“You have a pep in your step today,” I said.
He grinned. “Everything is how it should be—the souls are recovered; no more shades are dying; my realm has stabilized; your boss is paid; and the Lords of Hell are happy to have their property back.”
I took a bite of my Reuben even though I didn’t want to. After I swallowed, I said, “I appreciate you telling Ada to give me bank holidays off. It might sound dumb, but… I really do appreciate it.”
“It was nothing. Consider it a tip.”
I hesitated. “I thought we had arranged something else as a tip.”
“Indeed we had. I am a man of my word, after all.” Ferryman rotated his fingers, and one of his business cards appeared between them. He rotated the fingers of the other hand to produce a pen. He clicked it once and scribbled something on the card before pushing it over to me.
I looked down. “Magnus and Anita Johnson,” I read aloud. Saying the names seemed to bring a hush over my body, every muscle frozen as if they were holy—or unholy—things. “Do you have anything else?” I asked.
Ferryman tapped the side of his nose. “The agreed price was two names.”
“Johnson is the most common name in the country,” I said.
“Second-most common name,” Ferryman corrected.
“Are they dead?”
Ferryman considered the question for a moment. “I appreciate everything you did—the risk you took—but you must understand that I, above all Others, am restricted in how I can interact with your world. I’ve given you two names. One of them has passed through my realm. I can say no more.”
“Well,” I said, looking down at the names. Which of them was still alive, and which had passed on? I’d have to figure that out on my own. It wasn’t much, but it was something. “Thanks?”
“You’re welcome.” Ferryman paused. “You have another question.”
I tapped the card thoughtfully and looked up to meet his eyes. “I know I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth and all that… but why would you ask Ada to give me extra time off?” Ferryman cocked an eyebrow. I could have sworn his eyes twinkled. It might have just been the rotation of the galaxies contained within them. “Why the kindness?” I clarified.
“Because it cost me nothing but some noise muttered into a phone,” Ferryman said. “If you care to be romantic, I did it because kindness is not solely a human trait.” He leaned forward slightly. “If you care to be cynical, it’s because we may work together again some day. A good business relationship is the best kind of business relationship.” He grinned.
I laughed and glanced down at the card once more. When I looked up, Ferryman was gone, leaving behind the faint odor of cigarette smoke.
I sat for some time, thinking about the names on the card. I wondered why they’d sold me all those years ago; whose idea it had been; what they’d gotten in return. I wondered which of them was dead, and if I’d ever find them. I didn’t know if I wanted to actually confront them. I was, after all, looking for a contract rather than a person.
Maggie.
I felt her presence move around in the ring.
I continued without waiting for an answer. I don’t know about your past. I don’t really care. But you’re my friend. I’ll do everything I can to get you out of that ring.
I know, she said quietly. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.
It’s none of my business, I assured her.
I know it’s not really my fault—you put on the ring, after all—but with Matthias still alive, I’ve now dragged you into something bigger. Get me out of here, and I’ll use all my powers to break the contract that binds you to Ada. This I swear.
I smiled. I didn’t have much, but I did have friends. It’s a deal.
For more from Brian McClellan:
Promise of Blood
The Powder Mage Trilogy
Orbit, April 2013
The Crimson Campaign
The Powder Mage Trilogy
Orbit, May 2014
The Autumn Republic
The Powder Mage Trilogy
Orbit, February 2015
Sins of Empire
Gods of Blood and Powder
Orbit, March 2017
Wrath of Empire
Gods of Blood and Powder
Orbit, May 2018
Blood of Empire
Gods of Blood and Powder
Orbit, November 2019
Contact Brian McClellan
Website: brianmcclellan.com
Twitter: twitter.com/BrianTMcClellan
Facebook: facebook.com/briantmcclellan
Goodreads: goodreads.com/brianmcclellan
[email protected]
Acknowledgments
Shen Fey - cover artist
Shawn King - cover design
Daniel Friend - line editor
Kristy Stewart - copy editor
Special Thanks to Michele McClellan, David Wohlreich, Adam N, William Neil Scott, Jarett Furr, Nicole Sanborn, Michelle Potter, Laurie Bell, Barbara Soares, Mark Lindberg, Kelly Bowers, Wyatt Nevins, Nicole Evans, Elizabeth Jarvis, Tiffany Renee, Sam Baskin, Thomas Flott, Brenden, Leticia Lara, Mitchell Coomber, Rebecca Razza, Aprilynne Pike, Scott Hurff, Lee West, Benjamin Dunn, Ravi Persaud, Josh Arcelo, Lois Young, Daniel Chesmore, Joseph Hall, Zarin Ficklin, JS Lenore, Chris Chabot, Kristina Pick, MM Schill, Kirstie Paul, Linda Yuan, Chanie Beckman, Adrianne Cavaioli, Adaya Viera
Uncanny Collateral Page 15
