Page 130 of The Cannibal

“I said,” my voice slow, so there would be no mincing of words, “do not bring this up again.”

“I will bring it up one last time,” Luka said, tapping the desk as he stood, “after the Appraisal. Find it in yourself to be kind to her and consider it.”

“Leave.”

But his mouth opened again.

“Leave!” I took the brass paperweight and threw it at him.

Luka blocked it when he raised his arms. When his limbs lowered, he could only stare at me with such disgust, I thought acid would come straight from his tongue.

But he didn’t speak.

He turned with tempered anger, the heavy footsteps storming toward the door. He held the doorknob for just a second. I knew there was more to say. But he knew it was in his best interests to keep it to himself or risk another desk trinket being thrown, aimed for the head this time.

After I witnessed the silent battle within Luka, he left.

37

THE SOCIALITE

“What did I say about quality of life in poor things that can’t perform basic functions?” my father preached. “The poor thing was even trying to put herself down in her sleep. Walked right off.” His hand smoothed through the air, gesturing a fall.

Such a morbid conversation for afternoon tea.

The parlor was full of guests and staff, afternoon tea service fit for Hosts and Vipera. My father and I were tucked into the back corner by the lustrous palm. A sofa surrounded by other chairs, but no one dared to fill them. The rest of the room had small tables and chairs for them to take. My father would be insulted if he wasn’t the outlier in treatment. But I believed the other representatives understood this most of all.

“It’s a shame, really,” he sighed. “She is quite lovely. A pity to waste.”

“Can we keep the conversations lighter?” I begged. “We can truly pick any other subject.”

“Oh, does it bother you?” The question was more of a challenge.

“No.” I smiled. “She is under a lot of stress lately.”

“Yes, stress, that must be it. Of course.” He shrugged, then became distracted by the staff bringing our drinks.

He had his typical coffee, but mine wasn’t the one I liked. I was tired of it. When I raised my hand to correct the staff, my father placed his hand over mine to lower it.

“Your tea selection is a bit embarrassing, so I brought some,” he said, in the most unfriendly way he could. “It takes a moment to adjust when you haven’t had finer things in some time.”

I nodded slowly, staring down at the soft pink tea. This was his way of asserting himself, I knew it. But it didn’t make it any less frustrating.

It was an empire service tea. Little chamomile blossoms danced across the surface and a nutty almond scent blended with vanilla, as if it was something I’d be able to taste. I largely preferred something caffeinated and dark. Assam was a safe choice for me.

My father looked offended that I didn’t touch it yet.

I cupped it in my palms, taking a sip. It was basically hot water with a small taste of the bitter nut.

“I feel for the girl, you know,” he continued against my will. “Jacek and I worked for many years together. Fifteen before he began more independent work.”

I stared at him over the rim of my cup.

“I know you may have a bad impression of him because of Alina. He was a proper man, no wife to raise his child, there wasn’t much other choice but to let her fend for herself a bit. It’s the best way to raise them,” he explained, smacking his lip after a good taste of his coffee. “He was a good man, in the end.”

“Did he know?” I bit my lip. “About us?”

“He knew enough,” he said. “He knew about the Vipera, and he knew I was one too. I hired him for research to help understand our biology more. Of course, he was delighted. She is much like him in that way, insatiably curious.”