MINERVA

‘’Pleasure district,’’ Mammon repeated as I informed him where we would go. Of course, I said nothing about Ghost. I already knew nothing about the messenger and I only spoke to the rest about it because they were pushing me to answer where I could find every information.

His office was a mess as usual but judging from his shaking handwriting, business was getting worse. And as usual, he did not speak to me. I should have brought Nezha with me or Mara.

‘’You want to go to the pleasure district for information…’’His brow arched but his eyes did not even try to look at me.

‘’I won’t be alone’’I cleared.’’Arsu and Mara-’’

‘’Absolutely not.’’His hands slammed on the desk and now his almost white eyes looked up at me. Was that supposed to scare me?

‘’So we shouldn’t look out for your errand.’’I almost let out a wry smile.

Mammon’s brow twitched.

‘’You know.’’I looked up.’’My father always complained about someone who was such a coward to let his business and work grow’’I made a long pause.’’Was that you?’’

‘’You think this childish mocking will make me let you and the rest go somewhere where I won’t have eyes on you?’’

I think that you do not care what I say or who my father was before you took me in.

I wish I could say it but my eyes scanned the papers.’’I think that you care about your business far more than a few errand children.’’ I admitted.

Just like that, Mammon relaxed his shoulders.’’Do not make trouble.’’He rasped, moving his fingers near his brow.

I knocked on the door from my room, expecting Mara to be asleep with her back against the entrance. Though the idea of opening it and pushing her away, jumping like a wet cat did not seem bad in my mind.

‘’We will go in a few minutes,’’I announced to her.

I could listen to her mumbling a ‘sure’ and then remaining silent.

My eyes flickered.’’I did not snitch. You know that right?’’

‘’I know’’Her voice became louder as she opened the door. Her hair was in a perfect tight braid with dark ribbons and a pin to hold them tight. Her face was naked, exposing her monstrous scar.

Her fingertips were smudged with coal and as I could see right behind her she had more paper with those portraits of people having happy expressions. There were not enough details on their faces except for their wide grins. Such a weird thing for her to draw as usual.

‘’Did you speak to Mammon?’’She asked.

‘’Yes, he said to be careful, not to make trouble’’I stopped talking and narrowed on her.’’Now that I am thinking about it you must come’’I grin.

Making a mess for Mammon was something to gain his attention. And for him to gain a furious expression which both me and Mara would enjoy.

Her brow arched and then let out a smile, curling her scar back on her cheeks.’’ Fine.’’

+++

The only one who was happy to be on the red road was Arsu. Watching the girls dancing from the balconies of the buildings with almost no fabric for the people to have no imagination behind the figures they are admiring. The scent of mana stormed to my nose. Usually, I like it but with the mix of other chemicals and releases from people all around it made me wanna vomit on the ground as we were walking. Especially from the sounds, the moaning, the screams that made Mara cover her ears. Even in the streets, women and men were trying to lure more customers inside each building. With a smile, with a handshake, with a wink with a kiss. People were easily pleased with the area of forsaken. And yet when they got that pleasure they wanted more. If you are not driven by greed you cannot survive. And if you cannot control it, you will lose your life.

It was better for Nezha to not be there. I knew that he would prefer to go to the center and Pete seemed to be easily distracted. But Arsu was already distracted by the red lights and the heavy makeup of the women on the balconies and Mara…

She was quiet. Since the moment she woke up from her pretentious sleep she was quiet.

‘’Are you sure Ghost said to come here?’’She finally asked.

I shook my head and watched the clock tower from above. Twenty minutes before closing.

I searched everywhere for any clue. They were men from each of the establishments Eevm from the Fourth circle, from the Garden, and from…They were six men of Ars Goetia.

My eyes faced up to an abandoned building and tapped Mara’s arm. She faced me and she turned to the men where I jerked my head. Owl masks, fake feathers to cover their iron collars, and pride in their eyes.

Twenty minutes later no soul was on the streets when the clock struck.

And we were at the top of the building, ready for any mysterious monster to come and kidnap anyone.

My mind returned to the men of Stolas. They were smoking, drinking, and chattering with one of the workers. She seemed to be young. Too young for working for pleasuring people and far too conventionally pretty. But still.

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‘’This is pointless’’Mara grunted and leaned back, making her body fall to the dirty floor, eyes on the veil.

‘’You find everything pointless.’’ Arsu laughed bitterly.

I tried to ignore them as they started muttering and my eyes fell on the empty roads and slight moaning sounds. Nezha wouldn’t want to be there…I don’t…

Stolas’ men still haunted my mind. They were just snickering and they were.

My hands slipped on the collar that Mammon offered me. I think that I was the only one who had an offer on that.

A chance. Maybe it was because he did not like me. Nezha and Mara were his favorites. Nezha to play with, Mara to hurt, to let his anger out on her.

He found my ways of making chemicals interesting. He said that such a dead thing like you shouldn't be wasted on the plain streets.

A clicking sound appeared behind us. I didn’t look back as I faced down my bag, taking two sharp copper needles out of it.

Mara drew out her small pocket knife and Arsu his pistol.

The footsteps were heavy, multiple. Eight, Mara counted for me. Eight people.

Steps kept approaching with heavy breathing. Missteps. Drunk. Or arrogant.

‘’What do we have here?’’A man snickered. His voice was heavy, lousy. Surely he was drunk.

I held my breath. Arsu gritted his teeth and Mara was…Well. Mara was being Mara.

Hiding my needles fast as I turned back, I found that two of them were wearing leather clothes with a shade of green and the others had heavy brown fabrics all around them. But not Owls. Maybe it was a wrong hunch.

‘’Two pretty girls’’Another one licked his tongue and his eyes fell on Arsu. ‘’You mind if we take them a while.’’

My stomach began to get tied to a knot.

The man’s eyes paid attention to my neck and helm. As fast as I could I moved my free hand around it so I could hide it but it was far too late.

‘’Oh, servants from Mammon’s place’’He laughed lousy. ‘’You boss stole a lot of money from me.’’

‘’You actually lost them in cards’’Mara replied and the man’s attention fell to her.’’He lies to you now?’’Another laugh broke.

I looked at her, pressed my lips on a thin line, and wished I could believe in the Spirits so they could come from the sky and smack Mara to her senses.

‘’Where are you from ?’’She asked later.

The man took few steps closer.’’We are free men girl.’’He explained with a drunk smile.’’Far more free than you at least.’’

‘’Mara?’’I panted.

‘’He says the truth’’ Mara whispered but now it was pointless with the men approaching closer to us.

Stupid as Arsu was, he stood on his two feet, pointing at his pistol.

The men laughed and out of their coats, they took out theirs. I checked the materials as soon as I could realize that they were military. Faster than our guns.

‘’Where did you find them?’’ I asked.

‘’In a drench, near a drunk foolish kid. Are you interested? Why don’t you come to take a better look?’’The drunk man asked

‘’Lie’’ Mara whispered.’’Stolas’ property’’She explained later.

I narrowed, thinking of a better plan.

But Arsu drew a bullet, hitting a man’s arm. Two men hit him and started screaming to the ground.

I stood up, sighing heavily.

‘’Wait,’’ I said as Mara drew her dagger once more, now walking at their side. A man aimed the pistol at her head and laughed bitterly.

‘’Now, pretty girl,’’The drunk man sighed, making himself look like the leader of the crowd.’’We don’t need more blood don’t we?’’

People with remaining lust existed all the time. Drunk foolish. They would take everything that was walking. That is what Nezha told me.

Four men moved on my side and I tried to make sure I could get out my needles fast.

Mara tried to fight as the other four grabbed her limbs and pinned her down. I bit my words.

‘’Stop’’

She faced me with a pant as they took her helm out with greeting laughter.

The other men pulled mine out and smiled as their hands found my fabric. I took every fear, every possible outcome out of my mind except one. They loved fear. They feasted upon it. I wouldn’t let them have it.

‘’She is hideous.’’One of the men that was holding Mara said. Everyone turned to him, facing her deep scar. Everyone’s attention is on her.

‘’Well, we can cover her face then.’’ The leader suggested.

And now my needles free on my hands, moving to the skin of the men.

Two seconds before passing out. I have tasted them enough on me, I knew they would work.

My heart started skipping as I kept listening to the shouting of pain with the blood dripping from their skin.

‘’What did you do?’’The man that was holding Mara from her hands now moved on my side, letting her and the dagger out of control.

‘’Judge.’’

She didn’t need any more words. She was probably good at two things. Detect lies. And whatever she touches she could destroy.

The blood of these men fell on the floor with her knife and my needles as we both tried to fight them off. Now, half dead and passed out their eyes had no greed left. Only despair.

I took a deep breath. Ghost lied to me. He lied to me. They were probably his men.

Was this what Nezha…

My stomach started messing up with the need to throw up. The scent of the drug now fell on my skin, making even my head dizzy but Arsu. I moved on his side as he kept bleeding.

‘’I am fine’’He said. Mara told me that he lied. She was silent as she looked around left and right, almost frightened.

‘’What’s wrong now?’’I narrowed.

And a click. And a click.

We faced down to the doors of the building where two women from each house were getting out half naked with a piece of paper on their hands and a face of empty darkness to wear. A heavy white smoke appeared, letting out a heavy scent. Heavier than any drug that I have tasted, smelled, or smoked. And then, the screams started happening. Screams so loud that made Mara fall to the ground, covering her ears. Not a few seconds later, the smoke moved higher to our side and more footsteps came to us. But there was something else. The screams did not feel human.

‘’I have to…’’Arsu tried to stand up but he failed. I pushed him down fast.

‘’It will be alright.’’’I lied and felt my head turning more dizzy. Images flashed in my eyes. Ao Bing. His white hair, his cold eyes facing me as if I had done something wrong. He always told me that I did something. But never wrong. As always his favorite was Nezha. Maybe everyone did love him. The smoke made my eyes water and my ears played tricks on me.

Stop digging Owl. Or you will end up like the girls from down below.

I rushed away fast, trying to think of anything. Mara’s screams did not help. I cut out from the smoke, taking a deep breath, feeling my heavy head losing weight. My eyes now noticed that all the girls who were once on the streets had vanished with one piece of paper remaining on the floor.

Nezha. It was my first thought. Hope you have better luck than us.