“Fact is that whatever Spike told you is bullshit,” Leah said. “I didn’t steal from him. The human was my Hunt. So I purged him and his crew, just like you would’ve done.”
He waved a hand. “Spare me the spin. It happened, and that’s that. The important part is what came next. You got yourself the only living human in your possession, and then you came to me to see what I’d offer for him.”
She nodded.
“So this brings us where we are now. You want a deal? Let’s dance. For starters, we’ll talk about you. Why should I do anything other than off you?”
“You think I wouldn’t have taken precautions?” Leah snapped. “My crew has the human in their possession, and if anything happens to me, they’ll leak the news of his survival for all of Pandemonium to see. They’ll distribute pics, set him up with Mother, put his nasally, human voice on the radio if they have to. How long do you think it’ll be before a mob tears through these walls?”
She grinned. “That’s what this is about, isn’t it? Your own power? The fact that you didn’t throw a contract on me the second you learned what happened means that you want this whole thing kept under wraps. Well, there’s only one way out of it, Hades. Make my fucking day or it’ll be the end of yours.”
Hades clutched his plastic scepter a beat tighter. Cracks started to form on the hilt. “All this time, and all the hard shit that you and I have been through together, and you go straight to blackmail? Is that how it’s gonna be?”
No, I just want to see you squirm. Leah hardened. “That’s how it’s gonna be.”
Hades said nothing for a time. He only went back to pacing his throne room, silently grinding his teeth as his crimson gaze searched to and fro. Leah stayed still, keeping her own face blank. There could be nothing worse for her now than showing weakness.
Suddenly, Hades turned on his heels and gleamed. “Gotta say, Leah, this might be the hottest thing you’ve ever done. You’re lucky my balls don’t work or I’d take you right now.”
“Can’t always get what we want.”
“You might.” He ran his thumb along cracked lips. “I’m thinking it’s time we bump this partnership up another level. Full access to Elysium for you. Whatever drugs you want, whatever event you’d like to attend. Hell, I’ll give you a floor in a building of your choice to do whatever the fuck you want, with however many goons you need. No more waiting in line for you.”
About what she was expecting. “Seems fair.”
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“Oh, I’m not done. Not even close. You’ll also be a co-owner of Elysium, and take a cut of the pics coming in. Maybe twenty-five percent? That’d still be tens of thousands a day. There’s also my lines to the distros. Could easily siphon off an endless supply of food, both body and mind. That’s all before the library, of course. You can go in there whenever the fuck you want, no questions asked. And before you ask, this offer extends for… Well, let’s not be gauche and say ‘life’, but basically that. Until we both turn to dust, that’ll be how long you get to enjoy the freebees.” He sat back in his throne. “So how’s that feel for size?”
Leah’s eyes bulged as the proposition sank in. This was unprecedented. It was the kind of gratuity that Hades collected for himself, minus the burdens. She’d never have to face a hollow again, or Hunt a renegade rezzer, or feel her own Rez drain. No longer would she be subjected to the anchor of struggle. Her survival would be all but guaranteed!
Hades leaned forward. Shadow shrouded his shriveled face as he read her mind. “Of course, now it’s time for you to make concessions to me. You want this kinda deal, you’ve gotta tell me who else knows, and I mean everyone.”
The words came before she could consider them. “My crew. Mastermind, Kurt, Buttercup. I also went to Mother before you.”
He laughed. “Of course you fucking did. What she promise? A cure?”
“Yes.”
“More of her usual bullshit then. Best forget about her.”
“There’s also Spike,” Leah said.
“Not anymore. Couple hollows took a chunk out of his head.” He shrugged. “Oh well, accidents happen.”
She grimaced. “Is that the end-game here? Kill everyone else who knows?”
“Don’t look so surprised. Mother gets to stay. Still need her. But your friends? They’re a loose end I can’t have.”
“They’re solid. They’d never tell any–”
“Psht. We’re past negotiations, Leah. I’ve already done the wining and dining, so now we’re onto the part where I get to fuck you. I don’t care how it gets done, so long as they’re dead. Anyone and everyone who so much as laid their eyes on the living fucker, you have full extrajudicial rights to bury them. And as for him? I want my burger. That shit’s happening now.”
He leaned back. “So what’ll it be, Leah? Go to war with yours truly, or cash in your chips and sell the fuck out?”
Up until this moment, Leah had known for certain. The plan had been simple. Go to Hades, listen to what he had to say, and lie through her teeth. Delivering Liam Fenix’s head wasn’t half as important as the perception that he was dead, and so long as Leah could straddle both camps, she could get everything she wanted. Mother would have her research conducted in secret, and Hades would leave her alone.
But this was different. Hades wasn’t just offering to make her days easier. He was guaranteeing her survival as a foregone conclusion. After so much time and so much struggling, why shouldn’t she get the easy ride? Leah was so, so desperately tired of the fight. Didn’t she deserve to retire from the oppression altogether?
It would hurt. To turn on her crew like that would be a tough pill to swallow. Adding their names to her list of fallen allies would burn her from the inside out, and she would never forgive herself for treating their loyalty with malice.
But she could do it. Leah didn’t want her story to end. She didn’t want to die. If that meant dirtying her hands in one final act, then that was but a small price to pay. What was the future of others when she had her own to consider?
She held out her hand. “Deal.”
Leah would survive, no matter the cost.