The First Age

She was putting the pieces together. He could see the connections form. He stared as though the intensity of his gaze may force those connections to take shape all the more quickly.

Yes, he thought. She was right where she needed to be. Whether by Godly design or the pull of his own thread arranging the pattern into his own, Evelyn was the key to his conquest. When she exlaimed to blend their powers together, he trusted what in his own soul felt right. Their reward was the fulfillment of balance. The two halves of the universe wound together in perfect symmetry, so too could their united ambitions. If only she saw what he saw. If she could understand that he was the future of the world. While Evelyn designed Elysium, Nikolai could build it, but he needed her to want it. He needed her to see.

Then she said it. "Yes!"
He laughed. If the United States joined the Custody, the western world would fall. If Evelyn dreamed of Elysium, then so be it, so long as it was part of his realm.

He pushed to stand, too excited to sit on his heels any longer. The temptation for sex was already displaced. His mind buzzed with possibilities. She would have to publically throw her support to the pro-annexers in Congress. But really it didn't need to even come to that. The US government was already split into three parties. The Republicans, holding the Executive and Judicial branches, held the most power, but were the smallest, yet they were the loudest voice against the CCD in D.C. The libertarians primarily wanted to close up the windows on the US, buckle down and revert as much power as possible to local and state governances. Those two parties were unlikely to shift courses.

The democratic party, though. They were the key. And he had one of them right here in front of him, admitting what he knew all along. She was quite junior and held almost no authority on her own. She wasn't even a Senator, but this green, junior member forced her way into Congress's most authoratative subcommittee. She forced her way to Moscow. She went straight to the heart of power in the world.

Nik laughed again. It was too perfect. He stretched his arms, relishing the cool air on his back. A flick of his hand and all the little circles of light buzzed. They warped and flew to the fireplace where they exploded into light. There, the Flame remained. He was done with playing the romantic. Ambition was the more attractive mistress.

But he couldn't forget Evelyn. He paced before her, thinking. The democratic party was already divided. Of the three they were the most favorable to the CCD, and the very far left already supported annexation. Evelyn was more centrally aligned than that, but if she could sway enough supporters left of center, to join the cause, the party could fracture. By then, Congress would not even have the votes to pass simple appropriation budgets, let alone continuing resolutions. The federal government would shut down. The last time it happened it lasted 48 hours and the country practically collapsed with fear. Close the goverment for two weeks and states would begin to submit their cessation documents. The Texan governor was elected on that exact platform. The traditionally democratic states would flee first. D.C. would become an island in the midst of CCD territory, literally and figuratively severed from the rest of the union. California and the northwestern states would join next. If Evelyn did her job well, and he had no doubt she wouldn't, then the mid-atlantic and northern states would follow. Until only the far right remained. The Southern states would not be able to sustain their own economies. Trade alone would force them to buckle, especially if that nitwit Damien in Mexico was out of the picture.

All of it, though, began with Congresswoman Avalon.

"Evelyn,"
he turned to her, speaking swiftly. "We have to do this carefully. It'll start with the ball. Once I've proven the benefits of Custody allegiance, using Africa as a model, you can proclaim the change in your position without compromising your ideals."


God or no God, she was right. She was here at the exact same time that Jacques was for a reason. Divine or otherwise, Nikolai saw his chance. He was at the height of his power, his adoration, and his authority. The Custody on Channeler Governance would only strengthen them. If others like Jensen James with his special talents could be identified, the Custody would drive the age into something legendary.

Obstacles remained, though. First and foremost, Dawson and Trano were the loudest voices against him. Their deaths would make things easier, but the world would suspect him. No, he had to play the game. He wasn't a conquerer.

Then there was the matter of Evelyn's protection. She already announced herself a channeler. The Atharim in the United States were probably less active than those here, but that didn't mean she wasn't in danger. House representatives had no protection. If only he had proof of Regus' death. Then overwhelming the Atharim would happen swiftly. They could cull the members of those killing gods and return their cause back to their roots. Damn, if only Aria had found him!

Evelyn was the key. Evelyn, this sweet, beautiful, passionate girl was his chance.

He wouldn't waste it.

He slipped away, and she barely noticed. Was she really going to do this? The prospect terrified and excited her simultaneously. How would she announce it? What would her constituency say? It didn't really matter, she realized. If it all came to pass and the United States ceased to exist, then re-election campaigns weren't a concern.

She licked her lips nervously and watched him pace. When the lights were thrown to the fireplace, the sudden warmth was welcome in Nikolai's absence. She already missed him, despite the fact he paced right in front of her. Had she made a mistake turning him down? No. Doubt would get her nothing now. Her principles were strong and he adapted to comply with them. Her principles would guide her just as Jesus did.

The only sound in the room was the crackling fire. Even Nikolai's footsteps were silent. They'd discarded their shoes in their haste. She had no idea where hers even were. Meanwhile, she watched him think. It was actually quite fascinating now that she really looked. It wasn't difficult to guess the topic of his thoughts. He wanted them to be together, and he really did believe he held the solutions to the suffering in the world. She could be the heroine that soothed the hurting, fed the hungry and clothed the poor. It was more than anything she ever imagined to accomplish as a mere Representative. Aspirations to attain the Presidency now seemed foolish in retrospect. The United States was unlikely to even exist in another twenty years when she could even begin to consider running for that office. The economies were on the brink. Gasoline alone cost upwards of fifteen dollars a gallon in most of the country. Banks rarely administered loans and only under conditions of practical extortion. While here, in Moscow, people thrived. Why? She was looking at why.

It seemed the plan was in place. She was a little overwhelmed, not to mention tired, to think on it much more tonight. She stood and composed herself. "I think it's time I retire for the night."
No point beating around the bush. "Any idea where my shoes are?"

Evelyn had to be protected at all costs. Despite his preference she remain safe in the Kremlin, she had to return to the United States at some point, even if it was to cast a vote in the House. Besides himself as protector, he would trust her life with Alric, but Nikolai could not afford to part with Alric any more. Not after Regus penetrated the walls of his very home. Jensen had been allowed to leave the fortress, something Nikolai was extremely reluctant to allow as well. However the man could not be a prisoner. Unhappy men were not likely to save your life twice.

Other than Alric, there was only one other with the ability to adequately protect Evelyn. She and Michael were going to get along splendidly. He almost laughed at that imagery.

Despite the burst of energy coursing Nikolai's veins, Evelyn was weary. She composed herself in the manner perfected by all women. With one sweep of her hair and tug of her clothing, she seemed completely in place as though nothing out of the ordinary at all had happened. Nikolai smiled. On the contrary, the world just changed and nobody knew it but them.

"Of course,"
he looked around to locate her shoes and went so far as to channel them to her hands.

He walked her to the door, where she turned to bid him good night. "No. I am seeing you to your chambers. From this moment on, you will never be without escort. You are priceless to me my dear."
He cupped her cheeks, his own eyes bright with desire, though the object of that desire went unsaid. She was beautiful, that was uncontested. "If something should happen to you, I would be utterly devastated."
Surprisingly, there was quite a bit of truth in that statement.

He kissed her softly, but when her hands snaked into his hair and pulled him close, other desires were flamed. Despite the building heat, Nikolai restrained himself and broke the connection gently.

He contemplated pulling a jacket over his shirt, but they were unlikely to encounter anyone in the halls at this hour. So, despite his self-imposed rules on dress code, he walked her to her rooms in a half-buttoned shirt and said goodnight at the door.

When he returned to his own private quarters, he collapsed on the sedan that was the place of their passions, pulled up a screen and immediately set plans into action.