Project Ouroboros (14 page)

When Aleph came home, there was a broken down and skewed door, chaos and bullet holes in the walls waiting for him. He went through all the rooms, but found no one and nothing. Even his clothes were scattered on the floor, although there was nothing to look for.

What did they want? What were they looking for? Records of the "Merkhaba"?

Suddenly Aleph stopped and his thoughtful face became very grim. The young man thought that there was a hunt started for El'Athar. Was he still alive? What to do, where to find him?

Aleph took his mobile phone out of his pocket and began to dial the memorized number. "Subscriber is not available at the moment", "Subscriber is not available" ... "not available"...

Well, it was necessary to look for him. Or at least to try to understand what had happened.

Aleph called Tharsis, who was taking Lamashtu children, Kayn and Zane, to an amusement park.

So, they were warned — it was dangerous there. El'Athar was nowhere to be seen. Then Aleph, after a little thought and having found his courage, called Tekhina.

— El'Athar? No, today I have not seen him. Has something happened? I have no idea where he might be — it's El'Athar.

Aleph did not know what had happened, but Tekhina clearly did not want to hear anything about El'Athar. She was angry again, he guessed. At that point young man did not understand anything at all, because, despite the lack of information about such things, Aleph thought that one's feelings were one's problems, and to get angry at the others was at least silly.

Blond was sure he thought so, because he behaved like an idiot himself.

Aleph cautiously came out on the balcony, trying not to step on broken glass. What had actually happened? Poor, poor El'Athar... with him there was always something happening. Once he had broken his leg, then someone tried to kill him. He wondered how he ran away on crutches. Doctors even forbade him to move a lot, and he acted vice versa to the advice. If El'Athar did not go to Tekhina where he might have gone? He had no friends and, judging by the agent's behaviour, there had never been any.

Well, Aleph, you needed an excuse to leave, but what were you going to do now? Would you get on the first bus and leave or go look for your friend? — He did not know. He wanted to leave... and he wasn't sure that El'Athar deserved that someone looked for him, or worried about him. But the worm of doubt tormented him more and more. He was concerned.

Damn it.

Aleph decided to walk around the city, it could happen that all of a sudden something interesting is seen or found out. The young man sat down on his favourite folding chair by the city theater and took the pan-flute out. How long had he not played?...

He knew that he could hear something interesting that people usually said when they thought no one was listening.

— The salary was detained again, they say the city has no money.

— My wife and I decided to get it over with... she wants to keep the children...

— I do not know if you heard, but they say that the mayor is going to lay down his duties and they want to sell his position. For a good price.

— Today, I drove a strange guy to "Enki". He had a cast on his leg, and he didn't have crutches or something like that. With long hair. And his eyes were of different colour. To make the long story short it was horrible.

— I would be afraid if I were you ...

— You should have seen him, so cute!

Aleph lost the melody, but it seemed no one noticed it. And it was true, how he did not think of that! "Enki"! Of course, where else he could go, if he did not go to Tekhina.

He wondered how he could get there without a permit. It was necessary that someone let him in, but there was no one to do it. The young man was standing and scrolling through the phone numbers, trying to find at least someone from "Enki" but Tekhina, who was home then.

— Aleph?

It was, it seemed, Rada.

— Hi. I was looking for someone who would be able to let me in.

— Let's go to. Has something happened?

— I'm looking for El'Athar. None of us knows where he is.

— Yes, he came — they came in and went down the hall to the offices. — Came to see Mr Aine Soph, but then left.

— He is without crutches and all that ...

— Yes, I had to order new ones. They were brought, and he left. — She sounded upset.

— Don't you know where he went?

— You can ask Mr Director. He said that you went straight to see him, if you come here.

Aleph was surprised. He did not understand what he could find out from Aine Soph, whom he never called "Mr" And never would.

— Thank you, Rada.

— Not at all. If you want, come back later, we can get some coffee. I would like to ask you something.

— Well, I do not mind — Aleph shrugged.

— Well, I've been waiting for you — Mr Director General was sitting in his chair, looking out the window.

— Hello. Is El'Athar all right?

— No. I do not think so.

Aine Soph turned and stared with his empty unblinking eyes at Aleph.

— "Elohim" believe that he is no longer needed.

— And you?

— I think that he is. And I even know where it is more necessary than here, in the department of security.

— So, you're trying to save him.

— You could say that.

— Why are you telling me this?

— So that you gather the other Lamashtu. And as soon as possible. All you need — is to know where they are and call them when the time comes.

— Why would I need it?

— We can make a deal. You take this job, and I give you the opportunity to meet with El'Athar. But only you. Not anyone else.

— What about Tekhina, Tharsis..?

— Only you. You see, only you can help him. And the sooner you do, the more chances El'Athar has to survive.

— I see.

— Then get ready for the meeting tonight. I'll pick you up at nine.

— Aleph, your coffee — Rada was sitting next to him in the dining room.

— Thank you — the young man nodded. — Now I'll need you to let me out.

— Wait a little, Aine Soph ordered to issue you a temporary pass and a work phone number. Now, you work at "Enki". You will even be paid.

— I heard the city was short on money.

— We are financed not only by Anshan. You know...

— Of course.

— What has happened to El'Athar?

Aleph smiled, he was waiting for this question, but he still did not know how to answer it.

— You know, — the blonde chose his words carefully: — when you do this kind of work, that El'Athar usually does, it is easy to get in trouble. So he will not be here for a while.

— Is he threatened anymore?

— I hope not.

— I'm used to him being constantly around here.

— I am worried too. And yet, I do not know where I'll live now. El'Athar's appartment is unsuitable now. Yes, and we cannot go back, it is dangerous.

— You can stay with me... And the rest as well...

— I think Tekhina will do for them.

— Do you hate her so much? — Rada smiled.

— Probably.

— I think I agree with you. I do not like her either. When to wait for you?

— Hello, Tekhina Ami? — she heard a woman's voice on the phone.

— Yes it's me.

— This is the coordinator of the military centre. I was given your number by Mr El'Athar. We want to meet you. Today.

So, he still did it...

— As an Elder of the brotherhood of Snake and High Priestess Sofia — divide and conquer! Long live the new head of the Order of Ophites! — An old man in a suit with a cane in his hand, raised his glass and everyone in the hall did the same.

At the centre of the room stood El'Athar, in his only grey suit, which he bought for a meeting with Tekhina, holding a crutch. With his other hand he was holding a glass of champagne — everyone waited for him to drink it to the dregs. Agent's hair was neatly stacked on the back of his head, and there was a golden diadem in the form of Ouroboros — a snake biting its own tail on his head.

This tiara was the only thing that distinguished this feast from an ordinary corporate party. And that's why everything happening around him was even more confusing than if the participants were dressed in black robes, and drank blood, like in gothic novels.

Aleph stood in the corner, having refused to drink champagne. He looked at his friend and knew that if El'Athar agreed to all this, then things were really bad. And the newly converted Ophite didn't look great either. The agent tried to smile, to be friendly, but Aleph noticed that El'Athar could barely stand on his feet because of fatigue and was paler than usual.

Aine Soph shook El'Athar's hand — gave his power to a worthy successor.

It was ridiculous...

Aleph, are you sure that you want all that? — I have no choice.

It's still not too late to leave, Aleph. — It is. I can see how bad he feels.

And how are you? Are his feelings, his life is more important than yours? — Yes.

Why? — I cannot leave him to die alone.

Do you think he's dying? — Yes. El'Athar is.

You are upset. — I'm sorry, I cannot do otherwise.

I think you are not honest with yourself. You're not upset because of that. — Maybe...

Everyone congratulated El'Athar and shook his hand, he was standing leaning on his crutch, tall, emaciated, smiling, but extremely tired and miserable. Agent noticed Aleph, standing alone in the corner, looking at the paintings on the walls.

— Hello — El'Athar was able to escape the new friends and went to the boy.

— Hi. I'm glad you're okay. I was at home.

— Impressive? — Agent chuckled.

— Not that word. I saw your broken phone at home.

— Yes ... I had to get rid of it. Did you come alone?

— I am your only link with the outside world, the others were not told anything. Only I can come here. By the way, Tharsis and the children moved to Tekhina.

El'Athar's smile became broad and sincere.

— And what about you? Are you staying here?

— Unfortunately I can't. But Rada allowed me to stay with her.

— Rada? Who is it?

— Well ... Aine Soph's secretary. That young girl with a bob haircut.

— Ahh, yes, I remember. How did you earn it?

— I am now a temporary employee of the security department.

— Oh, my God... — the smile was gone from El'Athar's face.

— I want to help you.

— I can handle it.

— I see how you are... How hard it is for you. In the morning I wanted to leave, and now ... I will look for Lamashtu and come to see you every day. If you want, of course.

— I have to go back. Do not leave yet.

El'Athar was back in the crowd, having pulled on a plastic smile.

Aleph looked him in the back and left.

El'Athar felt disgusting. He was not only engaged in some kind of nonsense instead of finding and killing the idiot who had tried to kill him, but the whole absurdity of the situation was just depressing. He had a broken leg, he could not get out of there, he was the head of the order, the existence of which was unknown to him up to then. And this seventeen year old sentimental idiot took his job and was looking at him with sad eyes, as at a dying kitten.

Are you angry, El'Athar? — Incredibly!

Who are you angry with? Aleph? — If only it were so simple. God, how I hate myself!

You are dying... — Yes, I'm dying. And I'm not sure if it upsets me.

So what can you say about Aleph? — Damn him.

El'Athar did not know how to behave. He really did not want to have a friend as for the last time it ended in a failure. But it seemed that it was already a fact.

El'Athar, you have a friend. Someone who has not left you in trouble. And this is the most disgusting, because it will not let you to die quietly, El'Athar.

How I hate myself ...

The reception ended and all the members of the Order left the house. El'Athar was alone, with an unfinished glass of champagne and a tiara on his head. The agent took it off and lay it on the table next to the empty glasses. He had to sit there while the others were deciding his fate. It was certainly better than the Mongolian prison, but there was virtually no chance to escape. As soon as he left — he would be killed.

How tired he was of all of that...

El'Athar was thinking about how much he drank before the expedition, and how now he could not see alcohol without disgust. He never drank a glass of champagne, afraid to fly off the handle.

No, you cannot drink as well.

So what to do there, all this time?

The idea was to study the archives. He wanted to know how long Mr Aine Soph was the head of the Order of Ophites, how it all began. As far as El'Athar knew, it was founded and financed "Enki", but the agent did not understand why, with such a serious financial support no one wanted to sponsor an incredibly important study of Tekhina.

He wondered if she herself would cope with the military. Although she had previously worked with military intelligence in China, so she probably would manage.

The leg started to hurt, it was time to take painkillers that each time helped less and less again. Over the past two days he had taken the whole pack, but it was still unbearable.

The next day the doctor should come.

El'Athar walked slowly down the narrow corridor, struggling up the stairs to his new luxurious bedroom, which he hated at first sight. Stupid way to spend money. It would have been better to spend it on a study of the synthetic nervous system, assholes!

Anger at himself and everything around did not go away.

On the coffee table laid a sheet of paper and an organizer with handles. El'Athar thought a little and wrote a few words on a sheet, neatly folded it and packed in a free envelope. The next day, he would pass it through Aleph to Tekhina. El'Athar felt sorry for her, but told himself otherwise. It was her fault that her feelings were not reciprocated, wasn't it?

El'Athar took a few pills, took off the suit and lay down. He was glad that no one saw him then. For a few days he did not have any appetite, and that day there was no time for it. After having broken his ankle El'Athar began to lose weight, and then he looked like a skeleton with transparent skin.

Come on, you were always long and skinny, El'Athar. — Yes, but not so skinny.

Are you tired? — Extremely.

A hard day it was: a message from Aaron, shots, running away, the feast and all the news. Yeah, to get down from the 38th floor and go through half the town with an injured leg...

El'Athar stared at the ceiling.

Well, Jack, congratulations on your birthday, it came out just fine. Even better than the last time when your nose was broken. Broken well enough, if the best doctors of Elam could leave you only a snubby stump. But to their credit — it looks quite natural.

Do you miss your appearance of the ancient Greek deity? — I would not say so.

And it was not just that someone tried to kill El'Athar.

Then what is the matter, Jack? — I realized that I am dying because I am tired to live.