AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Maybe. I just have one other question: how do you know so much about me and my associates?”
Death laughs.
“A series of events unfortunate for you, Mr. Ford. We wanted Hamza Bin Khaled’s missiles, but we were outbid. So, we shot him and took them. A survivor of the attack told us about your intended targets, Thor and Waterston. So we decided to conduct the test in your stead. Before they died, Mr. Thor and Mr. Waterston told us about you. They told us a great deal.”
Anton pounds a fist against the seat next to him, a curse under his breath.
“I need an answer, Mr. Ford.”
“I’ll let you know soon,” he replies. “I have to consider the ramifications fully.”
“Consider them quickly. You have one hour to decide.”
The connection goes dead.
I don’t say anything. This could be the moment that decides whether or not I escape now or possibly never. I shouldn’t seem too eager. But if I’m against it, maybe Anton will agree. Anton must conclude that this is a good idea, on his own.
“If I let them have you, anything could happen,” he says. “They could kill you, or they could give you the exclusive of your career.”
“I wouldn’t call what I do a career.”
“You’d pass on an opportunity like this?”
“It’s risky,” I say, looking down at my feet. “I’ve told so many lies because of you. What if they want to expose me as a fraud and sentence me to death? Like you said, I’m a shackle of control. I’ll do it if you force me to, but I don’t trust them.”
Anton nods.
“I agree. That’s a distinct possibility. However, if you talk to them, you might learn more about their plans — something I could use to stop them. Is that worth potentially losing you? I admit, this isn’t an easy decision — though it should be.”
“What do you mean?”
Grinning, Anton stares at me, his gaze piercing.
“Remember what I said about knowing the correct choice and simply making it, regardless of how you feel? That’s what I’m forced to do now, and for once I want to follow my instinct. I’d like to keep you and continue to torment you, but it’s utterly unjustifiable. Rationally, I understand that I need to defeat Death. I have to take him seriously as a threat to my power. If sending you into the lion’s den can help me destroy him, that’s a worthwhile risk. You’re not a strategic asset, you’re a toy I play with. My fondness for hurting you can’t supersede my need to survive.”
Does that mean he’s going to let me go? If he always follows logical choice, that would mean he will — but is this the one time he follows his desire instead? I’m afraid to say anything, not knowing how I might tip the scale.
For several minutes he thinks to himself. Sweat beads on my forehead, as though I’m carrying a priceless vase. Time slows to a crawl.
“Death’s made me an offer,” Anton says at last. “Give him what he wants and survive — oppose him or die. Perhaps a similar arrangement is justified for us: Kate, if you can bring me the information I need to defeat him, I will make your life something bearable. I can’t let you go free, but I could give you a life of tranquil isolation instead of constant humiliation. Rationally, I know Ingram is dead. It doesn’t matter now whether I hurt you or not.”
My heart pounds. I close my eyes and force myself to breathe.
“I won’t fail you, sir,” I say.
Anton leans over and taps on the glass partition; after a moment, the driver lowers it.
“Nick, take us back to the city and cancel our flight. We’re staying in Manhattan for now.”
