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I hold it up. “A space heater. Just like you asked.”
“You’re not going to give it to me, are you.” It’s a statement, not a question.
“No. The chord is too long. I don’t want to give you an opportunity to take the easy way out.”
Konstantin scoffs. “Please. I value my life too much.”
“But Iwillhave the guards adjust the thermostat to your liking.”
“That would be swell. This place gets so cold at night.”
“Sure. But you have to tell me where my father is first.”
My uncle smiles. I hate it when he smiles one of those shit-eating grins; they never fail to wear on my patience. “I already told you. He’s in Siberia.”
“I need anexactlocation.”
Konstantin moseys on over to his bed and takes a seat on the edge of his mattress. “An exact location, hm?”
“Enough of your games, Uncle. Tell me or—”
“Or what?” he challenges. “You’ll keep me prisoner? Deny me the basic comforts of life? Take over my empire and reshape it in your image? Oh, wait. You’re already doing that.”
I am on the edge of losing my temper. I swallow it, though. This is all a big game to him, always has been. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’s managed to worm his way under my skin.
“Listen to me very carefully,” I say, deliberately slow and low. “Catherina wanted to take you out back and shoot you between the eyes. All I have to do is give the word, and my will be done.”
“You think death scares me?”
I smile. “No, Iknowit doesn’t. That’s why I’m going to make life for you a living hell.”
“You’re all talk, dear nephew. You abhor violence.”
“That’s what I’ve led you to believe. I do prefer to be more diplomatic. There’s no sense in making enemies where they aren’t needed. Too much of a hassle. But Ihaveplayed dirty before, and I’m not above doing it again if need be.”
“What could you possibly—”
“I will strip you of your clothes,” I say flatly. “I will have them turn off the heat. The lights. I’ll order them to remove your bathroom area, your bed, and your blankets. I will trap you here in the dark, lock the door, and toss away the key. You won’t die right away. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll give you a pile of food to keep in your grubby little corner. You might survive the month, but just barely. By the end of it, you’ll be begging for death because, at that point, it will be the kinder option.”
Konstantin snarls. “You’re bluffing.”
“Would you like to find out?”
We’re suddenly in a staring contest. I see nothing but hate and disdain in his eyes. Slowly but surely, defeat crawls in there somewhere, too. My uncle blinks first, his teeth grinding against one another. After a minute that feels closer to eternity, he finally opens his mouth.
“Pevek,” he answers. “I have Lev under strict surveillance in Pevek.”
“Christ,” Catherina hisses behind me. I was so absorbed in intimidating my uncle I almost forgot she was there.
Pevek is one of the northernmost port towns in Eastern Siberia. It’s cold and sparse and almost completely isolated. It’s not exactly a tourist attraction. There are several known gulags—now defunct—where prisoners were used to mine uranium after the First World War, but that’s the extent of the town’s vibrant history. If my father is being held captive there, it’s really no wonder we all thought he was dead for so long. Even if he managed to escape, he likely wouldn’t survive the frigid climate.
I study Konstantin’s reaction. I can tell he isn’t bluffing. In the off chance he is, I’ll follow up with his punishment accordingly.
“There,” I say. “Was that so hard?”
“You won’t like what you find there,” he warns. “Last I heard, my little brother wasn’t quite himself anymore.”
“Shut the fuck up and tell the guards what you want the temperature set to.”
