“Mommy?” Bene’s voice sounded from the living room where Jason and Lanthe were cuddling on the couch while Leukas and the kids were playing a noisy game of monopoly, after a big meal. Atlas had headed to his house with Kristin and Max to spend some private time with his family, which was understandable since they hadn’t had time to do that since they arrived and it was obvious how much Atlas adored both of them. I was finishing up with the clean-up in the kitchen, a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness thrumming through my body after the sunny, laughter-filled day I’d just enjoyed with the people who had become family.
“Yes my love.” Lanthe replied, opening her arms to her son who ran from where he had been watching cartoons and leapt into her arms, cuddling with his parents.
“Ice-cream! Daddy said you’d come and get me ice-cream from Mister Peter after lunch. It’s after lunch now!” he said excitedly, staring at his mother with hopeful, adorable eyes.
“Did he now?” Lanthe murmured while glaring at his husband who gave him an innocent look as he kissed their son and then her. “Fine. Who else wants ice-cream?” she asked standing from the couch. All the kids wanted ice-cream so, with Leukas’ help, Lanthe wrangled everyone and after I declined the offer for one to, led the whole gang to the garage. Then only Jason and I remained in the house and I didn’t know how to feel about that but I had a feeling he had somewhat orchestrated whatever this was. I was proven right when he turned to me, his expression frustratingly blank.
“Come let’s talk. I have a proposal for you.” He said motioning me towards the downstairs study. I saw no other choice than to follow him.
The study that Jason led me to was the same one Leukas had brought me into the previous day and I couldn’t help but stare at the leather couch across the room, shivering when I remembered the feeling of healing, and vitality, and darkness slithering everywhere within my body, every touch of the phantom parts of Leukas knitting every one of my wounds closed while stroking the flames of need and passion within. I dragged my stare and my mind away from the forbidden thoughts I had no business thinking about and focused instead on the very attractive Jason Hyades.
“Please sit down, Aleksander. I’m having whiskey, would you like a glass?” he asked, heading to the minibar that was at the other end of the room, opposite the couch.
“Yes, please.” I answered, but only so I could get a brief reprieve from the attention of the man who looked both incredibly like Leukas and somewhat different which inspired feelings of both familiarity and wariness within me.
Since I’d arrived I Abattohn, I could count on two fingers the number of times I’d had an actual conversation with Jason outside of greetings and I’d still remain with one or two fingers left. I didn’t take it personally because really we had nothing in common except I was the random girl whom his son had impregnated. There was no basis for a relationship of any sort between us and whatever other reason we may have had to converse was usually through Lanthe. So I had no idea what Jason could ever need or even want from me.
The whiskey that he handed to tome was a deep gold and is slid down my throat in silky heat and a hint of sweetness. It was definitely the best whiskey I’d ever tasted and no doubt the most expensive. Jason, who had taken the seat at the head of the table also took a health gulp of the alcohol before placing the glass on the table and removing a number of files from a drawer. After perusing them for a while, he slid the pile over to me and I simply stared at the pile, confusion undoubtedly etched on my face. Jason took another sip, his eyes staring intently at me before he spoke.
“I’m not sure if you heard about the history of this place before but the short story is that before I took over; when the woman who raised me was in charge, the rich were born rich and died so and the poor lived only to work for the rich with no other option or way out. When I took over I changed as many of the old laws as I could and needless to say; many were grateful and happy with the change but quite a few of the higher class people were not pleased at all and have been trying to challenge my authority and the changes I made ever since. Most of those people still idolize the previous leader, who mysteriously escaped from a high level prison. They consider her a goddess and everything she stands for is religion to them. That means they are greedy, dangerous and will do anything to gain power.” Jason said, his voice even but the tight grip on his glass the only sign of tension on his body. I was familiar with parts of the story he was telling but not all of it. I nodded my head as a sign for him to go on.
“I’m not sure what exactly they were planning; because with their leader escaped from prison I’m sure that whatever plan has been in motion all this time is ready for fruition. Unfortunately, the fact that I’ve practically forfeited the throne so suddenly and have to leave just made everything easier for them. Last night confirmed my fears; they are planning to kill Atlas.”
I sat up at that. I had suspected that someone wanted to sully Atlas’ name or possibly tarnish his reputation. I never imagined an entire cult of supernatural beings was actually conspiring his demise. “But how would his death help their cause? Wouldn’t Leukas simply take over then, if something where to happen to Atlas?” I asked.
An emotion I couldn’t recognize passed through his face before it became blank once again. “Leukas forfeited his birthright and any chance of him being alpha when he left and Atlas became regent instead of him. And the laws were somehow changed to ensure that no female could become Alpha, so that rules the rest of my bloodline out save for your son who is only eight and Bene who is three. So if no one from the ruling family is suitable to be Alpha, there is an official and public run for alpha by the politicians and anyone who is confident. Sullying Atlas’ name and labelling him as dangerous and unhinged would ensure a death sentence for him and that we can’t appeal anything and our family loses face in the public. It would certainly make it harder to ever get the leadership back to our family line, as it should be.” He finished before pushing the stack of envelopes further.
“Yesterday was their best chance to attack because once Leukas joins the supernatural council as Alpha, he will be untouchable, so I’m thinking that yesterday’s attack was timed before Atlas is officially sworn in. The council decided to put him on probation right now because of how short notice my leaving is, and he will be sworn in in a two months’ time. Before that happens, Atlas is not safe here and we are unsure of who we can trust when we leave here. That’s where you come in.” Jason looked at me as I digested his words, my mind running over the number of directions this conversation could be headed.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“The files in front of you contain names, personal details and possible motives of all the suspects I have; people who have given me or my sources reason to believe they are involved in this cult movement. You will notice that it’s most of the wealthy class in Abattohn; the kind with the generational wealth. What I want from you, Aleksander, is to protect my so for this coming month because I am certain there will be another attempt on his life.” He said, leaning against his leather chair.
I eyed the pile of files. “But what about Karla? I thought she was his…enforcer and right hand woman. isn’t this her job?” I enquired curiously, trying to extinguish the flare of interest and excitement at the possible assignment. An assignment that was right up my alley.
“Thing is; I don’t trust her or anyone else here. Everyone has a prize.” He said, eyeing me pointedly.
“And you trust me?” I couldn’t help asking. It was quite strange that he could distrust this girl who had apparently been Atlas’ friend since they were kids, in my favor.
“I trust the differences between you two. Karla is an orphan and she’s single; no kids either. That means she has nothing to lose. You once had nothing to lose once, Aleksander. Didn’t you do a lot of stupid things then?” he asked, his eyes glinting with something dangerous that lurked within. I had no answer for his question. “Besides, most of Abattohn politics mean anything to you.”
“I need you to find as many people who are involved in this cult, kill as many of them as you can and make sure they turn on each other like the filthy dogs they are. What I’m asking of you isn’t legal because such things are usually reported and dealt with according to the law, but I’m not feeling so dangerous. I want you, with Malarkee’s help, to take down as many of these dogs as you can, make sure that no one suspects you and trust no one save for Malarkee and Hunter Cross. And under no circumstances should anyone else find out from you what you’re doing, not, especially, Leukas. Only until Atlas is in seat. Then I’ll take it from there.”
My skin was buzzing with curiosity at the specification of Leukas’ exclusion from the whole ordeal but on the other hand I felt excitement, excitement that I tried to subdue when I looked at my father in law. Killing the bastards who were trying to hurt Leukas’ twin who also happened to be my friend and an uncle to kids? Hell yeah. “What’s in it for me?” I asked as casually as I could, lifting my eyes to meet his.
Jason’s face was blank but his eyes smirked in a familiar way. “I clear your name and you become a free woman.” he said confidently.
My heart skipped a beat at his words. He couldn’t mean… “What?” I croaked out.
“You and I know that sooner or later someone from your past will come across you and word will spread that you, the girl who has evaded so many people, practically waltzing out of the mafia with many people’s secrets and some grudges, are alive and there will be a prize on you head. Of course when you go back home you could continue hiding out and disguising yourself every time you step out of the house, but think about freedom to walk down the streets and go to school functions without fear. I can give that to you. If you agree to this, I go out there and spread the word that you have my Seal.” He said almost dismissively, as if what he was offering to do for me was easy. Had it been anyone else I would have laughed in his face. It was simply not done. No one could have the power over that many people, because everyone in the mafia lifestyle was gunning for me; some in order to make an example of me, some with grudges and some simply because of the ridiculous amount of money that had been placed on my head, either by Alexei or by Ludwik. I shouldn’t have even considered the offer but then….
When I was fourteen years old and had just been inserted into the business as one of Ludwik’s ‘soldiers’, a big LGBTQA establishment had begun operating in a building that had once been the biggest night club in the neighborhood. As soon as he and some of his associates caught wind of the establishments and its operations, Ludwik had been enraged and perplexed by the absolute audacity because not only was the establishment so proud and loud, which was almost unheard of in Russia at that time, but everyone knew that Ludwik Brigadier ran the streets of Thornton Valley and any kind of establishment had to have his unofficial permission before erecting, and there was no way he would allow such an establishment in ‘his’ town. I knew that Ludwik didn’t actually care about sexuality and about what anyone did as long as he benefited, but his rich businessman did care about such things so he acted like he did too.
The elite of Thornton Valley, all of whom had been associates of Ludwik had voiced their concerns to their ‘leader’, wondering how such an establishment had come to be without his knowledge and permission because in no town, the club had become the go-to place and the LGBTQA individuals from neighboring towns were trickling into Thornton every night. ‘A den of depravity’, the associates would call the place with disgusted sneers on their faces.
So Ludwik, in a bid to gain more favor with the community and to assert his dominance on the owners who'd dared come into his town and did as they pleased without his permission, had rallied up all of his soldiers and we had ominously pulled up at the surprisingly fancy club and had made our way to burst in through the doors. The owners had apparently been expecting Ludwik for a while, and the owner came to meet us at the door. I had never seen a man like him and due to my limited human interaction and Ludwik's genuine lack of interest on the issue, I had no idea about the various sexualities and had as little clue what the entire lgbtqa ordeal was actually about. Regardless of my ignorance, I had known that the short man with blue hair; who was wearing a pink skirt, a cropped top that showed off his abdomen, black boots and a pink lipstick was unusual and I could see a lot of the bad men my father worked with, having a problem with him. But he was confident and amused when Ludwik introduced himself and glanced sharply around the club. He didn’t look entirely worried when Ludwik addressed the ‘concerns’ of his friends and he wasn’t particularly fazed when Ludwik's threats became less subtle. All he did was ask to talk to Ludwik in private, and when we left, Ludwik was as pale as a ghost and visibly shaken with an underlying pissed. He had ignored all his ‘soldiers’ curious stares and my bolder questioning of our hasty retreat.
I first heard Jason Hyades name when Ludwik called up a meeting later that night and informed all the associates that apparently anyone who interrupted the owners or the customers or the running whatsoever of the particular business would have to answer to some man named Jason Hyades. The business and the owners and anyone who stepped foot in that club was automatically under the ‘Seal', and something about that word and the name Jason Hyades had scared and silenced all the individuals in the room, and from what I’d head, the club didn't get any more trouble from the town and it went on to become one of the biggest establishments in Russia.
I had been intrigued by the mysterious man who apparently got Ludwik and all his powerful, egocentric and narcissistic friends to back down so fast and with no money involved. So I asked around. Jason Hyades was apparently a ghost whose support and signature decided your fate, both legally and illegally. I had no idea how anyone could achieve such power and fear without any powerful backing, but he did. And when I eventually connected him to Leukas, it made my choice of running and hiding from him that much stronger. A man like Jason could take my children and my entire world without even showing his face.