The Black Lotus Affair by Lina Vine

Author:Lina Vine [Vine, Lina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-31T18:30:00+00:00

15.

Early in the evening, the hall was transformed for a banquet: Small stand-up bistro tables were brought in, candles lit up, and Asahara’s miniature portraits placed on each table. A flurry of caterers with trays scurried in and out of the great hall, serving a mixture of western and Japanese finger food. There was no alcohol, only juices and soft drinks. Working her way methodically through the small collection of canapes and rolls on her plate, Kiko wondered whether the banquet was paid from the members’ fees and donations.

“Excuse us, Miss, do you mind if you we join you?” a young Japanese man, asked her, bowing and motioning with his head at the table. “There aren’t enough tables here today.”

Kiko nodded, making room for the men’s plates and glasses. “Please.”

“Oh, it’s certainly not for everyone,” the Japanese man said, continuing a conversation he’d already started. “Do you know about the warrior boot camp organized by the Society twice a year?” He looked at both his companion and Kiko, but seemed to direct his question primarily at her. She shook her head. “By the way I’m Yoshi,” the Japanese man said. “And this is Matt from the United States. We’re new BLS members.” The American shook Kiko’s hand, looking her straight in the eye, keeping her hand in his a split second longer, as if sending her a faint signal that he was interested in her.

“I couldn’t do it last year,” Yoshi went on. “It’s just way too demanding.” Probably in his early-thirties, he was trim and fit and wore gold-rim specs, looking like a lawyer or professor. His American companion was a tall redhead, with big meaty hands, like those of a lumberjack. The two couldn’t have been more different.

The American looked skeptical. “Really? What’s the program like?”

“My friend who did the warrior camp program last year said it was grueling beyond belief. He was tempted to drop out of the program a few times. You have to fast for six weeks during the day, following a detox program that leaves you pretty much starved. The yoga regimen is rigorous – headstands, advanced postures, Kundalini and heat yoga, three hours every day. Not for the faint-hearted. I’d prefer to take it gently and work my way up, but certainly not in the warrior camp! They just throw you, so to speak, in the middle of the ocean with sharks and tell you to swim to shore. I don’t think I could do it.” Yoshi motioned for them to get closer to hear something that apparently wasn’t for the ears of the general public. He said in a low voice, “I must say I’m glad Ryuko, my buddy, survived, because not everyone comes back alive from these literally bloody warrior camps.” He paused and looked at Kiko and Rick.

“Oh, what happens?” Kiko asked, but she could guess the answer. She remembered Takashi’s wrist and ankle scars, his emaciation.

“People have died in the warrior camp,” Yoshi said, looking at Kiko, fear and awe in his eyes.

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