Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Sonya looked up at the statue of David, her hand resting against the tall glass barrier that protected it from those who could not appreciate it for what it was. Maybe it was her eyes, or the fact that she had Eye for Detail active, but something about the statue spoke to her more than the subtle carving that made it seem so lifelike. It was like Michaelangelo understood something so fundamental about humanity and the human body that he could engrave that understanding directly into the piece. If Sonya ascribed at all in the Dao as Chunhua did, she could have sworn she felt its presence in the piece.

“Breathtaking,” Sonya murmured, as the others milled about. The guide that Bernetta had sent with them was waxing poetic about the history of the piece. She paid a little bit of attention but otherwise kept her focus on it. She felt like she could learn something from it if she could stare at it long enough.

“It’s like there’s a hidden meaning somewhere,” Mikayla said quietly next to her.

Sonya glanced her way and raised an eyebrow, she hadn’t awakened Mikayla’s ability for her yet. Somehow, though, her eyes could already pick up on that strange hidden truth that Sonya noticed. What if she had her Eye for Detail active?

Sonya’s fingers twitched, but she resisted the greedy urge, looking back up at the piece, “I see it too, it’s... strange.”

“I get this feeling a lot when I look at art,” Mikayla admitted, “But it feels hollow.”

Sonya nodded, “Like you can almost understand but you’re not quite there.”

Mikayla brightened, “Yeah! Just like that!”

So Sonya’s Eye for Detail was on the level of Mikayla’s normal perception, it was an enhancer not a power in and of itself. Fascinating.

Their sight-seeing tour took them throughout Florence, to the sites of important events and great works of art. She gazed upon Venus and the Gates of Paradise, she walked the narrow streets and marveled at the roman-built river. Every single moment was breathtakingly magical, it was another world. She’d been to Italy in her past life, but it was a ruin by the time she’d visited it. A place of tragedy born out of inaction, jealousy, and greed. This was Italy as it should be, a wonder of the world in its own right.

She committed herself again to making sure that future never happened.

As they strolled through the Bardini Gardens, Marta strode up next to her and glanced her way. “I just got a call from Miss Lucci, she’s made the arrangements. Your party will be tomorrow night,” The caretaker said.

Sonya nodded and turned her gaze towards the city, the view was magnificent. “Good, gives us time to appreciate the city a little more,” She said just as a siren blared in the distance. She narrowed her eyes as her lenses began to whirr in her head. Even from this distance she could see the monsters appearing out of cracks in the air, leaping into the street as people ran away. As if on cue, a pair of bystanders flew into action, quickly dispatching the creatures with their abilities. One had an odd power that looked like blades of green light, the other was startlingly fast, wielding momentum to destroy their targets.

She zoomed back out to normal vision and glanced at Marta, “Looks like the idea of heroing is starting to spread here as well. That was a quick response.”

“You think it’ll become normalized?” Marta asked.

“I do,” Sonya nodded, “I’m certain of it.”

Amos chuckled as he approached, his vision distant for a moment before he came back to himself. He shoved his hands into his pockets, “Not bad, I can figure out who they are for ya, boss,” Amos said.

“Keep a record but no need to hunt them down,” Sonya said softly, “I have a feeling we’ll meet them eventually.”

He nodded and went to sit down on a bench, relaxing as his mind drifted into the surrounding network. She wondered what it was like for him, with his powerful mind, to bounce about from device to device until he got where he needed to go. She turned her eyes towards Mikayla who was simply admiring the gardens, blissfully unaware of what was happening nearby. She frowned and Marta mirrored her expression.

Bernetta felt the sudden urge to bow, like a weight on her shoulder. She obeyed it without question, swallowing, “Mad- Mistress Ishtar, welcome. Thank you for being here.”

Ishtar stopped at the base of the stairs and stood regally, Sonya a half pace behind her; “Of course, I wouldn’t miss my own debut party. You’ve done a magnificent job.”

“The pleasure was all mine,” Bernetta managed, her chest tightening a bit beneath the intensifying pressure. It was hard on her old body.

Ishtar tilted her head, “It won’t be long now, Bernetta, patience.”

Bernetta froze, was she reading her mind? She swallowed and looked up into those imperious, unblinking digital eyes. Ishtar turned her head to the door, “Shall we?”

“Yes, right this way,” Bernetta managed and turned, the pressure seeming to drop off as she averted her gaze. It had to be coming from Ishtar. Her presence alone has that effect on people, is she really a goddess?

Bernetta opened the doors and stepped out ahead of the pair, “May I have your attention, honored guests,” She began and stepped aside, “I present Mistress Ishtar, our host, and her date for the evening, Miss Sonya Chernovna.”

The murmurs and conversation evaporated immediately on the deck of the ship. Dozens of eyes turning towards her. She was used to this kind of thing, though, she smiled beatifically and gestured towards the pair. Ishtar stepped out first, her hand holding Sonya’s. Sonya held her head high, smiling widely at everyone. Ishtar, on the other hand, swept her gaze over the gathering without a hint of emotion in her posture. Her steps were languid but still carried that oppressive weight to them. No one moved, no one breathed, until she spoke.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this first gathering of our little club, I hope you have found the refreshments to be satisfactory ahead of our main event,” She said, her raspy voice causing a stir amongst those present.

One man, Erik Vaught from Germany stepped forward. He was the owner of a luxury vehicle brand and a friend of Bernetta’s. “You wear a mask at a gathering like this?” He demanded, crossing his arms, “Why hide your face while we show ours?”

Bernetta swallowed and glanced back at Ishtar who regarded him. He seemed to shrink a little under her gaze before she let out a raspy hiss of a laugh, “Because I brought one with me, there was no rule against it, Mister Vaught,” Ishtar said, “Next time, feel free to bring one if you so desire. I, for one, enjoy my privacy.”

There was a round of uncomfortable chuckles, those gathered still unsettled by her voice. Ishtar raised a hand to her heart, “As I said, I appreciate my privacy, my ability is valuable as you all well know. That’s why you are here, you alone,” She gestured towards them, “Tonight, you will consider just how valuable it is to you.”

A quiet murmur went through the crowd as Ishtar looked them over, “Nothing in this world is free, ladies and gentlemen, and I offer you the most valuable thing of them all. Time. An extended lifespan,” She continued, “I will invite each of you one at a time to join me within a private room inside the yacht and you will tell me what you think a new lease on life is worth.”

She tilted her head forward as if to stare them all in the eyes, “Then we will negotiate, and make a deal. Afterward, the process is rather swift, I assure you.”

More conversation, more leery eyes, “Of course, there is a toll here at the door,” Ishtar said, holding up a finger, “I will ask for your silence on any matter concerning me, our gathering, and the people associated with me. In exchange, you will be welcomed inside.”

“Before I agree to anything, I want proof!” An elderly man railed, holding up a cane, “Talk is cheap! Here and now, show us!”

A murmur of consensus wafted over the crowd and Ishtar nodded, “Of course, I understand. Which is why I’ve already received an oath of silence from Madame Lucci here,” Ishtar said and gestured to Bernetta. Bernetta froze, her eyes widening and turned to Ishtar. Ishtar held out a hand to her. “Bernetta, would you like to tell me what your time is worth? I believe forty years should suffice, yes?”

Bernetta glanced at Sonya and then at Ishtar again before swallowing. This was it! This was her chance! She mulled it over, forty years, what could she possibly offer that would sate this person’s desires? She’d give up half her company for it. Billions of dollars. Whatever it took. She needed her youth back. She took the woman by the hand and leaned forward, whispering to her. Ishtar straightened a little and looked into Bernetta’s eyes, she could almost feel the woman’s smile.

“It’s a deal, Bernetta,” Ishtar rasped, and Bernetta’s world was enveloped in white.