The Emperor

by N. M. Brown

  “No. I think Anna will fit in just fine, Echo.” The words felt like tar on his tongue, but sometimes the truth was like that.

  “Then I guess that’s sorted then. I’ll get a taxi.” Anna said stiffly, “Canice, we shall speak later.” and she left without thanks.

  He felt the cold shallow stab of pain he had once felt in Dublin. Since moving away he’d never felt it and to feel it now… sighing, he looking to the ceiling. “How did she find me?” He asked himself, the Lord, the universe. But it was Echo who answered him.

  “Pari Badal called her from the phone in the House. Guess the crazy phyco researched you, found your wedding photos and wanted to make sure you weren’t divorced before she decided to slice you into ribbons.” Echo said it in a nonchalant voice. Clearly, she wasn’t as broken as he was about being kidnapped by a serial killer. “I guess your poor, concerned wife made a reverse call back down the line to find out where you were. Bit of a stalker move if you ask me.”

  “…and she just turned up at your door.” McQueen finished.

  “Yep. She was just waltzing through the door asking for Canice.” A snicker cracked out of her lips which did make McQueen hang his head. “I mean, Canice.” She emphasized. “That’s your first name? And you let her call you it?”

  “She’s known me all my life. It’s the name they used all through school. Only my P.E. teacher used my last name.” McQueen explained, even though he felt a smile creep onto his lips. “I don’t like it and I don’t have a substitute middle name. What about you? Anything between Echo and Headly?” He asked, gathering himself, while glancing out the frosty window to where Anna hailed a taxi.

  He was sure for a moment he’d only get a sarcastic or cryptic reply, but Echo surprised him. “Nope. Just Echo Headly. Adin and I were four when we realized everyone had names and we just -… didn’t.” McQueen’s jaw dropped. “We stole a magazine the next day and flicked through all the adverts until we found ones we liked. Adin chose a watch company. I chose a perfume. Headly was Adin’s choice.” Echo shrugged.

  McQueen couldn’t speak. Never had Echo been so … revealing. Four years old, forty-eight months until she was named. Named?! What did you say to a confession like that?

  So instead, he walked towards the door, Echo's boots sounding behind him and whilst they moved, he had a sudden realization. Anna, or anyone else would have expected pity or sympathy to such a sob story. But with Echo… Life was life. She found no deeper meaning in any of it. To not have a name until she was four was just an event, not some great tragedy. He thought at first it was a depressing way to look on life, but as he thought about it, it was probably very freeing.

  It was a scary, terrifying thing, but McQueen had the tiniest notion that just maybe he was starting to understand this dark, twisted woman just that little bit more.

  III

  It wasn’t until early evening hours when Echo climbed out of the cheap silver taxi and walked up the front steps to the House annoyingly having to pay the driver; poor Anna had no cash. She hadn’t questioned it however, despite her better nature to leave the driver hanging; she needed to play nice… for now.

  “So, you own this whole place?” Anna asked, hopping up the stairs trying to catch up as Echo flew ahead.

  “No, my-… Guardians own it.” Echo had never called Archer dad, or father. Technically all the Sins owned the House, had for centuries but that was an explanation she didn’t think the poor lass would understand.

  “It’s so beautiful.” Anna whispered in awe.

  Echo would admit the building was impressive: grand on the outside and lavish on the inside, but it wasn’t that impressive. Archer could own the country,so a small hovel like this was chump change. “Yer. It’s nice.” Echo said with a shrug.

  They made it to the third floor, when the charming bell of a voice called out. “Girl child, is that you? Come see your Auntie Twilight. I’m dastardly bored.” The door to Twilights Boudoir was open and Echo smiled as she approached. She’d not really had one-on-one time with Twi since she’d hit puberty. Safe to say, Echo and Adin had a wonderful time through the awkward years of adolescence.

  “Who’s your Auntie Twilight?” Anna asked, following Echo with no hesitation. “Was she you’re mothers’ sister?”

  The stupidity of humans had ceased to amaze Echo a long time ago; Anna didn’t know where they were going, who tehy coudl be meeting and still she followed like a lost lamb. Yet, Echo reminded herself she was in this for the long game and McQueen was the prize.

  “No. My… mother, I don’t know her. Twi is one of my guardians,” Echo replied, smiling as she eyed Anna over her shoulder.

  “Who’s that darling? Oh, did bring in the visitor! You know I love a fresh face.” Twi gushed, and not one to turn her elders down, Echo glided into the Boudoir, Anna clip-clopping behind her.

  “Woo…” Anna breathed as they stepped through the doorway and Echo could admit, taking a second look, it was anremarkable room.

  The walls were hidden among streams and streams of fabric: sheer greens, pinks, teals and fuchsia colours draped from ceiling to floor, creating a circus tent. A large alcove on the far side was covered in floor length mirrors that warped what the viewers saw, casting out doubts, uncertainties and deepest fears. The rest of the room was a courtesan’s boudoir, complete with lounging sofas, tea tables and low atmospheric lights. More mirrors allowed for customers to inspect their newly purchased nose, high cheeks or slim hips. There were tablets connected to the internet to check growing bank-accounts, instant-fame or the growth of adoring fans. You’d be surprised what people would sell for something someone else had.

  Because of this, Twilight was the only Sin who had constant contact with his food. When he fed, it was off what people hated - unlike his siblings who fed off what people desired. They all had to restock on their food, building people up until they coudl drain them down, While Twilight, he drank off their obsessions, their bitterness and envy, which occurred best in crowds. He'd engineered a free-for-all buffet a few years ago; his once limited reach in whorehouses and royal courts was expanded by social media overnight. Why suggest a woman should compare themselves with girl across the room, when she could compare herself to millions worldwide?

  "Evening Twi.” Echo smiled, collapsing opposite the beauty.

  Wearing a silky gown, Twilight was slowly and methodically applying his lipstick of the day, his plump, plum lips shining in the vanity. Eyes moving in the mirror, he took in Anna like she was fresh meat and smiled cunningly as he saw what had caught her attention. “Do you like my display, darling” He asked, watching the Irish red head. “They are quite unique, no?”

  “What are they?” Anna asked, her eyes trained on the only fabric-less wall: evenly spaced, in rows and columns across the wall were masks.

  Each mask was unique, some thousands of years old, while others were more recent. Some were bright and fun but, snugged between death masks of ancient Egypt and the stone carvings of Rome. As Echo recalled Adin's favourite were the real faces ; the skin yellow and grey under layers and layers of formaldehyde. Each one was hauntingly beautiful in its own right, and each with its own story.

  Anna, finished absorbing the wall, had turned to the rest of the room and with it, the Sin of Envy himself and in an instant, her face soured, quickly turning away with her lips tightly pushed together. Echo rolled her eyes and Twilight cocked a ravishing grin. A ‘man’ dressed as a ‘woman’ unnerved Anna and Echo put it down to her religious up bringing: Hell have no judgment like a Christian in a windowless box.

  “Well, I have to say it’s all very unconventional.” Anna swallowed, “And some are… pretty.” She didn’t know what to do with herself. Her hands were twitching around her purse and her eyes darted around the room, anywhere but Twilight. However, the Sin of Envy was never one to be ignored.

  "Well, let me take a look at you then?" He rose with the grace and virtue of a monarch. His silk cream robe was tied loosely around his wa
ist, showing a sculpted chest and hairless thighs. He was golden all over and his skin shimmered with a glow that rang of perfection. Blonde hair way stylishly swept over the side of his head that had a slight bounce. As always, he was stunning.

  Anna clenched tighter as he approached, almost fidgeting out the door. "Be gentle Twi.” Echo warned with a hint of humour, settling in for the show. "She's fresh from the rolling hills of Dublin.”

  "Dublin?" Twilight cried; his perfectly framed eyes widening in shock. "Oh, I love that city. So old and sprawling.”

  "It- it is a lovely city.” Anna said finally finding her voice.

  "Yes, yes, and the people, so charming; excellent genetics. Now, let me see those cheek bones.” Twilight replied, haven quickly lost all interest in the subject. His long delicate fingers framed Anna's face and examined every inch of it, twisting it this way and that, like it were a cheap vase. "My, what a beautifully sculpted nose … agently sloping forehead… And this perfect brow ridge, framed with well plucked eyebrows over perfect almond eyes… my you are lucky.”

  Anna smiled and puffed out her chest a bit more, though there was still some hesitation in her eyes. "Why thank you. My mother said I was gifted to have been born with such stunning features.”

  "Gifted by the surgeon at the age of eighteen you mean?" Twilight responded while forcing Anna's head back to examine her neck. Echo snorted at Twi's bluntness and Anna's strangled protests. "Well, you’re not Nefertiti,” Twi continued “And half of you is fake but you seem to have other charming qualities. Come on, take a seat.” Twilight turned with a swish of his gown and reclined back into his seat, leaving Anna fuming.

  "I'll have you know, my nose-"

  "No one cares darling.” Twilight interrupted kicking his feet in the air. "Everyone goes about getting what they want one way or another. But we do care why you are here. Sit, sit, tell us, what is it you desire?"

  Anna sat, smartly chose to let the 'fake' comment go. “I received a strange call about my husband. I was worried, so I wanted to check on him.” She said stiffly, like suddenly being here wasn’t so fun or luxurious.

  “Ah, I see.” Twilight smiled, giving Echo a knowing look. “And how did that go?”

  Echo almost cracked a laugh when she saw Anna’s lower lip tremble but reminded herself she had to warm to this woman; get on her good side. “He was… happy. He was happy to see me, but as always my Canice works too hard. He had his mind in his case which just made him a little…”

  “Cold? Aloof? A bastard?” Echo supplied with a sarcastic smile. Sometimes she just couldn’t help herself.

  “Now, now child.” Twilight chastised, sending Echo a frown. “I’m sure she knows her man well. Don’t worry darling,” Twi said to Anna, reaching out and patting her hands foldedneatly in her lap. “I’m sure he’s just busy. I suppose it must be so awful, to feel so… mediocre? With him always putting something else first, it can be heart breaking.” Twilight captured Anna’s gaze with his.

  Her lips wobbled, and her fingers clenched. “That is not… I am not mediocre. I know I am everything to Canice, he has done so much for us. It might be hard, but I know my Canice.”

  Twi nodded in understanding. “Of course, but to be second place…” He trailed off before flashing a wicked smile with dangerous eyes. “I could help you; you know. That’s my job; to help give you something more. Tell me sweetheart, what do you think it would take to get your loving man to bounce back? What is it that he desires?”

  Anna blinked hard, but her eyes didn’t move from Twilights. Her mouth bobbed and her pink, glossy lips parted. “I don’t understand?”

  “My business, my dear, is your business.” Twilight explained with a soft smile.

  He twisted to face Anna, giving her his full attention and any uncertainty Anna had before drained away. She looked at Twilight in wonder as the Sin delved into her emotions with soft fingers.

  “My job is to make your world better for you. I can make your dreams a reality, in ways no plastic surgeon could.” Twilights voice had grown low and husky, drawing Anna’s wildest fantasies out. “Tell me what you resent in others. What could you have that would make you better; perfect for your Canice?”

  Anna blinked. “I don’t know. I just… I just want Canice. I want what we once had.” She admitted, and Echo felt a hitch of sympathy for the girl. She was so pathetic; her life was rule by the desire for one man.

  "But what is it that Canice wants?” Twi asked.

  Anna’s eyes, to everyone’s surprise flickered to Echo, who felt a rush of smugness. “Nothing. Canice doesn’t want anyone-… anything.” Anna bit out.

  Twilight smiled, standing and moved behind the red-head, who sat perfectly still. “Are you sure, girl? I can give you anything?” Twi asked again, his voice like that of a siren, twisting Anna's thoughts into a dreamy bubble. “You could take the best parts of her, become everything your Canice wants? Luscious locks, flawless skin? Long legs or a peachy ass? Don’t you want that?”

  Echo held her breath, watching as all the emotions flicker across Anna’s face. Envy was such a slippery slope. The truth was, Anna wasn’t ugly at all: her perfect skin matched her perfect posture, her features soft and delicate. Her hair was thick and curled up on top of her head, not a strand out of place: faultless. But in there lied the rub. Echo wondered what dark insecurities lay beneath her textbook, perfect exterior.

  “No.” The words came out of Anna on a breath. Her face crumpled into anger and an ugly snarl curled across her lips, shattering that perfection. “Canice loves me! Canice is MINE!!” She shot up, clasping her bag closely to her chest like it was her life vest. “Canice loves me. He loves me for who I am: he loves me then and -... and he still loves me now.” Fire burned in her eyes as her chest heaved.

  Echo hid her smile as Anna McQueen's inner most demons where let out o display. If Twilight couldn't tempt her with jealousy, it was becuase her Pride was too great. That was something to keep in mind. Of course, the angered woman did stop there as Anna continued to spit; her ego singed.

  “And you,” She looked towards Twilight. “You are sinful, betraying your blood, your God by playing dress up. I should have never come in here.”

  Echo and Twi just watched her, unaffected by her words. “Well.” Twisighed, disappointed. “Your opinion is your own, no matter how wrong it is. Thus lies the bitch within free will.” And with that, the luxurious man was done and Echo knew it was time to leave.

  “Shall I take you to where you’ll be sleeping?” She asked in such a normal voice, you wouldn’t have thought anything had just occurred, let alone a bargain for one’s soul.

  “You still want me to-… of course, lead the way.” Anna quickly corrected, not wanting to shoot a gift horse in the mouth. Spinning to leave the room Anna got all the way out to the corridor, before she spun back around.

  "I appreciate this, of course. Thank you letting me stay." She was all smiles and sugar now, and it made Echo's teeth ache.

  “Of course. Any friend of McQueen's is a friend here.” Echo answer her voice unconcerned by her fit, as she followed her out. Until she got what she needed, she had to sooth the fire, she told herself. Quench the desire to burn Anna, until she coudl dim the flames of her obsetions and smother her out all together.

  ◆◆◆

  Anna swung her hips side to side as she walked up the stairs in front of Echo, as if trying to get a rise out of her. All it did instead, was give Echo a lovely flash up her dress every time. White underwear wasn’t a surprise, but the silk was.

  “Well, while you’re here in Rippling, I’ll show you around.” Echo said as they reached her attic apartment. “Have you been to Rippling before?”