Late-night assignment

[Ascendancy]

Consul Alexandrova Lesya Vladislavo

Consul Alexandrova Lesya Vladislavovna

One small perk of heading a Consulate meant Alexandrova could take the short route to the car. On a late-night when even the best pumps left her feet aching, the walk through the Grand Palace was preferable to the long, twisting halls of the Senate. She was head-down, scrolling messages that she hadn’t yet processed, when a blur caught the corner of her eye. Then a touch on the arm. She gasped, jumping aside.

When she realized what it was, not even a flood of relief slowed her breathing.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Nik,” she blurted out before she had a chance to stop herself.

It was Nikolai. Standing there like she was the one out of place.
“I’m hardly Jesus,” he replied with a coy smile that once upon a time made her blush. He probably thought that Jesus could only be so lucky.

There was no point in saying that though.
“I’m sorry. You startled me is all. You should have messaged me.” She found herself looking at her messages again as if one might manifest right then. Avoiding his gaze had nothing to do with blushing. It really was incredible that he looked the same as he had twenty-five years ago.

“I am sorry for having startled you. Are you done for the night, then?” The way he asked made her check the time on impulse.

“Yes, actually. That project you asked for should be completed anytime. It's being worked on as we speak,” she said, suddenly acutely aware of the time. They were alone as far as she could tell. Any of the lingering staffers lacked the clearance to walk these hallowed halls. One of the other Consuls may have appeared, she supposed, or a Dominion. 

Sensing her disquiet, Nik seemed to soften just a little. “Good night, Alexandrova,” he said with a gentle nod in parting. It was like she couldn’t help herself. It was probably why she would die of old age doing whatever he asked of her.

---

Alexandrova’s departure lingered even as the distance parted them. With the power flexing within, he could still smell her perfume. It was the same brand she’d worn for decades. It made him think of his first campaign for President, nights traveling between St. Petersburg and Russia, and the eventual thrill of winning the seat. Alexandrova had been a girl then. She was still beautiful, but back then, she was fierce and stunning. The nostalgia made him sigh. It was her damn perfume. There was a special connection between scent and memory - some stimulation of the reptilian brain left within the mind. Would he still be burdened with the thoughts of those younger years in a century? Two?

He had to put Alexandrova from his mind. All of them. The power flowed through him. Not so much to tempt a god sucking Ijiraq. Enough, though. Yes, he owed them his loyalty – Leonid, Borislav, Alexandrova, others – and they would have it as long as they needed it. Tonight, he needed someone else. Someone who only knew the god.

He paused at the Consulate’s entrance, thoughtful frown overtaking his expression. Now that he was here, he wasn’t really sure what he was going to say. It was rather shocking. Him? He had a plan for everything under the sun. His plan was walking around the United States right now, delivering the final corner of the world to his feet. Evelyn was half a world away, and more importantly, busy. He had a plan for the world, but not how to talk to one girl? Hmm.

The strange sensation passed in a few moments, swept away by a power so much greater. In one sweeping gesture, he opened the door and called out, “Alexandrova? Are you still here?” but paused in the threshold when it was clear there was only one staff member in the Consulate this evening.