Episode 109

(New York, September 19, 2019)

The cafe was significantly quieter than the bar, and Alana had to admit that the place was better suited to serious conversation. Karkov seemed more at ease. The only nuisance was a pair of guys who immediately planted themselves at another table. What they lacked in proximity, they more than made up for in volume. One appeared to be trying to impress the other, though rather unsuccessfully. Alana couldn’t tell whether it was a job interview or a sales pitch.

Maybe a date? These days there was little stigma attached to that sort of thing, but in the old country it had been frowned upon. Not in the dogmatic manner of those later Christian churches, but as a practical matter of survival. In an era of high infant mortality, anything that interfered with procreation was — while not exactly taboo — certainly discouraged. Even Alana would have faced some degree of censure had her affairs come to light. Well, some of them. She had had plenty with men too, though the lack of issue would have drawn suspicion. After all, she was a priestess. If she could solicit the gods for fertility, she could do the opposite too — or so popular opinion would turn.

When her eyes returned to Karkov, he was sporting a sanctimonious grin. “Should I kill them?” he asked.

Alana wondered whether the man could read her mind. At this point, nothing would surprise her. She sighed. No, it was worse than that. She and Karkov really did think the same way. Was that the origin of all this friction? Maybe she was just a dog barking at the mirror. Perhaps like really did hate like.

Before she could answer, the two men rose to leave. Well, that was quick. If it was a date, it had gone either really poorly or really well. Maybe they had heard him and didn’t want trouble. They didn’t look like the type of guys who would avoid trouble. Karkov sulked into his latte for a few moments before looking up.

“How did you find me?” he asked. “I pride myself on not making it easy.”

Alana frowned. “I got that impression when you refused to meet last time.”

Karkov thought for a moment. “Ah yes, that. There were reasons.”

“So you said at the time. I tried not to take it personally.”

“Well, that’s boring. I expected quite a bit of lecturing. What sort of priestess are you?”

“An ex-priestess, and I wouldn’t waste my breath. There’s nothing the gods have to say to you, let alone me.”

“You still haven’t explained how you found me,” Karkov replied, fidgeting in his seat. Was he wired? How would that even be possible? Like alcohol, caffeine should have no effect on them. Were her assumptions about the man wrong? Along with everyone else, she had never questioned his claim of having sixteen protections. It certainly seemed plausible in light of all that had happened, but plausible wasn’t the same as true.

Even so, he must be at least an Eight or he wouldn’t have lasted this long — especially in light of all that had happened. Alana’s gut told her that he wasn’t lying about his number, but perhaps that number wasn’t as potent as she assumed. She had never inquired too closely about which sixteen protections he possessed. More didn’t necessarily mean better. Maybe Rin hadn’t been as naive back then as she supposed. Perhaps some small doubt had gnawed at her, and she left a back-door in his case — some vulnerability that even Eights like Alana were not subject to. This would be very convenient to know, but she doubted Rin would acknowledge it, let alone share the details.

Alana looked at the wall. What the hell was wrong with her? She felt as if her IQ had dropped a digit. Karkov wouldn’t be sitting here right now if Rin had an easy way to destroy him. She wondered whether this was actually true. The relationship between those two had always been something of an enigma. Besides, why did she trust Rin more than Karkov? The woman had openly declared war on their kind. What sort of idiot would trust an enemy? Alana calmed herself. She didn’t trust the enemy. This meeting was proof of that.

“Well?” Karkov prodded. “You used to be much quicker with your lies.”

Alana stared at him in confusion. “You gave me your card.”

“My card?”

“I did you a favor. You didn’t think that was free, right?”

“Hope springs eternal.”

Alana gave him a dry look. “You literally handed me your business card.”

“I don’t have a business card.”

“Fine, calling card. Whatever.”

“Calling card?” Karkov laughed. “I think you’re a couple of centuries out of date.”

“Well, I remember your debt even if you pretend not to. Feel free to gaslight me all you want. See, there’s a modern term.”

Karkov smirked. “Only if you consider several decades old ‘modern’.”

“It sounds like you intend to abrogate your responsibility. I’m beginning to think you’re ungrateful.”

“Abrogate? Has anyone told you that the way you look and sound are completely incongruous?”

“Has anyone told you that you both look and sound like a prick?”

“Every day.”

“You should try listening.”

“I’ve yet to find anybody worth listening to.”

“That’s just because you talk to yourself all day.” Alana sat back in her chair and glared at him. “Do I need to produce the card?”

“You just said I was avoiding you. How could I have handed you a business card?”

“Fine,” she groaned in exasperation. “Let’s nitpick. Your guy did. He gave me your card and said that’s how I could get in touch when I needed something in return. You were a pretty big dick not to ask me for the favor in person, and a monumental one not to thank me in person. Who sends some minion with a cheap promise?”

Karkov put his hand in the air and smiled. “Me.” He grew serious. “I had to be sure it was important.”

“Yes, because your time is so valuable and I hound you constantly. Should I leave a dead rabbit on your doorstep?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Alana flushed red. “That wasn’t a rabbit.”

“Pretty much the same from where I stand.”

She groaned. “I don’t know why this is so complicated. We used to be able to meet without all this drama.”

“I like drama.”

“So it would appear. I assume your guy told you.”

“Told me what? And it’s a gal, by the way. I know you’re old-fashioned, but let’s not be sexist.”

Was the man deliberately being obtuse, or did he really have no idea?

Alana stared at Karkov. “When I got in touch, I assumed your guy, gal, donkey, go-between, or whatever told you how.”

Karkov waved dismissively. “Oh, that. No, I just have my guys take care of everything. I don’t trouble with the details.”

“Wow, that makes me feel so special. I guess you just tore that IOU off a mile-high stack and promptly forgot about it. I tell you what, maybe next time I’ll help jog your memory. How about I kill all your employees, then come knocking? Guys, gals, donkeys, all dead. No secretary left to screen your calls, no sniveling intern to wipe your ass.”

“Would you, please? I’d save a ton on pensions.”

“So, let me get this straight. Mister cautious is too high-powered to sweat the details, and just trusted his ‘guys’ when they said I wanted to meet with him. What if it was a trap? If I worked for you, I’d want to kill you after the first five minutes. Heck, I don’t work for you and already feel that way.”

Karkov grinned. “Think you can get the job done? Why would I fear a trap?”

Alana put her head in her hands. “Why is it always so damned hard?”

Karkov gave her an affectionate pat on the head. “Because you like it that way.” He withdrew his hand in response to her scowl. “But I am interested: why do you imagine that I would be afraid of a trap? You should know better.”

She sat up, her scowl unabated. “Oh, I don’t know — whatever ‘reasons’ made you refuse to see me last time. You know, when you were begging me for a favor.”

“I don’t recall any begging. Well, not from me. I do recall some begging from you. A great deal of it, if my memory does not betray me.”

“I can’t think of anything that wouldn’t betray you, given the opportunity.”

Karkov studied her face. “That’s good to know.” He smiled again. “Admittedly, that was a while back. Water under the bridge, so to speak.” Before she could object, he added, “As for that other thing, there were good reasons. Reasons which still exist, and despite which I am here speaking with you now.”

“Don’t be a turd,” Alana snapped. “You owe me.”

“I’ll have my accountant cut a check.”

“Is it because of her?” she asked.

“Who?”

“Her. Rin.”

“Oh,” Karkov laughed while stirring his drink. “Yeah, our little Rin, as she now calls herself.” He looked at Alana. “Has my darling little rose been giving you trouble?”

For reasons she could not entirely explain, this angered Alana more than anything he had said so far.

“She was mine long before she was yours, pal,” she grumbled. Even as they emerged, the words sounded childish and petty to her.

Karkov offered an indulgent grin. “Yes, and now she’s neither. I assume she wants to kill you, or whatever the next best thing is? Something dreadfully unpleasant, I’m sure.”

“It’s related,” Alana began, barely able to purge the irritation from her voice. The man’s calm superiority always grated on her, but today he was particularly infuriating. She collected herself, and her voice softened. “Aren’t you worried about her?”

“I’m pretty sure she can take care of herself,” Karkov replied.

“No, of what she’ll do to you.”

He shrugged and smiled. “She’ll find me when she finds me. You’re probably on the chopping block first. For some inscrutable reason, I think she’s saving me for last.”

“I guess that’s a measure of how important you are. You’re the smallest threat to her.”

“Or maybe I’m the final boss, untouchable until she’s worked her way through the rabble.”

Alana gave a light laugh. “Don’t flatter yourself. That’s not what she told me.”

“And what exactly did she tell you?”

“You’re sandwiched between a fat obsequious Four and a mentally impaired Two, neither of whose names she even remembers. She said she would deal with you when she has a spare moment.”

“Sounds like quite the delightful threesome, but I’d rather be sandwiched between you and her.”

Alana smiled. “Not likely. You’re far beneath both of us.”

“That’s not what the numbers say.”

“Numbers aren’t everything. Only a fool places his faith in numbers.”

Karkov grew serious. “But I am curious: what did she really say?”

“Not so fast. I got in touch because I wanted information. You and I, we are not … friends.” Alana emphasized this last word.

Karkov seemed surprised, almost hurt. “I guess I was flattering myself. I imagined we had become something akin to friends. I certainly think of you as one, especially after what you did for me.”

“You don’t act that way.” Alana’s voice softened. “To be fair, it wasn’t entirely altruistic. There was a useful quid pro quo.” She smiled. “But you still owe me.”

“No doubt. I imagine that idiot brother of yours requires quite a bit of quid pro quo-ing.”

Alana shot him a fierce look. “I’d thank you not to speak of him that way.”

Karkov regarded her for a moment. “I’d rather not speak of him at all. But I am surprised you view me as an enemy.”

“Not an enemy,” Alana corrected. “Just a necessary evil.”

Karkov smiled. “That’s something, I suppose. I’d rather be a necessary evil than an unnecessary good.”