Heart of Iron - Ekaterina Sedia [18]
“What is going on?” I asked Chiang Tse, who was speaking to Lee Bo and Wong Jun.
All three turned toward me with tense smiles.
“We must thank you for warning us,” Lee Bo said. He was the most soft-spoken of the three, and I was surprised to hear him speak for the rest. “Several of our countrymen disappeared recently. Initially, we believed they were compelled to return home on urgent business. But my own brother, Lee Jin, disappeared yesterday. Suspecting foul play, we went to the authorities. But if what you say is true, I now worry we will find no assistance from government officials for my brother and our friends.”
I sought for words with which to reply, shocked by the realization of the severity of the situation. Its grievous nature was reinforced by the fear written so clearly on copper-dark faces surrounding me. “This makes no sense,” I said. “Surely, the emperor . . . ”
I could not finish the thought—of course the emperor would trust his brother over foreign students. As for the students’ war-torn native country, even if made aware of the harassment and abuse of its children abroad, little attention could be spared from more profound national problems. I remembered the group of menacing male students following me, and—once I recognized with crystal clarity how defenseless all of us were, how vulnerable—my head began to swim.
“I will go out, I will try to reason with the scoundrel,” I said.
“What will you say?” Lee Bo said.
“This is ridiculous,” Chiang Tse interrupted. “It is only one man in the street, and we have no reason to think he’s looking to arrest someone. We’ve allowed fear to overwhelm us.”
“It is understandable if you consider my brother’s disappearance,” Lee Bo interjected.
“At the very least, I can ask,” I said, and resolutely pulled my gloves on.
When I stepped outside, I realized Lee Bo’s fear was not exaggerated. The Nikolashka Anastasia claimed to have recognized stood under a small arch next to the club’s doorway. Moreover, there were another six men in street clothing milling about and trying to look inconspicuous. When they saw me, most of them turned away, as if looking at something fascinating down the street. The sun had almost set by then, and long shadows twisted around them, hiding their faces and pooling under their eyes.
“Excuse me, gentlemen,” I said. “I could not help but notice you’ve been here for some time. Are you waiting for anyone in particular?”
Anastasia’s Nikolashka frowned in my general direction. “Pass along, miss. Official business.”
“Really?” I stepped closer, even though my heart was fluttering high in my throat. I was close enough to smell onions on his wheezing breath. “Is anyone in this club of interest to you then?”
He did not answer but turned away with a sigh and a show of irritation.
“My family,” I said with as much weight as I could muster, “is close to the emperor. I will gladly offer my word of the good character of those inside.”
Nikolashka jerked his shoulder. “Good for your family then, miss. Now, let me do my job, and I won’t spoil your friendship with the emperor, how’s that sound?”
I stepped back, unsure of what to do next.
“And you better not go back into that club,” he said. “You don’t want to be caught consorting with that element, believe you me. Just walk home and get yourself some sleep.” He never addressed my by name, but I got a distinct feeling he knew who I was.
For a moment, I was tempted to follow his advice. I think what stopped me was a slowly rising anger at being dismissed for not presenting a real threat; in any case, I headed back to the club’s entrance.
There were a few men leaving the club, none of whom I recognized. Still, I stood and waited for them to pass through the doors and by the arch. I hoped the Nikolashki would not dare anything while I watched. Perhaps my mere presence would be enough to avert a disaster.
The next to emerge were Wong Jun, Lee Bo, and Chiang Tse. I pressed my lips together and inclined my head in