Page 6 of Nemesync
No matter how hard I have to fight my own demons, I will get my revenge on a gold platter, offering it to my Luna.
Tonight, as I look at my reflection in the mirror, I see them—the demons, the only ones who are still by my side. They’re my constant.
A long time ago, I lost myself.
Remembering who that person was had slipped away from my mind, and sometimes, it scares me—this hollowness in my gaze. It turned icy, completely cold, especially after that night. The act of survival, it’s a new kind of pain. But here’s the thing: in my mind, if I’m still breathing, then I’m stillfine.If I’m still breathing, then I’m stillalive.
2
ZANAE
Afew days have elapsed since my initial visit to Luna, and I find myself delving deeper into my investigation. I hit a wall every fucking time. I’m not making progress, and today is no exception. It’s infuriating and frustrating. How could they hide this well? Zero evidence or lead, no-fucking-thing.
I was about to fall asleep when suddenly I received a message from my father.
Father
Get ready, you need to come with me to a meeting at Troie at 8’. Don’t forget your knife.
Don’t forget your knife…
He always wanted to take advantage of me. The only problem is that he wants me to be with him for a meeting with someone probably just as monstrous as him and ensure that the information this man provides is accurate.
I am just another one of his pawns. Another soldier.
But he never acknowledged it. My participation in the creation of everything the family has at the moment.
I get up, quickly get ready to join my father at this ‘neutral’ bar where the clans can mix to discuss business without danger. I dress simply so I can blend in.
I know these kinds of meetings and places very well. I knew how to dress to appear as the harmless and naive daughter, to charm my father’s rivals and gather as much information as possible. He was literally showing me off for this.
Sometimes it’s at parties and events, or dinners, even funerals.
He doesn’t care, he just needs to uncover the truth and expose who’s lying to uphold the family’s reputation. And he’s doing it using me.
I must keep it all inside me when I’m with people, when I’m with them—the rage, the fury, the pain.
I must pretend.
I always pretended, even before Luna’s death. After the incident that night, I started this charade, becoming this other Zanae. And I never stopped pretending since then.
Looking in the mirror, I found myself innocuous, that’s exactly what I wanted. I opted for a black dress that reached my knees with a slit and a not too pronounced neckline, but it hinted at the beginning of my chest. Men are weak against that, and it’s easy to distract them. The allure of a woman is always important when you’re in this kind of world. I let my hair down, took my bag, put my knife in it, and went out.
A few moments after, I arrived in front of the bar in this neighborhood where normal people don’t venture alone. There were only large cars with tinted windows. Men in suits with visible weapons if you paid attention. Their empty looks, pretending not to be afraid, but most of them felt anxious. They were there to do business, and they knew it could end badly in front of the enemy. There were a few women with their husbands, but not many.
I parked my car and got out, took a deep breath, and headed towards the entrance. A waiter directed me straight to the table where my father was sitting.
In front of him, two men. The three were sipping their glasses of whiskey with ice.
My father stood up and gave me a fake smile, pulling the chair for me. “Ah, you’re here. This is my daughter, Zanae,” he said, turning to me. “Sit down,” he added firmly, the previous fake smile gone.
I sat down, and the two men greeted me, each with a handshake. The waiter came back, took a new order, and brought me a glass of whiskey too.
“Whiskey is way too strong for a pretty lady like you, some water would be better,” the man in front of me said.
I smiled and pretended not to imagine punching him in the throat. “I could just drink your blood.”
“You’re funny,” he replied, chuckling, as if it was a joke.
