The Merchant Who Would be King

Second Thoughts

Hadiin

He came out of the restaurant and his unexpected meeting feeling dazed and confused, guilty and nervous.

"Best deposit that in the bank before someone takes it," Weesely warned as they'd left the building. "And remember: my house, one in the afternoon tomorrow. I look forward to seeing your next bit of genius."

"Right."

"Don't be late. I hate when people are late." He turned and departed, his men in tow.

The platinum coins burned a hole in his pocket. He felt rich. He felt dirty. He was elated. He also felt like scum. How did people deal with such contradictions in their emotions?

That was easy. People like Weesely and the corporate sharks back home probably didn't feel things like guilt.

He made it about sixteen steps before a pair of delicate hands snatched him off the street and bodily dragged him into a crevice between two buildings, deep in shadows. "C-Cat?" he breathed.

Drinking his blood must have caused her vampire powers to kick in because her grip was like steel. Her face was so close to his that all he could really see was her bright red eyes and needle-sharp fangs. "You're dealing with the trash that tried to kill you. Are you insane?"

"It was a lot of money," he lamely replied.

Her expression twisted with scorn. "I can't believe that this is who you really are. I was so wrong about you."

"Cat—"

"You know what I am. To protect myself, I should drain you dry and leave your corpse in the gutter where you belong."

"Cat, please. I'm sorry. I would never betray you."

She looked at him like he was stupid. "You already did." Her lips curled and she prepared to sink her teeth into him and end his life. But she hesitated and then shoved him away from her. You disgust me. If you ever so much as hint of my existence to your tacky new 'partner' I'll end your life."

"Cat, wait—!" he reached for her.

But with supernatural speed, she sped away and exited the crack between the buildings.

The woman who'd been with her earlier handed Cat the giant, white hat, glared at Hadiin the one glares at poo on the bottom of your shoe, and followed Cat as they departed.

Hadiin put his back to the brick wall next to him and leaned against the edifice. He sighed. He felt terrible about himself.

Pulling the platinum out, he stared at the silver. It didn't sparkle here in the deep shade. It just looked like any old silvery metal. Though they did have a pleasing weight to them.

He could do so much with this. Certainly, he had enough to live very well. Association with Weesely was fraught with danger but also with promise. So why was he doubting himself and this future? Isn't this what he wanted? Why did it matter how he succeeded as long as he succeeded? This is just how the game was played, right?

So why was he so miserable?

Crawling out of the gap, he emerged onto the street once more. It was a short journey to the guild.

"And how much are you depositing?" the clerk at the banking desk asked when he arrived.

He pulled the coins out once more and put them on the counter.

"Wow. I see. Five platinum." She reached for them.

"No." He retracted two. Then he pushed two to one side and the third one he pushed towards her. "Can you split this into gold, please? I'll be depositing two and a half."