The Lumen:
Church of the Good Shepherd:
Roosevelt Island, Manhattan
Vasiliy Fet had been working hard to keep himself from being distracted. Since the start of this plague, several things had weighed heavily on him. He would often replay that final conversation he had with his father. Vasiliy could replay almost every argument they'd ever had. "My son quits school to hunt rats? Why kind of job is that? What kind of life is that?"
"Not much of one now, Dad." Vasiliy fiddled with his jacket as he got out of the car. The cold wind was warmer than his father had ever been to him. Years of trying to make everyone happy, years of just wanting to be a family, and then... for the last two years - nothing. Not from anyone.
Vasiliy often wondered if his father had taken his advice. The same day his father had asked him to leave Vasiliy had called his sister, left her a message to see if she could talk some sense into them. But Vasiliy had never heard from any of them... but how was that any different from the last two years?
Vasiliy shrugged his shoulders as an answer to his own question. Tonight was important, and he really didn't need anything on his mind, as he knew in all likelihood the professor was bound to get him shot somehow. Vasiliy figured it was a good idea to focus on making sure that didn't happen.
"We will possess the Lumen by any means necessary, whether be buy it, or fight for it, or we will die trying." Abraham had told him.
"Let's try to avoid that third option, yeah?" Vasily has told him in the car ride over. "I kinda like my head."
"And I assure you, I quite like mine." the professor had snipped back.
At least the island was secure, Vasiliy would only have to worry about the return journey back to the city. If they got out after dark, those munchers were sure to come after them. That is if they made it out with that book at all. For all he knew these gangbanger types could take their money and keep the book.
The two of them were ushered into the church by several armed men.
"Welcome professor, I'm glad to see you made it. It's gonna be a good time. First I'm gonna have to ask that you and your friend here check all your weapons. You'll get 'em back after we're done."
Alonso's men where well armed, and as Vasily and the Professor relinquished their own weapons, Vasiliy felt vulnerable. They offered him a glass of champagne, he'd be damned if he was going to trade in his piece of re bar for a fluted glass.
"A drink, professor?"
"No thank you," Abraham said.
"Alright I'ma have one for you." Alonso said. "I'm gonna ask that you verify your funds right over here with Myla. And good luck to you professor."
He wasn't quite sure what to think when the professor handed over their account information to the raven haired girl behind the desk. Vasiliy's eyes grew wide with disbelief, his head felt of deja-vu, how could this even be possible?
This girl... she had been on his mind every day. But to see her now, his mind tried to convince him it was someone else
"Myla." He whispered.
She looked well. At least she looked better than when he'd last seen her. She had put back on a healthy weight, and let her dark hair grow long like she used to when she was a kid. But what the hell was she doing here, Roosevelt Island of all places?
Vasiliy continued to stare as she whispered into the receiver, giving Alonso a nod that their funds were available. He still didn't believe it was her. But there was that damn tattoo on her left shoulder, the small white dove would always remind him of her.
"Who's this guy?" Alonso asked.
Vasiliy tore away his gaze to see that Nazi bastard waltz in with that dumb fucking smile.
"Were going to need to see your weapons." Alonso's men asked.
"I don't have any weapons." Eichorst said.
"And who are you?"
"I am Thomas Eichorst, Mr. Palmer's emissary. I will be bidding in his place."
"If you've got gold, you can bid. Just uh register your funds right over there."
"Of course." Eichorst said with a grin.
Vasiliy watched as Eiccorst handed Myla his account information, and in that moment a distasteful shiver ran down Vasiliy's spine as the German touched her skin.
"Here is my account information, which all will be verified." Eichorst said.
Myla picked up the phone again to verify the German's funds.
"Where is Palmer?" Abraham asked.
"This transaction is far too important, so it is I who will have the honor of acquiring the Lumen. Isn't it ironic that our duel shall not end with a fight but a simple transaction of gold." Eichorst turned his attention to the Professor, the same shit eating grin on his face.
"I assure you our duel shall end with a transaction in silver. Seeing as how the Master passed you over for Bolivar. Does it hurt to be bound by loyalty to one so unimpressed by you?" Setrakian scolded. His attempt to scold the creature seemed to strike a nerve nestled somewhere within his stinger.
"Does it not pain you to tally all the things I've taken from you already?" he retorted.
"You are a vile creature, Eichorst." Setrakian spat.
"If it were up to me, I would drain you dry, and then snap your neck... but alas the Master has plans for you yet. Turning you will bring you to become a part of something you've fought so long against."
"Never. I will release you to die, like the soulless appendage you are." Abraham spat.
"I'm pretty sure he's right. It's too bad all these guys are watchin' us, cause I'm dying to stick a piece of re bar in your right ear, and watch it come out your left." Vasiliy said, stepping between the two. He was focused on not letting Eichorst come between the professor, or near Myla for that matter. Vasiliy was even afraid to confront her now that Eichorst had entered the room. All he needed was to give the creature a reason to go after her... just like he had with Dutch.
Alonso was given the go ahead and now Vasiliy had turned around to find that Myla's eyes had now found his own. He wasn't sure, but she looked... relieved. Vasiliy knew he at least felt a piece of him relax, at least, as much as he could when he was in the same room as Thomas Eichorst.
"Your banks have agreed to convert your funds into gold based upon the current exchange rate. Highest dollar value bid wins." Alonso said practically grinning. "Now what number should I start at-"
"Five Million." Abraham said.
"Five it is."
"Ten Million."
"Fifteen"
"Do I hear twenty?"
"Thirty."
"Fifty."
"Alright um, I'm gonna have to catch my breath here." Alonso said, this time his grin was from ear to ear. He took a sip of champagne as the two men continued to clamor over the book.
"One-Hundred Million."
"Two-Hundred."
"three hundred million!"
"Hold up." Alonso's heart was beating rapidly, he'd never made this much money before in just a matter of minutes. "I propose that the man with the most gold will win this book for exactly one dollar more than the losing bid. Deal?"
"Agreed." Abraham said.
"Agreed." Eichorst said.
"Myla, if you'd please." Alonso asked.
Myla nodded. She glanced at Vasiliy as she picked up the receiver. She wasn't sure how the hell Vas had over three hundred million dollars to bid with. She had seen the book before, when Alonso had returned it to his safe. Myla knew the cover was made of silver, but not three hundred million dollars worth of silver.
"Yes, I have the max amounts." She said, looking to Vasiliy and then back to Alonso.
"Start with Mr. Setrakian here." Alonso pointe to the frail looking man.
"Mr. Setrakian's account will allow... yes, mmhmm. Three-hundred and twenty-three million dollars." Myla said.
"Shit. 323 Mil?" Alonso took in a deep breath. " This must be some kinda book." he looked back to gaze at the silver façade. "And the German?"
"Three-hundred and fifty-one point eight million." Myla said with a solemn sound to her voice. She looked at Vasiliy with apologetic eyes.
"Sold! To the German for 323 million and one dollar. Sorry professor, I was really rooting for you on this one." Alonso finished his glass of champagne, " Transfer those funds to my account right-fuckin now. And gimme that damn book."
The German looked to his left and with that sly smile still on his face, "It's over now Abraham. Nothing can stop him."
Vasiliy watched the gears turning in Myla's head. "Don't do it. Don't get involved." Vasiliy whispered. Vasiliy shook his head.
"Could you place it in a canvas bag for me?" Eichorst asked.
"Hell. For three hundred and twenty three mil. I'd gift wrap the damn thing." Alonso said.
"Alonso," Myra said interrupting, "I uh- I'm sorry, but Mr. Eichorst's privileges on this gold account have been revoked. They won't allow me to transfer the funds."
Vasiliy looked at her hand, her finger had just disconnected the line.
"What?" Alonso asked.
"I'm sorry, but they've disconnected me." Myla stated. She saw the German man look at her now, his eyes angry.
"Sorry day for the German then. I guess you win after all professor."
"No, I assure you, this is a mistake." Eichorst said taking a step towards Myla. "Allow me to rectify this mistake, I will call the bank and get this error sorted out."
"No. Sorry, but 323 mil is 323 mil." Alonso said, this time stepping towards Eichorst. Setrakian gratefully accepted the book from Alonso. Eichorst only became more furious.
Vasiliy stepped around to Myla's desk as Eichorst grabbed Alonso's lapels and his stinger began to rattle. Several men with guns were able to get Eichorst to submit... but the sun was going down, Eichorst knew he had the night on his side.
Vasiliy turned around, "You comin?"
Myla nodded. "Outside. Give me two minutes"
Vasiliy and the Professor grabbed their weapons and retreated to daylight. Vasiliy was hesitant climbing into the truck, as he hadn't seen Myla leave the church yet and he wasn't sure how to tell the professor to wait...
But then she appeared out of a back door to the church. Sneakers replaced the fancy shoes she'd been wearing before, they didn't exactly match the dress she had on. It reminded him of that last time he's seen his sister, just before she had disappeared.
Myla hopped in the truck, and took a seat in the back. The professor gave Fet a curious look.
"Procuring women now?" Setrakian asked, seemingly irritated.
"Sort of." Fet answered. Vasiliy quickly stepped on the gas and headed back into town. There was no way in hell they were going to make it back in time.
"We just need to get to the damn bridge." Vasiliy was thinking of his flat in Red Hook... but they were going to be followed. He couldn't blow their cover.
"Mr Fet, I know we are in a hurry, but if you keep accelerating at this rate we will roll over the first turn you take."
"Don't mind him, he's always had a bit of a lead foot." Myla said from the back of the truck.
"Wanna explain what the hell you're doing in New York?" Vasiliy asked her.
"You. Mostly."
"Mostly? What does that mean."
"Mr. Fet maybe you should drive first, talk later."
"Yeah and just why the hell am I racing to get back to the city when you don't have any sense to call some backup? Those ancients outta have connections and shit. Why not use 'em?"
"Mr, Fet I regret that I have kept some things from you, I do not intend to give the Lumen to the ancients."
"Well you coulda told me that part professor. It's not like I'm-"
CRASH.
The truck was hit, pivoting slightly off course. Both Vasiliy and the professor looked at one another. Darkness had been upon them for less than a minute. The truck fishtailed, pinning itself against a grate and the vehicle that had struck them.
"There are no belts back here!" Myla said.
"Well you better hold on tight." Vasiliy said. "We got a whole bunch of munchers coming, and I'm not waitin' around!"
Fet punched the gas. They weren't moving.
Both Vasiliy and the professor stared down at the horde of Stragoi running towards them.
Vasiliy hit the gas again.
"Come on… come on!"
The truck sprang free at the last possible moment, Stragoi were throwing themselves onto the truck, trying to feed on them through the vehicle's defenses. Setrakian shot a few nails through the window, just as the truck sprang free. Only to roll forward to find more Stragoi, and more trucks to stop them.
"Go professor." Fet said.
Setrakian slipped into the back surprised to see Myla already holding two guns, at least the girl seemed useful.
Fet joined them in the back of the truck. He looked sad, Myla didn't think there was any hope.
"Sorry to go out so soon like this, kid." Vasiliy told her.
Myla gave Vasiliy a quick embrace, "We're not dead yet."
"Yes, let's not make this easy on them." Setrakian nodded.
Vasiliy opened several small side gates to the truck as the three of them unloaded bullets into whatever they could see.
Shots could be heard from outside. Myla looked at the stragoi now paying attention to the gunmen across at the overpass.
"Calvary?" Myla asked.
'No. Somebody else joined the party. Munchers are going' after them now."
"Any way out?" Myla asked.
"The floor." Vasiliy said. "Be quick, don't let any of them see you."
The professor and Vasiliy pulled the metal grate back from the floor of the truck.
"Well god's looking after us after all." Vasiliy as he saw the manhood cover just below them. He took a crowbar and pulled the cover from the sewer. Myla went first, hearing nothing but gunfire and two men beside the truck.
"You were wise not to come tonight, cowardly, but wise."
She ignored it as the professor had begun to follow her down the ladder.
"Quick now." Vasiliy said as he hit the ground. "Lets get the hell outta here!"
It wasn't long before Vasiliy had led them to the exit. Myla climbed up first, and helped the professor, as Vasiliy followed. "We're gonna need that boat." Vasiliy pointed out. Myla nodded, but Vasiliy found her raising her hands in defense.
"Hey pawnbroker."
Gus Elizalde now held a gun to them, Vasiliy was a quick draw, but Myla had never even seen him fire a gun, how did he get himself into this kind of shit?
"Try me big boy." Gus taunted. "You're lucky I don't shoot you for making me walk through that sewer."
Myla had a few guns pointed at her during her line of work, one of the many reasons she'd left. Carrying a pistol in her bag everyday had become a burden to her, but at least now she was grateful she'd learned how to use one.
"Back off man. Just walk away." Vas told him.
"I'm talking to Mr. Setrakian here. You made a deal old man, I'm here to see that you honor it."
"Who the hell is this guy any way?" Vas asked.
"An former customer." Setrakian said. "I am not giving this book to you. Or to the ancients. Or to anyone. I'm going to walk onto that boat, and either you are going to shoot me, and Mr. Fet is going to shoot you. Or-"
"-Or..." said that voice. That same voice she'd heard fleeing the truck. He had followed them. Myla's eyes became glued to the pale man now making the threats. He was perhaps the strangest thing she'd even seen, and in a way - the most beautiful. "... I could kill both of you." he finished.
"This guy?" Vas sighed. There was a thick silence, death threats now given to members of each party.
"Mr. Quinlan..." the professor began. "You did not come all this way to do the ancients bidding. I know who you are."
"Do you?" Quinlan asked.
"I know what you want. And it's not this book." Setrakian said.
"Same old pawn broker... making' deals. Careful Quinlan, or you're gonna end up with a broken clock!" Gus said.
"The ancients will destroy this book, rather than allow its secrets to be revealed, and when they do... they will destroy the one item in the world the master desires."
"But as long as this book exists..." Quinlan said, eyes opening with realization that the old man was right.
"it is bait. If you want the Master... he will come for whoever possesses it. That I guarantee you."
Myla watched has Quinlan's lips turn upwards into a smile.
Finding herself on a boat with a couple of thugs, a professor, her brother, and a... well whatever he was, wasn't exactly something she would have predicted.
"Well, you look. You look good." Vasiliy told her. It was the first formal sentence he'd spoken to her since they had run into each other less than two hours ago. Two hours for two whole years. What a day.
"Thanks Vas." Myla said.
"You uh, been doi'; alright down in that place?"
"Yeah, I've been clean for over a year Vas." Myla said with pride.
"That... makes me really happy." Vasiliy said. "After you'd vanished, I didn't know what to think. Ma told me, after you never said goodbye."
"Sorry about that Vas." Myla whispered.
"You talk to mom and dad much?" Vasiliy asked.
"Not as much as you'd think, mom called on my birthdays and last Christmas. But Dad still, well you know." Myla said.
"So they didn't come out to see you, before all this? I was hoping they would." Vasiliy said.
"That's how I ended up here. Couldn't get them on the phone after you left me that message. I suppose they could have headed south met up with that crazy aunt Georgie."
"Yeah, it's a possibility, even though I'm pretty sure dad hates her more than the two of us combined." Vasiliy said.
How are we related to her again?" Myla smiled.
"I have no idea," Vasiliy said. They both laughed.
"So how'd you end up on that island?" Vasiliy asked.
"He owed me a favor from, well you know... from The Fairy. And I uh, went looking for you, found some random people coming and going at your place, didn't think you were there anymore."
"No I'm still there. Well. We were, it's kinda all shot to shit now with all these munchers after us now."
"Yeah about that, how'd you end up spending 343 million over some book?"
"It ain't just some book. That book, the professor, says is our best shot at stopping this thing. I've put everything I've got left into that man, I'm just left praying for some kinda outcome where we ain't all dead." Vasiliy told her.
"I suppose you ain't got a place for me, wherever it is you're headed?" Myla asked.
"I wouldn't plan on it any other way." Vasiliy said. "I'm glad you're here."
Myla took minute to give the professor and Vasiliy some time to chat. It was a good excuse to enjoy the water on last time. Who new how long it would be until she would see it again. She'd never fathomed what had been going on up here, but when she'd finally gotten to Alonso, getting around was hard.
"Smoke?" Gus asked her.
"Yeah, I'll take one." Myla said. It was when she saw his brand of cigarettes that she remembered him. "It's been awhile Elizalde."
"I know you?" Gus asked.
"It's been a really long time. I don't expect you to-" Myla was cut off, by a smile and a face of recognition.
"No... Lavender? That really you?" Gus asked. "Didn't recognize you without the hair."
"Not Lavender anymore, but yeah, that was me." Myla said.
"Haven't been by the Green Fairy in a while." Gus said. "Found myself in a little shit."
"Haven't we all?" Myla said lighting her cigarette.
"You sticking with this bunch?" Gus asked.
"The big one's my brother." Myla said.
"Then maybe we'll run into each other again some time, yeah?"
"Maybe." Myla said as she smiled. She found herself doing that flirting thing she'd come to hate. It came so natural to her. Perhaps having a shit father, and working at the Green Fairy since she was seventeen, taught her more than a few bad habits.
But what could she do, she was her old self, and her new self.
As Gus walked away, Myla looked over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of the pale man at the bow of the boat. Their eyes locked for a moment - a moment that was sharp, and awkward - but she couldn't help but want to turn back around after she'd turned away.