Paragon

⊰❉⊱ 62 ⊰❉⊱

"You are wondering when it is you'll get back to that mortal." Vanilla stated off to my left.

A case full of military grade plutonium sat leisurely in a box in front of him. He tucked one leg over the other and bounced a shining black shoe up and down slowly. 

I pushed a hand back through my hair I had finally taken down. I was still outfitted in black combats and armed from ankle to chest. My shirt was riddled with bullet holes, my rifle sat in the seat opposite me and my willingness to be another 24 hours without Quinn Adams was waning by the second. 

At least the mortals tending to this flight knew better than to question–and had likely seen sights worse.

"Could I have a gin and tonic, please?" I asked a passing attendant, instead of answering.

Vanilla smirked to himself and continued watching Nigeria fall away beneath us.

I was not going to give him the enjoyment. I had no doubt he wanted me to ask where we were going so desperately. The fact was I did not care. The only line of questioning I cared for was when my time with Paragon was deemed sufficient. I had done my job. I had done it very well. Yet... the immortal running the charade underneath had got away shortly after I despatched Elias. If I cared for immortal affairs anymore I would have likely tracked and pursued him. But that was not my objective set. I was to retrieve and return–minus one. Rogue immortals were not my problem.

A larger part of me considered that they'd simply sent me to test my viability for elder status. Not to replace one quite as quickly...

The bouncing stopped.

He tilted his head at me as I inhaled the gin that was placed in front of me. I raised it to my lips and took a sip. Then I finally cast my half golden gaze over to his full burning irises. They were beautifully terrifying. 

"Yes."

His smile grew. 

"You neutralised the threat," He noted, rolling his wrist as he did, "you ended ten–apologies, eleven, immortals." He corrected deliberately, adding Elias on as a simple mathematical error. "–And you inherit elder status in the process. Tell me, how did it feel to take a step closer to true immortality?" He asked, leaning forward rapidly and bridging his hands before him to measure my response.

"Necessary." I answered simply. Thinking of the immeasurable strength required to throw six immortals apart like I had. If ever I had a reason to demand more of immortality–that was cause enough. She was enough.

It was not the answer he expected. Therefore he enjoyed it greatly. He mused on this answer and did not speak again. That worked for me.

I pulled the phone out hidden beside my heart. But my own fell through the jet floor when I saw the rounds had gone through the kevlar and shattered it into uselessness. I shut my eyes briefly and cast it onto the table in irritation. My one line of communication with Quinn terminated as quickly as my time with her.

Vanilla got up from his seat and deliberately retrieved something from his inner pocket. I flinched in natural apprehension, which made a dangerous smile cross his lips. He pulled a lighter and lit a cigar in front of me.

I don't know why I had expected more, but I deflated all the same.

He took a deep drag before offering it to me.

"Hold this a moment, if you will." It was not a question.

I swiped it from his fingers and took my own deep drag of vanilla scented infusion. He laughed loudly in that surprised and deranged way.