A Call for Brighter Days: Aeriel Trilogy #2

Ruban stepped out of the SUV in front of a large, decrepit building that served as the primary detention center for the South Ragah Division. This was where the two gangsters they’d arrested less than a week ago were being held on remand, awaiting trial. An officer met them at the gate, and soon, Ruban was striding through dank, dim, and airless hallways with Simani at his side.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the door of the visiting chamber. The officer entered a string of numbers on a keypad nearby and pushed the heavy metal door open. Then, he stood aside, allowing the Hunters to step through.

At the center of the bare room, illuminated by a single light bulb, stood a metal table surrounded by narrow, uncomfortable-looking chairs. Ruban immediately recognized the handcuffed man seated at the table.

Muscle-bound and mustachioed, the man resembled a villain from a dated action movie. A lot less threatening than he’d seemed when Ruban first laid eyes on him, out in the secluded fields just beyond the city.

The thug glared at them with bitter, bloodshot eyes, his lips curling into a grimace of distaste.

Ruban smiled, pulling out a chair opposite the prisoner and making himself comfortable. A moment later, Simani was seated beside him, her posture deceptively relaxed.

“You seem to be in a cooperative mood,” Ruban said, careful to keep his tone friendly.

Before the prisoner could respond, a slender young man rushed in to set two steaming cups of watery tea in front of the Hunters.

“Aren’t they hospitable,” the thug sneered, his blackened teeth showing.

Ruban wrapped two fingers around the handle of the steel cup and took a sip. “Not as bad as it looks. We could get you some, if you’re helpful.”

The prisoner laughed. Some of the hostility had bled out. He slouched in his chair; his hard, inquisitive eyes trained on the Hunters. “What d’you want from me?”

“Nothing much. Mister…ah…Banki?”

He nodded.

“Well, all we want from you is some information, Mr. Banki.” Simani leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table. “And a bit of honesty. In return for a commuted sentence, if all the information checks out.”

“What makes you so sure I will be sentenced?”

Simani’s lips quirked. “If you’re not, buy a lottery ticket on your way back from the courthouse.”

Banki guffawed. “Alright. I’m listening. What’s this information you’re after?”

“It’s been a few months since the feather mafia began working with Aeriels.” Simani stared unblinkingly at the prisoner, the humor disappearing from her features. “Particularly your gang, Mr. Banki. If I’m not mistaken, the Qawirsin was the first to include Aeriels within its ranks. You started the trend.”

Banki smirked. “You’re welcome.”

“So, how’re you luring them in? Securing their cooperation?” She sipped her tea. “What’s in it for them? What’s the bargain?”

“They have their orders,” he shrugged. “From Vaan. We’re just pawns on a larger chessboard that we can’t see the whole of.” He glanced at the ceiling. “They’re the ones moving the pieces around. Pulling the strings, so to speak.”

“You’re saying the feather mafia is receiving help from Vaan?” Simani frowned. “Now, why do I find that hard to believe?”

“You can believe what you want. I’m just saying it as it is.”

“Well, I think you’re lying,” Ruban growled. “And I think it’d be in your best interest to start taking our questions seriously.

“The Hunter Corps has captured more than a few of Tauheen’s followers since her death last year,” he continued. “Many of them are being held here in Ragah, awaiting execution. We could arrange to have you spend a few hours with them, if you’re not feeling cooperative. I’ve a feeling they won’t take kindly to you people killing and branding their comrades, though.”

The color drained from Banki’s face. Ruban bit back a smile. He thanked Ashwin silently for telling him about the different factions among the Aeriels. Apparently, Banki knew about it too, and had enough sense to be afraid of the faction still loyal to the former queen. So, the Exiles weren’t a united front after all. This might turn out to be easier than he’d imagined.

Ruban sat back, forcing himself to relax. Simani was scanning his face through narrowed eyes. He ignored her. There’d be time for explanations later.

“We seem to have got off on the wrong foot.” He smiled at Banki. “I apologize. So, let’s start at the beginning. You joined the Qawirsin a little over a decade ago, am I correct?”

The prisoner nodded.

“Well, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you? What drew you to Janak Nath and his gang?”

After a few moments of deafening silence, Banki shrugged. “He was a trained Hunter. Not every day the mafia gets one of those. He’s a good leader, and a better negotiator. After he took over the Qawirsin, they killed more Aeriels in a year than most other gangs managed in half a decade. And they sold the feathers at a higher rate. I wanted a piece of that pie. Who wouldn’t?”

“Fair enough. And the Aeriels? What do they want?”

“Who knows what those creatures want?” Banki snapped. “They’re monsters. Or haven’t you Hunters noticed that?”

“Even monsters have desires. Goals. They’re murdering their own kind to make the mafia rich. They must want something in return.”

“Drugs. Sex. Entertainment.” He laughed. “It changes from time to time. And from Aeriel to Aeriel. Sometimes they want booze, though they can’t get drunk. Or at least, it doesn’t last when they do. Sometimes they just want to fuck. Sometimes, nothing at all. Just flying around, rearranging the clouds. They’d even take you for a ride if you asked…and if they were in the mood for it.

“Like I said, they’re monsters. Can’t be reasoned with. If you ask me, they just got a taste of freedom after you killed the queen last year. Want to make the most of it. Can’t say I blame them… Though, if they have a coherent goal, they aren’t very good about pursuing it, I can tell you that.”

Ruban sipped his watery tea, watching Banki over the rim of the steel cup. His words were in line with what Ashwin had said about the feather-borns. And with what he’d observed during his brief visit to Vaan last year.

“And what about Janak Nath? What does he get out of this?” Simani asked. “And how’s he luring the Aeriels into his fold, to begin with? They aren’t exactly known to be team players.”