“I thought you wouldn’t be telling me what I already know,” he mocked and moved on, “Doesn’t that make things simpler for you? Go forth, bring me the heads of my enemies.”

  Right. This jerk still mistakenly thought I was of the Order. I had also admitted as much under duress. Was that the entire reason he bothered with this whole arrangement? Better not contradict that now.

  “I faintly recall you declining that offer with a bone saw,” I attempted to tone down the unreasonable expectations. I was no assassin on best of days. I’ve left before I could finish that branch of education.

  “Your preposition reached me somewhat late. I was getting chewed out about some property damages at the time.”

  “Yeh, rite.”

  “The car.”

  Okay, yeah, a wrecked vehicle should have garnered some attention. Resource scarcity made destruction of electronics and machinery a national matter. Somebody as wealthy as him might not realise, but to common folk any gadget was an heirloom.

  I was glad this vicious yob got reprimanded for once – especially since I was the one at fault there.

  Regardless, these were some shocking news. Although everyone laboured to organically climb the ranks, it was still baffling some senior officer actually dared to slap a potential general on the wrist. Whoever it was, it was nice never knowing them. Brave soul.

  At the same time, something didn’t up.

  “Yuh knew where I’m from b-before yuh c-c-cut off my arm.” And decided to expunge it with vengeance anyway.

  The politician-in-making grinned savagely; the answer came delayed. Maybe simply because I spoke too softly.

  “That’s before you’ve promised yourself to me… so wholeheartedly.”

  Was that really all it took? Begging? He hadn’t been swayed by that before.

  I tapped the device apprehensively. I wanted to ask. About this, and about the other things. Why only two soldiers were guarding? Why was I kept awake? Why hadn’t he rained down various calamities in my path? During and afterwards. Everything could have been so much harder.

  I could not utter any of that. Far too easy to twist coincidence into a convenient story.

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  Alas, still things to settle. I came up to the bars and the patiently waiting predator on the other side. Was done making all that awful noise. This man humiliated me enough for one day.

  “At what c-cap-pacity am I pursued?”

  Man’s deep-set stare lit up with glee when he caught up. “You mean, by the law?”

  Nodded.

  “You’re not.”

  I scowled, smelling bullshit like it was being smeared all over my face. No way the grid disruption and the bogus charges have been forgotten.

  Raktkalis went on in that low, grating tone, “I apprehended the culprit. It’s a pity you never came to see how, exactly. I made quite the showing.” The bloodbath at the mall. I was right to think I’ve been expected there. Still, the statement didn’t fully track. He must have read my confusion and added, “Nobody knew how you look.”

  I pointed at the man, indicating that elusive nobody who shamelessly squealed pure facts.

  Raktkalis dismissed the accusation with an offhanded slash of his blade as he spoke, “I didn’t have enough manpower, so took it to my CO. That’s not about to repeat.”

  Pale man absentmindedly flipped his new short sword into the air. It wasn’t yet flawless. I took joy in that. Silently.

  “As a data broker, you should really be more aware of these things. They’re in the news.”

  If the news were worth anything, I’d have no business. This also sounded awful lot like I failed to spring another snare. He wanted me to feel emboldened and safe. I smirked, dragging a finger down my cheek in a tear’s path.

  If he was to be believed, the law wasn’t after me – but someone still was on the lookout.

  Chewed on my lip thoughtfully, before whispering into the leaden, stifling basement air, “Loh-rd Rak-k-kt-tkalis. If yuh want those d-details. I need t-toh t-travel unimpeded.”

  Warlord’s blade stopped its motion. I was just out of reach, and yet an urge to step backwards was as intense as his stare. Even after all this copious deliberating, I felt I could be killed as easily as that chittering roach in the brick.

  Man-sized monster grinned with his teeth as if sensing that fear.

  “Haven’t you already been doing that?” nobleman probed. Future ruler wanted answers, but he had already delved far too deep in those dark waters. I couldn’t drown the pest, but I wasn’t about to assist him either.

  “It’s not fast,” I mouthed carefully.

  Tip of the blade reached for my throat. It was still some ways off, but my chin followed the upward motion anyway. Our eyes met.

  “You shan’t be impeded by me.”

  Promising, but I needed to be certain. Better here, in a controlled environment, than the station. I stepped forward. Not a lot, just enough to lose a nose. Detrimental to my craft, but not lethal. I needed to see what he’ll do with me within his grasp. After biting.

  Manic eyes watched the blade’s point touch my skin, slowly squinting in pure delight.

  “You know, I really liked my previous dagger.”

  It was my turn to narrow my gaze. Muttered, “I was ext-t-t-tremely attached to my arm.”

  The bloodthirsty lord bared teeth in glee. Sheathed his blade, deliberately crossing arms after. Invitation – a dare, really – to step even nearer. He read my intention perfectly.

  I had no doubt he could draw weapon before I’d even notice. What a deceptive acquiescence. Was this highborn even capable of submission? Complete dismissal of his commanding officers suggested a negative.

  Muttering curses under my breath, gripped the chewed up arm to keep the flesh-ripper at bay and braved ahead.

  Raktkalis didn’t lunge at me, nor did my point of view drastically change to observe the lapsed ceiling. Thoughtful soldier remained still. The arm was fighting to break free and most of my attention trickled towards keeping it at bay.

  Having gotten my answer, I made a move to step back.

  A hardy, calloused palm clasped around my neck. I had time to get startled only after the fact. Not my alien limb, though. It properly rested on Raktkalis’s throat. Part of the armour impeded a deeper advance. My concentration to keep him alive skyrocketed to unknown heights.

  Maniacal grin did not encourage a continued effort. He enjoyed this. It was painfully clear he could have prevented this retaliation.

  Having given this realisation just enough time to blossom, unpredictable man shoved me away, saying, “You really ought to have that checked out.”

  I would, without him telling. Somehow.

  “Anything else, broker?” the bloodied lips asked, subtly reminding – the lord had an unreasonable amount of matters to attend to, even on a normal day. City must be in uproar after a failed assassination. Yet, he’s invested that time here.

  I shook my head. Devious officer gave me a mock salute and stalked out. Why did the walking dead look like he was having fun?

  And why did that suit him so much?