her. June spent time researching over the past days but found next to no information about Inferno to help her draw a conclusion. Everything June read had been media reports and over sensationalised. A dangerous mystery, Inferno continued to terrorise the world for the past thirty years with no sign of retiring or ever being captured.

As their eyes remained locked, June wondered if she were being tested and took her time to consider. Given Inferno saved her, provided medical attention and gave her a place to live and now offered her a job, there had to be a catch but June was too scared to ask. Whatever she decided, there would be no going back.

She let out a sigh, then replied, “I trust you.”

For a fleeting moment, one corner of Inferno’s mouth tilted. June couldn’t be sure if it were a smile or an indication of something more sinister.

“You’re doubtful in trusting me, which is understandable. Had I not helped you, your opinion of me would be entirely different. Yet, I did help you and have in no way harmed you or given you reason to think I will.”

June gave a slow nod.

“I’ve not judged you, nor have I been vocal about your lifestyle choices.”

June wanted to point out they had barely talked since meeting but said nothing.

“It goes both ways,” Inferno said.

June gave a puzzled look.

“You know exactly the kind of person I am. You know what I’m capable of doing. You could have left at any time but you didn’t.

“It wasn’t like I was in a position to leave. I was injured. I don’t have an apartment to return to and all my belongings are here. Might I also mention I’m not registered to be in this suburb. If I’m questioned about my status I’ll be jailed and sent to the lowest suburb. I might as well be dead.”

“I’ve had your status changed.”

“You’ve what!” June said in disbelief.

“Your status is now Level 1. You can travel anywhere in the world unrestricted.”

June’s mouth opened and closed several times before she managed to say, “How?”

Inferno didn’t answer, as though it needed no explanation.

June glanced away, the creases in her brow getting deeper by the moment. It was impossible and unheard off to gain Level 1 status. Almost the entire population didn’t come near to accessing the three elite levels. If a person had wealth and power they might attain Level 3 or 2 at the least.

“Really?” June asked sceptically glancing back at Inferno.

Her expression didn’t falter as her gazed continued to penetrate June’s.

“Okay,” June said trying to convince herself everything was normal, when it wasn’t, “When do you want me to start?”

“Right now. In addition to accommodation and meals, I’ll pay you monthly, $3000. Answer all my calls, take messages, and do as instructed. Maintain the apartment – cook and clean, whatever is needed. There is only one condition.”

June held her breath. The offer was generous however, the mention of a condition gave June reason to doubt her decision.

“What is the condition?” June tentatively asked.

“You allow me to bind myself to you.”

June stared in shock. “Bonding to another Special is dangerous and illegal. Everyone knows that.”

“Do you know why it’s illegal?” Inferno asked.

June thought back at her teachings before replying, “No.”

“Neither do I. No one does. What I do know is when a Special bonds with another, they offer protection.”

“Protection. From what?” In that moment June realised the type of protection Inferno referred to. It wasn’t for June’s protection - it was for Inferno’s.

“I will not force you June, but I ask that you consider my request. If you are to work for me it is the one condition I insist upon.”

June stared at Inferno. To consider such a foolish request would mean serious consequences if ever discovered. Yet, working with Inferno would bring the same consequences. June stared down towards her lap. I hate this body, she thought. What would I do to reach my goal?

Had she not work for Mick in the most disgusting of environments. At that time she had been prepared to do anything. There were too many advantages working for Inferno that June knew she wouldn’t say no.

“The bond lasts only for as long as I’m working for you. You will remove it when I choose to move on. Do we have a deal?”

“Yes,” Inferno replied.

“You promise on your villain code of honour,” June insisted.

“You realise there is no villain code of honour,” Inferno replied.

“Do you promise,” June reaffirmed.

“Yes, I promise.”

June looked at Inferno sceptically, unsure if the villain had any intentions of keeping the promise.

“Fine, I accept.”

June held out her hand towards Inferno and Inferno took it. As they shook hands a small thread of fire wrapped out and around June’s wrist. The desire to pull away grew and Inferno’s grip on June’s hand tightened. Prepared for the pain the fire would create, only a slight discomfort occurred before the thread scolded June’s skin and vanished leaving behind a thin mark around her wrist.

Inferno let go of June’s hand and June pulled back her arm and looked at the scar circling her right wrist.

“Did you know it would do this?” June asked.

When Inferno didn’t reply, June looked up. To say there was no expression on Inferno’s face would be untrue; simply, June could not read it.

“No.” Inferno replied raising her eyes to June’s.

“I guess I can hide it. I need to make an appointment with a new doctor for my transition. He shouldn’t question it if he notices. Would he?” June asked looking back down at the mark.

“I don’t think so.”

June rubbed the mark noting no different in the texture of her skin; as though it a faded pick tattoo. Movement on the other side of the table drew June’s attention, as she watched Inferno stand. From the pockets of her pants and coat, Inferno removed four mobile telephones and placed them on the table. She then moved over to a drawer of the buffet and removed a diary. This she also placed in front of June.

Without sitting back down or instructing June, Inferno said, “I’m going out. I’ll be back for dinner.”

Inferno left June in the kitchen. At the closing of the front door, June stared at the items in front of her, looked over to the door again, and then back at the four mobile telephones.

“So much for on-the-job training,” June murmured to herself as she opened the diary and stared down at the blank pages.

It was then June realised there would be nothing easy about working for Inferno.