Czar Gregovivk Part 2

What was terrible for my mood was that I hate knowing things only halfway, especially when it's something I'm interested in. It irritates me. Even though it was something I would have let go in any other circumstance, I couldn't overlook it with the little bird, not when my ass might be on the line. Her escape on the night of the festivities had put a huge target on my back, and these loose ends, open gaps in her past, would ensure my protection.
“Did you go to Rumeu's art gallery?” I ask Sieta, rising from my chair and walking toward the window, looking out at the crowded house.
Every night, the grand hall is filled with clients moving about the closed house. I ensure the safety of Sodoma's patrons, providing them with a stable, secure environment where they can feel at ease.
“I went there, but I didn’t see her. She works in the warehouse, cataloging the paintings,” Sieta replies, smiling and popping her lips. “Since she only asked me to go and probe, I didn’t want to ask too many questions about the staff; I just let Rumeu know that my boss was interested in making a generous donation to the gallery and acquiring new pieces for his home.”
I put my hands in my jacket pockets and nod, keeping my eyes fixed on the hall below us.
“I don’t know why she didn’t let me go talk to her directly. You know I’m good with words; I could have explained that you were interested in her.”
“I have no interest in the girl.” I turn to face Sieta.
“Seriously, are you really going to use that excuse with me, Greg?” The little impudent one confronts me with a mocking look. “You’re kidding? No interest in the girl, not even a tiny bit?”
“The only interest I have in her is figuring out why she ran. I need to know the truth so I can handle the council’s judgment if it comes to that.” I turn back to the window, letting my gaze drift into the distance. “Adrien may prefer to forget about this, but I know very well that the others might want to pursue the matter. His visit wasn’t just out of courtesy.”
“Do you think any of them might want to expel you from Sodoma?” Sieta asks, worried. “That’s why Adrien came here...”
“Adrien is neutral, Sieta. He would never hand over evidence that could be used against someone, like he did with that goat mask,” I reply, looking at her seriously. Adrien left it here that night just to keep me on alert. “Coming here before leaving and intentionally telling me that Jonathan is already aware of what happened was just his polite way of warning me that the other council members know as well.”
“But Jonathan is your friend; he would never incite the other council members to condemn you.” She stands up and walks closer to me, stopping by my side.
“Yes, exactly, and that’s why he only mentioned his name.” I turn my face to her. Her brow furrows, and she scrunches her nose, deep in thought. “Some council members were not happy with Freire’s expulsion years ago, especially since she didn’t have a proper trial with all the council members present.”
“But that bitch broke the rules; she led some council members to a room where one council member was already present with his partner, intentionally, without his consent. Jonathan was within his rights to declare that woman’s expulsion!”
“Adrien wasn’t the only one who saw the girl run out of the hall, Sieta. There was a council member right nearby who witnessed the scene firsthand,” I say quietly, looking at her.
“Morgana,” Sieta murmurs, startled, biting her lips. “She was literally right next to them on the night Miss Shot ran away.”
I nod in agreement. Morgana, the dominatrix, one of the council members from Germany, was in the center of the hall that night, along with her submissive, participating in the scene with Adrien and his wives. Morgana was one of the council members who opposed Freire’s expulsion, claiming her trial was unjust. Since I was the one who turned Freire over to Jonathan, her hatred for me became more evident. Morgana had always despised me; she just hid her antipathy well. When my father announced my name to the council, informing them that I would be the heir to his chair when he died, it surprised all the other council members, as it was already clear to everyone that Kaiser, my half-brother and the son of my father’s first marriage, was the most fit to take charge of Sodoma in Moscow. But the old czar was firm and direct in his decision to name me his successor. He claimed that times were changing in Sodoma, and a new era needed to begin with fresh blood. After Jonathan Roy, I was the second-youngest council member to ascend to one of the chairs in the Sodoma council.
Not everyone was in favor; Morgana was vehemently against my father’s decision, openly stating that she preferred Kaiser over me since he was her pupil. I knew she was just waiting for me to slip up, looking for a reason to request my expulsion. But over the years, I had never given her that pleasure; I demonstrated why my father chose me. My soul had always been perverse and dominant; I didn’t need someone to teach me to be sadistic; that trait was born with me. But now, the frightened little bird had given Morgana a good argument to ask for my head on a platter.
I don’t know how long I have before I figure out why she ran and what I did to scare her. Adrien is ethical; he would never lay out a conversation in plain sight. But one thing I know for sure is that the race against time has begun, and I will use every trick at my disposal to make the little bird sing the truth for me.
“If there is a trial, you will need the girl to testify,” Sieta says worriedly, looking at me with anxiety. “How do you plan to have her by your side, Greg?”
“I’m going to play,” I reply, slowly walking back to my desk and sitting in my chair.
“Sodoma?” Sieta’s eyes widen, and she walks around the table, stopping in front of me and spreading her hands on it. “Czar, but it’s been almost nine years since the last and only time you played…”
“I’m back in the game.” I lift the laptop screen, turning it on, speaking sharply, cutting off her concern. I keep my eyes on the screen and wait for it to light up. “I just need to find the little runaway bird.”
“But, Greg…” She falls silent when her phone rings, pulling it from her pocket and putting it to her ear. “Sieta speaking... Oh, of course, let it through, damn!”
I lift my eyes to her and see her wide-eyed, looking at me with a mischievous glint. She hangs up the phone, a broad smile on her face.
“What happened?” I ask her.
“I think you won’t have to work hard to find your little bird,” Sieta replies, euphoric, tucking her phone back in her pocket. “Acvo just called to see if Mabel Shot has permission to enter here.”
I take a few seconds to comprehend what Sieta is telling me.
“She returned? She came back to Sodoma?” I ask, surprised, standing up from my chair.
“Your little bird just landed, cousin.” Sieta raises her finger and points behind me.
I turn immediately and find the confused black eyes looking lost at the painting on the wall outside. I walk toward the magic mirror and see her so confused and anguished, nervously clutching a white wool hat in her fingers. And there she is again, captivating me with her strange innocence, no flashy makeup, in a long, dark navy blue dress hiding her body. She has only a delicate pair of small pearl earrings in her ears. She shrinks her shoulders, runs her trembling fingers through her hair, averts her eyes from the painting, and walks toward the stairs.
“Prepare my private room,” I order Sieta.
I turn and leave the room, striding toward the east corridor.
“You won’t have a chance to run again, little bird.”