Hell, p.35
Hell, page 35
“Perfect. The plan does not change. We go ahead with symposium tomorrow.”
Tat could take no more, she’d heard enough. Her will to help Maria abandoned, no longer caring if she was discovered, she sprang up, racing back down the tunnel. Scrambling up and out of the hole, closely followed by the sound of pursuit. Back in the main chamber, she threw herself against the heavy door with all the strength her slight frame could muster. It would not budge. Thrusting at it in dismay, trying in vain to summon her powers, she struggled to understand how she could threaten the safety of the entire world yet be defeated by a door? It was too late, Yurgis crawled out of the hole, confronting her, crowbar in hand.
A smile twisted his thin lips as their eyes met.
“Caught in trap like rat, yes? I thought you might be foolish enough to follow...” He swung the steel bar in a deadly arc. She attempted to dodge, but he anticipated her movements, striking her a direct blow on the temple.
The world went dark.
Chapter Fifteen:
Symposium
“So, no more secrets, yes? All cards are on table.”
Tat refused to acknowledge him in any way. She was sure there were still many more secrets between them.
“Oh, silent treatment, you were always good at that, dear Daughter.”
“Don’t call me that!” She shouted, wincing as her brain throbbed.
Still refusing to look him in the eye, instead she concentrated her attention on the countryside blazing past the train window, eyes failing to focus on anything. It gave her a feeling of being out of control, like a desperate recklessness threatened to consume her. The blow she’d received the night before had done some serious damage, muddling her thoughts, clouding her vision and causing her ears to ring; it made her nauseous.
“Come now Tatiana, I am the only father you have ever known. I protected you, provided for you, made sure you wanted for nothing.”
“Nothing except a life with loving parents who weren’t trying to dominate and devour me.”
Tightly bound at the wrists and ankles, arms behind her back, she lay prostrate on the bench seat. Thirty minutes out from Oxford, barreling headlong toward whatever twisted destiny masterminded by this devil who continued to call himself her father. Revelations of the night before, festering in her mind, more wounds that would never heal.
“Where’s Maria?” She demanded.
“Maria’s part in play is over. I have other tasks for her to perform. It’s you and me Tatiana, like always been. Time drawing near when you will repay all kindness I have shown.”
“Kindness?!” Choking on the word as if it were a curse.
She’d always been incapable of speaking back to Yurgis. An insurmountable mental block prevented her from protecting herself with words. But now, in the damaged, simplistic clarity of her concussed state, consequences lost all meaning. He would never destroy her, he needed her. That was all the assurance she needed to finally find her voice...
“You are the blackest scum ever to bubble forth from the gates of hell. A rotten sickness that topples godly empires. A wretched, vile worm tunneling through bloody shit. You, sir, are the putrid, infected sore on the ass of a syphilitic whore!”
She’d never used language like this, even in the privacy of her own thoughts; now issuing from her mouth seemingly of its own accord.
“You speak of kindness? What has your kindness wrought except to destroy the soul of a defenseless child. Annihilate her belief in the goodness of humanity, and cast her into a pit of apathy and ruin. You’ve made of me an empty shell, a worthless husk of a person, dreaming only of death. Mark my words Yurgis Stannek, until that death comes, I will expend all my will seeing to it that I repay your kindness in full!”
She wanted to say more, a lot more, but the grinding pressure in her skull compelled her to let it go, lest her head explode. The tirade had taken all her energy, leaving her physically and emotionally drained. All she could do was close her eyes and await the beating she was sure would come...
But, somehow it didn’t. Several minutes passed in tense silence, and when she opened her eyes, what she saw perplexed her. There seemed to be a war taking place within him, as if uncertain about which path to take. By turns, bewildered and malignant, terrified and furious.
Then, in the blink of an eye, it was over. An evil grin pinched the corners of his mouth. “Brave to speak thusly to me. Father you once loved.”
“The man I loved is dead. Now, only you remain.”
“I could destroy you with mere thought.” Danger entering his voice.
“Then do it!” Tat cried, calling his bluff. “End my torment, this pathetic existence in a godless Universe,” growing bold, she went for the one thing that could truly reach him. “The one chance at your precious immortality! Do it! Destroy it! Can’t you see that death is what I want?!”
Her gamble paid off. Yurgis sat back, relaxing, abandoning his burgeoning anger. “Not yet, dear Daughter, your part in this epic farce is just beginning,” He chuckled, a dark, evil sound, finding humor in a hidden joke, unknown to her. “I’m feeling generous, I reward you for honesty and bravery, yes? Ask of me any three questions and I will answer them as truthfully as able. Be warned... you may not like answers.”
Whatever she’d been expecting, this hadn’t been it. Caught completely off guard, it took a second to process what exactly it was he was offering. It had to be a trick. Yurgis always did have a silver tongue, even despite his broken english. This had to be a ploy to manipulate her with more lies. A snort of contempt escaped her, questions already formulating in her groggy brain. What did she want to know? The fate of her parents? How to kill an immortal? Only a fool would ask that.
“I’ll need a moment to think about it.”
“Very well, I have to piss anyway. When I return, have questions ready.” He exited the cabin, locking the door behind him.
Instead of using this time constructively, to think critically on this opportunity she’d been presented, she began to struggle at her bonds in futility. The ropes steadfastly refused to loosen, chafing and bruising as she lay on her side, writhing. As her body thrashed about, frustration mounting, the silver cross about her neck slipped out of her cassock.
It lay on the seat before her eyes, catching the morning light, seeking to remind her of something. Calming down, purposefully growing still, she ceased her bodily protest. A moment later, for perhaps the first time in her life, she sincerely offered a prayer for guidance.
“God, I don’t know if you exist or not, and if you do, it’s clear you care not for the suffering of mere mortals. But… I want to believe. To believe that death is not the end. That we cannot be adrift on an ocean of chaos. That true mercy exists in this heartless world. All about me I strain to see your hand at work, in the blooming of a flower, the changing of the seasons. I don’t know if you can hear me, maybe I’m only talking to myself, but if you’re out there, please, lend me strength. Allow me to rise above my tormentors. Help me deliver them to justice. Then, let this nightmare end... let me die… let me know you...”
Her supplication ended with a long sigh as she formed a final magic word, purported to endow all earnest prayers with divine potency...
“Amen.”
The click-clack of the train, its long, lonesome whistle. Beneath it all, a barely discernible high pitched hum she would sometimes notice in times of silence. It soothed her, the last lingering traces of adrenaline from her outburst, fading away until all was stillness.
Yurgis chose this moment to return. “I see you’re ready to behave in a civilized manner. Have you prepared questions?”
“Who and where are my real parents?”
“Technically that’s two questions, but I allow it. Honestly, I’ve no idea who real parents were. Never met, never saw. As to where, I can tell with absolute certainty that they are long dead. Somewhere in Egypt, if have to guess.”
“Did you kill them?”
“Is that your second question? Because it’s useless one. Never saw them, nor could I have.”
Tat thought a moment before proceeding. While he purported to be truthful in his answers, he was in no mood to elaborate, she had to get to the point. How to get the answer she desired in a single question... “How did I end up in your possession?” Instantly, she regretted her short-sightedness.
Yurgis picked up on this, appearing annoyed. “We stole you from one who acquired you through illicit means, Esion, Dobra, Maria, and I. Then, I was tasked with neutralizing you.”
“Who did you steal me from? Did they know my parents…”
“You stupid girl! Wasting opportunity asking about what cannot help you, no bearing on present situation. I suggest you think little harder on final question.”
Okay, Tat thought, lets see how he handles this.
“How can I harness my abilities?”
Yurgis sighed, looking vaguely disappointed. “Better, but answer will not save you.”
“Tell me!”
He spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. “Everything you are is universal law, like electricity, gravity, all adheres to rules, yes? Law can never be broken. Everything that exists, obeys. Your configuration is result of conscious manipulation of impossibly specific codices that govern Universe. In truth, anyone can do what you do, main difference being you accomplish in moments what normally takes years. Only question of time and Will
“Faculty of magic extremely hard to develop. Is why mass of humanity dismiss as fiction. That coven of whores at Tree merely play at power, far removed from true hierarchy. Takes decades, lifetimes, of precise mental exercise, ritual, intent. Even then, must have blessing of Witness, or all is lost. For you to harness would take years you don’t have, a Will you shall never acquire, I have seen to that. Now is like infant trying to wrestle and subdue wild bear, yes? You only succeeded in waking power at all through freak, wild burst in accordance with Will of Witness.”
Never before had his broken english conveyed such intelligence, such command of complicated concepts. It was a sobering glimpse of what he truly was; a theatrical monster pulling aside the mask to reveal the twisted actor behind the facade.
“What is this witness you speak of?” Tat pleaded, desperate for more information.
“Enough! I answer three questions in honesty, no more. A pity, could have gained real knowledge rather than satisfying morbid curiosity about people long dead, events that never come to pass. Truly wasted experience, yes?”
Tat struggled into a sitting position, sullenly staring out the window, refusing to rise to his baiting again. Knowing she had to conserve her energy for whatever lay ahead. Already she could see the outlying villages surrounding the thriving city that had sprung up in the shadow of the university, pastoral paradise giving way to the unnatural angles of human habitation. They passed the last miles to the city center in silence.
All she could think about was what other questions she should’ve asked. What was in the satchel that Maria had risked her life to place beyond his reach? What was written on the parchment he retrieved from that sarcophagus? Anything about Esion Seldeen…
What do her markings mean?
Thinking back to the portrait that hung in her room, the one she’d assumed was an ancestor, the light of new evidence, illuminating the truth that it must be Esion himself, several centuries younger. What would life be like for an immortal? Having to change your identity every century to protect your secret. How many bloodlines had he sired? How many families had he been forced to abandon? Who could ever want that?
For her it would be a nightmare. To forever guess at the nature of reality from behind the veil of life. It must be different for those with strength sufficient to create their own realities. Powerful enough to crush the realities of others; to those who don’t care how many lives they ruin. If she did succeed in mastering her own abilities, would she end up like that?
At the station, Yurgis untied her on the express condition that she behave herself. As usual, waiting until the last passenger passed before disembarking. The platform was teeming with people. Tat raised her hood to hide from them, the woolen fabric scratchy against her freshly shaven head. In her mind she imagined Tiphareth and Geburah were somewhere nearby, keeping watch for her, planning. Maybe Jack had already seen them and headed off to tell his sister that she’d arrived. It seemed impossible to think that they would simply forget about her, or about Yurgis’ invasion of their sanctuary. There had to be a reckoning.
“Hello, Yannek…”
The familiar voice pierced her back like an arrow, causing her to stiffen involuntarily. Her hand, caught in the swiftly tightening vise of her father’s fist.
“So, fucking alchemist finally shows himself.”
Though her father refused to turn, she couldn’t help but cast a backward glance to catch her first proper glimpse of Severin Laquatus; her appraisal was not kind. Surprisingly short, weak chinned and balding under a respectfully doffed top hat. This was her father’s nemesis? He resembled nothing so much as a chartered accountant. In truth, his only impressive aspect was a dazzling sapphire cape, secured at the throat with an enormous, jeweled brooch. This finery contrasted laughably with a shabby suit and muddy brown shoes.
“Come now Yannek, is that any way to greet an old friend, a business partner?”
“Say what you came to say.” He stiffened at her side, a taut spring of tightly coiled violence, radiating hateful heat. If this slight, unimpressive man wasn’t careful, this could end badly.
As if oblivious to the danger he was in, Severin continued in his dismissively flippant tone, “Why do you despise me so, I’ve never given cause for such disrespect. If anything I should be the one heaping scorn upon you. You, who spoiled my plans, usurped my rightful place in the Seldeen line, defiled and abused the only woman I will ever love.” Despite his cool demeanor, he was growing agitated. He took a moment to visibly marshall his feelings before continuing.
“You have something that belongs to me, that is a well-known fact, but one you may not be aware of is that I possess something you want. Something Esion himself entrusted to me on his deathbed… Something you’ve been looking for...”
This got Yurgis’ attention. He slowly turned to face him, dragging her around by the arm. Severin held the leather satchel by the strap, dangling it before her father like bait to a trap she couldn’t conceive of. Did this fool have any idea who he was dealing with? A look of avarice crept over her father’s face, a flush of greed writ large on his features.
“You realize, I could just kill you and take it,” taking a menacing step forward, seizing the satchel from shaky hands and throwing back the flap. “Is empty, do you take me for fool?!”
“Of course not, even though you seem to assume you’re dealing with one. I would never offer up something so precious without insurance. I have left it in the capable hands of the Aurum Solis compound here in the city. If anything happens to me they are under orders to destroy it.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Yurgis growled, throwing the satchel to the ground, utilizing every tainted virtue at his disposal to restrain himself.
“I would and will, Yannek. I propose a civilized trade between gentlemen. I want only what was promised. I want the Philosopher’s Stone. If you do not produce it by the end of the day, I can’t be held responsible for what may happen. I’ll be watching and waiting.”
With that, the alchemist spun on his heel, cape spreading impressively about him as he marched off the platform, swallowed by the swirling multitudes.
Amidst the milling crowd, they boarded a coach for the short ride to the university itself. Watching people from the window, time began to compress upon her, memories of her time in hospital fusing with recollections of coach rides with her moth… with Maria. Watching from the gates of Intra Muros as the world burned; sitting at her side, injecting merciful god into her veins...
Evidently, some of the greatest minds on earth had assembled here in celebration of knowledge. Perhaps one of these learned sages held the key to her secrets. Hope was all she had to cling to since Yurgis wasn’t about to betray what he knew. What was he planning? Her unease only grew, fear forming a lump in her stomach as the coach glided through the iron gates of Oxford.
If she’d retained any capacity for enchantment, it surely would’ve been provoked by the beauty which met her inquisitive stare. The impression was of a faery tale castle city, clothed in verdant, creeping ivy. Soaring towers stood sentinel over wide open lawns, meticulously manicured. Watched over judiciously by opulent statuary of august personages, whose accomplishments guided the realms of men since the ages of antiquity. The shining, perfect beacon of learning and civilization she’d always envisioned. A precious ivory tower, frozen in time, growing out of the dross of unchecked progress.
Upon stepping from the carriage, a familiar face emerged out of the crowd, a studious, bespectacled face Tat had never expected to see again...
“You’re late, I’ve been waiting for hours. I received your telegram, I expected you last night.”
“There were… complications, Doctor.”
“Yes, well, nevermind that now. Hello Tatiana, I’m so happy you’ve made it, ecstatic. I trust you are well?”
Rheinhardt.
The backwater surgeon with delusions of grandeur. The architect of her salvation, of her prison. It spoke volumes of her present state of mind that the first though she had was to wonder if he’d brought any morphine…
“Remember deal, I want for her, largest crowd.”
“There should be no problem there. I arrived nearly a month ago, drumming up interest in Tatiana, availing myself of the university’s facilities in preparing my paper on her condition for publication. Everyone is aware that I will be presenting a singular case of a hitherto unknown human mutation.”
Once she’d made the connection, his presence here was less surprising. He’d been the one to tell Yurgis about this event to begin with. He was being used, a tool her father was manipulating, his desire for notoriety leveraged in order to get her the most exposure possible. This was all part of the plan, but to what end?
