Hell by A. A. Ron

Author:A. A. Ron [Ron, A. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2020-12-10T16:47:20+00:00

Chapter Ten:

The Tree of Life

They arrived at an old brownstone in a particularly unsavory neighborhood in the south of the city. The building immediately struck Tat as odd, but it was several seconds before she realized that its oddness stemmed from the fact that it was devoid of windows; not a single opening marred the monolithic brick façade save the front entrance. The building was enormous, four or five storeys if she had to guess, though without windows for reference it was impossible to say for sure. They disembarked, Maria handing the driver a five pound note.

The driver gave a long, low whistle. “Take your time, milady,” he drawled, climbing down from his seat and patting one of the horses. “We’ll be ‘ere when you need us.” After a decidedly lecherous wink, he affected an impressive swagger, approaching a clutch of giggling women in a nearby doorway from which raucous laughter issued.

Tat furtively scanned the crowded street. Even this far south of the river, the rampant filth and lawlessness one witnessed in ports and waterfronts had spread like an infection. People scurried like cockroaches while buildings, stained by decades of rain and soot, towered all around, making her feel claustrophobic as they pressed close on all sides. Who could they possibly be meeting with in this squalid district?

A smartly attired doorman emerged and addressed them, “Ahh, Madam Seldeen, it has been quite a while since you’ve graced us with your presence. I trust there is no problem?”

His skin was the color of a polished chestnut; tall, well muscled and lean, with a mean look to him that clashed with his fine suit. He did not strike her as a man one wanted to cross if they valued their life.

Her mother took her hand, protectively pulling her close. “That remains to be seen, Grayson. It is the reason for my visit today,” she then exchanged her gracious greeting voice for a hoarse whisper. “I would speak with Kether, is she available?”

In response, Grayson slid open the hatch of the tiny spy-hole, quietly spoke to someone within, and the door was promptly unlocked. It appeared that he trusted Maria so implicitly that he didn’t even need to inquire as to the identity of her shy companion. He ushered them inside.

“For a scion of the first tenant, Kether is always available…”

They entered a darkened chamber where a slight, bespectacled man with extraordinary mutton chops sat securely behind a solid metal counter that ran the entire length of the room, surmounted by a cage of steel bars. On the wall behind him were four identical clocks, each bafflingly displaying different times, hours apart. He greeted her mother as he would an old friend.

“Why, Maria! We ‘aven’t seen you in… well gotta be bout a year now I reckon. Lovely to see you again ma’am.”

“Hello Arthyr, I apologize for my long absence. I have been meaning to come around more often. Today I fear it is business of the utmost importance that has brought me.”

“Oh

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