Slave to Sapphire

Chapter 3:

No one spoke as they walked to Crimson Gang’s headquarters. The air was thick with fog it was always the coldest in the early hours of the morning, when the sun had yet to rise. Cora pulled her black cloak tightly around her, fending off the cold. Her cloak covered a black tunic and pants. Cora had taken to dressing like Iris. Iris had taken Cora under her wing almost a year ago. At fifteen, Cora was already taller than Iris, her thin frame all angles and muscle. Maddox walked slightly in front of Iris and Cora; his leather jerkin left his arms bare and his short curly hair was wet with condensation. It was annoying how Maddox never seemed to be cold. Iris was thankful for his presence; his hulking build and nose crooked from a previous break made him intimidating. Maddox was Iris’s second and had been working under her for the past three years. Maddox was loyal to a fault and if things went poorly with Samuel, he would attempt to fight his and Iris’ way out. Iris hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Maddox was a good fighter, but they would be vastly outnumbered.

They were nearing their destination, Iris whispered into the silence, “Cora, I need you to wait outside while Maddox and I talk to Samuel. If things don’t go as planned you will tell Lucious what happened.” Cora was clever and quick on her feet but bringing her to speak with Samuel would only put her at risk. It had been a snap decision to take responsibility for Cora a year ago, mostly based on the painful memory of her sister Anna. In the time that had passed Iris had come to care for her and Cora had made herself surprisingly useful. Iris appreciated Cora’s usefulness, but she had developed a fierce protectiveness for her as well.

Cora’s jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing at Iris’ order, but she nodded in agreement. Cora wasn’t happy with the arrangement, but she wouldn’t argue with Iris on this.

Crimson Gang’s headquarters was a run-down gambling hall in the heart of Scarlet Town. Samuel held a private poker game once a week that would last until sunrise. The game was invite only. If you wanted to bring forth a business proposition to Samuel, you had to receive an invitation to the poker game and pay a hefty fee to buy in. Iris would never receive an invitation; she was a woman. In the criminal world of Scarlet Town there was only room for men at the table.

Iris looked to Cora a final time. Cora bowed her head and hid herself in the shadows of a nearby alleyway. Samson sat beside Iris; he wouldn’t be waiting outside. Iris would have preferred it, but she had learned long ago that she couldn’t force the tarvin to do anything. Maddox approached the door and kicked it open. The force of his kick caused the door to break free of one of its hinges and hang askew. Five of the six men who sat around the poker table bolted to their feet, daggers and fists at the ready. Samuel remained seated folding his gnarled, wrinkled hands together. Maddox stepped aside so that Iris could enter. Iris willed herself to exude the confidence she didn’t feel and strode through the door with Samson at her side.

“I am here on business,” Iris stated, keeping her voice even. The gambling hall was empty of guests, the only people being the six men at the poker table and a bartender that was in the process of righting a turned over table, a dish rag slung on his shoulder. His continued cleaning was at odds with the tension in the room.

Samuel studied her; his umber eyes were sunken into the cracked leathery skin of his face. He made a point to leave his blue source stone exposed for those around him to see.

“To do business with me requires an invitation, but I do admire your boldness.” His voice was strong but worn with age. Samuel made a small gesture to one of the men seated at the table. The man stood from his seat and moved towards Iris. Iris made eye contact with Maddox, signaling for him to let things play out. The man sprang at Iris, wrapping his arms around her so that her hands were pinned at her sides, his arms a vice across her chest. A low growl rumbled from Samson and he sunk his canines into the man’s calf. The man yelped in surprise, lifting his leg to shake Samson loose. Iris stomped with the full force of her booted heel onto the top of his planted foot, his hold on her loosened. She twisted, keeping her foot on top of his and grabbing his arm; using his unbalanced momentum to throw him forward. Samson released him and the man fell forward, the bones of his ankle crunching. The moment before his body hit the ground Iris lifted her foot. He rolled onto his side, hands grasping his injured ankle. Iris pulled her dagger, scanning the room. Maddox was brawling with two of the men and the remaining two advanced towards her. Samson was in position beside her, hunched and ready to launch himself at the next attacker, hissing and spitting the blood of the man he had just bitten. Dreck, this wasn’t going as planned.

“Enough.” Samuel stated in a quiet voice. The men halted. Maddox backed away from the men he had been fighting, edging himself closer to Iris. He kept the muscles of his body coiled and ready to fight; his crooked nose was starting to swell, he spit a clot of blood onto the floor. The two men he had been fighting kept their eyes on him. One of their eyes was now an opaque red, the socket around the eye swelling. The arm of the other man hung limply from his shoulder. Both of them were still filled with the wild energy of a vicious fight.

“I am interested to see what Lucious’ girl has to say. Let’s hear her out. When she is done you can kill her and her man.”

Iris cleared her throat; she hated it when men referred to her as a girl. “I came to notify you that from now on the azure shipments are going through me. I have negotiated better terms with Horatio on your behalf. He has decreased his smuggler fee to fifteen percent. You will purchase the azure from me if you wish to get the five percent discount.”

“Now that is an interesting business proposition.” Samuel turned his stare to the men in the room. “In fact, that is the best one I have heard tonight.”

The hatred that the men looked at Iris with intensified. She had just made some powerful enemies. More to add to a very long list.

“If I don’t agree to your terms?” He asked.

“You would be making a poor financial decision. You would also be losing your source of azure. I have ensured that Horatio will only smuggle for me.”

A gasping sound came from Samuel. It took Iris a moment to realize that he was laughing. “Your boldness is going to get you killed girl, but tonight it has gotten you your deal.”

Iris had to fight to keep the smile from her lips. Samuel continued on, “I expect the same amount of azure and for it to arrive on time.”

“Of course,” Iris responded.