Clepsydra [ON HOLD]

Chapter 12: The Ghost

The train screeches to a stop at the station in New York, a few kilometres away from where we need to go. I stand up and get my duffle bag out of the overhead bins, watching Zoi as she does the same. We both get off and I pull her to the side, going out the back gate.

"Here," I hold the door open so she can go first. "Go down the alley and turn left, go to the hotel and give them this," I place a coin in her hand, knowing for a fact that she knows what to do.

"We're splitting up?" Her soft voice floats up into the crisp air, little clouds leaving her lips as she speaks.

"Only for a few hours," I pat her head and go right, listening to her footsteps as they stop and I feel her eyes watching me leave down the street.

She'll be fine.

I nod my head once, steeling myself and going to the house, where she will be. Where Zoi can never be.

I hail a cab and drop a gold coin in their hand before they are able to say anything. The driver nods his head, keeping his eyes from my face as I settle in and pull out my mask.

This conference with her, it's the ending to a new beginning. It will determine if the next few years will be in ruin or prosperity. It will determine who dies. All of this rests on my shoulders, and I'm trying to keep Zoi out of it, but of all the things I do, controlling her is not one of them. Xenophon needs me and my help. I need her help. This should go smoothly.

"Where to, sir?" The driver asks once I tapped on his head rest twice, letting him know that my mask is on.

"Paradise,"

"Right away, sir,"

⏳

"Welcome to Paradise," I nod my head as I exit the cab with my bag on my shoulder. Zoi should be at the hotel, getting ready for the hunt. This is her first hunt without me. I'm nervous for her, but I push those feelings (those doubts) out of my mind as I walk into the house.

I hear the cab drive away as I knock on the door, awaiting for her to answer. What does she need this time? Is it truly something that we can lay down a foundation on? Something that would bridge our two different jobs together?

"Deimos, you're late," Xenophon's battle mask is on this time, instead of her normal one.

"Actually, I'm early," I shove my way inside, pushing past her form and walking straight into the living room, "Where do you want to talk shop?" I toss my stuff into one of the couch seats, sitting next to it and resting my dirty boots on her glass table.

"Been a long time, but I know you know better than that," Xenophon closes the door and shoves my feet off the table before I know it. I bark a laugh as I look at her once more, watching how her green eyes dilate in the darkness that surrounds us.

"What can I help you with?" I smile beneath my mask, knowing she can see it.

"I need help extracting someone," She sits down across from me, her short hair greased down the middle, shining from the moonlight that's filtering in through the windows.

"The Great Xenophon, asking for my help with a simple extraction?" I fake a gasp, sitting up straight, "Damn, it's either these guys are the shit or you're just rusty."

"Thanks," She replies dryly, watching my every move as I sit back and pull out a cigarette, lighting it right then and there in the living room.

"So, who is it?"

"That doesn't matter,"

"It should," I leave her be with that, knowing that this was not up for debate. She has someone close to her that she wants to protect. I can understand that; that's why Zoi isn't here with me, "Tell me everything. And I do mean everything, Xeno."