Covering for those we hate

“Keep your friend close, but keep your enemies closer”1

To anyone else it would have seemed like a bar fight taken outside. Everyone knew how that owner didn’t much tolerate that kind of thing inside that tavern. It was simply three people settling an argument out of harms way.2

--3

Divana felt the hand close around her throat as she was shoved against that outside wall of Blood Unholy. She didn’t even have to think to know what this was about, it seemed that whole business was talking about it. Something in her head crunched as her skull connected with something solid. The hand loosened enough to keep her in place, but not so she couldn’t breathe. An amused chuckle sounded from the shadows.4

“Look what the cat dragged out. What a surprise to see you here, Syntaya. What are you doing around this area?” 5

There was a flash of silver. Assassins were so outdated nowadays.6

Divana rolled her eyes. ‘Me? Oh, I’m here to try and talk me ex-fiance into sleeping with me. What about you?’7

“Getting shit-faced drunk. A tavern just seems the likely place to do that. “8

Something cold and hard pressed against her ribcage9

“What are you doing around here?”10

“Well, I’m outside to have a cigarette. They don’t like it when you foul up everyone else’s air. Although, you never seem to have a problem with that, do you?”11

She heard a familiar click. Familiar enough that she could identify it with a gun, because she had heard that click every night for a long time. She sneered at the hulking thing that pressed against her. 12

“Mate, you need some mouthwash...”13

A fist connected with her stomach, and her body automatically went to double over. It couldn’t, but it tried. 14

“Not much into conversation, are you guys?” She gasped, catching her breath between words. “What do you want, Johanna?”15

“Adonia Cali. We did originally come around to see if she was here, but you’ll do for giving us information. Where is she?” 16

“I dunno,” She lied, keeping her face and thoughts clear “Probably off fucking that shit of a Cajun.”17

Divana bent over the hand and spat onto the ground, a sign of disrespect. No one saw the blood that went with it.18

Johanna seemed to become suddenly curious.19

“What Cajun? D’you know his name?”20

Divana shook her head “Can’t remember it exactly. Never gave a damn about it. Girl’s known for being a whore.’ 21

Johanna leaned in closer. Divana could see her eyes spark with intrigue. Divana could also smell her breath. Smelled like rotten meat mixed with one too many vodka’s. Johanna spoke softly, “Remy? Was his name Remy? Does that strike a bell? Was she with a Remy?”22

The questions were rushed, and Divana’s mind screamed. This was her chance, her opportunity. She could tell Johanna everything. ‘Yea. Yea, Remy LeBeau. I know where he is.’ She could do them both in, Remy LeBeau and Adonia Cali. Gone.23

“No. It wasn’t a Remy. Ain’t heard of any Remy. I was Matthew something. Densen, I think.”24

Johanna swore, and it was such a good chance for Divana to smirk. Her mind sighed, and something washed over her. It was like a mix of pride, anger and disbelief. She had lied to one of her own. Johanna’s lips moved and Divana returned to paying attention.25

“Where is she? Do you know? I heard a rumour, she was seen around your place. With you. They said you’d know:26

She knew exactly where Adonia was. Inside. With Zander. Her jealous twitched briefly, but calmed.27

“On the other side of town. You’re confusing Adonia with Astina.”28

“Who?”29

“You wouldn’t know her. I know Adonia is downtown somewhere, but not with me. Not around here. She’d have to be stupid to show her face around here again, I’d kill her. You know that”30

Divana wasn’t sure Johanna entirely bought that, but it seemed to work. The hand loosened and eventually let go, though the guy did not move. Divana brushed off her shoulder and stood as straight as she could. Her face was passive, perhaps a little annoyed, but showed no signs of the lies she had just dealt out.31

“That’s all I know. Are we done? My drink’s getting warm.”32

“One more thing…”33

“Yeah? What is it?”34

“Minic. Have you seen him? He’s missing”35

“Not in at least two years. Sorry.”36

Divana pulled away from the wall and turned to walk back in. Hopefully no one had heard anything that went on. She’d go back in and pretend that she hadn’t just lied to a friend over someone she hated. 37

Johanna called out, “Oh, and Di?”38

Divana cringed at the use of her name and turned, “Yeah?’39

“Remember. We weren’t here…”40

She blinked in confusion before a bullet sliced through her chest.41