Broker

Chapter 208

The bed was luxurious. Comfortable to the point of being unsettling. Ishtar wasn’t used to sleeping in a bed. She didn’t actively experience it the way Sonya did. Drifting off into slumber was still a challenge, no matter how much her rational mind urged her to go to sleep and recover from what she’d gone through. So she sat there, alone, in her own sightless void and listened to the deafening silence of the penthouse. Marta and Black Lotus had gone to bed, Cassiopeia was still up, and Carla? Carla was next to her. Even when her actual lover was buried deep within the confines of her own psyche, Carla wanted to stay by her side.

Ishtar turned her head as a breeze picked up in the room. The air shifted and coiled, sending her hair fluttering around her face. She felt Carla shift next to her and frowned as the wind died down and the air shifted slightly in the room. That feeling of no longer being alone coming over her once again. This time, though, the sensation was accompanied by a new feeling. It was one she’d never been consciously aware of but somehow felt familiar to the point of intimacy. It was like a connection that she possessed, a cord linking her to another person.

“I was expecting a phone call,” Ishtar said quietly into the dark.

“Forgive my rudeness, mistress, but I have been eager to be at your side for some time,” Blackrazor said, his voice close, she turned her head and tilted it down. He was next to the bed then, low, kneeling? 

“Stand up, Blackrazor,” she said and gestured to the end of the bed, “Fetch my wheelchair.”

“Yes, Mistress,” the assassin said and stepped away. A moment later he helped her into it and pushed her out into the third-floor hallway. She nodded to the right and he took her through another door that opened up into her office, “Your new home is impressive.”

“It wouldn’t have been built if it weren’t for your people protecting it,” Ishtar said thoughtfully, “It’s a shame I will have to wait before I see it with my own eyes,” Blackrazor went silent for as he wheeled her out of the hallway and towards the stairs. She felt a chill wash over her, a sudden icy cold that bit into her skin before giving way to the warmth of the apartment. She frowned, “You’re babying me,” she growled, “The chair can handle the stairs.”

He didn’t respond.

“Blackrazor?”

“I should have been there,” he said, his voice was small, shaky, angry, “I could have done something, anything, to see you reduced to this is…”

She huffed out a breath, “This wasn’t the result of a battle in as much as there was an opponent that could be killed, dear,” she said even as she restrained the small smile that crossed her lips. He’s such a good boy. 

“But!”

“Self-recrimination gets us nowhere,” Ishtar said cooly, “It only plants the seeds of regrets that we cannot afford, little Villain.”

He sighed, “As you say, mistress,” he conceded and resumed pushing her wheelchair. She heard the tell-tale hiss of the glass wall opening to allow them out into the garden.

Her lips thinned, “Speaking of regrets, tell me, did you know?”

“Know what, mistress?” he asked.

“About Kera’s intentions for when she came to visit me,” Ishtar asked, “I’m not accusing you, Blackrazor, but I am very curious.”

He paused and then she heard his gloves grip the handles of the wheelchair harder, “I was.”

“And you didn’t think to alert me?” she asked.

“What net benefit would that accomplish, mistress?” he asked in turn, “Confronting you was something she had to do before she could progress any further. I know the feeling of being so fixated that I lose sight of what I need to grow. I also knew the limits of the deal, you were in no danger,” he explained, “The greatest benefit to you and her was to allow her to walk blindly into your hands and see your wisdom unfiltered.”

Ishtar hummed to herself, “Of all of my villains,” she said thoughtfully, “You have grown the most, haven’t you?”

“Park Beyol died in that warehouse,” Blackrazor said, “Who he was would not allow me to accomplish my own desires, so I left him behind as necessary.”

Ishtar’s lip twitched and she nodded slowly, “And what is it that you desire, Blackrazor?”

“To kill the Night Society as it was,” he said, “I accomplished my goal and ended the headmaster. Now I have a new goal, I wish to be your shadow so I can see the world you are trying to create and in the process, become something more than a mere man.”

Certainty. Audacity. Clarity. Ahhh… this is what I want to see. Magnificent.

“Even if that means dying in the process?” she tested him.

“I cannot see the other end of your goal if I am dead, Mistress. Without me, the Night Society is useless to you and your goal becomes that more difficult to accomplish,” he said flatly, his cold words carrying amidst the aromatic flowers. “A villain can always try again, so long as they live. That’s something I learned from you.”

“We never had this discussion,” Ishtar said.

“A discussion wasn’t necessary, I learn better through experience and observation,” he said.

Good.

“I’m pleased,” she said, “Make your report, dear, and we can talk about the future.”

He cleared his throat and stepped out around her, she heard the rush of fabric as he dropped to a knee at her feet. She tilted her head and smiled at him, pride welling in her chest. This was how it should be, this was how one of her villains composed themselves. 

“My agents have collected all the necessary observations of Liberty’s various compounds across the globe. Her influence has spread, which explains the growth in her power. I was made aware of her confrontation with Guildmaster Evergreen, to think that woman lost in a field of Snow,” Blackrazor said before moving on, “A full digital map and record of the estimated population within a minimal margin of error is on my person as we speak.”

She nodded, “Good, continue.”

“Yes, Mistress,” he said soberly, “We have identified and infested the companies and organizations that secretly support Liberty. As much as she tries to say otherwise, her cult is not self-sufficient. The mortar that holds it up has holes that can be exploited. One of my Deans has prepared a comprehensive list of the groups as well as strategies to bring them down either financially or through scandal. Exposing their relation to Liberty may do some harm but it is ultimately inefficient and contrary to your goals.”

She tapped her lip, “I see, I figured such groups existed. How many?”

“Numerous, Mistress. While the woman herself is quite abrasive, her clerics are far more sociable and convincing,” Blackrazor said, “It is to my shame that members of the Night Society fell prey to their words.”

“Halloway,” Ishtar growled.

She could feel the sudden wash of bloodlust off of Blackrazor the moment she said the name, it was strong enough that even she felt a bit taken aback. She settled herself and waited for him to calm down, ignoring the chill in the air, when it didn’t abate she let out a sigh, “Your shadows will hurt the flowers, Blackrazor,” she said.

The chill receded in an instant, “Forgive me.”

“It’s fine,” she said, “Did you deliver the details to Charon and Kingshark?”

“I have, Kingshark is nearly ready. He has not left the hatchery for several days now according to his people. The sounds within are… frightful,” he admitted, “Charon informed me that he is still willing to send Tenebra on the errand you are proposing, but he has his doubts that many villains will side with you in this fight.”

“Oh?” she asked.

“Charon believes that the underworld is waiting to see the outcome. Everyone expects that Ishtar will play a role in the inevitable war. No one is convinced by the Pandora Committee’s efforts to avoid a conflict. The only question is, will the infant era of Villains be snuffed out or establish itself? Will you win or lose? Those are the questions being asked in the Styx right now. If you win, I imagine the underworld will go through the final stages of this paradigm shift.”

“And if I lose, Liberty’s philosophy of might-makes-right will become the standard,” Ishtar said, “Her cult and the underworld will become inseparable even if she cares little for them.”

“That is my observation as well, Mistress.”

She nodded and rest her hands in her lap. So it comes down to this. I almost pity Carla. She is trying so hard to avoid something that is unavoidable. Either Liberty triggers the war herself or I do it for her, there can be no peace as long as the Heralds live. It seems almost all of my pieces are in place. This won’t be like Vegas, Liberty, I have tolerated your continued wasting of this worlds precious oxygen for long enough. Fifteen days until we meet face to face. Thirty until I can look into your eyes as you die.

“You’ve outdone yourself as always, Blackrazor. Do you have something you want from me? A new ability to add to your repertoire, perhaps? My powers are limited right now, but I can make sure to collect something worth your while once I recover,” she offered.

“I… do have a request, mistress, three humble wishes if possible,” he said hesitantly.

She frowned but nodded, “Ask them and I will see what I can do.”

“Be merciful with Kera. I have not seen her since allowing her to leave my side to visit you. If she has angered you, I-” he cleared his throat, “I have some affection for her.”

Ishtar raised an eyebrow, Oh Sonya, you’re missing it, the boy has become a man, “She’s fine,” Ishtar said after a lengthy pause, “She is in the building as we speak, observing people as they come and go. We had a heart to heart. That said, since you asked, I won’t tease her about her momentary lapse in the future.”

He let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you mistress.”

“And your other wishes?” she pressed.

“I have taken steps to empower my Deans to make my new Night Society more self-governing. While it relies on me for many things, I can act as Headmaster from afar now,” he explained. She tilted her head and he continued, “I wish to return to your side and remain in your shadow, Mistress. Your knife in the dark.”

“Tired of playing big boss already?” she asked with amusement.

“On the contrary, I wish to grow in order to become a greater Headmaster,” he said, “This is a purely selfish request, as is my third wish, which I suppose is conditional on the second.”

She considered him for a moment, her hands in her lap, her fingers idly tapping against her gown. She finally nodded, “Granted. You are to return to my side effective immediately. It will be good to have you around again, what is your third wish, you selfish boy?”

The chill swept back into the garden and his voice took on an edge that she rather liked. Not the voice of the young man, nor the voice of the Headmaster and her agent, this was the bloodcurdling voice of Blackrazor. Death incarnate. “I want Halloway.”

–

Ishtar sat in the garden, to any who observed her, she was alone. Yet she could feel the faint tickle of static electricity in the air and the chill in the shadows around her. A looming threat to anyone who dared come near. It was comforting to have her beloved children close at hand. Children? She wondered about that. Perhaps that’s what they are. I’ve raised them and watched over them. Is that why I am so protective? I do not feel this way for Sonya’s heroes or her friends outside of her inner circle. This feeling was once reserved only for Sonya. 

“You’re awake,” a voice called out behind her.

She tilted her head, “Black Lotus,” she said, “I didn’t hear your footsteps.”

“You seemed lost in thought,” the hero said, “So I concealed them.”

Ishtar clicked her tongue, “That’s an interesting trick.”

“Says the woman with more powers than fingers and toes,” Black Lotus shot back as she walked into the garden. Her footfalls carried sound with them now. Ishtar raised an eyebrow as the woman stopped short, “Who else is here?”

“You’re definitely growing into quite the hero, aren’t you?” Ishtar commented instead of answering.

“Ishtar…” Black Lotus growled warningly.

“A pair of my beloved children,” Ishtar said, “They’re no threat to you unless you want them to be. I suggest you do not press more, I have a feeling you will not like what you learn.”

“So you’re still doing these things,” Black Lotus said.

“What made you think I wasn’t?” Ishtar said, “My powers may be restrained but I am still Ishtar.”

“You’ve just been rather peaceful the past few days,” Black Lotus commented, “I’d hoped you would at least wait until Sonya was back.”

“She wouldn’t have wanted that, and you know it,” Ishtar shot back, “Our designs for Liberty cannot wait for that silly girl to get her act together.”

Black Lotus said nothing before she began to approach again, she paused as she stopped within just a few feet and Ishtar felt the charge in the air recede slightly as well as the chill. There was a new energy in the air that pushed them both back. Ishtar could feel the mana brushing up against her skin. “You need to take the peace talks seriously,” Black Lotus demanded, “This isn’t a game. No one really wants a war.”

“Liberty needs to die,” Ishtar said, “You know why.”

“So you’re going to sabotage the peace talks?” Black Lotus snarled, “Are you really that petty that you would put millions at risk just to get your way?”

“I agreed to attend the talks in good faith. The war will happen regardless. If I have to draw Liberty out of hiding in another way afterwards, so be it,” Ishtar said, “Either way, I will see her dead.”

“That’s a pessimistic view on things. Liberty is still human, she can be convinced-”

“No,” Ishtar said, her voice dripping with scorn, “She abandoned her humanity a long time ago, long before the Flash.”

“You can’t possibly know that, Ishtar, I know we have our differences but listen to me,” Black Lotus said, “Please. I know that you come from Sonya, you are different, but at your core you are the same person. I want to see Liberty pay as much as anyone. She-” she swallowed, “-but this needs to be done the right way! Maybe she can be convinced to stand trial or anything other than putting so many lives on the line.”

Ishtar scowled at her, “Heroes,” she grunted and shook her head, turning away.

“Ishtar,” Black Lotus said and stepped forward. A chill rose up in the room and the wind began to swirl. She heard Black Lotus take a cautious step back, “Please. You said you’d go in good faith. At least try to get her to surrender,” she hesitated, “Prove that you’re the better villain, outwit her.”

Ishtar sighed, “I know what you’re trying to do,” she said and raised a hand, the wind died down. The last thing she wanted was Blackrazor showing his face. She was well aware that Black Lotus was still looking for him after what happened in Vegas. “I respect it, I do, but I’m not the good guy here. I’m not a hero, and I never will be. I agreed to attend in good faith, though, and it is advantageous for me to at least attempt to see Liberty surrender. It would make it easier for me to kill her, I suppose.”

“Then…”

“I told the underworld that everyone gets a freebie from me,” Ishtar said, “A single favor. You just used yours. The next time you ask me for something. You will have to pay. Don’t forget that, hero. Otherwise you may end up in my debt.”

Black Lotus was silent for a while, the scent of petals wafting past them as the breeze died down. When she spoke, there was no reservation in her voice. Only the resolve to do what needed to be done to save lives.

“I understand.”