A Mist of Frozen Ashes

Chapter 37

Vladmir

My Sheshka is coming for me. I had to make sure everything was perfect for her arrival. Nothing could be out of place. I've waited so many years for this day; the day we reunite has finally arrived. I could barely contain my excitement. There have been many unfortunate hiccups along to way. Number one is Kaius and his band of rats. Reverie woke up ahead of schedule. It was just like my little Sheshka to surprise me in such a way. I was so busy eradicating the mutants in preparation for her that I missed it and she ended up in their hands. My poor Sheshka, she must be suffering so much, having to look at their hideous faces day in and day out. Don't worry, my sweet goddess, I'll rescue you soon.

"Supreme General, sir," a soldier called, drawing me out of my daze.

"Come in," I ordered. "What is it?"

He stood ramrod straight, eyes trained on the wall above my head. "The convoy that you sent for has still not arrived, sir." There was a slight tremble in his voice as he relayed the news.

I hummed. So, Zebulon has struck again. That old bastard was such a thorn in my ass. He was like the king cockroach; no matter how many times I crush him, he always finds a way to survive. We could always borrow a couple of mutants from one of our suppliers. I didn't really want to though which is why I ordered them to go acquire more. I had to leave at least some of the mutant villages alive to reproduce, otherwise, our power supply would deplete too fast.

Suffering two attacks in a row like this could begin to affect the morale of the soldiers. They were a sensitive bunch. A bunch of babies really. If I didn't need them to fulfill my plan, I'd kill them all and be done with it. Unfortunately, I am but one man. But once my love arrives, she'll be here to help me so we won't need as many anyone. Perhaps we could go on a killing spree together as a reunion date.

"No word from Harlem?" The soldier shook his head. "Must be dead then. What a shame. He was a good one." Leaning forward, I rested my chin on my clasped hands. "Well then, soldier, what do you propose we do about this, hmm?"

He startled and stumbled over his words. I rolled my eyes. None of these weak men are even worthy of worshipping my Sheshka. Back in our time, the men of The Family had honor. They had strength and pride. These soldiers seek validation from me like air. I may as well throw on a dress and grow a pair of titties for all the babysitting I do around here. Damn.

I stood from my desk and walked around, easily towering over the soldier by a whole shoulder. A bead of sweat dripped down his brow. I held back my sneer at the obvious display of weakness.

"Reach out to Dorian and have him supply ten of his slaves. If he gives you any lip, remind him of who I am. By any means necessary," I ordered. He nodded, taking the dismissal for what it was, and scrambled from the room.

I sighed. Heavy is the head, as always. What's taking my Sheshka so long to get here? Thanks to a helpful little tip, I sent my men to finally burn Kaius' little town. Their orders were to subdue and capture as many as they could but if not, then just kill them. With Kaius and the others away, it should've been an easy win. It was too bad that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the absolute despair etched onto Kaius' face. Oh how sweet that would be. I'll just have to settle for my imagination.

Either way, knowing Reverie, she should be gearing up to attack us right back. My Sheshka was fierce. Bite her and she'll bite back ten times harder, sinking her teeth in until she was good and ready to let go. My men, caught unaware, allowed her to escape the last time she was here. All of them suffered for the slight. But it wouldn't happen again. This time, when my Sheshka came home, I would keep her. I had an entire ceremony planned. The people were excited, preparing the city for Sheshka's Return. They were out there hanging banners and streamers to welcome their goddess home with loving arms. She was going to love it!

I left my office, ignoring the nods and salutes from the soldiers I passed along the way. Arriving at my destination, I pushed open the double doors to the lab. Cryochambers full of mutants covered every inch of space along the perimeter. Bright green fluid flowed down the tubes connected to the back of their necks and into the panels that had been carved into the floor where I knew they led to the generator in the basement.

"Supreme General," Colsia, the head medic, greeted me upon my arrival. She didn't bother looking up, too busy shoveling a tube down the throat of a mutant with spikes sharper than my best blades along his neck. How she managed to do it without poking herself was a mystery.

"How are we on reserves?" I asked, cutting straight to the point.

"This batch will hold out for another month before we'll need to dispose of and replace them with the mutants we have in lock-up. The city is using more energy than their bodies can supply." She completed her task, stepped away from the man, and faced me. "We need to begin thinking of alternatives, sir. The mutants are a great supply for now, but once their eradication is complete..."

She didn't need to finish. I knew as much. It wasn't anything that I hadn't considered before, but quite frankly, I just don't care. Maksim built this city and I modernized it when I figured out that my magic could be used to make machines operational again. These people? They meant nothing to me. The only person that matters is my Sheshka. Once she's in my arms, this city could rot for all I care.

"As you've said countless times before."

"As I will continue to say until you–" Her voice cut off mid-sentence, courtesy of the phantom hands of magic I had wrapped around her throat.

I tilted my head slightly. "Dear Colsia, you may be the smartest woman in the Capitol but you'd do well to remember your betters."

She nodded, her face turning redder and redder the longer I held her. I watched in fascination as her hands, which were frantically clawing at her throat, suddenly slumped and her eyes began to roll backward. I released her just before she passed out and reveled in the way she gasped for breath as her body dropped to the floor.

"Your job is to find solutions, not give me more problems. I suggest you focus on that."

She was still wheezing for breath when I left and I felt a flush of pleasure, remembering how my Sheshka would pant so prettily with my hand wrapped around her throat. She refused to cower in fear as I literally held her life in my hands. No, my Sheshka glared at me with such defiance. Oh, how I've missed our time together. We had much to make up for.

On my way to speak with our operations manager, a soldier– I think his name is Boris or something— ran up to me with wide eyes full of panic.

"Supreme General, sir." He stood tall to salute briefly between his panting breaths. "Hamilton sent me to inform you that none of our suppliers are responsive, sir. He has tried all the channels and they're all silent."

Hamilton must be the man who I'd spoken to earlier. The name suited him well enough. I felt the grin stretching across my face, ignoring the fear that overcame Boris'. So, that was her play. Well played, My Sheshka, well played.

"Prepare the trucks. We're riding out," I ordered, marching away from him.

"You're coming, sir?!" He called at my back, surprise evident in his voice.

I paused and glanced back at him. Whatever he saw on my face made him take a step back. "Of course. What kind of man would I be if I didn't greet my Goddess in person?"