A Walk to Greater Worlds: Aeriel Trilogy #3

Chapter 85

The past few months had not been kind to Atbin Siyal. His once-delicate features were now gaunt, eyes hollowed and ringed with dark shadows. His floppy hair was matted and clung unattractively to his forehead.

The visiting chamber of the Central Ragah Detention Center was a stark, claustrophobic room with walls painted a dull, institutional gray. A single fluorescent light flickered overhead, casting harsh shadows on the metal table and uncomfortable chairs bolted to the floor. Making Atbin appear even more haggard than he likely was.

Ruban sat still, his gaze fixed unrelentingly on the younger man sitting across from them, while Simani spoke.

He wasn't entirely sure why he was here. Simani was more than capable of conducting this interview on her own.

Except, Ruban desperately needed something to occupy himself. A distraction from his swirling thoughts. And his partner seemed to understand that. Idleness threatened to pull him under, a gateway to reckless thoughts he couldn't risk indulging. Tempting him to actions he knew he'd live to regret.

"Tej Enterprises is hemorrhaging money. They're losing contracts left and right. And investors are fleeing faster than you can say 'jackrabbit'." Simani's voice held the weight of a warning. "Nearly half their wealth has evaporated overnight. And the management team's reputation is in the gutter. Most of them would be lucky to find another job in the next decade."

"I don't know what you think any of that has to do with me," Atbin said, his voice brittle. "I haven't set foot outside this building in months, except for court."

Simani smiled thinly. "Don't play dumb with me, Siyal. Or should I call you Atbin? You tried to murder me. Few things in the world more personal than that. So I daresay we're close enough for first names, wouldn't you agree?"

The young man flinched, looking away. But he didn't try to deny the allegation, Ruban noticed.

"The defense minister has publicly condemned the brutality of the feather mafia. Has taken personal charge of the investigation into Tej Enterprises, following the latest video leak." Simani leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she spoke. "And we both know Rifaq Nazir doesn't do anything by halves. His antipathy to Vaan is the stuff of legends. So, if even he feels compelled to intervene on behalf of the prince of Vaan... You better believe the public is seething with righteous fury. Eagerly seeking a target on whom to unleash all that pent-up outrage."

"Do you want to be that target, Atbin?" Ruban's voice was a low rumble. "The scapegoat that takes the fall for this whole mess? Because that's exactly where you're headed, if you don't cooperate."

"W-why?" Atbin demanded shakily. "Why me? I-I haven't done anything—"

"Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think?" As she spoke, Simani's smile remained intact. "You have done some things. Tried to get me killed, for instance. Frame Prince Shwaan for the murder. Very enterprising of you. If you orchestrated all that single-handedly."

"I didn't—"

"I know." She heaved a longsuffering sigh. "You didn't do any of it single-handedly. Most of it probably wasn't even your idea. You were just an unwitting pawn; in a game far too complicated for that pea-sized brain of yours to comprehend."

Atbin blinked, caught off guard by the insult.

"The reason I'm telling you all this," Simani continued, unconcerned. "Is to help you understand your current situation. Tej Enterprises will soon be on the brink of bankruptcy, if it isn't already. Dhriti Pathak's power is crumbling as we speak. Her position at the defence ministry is precarious at best.