Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)(77)

“Tell me more about your devotion,” said Justin amiably. “I’m sure it’s fascinating.” Even as he spoke, he had no delusions that Geraki would actually admit his religious involvement in a room with a surveillance camera.

Geraki chuckled. “Oh, it’s not that different from yours. You and I are both devoted to our causes and ambitions…always confident, always questioning, and guided by the voices in our heads.”

Justin kept his condescending smile in place, refusing to flinch at the last comment. “I don’t hear voices, but again, I’d love for you to tell me about yours.”

“I was referring to my conscience, Dr. March,” Geraki said smoothly. “What else did you think I meant? You shouldn’t take things so literally.”

“My mistake,” said Justin. “Now, can we hurry up and get to why you’re so eager to talk to me? Pr?torian Koskinen and I have had a long day.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you. Unofficially, I was just curious if you’d learned anything in your time away.” There was a meaningful pause. “Obviously not.”

“Does that mean I’m not your favorite servitor anymore?” Justin gave Mae a brief glance, but nothing had changed since the last time he’d looked at her. She was still tense and ready, her face cool as she stared unblinkingly at Geraki.

“No, no.” Geraki laughed. “You’ll always be my favorite. Anyway. Officially, I have two messages for you.”

“From who?”

“Who do you think?”

Justin shook his head. “I honestly have no idea.”

From our master, said Magnus.

I don’t suppose you’ll tell me his name yet? asked Justin. Naturally, they didn’t. They never did.

“No matter,” said Geraki. He sat up in the chair, putting his feet on the floor. “The first message: You awarded the golden apple but haven’t upheld your share of the bargain.”

He’s right, said Horatio.

We’ve been over this, Justin retorted, his eyes darting briefly to Mae. I don’t have to fulfill any bargain. I haven’t technically accepted the compensation.

“Nor have you submitted to training,” added Geraki. “You crave knowledge. Once you embrace your role as a student, many of your questions will be answered.”

Justin crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, forcing Mae to shift slightly so that she still kept her body angled between him and Geraki. Justin kept his face as blank as he could, refusing to show that the words meant anything. “You know what? I did learn something in Panama. I’ve learned just how much I missed your incomprehensible rambling.”

Geraki held up two fingers. “My other message is to yield your stars and flowers and accept the clever compromise.”

No, said Magnus swiftly.

You don’t even know what the clever compromise is yet, said Horatio. It was another of those unusual arguments between them.

It doesn’t matter. We know what the stars and flowers are. Yielding her is out of the question.

Not if it’s an order from the boss, said Horatio.

If we lose her, then the bargain is void, argued Magnus.

Geraki was still speaking about the clever compromise. “You may not like it at first, but the consequences will be worthwhile. It may also knock some sense into you.”

If that’s true, said Horatio, then we certainly shouldn’t discount it. We must trust in our master.

“Anything else?” asked Justin, faking a yawn. “Because I’m ready to call it a night. And I’m sure you’re ready to return to your cell.”

“It’s actually a very nice cell. And we both know I won’t be staying there for long. You’re lucky I think so well of you, or else I might have filed for unlawful harassment.”

“You’ll be charged with unlawful harassment if you come near me, my family, or my home again.” It was one of the things he’d worked in his call with Internal Security: a restraining order.

Geraki shook his head, turning absolutely serious—or, well, most likely pretending to be serious. He was one of the more difficult people for Justin to read.

“Dr. March, if you believe nothing else, then believe me when I say I hold your loved ones as dear as my own. You’re practically a brother to me, and I want to help you. If I can ever do you a favor, you need only ask.”

Justin held back from an eye roll. “I’ve done fine without a brother, thanks.” As he spoke, a strange thought occurred to him. “Unless you know what happened to Callista Xie or Nadia Menari.”

Geraki’s face was guileless. “Why would I know anything about them? Aren’t they illicit practitioners?”

Justin felt his pulse quicken. Although he still favored the idea of a vengeful geneticist over an unholy cult, he was in no position to rule out the latter, especially with time ticking down. He’d mourned losing Callista as a link to the underground religions, but here was another link, right before his eyes—one claiming to be cooperative.

“You know about any illicit practitioners murdering patricians?”

Geraki said nothing. He was very good at keeping his expression neutral, but there was the faintest glimmer of surprise in his eyes. He hadn’t expected that question. Well. Justin supposed he should be relieved that Geraki’s madness didn’t extend to gruesome murders. At least not these gruesome murders. Still, it would’ve been handy if his new “brother” could’ve delivered an easy answer to all of this.