The Succling and Her Dues

Chapter One: Act 4 (Part 2)

Styna opened the door and bowed when Trenton entered. Anara trailed behind, holding the side of her gown. Trenton motioned for her to enter, but Anara hesitated. She glared at Styna, who reciprocated the same facial expression.

“Good evening, Anara Manlen. It’s…” Styna cracked her neck and then readjusted, leering with an exaggerated smile “A pleasure to meet you.”

“Why thank you… Stella?”

“Styna. But, of course, you've already forgotten. You and your father invested in me, and so many other prototypes—”

“Enough,” Trenton hissed. “Show Anara to the table.”

“Yes. Right this way, Ms. Manlen.” Styna escorted Anara to the dining area.

Luminous strings of light stretched above a glass table. Marble chairs with velvet cushions bordered the table’s edges and a single jasmine plant in a porcelain vase sat at the center.

Anara admired the golden plates and the serving bowls of sashimi, sushi, and noodles assembled near Trenton’s seat. As she sat next to Trenton, Styna approached her and shook her head.

“Guests sit at the far end of the table,” Styna informed her. She pointed to a seat that was missing plates and utensils. “These chairs are reserved for honorable parties, nobles, and family.”

Trenton, standing behind Styna, clenched his jaw. He jabbed his knuckles into her back under the wired ribcage, where her trigger switch rested. It’s a button rarely pressed but worked as a quick reboot for minor skirmishes.

Styna tilted her head and whispered, “Yes, Mr. Welkers?”

“Styna,” he muttered, “she is an honorable guest.”

“My apologies.” Styna bowed and moved away from the chair.

“Thank you,” Anara said with a smile. She studied the decadent food before them, wondering what to feast on first. Her eyes twinkled with a quick flash of sapphire, lingering over the kimchi bowl.

Trenton, disgruntled, stalked Styna with his eyes as she assumed a stagnant position at a corner nook by the hallway. “Excuse me a moment, Anara.” He plodded toward Styna. Then, in a hushed tone, he declared, “I’ll be correcting your behavior once she leaves.”

Styna gave him a sideways glance and bit her bottom lip. “I look forward to it.” Her sinister smile sent chills down his spine.

He strolled back to his seat as if nothing had happened, scanning and digging into the food with a pair of small tongs. “Her behavior was rather atrocious.”

Anara chuckled. “At least she has character, right?”

“I suppose. Anyway, tell me more about you.”

Anara reached for some sushi with a pair of diamond-encrusted chopsticks. “What is it that you’d want to know?”

“Anything.” Trenton ingested a bit lo mein.

“Hmmm…” She tapped her fingers against the glass. “There’s nothing rather special about me. I’m practically an open book.” She poured herself a glass of Badeh and chugged it down.

“You certainly have a taste for foreign wine.”

She nodded and then drank from the bottle. “I import Mey and Badeh from the Persian District regularly.”

Persian District… Trenton cracked his knuckles, then opened a new bottle of mead. “What have you seen in that district? It’s hard to import goods from there.”

Shit! Think of something, you half-witted tart, Anara thunk to herself. “Why, I didn’t realize… I must have forgotten. Have you frequently traveled there in the past?”

Trenton choked on his drink. He coughed for a moment before regaining his composure. “That’s not what I—No. I haven’t,” he lied. “I am in the business of growth and prosperity for companies and where their resources come from.”

“Do you know about the current civil war in the Persian District?”

“What does that have to do with any—”

“Foreigners are banned from entering the district. They have been for some time. Secretly exporting illegal goods is what’s keeping them afloat.”

He was astonished. “I need to ask you something.”

Concern loomed between them. Trenton thought back to a conversation he had with her father, days after the ball. The Alzar Mafia. Something he couldn’t wrap his head around.

She looked down at her empty plate. “What is it that you want to ask?” She glanced back up at him.

“Is your father a part of the Alzar Mafia?”

Shocked, Anara shifted in her chair and scoffed. She slapped him across the face. “Don’t ever disrespect him!” Her eyes narrowed down on him, her pearly teeth showing behind the lip gap, like a mangy mutt on defense. “Never mention that name… again.” Tears trickled down her smooth cheeks.

Trenton rubbed his cheek, his eyes enraged. This would be the second time she’d slapped him, but it held more of a punch than last time. He chalked it up to a scuffle between them and her father. Finally calm, he sighed, “Please don’t be upset.” He stood, holding his hand out to her. “Your knowledge of trade and political affairs caught me off-guard. Call it curiosity.”

She looked away, disheartened. “It’s part of my profession, Mr. Welkers. I need to know these things.”

Wanting to change the subject, he leaned forward and wiped her tears. “Come with me. I think we need to be in a much… quieter environment.”

“If that’s what you desire.” Anara reluctantly accepted his hand and paced behind Trenton, with a smile creeping on her face.

Spinning around, Trenton pumped his chest forward. His lips sailed closer to hers, her twinkling cat eyes staring into his. Trenton’s heart beat rapidly as he tucked stray hairs behind her ears.

Styna advanced their way, stopping next to Trenton. “There’s an urgent call from Mr. Dunbern,” she announced. “He wants to speak with you.”

Trenton rolled his eyes. “It can wait. He can wait.”

“I’m afraid it’s dire. He wouldn’t disclose the matter to me.”

Though he tried to hide his rage and disappointment, Trenton decided to handle his friend. “Alright. Escort Anara to my quarters.” He turned to Anara with apologetic eyes. “I’ll be there momentarily.”

Trenton booked it down the hall, whipping out his cell.

Unaware of the situation at hand, Cauva’s spirit intercepted Styna.

“Anara,” she said, “You have one hour to expose his vulnerabilities. Aquarius and I will be waiting in the fire to initiate a surprise attack.” Styna strutted toward Trenton’s chamber, playing with her nails.

“Understood, Cauva. But why must I be tasked with this? He’s hard to read.”

Styna snapped her neck and faced Anara, smiling. “You know he’s responsible for Syifus’ death. Justice is finally here.”

Anara bowed her head. “I miss him dearly.” Her eyes glimmered with worry. “What if I’m unable to do it? He reminds me of—”

Styna played with the ends of Anara’s hair. “You are what we call an ‘Earthly Beauty.’ You have a knack for reeling in men with a soft, subtle smile and sweet voice. Even so, your human soul prevents you from engaging like us.”

Trenton’s footsteps echoed from around the corner. Styna shoved Anara into his room and then closed the door. Cauva’s spirit seeped out of Styna’s ears and wafted between the floorboard and the slab of wood. She transforms into a smoky shadow, hugging Anara from behind. “You’ve done well, Tê klaré. Don’t disappoint me, again.”

Anara faced the fireplace. “I won’t.”

Cauva dissipated into the fire.

Styna greeted Trenton, but she received a slap in the face.

“Why is it that no one was on the other line?” He crossed his arms and tapped his foot.

Styna straightened her back, void of emotion. “Mr. Dunbern must have grown impatient. I’m sure he will call again, shortly.”

“I know him… Leave us. I will call him myself when Anara and I are done.”

Styna headed back to her tiny room.

Trenton entered his room, locking the door behind him. They reached the center of the room, the fire flickering to and fro before he pulled out a chair and sat in front of his bed. He licks his lips and says, “Come closer.” He held out his hand. “So that I may drink you in…”

Anara diverged, making eye contact with him. Her breath hitched, and her eyes widened as her lips quivered. An unusual attempt to hide her inner smile.