A green crab sat in his hand, its legs perched on his splayed fingertips. He had three slaves at his feet, now. None of them were Rose.
I threw the tome to the ground between us.
I need that back, I thought.
No use dwelling on it right now, though.
“Hm,” Conquest said. “You appear to be worse for wear, Diabolist.”
“I do,” I replied.
“And that task could have been handled much more gracefully.”
“Not when you give the job to me,” I said. “That was handled exactly the way it was going to be handled, with Blake Thorburn on point. Don’t you like chaos and conflict?”
“I have no feelings either way. I am an entity of conquest, a very distinct thing. My ends were not furthered by any significant measure, there.”
If he was complaining, did it mean he lost power?
“I understand, Lord of Toronto,” I said. I bowed my head a little. “I’ll aim to keep your interests in mind for the future.”
When I raised my head, though, he was looking right at me. Right through me.
Maybe I wasn’t being as subtle as I should have been. Fuck it. I was too tired, too hurt.
“You’re free to take your leave,” He said. “I will see you before midnight tomorrow.”
No thank you, no acknowledgement. Just that.
Dick.
“I need contact information for the Knights,” I said. “Research for the Hyena.”
Conquest signaled Fell, who handed me a pad of paper.
“There’s also the astrologer,” I said.
“Why her?” Fell asked.
Can’t you just agree and make life easier?
“I’m going to have to deal with an abstract entity in the next two days. I’m thinking the astrologer could be useful.”
Anyone could be useful, given how little I know and how little I have.
“Still not seeing it,” Fell said.
“Make do for the time being,” Conquest ordered me.
Fuck.
I nodded slowly.
“I said you could take your leave,” Conquest said. “If you would like to stay the evening, we could see to the torture I mentioned the other night.”
“One more thing,” I said. “A request, Lord of Toronto. It… very much relates to my ability to handle these tasks.”
“What request?”
“Rose. You chained her?”
“I did.”
“Can you bring her here? Gently? I’m… somewhat concerned about her.”
“I’m not inclined to obey the requests of underlings.”
“Even when those requests serve your interests?” I asked. I dropped to one knee, grunting in pain as injuries opened. “Please, Lord of Toronto. I ask this, knowing you are among the only ones who can help me like this, knowing it puts me in your debt.”
He took his time. I didn’t budge. Head bowed, body aching, kneeling.
“Diabolist,” he said.
I looked up.
Rose dangled from the chain.
Unconscious.
“She’s sleeping,” Fell observed.
“What’s wrong with her?” I asked.
Conquest spoke, “Your previous worries have been resolved. You may have new ones, but I will not stoop to answering every single concern you have. You will be handling tomorrow’s task without her help, it seems.”
“What’s wrong with her?” I asked, again. To Fell, this time.
He smiled a little. “Consider my silence a fair repayment for the summonings. And, perhaps, the blood on my car’s upholstery.”
“And the fleas, I imagine,” I answered him. “And the lice.”
I saw his expression twist. “You’re not doing yourself favors, diabolist.”
Still kneeling, I stared at the three of them in grim silence. Conquest, Fell, and Rose.
Neither volunteered anything more. They seemed to be waiting for me to do something.
“Thank you, Lord of Toronto, for bringing Rose here,” I finally said. Conquest didn’t seem like the sort to cave and break the silence. Like Pauz said, being immortal made you patient.
“Your presence grows tiresome, Diabolist. Your stench doubly so. Take your leave, before I become irritated.”
I stood.
“Lord,” I added. “In terms of the imp I’ve delivered to you-”
“If I have not been clear enough, we can return to the subject of torture.”
“Will you be giving him to another?”
“I do not readily release my hold on that which I have claimed.”
I nodded, turning to leave.
Contract terms met. Making some attempt to ensure that Conquest kept Pauz.
Hurting, sore, worried, and above all else, pissed, I made my way back to the real world.
A little worrisome that I didn’t have Rose’s advice on what to do next. I’d finished one big step in her scheme. I had Pauz and Conquest in one place.
For better or worse.
4.09
Nobody was waiting for me when I got back to my apartment, which was probably a good thing.