Chapter 29
At the Atomic Physics Institute he was awaited by the two Japanese. Akihito was snapping closed his mobile, Takato pacing anxiously. None of them commented on Mikhail coming alone.
"It's locked."
Mikhail was so out of breath he could say nothing. He immediately scrambled up to look into the window of the common room.
There was nobody in there.
"Perhaps I'll hold watch at that fraternity - is it the turn of the century villa next to the Pathological Institute?" Takato said, "a medical school fellow student of mine lives there too … I'll immediately notify you in case …"
In case of what... none of them, even Akihito, knew how this was going to play out. Alexej … they couldn't believe …
Gasping, Mikhail nodded, briefly looking after Takato, who took off at once.
"Who did you telephone with, Akihito?"
The glowing, athletic Russian and the slender, wiry Japanese fixed each other in a blinding glare.
Akihito gave in first, when he saw the anguish in the other's eyes.
"I know you don't trust him, and I can't expect you to understand … but believe me, nobody knows where … Fei Long … is right now, except perhaps your friend …"
They were standing very close to each other, and again Akihito felt irritated about something in Mikhail's aura, perhaps some scent he gave off …
A very attractive gay, or possibly, like himself, bisexual, the handsome blonde of the Russian Trio. He had taken instant dislike to him yesterday evening, perhaps because he had spelled trouble, drinking and ranting, thought him a decadent, unrestrained brat, spoilt by power. Much like the Triad Boss, only worse: Liu Fei Long had at least earned his position (though he didn't want to know how, exactly). Mikhail Arbatov, on the other hand, surely hadn't done anything productive all his life, offspring of that parasite clan, greedy and dangerous. Now however … Fei Long seemed to bring out something completely different in him, he was glowing as if on fire …
"Pjotr saw you. In the backyard, with that professor … and he heard what he was saying, about …", again it seemed he didn't want to speak his love's name in front of a person he obviously mistrusted.
Akihito blushed a fiery red. But that was of no importance now.
"Then listen to me!" he almost shouted. "What Asami … what he wants from Fei Long, is nothing other than what he expects from me!"
Mikhail grabbed his head with both hands, forcing his face upwards, staring into his eyes with an intensity that indeed brought to mind his terrible uncle. And the smell. It reminded him of something, something so … horrible, something he would give anything not to have experienced, but he couldn't remember what it was …
"If Pjotr told you what he saw … do you still think he intends to harm Fei Long? Do you think Asami wants to … harm me?"
…
A few minutes later, Takato gone, Akihito and Mikhail were standing side by side against the grey concrete wall of the Atomic Physics Institute, grasping the high up sill, repeatedly heaving themselves up to get a glimpse inside. Glancing sideways, it struck Akihito again what fire, what passion the blonde Russian gave off … because he was freshly in love? Even in his too small old sweat suit he looked beautiful. The faded black brought out the silvery golden highlights in his wavy wild hair, and the tight fit accentuated his athletic build. Like some kind of Nordic runway model ninja, swarming out for his threatened beloved … whom he, Akihito, alone couldn't stand ... there, he had admitted it to himself.
He heaved himself up once more, catching another peek into the deserted machine filled room - still no trace of the missing two - and Mikhail's right hand came to lie directly in front of his nose. And suddenly … again … he got a strong whiff of what must indeed be Fei Long…
… and the memories came crashing back.
- to be continued -