Distraction and Observation (Manifesto)

[Nesrin Aziz]

At the affirmative from the Jackal’s man, the Archivist politely inclined his head, and offered the Key back to Nesrin. She caught the faint amusement in his eyes, though his tone was perfectly civil as he asked, “I trust I do not need return the artefact to its housing?”

She swallowed the sly smirk which threatened. Whether Lucien’s abilities were real or not she did not actually care, she only needed the gold-standard of his reputation – other people trusted him. But she realised then that there must be some actual truth to it – for he’d apparently understood that she hadn’t actually managed to get the Key out of the puzzle box before tonight. Instead she only accepted the items back into her possession, and thanked him for his time.

Now that they were done, she was keen to get the fuck out.

Because once they were both beyond the Archivist’s hospitality, Nesrin didn’t trust for a second that the Jackal’s man with his stony poker face would play fair. Roles reserved, she doubted she would either. She stood, smoothing the red fabric at her hips. The Key had already disappeared, the gesture one of distraction. “A pleasure, gentlemen.”

The Jackal's man knew how to access the auction, should his employer wish to further his bid. She didn’t smile, and she didn’t hurry, though her heart was pounding as she made her exit.

A disorientating darkness threw her, though only for a moment, before the club’s lights returned outside the booth. She wanted to look back over her shoulder, a little chilled by the strangeness, but didn’t. Instead she glanced for Eddie. She had every reason to think he’d keep his word, but if he hadn’t, she wasn’t planning on hanging around.