Page 30 of Aleko
Alex ground his teeth. “She’s in over her head. And we need her. Luca took a look at the artifacts we brought up from theStrumwolke.He pointed out that it’s not just the one symbol. There are multiple hieroglyphics from the boxes book that match the pieces of damn sarcophagus.”
“Holy shit,” said Sebastian.
“Yes,” agreed Alex. “And if Anuket comes back, then not only is Eliandra in danger and she’s also the only way we have of talking to Anuket. Eliandra can’t leave. We need her. And sheneeds us.” That was all very logical and made sense. He hoped. Because at the end of the day it didn’t matter what made sense. What mattered was that Eliandra stayed.
“I agree,” said Sebastian. “But Eliandra doesn’t. Or maybe she does, but she doesn’t trust us to protect her.”
Alex shifted uncomfortably in his seat. That seemed closer to the truth and he hadn’t helped by threatening her.
“You remember what it was like,” said Sebastian. “When your pack kicks you out, you don’t trust anyone. None of us did very well at the beginning. It takes time.”
“We don’t have time,” said Alex. “What if Anuket comes back? What if the warlocks pop up again? The last two jobs she’s been on haven’t exactly been problem free. I don’t like having her out there by herself.”
“Alex, you don’t like having her where you can’t see her,” said Sebastian. Alex looked up at him sharply.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You want her. You’ve wanted her from the minute you saw her.”
“This isn’t… She’s in danger.”
“And what I’m telling you is that if you want to be able to protect her, she has to trust you. And if you want her to trust you, you can’t just barge in and yell at her. You have to move slower.”
Alex rolled his head, trying to stretch out his neck. “I’m going to go find her.”
“I thought you would,” said Sebastian with a sigh. “I followed her here. She stopped in at the Art Museum and then went to the courthouse. She hasn’t come out yet. But how about this time you try to not scare the shit out of her? Just a suggestion.”
Alex glared at Sebastian, but Bastian just grinned.
“Maybe ask her to dinner. Food seemed to work. Don’t offer her money. Stay calm. Don’t yell. Try remembering to be human.”
“I’m not fifty,” snapped Alex.
“Could have fooled me,” said Sebastian, “because you’re acting like your fourteen.”
Alex clunked his head back onto the headrest. “Sebastian, what is wrong with me? I need to focus on theStrumwolke.I shouldn’t even… No, we need her. She can help us. I just need to remember to…”
“Listen to what she wants and not try to make her do whatyouwant?” offered Sebastian.
“I will…” he paused trying to think of a comeback, “try that,” he said at last. It really was his best chance for an optimal outcome.
“Good luck, then.”
Alex grunted and put his Maserati into gear.
He parked in front of the courthouse. Once in the building, he followed the hint of Eliandra’s smell to a courtroom. The sign outside said it was refugee adjudication. The door was open, and he walked in and stood at the back. He could see that his presence was making all the families that were also waiting uncomfortable, so he didn’t bother to sit down. Eliandra was up at the front of the room, and he watched as she translated for the applicant.
She had changed her clothes and put her hair up into a bun. She looked responsible and professional. And as she translated for the nervous refugee behind the desk, her words were crisp, and her voice was steady and assured. She was nothing like the wild Eliandra with big eyes and bare feet in his living room. The case continued, and Alex scratched his head, realizing that Eliandra really was doing a job. Perhaps Trevor and Colin were right, and Eliandra’s talent for languages was magical. But the way she presented herself—the way she chose words with greater emotional weight, the way she gave the bored judge a reason to care about the refugee—that was all her.
She and the lawyer, who seemed to work for Refugee International—one of the aid organizations—sat down and waited for the judge to hand down his ruling. It was in their favor. A few minutes later they both stood up to represent a different client. Again, they were successful. The clerk announced that they would be stopping soon and the lawyer begged the judge to hear one more case. After a quick overview of the case, Eliandra presented the client to the judge like a proud mother hen. The client nervously announced that he had been learning Greek and working to assimilate, even saying that he had been going to an Orthodox church. The client’s Greek was stumbling, but his pronunciation was excellent. The judge swung the gavel and from the smiles, Alex judged that they had won again.
Alex felt his phone buzz and went out to the hallway.
Talk to her yet?
Working on it. Butt out.
Alex couldn’t decide which he needed more, Sebastian to help or Sebastian to get the hell out of his business. Either way, he was feeling incompetent. He also sensed that this was probably his last shot to pull himself out of the shitter with Eliandra. He didn’t understand how one tiny human girl was managing to turn him inside out.
