Page 128 of Sinner's Salvation
Anna strode up to the group of open seats and sat down in one of the middle chairs. Bazyli sat next to her on her right and Evan sat on her left. Brian Stettler sat next to Evan, leaving two chairs unoccupied.
Directly across from them sat a delegation from Japan. On the right sat the group from India, and on the left were the Chinese.
Behind each delegation were a number of others, all normal humans. Some were dressed like Evan, bodyguards or security. Others were dressed in more casual outfits.
“Welcome,” Anna said to the room. “Thank you for accepting our invitation to this meeting.”
After a moment of hesitation full of darting glances, there were murmured agreements.
“Who would like to start?” Anna asked.
The oldest member of the Chinese delegation stood. “I would make it known to all that we have allied ourselves with the Breznik Family,” she said. “We were betrayed by one of our own in China. We were attacked by the government and were forced to flee. You have provided sanctuary and welcome.” She bowed to Anna. “Our support is unconditional.” She sat down.
The oldest member of the Indian delegation stood. “We too have been betrayed and attacked. Our government sent soldiers to arrest us. We fought back, but the soldiers knew what to expect from us and were prepared. We lost four of our number and many retainers. We came here in hopes of finding refuge.” She sat down, tears running down her face.
The Japanese all stood as one, but the spokesperson was a younger woman. “Grandfather was taken by the military. We don’t know who betrayed us, but Grandfather blew up the vehicle he was in. Killing himself and those who took him.”
She gave the other delegates each a small bow, and a larger bow to Anna. “We too are seeking sanctuary.” She sat down.
Baz shifted in his seat and grumbled under his breath, “Fan-fucking-tastic.”
Anna looked from one group to the next. “I, too, was betrayed,” she said. “The Italians played a big part in that, but perhaps there is a larger threat here.”
One of the Indian delegates cleared his throat. “The Italians were...insane. They came to Mumbai, committed several murders and did nothing to hide any of our differences from the normal humans.” He sighed. “We chased them out, but the damage was done. Questions were asked, then the government came for us. But it was too quick and they were too well armed.”
“So, there might be others providing information about us,” Baz said, shaking his head.
“Youhave a deal with the American government,” the Japanese delegate said.
“A deal that could go sideways at any time,” Baz said, on a grunt. “If the wrong person finds out about it, we could be under attack here too.”
No one said anything for a long time.
“It is our curse,” one of the Chinese said. “We survive, but we are never safe. We heal, but it only prolongs our pain. We do not age, but we are so tired.”
Insanity, paranoia, and depression. For all their physical strength, all of them were vulnerable to mental instability and illness.
“We are not cursed,” Anna said, her tone harsher than she intended. “We have a chronic illness that’s changed our lives, but we are not afflicted by bad luck.”
Everyone looked at her with something akin to hope on their faces.
“Nothing in the world stays the same, and change is difficult for many of us, but as the world changes, so must we.”
“How?” one of the Japanese asked.
She smiled and looked at them all. “By finding a purpose.”
