Intermix Nation

“I believe you have something for me,” Grumsnaps.

Gabirel retrieves a gold bar from hispocket. “It’s rude to speak out of turn,” he says, tossing itGrum’s way. “But how could someone like you know any better?” Hiscompanions snicker, watching in amusement. “And your eleventh hourassociate?”

Nazirah tenses and Grum shrugsnoncommittally. “Taken care of.”

Gabirel looks at Nazirah quizzically. “Isee.”

“Are we done here?” Grum asks, flinging aguard the key to Nazirah’s handcuffs.

“You can go, intermix.”

“Thank you,” he sneers, turning.

“On second thought,” Gabirel says,inspecting his nails, “I think I’m rather displeased with yourattitude after all.”

Grum faces Gabirel stiffly. “Apologies,Chancellor.”

“Do you value your life, intermix?”

“Yes, Chancellor.”

“Then you should know not to bite the handthat feeds you.” Gabirel nods at his guard, who passes him amachete from her belt. “I’m in an unusually literal mood today,”Gabirel says, fingering the blade. He shivers excitedly. “Oh, it’ssharp!” Gabirel extends it to Grum, who cautiously accepts it.Nazirah knows something very bad is about to happen.

“Chancellor?” asks Grum warily.

“Cut it off.”

Grum looks at him, shocked. “M-My hand?”

“Y-Yes,” Gabirel mocks. “You’re not leavinghere any other way.”

“Please, Chancellor!” Grum cries, droppingto his knees. “I didn’t mean to…”

“Don’t beg,” he says. “It’s not flattering.You intermix need to learn a lesson in appreciation. Do it now andkeep your life, or die. It’s your choice. Be grateful I’m givingyou one.”

Nazirah doesn’t want to watch. But she can’tlook away. The guards raise their guns, pointing them at Grum. Grumlooks between them hopelessly, shakily raising the machete. Hebegins hyperventilating and crying. Nazirah almost feels sorry forhim. He shuts his eyes, grits his teeth, and in one swift motionhacks off his hand at the wrist. It rolls across the marblefloor.

Grum’s screams echo through the room. Hecradles the remaining stump against his chest, wailing, collapsingon the ground. Blood gushes as he crawls towards the exit. Severalgirls cry out, gagging and looking away. Even the men appearnauseous.

Grum leaves pools and trails of crimson inhis stead. Nazirah refuses to cower. Because that’s exactly whatGabirel wants. The Chancellor looks at her expectantly. “Hedeserved it,” she says, calmly as she can, trying not to betray heremotions.

Gabirel smiles wickedly, standing beforeher. “She has a voice,” he says, ru

“You’re repulsive.”

“I’m repulsive?” He chuckles, turningaround. “Did everyone hear that? The intermix findsme repulsive!” Hisfriends laugh uncomfortably. “Remove her handcuffs.” One of hisguards quickly unlocks them. Gabirel grabs Nazirah’s wrist, hisses,“You, little intermix, are the repulsive one! You and your dirtyblood that taints everything it touches. Here, let me give you themark you so desperately crave.”

Gabirel holds the burning end of his cigarjust above Nazirah’s forearm. He keeps it there for severalseconds, patiently waiting, staring into her eyes. Only whenNazirah flinches does Gabirel lower the tip to her skin, satisfied.Her flesh sizzles, the stench of fear and loathing. Knees buckling,Nazirah bites her lip until it bleeds. But she doesn’t cry out.

Gabirel stamps the cigar out with his foot.“Stronger than you look,” he says, licking his lips. “I like that.The strong ones always break hardest.”

“Have fun trying,” she snarls.

“I believe I will,” he says, turning again.“Gentlemen, I’m afraid I must cut our game short. As you can see, Ihave my hands full. But please, take our female companions as aparting gift. Do with them what you like.” The others quickly exitthe room, dragging the sobbing girls through the blood.

Nazirah watches the girls go, not wishingtheir fate on her worst enemy. She protectively holds her burnedarm, already feeling the tender skin blister.

Gabirel addresses her. “Your presence inMediah is no secret, Nazirah … may I call you Nazirah? I leakedyour arrival to the public myself. Even here, you are alegend.”

“And whose fault is that?”

“Mine, I admit,” he taunts. “When I firstsanctioned your parents’ elimination, I did not realize theconsequences of that action. It was an oversight on my part, tofeed an already smoldering fire. But I will rectify that error soonenough.”

“When you kill me.”

“Yes,” he agrees, “When I kill you, tomorrowmorning at your execution. It will be spectacular, broadcastthroughout the entire country. I’ve been trying to capture you forquite some time, you know. I’m sure you’ve realized by now thatsending that fool Ivan through hell and high water to your littlecompound was just a diversion so I could get to you. You’re quitethe traitor, Nazirah. But as they say … the apple doesn’t fall farfrom the tree.”

“Killing me won’t solve your problem!”

“Actually,” he corrects, “killing you solvesall my problems. To the capital and our loyal allies, it’s anunfortunate means of justice … finally ending the vile grassrootsuprising threatening our happiness. To the insurgents, it’s abrutal blow, destroying their symbol of hope and rallying cry allat once. It’s a win-win situation … except for you. Sorry aboutthat.”

“My death won’t stop the rebellion,” shesnaps. “You think I’m the only thing binding us together? All wehave to do is look around! Poverty, famine, inequality, death …those are better rallying cries than I could ever hope to be!”

“Hope is a fu

“If you kill me, then you agree there’s noneed to hurt anyone else?”

He laughs. “Look at you … bargaining whenyou have no cards left to play! No, pet. After your death, when therebels are most vulnerable, we will attack. Those intermix in themeadow must go, followed by your backwoods brother and whateverother rubes stand in our way. But contrary to what you might think,I don’t want to spill any more blood than necessary. What good is acountry with no citizens?”

“There would be no one for you to rule,”Nazirah observes. “No one to fulfill your quotas.”

“Exactly,” he replies. “The Medis havesuffered terribly in the past few months, Nazirah. It has been mosttrying, explaining why they must ration their food, why there arewater shortages, why their furniture is backlogged. It confusesthem.”

“I bet it does.”

“You can see why your death isnecessary.”

“And what of your wife’s death?” she asks,savoring the look of unchecked shock on his face. Even hisbodyguards tense. “Was that necessary too?”

“Interesting,” Gabirel breathes, eyesnarrowing. He inspects Nazirah’s throat more closely, noticing thebruises and bites. He touches one near her clavicle, making Nazirahshudder. Hand catching her chain, Gabirel slowly pulls out thependant. Nazirah inhales sharply. “Very interesting,” he repeats.“It seems Adamek enjoys his pillow talk.”

“You don’t know anything!”

“I know you like to work that mouth ofyours. No wonder my son likes you so much.”

Nazirah spits in his face. His twobodyguards look alarmed, but Gabirel does not move.

“Let me tell you something, Nazirah,” hesays, smiling insanely. “The aforementioned reasons for killing youare all true, and they are all good reasons. But they are not myreasons. Do you follow me?”

“No, but I’m sure you’ll elaborate.”

“When I learned of Victoria’s indiscretion,”Gabirel continues, “that was embarrassing enough. But she kept itquiet, as did I with my own dalliances, so it was tolerable for atime. When I learned her lover was a dirty intermix, however, itwas no longer tolerable. I had him killed, and then I killed her.It was a matter of pride, of honor.”