Dirk & Steele 02 - Shadow Touch by Marjorie M. Liu

Author:Marjorie M. Liu
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-10-11T16:00:41+00:00

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Chapter Ten

Elena's first impression of Vladivostok was one of beauty. The city lay sprinkled over a series of peaks, peninsulas, and islands, with the sea glittering serenely just beyond the shore.

"Does it look that good close-up?" Elena asked, as Artur drove down the winding mountain path.

"Distance is fine on the eyes," Artur said, "but yes, parts of the city are quite beautiful. Odd, considering that it has always been used as nothing more than a glorified naval base." He gestured toward the bay. "Do you see all the shipyards? The Russian Pacific fleet is stationed in those waters. Very strategic. It has been only ten years since foreigners were allowed in this city."

Elena smiled. "You've got a secret crush on boats and submarines, don't you?"

Artur glanced at her, surprised. A smile crept onto his face. He looked almost boyish. "I like them, yes. When I was very young I think I wanted to be a pirate. With a parrot, yes? And the sword and pistol."

"Peg leg, too?"

"No, no." He shook his head, laughing quietly. "No, I wanted to climb the rigging. I wanted to run. I wanted the freedom. The open sea, with nothing between me and the sun and the wind." He hesitated. "You have seen pictures of old Soviet apartment blocks? Big and gray? They are monstrous buildings, very poorly constructed. My matushka—mother—did her best to make our home happy, but in a place like that it was difficult. So much controls you. In Moscow, especially. Money, your neighbors, politics."

"And pirates don't care about any of those things, do they?"

"Maybe the money," Artur said, still smiling. "A little gold never hurt."

Elena grinned. She glanced over her shoulder to see if the others were listening, but Rik looked fast asleep. He lay on the floor of the covered truck bed, curled into a ball. Amiri lay beside him. He was not asleep; but he made no move to acknowledge Elena. She did not take offense. She thought it quite possible that both men did not trust her or Artur—and to be honest, she had similar feelings toward them as well. Thrown together like beads in a bag, clanking up against one another. Who could say if they were showing their true selves?

Rictor could.

Well, yes, but Rictor was not here. And that, probably, was a good thing. She had mixed feelings about him, as well.

"Speaking of money—" Elena said, and then stopped because it was quite clear Artur was thinking about the same thing. A slight furrow appeared in his brow; his jaw tightened.

"I know someone in this city. He owes me, but he will not be happy to pay off his debt."

"Typical," Elena said. "What did you do for him?"

"Oh…" He hesitated. "Well, I suppose I saved his life. Perhaps the lives of his family, too. I was never quite sure about that."

Elena stared. "You saved his life? And you don't think he'll be happy to repay you for that?"

Artur looked extremely uncomfortable, which was odd. He had acted so cool under pressure, Elena had suspected he lacked some crucial wires in his brain.

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